Monday, Jan. 14, 2008

Award-winning restaurants populate county

If you expect to find great restaurants in Manatee County, famous for its beaches and beautiful winter weather, you will not be disappointed.

The best kind of eating can be found here. Manatee County has a good mix of small family-owned restaurants, plus eateries that have been in business for decades, as well as award-winning, chef-owned-and-operated fine dining establishments.

Florida Trend Magazine names its Golden Spoon Hall of Fame winners each year, and Manatee County is well represented.

Beach Bistro in Holmes Beach, owned by Sean Murphy, and Euphemia Haye in Longboat Key, owned by Raymond and D'Arcy Arpke, have both been been awarded the Golden Spoon for excellence.

Additionally, Beach Bistro and Euphemia Haye have each been invited to prepare meals at the James Beard Foundation House in New York City. Each has also been highly rated by Zagat Guide for excellence in dining.

Fred's Restaurant of Sarasota recently opened Lakewood Ranch Fred's Restaurant, serving Sunday brunch, lunch, dinner and a light menu. Fred's Restaurant also is a recipient of Florida Trend's Golden Spoon award and a recipient of Wine Spectator Magazine's 2006 Best of Award of Excellence.

Fred's also is a member of The Originals, a group of 46 independent restaurants in Manatee and Sarasota counties that feature chef-inspired original cuisine. Other members in Manatee include the BeachHouse Restaurant, Caragiulos, Chef's Table, Da Giorgio, Euphemia Haye, Harry's Continental Kitchen, Linger Lodge Resort, Macallister's Restaurant, Mangrove Grill, Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub, Ooh La La! Bistro, Sandbar Seafood Spirits and the Waterfront Restaurant.

Linger Lodge Resort also is on Al Roker's list of "the top five weirdest restaurants in the USA." The menu features Florida favorites such as frog legs, fried or grilled alligator tail and conch fritters. But that's not what makes it weird. It's the decor of taxidermic wildlife, including some fantasy creatures like the "jackalope," a rabbit with bunny-sized antlers.

Another Manatee County chef who has been winning national and regional awards for more than 20 years is Andrea Spring, co-owner with her husband, Ed Spring, of Sign of the Mermaid on Anna Maria Island. Spring recently won grand prize at the 2007 Great American Pie Festival in Orlando for her Key Lime Pie. The pie, piled high with meringue, is a favorite at the restaurant, along with another winner: Expresso Chocolate Explosion Pie. Spring makes all the desserts at the restaurant, including Chocolate Silk Pie, Chocolate Truffle Peanut Butter Pie and Chocolate Walnut Pie. Her proudest moment was when Chef Roger Verge, a co-founder of the French Pavilion at Walt Disney World's Epcot, judged her Spinach Artichoke Bundles the winner at a March of Dimes Chefs Auction. The appetizer is still on the restaurant's menu.

In all parts of Manatee County, you will find good food and a welcoming smile, often from the owners themselves. David Shiplett, chef-owner of Ezra Cafe, is famous for his Crispy and Crackling Calamari salad. Big, beautiful homemade pies are served at the Amish restaurants Miller's Dutch Kitchen and Grandma Yoder's. Greek specialities top the nightly specials list on the blackboard at the Olympic Cafe. Elegant Champagne Brunch awaits at Rosedale Golf & Country Club. Central Cafe often has mussels in white wine and garlic broth on the dinner menu.