New Shore restaurant is part of a long history of waterfront dining on Longboat Key
For nearly half a century there has been a restaurant at 800 Broadway St., a waterfront location a few hundred yards south of the Longboat Pass Bridge, spectacularly facing onto Sarasota Bay and Jewfish Key.
For most of that time, it was home to Moore’s Stone Crab Restaurant, an Old Florida style establishment that opened in 1967 as a sideline to a retail/wholesale fish market.
Then in 2015, new owners with a fresh vision bought the nearly one-acre property and set about bringing a new restaurant with comfortable Mid-Century Modern style to the area, capitalizing on 450 feet of waterfront.
As with any ambitious project, there were unforeseen problems and challenges, including having to raze the original building, permitting and construction issues, and a fire that set the project back.
In September, owners Tom and Susan Leonard and John Mays finally opened Shore Longboat Key, a beautifully crafted restaurant and retail store with dramatic lines, and calming atmosphere focused on the waterfront.
“When the weather is nice — about 360 days a year — we can open up and give you beautiful views of the water,” Tom Leonard said, referring to large windows that swing open, and a large expanse of roof that retracts.
“The building takes on multiple elevations so that everybody can can get a good view of the waterfront. Everyone who sits here looks out there. Every seat has the feeling of being outside,” he said.
Some diners elect to take their meals at the main bar, which faces directly onto the water. Other guests like to spend time on the patio.
“At night, this becomes a drink rail,” Leonard said of the railing that invites lingering along the waterfront.
Those familiar with St. Armand’s Circle will recognize Shore as a familiar brand, combining restaurant and retail space. Shore St. Armand’s Circle, what he calls the “mothership,” is also owned by the Leonards.
Shore is designed to be beautiful, yes, but also to invite guests to feel at home.
“Shore restaurant is our expression of a mid-century, al-fresco coastal eatery. Creative recipes are our specialty, combined with local favorites, all served in our open air dining space. From your first sip of our signature cocktail to your last bite of our Key West shrimp and Scallop Risotto, the entire Shore experience is nothing short of a beach day makeover, with laughter, cool vibes, and delicious eats,” the company says of its vibe on its website, https://www.dineshore.com/about/.
The booths and tables at the 185-seat restaurant were made in Bali from reclaimed teak. Other wood used in the restaurant is locally sourced cypress.
Small plates and shares lead off the menu with selections like Rustic Rosemary Olive Bread and Spreads, starting at $14. Most of the small plates are priced at $15, including Thai Curry Mussels, Tuna Tartare and lump crab cake.
The Fresh & Bright portion of the menu starts at $10 and features salads.
The rest of the menu is divided between Off Shore (seafood) and On Shore (burgers, fried chicken, and more).
John Mays, the Leonards’ partner in Shore Longboat Key, is one of the founders of Bonefish Grill.
“It’s exciting to be able to carry the Shore brand to a second location,” Mays said.
Guests can reach Shore via boat or car. The dock from Moore’s Stone Crab was grandfathered for the new restaurant.
“Business has been incredible. It has been beyond our expectations and projections,” Leonard said.
An integral part of the Shore brand is the retail business, featuring clothing and home decor items, branded by Susan Leonard, and the couple’s daughter, Courtney, and made in the United States.
“It’s about a lifestyle brand,” Tom Leonard said. “We have people from 7 to 70 shop in the retail store and eat in the restaurant.”
The restaurant is open 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Although walk-in traffic is welcome, the owners strongly suggest making a reservation at 941-259-4600. Shore uses valet parking.
