People actually think that Sarasota is lacking good restaurants? (Bradenton: bill, beach)

[gypsychic]

I whole-heartedly disagree about Bonefish - we have always had GREAT meals there and been going there for years. And we never spend what Rushmore does, but then we get salads (no apps) meals under $20 ea., no desserts and usually the happy hour wine or something reasonable. Our bill is usually in the $70 range. Food always fresh, service great, nice ambiance. No complaints whatsoever. They have good steaks too!

[PixiStix]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I whole-heartedly disagree about Bonefish - we have always had GREAT meals there and been going there for years. And we never spend what Rushmore does, but then we get salads (no apps) meals under $20 ea., no desserts and usually the happy hour wine or something reasonable. Our bill is usually in the $70 range. Food always fresh, service great, nice ambiance. No complaints whatsoever. They have good steaks too!

I love their Bang Bang Shrimp

[Obrero]

For the size of the town and the number of restaurant choices I find the majority of them to be inconsistent at best. But I can understand how, at first glance, you would be impressed with the variety.

There are very few places that are decent every time we go. And a $125 crappy meal sure puts you off going back. Off the top of my head the places that are almost always on my A+ list are:

Lucky Pelican (LWR)
Louies Modern (downtown SRQ) And Hyde Park is pretty good there too.
PattieGeorges & Euphemia Haye (Longboat)
Tandoor (University Parkway)
Simon's on 41 (lunch)
Cafe L'Europe & Columbia (St. Armands)
Flemings and Ruth's Chris (41)

I'm sure I'm forgetting some...

Also for casual burgers I am into Square One but that could be because they have the best Chocolate Martini known to mankind.

I would not eat dinner at places like The Chart House or Marina Jacks again. You make that mistake ONCE.

We go to Bone Fish quite a lot but I consider it a place to take the kids - certainly not a date night place. Stonewood is also good to take kids..

[photoman_6]

i think you can get an excellent meal at many, many restaurants in the area for a reasonable amount of time. Restaurants make most of their money on apps, drinks/wines and desserts. Skip those, get a salad and good entree and coffee/espresso and you're good to go for maybe $40/head. And there are tons of places like that.

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by PixiStix

I love their Bang Bang Shrimp

Every single person, without exception, who recommends Bonefish says this.

It is their equivalent of the Bloomin' Onion. Of course everyone loves the 900 calorie appetizer.

[veisenhalter]

Originally Posted by Rushmore

Every single person, without exception, who recommends Bonefish says this.

It is their equivalent of the Bloomin' Onion. Of course everyone loves the 900 calorie appetizer.

bonefish is perfected mediocrity and it's not cheap, and it's just another chain ! who cares about the bang bang anyway ? how many times do you want that ?

[PixiStix]

Originally Posted by veisenhalter

bonefish is perfected mediocrity and it's not cheap, and it's just another chain ! who cares about the bang bang anyway ? how many times do you want that ?

My sincerest apologies.... I'll try to live with myself the next time I go, knowing the food snobs are frowning down upon me.

And welcome to the forum

[Cardiff by the Sea]

Originally Posted by PixiStix

I love their Bang Bang Shrimp

So tell me about the bang bang shrimp?

I like a bloomin onion at least once a year.

Hubby and I used to go to the Del Mar fair, mostly to eat and people watch. Everything there is fried, right down to the twinkies. I generally eat low fat, I considered fair day the day I got my entire annual allowance of cholesterol. Without the fair, I need a replacement.

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by PixiStix

My sincerest apologies.... I'll try to live with myself the next time I go, knowing the food snobs are frowning down upon me.

And welcome to the forum

I can understand your thinking that I am a "food snob," but I promise I am not. It is true that I am highly opinionated on the topic, but I respect everyone's right to eat what they like, of course.

Just for example, swing by Walt's on 41 sometime and have a plate of fish. Grab a Philly cheesesteak at Walsh's on Clark Rd.

Hell, try the chicken mini's for breakfast at Chik-Fil-A.

All fine selections.

I simply feel that Bonefish is an emperor's new clothes-type scenario.

Kind of like Trader Joe's, a hundred yards away.

But that's another thread.

[PixiStix]

Originally Posted by Cardiff by the Sea

So tell me about the bang bang shrimp?

I like a bloomin onion at least once a year.

Hubby and I used to go to the Del Mar fair, mostly to eat and people watch. Everything there is fried, right down to the twinkies. I generally eat low fat, I considered fair day the day I got my entire annual allowance of cholesterol. Without the fair, I need a replacement.

It's kind of their signature appetizer they are known for & it's really good (but of course this is my mediocre, chain eating, non-foodie opinion) The shrimp are lightly fried & then coated with a sweet & spicy sort of glaze.

Now that you mention fair food- I haven't had a good old elephant ear since leaving Indiana... sounds so good!!