Favorite local restaurants thread (Sarasota, Venice: appointed, club, bills)

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by mrs.cool

I have no problem with them either, I love them both, but if you're trying to frequent the locals, it's good to know who IS local, and who's not. I was told Fleming is from Phoenix. But I don't remember who told me that. I also like bone fish grill, and outback. Outback is one of the leaders in gluten free menus.

Technically, it is local considering Outback Steakhouse and OSI originated in Tampa, Florida. PF Changs (Phillip Chang) is based out of Phoenix.

Actually how good a steak is due to how it is graded. The four grades are; Prime, Choice, Standard, and Select. The reason you pay $40 for a steak at Ruth's Chris etc, is because it is Prime. That's the same reason the Golden Corral only charges $6.99 for a steak because it is much lower quality. It has nothing to do with the thickness.

BlueHerons<---------Hubby retired from OSI in 2004 and has been a successful restauranteur for 35 years, I currently work for Paul Flemming.

[mrs.cool]

"Technically" Outback Steakhouse is a chain. Sorry.
I KNOW the way meat is graded. I have a degree in Animal Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Who said the cost of steak depended on it's thickness? AND...i'm pretty sure you're paying more at Ruth's Chris and Flemings due to the atmosphere just as much as the grade of the steak.

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by mrs.cool

"Technically" Outback Steakhouse is a chain. Sorry.
I KNOW the way meat is graded. I have a degree in Animal Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Who said the cost of steak depended on it's thickness? AND...i'm pretty sure you're paying more at Ruth's Chris and Flemings due to the atmosphere just as much as the grade of the steak.

Oh yes, of course I know it is chain

[gettinoutofjersey]

give norma jeans a try. they have the best burgers that we have had down here so far. they say they buy the meat from hermans meat market in venice. the wings are good but they dont beat the wings at bogeys. so far bogeys have the best wings by far.

[JollyOgre]

I read this whole thread and nobody has mentioned Barnacle Bill's in Englewood?

Purples in Venice was good too.

And what about the Crow's Nest, Flying Bridge and Marker 4?

Nobody likes these places or are they no good any more?

When Saltwater Cafe opened it was really good. Its a shame it has gone down hill.

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by mrs.cool

you're paying more at Ruth's Chris and Flemings due to the atmosphere just as much as the grade of the steak.

Absolutely correct. The markup is not even remotely commensurate with simply the cut of meat. That's an absurd assertion.

My earlier point with steak is that I can buy prime cuts of steak and cook them myself for FAR less, relatively speaking, than I could with other cuisines. The markup with a decent steakhouse is always higher, and often, deservedly so.

It depends on why one is going out.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by Rushmore

Absolutely correct. The markup is not even remotely commensurate with simply the cut of meat. That's an absurd assertion.

My earlier point with steak is that I can buy prime cuts of steak and cook them myself for FAR less, relatively speaking, than I could with other cuisines. The markup with a decent steakhouse is always higher, and often, deservedly so.

It depends on why one is going out.

Ahhh, but do you have one of those 1500 degree ovens?
And, do you serve ice water while wearing a tux?

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by Big House

Ahhh, but do you have one of those 1500 degree ovens?
And, do you serve ice water while wearing a tux?

No, and no.

But I can reverse-sear a prime ribeye like nobody's business, seriously.

[sware2cod]

Originally Posted by JollyOgre

I read this whole thread and nobody has mentioned Barnacle Bill's in Englewood?

Purples in Venice was good too.

And what about the Crow's Nest, Flying Bridge and Marker 4?

Nobody likes these places or are they no good any more?

When Saltwater Cafe opened it was really good. Its a shame it has gone down hill.

Purples? They have been closed for years. The place has reopened several times since then, each time with a new owner/new name/new concept. They never last more than a year or two, whatever the name is.

Crow's Nest is still good. Just went there today. Great water view.

Barnacle Bill's in Englewood is closed.

Flying Bridge ---was the the one in the Laurel area??? Oh, I miss that place. They had the BEST water view anywhere and the food was very good. They closed several years ago. I think the place was bulldozed and then new condos were built there, at the height of the boom.

Marker 4 is still there. Can't comment on the food. Went there one summer to eat and they had no AC and all their doors were opened to the outside. It was way too hot and humid to eat there unless you wanted to leave soaking wet. Never went back.

[JollyOgre]

See I go away for a bit and the whole place goes to pot. lol

Well I am coming back so maybe things will get better.

oh I almost forgot...what about Crawdad's and the Clock, are they still there?