05-02-09

05-0209
Today we are going to Sarasota with Glen and Charlene in their Venture 34 with Twin 300 HP Mercs. We leave out about 11, it's a beautiful sunny day 85 degrees, light breeze it will be a great day. We arrive at Mar Vista in Longboat Key. It is nextdoor to Moore's Stonecrab Restaurant. Mar Vista for the younger at heart crowd usually. After docking the boat, it took a few lassooing attempts on my part to get the outside pole, we walk down the deck to the new open air patio with brand new tin roof over. They did a good job of keeping the tropical feel but now you are protected from the sun and rain. The hostess is located outside so don't go looking for her if you walk in the front door. We tell her we would like to eat inside (AC) as we know that we will be outside in the sun all day. The place is owned by the same people that own The Beach House on Bradenton Beach and also the Sand Bar on Anna Maria Island. The inside is exactly as you would expect a beach front bar that tries to look like a dive but really isn't. Ultra drafts at the table we start off with a pound of stone crab claws, size small, cold and with mustard sauce to split. When they came out there was a wiff of fishy, but we tried them and they tasted fine, I tried one that was a little mushy and when I bit into it we found out where the fishy smell had come from, out of the mouthy and back to the plate it went. In this case one bad apple did not spoil the barrel and we finished the rest off. Mustard sauce was a lille too mayo heavy rather than mustard based, as I like. Toni our waitress brought us a round of Mohitos we did not want to get "beered out". Perfect Mohito, not one ingretient overwhelmed the other. Glen and Dixie got the Bistro steak, pan seared New York strip over mixed greens with purple onions, lots of feta cheese, cucumbers and tomatoes, Glenn a homemade thousand island dressing, Dixie opted for the balsamic vinegrette. Charlene and I got grouper sandwiches, hers was blackened and mine fried with american cheese on top, both came with a side of slaw, 3 pickles, onion, toasted bun and tartar sauce. We all cleaned our plates, it was what I believe the correct amount of food portion, so many places try to give you so much you overeat and chunk out. This is a good bar restaurant with a troplical touch that make you feel like you are in the islands, which you are, worth the visit. Our next stop is to Sarasota pass to hang out on the sandbar and Glenn sees a boat that he knows the owner of and we anchor next to them. We drink a few beers talk about the boats and engines and such stuff . Enough of the Sun baking us we are cruising to Marina Jacks. This place has great docking and a dock hand to help you tie up. There are lots of go FAST boats and such, as a boat club had a meeting there. They have an ACed inside for the oldies and Patio dining that's just right for us. There is a guy singing Neil Young songs, a large sit around bar with full liquor. Outside but out of the sun we order Ultras and a pound of steamed shrimp with cocktail sauce. They were a nice size but no seasoning that I could tell, we like heavy Old Bay Seasoning on ours. Didn't stop us from eating them. We go check out a 48' custom go fast fishing that a guy has just finished that is due to be shipped to Washington State. Twin 480 Yanmars push it to 47 mph. It is very utilitarian inside, the interior was designed to be hosed down. Back to the patio a few more beers and we are off to our next stop. The Sarasota Hyatt. We arrived by boat and luckily there was docking for us, nice new docks well maintained with a dock hand to help you tie off. They have a pool with waterfalls, we get in to cool off and wash the salt water off us, the temperature is a perfect 82 degrees. The poolside bar is just right for us. 2 bar tenders, shaded, warm water pool, not crowded but with enough people around to feel comfortable. Couple of Ultras and unfortunately we have to head back to Tampa. The sky has been clear all day and we see the sun setting just as we are in the middle of Tampa Bay. Glenn and Charlene put the boat back on their lift and we take off for Dixies Dockside, where they have 25 cent draft beers tonight because it is Jeff, the owner, 25th anniversary. The band is playing and the place is packed, all the usual suspects and everyone else are there. Both Carol and Jenn are working due to the party. After more beers than I can remember and making a fool of myself dancing and who knows what else that I don't remember, I think I forgot to pay my tab but I'll square up with them today and obviousley leave a big tip for the girls. It is time to drag my sorry self to bed. See Ya, Brian