Hungry or thirsty at spring training?
Here’s a beat writer’s guide to some Florida favorites
Let Pirates general manager Ben Cherington and his group worry about the baseball stuff. I have bigger fish to fry.
Somewhat literally in this case, although I guarantee you don’t actually want me frying anything. Ask my wife. I wanted to revisit my column from last year involving things to do around Bradenton, Sarasota and Anna Maria Island.
First off, the feedback blew me away. One of the best responses to anything I’ve written. For 2024, I’ve also decided to focus solely on food and drink.
The following breaks down like a baseball roster. There are those who won’t make the cut this spring. There are also rookies with a key stretch ahead. It closes with a group of reliable veterans that I’ll look to anchor my roster.
Let’s get started.
It was real, but ...
The first two in this section hurt my heart: Mixon’s Fruit Farms and Primo! Ristorante. I actually didn’t know Primo had closed when this column published last year, and I wanted to cry. That place rocked.
Then again, it wasn’t as much of an area institution as Mixon’s, which touted the greatest kids play area and orange twist cone known to man. Andrew McCutchen’s retirement, whenever that is, will bring more sadness to Pirates fans. But the family that owned Mixon’s selling it might not be far off.
The other two are my calls. Alice Scooper’s, across the Manatee River and near River House (great spot, by the way) was my go-to for ice cream, but it changed ownership. You can keep your $7 cone. I’m good.
Similar over at FOOD+BEER, a previous staple until the service turned south. The food and beer are great, but there are too many other available options to spend 30 minutes hoping to order.
Key additions
This one is more my fault than anything. But last August, when Paul Skenes made his affiliated-ball debut and it was about 175 degrees with humidity, we finally tried Swordfish Grill in Cortez for the first time.
Man, had I been missing out.
We ordered a bunch of appetizers and cooled off by sitting in front of fans out on the back patio, overlooking the water. Gorgeous view/ vibe. The main seafood dishes are both delicious and reasonably priced.
Another staple has become Island Time on Anna Maria Island. It was the last place I took my family last spring and the first spot we hit in August.
If you go, make sure to order a bowl of the seafood chowder. Imagine the best stew you’ve ever had and switch it to seafood — whatever they have fresh that day. Add spices and a broth you’ll want to drink, it’s incredible.
Speaking of drinking, who doesn’t love a locally owned coffee shop? If you’re near Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton, visit Orange Blossom Coffee. Beans roasted across the river in Palmetto. Awesome baked goods, a ton of juice/ tea selections and more.
Intriguing prospects
Once again, these are spring ’24 goals. Haven’t been but have heard and read plenty about them.
On the way to Holmes Beach, there’s a nondescript spot in a shopping plaza called Los Chiludos. It’s not fancy, but it’s supposed to be incredible. Also love the local connection.
Tera and Jose Lemus moved to Pittsburgh (from Orange County, Calif.) in 2000. Their Washington County business started by selling homemade salsa at farmers’ markets, and it grew into a hidden gem tucked inside Southpointe. They fell in love with Anna Maria Island and relocated there in 2022.
With Mixon’s and Alice Scooper’s gone, I’m turning my attention to another recommendation from Pirates pitching development coordinator Josh Hopper, an ice cream fanatic. Hopper has endorsed Detwiler’s Farm Market in Palmetto.
They serve Yoder’s ice cream, which is made in Sarasota, and there’s supposedly a really cool, laid-back feel. My first choice: to-be-determined choice of ice cream between a pair of scratchmade chocolate chip cookies for $3.99.
I’ve gotten more into cigars over the past year, and I can’t wait to try Cork’s Cigar Bar in beautiful downtown Bradenton. A cigar and watching the sun set when it’s 75 in February? Choosing between bourbon or $2 beers during a happy hour? Rough life, but someone has to do it.
Couple other places on AMI I hope to hit this spring include Sandbar and Daiquiri Deck, the former touting grouper Reubens and the latter ideal drinks after spending all day outside.
Reliable veterans
Like every good baseball team, you need reliable production from key spots. These standbys offer that and more:
Pier 22: Across from the SpringHill Suites and right on the Manatee River, the views and atmosphere are awesome. Entire menu’s good, but our favorite thing to do is head here for happy hour (3-6 p.m.) and order a bunch of appetizers and sushi.
Ugly Grouper: You eat a ton of grouper in this part of Florida, and I’ll put the grouper tacos here up against anything else in Florida. Google them. You’ll see why.
Oak & Stone: Across from Pier 22 and in the lobby of the SpringHill. The woodfired pizza rocks (recommended: Sweet Heat). Ditto for the wings (Bourbon Sticky or Sweet Seoul). But the best part is the beer wall. There are 40-60 taps. A bracelet that syncs with them allows you to pay by the ounce. Why isn’t this concept more popular?
Scuderia: Recommended by former Pirates pitcher, current broadcaster and Hall of Fame food consumer Matt Capps, it’s my new Primo — a local Italian joint with sauce you’ll also want to drink.
Tide Tables: Just past Swordfish Grill before you reach Anna Maria, it’s the last spot on your left. Arrive early because parking stinks, but it’s worth it. Incredible local seafood. A tiki bar on a dock. Homemade dessert. What’s not to love?
O’Brick’s: Another heart-of-Bradenton spot, it’s an Irish pub and martini bar. Next bad meal I have here will be the first. Odd pick: try the Twisted Cuban sandwich. Funky explosion of flavors.
Extra innings
Can’t include everywhere, but Magnanimous & Motorworks are two breweries near LECOM Park worth the trip. ... Shake Pit feels like Sara’s in Erie: oldschool burger-and-shake joint a short drive from downtown. ... If you’re craving Chipotle, visit Poppo’s instead. It’s far better.