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| Ocean Star Restaurant -- 3608 East Bay Drive, Holmes Beach (corner of Manatee Av.) | 5 | I want to recommend Ocean Star Restaurant, a Japanese sushi bar and restaurant located on Anna Maria Island in the small shopping area just beyond the Publix Market on the corner of Manatee Ave., and East Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. The address is 3608 East Bay Drive, Holmes Beach. Telephone: 778-1236. Start with the shrimp tempura. | January 1, 2005 | George Morse | | Mr. Mei's Asian Bistro -- 5105 Manatee Ave. W. (in the back of the shopping center) | 4 | This is an eat-in Chinese restaurant with take-out available. The tables are covered with linens. Unlike up north, hot tea is not served automatically. But the remaining service and menu were pretty typical for a mid-range Chinese restaurant. The night we went there were very few customers, which surprised us. The portions were large and the food very good. Most restaurants of this caliber will have better interior decorating. We need to eat there a few more times to decide if this will become a regular dining experience. | October 1, 2003 | Art Stadlin | | Crab & Fin -- 420 Saint Armands Circle. | 5 | Food and service were excellent. Our party of six on a Saturday early evening was seated immediately. We got in just in enough time to order the early bird specials. Seating for the early birds is upstairs in a large dining room overlooking the streets. This large restaurant also has dining available on the main level, both indoors and outside on the sidewalk. There was a piano player upstairs and another outside on the sidewalk. The food is tasty and presented well. Table service was attentive and without error. A children's menu is available, along with crayons. The wines were expensive, even for house wine served by the glass. However, bottomless iced tea was reasonable as was the food on the early bird menu | April 1, 2004 | Art Stadlin | | Banyan Cafe -- Ringling Museum at US-41 and University Parkway. | 4 | Located on the grounds of the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, next to the Museum of the Circus, and under a large banyan tree, the Banyan Cafe caters to tourists who would like to take lunch during their visit to the Ringling. Lunch is served between 11:00 and 5:00, either inside or outside on the porch. The menu is a common selection of inexpensive meals plus sandwiches, soups, salads, and other fare. Prices are reasonable. There is no children's menu, so the chicken fingers are popular. It was not very busy when we went, yet the food seemed to take a long time to arrive at the table. Admission to the museum is not required in order to eat here, but it is not very convenient to get to unless you are touring the Ringling campus. | February 2, 2004 | Art Stadlin | | Bonefish Grill -- Cortez Rd. at 75th St. W. | 4 | If you and your family have not had dinner at the local Bonefish Grill, you're missing a fine dining experience. This restaurant features a very comfortable ambiance, an eclectic menu specializing in fresh sea food, reasonable prices, excellent service and excellent food. All of the above make this restaurant a special place for us to dine and we definitely recommend it. An additional plus is that they do take reservations. When you go in, say hi to Mike Hand, the manager. Try it; we think you'll like it! | August 1, 2004 | Len and Kathy Lesjak | | Olympic Cafe -- 6408 Manatee Ave. W. | 5 | This is a family-owned family-style restaurant/diner. We went there for dinner and found the food and service to be excellent and the prices on the low side. Most dinners were between $9.95 and $11.95, and they included side dishes as well as soup or salad. The menu is a mix of Greek specialties, seafood, and Italian dishes as well as typical American fare. There is a children's menu. For those who wish, there is a large assortment of fresh-made desserts. Drinks are re-filled for free. This is the kind of local restaurant that brings regulars back again and again. | August 1, 2004 | Art Stadlin | | Panda Buffet -- Manatee Ave. at 39th St. W. | 4 | Bring an appetite because it is all you can eat for one price. A wide range of Chinese dining selections, including shrimp and other fine foods. The buffet bars were clean. Service was friendly and attentive. There is even scoop ice cream included with about ten flavors to select from. It's in the east end of the Publix shopping center. | June 1, 2005 | Art Stadlin | | Roaring 20's -- U.S. 301 about a mile east of I-75 in Ellenton | 5 | If you like organ music then this is heaven. The Roaring 20's features the largest Wurlitzer pipe organ in the world. Read the complete history while you eat. Food is served cafeteria style. You order your drinks and food at a counter, and pick it up when your number comes up. Seating consists of several dozen picnic tables in one large hall. The live organist rises from the floor as the music starts. He plays for about 20 minutes between 10-minute breaks. During a typical meal, you will hear two sets. This place is unique. People come here for the music. The food is just the price for admission. The menu is short and uninspired, so don't come here expecting gourmet cooking. But if you want a fun time, this may be the best place around. | February 1, 2004 | Art Stadlin | | Via Italia -- 6277 Manatee Ave. | 5 | We are fortunate to have a new authentic Italian restaurant near-by in the NorthWest Promenade Plaza. The Via Italia has recently opened next to the Pet SuperMarket. It was formerly a Greek/Italian restaurant but it is now owned and operated by Chef Francesco Mucci. Francesco was trained in Bologna, Italy and worked/operated fine Italian restaurants for 25 years in Italy and America. The food is authentic Italian fare, delicious and reasonably priced. The service is First Class all the way. The Head-waiter, Giacomo is also from Bologna, and very hospitable and accommodating. The Via Italia is open for Lunch on Tuesdays thru Fridays from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, and open for Dinner Tuesday thru Sunday from 4:30 to 10 PM. Buono Appetito - Enjoy ! | June 1, 2005 | Vince Meli | | Oma's Italian Restaurant, 201 Gulf Dr. N., Bradenton Beach | 3 | Oma's is a small Italian restaurant and pizza take-out place across the street from the beach. The food is delicious, and I wish I could recommend it more highly. I was soured to learn that there is a refill charge on soft drinks and iced tea! The prices are also rather high compared to similar Italian restaurants. Parking is often difficult. On the bright side, it has recently been remodeled with new tile work and boothes. Although we love the food, we will probably not return due to the no refill policy on top of the premium pricing. | February 7, 2009 | Art Stadlin | | Cristellie's Italian Restaurant at 5718 Cortez Rd W | 5 | We are delighted to recommend Cristellie's Italian Restaurant at 5718 Cortez Rd W, in the shopping center with Tuesday Morning, tel. 792-4195. Cristellie's has been at this address for several years but it is now under new ownership by a delightful young Bulgarian immigrant couple, Plamen and Eva Katarsky, who have retained the excellent chef offering a variety of delicious Italian dishes ranging from Veal Marsala to pastas and pizzas. There is also a good wine list with inexpensive chianti and good medium-priced cabernets and chardonneys, that cater to a variety of wine tastes and budgets. Prices are reasonable, with some early bird (before six) entrees, e.g., excellent raviolis, under $10, to evening meals ranging from $12 to $25. The owners are warm and welcoming, the lighting is subdued, and the recorded music is soft enough to permit friendly conversations. We have had three excellent meals in Cristellie's in the last month and recommend it with enthusiasm. | February 7, 2009 | Ken and Yvonne Hill |
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