out&about: Sarasota Tiki Bar Hop

CASEY KEY FISH HOUSE & TIKI BAR  *  801 Blackburn Point Road, Osprey, FL

Sitting on wooden barstools covered in a garish thick yellow vinyl, conversation was easy going with Aly, the only bartender on duty on this humid summer afternoon. When asked for their most popular drink, she didn’t hesitate: “Rum Runner!” After just two sips of this potent four-liquor concoction, I knew what it meant to Tiki in Sarasota. Casey Key Fish House sits just south of Sarasota on a small strip of land between Osprey and Casey Key west of one of the states last remaining “turning bridges.” In fact several times throughout your afternoon, you’ll probably hear the bell announce a sailboat or large ship waiting. If you lean back far enough, you can catch a glimpse of the bridgemaster walk onto the center of the antique single-lane steel structure, turn a key, and swing the bridge to its side, allowing passage.

Or maybe you’d prefer to join the wading kids, ankle deep in pristine water, catching small crabs in their fingertips. When you get hungry, Aly will be happy to call in your order to the kitchen of Fish House across the pebbled parking lot. Neatly packed in to go containers, you’ll have to walk the 50 feet and pick it up yourself. Try to time your snack around 5p.m. when the dolphins usually pass by and give a little happy hour performance.

 

Casey Key Tiki Bar Rum Runner

Makes 1 cocktail

 

1 ounce light rum

1 ounce dark rum

1 ounce blackberry brandy

1 ounce banana liqueur

Splash grenadine

Splash Rose’s Lime Juice

3 ounces pineapple juice

 

Pour all ingredients in a tall glass filled with ice. Shake a few time to evenly blend. Garnish with a cherry.

 

 

EVIE’S AT SPANISH POINT  *  135 Bayview Drive, Osprey, FL

 

A skip away from Casey Key Tiki Bar, a few miles up the Tamiami Trail lies an historic and picturesque piece of land referred to as “Spanish Point.” Here, a family already known for popular venues in the area have taken over the large chickee hut. With their background in operating restaurants, the food menu rules here. A tropical mix, you’ll see influences from Mexico, the Caribbean, and even Polynesia scattered about the extensive offerings. As our cheery waitress Rue reassures, “you’re on island time now.” The Sea Side Nachos were delicate housemade chips, warm from the fryer set on a base of creamy queso, but also topped with freshly unmelted shredded cheese, making for a great contrast. Rue was rightfully proud of the fruit-laden salsa served alongside, telling us several times it was made especially for them by the well-known “Chili Heads” of Sarasota. For another fun twist on a classic, the teriyaki glazed Tropical Burger came topped with a grilled pineapple ring, candied bacon, and melted pepper jack cheese. The attention to detail was evident as even the fries were addictively seasoned with not only salt, but a healthy amount of black pepper.

 

 

GULF DRIVE CAFÉ  *  900 Gulf Drive North, Bradenton Beach, FL

 

Smack in the middle of Anna Maria Island, a funky, bohemian vacation spot just north of Sarasota is the impressive Gulf Drive Café. Opened in the 80’s as a small beachside café, the current owners of over two decades later added the Tiki bar whimsically known as the Kokonut Hut. The oversized, overstuffed menu resembles that of a diner offering all things, to all people, all of the time. Learning later that the owners are Greek-American restaurant veterans was hardly a shock. Hummus, stuffed grape leaves, nachos, and burgers all come from the same proficient kitchen. With their background, the café has become known as one of the best breakfast spots in the greater Sarasota area. There’s something to be said for slipping your feet out of your flip flops, allowing your toes to wiggle in powdered white beach sand, while diving into a plate of perfect eggs benedict and a cup of strong coffee.

In the evening, a weathered man offers covers of Jimmy Buffet songs while the large u-shaped bar turns out rum drink after rum drink to sunburned visitors and locals alike. Caressed by the warm breeze, rows of lights strung overhead offered additional kitsch dressed in their “red Solo cup” lampshades. I settled on a classic “dark and stormy” – a dose of Gosling’s Black Seal dark rum from Bermuda layered with spicy ginger beer. The cocktail arrived just in time to sit back as the sun began to leisurely set over the laid back west coast of Florida.