Doc’s Favorite Places to Eat

Dr. Gatewood was born and raised in the Tampa Bay Area and due to his culinary interests, he has developed a thorough knowledge of where to eat. Since he lives on Perico Island, he is intimately familiar with all the restaurants in the area.

Inland Locations

• Bacco’s Ristorante Italiano - 23 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, FL
  Beautiful restaurant with fine dining, specializing in Italian cuisine and great steaks.
   
• Bonefish Grill - 7456 Cortez Rd. W., Bradenton, FL
  Great atmosphere and food. They have great steaks in addition to fish.
   
• Caragiulo’s Restaurant - 4726 Cortez Rd. W. Bradenton, FL
  “Italian Soul Food”. Zagat reported “A charming, cozy, gem.” Great appetizers and salads. Wonderful service.
   
• Joey D’s Chicago Style Eatery - 4304 14th St. W., Bradenton, FL
  Great Pizza and Chicago style sandwiches and salads. They offer take out and limited delivery. Call 941-753-8900.
   
• Lee Roy Selmon’s - 6510 Cortez Rd. W. Bradenton, FL
  Specializes in Southern Cuisine. Oh Boy! Doc has tried it all! But not all at once! (Doc has met Lee Roy, former Buccaneer #63, and says he’s a great guy!)
   
• Olympic Café - 6408 Manatee Ave., Bradenton, FL
  Greek foods and continental menu. Moderately priced with family atmosphere.  Eat in or take out. Call 941-756-1699
   
• Peaches - 6057 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL
  3201 Manatee Ave., W., Bradenton
  Breakfast and lunch can't be beat. They have a wonderful menu selection. Very reasonably priced.
   
• Stonewood Grill & Tavern - 7110 Cortez Rd. W., Bradenton, FL
  Quiet comfortable dining atmosphere. Great steaks.
   
• Thai Palace - 4756 Cortez Rd. W, Bradenton, FL
  Authentic Thai cuisine. Very flavorful and beautifully served.

St. Armand’s Circle

Located in Sarasota (approximately 15 miles south of Bradenton).  Has many shops and good places to eat.

• The Columbia Restaurant - 411 St. Armand's Circle
  Traditional Spanish food. Reasonably priced. Try 1905 salad and Spanish bean soup. Columbia is a very old restaurant and started out in Tampa where the original is. It is the only original Spanish restaurant left in the area.
   
• Blue Dolphin Cafe - 470 John Ringling Blvd., St. Armands Circle
  Excellent food, casual, very reasonably priced. Great breakfast, you’ll want to eat here everyday. Open for breakfast and lunch. The owners, Mr. And Mrs. Ball are very friendly and the chef is a CIA graduate. YUM! Well worth the drive.
   
• Crab and Fin - 420 St. Armands Circle, 941-388-3964 for reservations
  Excellent fine dining restaurant. An excellent seafood restaurant. Interior design enhanced by the display of fresh seafood on ice. Very nice. Piano entertainment on the outdoor dining patio.
   
• Café L’Europe - 341 St. Armand’s Circle, 941-388-4415 for reservations
  Excellent fine dining restaurant. Continental cuisine. Great place for celebrating special occasions.

Beach Locations

Longboat Key, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach & Anna Maria Island restaurants:

• Euphemia Haye - 5540 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, FL
  An excellent restaurant, probably the finest in the area. Cuisine from all countries. A la Carte pricing. They have a scrumptious dessert room upstairs so go up the stairs slowly if you are post-op.
   
• Chart House - 201 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key, FL
  This sits on the inter coastal and has a lovely view from the dining rooms. It has a wonderful menu and salad bar. Fine dining.
   
• Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub - 760 Broadway St. Longboat Key, FL
  Excellent sea trout, very casual atmosphere. Dine inside or out.
   
• Blue Dolphin - 5370 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Longboat Key, FL (In the Shopping Center.
  Great breakfast and lunch.
   
• Beach House - 200 Gulf Dr. N., Bradenton Beach, FL
  Excellent for seafood, has waterside entertainment and playground for kids. Casual dress, reasonable prices. Just south of the Cortez Bridge.
   
• Bridge Tender - 135 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, FL 
  Eat in or sit outside overlooking Sarasota Bay. Wonderful seafood. Located at the end of the street in the Historic District.
   
• Hurricane Hank's – 5346 Gulf Dr. Bradenton Beach, FL
  Very casual “pub” dining atmosphere. Great grouper sandwich and Buffalo chicken wing salad. Fun place!
   
• Ooh La La Café - 5406 Marina Dr., Bradenton Beach, FL
  Wow! Fine French food. Great for breakfast. Reasonably priced. (Try the French Toast). Evening is a culinary delight - try the fish dishes. Prices higher with evening meals.
  
  Beach Bistro - 6600 Gulf Dr., Holmes Beach, FL
  Fine Dining specializing in “presentation” of the foods. Absolutely one of the finest restaurants in the whole area. Formal dining. Doc is saving up to eat here again.
   
• Sandbar - 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria Island, FL (Beach side, north end of Island)
  Dine in or outside on the deck. You must eat here! Casual dress, reasonable price. You can bet on the sunset time every evening and win a free drink. (Doc is still trying to win!) Great smoked seafood dip!
   
• Rod and Reel Pier - 875 North shore Dr., Anna Maria Island, FL
  Excellent seafood, casual, reasonable prices. Doc eats here a lot but due to stairs it is off limits to post-op patients. Friendly staff, excellent service. Super Amberjack .

Over the Manatee River

• Kojak’s Palmetto Rib House - 1631 8th Ave. W., Palmetto
  Very good ribs!!! The kids like their cheesy fries. Family style restaurant. It’s all good.
   
• Mangrove Grill & Bar - 102 Rivera Dunes Way, Palmetto, FL
  Eat inside or on the patio overlooking the marina. Weekend evenings outside entertainment. Casual dining. The “best” grilled wings with Maytag Blue Cheese. Great seafood. Moderate prices.