Bejeweled & Bedazzled -Beading in Holmes Beach

      

 Looking for some shiny treasure while you are at the beach?  You need to look no further than Creations by L!  Tucked in the little shopping center across from Catcher’s Marina at 5500 Marina Dr.  Suite 2 in Holmes Beach, is a great little shop where you can pick up your own Island treasure.  This lovely little spot has beautiful jewelry hand made by store owner Lois Manza.  If you are looking for something to sparkle in the gorgeous Anna Maria Island sun, you can pick up a ready made piece off the shelf.  If you have something specific in mind, want to create a custom keepsake of your trip, or need a rainy day activity, you can head to the beading table, and create your own masterpiece.  The selections range to fit any budget including glass beads, semi-precious stones, and even Swarovski crystals.  Lois will help you create something to be proud of!  Throughout the year Lois hosts beading classes, so check with her to see when you can come in and learn the tricks of the trade! 

Various Bird Photos – Images on and off Anna Maria Island

This is several years of taking images of the birds that can be found on and off Anna Maria Island, FL.  While most of the photos were taken on Anna Maria Island in Anna Maria City, Holmes Beach or Bradenton beach you will find some pictures of birds, pelicans, seagulls, love birds, an eagle, Osprey, etc taken in Robinson Preserve as well as Emerson Point.  Click on the below image gallery and enjoy plenty of pictures and a large variety of birds.

Anna Maria Island restaurants and shops open Easter holiday

Anna Maria Island is a great place to visit all year around.  If you happen to be visiting during a holiday, finding a spot to have breakfast, lunch or dinner could be a frustrating process if you don’t know before hand what restaurants are open.  Hopefully this information will help during Easter and there is a fairly good chance that if these restaurants and stores are open for Easter, they will be open for other Anna Maria Island holidays as well.  Have a happy holiday and

here is to doing no dishes this year!

ANNA MARIA ISLAND RESTAURANT’S OPEN EASTER HOLIDAY

Beach Bistro – Dinner – Holmes Beach, Florida
Gulf Front elegant dining with casual dining available

Beach House – Lunch & Dinner – Bradenton Beach, FL
Gulf Front casual dining – you can eat right on the beach

Da Giorgio – Dinner – Holmes Beach, Florida
Italian business casual dining with live entertainment

Euphemia Haye – Dinner – Longboat Key, Florida
Elegant dining, huge assortment of desserts

Moveable Feast – Lunch and Dinner – Holmes Beach, Fl
Casual dining with plenty of holiday seating

Paradise Cafe – Lunch – Holmes Beach, East Bay Plaza
Order take out or small availability for dining in

Rod  and Reel Restaurant – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner – Anna Maria City
Bay front dining – casual – live sea-life daily

Sandbar – Lunch & Dinner – Anna Maria City, Florida
Gulf Front dining – walk right in from the beach!

Sign of the Mermaid – Three meals – Anna Maria city, Florida
Business Casual dining.  National award winning key lime pie.

Sunhouse restaurant- Late Lunches, Dinner – Bradenton Beach, Fl
Floribean cuisine with Gulf Views and plenty of window shopping nearby

Waterfront restaurant – Lunch and Dinner – Anna Maria City, Florida
Bay View business casual dining.  Reservations strongly suggested

OTHER BRADENTON STORES OPEN HOLIDAY’S

Albertson’s Supermarket – Bradenton, Fl

Sweetbay Supermarket – Bradenton, Fl

Walgreens – Bradenton, Fl – Open 24 hours

Anna Maria Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Anna Maria Island holds some great holiday parades and St. Patrick’s day is no exception to the rule.  The parade

typically starts in the late afternoon and of course it is in the month of March.  The starting point for the past few years has been the outdoor plaza in Holmes Beach, Fl.  The very same plaza that houses the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce as well as the Wells Fargo bank on the corner of Gulf Drive and Marina Drive.  The St. Patrick’s day parade travels up Marina Drive past Island Real Estate all the way up to 85th street where it takes a jog to the East where the parade ends.

Each consecutive year the Holmes Beach based Irish parade has become larger and larger.  The Beach Bistro initiated the St. Patrick’s parade just a few years ago and has quickly become a very high participation parade.  Island Real Estate continues to participate in the parade and if you have never had the opportunity to drive down a street with wall to wall pedestrians waving, smiling and wishing you a happy holiday you need to give it a whirl.  It’s simply fantastic.

In 2008 the Beach Bistro sponsored an Irish elephant, 2009 it was a Camel and 2010 it was an elephant AND a camel.  You will have to come visit Anna Maria Island in 2011 to see what is next.  Candy, treats, beads and lots of other items are thrown by the parade goers.

So where is the best place to stand?  Island Real Estate at 6101 Marina Drive is a great spot.  Another great spot is at the Gloria Del Lutheran Church on the corner of Marina Drive and Palm Drive.  There is plenty of parking at the church which makes it a great place to stay if you are not staying a walk away from the parade route.  Lastly, these spots are towards the beginning of the parade route so everyone should still have plenty of treats to be throwing to the crowd.

If you are looking for a vacation rental close to the parade route then I would suggest the second, third, or fourth block of Holmes Beach between 60th and 85th street.   Below are some of Island Real Estate’s vacation rentals that should work well for a quick walk to the parade route if visiting during the St. Patrick’s day parade.

120 White Avenue – 4 bedroom Private pool home

131 White Avenue West – 3 Bedroom shared Pool

131 White Avenue East – 2 Bedroom shared pool

133 White Avenue – 2 bedroom private pool home

Coral Reef – 5 bedroom private pool home with Tiki hut

Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus offers German authentic cuisine

The Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus is a German family restaurant located in the Holmes Beach Shopping Plaza on East Bay Dr. It was voted “Best German Restaurant 2007″ in the Reader’s Choice Award Contest in the Anna Maria Sun newspaper.

The Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus is owned by husband and wife duo, Brigitte and Wolfgang Jahn. They serve their traditional German entrees with all fresh ingredients. Everything is homemade. You can enjoy the finest Wiener Schnitzel and Beef Goulash in town or taste German delicacies like Hühnerleber (chicken liver in a cream sauce with sauerkraut and potatoes) and Rahmschnitzel (veal in a cognac cream sauce). Friday’s special is usually Haxen with Knoedel (pork knuckle „Bavarian style“, oven fresh with bread dumplings and sauerkraut).
Try a piece of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake) or Tiroler Apfelstrudel (Tyrolean apple strudel) for dessert.
If you like a change from the Florida seafood give the Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus on Anna Maria Island a try.  If you are visiting the island and looking for some great things to do, visit our Anna Maria Island Informational blog.

Imported beer, wine and coffee available. Dinner hours only. Reservations recommended.

Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus hours:
Open Monday – Saturday 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Closed Sundays.

Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus
3246 E  Bay Dr
Holmes Beach, Fl 34217
Phone (941) 778 – 1320

Duffy’s Tavern & Bar has great hamburgers & COLD beer

Duffy’s Tavern is an Anna Maria Island landmark and has been since it first opened in 1958. Family owned and operated, “Miss Duffy” and her 5 daughters proudly serve their “world famous burgers and the coldest beer this side

of heaven” from a two-story cracker shack located across the street from the Manatee Public Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida. In March of 2003, Duffy’s relocated across the street from the Holmes Beach City Hall and skate park. Now with air conditioning and a fireplace, it is a great place to hang out where you are never too hot or cold and can mingle with the locals. You can still expect the same service and quality in both the beers and the burgers. Everything comes with chips, never fries.

Duffy’s hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11am – 8pm
Closed on Tuesday
Sunday: 12pm – 8pm
No credit cards

Duffy’s
5808 Marina Dr,
Holmes Beach, Fl 34217
Phone (941)  778-2501

Island Gourmet has great pizza and Italian food in Holmes Beach

The Island Gourmet in Holmes Beach is in a central location right off Marina Drive.  In fact, the

islandgourmet is a few  skips across the street from Island Real Estate of Anna Maria Island.  The restaurant is a perfect visit for family of younger children.  What child under the age of 10 does not like pizza?  The Island Gourmet has a few seats outside directly in front of the restaurant and fairly close to the parking lot.  If you are searching for a perfect spot to eat outdoors I would not recommend the Island Gourmet however the outdoor seating is perfect for waiting for their extensive take out menu.  In fact, the entire menu for the restaurant is available for take out and the restaurant as recently as 2009 just started to serve more customers within the restaurant.

The Island Gourmet has middle of the road prices for Italian food.  If you are looking for an extra ordinary pizza then I would make a strong recommendation to either order take out or eat in at the Island Gourmet.  Inside the restaurant has a comfortable feeling and could pitch hit for a romantic setting.  There are about 4 seats at the bar in case you want drinks only.  The restaurant has plenty of specials on the weekends.  On the Saturday we visited there were at least 7 entree specials.  Gorgonzola Gnocchi, pork loins and Calamari stuffed with grouper were a few of the specials the night we visited.  

The restaurant has plenty of appetizers and salads to choose from.  The main entree’s are fairly diverse but mostly

 originate from Italy.  Chicken Marsala, Chicken parmesan, Grouper Florentine, Chicken Piccata, and don’t forget about their pizza.  Most dishes come with pasta.  If you are ready to eat a horse try the Chicken Parmesan.  The dish of chicken provides for a healthy meal and a big plate of pasta with marinara sauce comes along with the dish.   The Island Gourmet also provides a few dessert options.  There Tiramisu is very good.

So if you are looking for a take out meal to picnic at the beach or a fantastic pizza then the Island Gourmet is your bet.  Stop by if you are in the mood for medium priced Italian food.  Usually when I visit there is a healthy family environment.  It is a great spot to go to for families because mom and dad can get their pallet filled with some great Italian dishes and the children can get a slice of pizza of their choice.  Perfect!

The restaurant will take reservations and serve lunches and dinner in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island.

The Island Gourmet  

5910 Marina Drive
Holmes Beach, FL, 34217
(941) 778-0333

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Moveable Feast moves to Anna Maria Island

A Moveable Feast is a relaxing place to have lunch or dinner.  The Moveable Feast moved to Holmes Beach on

Anna Maria Island, Florida.  The restaurant offers dining in, pick up and delivery.  Delivery must be at least $15 at the time of this blog so check with the restaurant to be sure they deliver.  The Moveable Feast has plenty of staff to be sure you are serviced well and the restaurant can support about twenty tables.  The restaurant serves Beer and Wine.

The Moveable Feast offers a ton of variety.  Plain pizza’s or gourmet pizzas.  Pasta, Sandwiches, salads and hearty entrees.  Our party started off with the Firecracker shrimp which were very good and a healthy serving which was plenty for four.  The Greek Salad was very good and could have added Chicken,Shrimp, Scallops, Tuna or Snapper for $5.  The Caribbean Red Snapper sandwich was a big portion with two sides.  They have plenty of sides to choose from.  The Vegetables were good but the mashed sweet potatoes were to die for and seemed more like a dessert than a side.  Lastly we tried the full rack of barbecue ribs which fell right off the bone.  Pretty saucy but cooked to perfection.

The restaurant offers a few desserts like key lime pie and a brownie.  If your party is looking for a good amount of variety ranging from a sandwich to gourmet meal then the Moveable Feast is probably a good bet.  The Moveable Feast

is in a central location in Holmes Beach.   Please note the pictures in this blog represent food provided by the Moveable Feast.

A Moveable Feast
5406 Marina Drive
Holmes Beach, FL, 34217
Anna Maria Island
(941) 778-5092

Anna Maria Island Grocery Shopping at Publix

Anna Maria Island has many shopping stores however the largest “chain” grocery store we have on the island is located in Holmes Beach.  It’s very close to the public beach and there is plenty of other shopping nearby.  CVS, Walgreens, ACE Hardware, Gift Shops, and restaurants are all very close.  Of course the free trolley has a stop just outside the grocery store.

Publix is like most grocery stores but maybe a little smaller than your local grocery store back home.  They have a full bakery, deli, fresh produce, and fresh fish.  You can pick up a last minute rotisserie chicken, fried chicken, pre-made deli cold salads, sushi, and a sub sandwich made fresh. 

Publix Website
3900 East Bay Drive
Holmes Beach, FL, 34217
(941) 778-5422
(941) 779-2712 FAX

If you are interested in accommodations within a walk away from Publix check out our website or here is a small list of vacation rentals we have within a walk from Publix.  Just a reminder the FREE trolley can get you to the grocery store from just about any location on Anna Maria Island…

4002 6th avenue, Holmes Beach, FL – 3/2 private home with heated pool
Sandy Point unit 207, Holmes Beach, FL – 2/2 condo with heated community pool
Sun Bow Bay unit 206, Holmes Beach, FL – 3/2 condo with tennis courts and community pool

Minnie’s restaurant in Holmes Beach

Minnie’s is a great breakfast and lunch restaurant.  The diner like restaurant plays oldies music that the waitresses sometimes sing to.  It is seat yourself so if you see a table free sit-on-down.  There is a very large table close to the cashier which is used mostly for single diners.  Minnie’s is very local as you often see lots of folks stopping and catching up with each other.

Saturday’s and Sunday’s they serve breakfast all day and normal days up until noon.  They have some great lunch and breakfast specials.  Be sure to bring your CASH as they do not accept credit cards.  I have had lunch and breakfast there several times and Minnie’s of Holmes Beach has always satisfied my hunger and the prices are very reasonable.  For breakfast they have Pancakes, eggs, breakfast sandwiches, as well as a few breakfast specials.

For lunch they have sandwiches as well as bigger meals with soup or salad.  The atmosphere is fun and in a central location in Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island.  Stop in and tell them Island Real Estate sent ya!

Sorry no outside seating except for a few seats for a quick smoke.  As mentioned cash only so keep your credit cards at home.  Breakfast and lunch only.

Minnie’s beach cafe and restaurant
5360 Gulf Drive
Holmes Beach, FL, Anna Maria Island
34217
(941) 778-4140

If your looking to stay in a Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental and be a walk away from Minnie’s restaurant then be sure to review 100 A 52nd street, Holmes Beach, Fl.  100 A 52nd is a 3 bedroom luxury vacation rental with private pool and spa or 100B 52nd which is a 2 bedroom vacation rental with private pool and spa.  Both properties have gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico.

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