On the Road to SRQ #3

“On the Road to SRQ”

How did YOU get here?

In a city where VERY few people are ‘native Sarasotans’, I have always found it fascinating to know HOW and WHY people found their way to SRQ!  This is the 3rd of a series of articles featuring some of your Favorite People telling their OWN Stories!

Thank you to:  Mark Bartlett, Melanie Massell, "BC", Matthew Dively & Claudia & Doug Deming for sharing their stories.  They didn't land smack dab in SRQ, but they got 'close', and we're glad they did!!!

Mark Bartlett
the Swordfish Grille

"Probably a newer transplant than most, I realized as soon as I came to the area- I was home. Prior to moving to the area I was a Detroit area native, that escaped to the Florida Keys to live for some 16 years. With escalating costs of living in paradise, it was time for a change. After a short stint in Central Florida my wife Karen and I missed the water and were looking for a coastal community to call home. Luckily, John Banyas of Cortez Bait & Seafood was looking for someone to put together and operate a restaurant at his Cortez property. A phone call from John to a mutual acquaintance in the seafood and restaurant business in the Keys ,my previous employer, put us together. A day later as I arrived in the area, It seemed like I found my favorite blue jeans in the back of the closet and knew it was a comfortable fit. I then realized how much I missed the water, the sand and yes even the smell of fish. I was hooked and  I'm here to stay."

"What brought this Georgia Peach to Florida?

Melanie Massell
Entertainer

My lucky “dancing stars” did…that and my amazingly wise husband, Jack Jacobs. We knew that once Jack retired in 2007 we wanted to live somewhere along the West coast of Florida and capture a sunset every night while watching its reflection create “dancing stars” across the water.  We just didn’t know where in Florida this would be.  After a couple of years of extended weekend getaways driving along the coastline peeping into nooks and crannies from Clearwater to Marco Island, we found our destination on Perico Island.  And being so close to Sarasota was the icing on the cake for me as a seasoned song stylist and entertainer.  (Remember – Jack is the one who retired.)  So we planted a stake in the ground in May 2002 and moved permanently on June 6, 2007.  I can still hear the tires screeching and see the U-Haul nearly popping a wheelie out of the driveway in Atlanta.  I don’t mean that in any derogatory way, being a native Atlanta girl, it’s just that home was calling us…500 miles away.    Our families and some of the finest musicians I have ever worked with still live there, making it fortunate for us to revisit often and stock up on memories and music.  Since our first night here we have literally given thanks every evening at sunset – not only for the beauty of another day in paradise, but also for the good fortune we have found in making so many new friends and the plethora of exciting opportunities there have been in re-establishing my career here."

"BC"
Musician

"December 27th,1990 I hopped in my truck in my hometown of Charleston,WV and drove to Bradenton,FL. to visit some friends of mine. I was only going to be in Florida a couple of days. The first night in Bradenton,we all went out to a nightspot on Holmes Beach to hear a band called "Eclipse" perform. I sat in with Eclipse and was offered the job. I accepted and Eclipse became my band and I'm still here! I love it here!" 

“I grew up in Bradenton, FL and then moved

Matthew Dively
Owner, Blu Que Island Grill

to Brussels, Belgium for High School.  That is where I got interested in food.  Then, after finishing high school in Europe, I moved to Charleston, SC and went to Johnson and Wales and got my degree in Culinary Arts & Hotel Management.  I then moved back to Bradenton and became a manager at OylerRays Tiki Bar for two years prior to my father and I opening Blu Que Island Grill.  We have now been open for 5 years.”

"After closing my family's manufacturing

Doug & Claudia Deming
the "Jewel Tones"

business in the Detroit area in 2007, my husband and I started toying with the idea of moving to Florida. I only knew the Atlantic coast and the keys- I had never been to the gulf coast. My husband had come thru Bradenton a few times touring with his band, Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones. He asked me to check it out so we took a vacation on Anna Maria Island. After my first step in that beautiful white sand I was hooked. We packed up and moved to Bradenton in December of 2009. Doug put together a new band, still going by The Jewel Tones, and can be found playing clubs in Sarasota, Bradenton, St. Pete and beyond when the band is not out touring nationally. Doug has his captain's license and is an avid fisherman, as well, so when he's not gigging, he's out on the boat. I started a new business, Deming Estate Sales, and conduct appraisals and estate sales in Sarasota and surrounding cities. Oh, and I like to fish too! We just love our slice of Paradise, and love sharing it with our Michigan family and friends." 

A Note from LeslieSRQ:

Join your fellow SRQ ‘friends’ on Facebook in the Group SRQ APPLAUSE to learn more about living in this city we call “Paradise”!!!
We are over 4,000 Members who ALL share their recommendations of What to Do; Where to GO: MUSIC to hear; etc.  We INVITE you to make your OWN recommendations!

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YachtSea Grille Casual Riverside Dining (101 Riverfront Blvd., Bradenton, Florida) 941-896-9660

a "LeslieSRQ Dishes it UP" Restaurant Review

A ‘touch of  by-gone elegance & gentility’  was discovered while dining at the YachtSea Grille!

I have to admit, that dining out for me, is more about the ‘experience’, than it is about being hungry!!!  From the moment I approached the YachtSea Grille I felt transported to a state of relaxation as though I was on a brief vacation.  The fact that the Grille is positioned  with a view of the water and the tops of yachts and palm trees are visible, certainly contributes to this altered state.  I know we all live in Florida, so we are blessed to dine in paradise every day.  However, the YachtSea Grille made me feel like a rather privileged & pampered guest in Paradise!

Before I delve into descriptions of the incredibly fresh food offered,  I have to tell you what impressed me the MOST about dining at the YachtSea Grille and it has NOTHING to do with food!

AFTER the meal, our server delivered  an after-dinner surprise:  Hot Towels & Lemons!  

Hot Towels & Lemon

I can’t remember the last time I dined in our area (and I am a native) that I have seen this!  Then it occurred to me why the restaurant had used the word ‘Yacht’ in their name.   This hospitable gesture is often seen aboard luxury yachts!  This spa-like treatment was the perfect culmination to a relaxing meal.  These kind of ‘touches’ say a LOT about the owner ……………..

Speaking of the owner, Kurt Petty hails from the Kansas City area and spent 14 years coming down to visit his parents (who retired in our area) prior to establishing the YachtSea Grille!  Kurt prides himself on providing his guests with FRESH ingredients!!!  Both his Seafood and his Beef are delivered daily and are of 
‘yacht-worthy’ quality! 

I had arrived a bit early, so I decided to take a tour of the ‘yacht’ prior to my dining companion’s arrival. 

You enter the yacht from their outside covered ‘deck’ which has several lovely wood deck chairs and tables.  Upon entering the main ‘concourse’ there is a casual dining room that has been designed for comfort but without sacrificing the view.  The use of the clear-view walls allows for a feeling of being outdoors.   There is also an ‘inside deck’ full bar that also has seating available.

Choosing the dining room, I was quickly greeted by my server “Chanise”. 

Chanise was not only charming and accommodating,  she was a wealth of knowledge about the menu.  She spoke with absolute pride when she described the many choices available on the menu.  Chanise is a real asset, not only to the Owner, but to the customer!  I decided to order a glass of wine and an appetizer and continue to survey the menu.



My Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip arrived promptly!!!  So often this dish is kind of a ‘hot mess’ with everything kind of merging together.  

This version was prepared in such a way, that the  tender artichoke hearts sumptuously melded between spinach and parmesan cheeses, actually allowing each ingredient to stand out.   Served with fresh out of the oven tortilla chips - $9, this was an excellent precursor to what would be 
the rest of my meal.
My dining companion arrived and enjoyed nibbling on the appetizer with me.  Unfortunately we didn’t have a lot of time to devote to leisurely perusing the menu, since we had a 7:30 p.m. curtain call at the Manatee Performing Arts Center!   We mentioned this to Chanise, and she was quick to tell us that we would receive a 10% Theatre Discount on our Meal that evening!   Not only does the YachtSea Grill have a scenic location, it is also within close proximity to many of Bradenton’s best amenities:  

Manatee Performing Arts Center

The New Theatre as well as the new RiverWalk.  Chanise graciously guided us through the decision-making process as to make sure we dined promptly and made it to the theatre on time.

Despite the WIDE Variety of choices on the menu, I was just in one of those ‘Burger’ moods!!!  In particular, after Chanise told me about their ‘gourmet’ burgers which were 50% Angus Certified Beef and 50% Ground Short Ribs!    I ordered the Baby Bella Black and Blue Burger: Sautéed Baby Bella mushrooms, topped with melted marbled blue cheese $13.  I also chose the side salad in lieu of the fries & other options.

Baby Bella Black & Blue Burger

I have always been very careful not to use the adjective "Best" in a review!  However, without hesitation, this burger was the “BEST BURGER” I have had since I moved back home to Florida!!!    Served at the perfect temp that I wanted,  (medium rare/emphasis on rare) this tasty, juicy, scrumptious, bordering on decadent burger should be re-named the “Paradise Burger”!!!  Served on a toasted Pretzel roll with a generous topping of blue cheese, I was in heaven!

My dining companion ordered the Southwest Chicken Cobb: A mixture of red leaf, green leaf, and fresh baby spinach, topped with seasoned hickory-grilled chicken, grape tomatoes, sliced eggs, pecan wood smoked bacon, mix cheese, red onions & avocado (Mate $7 Captain $12).  She chose one of their signature salad dressings, the homemade apple vinaigrette.  

Southwest Chicken Cobb

Again, this dish paid ‘homage’ to owner, Kurt Petty’s mission to provide only Fresh & Flavorful ingredients.  The salad was also presented in such a way that one did not have to attack it with a knife & fork to partake of it!!!  Yes, a bit of a 'pet peeve' of mine since I don't want to work before I partake!!!  As you can see from the photo, this was a very generous salad and the chicken had a 'delicate' Southwest stamp on it!

Despite the lure of LIVE Theatre (Les Miserables at the Manatee Performing Arts Hall), I truly did not want to leave the 'Yacht'!  Especially after receiving the hot towels & lemon, I want to hang around and be pampered some more!  However, I was comforted in the knowledge that I would return soon to sample some more of the fresh offerings as described by Chanise.  One in particular fascinated me!  They offer Fresh Salmon from SWEDEN cooked on a cedar plank.  I made a mental note to include this on my next visit and was already envisioning it next to their Kansas City Ribs which was ALSO not going to be missed!  Looks like I'll have to have more than one dining companion next time!!!

Speaking of lots of companions, YachtSea Grill is currently offering an all-you-can-eat BBQ Special on Sundays! Do yourself a favor, and visit  YachtSea Grille Website to see ALL their Specials!  

Greg Roche

They also have LIVE entertainment which currently includes Greg Roche on Saturdays from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Join your fellow SRQ ‘friends’ on Facebook in the Group SRQ Applause to learn more about living in this city we call “Paradise”!!! 

We are over 4,000 Members who ALL share their recommendations of What to Do; Where to GO: MUSIC to hear; etc.  We INVITE you to make your OWN recommendations!