Sign of the Mermaid
9707 Gulf Dr, Anna Maria, FL, 34216
Sign of the Mermaid Menu
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Address :
9707 Gulf Dr
Anna Maria, FL, 34216 - Phone (941) 778-9399
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Tom F.
I kept hearing about this place and how good their key lime pie was. It was not only good but the best I have ever had! AMI is a very special place and Sign of the Mermaid is a special place as well! My wife said the owner was very nice to her so that's just bonus points! Cannot wait to try their other food.
(5)Danielle S.
Just wait 36 minutes at a table where we were not acknowledged except for a glass of water. Bummed. The menu looked great!
(1)Fauve G.
Went for Breakfast with mum on our holiday to Florida. I had been referred to this place by the owner of the place we were renting, and had also seen great things on Yelp. We pulled up at 8:55, not realizing that it didn't open until 9, but we knew it was opening soon because there was a line forming at the front door! I ordered my usual, coffee, orange juice, and Eggs Benedict, Mum ordered a milk, grapefruit juice and Creme Brulée French Toast! The juice is freshly squeezed by someone near by, and oh my goodness, I have never had such fresh Florida orange juice. The eggs Benedict were done to perfection - solid whites, liquid yolk, just the right amount of holandaise sauce. I had a bite of the Creme Brulée French Toast and OMG it was delish! With two small slices of baguette (i think) stuffed with creme brulée and 3 types of Berries, it was such a great breakfast treat - though I suggest having a serious sweet tooth or craving if ordering for breakfast. Too sweet for me! The artwork in the restaurant as well was just fantastic! They sell hand painted cards and most of the paintings on the wall are also for sale.
(5)Jessie A.
For such a small restaurant, the Sign of the Mermaid is packed with flavor! We could literally smell the goodness as we pulled up. Loved our server..and the chef was such a cool guy, greeted us on the way in and chatted a bit as we left. So glad we stopped here for dinner. :)
(5)Matthew V.
I want to say that I never gave the Mermaid a chance before. Everyone gets there favorite place to eat on the island. My daughter REALLY wanted to eat here. There are good breakfasts and there are GREAT ones. This was great one. super nice staff. Eggs Andrea were perfect. Also bonus bonus cheap specials till 11 am. Like $3.99 cheap. Bring all the kids. Do yourself a favor and try the Mermaid.
(5)Olga A.
Went for breakfast with the family and it was great food for a good price. Fresh fruits, great coffee, and delicious french toast. The staff is super helpful and friendly.
(4)Jd R.
Wow. This place always blows my expectations away. I absolutely love the home style restaurant and the staff is always so friendly. The chef does an amazing job and the food is always so fresh. I hear they are putting in new additions to the restaurant while building something excited outside. Can't wait to see when is finished. Highly recommend this seafood place if anyone is around Anna Maria. Also, they do breakfast and its great as well!
(5)Wilbur M.
We made a reservation here at 5pm, which is when they supposedly open. We had some hesitation, knowing the service can be erratic, but the food is very good, so we went ahead. Showed up a couple minutes after five and the door was locked. (The door's 100% wood so you can't see in.) At 5:15 it was still locked. I called and nobody answered, so I left a message and we went elsewhere. Had an excellent meal at the Waterfront, with good service and a great view. At 5:45, somebody from the Mermaid called wondering where we were. They evidently don't listen to their messages. I told him and he tried claiming that the door was stuck. Trust me, it was locked, apart from the fact that nobody was answering the phone. The kicker: It was our 30th anniversary. Definitely not a place for special occasions.
(1)Mia C.
The bread, spinach salad and key lime pie were our favorites. We loved that it was an old house redone as a restaurant. If you are garlic fanatic order the pan roasted style fish. Easy post dinner stroll to the beach.
(4)dottie r.
Stopped here to get a piece or two of their Key Lime pie given the accolades I saw on-line. For $12.67 I bought two pieces of said pie. I'd say it was average with far too much meringue and far too little key lime. It was good; just not as good as all the hype I saw online before making a point to stop in for a slice. I've had better at many Chicago area restaurants.
(3)Cori W.
Love this place! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it's a little expensive for what it is. My husband and I had a beautiful anniversary dinner here. This review is a bit late, we went on 5/10/14. But I was so impressed. My in laws actually live on the street that this restaurant is on so we walked down. We didn't have to wait long at all. The atmosphere is SUPER CUTE, very quaint, it's in a little house. Our server was super fun and the service was impressive. We even had a nice little chat with the couple across from us. We both loved our entrees and the key lime pie is AMAZE! Definitely a must go if you're on AMI. I wouldn't take kids here though, you can certainly bring them, but it's small and my kids would've torn that place up!
(4)Devin A.
Great little quaint restaurant. Ate here for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast and dinner were fresh with great options that foodies could appreciate. Local chef who seems to understand quality of food. Dinner was a little rich but still good. Wednesday our waitress was excellent, always makes dining great. Would definitely recommend this place!
(4)Anne B.
I had been to Sign of the Mermaid for dinner on a previous visit and was less than impressed. I was persuaded however to give it another try because their breakfast was supposed to be amazing. Sadly, once again I was less than impressed. First of all, who charges for soda refills?! My entree came with a "fruit cup". My "fruit cup" consisted of 2 grapes, 1/2 an orange slice, a cube of cantaloupe and a cube of watermelon. My husband ordered a side of sausage which consisted of one small patty. My omelette was dry and over cooked. What was the worst however was when my elderly father in law asked another server for a soda refill (our server was nowhere to be found) and acted as if we had asked her to cut off her arm. Never again.
(2)Keri M.
My family enjoyed a lovely relaxed meal here on a very busy Saturday night. The fresh fish with the housemade Island sauce was delicious and the fish was truly fresh. The salads were all well made. The portions were hearty and the prices reasonable. The service was laid back and friendly. The peanut butter pie is a must try!
(5)Crit V.
Thankfully we looked past a negative review. This place is awesome. Great food, service and environment. We had breakfast. Highly recommended.
(5)Peter A.
We had a wonderful meal at the Sign of the Mermaid last night. We started with an ahi tuna appetizer. Very good quality. My wife had a salad with goat cheese wrapped in a phyllo pouch. Entrees were rack of lamb and soft shelled crab. The lamb was served with a reduction and a whole head of garlic. The crabs were stuffed with scallops and shrimp. Everything was done perfectly. And, the service was just right...attentive, but not intrusive. We'll be going back.
(5)C. V.
Had a fabulous breakfast / brunch after a morning on the beach. Service and the presentation of our Eggs Benedict and Seafood Phyllo Special were excellent. Simply delicious! Looking forward to returning again for dinner and the beautiful award-winning pies!
(5)Casey G.
The bread, Spanish salad, and dessert were spectacular. The island style fish was really good as well. The fish had a big mango flavor which I really enjoyed. It's in good walking location from the beach so you could watch the sunset and then go eat.
(4)Joseph M.
The food and service (Dustin) were excellent. This restaurant is a cut above others on the Island. Homemade desserts are worth the visit.
(4)Jeffrey C.
We stopped here for a late breakfast, and enjoyable ride. When we ordered are food we found everything fresh and enjoyable, but the high light was the key lime pie, and the Captains bread it's a must stop for anyone
(5)Trey B.
Apparently it turns into just The Mermaid in the evenings and reservations are recommended. However, my wife and daughter (3 years) got right in. Very upscale and intimate. Great fresh selection. Probably not the best for small children, but we didn't know. Food was excellent. The small sizes are actually quite large.
(4)Joe C.
This is one of the better breakfast spots on the island. If you go you will not be disappointed. Fun and different place to try some new stuff. The stuffed French toast are wonderful. Grab an awarding winning pie on the way out for later.
(4)Judith H.
$14 for a glass of house wine? I will never be back to this restaurant.
(1)C H.
Very good as always didn't disappoint... The Brie appetizer was amazing. Lamb florentine and Lady Wellington were fabulous. The dishes are very rich and generous portions. Would be five stars if they would update the facility just A little. The rest rooms could be a little cleaner.... Food by it self would earn 5 stars....
(4)Janet K.
For me, my dining experience was exceptional. I'm still in a food coma of sheer bliss! If I could, I would've eaten more... I highly recommend the orange blossom baked Brie--it's amazing. I would drive back and order another if I didn't live across the country! I also had the popular Lady Wellington, with a myriad of shellfish baked inside phyllo dough resting in the most delicious cream sauce I've ever had... I highly recommend this restaurant! It's delicious. The staff and service was exceptional and we got there just in time to beat the rush!
(5)Lucy L.
We had breakfast at other restaurants while we were on the island and disappointed. We tried the Mermaid - and were thrilled! The creme brulee stuffed french toast is a must. i was worried it would be too sweet - but it was perfect. We are four adults and one 2 yr old and we had a little bit of everything - eggs, omelet, fruit salad, coffee cake, french toast, etc - and were happy with it all. We ordered chocolate chip french toast for the 2 yr old - how fun is that?! Oh yeah - the orange juice was fresh squeezed - so good! Very friendly service. A true 5 star experience.
(5)Laura G.
Meal was great. I had the garlic broiled shrimp. My husband had the seafood pasta. We split a side of asparagus. We both ordered the smaller portions and there was plenty of food.. I love the fact that you could get smaller portions. The bread was good and the key lime pie was outstanding. The service was also very good! The only annoyance were the fruit flies that wouldn't leave us alone which may have just been the time of year. I would recommend this place for a meal.
(4)Sara G.
Best dinner on the island ever. Have been here for dinner before and it's always good. The breakfast is great too, and inexpensive. However, the dinners are not cheap. Totally worth it though! The mahi two was was wonderful, and the filets--the best and so big! And our server, Wednesday, was excellent. Such a cute place too. And the desserts, yummy! The Key West pie is my favorite.
(5)Carol K.
We ate here last year and had a very good meal. We returned this year all was very good again. Service, food and with the atmosphere of the charming building. It is a cool experience. We will go back again.
(4)Ted W.
wonderful and quaint, we had a quiet dinner for two here and can't wait to try the breakfast. Fish is very fresh. I really recommend the pan seared which comes with a heaping helping of blue crab meat, mushrooms and cream.
(4)Brittany R.
This review is solely for the Key Lime Pie...which they are supposed to be famous for. I was so excited to try it as Key Lime Pie is one of my favorite desserts and sadly was disappointed. I like my Key Lime Pie to be nice and tart and have a nice lime flavor and this was lacking...it just tasted kind of blah. Also they top theirs with meringue, which I was not a fan of. All I could taste in the crust was butter. If you are looking for a great Key Lime Pie, look elsewhere. Ginny's & Jane E's at the Old IGA was 10x better and more reasonably priced.
(2)Chelsea W.
My husband and I eat at Sign of the Mermaid ever chance we get! Absolutely love the Grouper Bundles for an app and the Filet with bearnaise sauce for dinner. The house this place is in is historical having been brought over from Egmont Key and every order is cooked to order. We bring all of our friends and family here because everything we've ever ordered has always been the best we've ever eaten. We will definitely go back!
(5)Anthony S.
In late May (2012), my family and I made our first trip to Anna Maria Island. All of us are 'foodies' and quite often the first thing we plan-out is where we are going to eat. This time was no different, and as soon as I booked our rental accommodations, the very next thing I began researching was the food offered. Sign of the Mermaid came-up as one of the very best places to go get some pie. It has won multiple awards based on its pie, and so I was compelled to come here for dessert-to-go. Note that this review is strictly a review based on the dessert, and the experience we had with the service. Thus, this is not necessarily a reflection of the entrees. First I'd like to walk you through the experience. I called at 7:30 PM and asked what time they were open until. They stated 9:00PM. I then asked if we could order pie-go-go. They said yes, but asked how much we'd like to get. I mentioned that we would buy a whole pie. She checked her stock and said that they still had all of their pies in-stock. Yay! So, we get to the restaurant at about 8:05 PM and it is quite busy. It looked like they were accepting their last round of reservations for the evening, and the pie-case was indeed full of 4 key lime pies, and multiples of two other types of pie. Those were non-important because we knew what we had come for. I went to the hostess stand and there was a frazzled, older lady running around. I heard someone her mention something to her one co-worker about being short-handed, and my assumption was that both of these individuals were owners. I am quite patient and understanding, so I waited for her and eventually she came to ask me what I needed in a way which made me feel as if I was bothering her. Now, I am terribly sorry that you were busy, and I am so sorry that you can't properly staff your restaurant with responsible and trustworthy people who will show-up; but that is no excuse to act irritated at a customer who is ready to spend money at your establishment. I then informed her that I wanted to purchase a whole Key Lime Pie. She pointed to a small sign at the top of the pie case that read something close to: Whole pie requests require 24 hour notice, ask you server if one is available today. I then looked at her, pointed back to the sign, and said, I'd still like to order a whole pie, is one available? She asked me to hold on a couple minutes. She then shuttled some food off to a table and returned and said that they would need at least 24 hour notice, but would appreciate 48 hours. I then asked if I could buy 4 slices of pie. To this, she had no qualm but informed me that it could 'take a while to get my to-go order'. She then hurried off to expedite more food. Alright, so the end result is that I ended up having to buy 4 slices of pie at something ridiculous like $6.00 per slice, instead of buying a whole pie at $22.00. This is unacceptable, I feel as if she intentionally screwed me into buying slices. Tell me, what is the difference in letting me purchase the whole pie? You are still getting your money, and you still had 3 more in the case. I personally think she was a crook and said she couldn't sell the whole pie just to get me to pay the outrageous price per slice. As for the flavor of the pie. The crust was caramelized and delicious, the meringue was light and airy, but the filling was just bad. I would bet that she uses the zest of the key limes, because the filling was waaaaaay too bitter. It was so bitter, that the sweetness of the crust could not counteract how bitter the pie was. Note, I am not confusing sour and bitter. I understand what a key lime pie should taste like, and this was not good. So in conclusion, I overpaid for slices of pie, that I waited 30 minutes for them to cut and put into boxes, and I can make a better key lime pie. In fact, I have eaten better frozen key lime pie. Service: 0 / 5 Dessert: 3 / 5 (3 points for great crust and meringue)
(2)Josh H.
Absolutely loved this place....Unique menu with a wide variety of options to please just about anyone. We went with the stuffed french toast with handmade raspberry syrup and brisket hash. The french toast is absolutely off the hook and is a must try for those frequenting during the breakfast hours. For a man with a physique that shows how much he love pie this place was a goldmine. The Key Lime Pie was absolutely amazing.
(5)Jana W.
I had the creme brûlée French toast and it was good! And for only 3.99 it was spectacular! Our server Tiffany was nice. But overall, it is a cute fun place especially for the value:)
(4)Tom R.
There is a great place on Anna Maria called "Eat Here". Sign of the Mermaid should be renamed "Don't Eat Here". This was our third year eating here and liked it in past Just to keep this short(er)here's what happened: our party of 4 seated promptly although many others with reservations were already 30 minutes or more past their time, No waiter. Flagged down waiter we had last year and he agreed to take our table. Ordered onion soup. Out of onion soup. How are you out of onion soup. Two of us ordered stuffed soft shell crab entree. Five minutes later hear another waiter tell table next to us they are out of soft shell crabs. 10 minutes later our waiter returns to tell us. 1 1/4 hour after ordering, no appetizers. Appetizers come and my guest's mussels contain five DEAD MUSSELS (they don't open and can poison the whole plate). Call waiter over and ask to speak to manager. Told I can't as he is owner/chef and won't leave kitchen. I ask to be taken to kitchen. Chef/owner speaks to me thru window. I tell him all of our issues and he says he apologizes and that is all he can do. I say that is not all he can do. He starts screaming at me " you want a fight; that's what you want, a fight". I ask him how he can send out a plate with 1/3 dead mussels. He says, "obviously I didn't see them". I ask, "isn't it your job as chef to see them"? He starts yelling again and I return to table. I tell waiter I'm not paying for the mussels and ask him to take the plate to show the chef. He says,"we are not allowed to speak to the chef"! There is no "manager", and the people who deal directly with the customers aren't allowed to speak to management??? When the bill came, the waiter said they took 25% off the bill. Without his highness the owner coming out to apologize, it did no good. One last thing: waiters wear shirts with "Mermaid Group" on back. Asked waiter about the group. There is no "group", but owner wants to call it that. By the way, food was good with large portions and reasonable price. Who cares. Like saying they had a really good band on the Titanic. You are warned.
(1)Gonzalo B.
May be feeling a bit generous with this star rating. Maybe it was just an off-off night, maybe just an off-joint. We came on a coolish January eve of about 52 degrees and were seated in a 53 degree back room. The waiter should be working a fast-food joint. No offering of a wine/beer list. When I asked him what kind of beer they served he was haltingly perplexed. "UM...Bud? Bud Light, Coors..." The usual slop. I wanted something better. The best he could do was a Negro Modelo. When my wife inquired about wine, she was told: "We have some white and some red...I think there's a chardonnay?" Uh...okay. She'll have "something white". Got some mussels for an app, there was a thin piece or two of crusted bread along with. You want some good bread to get at some of the sauce, right? A few minutes later a waitress walked past, looked at our dish and offered: "I'll bring some bread for the mussels!" Naturally, it never came. Whatever fish dishes we ordered, the only thing I can recall is that they were lacklustre and uninspired. Of all the places we ate at during a month in the area, this was probably the biggest letdown. The Sign should say the Mermaid has left and gone far, far astray. She went looking for a good piece of fish served up right and brother I can tell you - it ain't here.
(2)Beth P.
Absolutely horrible!! I can still smell it on my body and it's not me!! Horrible fish. Old capers broken sauces. Not good. AND THEY DONT HAVE A WINE LIST. Although, if your into sharing wine buckets this is the place for you.
(1)Terry H.
Would have given this place 5 stars except for our last visit on Mother's Day. Have been coming here for about 10 years and it had been consistently awesome. They raised their prices but halved the portions. Ordered a full rack of lamb which were 4 little chops. Lady Wellington is delicious but again, is now half the portion but even pricier. We complained and they reduced the price of the lamb. The glass of wine was ridiculously small for the price. We have celebrated many momentous occasions here. This last experience was very disappointing. Not sure we would go back.
(2)Liz W.
We ate here for lunch and it was good, fresh, etc. But this is not why I write. I write of the pies. The owner has won numerous awards for her pies, and those awards are well deserved. I recommend skipping dinner, skipping the sagging house and the leaning floor, the garage that doubles as a storage shed, the bathroom with the out of order bathtub. These things might be charming, but skip them so that you can take your pie home, get in bed, and enjoy your treat in the privacy of your own home (or hotel, as it were). Seriously. The key lime pie was light and not dense, wit a beautiful crust and a nice meringue. The chocolate raisin walnut pie was not too sweet, and the raisins (which I generally hate) were plump and lovely. The crust was so flaky and did not bear any resemblance to any store bought crust of any kind. So, go to Eat Here or Star Fish Co for dinner, and then get some pie for dinner and call it a night. Yum.
(4)Fauve G.
Went for Breakfast with mum on our holiday to Florida. I had been referred to this place by the owner of the place we were renting, and had also seen great things on Yelp. We pulled up at 8:55, not realizing that it didn't open until 9, but we knew it was opening soon because there was a line forming at the front door! I ordered my usual, coffee, orange juice, and Eggs Benedict, Mum ordered a milk, grapefruit juice and Creme Brulée French Toast! The juice is freshly squeezed by someone near by, and oh my goodness, I have never had such fresh Florida orange juice. The eggs Benedict were done to perfection - solid whites, liquid yolk, just the right amount of holandaise sauce. I had a bite of the Creme Brulée French Toast and OMG it was delish! With two small slices of baguette (i think) stuffed with creme brulée and 3 types of Berries, it was such a great breakfast treat - though I suggest having a serious sweet tooth or craving if ordering for breakfast. Too sweet for me! The artwork in the restaurant as well was just fantastic! They sell hand painted cards and most of the paintings on the wall are also for sale.
(5)Matthew V.
I want to say that I never gave the Mermaid a chance before. Everyone gets there favorite place to eat on the island. My daughter REALLY wanted to eat here. There are good breakfasts and there are GREAT ones. This was great one. super nice staff. Eggs Andrea were perfect. Also bonus bonus cheap specials till 11 am. Like $3.99 cheap. Bring all the kids. Do yourself a favor and try the Mermaid.
(5)Olga A.
Went for breakfast with the family and it was great food for a good price. Fresh fruits, great coffee, and delicious french toast. The staff is super helpful and friendly.
(4)Tom F.
I kept hearing about this place and how good their key lime pie was. It was not only good but the best I have ever had! AMI is a very special place and Sign of the Mermaid is a special place as well! My wife said the owner was very nice to her so that's just bonus points! Cannot wait to try their other food.
(5)Danielle S.
Just wait 36 minutes at a table where we were not acknowledged except for a glass of water. Bummed. The menu looked great!
(1)Trey B.
Apparently it turns into just The Mermaid in the evenings and reservations are recommended. However, my wife and daughter (3 years) got right in. Very upscale and intimate. Great fresh selection. Probably not the best for small children, but we didn't know. Food was excellent. The small sizes are actually quite large.
(4)Judith H.
$14 for a glass of house wine? I will never be back to this restaurant.
(1)Jessie A.
For such a small restaurant, the Sign of the Mermaid is packed with flavor! We could literally smell the goodness as we pulled up. Loved our server..and the chef was such a cool guy, greeted us on the way in and chatted a bit as we left. So glad we stopped here for dinner. :)
(5)Mia C.
The bread, spinach salad and key lime pie were our favorites. We loved that it was an old house redone as a restaurant. If you are garlic fanatic order the pan roasted style fish. Easy post dinner stroll to the beach.
(4)Jd R.
Wow. This place always blows my expectations away. I absolutely love the home style restaurant and the staff is always so friendly. The chef does an amazing job and the food is always so fresh. I hear they are putting in new additions to the restaurant while building something excited outside. Can't wait to see when is finished. Highly recommend this seafood place if anyone is around Anna Maria. Also, they do breakfast and its great as well!
(5)Wilbur M.
We made a reservation here at 5pm, which is when they supposedly open. We had some hesitation, knowing the service can be erratic, but the food is very good, so we went ahead. Showed up a couple minutes after five and the door was locked. (The door's 100% wood so you can't see in.) At 5:15 it was still locked. I called and nobody answered, so I left a message and we went elsewhere. Had an excellent meal at the Waterfront, with good service and a great view. At 5:45, somebody from the Mermaid called wondering where we were. They evidently don't listen to their messages. I told him and he tried claiming that the door was stuck. Trust me, it was locked, apart from the fact that nobody was answering the phone. The kicker: It was our 30th anniversary. Definitely not a place for special occasions.
(1)dottie r.
Stopped here to get a piece or two of their Key Lime pie given the accolades I saw on-line. For $12.67 I bought two pieces of said pie. I'd say it was average with far too much meringue and far too little key lime. It was good; just not as good as all the hype I saw online before making a point to stop in for a slice. I've had better at many Chicago area restaurants.
(3)Cori W.
Love this place! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it's a little expensive for what it is. My husband and I had a beautiful anniversary dinner here. This review is a bit late, we went on 5/10/14. But I was so impressed. My in laws actually live on the street that this restaurant is on so we walked down. We didn't have to wait long at all. The atmosphere is SUPER CUTE, very quaint, it's in a little house. Our server was super fun and the service was impressive. We even had a nice little chat with the couple across from us. We both loved our entrees and the key lime pie is AMAZE! Definitely a must go if you're on AMI. I wouldn't take kids here though, you can certainly bring them, but it's small and my kids would've torn that place up!
(4)Devin A.
Great little quaint restaurant. Ate here for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast and dinner were fresh with great options that foodies could appreciate. Local chef who seems to understand quality of food. Dinner was a little rich but still good. Wednesday our waitress was excellent, always makes dining great. Would definitely recommend this place!
(4)Anne B.
I had been to Sign of the Mermaid for dinner on a previous visit and was less than impressed. I was persuaded however to give it another try because their breakfast was supposed to be amazing. Sadly, once again I was less than impressed. First of all, who charges for soda refills?! My entree came with a "fruit cup". My "fruit cup" consisted of 2 grapes, 1/2 an orange slice, a cube of cantaloupe and a cube of watermelon. My husband ordered a side of sausage which consisted of one small patty. My omelette was dry and over cooked. What was the worst however was when my elderly father in law asked another server for a soda refill (our server was nowhere to be found) and acted as if we had asked her to cut off her arm. Never again.
(2)Keri M.
My family enjoyed a lovely relaxed meal here on a very busy Saturday night. The fresh fish with the housemade Island sauce was delicious and the fish was truly fresh. The salads were all well made. The portions were hearty and the prices reasonable. The service was laid back and friendly. The peanut butter pie is a must try!
(5)Crit V.
Thankfully we looked past a negative review. This place is awesome. Great food, service and environment. We had breakfast. Highly recommended.
(5)Peter A.
We had a wonderful meal at the Sign of the Mermaid last night. We started with an ahi tuna appetizer. Very good quality. My wife had a salad with goat cheese wrapped in a phyllo pouch. Entrees were rack of lamb and soft shelled crab. The lamb was served with a reduction and a whole head of garlic. The crabs were stuffed with scallops and shrimp. Everything was done perfectly. And, the service was just right...attentive, but not intrusive. We'll be going back.
(5)C. V.
Had a fabulous breakfast / brunch after a morning on the beach. Service and the presentation of our Eggs Benedict and Seafood Phyllo Special were excellent. Simply delicious! Looking forward to returning again for dinner and the beautiful award-winning pies!
(5)Casey G.
The bread, Spanish salad, and dessert were spectacular. The island style fish was really good as well. The fish had a big mango flavor which I really enjoyed. It's in good walking location from the beach so you could watch the sunset and then go eat.
(4)Joseph M.
The food and service (Dustin) were excellent. This restaurant is a cut above others on the Island. Homemade desserts are worth the visit.
(4)Jeffrey C.
We stopped here for a late breakfast, and enjoyable ride. When we ordered are food we found everything fresh and enjoyable, but the high light was the key lime pie, and the Captains bread it's a must stop for anyone
(5)Joe C.
This is one of the better breakfast spots on the island. If you go you will not be disappointed. Fun and different place to try some new stuff. The stuffed French toast are wonderful. Grab an awarding winning pie on the way out for later.
(4)Chelsea W.
My husband and I eat at Sign of the Mermaid ever chance we get! Absolutely love the Grouper Bundles for an app and the Filet with bearnaise sauce for dinner. The house this place is in is historical having been brought over from Egmont Key and every order is cooked to order. We bring all of our friends and family here because everything we've ever ordered has always been the best we've ever eaten. We will definitely go back!
(5)Anthony S.
In late May (2012), my family and I made our first trip to Anna Maria Island. All of us are 'foodies' and quite often the first thing we plan-out is where we are going to eat. This time was no different, and as soon as I booked our rental accommodations, the very next thing I began researching was the food offered. Sign of the Mermaid came-up as one of the very best places to go get some pie. It has won multiple awards based on its pie, and so I was compelled to come here for dessert-to-go. Note that this review is strictly a review based on the dessert, and the experience we had with the service. Thus, this is not necessarily a reflection of the entrees. First I'd like to walk you through the experience. I called at 7:30 PM and asked what time they were open until. They stated 9:00PM. I then asked if we could order pie-go-go. They said yes, but asked how much we'd like to get. I mentioned that we would buy a whole pie. She checked her stock and said that they still had all of their pies in-stock. Yay! So, we get to the restaurant at about 8:05 PM and it is quite busy. It looked like they were accepting their last round of reservations for the evening, and the pie-case was indeed full of 4 key lime pies, and multiples of two other types of pie. Those were non-important because we knew what we had come for. I went to the hostess stand and there was a frazzled, older lady running around. I heard someone her mention something to her one co-worker about being short-handed, and my assumption was that both of these individuals were owners. I am quite patient and understanding, so I waited for her and eventually she came to ask me what I needed in a way which made me feel as if I was bothering her. Now, I am terribly sorry that you were busy, and I am so sorry that you can't properly staff your restaurant with responsible and trustworthy people who will show-up; but that is no excuse to act irritated at a customer who is ready to spend money at your establishment. I then informed her that I wanted to purchase a whole Key Lime Pie. She pointed to a small sign at the top of the pie case that read something close to: Whole pie requests require 24 hour notice, ask you server if one is available today. I then looked at her, pointed back to the sign, and said, I'd still like to order a whole pie, is one available? She asked me to hold on a couple minutes. She then shuttled some food off to a table and returned and said that they would need at least 24 hour notice, but would appreciate 48 hours. I then asked if I could buy 4 slices of pie. To this, she had no qualm but informed me that it could 'take a while to get my to-go order'. She then hurried off to expedite more food. Alright, so the end result is that I ended up having to buy 4 slices of pie at something ridiculous like $6.00 per slice, instead of buying a whole pie at $22.00. This is unacceptable, I feel as if she intentionally screwed me into buying slices. Tell me, what is the difference in letting me purchase the whole pie? You are still getting your money, and you still had 3 more in the case. I personally think she was a crook and said she couldn't sell the whole pie just to get me to pay the outrageous price per slice. As for the flavor of the pie. The crust was caramelized and delicious, the meringue was light and airy, but the filling was just bad. I would bet that she uses the zest of the key limes, because the filling was waaaaaay too bitter. It was so bitter, that the sweetness of the crust could not counteract how bitter the pie was. Note, I am not confusing sour and bitter. I understand what a key lime pie should taste like, and this was not good. So in conclusion, I overpaid for slices of pie, that I waited 30 minutes for them to cut and put into boxes, and I can make a better key lime pie. In fact, I have eaten better frozen key lime pie. Service: 0 / 5 Dessert: 3 / 5 (3 points for great crust and meringue)
(2)C H.
Very good as always didn't disappoint... The Brie appetizer was amazing. Lamb florentine and Lady Wellington were fabulous. The dishes are very rich and generous portions. Would be five stars if they would update the facility just A little. The rest rooms could be a little cleaner.... Food by it self would earn 5 stars....
(4)Janet K.
For me, my dining experience was exceptional. I'm still in a food coma of sheer bliss! If I could, I would've eaten more... I highly recommend the orange blossom baked Brie--it's amazing. I would drive back and order another if I didn't live across the country! I also had the popular Lady Wellington, with a myriad of shellfish baked inside phyllo dough resting in the most delicious cream sauce I've ever had... I highly recommend this restaurant! It's delicious. The staff and service was exceptional and we got there just in time to beat the rush!
(5)Josh H.
Absolutely loved this place....Unique menu with a wide variety of options to please just about anyone. We went with the stuffed french toast with handmade raspberry syrup and brisket hash. The french toast is absolutely off the hook and is a must try for those frequenting during the breakfast hours. For a man with a physique that shows how much he love pie this place was a goldmine. The Key Lime Pie was absolutely amazing.
(5)Tom R.
There is a great place on Anna Maria called "Eat Here". Sign of the Mermaid should be renamed "Don't Eat Here". This was our third year eating here and liked it in past Just to keep this short(er)here's what happened: our party of 4 seated promptly although many others with reservations were already 30 minutes or more past their time, No waiter. Flagged down waiter we had last year and he agreed to take our table. Ordered onion soup. Out of onion soup. How are you out of onion soup. Two of us ordered stuffed soft shell crab entree. Five minutes later hear another waiter tell table next to us they are out of soft shell crabs. 10 minutes later our waiter returns to tell us. 1 1/4 hour after ordering, no appetizers. Appetizers come and my guest's mussels contain five DEAD MUSSELS (they don't open and can poison the whole plate). Call waiter over and ask to speak to manager. Told I can't as he is owner/chef and won't leave kitchen. I ask to be taken to kitchen. Chef/owner speaks to me thru window. I tell him all of our issues and he says he apologizes and that is all he can do. I say that is not all he can do. He starts screaming at me " you want a fight; that's what you want, a fight". I ask him how he can send out a plate with 1/3 dead mussels. He says, "obviously I didn't see them". I ask, "isn't it your job as chef to see them"? He starts yelling again and I return to table. I tell waiter I'm not paying for the mussels and ask him to take the plate to show the chef. He says,"we are not allowed to speak to the chef"! There is no "manager", and the people who deal directly with the customers aren't allowed to speak to management??? When the bill came, the waiter said they took 25% off the bill. Without his highness the owner coming out to apologize, it did no good. One last thing: waiters wear shirts with "Mermaid Group" on back. Asked waiter about the group. There is no "group", but owner wants to call it that. By the way, food was good with large portions and reasonable price. Who cares. Like saying they had a really good band on the Titanic. You are warned.
(1)Lucy L.
We had breakfast at other restaurants while we were on the island and disappointed. We tried the Mermaid - and were thrilled! The creme brulee stuffed french toast is a must. i was worried it would be too sweet - but it was perfect. We are four adults and one 2 yr old and we had a little bit of everything - eggs, omelet, fruit salad, coffee cake, french toast, etc - and were happy with it all. We ordered chocolate chip french toast for the 2 yr old - how fun is that?! Oh yeah - the orange juice was fresh squeezed - so good! Very friendly service. A true 5 star experience.
(5)Laura G.
Meal was great. I had the garlic broiled shrimp. My husband had the seafood pasta. We split a side of asparagus. We both ordered the smaller portions and there was plenty of food.. I love the fact that you could get smaller portions. The bread was good and the key lime pie was outstanding. The service was also very good! The only annoyance were the fruit flies that wouldn't leave us alone which may have just been the time of year. I would recommend this place for a meal.
(4)Sara G.
Best dinner on the island ever. Have been here for dinner before and it's always good. The breakfast is great too, and inexpensive. However, the dinners are not cheap. Totally worth it though! The mahi two was was wonderful, and the filets--the best and so big! And our server, Wednesday, was excellent. Such a cute place too. And the desserts, yummy! The Key West pie is my favorite.
(5)Carol K.
We ate here last year and had a very good meal. We returned this year all was very good again. Service, food and with the atmosphere of the charming building. It is a cool experience. We will go back again.
(4)Ted W.
wonderful and quaint, we had a quiet dinner for two here and can't wait to try the breakfast. Fish is very fresh. I really recommend the pan seared which comes with a heaping helping of blue crab meat, mushrooms and cream.
(4)Brittany R.
This review is solely for the Key Lime Pie...which they are supposed to be famous for. I was so excited to try it as Key Lime Pie is one of my favorite desserts and sadly was disappointed. I like my Key Lime Pie to be nice and tart and have a nice lime flavor and this was lacking...it just tasted kind of blah. Also they top theirs with meringue, which I was not a fan of. All I could taste in the crust was butter. If you are looking for a great Key Lime Pie, look elsewhere. Ginny's & Jane E's at the Old IGA was 10x better and more reasonably priced.
(2)Gonzalo B.
May be feeling a bit generous with this star rating. Maybe it was just an off-off night, maybe just an off-joint. We came on a coolish January eve of about 52 degrees and were seated in a 53 degree back room. The waiter should be working a fast-food joint. No offering of a wine/beer list. When I asked him what kind of beer they served he was haltingly perplexed. "UM...Bud? Bud Light, Coors..." The usual slop. I wanted something better. The best he could do was a Negro Modelo. When my wife inquired about wine, she was told: "We have some white and some red...I think there's a chardonnay?" Uh...okay. She'll have "something white". Got some mussels for an app, there was a thin piece or two of crusted bread along with. You want some good bread to get at some of the sauce, right? A few minutes later a waitress walked past, looked at our dish and offered: "I'll bring some bread for the mussels!" Naturally, it never came. Whatever fish dishes we ordered, the only thing I can recall is that they were lacklustre and uninspired. Of all the places we ate at during a month in the area, this was probably the biggest letdown. The Sign should say the Mermaid has left and gone far, far astray. She went looking for a good piece of fish served up right and brother I can tell you - it ain't here.
(2)Beth P.
Absolutely horrible!! I can still smell it on my body and it's not me!! Horrible fish. Old capers broken sauces. Not good. AND THEY DONT HAVE A WINE LIST. Although, if your into sharing wine buckets this is the place for you.
(1)Jana W.
I had the creme brûlée French toast and it was good! And for only 3.99 it was spectacular! Our server Tiffany was nice. But overall, it is a cute fun place especially for the value:)
(4)Liz W.
We ate here for lunch and it was good, fresh, etc. But this is not why I write. I write of the pies. The owner has won numerous awards for her pies, and those awards are well deserved. I recommend skipping dinner, skipping the sagging house and the leaning floor, the garage that doubles as a storage shed, the bathroom with the out of order bathtub. These things might be charming, but skip them so that you can take your pie home, get in bed, and enjoy your treat in the privacy of your own home (or hotel, as it were). Seriously. The key lime pie was light and not dense, wit a beautiful crust and a nice meringue. The chocolate raisin walnut pie was not too sweet, and the raisins (which I generally hate) were plump and lovely. The crust was so flaky and did not bear any resemblance to any store bought crust of any kind. So, go to Eat Here or Star Fish Co for dinner, and then get some pie for dinner and call it a night. Yum.
(4)Terry H.
Would have given this place 5 stars except for our last visit on Mother's Day. Have been coming here for about 10 years and it had been consistently awesome. They raised their prices but halved the portions. Ordered a full rack of lamb which were 4 little chops. Lady Wellington is delicious but again, is now half the portion but even pricier. We complained and they reduced the price of the lamb. The glass of wine was ridiculously small for the price. We have celebrated many momentous occasions here. This last experience was very disappointing. Not sure we would go back.
(2)