Beach Bistro
6600 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL, 34217
Beach Bistro Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Holmes Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Holmes Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Holmes Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
6600 Gulf Dr
Holmes Beach, FL, 34217 - Phone (941) 778-6444
- Website https://www.beachbistro.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:30 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Ted W.
What a wonderful experience. Walking distance from our cottage, we took a leisurely stroll in a very warm evening just to take a look. We were greeted at the door by an effervescent doorman who insisted, if nothing else, we stop in for a drink and cool off. He wouldn't take no for an answer. We were soon at the very selective bar with a pleasant guitarist playing softly as we stared at the high end distillations cheerfully lit at the bar. Within minutes we had a seat by the window with a wonderful view of the ocean. The proximity of other diners reminded me of French and Italian restaurants in Manhattan, very cozy. Our waiter was helpful and soon we were enjoying a great watermelon salad and caesar salad. The caesar was very subtle,without the tremendous anchovy salt content of the homemade variety. The watermelon salad had aged basalmic vinegar, goat cheese, watercress and candied pumpkin seeds. It was simultaneously savory and thirst quenching. My wife opted for a couple of small plates: the lobstercargot and a scallop curry, whereas I chose the "Food Heaven." It was a decadent combination of lobster, lamb chops and foie gras. The foie gras was decent, not the best I've ever had, but certainly not the review from John S. I read here. The lobster was perfectly prepared and the lamb chops were some of the best I've ever tried, perfectly seared without a tremendous lot of fat. Desserts were also exceptional. I had the Sundae with a wonderful caramel sauce. The bill arrived and was, as expected, quite high. But for the level of service we received and the quality of the food, it was worth every penny. As we left the maitre'd called us by name and wished us a wonderful evening.
(5)Tom G.
A true 5 star experience, really in a class by itself. Probably the most expensive restaurant in West Florida, and probably the best. Check the menu online before going, but keep in mind that pricey as it is, for the discerning it is also worth it. That is very hard to pull off. For many this is a special occasion destination, and even if it isn't, it will be. Famous for their Fois Gras (the humane method) from Hudson River Valley, and a Bouillabaisse that may be the best you will ever have. Well, it would reduce a Parisian to tears, let's just say that. But everything on the menu is a culinary experience: fresh caught Gulf seafood, perfect steaks, and escargot where lobster stands in for the snail. Try their Old Fashioned if you are the cocktail type- even if you're not: they're unique.
(5)M R.
WOW. Just wow. Amazing food, amazing service, amazing ambiance. The smoked salmon, lobster escargot, and foie gras were delicious!! The boullaibaise and filet mignon to die for. The desserts... Wow. Mmmmmmm!!!!!
(5)Amey R.
Meal was excellent, bartender was excellent, waiter was excellent! Highly recommend this reataurant. Prices are commensurate with quality and delivery.
(5)Robert L.
I love food and fine dining, this place is among my favorites. The care and thought that is put into every part of the meal is amazing. The pace, the service and of course the food are all best of breed. A spoon well earned!
(5)K M.
We have dined at the Beach Bistro many times,we recently celebrated our anniversary there on 11-12-14. I have to say we were disappointed. The duck salad I so love was mediocre,the duck was dry and chewy,there were no nuts in the salad,the dressing was cold and bland.my husband ordered a bowl of Tomato soup it was served cold, a big bowl,of cold soup? The pomegranate grits were also served cold and were very gritty. The meat and shrimp were cooked to perfection. The menu is stagnant and limited,a new seafood dish is needed. The diners to our right and to our left were also celebrating anniversaries and birthdays,they were treated to a lovely desert,we were not recognized,it was awkward and disappointing. I think Sean Murphy needs to stop bragging about his Zagat rated restaurant and put some effort into keeping it that way.
(3)Arden T.
First, if I review some restaurant as awesome then it has passed several things I look for closely. We do eat at the bar most of the time, but don't miss the dinning room for the whole experience. If you want cheap, this is Not the place. But if you are looking for a very nice place; this is it. And since the location has limited parking; you will have to use the Valet, but you are in good hands, Roman will take good car of your car and if raining you will get in without a drop. The cleanliness is Top Notch. I always look at the bar, the glassware, the staff, the plates, etc. The service is/was great, and the wait staff are all trained well. The bartender did all the key things to make your meal enjoyable, and did not leave you to wait and ask for things. Then the Food: I cannot rave enough about the constant perfection of the food. The Lamb is the best you can get, it is always excellent, seafood excellent,steak excellent the tomato soup is heavenly.The selection of food is great and so is the bar selection. Great Place for that Special Night. Sean Murphy thank you and your staff for always making our night great!
(5)Carrie S.
We came here because we Love "eat here" which is also the same owner as beach bistro. We were not impressed. We felt the food was way over priced. We live in Atlanta and eat at many high priced restaurants. We were not impressed by the interior or the inside beach view. We ate at beach house and sand bar and loved the outdoor seating on the beach and the food was much better and at about a fifth of the price!! We still love Eat Here but not beach bistro.
(2)Nancy D.
Great tomato soup, caesar salad with fresh dressing, and an elegant chocolate dessert to finish off the evening.
(4)Kyle W.
Pretty first rate dining experience. The Tenderloin Special even surpassed the almost-exquisite plate which was laid before me. Our table was near the far wall so after we ordered our entrées we decided to go out to the beach to truly take in a special sundown but besides that we could not ask for much more as mostly unassuming New England patrons
(5)Jay J.
Great food and presentation. Servers could be a bit sharper. Food quality is sensational. As a native Gulf Coast of Floridian, the water front locale is not as much of a pull for me. Overall: Great food, nice experience, dining room floor is to crowded for my taste which probably just adds to my agitation with servers. Bar menu is great and service is quicker.
(4)Marc M.
Last year I was amazed by this restaurant; looking back it really was one of my top 3 meals of all of 2012. When my family booked another vacation to AMI for Thanksgiving 2013, I very excited to plan a "date night" when I could share the dining experience with my other-half who had not made the trip/meal last year. Do you know how there is a science to "first time experiences" and it typically never is as good as it was when you didn't know what to expect?? Well, I am very happy to report that Beach Bistro was not only as good the second time for me, but my date thought it was the best meal she had had in some time. She is quite the connoissette due to her job in high-end hospitality industry. Now to what we ate: -We split the caesar salad with everything. No one human should order this, unless it is as an entree, because it is huge. The best thing about this salad is the strips of perfectly cooked bacon that has been coated in maple syrup. -Date had a bone-in filet steak with goat-cheese crusted on top. -I wanted the sea bass special, but the table next to us ordered the last one :( So, I went with a 8oz tenderloin with poivre sauce. The steak was perfectly cooked and the pepper sauce was to die for. I normally don't like to hide the flavor of a $48 piece of meat, but this sauce made it so much more. There were fresh red and green peppercorns in a dark brown sauce. -Both plates came with grilled asparagus, but we were tempted by the fingerling potatoes roasted in duck fat. There were so many that we took them home and ate them the next morning as the most decadent skillet potatoes. -Dessert was pralines and ice cream Only negatives in the meal were that I had to ask our waiter Jay three times for the bread and amuse bouche that is normally served right after you order. Not to be too picky... we saw it delivered to other tables who were seated after us. This restaurant is the perfect special occasion restaurant. Considering the price, unless you invented something like Yelp.com , you wouldn't be able to afford this. Never minding the price, this place was packed both times. I made reservations months in advance to get in. It IS possible to get there early and eat at one of the eight bar stools. I believe there is also a special menu for the bar.
(5)Debbie H.
What a fantastic evening on the beach! Delicious meals, great wine, and a wonderful waiter (Gregory). There were 4 of us, having dinner during our annual get together. We had dined at Beach Bistro two years prior, and enjoyed it so much in 2012, that we decided to return for our get together in 2014. The food and atmosphere was even better than we remembered. A little pricey but worth the splurge.
(5)Vacation T.
This place is ridiculously good. Probably the most expensive place on the island - but well worth splurging for. My party had a little bit of everything. The salads are tasty. The entrees are surprisingly large! I was making the joke before dinner that we will all probably stop and get some pizza on the way home from the Bistro since the serving sizes would be so small - this was not the case. We had a great dinner and overall dining experience.
(4)Lindsay R.
Sully's Bar is the place to be. Drinks and desserts - such a treat! :)
(4)Todd S.
Don't go here if you are on a budget. But do go here if you want the best food to sing to your taste buds. That is all.
(5)John S.
I have been trying to figure out what I want to say about my experience here. I guess I can sum it up by saying that for the first time in my dining life, I felt totally taken advantage of by a restaurant leveraging its reputation to price gauge and serve sub par food. I was excited to try this place based on the other yelp reviews and the restaurant's reputation. However, the food was just not very good. The foie gras appetizer did everything in its power to taste like anything other than foie gras. Ours was downright burnt, to be honest. We had the grouper and the sea bass and the fish it was okay - not $31 for 4 ounces okay but can't knock the flavor. The menu had a lot of language about the quality of the fish they served, etc, but it comes across more as a way of justifying the exorbitant prices. However, the biggest sin of the night was the "roasted" vegetables we ordered. I cannot describe what we got - everything was so dry, sad and over- roasted that you couldn't tell the difference between any of the vegetables. I seriously have never had such an epic failure of roasted vegetables that I'm still grasping for words to describe what we we were served. I guess why I wanted to even write this review is not to be disrespectful to the restaurant and to be a jerk - but more as a counter balance to other reviews and to provide a warning to other would be diners. We could have gone on an off night (but I doubt it). Our palates could just be horrible. All I know is that we spent over $200 with tip on food that if I cooked myself I would have tossed in the garbage and started over. I would not have served it to my guests. I have no problem with expensive meals. One of the greatest dining experiences of my life was at Restaurant Alma in Minneapolis and that went well beyond $200 and I would gladly do it again and again - it was that good. A restaurant cannot survive as long as this place has by being "bad" but I am left scratching my head with the vast discrepancy between Beach Bistro's reputation and what we were just served.
(2)Michael M.
This place is a classic. Really one of the most memorable meals I've enjoyed in my life. The service was impeccable and the food perfect. The sunset is incredible. Don't go here on a tight budget, but it's definitely worth every penny if you have a few bucks to spare.
(5)D A.
Very tired, outdated menu. The place is covered in lint. The sauces are uninspired. The owner who has really bad BO insists on hugging all his guests...barf. The place is extremely overpriced. I can't see why anyone would ever eat at this place, or it's little sister restaurant, EAT HERE, also on Anna Maria...which also gives you very little quality and portions for the price.
(1)Marie K.
In my opinion, really over-rated. I thought tiny-little-pretty-portions with big price tags went out of style 20 years ago but I was wrong. While the food was tasty, it was not superb. The service was definitely not up to par. Seated at 8:00. Dinner arrived on the table at 9:05. We did have an appetizer, but not enough to hold us for 65 minutes. Extremely pricey for what you get. The beach view would be nice if you weren't sitting in the lap of the guy next to you. Too many wonderful restaurants in the area to go back to one that is just mediocre. The hype is off target on this one.
(2)Jennifer K.
Went for a night out as a couple last week. We made a reservation which is a good thing to do as this restaurant is very small. Ordered a cocktail at the bar first, I believe it was called a Dark & Stormier, ginger based drink, very good. We ordered a steak dinner, gulf shrimp dinner, and mushroom risotto (without fois gras) to share. I asked for a substitute for grits on my plate and they accommodated by offering grilled asparagus instead. We also asked for our risotto to be made without the fois gras, and although the server had to check with the kitchen this was also accommodated without issue. The steak was ordered medium and came out well done, when we pointed this out, the server said they would start on a new one right away, however, we did not want this. Although overcooked it was still very tender and delicious. The cost of the steak was subsequently removed from our bill, without being asked or even expected by us. The food was fresh, hot, and very good. The risotto was beyond excellent. We also got dessert to share and then wished we had gotten another, it was sublimely good. Yes, it is expensive.
(4)Joy S.
What a wonderful eating experience for my Birthday! Be prepared for a tiny restaurant but if you are OK with that then you should eat here. It is truly a fine dining experience. I had the Cesar salad which was really delicious, the dressing was creamy but not gloppy and had just the right amount of anchovy flavor with fabulously large shavings of parm cheese (but I didn't like their croutons because they were sooo dry and crunchy). And while it was a really good I didn't feel it was worth $17. My husband had Sean's Favorite Things (not sure of the name) It had a slice of smoked salmon, a few nice bites of yummy butter poached lobster tail, a few mouthfuls of a "salad/coleslaw" and a nice dollop of creme fraiche with some caviar on top, it came with homemade flat breads and just about every bite my hubby took ended in ummmmm....LOL We shared the foie gras app which was creamy and earthy and yumolicious!!! The brioche bread pudding was beautiful and caramelized on the bottom which gave it a whole different dimension of flavor. Maybe John S. doesn't know what foie gras is supposed to taste like and i find it hard to believe a place like this would send a piece of burnt anything to a table!! We both decided to have the 1/2 duck and shared the heaven on earth-a wild mushroom and foie gras and truffle risotto. Lets start with the risotto...I could eat that for breakfast, lunch and dinner 8 days a week!! Because of the level of restaurant you don't get little specks of foie gras you get bite sized pieces of it and you also get LOTS of mushrooms and such a variety!! The duck was wonderful and was served with a medley of berries and beets and some kind of yummy sauce, a small side of asparagus and baby carrots and a ramekin of mashed potatoes (which we both found to be almost too spicy to eat) but the risotto made up for that. The staff was sweet and brought out a slice of yummy, gooey massively chocolate cake, and a scoop of ice cream that was rolled in some sort of crunchy toffee flavored yummyness and a candle! Over all it was a beautiful evening and a great dining experience! This will be our special occasion place for sure! Thanks Sean for having a gem of a restaurant!
(4)Morgan R.
A great atmosphere, generally quite good, though a bit uneven The atmosphere was intimate with an gulf beach view and a small dining room. The service was attentive but not overbearing. The tomato soup was divine, the caesar salad good, the greens (kale?) good, the fingerling potatoes roasted in duck fat superb. The key lime pie was amazing. But the execution on some key things really wasn't up to snuff for this price range. My cosmopolitan was overly sweet, and not tart enough (and at the price it should have been perfect). The shredded brussels sprouts with bacon was trying too hard - it would have been better without the shredding, and with less oil or butter. The nova-scotia lobster appetizer was tasty and properly done, but the local lobster appetizer was overly salted and not that flavorful. The restaurant made a big deal about serving authentic fresh grouper, but the grouper entree was disappointing - overcooked to the point of being slightly dried out. That's a poor showing for a high-end restaurant specializing in fish. All in all, they deserve only 3.5 stars. I love the atmosphere - I wish they did a better job not overcooking the fish. I wish I'd had the lamb special instead -- which is a strange thing to wish for with waterfront dining at a seafood restaurant.
(4)Jennifer B.
I've lived in the San Francisco Bay area for over 15 years and have dined at some of the best restaurants around. So when coming back to FL and staying on one my favorite islands, I tend to keep my dining expectations lowkey. My mother, who lives in a small town and doesn't get great dining where she is was dying to try this place. The beachfront location, which was also a short walk from where we were staying, lured us in. Walking into this place feels like being transported to a clubby NY bar. I don't mean nightclub, I mean old-school club which felt out of place at a beachside bistro. Granted, if I want a pina colada and stick my toes in the sand and listen to bad Jimmy Buffet music I'll go up to the Sandbar, but I had slightly different expectations for this place. The bar was packed and even though the dining room was empty, they said no tables were available. We squeezed into one of the tables in the bar. It took a while for a server to approach us and then longer for us to receive our drinks and menus. Having worked in the restaurant business for years I knew this meant the server was swamped or wasn't clear whose station we were in or both. While the food was decent and high-quality ingredients, I found it criminally over-priced. People who don't know food and don't know any better will pay for it, but trust me when I say it's just not worth $49 for a small portion of bouillabaisse. I will say the wine list is good and actually reasonably priced for what they offer. The end note on this review is about the owner. My mother was gushing over how wonderful the food was to our server (my eyes were rolling). The server told us we should stop by and say hello to the owner Sean who was drinking wine at the bar. So on our way out, my mother paused to tell Sean what a wonderful meal she had just had. Now if you're the owner of a place and its during prime dinner hour, wouldn't you want to be more engaged and wishing patrons 'good night' as they were leaving your establishment? My mother had to approach him and he barely turned from his barstool to acknowledge her. It was actually appalling.
(2)Cheryl R.
Amazing food, service and ambiance. Prices demand a special occasion, but the food is special - local ingredients and creative combinations. The vanilla bean ice cream coated with pralines over franjeloco was the best dessert that has ever crossed my lips!
(5)Randy K.
Food is always delicious, with many outstanding dishes to choose from. My wife had her usual scrumptious filet with hunter sauce. I tried the "swordfish special." It was very tasty and not at all dry as swordfish can sometimes be. Service was wonderful, not at all pretentious. Annette, the maitre d' is wonderfully welcoming; makes you feel like a returning family member. We have been there often over the past 12 years and have NEVER been disappointed. The owner, Sean Murphy, goes out of his way to welcome diners, including children and families. Publicized as the "highest rated" restaurant in Florida, deservedly so. It is expensive, but worth every penny. We will continue to return to Beach Bistro whenever we want the best meal and service anywhere.
(5)Gretchen C.
A true foodie experience! Ambiance is quaint overlooking Holmes Beach, and wait staff is always more than knowledgable. The lamb duo was exceptional and you can never go wrong with the Grouper dish! One of my favorites in Florida!
(5)Jason B.
The atmosphere is not what I'd call romantic at all. Low ceilings, shabby building, and the tiny tables are set up so close to each other that you can literally reach out and touch the people at the next table. And views of the beach are nothing special in Florida so that's not really a selling point either. My wife and I are not food snobs by any stretch of the imagination, and neither of us were impressed by our food. For this price I expect to be blown away. I was not. My grouper was kind of bland and my wife's lobster was chewy and unappetizing. Dessert was similarly mediocre. At nearly $100 PER PERSON you need to be doing something extraordinary and special. We didn't feel like it was worth the money.
(2)Kent L.
I am a food snob. I eat at great restaurants all over the country and this one just went to the top of my list. Service, food, view, all perfect. Best grouper I've ever had. Deserts were insane. Go.
(5)Mike S.
This is the premier gourmet bistro on the island.....internationally acclaimed and highly rated. Lots of creative and delicioius dishes, at a premium price. Expect to pay $50 plus per diner, not counting drinks. There are now some small plate options to taste some wonderful dishes without leftovers. On a prior visit, we had bacon ice cream that was surprisingly tasty. tThe service is extremely professional, and helpful. The restaurant is small and a bit cramped, with a few outside tables to watch the setting sun. We were initially intimidated by the prices and aura of "the rich & famous" but left feeling we got our money's worth and with lasting memories of living large for a meal.
(4)Gary C.
This seaside - on the Gulf of Mexico place is my favorite place on AMI. The dining room is a great place for a date; romance will come naturally when the views of the gulf and sunset are this stunning. Service is impeccable and genuine, food is outstanding especially the Rack of Lamb and the tomato soup. The bar room is a little more casual and it's easy to make new friends while sitting at the small 8-10 seat bar. I like that I can stop in, grab a seat at the bar and order from a bar menu that offers smaller portions, I just wish they'd put the burger back on that menu.
(5)Daniel A.
To tell you the truth this was one of my all-time favorite restaurants my wife and I had come off the beach so I'm sure we looked like homeless people lol at first we felt a bit uncomfortable and underdressed but none of that seem to matter in the end we ordered the chef's tasting menu which was a bit expensive but well worth The money I have paid triple that amount for food that was not near as good honestly one of my favorite tasting menus I've tried my only complaint was at first the service was a bit snobby and we almost walked out because we were not greeted properly and where sat next to people in evening gowns The view in this restaurant is awesome the restaurant literally sits directly on the beach absolutely beautiful because the food was absolutely so awesome I could not take away a star normally I would because in the beginning they made me feel uncomfortable but also that was partially my fault
(5)Mike G.
I have eaten at Beach Bistro several times. While the fare has been generally tasty and the service excellent, however, it appears they are getting a little heady. Tonight I was presented with a check for $54.00 for a 2 oz piece of beef smothered in a couple of sauces, a small pot of rather cold fingerling potatoes and a mediocre rice/slaw/asparagus side. Good beef, decent sauce, mixed reviews on the side and spuds. Price = $54.00!! I don't think so. Seems the place is taking itself way to seriously. Make sure to ask about prices before you order.
(2)Kimberly A.
Im giving one star because the food was prepared well. Our experience was nothing short of an insulting weird evening. We will never be back, ever. The $75 supposed 2lb. Lobster was a and a 1/4 AT BEST. I regret not taking a picture if it. We called the managers attention to this situation and she handled it properly. After our friend got his new entree this very rude, brazen man comes over for a table visit. He put his hand on my shoulder and squatted down and proceeded to tell us to leave. WHAT? SERIOUSLY? Yup, hurry and leave and don't pay either which by the way our bill was high and we were expecting an incredible "dining experience" so we had expected to spend plenty. Anyway my girlfriend excused herself fro the table ( shes a non drinker by the way, water only, she also eats out about 5 nights a week while they're in FL) she finds the owner and pulls him aside so customers wouldn't hear her. Bottom line he was rude, kept interrupting, and had nothing to go on, but stuck to his guns. Very strange! She came back to the table not even able to digest what the heck was going on here. So we left. In the hour ride back to St Pete we were all so perplexed and decided the only thing we could do is give them their true well deserved feedback on social media.
(1)Terry H.
Wonderful dining experience if you can afford the price. s. Go at sunset to get the best bang for your buck (beautiful gulf views)
(3)david h.
I ate here 6 years ago and put this place on my top 5 restaurants in the US. I promised my wife that if we ever went back to Sarasota, I would take her here. We finally made it! The atmosphere was as good as I remember it. It was cozy yet refined. My wife wondered if they clean the drapes hanging from the ceiling. I assured her they did (I have no idea whether they do or not). Our meal was outstanding. It was not as off the charts as I remember. There is a good chance if I had ordered differently, it could have been off the charts. Biggest shocker was that one of my dishes had a huge hair in it. Surprise! Joey, our server, was excellent. He was on top of things without being obtrusive. I understand the bistro concept but I really don't like sitting in the lap of a complete stranger (our table for two was right next to another table for two - I mean right next to it!) The prices are indeed exorbitant but you ought to know this going in. If you don't, stay on the porch and eat a cheeseburger. I would highly recommend this place but I think it fell off the top 5 list. Alas! Smiley face and a star.
(5)Michelle T.
This place is not at all what I expected after reading some reviews. What I expected was your typical lushly decorated restaurant with tons of wait staff. When I walked in, I was shocked and somewhat pleasantly surprised to feel like I was walking into someone's living room or den. It is a very small place, located on the beach, with just enough staff to keep you happy. It is quaint and charming. Yes, your neighbors sit fairly close to you...but after being in such a small establishment, you feel as though you are dining in an elite group anyway. You can see beachgoers from the windows but remember, you are on a very laid back island where this type of gourmet dining is the exception as opposed to the rule. We found ourselves immersed in conversation with our neighbors and by the end of the evening, the entire restaurant was singing Happy Birthday to a 90 year old woman that was dining amongst us. The food is remarkable....fresh, delicious and unique. The staff was attentive and helpful. The wine list was very extensive as well. It is spendy, especially for being located on an Island where the rest of the food options are not even nearly as desirable, but it is money well spent for a romantic and delicious evening. We will definitely return on our next visit to Anna Maria.
(5)Joe K.
I really enjoy dining at the Beach Bistro Bar. It has the same great foods that is served in the dining room, with lower prices. And, you will meet some very interesting people from all over the world. The friendly staff at the Beach Bistro is what has kept me coming back for the past ten years.
(5)Kim J.
Service and food were impeccable. The outside is deceiving but certainly worth the visit.
(5)JM T.
Every bite was delicious. The dishes were creative but not crazy and the execution was flawless. The wait staff was friendly and efficient. Yes, it is small. Yes, the tables are close (reminds me of many Manhattan eateries). Yes, it is among the more expensive restaurants in the area. Was it worth it? Absolutely. We both selected from the day's specials. I had a prosciutto wrapped striped bass on a saffron beurre blanc with asparagus and whipped potatoes. Hubby had a lamb chop and braised lamb shank combo. There aren't enough adjectives to describe how great these dishes were. This was our first visit. It will not be our last!
(5)adam g.
Worst meal and experience I've had on the island by far! I'm a chef, have been for 12 years, and there was no excuse for what took place last night. Ordered a drink(bulleit bourbon manhattan on rocks and a manhattan up for my wife). Brings me on the rocks(best is yet to come), I drink it happily and don't say a word. We order ceaser salad followed by colorado rack of lamb(78.00!!!!) and a snapper(a local abundant fish for 47.00!!!). Expectations are obviously high when spending this much money on food and hardly anyone in NYC is chargin this money anymore! My mother orders the duck breast MR and it comes out well done! No joke, I asked the manager who was expediting bc no one with any sense of honor or commitment would send that out as a MR unless they think they can pull one over on someone. Rack of lamb was fine, nothing so special it warranted 78.00, and don't get me started with their menu selling a 4oz filet for 48.00 and calling it "prime", it's a scam!!! I get the bill and get charged 35.00 for Johnny walker blue which I've never ordered in my life, an the server says "that's what you pointed too", but I never had a drink menu in front of me, ever! Scammed again! This happened to my parents a year back where the bill said two 150.00 bottles of wine were ordered and the server told them, "that's what you pointed too"....be careful as they seem to have plenty of old timers with no sense of checking a bill and just paying it no questions asked, but be warned this isn't a cooincidence, the servers know exactly what they are doing!!! Sad thing is, I had an amazing experience and meal at their sister restaurant "eat here" the night before for literally a quarter of the cost and twice the better food and experience. I am ashamed a place like this exists and gets away with scamming their guests and serving such mediocre food at such a high cost. Terrible way to end a vacation. I would like to note: their host David did all he could to make things right and gave us some desserts and wine on the house and comped the duck. He should be commended for his efforts and if only everyone there(owner) shared his humility, they might be a more approachable place and I would want to return.
(1)Roberta S.
Yum. great service. cute menu. save room for dessert! amazing melon salad w/ arugula...
(4)Kelly F.
Service, food and atmosphere were wonderful. The wine was excellent. I look forward to eating here again!
(5)G T.
Expensive! Took my wife to dinner here during a long weekend getaway. If it weren't for a very generous gift certificate from a good friend, I don't think we would have dined here. The prices were very expensive and with that being said, you would have high expectations. The food was good but I really don't think it's worth the high prices. The menu was very well thought out and had several interesting dishes. We tried the Lobstercargot which is chunks of lobster, instead of snails, in a traditional escargot recipe. Nice concept but the lobster was overdone causing it to be a bit chewy. My 10oz fillet was cooked perfectly but not worth the $70 price tag. My wife's grouper was good but a bit on the dry side @$50. The good thing is the location on the beach. We had a seat at the window overlooking the beach and water. It is a small, cramped dinning room so you can hear your neighbors conversations. The staff was nice and professional and it was great to see the owner filling water glasses and making sure everyone is taken care of. We have heard a lot of great things about this place and although the food was good, it is very expensive.
(4)Shlamie G.
Went to Beach Bistro last week. It was our 4th visit. Bragged about this place to so many people! First 3 times, obviously, were a cut above most other restaurants. This time we found our waiter aloof and unwelcoming. He rattled off the complete specials for the evening and when another waiter read the specials to the table next to us, there were other items we weren't told about. Disappointing. Lamb special was above average. Encrusted grouper was mealy and unsatisfactory. Scallops were good. Salad was average. I know the place is spendy, so I can't say I wasn't aware. We arrived early and found the bartender to be welcoming, fun and down to earth. Doesn't outweigh the feeling we left with. Not planning on a return visit.
(1)Terri V.
3 1/2 stars. The Beach Bistro drive was serious sci-fi...felt like we were driving off the end of the earth by the time we arrived to Longboat Key. We couldn't get an earlier reservation so it was too dark for a view of the water which may have taken my mind off of old beach house creaky wooden floors, low-ceilings and claustrophobic rooms. Worth it? For me? No. The service was fair, however we found the cuisine uniquely sublime with the Warm maple leaf duckling salad with arugula & watercress and "Lobstergot": pieces of lobster served in an escargot dish accented with beautiful spinach & butter sauce. Yum! The grouper was another winner. The wine list was deep and moderately serious (though I didn't test whether they actually had all of those vintages). My take? If you aren't already there, it isn't worth the drive unless you can enjoy the view.
(4)Don S.
I have been fortunate to dine at a lot of really nice places due to business travel in the USA and Europe and to get right to the point this place is at the VERY tip top of my list of favorites. At some point it is hard to say one great restaurant is better than another but this was truly remarkable. The service was splendid and the food was even better. It is a nice cozy place on the beach and its a must try if you are anywhere near this area. Its not inexpensive but then the best rarely is.
(5)Susan F.
Yum!! If you're willing to drive to the 'almost-end' of the Longboat Key, don't hesitate to stop here. The restaurant is cozy. It almost feels like an old dining room on the titanic. Menu- Tomato salad--so colorful and so good. The dressing and tomatoes were amazing. We also got a shot of the tomato soup with maytag blue cheese which really hit the spot. For dinner, I had the 6 ounce filet--also came in 8 and 10 ounces--wow! My mom got the lobster special, which had great presentation and I'm sure it tasted great--though I did not get to try :( For dessert, we all split the ice cream frangelico--if my memory serves me correctly and the cheesecake.
(5)J. L.
Pros: Just what you'd expect from a Zagat rated restaurant. Great food and service. inventive menu. Intimate atmosphere. Fantastic location. They were wonderful with kids - letting them "make their own pizzas" (adding sauce toppings and cheese to the bobili-type bread) the kids loved it. The adults loved it too. Cons: Holy Cow this is expensive. Not usually a complainer and, for sure, the location is great right on the beach... but expect to pay. The pricing is the reason for only 4-stars
(4)gidget l.
Second time eating here. Food is good. Prices are way too high. $48 for grouper and mashed is tooooo much. Never again. Wine list is nice. Maybe no better options in the area but waaaayyyy over priced. Service was good.
(3)Paul M.
Fabulous meal in a comfortable beach front setting. We popped in to Beach Bistro on a drive back from Naples. Its been on our list for a while. We had no reservation but they were very gracious and set up a table for us right on the beach. Very accommodating. The menu was a bit confusing, but our waiter offered assistance. The dishes all seemed very creative and well thought out. I started with lobstercargot which was 6 chinks of lobster served in a bubbling butter garlic in a metal dish you associate with escargot. Very tasty and a nice starter but a tad pricey at $20. My wife had a very very nice salad. We had 1/2 portions for our entrees as we weren't that hungry. I had Barbecue and maple syrup shrimp and they were fantastic, what a great taste combo of the sweet and the smoky, My wife had scallops and was served two moderately sized scallops for $20. I usually don't comment or complain about price but these did seem high and its why I gave 4 instead to 5 stars. The beach location is lovely and the sunset is free! I would still call this a must go location if you're in the neighborhood and even if you're not, its worth the ride.
(4)Jessey Q.
Beach Bistro is a quaint little place located on anna maria island. The decor and ambiance of the place is very romantic. Get in early for a nice seat so you can watch the sunset. As for the service it was par. Our waiter was sometimes hard to find.. The food was from good to amazing. The risotto (foie gras, truffle and wild mushroom) was really ridiculous as was the grouper. salmon was also very good. The bouillabaisse.. for 60 dollars was par at best. Shoulda got the food heaven instead... (tenderloin crowned with foie gras and lobster tail.) All in all the place gets 4 stars from me. I didn't really think the food was worth the price.
(4)Sam L.
"Most expensive place on the island. Friendly staff. Great drinks & wine." Given the fact that the adjacent motel is of the much older old Florida type (cheesy, low ceilings, but with a pool and on the beach!), the owner and staff have worked hard to make a pleasant environment. Staff is very well trained.After the free valet whisked our car away, we got drinks from the bar (honor system - they took our name said they'd add it to our check and let us walk right out the front door to the beach), sipped in beach chairs during sunset. Bartender was jovial and friendly. Has a few tables out in the sand where they will also serve their full menu. Maitre d' was polite, charming and attentive, even when I asked staff 3 times to be moved away from directly under the A/C vent to one of the several open tables that were never occupied during our visit (we were the last table to be seated). He explained that he would turn down the A/C. After 5 minutes I thanked him and asked staff again to please be moved to one of the other many open two tops as the A/C had now made my fingers and arm numb. He said the A/C would be shutting off momentarily. 7 minutes later the air conditioning came back on blowing directly down my short sleeve shirt, and I asked once again to be relocated to another one of the several open tables. A/C continued to blow directly in my face all night. Not a good experience to begin a night where the expectation is that you'll spend over 100 dollars per person. The two tops were uncomfortably close - we felt like we were not only eavesdropping but in the conversations of the tables on either side. Somebody purchased the music by asking at a music store where the classical was and then blindly grabbing a CD. It wasn't elegant. Burning hot halogen lights suspended above the tables seemed like they were at 100% intensity. Not sure if they have dimmers in Florida. The single rose in the glass cut vase was nice. Not a bad way to utilize a 7-foot-ceilinged room. Several of the same items were repeated in the all heavy creamy fatty dishes throughout the irreverent menu. We had a bottle of Axis Lodi Zinfandel ($17 retail, $45 at Beach Bistro/Holmes Beach), which was perfectly delicious. An amuse-bouche sherry glass shot of "One Helluva Soup" of sweet cream and plum tomatoes was a nice start. Blue cheese crumbles on top were not a match. Bread arrived with a roasted tomato "flower" cradling some black olive tapenade and basil pesto - nice accompaniments. Forgettable, weak Caesar salad with oddly misshapen & torn romaine leaves. Overly toasted croutons and no anchovies. Shaved parmesan on top was nice, but the straight-from-the-vacuum-sealed Albertsons shredded cheese pouch parmesan was waxy and created a mouth-feel sensation of cornstarch. Menu promised baby red romaine, but it was nowhere to be found. "Lobstercargots" were a fun idea. Except - snails can be cooked to death without harming their texture because they have an overly stable protein structure. Lobster doesn't do so good when served in a 700 degree solid aluminum block. Full leaf Italian parsley in the garlic butter was an odd interpretation of refinement. Sadly, overcooking would be a recurrent theme that evening... "Clever Aside" "Heaven & Earth" "Lush risotto gifted with the heavenly richness of truffles, foie gras and American exotic mushrooms" [sic]. There's no excuse for (way) overcooking risotto, especially at sea level (or 4 feet above sea level). Foie Gras must have been from an anorexic goose, as it tasted simply of seared liver, not unctuous humanely tortured animal fat. When the mushroom texture is firmer than the rice texture, one of them has to go. A special of pan roasted (right) oyster bouillabaisse was a creamy and rich (every single item on the menu was creamy and rich, sigh) oyster stew. Bouillabaisse it was not. Since when is bouillabaisse served without bread? How much more cream and butter can you take? Base was rich, with hints of saffron and fennel in a full bodied tomato fish broth. Bacon ice cream full of re-crystallized surface ice throughout the rolled scoops, as well as the odd air pockets around the bacon bits. The crystals throughout this ice cream indicated at least 3 days of freezer stay, or several trips changing temperature in and out of the freezer. The caramelized sugar squiggle I think was done by a six year old. Unrefined also a recurring theme. Though we were one of the last two tables in the place (thirteen inches away from the other last table), we never felt rushed. Free valet assisted by the maitre d' had our car pulled up, running and doors open when we left. Anna Maria island a very friendly place in mid-May and loved the powdery sand beach. The wind not so much, but air and water temp just perfect. I will be back to Beach Bistro to try more! Would that they were open for lunch, but alas, this is a business and financial viability must be the primary directive. It is.
(3)Tom K.
We totally stumbled upon the Beach Bistro but what a find! This is truly one of the finest restaurants we've visited - food, service and atmosphere. Yes, you could drop a few bucks here but it's probably the best value we've ever experienced. We were attending a wedding and staying at the nearby Blue Water Beach Club. We had a slice of pizza and some chili with the wedding party and thought we would wander down to this restaurant we saw on the drive for dessert - knew nothing about it in advance. Well, dessert turned into a few drinks, a small plate (scallops) and a fabulous dessert. We had a romantic table for two in the bar. We loved the decor and atmosphere. In fact, we loved it so much we spent three hours. I highly recommend giving Beach Bistro a try. Don't worry, spend a few bucks, you won't regret it at all!
(5)Trisha A.
The food is as good as all the reviews on yelp said. My husband and I were not disappointed. Our reservation at 5:45 was perfect for viewing the gorgeous sunset - only bad thing was we felt a bit rushed to order and move from course to course (an we are not eater campers) but for amount of money that we were plunking down I wish we would have felt more at ease by our waitress. Don't know if I'll be back because of that, sadly.
(5)Bobby C.
The food and decor is amongst the best in the Sarasota Bradenton market, and along with that come high prices, however well worth it for a special occasion.
(5)Ali O.
We felt this place was a kinda overrated and overpriced for the food and experience. It is EXPENSIVE, and when we pay that much for a meal, we expect pretty darn near perfection. Everything was good, but only dessert (the key lime pie) was truly great. I had the tomato soup (too sweet, not enough blue cheese); the duckling salad (drowning in dressing); and the snapper special of the evening (bland and the fish was mealy). Husband very much enjoyed his snapper (prepared French-style) but thought his duck breast was just OK. The waitress was a little on the snippy side and rather unhelpful when it came to wine. The courses were served right on top of each other--before each one had been finished, even. And I had to ask for more water, which bugged me a bit. I wouldn't be so picky if not for the exorbitant prices--again, for what we paid, I would expect to be amazed ... and I wasn't.
(3)Diane B.
I am giving this a five in the context of the location. It wasn't the most fabulous food, ambience or service I have experienced but for Anna Maria Island it was a HUGE surprise. It was completely unexpected. The service was low key, unpretentious and very attentive. It was actually perfect and not over done for this particular restaurant. Food was delicious. I had been told it was pricey but I thought it was a very much in line for the quality of the food. Dessert could have used a bit of enhancement but overall a wonderful experience and a restaurant I would recommend to anyone. I hope to have the opportunity to visit it again.
(5)Ken W.
Beach Bistro takes top honors in Zagat's 2012 America's Top Restaurants Survey: bit.ly/1aCxR9v
(4)Rev. Robert D.
OUTSTANDING!!!! This place is great. The wine list is awesome they have every Mollydooker made. Service was top of the line. If your around town Do Not Miss It. Bring your money it's not cheap but at this quality it shouldn't be!
(5)Matthew G.
Considering that I'm not independently wealthy, I have to consider price as a factor as I write this review. First of all, the food: it was very good. The amuse was a nice touch, to be sure. The so-called lobstercargot appetizer was tasty by virtue of the garlic butter, although the chunks of lobster meat were a hair's breadth away from being bland. I'm fairly certain that you could soak shoe leather in garlic butter and it would be delicious. For the main course, I had the bouillabaisse, which was delicious. Large and varied pieces of seafood in a saffron-spiced broth came to the table piping hot. The small order was filling, and I am a *ahem* big eater. My wife had the lamb, and there is a reason that the Beach Bistro is famous for it, it's good enough that I had to physically restrain myself from kicking my wife's chair over and eating her meal with my fingers like a wild beast as she struggled to regain her composure. That being said, I feel like the prices were a little high. Yes, the view is spectacular, yes the service and food and drinks were top-notch, but I've been lucky enough to dine in high-class joints before, and they weren't that expensive. The small bouillabaisse was $45. I work in an upscale seafood restaurant, and I feel confident saying that it was overpriced. The wine list as well was pretty grossly inflated. We had the Benton Lane Pinot Noir. Expect to pay $35 or so for that wine in a restaurant setting. $65 at the Bistro. I'm all about paying for service, but that's bordering on insanity. I'll stop whining now and say my final word: if you're looking for a romantic little spot with five-star service and that "luxury" feel, the Beach Bistro is for you. And if you happen to be an oil baron or a steel magnate, you won't even notice the prices! I crack me up.
(4)rhett t.
It seems a fairy tale. Who could imagine transforming a tiny bistro/trattoria sized add-on to a sleepy beach motel into a foodie destination? So of course when I read about Beach Bistro and saw accolades describing it as the best restaurant in Florida, I had to come. Well, it's not. The place is small, but charming. It would be hard to top its beachfront setting, especially for sunsets or thunderstorms. The service was excellent, attentive and informed. The wine list is deep, but slightly overpriced. Alas, the food was a let-down. The tomato soup amuse was forgettable, too hot and too creamy. My lamb was a bit under-cooked with a sauce that was not memorable with muted rather than pungent flavors. And, I was disappointed by the portions (three chops) for $45 which left me hungry later that night. My son's tiny filet was charred to a crisp, yet the right temperature in the center, but it was under seasoned and bland. The mashed potatoes were very successful. But, the pizza was awful. I have no idea why the chef includes something so outside the concept or his comfort zone. I know kids menus are often afterthoughts, but on the night we dined there were a number of kids in the restaurant, so it would seem the chef would pay more attention to that part of the menu. I was also disappointed by the duck fat fingerlings which yielded not a hint of unctuousness and were charred and bitter.
(3)nick s.
Appetizers not good. Got duck because that's "the best". It was dry. Overrated place if i've ever seen one. Only reason I didnt give it 1 star is because of the view.
(2)Brian S.
This is a bad place to realize you forgot about Valentine's Day. We were seated at a lovely table next to the window with views of the beach and Gulf of Mexico. We ordered our favorite pre-dinner drink - a kir - and my wife produced a card in a red envelope. At this point my heart sank down to my shoe-ish region as I realized I'd come with nothing. The amuse bouche was a delicious tomato soup with sprinkles of Maytag blue cheese. It delighted my taste buds which were on high alert because I knew I would soon be dead. I ordered a bottle of the Honig Cabernet, which I found to be one of the few moderately-priced, decent Cabernets on the menu. Perusing the wine list bought me valuable time to think of a way out of the predicament I'd placed myself into. Sadly, there was no escape. We ordered the house signature appetizer, the "lobsterscargot", and my wife continued to prod me for a card, choosing not to believe that I could be so incredibly thoughtless, bless her heart. The lobsterscargot arrived at the table around the same time my wife arrived at the realization that I did not, in fact, have a Valentine's card. Or gift. The chunks of delicious spiny lobster broiled in butter were a delicious accompaniment to being slowly destroyed by caustic barbs from my beloved. As if to remind me of my unworthiness to be her spouse, my wife handed me a gift. It was two delightful books that she'd spent hours looking for while encumbered with the children that, she reminded me, she was helping me raise - despite my being an ungrateful bastard who had neither card nor tiny token of my affection. My wife had the Foie Gras appetizer as her main course. She was not talking to me at this point, but I believe she enjoyed it. Having been labeled an inconsiderate, thoughtless cretin, I attempted to enjoy my beef tenderloin entree. The presentation was excellent and it probably tasted outstanding. The meat was as tender as my wife was seething. Everything was perfectly seared. In the interest of damage control, my darling spouse was sole decision-maker regarding the dessert we were to share. The chocolate torte was delicious. They say chocolate releases the same chemicals that you feel when you're in love, but I saw no evidence of that. I will be paying for this dinner for years to come.
(5)Sandy H.
When we arrived at Beach Bistro for our first visit, we were taken aback by the building (a motel?). All we had to do, though, was walk through their entrance to see we were in for an experience that would be worth every penny my husband's son and wife spent to give him a gift certificate to Beach Bistro: top notch service, beautiful decor that is enhanced by the wonderful view of the Gulf. The Butter Poached Lobster was divine and left me wanting more, more, more...
(5)Donna F.
Incredible service, food and view! Worth every penny.
(5)James G.
Wonderful lamb, everything else was great too. It is nice to go for a walk on the beach after eating somewhere, where the meal makes you think "life is beautiful."
(5)Rick G.
I have been lucky enough to have some phenomenal meals in my life; but last night, that all changed. I experienced a meal that changed my life. From start to finish, my jaw was on the ground. It started with a little taste of their famous tomato soup with Maytag blue cheese. I started to think that I made a mistake by not ordering a whole bowl of it, then I realized that my thought was correct. I had ordered the duck salad instead, once I had my first bite of that, I knew tonight was the meal of my life. I followed the salad with a mushroom creme brûlée. Once again, completely speechless. I finished my meal with the foie gras. I have had foie gras in a number of restaurants, but never had I had one like this. It was served with their savory bread pudding that just took it to the next level. As I was discussing my meal with my girlfriend, whose palate is similar to mine and has had meals as ridiculous as I have has before, we came to the conclusion that we had just had the best meal of our lives. Never have we been in shock for 2 hrs straight. This was a night that we will never forget (to say the least) and it just left us wanting more. We cannot wait to get back here again. To quote someone we know, last night, we had sex with our food.
(5)Maggie T.
Best food, best wait staff, best atmosphere. Truly delicious and a New York restaurant on the ocean.
(5)Michael A.
Upon arrival, you'll wonder if you've got the right address. The Beach Bistro is awkwardly located on the first floor of what appears to be an old-style, Florida motel. Walk in and you'll be pleasantly surprised by the intimate decor and the very friendly service. Be prepared to spend at this restaurant, but in my opinion it is worth the expense. "Heaven" is truly heavenly. The cheese selections are thoughtful and the staff provides little description cards to educate your experience. All other food items here are carefully crafted and well balanced. The variety of the wine selection almost steals the show. We have been to the Beach Bistro 3 times and the restaurant never fails to excite us. Our service has always been spot-on and the food is consistently excellent. The views of the Gulf of Mexico are a wonderful accompaniment to the excellent food and service. Overall the Beach Bistro is our favorite. Bravo.
(5)Jen M.
Fantastic!!! This place is definitely old school--most of the bartenders and waitstaff are older and the decor takes you back a few years. The service is impeccable, the food is outstanding, and the view is great (oceanfront). The only thing I don't like is the cramped dining room. They squeeze so many tables in there. Definitely make a reservation at least 2 weeks in advance and be prepared to spend about $250-$300 for dinner for two. Their tomato bisque and cheese plate are standouts on the menu and they are known for their lamb.
(5)Sean S.
Excellent restaurant, very pricey. The service was excellent (the waiter gave my wife a rose from the table) and the food was just as good. My wife had the gulf grouper, which she loved. I ordered the 10 ounce filet, which I rated in the top 5 best steaks I have ever had. For an appetizer, we had the lobster-cargot, which was good, but not as flavorful as the rest of the meal. For desert, bacon ice cream(weird, I know but very good). Overall, an excellent meal for about $120(no alcohol).
(5)Sandra A.
I am German, and I lived and dined in the world's best and famous restaurants. I would recommend Beach Bistro as one of the best Restaurants in the south. I am visiting Anna Maria Island since 15 years, and I would not miss the opportunity to dine in this romantic Gulf front restaurant.
(5)Ed N.
For their crazy high prices it should be much better. Service was just OK at best. My grouper was no better than what I get for $15 localy.. this dish cost me $45. There are much better very high price resturants like Euphemia Haye. I will not go back
(3)Fred w.
Excellent and worth every penny! The Bistro had been recommended, so we booked a reservation and were glad we did. A Sunday evening in October and the place is slammed?? Staff was great, friendly, attentive, just the right amount of attention. We tried some lobster and grouper dishes, great side dishes (pan fried Brussels Sprouts rocked) The he bar is very cool, (no TV if that's important) bartender was knowledgeable and served a great drink. Will definitely do again.
(5)patrick k.
Expensive restaurant, and you get what you pay for. Food is fantastic, one of my top 5 meals ever in my life. Service was top notch, without a single air of snooty. We had two young children in our party and the service to kids is unmatched.
(5)Anthony T.
Sean Murphy and his crew do an absolutely superior job at this establishment. We have been regulars through the years and have to agree with all of the awards, including being invited to cook at the James Beard House in New York. Zagat survey has named the Beach Bistro as the Best Food in Florida for 2010 Th price is not an issue when you get service and food like you do here. Ask for something special and they will bend over to make it happen. Thanks guys
(5)Wendy M.
Love the cozy room, amazing service, delicious food and ocean views. I love the Beach Bistro!
(5)Michael V.
OK, I may have been upset when i wrote the last review. I tried my luck to go there by myself and try to get reservations for my wife's birthday. Well, it worked out great. They not only had a time open for us, but we even got a table in the main dining room and it made it so special for my wife, who has wanted to go there for a long time and was celebrating her birthday The food was delicious, the ambiance was beautiful and the whole night was great. One Oopsy was when the table next to us knocked over their flower vase and the vase hit my wife's wine glass and splashed her with white wine ( thank God) and spreading glass all over our table. The waiters and hostess came over immediately and moved us to a whole new table. Again, sorry for the recent rant, but something should be updated with the online reservation system. maybe go with Open Table. But the place is a gem right on the beach.
(5)Donald L.
Old School Florida restaurant. Beachy interior, right on the beach. An absolutely beautiful location on Holmes Beach, and the food is really good, but not great. Its REALLY expensive. Took 4 people out for my brother's graduation, so ordered quite a bit, but still the bill was about $600. Ouch. There aren't a lot of great, modern food restaurants in this part of Florida, so its best to stay with the classics, and it is still a great spot here for a special occasion.
(4)Harry K.
Spectacular food, Sean is an amazing Chef & David an awesome waiter! Recommended to us by so many fine people. Start to finish a knock out meal! Can't wait to come back! Photos of some of the fine dishes and Chef Sean
(5)Stacey L.
The food was good. However, I just do not understand the inflated prices. This place was unjustifiably expensive and I live in Brooklyn, so I think that says a lot. I have never seen prices this inflated even at some of the best restaurants in the city (grammercy tavern, battersby, aquagrill, blue hill) I couldn't even recommend this place to anyone bc I left there so confused. It was nowhere near worth the cost.
(1)Diana B.
Sean Murphy knows how to create the ultimate dining experience. The setting on AMI is gorgeous and the restaurant is so intimate and perfect for any celebration (or date night). We tried the tasting menu and couldn't eat all of the food but thoroughly enjoyed the variety and different flavors. Highly, highly recommend the tomato soup and bouillabaisse.
(5)Cori W.
My husband and I came here this year for our anniversary. Let me be clear in the fact that we were not disappointed. We were able to dine out on the beach, which was lovely and really the only place on AMI where you can actually sit on the beach and eat. We each had a cocktail, can't remember what it was called. They were pink martini's and Matt didn't like his so I had both. It was too sweet for him. We both then split a caesar salad which was fantastic and the bouillabaisse both of which were so good. Food wise this was so good. It's pricey but it's worth it. I wouldn't bring children though, it's very small and I know my kids would run a muck in this restaurant!
(4)James M.
Absolutely great restaurant.... One of my favorites in the world, not just in Florida! I travel a lot and always look forward to the Bistro
(5)Andy K.
True 5 star dining experience. Expect large prices but fantastic food . Perhaps one the best restaurant i've ever eaten. The fish was out of this world good, loved the fresh grouper. The fish soup was the greatest
(5)Kelly L.
I had dinner here last night and it's all I have been able to think about today. Seriously. The food was that good. Walking in, I was a little worried. My parents live down here and they had been hearing good things and I had as well. (And of course- I did my Yelp research) Anyways, I made reservations for my mom's birthday and the place was packed. It's right on the beach but it's extremely small inside and kind of claustrophobic. I did enjoy the intimacy though. The windows were kind of cloudy so it wasn't the best view of the water. BUT the food was so good, I could have been sitting inside a gas station and wouldn't have cared. To start the meal, we ordered a bottle of wine and a few cocktails. They had a craft cocktail menu but I would probably skip the martini and go straight for wine, the Bees Knees was ok but nothing super special. They had a really nice wine list though. Of course anywhere that has Stags Leap is ok in my book. My bf ordered a Knob Creek neat and it was as HUGE pour. So take a note, drinkers. Very impressed. The amuse bouche served was focaccia with a tapenade, pesto and tomato and then a side of soup (or shrimp if you were ordering soup with dinner.) It was perfect. My dad and boyfriend ordered the "One Helluva Soup" which was tomato and blue cheese and the name is a very accurate representation. It was delicious. My mom and I split the warm tomato salad. I'm pretty sure this is my favorite salad ever. It had an herbed vinaigrette that I literally would have sucked up with a straw. For dinner, the entire table ordered the grouper cooper. It was served on a bed of mashed potatoes, with prosciutto wrapped asparagus and topped with lobster tail and a tomato-ish broth. To say this was cooked perfectly was an understatement. My parents are both from Maryland and very picky with fish and they said it was the best they've ever had. Mom and I split one which was was smart because we are light eaters and there was plenty on the plate. We all were stuffed but my Mom made a comment that "in a place this good, we have to order dessert" ....so order dessert, we did. We got the Hat Trick which was a trio of creme brûlée (my favorite) and it included spicy chocolate, banana and kaffir lime. We also got the chocolate dessert (I can't remember what it was) but it was outstanding. Served along this ridiculous ice cream rolled in crushed toffee. Dang, it was good. My parents are already plotting their return and I'm planning on driving over from Orlando just to invite myself to dinner.
(5)Ken C.
My absolute favorite place on Anna Maria. I am ashamed to admit I overlooked this place for a very long time. Every thing is top shelf. I really enjoy drinking and eating at the bar with my son. When he has something new his eyes light up!!
(5)Kate D.
My Irish cousin is here for a few weeks and we had the best time at Beach Bistro. David and Mark took care of us wonderfully well, the sunset was glorious and the food outstanding. We both had the grouper dish.... mmmmm! still thinking about it. Excellent evening all around.
(5)Jason M.
This place came highly recommended but the food and the atmosphere are WAY out of line with the prices. We are semi-foodies from Chicago and vacation in Sarasota a few times a year. This was our first visit to Beach Bistro and AMI. The entire building is in need of an overhaul. The draping on the ceiling looked gross, dust fell down thru the air when the server pulled a wine bottle down from the overhead racks, and the ugly old chair cover on my chair was damp and very unpleasant to sit on. Our server was great, very nice and attentive. The food was just OK overall. Some items were more impressive than others but nothing warranting the big price tags. The lamb was the most raved about dish. Our table also had grouper and shrimp which I've had better/fresher for less money (and much better ambiance!) in Sarasota and St Armand's. For what they charge they should be able to overhaul the decor and get new tables, chairs, fix the ceiling, etc. It was all very run down. On our five night stay, this place didn't even crack the top three for dinner experiences. Definitely not worth the drive from Lido.
(1)Chae D.
We did not eat here, my review of one star is based upon the physical condition of this restaurant. We had a 7:30 reservation for dinner on our last night in town. We wanted a memorable dining experience while watching the sun set. We requested a table by the window and we got one. We'd read the YELP reviews so we had high expectations. Jeez, what a dump. This place needs a complete overhaul, it looks like the decor has not chsnged, or been cleaned, since 1975. The very small dining room has gross carpeting, vinyl covered upholstery on the chairs, strange polyester fabric sagging from the ceiling. The tables are uncomfortably close together, severely violating personal space limits. We were seated at a two-top where I had an obstructed view of the sunset and my husband would have had to have craned his head like an owl to view it. My view was obstructed by a roll down shade which limited my view. Is there no better way that they could design to allow for sunset viewing while limiting sun heat? If you like Euphemia Haye you'll probably like this place. If you like Shore Diner on St. Armands Circle you'll probably agree with me. Anyway, after sitting down and looking around my husband and I agreed that the place was too gross to eat a meal there. Avoid this place if cleanliness, fresh smelling, modern design and a 21st Century menu are important to you.
(1)Isabel C.
Amazing food. Fresh and creative. All local and top quality. Cutest place in miles. Outstanding service. Worth every penny. Try the Caesar salad, the clams and the short rib if you can. Loved their Key Lime pie too. MUST VISIT.
(5)R L.
The rack of lamb is an experience. Best I've ever had. Served with a cordial glass of port, and lemon-covered napkins, should you decide to use your hands (I recommend you do). Great restaurant, staff, food, wine list. I'll be back again soon.
(5)Eric E.
So sad to have to write this. This place has had a special spot in my life for over twenty years. Went this week and it was a disaster. Chardonnay served warm. Caesar salad drowning in dressing. $59 grouper way over cooked. Shrimp undercooked and made two in my party ill. Service and setting lovely but we will not be returning. Go to the Anna Maria Oyster Bar on Cortez instead.
(1)W P.
The place is small, fairly expensive and crowded. There is a reason for this: the food quality is excellent. The wine list is excellent. Are they resting a bit on their laurels? Sure. Is this a problem? Not unless you eat here weekly. This place has found its groove and is running with it. This is not a trendy fusion experience. If you want that, head on down to Naples. The caesar salad is literally a reference standard for the original recipe. Very few places remain true to this classic. In fact, all of the dishes are well prepared and presented. If you are feeling the need to have a well made dinner with an attention to classic culinary detail, this is your huckleberry. I spent a week eating up and down the west coast of Florida and this was by far the best meal we had.
(5)David D.
We had New Years dinner here and it was wonderful. Great location w splendid view of the sun setting into the ocean. Small and intimate. Staff was great. Wine list was small but had great choices. The sommelier was helpful and not snobbish, we were very pleased with our wine selection. My wife had a grouper that was one the best she had. I opted for a combo of lamb, foie gras, and lobster. Not a huge fan of lobster in general, but the lamb and foie gras was exquisite. We shared some super rich chocolate thing for dessert. We were surprised and so pleased when the owner of the restaurant not only came by to check on us, but we also saw him, as he walked by tables, picking up something on the ground he saw, not above performing menial tasks. At dessert, he came by with 2 glasses of one of his favorite dessert wines, which were delicious But we were overwhelmed by his personal attention and generosity. We have lived in Florida for 20 years and its too bad we waited this long to have such a romantic perfect dining experience. I can assure you we will be back again soon.
(5)Mare G.
The service was excellent but the place is incredibly small and the prices are very high for the portions and flavor. I also think there was a mark up on pricing simply because it was Valentine's Day. The key lime pie was decadent and I can see how it won awards but when it's $15 for one slice and comes out portioned for one person that's ridiculous and disappointing. I had the Sea Bass special and it didn't knock my socks off. With the Zagat rating and all the hype I left disappointed and with a bill that seemed pretty outrageous for the overall experience. Maybe my expectations were too high but $70 sea bass better taste like something I've never tried before, not something I can recreate at home. I've had better at Bonefish. Also the $34 lobster-escargots were also very disappointing. I feel like a chump after paying a ridiculous amount for 6 pieces of lobster baked in butter. Left confused, what am I missing here, is this place just a tourist trap or have I just had better food elsewhere? Won't be returning and will not recommend this place to anyone!
(1)Brianne F.
Great place for a romantic dinner by the ocean at sunset. Make sure you are prepared to break the wallet- this place is very pricey! You won't be disappointed, portion sizes are large and service is superb. I suggest for a romantic special occasion:)
(5)