Nom Nom Nom at the Blu Mangrove, Palmetto, Florida

The City of Palmetto is often overlooked because of its neighbors, Anna Maria Island and Bradenton.  

However, Palmetto has a lot to offer! 

A great location in Palmetto is the Blu Mangrove Grill. The grill is located on the Manatee River, in front of the Riviera Dunes Marina.

View of the Riviera Dunes Marina from the restaurant

We sat on the back porch and were able to listen to live music, while overlooking the marina. We are always suckers for calamari.

Calamari

Blu Mangrove's calamari was very delicious with its mix of fresh red onion, grape tomatoes, and arugula. 

For dinner, Brian order the Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cakes. They came with smoked Gouda cheese grits, truffle corn coulis, red pepper sabayon, and orange-jicama salad. 

(If you aren't familiar, sabayon is similar to a custard made of lemons, egg yolks and sherry. Jimcama is a Mexican turnip.)

Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Cakes

I ordered the Grilled Corvina in a lemon-caper butter sauce, with the goat cheese and bacon spinach, and the smoked Gouda mac & cheese.

We were both very happy with our meals. The fish was cooked correctly. The drinks were very cold. This is definitely a spot we will return to! 

Happy Hour: Monday-Friday, 11-6 PM, $2 off House Wine and every Martini 

Grilled Corvina

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Call them: 941-479-7827

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Open everyday at 11 AM

Great View, Great People, The Wharf, St. Pete Beach, FL

"Party like a pirate where the locals hang out!"

The Whaf- Photo obtained from RoadTrippers

Are you looking for a fun place to go by boat,

Conch Fritters

car or trolley? You have to check out The Wharf.

The Wharf has an awesome view of the water, and the people are awesome.

Hot Wings

We went by boat after a beautiful day of fishing. With no food on the boat, we were starving!

We started with jalapeno conch fritters. They were huge, hot, juicy and loaded with flavor.

I wanted to try the Oyster Rockefeller. This is always one of my favorites.

Oyster Rockefeller

The wings and cheeseburger were both tasty and served fresh and hot.

Cheeseburger in Paradise

The Wharf is definitely a place you will want to visit.

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Fresh Florida Seafood at the Blue Marlin, Bradenton Beach, FL

Sea Scallops over Pulled Pork

If you are looking for delicious, Gulf of Mexico seafood, Blue Marlin is where you will want to eat.  Located in downtown Bradenton Beach, Blue Marlin is a small 1920s cottage converted into a rustic restaurant.

Inside the Blue Marlin

Blue Marlin offers weekly specials with fresh seafood from local fishermen. As appetizers, we tried the BBQ scallops. 

The scallops were seared perfectly, laying on top of mouthwatering pulled pork, alongside homemade coleslaw.  

Crabcakes with a Fried Green Tomato

For a second appetizer, we tried the crabcakes that were on top of a fried green tomato.  We both agreed they were finger-licking good!

Florida Clams with Snapper

For my entree, I order the snapper with fresh, steamed Florida clams. It was refreshing to eat seafood that was so fresh!

Brian ordered the Thai Snapper dusted and sauteed with a Thai chili citrus glaze with an oriental veggie "noodle" salad.

Overall, I would highly recommend a visit to Blue Marlin.  Make sure you call ahead to make a reservation at 941-896-9737.

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Brian's entree: Thai Snapper

Hours of Operations:

Monday-Saturday: 5pm-10pm

Sunday: 5pm-9pm

Jimmy Belle's Seafood Market & Grill, Lakeland, Florida

Are you tired of eating at restaurants that do not offer Fresh from Florida seafood? Jimmy Belle's Seafood Market and Grill has what you are looking for! This is a place you will definitely want to check out.  

Jimmy Belle's serves the fish you have been craving, fresh! They let you pick how you want it cooked: blackened, fried or grilled.  Then you get to pick how you want it served: in a sandwich, in a taco, or with grits. 

Blue Crab Tostadas

I decided to order the blue crab tostadas.  This delicious appetizer offers lump blue crab on a homemade tostada chip with mango, bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice and chipotle aioli. 

Ahi Tuna Roll

My second selection was the spicy Ahi tuna roll. What can I say? I am a sucker for sushi! The fresh tuna was served in large pieces. That is something you do not often find in a tuna roll. It was delicious!

When you walk in, you are greeted by the 565 pound Florida alligator, caught by the owner, Harris Woodsby, and his friend, Mathew Fellows. The two had spotted the 12 foot, 6 inch gator, in 2013, and were determined to not let it get away.  Jimmy Belle's is filled with local fishing memorabilia. It is worth a visit just to view the Florida history. Click here to see the news clip by ABC Action News.

The alligator that is displayed in Jimmy Belle's

The owner, Harris Woodsby, is a local fishing guide with a passion to provide quality seafood to locals. Not only is the seafood available to eat, but Jimmy Belle's also offers a fish market. According to the website, Harris wrote,  

Jimmy Belle's Owner, Woodsby,
has been a fisherman all of his life.

"The ocean has always been very important to me. In my younger years, fishing took up most of my free time. Being a 5th generation and lifelong Lakelander, when the thought of starting a seafood retail market came along, Lakeland was the logical choice.  

Jimmy Belle's Seafood Market & Grill (named after my two children) was born.  A full-line, high quality, seafood market that also offers chef inspired cuisine as well as southern seafood fare that's anything but average." 

The restaurant is located in an ideal location: 

3120 South Florida Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33803. 

Fresh seafood is available for purchase at Jimmy Belle's.

Every day from 4:00 PM- 5:30 PM everything is 15% off! 

All day, every day: 

Red solo cup special- 

$1.50 for PBR or Bud Select

$1.50 Red Solo cup special available every day!

Jimmy Belle's grill is open:

Tuesday through Thursday from 11:00 AM- 9:00 PM

Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM- 10:00 PM

Sunday from 11:00 AM- 8:00 PM

Closed Monday

The fish market is open:

Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM- 7:00 PM

Sunday from 10:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Fish market at Jimmy Belle's

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