Weekend Visit to Cedar Key, FL

The Island Post at Cedar Key, FL

When I think of Old Florida, I think a place where every restaurant is local and not a chain.  I think of a place where everyone in town knows each other.  There is still one truly Old Florida town, Cedar Key.  

If you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle, Cedar Key is perfect. You probably won't get phone reception and most of Cedar Key does not have wireless internet. I took my mother for the weekend for her birthday.  

Beach Front is the blue building on the
top right corner of this picture.

We stayed at the Beach Front Motel.  It is located on the corner of the island, which provided us a view of the Gulf of Mexico from almost any angle.  

The room rates are affordable and the pool is very refreshing in the Florida heat.  Plus, being on the corner of the island, made the motel extremely quiet.

What is the first thing every woman wants to do when she gets out of town? Go shopping! At the Dilly Dally Gally, we found all kinds of fun souvenirs for ourselves and our family.

Tropical scarf from Dilly Dally Gally

Clam Rockefeller from The Island Room

After a little research, I wanted to take her to The Island Room for dinner. Cedar Key is known for its clams. We started with the Rockefeller Baked Clams. Clams topped with spinach, herbs, Pernod and Parmesan cheese.  

To continue our clam experience, we tried the Clam Chowder.  Both dishes were delightful and highly recommended. Click here to view The Island Room menu.

Clam Chowder from The Island Room

After a peaceful night of rest, we woke up refreshed and ready for breakfast.  There is not a McDonald's within a twenty mile radius. Instead I found a homemade donut spot called Holey Moley. The coffee was fresh and the donuts were to die for! 

Reese's Peanut Butter donut from Holey Moley

One of the coolest activities you can do in Cedar Key, is an aerial tour of the island in a Cessna. For only $25 a person, Marvin Franks will take you up in his airplane for about thirty minutes.  

As you are viewing the island from the sky, he will tell you all of the fun facts about Cedar Key. Make sure you get to the airport early. It is first come, first serve with no reservations. Click here to check out Marvin's website.

Aerial view from the Cessna

Blue Crab Quiche with Kona Joe's
hot sauce

To end our trip, we had lunch at Kona Joe's Island Cafe. I had to go with one of the local favorites, Blue Crab Quiche. It was creamy and full of flavor.  

I couldn't resist trying their own hot sauce. It was so good, I had to buy a bottle!

Since it was a girl's trip, we didn't go fishing.  On our way out of town, we stopped by Robinson Seafood to pick up Fresh from Florida approved seafood. 

Robinson Seafood market

If you don't want to cook it, they also have a restaurant you can try as well!

Without a doubt, Cedar Key is a perfect getaway for a family vacation, an anniversary getaway, or even a fishing trip! 


To view more photos from our trip click here.

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

Ulele- Florida Native Inspired Foods and Spirits,Tampa, FL

Native Summer drink

As a Florida Native, when a restaurant claims to be "Native Inspired" you can bet that I am going to try it out.  

Ulele which is pronounced You-lay-lee, is located just north of Downtown Tampa on the Riverwalk.

Ulele "celebrates the vibrant fusion of ingredients from Florida waters and land once home to many Native Americans, including the young princess Ulele." (according to the Ulele website)

As soon as we walked in, we loved the atmosphere.  It has exceptional lighting and it appears to be a contemporary-remodeled warehouse.

Alligator Hush Puppies

We started with the Alligator Hush Puppies and Ulele beer, which is brewed in house.  The puppies were very crispy and the beer greatly complimented them. However, we just wished we could taste the alligator.

Flank Steak

For my entree, I had the the 8 ounce "Fresh from Florida" Flank Steak- Garlic sea salt and olive oil marinated, thinly sliced, Florida avocado "Jimmychurri."

The meat was cooked a perfect medium rare.  Surprisingly, the popcorn on the potatoes was a great addition! I would definitely recommend ordering this entree.

Ulele also creates their own wine, which I very much enjoyed with my steak.

Unique blend of wine

Brian ordered the "Chief Red Eagle" Duck- Charbroiled roasted Maple Leaf duck breast, port wine orange marmalade.

Chief Red Eagle Duck

He is a duck connoisseur, as an avid duck hunter. He was very surprised that the duck was cooked correctly and had incredible flavor. 

His only concern was that the duck was from Canada, not Florida. 

Overall, as a Florida Native, I would highly recommend giving Ulele a try. Just make sure you make a reservation because they are very busy. We talked to other customers while at Ulele and they enjoyed the "Crackling Pork Shank" and the "Florida Jumpers."

For even more information view the article by Kat Lewis from Visit Tampa Bay.

Make a reservation by calling 813-999-4952.

Brian enjoying the Ulele beer

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View the Ulele menu.

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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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