My favorite waterfront restaurants, exciting openings in Sarasota, Bradenton
This weekend marks the grand opening of the Bradenton Riverwalk East expansion project's first phase, which includes the completion of a handsome boardwalk traversing a beautiful stretch of the Manatee River. To celebrate, I compiled a guide that includes information on all my favorite waterfront restaurants and other dining and drinking destinations near the Riverwalk.
From downtown Bradenton to the newly renovated Mineral Springs Park, from the actual riverfront to Manatee Avenue, you'll find destinations for everything from burgers to pizza to chicken wings. Looking for more upscale fare? You'll find that, too, at places such as the restaurant that recently started serving a pork belly rice bowl featuring braised baby bok choy, kimchi made with granny smith apples, and a ginger soy reduction to make sure you’re still lusting for this dish many days later.
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American grill with seafood opens between Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch
This past week also found my Sarasota Herald-Tribune colleagues writing about some interesting restaurant openings including this one that Lee McCall describes as "a casual, polished restaurant offering classic favorites with contemporary options"
The restaurant "specializes in fresh seafood and chef-inspired pasta dishes but also offers a range of choices from starters and pizza to more hearty entrees.
Restaurant News: American grill with seafood and craft cocktails opens between Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch
Restaurant chain known for its mountain cabin vibe, scantily-clad female wait staff is coming to Sarasota
Love or hate it, the Tampa Bay-born Hooters is an American icon and now a similarly-themed establishment is opening a Sarasota location. My colleague Laura Finaldi describes it as a "restaurant chain known for its mountain cabin vibe, sports bar menu, and scantily-clad female wait staff." She also notes the "made-from-scratch food," which I'll be curious to try.
Restaurant News: Twin Peaks opening at Fruitville Commons in Sarasota
Guy Fieri in Florida: Where to find 35+ restaurants seen on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'
Ahead of Guy Fieri's hit Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" featuring Daytona Beach area restaurants on new episodes airing 9 p.m. Friday (Sept. 9) and then again Sept. 16, my Daytona Beach News-Journal colleague Caroline Hebert compiled this list of Sunshine State restaurants previously seen on "Triple D." You'll find a now closed Bradenton spot on her list as well as a very much open Sarasota restaurant, which happens to still serve one of the area's best burgers.
Guy Fieri in Florida: Where to find 35+ restaurants seen on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'
Read more recent Ticket Editor columns by Wade Tatangelo
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Ticket Editor: Exciting new seafood spot opens on Sarasota’s most famous restaurant row
Ticket Editor: New waterfront seafood restaurant in Sarasota passes grouper sandwich test
Ticket Editor: Sarasota waterfront restaurants make '100 best' in U.S. for outdoor dining
Wade Tatangelo is the Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network's Florida-Georgia Region and oversees the Sarasota Herald-Tribune's weekly Ticket publication. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He may be reached by email at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: My favorite waterfront restaurants, openings in Sarasota, Bradenton
