Taste the crispy, crunchy, fries and cod and seafood bites from the bait shop.
What a thrill to read that my once secret seafood dive was featured in one of my favorite magazines, Coastal Living, http://www.coastalliving.com/coastal/travel/bestofthecoast/article/0,14587,1726572-3,00.html.
A true beach shack, I did not mention it on our website on purpose. I wanted to savor it all for myself. But, now the word is out about the New Pass Grill, www.newpassgrill.com, in Sarasota, Florida–between Lido and Longboat Key–on the way to the famed Mote Museum and aquarium.
The locals refer to this casual, 1929, barefoot beach bargain as the bait shop. Next to the fresh fish cafe is the City Island bait shop. You can buy bait, go fishing, hire a captain, rent a boat, take a nature walk, buy an oyster knife, pack a picnic, borrow a book and devour the best casual coastal cuisine in Sarasota.
I love the breakfasts… fresh eggs, cooked to order, crisp bacon, melted cheese on a bun with freshly brewed coffee. I perch on a wooden bench and watch the birds and seagulls, while the silver fish jump.
Lunch, despite the long line in season, is award winning burgers and the coldest beer in town.
Coastal living uncovered the real special… Old English Fish and Chips, three generous chunks of plump, battered cod over crispy fries with gourmet malt vinegar, lemon and tarter sauce (not needed).
Only one thing is missing, if one has lived in England. The fish is not wrapped in the London Times.
New Pass Grill, 1505 Ken Thompson Parkway; 941/388-3050 or www.newpassgrill.com.
Brenda C. Hill
www.noralyn.com
www.noralyn.com/blogger/blog1
Author: Brenda Hill
As a longtime food writer for Where Magazine New York City, Brenda Hill, along with her writing partner, Maralyn Hill (no relation), writes and publishes books about chefs, food and international travel. They co-authored "Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel" and joined French Master Chef Herve Laurent in writing "Cooking Secrets: The Why and How" Brenda has been active in the California Writer's Club, IFWTWA, and the Santa Barbara's Writers Conference. Brenda Hill and her partner Maralyn Hill conduct marketing and writing seminars. Maralyn and I will be heading back to Rancho La Puerta in July to give our presentation on writing and marketing your book, as well as bringing back some freshly picked off the farm nutritious and tasty recipes.
