I discovered The Gathering Place on Florida’s Anna Maria Island over a year ago. Now it has become a poplular gathering place for locals and visitors, thanks to word of mouth.
Chef owner Spiros and wife Jeanne Kambitsis hail from the Greek Island of Kambitis, which I have only seen from the air en route to Rhodes. Spiros’s heritage is reflected in several dishes, yet I first began to go for the typical American style breakfast at value prices and top, friendly service.
Now open 8 to 8 every day, the cafe now serves wine, beer and dinner. An outdoor patio under grapevines overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, reminiscent of the small Greek Island cafe’s.
The gathering place is worthy of high praise and worth a trip to North Gulf Drive on Bradenton Beach for an unusual reason these days:EVERYTHING is homeade. Spiros let me watch him make homeade grits in the kitchen, no cans rattling or boxes of mixes.
I hesitate to admit my cool morning craving for homemade sausage gravy over fresh biscuits, but I eagerly take a pilgrimage for this hot, hearty, homemade treat.
Other lunch and dinner entries are healthy, with crisp salads and fresh veggies of your choice – just ask and Spiros will accompdate.
Spiros is busier these days now that word is out anf the crowds have gathered. Yet, he always takes time to pop out of his kitchen to greet his guests with a smile.
The Hill team rarely mentions price in their reviews, however Spiros and Jeanie are offering a complete, generous, homemade Christmas dinner for under $10.00!
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.
