Sometimes I discover a place that makes me want to write about it on the spot. Blu Smoke, in the charming beach village of Siesta Key, Florida, is one of those places.

Photo by Brenda C Hill

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If you enjoy barbque, in any style, good drinks, value prices and live music, join us at Blu Smoke. We devoured this succulant baby pulled pork with a few cold drafts while litening to local Island music on the outdoor deck.

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My goal is to try new foods, drinks and places in the world. This is one resulution I will be sure to keep.

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Blu Smoke features more than beer and pork. Next time we will try a slab of baby back ribs grilled over hardwood and slathered with homemade sauce.

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Patrons I met were ordering smoked prime rib or steak with Blu cheese or Bearnaise. The sides are unique too. I like the braised red cabbage and the creamy slaw made with Blu cheese. Whether you like gourmet steak or chicken, Veuve Champagne, classic martinis or craft beer, Blu smoke has it.

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Best of all, the owner, Ken and barbque chef, Ken, was out front to greet old friends and new. Bar manager, Smitty, prepared the perfect Sunday Bloody Mary.

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This is a tasty start to a new year. If you are near Martha’s Vinyard in the summer, Ken also owns the Sand Bar in Oak Bluffs.

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Blu Smoke Island Grill Avenida Messina Siesta Key, Fl. 941-346-0738

blusmokeislandgrill.com

Brenda Hill
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.