Our family is planning our annual vacation to our favorite get away spot - Anna Maria Island. We have once again secured The Beachfront condo through www.annamaria.com - it is the most tranquil and relaxing location and we are excited! However, in the many years we have visited Anna Maria Island, I have never found a location to purchase fresh seafood. Does anyone have any recommendations? We would love to purchase fresh shrimp, etc. to prepare in the condo.

Ask your hosts at the condo. I'm not familiar with specific fresh seafood places, but I know there are plenty -- including the supermarkets. All the supermarkets label their fish as either fresh or previously frozen. My experience is that Publix supermarkets usually have the best selections, and I have never bought any seafood there that was bad. I know there will be a Publix somewhere nearby to your condo. Good luck.

Dear Wayne: Great idea! At other locations in Florida, I have stumbled across little "hole in the wall" locations that sells fresh seafood. I was trying to avoid the previously frozen state, but I would not have thought of Publix. Again, thanks!

Just a postscript -- I just returned from a shopping trip to our local Publix here in St Pete Beach. The fresh fish that were on sale were grouper, flounder, Lake Victoria trout, rainbow trout, swordfish, cod, catfish, and a few others I can't recall. The only thing that wasn't fresh was the shrimp. I think your choices will be wide. Good luck.

KimiG Have you ever been to Cortez Village? It is across the Cortez Bridge from Anna Maria at 123rd St.

It is a Working waterfront fishery that has a restaurant but also a seafood market featuring the latest catches. The fishing boats come into it.

One company is Star Fish Company.

Course depends on the day, but fresh as can be if they had a good day.

The Fish market at Cortez is a great idea.

We were there a few weeks ago, while vacationing on Anna Maria Island.

The Cortez Kitchen has GREAT inexpensive fresh cooked fish too, so cheap, in fact, that eating there is about the same price as buying it and cooking your own.

Enjoy

Great suggestion! I know exactly the location and did not realize they also sold fresh seafood! Yum!

Another vote for Star Fish Company! Great fresh fish and even better dining at the picnic tables on the back dock!