My husband and I are re-visiting Longboat Key for 1 week in mid-October. Our previous trips there have been in May, when a number of restaurants tend to be closed for the season. Can anyone please tell me if this will be the same situation in mid-October ? Also, aside from Euphemia Hay (which we loved), what other restaurants would you recommend ?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Hello nugi, although it has been awhile since I have been to beautiful LongBoatKey I have been there more then once in October and do not recall any restaurant being closed. I imagine someone here can tell you definetly however. Have a wonderful week in a little bit of paradise!

Many full time residents leave for the warmer months (June, July, August, September) so they will be coming back to town in October. Restaurants are open then. Some of our favorites are.

Old Salty Dog - fish sandwiches out on the patio and watching the boats go by - nothing fancy at all

Mar Vista - burgers light fare

Dry Dock - nice place not too fancy

Harry's - really good restaurant and has a good deli across from it too.

Pattigeorge - also a really good restaurant - sister to Michaels on East which is a great place in sarasota

cafe on the Bay - nice, nice restaurant

hope this helps!!

Hi LoveItaly & LN - thank you both for your speedy replies & the suggestions, I will definitely be looking forward to visiting each of these.

One more question, to LN : I'm not overly worried about the weather (we have worse in the UK on a more constant basis!), but I'd really appreciate a heads-up on any current info you're getting on local hurricane watch / news for mid-October (14-20), and frm your reply it sounds as though you are a resident in the area (or at least in Florida - did I guess correct?!). Many thanks again.

Hi again

I'm a resident but not full-time only part-time. We go down a couple times a year and spend our winters there.

We'll be arriving mid-October as you will also and I will try to send you some updates if I hear of anything brewing.

Do you want me to continue to reply here?

Ellen

We love the Chart House for a nice evening out. It is on the south end of Long Boat Key just before crossing the little bridge to St. Armand's Circle. We haven't been there recently, so I hope it is still good.

Hi Nugi

I just spoke with my neighbor on Longboat Key and got some bad news. Seems that the Red tide bloom is still affecting the area around LBK and Anna Maria Island.

I'll still keep you posted on hurricanes althought I truly hope that NONE are coming.

Thanks, Geckolips, I seem to remember that one so would be good to try.

Hi LN (Ellen),
thanks for your reply - and what a coincidence with your timing to LBK!
I would be very grateful indeed for any updates, perhaps off this trail, if this is OK with you ? (If so, try this : [email protected])

I am very curious to know what the "red tide bloom" is ? Sounds unpleasant...

Thanks again
Sabrina

This info came from another Fodors poster but gives a good idea of the red tide. The water takes on a reddish cast and you'll notice a tickle in your throat (if you're sensitive to it) On occasion you will find it will affect and kill fish.

some areas have had it worse than others - last year we had the bloom hit for about a week - this fall it's back and I can't tell you why and neither can the biologists.

"Red tide is formed when Karenia brevis, a microscopic algae, reproduces at an explosive rate, forming a bloom. Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen are known to fuel red tide, which can cause breathing problems in people living near the coast."

Source: http://www.tampabaylive.com/stories/...7redtide.shtml

As to my neighbor on the island - well he sends me messages often and generally lets me know hw the house is doing !!

Hello again Nugi

Well we're approaching the middle of October and although there's no hurricanes in the weather reports there still is "Red Tide" bloom on the beaches.