Hi all -- we're getting married at the end of March on the beach on Lido Key. Thanks to everyone for all your great help with our decision with that! Now we have one more question for you all. The wedding party is going to be small -- 6 kids and 14 adults.

We'd love to have the after-wedding dinner at a beach side resturaunt. Maybe something with a fun, festive atmosphere, maybe where we can get some sea food. I don't know exactly. Just someplace that is in keeping with the fun, casual type of wedding we're planning. We were thinking of someplace in St. Armands Circle as we'll be having the wedding near to there but those places aren't on the beach per se are they?

Any way, thanks so much for any help!! We appreciate it.

Liz

Anyone?

Hi LiznJack!

When I visited my (then) boyfriend at New College we went to the Old Salty Dog and had a BLAST! Their food was quite yummy! Its been a while though...

Check it out:
http://www.theoldsaltydog.com/

Enjoy your special day-Lido beach is beautiful!!

Salty Dog is on the cut between Long Boat and Lido. It is casual in the extreme and more of a hot dog and beer place. If your wedding is that casual, it might do as there is little right on the beach that I can think of. LMF

There is a nice place up beyond Longboat Key, possibly on Anna Maria called the Beach House that might be perfect for you. Fun, festive, right on the beach, good (not great) food.

Hey all -- thanks for the great suggestions. The old salty dog might be too casual for us. We want it to be nice but also fun. The Beach House sounds just right. I'm going to look into that.

Does anyone know anything about either the Dry Dock Waterfront Grill on Longboat Key or Ophelias on the Bay?

Thanks again! I really do appreciate your help and suggestions!!

Liz

The last time we were on Anna Maria Island we ate at the Beach House and they were having an outdoor reception there. They had steel drums playing and passed out leis to everybody. The food is good there but the view is fantastic. Enjoy your day!

Just over the bridge from St. Armands to Longboat Key is a Chart House restaurant. It is right on the pass and has very nice views out to the gulf. It's a nice place but reasonably casual. Agree with comments on the Beach House but it's a good 20-30 min. drive from Lido.

I would pick the Chart House over the Beach House. I haven't had good luck with the food at the Beach House and I've finally resolved to give up... But that's just me. It is a lovely location.

Christopher's at the Lido Beach Resort should satisfy your needs:

http://www.lidobeachresort.com/dining.htm

I certainly dont want to sound like Im bashing anyones suggestions on here…Chart House is a chain and, at least the one in Annapolis, is not a fun and festive atmosphere. Its gorgeous, yes, and good food (had my rehearsal dinner there) but, again, I wouldnt classify it as fun and festive-more “sleek and spectacular,” according to Zagats. Please keep in mind Ive not seen the one in FL so maybe its a bit more casual than the ones Ive been to (Annapolis and Philadelphia)…I hope this helps!!

I still think that Chart House would be a good choice but if St. Armands is of interest to you, you might consider the Tommy Bahama Cafe. It is definitely "fun and festive" and even though it is part of a chain the food is always very good with a very relaxed atmosphere. They also have live music to keep you in the island mood. Of course, it's not a waterfront restaurant. It's over the TB store but still is a nice location. Another plus with the TB restaurant is that you can book tables on the Open Table website.

Hey guys -- thanks to everyone for all the good suggestions. We are seriously considering the Beach House now. Actually, we've sort of changed our plans around a bit. We are booked into Lido Beach Resort Hotel and we were planning on having the reception dinner at Christophers. I've had second thoughts about that though because I wanted someplace outside, on the beach, more fun/festive.

I've been looking at theknot.com and it seems like lots of people have had their weddings right there at the Beach House and also have their reception there too. So, that's what I'm looking into now. If we go that way we'll have to find a place to stay closer to the Beach House as Lido Beach Resort seems a pretty good distance.

I am a little concerned though by some people who say the Beach House food isn't great. People who got married there had no complaints but I've read reviews -- here and on other sites -- where people aren't thrilled. Everyone seems to agree though that the location is amazing.

Thanks to the people who recommended the Chart House and other places. If we go with the Beach House and a hotel near there the Chart House might be a good choice for the dinner the night before the wedding. I've been to one Chart House up north and the food was excellent.

So, just wondering if anyone has any places they love to stay near Anna Maria Island. I looked into Tortula (sp?). It looks nice but I've read mixed things about it.

Thanks again!!

Liz

As to the food at The Beach House, my problems have stemmed from the fact that I'm always there when it is jam packed and service can't /doesn't keep up with demand. Long waits for tables, our party was overlooked once and we started noticing those arriving later at tables, forever to get drinks, plates arriving at different times so people waiting for others to be served while their food gets cold.

I think it might be okay if you have the whole shebang there. I bet you'll be served well for a wedding and reception there.

I always stay at houses on Anna Maria Island. Check out www.vrbo.com if you want to go that route. The island has mostly lowrise condos and houses with few hotel/b&b accomadations.

Haven't been there since last year's hurricanes, but the Beach Bistro has always been considered the best in the area. My experience is that their food is the best -- especially the seafood. And the prices are kinda high, but you get what you pay for.

Hi

I have a home on Longboat Key and for weddings many people use "The Colony" on Longboat. It's a lovely place for a wedding, reception, and for people to stay.

Christophers is known for good food as is Beach Bistro. But Beach Bistro (really good food) would be quite a distance from lido Key.

The Dry Dock on Longboat really wouldn't be my choice for a wedding dinner but Pattigeorge's (a little further on Longboat) would be a nice place.

The Chart House is a beautiful spot right on the pass coming onto Longboat Key and is pretty spectacular. Food is typical Chart House. It's more casual than Annapolis MD too.

The Beach house is actually on Bradenton beach and is a pretty setting but the food is not too great.

Ophelia's is on Siesta Key and will take quite awhile to get to since you'll have to leave Lido, drive through Sarasota, and then out to Siesta.

Salty Dog - noooo - not for a wedding dinner - beer drinking fish sandwich fine.

Tommy Bahamas, Hemingways, on St Armands Circle would be very nice but away from the wedding site.

For me, I'd like The Colony cause you can stay there, have the wedding on the beach, and dinner too. Or if Lido Beach is what you'd like then Christophers would probably be a great choice.

Hope this gives you some options.

The daughter of very good friends got married at the Beach House last year and it was quite nice. The wedding was fairly large (100+ people) and they had tents for guests to eat under on the beach and a buffet style dinner. Might not be practical for a small party but you could still have the ceremony on the beach and there is a covered deck off of the beach that you might be able to reserve for your reception/dinner. My wife and I dine there occasionally and enjoy the atmosphere and food. Just remember, it is very casual and the food reflects that. The seafood is always fresh but nothing at all "fancy". A step (or two) above Salty Dog but not at all like Christophers.
As to the Colony, I agree with the above poster. It is a very good place and would be a good choice for accomodations as well as dining but since you haven't discussed budget considerations I would caution that March is still deep in our "Season" and the Colony is far from being inexpensive. The idea of renting houses or condo's is a pretty good one if you do decide to stay on Bradenton Beach or Anna Maria. Unless I am mistaken, there are no really good hotels on either key. Other posters may have better information on that though.

Are the Beach House and Beach Bistro the same place? I've eaten at Bistro and thought it very nice indeed. It is considered one of the best restaurants on the West Coast of Florida.

If you can get in at this date, The Colony would be a perfect pick for your hotel and dinner. Plenty of room for a beach wedding and dinner set in the sand.

I would check that out. Beach Bistro is on Anna Maria and quite a ways from Lido. LMF

Hi there. Great info. I really appreciate it. We did look into the Colony but unfortunately for that time of year it was out of our budget.

We were going to do the whole shebang at Lido Beach Resort. Have the wedding on the beach outside the hotel, have the dinner/reception at Christophers and everyone was going to stay at the hotel too -- we're having a small wedding, just about 20 people.

That was the original plan. But then I heard about people getting married and having the reception at the Beach House and that looked pretty fun -- kind of more of the spirit and atmosphere we were shooting for. I guess in terms of the wedding itself there won't be a great deal of difference between having it on the beach on Lido Key or at the Beach House.

So, it comes down to reception and where we'll all stay. It sounds like from what you all have written that the food at Christophers would be better than Beach House but the atmosphere might be better at Beach House? Does that sound about right?

So

Beach House and Beach Bistro are worlds apart on the gourmet spectrum. I love Beach Bistro but it is quite small and not very appropriate for children. Check it out. The menu makes my mouth water. http://www.beachbistro.com/

The first time my family ate at Beach Bistro we wore nice but casual "Tommy Bahama" style resortwear and felt conspicuous next to many diners in business and even formal attire. There were several limos in the parking lot although it was not a holiday.

The restaurant is tucked away behind an old motel and I would venture to guess that it is a dining destination for locals/snowbirds more than a dining spot for tourists.

Beach Bistro would be a nice spot for a romantic dinner for just the newlyweds if you plan to stay in the area in the days following the wedding.