Here are some highlights of our recent trip to Florida. I apologize for being wordy

TRAVEL:
Generally we never travel on a *vacation* during the winter months (came back to frozen pipes many years ago but have since rectified the problem) but we decided to take the plunge this year. Of course, as luck would have it, the roads were treacherous because of the previous day/night’s ice and snow (a 40 degree + temperature drop in one day). The roads in Westchester Country, New York were brutal at 5:30 a.m. and there were numerous accidents. Slow and easy was the mantra – but as a result we did not have enough time to park in long term parking and paid the extra money to park in the lot closest to the terminal. Lesson learned: it is best not to book an 8:30 a.m. flight if there is still a possibility of snow and ice.

We flew JetBlue from JFK to Tampa/St. Pete (we would have preferred LGA but JetBlue didn’t offer any flights out). It was our first time on JetBlue and we were pleased – they offer more leg room than other carriers as well as Direct TV (which made many a child and their parents happy).

FLORIDA:
When we left our house in the AM the temperature was 1 degree (with the wind chill) and when we landed in Florida it was a balmy 48 degrees with rain! Well, at least there was some improvement in temperature .

We picked up our Hertz rental and headed off to Port Richey to visit my aunt and uncle for a couple of nights and lots of good home cooking (just like I remember as a kid, all of my favorites). We had a great visit and I was especially excited to see the sun and it warmed up a bit, just a bit – but hey we were in Florida!

A DINING SURPRISE…
In Holiday, Florida: My aunt and uncle took us to their favorite little restaurant called The German Restaurant located on US Highway 19N. From the outside it is the most non-descript building – really a hole in the wall type of place; on the inside, it is a quaint little place decorated in blue and white. The authentic German cuisine was delicious. Some of the dishes we enjoyed included Jaeger schnitzel, a variety of Bratwurst (from Geiger’s), Pork Roast, Spaetzle, and the most delicious shrimp appetizer made in a cream and cognac sauce. We washed everything down with Diebels beer saving some room for crepes with berries and a kir for dessert.

RITZ CARLTON – SARASOTA:
Here’s the skinny on the RC and its service…
We booked the “Bed and Breakfast” package which included a buffet breakfast (American) and valet parking with in/out privileges.
We had a typically styled RC room overlooking the harbor – lovely.
The property without a doubt is lovely.
The front desk was on the ball. The concierge was 50/50 on the ball. Never assume that they will make your dinner reservation – always check back!

Here is my rant: In typical RC style, you are greeted and wished well by everyone and anyone on the premise. Of course, after a while, it becomes the most annoying, insincere babble all done in the name of money. However, I think this RC location takes the prize – other locations are much more subdued. I guess some would call it service, I call it irritating!

THE RC BEACH CLUB:
We took the shuttle to the pool and beach - a three mile trip. A RC residence is being built on the property but the pool and restaurant are complete. The layout of the pool is lovely. There is a large jaccuzi and a zero entry pool which to me was nothing more than a giant wading pool as the water only reached our knees. When the residence opens, it will be a nighmare - I don't know what they were thinking when they planned the pool! It will be too small for the number of people coming from both the hotel and the adjacent residence.

Service at the beach club was very good. Servers brought water to your lounge and brought drinks (weak drinks - more on this in a bit) out in a timely fashion. We ended up having the lunch buffet. It wasn't bad but pricey.

RED TIDE: No dead fish or foul smell present but that doesn't necessarily mean you won't have a problem. We arrived at the beach club at noon and by 2pm I was coughing, coughing, coughing. Well, at first I thought it was from the sea breeze or a change in the temperature but then my husband was coughing, kids in the pool were coughing, waitstaff were coughing...you get the picture. Unfortunately for me, by 4pm my asthma was really acting up. I spent an hour indoors waiting for the shuttle to bring us back to the hotel. That was our one and only day at the beach club - I felt miserable.

SUNDAY BREAKFAST:
On Sundays the RC has a brunch. We had breakfast while they were setting up for the brunch in the adjoining room. I believe the service problem lies in the fact that they can't handle two things at a time. They have a large number of staff setting up for their elaborate brunch and this leaves the restaurant where others are having their breakfast short on help. Coffee service and replenishing the buffet was extremely slow because of this.

The next day, after breakfast, we spent our time at the hotel pool. We parked ourselves in the sun and waited for the sun to move around the building to hit the water. SERVICE at the hotel pool is a whole other story! There was one poor women who ran herself ragged trying to bring waters to the guests, take lunch orders, and she not only took the drink orders but made the drinks! I think in order to make up for the delay in serving people, she really boozed up the drinks!

Bottom line: Way too many waitstaff at the beach club and not enough at the hotel pool. When the residence opens perhaps they will have it just right but for now, their not using their noodle. Maybe they could have some of those valet guys work the pool area

Continued...

DINING:
COLUMBIA'S: Had a relaxing lunch. DH had the 1905 half Cuban and I had the 1905. We enjoyed sitting outside and watching the crowds of people walking around St. Armands Circle.

THE CRAB & FIN: A pink and grey flashback to the 80s with very slow service (the blame fell on the raw bar). A big disappointment! We started with the Florida stone crab. They were mealy - just horrible. I had the Alaskan hallibut which was tasty and my DH has the Fiji Escolar which was oily but the presentation the predictable and boring. The place was packed but I would be weary eating some of the fish, particularly at their prices. Dover sole $45.00! I would be concerned with its freshness.

BIJOU CAFE: What a treat! Our server had an unusal personality - at first I thought he was put off by the fact that we ordered sparkeling water rather than wine (remember our pool drinks were toxic) but he made a rather nice gesture during our meal.

For appetizers my DH had the stacked tomato and mozzarella salad and I had the shrimp and crab bisque - delicious. For the entree, I had the pecan crusted veal in a bourbon pear reduction while my husband had the crab cakes with salad - both meals superb! We also ordered the potato gratan. As our server began to portion the potatoes, he shook his head and said they were not to his liking and whisked them away. He later returned saying the kitchen told him they were prepared properly but that we should be the judge and he will check back. He was right. They were al dente - not creamy and cheesy as were they other orders I watched him serve. He removed the charge from our bill which we thought was very nice of him to do. For dessert, I had the fruit and the DH had the Bananas Foster. This was definately a place to linger over a cup of tea. A very plesant evening, indeed.

KILWINS: What a gold mine! Great ice cream and even better fudge

Thanks for providing Sarasota information - it was very helpful.

It was a short trip but nice to get away and the weather did warm up. I think next time we'll try the east coast for a change!

How could I forget our visit to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens! We took a delightful morning stroll through the gardens. Although small, the butterfly garden was active with Monarch butterflies - a real treat for March!

When we walked into the plant shop, I was overwhelmed by the orchids and their very pleasing price tags! It nearly brought me to my knees - the orchids were at least a quarter of the price that I paid at the NY Botanical Gardens. I brought home a pale pink Paphiopedilum (lady slipper) with the most interesting variegated foliage.

Thanks for the report. If I remember right it was your questions about the Ritz that prompted our long discussion before about service there. Guess they still don't have it together. We were in Sarasota about a month ago for a couple plays at the Asolo and an overnight stay, and for the first time since it was built, did not go to the Ritz for drinks.

I can't believe the story about the potatoes at Bijou. They are the BEST thing there, and I could become addicted to them.

And isn't it funny how everything is relative. We have a lot of orchid growers in Naples, and I nearly gasp at the HIGH prices of the orchids at Marie Selby. But they do have some great sales a couple times a year.

Nice report. Sorry about the red tide.

I buy my orchids at Home Depot. They die as easily as the expensive ones Sometimes they have some really unusual ones.

Tnx. again for the great report.

Patrick: I must admit that I have an obsession for orchids. It is a relatively new hobby of mine and I am thrilled that I am having growing success. The price range at Marie Selby (I'm assuming these were non-sale items) was between $18-30. Not bad at all. Now if I can only figure out a way to load up on plants, get them through security without having to make them go through the x-ray machine and carry them on a plane, I would make this a yearly jaunt to get my fix

TG: lol, I agree with you on the Home Depot orchids - they can be a really good deal if you are lucky enough to see them right when they arrive at the store. Otherwise, they aren't properly cared for and don't stand much of a chance surviving.

Just wanted to reply to this post as I stayed at the Sarasota Ritz this past week.
SERVICE
They apparently got the message regarding the scripted service because we found the staff to be very friendly without being intrusive. While talking with the concierge he gave my baby a stuffed animal-nice touch I thought.

BEACH CLUB
The beach club is wonderful! We were apprehensive b/c it wasn't on the hotel property but I'm so glad we didn't let that stop us from choosing this hotel.

We were traveling with our son, 10mo and even with him it wasn't a problem. The locker rooms were really nice. We had a car, and there was a valet (free) at the pool. Very convenient.

The orignal poster here alluded to the pool being shared by the condos, which is not true. Those have their own pool, but they can pay to be members and use the Beach Club. Our stay was included a weekend thru tuesday and the pool was never crowded.
They brought ice water around regularly and had floats for babies. They sold other types of floats, goggles, sunscreen etc.
We had lunch at the pool and it was good....burgers, wraps, salads, fruit etc. There is a restaurant inside, but we never went in.

BREAKFAST
We too had a package deal. The breakfast was very good and convenient for us with the baby. On the weekends there was a buffet option, and weekdays you had to order off a menu. The package was a good deal, roughly $20 each for breakfast and $18/day valet was included.

SUITE
We had a suite which was perfect for traveling with the baby.
The room was nice, but housekeeping left something to be desired. I guess when a little one is on the floor you notice more.

DINING
We had nice meals at Lido Grill, Tommy Bahama, and we got take out sushi from Da Ru Ma which was in walking distance.

We had a terrible lunch at Cha Cha coconuts. We were expecting typical bar food, but the food was horrible and the service worse.
The Columbia was closed for extensive renovations.
Good shopping at St. Armands.