Refreshing and chef-driven
Anna Maria, Florida USA
Cuisine Style: Seafood, American
Average Price: $
Overall Rating: 1/5
Dined in September 2017
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Executive Chef:
Rich Demarse
Restaurant Owner:
Ed Chiles
The Sandbar Restaurant, located on the North end of Anna Maria Island, is a good place to enjoy fresh market seafood, tropical cocktails and sunsets from the recently renovated dining room and bar. The Sandbar was chosen by brides for the Hall of Fame as well as the Best of the Best for Ceremony and Reception Site on the West Coast of Florida by the knot "Best of Weddings" issue for 2008 through 2013 and Best Reception Site on the West Coast of Florida for 2007. They focus on purchasing many products from sustainable and organic growers such as Gamble Creek Farm as well as offering several options for vegans and vegetarians as well as a full gluten-free lunch and dinner menu. The staff is also trained in identifying allergy’s and when in doubt have a good network to pass on reliable information to the client.
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| Newly designed Bar |
My wife and I stopped in for a quick bite while touring the island. My wife had a Hendricks gin martini while I had a beer from J Dubb’s Brewery called the Passion, a wheat beer with 4.2% ABV passion fruit and mango wheat ale. They are based out of Sarasota, Florida with other interesting beer names such as poolside, bell cow, and up top. This brewery is one of many local Florida breweries offered on the menu as well as national and international selections.
Menu:
- Appetizers
- Salads N’ Such
- Soups
- Sliders
- Premium Seafood
- Sandbar Classics
- Chef Specials
- Table Sides to Share
- GF Lunch Menu
- GF Dinner menu
- Desserts
- Brunch Menu
We started with a smoked chicken and bean dip with a blend of beans, corn, oven roasted tomatoes, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, tossed with a Lake Meadows Natural in-house smoked chicken from Ocoee, Florida. Other starters include shrimp and grits, coconut shrimp, fish dip, crab and caviar, wagyu sliders, and stone crabs when in the season to name a few.
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| Bean dip |
For entrees at dinner some selections include a 24 hour sous vide beef short rib, served with pickled seasonal fruit, cheese grits and basil, a local clam dish, tossed with Spanish chorizo, tomatoes, spinach, and fresh pasta (pictured below), and a succulent scallops dish, seared, then served atop a bed of farm greens and white rice braised in coconut milk with candied orange, piquillo pepper, basil, and lime.
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| Spanish chorizo and clams Picture courtesy of Sandbar |
Dessert:
We did not have dessert but they did have a few items of interest for when we return.
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Other Noteworthy Seafood Articles and Restaurants:
400 Beach Seafood and Taphouse Relaxed coastal cuisine in St. Petersburg, Florida
Alioto’s Restaurant Historic restaurant serving Sicilian-infused seafood in San Francisco, California
Hank’s Seafood A classy southern seafood eatery house in Charleston, South Carolina
Moshulu New American dining on a restored ship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Perla’s Seafood and Oyster Bar Laid-back Cape Cod-style seafood restaurant in Austin, Texas
Red Snapper Kiwi “fush n’ Chups” takeaway restaurant in Sumner, New Zealand
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other Anna Maria Island restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
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Florida Style Waterfront Dining with Gulf-to-Table concepts
Anna Maria, Florida, USA
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A Chef Driven Beach-Style Bistro
Anna Maria, Florida, USA
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Gourmet Organic Taqueria Street Food
Anna Maria, Florida, USA
|
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Third Floor Terrace Seafood Centric New American dining
Bradenton Beach, Florida, USA
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A casual BBQ joint
Anna Maria, Florida, USA
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Waterfront Restaurant and Craft Bar
Global Seafood with a Comfort Feel
Anna Maria, Florida, USA
|
A Few Florida Favorites:
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Events & Seasonal American cuisine dinner cruise
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Gourmet Grilled Cheese and a bar in Greek Country
Tarpon Springs
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Upscale locally sourced seafood eatery with ocean views
Vero Beach
|
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Italian eatery in the Thunderbird Resort
Treasure Island
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Globally accented tapas with innovative American fare
Key West
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President Donald Trump’s Kitchen
West Palm Beach
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations and more pictures:
Overall from this experience, and the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ section, based on my individual experience and rating, I give Sandbar a 1 out of 5 stars, meaning that they were an average dining experience similar to most restaurants, but better than the typical chain restaurants which rate much lower.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings
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Max Points Possible:
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Total Points Awarded:
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Total Points deducted:
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Ambiance
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10
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8
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2
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Food quality
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10
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5
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5
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Plate presentation
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8
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5
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3
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Customer service
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8
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6
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2
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Alcohol and other beverages
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9
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7
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2
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Total regular points awarded
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45
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31
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14
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Total percentage — less the Bonus
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0.688888888888889
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“Wow” factor BONUS
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5
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1
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0
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Total bonus percentage
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0.0222222222222222
|
||
Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating
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0.711111111111111
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Stars Awarded (see chart below)
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0 - 5
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1
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**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating:
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1 of 5 Stars:
71% Rating with a 1 point “wow” bonus
An Average Dining Experience
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Wine rating:
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7 of 10
Old World selections:
Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain
New World selections:
Argentina, Australia, California, New Zealand, Oregon, South Africa, Washington State
Robert Baugh, the Sandbar COO is the Sommelier.
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Corkage fee’s:
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This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge
$25.00 per bottle
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Restaurant style:
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Casual dining
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Cuisine Style:
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American, Seafood
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Gluten-Free, Local, Low Carb, Pescatarian, Sustainable, Vegetarian Options
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Reservations:
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Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
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Dress code:
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Casual attire
It’s Florida, everybody wears flip-flops!
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Child policy:
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The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
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Experiences:
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Contemporary, Modern, Lounge, Scenic views, Tourist grabber, and a Neighborhood Gem.
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Payments:
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Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
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Parking:
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Valet, or Street meter parking
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Wifi
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The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
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Noise level:
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Low to Medium
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Smoking:
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Nonsmoking restaurant, and nonsmoking patio
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Patio or terrace:
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Yes
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Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricy)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency:
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Price
|
United States Dollar (USD)
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$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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£
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Canadian Dollar (CAN)
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$
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥
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European Union (EUR)
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€
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Alcohol prices:
$17.00 USD
Sandbar:
100 Spring Ave
Anna Maria, Florida
34216, USA
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
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Maître d or host:
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+1 941-778-0444
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Website Contact:
Email Contact: |
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
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Mon-Sun
11:30 am - 10:00 pm
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Social Media
&
Accolades:
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****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences is based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
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Taste of tribal Zimbabwe cuisine
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
|
Vibrant Pan-Indian Cuisine
Colnbrook, Slough, Berkshire, England, UK
|
Stylish modern Spanish and global cuisine
Dubai Creek, Dubai, UAE
|
Other Pictures:
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| Picture courtesy of Sandbar |
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| Picture courtesy of Sandbar |
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
