Sheppard Tatties on Anna Maria
Holmes Beach, Florida
Cuisine Style: Irish
Average Price: $$
Overall Rating: 3/5
Dined: December 2018
Review Updated: August 2019
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
Review Updated: August 2019
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:
Freckled Fin Zomato rating:
The Freckled Fin Irish Pub is different from your typical Irish pub yet parts are also the same. Yes, it is a bar, yes they have live music, and yes they serve the typical pub grub that you would expect from an Irish Pub. The menu is unlike any other Irish pub I have been two with more unique items that cater to an Irish crowd, not food that an American eats and thinks is Irish food. When I visited Dublin in 2013, I was introduced to the side of Irish cuisine that I had never seen, true Irish cuisine. Whether it was at a fine dining restaurant like L’Ecrivain or a small pub that I would stop into for a quick bite and beer, these are the foods I saw on the Freckled Fin menu.
Freckled Fin Menu:
- Soup and Salad
- Appetizers
- Sandwiches
- Entrees
- Sides
- Desserts
My wife, friends and I were visiting Anna Maria Island for the day and stopped into the Freckled Fin for an early dinner. We started with a few drinks, my wife getting some Patron Silver in a cocktail, while our friends had a Jameson The Cooper's Croze which is an Irish Whiskey 172° Jameson Distillery Ireland. According to the distiller, the nose arose subtle flower petal-perfume develops into rich ripe fruits, while some charred oak and cedarwood bring balance and complexity – a seamless infusion of American and Spanish oak character. In the mouth, the initial impression is from the sweet vanilla of the American ex-bourbon barrels. This brings added depth to the rich fruits typical of the ex-oloroso sherry butts. A pleasant touch of hazelnut and toasted wood complement the pot still spices. One of our other friends had the Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey 90° Distilled in Louisville, Kentucky, and according to the maker, it is medium amber in color, with gentle spiciness and sweet oak aromas. Mid-palate is smooth with tones of maple, oak, and nutmeg. The finish is long, dry, and satiny with a light toffee flavor. Due to its especially high rye content, Bulleit Bourbon has a bold, spicy character with a finish that's distinctively clean and smooth. Bulleit Bourbon is inspired by the whiskey pioneered by Augustus Bulleit 150 years ago. The subtlety and complexity of Bulleit Bourbon come from its unique blend of rye, corn, and barley malt, along with special strains of yeast and pure Kentucky limestone-filtered water.
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| Freckled Fin / Kilkenny Irish Ale |
I stayed more traditional and had a Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale which is a nitrogenated Irish cream red ale (4.3% ABV 29 IBU) from the makers of Guinness, which originated in Kilkenny, Ireland. Kilkenny is similar to Smithwick's Draught; The 'Kilkenny' name was originally used during the 1980s and 1990s to market a stronger version of Smithwick's for the European and Canadian market due to difficulty in pronunciation of the word 'Smithwick's'. It now refers to a similar yet distinct beer. According to the beer maker, it is an easy-drinking pint that balances toffee and caramel sweetness with a roasted dry finish.
For food, we shared a classic starter dish of shepherd's tatties, which was a potato skin filled with the traditional ingredients of a shepherds pie, then topped with beer cheese, sour cream, and green onion. The typical shepherd’s pie has cooked lamb, peas, carrots, and Worcestershire. Four pieces from two sliced potatoes came with the order, presented in a newspaper like classic English fish and chips are served. Maybe not the most sanitary to the strict US Food code plating guidelines, but fun all the same. The dish had lite spice, but a nice taste from the gamey lamb flavors, plus the beer-infused cheese. Between the cheese, lamb, and potato itself, the complexity of flavors melded together nicely.
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| Freckled Fin / Shepherd Tatties |
The second item like the tatties I had never seen on an Irish pub menu before, and it was a blend of Irish with pizza, something every American would love. The dish is called the St. Patrick's Pie, a twelve-inch roasted crust topped with sour cream and leek spread. From there the next topping has thinly sliced potatoes, bacon, Irish cheddar, mozzarella, green onion, and arugula. The pizza is then drizzled with some thyme oil. In the end, it tasted like a pizza, but it was nice to see a change as you do not expect those flavors in a pizza. Americans are used to the pepperoni, or sausage, not leeks and potatoes. The pizzas thin crust was very crunchy, and perfectly cooked to a higher temperature for a shorter time, the best-kept secret to making a good pie no matter what goes on top of it.
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| Freckled Fin / St Patty Pizza |
I would say that the only disappointing part about the overall experience was the lack of customer service, requiring us to order from the bar and getting items we needed from other tables.
Dessert:
We did not have dessert during this visit, but some items of interest on the menu include buzzed bread pudding and a bar of chocolate-covered key lime pop
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Other noteworthy Irish Cuisine articles and restaurants similar to Freckled Fin:
Irish cuisine is the style of cooking that originated from Ireland or was developed by the Irish people. It has evolved from centuries of social and political change, and the mixing of the different cultures in Ireland, predominantly the English and Irish. Lamb, pork, potatoes, and cabbage are highlighted in many dishes.
Gilroy’s Bistro serving Irish cuisine at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland (RENAMED 1837 BAR AND BRASSERIE)
Irish Flag Vegetable Medley A recipe for St. Patrick’s Day, Irish patriotism, or any time of the year
L’Ecrivain Seasonal Irish ingredients with full modern French gastronomic dining in Dublin, Ireland
O'Brien's Irish Pub Convivial sports bar with Irish pub grub in Brandon, Florida
O’Maddy’s Bar and Grille Waterfront American eats and drinks in Gulfport, Florida
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud Impeccably prepared French and Irish fine dining in Dublin, Ireland
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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Third-floor terrace seafood-centric New American dining
Bradenton Beach, Florida, USA
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Exploring the restaurant scene on this 7-mile long Gulf barrier island
Anna Maria Island Florida, USA
|
Waterfront Restaurant
Third visit and review
City of Anna Maria, Florida, USA
|
A few Florida restaurant favorites:
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Stylish chophouse chain with surf ’n’ turf
Brandon, Florida USA
|
Vibrant spot for classic Spanish dishes & tapas
Carrollwood, Florida USA
|
A Burger joint chain started in 1972 San Fransisco gay district
Clearwater, Florida USA
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations, and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Overall from this experience and the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ section, based on my individual experience and rating, I give Freckled Fin a 3 out of 5 stars, meaning that they exceeded my expectations and were far above the average dining experience of most restaurants.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings for Freckled Fin
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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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11
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11
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0
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Food quality
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10
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8
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2
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Plate presentation
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9
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9
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1
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Customer service
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9
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4
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5
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Alcohol and other beverages
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10
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7
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3
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Total regular points awarded
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49
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39
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11
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Total percentage — less the Bonus
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0.795918367346939
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“Wow” factor BONUS
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5
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0
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0
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Total bonus percentage
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0
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Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating
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0.795918367346939
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Stars Awarded (see chart below)
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0 - 5
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3
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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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3 of 5 Stars:
80% Rating with a 0 point “wow” bonus
Exceeded my Expectations in a Dining Experience
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Wine List:
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Freckled Fin Wine rating:
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3 of 10
Old World selections:
Italy
New World selections:
Argentina, Australia, California
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Corkage fees:
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Freckled Fin 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 at Freckled Fin:
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Irish
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Low Carb Choices, Pescatarian, Vegetarian Options
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Reservations:
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Not Required, but Recommended
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
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Dress code:
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Casual attire
It’s Florida, everybody wear’s 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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Freckled Fin Experiences:
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A place for foodies, Great bar, Great outdoor dining, Hole-in-the-wall, 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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Freckled Fin has a public lot and 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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Loud
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Smoking:
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Freckled Fin is a non-smoking restaurant with a non-smoking 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 (pricey)
$£€¥ 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:
|
Price
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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:
$55.00 USD
Freckled Fin Irish Pub:
101 Bridge Street
Holmes Beach, Florida
34217
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
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Maître d or host:
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+ 1(941) 251-3930
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Website Contact:
Email Us:
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
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Sun - Thur
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Fri - Sat
11:00 am - 2:00 am
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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Social Media
And
Accolades for Freckled Fin:
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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 are 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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Rodízio buffet and churrascaria
Niagara, Canada
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Dessert shop with Southern treats, and praline
Savannah & Charleston, South Carolina, USA
|
German Bites in Bavarian-style Tavern
Ruskin, Florida, USA
|
Other Freckled Fin Pictures:
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| Freckled Fin / The Bar |
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| Freckled Fin / Local singers take the stage |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
