Larry - Island Real Estate Blog

September 4, 2008July 18, 2022

Tortilla Bay Is a Great Addition to Anna Maria Island Dining – CLOSED

Sorry, Tortilla Bay is CLOSED. A great Tex Mex choice on Anna Maria Island is Poppo’s up in Anna Maria City.

Tortilla Bay serves fresh Tex-Mex food in a diner like environment. The restaurant offers less than the usual amount of variety however the food quality makes up for the choices. Everything I have tried has been a favorite. Taco’s, a delectable taco shell salad with your choice of chicken, pork, or beef, and burritos. They have a few choices for your children which comes with a soft drink and choice of cookie. Most meals are served with nacho chips and a small portion of salsa. You can purchase guacamole, sour cream, or extra salsa for a minimal charge. A must try is the Queso cheese dip, it’s fantastic! My five year old son even dips his chocolate chip cookie in the dip because obviously it tastes better than the cookie. Now that’s a compliment coming from a five year old!

If you are looking to be served a dinner this is not the place for you. Once you enter the restaurant you walk straight to the back and give your order at the bar and pay your bill. Once the food is prepared they call your name and you grab your lunch or dinner. Tortilla Bay restaurant is a great inexpensive option to Anna Maria Island dining. Portions are a comfortable size and they serve beer and wine. Continue reading “Tortilla Bay Is a Great Addition to Anna Maria Island Dining – CLOSED”

Larry

Meet Larry Chatt. Larry is the Broker/Owner of Island Real Estate – and has owned Anna Maria Island investment property while residing in New England, Ohio, Colorado, Iowa and across Europe. He and his family have been on the island for decades and Larry has served his community in various roles with the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce

September 2, 2008December 5, 2020

Anna Maria Island Stormy Surfing

Most of us don’t look forward to late summer because with the heat comes major storms. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief when a hurricane misses Anna Maria Island. Surfers really look forward to near misses and travel hundreds of miles to find high surf on the Gulf Coast. High tide as well as hurricane Gustav and Ike created fabulous surfing conditions the last few weeks on Anna Maria Island. The entire island was overrun with surfers. Every beach access point was packed with cars filled with anxious surfers. Watching surfers make it to the beach to see the surf for the first time was like seeing a child on Christmas morning. I didn’t need to see smiles on the surfers faces, I could see they were smiling from the glimmer in their eyes.

Firstly, I have NEVER seen the beach as crowded as it was Sunday and secondly on a cloudy stormy day. It was a site to be seen that I wish all visitors to Anna Maria Island could have witnessed. I took many photos and I hope that these help bridge the gap for everyone to feel the awe inspiring energy that was present. It was amazing! Most of us hunker down as a storm’s arm reaches out to give us stormy weather. I think surfers of Florida showed the Anna Maria Island residents and visitors why rainbows come out on a rainy day! Who would have known such a treasured experience could be found on a stormy day?

View the video below and turn up the sound if you hear nothing.

Want your children to learn how to surf? Be sure to check out the video of the Children Surfing classes, wow!

Larry

August 18, 2008December 5, 2020

Tropical Storm Fay – Timelines and Information

8-19-08 : 8:00 PM

No rain. Not much wind. This will be our last entry unless Fay loops around from the East Coast. All is well in paradise on Anna Maria Island.

8-19-08 : 4:19 PM

Sunshine has come out on Anna Maria Island!! About 4 minutes of rain up to this point today.

8-19-08 : 2 PM

No rain yet…Not much wind either…

8-19-08 : Noon

No rain as of yet on Anna Maria Island. Wind is not extreme and maybe 5-10 mph so far. Sky is fairly overcast and looking to the West you can see some patches of blue skys. Manatee county closed all shelters at 10AM today and sent everyone home. Manatee County schools will be in full session tomorrow, 8-20-08. All after school activities for 8-20-08 will be scheduled business as usual. Island Real Estate is open for business.

8-19-08 : 6:30 AM

The conditions on Anna Maria Island. Overcast, No Rain as of yet, and just a little wind…from 5-10 mph. The 5 AM advisory has moved Anna Maria Island out of a Hurricane watch into a Tropical Storm Watch and we are no longer in the potential path of Fay! Good News

8-18-08 : 10:00 PM

Weather Channel says Florida dodged a bullet. Tropical storm Fay thankfully just could not get her act together. The latest update shows Fay moving North so landfall will occur earlier than predicted and it appears Fay will hit Naples. For now we remain cautiously optmistic that Tuesday will be no more than a rainy windy day. The Weather channel implied the East coast of Florida would see more of an event than the Tampa Bay/Anna Maria Island Area. There remains a Hurricane watch for Anna Maria Island however the watch continues to move South and the island is the most Northern point at this time.

I took the dusk picture tonight to give everyone an idea of the continued calm before the storm although you can see the clouds look a bit “stormy.”

Just a few minutes ago an alert flashed on the local channel…”Manatee county has a voluntary evacuation for low lying areas. Anna Maria Island to Tarpon Springs under a Hurricane Watch for the next 24 hours.”

8-18-08 : 5:15 PM

The entire team did a great job today. All Island Real Estate owner properties have been reviewed for outdoor projectiles. All guests have been contacted and are comfortable with securing outdoor items at their property.

This statement has been put out by Manatee County;

The 11:30 a.m. Manatee County advisory states that the county is currently under a Hurricane Warning. Beginning at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, August 19, Manatee County will experience tropical storm force winds, with gail force winds beginning at 10 a.m., followed by hurricane force winds at 1 p.m. expected to last until 4 a.m. on August 20, when the storm will slow down to tropical storm force winds. Proper precautions should be taken by residents and visitors to secure their safety.

Manatee County schools and all County offices will be closed Tuesday, August 19. We will be providing industry updates periodically as information becomes available. The next EOC update will be at 8 p.m. this evening. Right now the islands are NOT under any type of mandatory evacuation, except for mobile homes.

8-18-08 : 3:00 PM

Manatee School system just cancelled all classes for 8-19-08.

Anna Maria City has requested that all stick in the ground signs be removed from properties.

All planned maintenance for the day is more than 3/4 of the way complete. Our storm plan is right on track and expect no issues with supporting our ownership to move all potential projectiles inside. Island Real Estate anticipates a very limited staff here in the office prior to noon Tuesday, 8-19-08 with more updates the morning of 8-19-08.

8-18-2008 : 11 AM

The update from the National Hurricane center places the eye going North and later North East. Winds are currently at 60 mph and Fay has had trouble gaining intensity although the experts expect the storm to gain some intensity in the next 12-24 hours due to the warmth of the Gulf waters.

Island Real Estate personnel are calling guests that are in place verifying they are comfortable to move any potential projectiles inside. If they are not comfortable we will be sending an outside service to move in furniture that can be blown around.

Properties that are empty are currently being visited by outside personnel to move in all potential projectiles.

Larry

July 26, 2008January 11, 2020

Cafe on the Beach, Anna Maria Island

Outdoor seating at Cafe on the Beach Ok everyone, I have a restaurant you all have to try! The Café on the Beach is the place to be on the weekends or any day really. On the weekends you can enjoy the famous “All You Can Eat” pancake breakfast. Friends of mine were there recently and said, “It isn’t just pancakes. You actually get a full breakfast!” During the week they offer delights such as hamburgers, hotdogs and snacks for relaxing days at the Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. This is a great location to enjoy our beaches because you have a lifeguard on duty, a playground, public All you can eat breakfast at the Public Beach restrooms, a large public parking lot and a little beach shop for Florida souvenirs. It is also perfect if you have little kids because you unpack the car once, and you have facilities near by to keep them happy. As a new mom I can’t wait until my little one is big enough to enjoy the azure blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, sugar soft sand of Manatee Beach and the all you can eat pancakes that I remember from my childhood.

Just visited Cafe on the Beach for dinner and their fish and chips were great. Right now they have all you can eat buffet’s Monday, Wednesday’s and Friday’s for dinner. Currently they have an Italian Buffet, Taco and Fajita bar, and all you can eat fish and chips for their three night a week buffets. We sat out outside in November surrounded by patio heaters and Mike Sales singing to the crowd. Mike’s singing made us all get out of our seats to dance to a few oldies but goodies.

Cafe on the Beach
4000 Gulf Drive
Holmes Beach, FL 34217
941-778-0784

Larry

June 29, 2008December 5, 2020

Anna Maria Island Property Investment Tips

Florida is offering a FREE service to assist single family home owners with reducing your wind insurance. The impact can be signifcant for communities like Anna Maria Island or Longboat Key.

It’s easy… get your wind insurance policy handy and go to web site to sign up for a free inspection. Inspectors are filling up fast so be sure to sign up sooner rather than later. An inspector will visit your Anna Maria Island or Longboat Key single family home for free and give you suggestions on improvements that will save money on your wind insurance. Sure…you might get lucky and find that your investment home is already eligible for reductions WITHOUT any capitalimprovements.

My Safe Florida can be reached toll free within Florida at (866) 513-6734 or visit their web site where you can fill out an electronic request. You only need a few minutes to save potentially a few hundred dollars.

Note: If you need help finding your next investment property be sure to call us toll free at (877) 778 6066 or visit our web site for more Real Estate Sales information at https://www.islandreal.com/

Larry

May 24, 2008January 22, 2021

Advanced Surfing Information for Anna Maria City

I would love for everyone to think I am a cool surfer dude and all this advanced information came from my vast knowledge of surfing. Unfortunately, I have to give credit to a surfer web site that gives more details on the characteristics of surfing just off White avenue in Anna Maria City. WannaSurf.com…yup, the surfing on Anna Maria is a big enough deal to get discussed on surfing websites. The website discusses surf and wave quality, tide, swell and wind characteristics, as well as any dangers. The web site tells you the name of the contributor as well as (4) other individuals that added information and actually surfed Anna Maria Island. Take a look, if this website does not give you the information needed, then you will just have to come to the island to experience it yourself… Also, if you are looking to get your children involved then visit our Anna Maria Island Children surfing camp.

Larry

May 23, 2008December 6, 2021

Sandbar Restaurant Anna Maria City

For many, the Sandbar restaurant Anna Maria city is a must visit while staying on the island. The atmosphere is wonderful and it’s one of the few restaurants where you can dine outdoors while listening to the surf. The most popular time at the Sandbar is just prior to sunset.

The restaurant offers good food with an outstanding view. Preferred seating is accepted for large groups. About one hour prior to Sunset time you can expect to wait over an hour for a seat outside. There are a few tables outside where you can still put your feet in the sand while most are on the wooden deck covered by an open air cathedral tin roof. Inside seating is 3 to 4 rows of with one row along the West wall which offers Direct Gulf Front views. The Sandbar Restaurant Anna Maria City offers a full bar with a smaller seating selection and some but, limited views of the Gulf.

Sandbar Restaurant Anna Maria City Menu

The Sandbar offers fresh local sustainable seafood, salads, hamburgs, children meals such as chicken fingers, Macaroni and cheese, pasta, and seafood. I have had the seafood salad, stuffed flounder, salmon, and a specialty salad and all meals have been good. The Key Lime pie is very good as well as the Calamari. Be careful if you order the Calamari. Be sure to order a half plate unless you have more than 4 people eating. The Full order is huge and could serve as a meal for two or three.

One local favorite thing to do is to walk the beach to the Sandbar and grab a drink or meal. here is nothing like working off your meal by walking the Gulf of Mexico. The Sandbar has an outdoor entry area however you do need to plan to have a shirt on to enter the restaurant. The walk is about 20 minutes from Peppertree or White Avenue in Anna Maria City. From La Casa Costeria on 73rd Street, it’s about a 35 minute walk to the Sandbar.

Sandbar Restaurant:
Phone: 941 778 0444
Website: Sandbar Restaurant
Accepts Reservations? No

Larry

May 22, 2008December 5, 2020

Cortez Kitchen Restaurant 1/2 Mile From Anna Maria Island

Cortez Kitchen is a unique “hangout” restaurant that may not be the perfect romantic setting however the seafood is very fresh. Outdoor picnic bench seating both covered and uncovered are in close proximity to the boat docks. So….while eating your inexpensive “rustic” lunch or dinner you can sometimes watch boats come in and out of the docks. I have also personally witnessed lots of fork lift activity at the docks which my 4 year old friend’s son just loves. If you are looking for an inexpensive fresh seafood lunch or dinner and you have children that will enjoy looking at water or boats then this could be the perfect fit. The grouper is fantastic and believe or not, try the Buffalo Grouper sandwich with Blue Cheese Dressing….its a knock out! Be sure to take a look at the picture above. The BLUE sign is a great reference point so you don’t miss the turn off of Cortez Road. One side note is the restaurant turns more into a bar around dusk so if you are taking your family be sure it’s at an appropriate time. They do offer live music usually on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Just a great all around “old Florida” bar setting.

One last thing. They do sell fresh raw seafood in an adjacent building, so if you need tomorrow’s seafood, kill two birds with one stone, or fish that is….

Cortez Kitchen
4528 119th Street W, Cortez, FL, 34210
(941) 798-9404

Need another rustic restaurant? Starfish Company is just to the West a few blocks and also offers fresh seafood choices that can be cooked up at your Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental.

Larry

May 17, 2008January 22, 2021

Beach Volleyball on Anna Maria Island

Some fun organized activities for your vacation include beach volleyball. While relaxing on the coastline of Anna Maria Island, beach games are a must.

Beach Volleyball Anna Maria Island

If you can assemble a team from your own friends and family, we suggest visiting Manatee public beach. Find it at the end of Manatee Avenue or route 64 in Holmes Beach. The Manatee public beach normally has (2) volleyball courts up at all times. You can also find a great place to play Volleyball at the Coquina Public Beach Access. Find this beach at the very southern end of Anna Maria Island.

Larry

Cafe on the Beach 4000 Gulf Drive Holmes Beach, FL 34217 941-778-0784

Sandbar Restaurant Anna Maria City Menu

Beach Volleyball Anna Maria Island

Cafe on the Beach
4000 Gulf Drive
Holmes Beach, FL 34217
941-778-0784