Will Boat for Food Blog Series: The Fishery

The Fishery: Part 3 in the Boat for Food Blog Series- A Culinary Adventure around Useppa Island!

We are motoring north again, in search of fresh fish for our get-away lunch. We  cross Boca Grande pass and the fleet of boats working the fish inside of the pass. When you think of eating fish, however, it’s not tarpon but The Fishery that comes to mind.

Located immediately south of the old Boca Grande railroad bridge, this casual family restaurant is located adjacent to a real fish house, the port where Gulf commercial fishing vessels bring their catch into Placida/Cape Haze. It doesn’t get any fresher unless you catch it yourself. Of course, that is not difficult around here.

Slowing for the channel into the Fishery, we parallel the railroad structure which is renowned for holding some beefy Snook. Just last season we were anchored right here with Captain Dave Hoke out of Bokeelia, live baits placed perfectly for the moving tide. Our fishing mates were daughter Shari and hubby Brian Gear from Fort Myers. Our laid back day away from our tropical paradise was rewarded with a fresh and delish dinner.

Back to The Fishery: They have really handy dockage right in front, and can handle a multitude of small boats. Up and in we went, bypassing the outdoor dining patio with not an empty seat, to enter the rustic but air conditioned restaurant. There is something special about an eatery that is smart enough to place the bar between the entrance from the dock, and the restaurant seating.

So we endured warm welcomes, cold brews and rapid seating to sit and study the menu. Grouper must be the all-time most requested fish in Florida. Accordingly, it is priced “at market” which always results in 2 questions: How much? And is it FRESH? You got to love this answer: our server says it is not available now because  they are waiting for a “better supply”. If that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about The Fishery, nothing does. Ever had a place try to pass of a skinny Tilapia on you when you order Grouper? Yea.

 

 

 

Surprise of all surprises, Mary orders a salad with blackened snapper. It was really good, the greens all fresh and crunchy, the snapper perfectly and lightly blackened. With a background of dining on Baltimore Crab Cakes, I should have heeded the disclaimer on the crab cakes, said to be “Fishery” style. What a dummy, I didn’t even ask. They don’t short you on the crab, no problem there, but you have got to like eating Old Bay seasoning by the spoonful. Too bad, but if you don’t try something new…………The fries were good, but then I rarely meet one I don’t like.

 

This trip got a little out of hand –it was 23 minutes dock to dock.

 

Useppa Island Celebrates Independence Day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, USA!!!

And, what better place to celebrate than Useppa Island?!?!  And, what an absolutely gorgeous day it was!  12 knot breezes, balmy-to-hot but, in the right spots.....pure heaven!
                            
Useppa Island residents were in full spirit and had flags proudly displayed all over  the island!

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Tables were decorated....

And....so were the people!!

The entertainment was fantastic!! "Clive Live" and his electronic accompaniment  was, unbelievably, Sydney Houston, one minute and Satchmo, the next!                  

Kids were everywhere, the pool was jammed...                        

.....and every one was jamming!  

A super day!  A great party!  Music, laughter, hamburgers and hot dogs, friends and family.
And, flags flying everywhere.  It made us all appreciate just how lucky we are...to be here and to share our good fortune and celebrate
INDEPENDENCE DAY! 

It was quintessential Useppa! Plan on joining us next year.  We missed you!

Will Boat for Food Blog Series Part 2: Barnacles Restaurant

A Culinary Adventure around Useppa Island  

We turn our sights south for our next gastronomic exploration, to our neighboring island of Upper (or North) Captiva.  Bridgeless like Useppa but having shores along the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound, Upper Captiva is home to 400+- beach houses, ranging from the bohemian to top shelf, all kind of mixed together. We can see this island and Captiva Pass, from the south and west shores of Useppa Island.

Barnacles on Upper Captiva

Today we visited a local icon of truly laid-back island dining, Barnacles Restaurant, but everybody still calls it Barnacle Phil’s. Phil has been gone for years now, but it was his creation. Most visitors dine under the huge palm-thatched tiki hut, seated on wooden picnic benches. From this vantage point one can watch the boats come in to dock, which is frequently excellent entertainment as well as a lesson about marital relations or, how not to have any (never raise your voice to the first mate, even if you crush several pilings).

Outdoor Seating at Barnacles

The restaurant also has inside dining and the demands of modernity have caused it to be air conditioned. We remember when it had no A/C, and it could get so hot in there they had to build a tiki hut where you could cool off. This improved the view, too.

Barnacle’s is known for their black beans, and I have had plenty of them. They are very good. But today seemed more like an All American Day, and usually that means a burger for me. But, being an adventurous diner I decided to go international. They call it the Barnacle Dog, a tasty ¼ pound wiener smothered in internationally famous Black Beans. With chopped onions of course. And French Fries. How international can you get? An American adopted German sausage, Spanish black beans, and potatoes with a French influence. Yes sir, I know how to mix’em up! Like an international gourmet tour in one basket. Yum!

The gotta try Barnacle Dog!

No fruity drink with this lunch-it is totally about the cold beer.

And guess what? Mary had the salad, with grilled shrimp. Said it was really good.

Even the salads at Barnacles are delicious!

Located in Safety Harbor, Barnacles is a 12-minute boat ride, well within our 20 minute goal.