Gasparilla Inn - Part 2 of the Boating for Food Blog Series

Dubbed “the Preppiest Place on Earth” in a touristy article about Old Florida, by Sara Clemence, in the Wall Street Journal last year, Boca Grande is frequented by Useppans for its many dining opportunities. Not for the Preppy part (well, maybe a few of us) because we are coming from the anti-preppy but truly Olde Florida Useppa Island. But, we will go anywhere for food.

Not that we are short of very good and sometimes great dining at the Collier Inn on Useppa, but one has to have a change of venue from time to time. And who really minds a short boat ride to find it? This time, it is off to the Gasparilla Inn for dinner and fine dining-so fine that they have a dress code. Other than a couple of yacht clubs in the area, this is the only restaurant I know with a dress code. Check their website for the appropriate attire: No comply-no eat!

This is a dinner trip, and on a clear night it is truly a lovely way to travel. The stars are bright due to the minimal light pollution, and the phosphorescent waters leave a bright wake behind the boat. Most importantly for those not used to navigating at night, the Intracoastal Waterway beacons are easily visible along the entire 13-minute route, making navigation simple and comfortable for all. All you need is a compass.

So, the 4 of us set out for a 7PM reservation and 13 minutes later were tied up to the Pink Elephant dock, just a 200 -yard stroll to the Inn. Seated in The Main Dining Room, our friends Kim and Aimee checked out the wine list, with the cellar once again recipient of Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 2015. I checked the vodka and rum lists. Vodka supply was OK, but the available rums were an insult to pirate Jose Gaspar, the namesake of Gasparilla Island: much better at our house.

The menu, which can be found at www.the-gasparilla-inn.com/dining is imaginative and everything that came from the kitchen to our table was outstanding. Our grazing included the braised oxtail ravioli, squash soup, roasted beets, Caesar salad, red snapper, black grouper, sea scallops and beef tenderloin. The bread pudding, apple tart tatin and the peach cheese cake finished it all off nicely. Throughout the evening the wait staff was attentive and informative.

After a slow walk back to the dock and a soft idle out of the Boca Grande Canal into Charlotte Harbor, we turned south into the ICW for the short cruise home, Useppa Island lights in the distance. We were treated to a bright three quarter moon along the way, a perfect finish to a perfect dining experience.