- September 10, 2024
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Growing up, my sister and I begged our parents for an older brother. As toddlers, we wanted an older brother to play make-believe with. As we aged into school, we wished he could practice free throws with us. Even in our post-college era, we would still text each other, asking what he would do to the guys who broke our hearts.
One of the many things that made me fall in love with my husband was watching him be an older brother.
The relationship that Patrick and my sister-in-law Anna have is the one that my sister and I dreamed of with our hypothetical brother. He protects her without being overbearing. He genuinely listens to her without interrupting. If someone were to make her cry, I think I might even see my husband throw up some fists.
When Anna told us she was pregnant, we were thrilled, but I immediately pondered, "Can pregnant women eat crab?" Anna is a crab-tastic crab aficionado (we have to go Walt's the second she touches down in Sarasota) and I couldn't imagine her being crab-less for nine months — but she was.
When she gave birth to her son and our nephew, Elliott, my heart beat faster than ever before, as I not only saw Patrick's big-brother standing morph into uncle duty but realized that Anna's exile from Crab Island was over. I instantly texted the new mom, "When are you coming to Sarasota so we can get you that crab?"
Elliott was born in March and I am still waiting for my sister-in-law. Still, I've done some research in order to find the claw-some eats full of the best crab in town for her to try upon her arrival.
10 S. Lemon Ave., Sarasota; 941-312-4099; Toastique.com/sarasota
Crab-tivating Eats: Who said you can't start the day off with some crab? Step right into this modern bistro and feel transported to a hip and trendy spot you thought you'd only see on your social media feeds. Ever hear of gourmet toast? Whether you answer "yes" or "no," it's here. Snack on the spicy crab toast ($16) made with lump crab, melted Swiss and fontina, siracha aioli, tomato, bibb lettuce, jalapeno, microgreens, lemon twist on rustico toast.
Shell-ebrate Flavor: Searching for summer flavors that aren't found in a shell? The tomato burrata ($13) makes me forget my fear of tomatoes. Stacked with herbed ricotta, pesto, tomatoes, beautiful burrata, basil, olive oil, balsamic glaze on rustico toast, this gourmet moment will leave you gleeful.
11615 FL-70, Lakewood Ranch; 941-751-5252; FuegoTequilaLounge.com
Crab-tivating Eats: How about meeting in Lakewood Ranch to continue our crab chronicles? On Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., brunch is served at this contemporary comida café, and the La Gorda Maria Bloody Mary serves four. Be prepared for the price tag ($200 — split four ways, remember). It includes their famous fuego bloody with chilled prawns, lobster tail, Ahi ceviche and Dungeness crab. Don't stop the crab tour there! Order the crab benedict ($26) with lump crab, asparagus, poached eggs, chipotle hollandaise with shaved truffles on a toasted English muffin. Splurgin' Sundays!
Shell-ebrate Flavor: Please browse your menu and I will wait for your jaw to drop when you hit Mexico City garlic noodles ($25+). Gracious heaps of garlic butter, fresh lo mein, secret sauce tied together with cotija and scallions but wait ... there's more. Add whole Dungeness crab (market price) to make it a crab feast frenzy you soon won't forget.
6639 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key; 941-554-8101; BigWaterFishMarket.com
Crab-tivating Eats: This Crescent Beach shopping center fish market arrived in 2011 and the doors have been swinging open ever since. Casual ambiance, a reliable staff and fresh, wild Florida seafood are three reasons why this market keeps calling my name when I have a hankering for crab. When I was a kid, I was a picky eater (hard to believe now that I write about food). But one thing I always wanted to order was a soft-shell crab sandwich (my mom couldn't understand it either). This Siesta spot supplies me with a sensational crab sandwich ($18): lightly fried soft-shell crab, lettuce, tomato (pass for me) and elite-tasting aioli on a brioche bun.
Shell-ebrate Flavor: Market price, shmarket price: don't let that stop you from indulging, foodies. Go ahead, treat yourself to the snow crab legs (market price) served with one pound of stupendously scrumptious snow crab, corn and potatoes.
1936 Hillview St., Sarasota; 941-777-7707; Samurai-FL.com
Crab-tivating Eats: There is no way I could write a crab-based column and not feature a sushi roll. I would be starting a crustacean craze (and not in a fun way). This relatively new sushi and hibachi location is far too close to my front door for my own good and dishes out tasty Japanese cuisine crab offerings. I may have to unbutton my pants to finish this plate, but the Out of Control roll ($17.99) with soft-shell crab tempaura, cucumber, topped with spicy tuna, avocado and chef's special sauce is worth every bite (and unbutton).
Shell-ebrate Flavor: This team in Hillview took crab rangoon, innovated and elevated it to create the golden cream cheese ($8.95): seasoned crab meat cream cheese wrapped in wonton shell, deep fried (why not?) and served with a special mango sauce. Trust me, you won't be crabby after eating this.
9707 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria; 941-782-8683; ThePorchAMI.com
Crab-tivating Eats: Fun fact? This quaint and colorful restaurant is said to be shelling out signature dishes in one of the first homes built in Anna Maria. Now open for three years, this historic piece of the island cooks everything from scratch, in-house with no additives or preservatives. First order of business? One Cajun shrimp and crab dip ($20) served with naan and crostinis, which makes a bread lover like me one happy camper.
Shell-ebrate Flavor: Fun fact, part two? This has nothing to do with crab, but while I'm here at the Porch, I can't skip dessert. The burnt basque cheesecake will change your culinary views. Imagine if crème brûlée and cheesecake morphed into one heavenly dessert — as if the crab didn't feel luxurious enough.
