2011 Miami International Boat Show Set for Feb. 17-21

MIAMI – The 70^th annual Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Miami, one of the world’s largest boating events, runs Feb. 17-21, 2011. The show includes thousands of the newest powerboats, sailboats, engines, electronics and marine accessories from more than 2,000 leading makers. New attractions include the Dive & Travel Harbor featuring the ‘Be a Diver’ scuba pool, and the new Discover Boating Resource Center, a boating education experience offering free boat rides, on-the-water training courses, and daily seminars.
Read more

O. C. White’s of St. Augustine

ST. AUGUSTINE – In this ancient city, O.C. White’s is a reasonably priced eatery overlooking the waterfront. With a basic seafood, steak and burger menu, the restaurant entrees and sandwiches run from $8 up. There is outdoor seating upstairs on the porch, or in a pleasant street-side courtyard.

A detail about the restaurant as interesting as the food is the coquina brick construction. The early 19th century restaurant building was known for a long time as the Worth Mansion, but was moved to its current location in 1961.

The location is just a few blocks west of other main historic sites. They do have parking, though there is metered parking on the street. If you have kids, ask to eat in the back part of upstairs; it’s a quiet contained corner and you won’t have to worry about the kids bothering others.

The restaurant is at 118 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine, FL, 904-824-0808 or online at www.ocwhites.com/

Ocala’s Tasty Stella’s Modern Pantry

OCALA – On the route up the middle of Florida on 301, gastronomic pleasures are few.

But in downtown in this horse country city, Stella’s Modern Pantry serves up a fresh assortment of pastries and gourmet lunch dishes. We happened upon the shop on a trip from Sarasota north on 301; it’s just a few blocks off of the main route north and parking is easy.

Featuring Albert Barrett’s pastries, it has sandwiches and gourmet gifts, and is a welcome respite from roadside Cracker Barrells and Burger Kings.

At 20 SW Broadway Street, Ocala. 352-622-3663 or www.stellasmodernpantry.com

Broadway Restaurant

SARASOTA – One of the great old joints of Sarasota is the Broadway bar and pizza, officially the Broadway Bar Restaurant. It’s just north of downtown, right behind the Publix at 10th and Cocoanut.

It opened in 1925, and was re-made into a two-story restaurant after demolition of the original building in 2004. You’ll find some of the original tiles in the lobby. The crowd runs from the retired set to a younger group at the bar.

Fast and easy, it’s convenient to the Van Wezel for a pre-show eat.

www.

The Broadway Bar, 1001 Cocoanut Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236. Telephone 941-953-4343 or www.broadwaybar.com.