Two Area Restaurants Rated Tops by Zagat, ABC’s Nightline, Florida Trend

BRADENTON – Two award-winning independent restaurants on Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key begin the new year with top accolades from Zagat, one of the world’s most trusted sources for restaurant reviews; ABC’s award-winning Nightline news program; and Florida Trend, the state’s top business magazine. Beach Bistro, owned by Sean Murphy on Anna Maria Island, was selected as the Top Restaurant for food in the West Coast Region of Florida in Zagat Restaurant Guide’s “Top Restaurants in America” 2011 edition.  The restaurant also led the state for highest food rankings for the third year in a row.  

Raymond Arpke, Chef/Proprietor of Euphemia Haye Restaurant on Longboat Key was chosen by ABC’s Nightline program as the only Florida chef finalist for their People’s Platelist Contest.  Both restaurants have received numerous Florida Golden Spoon Awards from Florida Trend, recognizing the Top 20 Restaurants in the state, and have been honored in the Golden Spoon “Hall of Fame” for the eighth consecutive year.

“Our destination’s popularity among foodies is growing around the globe, and these two restaurants are prime examples of our independent culinary standouts,” said Debbie Meihls, executive manager, the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.  “In addition to the outstanding service and unique dining options, visitors truly appreciate our emphasis on locally grown ingredients.”

Celebrating more than 25 years serving New American cuisine, Beach Bistro is a labor of love for owner Sean Murphy and his wife, Susan Timmins.  The restaurant offers an intimate dining experience in Holmes Beach, right on the Gulf of Mexico.  Its pursuit of perfection has brought the restaurant much acclaim, including two invitations to perform a James Beard Foundation Dinner at the Beard House in New York, most recently in December 2010. The Bistro serves only real fresh grouper, Prime American beef, domestic lamb and the best smoked salmon available.

On January 21-22, they will host a Winter Culinary Carnival at their second location, the Bistro at the Concession, featuring Chef Roy Yamaguchi, among others, and highlighting the health of the Gulf Coast fishery on a national stage.  New in 2011 is yet a third location, Eat Here Anna Maria Island, where their Zagat-rated cuisine is offered in the form of fresh Gulf Coast seafood, and family-friendly comfort food such as pizzas and tacos. The Bistro’s main location continues to welcome friends and new visitors to enjoy dining in the main room, in the bar area with a more casual menu, or beachfront cocktail service by sunset.

Serving Global Eclectic cuisine since 1980, Chef Raymond Arpke, co-owner and cookbook author, with his wife, D’Arcy, are the culinary inspiration of Euphemia Haye.  Arpke integrates classical training, an innovative flair, and a love for fresh foods into his American, global and slow food menus. All breads, stocks, sauces, soups, dressings and desserts are made fresh on premises each day.  Signature dishes include their Caesar Salad made to order, D’Arcy’s avocado bruschetta, Crisp Roast Duckling and their flambéed Prime Peppered Steak.  

The restaurant features a comprehensive wine cellar recognized as a Wine Spectator's "Award of Excellence.” Guests can retreat to the Haye Loft upstairs for dessert, where an award-winning dessert display, exotic coffees, vintage ports, top-shelf spirits, and imported beers are available in an eclectic atmosphere of art, antiques and live music. Chef Arpke hosts annual themed cooking classes (lesson luncheons) every Fall as well as in the Winter/Spring, and in 2010 dedicated one lesson to using essential oils and essences to create the menu.

A featured chef during the upcoming Sarasota/Manatee Originals 4th Annual Forks & Corks 2011 Food & Wine Festival, Chef Arpke will conduct a class called "Terrific Tapas and Spanish Flavors” featuring three Spanish wines as well as be one of the featured chefs during the Forks & Corks University and Grand Tasting.  In addition to bottling his own steak sauce now sold in gourmet specialty stores, Chef Arpke will also be the guest chef/host of a Silver Seas Cruise to Barcelona and Lisbon in September, chosen by the Sarasota/Manatee Originals, Florida’s first chapter of Dine Originals.  In 2005, he too was a guest chef at the Beard House in New York, delighting diners for Thanksgiving.