Bar Tab: Dry Dock Waterfront Grill (updated with video)

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Dry Dock view

The view of Sarasota Bay from Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, 412 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key (courtesy photo).

With that Longboat Key address, that panoramic view of Sarasota Bay, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill could totally make bank serving silly umbrella drinks and deep fried “white fish” from the South China Sea. Fortunately for those of us with discerning palates, the establishment’s owners refuse to exploit its splendid location. Really, Dry Dock is a lesson in doing a waterfront bar and restaurant right.

Dry Dock

A dark and stormy cocktail at Dry Dock Waterfront Grill. STAFF PHOTO/WADE TATANGELO

My amazing wife Kristin moved here with her family about the same time the Dry Dock opened in 1989. She already knew of the restaurant’s charms when we arrived on a recent Friday afternoon. But even Kristin was a bit surprised to see the parking lot nearly packed by 3:30.

We walked past the impressive Boathouse marina to the outdoor tables and first floor dining area along the water where there are three wet slips available for guests arriving by boat (Zwick's channel, Marker 6). A chilly breeze directed us inside, where we took the steps to the second floor surrounded by huge windows framing the tranquil, enchanting waters below. We settled at the cozy wood bar that has about 10 stools. A dumb waiter allows the bartender to better serve the third-floor diners.

Dry Dock grouper bites

Grouper bites at Dry Dock Waterfront Grill. STAFF PHOTO/WADE TATANGELO

Above is a high ceiling lined with black-and-white photos of fishermen displaying their prizes. A muted flat-screen TV showed the news. The main attraction at Dry Dock, aside from watching the dumb waiter at work, is feeling as if you are cruising aboard a luxury yacht on Sarasota Bay.

I ordered a textbook dark and stormy made with Gosling’s Black Seal Rum and Gosling’s Ginger Beer and garnished with a lime wedge. Served in a mason jar with a handle, I gave the beverage a stir and enjoyed the perfect balance of rich, caramel rum and sweet ginger beer designed specifically for dark and stormy drinks. In addition to being a skilled mixologist, our bartender also knew every inch of the menu and handled the retiree regulars, newbies like me and tourists speaking in thick accents with equal aplomb.

Dry Dock mojito

A mojito Dry Dock Waterfront Grill. STAFF PHOTO/WADE TATANGELO

When it comes to food, Dry Dock is best known for its grouper so I had to find out what they did with Florida’s most famous fish. We shared the grouper bites, which came out tasting remarkably fresh, with a spot-on crisp exterior and tender body. The accompanying house-made sauce earned high marks from Kristin. I was too enamored of the fish to go dipping.

Enjoying a wonderfully mixed mojito (Bacardi Silver, simple syrup, freshly squeezed lime juice, sparkling water, and freshly muddled mint) and craving more fresh fish, I ordered the snapper sandwich. The bartender told us they were not serving snapper, their other “fresh catch” option, because there was none available. I smiled. That is the mark of a good seafood restaurant. Chances are any place that always carries every fish on the menu all the time is not serving fresh fish.

Dry Dock grouper sandwich

Grouper sandwich, blackened, at Dry Dock Waterfront Grill. STAFF PHOTO/WADE TATANGELO

The grouper sandwich, which we had blackened, did not disappoint. In fact, Dry Dock might just serve the best grouper sandwich in Southwest Florida. Seriously, think about that the next time you are entertaining out-of-towners.
Not into seafood but still want to nosh waterside while sipping a perfect cocktail? I recommend the nine-dollar turkey club. It is made with Boar’s Head oven-roast turkey, thick slices of bacon and can easily feed two.

Our entire (late) lunch, with the specialty drinks and two grouper dishes listed as “market price,” came to about 50 bucks. We will return for the smartly crafted cocktails, the expertly prepared fresh fish (or turkey club), the very reasonable prices and, yes, for the gorgeous setting. In short, Dry Dock owners Cindy and Eric Hammersand offer a dining and drinking experience worthy of their sublime location.

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
412 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key; 383-0102; drydockwaterfrontgrill.com

Have a suggestion for a place or event to be featured in Bar Tab? Comment below, email to wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com or contact me on Twitter: @wtatangelo For past Bar Tab columns, slideshows and SNN videos visit the archive.

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
412 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key; 383-0102; drydockwaterfrontgrill.com

Wade_Tatangelo_by_Mike_Lang_HT_06212013
WADE TATANGELOis the editor of TICKET + and a contributor at TicketSarasota.com. He has been an entertainment editor, reporter, columnist and reviewer for more than a decade at publications nationwide. He is a Hershey, Pa., native who grew up in Tampa and graduated from the University of South Florida. Wade joined the Herald-Tribune in 2013 and writes the weekly Bar Tab column. He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4955.
Last modified: January 23, 2015
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