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Category Archives: Outdoor Florida Magazine Travel

Bayside Gourmet of Islamorada Completely Lives Up to The Name

Bayside Gourmet is much more than a great restaurant. It offers a Bakery, Deli, Pizzeria (WOW Pizza, just like Brooklyn of old) and the muffins we took home to try were stuffed-delicious with or without coffee or tea.

AmericanPressTravelNews-December 26th, Islamorada, FL. Keys. Today we are profiling “Bayside Gourmet of Islamorada.” Barb and I have been dining our way up and down the Keys in our pursuit of the best restaurants in the Keys. “Our new, updated book titled: “The Best Restaurants in the Florida Keys” is well on its way towards completion, and the publishers editors, for final once over, before printing.

We enjoyed the service, the aromas from the grill and bakery and generally and particularly the dishes we tasted and ate. 

So what were some of the more than 34-daily offerings and specials that are “to live for”: Well, we tried the pizza, so well created and tasty, almost exactly like we remembered as kids living in New York, from the best pizza throwers ever! Moist and absolutely done to perfection! So we also tried one of the 5-gourmet sandwiches-the Tavernier, best cheese and gourmet meat sandwich in the Keys, and we tried Ahi (tuna filet) flown in from Hawaii-spectacular fat content and flavor was amazing. We finished off our sojourn in this gourmet; at down to earth prices, with true Jersey Shore Cheesecake topped with fresh strawberry slices. Sure they have Key Lime and Choco Mousse pie, but come on now, would we pass on “real” Cheesecake? Eat in or take out and even delivery 305-735-4471 82758 Overseas Hywy. MM 82.7 Islamorada, FL. Keys 3036

Full of bakery, deli and some of the greatest tasting muffins, but most of all nice and friendly staff!
Ahi Tuna dish was extremely delicious!!
Ahi Tuna tartar dish was unbelievable. The tuna is flown in from Hawaii a few times per week. I had vowed never to eat anything that’s raw or nearly raw. But, after tasting and enjoying this dish, I’ve changed my mind to in the affirmative, but only if I trust the restaurant as I did Bayside Gourmet. Also on the table was the Tavernier Sandwich. Fresh mozzarella, imported proscuitto, tomato and fresh basil, drizzled with virgin olive oil and warmed on a fresh focaccia bread. Pizza, ah the pizza, best we have had in the Keys!!!!!!!
Local, regional and national favorites too!
Tavernier Key sandwich, couldn’t put it down!
Plenty of comfy counter and tables and chairs. Lots of great sociality at Bayside Gourmet as we witnessed later on when counter filled for lunch!

Lakepoint Resort, EuFaula, Alabama Is a State Park Jewel

A view as we supped on Southern, hometown fare!

 APtravelnews-Bob and Barb On The Road Again-November 24th, Lakepoint Resort State Park, Eufaula, Alabama- The resort is located about 7-miles north of historic Eufaula, AL. off of highway 421. The resort as well as the 1,220 park rests adjacent to and on the banks of the scenic 45,200 acre Lake Eufaula, also known as the “Bass Capital of the World.” The park is also located next to the 11,000 acre National Wildlife Refuge. If you want natural quietude amongst delightful natural surroundings, you’ll find it here.  If you’re up to enjoyable nightlife, head for the lounge for music and libations, as well as “good eats” at the resort restaurant, or have it both ways, or anyway you like, night and day!

As we travel for the many pursuits we must do, and also enjoy doing, we visit and stay at many different accommodations with so many different and exciting venues that sometimes, our experiences blend into strong memories of delightful places we fish, dine, meet new friends, hike, photograph wildlife, flowers and birds, etc. Well, Lakepoint Resort is not blended, it stands on its own as a terrific place to boat, fish, photograph wildlife, even alligators and relax overlooking Lake Eufaula in their comfortable and memorable restaurant and lounge, sometimes observing predator fish hitting top water at schools of prey fish. At and near the resort there is a swimming complex pool, a campground, cottages and cabins (we stayed in one of their older cabins, it was on a bass pond and perfect) a golf course, a well-stocked marina store at a very modern marina. The resort lodge was impressive with high ceilings, all manner of rooms for special events and private parties, a restaurant that looked over the lake and a cocktail lounge. The outdoor patio area was so peaceful and scenic.  Vista views of the lake greeted you from every angle.  We were there as writers and also as representatives of both Al’s Goldfish Lures and Click-It Hot warming units. We met up with old acquaintances and  broke bread with them again during the South Eastern Outdoor Press Conference being held on the grounds of the resort. The staff was first rate, the foods were quite good for a conference, the cleanliness was without exception, perfect. From what we experienced, everyone loved this venue for our conference. After-all our group  is an “outdoor” group, where else could we have had a better conference? We had and experienced the great outdoors in safety and comfort in Eufaula, AL. both in town at their great specialty food party and music of the South and at the beautiful Lake Aufaula.

For information on Lakepoint or other Alabama State Parks call 1-800-ALA-PARK or visit www.alapark.com