Two Beer Gardens in SRQ

During my last trip to Florida, we swung by two beer gardens, one big and one small. Here’s the down-lo.

JDubs Brewing Company, Sarasota

Here’s the front of JDub’s – it’s nothing fancy.

The other side is where the action is. Being at JDub’s is like being in your buddy’s backyard, with a couple of cornhole games to make up for the slightly rickety picnic tables. He’s also your coolest friend because he brews awesome beers.

Inside, the bar is pretty small – enough space to fit about 3 people. Just squeeze in at either end to order your pint. Aside from the bar there is also one long table over looking windows to the brewery.

 

Motorworks Brewery, Bradenton

On the other end of the beer garden spectrum is Florida’s largest patio at Motorworks Brewery in Bradenton. There’s a stage for a band, a large projection screen (great place to watch a game), a raised deck area around a huge tree, a small mini golf area, and about ten setups for corn hole. Near the corn hole games there is space for a food truck – which is where all the food is made if you order anything other than beer from the menu. My portobello salad was great, with two huge mushroom caps, but it came on a styrofoam plate.

A large deck surrounds an old tree. This is the place to be.

The brewery hosts some pretty cool events too – I saw posters for pilates (followed by a pint of course) and a chili cook off.

Inside there is plenty of seating, a long bar, another stage and projection screen, darts, and a popcorn machine where you can scoop your own. A window at one end of the bar lets you see the tanks where the beer magic happens.

I ordered a beer flight:

The Nitro is award winning. It has a unique taste with hints of coffee. I liked the taster but I don’t think I could drink a full pint. The coffee porter on the other hand is easy drinking. Probably my favourite out of the bunch. The India brown ale has a herbally finish. I couldn’t taste the melon in the Melon Kolsch. My husband found it too bitter for his taste. Lastly, the Session is easy drinking but not particularly remarkable.

Aside from Motorworks’ own beers, the long drink menu includes bottles from other craft breweries, as well as wines, if beer isn’t your thing. When in Bradenton, no matter your preferred drink, the Motorworks beer garden is the place to enjoy it!

Info: Motorworks Brewing, 1014 9th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205 USA

Authentic Chinese in Sarasota: Yummy House

With a name like Yummy House, this place could easily fade in with the plethora of Happy Family’s, Lucky Panda’s, or Asia Wok’s that serve greasy Americanized slop some people call “Chinese food.” But Yummy House is the real deal; its owners hail from Toishan, China. I’ve been to Sarasota several times now, and spending a few days in the town certainly gives the impression that there are no Chinese people around. That’s because they are all inside, at Yummy House.

Yummy House prides itself on its Salt and Pepper mix. We ordered the Salt and Pepper shrimp – lightly battered, large, fresh shrimp. Absolutely delicious!

Shitake mushrooms over bok choy is a well-executed, classic dish.

Sizzling beef with onions in black pepper sauce // Eight Treasures Pot with scallops, shrimp, bbq pork, chicken, shitake mushrooms, and tofu.

There are a few dishes on the menu to please those looking for something more Americanized, like the chicken lo mein (Above photo, bottom left), orange chicken, beef and broccoli, and egg rolls // stir-fried chicken with vegetables (Above photo, bottom right). Most dishes hover in the $10-$12 range.

The menu is a manageable size – you won’t find yourself overwhelmed – but there is a good variety, ranging from sizzling plates, bbq dishes, fried rice and noodle plates, pork, chicken, fish, and lobster. Nothing is out-of-this-world, but every dish we had was solid.

The Final Word: Florida is not exactly known as a mecca for Asian food, but if you’re in the area with a hankering for authentic Chinese food, Yummy House is the place you need.