Gift Cards Solve Holiday Shopping Problems City Websites and Contacts
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While humans were uncomfortable during the blast of record cold weather in the past few days, the real damage will be the loss of thousands of fish. Soon there will be every species of game fish floating along our shores. Already there have been reports of snook, one of the more temperature sensitive fish, floating in the bays and backwaters. Sea turtles have also perished, but the Clearwater Marine Aquarium has rescued many of these lumbering animals along our beaches.
The water temperature becomes dangerous for our waters around 50 degrees and deadly below that.
Join us Saturday January 9th and Sunday January 10th for a Mimosa toast to our first full year at the Bluffs location. The complimentary Mimosas (Champagne and orange juice) are our way of saying THANK YOU for a great first year. After construction delays and customary regulatory issues, we opened last year to a welcoming community in Belleair Bluffs, Largo, Belleair and the surrounding area. Even with the bridge construction and troublesome traffic patterns, our guests found their way for breakfast and lunch.
Stop by Saturday or Sunday to say hello. We’ll have some treats for the kids too!
Without much fanfare, the bridge and boat ramp appear to be open. The area around the boat ramp is impressive with plenty of parking for cars and boat trailers. The fishing pier and docks are large and seem to be fully functional. The quiet opening was just the simple removal of barricades that prevented access.
Both sides of the bridge waterway are accessible from the boat parking area under the bridge. Hopefully, the county will eventually have a few picnic tables and permanent restrooms. The Belleair Causeway project has been one of the most successful in the area and Pinellas County can be proud of this park.
On January 9, 2010 Maggie Mae’s on the Bluffs will celebrate our first year anniversary. While the new year begins, it is difficult to imagine a better year than 2009 for all of us at Maggie’s. We have made many new friends, been welcomed in the community and established a growing restaurant in a recessionary environment. How could things get better?
It would be easy to say that our commitment to quality and friendly service was the reason for our success, but we know the people of Belleair Bluffs, Belleair, Largo, Indian Rocks Beach, Belleair Beach and the entire area have supported us from day one with their patronage and encouragement. We will continue to listen to our guests and work hard to get better each day.
Some highlights this past year for Maggie Mae’s were:
- Just getting the doors open! The construction delays, red tape and licensing process was behind us on January 9, 2010 and we could focus on exceptional food and making our guest feel at home.
- Finding a staff that really cared about what they served and how they served it was fortunate.
- Seeing local celebrities and politicians use our restaurant as their new morning “hangout” was a good sight. You never know who may walk through our doors as our reputation for great food grew.
- Watching and anticipating the opening of the new bridge to expedite traffic flow in front of Maggie’s has come to an end with great results. The bridge is beautiful and functional.
- Of course, the highlight of the year as a restaurant was being named as “Runner Up – Best Breakfast” in one magazine’s reader pole for the entire Tampa Bay area. We were competing with many long time favorites in the area as well as large multi-unit chains, of which, one edged us out for the first place selection over in the Tampa area.
Please help us continue to grow by reminding your neighbors, family and friends about us. We can’t imagine a better year for Maggie Mae’s and hope 2010 brings all of our guests their wishes and hopes for the coming months.
All of us at Maggie Mae’s offer our best wishes for the holiday season. Our Christmas wish is that the spirit of Christmas extends throughout the coming year and spreads around the world for peace and prosperity. There is no other time of year that seems to unite people of all origins in a mindset of giving and forgiving.
May we also offer our thank you for the pleasure of serving the hundreds of friends, neighbors and customers that cross our path. Few people get the opportunities we have to meet and interact with the special guests who come through our doors. We appreciate your patronage and the opportunity we have been given.
Of the dozens of bridge projects in the last few years, the Belleair Bridge has been the most organized, least aggravating and fastest major bridge done in a long time. The county and contractors should be commended.
If you haven’t been across the bridge lately, you will find a semi-permanent traffic pattern and easier access to Maggie Mae’s and all the streets that had been difficult to navigate. Even the boat ramps and parking areas under the bridge are almost complete. Unless weather becomes a factor, by year end the area can boast of a beautiful asset to our community. Beach goers and fishermen can go back to normal!
Here are some of the dates you may want to remember for the next couple of months.
Sat., December 12 – Clearwater Lighted Boat Parade, 6 PM
Sat., December 19 - Indian Rocks Beach Lighted Boat Parade
Thurs., December 24 – Christmas Eve Eggnog Toast, Backwaters, 5 -7 PM
Friday, December 25th - Merry Christmas! Backwaters and Maggie Maes Closed
Wed., December 30 -Outback Bowl Party at Clearwater Beach, Pier 60, 11AM to 4 PM
Thur., December 31 - New Years Eve – Backwaters “Quiet” New Years Eve Celebration
Sun., January 31, 2010 -Backwaters Annual Chili Cookoff, 3 PM
The FDA has announced a proposal to require oyster harvesters to “process” oysters after harvesting to eliminate any potential bacteria. Citing eight deaths in the United States in 2008 linked to oyster bacteria, the FDA thinks regulation is important. Of course, they forget that more people died from choking on Salt Water Taffy at fairs and carnivals in 2008. Maybe we should ban taffy!
And then there hundreds of people who died from drinking rubbing alcohol. Maybe we should ban alcohol. And then there are the people who died from salmonella from eating raw chicken. Maybe we need to ban chicken or make people cook it at least a couple of hours before selling it. Then there are the people who died from just plain over eating at one meal while indulging some food pleasure – those deaths in 2008 were in the dozens! E-coli killed a few dozen people from hamburger. We didn’t hear proposals to ban raw hamburger!
It is a fact that Gulf oysters MAY contain bacteria. It is also a fact that normal healthy people are not affected by low levels of bacteria. The elderly, children and people who already have low bacteria tolerance can get sick from oysters as well as numerous other foods.
Raw oysters are part of our heritage going back to the early settlers who relied on them for proteins. In fact, the accounts of all food consumption all along the coast since the 1700’s include oysters as a daily food. Placing a ban on raw oysters will not keep people from harvesting and eating them – they will merely no longer buy them from reputable businesses who handle them properly.
In Florida, if the six month ban on raw oysters goes through, it will devastate an already suffering industry. The cost to add equipment to process the oysters will not only double the cost, but remove texture and flavor as we know them today.
Bigger government means more regulation. Personal responsibility is no longer necessary, since a great number people are relying on the government to provide, assist and properly regulate every aspect of our lives. Where does it stop?
Both Maggie Mae’s locations and Backwaters will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. We only close two days a year (Christmas Day,also) so our staff can spend a little time with their families. May you have much to be thankful for now and throughout the Holiday season.
This has been a great year and we look forward to serving you in the future.
For a nearby treat this weekend, the Suncoast Jazz Classic begins Friday with a parade at 11:30 AM from poolside at the Sheraton Sand Key. The annual Suncoast Jazz Classic kicks off three days of music and fun at both the Sheraton and Marriott hotels. 20 plus bands from around the country keep the entertainment going daily from morning to midnight. Running Friday, Saturday and Sunday from early morning to late at night, these people know how to have a great time!
For a complete schedule of participants, times, locations and events click on this link.
For a sure cure to the Jazz Classic morning after, visit either Maggie Mae’s restaurant. Of course, Backwater’s will be packed at dinner with Jazz Classic fans looking for fresh seafood and steaks. Reservations are suggested this weekend (727-517-7383).
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Maggie Mae’s Newest Menu Additions
Creme Brulee French Toast
Egg, Pancake and Bacon Combo for $3.95!
Philly Steak Sub
Slow Roasted Turkey Breast Club Salad
Come in for great food and fun!
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