GULFPORT! NGAZINE - SUMMER 2011

Gulfport! Magazine Summer 2011 Presented by LocalShops1.com & GulfportFlorida.us $2

Gulfport! Magazine

The world is about to discoverwhat we’ve known all along ....Gulfport Restaurant Guide inside

house of renee

Editors Rob Fowler and Ester Venouziou • Design director Patrick Roberts • Advertising director Barbara Langford

Contributing writers & photographers • Lisa Cole • Lynne Brown • Wil Fisher

On the Web Find us on GulfportMagazine.com and on Facebook, facebook.com/gulfportmagazine Story suggestions [email protected] or [email protected] Advertising information call 727.723.5660 or e-mail [email protected]

Gulfport! Magazine is a co-production of LocalShops1.com and GulfportFlorida.us Gulfport! is published quarterly and distributed throughout our beautiful city.

Summer 2011ALL ABOUT GULFPORT ..................... 4WELCOME TO GULFPORT! ............... 5A VISITOR’S PERSPECTIVE ................ 624 HOURS AT THE PIER ................ 7-13BEST OF THE ROAD! ......................... 14WINING & DINING ....................... 15-20

GULFPORT RESTAURANT GUIDE • FAVORITE MEALS AROUND TOWN •

BEST OF THE ROAD FINALIST

HISTORY FILES ............................... 21-22

CONTENTS

It’s all about the food! pages 15-20

SUMMER 2011 | GUlfpORt! MAGAzinE 3

photo by ROB fOWlER, G! Magazine

Writer-photographer Wil fisher captures the essence of the laid-back lifestyle in his photograph, “Old Man at Sunset with pelicans Watching.” fisher can be reached at [email protected].

4 GUlfpORt! MAGAzinE | SUMMER 2011

ALL ABOUT GULFPORT!City governmentCity Hall: 893-1000Utility Billing: 893-1000Zoning: 893-1024Trash pick-up: 893-1083Police Department: non-emergency: 893-1030 emergency: 911Fire: 893-1062

Business organizationsGulfport Chamber of Commerce ExploreGulfport.comGulfport Merchants AssociationGulfportMA.com49th Street South Business Association So49.org

Places to goClam Bayou Nature Park Miriam St./29th Ave. S. Recreation Center 893-1068 5730 Shore Blvd.Library 893-1074 5501 28th Ave. S.Gulfport Casino 893-1070 5500 Shore Blvd. S.Senior Center 893-2237 5501 27th Ave. S.Historical Museum 321-0505 5301 28th Ave. S.Hickman Theater 727-893-1070 5501 27th Ave. S.

TransportationGulfport Trolley: mygulfport.us/TrolleyG.E.M.S. (for elderly/ handicapped): 893-2242Pinellas Transit Authority: psta.net

OrganizationsBoca Ciega Yacht Club 543-1031Garden & Bird Club 321-6282Crime Watch 327-3509Gulfport Yacht Club 321-8634Gulfport Historical Society 343-4398

Local websitesmygulfport.us city’s official Web siteGulfportFlorida.us information on local events, links to businesses & moreLocalShops1.com Network of local independent businesses and cool shoppersthegabber.com weekly newspapergulfport.patch.com hub of local news & info

And of course, us!GulfportMagazine.com Facebook.com/ GulfportMagazine

Sh po apalloozaFor vendor information, e-mail [email protected]

NOV. 19, 2011 • USF-ST. PETE LocalShops1.com’s


WELCOME TO GULFPORT!

Our restaurants get national honors!Just days before we were getting ready to get this summer issue to press, word came out that Gulfport was a finalist in Rand McNally/USA Today’s Best of the Road contest. They were sending a team to town to judge our restaurants! City leaders, local activists and the restaurant owners quickly banded together to make plans to impress the traveling team. Here at G!, we switched gears, held stories and rearranged ads to make room for our impromptu dining guide.

Did we win? G! went to press before final counts were in. But we all know, no matter what the numbers show, Gulfport is No. 1!

For more info on Best of the Road, go to BestoftheRoad.com

W e were brainstorming about what to include in this issue and Rob had a grand idea: Let’s document 24 hours at the pier in Gulfport. Photos every

hour, sunrise to sunrise. Despite Ester’s protests — what could possibly change from one hour to the next?! — we went ahead with the plans. So on a recent Saturday Art Walk, Rob camped out to document the fishermen arriving at the pier, the late-night party crowd dancing at O’Maddy’s, the pelicans nose-diving in the bay. Gulfport, clearly, is stunning, 24/7!

Rob & Ester About the cover: Photo-illustration by Rob Fowler shows the Williams Pier at sunrise.

photo by ROB fOWlER, G! Magazine

SUMMER 2011 | GUlfpORt! MAGAzinE 76 GUlfpORt! MAGAzinE | SUMMER 2011

A VISITOR’S PERSPECTIVE

By LISA COLE G! Guest Writer

Gulfport is a charming Florida town beckoning visitors to return time and time again.

For several years, my husband Charlie and I have explored Gulfport by land, enjoying culinary delights and specialty shops.

This year we decided to cruise into Gulfport by water, knowing a spectrum of colorful waterfront restaurants and shops, a pristine powder-white beach, a city pier, a dazzling sunset, and a menagerie of waterfowl and wildlife awaited us.

Our sailboat is in a marina in the Manatee River. Sailing through the river and across Tampa Bay was a breeze, thanks to southeast winds. After crossing Tampa Bay we followed channel markers to Boca Ciega Bay.

Once we entered Boca Ciega Bay, we spotted majestic white pelicans standing stoically on sandbars. This sighting only whet our appetite as we expected to view colorful Florida scenery as we approached our destination. Winds continued to be in our favor as we sailed through the bay. Slowing down

only to request openings at two bridges on the Pinellas Bayway, we followed the Intracoastal Waterway and turned east toward Gulfport.

As we approached Gulfport, we brought our sails in and started our engine for a leisurely ride along the scenic waterfront. I pointed out a volleyball game in progress on the beach. Charlie is always looking for a beach volleyball game. The city beach looks like a great place to grab some rays and enjoy a picnic under the pavilions. Next, we passed Gulfport’s friendly transient city dock. The dock is free and accessible from sunrise to 11 p.m. It is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ladders are in place for easy boarding. A floating dock is attached to the fixed dock and available for dinghy parking.

Gulfport also allows boats to anchor in a basin in front of the city. Charlie maneuvered our sailboat along the shoreline as we continued to admire the artsy community’s waterfront restaurants and stores, and fishing pier. Once we passed William’s Pier and park, we saw an opening to the Boca Ciega Yacht Club, a private yacht

club with reciprocal privileges, and the Gulfport Municipal Marina.

I took out our waterway guide and learned the Gulfport Municipal Marina offers full service to boaters. The marina has transient slips, marine services including ramps, hookups for electricity, gas and diesel, and a marine store. Amenities include restrooms, showers, pump out, Internet access, and a snack bar.

Continuing our tour through the basin, we motored past the marina and found a beautiful marsh grass area with a small sandbar. This area is a part of Clam Bayou Nature Park. Wading birds including herons, egrets, seagulls, and black skimmers were gathered near the shoreline waiting to hunt for their sunset meal.

It was a brilliant aquatic scene with fish jumping and dolphins playing. After touring, we decided to hang our anchor near the wildlife area. Positioning ourselves slightly in front of some lovely condominiums on a white sandy beach, we settled in for the evening. I began to prepare our dinner when Charlie motioned to me to come

out from the galley and celebrate another beautiful day with a “Happy Hour.” Gazing out over the bay we observed a dazzling orange sunset as birds skimmed the water. The clear crisp air made for a romantic evening as stars slowly appeared in the night sky and the glistening lights of Gulfport illuminated the shoreline.

The following day, we cruised to the city dock and secured our boat. The weekly Fresh Market was in full swing on Beach Boulevard with vendors selling everything from artwork to fresh produce. We strolled up and down the Gulfport Waterfront District, visiting stores and vendor tents.

Walking along Shore Boule-vard we ended up at O’Maddy’s, where we enjoyed a delicious fresh seafood meal and refresh-ing drinks.

After a fun-filled day we reluctantly boarded our sailboat for our return trip to the Manatee River. We let loose from the dock and raised our sails.

Glancing back we bid Gulfport good-bye knowing a return trip is planned for the near future.

- Lisa is published in Catalina Mainsheet Magazine and author of “Searching for Chessie of the Chesapeake Bay.”

Sailing Destination: Gulfport

24 HOURS AT WILLIAMS PIER

GULFPORT, 24/7From sunrise to sunset, a photographer’s view from Williams Pier: Here’s a photo essay with hourly images captured by Rob Fowler.6 a.m.

I love taking photos on and around Gulfport’s Williams Pier. Sunrises on the pier provide me with some piece of mind before i begin what is always a crazy day working on websites, graphics design, and marketing. At dawn, the water is usually calm, fish start feeding, rays swim together just beneath the surface of the water, manatees and dolphins make their appearance, and the variety of birds sing their morning songs. it is a relaxing time, and I guess that’s why I have so many sunrise photos from the pier. Hope you enjoy the 24 hours of photos! - Rob




9 a.m.

7 a.m. 8 a.m.

10 a.m.

11 a.m. Noon

Williams Pier memories: “Fishing poles and kids ....” Claudia Moon Zikudaz


3 p.m.

1 p.m. 2 p.m.

4 p.m.4 p.m.

5 p.m. 6 p.m.

The pier makes me think of “O’Maddy’s and going there in the ’80s to go clamming with my dad.” Jodie N Patty Buckallew




9 p.m.

7 p.m. 8 p.m.

10 p.m.

11 p.m. Midnight

“Remember when they sold smoked fish on the pier ... mid ’70s?” Christina Reardon



1 a.m.



2 a.m.

4 a.m.

3 a.m.

5 a.m.

All said and done, at the end of the day the Pier is a great place for “quiet contemplation.” Lori Rosso

Congratulations, Gulfport!

We KNOW we’ve got the best restaurants. Now it’s time to tell the world.Vote for Gulfport today! For details, go to GulfportMagazine.com


WINING & DINING IN GULFPORT!

So, is there anything to eat in this town?

You’re kidding, right?

Downtown Gulfport offers something for any craving. If you were to set out for plantains and jerk fries, followed by gelato and then a fine craft beer – if that’s your thing – you could do it in just a short walk from Tangelo’s to Stella’s to Peg’s. The full-on Florida beach bar experience can be had at O’Maddy’s, where you can watch pelicans dive in the sunset and hear tourists (OK, and locals) belt out karaoke. Or you can head up Beach Boulevard to the old-worldy labyrinth and Mediterranean cuisine of La Cote Basque, or get the Italian trattoria experience in Pia’s, and wonder, for a little while, if you’re really still in Florida.

And you can do all of this with sand still between your toes. Beat that, other towns!


Anytime Pizza2930 Beach Blvd. S. • (727) 323-2015Why we love them:: The Clucker pesto pizza, which comes with extra chicken, spinach, roasted corn and fresh mozzarella.

Gulfport Family Restaurant2025 49th St. S. • (727) 321-2628Why we love them: Greek salad comes loaded with feta cheese, black, olives, potato salad and eggs. No skimping here.

George’s Grill1431 49th St S. • (727) 323-4286 Why we love them: Part barbecue, part all-American. Ribs and burgers are good standbys, but our favorite is the fried chicken.

Backfin Blue Cafe 2913 Beach Blvd. S. • (727) 343-2583Why we love them: Jumbo lump crab, shrimp with orzo, mandarin oranges ... Now THIS is the way salads should be!

Fazio’s Pizza & Subs1414 58th St. S. • (727) 345-0097Why we love them: Calzones and strombolis galore! Toppings include sausage, meatballs, mozzarella, eggplant and mushrooms.

Gulfport Cafe5808 28th Ave. S. • (727) 347-5788Why we love them: Home of the Gulfport Wrap, and a must-stop for breakfast; three-egg omelettes, sausage gravy and biscuits.



Habana Cafe5402 Gulfport Blvd. • (727) 321-8855Why we love them: Filete de Pescado a la Parrilla, grilled in but-ter, seasoned with fresh garlic. And don’t forget the white sangria!

Isabelle’s2937 Beach Blvd. S. • (727) 346-9800Why we love them: Perfect spot to grab some tapas, sip the wine and watch the world go by. It’s like being on vacation.

La Cote Basque Winehouse3104 Beach Blvd. S. • (727) 321-6888Why we love them: We’re whisked away by the old-world charm. Then there’s: pork tenderloins, veal parmesan, and beef marsala.

Hong Kong 4935 Gulfport Blvd. S. • (727) 322-0888Why we love them: Comfort food, super-low prices. Give us a pint of hot & sour soup and shrimp fried rice and we’re set!

Island Flavors & Tings1411 49th St. S. • (727) 327-6416 Why we love them: Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi – Mahi; rolled in a Carpaccio of Pineapple, topped with Tropical Fruit Salsa.

Neptune Grill5501 Shore Blvd. S. • (727) 623-4823Why we love them: Where else can you get octopus and flaming cheese? Saganaki for everyone, please. Opa!





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Phone No.: __________________E-mail: _____________________

For annual subscription (4 issues), please send form along with $10 check to Gulfport! Magazine, PO Box 530144, St. Petersburg FL 33747

Gulfport! Summer 2011 Presented by LocalShops1.com & GulfportFlorida.us $2

What are some of the favorite meals you’ve had at Gulfport restaurants? Adam Schooler: We set up in front of Backfin Blue during Art Walk! I love all of their food! ... Their crab cakes are awesome and so is the prime rib! OK. Now I’m starting to get hungry!!GulfportFlorida.us: Calamari Salad at O’Maddy’s, but when Wade does the Lobster Cheese-cake special, it takes priority. ... the octopus appetizer at Nep-tune Grill is excellent! ... Oh, and the Sweet Bean Burrito with a G.O.O.D. beer at Peg’s Cantina and Brew Pub is one of the most delicious meals we know!Katie Dunk: Burger @ O’Maddy’s! Best burger in the area!

Doublemband MikeMonrad Mario Jooste: Yummy’s Italian Beef Sandwich!Theresa Magaz: A Cuban at Tangelos can’t be beat, and I am Cuban so I know!Lynn DiVenuti: Breakfast at Stellas! Their biscuits & gravy is fantastic and their homemade corned beef hash is superb.Wil Fisher: Rack of lamb @ Pia’s,Jodie N Patty Buckallew: O’Maddy’s has an AWESOME Black & Blue salad (steak and blue cheese) ... and we can’t get enough homemade Sangria from Tangelo’s!!!!!!!!!Julie McNeil O’Maddy’s beef on wick! Just like home (upstate New York) Yum!!

Kathleen Boyd Bertelsen: Pan Sear Scallops over Lobster Ravioli at Pia’s! O’Maddy’s Club Sandwich is fab and the Mahi-Mahi bananas Foster is to die for!!! Neptunes Grouper! Backfin Blue Chowder! Stellas Breakfasts!Jody Zelman Robinson: Peg’s Shrimp Buritto!Gail Biron: Breakfast at Stella’s, the best corn beef hash ever, crab corn chowder at Backfin Blue with the Club Blue, Mojo Chicken Cuban at Tangelos, crab stuffed mush-rooms at Neptunes, Steak sand-wich at O’Maddy’s, Peg’s Casadias. .. So many choicesVince Lovko: Mussels (in white wine sauce) at Pia’s with plenty of bread and Franziskellar dark wheat beer.


O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille5405 Shore Blvd. • (727) 323-8643Why we love them: Wade’s Tropical Tuna, great views of the bay, and some of the best cocktails in town. And then there’s karaoke ...

Pia’s Trattoria3054 Beach Blvd. S. • (727) 327-2190 Why we love them: Jaw-dropping beautiful setting, inside and out. Bring us the panini. We’ll be here a while.

Smokin’ Js BBQ5243 Gulfport Blvd. • (727) 329-8624Why we love them: The Texas Beef Brisket is slow-smoked for 16 hours, until fork tender. By the sandwich or by the pound.

Peg’s Cantina and Brew Pub3038 Beach Blvd. • (727) 328-2720Why we love them: Sweet Bean Burrito! And Doug’s fabulous award winning home brew, Gulfport G.O.O.D. Beer.

Six Tables2937 Beach Blvd. S. • (727) 346-9800 Why we love them: The evening begins with a glass of champagne and continues with a six-course meal.

Stella’s Deli3119 Beach Blvd. S. • (727) 498-8950 Why we love them:: Breakfast galore! Our favorite is the spinach-feta omelette. Best people-watching spot in town.



HISTORY FILESWINING & DINING IN GULFPORT!

Tangelo’s Grille3121 Beach Blvd. S. • (727) 894-1695Why we love them: Pan-Seared Oaxacan Mole Chicken (boneless chicken breast, pan-seared with homemade Oaxacan sauce)

The Village Pub5519 Shore Blvd. S. • (727) 329-8825Why we love them: Fish-n-Chips, great curry, and the best cheese-sticks anywhere. And who cannot love Bass on tap?

T and Me Tea Co. 2908 1/2 Beach Blvd. S. • (727) 331-5253Why we love them: Owner/chef James left the Vinoy to start his own shop, and he brought amazing recipes with him!

Yummy’s2914 Beach Blvd. S. • (727) 321-9869Why we love them: Chicago-style hot dogs, old-time candy & ice cream! Where else can you spend $3.99 and leave happy & full?

Favorite meals in Gulfport?“Penne Arrabiata at Pia’s. Jen’s Southern Bella salad at O’Maddy’s. Mojo Chicken Cuban with Jerk Sweet Potato Fries at Tangelo’s. Fish Tacos at Peg’s. Jumbo Lump Crabcakes at Backfin Blue. Turkey Reuben at Stella’s. Italian Sausage at Yummy’s. Savory Tart and Moroccan Coffee at Tea and Me. Clearly, three days a week at the gym are not enough to keep my backside in check with all the wonderful food we have in Gulfport.”

TIFFANY ANDERSON-TAYLOR, Live Curly Live Free owner & stylist

“O’Maddy’s: Joe’s Lobster Mac & Cheese and the Banana crusted Tuna (Tropical Tuna)! The Village Pub- Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken Curry Salad! Smokin’ J’s BBQ: BRISKET!”

CHERLENE WILLIS, Gulfport Patch editor

By LYNNE BROWN Gulfport historian

It is said that any 10 local longtime Gulfport residents will have 10 different versions of the history of Osgood Point.

Originally the small peninsula extending into Clam Bayou was known as Seagrape Point.

Settlers caught fish and crabs there and harvested the sea-grapes in the early fall to make jelly.

During the Prohibition era, it was a popular drop-off site for liquor illegally brought in from Cuba, the bottles being thrown overboard in burlap sacks for locals to collect and sell (or drink).

Osgood Point has never been an official name; it just grew, re-ferring to the longtime Osgood Marine Works, which was there from 1940 to 1978.

The Osgood name derived from a family begun by George

Osgood, who left New Hamp-shire in the late 1800s to work for the United Fruit Co. on Ro-tan, an island off Honduras. In 1918, his son Hammond T. Osgood brought his family to Florida. Both born in Spanish Honduras, Orion Osgood was then about 10 and his brother Neil just 4 when they arrived in Tampa. Orion remembered the landing at Egmont Key: “A big bulky thing came up out of the water and scared everyone

half to death until they realized it was an American submarine checking on our two-masted schooner’s destination. After all, World War I was being fought and the submarine’s officers had to be careful.”

A few years later they moved to St. Petersburg, coming across the bay with five children and all their furniture on a steamship.

Hammond Osgood’s experi-ence making furniture from the native Honduran mahogany led

The people behind the Point

@ 1940s

GUlfpORt HiStORiCAl SOCiEtY



HISTORY FILES

him to a career in boat building, and he went to work for the Av-ery and Roberts Marine Ways, where the kids spent Saturdays cleaning the shop and learn-ing the business. In 1926 Os-good acquired the company and moved it to Bayboro Harbor.

Orion recalls: “Just up salt creek a short distance Al Capone had a private dock for unloading rum and other contraband that was brought in from Cuba. ... It was like all the captains knew each other. I don’t remember the police ever coming around his place. ... We just minded our own business and no one bothered us.”

• • • • • In 1939 the business moved

again, to the shores of Clam Bayou at 3108 Miriam St. They dredged out the basin and chan-nel at a cost of about $5,000, creating enough land to sup-port a workshop and boat slips for rental. A few years later, the Coast Guard building went up to the south of the Osgood works.

They built wooden boats of all sorts — outboards, rowboats, sailboats — only in later years turning to fiberglass construc-tion. Most of the lumber came from Florida — swamp cypress, juniper, white cedar, yellow pine, and oak — along with Philippine and Honduran mahogany and Douglas fir from the west coast, all shipped here by railway.

The business burned down in March 1956, destroying the man-ufacturing shop, a dozen boats being repaired and several more under construction. It was re-built through the help of the city government and countless citi-

zens, who raised $4,502 through auctions, fundraisers and contri-butions to aid in a new start.

Said Neil Osgood: “We thank the Good Lord for permitting us to live in a city where all practice service above self.”

In 1961 they built the biggest boat ever made in Gulfport, the six-ton, 52-foot fishing vessel Pine Key. Of all the boats that the Osgoods built, the Pine Key was the one they were most proud of. It had a 16-foot beam with a 4-foot draft and was made of the best wood for boats, sappy pine (from Pine Key) for the keel, bow stem, frames, and Hondu-ras mahogany for the planking.

Orion had a son, Brian; Neil had three sons, Carl, Sandy and Larry. They also grew up in the boat business cleaning wood shavings and scrubbing barna-cles and painting the bottoms of many boats. The boys found ca-reers with boats as well, Carl re-finishing yachts, Sandy a licensed captain of a 40-foot sports fishing boat, Larry in the commercial fishing business, and Brian work-ing with his dad. Neil died in 1984 and Orion in 1987.

• • • • •The business closed for good

in 1978 when its 36-year-old $200 monthly lease expired and offered for renewal at $1500 a month, which the Osgoods rejected. In time, the area degenerated into an eroding, garbage-covered strip of land, barren and raw, half bur-ied in old refrigerators, chunks of concrete, and beer bottles. The city began looking for solutions to the eyesore, and in 1980 a Com-mittee for the Review of the De-velopment of Osgood Point was formed to recommend produc-tive uses for the area. A $132,000 federal grant was used to pave the road out to the point and install water and sewer lines.

By 1982, the city was ready to hear proposals for a $9 million project involving a nautical mu-seum, two restaurants, several marine-oriented businesses, and parking for 400 cars in a wood-en-boardwalk-bordered village, resembling Johns Pass Village in Madeira Beach. A group of resi-dents worried about traffic, bill-

boards, hours of operation, and environmental concerns contested the plan, and it was abandoned.

In 1989 another idea surfaced, this time for passive park land, and was now supported by most residents, who recognized the last piece of “old Gulfport” need-ed to be preserved. Work began to clean the area. Nuisance veg-etation was ripped up, seagrapes were replanted, and the land started to come back to life.

In 1994 construction began on the restoration project, in which the city teamed with Surface Water Improvement and Man-agement of the DEP and South-west Florida Water Management District to improve habitats and public access.

After a fight over landscaping with artificial sand dunes and closing the tip of the Point to ve-hicular traffic, the project finally opened in September 1995 with six acres of wetlands, more than 30,000 new native plants, and 4,000 linear feet of walking trails and boardwalks.

• • • • • Claudette Renney Dean, a

descendant of Gulfport’s first settlers, wrote during the Point’s worst times: “Seagrape Point today is only a barren peninsula extending into Clam Bayou. The seagrapes are gone, the beauty of the bay broken by landfills and condos. But even today, if you sit on the point, close your eyes, and let the sweet sea breeze flow through your body, remem-bering the stories of old and of times gone by – it doesn’t seem like so long ago at all.”

Brown is a Gulfport historian and author of “Gulfport: A De-finitive History” and other books

The people behind the Point

GUlfpORt HiStORiCAl SOCiEtYHammond Osgood’s experience making furniture from the native

Honduran mahogany led him to a career in boat building.

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GULFPORT! NGAZINE - SUMMER 2011

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