Welcome to From the Office of John and Eleni, where we share the people, partnerships, and stories shaping Oysters Rock Hospitality.
In this edition, we are looking ahead to Sip, Shuck & Sustain at AMOB North Port, sharing exciting updates from AMOB Cortez, celebrating a successful blood drive and recognizing the people who continue to make a difference across our restaurants.
7x’s Bradenton’s Best
[JOHN:] When we opened the first Anna Maria Oyster Bar more than 30 years ago, the goals were simple: serve great seafood, make people feel like family, and have a little fun along the way. Seeing AMOB recognized with seven 2026 Bradenton’s Best awards tells me we are still getting that right!
Thanks to your votes, we earned Gold for Best Seafood Restaurant, Raw Bar, and Early Bird Special; Silver for Best All-Around Restaurant, Happy Hour, and Margaritas; and Bronze for Best Burger. No one expects such an awesome burger at a seafood restaurant!
These awards would not be possible without our team’s Heart, Hustle, and Hospitality. Thank you to everyone who voted, dined with us, or shared Anna Maria Oyster Bar with a friend. We are proud to serve this community and grateful you still let us do what we love!
Sip, Shuck & Sustain is almost here!
[ELENI:] On August 11th, we are bringing Sip, Shuck & Sustain to Anna Maria Oyster Bar North Port for an evening celebrating oysters, wine, and the waterways that make our region so special.
Guests will enjoy Oyster Bay wine tastings, a “sea-cuterie” grazing station, raw and roasted oyster selections, plus hands-on experiences including oyster shucking lessons, buoy painting, and a vertical oyster garden workshop with Oyster Boys Conservation. Chef Will Parard, Dominic Marino, Nikki Olney, and I will share more about what’s in the glass, what’s on the plate, and why oyster restoration matters to our region.
Partnerships like this are important because they connect hospitality with the wellbeing of the place we call home, which increases our quality of life. Oysters are part of our story, but they’re also essential to our ecosystem, helping filter water and create healthier shorelines. By partnering with Oyster Boys Conservation, we’re able to turn a fun evening into something that has a lasting local impact.
Tickets are $60++ per guest, with $10 from every ticket supporting Oyster Boys Conservation. We hope you’ll join us at AMOB North Port on Tuesday, August 11th at 5:30pm. Purchase yours at OysterBar.net/ShuckSipSustain
Remembering Good Times!
[JOHN:] Someone recently sent me a little piece of AMOB history I had almost forgotten.
Back in 2008, we picked one birthday or anniversary guest each month and treated them to dinner for two at their favorite Oyster Bar. But dinner was not enough Five Star Fun for these special guests…we also picked them up in the Anna Maria Oyster Bar limousine!
Yes, once upon a time we owned a limo. It held six to eight people, was stocked with beverages, and guests had it for up to six hours. I am not sure who approved that idea, but I have a pretty good guess and I see him in the mirror every day.
Audrey was one of our winners, and she saved the original letter, certificate, and all the details from her night. Years later, she added this note at the bottom of the letter:
“We have had some wonderful birthdays & anniversaries at the Oyster Bar. I made it to 93 yrs and will always remember this special occasion.”
That note got me. Promotions come and go, logos change, and the AMOB limousine is long gone, but what Audrey remembered wasn’t any of those things. She remembered how we made her feel.
Thank you for sending this back to me, Audrey. You brought back a wonderful memory and reminded me why we’ve always tried to make a visit to our restaurants feel like more than just a meal.
Summer Passports are all the Rave!
[ELENI:] Meet Hilda, a regular at Anna Maria Oyster Bar Ellenton and the very first guest to complete her Summer Passport! Hilda and her three friends visit Ellenton all the time, so it is safe to say she is already a bit of a celebrity around the restaurant.
This summer, we’re celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by inviting you to experience the places, people, and local flavor that make our community so special.
Our Summer Passport has become a fun way to explore all six Anna Maria Oyster Bar locations, along with Café on St. Armands. Every stop has its own personality. You might catch a waterfront view and some Pier Cheer at AMOB on the Pier, settle into the Halfway Lounge at Landside, or time your Ellenton visit for one of the best sunsets in the area. Then there’s Café on St. Armands, where you can begin with coffee and pastries, and end with cocktails and dinner on the Circle.
One of my favorite parts has been hearing from people who discovered a location they had never visited or experienced Café for the first time. That is exactly what we hoped the Passport would do – give you a reason to explore locally, revisit an old favorite, and enjoy Five-Star Fun along the way.
Great news…you have even more time to complete the journey. We’ve extended the Summer Passport through Halloween!!!!!! So keep exploring and collecting your stamps. Complete your passport and you’ll be entered to win a three-night stay at Bridge Walk Resort on Historic Bridge Street and a $250 Anna Maria Oyster Bar gift card. We’ll announce the winner on November 3rd!
A Weekend Well Spent
[ELENI] I recently spent a weekend on Anna Maria Island with a group of women I value for their support, perspective, and friendship.
It was a wonderful chance to step away from our daily routines, enjoy everything our island has to offer, and simply spend time together. I also brought along one of our new Anna Maria Oyster Bar sun hats, and it turned out to be the perfect companion for a weekend in the Florida sunshine.
They are now available at every Anna Maria Oyster Bar for $39 each, or two for $60. I have a feeling that mine will be coming with me on plenty of adventures this summer!
Join Our Growing Team!
[ELENI:] We are hiring and would love your help finding a few great people to join the Oysters Rock Hospitality family.
Across ORH, we are looking for a few more experienced Restaurant Managers who could be the right fit at any of our locations. Café on St. Armands is also searching for a Front of House Manager, plus a Pastry Assistant and Prep Cook to join the culinary team. And at the Home Office, we are looking for a Staff Accountant who enjoys keeping the numbers organized, catching the tiny details, and helping our brands run smoothly behind the scenes.
These are very different roles, but the people we are looking for have a lot in common. They care about their work, they want to keep growing, and they know how important it is to be part of a team that works hard, supports one another, and has some fun along the way.
It was honestly hard to narrow down the photos for this because the past year has given us so many moments worth celebrating. Some favorites from 2025 include being recognized as Employer of the Year by the Manatee Young Professionals and Hospitality Business of the Year by the Greater Sarasota Chamber. Those honors are really about the people behind Oysters Rock Hospitality!
Take a look at our current openings at OystersRock.net/Careers. And if someone immediately comes to mind while you are reading this, send it their way. We would love to meet them.
Cortez is getting a refresh!
[ELENI:] Anna Maria Oyster Bar Cortez has a lot of history, personality, and loyal guests who have made it “their” Oyster Bar over the years. As we began talking about refreshing the space, I knew the outcome could not be something different. Instead, we are leaning in and breathing new life into our favorite AMOB images and stories…from Fast Eddie’s memorabilia where John got his start, to imagery from the Cortez Historic Fishing Village just a few miles down the road.
Our team has taken a close look at the restaurant through the eyes of both our guests and our employees. What can we improve? What needs a little more love? What should never change? Those questions have guided every decision along the way.
The refresh is about honoring what people already love while giving the restaurant the care it deserves as it begins its next chapter. We are open now,and our team is thrilled to serve you, but if you’ll please pardon our “” (as they say at the Mouse Capital of the World), some aspects of the renovation will continue for a few more weeks. For example, you’ll notice a luxury restroom portable located just to the south of the entrance because the restroom reconstruction will take a bit longer.
I can’t wait for you to experience the fresh new look for AMOB Cortez for yourself!
Saving Lives through Blood Drives
Our partnership with Suncoast Blood Centers continues to make a meaningful impact in our community. During this year’s blood drive, 651 lives saved at five Anna Maria Oyster Bar locations, helping ensure local hospitals have the blood they need when it matters most.
As a thank you, every successful donor received a $50 Anna Maria Oyster Bar gift card, our small way of saying thank you for making such a big difference. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who rolled up their sleeves, donated, and helped make this event another success. Together, we’re proving that one simple act of generosity can make a lasting difference for our neighbors and communities we’re proud to serve.
Shuckin’ Good Causes
Two recent check presentations held special meaning.
My Breast Friends 941 is our local partner throughout the month of October, when $1 from every featured Pink Drink sold at all locations supports local women affected by breast cancer.
PACE Center for Girls received the proceeds from their Lucky Duck Race for Pace this spring. Every duck adopted helped raise funds for the programs, education, and support PACE provides to girls and young women in our community.
Congratulations to our June Oysters Rock Star, Nikki Thielen from AMOB Landside!
Nikki’s teammates describe her as reliable, hardworking, and always ready to help. She picks up shifts, fills in wherever she is needed, helps behind the bar, jumps on expo, washes dishes, and supports the team without hesitation.
She is a natural leader on the floor who trains, motivates, and encourages those around her. Nikki brings Hospitality, Hustle and Heart to every shift, making a difference for both her teammates and our guests.
Some places just make you feel like you’ve been transported straight to Europe for a few hours ✨ @cafe.on.st.armands
From the charming atmosphere to the beautiful brunch dishes, fresh pastries, gourmet coffee, and cocktails — Café On St. Armands is such a gem right in the middle of St. Armands Circle 🌴 We loved slowing down here, people watching, sipping coffee, and enjoying the perfect mix of cozy café vibes with an elevated menu.
Whether you’re stopping by for brunch, date night, dessert, or just an afternoon coffee break while shopping around the circle… this spot is definitely worth adding to your Sarasota list 🤍
#Sarasota #StArmandsCircle #SarasotaFlorida #SarasotaFoodie #SRQ
Elvis has left the building!
