The best meals tell a story. This one tells ours.
There are few places where seafood, citrus and tropical flavors come together quite like they do in Florida. From Gulf waters and backyard gardens to citrus groves and tropical fruit, the Sunshine State has always inspired the way we cook, gather and celebrate around the table.
That inspiration became Florida Native, our newest limited-time menu arriving at Anna Maria Oyster Bar on Tuesday, September 1.
Created by Head of Culinary Chef Will Parard, a fourth-generation Floridian, Florida Native is more than a seasonal menu. It is a reflection of the place he has always called home and the ingredients and flavors that make Florida feel like Florida.
“Growing up in Florida gave me an appreciation for ingredients that many people take for granted,” says Chef Will. “Fresh Gulf seafood, citrus picked at its peak, tropical fruit and the flavors that remind you of being outside with family and friends. I wanted this menu to capture that feeling.”
Every dish starts with something that feels unmistakably connected to the Sunshine State.
The Hot Honey Pork Belly pairs slow-confit pork belly with smoky chipotle, hot honey and pickled onions for a rich balance of sweet, savory and spice.
Fresh and colorful, Mojito Ahi & Melon brings together ahi tuna, juicy watermelon, mint mojo and pickled onions. The combination of fresh seafood, tropical fruit and bright herbs feels right at home on a Florida table.
Florida seafood takes center stage with Blackened Pompano, served over a battered cheese grit cake with warm Key lime corn and black bean salsa, then finished with orange crema. It brings together Gulf Coast seafood, citrus and bold Florida-inspired flavors in one dish.
The Flo Boy Shrimp Wrap puts a Florida spin on a seafood favorite with coconut-breaded popcorn shrimp, mango-jicama slaw, hot honey and remoulade.
For a little bit of everything, the Pork Belly & Mojo Bowl layers slow-confit pork belly and blackened shrimp with cilantro rice, avocado, Key lime corn and black bean salsa, mint mojo and orange crema. One bowl, plenty of Florida flavor.
And because a Florida-inspired menu would not be complete without Key lime, dessert brings us Key Lime Cheesecake, a creamy, citrus-forward finish inspired by one of the state’s most iconic flavors.
Of course, no celebration of Florida would be complete without something refreshing in your glass.
The Strawberry-Cucumber Margarita combines premium tequila, ripe strawberries, crisp cucumber and bright citrus for a fresh cocktail inspired by Florida’s farms and gardens.
The Key Lime Spritz keeps things light and bubbly with Key Lime Vodka, fresh Key lime juice, Prosecco and soda for an easy-drinking taste of the Sunshine State.
Guests can also pair the Florida Native menu with a few more Florida favorites, including Purdy’s Florida Old Fashioned, The Beach Rosé, our Shuckin’ Good Beer and the Strawberry Orange Mimosa from South Beach Brewing Company.
Florida Native is not about recreating traditional Florida recipes. It is about celebrating the ingredients and flavors that have always been part of the state’s story, from fresh Gulf seafood and tropical fruit to the citrus Florida is known for around the world.
For Chef Will, it is personal. For us, it is another way to share a little piece of the place we call home.
Whether you have called Florida home your entire life or you are discovering its flavors one bite at a time, we hope Florida Native gives you another reason to gather around the table and enjoy everything that makes the Sunshine State special.
Florida Native is available for a limited time beginning Tuesday, September 1, at all Anna Maria Oyster Bar locations.
We can’t wait to share it with you.