Grab a beer and a bite at Slim's
SUN PHOTO/LOUISE BOLGER
From left, the staff of Salon Salon
is:
Heather Taylor, Annie Petitt, Taylor Blackwell, Ali Severson,
Nikita Fosmore, Jeff Petitt, Chinda Sok, Theresa Mersh.
There’s a new place in town and it belongs to Slim. Chances are you won’t see much of Slim around, but he wants everyone to come in anyway and see his place. It’s relaxed, it’s fun, Slim has arranged for live entertainment and an outrageous chef, and you can get a cold one on tap.
Slim’s Place opened in November last year on Gulf Drive in the heart of the city of Anna Maria. Owners, Laurie and Rich Shahinian’s vision was to create a friendly gathering place for people of all ages who want to have good time. After being Anna Maria Island residents for over 25 years, the Shahinian’s felt they had a good feel for what Island residents and visitors are looking for, with affordable quality food at the top of the list.Essential to the success of any restaurant is the menu, and the Shahinian’s made sure theirs was going to be the best. Matt Johnson, who has worked both on off the Island for many of the successful and better known restaurants, became their chef. He and Laurie created a menu that would pass muster in any fine restaurant.
Sandwiches are not just sandwiches at Slim’s. The chicken breast is marinated with orange mojo, the paninis are portobello or muffuletta with ham and genoa salami and the shrimp cakes are rolled in panko and topped with cilantro. You can also get a mahi-mahi sandwich, a Cuban, a hamburger or a 12-inch pizza.
Entrees include ribs, steak and chicken Marsala as well as a nice selection of appetizers, black bean soup and a house salad that can be individualized. Desserts range from traditional key lime pie to Black Forrest cake, and café au lait and cappuccino are also available. There is a late night menu available to 11 p.m., daily specials, take out service and gift certificates.
But the food isn’t the whole story at Slim’s, the interior space has been redecorated with a copper top bar and high sleek bistro tables with glass and wood. There are two pool tables a jukebox, 52-inch, high-definition TVs, and just for fun, a shark with an arm hanging out of his month. Slim’s is also the place to catch those important sporting events with the NCAA March Final 64 or March Madness coming up, and the Major League Baseball Extra Inning Package and other major sporting events down the road as well
Slim’s has entertainment on Wednesday and Thursday nights and for special occasions. On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, the Shahinians will be hosting their first annual St. Patrick’s Day party with entertainment between 5 and 9 p.m. by the DTs, as well as Irish Stout beer specials. Speaking of beer, Slim’s maintains a selection of eight drafts and 30 bottles, plus a variety of wines.
So if you stop into Slim’s for a brew and a bite and don’t see Slim, don’t let that stop you. He left Laurie and Rich and their great staff in charge so he can take a nap on the sofa with his four legs in the air and his tail slowly swaying. Slim’s Place – another great reason not to drive over the bridge.
Slim’s Place
9701 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria941-567-4056
Monday through Friday
11 a.m. to midnight
Saturday and Sunday
noon to midnight
MasterCard, Visa, Discover card