Cork N Brew Bistro Clearwater Beach
WOWWW!! Did we have a great event at Cork N Brew Bistro on March 7!
Owner Shane Bittaker and his lovely wife Angela (she’s now managing Springhill Suites in Largo) pulled out all-the-stops to Wow BACA at their unique, cute little Clearwater Beach Bistro. Shane laid out a smorgasbord of goodies that he features on his catering menu (he sometimes provides catering for locals and our friends Kristi & Camille at the Tropics Boat Tours) that included a Bavarian Pretzel & Dip, Cheese & Charcuterie and Hummus Platters, Ahi Tuna and Shrimp Cocktail ‘shooters’; but the piece de resistance was their signature Beef Tenderloins served sizzling, seared on a Hot Lava Rock! Wow was that GREAT! It is Amazing what his Chef can cook on a Hot Rock! Check-out the menu and hostesses Tricia & Bonnie kept the drinks flowing with 2 Free Drink Tickets good towards House Wine or Draft Beer Selections!!
Inside the bistro you will find a neat 20-odd seat bar with impressive wine, beer & craft beer offerings; opposite the bar is a long, leather banquette upholstered coach, and towards the front are a few small tables that are relocated when a guitarist entertains, usually on weekends. Outside, where our group of 25 were assembled, are a few more tables along with some comfortable wicker couches that afford a nice relaxed environment good for people watching street-side on the adjacent sidewalk that is segregated from the patio by a row of wooden planters with exotic plants.
This is a cool little place to escape from the hustle-bustle of the likes of Frenchy’s & Crabby’s to get away from the boisterous beach bar crowd, a cozy spot to converse while enjoying a few drinks & lite bites or surprisingly full-on meals as indicated on the above menu. And for those folks who may have made the mistake to dine elsewhere, the bistro also serves as a great dessert bar with a number of sweet yummy offerings that change frequently.
Parking is wherever you can find it, either on-street, in the metered lots btwn Frenchy’s & the Palm or walking distance over at the Tennis courts, or in the new Pelican Plaza parking garage.
We were most fortunate that evening to have BACA Members Rosemary Windsor & Wendy Barmore give us a talk to help sort out all the new changes with the Jolley Trolley/PSTA and their new Transit Hub on the approach to the Clearwater Beach Roundabout. Rosemary loves to point out that I’ve become expert at deciphering her informative website that shows exactly where a trolley is in real-time:
On a personal note, I wish to thank Rafael and all of you for the heartwarming gift of a Crystal Glass Pineapple (the universal symbol for Hospitality) with an olivine-colored granite base in recognition and appreciation of my service as your BACA President 2015-2017 (Please see the attached photo courtesy of Beth Kelly Photography). This beautiful work-of-art has found a prominent spot on my bookshelf between my 4 Employee of the Month and Hyatt Employee of the Year trophies where I will treasure it for many years to come.
Thanks again Shane, Angela, Tricia & Bonnie for an awesome evening, we had one hel-LAVA great time!!