On 8/21/1013 we ate breakfast at Yoder's Restaurant and Amish Village on 3434 Bahia Vista Street in Sarasota, Florida. The restaurant had a great Amish atmosphere and all of the staff were very kind and helpful. We both got the apple fritter french toast. It comes in one slice or two, come hungry. The french toast is pictured below it is a huge portion and comes with cinnamon apples. It was delicious! We highly recommend this breakfast item to anyone who visits Yoder's Restaurant. You can also get real maple syrup for a little extra and it comes in a small glass jar which you can take as a souvenir. We tried it and it was delicious! After breakfast we walked around to the other shops Yoder's had to offer. The gift shop featured Siesta Key and Sarasota souvenirs along with Amish gifts and handcrafted items. They also had a fruit and vegetable market where they sold a very wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, sauces, syrups, meats, cheeses, butters and dry mixes. If you are from Pennsylvania, they had a variety of common Pa brands showcased at the market. Next to the market they had a deli which had a variety of sandwiches, meats, cheeses, salads, pre-packaged candies, chips, baked goods, sauces, pretzels and more. This is definitaly a place worth checking out. You can find menus and Yoder's information in the kitchen drawer at Bentley Street. 

On a clear night on Siesta Key at Sunset Point you can see a beautiful sunset. This sunset pictured below was seen on August 23, 2013. We parked in Siesta Key Village near the shops and walked around town until dusk and then headed for the beach. There was a big crowd of people at Sunset Point waiting to see the sunset. We sat on the rocks on the beach, but recommend bringing a towel or chairs for a more comfortable experience. It was beautiful sitting on the beach taking in the sights, watching the ocean, looking at the birds flying around, and seeing people out in the water swimming and fishing. We stayed on the beach until around 9pm and we were able to take beautiful photos and have a very relaxing evening. This is definitely a sight worth seeing and a beautiful picture opportunity.  

This week we went and ate at the Daiquiri Deck in Siesta Key. They have off street parking in the back of the restaurant, an outdoor deck, an indoor eating area, a raw bar, and a bar area. They have a wide variety of alcoholic drinks. I ordered the Kryptonite daiquiri and it was very good! It is pictured below. The service was fast and the waitress was very friendly and accommodating. We ordered the siesta burger and a salmon wrap, both were very good. You get a choice of fries or coleslaw with your meal. We also ordered a strawberry smoothie which was very refreshing after a good day at the beach! Overall a very positive and welcoming atmosphere to eat in. For more information visit their website at www.daiquirideck.com this restaurant is a short ride from Bentley street on 5250 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key. A menu can be found online or in house menu drawer. Check out the daiquiri deck on your next visit!!

Here are pictures and a video of Sarasota Bay Park. The Sarasota Bay area is home to Marina Jacks, O'Leary's Tiki Bar and Grill, beautiful views, walking paths, beautiful picnicking spots, boat rentals, fishing opportunities, and much more. The Bay Park is located at One Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236 which is about a ten minute drive from Bentley Street. 

Get your photo taken at this famous billboard on the main public beach "Cresent Beach." Check out my family photo below that I took while staying at our Bentley vacation rental! 

I consider Sarasota and Siesta Key to be one of my own personal favorite paradises, with the number one beach in America and great sunny weather. What contributes more to this special paradise is a very unexpected place to most, a restaurant, Yoder's Amish Village. Not only is it a highly recommendable restaurant for every meal, but it was also featured on TV's Man vs. Food. People are drawn to their well known line of Amish homemade cream pies which are laced with chocolate, peanut butter, and various fruit flavors. Main meals are prepared in a delightfully Amish manner including pressure cooked chicken and grilled oatmeal for breakfast, which is not to be forgotten. Starting your day with breakfast from here is wise! The friendly staff and nice atmosphere make this restaurant a family friendly place and I am sure they would even be willing to offer up any sort of baking tips you might be interested in.

Apart from the restaurant, the quaint complex is populated with a Fresh Produce Market and Deli Market, which is also Amish owned and operated. For those that wish to take an ever lasting piece of their experience with them, other than the scrumptiously tasty memories of each and every meal, there is also a Gift Shop where those more tangible items can be acquired.

Definitely check out this restaurant! You don't want to miss it! It is located at 3434 Bahia Vista St in Sarasota, Fl. Their phone number is 941-955-7771 or visit their website at www.yoderrestaurant.com! 

This restaurant is only a 5 minute drive from Bentley Street!  

After a taxing 1200 mile road trip, we found a new home for my Hobie Cat on Siesta Key.  What better place to sail than in the Gulf of Mexico off of the number 1 beach in the United States... Siesta Key?  The water is so clear and you can see the white sand at the gulf bottom for quite a distance out.  Sure beats the New Jersey shore this boat is used to sailing and the Pennsylvania lakes.  

We sailed from the North Point of Siesta called "Sunset Point" all the way down past Crescent Beach, Point of Rocks, Turtle Beach and along the coastline of the gated community of Sanderling.  Along the way we sailed very close to a dolphin (within 40 feet or so), the closest I've ever been to one in the wild.  

As we navigated back up to the North end of the island, the sun was setting and people were gathering on the beach, as they do every night, sporting their cameras to witness sunsets that paintings are made from (and worthy of computer desktop wallpapers).  

The shots above were taken by one local resident, Peter Wolff, via his smart phone.  Thanks Peter!  Quite a fun day of sailing and the happiest new home a Hobie Cat could ask for.    -Jeremy 

Here is a view from famous Marina Jacks. From this marina you can experience beautiful views of Lido Key, Sarasota Bay, and downtown Sarasota. They also have an awesome seaweed salad that you definitely need to try!