An Easy Escape

Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota might not immediately pop to mind when thinking of kid-friendly dining. But it’s actually more accommodating of the pint-sized set than you might imagine.

On our first visit there several years ago, we rolled up with our daughter still in her stroller and were warmly welcomed, wheels and all, to a table. We’ve been back several times since and the reception’s been the same.

With its walls done up in soothing shades of green and yellow and ceiling fans spinning lazily overhead, the upstairs dining room at the restaurant exudes a relaxed, tropical atmosphere. For mom and dad, that mellow mood can be heightened with a mai tai or mojito served alongside dishes like blackened fish tacos or a Cuban sandwich.

Little ones aren’t an afterthought here, with kids’ menu offerings ranging from steak medallions and mini cheeseburgers to a grilled chicken salad. Lindsay went for the chicken quesadillas, which came with fries and a little paper umbrella typically found adorning a fruity cocktail. Her drink arrived with a plastic swordfish in it.

Toward the end of our meal, our server asked Lindsay what her favorite color was, and Lindsay gave her usual response—pink, purple, orange, red, blue… A few minutes later, the server came back with five more paper umbrellas in a variety of hues that Lindsay could take home to use with her dolls.

But here’s the thing: The island vibe and friendly service will cost you. The kids’ menu doesn’t even list prices, so diners need to either ask or wait to be surprised when the bill arrives. Lindsay’s chicken quesadillas rang in at $8; the milk was another $3.25.

So we save Tommy Bahama’s for times when we really need to experience that feeling of getting away from it all. It’s something of an indulgence, but it’s definitely a whole lot cheaper than buying a plane ticket to a tropical isle.