Amidst the grocery stores and gas stations lining U.S. Highway 301 lies The Canopy Bistro and Bar, a tranquil neighborhood oasis. The cozy historic building and its shaded lawn beckoned to Manatee County native Whitney Watson, who drove by the property when it was an old dive bar and envisioned its future potential. When it went up for sale, Whitney and her husband Matt Watson purchased the property, which they run with their daughter, Rachel Penico.

“I’ve been in the service industry a long time,” says Whitney, who owned a hair salon before opening The Canopy in February 2020. “I always enjoyed cooking and having people over for big dinner parties,” she adds, “so owning a restaurant looked like a lot of fun.” According to Whitney, the building has been a feature of Manatee County since 1953 and has lived multiple lives as a bar and gas station. “It needed love,” says Whitney, who kept the historical features of the building intact, like a Carnegie Steel beam which she estimates to be over a hundred years old. The family added a more upscale, garden motif to the property, rebranded it and cultivated a menu focused on comfort food.

“We get a lot from a local produce stand and Detwiler’s Farm Market,” she says. Because the restaurant opened two weeks before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the family based their menu around fresh and versatile items that they knew could be used in a variety of dishes and wouldn’t go to waste. Three years later, they maintain the same commitment to freshness in every dish.

Some of the most popular items are the bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapenos, the classic pub burger and a variety of flatbreads. The menu features tasty, sharable bites, like the crispy pub tots, which come drizzled with beer cheese, ranch dressing and sriracha mayo. Bacon crumbles and red onion bits add crunch and depth to the addictive appetizer. The Canopy also smokes its pork and beef on-site, and the beef brisket slow cooks for 12 hours, resulting in a tender texture and peppery flavor highlighted in dishes like the street tacos. Aside from food, The Canopy offers a variety of cocktails and mocktails mixed by Rachel Pineco. Both beautiful and refreshing, the drinks, like the lavender lemonade which comes garnished with a flower and dried lavender, complement the restaurant’s botanical decor.

Indoors, guests mix and mingle at the bar and unwind at tables by the windows. Outdoors, they relax under shady trees over a game of cornhole. The attentive staff makes all guests feel like they’re at home, whether they’re regulars or out-of-towners in need of recommendations for local day-trip activities. “Customers have told me that it’s like Cheers,” says Whitney “and we’re just your friendly local place where people can come and hang out.”

The Canopy Bistro and Bar, 3503 US-301, Ellenton, thecanopybistroandbar.com. 

Pictured: A lavender lemonade at The Canopy Bistro and Bar. Photo courtesty of Laura Paquette.

Michael's On East is featuring France for February's Epicurean menu. Offerings include: Filet Poêlé de Amberjack with yellow tomato coulis, blistered heirloom cherry tomatoes, roasted curried cauliflower and petit pois & brunoise potatoes and Steak Flatiron au Poivre with fingerling potato frites, roasted baby carrots, broiled capri tomatoes & Fennel-Roasted Acorn Squash.

The culinary team at Michael’s On East is challenged to create new dishes inspired by the world’s most exotic destinations each month. Join us to experience ever-changing, palate-pleasing global cuisine with Michael's Epicurean Adventures. The three-course dinner menu is available Tuesday through Saturday evenings for $42.95 per person. 

Pictured: Steak Flatiron au Poivre. Photo courtesy of Michaels on East.

To learn more click here.

This Thursday, February 23, 2023, from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm , Pineapple Kitchen will hold a Healthy Cooking for Kids Class for children aged 7 - 14 years old. This is a fun hands-on two hour workshop which focuses on basic culinary instruction in a small group environment (max 10 chefs). The group features sessions that include all aspects of the culinary arts in a fun and safe atmosphere, providing opportunities for young chefs to learn basic cooking skills. Healthy Recipe themes and dishes vary weekly but will be focused on use of whole foods, farm to table, super foods, antibiotic free, gluten free, and vegan. Students will take home their dish creations. All participants must wear hair back and closed toed shoes. There is also an option to add on a personalized Pineapple Kitchen chef apron with student name for $25.00.

Workshops are as follows: Thursday, January 19th, 2023 - Cooking with Organic Vegetables; Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 - Cooking Gluten Free; Thursday, March 9th, 2023 - Cooking with Super Foods; Thursday, April 20th, 2023 - Cooking with All Natural, Antibiotic Free Meats. Cost is $65 per Workshop.

Pineapple Kitchen, 4914 Lena Road, Unit 104, Lakewood Ranch. 

To learn more click here.

The 33rd annual Florida Winefest and Auction is excited to announce their upcoming “No Fooling” Champagne Reception, Wine Brunch and Charity Auction, April 1st, 2023 from 11am-3pm at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. This event will benefit disadvantaged youth in Manatee and Sarasota counties and will feature a seated four-course brunch catered by Chef Paul Mattison, owner of Mattison’s Restaurants and Catering Company. The live auction, honoring the late David Elswood, will be conducted by Charlie Foley of Christie’s London and will include wines, jewelry, trips, food experiences and unique excursions, plus many more exquisite items. The Florida Winefest and Auction is a highly anticipated event that brings together wine enthusiasts and community members to support a great cause. “We are thrilled to be able to bring this event back to our community and make a positive impact on the lives of local disadvantaged youth,” said event organizer, Sandy Loevner. “We invite everyone to come out and enjoy a delicious brunch, amazing wines, and the opportunity to bid on unique items at our live auction, all while supporting a great cause.”

Tickets for the “No Fooling” charity brunch and auction are on sale now for $225 per person. Purchase your tickets early, as they are expected to sell out quickly. For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, please visit www.floridawinefest.org/events or call 941-952-1109. 

Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS) held its annual fundraiser, Friendsgiving – a Dessert and Wine Auction on November 5, 2022. The event was attended by a record breaking crowd and beat last year’s profits to help the local shelter animals of Manatee County Animal Welfare. The event raised $25,000 which will go to help the shelter animals with additional resources, live saving medical care and heartworm treatment. This is the second year that the Friends of Manatee County Animal Services have held the event. Last year, 2021, the event brought in $22,000. More than 30 delectable desserts made by local and professional bakeries and home bakers were available by live and silent auction. There were also gift baskets in the auctions, plus a wine raffle, and a cash bar. Local celebrity Bob Slicker, owner of Slicker’s Eatery, was the auctioneer. Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS) formed in 2016 and, in 6 years, the nonprofit organization has raised just over $600,000. The funds benefit several programs including: Grace and Friends Medical Fund, Heal My Heart for treatment for heartworm positive dogs, Slumber Fund to ensure every dog has a bed in their kennel, Traveling Paws which partners with northern rescues to transport our dogs to forever homes out of area, Enrichment and, Food for Ferals. The biggest need is the medical fund with 50% of the funds raised going for lifesaving surgeries, treatments and physical therapy for animals that would otherwise face humane euthanasia due to costs. Next year’s Friendsgiving will be held on November 11th, 2023, at the IMG Academy Golf Club. For event information or to learn about Friends of Manatee County Animal Services, visit www.fomcas.org or call 941-713-3105. To donate auction items and desserts or to volunteer for Friendsgiving contact Caryn Hodge at carynhodgefomcas@gmail.com. 

Photo courtesy of Friends of Manatee County Animal Services (FoMCAS) .

Honoring the tradition of nickel movie nights at the Cortez Schoolhouse, the Florida Maritime Museum (FMM) invites you to Movies at the Maritime, a free outdoor movie series on the grounds of the old schoolhouse. The first event in this two-part series will take place on Friday, February 24th, featuring a screening of METV’s “Through the Tunnel.” Plan to arrive at 7pm so you have plenty of time to stake out your spot in the field. This is a BYOB event—bring your own blankets and bug spray! Join us as we celebrate Black History Month with this award-winning documentary about Manatee County’s local Integration story. Hear first person accounts from students whose lives were forever altered by this moment in history. “Through the Tunnel” is a tale of triumph about how local kids overcame racial divides to become teammates and how their sportsmanship and love of the game of football brought our community together. A labor of love, the documentary was produced by Manatee County Judges Charles Williams and Durand Adams in 2010. Don’t miss this chance to hear Judge Williams and Judge Adams introduce the film and their motives behind creating it. Both Judges and METV Station Manager Charles Clapsaddle will be on-hand after the screening to facilitate a Q & A session about the film. Before the feature film will be a short flick to get you in the Maritime mood from the Sereia film series “Eating Out: The Hunt for Sustainable Seafood.” This less-than-15 minute episode gives an inside peek on clam farming in our own backyard. And mark your calendars now for our next movie night on Friday, March 10th. Families are invited to “just keep swimming” to the Florida Maritime Museum to kick off Manatee County’s spring break by watching an animated favorite about the “big blue.” Movies @ the Maritime is made possible because of sponsorships through the Friends of the Florida Maritime Museum. Thanks to event sponsors Chiles Hospitality, the Bradenton Herald, the AMI Islander and the Bradenton-Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Florida Maritime Museum, located at 4415 119th Street West in the historic fishing village of Cortez, offers a snapshot of old Florida through a collection of informative exhibits, educational programs, community events, and research materials. Visit FloridaMaritimeMuseum.org for more information, or call (941) 708-6120.

Join us on March 7, 2023 at Michael's On East for a dynamic luncheon symposium centered on conversations focused on regional philanthropic topics. The luncheon will include a panel discussion to explore the ever-changing world of non-profits and honor outstanding individuals who have made a meaningful impact within the community. 

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