Relaxed restaurant throws open doors to families, furry friends and all visitors

With a snip of a blue ribbon, the pioneers of Lo' Key Island Grille officially celebrated the opening of the restaurant and the realization of an idea that seemed too good to be true, according to General Manager Courtney Rossler.

She, owner Kevin Pass, and Executive Chef Seth Groseclose have been working diligently to bring the community a fun gathering space that welcomes pets and families, and they celebrated that effort with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 7. 

Diners can opt to enjoy the more mellow seating on the dining patio, sip on a beverage in the more social bar area, or try their hand at cornhole and other games on the lawn.

Rossler said Pass first floated the idea on a boat trip. Though she initially thought it was one of those thoughts that arises in pleasant conversation but never materializes, they actually began property hunting the next day.

After they landed on the right property, it was "game on."

The menu focuses on the fresh bounty of the Gulf Coast waters with a fun pan-coastal Southern flair, exemplified in the "Florida Man Po' Boy."

Everything on the menu is made in house, she said, and she knows many diners on the Key will be excited to once again enjoy the cuisine of Groseclose, coming from Beach Bistro.

Rossler said she is eager for residents to come check it out themselves after getting such positive feedback from initial diners.

"Especially in Longboat Key, it's all about community, and it's been really cool to see this place come to life," she said. "It's a beautiful building, but now it has a pulse."

The restaurant is located at 5620 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Opening hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily with a happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and seating is on a first-come-first-served basis. Call 387-0089 or visit LoKeyLBK.com to learn more.