Lo' Key Island Grille owner reflects with Kiwanians

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key held its monthly social at the north end restaurant, uniting Longboat restaurateurs

By Dana Kampa
| 8:45 a.m. July 29, 2025

Courtney Rossler, general manager of Lo' Key Island Grille, shares a laugh with Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key president and Lazy Lobster owner Michael Garey at the club's July social hour.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Taking on opening a new restaurant on Longboat Key is no small task, especially when that comes with zoning debates and some unfortunately timed hurricanes. But that didn't deter the team at Lo' Key Island Grille.

Leaders at the North End-based restaurant took a moment to celebrate their success so far at this month's meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key on July 22.

Lo' Key Island Grille is nearing six months since its grand opening at 5620 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Courtney Rossler, general manager of Lo' Key Island Grille, recounts the journey of opening the restaurant with members of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key.

The restaurant bills itself as an eatery that focuses on fresh fish from the Gulf Coast, with a bit of pan-coastal Southern flair thrown into the mix.

Several dozen Kiwanians joined the mid-summer social hour, sampling menu staples like the fresh oysters and house-smoked fish dip while hearing from General Manager Courtney Rossler about the restaurant's journey thus far.

The July meeting was a special one for Kiwanis Club president Michael Garey, who worked with Kessler at his restaurant, the Lazy Lobster, for 14 years.

Michael Garey, owner of Lazy Lobster and president of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key, listens intently as general manager Courtney Rossler shares the challenges and rewards that have come with opening Lo' Key Island Grille.

Kessler said she appreciated that Garey never sugar-coated anything, which she said gave her valuable insight into the restaurant business.

"There wasn't much left to the imagination with the business," she said. "But actually doing it and opening a place is a whole other animal."

She met her now business partner, Kevin Pass, by happenstance at the Lazy Lobster. The idea for the restaurant came from one day out on a boat trip .

"We're all just so proud of you," Garey told her. "You've done a fantastic job here."

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.