Palmetto’s Marriott hotel features a rooftop restaurant. Take a look at the views inside

When the gleaming Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa opens this month, guests will come for the amenities and service. That’s a given.

But managing partner Tony DeRusso says it’s the culinary offerings, all open to the public, that will give Manatee County’s largest hotel its identity.

Any discussion of dining offerings should start with the much-anticipated opening of the Oyster River Restaurant, an 88-seat eatery with a full bar on the eighth floor.

Oyster River’s rooftop panorama extends from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the north to downtown Bradenton in the west and south and the Manatee River to the south and east.

The by-reservation-only restaurant has indoor seating as well as open-air seating on the terrace, looking south.

The theme is nautical. The 252-room hotel is designed as a “ship on land” and the restaurant has lots of glass to take in the views, subdued brown and black finishes, four-seat tables and seating along the bar.

Oyster River rooftop restaurant in Palmetto

With a name like Oyster River, you would expect shellfish to be among raw bar offerings. And it is — with oyster selections from the Florida Gulf, New York, Seattle, Massachusetts and Japan.

The raw bar also offers caviar, shrimp cocktails and sampler towers. The towers include Maine lobster, crab, shrimp cocktail, mussels and oysters.

Main courses include fresh catch, seabass, lobster and clam linguine, lobster thermidor, wagyu filet of beef and more.

For dessert, there are a variety of sweet treats, including caramelized mango pudding and chocolate praline truffle.

While Oyster River Restaurant is the star culinary attraction at the Marriott, it is not the only option.

A second restaurant, The Social, is located on the ground floor, along with a Starbucks in the lobby. Food offerings are also available at the Revive poolside and the Beach Club across the street at Riviera Dunes.

“We want the public to come, eat and drink here,” DeRusso said.

The Social serves all three meals.

“Familiar flavors presented in unexpected ways – perfect for casual dining throughout the day,” the head chef of the restaurant said.

Revive is for those seeking health-conscious options.

“Revive offers a vibrant menu inspired by wellness principles. We utilize fresh, local ingredients to create delicious and nourishing dishes,” the staff says.

New executive chef

Recently announced was the addition of executive chef Anthony Castro to oversee Oyster Riven Rooftop Restaurant, The Social and the resort’s catering business and all its culinary offerings.

“Every time you sit down for a meal, he wants it to be an experience,” DeRusso said.

Trained in Liverpool, England, Castro has worked in five-star and five-diamond establishments such as The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Shangri-La Hotels, The Peninsula Hotel, Trump Organization and Ocean Reef Club.

“I’m passionate about creating dishes that are both familiar and exciting. We’ve taken classic American cuisine and infused it with modern techniques and global influences. Think unexpected flavor combinations and stunning presentations that will tantalize your taste buds,” Castro said.

Other chefs at the Marriott include Jose Torres, Oyster River executive sous chef, Alon Gontowski, executive pastry chef, Ruth Veras, sous chef for The Social and Revive and Robin Servas, executive chef for the Beach Club and banquets.

Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa is scheduled to open on Tuesday, July 16. Castro hopes to begin accepting reservations Saturday, July 20. Oyster River Restaurant will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. The restaurant will be available for special events on Sundays and Mondays.

Background

Groundbreaking for the brand-new hotel at 600 U.S. 41 N., Palmetto, was in January 2020. Construction costs are estimated at more than $100 million.

In addition, the Manatee County Convention Center next door is being expanded at a cost of about $48 million. When completed, the Marriott and convention center will be seamlessly connected, adding a 14,000-square-foot ballroom, seating 800 banquet-style.

The Marriott also offers a 15,000-square-foot pool deck, 45,000 square feet of outdoor event space, an amphitheater and a fitness center.

In total, the Bradenton area has 3,875 hotel rooms, Keenan Singleton, communications manager for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said in an email.

With its 252 rooms, the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa is Manatee County’s largest hotel.

Zota Beach Resort in Longboat Key has 187 rooms, making it the second largest. The Courtyard by Marriott Bradenton Riverfront has 153 rooms, the most in downtown Bradenton.

What to know

▪ Name : Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa

▪ Address : 600 U.S. 41 N., Palmetto

▪ Planned opening date : Tuesday, July 16

▪ Online : https://www.Marriott.com

▪ Phone: (941) 304-3115

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