Maritime, an oyster bar and coastal cuisine concept, just dropped anchor in downtown Winter Haven. Partners Jason Ellis, Conn O’Leary, and Corey Ripley are the masterminds behind Lakeland’s Cob and Pen, Good Thyme, and Rec Room. The three partnered with Miguel Barcelo to start Winter Haven’s newest pearl. “I think we’d always talked about a raw bar concept,” O’Leary said. When they were approached by Six/Ten, the investors behind the new open-air food hall, Bowen Yard, things

Imagine walking into the doors of a local seafood market where attention to every detail has not been lost. The building is new and modern. Over fifty varieties of fresh fish and shellfish are displayed in pristine glass cases, with neatly arranged sections of produce, spices, local honey, and sauces throughout. The atmosphere, reminiscent of a Fresh Market or boutique grocer, is pleasant and inviting. There are prepackaged portions of housemade ceviche and aguachile alongsid

In 1974, Jimmy Minadakis converted a former farmhouse turned bingo hall into what would be his legacy restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland. “He came over from Greece with nothing, started working as a busboy in Washington D.C.,” said his middle son, Nik Minadakis. Jimmy saved up money to move to Baltimore where he opened a bar with his brother. After closing their bar Jimmy opened his namesake restaurant that endures 46 years later. Nik moved to Florida ten years ago and opened

In the village of York Beach, Maine John and Jeané Gaskins operate a unique restaurant serving up two genres of cuisine that don’t often go together. A 28-seat eatery with concrete floors and wooden shiplap walls, Gaskins Barbecue & Lobster is a summer month staple for the town. John, a Navy veteran served eight years active duty and six years in the Reserves. From 2001 to the end of 2004, he was stationed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. The family would often