Blog

PACE Winner

To the luckiest duck of all,   Congratulations on winning the Anna Maria Oyster Bar raffle prize for the Lucky Ducky Race for Pace Manatee!  As a winner, you are entitled to a weekly dinner for two, courtesy of Oysters Rock Hospitality Please find below the terms and conditions of the prize: The prize is valid for one weekly dinner for two people at any of our Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurants. The prize is not valid at Café L’Europe. The prize value is: Up to $50 per week Gratuity is not included in the weekly dinner. Please be considerate

Read More »

Thank You for a Great 2022!

What a memorable year 2022 was…in so many ways, wonderful and exciting….and in so many ways, challenging…and I know many of you can relate. We’re all learning how to re-assess our expectations of how things should go vs. the reality we live in, which looks a little different from how it did ten, or even three years ago!  For example, I expected our construction timelines to run about six to eight months…but it turns out that eighteen months is more realistic 🥴 Here’s a picture of the Executive Team (not pictured, our COO Chris Frawley) at the new UTC location

Read More »

John Horne Named FRLA Chair | Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association

Earlier this month at the Hospitality Stars of the Industry gala event, surrounded by our executive team and general managers, I officially became the Chair of the Board of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. It’s truly an honor to have the opportunity to represent and advocate for the hospitality industry in this way. Read more about why the FRLA is so important to me and the initiatives at the top of my to-do list. 

Read More »
Anna Maria Oyster Bar Hurricane Ian Efforts

Hurricane Ian Relief

As we all well know, the Bradenton area dodged a bullet named Hurricane Ian.  The hours leading up to the storm were some of the most stressful that I’ve experienced in quite some time, and as we learned…with good reason. We hope that all of you sustained minimal damage to your property and that your loved ones are all safe. As restaurateurs, we consider it our duty to serve as “second responders,” and we take this very seriously. As soon as it’s safe to do so, our teams work hard to provide you with a safe, comfortable, happy place to

Read More »

Gary’s Irish Goodbye

Wishing all the best to Managing Partner Gary Harkness on his retirement. On Thursday, September 15, 2022, AMOB Landside will host a proper farewell party for Founding Father, Gary Harkness.   If you can’t make it – or missed it – check out the LIVE feed from the event below! 

Read More »

Anna Maria Oyster Bar Announces Expansion Plans

The beloved local seafood institution will soon open its next location in The Square at UTC  Bradenton, FL – The rumors are true: the Anna Maria Oyster Bars are expanding! Oysters Rock Hospitality announced today it plans to open the flagship brand’s fifth Bradenton area location at 5405 University Pkwy, Unit 110. CEO John Horne shared, “We’re beyond excited for the opportunity to bring our unique brand of “Five Star Fun” to East County residents for the first time!  What our longtime Anna Maria Oyster Bar fans love about us is the awesome experience, amazing people and hospitality, fantastic food

Read More »

Anna Maria Oyster Bar hospitality group acquires Sarasota’s iconic Cafe L’Europe

Known for decades as the “Grande Dame” of Sarasota restaurants, the venerable Cafe L’Europe restaurant on St. Armands Circle has been sold for an undisclosed sum by Julie and Ron Milton to award-winning local restaurateurs and philanthropists Amanda and John Horne, owners of four Anna Maria Oyster Bar restaurants. The Hornes take over operations of the restaurant on February 1, 2022. “For us, the sale is bittersweet,” said Ron Milton. “Since purchasing this legendary restaurant in 2016, Julie and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience, our family-like relationships with our incredible staff, and getting to know our many loyal, wonderful customers.

Read More »

Thank You for a Great 2021

By this point, last year already seems a bit like a blur!  I spent some time earlier this week reading back over my last twelve “From The Desk of John Horne” monthly emails to remind myself of all the good news we were able to share in 2021.  Despite its difficulties, 2021 proved that recovery is not a straight line forward, but has its ups and downs…and also it’s sideways…sometimes even its upside-downs! Lately, I’m reminded that as much as we all wish we could push a button and go back in time two years, the reality is that this

Read More »