Restaurant Update Citrus County Feb-March 2024

Time for the monthly Citrus County Restaurant update.

New restaurant in town Bayside Kraft Kitchen in Crystal River (and the former Charlie’s Seafood House.) Waterfront dining.  Bright new indoor setting and there can be seating outside (watch for no-see-ums) .  A group of 10 of us went there on a Friday and they’ve just opened this past week. Most of the people ordered the swordfish and raved about it, and came with vegetables and sweet potato. The crab cake is good and the succotash  comes with it is OK. The root salad is very good.  Unfortunately,  Art’s dinner was the only meal that came cool,  and he had the grilled snapper.  The shrimp and grits is also very good. The clam appetizer was supposed to come with some kind of a cracker or bread and it did not,  even though it’s on the menu.  Katch 22 (now under re-construction) owner returns next week to take over the kitchen.  They are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Open Thursday through Monday.   It was so noisy… my Apple Watch went into “Danger mode”  for extensive noise and warning about possible hearing damage.   Perhaps the crowd will die down, but I would not venture there on a Friday for awhile.   224 NW 19; 352-228-4329;  www.baysidecr.com

Seafood Seller continues to be one of the best seafood restaurants in Citrus County. A large group of us returned there mid February and all our meals were good. People liked the grouper sandwiches and the mahi is better served grilled or blackened than fried. The clam chowder is delicious,  they regularly get Cedar Key clams.  For dessert:  a beignet…if  you’ve not tried them, yummy with two dipping sauces.

Disappointed in our last dinner at Cafe Aromas…by 6 pm,  they had run out of both daily specials!  Veal Chop overcooked, and fish was okay . Lots of attention from employees.  They have expanded the restaurant seating.

Bankok Thai still serves a wonderful meal and you can tell by the large following they have. Actually,  I think it’s better to get there around 6 o’clock for they were busier earlier that day. (5-5:30)

We continue to enjoy the Walleye from Culver’s and their coleslaw is excellent.  Of course, you can’t beat their frozen custard. Yummy flavors to choose from. Remember that the Walleye is only available during Lent  and last year… they ran out early.

We continue to enjoy lunches at Cattledog Roasters and Jimmy T‘s,  and the Crystal River Coney Island. Art enjoyed his mini sub from Jersey Mikes.  I included a pic of my crispy wrap that I like so well at Jimmy T.’s.

Jimmy T’s pressed crispy wrap

Black Diamond Restaurant:   I thought the fried chicken and fried shrimp were good during the 4C tournament. Some people were not  happy with  fried food. I have had the grouper sandwich for lunch. It was very good grilled.   The lasagna served at the  4C cocktail party, I thought was good,  but people kind of thought we should’ve had it something else beside a small piece of lasagna and a roll.