This might very well be called denial, but I'm going to choose not to talk about all the craziness that is happening in Florida right now and instead talk about doughnuts. Yes, doughnuts. Specifically Anna Maria Donuts, which is located on Anna Maria Island and which is my new favorite place.
I'd been meaning to get to Anna Maria Donuts ever since I heard it had opened, but Anna Maria Island is a 30-ish minute drive up Longboat Key from downtown Sarasota, where I live and work, and yes, that is not all that far in actuality, but it still requires some planning—especially since AMD is only open from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Happily, as you know, my mom was in town this weekend, so I suggested that we take a trip up, and after a great brunch on the beach at The Sandbar, we yielded to the siren song of the doughnuts and headed over to Pine Avenue.
Here's the deal with Anna Maria Donuts: You start with a homemade cake doughnut, and then you choose your frosting (chocolate, vanilla, maple, caramel or classic glaze) and your toppings. You can put anything from rainbow sprinkles to bacon to Fruity Pebbles to peanuts to crushed graham crackers on top of your doughnut, and you can also trust that it will be delicious. Seriously: You get the fried, not-too-sweet flavor of the cake, then the rush of sugar from the frosting and the crunch of whatever topping you've added. I am not kidding when I tell you that I probably could have eaten three of these and not looked back, but you'll be happy to know that I restrained myself.
You know, I've always loved doughnuts, ever since childhood, and I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that my grandfather—my mom's dad—would always stop and get me whatever Dunkin' Donut I wanted after Mass on Sundays (usually a powdered-sugar-coated vanilla cream-filled one). I've obviously had other doughnuts throughout the course of my life, but something about biting into this one brought me right back to those Sunday-morning after-church excursions, and it was a really lovely moment. (I am nothing if not unfailingly nostalgic.)
Anyway, if you're local, make the trip to Anna Maria Donuts, please. Like, now. And if you're planning on visiting, make sure you add this little doughnut shop to your list of must-eat spots. OK? OK.
P.S. I keep wondering: donut or doughnut? I am clinging to the latter spelling, but the former seems to be pretty generally accepted these days—thoughts?
Photo: My own.
WHAT THE WHAT a donut bar?! This is like those fro-yo bars on crack. Megan, I was hungry before this post and now I'm just pissed off that I don't have a donut at my desk :) These look so so good!
ReplyDeleteAlso, super enjoyed that gram of brunch on the beach. I showed A and it sparked a "we need to live somewhere warm year round some day" conversation.
eileen
leaner by the lake
E.--I am also mad that I don't have one of these on my desk this morning! They were SO good and SO indulgent. I've been really making an effort to eat better over the past two months, so sinking my teeth into one of these was amazing.
DeleteAnd thanks for the sweet note about the brunch 'gram! It was really lovely. If you guys want to live somewhere warm year-round, I HIGHLY recommend Sarasota (both because it's gorgeous and for the obvious selfish reasons ;)).
Those look amazing! Sometimes during crazy and rough times, focusing on the beautiful (and delicious) is a wonderful way to escape. It sounds like your mom's visit was a great success and a good excuse to see new places in your own area!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, Alicia. :) And yes, isn't it funny how other people's visits are the best way to remind yourself that you generally have tons of fun things to do surrounding you? I kept saying to myself, "Why don't I come here more often?" I need to remember that the next time I complain about being bored. ;)
Deletexo!