Taste of Big Easy Downtown

Name of business:         

Owners: Dino Mirando and Bob Taylor

General Manager: Jerry Stennett

Address: 1991 Main Street, Sarasota; one block west of Washington Blvd.        

Opening Date: January 10, 2012

Products and Services: Oysters of course, shrimp and fish. But also chicken, pasta, beef and a variety of sandwiches (including Po-Boys). Soups and salads, deserts and sides, a full bar and wine list.

Target market: “We want to appeal to everybody,” said Stennett. “Lunch, of course, for the downtown business people. And we hope they’ll bring the family for dinner.”

How did you get into your business, and what motivated you to start it? “After Hurricane Katrina, Bob Taylor and Dino Mirando looked to open an oyster house to bring life to downtown Biloxi,” said Stennett.

Previous business experience: Taylor and Mirando had years of experience with Outback Steak Houses before opening the Half Shell Oyster Houses. Sarasota is the third location, after Biloxi and Gulfport, Mississippi.

Number of employees: “We hired 92 employees,” said Stennett. “We had at least 400 applicants.”

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11am to 10pm

Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm

Sunday, 11am-9pm

Phone number: 952-9400

Email: Jerry.stennett@gcrginc.com

Website: halfshelloysterhouse.com

Impressions: They have done a wonderful remodeling job, and capture nicely the ambiance of a New Orleans white-napkin restaurant. The trick of tilting the roll dishes is a sure conversation starter. The bistro-style grill sends real Nawlins aromas wafting. Great place for a po-boy and double-bourbon lunch