New Mediterranean restaurant now open on Anna Maria Island

Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Updated ·2 min read

A new fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, operated by the same family that owns an adjacent pizzeria, has debuted on Anna Maria Island.

AMI Mediterranean Xpress is now open at 5316 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, in a former Re/Max space, said owner Tony Marhi. The restaurant is in the Island Shopping Center next door to Pizzano's Pizza & Grinderz, which is owned by Marhi's family and has other locations including Bradenton.

When the former Re/Max unit became available, Marhi decided to open another restaurant in the space, this one with a fast-casual Mediterranean concept.

“Mediterranean food is fresh, it’s delicious, it's tasty, it’s an amazing culinary experience for anybody that’s ever had it," Marhi said. "We just decided, we’ve had Mediterranean in the past, we’ve had it in the family also, and we knew that a fast-casual take on Mediterranean is something that would do really well in Holmes Beach.”

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AMI Mediterranean Xpress offers build-your-own bowls with choice of bases such as yellow, white or cauliflower rice, bed of greens or French fries; proteins such as beef or chicken shawarma, gyro meat, rotisserie chicken, falafel and kafta; toppings such as pickled and fresh vegetables; and sauces such as tahini, spicy harissa and tzatziki. The menu also includes salads, sandwiches, half or whole rotisserie chickens available as meals or on their own, sides and desserts.

AMI Mediterranean Xpress, offering dishes including build-your-own bowls with choice of bases, proteins, toppings and sauces, is now open on Holmes Beach.
AMI Mediterranean Xpress, offering dishes including build-your-own bowls with choice of bases, proteins, toppings and sauces, is now open on Holmes Beach.

Like Pizzano's, AMI Mediterranean Xpress doesn't serve alcohol, but does offer a variety of teas, lemonades and soft drinks for beverages. The two restaurants will share dining space, Marhi said, with some outdoor seating available as well on picnic tables.

AMI Mediterranean Xpress' current hours are 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 941-216-3776 or visit amimedxpress.com.

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New restaurant AMI Mediterranean Xpress now open on Anna Maria Island

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