Where to take out-of-towners (and the dog): El Marie & Ski Beach

It can be daunting, finding that just-right place to bring relatives and friends who visit us from out of state and out of the county. They are often hankering to eat by the water or somewhere with a distinctive Florida vibe. Some folks don't live anywhere near palm trees or large bodies of water and yearn for that Zen feeling you get watching trees swaying in the breeze and waves rippling on the water.

It's especially notable when owners of said charming eateries allow dogs. I, myself, am obsessed with enjoying a view and fresh air and being able to dine en plein air with our 10-year-old terrier mutt, Obi. We only have so much free time together, mostly on the weekends. Picnics are lovely, of course, and Lake County has no shortage of parks and picturesque picnicking areas, but we dog owners also like to be around other humans and enjoy the indulgence of being served.

Thankfully, El Marie Pizzeria & Sub Shoppe in Eustis just outside Ferran Park, is a pleasant, clean, low-frills but scenic and dog-friendly establishment that serves fresh-made subs and surprisingly good pizzas with an exquisite crust and fresh toppings. They have a patio with protective railings and umbrellas and a postcard view of Lake Eustis.

Owner/U.S. Coast Guard vet Aaron Belair opened the eatery in March 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 shutdown. Having a fresh-air option wasn't such a dumb thing to do after all during that time. The name El Marie came from the previous owners, Pete and James "Tillie" Tilquist, who named the restaurant after their grandmother.

Each pizza at El Marie's is made-to-order, hand-tossed, and garnished with quality condiments. We enjoyed our Margherita, which deviated from the original with mozzarella and light dollops of ricotta cheese that offered mini-bursts of luscious creaminess complemented by fresh basil and ripe tomatoes. The large is $21.99 but a small for $12.99 was enough for us paired with a side salad ($5.99). Altogether, it wasn't that much more than fast food but tons better.

I especially appreciated the red onions marinated in red wine vinegar. The taste and aroma recall my father's New England-style pizza and sandwich joint, where I spent many days as a child. El Marie's serves fresh salads and calzones and cannolis.

That's right: The cannolis are also made to order, not just plunked in a fridge display case as too many cafes and supermarket bakeries do in Florida. A freshly made dessert of any kind, especially cannolis, is very challenging to find in north central Florida.

Our server, Harley, at El Marie, promptly offered Obi some cold water and was amazingly gracious to us.

It didn't take Ski Beach Bar & Grill too long to become a mainstay in Leesburg. Open for around 10 months, the waterfront restaurant is always bustling these days.

Encompassing 9,600 square feet on the docks of the breathtakingly panoramic Lake Harris, Ski Beach serves a blend of contemporary Caribbean-southern fare, aka Floribbean, mixed with Cajun elements, combined to create what they call "Florisiana" cuisine. The decor recalls a backyard shanty with waterfront ephemera, especially those signature water skis that the lake is known for.

A festive, outdoor tiki bar overlooks the lake and with a waterfront patio on the side (both dog-friendly). We sat at the bar where there was no wait, and our server, Kendall, was friendly and attentive, and especially sweet to Obi. It's quieter outside though a bit crowded on a Saturday afternoon, but, still, not too loud.

I was hungrier than usual on our visit and craved comfort food. Their Cajun Sweet Fried Chicken ($18.99) didn't disappoint though it's not something I would order often because of its decadence. The entree's tender boneless chicken breasts are deep-fried in a "secret batter" and fried crispy with sugar and spicy seasoning and come served with "smashed" potatoes and coleslaw. I couldn't even eat half of it, so I had it for dinner too.

My other half ordered the bronzed redfish filet finished with crawfish in ham cream sauce, served over Balaya rice ($24.99) and was quite pleased. The fish was tender and fresh and the mix of creaminess and spice made it thoroughly satisfying.

More: 4 Lake County restaurants get perfect scores; 5 have high-priority violations

I don't drink alcohol too often but enjoy a cocktail once in a while when I want to get that vacation feeling. The restaurant serves a lemonade-mojito concoction made with vodka instead of rum and served with mottled mint leaves. It was refreshing and not too sweet on a hot afternoon.

After lunch, we took Obi for a walk on the docks and took in the lovely view, shorebirds and a baby gator, and felt thankful we could enjoy some quality time together, feel satiated and take in some quintessentially Floridian scenery all at the same time.

El Marie Pizzeria and Sub Shoppe is located at 200 N. Bay St., Eustis. For more information, visit elmariepizzeria.com. Ski Beach Bar & Grill is at 21 Dozier Circle, Leesburg; skibeachleesburg.com.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Take out-of-town guests to eat at El Marie & Ski Beach