Diabetes and Neuropathy Treatment in Longboat Key, FL

Wade Tatangelo

Teal O’Fee spent the better part of two decades welcoming guests to Sarasota-Manatee restaurant icon Euphemia Haye on Longboat Key.

Perhaps you remember her from the upstairs Haye Loft, where she worked as the head server and became one of the most familiar faces at the enchanting restaurant.

On Wednesday afternoon, April 23, the Bradenton resident received a call telling her not to come in for her shift.

“That was it. Boom. No job,” O’Fee told me by phone Friday, April 25.

Opened in 1975, Euphemia Haye has abruptly closed, leaving longtime employees stunned and uncertain about what comes next.

“It’s devastating,” O’Fee said. “None of us saw this coming.”

Landmark Longboat Key restaurant Euphemia Haye has closed. Here's what we know.

Amy Whitt relocated to Florida in her early 20s and landed a position as an administrative assistant at Euphemia Haye. She excelled at the restaurant and, after seven years, became the restaurant’s bookkeeper.

Whitt worked side-by-side with the owners — Chef Ray and wife D'Arcy Arpke — and the close-knit staff in that position for nearly a decade, eventually learning the various aspects of running a fine-dining destination. By 2022, Euphemia Haye was hers.

"Now, I'm the owner," Whitt told me while at Euphemia Haye with the Arpkes.

Whitt could not be immediately reached by phone on Friday.

Longtime local residents Ray and D'Arcy Arpke told me Friday that when they sold Whitt the Euphemia Haye business, they kept ownership of the building and prime property at 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive, which is registered to their company, Euphemia Haye Holdings Inc. They also own the land across the street used for offices and parking.

"I can only tell you this — that there's probably a lot of people who are very interested in keeping that a wonderful restaurant," Ray Arpke told me by phone while in the car with D'Arcy. "That's all I want to say."

What’s next for Euphemia Haye?

The Arpkes bought Euphemia Haye in 1980, and four decades later, Whitt seemed like the ideal person to take the reins as the couple settled into retirement. Age, in fact, was the top reason they gave for selling the restaurant.

“We’re both right about 70, and have been doing this 41 years, and quite frankly, I’m tired," Ray Arpke said with a laugh in 2022.

D'Arcy Arpke explained that the transition began a year and a half before the sale in mid-December 2021, with the two planning to stay available to their protégé through 2022.

On Friday, I asked Ray Arpke when he last visited the restaurant, and he told me it was just a couple of days ago.

"I was just going in to check on my property, make sure everything's still there," he said.

Euphemia Haye was known for decades as a fine-dining destination

Offering an eclectic mix of European and American cuisine with creative twists, signature dishes included the roasted duckling, Euphemia's prime peppered steak, and the prepared-to-order classic Caesar salad.

And then there were the famed desserts.

All of the pies and pastries were made from scratch in-house and could be enjoyed downstairs after dinner or upstairs in the Haye Loft, the lounge the Arpkes added in 1990.

Employees say the tight-knit staff at Euphemia Haye felt like family

For longtime Euphemia Haye employees such as O’Fee, the sudden closure was more than just unexpected — it was personal. Many staff members had worked together for years, sharing holidays, milestones, and nightly service in one of the region’s most celebrated dining rooms.

It’s the kind of camaraderie only those who’ve spent years in the restaurant industry truly know and understand — and a closure like this can feel like losing a second home.

“We were like a family,” O’Fee said. “It wasn’t just a restaurant to us — we were all really close.”

Florida’s Gulf Coast just got a lot more glamorous with the opening of the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, a lavish new addition to one of Florida’s most exclusive coastal towns. Since welcoming its first guests in August 2024, the resort has garnered worldwide attention — including a spot on Travel + Leisure’s 2025 It List, which highlights the best new hotels on the planet.

Located on Longboat Key, a barrier island stretching between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, the St. Regis offers world-class luxury in a setting known for tranquility, sophistication, and natural beauty. The resort blends seamlessly into the upscale charm of Longboat Key, a town celebrated for its 12 miles of uncrowded beaches, golf courses, bike trails, and peaceful residential communities.

At the heart of the property is a 500,000-gallon saltwater lagoon pool, unlike anything else in the region. Guests can snorkel among colorful tropical fish, interact with southern stingrays, or simply float beneath the palms. The design evokes the experience of a private island oasis, bringing the wonders of the sea right to the resort’s doorstep.

For those seeking indulgence, the 20,000-square-foot St. Regis Spa features hydrotherapy circuits, private treatment rooms, and an infinity pool with breathtaking Gulf views. The spa is a sanctuary of wellness, inviting guests to unwind with luxury treatments and serene surroundings.

Food lovers will find a diverse array of culinary offerings, from a high-end signature steakhouse to an intimate omakase sushi experience. Each dining venue at the resort is curated to reflect global culinary excellence, using the freshest ingredients and impeccable presentation.

Despite back-to-back hurricanes — Helene and Milton — impacting the west coast of Florida shortly after opening, the resort suffered minimal damage and quickly returned to full operation by December 2024. Just in time for the holidays, it welcomed guests with its trademark elegance and seamless service.

One of the most memorable traditions for guests is the signature St. Regis champagne sabrage ceremony at sunset. Watching the Gulf sun dip below the horizon as a bottle of champagne is sliced open with a saber is an experience that perfectly captures the blend of drama and refinement that defines the resort.

Whether you’re marking a milestone or simply seeking a serene escape, the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort offers a truly unforgettable experience in one of Florida’s most picturesque and prestigious beach towns.