What’s Cooking at BLANC?
BATTERLESS FRIED RED BEET WITH SWEET GARLIC AIOLI
Serving size: Varies Fresh organic red beet Corn starch Head of garlic Mayonnaise Saffron
Aioli
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice the very top of a head of garlic, exposing the cloves. Drizzle with olive oil. Cover with foil and roast until it becomes soft and brown, about 35 minutes. Cool slightly, remove the garlic from its outer skins and place in a foodprocessor. Add mayonnaise to taste and a dash of saffron. Mix until smooth.
Beets
Bake fresh organic red beets in the same preheated oven at 350 degrees for 90 minutes. Halve or poke with a sharp knife to be sure they are soft and fully cooked. This will vary depending on the size of your beets. After they cool, peel and dice into threequarter inch cubes (the beets can be stored in the refrigerator until ready to eat). Preheat a deep fryer to 375 degrees. Sprinkle corn starch on the cold, cooked red beets, covering evenly. Quickly deep fry for 2 minutes. Garnish with cut scallions and serve with the aioli or favorite dipping sauce. 13451 McGregor Blvd. Suite 10, Fort Myers; 239-887-3139, blancentertainment.com
crowd packs the house, so you may have to wait— but it’s so worth it. BL D SB 12901 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-466-4663, cravemenu.com
DARUMA
Make a Wish! Dinner is served in traditional or teppan-style, which means the chef comes to your table and prepares your dinner. Classic Japanese favorites like shrimp tempura are offered, as well as combinations like lobster Nippon and filet mignon teriyaki. D 13499 South Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, 239344-0037; 241 Center Street North, Naples, 239-591-1200; and 5459 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, 941-342-6600, darumarestaurant.com
THE FIRESTONE
Four levels of fun. Brick and wood provide a warm atmosphere, and tires moving along the walls remind you why it’s called The Firestone. Try the filet mignon or paella in the Grille Room or tapas in the Sky Bar, or dance to live music in the Martini Bar on Friday and Saturday. D 2224 Bay Street, Fort Myers, 239-334-3473, firestonefl.com
FORD’S GARAGE
The taste is in the details. The décor takes you back to the 1920s, when Henry Ford walked these parts, and the menu includes burgers like the Model “A” and the Low Carb-uretor. Fresh Black Angus beef topped with ever ything from arugula to fried egg will make your mouth water , and the craft beer menu includes names like Kona Big Wave and Goose Island 312. LD 2207 First Street, Fort Myers, 239-332-3673, fordsgaragefl.com
THE PRAWNBROKER
Agent Fish. The food here is tried and true. Salads, along with fish, steak and pasta dishes, have been pleasing palates since 1982. Soup or salad accompany all dinners, just like in the good old days. Early diners catch good deals from 4- 5:30 p.m. Cozy booths, fish art and nautical details give this restaurant a seafaring vibe. D 13451-16 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-489-2226, prawnbrokerfortmyers.com
UNIVERSITY GRILL
Head of the Class. This place gets the business crowd at lunch and the beautiful theater-goers at dinner. They come for a private club atmosphere
and a happy balance of seafood and steaks. Early diners will find good deals from 4-5:30 p.m. LD 7790 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, 239-437-4377, universitygrill.net