What’s Cooking at Ted ’s Montana Grill ?
KAREN’S “FLYING-D” BISON CHILI
Serves 6
2 ½ pounds ground bison 1 cup diced yellow onions 1 tablespoon chopped garlic 1 quart beef stock 1 cup tomato paste 1 teaspoon oregano leaves ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon sugar 2 teaspoons ground cumin 3 tablespoons chili powder 1 cup canned diced tomatoes 1 cup ranch-style beans
Brown the bison over medium heat in a large pot, stirring every minute or so and breaking up any large pieces. When the meat is halfway cooked, add the onions and garlic. Cook until tender. Combine the beef stock and tomato paste separately. Add the mixture to the pot and bring to a boil. Add the remaining ingredients, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the beans and tomatoes. Simmer for an additional minute. Remove from heat and serve with your favorite chili toppings.
TED’S MONTANA GRILL Coconut Point, 8017 Plaza Del Lago Dr., Estero; 239-947-9318, tedsmontanagrill.com
Multiple locations throughout Southwest Florida: 28580 Bonita Crossings Blvd., Bonita Springs, 239-948-1313; 18100 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239-415-8973; 6890 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239-463-2909; 2360 West First St., Fort Myers, 239-245-7049; 10029 Gulf Center Drive, Fort Myers, 239-415-4040; 5991 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33914, 239-540-7939; and 1200 Fifth Ave. South, Naples, 239-434-6616, pincherscrabshack.com
Fort Myers Beach
THE BEACHED WHALE Captain Ahab’s Favorite Spot. Stop by for the beach’s best burgers and barbecue, or choose from the selection of fresh seafood offerings, including a raw bar. The full menu is also served in the famous Lookout Lounge, where you can savor a Mermaid Chicken Sandwich while watching the sun set over Times Square. Live music is performed nightly, and the covered Deck Bar is the perfect place to follow your favorite team. LD
1249 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239-463-5505, thebeachedwhale.com
DOC FORD’S FORT MYERS BEACH RUM BAR & GRILLE The Sequel. This is what we want with a good story—a sequel. This second restaurant based on a fictional Randy W ayne White character ser ves up a view of Matanzas Pass along with banana leaf snapper and Texas baby-back ribs. Enjoy live music Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. LD
708 Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Myers Beach, 239-765-9660, docfordsfortmyersbeach.com
MATANZAS ON THE BAY Bayside Bounty. Savor a perfectly grilled filet mignon while gazing out over Matanzas Bay, or try “the best pizza on the beach” upstairs on Petey’s Upper Deck as you enjoy the nightly live music. Our locally sourced fresh seafood includes grouper, shrimp, oysters, lobster and stone crab. Come join the fun and see why we have been a local favorite since 1984. Happy hour is a daily draw, and Friday’s Jazz on the Bay showcases the smooth sounds of local performers. LD
416 Crescent St., Fort Myers Beach, 239-463-3838, matanzas.com
NERVOUS NELLIE’S A Neurotically Good Time. The massive menu includes ever ything from gator bites to the zesty Thai shrimp salad, and the amazing grilled salmon Oscar , with local crab, wild salmon and tender baby asparagus, is sure to please. Check out Ugly’s Waterside Bar, just upstairs, “where everyone gets prettier,” and don’t forget the all-day happy hour. LD
1131 First St., Fort Myers Beach, 239-463-8077, nervousnellies.net
PINCHERS CRAB SHACK Gulf to Table. Fresh, cut-to-order fries; madefrom-scratch slaw; a decadently rich, hot cheese-and-crab dip; and full-on fruity, tropical cocktails complement the freshest seafood on the coast. LD
Multiple locations throughout Southwest Florida: 28580 Bonita Crossings Blvd., Bonita Springs, 239-948-1313; 18100 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239-415-8973; 6890 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239463-2909; 2360 West First St., Fort Myers, 239-245-7049; 10029 Gulf Center Drive, Fort Myers, 239-415-4040; 5991 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33914, 239-5407939; and 1200 Fifth Ave. South, Naples, 239-434-6616, pincherscrabshack.com
Fort Myers
BLU SUSHI Cobalt Cool. An incredible variety of s ushi and outrageous cocktails highlights the menu, but there are also tasty choices for diners who prefer steak and chicken. LD
13451 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-489-1500; 10045 Gulf Coast Drive, Fort Myers, 239-334-BLU3, blusushi.com
COURTSIDE STEAKHOUSE AT SANIBEL HARBOUR RESORT Beefed Up. Refined with wood, brass, leaded glass and a subtle sports theme, this steakhouse delivers some of the tastiest “butcher’s breed” Black Angus steaks. Diners can also opt for the buffet aboard the resort’s elegant Princess yacht. D
17260 Harbour Pointe Drive, Fort Myers, 239-466-2138, marriottmodules.com CRAVE Cozy & Contemporary. Modern American cuisine, prepared when you order it. Breakfast, served until 4 p.m., is your choice of omelet or variation of eggs Benedict. After noon, dishes like bacon-wrapped meatloaf and cedar plank salmon, plus salads and sandwiches, attract hungry diners. The Sunday brunch crowd packs the house, so you may have to wait—but it’s so worth it. BLD SB
12901 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-466-4663, cravemenu.com
CRISTOF’S ON MCGREGOR Old-Florida Charm. Designed to resemble a delightful, Old Florida–style home and surrounded by tropical landscaping, Cristof’s on McGregor has quickly become a local hotspot. Whether you choose a rib-eye steak or southern bouillabaisse, you will receive generous portions made with the best ingredients. LD
10231 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-791-8473
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 St. North, Naples, 239591-1200; 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 St., 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 Henr y Ford walked these parts, and the menu includes burgers like the Model “A” and the Low Carb-uretor. Fresh Black Angus beef topped with everything from arugula to fried egg will make your mouth water, and the craft beer menu includes names like K ona Big Wave and Goose Island 312. LD
2207 First St., Fort Myers, 239-332-3673, fordsgaragefl.com
LAZY FLAMINGO
Cold Beer, Raw Bar. Come try the plumpest raw oysters, steaming hot-spiced peel-and-eat shrimp, fresh grouper and incendiary Dead Parrot Wings. The regular hot buffalo wings are your best bet. LD
Four locations: 6520-C Pine Ave., Sanibel, 239472-5353; 1036 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239472-6939; 16501-B Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia, 239-283-5959; and 12951 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-476-9000, lazyflamingo.com
PINCHERS CRAB SHACK
Gulf to Table. Fresh, cut-to-order fries; madefrom-scratch slaw; a decadently rich, hot cheese and crab dip; and full-on fruity, tropical cocktails complement the freshest seafood on the coast. LD Multiple locations throughout Southwest Florida: 28580 Bonita Crossings Blvd., Bonita Springs, 239-948-1313; 18100 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239-415-8973; 6890 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239-463-2909; 2360 West First St., Fort Myers, 239-245-7049; 10029 Gulf Center Drive, Fort Myers, 239-415-4040; 5991 Silver King Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 33914, 239-540-7939; and 1200 Fifth Ave. South, Naples, 239-434-6616, pincherscrabshack.com
THE EDISON RESTAURANT
Fort Myers Illuminati. This restaurant honors its legendary namesake genius, Thomas Edison, with a display of historic photos. The menu is steeped in American culinary tradition, with dishes like the signature chicken pot pie receiving raves from diners. LD
3583 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-936-9348, edisonfl.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
to 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, prawnbroker.com
UNIVERSITY GRILL
Head of the Class. This place gets the business crowd at lunch and the beautiful theatergoers at dinner. They come for a “private club” atmosphere and a happy balance of seafood and steaks. LD
7790 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, 239-437-4377, universitygrill.net
Sanibel
DOC FORD’S SANIBEL RUM BAR & GRILLE
Novel Cuisine. A band of local restaurant folk joined with Southwest Florida novelist Randy Wayne White to develop a restaurant, and it’s a best-seller! The menu offers sandwiches, salads and entrees. Don’t skip the mojito. LD
975 Rabbit Road, Sanibel, 239-472-8311, docfordssanibel.com
THE ISLAND COW
Bovine Bounty. With a massive menu that features everything from omelets to fish to pasta, this is no beef joint, despite the cow references. The fish dinners are a good choice, unless it’s breakfast, when you might consider the fish omelets. BLD
2163 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-0606, sanibelislandcow.com
THE JACARANDA
Local Legend. It’s a romantic, intimate dinner house; a relaxed, open-air gathering place; and an energetic nightspot all in one. Food ranges from splendid seafood inside to tasty burgers and sandwiches in the lounge, where there’s live entertainment nightly. D
1223 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-1771, jacarandaonsanibel.com
MATZALUNA
Well-Smoked Italian. The Five Cheese with Gorgonzola, ricotta, spinach and artichoke hearts is just one of the popular wood-fired pizzas. Fresh pastas, chicken, seafood and veal round out the menu. D
1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-1998, prawnbroker.com
PINOCCHIO’S ICE CREAM AND GEPPETTO’S BEACH FOODIES
The Institution. As Sanibel’s ice cream institution for 30 years, Pinocchio’s ser ves a repertoire of over 130 homemade flavors daily, including the signature ice creams Sanibel Krunch and Dirty Sand Dollar. Enjoy gelato, sorbets, sherbets and yogurts as well, all ser ved in generous portions. Geppetto’s Beach Foodies gourmet shop, next to Pinocchio’s, surprises with croissants, baguettes, soufflés, pastries, breads, panini, focaccias and more. 362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-6566, pinocchiosicecream.com
SWEET MELISSA’S CAFE
Good Thing, Small Packages. Chef Melissa Talmage prepares entrees in full and petite portions, giving diners the option to sample multiple dishes, such as seared duck breast and oven roasted cobia. LD
1625 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-1956, sweetmelissascafe.com
THISTLE LODGE
Victorian Rendezvous. Creative cuisine such as black grouper, oven-roasted coquelet and herb-crusted lamb rack or blackened yellowtail snapper mojo adds to the allure of Victorian trappings, as do glorious beach views from almost any table. L D SB
Casa Ybel Resort, 2255 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel, 239-472-3145, thistlelodge.com
THE TIMBERS RESTAURANT AND FISH MARKET
Dine In or Do It Yourself. Favorites include fried calamari, seafood platters and crab cakes (all lump). Fresh fish is always on the menu. Be sure to visit the fish market, right next door. D
703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 239-472-2722, prawnbroker.com
TRADERS
A Shopping and Dining Experience. Traders is a shopping emporium and a restaurant, with live entertainment on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The menu features fresh Florida gumbo, pan-seared crab cakes and macadamia-encrusted grouper. D
1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-7242, traderssanibel.com