SWFL DINING GUIDE
KEY B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner SB Sunday Brunch Banquet Facilities Entertainment Cocktails Beer and Wine
Bonita Springs
OLD 41 Just Like Home ... Especially for those from Philly. The corned-beef hash, pancakes with freshly sliced bananas or strawberries and Carbon’s malted Belgian waffles accompanied by fresh-ground Colombian coffee are reason to come for breakfast. Pop in for lunch and it’s the Philly cheesesteak, hands down. BL 25091 Bernwood Parkway, Bonita Springs, 239-948-4123, old41rest.com
PINCHERS CRAB SHACK Gulf to Table. Fresh, cut-to-order fries; made-from-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
Estero
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 Carburetor. 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 K ona Big Wave and Goose Island 3 12. LD
10801 Corkscrew Road No. 519, Estero, 239495-3673, fordsgarageusa.com
RODIZIO GRILL The Brazilian Steakhouse. Experience the flavors of Brazil, with your choice from over a dozen rotisserie grilled meats, perfectly seasoned and carved tableside by Rodizio Gauchos! Try the Feijoada, a traditional Brazilian black bean stew, or Abacaxi, fresh glazed and grilled pineapple. Don’t forget to save room for a decadent dessert! Lunch is offered Friday-Sunday. LD
8017 Plaza del Lago Drive, Suite 101, Estero. 239-498-0018, rodiziogrill.com
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE Always a Sizzling Success. Vaulted tray ceilings and meticulously set white linen-covered tables set the mood. From petite filets to cowboy-size ribeyes, the steaks are tender and juicy; choose from traditional sides like creamed spinach and sweet potato casserole. D
The Shops at Coconut Point, 23151 Village Shops Way, Suite 101, Estero, 239-948-8888, ruthschris.com
TARPON BAY RESTAURANT New-Fashioned Classic. The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point designed its restaurant to pay homage to the Old-Florida fish house. At the ceviche raw bar you’ll find eight types of raw seafood that is “cooked” in various marinades. For entrees, try the crispy-fried red snapper. D
5001 Coconut Road, Estero, 239-390-4295, coconutpoint.hyatt.com
Naples
PINCHERS CRAB SHACK Gulf to Table. Fresh, cut-to-order fries; made-fromscratch 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, 239-9481313; 18100 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239-415-8973; 6890 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, 239-463-2909; 2360 West 1st Street, 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 5th Avenue South, Naples, 239-434-6616, pincherscrabshack.com
Fort Myers Beach
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 Wayne White character serves up a view of Matanzas Pass along with banana leaf snapper and Texas baby-back ribs. Enjoy live music Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoons. LD
708 Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Myers Beach, 239765-9660, docfordsfortmyersbeach.com
Fort Myers
BLANC Food for the Epicurean. Start with Bread Jenga, a toasted bread tower with cheese sauce, modelled after the popular game and almost as fun! Then choose an entrée from the Robata grill, such as Lamb Lollipops with roasted garlic and rosemary reduction, or the Octopus S&S, served with sweet habanero sauce. Blanc’s menu also includes “Almost Entrees,” designed to be enjoyed and
shared by the entire table. Relax in the clean, contemporary ambience as you savor the creations of Chris Whitaker and Chef Jean Claude Roge, whose talents lift Blanc above its peers. D
13451 McGregor Blvd, Ste. 10, Fort Myers, 239-887-3139, blancentertainment.com
BLU SUSHI
Cobalt Cool. An incredible variety of sushi and outrageous cocktails highlight the menu, but there are also tasty choices for diners who prefer steak and chicken. LD
13451 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-489-1500; 2262 First St., Fort Myers, 239-362-2843, blusushi.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 everything 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 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, 239489-2226, 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 to 5:30 p.m. 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. F ood 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
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, 239-472-5353; 1036 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-6939; 12951 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-476-9000; and waterfront at 16501-B Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia, 239-283-5959, lazyflamingo.com
LIGHTHOUSE CAFÉ
The World’s Best Breakfast. Residents and visitors have been enjoying this Sanibel classic for six decades, and it’s easy to see why. Start your day with an Ocean Frittata: seasoned shrimp, scallops and krabmeat, sautéed with broccoli and fresh mushrooms and topped with an artichoke heart and our creamy Alfredo sauce as you view the pictures of our historic lighthouse that line the walls. Call-ahead seating is available. BL
362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-0303, lighthousecafe.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, matzaluna.net
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
SANIBEL GRILL
Local Color. Sanibel Grill serves up your typical pub fare—juicy burgers, seafood baskets and spicy buffalo wings—and more. You’ll find seasoned bartenders and the often-sought-but-never-found neighborhood bar feel, which explains the popularity of this spot. D
703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 239-472-4453, prawnbroker.com
SEA STAR CAFÉ & BAR
Culinary Luminary. Breakfast options include bagel sandwiches, breakfast burritos and French toast with caramelized bananas and mango syrup. For lunch, try a salad, burger or panini. The dinner menu offers pasta, seafood and steak. BLD
937 East Gulf Drive, Sanibel, 239-579-0195, seastarcafeandwaterfrontbar.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, 239-472-9200, 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 next door fish market. 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. LD
1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-7242, traderssanibel.com
Captiva
CAPTIVA HOUSE
Old Florida/New American. Chef Jason Miller’s always-changing menu centers on the bounty of the season with plenty of fresh fish. Wines from an eclectic list complement the presentations, and the view from the Sunset Room takes the breath away. BD
15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva, 239-472-5161 ext. 4, tweenwaters.com
TOTI Media, Inc. does its best to ensure that information in in this guide is up to date. However, we still encourage our readers to call ahead for detailed information and/or reservations before visiting these local establishments.