Hot Dish
Inside the Gulfshore's Dining Scene
11/26/08Hot Dish: Nov. 26, 2008Inside the Gulfshore’s Dining Scene Sunset Grill Gets a New Look Sanibel’s Sunset Grill has reopened after remodeling, and it’s better than ever. Chef Amy Visco’s culinary art is as tasty as it is beautiful, and that alone merits a trip to this island-casual spot, within sight of some of the best sunsets in Florida! puff pastry-laced sea bass at Sunset Grill Two of my favorite dishes are her refreshingly tasty green curry mussels with basil and Key lime ($13), and the puff pastry-laced sea bass, stuffed with creamy charred corn ($32). Now I know why Sanibel restaurants stay busy year-round. Sunset Grill, 6536 Pine Ave., Sanibel, (239) 472-2333. More Than Just Wine Tastings—A Wine Experience in Gulf Coast Town Center gets my vote for... Posted at 04:29 PM | Permalink |
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11/12/08Hot Dish: Nov. 12, 2008Inside the Gulfshore’s Dining Scene. New chefs impress at Mermaid Kitchen Sanibel’s Mermaid Kitchen's new owners Jenny and Andrew Edgar, from the United Kingdom, have brought in new chefs—Executive Chef Michael Colter and Sous Chef Joe Cox—and their food is great! I flipped over the fresh taste and beautiful presentation of Neptune’s chilled poached seafoods ($16.50), and the tenderness of the herb-crusted 14-ounce Kurobuta pork chop’s roasted shallots, candied walnuts and raspberry glace de veau ($24). Kurobuta pork chop at Mermaid Kitchen You have to try their homemade cakes and catering, too. This professional crew’s creative touches rocket Mermaid Kitchen to one of Lee County’s top spots for finer dining in a casual setting. Mermaid Kitchen,... Posted at 08:43 PM | Permalink |
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10/22/08Hot Dish: Oct. 22, 2008Inside the Gulfshore’s Dining Scene New Restaurant Sets Itself “Apart” with Global Cuisine A Table Apart has opened on Bonita Beach Road between U.S. 41 and the Gulf, serving up great-tasting, truly balanced global cuisine with Asian, French and Italian nuances. While creative Chef Jeff Acol works in the kitchen, wife Jessica minds the front of the house. It’s been a family venture from the beginning. Everyone pitched in to paint the walls a rich gold faux finish, choose the stained glass lamps, pick the gold cloth napkins and decide the menu. The setting is a pleasant blend, suitable for both casual lunches and upscale dinners. Chef Jeff Acol and wife Jessica at A Table Apart Jeff trained with some of Hawaii’s cooking giants, and the proof is in the... Posted at 07:22 PM | Permalink |
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10/15/08Hot Dish: Oct. 15, 2008Inside the Gulfshore’s dining scene. Better than Ice Cream Yummy CCG, Bonita’s elegant coffee shop, serves a variety of gelatos, healthy crepes, and homemade pastries. (CCG stands for coffee, crepes and gelato, of course.) Alex and Mario Stranavsky teamed up with the Community Blood Center’s recent Blood Drive and Block Party, donating a free gelato or Nutella star crepe to blood donors. Alex Stranavsky prepares a crepe at Yummy CCG. “Latte artist” Alex serves a deliciously picture-perfect cappuccino. I had a light lunch: a warm chicken, cheese ’n salad crepe for $5.50, and hot espresso rimmed with lemon peel and topped with three beans—ask Alex the meaning! I finished with a warm homemade apple strudel ($3). A crepe and espresso at Yummy CCG. Try... Posted at 07:39 PM | Permalink |
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10/08/08Hot Dish: Oct. 8, 2008Inside the Gulfshore’s dining scene. Naples Welcomes Fine Waterfront Dining M Waterfront Grille will celebrate its grand opening in Naples on Tuesday, with Chef Brian Roland, formerly of Fort Myers’ Crü, focusing this month on dinners, with lunches soon to follow. M Waterfront Grille Chef Brian Roland One of the top three chefs in Lee County, he has wowed me over the years with the beauty and quality of his culinary creations. They don’t break the bank either. He gives great taste at a good price—new dishes include baked Alaskan salmon, crowned with a Meyer lemon meringue, Yukon fritters, six-herb salad and almond brittle for $24, and braised pork tenderloin and sautéed succulent shrimp with a roasted garlic marsala wine sauce for $28. M Waterfront... Posted at 08:56 PM | Permalink |
