May 23, 2013

Hot Dish

Inside the Gulfshore's Dining Scene

07/26/11

Find a hidden gem in Blue Windows Bistro, plus Em-On celebrates 15 years and M Waterfront throws down

Blue Windows—Great French Cuisine in South Fort Myers   Blue Windows Bistro is one of those special spots you only find out about through a food-savvy friend.   Mari and Christian Vivet’s warm bistro is a casual delight, known for reasonably priced and wonderful French food and wines. Chef Christian’s menu offers just a dozen entrees, with nightly specials.  The veal sweetbreads and classic escargot are delicious appetizers. Three must-have entrées: The shrimp and scallops vol au vent with abundant tender seafood in puff pastry; the crispy duck with pomegranate sauce; and the veal with Calvados cream sauce.   Leave room for the dessert specials, which have included a lavender crème brûlée, wine poached pears, profiteroles and fruit creations. Come casual...

Posted at 09:47 PM | Permalink

07/14/11

Summertime specials at Capital Grille, Inca's Kitchen and Roy's

A Generous Pour Awaits You at Capital Grille   Capital Grille has crafted a special summer list of nine world-class wines that you can try with dinner for only $25. Paired with superb service in the Capital Grille’s luxurious, private club-like setting, it’s a fabulous deal. Savor a generous pour of a $180-a-bottle Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, the exclusive Spanish red Tarima Hills Monastrell and still have seven other wines to enjoy! Proprietor Peter Lopez has put together a fun and education experience as you sample top quality red wines with your Kona dry-aged sirloin. Compare the way cedar-planked salmon plays with a white and a red. It’s fun to compare and contrast the wines as you try them with appetizer, entrée and dessert.  Start with the...

Posted at 10:29 PM | Permalink

06/21/11

Argentina marries Peru at El Gaucho Inca, savor the Middle East at Fabulous Pita and enjoy great wine pairings

Fort Myers: Argentina Meets Peru (with some Italy, too)  When Argentinean chef/owner Mariano Maldonado married Peruvian Rocio Navarrete, they paired the cuisines of their homelands, plus Italian, to create El Gaucho Inca. It's a homey spot with friendly knowledgeable staff at the former home of Artistic Deli in a strip shopping center a little more than a mile west of I-75 on Colonial Boulevard The Peruvian tamal ($5) is triple the size of Mexican tamales, with unique spicing—it’s enough for a meal for lighter eaters. Grilled skewered shrimp with chimichurri sauce are another great appetizer. Conchitas a la Parmesana ($12) are a savory appetizer—six scallops on the half shell luxuriate in a rich, oven-broiled Parmesan-cream sauce. Fish lovers go for the pescado...

Posted at 11:42 PM | Permalink

06/07/11

Hot Dish: Hot summer lunches and cool evening wine tastings

Delicious  Summer Lunch Specials at The Capital Grille The Capital Grille’s summer lunch special is a summertime hit, offering white tablecloth service and a variety of light three-course combos for only $18.  Each can be promptly served within 15 minutes—perfect timing for those who can’t afford to spend two hours on lunch. Friends and I ordered some combos and found each portion is enough for two. It’s easy—choose a soup or salad, a sandwich main course and a large side. The roasted corn bisque and the clam chowder vie for my favorite comfort food, each rich with taste and creamy warmth. The mini tenderloin’s two generous portions of tasty filet mignon with a Boursin mushroom blend and herbed cream cheese on brioche buns is my favorite. The lobster roll’s abundance...

Posted at 10:51 PM | Permalink

05/25/11

Noodles celebrates the big 2-0 and Sanibel is jumping with new restaurants from familiar faces

Naples’ Noodles Café & Sushi Bar celebrates its 20th Anniversary There are perhaps a handful o dining spots left in Naples that can claim a 20th anniversary. Brothers and co-owners Matt and Seth Benevento-Berman are celebrating Noodles’ 20th in a special way. Celebrating a 20th anniversary, 20th class reunion, or bringing a party of 20? Celebrate at Noodles and receive a 20 percent discount off your dining experience. Every 20th day of the month, starting with May 20, guests receive a 20 percent discount off all food and beverages, in the dining room, carry-out and catering. Enjoy a complete four-course, 20th anniversary meal for  two for  $20, featuring  fettuccine carbonara, chicken Parmesan, Momma's homemade meatball and sweet Italian sausage exclusively on the...

Posted at 11:42 PM | Permalink

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