Dining Fort Myers Beach/Sanibel
 

We are travelling in April and are looking for recommendations on restaurants, especially Easter dinner. We have been in past to Windows on the Water, Dolce Vita, Mezzaluna, Bubble Room, Hungry Heron. Has any one been to the Sanibel Steakhouse on Sanibel? Any great italian restaurants? Thank you in advance

The Timbers by the Bailey's shopping center was a favorite for seafood, though we haven't been to Sanibel in the past few years. <BR>

Several years ago we had a delicious dinner at a restaurant on Sanibel, which was "Steakhouse", I think. It was located on Periwinkle Way, on L side (going West), with wrought iron railing ,kind of New Orleans style. <BR>We also enjoyed eating at JeanPaul ( next to Post Off.) and Chadwick's near South Seas Plantation entrance usually had great buffets, espec. on holidays. Bon Appetit !!!

Just returned from 3 weeks on Ft. Myers Beach. On Sanibel we had a great meal at the Restaurant at the Casa Ybel Resort. In Ft. Myers had great seafood at Matanzas, The Mucky Duck and at Rodes on San Carlos. Rodes also has a great fish market and gourmet grocery. Ordered Florida oranges to send home.

We haven't been to Sanibel for 3 years. Let us know of your discoveries ! <BR>Good food is very important to us ! <BR> <BR>Thanks ! Have a great time....

I live in Naples, which is almost overrun with very good restaurants. They are currently building a new Sanibel Steakhouse in Naples. People tell me it's great in Sanibel and are looking forward to the one here. Just seems odd that Naples will have a restaurant called the Sanibel Steakhouse.

The Mad Hatter by Blind Pass Bridge is small, expensive but good. Bellini's on Captiva is interesting.

Jane, Can you tell me more about the Mucky Duck? Thanks

Sigh - visited Sanibel for the first time in December - dreamy, dreamy place. Just reading these posts makes me long to return. We had a wonderful meal at Sanibel Steakshouse. Have a great time!!

Since Jane hasn't reappeared, I'll answer regarding the Mucky Duck. It's a very casual place right on the beach. It's a cross between a traditional British pub and an American beach hamburger sort of place. The food is quite good, full meals, but mostly hamburgers, sandwiches, etc. Lots of good beers. Very popular, usually a wait to get seated. There are some tables outside on a sort of deck right on the beach.

What type of food is the Mad Hatter? Any recommendations for Naples dining? Three weeks til we leave, cannot wait!! Thanks in advance.

The Mad Hatter was rather continental as I recall. You could give them a call and ask. Bellini's on Captiva is italian. There's a sunshine cafe (small) on Captiva and its counterpart, the moonlight or some such name on Sanibel that have good food. The Mucky Duck is fun -good key lime pie. if you want a table by the window, Victor has a window that he rolls over to your table!

Trish, I'll try to bring up one of the older posts on Naples dining for you, so I don't have to repeat all I've said in the past. The Mad Hatter is as said above basically continental, leaning toward French with a little contemporary creativity.

OK, Trish. See the thread I brought up called Naples Dining, obviously, but also I found one titled Marco Island OR Sanibel/Ft. Myers. Guess we got a little off the original subject on that one. Any other specific questions about Naples? Feel free to email me.

Sorry, was away for awhile. The Mucky Duck I was talking about was in Ft.Myers Beach...don't think that's the one that Patrick was talking about. We had wonderful shrimp. Some had beer batter, some bar b q and I had coconut batter. Very friendly folk. <BR>Jane

Trish, I don't know if you want to go into Naples but we have been there a few times over Easter and we have done the brunches at a couple of the country clubs. They were wonderful and actually pretty reasonable. Also, Pazzo on 5th Street in Naples is a great Italian restaurant.

There are two Mucky Ducks, one on Captiva, one on Ft. Myers Beach. Very similar, same owners, basically same menu. But the one on Captiva actually opens out to the beach.

I vote for the Mad Hatter. Hit it by accident on our first trip and hubby and I had the most superb fish dishes. Mine was pecan encrusted tuna with a divine mango sauce. It is a small redone beach house and if you get reservations for early dinner, you'll have a spectacular view of the sunset over the Gulf.Bon appetit!

Spent a few weeks in Ft. Myers in Oct-Nov and stumbled on a great place in the old downtown area --- don't rember the street --- Chocolate Smooze! I'm not a particular chocolate lover, but I had some of the best soups, salads, meatloaf and deserts that I have had anywhere. The prices were good too and the two guys that own the place are great. very creative atmosphere and GREAT FOOD.

The only reason I would go back to Sanibel would be to go to this one restaurant on the main strip, it begins with a j, more than that I can't remmeber, but I do remember that there are not alot of restaurants in Sanibel. My husband and I sat out in the enclosed garden area, which was filled with all sorts of birds "talking" away. It was great...I particularly remember a clams and chardonnay appetizer, but mostly, I remember the atmosphere.