Local Breweries Setting The Pace In Fort Myers

Fort Myers Brewing Company is becoming quite a destination for beer and fun lovers in Southwest Florida. The craft brews continue to leave their mark in the field and can even stand up to fine wines and gourmet cuisine.

Check out all the brewery has to offer in my feature for USA TODAY's 10Best.

Bubbles, Brunch and Tunes

Photo: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point 

I recently updated the Best Brunch category for !0Best, a division of USA TODAY, and new to the list is the Tarpon Bay Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort.

The Champagne and Jazz Sunday Brunch features a fantastic spread along with live jazz from 10:30– 2:30. While the music is lovely and the food divine, I particularly like the Champagne part.....it's unlimited, whether in the form of a Bellini, mimosa or straight up.

Photo: Gina Birch

The buffet is full of seasonal fruit, rich cheeses and seafood; some fresh and local others imported from around the world. And the choices don't stop here. Part of the brunch includes a made to order main course such as cornish hens, Waygu beef, fish, omelets, eggs Benedict and more. There is no possible way you will leave here hungry. 

Photo: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point 

The desserts are decadent and the chocolate fountain is always a treat. Enjoy this feast for $48, children 5-12 are $24 and children under 5 are complimentary. This event often sold out at the beginning of the year, so now is the time to get a seat. I would still recommend calling for  reservation, as it is coming up on wedding season and you never know if the room will be booked out. 

Photo: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point 

What's New At Cru

Chef/Owners Bob Boye and Harold Balink

Cru, one of the most popular restaurants at The Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers, recently passed it's 10-year anniversary and has celebrated with a bit of a facelift; a fresh coat of paint and other changes in the decor.

But one thing that hasn't changed is its superb food and service, along with its inviting atmosphere.

Click here for the complete story in my latest 10Best feature.

Best Italian Dining in the Fort Myers Area

It's so funny.....when I first updated this list over a year ago for 10Best, a travel and tourism division of USA TODAY, I excitedly told a restaurant owner the next time I went in, that he made the top 10. He sneered "ya, but #7!"

He obviously thought he should've been higher. I said YES #7! Out of the hundreds of Italian joints in our area YOU were in the top. Still not good enough for him. And after looking at the list a second time, he was right.....I moved him to #5. HA!

But this is new list (click to read). Yes, some of the longtime local favorites are still on there but there are some new contenders in town. MANGA!

Linguini and clams, restaurant bumped from the list ;-(

Saki and Sushi

Photo Credit: Gina Birch
A beautiful and delicious plate of fresh sushi at Tokyo Bay
in Bonita Springs

I'm a fan of sushi and in Southwest Florida there seems to be a competition among Asian inspired restaurants as to which can come up with the most inventive rolls.

A dear friend who now lives in NYC says she can't wait to come back every year to see what new creations she can find, as all she gets on a regular basis is the basic sashimi--and at much higher prices.

Check out the best places to find sushi and saki in Southwest Florida here, in one of my 10Best lists!

Planning Your Wine Vacation

Some of my favorite trips have been centered around food and wine.

I quite often find that people ask me for advice on where to go and how to make it happen.

Those are just a few of the reasons I was so happy that 10Best and USA TODAY TRAVEL asked me to write about "vinotourism" and  planning a wine tasting trip.

Check it out here!

Stop thinking about it and go ahead and book yours. You will be so glad you did. CHEERS!

Seeking Seafood Suggestions

I'm very excited about my newest freelance gig; local editor/local expert for USA Today's 10Best. I get to help steer visitors to some of the best places in the Fort Myers area; from beaches to restaurants and everything in between. I'm just starting to update a couple of categories but none are complete yet. 

While working out of my second office this morning, Bennett's Fresh Roast, I was discussing the difficult task of updating the Best Breakfast category. There are sooooo many amazing breakfast spots, how do I narrow it down to just ten? You can bet Bennett's will be on there.

Pan Seared Scallops at Brew Babies

One of the other categories I'm currently working on poses the same problem; Best Seafood Restaurant. I live in a beach community, there are dozens. I stopped by Brew Babies in Cape Coral recently for a little nosh and glass of vino. The scallops were phenomenal but I can't classify this place as a seafood joint. I just wanted to take a minute to brag about how fantastic this dish was and post a photo.

Back to the problem at hand and a call for help. If you had to pick the best seafood  restaurants in the Fort Myers area. Which ones would be on YOUR list. You don't have to give me ten, just a few.

You can post here or email my trusty AOL account, ginabirch@aol.com

I can't wait to see which are your favs! Thanks and stay tuned for the update.