The Wait Is Over For Melograno; New Restaurant In Cape Coral

For months, Melograno has been tempting people at Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral, with its chic yet rustic interior, imported Florentine tiles, and beautiful Italians with their intoxicating accents, promising to open soon.

Soon is finally here! In it's second week of operation, Melograno is only open for dinner, Wednesday through Saturday......for now. So much more is in store. Serving foods from Italy's 'cradle of cuisine,' Lombardia and Emilia Romagna in northern Italy, the food here has an authentic yet modern touch.

I was so excited to finally check it out and didn't know where to start. Choosing a plate of grilled vegetables, mozzarella and prosciutto di Parma we had it with a beautiful, crisp sparkling rose. Manager Robert Loseto takes great pride in the wine list and offers expert advice when it comes to at pairing.

Green Florida Soup

Next up was the Green Florida Soup, made creamy by pureeing avocado and potato. It also had onion, cilantro, tomatoes, peperonino and perhaps some other goodies, but nothing was overpowering. It was very thick, rich and balanced in flavors.

Insalata Melograno

The Insalata Melograno was even more unique; a stack of chickpeas, quinoa, artichoke and pomegranate. Vegetarians are going to love this 'meaty' dish. I wasn't sure what to think of the combo at first, then I got one of those bites, the perfect amount of each flavor, and I was hooked. Wine could be a challenge with this one. We had a refreshing, yet substantial Gavi

Strozzapreti alla bolognese

Most of the pasta is made in house so I had to try some, opting for the strozzapreti alla bolognese. The pasta was al dente and I could actually taste it as it was not swimming in sauce. The combinations of meat in the bolognese were flavorful and once again, not over served. Chianti was in order for this dish!

I really wanted to try the prawns over caponata or the asparagus stuffed chicken with a light gorgonzola cream, but there was no room at this point. Darn, I'll have to return.

Melograno is adding items to their dinner menu a little at a time. Eventually they will be adding entertainment to the roster as well. Look for lunch and breakfast soon, and a bakery full of thoughtfully made treats with the highest quality ingredients. Bravo Melograno.

Fab Finds: Foodies in Mind

Eggs Diablo with wasabi, crab and shrimp

The strengthening economy has so many great benefits, one being the opening of new restaurants in Southwest Florida. One rule of thumb I have with new places is a "free pass" at the beginning, while working out the kinks.

I have so many place to talk about but lets keep it simple here and start with two that I've been to several times and have had nothing but good experiences.

Cork Soakers in Cape Coral is on the ever evolving strip of 47th Terrace and it is managed by two well known restauranteurs in the area; Jeff Gately and Ralph Centalonza (two of the former owners of The Joint at Cape Harbour.)

The menu is highlighted by low end comfort foods with a high end twist. Take for example the signature deviled eggs with wasabi. Every day they include a little something different, from bacon to a crab salad topping and smelt roe. They are addicting to say the least.

The cheddar and bacon biscuits are another signature item then there are cheeky things like a fried bologna sandwich or a classic grilled cheese with tomato soup.

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

I had a spectacular pork belly risotto, creamy and delicious and the tacos of the day are always a treat. Most of the dining here is alfresco, with an atmosphere that is casual and inviting.

Taco of the day: pulled pork

For those who love a hearty Italian meal, check out the new Osteria Celli in Fort Myers. Located in an obscure corner of a Publix Shopping Center on the corner of Summerlin and Winkler. This is where you'll find Chef Marco Corricelli.

grilled octopus

After working at a few notable Southwest Florida restaurants, the chef from Milano, Italy finally has his own spot.

He makes his pasta from scratch and it is cooked beautifully.  I've had it with lamb and in the heartwarming, Italian favorite; pasta fagioli.

Perhaps one of the nicest surprises to me is what chef does with octopus. On the right, you will see it grilled, over kale and garbanzo beans. The meat is tender, with a perfect char and made me feel like I was eating healtfully. The calamari is NOT breads and comes over julienned vegetables, again, cooked with great care.

The bruschetta came loaded with fresh tomatoes and basil, the bread had a nice crunch on the crust and soft in the middle. The brussels sprouts are the bomb; simply grilled with salt, pepper and speck.

Brussel sprouts with speck

For dessert, try the Tiramisu served in a large bar glass.... it is just the right ending.

Both of these restaurants can get a bit loud, something Chef Marco says he will work on....after season.

Enjoy these new additions to the culinary scene in Fort Myers and Cape Coral.

There's more to come! Cheers!

Bangin' Brunch

I'm a big fan of brunch, especially on Sundays. It's not just about the food but the company, the day of relaxation, the whole package.

I'm a new fan of Slate's, on an obscure side street, just off the busy Cape Coral Parkway in Cape Coral, FL.

We showed up toward the end of the festivities which is a blessing and a curse. A blessing because the crowd had subsided, a curse because in the meantime, they had consumed so much, that some of the dishes had run out.

After being seated we were told there was only one order of beignets left so we immediately scooped them up, before even looking at the rest of the menu.

Even though this is a New Orleans inspired restaurant, Beignets are a recent addition to the line-up. The delicate, powdery treats needed their very own fryer and it arrived, just in time for Fat Tuesday.

With our coffee (chicory) and sugar fix satisfied, we set our sites on things a little more substantial. I was salivating over the Champagne; Slate's signature Benedict served on a buttery croissant, topped with spinach, tomato, red onion, goat cheese and poached eggs. I just couldn't put my fork down, even though I was full. Bravo!

In addition, and to no one's surprise, I managed to put my fork in other dishes at the table. The cheese grits were rich, creamy and out of this world. The crawfish omelet had tons of flavor yet not too spicy and the pancakes were a fluffy delight. Add to that a great shrimp, Bloody Mary, live music and outstandng service. What a gem.

If you go, make a reservation as you may be turned away, especially for dinner. Don't get mad, the kitchen is small and the food is cooked to order. It doesn't come out all at once and in a big rush. They want you to savor and enjoy the food, wine and fun atmosphere here. A genuine dining experience.

Yep, that's the bathroom sink and we loved it too.

Fab Finds; Bread Pudding, Butterflies and Bennett's

If you are visiting or have friends visiting the Southwest Florida area for the holidays, I have a few new Fab Finds to help you both entertain and feed the family.

Reuben's Catering is now open to the public, only it's called Reuben's Smokehouse! Look for it on US41 in Fort Myers in the former Miami Connection location. Reuben serves up amazing comfort food like cheesy mac-n-cheese, green beans, coleslaw, homemade rolls and LOTS of flavorful meat, smoked everyday! SO good!

Chef Reuben has even bottled his own hot sauce. The beer and wine license just came in so the stash is in the process of getting stocked!

One thing you DONT want to skip is dessert and  the carmel, chocolate chip bread pudding. It's good enough to make you wanna fight over so, get your own!

The Shell Factory Nature Park in North Fort Myers opened it's new Butterfly Garden this week. It was fun tasting Lobetia wines, that appropriately enough have a butterfly on the label,  while watching awkward kids try not to squish or step on the beautiful creatures during the butterfly release.

The Nature Park is a family friendly, local find with, some amazing animals like alligators, owls, big cats, birds and lots more. Oh, and you don't have to go the middle east to ride a camel, they have one of those too!


I also checked out progress on the new Bennett's Fresh Roast on Sanibel Island. The downtown Fort Myers coffee shop has gained international attention for outstanding, made from scratch donuts and fresh roasted coffee. It's also the place to see and be seen.

Bennett's much anticipated opening on Sanibel will happen within weeks. I've seen the space and it looks great! Lots of light and lots of seating including outdoors. There is even a parking spot where you can plug in your Prius!



Lobster Lady Seafood in Cape Coral has a new chef and work is currently underway on some new menu items. I sampled this tasty tuna appetizer this week and it was fantastic. The garlic sesame peanut noodles were a delight.

I can't wait to see what new creations come out of the kitchen.

Fab Finds; Desserts, Diners and Dining in style

There is a sweet new addition to the shops and restaurants in downtown Fort Myers. This week Irresistible Confections owner, Justin Shafer, finally opened the doors to his new Broadway Factory.

Besides the beautiful treats on the right, Broadway Factory serves up old favorites like haystacks and chocolate covered pretzels. Next week he will be adding adult beverages to the line up, as chocolate and champagne make for one heck of a happy combo.

There is also a yogurt wall with more than half a dozen self serve flavors. The do it yourself toppings bar has an abundance of sweet and crunchy toppings as well as syrups. You pay by weight. I was trapped inside by a raging thunderstorm, it was delightful torture.


Doing research for a story I'm working on about breakfast spots in the area, I ventured to a new place (at least for me) in Cape Coral called Jill's Joint.

The diner is not easy to find, sitting behind the tall fences of an industrial park. I felt like I was somewhere I wasn't suppose to be, especially for food.  Several blue collared workers sat at the small counter, a salesman with his computer at a small table, a cop in the corner reading the paper and now me, in my high heels and Black House White Market dress.

Everyone was minding their own business until I showed up. I polled the crowd on what to order, announcing it was my first time, as if it wasn't obvious. I was given a styrofoam cup for my coffee that was more suited for a soda, and helped myself at the drink bar. Have I ever mentioned that I hate styrofoam?

With the help of the very nice staff, I decided on the Strangled Eggs Supreme. It's described as a gastronomical adventure on the menu and I'm always up for one of those. A mash of meats, cheeses, veggies and home fries; covered in sausage gravy and topped with two eggs; I could not conquer the breakfast beast but gave it a good try.

Perhaps the best Fab Find for me this week was in Naples; it was two-fold. One of my favorite wine reps invited me to have lunch with her at Mereday's, where we were to taste wines with National Sales Manager Edd Lopez from Whitehall Lane.

When I walked in the door and spotted chef, I had a moment of confusion. I first met Charles Mereday when he was hired as Executive Chef at Southseas Resort on Captiva Island. Now he has his own spot in Naples and it is beautiful.

The Salmon Tartare with olives, capers and shallots was fantastic with the Sauvignon Blanc. The wine was crisp, the acid moderate; it was a bit floral with apricots and lots of stone fruit. It's a great bargain at under $20 a bottle. Loved both.

We continued to taste a brand new blend called Tre Leoni, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon and the Reserve Cab. Chef Mereday served a perfectly cooked duck course with blackberries and chèvre over a butternut squash puree. I tried it with all three reds and it worked each time. These reds from Whitehall Lane are all fantastic and extremely affordable considering where the grapes come from in Napa.

I love the concept of Mereday's. You get to pick from three to five courses with the option of a wine pairing. Each course offers you several choices and the prices range from a flat $55 to $115. The restaurant is full of natural light, sitting along the marina at Naples Bay Resort. The decor is trendy and the food is spectacular. Mereday's has a great Wednesday wine event too.


Check out these Fab Finds when you get a chance and be sure to share yours also.

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. 

Fab Finds: Wining and Dining

Ladies selling out The Joing

Always on the hunt for fabulous finds with food and wine, I found one heck of a great deal this week at Ladies night at The Joint in Cape Coral. This Ladies Night does not involve free, cheap booze or bawdy entertainment, there are plenty of spots for that.

This is a three course wine dinner the last Thursday of the month.  Last night I had a Crab and Lobster Cake with a Chilean Chardonnay, grilled lamb lollipops with an Australian Shiraz and a chocolate cherry "come to mama" dessert with a chocolate martini.

It gets even better, all that for only $20! Now that's a FAB FIND! I hesitate writing about this one because I don't want to get booted from my seat next month now that the word is out and reservations will surely fly in.

Chocolate Cherry Elegance, Creme Anglaise

Life is good for two other great dining establishments in Southwest Florida as they are in the middle of expansion projects.

Fancy's Southern Cafe is expanding into space next door formerly home to a deli. It's not more restaurant seating but a comfy, cool wine bar.  This part of the Daniels Road corridor needs a spot like this. Great for an after work cocktail and even better for patrons who aren't keen on lounging outside while waiting for a table.

And one of my favorite breakfast spots, CRaVE, is opening a market next door. So when you are plagued by a long wait on Saturday or Sunday morning, you can pop into the market and get some of their signature dishes and other goodies to go! Another BRILLIANT idea.

Lovin' The Lobster Lady

It was a Monday night at a strip mall in Cape Coral, FL and the sidewalks were full, outside of The Lobster Lady.

The Lobster Lady is part market, part restaurant and all parts were packed. Servers negotiated through the crowd with both persistence and patience and as a team.

One wall was lined with cases of fresh seafood, fish dips and other fresh treats. The wall across the room was lined with tanks full of lobsters; the biggest one currently weighing in at about 15 pounds and a $200 Market price. I was trying to get a better look at the big guy when one of the servers said, "Let me help.'

For a brief moment, he held that crustacean over his shoulder like it was his pet. After that, it seemed almost inhumane to eat the old guy; we chose a young, one-pounder for our lobster pot. It's a pick your pound kind of place. Each pot also comes with an assortment of clams, mussels, shrimp, spicy sausage, potatoes and corn.

We also tried a delicious, bacon wrapped salmon. The bacon was generously wound around and over the dijon glazed fish and served with a mixed berry compote. The side of squash was perfectly grilled and dusted with Parmesan. The sweet potato fries were crisp and served with a fabulous with brown sugar aioli dipping sauce.




We also tried the smoked fish dip and juicy, raw Gulf oysters. The bill for three of us with food, drinks and full bellies was $118.

My biggest disappointment; they ran out of lobster bisque before we got our order in. Next time. The market has lobster dinners to go and an off-premise license so you can buy a wide selection of beer and wine (everything from Flip Flop to Silver Oak). They even sell sauces and marinades, everything you need for a great date night at home or picnic on the beach


 

A "Duzer" of a Dinner

With tourist season over in Southwest Florida, it's much easier to get a seat in your favorite restaurants. Good for customers, not necessarily for the restaurants. Many, like Rumrunners in Cape Harbor, have events such as last week's Van Duzer wine dinner to keep the locals coming in for more.

I learned Van Duzer is not in Willam-ette valley it's Will-AM-it, Damnit! It's all in the pronunciation. I also learned that Van Duzer makes much more than just yummy Pinot Noirs. The whites were amazing!

We started the night with a sparkling wine that had an interesting, nutty flavor. It went well with the Foie Gras Pate and fig jam. But the smoked salmon with deviled quail egg was my favorite small bite.

First seated course was a Pistachio and Blue Cheesecake with orange roasted beets, served with the Van Duzer Pinot Noir Rose. The wine tasted of juicy strawberries and a little citrus rind with acidity that cut right through the rich cheese. Lovely combo!

The grilled Diver's Scallop in the next course was lightly wrapped in Chorizo, served with a creamy risotto and a decadent melted leek and Morel mushroom Fondue. I loved the garnish; a tomoato sliced super thin and roasted to a crisp chip. I wish I could've taken a bag home. The Estate Pinot Gris was bursting with apricot; a little melon and pear. It was crisp; once again cutting through the rich creamy dish as a delicious pairing.

Main course: Sous Vide Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin 'Saltimbocca' rubbed in Coriander, Fennel seed, sage and wrapped in a delicate slice of Prosciutto, with carrot mashed potato and Cherry-Port Glace. The Van Duzer Estate Pinot Noir had that typical, dirty Pinot nose. However, I could also smell some fennel and sage and immediately knew why Chef Todd used those herbs on the pork. The cherry really popped also (way too obvious joke set-up here).

Dessert was a chocolate mousse with hazelnut Anglaise and peanut butter and jelly chocolates from Norman Love with  Perplexity red dessert wine. Every course was spot on; perfect proportions and pairings.

From June first-fifth, Rumrunners is saying thank you for a great "season" by offering dining incentives. For every $100 gift card you buy, you get an addition $50. Too good of an offer to pass up, so think business deals, stocking stuffers, etc.