Please click on the links below to download and read The Discriminating Diner Restaurant Review in pdf form, we will be posting a new one every month so come back often and let us know what you think!!
Shula's has been operating in Naples for close to a decade and having considered them many times in the past and for some reason or another going elsewhere, my dining partner and I finally thought that we had to try it. I made a reservation for a Sunday evening and found the person on the phone to be very friendly, professional and accommodating. We arrived at 6:30 and were seated immediately in a beautiful spotless dining room that had three other occupied tables. There were not many more tables seated while we dined until 8:30. I hope they do better business than this on other evenings and I don't see why they would not as we had superb food and service.
Read more...There is a gem of a restaurant nestled in the Bella Villa Shops off of Daniels Parkway called Two Meatballs In the Kitchen. This is a locally owned and operated quaint Italian restaurant that is small in seating but big in flavorful dishes.
Read more...Having the urge to dine somewhere different and new is not a very big challenge in Southwest Florida. With that in mind my dining partner and I being in Naples close to Waterside Shops thought why not give Brio Tuscan Grille a try and we are glad that we did. Arriving on a weeknight at 8:15 we found that getting a table was not a problem even though the Restaurant was bustling with activity.
Read more...When visitors come to the SWFL area we sometimes want to share with them an experience of the "Real Florida". When it comes to down home southern cooking there is no place better than the Alva Country Diner. The diner is situated along US 80 in Alva far from the hustle and bustle of the city limits. It is well worth the drive to the eastern part of the county if you wish to experience home cooking in a no frills atmosphere. Be sure to bring some cash with you because credit cards are not accepted.
Read more...Some of the best restaurants in SWFL are those that are owned and operated locally and IL Pomodoro is one of those places. Whether you are a visitor or a local if you are looking for some fine Italian food reasonably priced then head on over to IL Pomodoro and you will not be disappointed. Chains often do not use fresh ingredients nor do they cook your entrée to order. IL Pomordoro does both and they do it with a rich and flavorful flair that you often find in the finer restaurants in SWFL.
Read more...If you are looking for Cuban food like "Momma" use to make then a visit to Azucar Restaurant and Bakery is in order. Azucar is located just north of 32nd St on Del Prado Blvd in Cape Coral. If you live on the other side of the river, a trip over the bridge is well worth it. Being a fan of Cuban food, Azucar did not disappoint. Some in our group have visited Azucar many times before but I was not even aware this gem even existed. Azucar means sugar and our visit was certainly sweet and one we are not likely to forget anytime soon.
Read more...Bianca's is probably the best Italian restaurant that North Fort Myers has to offer. Bianca's is located on North Cleveland Ave at Littleton Rd, nestled in a strip mall and set back a bit from the main road. Access can be a bit convoluted if you are heading north on US 41 but there is ample parking and dining there is well worth having to make a u-turn.
Read more...On one recent Saturday while exploring the Pine Island Road area a friend and I were hungry and looking for lunch options. We spotted a Stevie Tomatoes Sports bar and remembered eating at the Stevie Tomatoes on US 41 in Fort Myers last year and that it was good. I've also been trying to eat at locally owned Restaurants more often. Stevie Tomatoes is owned by the same company that owns the Mel's Diners in the area as well as Big Al's Sports Bars.
Read more...The Boathouse Bar and Grill is located in the former Bob Evans building next to the former Uno's on Marketplace Rd off of Daniels Parkway near I-75. The great location is one of the few things this new restaurant has going for itself.
Read more...A real local treasure that has been in Fort Myers for 31 years is LaMotta's, located in the Gulf Point Shopping Center on San Carlos Blvd. The owner Carmelo has been there since he was 7 when his parents owned it.
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