Caffe Abbracci

In the midst of all the chain restaurants that dot downtown Coral Gables sits the historic family-owned Caffe Abbracci. Celebrating more than 30 years in the Miami Area, this Italian comfort food, great wine and family atmosphere restaurant is the creation from Italy’s own Nino Pernetti.

Pernetti’s story is one of rags to riches. He started working at 14. By the age of 24 he was flourishing in his hospitality career which took him to 15 countries and learning many languages.

If you’re wondering what Abbracci means it is hug in Italian. You are greeted at the door with a hug and kiss-kiss on each cheek and feel the love in the food being served. The wait staff is extremely attentive, even offering suggestions for items off menu.

Favorites include beef carpaccio, pasta fagioli, meaty lentil soup, pasta stuffed with pumpkin, shrimp sautéed with balsamic vinegar, diced fresh tomato with a touch of marina and fresh basil tossed with Capellini, black lobster ravioli, red snapper baked in parchment with fresh herbs and bruschetta tomatoes, chicken marsala, veal, filet, lamb and New York Sirloin served with a Barolo red wine reduction and mushrooms. Everything is homemade and cooked to order. There are daily specials. Lighter menu items include salads with protein, grilled seafood and other Northern Italian specialities.

Desserts are traditional from napoleon, fresh berries with marsala zabajon served in an edible sugar bowl, lava cake, cheesecake, profiteroles, warm apple tart, tiramisu and handmade gelato.

Lunch is also available. Hours are Monday – Friday 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Dinner from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday hours: 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. and Sunday 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

There is private dining available for 15 to 70 people — good for private birthday parties, weddings, special events.

There is outside patio/sidewalk dining. Reservations are recommended.

Call 305-441-0700 for more information or check out the restaurant website at http://www.caffeabbracci.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big Blue Brewing

Big Blue Brewing

Big Blue Brewing on SE 47th Terrace in downtown Cape Coral, FL is a combination of brewhouse and gastropub. You can’t miss it — its big and its blue.

On the Core Menu is a variety of appetizers from fried pickles to spicy wings and a roasted veggie platter. Under lite bites check out the tuna, lemon curry, prosciutto mozzarella, turkey BLT. The salads look amazing — steakhouse wedge, summer salad with greens, craisins, sunflower seeds, oranges, kiwi and topped with a chipotle raspberry vinaigrette.

For the bigger appetites the big blue burger tops the list with melted gorgonzola, candied bacon, charred lettuce and picked onion and served with homemade steak fries. The sammie list is long and includes a pretzel bun served with chicken, charred lettuce, picked onion, crispy potato strings and a homemade jalapeño mayo. There is also a pork, shrimp scampi and vegan burger. They offer 4 flatbreads from veggie to the cuban with meat and cheese.

Kids can rock out on a cheese pizza, chicken tenders, grilled cheese and mac and cheese.

The brunch menu is offered on Saturday and Sunday. Check out the chicken and sweet potato waffle, big blue benedict, frittata, bacon, egg and cheese on a pretzel croissant, strawberry stuffed french toast, vegan blueberry pancakes and bottomless bubbles. Prices start at $9.

Don’t forget the best deal in town — Happy Hour from 2-6 p.m. everyday. The menu is interesting and offers eggplant frites, chicken quesadillas, beer cheese and pretzels, candied bacon grilled cheese with tomato basil dip, wings, roasted red pepper hummus. Match up with your favorite libations — $3 Big Blue brews, $1 off guest beers, $4 house wines and well liquors and $5 cocktails.

Dine inside or out. Live music. Mondays are Service Industry Night, Trivia is Tuesday and Thursday is Guy’s Night.

 

Twisted Lobster

South of Cape Coral Hospital north of Veteran’s Parkway sits a shucking good place – Twisted Lobster. Looks like Lobster Lady and The Monkey Bar has some competition.

Cozy and quaint — the interior reminds you of being at the harbor even though you are really at 1341 Del Prado Blvd. in Cape Coral, FL. This is one spot you should put on your to-do list. Hours are Monday through Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

They have an express lunch menu with 8 for $8 Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is a tuna melt, fish n chips, mahi mahi tacos, kobe cheeseburger, chicken tenders basket, soft shell crab sammy, shrimp basket and soup and salad combo.

OK, so then there are specials everyday of the week from steak and lobster on Monday night to Sunday Live Lobster night. The price point is amazing.

For dinner, you can start with fresh oysters on the half shell. We had oysters and lobster bisque. The soup was chock-full of lobster meat and had a wonderful flavor and aroma. Other items on the app menu include calamari, conch fritters, seared ahi tuna and more.

You can also start off with a caesar or greek salad or for dinner on the lite side a lobster cobb. They also have sandwiches from a grouper, reuben, the twisted po’ shrimp or oyster and more. For $13 to $16 you can choose a twisted basket with fried shrimp and scallops , clams, oysters, chicken, grouper fingers, etc. served up with fries and slaw.

Dinner is available at 4 p.m. and there are daily specials which are explained table side. On the regular menu is the grouper your choice fried, blackened or key lime spiced with basmati coconut rice and roasted brussel sprouts. There is the lobster mac and cheese, lobster ravioli, twin tails, blackened snapper, lobster tail, scallops, a full rack of ribs and the live main lobster platter.

Wine and beer are served. Twisted Lobster

 

 

Whispering Oaks Winery

Just two miles off I-75 you come to State Road 475 and follow the signs to Whispering Oaks Winery featuring all natural blueberry wine. New to the wine industry since their November 2014 opening, the winery and tasting room sits inside a beautifully updated barn down a windy country road. On any given day there is live music on the patio. Inside, grab a seat at the tasting bar and meet Julie and other knowledgeable wine experts. The wine is created with fresh blueberries, harvested and fermented and ranges from dry to sweet. Four tastings are available with cheese for purchase. To start, try the Delightfully Dry, an intense blueberry color and flavor, toasty oak, full-bodied and reminiscent of a merlot. The next tasting is Wildly Mild, a medium-bodied, semi-sweet variety that pairs well with salmon, poultry, cheeses, chocolate and rich sweets, serve chilled. This is Whispering Oaks Wineries best seller. Sensationally Sweet is a full bodied sipping wine and also goes well with meats. Serve this chilled with dessert, too. Sassy Sangria is ruby-colored wine blended with blueberries, citrus and awesome finish. If seating is not available at the bar, find a seat at a picnic table outside and enjoy the music or take in a tour. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week, (352) 748-0449.
Wines of Florida