George’s at the Cove

George’s at the Cove

Known for it’s spectacular view of La Jolla Cove, George’s at the Cove is the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail or savor a little something from celebrity chef Trey Foshee. The food is a blend of healthy and traditional or California Modern. For starters try the George’s Famous soup a mix of smoked chicken, broccoli and black beans or the yummy creamy buratta with pea pesto, slow roasted tomatoes, basil, balsamic and grilled sourdough. Other starters include: hummus, grilled octopus, fish ceviche, mussels, and baby kale topped with strawberries, ricotta, fennel, almonds, quinoa and tangerine vinaigrette.

For dinner, my friend Cindy & I shared the Red Wine Braised Short Ribs served with carrot puree, asparagus, swiss chard, tomato marmalade and crispy leeks. Enough to share. Other entrees of note are Northern Halibut, Filet Mignon, Duck Confit, Faroe Island Salmon, Spaghetti and Clams, Grass-Fed or Plant-Based Burgers. Prices range from $23 – $41.

We enjoyed a relaxed dinner on Level 2 complete with a view and sunset. Reservations are highly suggested. Happy Hour is available Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and features $10 speciality cocktails, $5 beers and $7 wines by the glass. Reverse Happy Hour is from 9 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

George’s also showcases a six course chef’s tasting menu with beverage pairings upon request for $170, without wine pairing is $110.

After dinner, guests may enjoy toasted ice cream, sorbet, warm chocolate tart or doughnuts and dips. On a cool night you might enjoy a Chartreuse Hot Chocolate with Green Chartreuse, white creme de cocoa, malted chocolate steamed milk and salted whipped cream.

This venue has three floors: Ocean Terrace, Level 2 and California Modern. Group events are welcome.

#seasonthis #foodie #travel

 

 

 

 

 

 

Antonio’s Maitland

Antonio’s in Maitland has two options for dining. The more refined atmosphere upstairs with Tuscan painted walls and artwork complete with an outside terrace and a wonderful view of the lake nearby.

Or, the hip vibe with homestyle items surrounded by wine and a happening Italian market, downstairs. Antonio’s Downstairs feels like you have stepped into a New York Italian market. It’s loud, but that’s OK. The servers dodge in-between customers as they browse the wine cellar selections.

Upstairs, Antonio’s is known for Italian food, fresh seafood and Angus beef. Start with an antipasto platter or the roasted eggplant and tomato caprese salad – both delicious. The chef’s favorite is one of the most reasonably priced menu selections – Capellini D’Angelo a blend of angel hair pasta, EVOO, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil and European pine nuts. The beef shorts ribs served over cheddar polenta looked amazing and so did the steaks.

The servings upstairs are very large and could be shared. Dessert was offered but we were too full.

We decided to stop in downstairs and check it out. The sommelier was extremely knowledgeable and case discounts are offered.

Downstairs menu features wood fired pizza, fresh pasta’s, rotisserie chicken and lets you eat, drink and shop. The limoncello cake was sliced and ready to take home along with pasta dishes and more. There is also a butcher on staff that cuts steaks and fish so you can take dinner home and prepare it yourself.

There is two private dining rooms for up to 60 people. The restaurant upstairs is also open for private parties on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Hours upstairs: Monday thru Friday 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. for lunch; Monday thru Saturday 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Happy Hour 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Hours downstairs: Monday thru Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

#seasonthis #foodie #travel

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Windows Bistro

Mari Vivet and her French American husband and chef Christian have been sharing their love of authentic French food for six years at Blue Windows Bistro in South Ft. Myers.
The Bistro opens at 5 p.m. most Tuesdays through Saturdays. This quaint, romantic and adult dining spot fills up quickly with only 10 tables. There is a twilight dinner menu that includes two choices of appetizer, salad, six choices for entree and two selections for dessert for $30 per person. You must be seated at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Entrees included: steak-frites, coq-au-vin, sauteed shrimp tomato provencal and Idaho mountain trout. There is a prix fixe dinner for $44 per person. They also have a regular menu with chefs specials. The wine list is extensive. Blue Windows Bistro hosts monthly wine dinners featuring varietals from all over the World. The space is also available for private parties. A must dining experience. The service was excellent and the chef makes his rounds at all the tables.

Twisted Vine

Located in Ft. Myers historic river district is a romantic bistro called Twisted Vine. Enjoy a full course meal of seafood and Angus Beef or stop by for a cocktail and tapas. Try the beef tenderloin tips with a hint of barbecue or a flatbread made fresh with homegrown herbs and spices from their courtyard garden. Other tapas to try include: pork sliders, BBQ shrimp, truffle fries, portabello and mozzarella napoleans, or an angus beef burger with bacon, brie and carmelized onions. There is always Baked Apple Onion Gratinee soup and another chosen by the chef. Roasted beets, pear, wedge, caesar, caprese and house round out the salads. Theres a little bit of everything under entrees. They are big and could actually be split for smaller appetites. Entrees are snapper, short ribs, filet, chicken, rack of lamb, salmon, scallops and steak. There is happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday with drink specials and a free tapas plate, at the bar. Sunday Brunch. Boutique wine list. Wine diners. Live music. Partners with Roots Heritage Urban Farm to support local growers. Florida Rep ticket holders receive a free glass of wine before or after the show. Owners are Steve and Denise Hollister.
Twisted Vine

Mad Fresh Urban Take Out

Outside you would think Mad Fresh is just another restaurant in a strip shopping center, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Mad Fresh is a cozy bistro with a french flare (located near Bell Tower Shops). In fact, you may feel like you are dining on the streets of Paris right here in Ft. Myers. The award winning chef turns out huge angus hamburgers with slabs of bleu and guyere cheeses and greens, add truffle fries on the side. The beet salad is on top of a bed of spinach with a light dressing, goat cheese, and panchetta. Tartines, an open-faced hot sandwich is next and is a complete meal on its own. There is the Mediterrean, Ratatouille and Steak with caramelized onions, tarragon sauce and fries. The flavors are incredible with a hint of wine. The flatbreads are enough to serve two or more and are topped with steak, fries and greens that’s the Parisian. There is also the classic, tuscan, grilled veggie and hen with roasted chicken, tomatoes, herbs, artichokes and mozzerella. Steak and frites is a rib eye grilled just the way you like it with a small salad and truffle fries, all handcut and made to order.
Unique wine and beer list, sodas, mineral water and iced tea brewed fresh with honey. Daily chef specials after 5 p.m. There is nothing fancy about Mad Fresh. There are limited number of booths and a counter that turns quickly, although you don’t feel rushed. Watch the chef and his team prepare food in the open kitchen concept. The chef reserves the right not to serve ketchup. Great energy. Comfortable vibe.
Mad Fresh Bistro

Angelina’s Ristorante

Romance, piano music, excellent wine list and a relaxing evening all await you at Angelina’s. This is a destination restaurant with an Italian flare, just south of Coconut Point on Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs. Under pizzette there are four selections from marghertia to americano which is corn, truffle, proscuitto, arugula and shaved Reggiano Parmigiano. In the appetizers, try cozze – mussels with tomatoes, oranges and basil cooked to perfection in a shellfish stock. The small pasta course offer raviolis stuffed with lobster, veal, butternut squash — all handmade and topped with various sauces. The main event features pan seared scallops, veal tenderloin scallopini with wild mushrooms in a Marsala sauce, and grilled pork tenderloin with fennel in a pancetta pork au jus. Prix Fixe Menu is two for $99 and includes a bottle of wine up to $50. There is a choice of proscuitto with melon or antipasti, a salad, appetizers or soup, the main course of pasta ribbons with lamb, chicken Milanese or gulf shrimp risotto and dessert. Hours Tuesday – Saturday from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Happy hour in the lounge from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Entertainment is every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Executive Chef Greg Scarlatos. Reservations are not required. Dress code is business casual, no shorts, demin or open-toed shoes for men.
Angelina’s Ristorante