RESTAURANTS

We have asked our residents to provide their recommendations for restaurants in our region. These reviews are the opinions of those who submitted them and should not be considered as an endorsement (or otherwise) by Cinnamon Cove and its management.

Whether you are out for a quick bite or looking for a great southwest Florida dining experience, Cinnamon Cove is a perfect starting point for your culinary excursion. Your trip may be just down to the corner or a few miles up to the city, south to the Beach or west to Sanibel and Captiva, but you should come home well pleased.

We start "down at the corner," Summerlin Square. Exit the front gate, turn right and through the first traffic light. In order of appearance from the corner we have:

PERKINS   466-2800
The closest restaurant to Cinnamon Cove - Breakfast menu all day, and inexpensive lunch and dinner menus. They have a Senior menu for all meals. I lean toward the three egg omelets and sometimes the Stir Fried dishes. Dot prefers the two egg omelet on the Senior menu. You may choose to take home the large muffin (which may come with many of the breakfast dishes) for a later treat. There are seven other Perkins locations in our area.

RIB CITY GRILL   454-0454
This writer is not a rib guy, but from reports of our family visitors who really dig ribs, Rib City Grill is a happy place to be.

SUNFLOWER CAFE   415-4262
A good general menu with a Greek accent. Whether you choose surf, turf or fowl, I can't believe you would ever leave Sunflower hungry. A good dessert list, but we seldom leave without trying the rice pudding.

Now let’s take a ride up Summerlin Blvd. (and beyond) toward the city for our next few stops.

RUBY TUESDAY   267-8988
A short drive up Summerlin Blvd., on your left at 9001 Park Royal Drive. If you have ever enjoyed a Ruby’s up north or elsewhere, you will find this location has the same quality food and service. A fine salad bar is available to accompany your burgers or platter meal. Generous baked potatoes can substitute for fried sides. Diversified menu.

JASON’S DELI   590-9994
At 13550 Reflection Parkway at Cypress Lake. Be it lunch or dinner, this is one fascinating experience. The menu is rich with sandwiches, wraps, soup and salad choices or order just the way you want. Baked potatoes are offered in many ways. Eat inside or at a lovely patio table. People watchers will delight in observing the various members of the Fort Myers community.

SWEET TOMATOES   489-1150
At 14080 South Tamiami Trail. Forget about a small salad as a side dish, at Sweet Tomatoes the salad is the main course. Enter the door and start down either side of the longest salad bar you may have ever seen. After making your salad selections, you pay one set price (seniors 10% off) and sit at tables or booths. Another service bar will be your next trip to select from rice, potatoes, chili, bread, rolls, pizza and at least three selections of pasta. All the service bars are self-serve and all you can eat. Your final walk will be to the dessert bar which varies each day, but always includes an ice cream machine with sundae toppings. An eager staff will keep your table clean and refill your drinks, if asked.

CRISPERS   332-3420
In Market Square at 13711 S. Tamiami Trail, Crispers’ logo says "Fresh Salads and Such". The "Such" includes great deli sandwiches, frozen drinks and soups. Half size sandwiches are available. Dot had the Signature Smoked Turkey Delight and I had a Hot Russian; toasted corned beef, roast beef and Swiss on pumpernickel. Order your meal at the counter, then sit down and wait for it to be served. The servers clear the table.

On another day you may have the urge to a take a trip west toward the Causeway to Sanibel Island to visit the beaches, Ding Darling Preserve, the Shell Museum or the many shops with all types of grand merchandise. At meal time your choices will be plentiful, but we name just a few.

SANIBEL HARBOUR RESORT AND SPA   466-4000
17260 Harbour Point Drive (take last exit before Sanibel Bridge).  For a supreme day visit the elegant restaurant at the Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa. It is a lovely place with a spectacular view. The choice seating is on the veranda overlooking the resort’s pool on a sunny, warm day. I can highly recommend the Tarpon salad, a bed of field greens with goat cheese, strawberries, and caramelized nuts. This is an incredible bargain as well. The Southwest wrap and chicken panini sandwich are also of high quality. My husband had a special of the day, which was a taco salad with Angus beef and thought it was delicious! Although there is valet parking and the hotel is four-star it has a casual atmosphere for lunch. You will want to go back and take visitors to the area with you. Walk through the resort and take the walkway through the natural vegetation area. Plan to return one early evening to go to Charley’s Cabana Bar for a Happy Hour and to watch the sunset. It can’t be topped and is a photographer’s delight to capture the sunset from this ideal location, sipping a cocktail, reclining in a cozy papasan chair for two! There are also many high tables and chairs on the outdoor balcony for those inclined to be more comfortable than romantic! (Getting up from the papasan chairs might be a challenge.)
Thanks to Pat Tambacas.

GRAMMA DOT’S   472-8138
Located in the Sanibel Marina at 634 N. Yachtsman Drive, the restaurant sits beside the many luxurious yachts moored in the marina slips. You may have a sense of Fantasy Island as you dine at the tables by screened openings or at the heavy wood counter. My favorite is the Tuna Melt, but you can choose from a menu of tasty sandwich or platter selections. Short waits can be spent admiring the many boats and dreaming "what if".

HUNGRY HERON EATERY   395-2300
At 2330 Palm Ridge Road. Perhaps you just want a sandwich; well that is what you will get. Now it may fill a family sized serving platter, but it will be delicious and you may have dinner to go. A short wait before being called, or a relaxing walk afterward, will allow you to visit the unique shops in the same center, including a toy and magic tricks store.

ISLAND COW   472-0606
At 2163 Periwinkle Way, this restaurant has tables on an outdoor porch and inside a nicely decorated dining room. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bob had the blackened Catfish sandwich platter which he said was very good. I had a very good Bronzed salmon platter, which uses blackening spices with cinnamon and nutmeg, so it is a sweet and spicy flavor. Stephanie had the Delicate Angel hair Pasta. She said it was amazing. On a trip last year I had the Seafood Quesadilla which was excellent. Stephanie had the Adobo Quesadilla, which is marinated chicken and cheeses in a sun dried tomato tortilla, which was very good also.   ~Carol Jagoe

BAILEY’s GENERAL STORE   472-1516
At 2477 Periwinkle Way. Now, I know this is not a restaurant, but they have a very complete deli counter. Maybe you’ve been to the beach or boating and you don’t wish to go to a "sit-down" place. Grab a deli ham, turkey or your choice, get it wrapped well and head for the Causeway. Use a picnic table or your own folding chairs and watch the various watercraft sail by while enjoying your Bailey’s meal.

If you are tempted by the broad sandy beach of Fort Myers Beach, you will find several good eating places not far from Times Square including:

PARROT KEY CARIBBEAN GRILL   463-3257
On a trip to Fort Myers Beach, stop at 2500 Main St. and try this grill. You may come by boat also! It's a cheery outdoor type place, good food, good service, entertainment most evenings, a real fun place. Dress is casual.

We have never before ventured north or west of the Caloosahatchee River, but it may be time for a new adventure.

BERT’S BAR AND GRILLE   282-3232
At 4271 Pine Island Road NW, a fun, very casual restaurant in Matlacha called Bert’s Bar and Grille. It has been called a “funky place for low-key lifestyles”. A bonus is that you have a great view of the Matlacha Pass. It apparently has been a local favorite forever, but was a new discovery for us this season. Our first visit was on a sunny day, so we sat outdoors on the deck with an eclectic group of people, from boaters, to vacationers, to bikers, to seasoned sailors. Dress is very casual. Our waitress was from Boston originally and agreed that Bert’s is very much like Cape Cod’s infamous Baxter’s in Hyannis. I can highly recommend the New England chowder; it was rich and thick with clams. The most imaginative item on the menu turned out to our group’s favorite, the blackened grouper Reuben! (Just imagine a Reuben with grouper rather than corned beef.) The friends with us who ordered it couldn’t stop raving about how wonderful it was! Others loved the fried smelts and the homemade chips. The house specialty chips are a must! Prices are very reasonable as well. (Pick up a brochure in the Cinnamon Cove Clubhouse as I did to discover the place.)
Thanks to Pat Tambacas

Visitors or residents who have comments about these restaurants, or wish to recommend other restaurants in the area, are encouraged to email us.