Sanibel Captiva Island Message Board

[seedlings]

[Beachcomber 2]

[brimac]

The Jac?

[Susan in MS]

I'll be there a week from today...I would like to know the answer also

[PD]

Jacaranda? Dolce Vita? Sanibel Steakhouse? Thistle Lodge? Twilight Cafe? Greenhouse Grill?
disclaimer: I have not eaten at any of these, except the last one.

I have tried to think of my favorite, but there are so many good ones IMO, that I cannot single one out. It just depends on what your mood is. The fact that I cannot distinguish the quality, expectation, and satisfaction between say Schnapper's and McT's supports this. What a coincidence, they're also across the street from each other.

[Kim]

It's not Dolce Vita, they are no longer in business. Ellington's is in there now.

I believe I know Jim's answer, but will keep quiet and let folks guess.

[Sue711]

We were there on the island last week. Had a great time! Tried some of our favorite restaurants and some new ones.

Jacaranda - Great meal and service as usual.

Twilight Cafe (first time) - Excellent meal and great service (really fresh food). Loved the entertainment. This is our new favorite.

Thistle Lodge (first time) - Great, fresh food. Server was excellent. Prepare yourself when the bill comes though. Expensive!

Schnapper's - Burgers, Dogs & Fries - Yum-O!

Bubble Room for take out Orange Crunch Cake. Double Yum-O!

[Julie B]

Pinocchio's -- yum!

[kathynorth]

Well, my favorite is Sunset Grill.

[sandcastles]

Trying to think of some that haven't been mentioned. I like Traders and I don't think I have seen Sanibel Cafe mentioned.

[Snowbird]

Jerry's? Good food, good service, inexpensive. You can't beat a $2 glass of Merlot!!

[Neptunesmuse]

[frances]

We always frequent "Lazy Flamingo" on our first night...

[Utopia]

This is not in response to Jim's mysterious note about not hearing the best yet but back to the original person...It's been 2 years since I visited Sanibel/Captiva but have our 3rd trip planned for October. I agree with the person that said the Bubble Room was expensive and overly decorated not to mention when I went there were kids galore (and I do mean little kids) which I guess may be the appeal. You couldn't hear the person sitting across from you. I downed my alcholic beverage and moved on before the meal which may be why the next stop was so good We went to Key Lime Bistro which is actually on Captiva. Great food, atmosphere and loved the rustic feel. Mucky Duck on Captiva should be experienced at least once. Yes, expensive (again) but waitress was outstanding and food a bit better than average. I'm trying to be fair about Doc Fords but we went there on New Year's Eve and it was very disappointing. But, they were packed, waitress harried, and food so-so (maybe chef overworked that night). I may give it another try as there are so many positive postings about it.

[penguinmoon]

I had a great Cuban sandwich in the little shop across-ish from Lighthouse Cafe. Is that place still there?

[Neptunesmuse]

[Jim]

OK, we believe The Twilight Cafe is Sanibel's best restaurant. It was only mentioned briefly in an early post.

Other favorites (we are residents) are:

Traders
Green Flash
Over Easy
Timbers
Jerry's

BTW has anyone been to the Beachview Steakhouse lately? Used to be great but we have heard some poor reports lately.

We have never been to The Thistle Lodge but a lot of people really like it.

[brimac]

Is this the place with the great brocolli that folks rave about?

[Wisconsin Scout]

We really like Twilight, as well. It's very convenient (walking distance) to the place we stay at on West Gulf. They have more room than when they were on Tarpon Bay Road years ago ... and, it's just very good.

I hear people say they like the Jacaranda. I guess we haven't been there since our first experience years ago, but at that time ... we just said we wouldn't go back. Same for McT's ... very mediocre.

We don't go out for dinner as much as we used to, opting instead to try many of the places for lunch. Mucky Duck, for example ... is a good place for a sandwich at lunchtime, but challenging, at best, to enjoy at sunset.

Some friends are on Sanibel right now--for their first time--and one thing we told them was that they'd not have difficulty finding good places to eat.
Love Gramma Dot's, too ...

[paja]

[kathynorth]

Have any of you heard of a restaurant called "Holy Smoke"? It's supposed to specialize in BBQ fare.

[Neptunesmuse]

[Kim]

Holy Smoke is on Captiva, just outside the entrance gates of the South Seas compound. If you're familiar with SSIR, they are next to Chadwick's in what used to be the old Porter Steakhouse. As it is outside the gates, it is open to the public.

There is an article here on the Board. I haven't eaten there, so I can't give a review, sorry.

Personally, I still mourn the loss of Buttonwood BBQ.

[catnmatt]

i ate at holy smoke in june while staying at south seas. pulled pork was very good! prices were average for a bbq place. i'd go again.

[kathynorth]

I always love to try a new place, at least a new to me place! It'll be fun to enjoy BBQ after a beach day. BBQ places are not usually too fancy, so I'm guessing we can pop in with shorts and t's over our swimsuits. Dry of course. Thank you all for the info!