The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel 2nd Annual Restaurant Week runs October 11-20, 2013 and will offer interactive culinary experiences, local libations, farm tours and overnight hotel packages.
Watch a video about it here.
This 10-day culinary celebration highlights local producers and sellers of the county’s sustainably sourced foods. More than 40 restaurants throughout Lee County will prepare three-course Prix Fixe menus for lunch and dinner, and there will also be one-of-a-kind chef-curated culinary experiences such as hydroponic farm tours, as well as exclusive wine tastings tours and cooking demonstrations.
Executive Chef McGlamery will help kick-off the epicurean retreat, Thursday, October 10th at the Twisted Vine Bistro in downtown Ft. Myers from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Chef McGlamery is a big fan of the destination’s attention to sustainable food offerings and local products of its farmers, fishermen and restaurateurs. Sustainable farming and eco-friendly food sourcing are important parts of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, and the collaboration between this Orlando Chef and his neighboring region is a great example of communities coming together to support one another and fueling each others economies.
Offers Available October 11th - 20th:
Appetizers & Wine with Chef Brandon McGlamery OrganicJoin us in the Courtyard of the Twisted Vine Bistro for a sampling of canapés prepared by Florida Native, Chef Brandon McGlamery. Recently recognized as a James Beard Award Semifinalist for the South, his seasonally driven menus focus on locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. As the Executive Chef and Partner of the exclusive Luma on Park and Prato in Winter Park, Chef McGlamery regularly ventures to Lee County for produce and seafood to feature on his menus.
Chef McGlamery will be featuring a variety of dishes paired with wine. Some items include:
*Portions of the proceeds will go to the Roots Heritage Urban Farm.
This 10-day culinary celebration highlights local producers and sellers of the county’s sustainably sourced foods. More than 40 restaurants throughout Lee County will prepare three-course Prix Fixe menus for lunch and dinner, and there will also be one-of-a-kind chef-curated culinary experiences such as hydroponic farm tours, as well as exclusive wine tastings tours and cooking demonstrations.
Executive Chef McGlamery will help kick-off the epicurean retreat, Thursday, October 10th at the Twisted Vine Bistro in downtown Ft. Myers from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Chef McGlamery is a big fan of the destination’s attention to sustainable food offerings and local products of its farmers, fishermen and restaurateurs. Sustainable farming and eco-friendly food sourcing are important parts of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, and the collaboration between this Orlando Chef and his neighboring region is a great example of communities coming together to support one another and fueling each others economies.
Offers Available October 11th - 20th:
- 25% off a night's stay at The Tarpon Lodge: Guests who make a reservation at the Tarpon Lodge for a Restaurant Week meal (offering lunch or dinner) will receive 25% off same day one night's stay when booked simultaneously
- 20% off your stay at the Captiva Island Inn: Guests who make a Restaurant Week reservation at the award winning Keylime Bistro will receive 20% off their stay at the historic Captiva Island Inn when booked simultaneously
- 10% off at Matanzas Inn Resort: Guests making a Restaurant Week reservation at Matanzas on the Bay restaurant will receive 10% off their stay at the Matanzas Inn Resort.
- Free Gift from the Island Inn: Guests who book directly with the Inn for an accommodation and a reservation with the restaurant will receive a welcome tote bag that includes up to two free tickets to the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum and up to two specialty laminated seashell identification cards when mentioning the Restaurant Week Promotion at time of booking.
- Complimentary Bikes for Two: Guests reserving a beachfront suite at Casa Ybel with a dining reservation at the Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant will receive a complimentary bike rental for two complete with ice cold bottled waters and island trail map when mentioning Restaurant Week at time of reservation.
Appetizers & Wine with Chef Brandon McGlamery OrganicJoin us in the Courtyard of the Twisted Vine Bistro for a sampling of canapés prepared by Florida Native, Chef Brandon McGlamery. Recently recognized as a James Beard Award Semifinalist for the South, his seasonally driven menus focus on locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. As the Executive Chef and Partner of the exclusive Luma on Park and Prato in Winter Park, Chef McGlamery regularly ventures to Lee County for produce and seafood to feature on his menus.
Chef McGlamery will be featuring a variety of dishes paired with wine. Some items include:
- Pine Island Shrimp & Rabbit Run Farm Green Tomato Marmalade
- Bokeelia Clam & Rabbit Run Farm Pink Eye Pea Chowder
- Roast Cauliflower Tart w/ RRF Pickled Vegetables
- Local Fish “Cottura Media” & Shaved Rabbit Run Farm Kohlrabi Salad
*Portions of the proceeds will go to the Roots Heritage Urban Farm.
Restaurant Week Kickoff Dinner at the Twisted Vine OrganicHave a meal with us at the Kick Off Dinner for Restaurant Week, benefiting Roots Hertiage Urban Farm, while listening to live music by Sweet Bev Perron. Enjoy a four course meal including crab cakes, roasted beet salad, low country pork shank and more, while being served drinks and food by special guest servers like Mayor Randy Henderson, Chad Oliver from NBC 2, Gina Birch, Katie Walls from Wink TV and other local celebrities!
Featured Chef: Steven LaCroix, Executive Chef at the Twisted Vine"Enjoy a four course meal"
Date: October 10th 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Price: $75 per person BUY NOW
WARM UP with Chef Brandon!
*Portions of the proceeds will go to the Roots Heritage Urban Farm.
Florida Gulf Coast University Farm Market OrganicStart off the culinary celebration of Restaurant Week by visiting many of the local farmers and seafood purveyors at this unique gathering that is open to the public. There will be guided tours of the student run Food Forest and a botanical garden highlighting local edible plants. This market will be overflowing with tasty samples from local Chefs, along with locally grown sprouts, heirloom produce, micro greens and a sustainably harvested seafood selection available for purchase. Purveyors include Rabbit Run Farm, The Sprout Queen, Pine Island Botanicals, Maverick Meats, and many more!
Date: October 11th 3:00 - 6:00 pmPrice: Free Admission BUY NOW
Fall into Fresh: Rabbit Run Farm Tour & DemonstrationJoin us on a farm tour of Rabbit Run while walking, smelling, and tasting as we weave through the various herbs and vegetables. Upon completion of the tour you will interact with Chef McGlamery as he works his magic roasting hand-picked vegetables, demonstrating how to pickle fresh vegetables, presents fresh salad ideas, and involves guest in the preparation of pizzas! Expect spontaneity, guest involvement and loads of fun! Award winning Chef Brandon McGlamery and Rabbit Run Farm take you into the Fall/Winter season on a culinary adventure.
Date: October 12th 9:00 am - 11:00 amBUY NOW
Pine Island Botanical & The Sprout Queen Farm Tour Organic
Owners Michael Wallace and Chris 'The Sprout Queen' Lindsey will lead a tour of Pine Island Botanicals, their 4 acre residential farm. Michael will discuss the natural/sustainable farming practices utilized in all aspects of hydroponics, in ground gardens, and fruit tree groves. The Sprout Queen will talk about how they educate their customers on the taste, texture, color, and nutrition of what they offer. Following the tour, more discussion on raw living plant based food will take place while Raw Food Chef Johan Everstijn of The Cider Press Café, demonstrates how to make a simple raw food entree incorporating sprout/micro green pairings. Guests will enjoy a raw, vegan salad and entree. After the event, fresh produce will be available for purchase from Pine Island Botanicals and The Sprout Queen.
For more information on Pine Island Botancials: www.PineIslandBotanicals.com
The Sprout Queen: www.TheSproutQueen.comDate: October 13th 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Price: $45 per person BUY NOW
Matlacha Backbay Boat Tour Organic
Enjoy a scenic boat tour departing from Miceli’s Waterfront Restaurant—Local guides with
Captain Jack Boat Tours provide narration while you enjoy views of Matlacha Pass including possible sightings of manatees and dolphins. Tour includes a stop at Lovegroves Gardens & Gallery, the international headquarters of Florida artist, Leoma Lovegrove.
Then return to Miceli’s and enjoy 20% off meal of your choice and live entertainment under the tiki hut. Miceli's serves local, fresh & fun entertainment daily!
Choose from the following dates:
October 13th 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
October 16th 3:00 - 5:00 pm
October 20th 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Price: $40 per person (includes boat tour and crew gratuity).
Sweet Melissas Sustainable Seafood Class & Wine Dinner Organic
Enjoy a sustainable seafood demo and wine dinner at Sweet Melissa's Cafe on Sanibel Island. Guests will be divided into small groups and participate in the preparation of the evenings meal, which will consist of Smoked Fish Salad, Pork Belly and Clams, Oven Roasted Cobia, and Banana Pecan Strudel, as well as a wine selection Franck Peillot Altesse, Bugey, France 2011, The White Knight Viognier, Clarksburg, California 2011, and Oreana Pinot Noir, Central Coast, California 2009.
Click here to view event menu
Date: October 13th 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Price: $90 per person BUY NOW
Wicked Dolphin Florida Rum Distillery Tour Organic
Further your experience during the culinary celebration of Restaurant Week by visiting the Wicked Dolphin Florida Rum Distillery. We are an artisan distillery that creates award winning handcrafted Florida Rum based in Cape Coral, Florida. We source our ingredients from local Florida farmers, which coins our process by the phrase “farm to bottle." With most all Rum coming from the Caribbean, we feel we are doing something special making an award winning Florida Rum! During the tour, you will get to see exactly how we make our Florida Rum, get an up close look at our copper pot still, fermentation tanks, bottling line & barrel room. If you are of age, you will finish up your tour with a grand finale tasting. We will also give Restaurant Week visitors a 15% discount on merchandise at our retail store on premise.
Awards received: 2013 Gold Medal at Miami Rum Renaissance, 2013 “Best in Class” at the ADI Craft Distillers Conference.
For more information on Wicked Rum, go to wickeddolphin.com
Choose from the following dates:
October 15th 1:00 - 4:00 pm
October 17th 1:00 - 4:00 pm
October 19th 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Price: Free Admission
Bayfront Bistro Wine Dinner
Enjoy a 5 course meal prepared by Executive Chef Eduardo Prieto at the magnificent Bayfront Bistro on Fort Myers Beach.
Click here to view each course which will be paired with complimentary wines.
Date: October 16th at 7:00 - 10:00pm
Price: $90 BUY NOW
ICARE Wine & Farm Tour
Enjoy tours of ECHO Global Farm & Nursery, Eden Winery, 31 Produce and Buckingham Farms. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a u-pick farm experience, learn about hydroponics, shop for produce and locally made crafts, and find out more about what's growing in Florida.
Price includes transportation, bottle of wine, farm fresh 3 course lunch, raffle prizes and goodie bag.
Rabbit Run Farm Tour & Culinary Class with Chef Kristina San Filippo Organic
Owner Denise Muir will lead a tour of Rabbit Run Farm, a hydroponic farm, introducing the variety of heirloom plants being grown and how the hydroponic system works. The sustainable farming practices used at Rabbit Run will be the focus of the tour material, including the farm's dedication to sell only to local restaurants and customers. Following the tour, a culinary class will be presented inside the farm cottage where Chef Kristina San Filippo will demonstrate a selection of recipes using Rabbit Run Farm produce. Guest will then enjoy a salad and vegetarian entree for lunch featuring the recipes presented in the culinary class.
Featured Chef: Kristina San Filippo
Date: October 18th 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Price: $45 per person BUY NOW
Demo & Dine at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Sugden Hall Wine Room
Several area chefs will demonstrate using local ingredients in their own restaurant to create beautiful, vibrant dishes highlighting the Lee County's pristine seafood and diverse produce.
Each chef’s demo plate will be prepared for guests to enjoy paired with complimenting wines. Book your spot at this unique event venue for a dining experience with some of the area’s most celebrated chefs.
Featured Chefs:
Jeff Acol, Owner & Executive Chef - A Table Apart
James Fraser, FGCU Resort & Hospitality Management Visiting Instructor
Noel Willhite, Sous Chef at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa
Melissa Talmage, Executive Chef & Owner - Sweet Melissa's Cafe
Date: October 20, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Price: $75 per person BUY NOW