Curry and Kabob brings tastes of India to Punta Gorda

Just about every time we go to New York or any big city for that matter, we seek out an Indian restaurant.  It's one of those cuisines probably due to having spent a significant amount of time in London that we just love.  While once the urge hits we have been willing to travel miles to get our Indian food fix, we were overjoyed to learn that we might not have to go that far - an Indian Restaurant was opening in Punta Gorda.  And, of course we had to go there the first day Curry and Kabob opened off Bermont Road (in the Wynn-Dixie Plaza) on Sunday, Mother's Day.

"We don't have a full menu yet," the friendly waiter explained, "only the buffet for a week or so."  But that was more than ok.  And so was the menu to come, which owner Sunil brought immediately to our table.

The brightly colored restaurant with comfortable furnishings didn't have to be altered much to changeover from a Mexican Restaurant (formerly Corazon) to the new Curry and Kabob.  The bold wall paint fits and by changing out the wall hangings and introducing Indian videos and music, the metamorphosis was almost complete.   The real transformation took place in the kitchen with the addition of a tandoori oven.  

Sunil is also the owner of the Race Track gas station across the road and when the Mexican restaurant he first opened didn't work, he was convinced by customers that an Indian would.  If the taste of the food we sampled today is any evidence of future success, we would agree.

I confess ahead that I am not a buffet fan and neither is my partner.  Both of us, therefore, were pleasantly surprised that the dishes were so good.  The chicken tikka masala was as good as any I've had in New York, tender and savory.  The Lamb Jai Puri, Dal Curry and other dishes on the buffet were flavorful but not very spicy, which for many of those not inclined towards firey tasting  food would find appealing.  On the full menu, dishes are marked with hot peppers for degree of spiciness, which can be adjusted to taste.  

Speaking of the full menu, for those "Indianfoodphiles," it won't  disappoint, a full list of specialties includes favorites like lamb rogan josh, chicken kourma, saag paneer, and, of course, naan  and other breads - 14 varieties, including peshawari naan stuffed with raisins, nuts and cheese and aloo paratha stuffed with potato.  Naan, sort of like Indian pizza bread, is divine and a reason to go to an Indian restaurant on its own if it's good- and the plain naan we sampled today was good, very, very good.

Curry and Kabob is located at 27670 Bermont Road Unit 6 in Punta gorda.  Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday noon to 3 p.m.  Dinner is Tuesday through Sunday 5 to 10 p.m.  A luncheon buffet is offered every day.  

Leroy's Southern Kitchen Opens on Marion

Local entrepreneurs and caterers Lee Richardson and Bob Mulroy with chef Rich Howze have opened the doors of their Southern Kitchen, Leroy's, on Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda.  Lee was roaming the restaurant today at lunchtime and eager to explain the various dishes that Chef Howze had created for what the restaurant they describe on their website as "a unique blend of relaxed elegance, unprecedented comfort and soulful Southern hospitality."

We tried the tasting board from the charcuterie menu.  The cheeses and sausage choices which included an aged gouda and blue, andouille sausage, some cured ham and other selections was indeed tasty!  Also, enjoyed was their green fried tomatoes with blue cheese and tasso fondue.  The menu  which can be viewed on their website is extensive and includes a full selection of southern entrees and sides as well as hamburgers.  Leroys also has a 3-6 p.m. happy hour.   

New Mexican Restaurant coming to Marion Avenue

Spotted new sign in the window of the old Chicago hot dog place for Isabel and Annabel's Mexican Restaurant coming soon.  When we find out more, will let you know.  

Captain's Table has New Bar Menu Updating Lunch and Dinner Menus

We were glad to hear this week that Fishermen's Village's  "Captain's Table" restaurant is updating its lunch and dinner menus and introducing a new bar and lounge menu.  The restaurant has stunning waterfront vistas from the bar and deck overlooking Charlotte Harbor, but has needed a jolt to its menus.  The bar menu is also a welcome addition.  With the comfortable perch the bar offers over the harbor, better, reasonable-priced food at the bar could be a magnet for Punta Gordans and visitors.  The new bar menu  includes bison burgers, Asian nachos, Bahamian chicken—and more - prices look reasonable.  We'll be visiting soon with a full report.  Meanwhile, below are highlights from Smugglers release.





The Captain’s Table unveiled its first-ever bar menu and an updated lunch menu this summer, said General Manager Nate McKelvy and Chef Todd Stolpe in a joint announcement. An updated dinner menu will start in September.  Located in the top tier of Fishermen’s Village, the Captain’s Table is the part of Smuggler’s Enterprises, the local, family-owned restaurant network.

The appetizers, main courses, and side items showcase Caribbean, Asian, and Old World Spanish influences on South Florida’s fresh seafood and locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables,” Chef Todd said. Other innovations include a “Wild Game and Whiskey” dinner that marries full-course, table d’hôte specials—such as bison, boar, or rabbit—with specialty bourbons, whiskeys, and brandies, topped with a hand-rolled cigar on the sunset deck. Upcoming events include the “Hemingway Old Caribbean” dinner which will explore Caribbean food and old, aged Rum.







(Photos furnished by Smugglers, Inc.)

"Diners can expect to see more salad selections on the menu and fewer “basket with fries” fare at lunch", McKelvy said, “We are expanding the chef’s dinner specials with a rotation of new dishes that, if the demand is there, will be promoted to the main menu.”

"The first weeks of the new bar menu has been an especially big hit", McKelvy indicated, "partly due to timing. The bar menu now offers selections throughout the entire day, and most importantly, bridging the two hours in the afternoon between lunch and dinner." “We had not offered specialty sandwiches, wraps, and appetizers at the bar before, but the demand is clearly there. We are delighted to be able to respond to that demand with both new items and old favorites,” McKelvy said. Complementing the new menu is a selection of craft cocktails and a list of over 30 single barrel bourbons and small batch whiskeys that McKelvy has carefully constructed.

The new menu at the Captain’s Table includes long-standing specialties of the house, such as the chef’s signature Chilean sea bass marinated in coconut—now kicked up a notch with a marinade of Thai sriracha. “Another emerging favorite is the lobster grilled-cheese sandwich,” McKelvy said. All in all, the new menu is fresher and brighter than ever before, he promised.

The Captain’s Table is a 275-seat restaurant with views of Charlotte Harbor. It is open seven days a week, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch, and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner on weekdays, and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Find the Captain’s Table on the upper deck of Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, Fla. 33950.

Telephone (941) 637-1177. Visit the website for news, menus, and on-line reservations at www.thecaptainstable.com

Punta Gorda Chef Owner of Perfect Caper Beats Bobby Flay

Chef and Owner of the Perfect Caper restaurant in Punta Gorda, Jeanie Roland, astounded  judges with her signature  mussels dish and beat celebrity chef Bobby Flay last night on the nationally televised TV show "Beat Bobby Flay."  

After defeating New York chef, Becca Richards, in a preliminary round Roland went head-to-head with her mussels dish complemented by her well-liked french fries cooked in duck fat.  Celebrity chefs Katie  Lee and Robert Irvine gave moral support to Jeanie as she cooked off vs. Flay.  

In the initial round against Becca Richards, Jeanie delivered a perfect rib eye steak over polenta.  While the polenta Roland chose to accompany the steak was a slight miss, the rib eye, the key ingredient was better cooked than her competitor's.  Irvine pointed out to Roland after she won the initial competition that she was chosen because it was felt she could beat Bobby.  

The show gave national exposure to Roland's restaurant in Punta Gorda.  

Perfect Caper Owner to Compete on Bobby Flay Show This Thursday night

Local chef and Perfect Caper, owner, Jeanie Roland, will compete on a Food Network Show for a chance to cook off against Iron Chef Bobby Flay this Thursday night, the Charlotte Sun reported this morning.  

Roland has had to keep secret the results of the episode taped in January until aired this week, but Punta Gordans can tune in to see if our local chef's cooking proess beats out chef Becca Richards.  The winner then goes skillet to skillet against Flay. "The Heat is On" episode featuring Roland will air on the FN nationally televised show "Beat Bobby Flay"  Thursday, August 6 at 10 p.m. and  Friday at 1 a.m.

Roland and her partner James have operated the Perfect Caper in Punta Gorda for 15 years.  The Caper first opened in 2000 as a small restaurant and deli counter on Sullivan Street in the building now occupied by the Orange House. Jeanie's cooking immediately drew raves and foodies came from a far to try it out.  The Caper quickly outgrew the 10-table venue and in 2004, moved into its present location on East Marion Avenue. 

Roland has been quoted as saying that perhaps, "she has yet to create her best dish!" We're rooting that she does just that on the Thursday night show.  

New Restaurant to open in Opus location on Marion in Punta Gorda

A new restaurant will open at the former Opus location around the beginning of September.  Bob Mulroy and Lee Richardson whose names make up "Leroy" of Leroy's Southern Kitchen and Bar. anticipate opening in the former Opus location on Sept. 1.  Leroy's will feature Southern specialties  for lunch and dinner, seven days a week

Orange House Wine Bar Gets New Owner

The Charlotte Sun reported today the sale of the Orange House Wine Bar  in Punta Gorda, the popular wine bar on Sullivan Street. Over the last two plus years, with careful attention, Bob and Ruth Wessel brought success to the cozy place known for great jazz, wine and unique small plates.

The new owner is Lisa Blanchard, owner of Landmark Realty, also on Sullivan Street.

Say It's Not So... Opus is Closing

Went to the Opus website and found a scary notice:   “We’re sorry. Opus is now closed for a while.”      

This sparkling place on a key Punta Gorda corner has been a delightful addition to our town. We received confirmation this morning that indeed it's true the marvelous place is closing -- it's really too bad we couldn't support this lovely restaurant.  

New Callaloo Caribbean Restaurant Brings Something New to Punta Gorda's Oldest Waterfront Dining Spot

For many years, we traveled often down Rio Villa turning onto Deltona to reach Alligator Creek.  At that time Law's Seafood was in the old gritty, shack along the creek and pelicans loomed there waiting for the remains of fish that the market filleted after boats arrived with their catch.  Nearby an undistinguished looking restaurant hugged  the Creek at its curve with a beaten up wooden dock. While the place was pretty much a dump, it served up descent seafood and drinks, and  the views by the window tables were often breathtaking despite the fifties-era curtains that hampered them.

The owners of the new Callaloo have fixed much of what was wrong with the old Riveria Oyster Bar -- cleaning, painting, putting in a concrete dock, and getting rid of the old curtains opening up the magnificent view where boats go by so close you get the feel of being on a riverboat watching the wildlife and ebbs and flow of the river traffic go by.  As Ophelia Rosen and husband Bob told us when we visited recently "there's much more to do -- more color, paintings, decor" but they've made a great start.  The place is now very clean and the views especially near sunset when the creek glistens and  flocks of pelicans and other waterbirds fly by  are enough to come for... and of course, now there is the food.

Ophelia hails from Trinidad and what she brings to the restaurant is from her roots - the flavors of cumin, turmeric, saffron, masala, herbs and  garlic. She's also hired a top notch chef who adds his own flare..inspired dishes prepared with relentless care with a Caribbean twist.

 The night we visited we sampled the tasty callaloo soup - a silky, thick stew delicately mixed with crab modified from the original - using spinach instead of the root plant not available here - delicious.  We quickly ingested some of the intriguing appetizers including the bacon wrapped plantains above in a tangy sweet sauce.  Fish is a specialty and there are many choices with a slate of accompanying dishes including macaroni pie, black beans, callaloo (Jamacan style) and more traditional stuff as well.  The mango shrimp in a tantalizing sauce is especially good, as are the crunchy coconut shrimp and crab cakes.   Friends and neighbors have also given thumbs up to  the paella, oysters, and jerk.   TripAdvisor reviews have been excellent.    

Callaloo's wait staff bustle through the restaurant, but while being efficient, they are also friendly and informative explaining the dishes and making recommendations.  Ophelia, ever affable,  floats about the restaurant talking to guests, checking on the kitchen and bar.  This is defintely a Punta Gorda place to visit again and again.

Location:

5500 Deltona Dr, Punta Gorda (turn off Tamiami Trail onto Rio Villa, then left onto Deltona to end)

Italia - Punta Gorda's new neighborhood Trattoria

"A trattoria is an Italian eating establishment, less formal than a ristorante but more formal than a osteria. The service is casual, and the emphasis is on a steady clientele rather than on haute cuisine The food is modest but plentiful mostly following regional and local recipes."  Italia is Punta Gorda's newest local trattoria.  Food is plentiful, regional, the feel is convivial, a neighborhood tavern with a southern Italian twist.

Stopping there the other evening, we tried a number of the specialities many of which reminded me of the home food made by mothers of Italian friends who hailed from the Calabrese region of Italy with its heavy red sauces, huge meatballs of beef, pork and veal, creamy ricotta and pizza reminiscent of that made by the Sicilian baker I worked for as a young girl.

I couldn't resist ordering the spaghetti whose origins have been debated ... some claiming it was invented during WWII by using ingredients available from American GIs.  The truth be told  the name is said to come from a dish made in the Appenine mountains of the Abruzzo by woodcutters who made charcoal for fuel.  Regardless, Italia's Carbonara was excellent and reasonably priced.

My companion raved about the excellent big meatball of veal, pork and beef and other friends were equally impressed with the parmigiana dishes they ordered.

We didn't try the pizza this time but the buzz is that it is very good.. and it dazzled as it floated by our table.

A number of eateries have been tried out in  the space adjourning the popular River City Grill.. an upscale Chinese, a tavern.  They didn't work, despite the very cool bar space.   Italia could be the perfect fit -- and the cool bar is still there too now with cichetti ( Italian bar food)!

Contact:  
127 W Marion Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950-4412.
 (941) 639-7655.

New Italian Restaurant to open at Pressellers Location

Sadly one of our favorite Punta Gorda restaurants for lunch has closed.  Pressellers Restaurant has been sold, to be reopened around Nov. 1 as Carmelo’s Italian Ristorante.  Food will be traditional Italian and there will be entertainment on the weekends.  The new owner is a Sicilian-born chef with experience with the old Mamma Nuncia's (now Phil's 41) and as an executive chef in St. Petersburg.  

New Caribbean Restaurant Coming to Punta Gorda on Alligator Creek

Down by Alligator Creek with windows close enough to the water that you can see the faces of boat passengers navigating the channel and watch the wildlife flock over the mangroves, the Riveria Oyster Bar welcomed locals for many years. Recently it closed, but fortunately new owners will soon open their doors to a new concept on the creek with a touch of the Caribbean.

Ophelia Rosen with her husband, Robert are busy with extensive remodeling of a building which hasn't had a facelift in years. They hope to open in early November.

'Callaloo Caribbean Restaurant & Bar'' will be the name of the new place. "Callaloo is one of Trinidad's National Dishes," Ophelia explained. "The main ingredient is a leaf vegetable that stems out from a large tuber called 'dasheen', somewhat like a yam or potato."  Because the leaf is not available outside the Caribbean the restaurant will use water spinach to make the dish consisting of okra, coconut milk, crab and seasoned to taste in a soup or with rice, dumplings, etc.

Ophelia describes "Trinidad and Tobago as  a ''Melting Pot'' with a vast mixture of ethnic backgrounds influencing  its cuisine. The Africans brought in Creole dishes, East Indians brought the curry and spices, Chinese introduced Cantonese dishes using local spices and ingredients that add a distinctive flavor, the Spanish brought Paella and French pastries and sweets. The cuisine also has British and North American influences, but we just add our own local spices and ingredients to the dishes." Ophelia told us.

The restaurant theme will be mainly Caribbean or West Indian, with most dishes from Trinidad, a few from Jamaica and Latin America. The Creole dishes are robust stews and one-pot comfort foods. Some signature dishes are pelau, macaroni pie and, of course, Callaloo. "We stew just about any meat or legume 'Trini-style'. We make rich, hearty and delicious soups like Oxtail soup and beef soup, to name a few." the new owner noted.

The food of the region uses lots of other spices like cumin, turmeric, saffron, masala, herbs and plenty of garlic. The two hallmarks of Ea 5500 Deltona Dr, Punta Gorda, FL 33950st Indian foods are ROTI and Doubles. Roti is a stove top flattened bread served with any curried meat or vegetable. 

"So expect dishes like roti, paella, jerk chicken and pork, bake and fish, macaroni pies, tropical fruit drinks and desserts, Trinidadian cakes and breads, and so much more,"

Location:

5500 Deltona Dr, Punta Gorda (turn off Tamiami Trail onto Rio Villa, then left onto Deltona to end)

River City Grill To Get New Italian Sister - Italia Coming to Town

Just spotted (although I confess it may have been there awhile since we have been away from our hometown way too long), the new sign over the old Tavern, next to River City Grill -- Italia. What I am hearing is that this is the brainchild of Doug Amaral, owner of River City to be called Italia at River City. The restaurant is expected to somewhat mirror it's older brother with a modern bar like the City, with a Tuscan flare. The menu according to reports will be classic and modern Italian.  Italia is expected to open later this year. Can't wait.

Curves at the Wyvern in Punta Gorda Slowly Opening

Curves, the new Sports Bar, opening at the Wyvern is starting to have soft previews including the cute new outfits of the bartenders.  The menu, sports bar fare, looks appetizing with hamburgers, cheesesteaks and the like -- limited items until the full opening some time soon.  Promising hangout!

Hurricane Charley's Softly Opens This Week with a Bang

While the doors of Hurricane Charley's haven't opened to the general public yet, that's supposed to happen in a few days, they did slide open softly last night for a Chamber event.  And despite glitches to be expected in a first run through, what shined through was the outstanding food, and the friendly, cheerful staff that Dean has taken on in his new establishment on Punta Gorda's waterfront.

The old place, built to house a Holiday Inn on a prime piece of waterfront property with an intriguing history, and most recently home to  Best Western's Benedetto's, has now been scoured and improved, but still needs some cheer.  Some plants, paintings would be enough to make this difficult interior more inviting.  That said, new furnishings, paint and cleaning has already vastly improved what was Benedetto's .  And once the doors to the vast deck open up, the interior will be overshadowed anyway by ambience on Charlotte Harbor.

Even though the wait for it was exceptionally long, the food that finally arrived was worth every second spent. This is, in fact, what we have too long waited for in Punta Gorda -- delicious southern gulf-shore cuisine more delectable than what one would have expected from a restaurant with a name that suggests Sports Bar.  We tried from what was supposed to be a limited menu for the soft opening (seemed pretty extensive to us), some excellent peel and eat shrimp, delicious mini crab cakes full of crab meat, shrimp and grits which stacked up to my favorite rendition of this dish in South Carolina, and a plump steak full of flavor that was ordered accompanied by crunchy hush puppies, whipped potatoes and spinach -- yum.  And then came the desserts.  We saw a very good looking  strawberry shortcake floating by, but were seduced by the chocolate torte, which was heavenly.

Other items on the menu last night included a smoked gouda spinach artichoke dip, cajun bayou flat bread, fried clams, fried shrimp, fried oysters, Po Boys, smoked chicken mac and cheese,shrimp and crawfish, a brandied short rib, smoked fish spread, kale salad, pear and strawberry spinach salad, mahi fish tacos and much more on what was supposed to be I repeat a shortened version of their full menu.

Need I say that despite some hiccups from last night, we will return soon and again and again.

Looks Like Turtle Club is "Crawling" Back to Punta Gorda

Saw in the agenda of City Council this week that one of the used-to-be upscale restaurants along Marion, and a personal favorite of ours, may be crawling back to town.  There is a resolution on the City's agenda this week to approve a 5-year lease of the Herald Court space in back of the Club's facility for use for outdoor dining by the Turtle Club on reopening of the restaurant.  Looks to us that this is foreshadowing a return of the Turtle Club sometime in the near future.  Here's hoping.

What's Old is New Again -- Presellers of Punta Gorda is Back

Everything I liked about Pressellers Deli is back, but better.   Stopped by today after I saw an ad in yesterday's paper for "Pressellers".  Wow-- could it be that one of my all time favorite luncheon places was back.   What happened I wondered to the Big Cheese?  The Big Cheese name I was told confused potential customers so the name was changed to one Punta Gordans will be more familiar with, the one associated with those wonderful luncheon sandwiches named after artists on that amazing French bread no where else to be found nearby.  Only the old Pressellers Deli was a bit more eclectic, less seating, a bit messy.   The new Pressellers is much more attractive --  both inside and out.  Like a naturally pretty girl who gets a good haircut and new makeup.   The entry way has an old time Florida feel and once inside the space with volume ceilings , freshly painted tuscan-colored walls with blue accents, and black drapes hiding the old deli counters has immediate appeal.

Across from the painting of the white cockatoos that I've always loved, we enjoyed  Monet's Garden and Chicken Charlotte Sandwiches on crunchy French Baguettes just as remembered with the broccoli salad that Jerry gets just right.  In addition to a wide variety of sandwiches, there remains the gourmet grilled cheese options, salads and soups. 

The other improvement is that the new Pressellers is also open for dinner (with music on Thursday nights).  Specialties which are nicely priced range from New Orleans Inspired, to Italian to traditional American with a Southern twist. Part of the current dinner menu appears below: 

Looks Promising -- Deena's Delectables

A new sign popped up recently on East Marion where the old Encore Tea Room once was -- the lovely little British spot with nice lunches and afternoon tea.   I'm checking into it but could only find a facebook page with a few posts https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deenas-Delectables.

In any event, the sign promises an October 15 opening.  Looks like a promising place to check out.

Meanwhile, some of our favorites have disappeared including the Cuban Restaurant on Taylor.
We're also getting questions as to when the new restaurant in Benedettos old place is to open up -- no sign of it yet -- will be checking out.  

Harpoon Harry's Rolling out Newly Remodeled Nightlife Space

Smugglers has announced that Harpoon's  is rolling out the red carpet for a grand opening weekend October 12-13th for the company's latest venture - a newly renovated and re-imagined Harpoon Harry’s.

Upon entering the newly renovated restaurant, guests will descend into the open-air space designed to offer a unique waterfront atmosphere. Directly adjacent; a custom built DJ booth featuring a new, top-of-the-line digital sound system. With a massive one-hundred inch projection video wall, state-of-the-art lighting systems, and professional acoustics throughout the venue, Harpoons sets the stage for performance artists to engage and entertain the crowd. The main dance floor sits directly across from the newly built stage, and is surrounded by plush sectional furniture, designed to be moved and reconfigured so customers can customize their own lounge setting.

In addition to the dance music by their new house DJ, Big E, whose mixes have been enjoyed all around SW Florida, as well as on the air; the new modernized Harpoon Harry’s will be the first venue to offer real-time video gaming for sports fans. The establishment will be hosting a game night where participants can lounge in front of the massive one hundred inch projection screen and challenge their friends to a video game feud.

The newly remodeled space will also feature high capacity airflow, and ten additional HD flat-screen TVs situated around its three large bars. 

DJ Big E will be on hand to host the grand opening on October 12, 2013.