Around Town: New Wine Bar Opening Soon on Sullivan Street

While roaming this past week I spotted a new sign on the orange house on Sullivan Street where Closer to the Vine sadly closed months ago.  "The Orange House Wine Bar" it clearly read.  So the good news is that it will be opening in January, 2013... and Punta Gorda will have a new wine bar in this lovely spot.  More to come... here is their website: http://theorangehousewinebar.com/home

A Little bit of Havana comes to Downtown Punta Gorda -- Morales Sizzles

Cross the threshold of the little cottage on Taylor that used to be a hair salon a few years back and walk into a a little bit of Havana right in the center of Punta Gorda.   Morales Cuban Cafe sizzles with both the flair and flavor of a place so long denied Americans that it has a special mystic for those who have left it behind and those who have never been.  Morales gives Punta Gordans a window into that forbidden world.

From its green, chocolate and beige walls hung with colorful paintings, artworks and other memorabilia to its extensive menu of Cuban delights, Morales has the nostalgic feel of another place in another world in another time. The high ceilinged spacious rooms ( the new owners knocked down some of the walls that made the building feel cramped), the cozy little porch totally transformed, the rich paint  and touches on the tables all add to the charm and tropical island feel of the new cafe.

Then there is the food. It's authentic.  That's because the owners are both from Cuba.  Alex Madera was brought to Miami from Havana over 30 years ago as a child.  There he met his wife Dayani Morales, who has now been in the US about 10 years.  They were first lured to the Punta Gorda area  by a friend, a Port Charlotte physician, and found what they thought would be a perfect location for their Cuban-style cafeteria in South Punta Gorda.   Struggling there at first, their small cafe/deli became of favorite of frequent travelers between Fort Myers and points North.  More recently their lease ran out and they decided to look elsewhere and were shown the place on Taylor by a local realtor.

Mandera told us how surprised he has been at the crowds that have descended so quickly on the comfortable bodega.  "We started out with 25 Cuban loafs for our sandwiches a day.... we are already up to 75 a day," he explained, "and it's now even season."  "We are very happy about how fast we have been accepted here," he indicated.   This is evidenced by the cars that now fill the parking lot and empty lot near the cafe and line Taylor street every day since the Morales Cafe has opened.

The menu is daunting with everything from empanadas, a plethora of roast and fried chicken dishes with rice and black beans, plantains and more.  All starts at 8 a.m. with breakfast with good Cuban coffee and ends at 9 or 10 at night with a huge list of choices including desserts like flan. (Been told they are holding off on breakfast for time being--no matter go for lunch or dinner.) You're going to like it here!

Morales Cuban Cafe
(941) 833-9355
321 Taylor St
Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Morales Cuban Cafe Opens in Punta Gorda -- Big John Barbecue Soon to Come

Alexis Maderal, opened Morales Cuban Cafe on Taylor Street  this past Tuesday.  If Morales in Punta Gorda lives up to reviews of their earlier ventures, this new little cafe is sure to be a Punta Gorda favorite.  It's great to see the variety of new restaurants coming into town -- Big Johns is coming soon.   

Surprise - Dean's South at 6:30 a.m. for a Punta Gorda Breakfast!

Is there anything as tantalizing as the smell of coffee, fresh toast and above all bacon...... for yards away you can practically taste that smell drawing you in almost in a trance.  As good as the actual taste is, it just can't keep the promise of the smell... no matter ... it's what has drawn me to Breakfast, my favorite meal... enjoyed sometimes at home.. but most often out.

There is a specialness in breakfast in a restaurant.  One is you are not the cook or cleaner upper -- you can get a start to your day without the fuss.  And my latest local favorite is not one of the  usual suspects in town... it's a place one normally would think of later in the day for Mexican or to listen to a local band -- Dean's South of the Border.  And the reason why is largely due to Brenda.  Brenda Ryan used to run the Smokehouse on Rio Villa, which went the way of Charley, and which I still miss.  It was a cozy, real local kind of a place where fishermen headed before going out for the catch and other locals favored.   We lived closed by and loved the feel, but most of all the food and the people.  Post the hurricane, Brenda opened up at the Mason's Lodge at Taylor and Airport Road for breakfast and lunch, which we frequented until she sadly left there.    Thus, when Brenda began serving up breakfast at Dean's we were there.
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I love that Dean's opens early for breakfast before many of the other local places -- 6:30 a.m.  Not that I can or want to make it there this early all the time, but on those days when I need to get an early start or just wake up early for some unbeknownst reason, I know I can go there.  I also love the place -- Dean's -- the old one -- was the first restaurant I went to in Punta Gorda when we were moving here, and even though later in the day it doesn't quite have the feel of that old place somehow at 6:30 in the morning it does.

Now let's talk about the food... the breakfast burritos, pancakes, huevos rancheros, .... here's the menu -- it's outrageous -- all this stuff to choose from and reasonably priced.  But Brenda knows I am regular for the spinach omelet, which is by far the best I have ever had, and is served with a variety of sides -- no grief about tomatoes instead of potatoes or grits or extra charges.   One other speciality to note is the french toast, which is actually made of cinnamon rolls.  I like when my partner orders these, so I can have one delectable bite.  Just maybe for a special treat I'll surprise Brenda and order a plate of these for myself.  

Sky View Cafe -- A Great Punta Gorda Breakfast without Tickets

The Sky View Cafe is one of those out-of-the-ordinary places tucked next to Bailey Terminal at the Punta Gorda Airport.  You only have to pull up to the parking lot in front of the terminal to catch the waft of bacon floating in the air so good you can taste the salty, crunchy, greasy goodness.  You've arrived at one of those down-home Punta Gorda food joints, and you don't need airline tickets to go there.

And it's not all about the food.  First off, you're at the airport, and as hinted by the name "sky view," there are  wonderful views of planes taking off.. unique planes... teeny, tiny ones, and large commercial ones.   Secondly, the place itself is a minature museum with model airplanes hanging from the ceiling, vintage airplane photos on the walls, and other aviation collectibles strewn about.  And then there is the people -- on any given day, members of city council might stop by for breakfast, or ranchers might gather, or snowbirds flock busy chirping away about goings on in their winter camps, and other regular locals come in for great food served swiftly and cheerfully. In other words,  there is atmosphere on the ground here.

Brenda's in Punta Gorda For Breakfast (Now Closed)

Headed over to the Y this morning, which by the way we discovered was moving off the Edison campus by the end of the year due to the college's expansion.  On the way home, we stopped at Brenda's.  As usual a number of pick-up trucks and vans were parked outside the Mason Lodge on Taylor and Airport, where Brenda's moved after her place on Rio Villa was blown away during Hurricane Charlie.

I've commented on Brenda's before in my Breakfast in Punta Gorda blog post last year.  But I never miss an opportunity to effuse about this local diner-type eatery.  To start with the owner, Brenda is usually there with her two daughters and now granddaughters (they are a bit too young to work there yet--babies) making Brenda's a real family- run place.  Serving the same type food she did in the place she bought in 2000, after 15 years of waitressing there, Brenda enjoys talking to the customers, sharing history, local happenings and great food.  It isn't unusual to find long- time Punta Gordeans there talking about town history, politics,  ranching, fishing and other aspects of their lives in a town that still clings, despite the invasion of 1000s of Northerners, to its southern Floridian traditions.  This is also evidenced by the food.

In addition to the eggs fixed to order, Brenda serves  homemade sausage --- something special,  cornbeef hash, biscuits with homemade gravy, and , of course, grits.  The pancakes and French Toast meet with my husband's approval --- and he is a tough judge.   And prices are reasonable too.

Brenda is open for lunch as well.  She usually has a full board of specials, as well as standards like homemade chili, fried chicken, BBQ beef, a full range of sandwiches including excellent chicken, egg, and tuna salad.  

Location:  24349 Airport Road, Punta Gorda   941-637-7719

Our Rating:  Food: ***1/2   Experience: **** 

BEEN TO BRENDA'S LIKE TO TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE, COMMENT BELOW:

Desperately Seeking Sushi

Well it had just been too long. The sushi cravings were back. So desperate sushi seekers headed for the local place -- Amimoto. With its lantern-adorned sushi bar, neutral walls decorated tastefully with Japanese prints and symbols, a stunning encased kimono and crayon landscapes done by the owner, Amimoto brings you as close to Japan as any place in Punta Gorda Florida can. And then, of courrse, there is the sushi.

Amimoto's sushi is fresh, generously sliced and delicious. It is our favorite Japanese restaurant within a 50-mile circumference of our home town. Daruma in Naples is a close contender --- more on this restaurant in another blurb to come.

The restaurant has about 10 tables and 9 seats at the Sushi bar so in winter month's it is usually hard to get a seat. However, last night there were openings -- an unfortunate sign of the economic times. Nonetheless, there were plenty of hard-core sushi lovers wolfing down the earthly delights.

In addition to a full slate of nigiri, Amimoto also serves the standard and some of their own maki. Plus, it is a full service restaurant with offerings for the sushiphobic. The appetizer list is delightful with offerings such as tuna and beef tataki, katsu, takitori, fried oysters and gyoza. Last night we tried the shiitake which is sauteed mushrooms in a teriyaki type sauce --- it was very flavorful and not rubbery like some mushroom dishes of this sort.

The full menu, which I confess we have never been to -- unfortunately Japanese restaurants with great sushi are a bit like ice cream parlors with great vanilla ice cream, i.e. it's hard to get by the specialty, is extensive. Nonetheless, I've been told by others who have accompanied us here that the cooked food is excellent. Some of the dishes include teriyaki of various sorts--fish, chicken and steak. Grilled fish including grouper, mackerel, and sea bass, soft-shell crab tempura and standard tempura are also on the menu. I saw the later arrive at a neighboring table, and its the real deal not that fake fried stuff and an enormous portion.

All and all Amimoto is worth a visit if you are in or near Punta Gorda.

Punta Gorda Sushi

My husband is a sushi zealot and I am at least an enthusiast.  As such, we have ventured to  several of the sushi restaurants in the immediate area and beyond -- one,   in Towles Plaza in Punta Gorda,  is very good and probably the best closest to us -- Amimoto.  A smallish place with a few tables and a bar that seats about 8-10, Amimoto serves up large and luscious swatches of fish on tasty rice morsels, the rolls are good too.  Amimoto has excellent cooked food as well. 

 We have also been to a very good restaurant and the favorite of sushi  connoisseurs living in or closer to upper Port Charlotte -- Asuka.   Again large pieces of fish, interesting rolls, and fish which has always been fresh.  They also specialize in teppanyaki with its knife throwers and circus-style food entertaining. We took kids here and they thoroughly enjoyed it.

But last night we braved where few sushi-lovers dare to tread -- the sushi buffet.  Two reasons sushi buffs avoid such places.  One, they are seldom any good.  Two, even if they are not, sushi nuts will still pig out and regret it later.  So it was with great trepidation that we entered the halls of the Sakura Buffet on Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte.  Face it, times are tough!  

And for $15.95 for all-you-can-eat sushi plus a full Asian Buffet, it was hard to be a snob.  Plus, they took an extra 10% off that night for a reason we know not.  And it was decent sushi.  Was it the sushi like the top restaurants in New York that we have left $200 or more poorer -- no.  But it was good, on the smallish side, but good.  And the variety was impressive -- all the standard nigiri and hand rolls plus they even had a Philadelphia roll.  They also offered a wide assortment of special rolls, some familiar like dragon rolls and rainbow rolls, others I hadn't experienced before, but liked -- the dancing crab meat, the flying crab and one with mango. One other speciality that was interesting was fried sushi -- all of our company went back for seconds on that one.

The non- sushi bar area of Sakura includes some delicious tidbits as well that our non-sushi loving friends enjoyed --- including chicken yakatori, egg rolls,  several chinese-style dishes, and more.  

"I 'll  be back." 

Let me know about your Punta Gorda area sushi experiences....comment below.  

Punta Gorda -- an artist's parardise

There is something about small towns with rivers running through them that attract artists --- add spectacular sunsets, palm trees , year-round warm weather and historical charm and you magnetize them.  While I painted and drew in my earlier years, life and career pointed me in a different direction.  But once relocated to Punta Gorda,  I found myself  easily reconnecting  to these early interests especially because of the accessibility of artist resources and subjects. 

 

I started taking painting classes at the Visual Art center Punta Gorda first in watercolor, then drawing with Bob Cassell, and later oil painting.  While in California for nearly a year I studied painting and drawing with several artists there as well.   But it was truly Punta Gorda that brought back the artist in me, and if you just wander around you would see why.

Tomorrow, for instance, the third annual Peace River Arts Festival, one of many art events will take place in Laishley Park.  Many of Punta Gorda's local artists will be displaying there--more on that following the festival. Then,  there are  the murals scattered about town noted in an earlier posting and the galleries.   In addition, to three galleries at the Visual Art Center, there is the Joe Matthis Gallery in the Swiss Connection building on Olympia, the Sea Grape Gallery-- a cooperative of 25 working artists, with work in all art media, Vicki Glynn's Gallery-featuring her own work as well as several other artists, Pressellers- a favorite lunch restaurant of mine as well- and many more.   Punta Gorda is also the home of many artist studios including the Red Hat Studio run by Liz Hutchinson, offering art classes.  

Jacks and the Tavern and more

Three  new restaurants have recently opened on Marion Ave in downtown Punta Gorda: Jacks -- the long anticipated Charles Wallace venture (River City Grill), the Tavern, next to RCG,  another venture by Wallace, and one that seemingly  popped up like a genie out of thin air--Hookah, which is  further east on Marion.  

I plan to actually visit one of the three tonight. Thus far, I have only done drive-bys and listened to advance notices from neighbors.  I've heard raves on the Tavern for great sandwiches.   Hookah surprised everyone, and I haven't found anyone who has ventured there as yet.   I've heard some good reports on Jacks.  

From a glance, Jacks is an attractive looking place with a European, quoting the owner from a recent Punta Gorda Herald piece, "barista" feel,  similar to those combo bar/cafe/gelato places you find in Italy.  The bar itself spills onto Marion Ave. and is adorned with two large flat TV screens facing the street.  It bodes well that chef, Wayne Martin, was imported from Naples and the manager has mucho restaurant experience. Planning to offer breakfast, lunch and dinner (although right now limited to dinner), the large sprawling eatery offers window views of Marion from just about every seat.  

More on the food and the actual dining experience within a week.   

Favorite Restaurants

I developed a list of Punta Gorda Restaurants Gene and I frequent. I plan to edit this and elaborate more colorfully on each as time permits. Here it is for now:

River City Grill 131 West Marion, Punta Gorda. (941) 639-9080. Right along main street in downtown Punta Gorda. City-style bar and grill with good steaks, chops and fish.

Turtle Club 139 West Marion, Punta Gorda. (941)637-9477. "Old Florida” style restaurant focusing on regional seafood and steaks Specials include Mediterranean, Caribbean, Asian and Southern style dishes. Impressive decor features a fireplace, wooden beams, stonework, chandeliers and tin ceilings. Nice place for a more upscale dining experience.

Burnt Store Grille in Burnt Store Plaza near Burnt Store Isles, 3941 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda. (941) 575-2757. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Great breakfast menu, fast service. Reasonably priced lunch and dinner menu with Italian, Seafood and other American-style items. Large diner-style menu, very casual, pleasant atmosphere.

Captain's Table In Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda. (941) 637-1177. Waterfront dining setting with good seafood and other specialities. Outdoor seating overlooking the harbor is available as well as window views from the restaurant and lounge. View is to die for. Go for drinks at sunset and consider staying for dinner or having an appetizer dinner at the bar especially when Mabel is at the piano.

Mamma Nunzia 1975 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda. (941)575-7575 . Italian. One of Punta Gorda's standards. Reliable southern Italy style food, fun atmosphere. Catch Claudio with great music most evenings. Charming cafe area where you can have drinks, wine and meals in Euro cafe style atmosphere.

Trattoria Limoncello 10361 Tamiami Trl Punta Gorda (941) 639-6500 Best pizza in Punta Gorda. Wood-fired oven creates just the right crust--believe me we searched for this one and were surprised and delighted. Italian.

 

Asuka 1900 Tamiami Trl Unit 116A, Port Charlotte (941) 255-1119 Outstanding sushi -- very large pieces -- and wonderful rolls.  Also specialize in teppanyaki -- Japanese Steak House with all the flair.


Amimoto's 2705 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda. (941) 505-1515. Japanese.  Japanese cuisine in tiny local spot in Towles Shopping Plaza. Good sushi, Japanese chef/owner imports from Miami. Cooked food choices from Tempura to Japanese favorites. Waits in season.

Riviera Oyster Bar 5500 Deltona Drive, Punta Gorda. (941) 639-2633 Seafood. Worth the turn off US 41 down Rio Villa. Restaurant sits on Alligator Creek where from tables with water view you can watch the boats heading back and forth from Burnt Store Isles and other areas off the creek to Charlotte Harbor. While the food isn't outstanding, it's solidly good seafood with great views and entertainment some nights.

Dean's South of the Border 130 Tamiami Trail. Punta Gorda. (941)575-6100 Tex-Mexican. Recently remodeled --Great little place now with upscale outdoor bar and tables. Mostly tex-mex reasonably price. Catch specials like $1 Wings or Hot Dogs. Mexican specialities are best.

Bella Luna In Fishermen's Village, Punta Gorda. (941)575-4544 Italian. Excellent authentic Italian food including specialities like Sausage with Broccoli Rabe over Penne. Newly remodeled, with more tables extending into the village.

Presellers 209 Olympia Ave. (near Taylor). Punta Gorda. (941) 639-3990 Great sandwiches, salads, some excellent hot meals for take-out or enjoyment in next door art gallery or outdoor garden. Very informal, small but excellent. Try the Monet on a crusty bagette.

Elena's 615 Cross Street off Rt. 41. in Punta Gorda. (941) 575-1888 Large, scrumptious portions -- mostly for breakfast and lunch. Elena's serves reasonably priced dinners in season. Diner-style.

Brenda's Airport and Taylor at the Masonic Lodge in Punta Gorda. Now I am giving away my secret delight. A real local place where all the locals and construction guys have breakfast and lunch. Don't miss Brenda's sausage patties. Don't expect anything fancy here. Just good food.

 

Celtic Ray  145 East Marion Ave (941) 505-9219
Authentic Irish pub, serves pub food and  imported beers.

Perfect Caper 121 E Marion Ave  (941) 205-2272
Eurasian" or a fusion of European & Asian cuisine.  Excellent wines by the glass and bar appetizers. 

The Hunt for Good Chinese Food

Other than the small takeout place near the Punta Gorda Publix -- whose name I admit escapes me -- China something or other I am sure --- Chinese cuisine has eluded Punta Gorda... The other evening my friends and I still in search of a sit down restaurant experience tried Zen again. While the guys thought the place was pretty good --- my gal friend and I still think it just doesn't make it. Now whenever I am out of town in a place where Chinese restaurants are all over the place, I start lauding the attractions of Punta Gorda and the business potential hoping beyond hope that one of these Chinese restauranteurs will be lured to our town.......In the meantime the search continues....