Cafe De Marco exterior - 244 Royal Palm Dr. - 239-394-6262 - Open from 5PM except Sundays. www.cafedemarco.com

LOCATION 

Olde Marco was first settled in the 1880’s. Tucked into this historic area is the Café de Marco, celebrating 29 years in this unique location. Travel down Bald Eagle to Palm St and turn left. A contemporary décor waits in a historic building.

DINNER PACKAGES 

In celebration of the anniversary the restaurant continues to offer a twilight dinner between 5 and 5:45PM for $14.95. A three-course 29th Anniversary Dinner Package for $27 is served with wine. There are eight different entrees on the anniversary menu.

Everyone’s favorite, Surf & Turf.

CULINARY EXCELLENCE 

The Café de Marco is known for its diverse selection of fresh seafood and continental specialties. Local residents and hotel staff recommend the restaurant to visitors because of the top quality award winning seafood and specialties, service and ambiance.

The restaurant menu is very flexible for customers with various dietary requirements. There are vegetarian options on the menu. Diners who require gluten free or entrée substitutions should call ahead with the guidelines for the best experience.

Jumbo Prawns, one of their specialties.

WHAT IS NEW 

There are new culinary creations coming to the menu. New also, is the South Beach look with a redesigned courtyard, front deck and chickee bar. Private parties are welcome to reserve one or all of the three rooms with parties of 12 to 70. Reservations for all diners are requested at this very popular restaurant.

Philadelphia bred Guy and Lisa’s PHILLY GRILLE is making a statement. Here you can order authentic steak sandwiches (also called Philly Cheese Steak) “with or without.” In contrast the menu is vegan and vegetarian friendly. Chef Guy is continually creating, so there are always new menu items. A new kids’ menu is being offered. Fresh soups are made daily. Take out is available. Philly Grille is located at 1000 N. Collier Bvd. (between Radio Shack and Sunshine Booksellers) Heritage Square Shopping Center – Phone: 239.394.2221, fax: 239-394-2220 – www.PHILLY-GRILLE.com – Lunch is served 11AM to 2PM. Dinner 5PM to close. Closed on Sundays. ]]> http://www.coastalbreezenews.com/2011/10/21/philly-grille-known-for-variety/feed/ 0 http://www.coastalbreezenews.com/2011/09/22/stonewalls-fresh-fast-and-friendly/ http://www.coastalbreezenews.com/2011/09/22/stonewalls-fresh-fast-and-friendly/#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:42:52 +0000 Mint Design Co. http://coastalbreezenews.com/index.php/?p=14383 Joan Kelly 

Stonewalls is just what Al Landers and Tim Burke pictured. The restaurant has an elegant atmosphere, clean and open space, with electronic menus, flat screen televisions and fine food at an exceptional value. Food comes to the table fast and freshly made, with friendly service.

Stonewalls, 551 S. Collier Blvd. - 239 389-1995. Open daily 11 to 11. Breakfast only Saturday and Sunday 8:30 – 11. Beer and wine. Visit website www.marcostonewalls.com

FINE FOOD 

Fine food and drink is what is promised. From the freshly baked pastries and cake to the homemade soups, pasta dishes, salads, sandwiches and pizza diners will find only quality foods.

All entrees come with choice of one side, black beans and rice, pasta salad, slaw, side Caesar, lettuce wedge or a cup of soup. Soups are made daily with multiple home made choices including a seafood chowder.

Giant baked potato, a meal in itself, is served with many options. The coffee is Italian, LavAzza, and highly recommended for real coffee lovers. Beer and wine are also available. All employees have taken and passed the Florida Food License test to ensure clean and safe food handling.

Veggie flatbread.

FAST 

Customers place orders at the counter after viewing the digital menu board. After the order is placed, you get your own beverages and choose a table. Diners are given a numbered sign so the staff can locate you with the order.

The kitchen is highly efficient and the meal can be on the table, made from scratch, in just a few minuets.

Chef Al gave this example for the Fettuccine Alfredo made fresh and to order, “I crush the garlic, add a little butter, pour on heavy cream, add a couple kinds of cheese, Asiago and parmesan, little nutmeg, cook the pasta, and put it all together, and have it out in three or four minutes.” Carry outs are equally fast and affordable.

Spinach flatbread pizza.

FAMILY FRIENDLY 

The kids menu is only $5.99 with chips or salad and fountain drink. In addition the prices for the main menu are extremely reasonable and family friendly with most entrees in the $10 range. Portions are large enough to share and a second plate will be provided.

Stonewalls plan to tie in with the community sponsoring school and sporting events. They are involved the Optimist Club and are a Lely football booster.

Take advantage of the Costal Breeze coupons for free beverages with entrée.

Veggie panini.

FUTURE 

The business will be open while some improvements are made. Catering and parties are being booked. Breakfast is to be expanded in season.

TWO LOCATIONS SAME MENU

Happily dining at Hoots. Photo by Joan Kelly

The Marco Island Hoots, 563 Elkcam Circle east is the oldest. The second has the good fortune to be next to the new Lowe’s. They have the same basic menu, only the daily specials are different.

Owner Bruce Haynes is on Marco and Miguel Hernandez operates the second location.

SUMMER VALUE

Hoots is offering a new punch card.  Eat 12 meals in either restaurant, have the card punched and the next meal is on the house. This is a good deal for locals who relish eating out.

BREAKFAST

You can eat breakfast any time from 7 to 2, the summer hours five days a week. Breakfast entrees are over half of the menu encompassing all appetites. Mexi­can, Atkins, Belgium waffles, skillet dish­es and several Benedicts. You can create your own omelets, too. The servings are plentiful.

LUNCH

From 11 to 2 lunch is served. A new best seller is the half sandwich and cup of soup for $5.85. There is a choice of five sandwiches.

New also are the pannini sandwiches served with choice of fries, potato salad, chips or slaw. Cuban, turkey and bacon and Reuben are priced at $7.95.

KIDS

Kids love Hoots. As they walk in the door many know to ask for their Wikki Stix. They sit and play the stix, forming various shapes while the family relaxes.

SPECIALS

In addition there are three or four daily specials including full entrees and sandwiches. The set special for Monday is meat loaf, Tuesday turkey, Thursday pot roast. Friday fish taco and chicken quesadilla and Wednesday is rotating choice.

BEER AND WINE

Beer and wine are available as well as coffee, tea, six fruit drinks, Coke products and bottled water.

CONTACTS

On Marco you can reach Hoots at 239-394-4644. The Eagle Creek Center phone number is 239-304-4644.

Authentic italian food served up by the Carvelli family. Submitted

The ever expanding DaVinci’s in the Marco Walk Plaza on South Collier is in business to provide the best food in a heart-warming ambiance. The Carvelli family from Calabria, Italy has provided true Italian food for sixteen years. The same chefs, Giovanni and Francesco, make their creations by the book providing consistency you will appreciate.

PRIVATE ROOM

DaVinci’s now has an addition, a private room that seats around one hundred people. It has a huge wall screen and computer connection for business meetings and lunches. It will be a place to hold special events like receptions and conferences in an elegant and private setting.

LUNCH

For $7.95 Monday through Saturday you can order a value priced lunch with a house salad. The menu changes with options like shrimp parmigiana, chicken Marsala, baked rigatoni and Tilapia Piccata.

DINNER

All of the pasta dishes are homemade and served with homemade bread and house salad. You will find all of the usual Italian dishes with a few surprises. The new ravioli D’Aragosta has fresh lobster meat. Gnocchi Giuseppe is made with spinach and gorgonzola cheese.

On the pollo menu you will find Cornish hen. In the carni menu portion the new Agnello Al Forno, braised lamb shank, is presented.

PIZZA

The wood burning pizza oven is at the center back of the restaurant and diners can sit at the pizza bar and watch the activity. Whole wheat and gluten-free dough is available. Pizzas include everything from Hawaiian to pizza with prosciutto, fresh arugola and Grana cheese. You can also build you own pizza.

SUSHI

Chef Luke will make your favorite sushi every evening (except Tuesday) from 4:30 to close. This feature has become extremely popular. Luigi Carvelli noted that some couples come in one for the sushi and the other for pizza. Where else can you get such a variety?

NIGHT LIFE

The tables are removed from the main dining room at 10:30 to close for DJ music every Friday and Saturday. He plays all types of music and the floor is clear for dancing.

CONTACT

You can reach Da Vinci’s at 239 389 1888 -  239 389 1888 or www.ristorante
davinci.com

By Joan Kelly

For more than 27 years The Chocolate Strawberry has provided homemade chocolate and ice cream treats on Macro Island. It is now located just down from Cocomo’s at 937 N Collier Blvd.

TREATS

You name it, owner Nigel Redwood has it. He is branching out into new chocolate dips like Gummy Bear, graham crackers, Twinkie and potato chips dipped in chocolate. You never know what will be dipped next. “ I’ll try it and see if it works,” Nigel said.

HAND MADE CHOCOLATES

You can order white, milk or dark chocolate. Chocolate strawberries, low sugar chocolate treats are made.

Bev Nordmann came in for a variety of chocolates to give as a hostess gift. “I come here for the quality. I won’t go anywhere else,” she explained.

HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

Two flavors of soft serve are now on the menu along with an entire section devoted to premium homemade ice cream including sugar-free. Other ice cream choices are cones, waffle cones or bowls, sprinkles, sundaes, banana splits. Yogurt, low calorie and low fat will soon be available.

GELATO, HOMEMADE

The sign next to the gelato gives customers a complete story. “Gelato is Italian ice cream made with all natural ingredients and less butter fat than premium ice cream. In fact it has less than half the fat of regular ice cream and less than half the calories.”

DRINKS

Milk shakes, smoothies, coffee, tea, milk and Coke products are also available.

CHOCOLATE SHAPES

Think of a shape and it is probably in the case. He has molds for all kinds of shapes, sea shells to gators including some unexpected shapes. They are a great addition to a party.

GIFT SHOP

The store is full of gifts, taffy, toys, Florida candies and Leaning Tree Cards. There is limited seating. Hours 11 to 9:30 daily except Sunday 12 to 9:30. Phone 239-394-5999.

With the frequent lunch dining card, customers at lunch continue to return and even have their favorite tables. Photos by joan Kelly

By Joan Kelly

BAR: The bar has its own room. Bruce built the bar and runs it for his family. Happy hour is from 4 to 6 and 9 to close. On Fridays there are free munchies. The restaurant menu is served as well. A late night menu serving salads, wings, sandwiches and platters kicks in at 9 pm.

LIVE MUSIC: The Saturday evening live entertainment is very popular with locals. “It is really cool,” Ellen Kretchmer says. The musicians change weekly.

Charbroiled domestic lamb chops are cooked to order.

MENU: Local luncheon guests know about the deals and value. There is a lunch card offered. With ten entrees you get a free entree. The specials for lunch are well designed and varied. Friday is still Mexican day. Lunch is served 11-2:30 Monday to Friday.

Dinner is served starting at 5 pm six days a week. Entrees are prepared to order and come with many choices. The homemade bread is a big draw.

Bruce Kretschmer works in the kitchen. However, the bar is his responsibility.

Fresh fish is on the special menu along with a variety of other dishes. The main menu now includes dinner sandwiches, salads and more.

Full bar service is available in the dining room throughout the day.

SPECIAL MEALS: You rarely see a restaurant with a complete gluten free menu. Even if you are not concerned about gluten the menu is just plain good. The variety of choices is excellent with fresh fish, lamb, chicken and steaks included.

SUMMER SPECIAL: Diners for the summer can get a great deal at dinner. Buy two meals and the Kretschmers will provide a free bottle of wine.

CONTACT: Customers can sign up for advance information on the day’s special menu with the fax and e-mail list. Kretch’s  is located at 527 Bald Eagle just past Elkcam Circle. Call 394 3433 for information.

Joan enjoys dining out and after working in the restaurant industry for awhile, she learned she liked writing about what she finds.  Since then, she has become a regular freelance newspaper columnist.