Sizzle Dining: 10 tips to max your fun & money at 95 restaurants, including 20+ waterfront
Have a healthy appetite?
That’s a good thing for navigating the whopping 95 restaurants participating in this year’s Sizzle Dining, the three-week promotional event running Sept. 7 through Sept. 27.
With so many restaurants spanning nine Southwest Florida communities, deciding where to go can be overwhelming.
By the numbers, there are seven selections in Bonita Springs, a dozen in Cape Coral, three in Estero, nine in Fort Myers, five on Marco Island, one on Isles of Capri, 55 in Naples, two on Sanibel Island and Babcock Ranch’s solo resto M’Xuma Tacos Mexican Grill.
And it’s for a good cause: each restaurant directly donates $1 of every lunch or dinner purchased to Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida, the nonprofit’s local chapter that feeds food-insecure elementary students every weekend in Lee and Collier Counties during the school year.
Last year’s tally was $20,000, according to Cecilia St. Arnold, Blessing’s executive director.
“Blessings in a Backpack is an obvious choice to benefit from Sizzle Dining," said Sizzle's founder Guy Clarke. “I grew up a latch-key-kid with a divorced mother and remember many days of not having enough food in the house. Now that I work with the restaurant industry, I am using my influence to help our local children and positively impact our community.”
In addition to the charitable component, the promotion boosts the local restaurant industry during our sleepiest month and makes entry to pricey spots somewhat gentler for guests.
But here’s the thing about 95 restaurants: Unlocking Sizzle Dining’s maximum food fun potential requires strategy and planning.
And while space constraints prevent listing everyone, our 10 helpful tips can make deciding where to go easier.
1. Required reading
SizzleDining.com, the event’s website, is updating menus daily. It’s a good idea to carefully comb through the site before making reservations. Do not expect or ask for item substitutions once you’re seated. If you don’t like what’s on the menu at a place you’re dying to try, there are dozens of dining options elsewhere to pique your palate.
Don’t see your favorite? They may be closed for vacation. Going gluten-free or vegetarian? A Table Apart in Bonita specifically notes dietary restrictions on their menu.
2. Check the dates
Some restaurants, including Old Vines Supper Club, The Real Macaw and Shula’s, participate only on specific days.
3. Say it at every step
Make it clear when reserving ― a must when you’re a party of more than four, checking in and ordering that you are there for Sizzle Dining. Complaining about mistaken charges that are easily avoidable starts with clear communication.
4. It's not inexpensive
Prix-fixe menus per person at dinner are $29, $39 or $49 for three courses and that's before beverages, tax and tip.
Splitting meals is a no-go.
Plus, many participants have solid cocktail programs, wine lists and bottle specials you’ll want to dive into.
Factor in valet charges at several spots (Baleen and Fifth Avenue at night) or paid parking (JW Marriott on Marco); ask when making your reservation.
5. Upcharges for premium items
Want lobster? Filet mignon? Both?
Expect to spend more on luxe ingredients. Quite a few restaurants add supplements plus optional extra courses to their menus. Del Mar offers a splurgeworthy lobster spaghetti on a secondary $59 menu.
6. Try something new
Driving to dinner in Cape Coral, a foodie destination from Naples? Yes, and you’ll discover why when eating. Supper in Sanibel to support a community still reeling from Hurricane Ian. Girls' night out in Naples? Instagrammable moments are yours at The Hamptons Social, The Cave and many more.
As for your taste buds, consider ordering something new to you. If you don’t like it, at the very least, there's another course to make up for a potential misfire.
7. Critics picks
Several JLB favorites are participating. In Cape Coral, reservations at Gather, Next Door and Prime 239 are musts. Dishes this JLB would gladly reorder from the past year include The Med’s fiocchi allo zola on its $39 menu; Seventh South Craft Food + Drink’s sticky miso short ribs, a $12 upcharge on a $49 menu; Corner Spot’s pot roast; Lamoraga’s pasta; and The Bevy’s watermelon salad.
More: Top 10 dishes at Cape Coral's new restaurants, from appetizers to desserts - JLB
8. Lunch bunch
Thirteen restaurants offer multi-course lunches for $19 or $29. Favorites include The 239’s “Green Goddess” deviled eggs and “Royale with Cheese” brisket-short rib burger on the $19 menu. Heading to Fifth Avenue? Don’t miss Osteria Tulia’s bucatini cacio e pepe featured on a three-course $29 menu that includes dessert.
9. Make it an occasion
Like Restaurant Week promotions around the country, Sizzle Dining is an excellent time to play tourist at home. Catch up on Naples classics like Bha Bha, Bleu Provence, Real Macaw, Ridgway Bar & Grill and Sea Salt. Consider Maria’s, a Cape Coral stalwart since 1991. Like that!
10. Take advantage of waterfront dining
The most coveted reservations – hello waterfront! – during season are so much easier to nab right now. Pro tip: If dining al fresco and mosquitoes love you, prepare before heading out with Avon’s Skin So Soft towelettes, this reporter’s preferred repellant, because bug spray can affect your palate.
Restaurants with water views listed alphabetically by city include:
Cape Coral ― Fathoms; Gather; Marker 92; the Nauti Mermaid; and Pinchers.
Fort Myers ― Deep Lagoon and two Pinchers locations.
Marco Island participants include CJ’s on the Bay and Deep Lagoon, both on the magical Esplanade. Opt for JW Marriott’s Kane Tiki Bar or Tesoro at the beach, though parking is a schlep across the street from the steep walkway unless you valet it.
Naples: Baleen; the Bay House; Bayside Seafood; the Boathouse on Naples Bay; K-Rico Mexican Grill; Latitude 26; Nosh on Naples Bay; Osteria Capri; and Pinchers at Tin City.
Send scoops, deals and story ideas for editorial consideration to diana.biederman@naplesnews.com by Friday at 5 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Sizzle Dining's 95 restaurants include 20+ on the water: 10 tips
