Sarasota, Port Charlotte, Ft. Myers Area

[Peter the eater]

I am flying down to see family in a few weeks - for the the first time in their new place in Port Charlotte and I'm looking for ideas. I hope to leave the kids with the grandparents and have a dinner date with my wife somewhere not too far - like Fort Meyers or Sarasota.

If there is something truly hot and not to be missed, that's good. If there's a unique institution or local favorite, that's equally good. I've been to Florida several times but it has been a few years and good food has never been a priority in past visits.

I am a big fan of citrus and seafood and I hope to find that and more . . . thanks in advance.

[annecros]

You should have no problem finding citrus (Honeybelle's are in!) and seafood in that part of Florida. Unfortunately, I have not been to that area since before Hurricane Charley came through, so can't speak to it.

I will ask around and see what I can find out.

[halogenic]

There is more fine dining if you're willing to go farther south, down to Naples. Just walk down 5th ave in downtown and just pick one, odds are it will be great.