Sweet Tomatoes salad buffet reopening in Fort Myers
Get ready for the flavorful comeback of Sweet Tomatoes Salad Buffet in Fort Myers! Renovations underway for the reopening at S. Tamiami Trail spot.
- Several restaurants in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Estero are offering special menus for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Offerings range from traditional holiday fare like prime rib and ham to Italian feasts and seafood specials.
- Patrons are strongly encouraged to make reservations and call ahead to confirm hours and availability.
Like Santa, we’re making a list and checking it twice.
Unlike Old St. Nick, though, our focus is on local restaurants celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with special menus.
And while this is how it’s shaping up now, remember to call ahead to check hours and availability of these or other local restaurants.
Reservations strongly encouraged.
Cape Coral
Ariani Ristorante Italiano: This longtime local favorite is open 4-10 p.m. Christmas Eve and 1-8 p.m. Christmas Day with festive favorites and holiday treats. Reservations are strongly preferred. 1529 SE 15th Terrace, (239) 772-8000, ariani.com
Front Porch Social: Cheers to this South Cape restaurant with its Christmas Day food and drink specials. From 3-6 p.m. enjoy a ham dinner (with roasted broccoli and 3-cheese mac and cheese for $19), broccoli cheddar soup ($9) and street corn deviled eggs ($9), plus endless Champagne for $15, BOGO wells, wine and beer. There’s eggnog, hot buttered rum and winter sangria too ($12 each), plus a gift card special (buy $100, get $50 free). And, if you happen to bring a toy before Dec. 22, your first drink is on them. 4721 Vincennes Blvd.; (239) 347-8914; frontporchsocialcc.com or follow on Facebook
Maria’s: This longtime pizzeria & restaurant will be open from 4-8 p.m. on Christmas Eve and offering the following specials: braised short rib ($32), chicken rollatini ($30) and chicken Milanese ($28). Special appetizers and desserts are available, too. 1224 SE 46th Lane; (239) 945-6006; follow on Facebook
Marker 92: This waterfront bar and bistro at The Westin Cape Coral Resort is putting on its lavishly festive spread from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Day. Think Christmas soup, wild harvest salad station, a grazing table with imported and domestic cheeses, an iced shellfish display, chef-carved meats, composed entrees, holiday desserts and much more. $99 adults, $29 ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and under. Make reservations through westincapecoral.ipoolside.com. 5961 Silver King Blvd.
Point 57: Reservations are now being accepted for Christmas Eve for this Del Prado staple. In the meantime, Joy To The Cape holiday pop-up continues with food & drink specials like North Pole pork chops ($32), Holiday Habibut ($44), small plates and more. 3522 Del Prado Blvd. S.; (239) 471-7785; point-57.com or on Facebook
Stones Throw: This South Cape restaurant is featuring a sausage roll wreath with mint cream starter ($16) and entrees of salmon en croute ($37) and smoked prime rib ($60) on Christmas Eve. 1339 Cape Coral Parkway E; (239) 291-3900; stonesthrowcc.com or on Facebook
Two Meatballs in the Kitchen: On Christmas Eve, this South Cape staple will feature specials including a pomegranate & burrata starter ($15), a 12-ounce NY strip ($35), braised bone-in short ribs ($38) and twin 6-ounce lobster tails ($45). Finish it off with warm apple dumplings ($15). 1403 Cape Coral Parkway E; (239) 347-3013; 2meatballs.com or on Facebook
Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach
Bruno’s of Brooklyn: Reservations are being accepted for Christmas Eve at this downtown gem. The regular menu will be offered along with dinner specials throughout the night. Book through brunosofbrooklyn.com. 2149 First St.; (239) 278-0211; find on Facebook
Fresh Catch Bistro: Head to Fort Myers Beach on Christmas Eve for prime rib (12-ounce for $42 and 16-ounce for $48) and stuffed lobster (two 6-ounce cold water tails with lump crab meat stuffing for $55) specials. 4761 Estero Blvd.; (239) 488-2400; freshcatchbistro.com or on Facebook
Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant: This Fort Myers restaurant will serve its regular menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 24, followed by a Christmas Eve menu from 4-8 p.m. A Christmas Day menu is featured on the 25th from 2-8 p.m. 14301 Port Comfort Road, (239) 489-0770, lighthousewaterfrontrestaurant.com or on Facebook
Margaritaville Beach Resort: A Christmas Day buffet in the Compass Rose Ballroom on the License to Chill Terrace from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. showcases holiday classics and tropical favorites. Tickets are $69 for adults and $24 for kids. Reservations are recommended through margaritavillefortmyers.ipoolside.com. Christmas at JWB Grill is also offered beginning at 4 p.m. on the 25th with a festive, chef-driven holiday dinner. Menu is coming soon. Reserve through OpenTable. 251 Crescent St., Fort Myers Beach; (239) 899-4001
The Melting Pot: A set Christmas Eve menu from 2-9 p.m. includes four courses with choice of cheese fondue, fresh made salad, Santa’s classic entree, and choice of a chocolate fondue. Comes with a free glass of house wine, well cocktail or beer. $65 per adult. There’s also a $30 three-course menu for children with choice of cheese fondue, child’s entree, and choice of a chocolate fondue. Regular menu is not available on the 24th. And $5 from each dinner sold goes to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Reserve by calling (239) 481-1717 or online at meltingpot.com. 13251 McGregor Blvd., Unit 105.
Nick & Stella’s: The family sports pub will be open Christmas Eve beginning at 11 a.m. with its regular menu and Christmas Day starting at noon with a limited menu. Call (239) 466-9493 for details. 15271 McGregor Blvd.; Nickandstellas.com or follow on Facebook.
Oxbow: The waterfront bar & grill in downtown is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Day. Specials include beef Wellington ($58), Cornish hen coq au vin ($50) and passion fruit crème brulee ($12). Make reservations through oxbowfortmyers.com. 1300 Hendry St.; (239) 314-3856.
Silver King Coastal Kitchen: This Luminary Hotel favorite will have its regular menu, plus holiday specials beginning at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 11 a.m. Christmas Day. Specials include a 12-ounce honey-brined pork chop ($41), pan-roasted golden tile with shrimp and mussels ($44) and an eggnog cheesecake ($13). Reserve through silverkingfortmyers.com or OpenTable. 2200 Edwards Drive; (239) 314-3855
Sunflower Café: Open 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Christmas Eve and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Christmas Day. Breakfast runs until noon on the 25th, then the Christmas menu kicks in with turkey ($21.95), ham ($21.95), prime rib ($30.95) and chicken parmigiana ($21.95) specials, plus steaks, duck and seafood. Dinners include soup or salad, vegetable, choice of potato and dessert. There’s also a kids’ menu with spaghetti & meatballs ($9.95) and turkey and ham meals at $10.95 each. 11410 Summerlin Square Drive, (239) 415-4262, follow on Facebook
Sweet Melissa’s: This award-winner will have Christmas Eve specials in addition to its regular menu. Picture lobster consommé with lobster dumpling, foie gras torchon, Wagyu striploin with marrow butter and mushroom risotto, and Dubai chocolate bars. 16230 Summerlin Road; (239) 990-6889; sweetmelissasrestaurant.com or on Facebook
Estero
Fresh Catch Inland: This Coconut Point newcomer will feature a three-course Christmas Eve experience of seared grouper Oscar ($55), wild mushroom risotto ($30), prime rib ($55) or tripletail ($45). Prices include cod soup or shrimp beignets starters and white chocolate cranberry tart or warm orange creamsicle cake for dessert. The regular menu will also be available. 7991 Plaza Del Lago Drive; (239) 319-5887; freshcatchinland.com or on Facebook
Several locations
Ford’s Garage: All locations of the 1920s service-station themed American restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve with festive cocktails and favorite comfort foods. And as a bonus holiday gift — for every $50 in Ford’s Garage gift cards purchased through Dec. 31, guests receive a $10 bonus card. Go to fordsgarageusa.com for a location near you.
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com
