Gourmet

If your taste buds seek a change of menu, there's something new in the local venue. Several new restaurants have opened in the past year or so; others are under new management, have remodeled, or feature updated selections.

Among the island's newest additions is the just-opened Island House Restaurant, at the corner of Rabbit Road and Sanibel-Captiva Road. Co-owners Mike Fitz, Marty Harrity, and Mark Marinello had three tin roofs installed inside the building to give it an "olde Florida" look. The restaurant's cuisine follows the same theme, featuring such dishes as coconut shrimp, oyster stew, and jambalaya. Some of the recipes have been passed down over the years among island families, according to Fitz. After your lunch or dinner, be sure to order Island House's bread pudding or homemade cobbler. Open daily; call for lunch and dinner times. 975 Rabbit Road, Sanibel, 941/472-8311.

Any week now, Traders Café, a "bistro-style restaurant," makes its debut along with Traders, a "lifestyle store," according to store manager Corrine Ziel. She says Offshore Trading Co. has been busy renovating the former Periwinkle Gardens building on Periwinkle Way, next to Sanibel Brew Pub, in preparation for the company's new venture. Ziel, who recently moved here from Portland, Oregon, is excited that Traders, "with everything for the home," and Traders Café are "similar to many store/Cafés in Europe." Plans call for Traders Café to serve "wonderful American food for lunch and dinner," she says. Breakfast might show up on the menu in season. About 41 guests can be seated, Ziel adds, "and we're working with the city on the possibility of outdoor seating, also." Call for lunch and dinner times. 1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/277-9203.

Another new addition on Periwinkle Way will inspire you to ask: How much is that doggy in the window? Hot dog, that is. There's quite a variety available at Schnapper's Hots, which set up shop in June. How about a homemade bratwurst on a fresh-baked roll, a Polish kielbasa, or a chili dog with French fries? Oh, and don't forget to try one-or two-of the establishment's homemade double fudge brownies for dessert. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 1528 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-8686.

Islanders who have traveled to the mainland to dine at Mama Pasta will be delighted to know about La Vigna Italian Restaurant and Grille, which got its start on the island in February. The owners have brought to La Vigna the same "fine Italian dining in a casual atmosphere" you find at Mama Pasta. The menu features fish, chicken, beef, or veal, and "authentic pizza." Co-owner Carlo Rao says La Vigna prides itself on "trying to serve the best we can, using everything fresh, including pasta made at our other restaurant, Mama Pasta, in Ft. Myers. We are very picky and we don't like to serve junk." The restaurant gives a 15-percent discount to residents and people employed on the island. Open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; reservations accepted. 1625 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-5453.

The Sanibel Steakhouse has been in business for a year and fills a beefy niche for island residents and visitors, office manager Deborah Smith says. The restaurant's offerings include filet mignon, New York strip, or Porterhouse, and all are USDA prime grade beef. Seafood, chicken, and pasta lovers will find entrees to their liking, too. If you still have room for dessert, sample the key lime pie, puffed pastry with ice cream and sauce, or apple pie with crumb topping and caramel. Open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; reservations suggested. 1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-5700.

Although still a fairly new addition to the islands, Sanibel Brew Pub & Restaurant, open since the spring of 1997, has been around long enough to establish a strong following of local patrons. Its top-selling craft-brewed beer is Palmetto Honey Ale, made with honey from Gold Sweet Apiary in North Ft. Myers. Also popular are Tarpon Ale and Hammerhead Stout, which won a gold medal last fall at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. The menu features prime rib, marinated for 36 hours, or broasted chicken, made "in a special combination pressure-cooker and deep fryer that flash fries the chicken so it has very low fat," according to co-owner Barb Priborsky. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. 1547 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/395-2030.

It calls itself "Sanibel's best-kept secret," perhaps because of its location at Beachview Golf Course's "19th hole." Open to the public, Beachview Inn debuted in April 1997 and added a new bar last fall. The restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Manager Kevin Rice says, "A big seller is that island favorite, crunch grouper-and we make it the best. Our sandwiches are popular, including pork and Reubens." Also featured are pasta and such meats as veal or rack of lamb. When it comes time for dessert, the house specialty is Granny Smith apple crisp. Open daily for lunch; call for dinner schedule; reservations accepted. 1100 Parview Drive, Sanibel, 941/472-4394.

A number of other island restaurants have undergone changes in menu or management. Thistle Lodge at Casa Ybel Resort unveiled its new menu in June. Kelley MacKinnon, director of marketing, says patrons particularly like the bronzed grouper wrapped in a banana leaf, and the Pirate's Golden Pouch, "which is seafood in pastry that looks like a money bag." Make sure to order a slice of key lime pie afterward, or a coconut snowball-the reason the restaurant won the 1998 Taste of the Islands' award for best dessert. Open daily; call for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch times; reservations accepted. 2255 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel, 941/472-9200.

Early in the summer, Tarwinkles American Grill created a new logo and a new menu, according to manager Jacqui Whitewood. "We've added more seafood items," she explains, "and prime rib and a few different kinds of steaks; so now we have more meat than before. Of course, we didn't want to change any of our homemade desserts." Also popular are pasta and pizza dishes, and the restaurant boasts the "longest happy hour on the islands." Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. in the bar. Corner of Periwinkle Way and Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 941/472-1366.

Twilight Café, offering oak-grilled seafood, steaks, chops and other "pastabilities," has been under new management since summer 1997. "We expanded our menu and wine list, and I gave the chef more freedom and upgraded ingredients," explains owner Robert Parks. "Everything is world-class." The restaurant was honored with the 1998 Taste of the Islands' People's Choice Awards for best dinner and best wine list. Open 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Sundays and Wednesdays; reservations suggested. 751 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 941/472-8818.

Just across the Sanibel causeway, Chez le Bear, at Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa, now stays open year-round, instead of just in season. Indulge in such Mediterranean fare as sautˇed breast of pheasant, Muscovy duck breast, or grilled prawns with lobster morsels. Its elegant, intimate setting is another reason why Chez Le Bear has earned the Four-Diamond Award. Desserts include tiramisu and Grand Marnier soufflˇ. Open 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays; reservations required. 17260 Harbour Pointe Drive, Ft. Myers, 941/466-2136.

Andy Rosse Lane is the place on Captiva these days, serving up some exciting changes for hungry residents and visitors. Last spring, the elegant Captiva Art Café closed its doors for good, only to reopen in June as the more casual R.C. Otter's Island Eats. The DeGennaro family, formerly of the Hungry Heron on Sanibel, saw a need for an informal family eatery on Captiva. Customer favorites already include a regular Reuben sandwich or Uncle Hank's famous grouper Reuben, crazy quesadillas, or the CYOD (choose your own dish) using the fresh catch of the day. "If you can't find something to eat in the menu, you're just not hungry," Frank DeGennaro adds. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. or 11:00 p.m.; preferred seating offered. 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 941/395-1142.

Just next door, the former Royal Windsor Restaurant closed in August for renovations, a name change, and an expanded menu. Now known as the Captiva Garden Grille, the restaurant will still feature the fish-n-chips it was known for, but owner Nick Merry and chef Bobby Doherty have added to the menu. They now include Indian curry and Thai dishes among their offerings. 11508 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 941/395-2988.

Across the street, The Terrace Tropical Grill Restaurant started up in July 1997 and has people from all over the world as its patrons, co-owner Mike Acovski says. The restaurant's macadamia-encrusted snapper is a popular dish, as is the mango shrimp salad. When weather permits, which, fortunately, is almost all the time, indulge in key lime pie on the open-air terrace. Children will find an expanded menu just for them. Open daily from noon to 9:30 p.m.; reservations accepted. 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 941/395-1677.

Nearby on Andy Rosse is the recently remodeled Bellini's, now with an "Italian countryside look," including a wood-burning oven for making pizza and a wooden floor for dancing. The restaurant's seafood stew and Dover sole are big hits with patrons, as are the focaccia bread and frozen peach Bellini cocktail. "Getting married on the beach?" asks public relations/banquet coordinator Debbi Reid. "Walk down the street to Bellini's for your reception in our private dining room, which opens to one of our two covered patios." Open daily from 5 p.m. to about 11 p.m.; reservations recommended. 11521 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 941/472-6866. -LG