LEE COUNTY WATERFRONT DINING

Whether it's a cheeseburger in paradise at Cabbage Key, a tart-sweet wedge of classic Key lime pie while watching the sun set at Tarpon Lodge or savory bouillabaisse at Big Hickory Seafood Grille, somehow it all tastes better if you've traveled there by boat.

Lee and Collier counties offer a bounty of boat-accessible options, ranging from ultracasual to special-occasion chic. Following is a sampling of the many options available.

The important thing to remember is that many of these establishments have only a few slips and popular spots tend to fill up quickly — especially on weekends — so call ahead to ensure there's room and to get precise nautical directions before making the trip.

Lee County (as of Florida Weekly's press time):

>>Bonita Springs

Big Hickory Seafood Grille &

Marina, 26107 Hickory Blvd., Bonita Springs; 992-0991; at Marker 54, bend back to west head to nowake zone, marina is on left side. This casual waterfront spot offers a sophisticated menu including Florida lobster stew, Cubano grouper, conch chowder and bouillabaisse as well as burgers, peel and eat shrimp and fried seafood platters.

2

The Fish House, 4685 Bonita

Beach Road; 495-5770; on Bonita's Back Bay. Casual setting with casual fare that includes smoked fish dip, quesadillas, seafood baskets and grouper tacos.

>>Cabbage Key

3

Old House Restaurant,

Cabbage Key; 283-2278; just off Marker 60 (accessible by boat only). The food here is Florida casual by day, a bit more ambitious at night. Said to be the inspiration for Jimmy Buffett's "Cheeseburger in Paradise," the restaurant serves burgers, peel and eat shrimp, crab claws and other Florida fare.

>>Cape Coral

4

Jimbo's, 1604 SE 46th St.,

Cape Coral; 540-9533; take Mandoun Canal just north of the Cape Coral Bridge, head for Markers 82 and 83, take second canal on left (Malaga), restaurant sits alongside it. Sandwiches, salads and other American fare are served at this downtown institution.

5

The Joint at Cape Harbour,

5785 Cape Harbour Drive. Cape Coral; 542-0123; from Caloosahatchee River, look for Marker 92 and stay to the left of red markers 2, 4, 6 and 8; turn left past green marker 9, stay right of markers 11, 13, 15 and 17, at fork stay to left and follow channel to Cape Harbour. Full bar. Specializes in small plates and exotic drinks. Dine indoors or out.

6

Pignoli, 5758 Cape Harbour

Drive, Cape Coral; 541-0800; see boating directions above for The Joint. Call ahead and your order can be delivered to your boat upon arrival. Pignoli specializes in fine cheeses and wines as well as gourmet-to-go fare.

7

Rumrunners, 5848 Cape Harbour

Drive, Cape Coral; 542-0200; see boating directions above for The Joint. Full bar. Dine indoors or out from wide-ranging menu that includes steamed mussels, tuna tataki, coconut shrimp, Bistro salad, crispy Thai chicken, and seafood pot pie. >>Captiva

8

The Green Flash, 15183

Captiva Drive, Captiva; 472-3337; Intracoastal Waterway Marker 38. Watch for the green flash said to occur just as the sun sets while feasting on raw oysters, bisque, fresh seafood and surf and turf.

9

Old Captiva House, 'Tween

Waters, 15951 'Tween Waters Drive, Captiva; 472-5161; Marker 38. The menu at this lovely Gulffront restaurant includes wild mushroom ragout, curry lobster spring rolls, roasted rack of lamb and Caribbean crusted grouper.

>>Fort Myers

The Lighthouse Restaurant, 10

14301 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers, 489-0770; Mile Marker 11 in Jonathan Harbour just past Connie Mack Island. Full bar, indoor and outdoor dining, seafood, crab cakes, pasta, prime rib.

Sanibel Harbour Resort & 11

Spa, 17260 Harbour Point Drive, Fort Myers; 466-4000; Marker 11. Choose from Charley's Cabana Bar, with light fare served at a casual bar on the water; Tarpon House, with inside and outside seating that overlooks the resort pool and waterfront serving a mix of Florida favorites; or Courtside Steakhouse, with its full bar and menu featuring steaks, seafood and upscale service.

>>Fort Myers Beach

The Bridge, Gulf Star Marina, 12

708 Fisherman's Wharf, Fort Myers Beach; 765-0050. Channel Marker 18. Bar food rules here, along with a casual atmosphere in a great waterfront

setting. Dine indoors or out.

Channel Mark, 19001 San 13

Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 463-9127; Marker 3 on Hurricane Bay. Choose from Tim's Place, a Key West-style restaurant and patio bar, or the new Tim's Place Two dining room, where every table has a view of the water. On the menu: chowders, seafood, pasta, chicken and steaks.

The Fish House at Fish Tale 14

Marina, 7225 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 765-6766; Marker 59. Casual setting with a menu that features lots of Florida seafood, including grouper tacos and seafood baskets.

Flippers Bayside Grill, Lovers 15

Key Beach Club & Resort, 8771 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 765-1040. Just east of Big Carlos Pass near the drawbridge. This open-air bar and grill features sandwiches, salads, crab cakes and local seafood.

Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, 16

2500 Main St., Fort Myers Beach; 463-3257; Marker 24 near the Matanzas Pass Bridge. A lively open-air restaurant and bar that features crab cakes, conch fritters, fish and chips, a raw bar, seafood

and festive drinks.

Pink Shell Resort, 275 Estero 17

Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 463-6181; Marker 11. Choose from Floribbean cuisine at JoJo's at the Beach or Asian fusion at the new Jack's Sea

Grille.

Snug Harbor, 1131 First St., 18

Fort Myers Beach; 463-8077; Marker 17. Indoor and outdoor waterfront dining with a range of fare including bar food, prime rib, crab cakes and a children's menu.

>>North Fort Myers

Coconuts Waterfront Bar 19

and Grill, 3448 Marinatown Lane, North Fort Myers; 652-5787; canal entrance is about 50 yards west of Intracoastal Waterway Marker 54. This Caribbean-themed restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining along a wide canal just off the Caloosahatchee River. Sandwiches, salads, mini Kobe burgers, conch fritters, shrimp Creole and island spiced chicken are among the dining

options.

Harbourside Grill & Tiki Bar, 20

3442 Marinatown Lane, North Fort Myers, 997-7110; canal entrance is about 50 yards west of Intracoastal Waterway Marker 52. The menu at this waterside restaurant features lots of appetizers as well as sandwiches, pizzas, steak, meatloaf, pasta and more.

Pinchers Crab Shack, Best 21

Western Waterfront Hotel, 13021 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers; 652-1313; just northwest of the Caloosahatchee Bridge. This openair seafood joint may have the best riverfront view in Lee County. The menu leans heavily toward seafood, including crabs, shrimp, mussels, scallops, and fish and chips.

>>North Captiva

Barnacle Phil's, 4401 Point 22

House Trail, North Captiva; 472- 1200; Markers 1 and 2 in the Safety Harbor Channel. This casual, accessible-only-by-boat restaurant is famous for its black beans and rice.

>>Pine Island

Lazy Flamingo 3, Four Winds 23

Marina, 16501 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia; 283-5959; Marker 8, look for the sign for Four Winds Marina; slips for restaurant are near the condos. An ultra-casual nautical outpost, it specializes in fresh local seafood as well as wings, conch fritters and burgers.

Bert's Bar and Grill, 4271 Pine 24

Island Road, Matlacha; 282-3232, just east of the Matlacha Bridge near Marker 55. A casual, popular spot that serves lots of bar fare - wings, peel and eat shrimp, pizza and

grouper.

Calusa Blueway Café, 4637 25

Pine Island Road, Matlacha; 282- 1244; near Marker 56. Artist Leoma Lovegrove operates a café/convenience store that sells all things blue - blue chips, sparkling water in blue bottles, chocolate covered blueberries, etc. Boaters may tie up and have a light snack or dine at

nearby restaurants.

Tarpon Lodge, 13771 Waterfront 26

Drive, Pineland; 283-2517; in Wilson (Pineland) Pass north of Marker 13. Choose from the wellappointed restaurant or casual bar for a full meal, sandwich or snack.

It's a great place to watch the sun

set.

27

Waterfront Restaurant, 2131

Oleander St., St. James City, 283- 0592; near Marker 13a in Henley Canal. Dine dockside or indoors on chowder, wings, stone crab claws,

burgers and mahi.

Woody's Waterside, 3051 28

Stringfellow Road, St. James City; 283-5555; Marker 13, take main channel at St. James City and turn into Monroe Canal (second canal). This laid-back sports bar offers comfort fare such as black bean chili, barbecued pulled pork, crab cakes and burgers.

>>Sanibel

Gramma Dots, Sanibel Marina, 29

634 N. Yachtsman Dr., Sanibel; 472- 8138. Dine on grouper and shrimp while checking out the plethora of yachts and birds - as well as the occasional manatee - that passes by.