Cin Cin changing to first 'gastro pub' in Fort Myers

Cin Cin Mediterranean Bar and Grille undergoes a change in concept on Wednesday, April 1, when it becomes Cin Cin Gastro Pub.

Gastro pubs originated in Great Britain in the 1990s as alternatives to conventional pubs that served standard "pub grub." The gastro stands for gastronomy, signaling that the food is of a higher caliber.

"We're trying to bridge the gap between a bar and fine dining," says Cin Cin Chef Scott Sopher. "With the way the economy is, we're listening to what people are looking for and we think this is a good route."

The idea is to remove the formality of dining and replace it with a more casual style and lower prices while still delivering interesting, palate-pleasing food.

A wide range of dishes will be available, including some old favorites. Known for its diverse assortment of tapas, Cin Cin isn't abandoning small plates but will scale back from 40 to 20.

"We'll still have our fontina mushroom and artichoke fonduta," Chef Sopher says, "and the hummus is staying, along with the diver scallop over goat cheese polenta and the shrimp and chorizo."

New items include dock confit crostini, fried oyster chowder and poblano peppers stuffed with mojo pork, black beans and corn.

Cin Cin will feature handcrafted burgers with an assortment of toppings, such as the caprese, with fresh mozzarella, plum tomatoes, roasted red peppers and basil pesto. Customers can build their own burger, using ingredients such as foie gras pate, duck confit or butter-poached lobster if they wish. Burgers with fries will cost $8.95.

Other sandwiches include the Uptown Philly — beef tenderloin, caramelized onions, arugula, Brie and demi glace — a shrimp or oyster po' boy with preserved lemon harissa and a Cuban with house-cured pork loin.

Cin Cin's popular paella remains on the menu, along with eight pasta entrees, fish and chips, braised lamb shepherd's pie and fontina and walnutstuffed pork chop. Entrees will run $14.95 to $23.

Chef Sopher says that while people are economizing, they still want to dine out and Cin Cin's change in food and price point is aimed at helping them do that.

LOVE Cin Cin will still serve Sunday brunch and will be open again for lunch. Hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with the late-night gastro menu available until 11 p.m. or midnight.

The restaurant is at 13451 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Call 415-2007.

Slow Food Greenmarket returns

Judging from the enthusiastic response to last month's Greenmarket, there's an obvious appetite for organic, local and sustainable products in these parts. That's why Slow Food Southwest Florida will hold a second such market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28, in front of Robb & Stucky Interiors.

About two dozen vendors will sell organic produce as well as sustainable and locally produced jams, salsas, spices and soaps, artisanal cheeses and Florida-friendly plants along with freshly cooked snacks. Vendors include Andy's Island Seafood, Back to Basics, ECHO Nursery, Happy Body Organic

Soap, the Lee County Bee Association and Worden Farm.

Chef Melissa Talmage of Sweet Melissa's on Sanibel and Chef Nick Costanzo of Angelina's in Bonita Springs will conduct cooking demonstrations. There will also be organic gardening demonstrations.

BALINK Slow Food Southwest Florida is a nonprofit organization whose members are food enthusiasts who share an interest in sustainable agriculture, a curiosity about food traditions and customs, and a desire to buy and promote local artisanal products.

For details on Greenmarket and Slow Food Southwest Florida, visit www. slowfoodsouthwestflorida.com. Robb & Stucky is at 13170 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers.

Toss a fish to fight cancer

University Grill will hold a Boston Fish Toss and Yard Sale to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 4, in front of University Grill, at the corner of Summerlin Road and Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers.

Try your luck at tossing mullet for chances to win gift certificates and tickets to shows at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Tosses are $3 for adults, $1 for kids. There will also be a yard sale and face painting for children.

All proceeds benefit the University Grill and Prawnbroker Relay for Life team. Anyone wishing to donate yard sale items can call Meghan at 770-0882. For details about the event, call 437-4377 or visit www.prawnbroker. com.

It's Twilight Time downtown

The third annual It's Twilight Time, a benefit for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lee County, will take place from 7-10 p.m. Sunday, March 29, in the Fort Myers River District (aka downtown).

"Downtown offers an ambience that will enhance the whole experience," says event co-chair Greg Brock.

The event will feature a wealth of food from local restaurants and fine wines from around the world. Among the participating restaurants are: Bacchus, Bar Louie, Bistro

41, Cibo, Cantina Laredo, City Tavern, French Connection, H2, Hotel Indigo, Rumrunners, Prawnbroker, Sunshine Café, Sandy Butler and Yabo. Norman Love Confections will offer handcrafted chocolates.

Tickets are $100 per person or $175 per couple. VIP tickets are $275 per person or $500 per couple and entitle holders to access to the VIP areas and post-party.

Auction benefits FGCU program

The 20th annual Wanderlust Travel Auction Extravaganza and Culinary Showcase is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs.

The event is a benefit for Florida Gulf Coast University's Resort & Hospitality Management Program.

Those who attend will have the opportunity to bid on a dazzling array of vacations, dinners, golf packages as well as lots of merchandise.

Tickets are $250 each. Table sponsorships for $3,500 include seating for 10 and major program recognition. For information, contact Eventz Inc. at 415-2581 or by e-mail at wanderlust@ eventzinc.com.

Short takes

• Vino De Notte — Italian for "wine of night" — is a new Italian restaurant open inside Hotel Indigo, 1520 Broadway, downtown Fort Myers. Rocco Pisera, executive chef of Café 2431, also heads up the kitchen here.

• Cosmopolitan Grill, 3522 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, is now South Side Bar and Grill.