Renovation work continues at Miceli’s
David and Ellen Lane, along with partners Amber and Mike Brady, took over ownership of Miceli’s on June 28, 2023, and opened on July 3.
Lane said the only issue they’ve had, so far, is that once people found out the restaurant was under new ownership, they assumed there were going to be a vast amount of changes. In fact, she said, none of the partners thought changing anything major would be a good idea, since Miceli’s had a history of great food and great service.
The Lanes, who have also owned the Riverside Café in Vero Beach, Florida, since 2006, have learned in their experience as restaurateurs not to change something when it’s working. In fact, she said, they have had the same employees, much in the same way as it’s been at Miceli’s.
“We kept the same staff, exactly — we may have hired one or two that we needed after some may have gone off to college or something. We still have the same exact kitchen staff,” Lane said.
Plans to renovate were already set in motion but happened to come together at the same time most island businesses were looking to close for possible inclement weather.
“Helene flooded us — we got opened quick but then Milton was coming so we had to close down. We were going to do the renovations a little bit at a time but because the employees didn’t have any kind of work, we invited whoever of the employees wanted to, to come and help us. They were sanding and painting — they were so amazing. We didn’t hire contractors to come in and paint — it’s all them,” Lane said.
When the Lanes saw that Miceli’s was for sale, she said they came over to eat and check it out. They spent some time talking to Miceli’s employees, who, of course, had no idea they were thinking of buying the place.
“I thought, ‘This is amazing. It’s pretty great,'” Lane said.
Other than adding some menu items, there aren’t any changes, Lane said, adding that the menu changes are favorites from Riverside Café, such as Tuna Nachos and Grouper Medallion Piccata.
“There are some things they we did bring over because they’re really good sellers. We love this island and we want to make it better for the community,” Lane said.
Miceli’s is at 3930 Pine Island Road in Matlacha. For more information, call the restaurant at 239-282-8233.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email