Taste of Matlacha to take place this weekend
From seafood to fillet mignon, the restaurants of Matlacha have something to tempt any pallet and are prepared to prove it this weekend. The members of the Matlacha Civic Association will present the Taste of Matlacha featuring the best that Matlacha has to offer diners.
The event will take place in conjunction with the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival and be held Sunday, Nov. 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those visiting the festivities at the Matlacha Park in Matlacha will have the opportunity to sample offerings from Bert’s Bar and Grill, Miceli’s, Moretti’s, Olde Fish House, Sandy Hook and the Perfect Cup, all located on Pine Island Road in the village of Matlacha. All are invited to bring a lawn chair and their appetites. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Pine Island Food Pantry, which has been gearing up to ensure the shelves at the pantry are full during the holiday season.
“Last year we were able to contribute $1,000 to the Pine Island Food Pantry thanks to those who came to the Taste of Matlacha and contributed,” said Matlacha Civic Association President Bill Stoelker. “We hope people will come out again this year and enjoy the food provided by our local restaurants and help us to contribute to a worthy cause.”
Representatives from Bert’s Bar will be on hand to serve up Angus burgers and other grilled items found on the menu at Bert’s.
Bert’s Bar and Grill is located at 4271 Pine Island Road just east of the Matlacha Bridge and is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. In addition to food service, Bert’s also offers music six days a week either in the bar or in the Gator Room located at the rear of the building where diners and music lovers are also treated to one of Matlacha’s best waterfront views.
To view the menu from Bert’s visit the Web site at bertsbar.us.
New to the event this year is Miceli’s Restaurant. According to Joe Miceli, his staff will be preparing one of the most popular items on the restaurant’s menu, Mike’s Special. This dish consists of grilled chicken with garlic and olive oil served over penni pasta.
Miceli’s also is open seven days a week offering a generous menu for lunch and dinner and features a full liquor bar. Here, too, patrons of the restaurant can enjoy live entertainment provided by local musicians who preform out under the tiki hut in the backyard of the restaurant. Miceli’s is located at 1930 Pine Island Road at the former Matlacha Oyster House location and to view the menu offerings from Miceli’s, visit micelis-italian.com.
Moretti’s Seafood Restaurant located next to Island Decor and More and offers its patrons sumptuous entrees from both land and sea. Moretti’s is located at 4200 PIne island Road and is open each day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., offering lunch and dinner menus. On Friday and Saturday evenings, diners can enjoy live entertainment on the covered outdoor patio and to view the menu go to morretisseafoodrestaurant.com.
Also participating this year is the Olde Fish House Marina Restaurant located at 4530 Pine Island Road just across the road from the entrance to Matlacha Community Park. This restaurant will offer visitors to the Taste of Matlacha samples of fresh-caught and prepared seafood from local waters. For more information about menu offerings, to purchase fresh seafood to prepare at home and hours of operation at the Olde Fish House, call 282-9577.
A two-time winner of the Best Chowder award at the Taste of Pine Island, the Perfect Cup, located at 4548 PIne Island Road across from the Matlacha Post Office, will also participate in the Taste of Matlacha. Open each day for breakfast and lunch, Perfect Cup offers a complete menu but is perhaps best known for its coffees. All of the coffee served at the Perfect Cup comes from hand selected beans that are roasted and ground fresh at the restaurant. For more information, call the Perfect Cup at 283-4447.
From to prime rib dinners to seafood delights, the Sandy Hook Fish and Rib House also features numerous window seats with the best view of Serenity Bay. During the Taste of Matlacha, Sandy Hook will offer a sampling of its regular menu.
The Sandy Hook, located at 4875 Pine Island Road just as drivers exit Matlacha to Little Pine Island and is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 4 to 9 p.m., and on Sunday, from noon to 8 p.m. To view the menu, visit sandyhookribandfishhouse.com.
Membership to the Matlacha Civic Association is open to all Matlacha residents and meetings are held at the Art Building in the Matlacha Park on the third Monday of each month beginning at 6 p.m. The mission of the Matlacha Civic Association is to keep the people of Matlacha abreast of county and island events and to provide social events. Other events sponsored by the Matlacha Civic Association are Holiday Bliss and the Spring Social and Moon Light Paddle. For more information about Matlacha Civic, visit matlachacivicassociation.org.