By: Yohana de la Torre

Ahh, the good life!

Shrimp Cocktail, Maryland-Style Crab Cakes, Grilled Flank Steak, Chocolate Banana Rum Bread Pudding, Andouille-Stuffed Day Boat Scallops, Lobster Cake, Margarita Shrimp…mmm. My mouth waters just thinking about it all!

But you won’t have to wait too long because Taste of the Beach will be an affordable escape to this good life, sooner than later. Here, not only will your taste buds discover a feast, but so will your eyes and ears.

“Taste of” events are very popular around the nation, and Taste of the Beach is one of the longest running next to Taste of Bethesda and Taste of Georgetown.

In action for 14 years now, Taste of the Beach is a way to try-before-you-buy. Offering samples of the savory treats a number of Fort Myers Beach restaurants offer, the event couldn’t be more anticipated.
 

 

“I look forward to having a lot of fun on the islands this year,” says Carl Conley, Chairman of the Board for the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce and the head of the Island Arts Foundation. “We’re known for hospitality in Florida, and Fort Myers Beach is no exception. What’s more fun than not having to choose just one restaurant or entertainment establishment, and instead enjoying them all at once?”

Conley’s right. With the area’s award-winning restaurants, top-notch entertainment, and a magnificent backdrop, the 14th Annual Taste of the Beach is extremely promising.

“Breaking bread and sharing music is the best under the sun,” Conley adds. “Our area restaurants and vendors are really working hard for a successful event and under the direction of Quenzel and Associates this promises to be one of our best years yet.”

The food-centric celebration will be held on June 21st from 11 am – 5 pm. During the event, 15 to 20 local restaurants will come together to serve up some of our area’s most delectable treats. Everything from ethnic delicacies to savory seafood dishes will line Main Street near Salty Sam’s Marina to wine and dine more than 8,000 patrons.

This year, gourmet, home-style and international food samples will be able. Some of the restaurants that will set up shop in Downtown Fort Myers Beach include Bayfront Bistro, the Bourbon Street Bar & Grill, the Dixie Fish Company, Love Boat Ice Cream, Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, the Sandy Butler, the Yucatan Beach Stand and much more.

Make sure to look out for the island’s latest culinary tastiness, the Bayfront Bistro. Having opened in January of this year, the restaurant boasts fantastic views and even better appetizing delicacies.

“Our cuisine is different from what one might expect from a “beach” restaurant,” General Manager, Mike Wilke says. “We serve fresh Gulf seafood, hand cut steaks and many dishes generally not associated with a tourist area. Chef Marvin Avilez, formally of Harold’s on the Bay, leads our kitchen staff. And our wine list boasts over 100 selections, with the addition of 25 selections by the glass. Guests are pleasantly surprised when they can enjoy spectacular food, superior service in an unparalleled atmosphere, and it still be affordable. It’s part of our philosophy— Bayfront Bistro has changed the way people look at beach restaurants.”
 
 

Touting their wares, Wilke let us in on a must-have from the Bayfront Bistro. During Taste of the Beach, the restaurant will deliver a nibble of a Pan Seared Andouille Stuffed Day Boat Scallops that has been raved as “heavenly” by food critics. The scallops will be accompanied with fresh local micro greens and Truffled goat cheese, wrapped in a Carpaccio of beef that is then seared. Le Magnifique!

Bayfront also plans to incorporate some signature seafood dishes to round out the selections.

“As one of the newest on the beach, we want to give the public the opportunity to experience the culinary excellence of Bayfront Bistro,” Wilke adds. “We hope to aid in the success of this year’s event and bring to the forefront the specialties of our local beaches, bay and businesses.”

Another local favorite that will also be participating is JoJo’s at the Beach. Serving a Floribbean style of cuisine of fresh local fish, steaks and pasta dishes, JoJo’s is one of the three restaurants at the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Spa.

The Director of Food and Beverage at JoJo’s, Christopher Owens, explained that the restaurant has been taking part of the festival for several years. Last year, the resort won Best Dessert and Best Appetizer, and they are really looking forward to upping the ante to maintain their title.

“This year, JoJo’s at the Beach will put together some Margarita Shrimp and the best BBQ Pork Sliders,” Owens shares. “But the must-have is our Chocolate Banana Rum Bread Pudding which is over the top!”

Amongst the many flavors being conjured up, the food isn’t the only thing taking center stage. The crowds will also be able to enjoy several exhibits and activities throughout the festival, and a great music lineup.

Families will be able to bring their children and enjoy face painting, spin art, and theme-park rides.
 
 

But hungry folks will also be able to enjoy the samples Parrot Key Caribbean Grill will be dishing out.

As a Fort Myers Beach staple since 2002, Parrot Key is like a slice of Key West, the restaurants General Manager Brad Lewis says, “a very laid back, tropical atmosphere serving regional cuisine.

“Parrot Key Caribbean Grill has a strong emphasis on local seafood and a raw bar, also serving salads, sandwiches, wraps and steaks,” Lewis continues. “This year, our Chef John Venuto is preparing a marinated Grilled Flank Steak served on a tostada with Pico de Gallo.”

The fest also features a wine tasting area, which will offer samples of various delicious and sophisticated wines from California and Australia.
“We are very excited about this year’s wine tasting area,” adds Lewis. “Guests will get to sample six different wines that represent a small cross-section of great wines we serve from our wine list at Parrot Key.”

But wait, that’s not all. Taste of the Beach will even host a restaurant cook-off. This Stadium Kitchen style of food demonstration, sponsored by Sunstream Hotels & Resorts, will be a treat to see!

Restaurant chefs face off in cooking creative, fresh and innovative dishes. And the service staff puts their skills to the test in the exciting obstacle course.

The day is culminated with the judge’s choices of the island’s top tasty joints including seafood, pizza, ribs, appetizer, dessert and ethnic food. But it’s not all up to the judges, festival patrons get to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Runoff for best restaurant.

The musical treat on the bill this year is one of Florida’s premier blues and swing bands. Voted 2008 and 2009 Orlando International Blues Challenge Winners, the Smokin’ Torpedoes is a five-piece group founded in the Spring of 2004 by guitarist and vocalist, Jeff Willey.

The Torps will grace the stage and entertain the crowd with its dynamic sounds and charismatic performance, including a variety of blues styles like traditional, Chicago, swing, and R & B tunes.

“The Torps is a high level entertainment style band with musical influences like Ray Charles, Freddie King, Little Walter, Muddy Waters and many more,” he says. “We are all about showmanship and keeping crowds entertained with danceable tunes.”

Proceeds from this years Taste of the Beach will help support the local Boy Scouts, the American Business Women and the Fort Myers Beach Fourth of July fireworks display.

But Owens couldn’t have said it better when he described Taste of the Beach as, “eclectic.”

“We have some really creative people on the beach,” Owens adds. “All the teams bring their A-game and their different styles and approach. It’s just a great chance to showcase what establishments down here have to offer.”

- Enjoy the 14th Annual Taste of the Beach on June 21st from 11 am – 5 pm, located on Main Street near Salty Sam’s Marina in Fort Myers Beach, FL!