A CULINARY CATCH

By Heather Turk

See what’s cooking at Fishermen’s Village

Foodies visiting Punta Gorda/ Englewood Beach will find that there’s no better place to dine on some of the area’s finest fare than Fishermen’s Village.

The open-air promenade on Charlotte Harbor is home to not only 35 independently owned shops and boutiques, but also six waterfront restaurants sure to wow diners with their flavorful fare and stunning views. In fact, one of Punta Gorda/ Englewood Beach’s most popular restaurants, The Captain’s Table, is actually located at Fishermen’s Village. A local favorite since 1986, the casual fine dining restaurant is known as much for its fresh seafood and succulent steaks as its unsurpassed views of Charlotte Harbor, which can be seen from its indoor bar, dining room, private dining area and outdoor rooftop deck. Guests can dine on one of the restaurant’s signature dinner items, like the Seafood Risotto made with sautéed shrimp, scallops, mussels and half of a lobster tail, while taking in the nightly sunset. Lunch is available, too, and a monthly seafood buffet is held on the first Friday night of every month.

For a livelier atmosphere, Harpoon Harry’s is located just downstairs from The Captain’s Table. The openair seafood restaurant has a variety of arcade games to play and more than 30 TVs to watch sporting events on, as well as live music on the weekend. Guests can arrive by boat and savor such delicious dishes as the blue crab Stuffed Grouper on the outdoor dining deck, or enjoy more than 25 draft beers — many from Florida breweries — at one of three bars.

A popular spot in Fishermen’s Village for beer aficionados and sports fans alike can be found at Village Brewhouse. Not only does the casual eatery boast the largest selection of craft beers in Southwest Florida, with 20 selections on tap and over 75 can and bottle options, but it also has more than 25 TVs playing the latest games. Diners can soak up the waterfront views from the restaurant’s wraparound patio or through large sliding glass doors in the indoor dining room while relishing an array of fresh seafood and tasty American cuisine. Guest favorites include the Punta Gorda Grilled Cheese sandwich: BBQ-sauced pulled pork piled high between melted cheddar and American cheeses, topped with creamy mac n’ cheese and served on buttery sourdough toast.

The Pier also offers diners breathtaking views of Charlotte Harbor from inside the restaurant as well as out on its 95-seat patio. One of Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach’s newest dining destinations, The Pier features a menu of inspired cuisine that marries Florida fare with the traditional flavors and cooking techniques of Hawaii, the Pacific Islands and the Pacific Rim. Guests can feast upon diverse dishes like the Thai-chili Dusted Calamari, or savor an extensive selection of sushi rolls.

Delight in waterfront views and sumptuous sushi at The Pier

Harpoon Harry’s Stuffed Grouper is served fried, blackened or grilled

In addition to the aforementioned restaurants, Fishermen’s Village offers an assortment of healthconscious dishes like protein bowls and power salads at its newest eatery, Turtle Bay, as well as a selection of New England-style seafood at Village Fish Market. Whichever restaurant visitors choose, taste buds won’t be disappointed. fishermensvillage.com