Restaurants in Englewood, FL

Call Enver at the Family Table in N Port. Great idea. Big banquet room. Great prices and fantastic food. Drop my name. We're buds.

Smokehaus Pub & Grill

www.smokehaus-pubgrill.com Has a beautiful room!

LaStanza Restaurant on Dearborn St. In Englewood.

JDs Bistro. Pricey but worth it, esp if you go on the night when the jazz trio is playing. That's a real treat.

Placida Grill!

Are you looking for a higher end restaurant? I would look at Captains Table or Perfect Caper in Punta Gorda if yes.

Yes it would have to be The Perfect Caper in Punta Gorda

Lock and Key on Englewood Beach

Ephesus Mediterranean Grill has many, many vegan choices. And they're tasty. They are across from Merchants Crossing in the same plaza as Hungry Howie's. It looks plain on the outside and surprises you with a very cute interior. Even my six year olds like it. The prices are reasonable and staff is friendly. They're on Facebook and Tripadvisor. Best new restaurant in town this year. Please check them out.

Here's what I posted about them a couple months ago: What a fantastic time we just had at Ephesus Mediterranean Grill! I recommend that you run, not walk, to this place. It may very well be the very best new restaurant of 2014. This restaurant is conve nient to all of Englewood, located at 1720 S. McCall Rd in Cornerstone Plaza (across from Merchant's Crossing). It is available for dine in and carry out. Their picture menu can be found online at Facebook.com/EphesusMedGrill , and their phone number is (941) 681-2343. The appetizers: The appetizers were all perfect. I had had stuffed grape leaves and hummus before, but the feta cheese rolls were a delightful pastry stuffed with a mild feta made with cow's milk. Sensational! The hummus, chick peas (garbanzos) processed into a perfect paste (with tahini blended in), was transformed from something humble to something heavenly -- due to the introduction of just the right blend of spices. It was far better than any you ever bought in the store. The salads: The salads were truly great. Probably, you all have probably had tabouli before, but this one was special. The cracked wheat was tiny seed pearls blended with tomato, onions, diced cucumbers and an abundance of fresh mint straight from the garden. Northern bean salad blended these delicate white beans with tomato, onion, and spices to make a cool and refreshing blend. But I must admit my new favorite is Turkish potato salad. Forget your Aunt Mary's potato salad loaded down with heavy mayonnaise. Just thinking about causes my cholesterol to soar. Okay, this dish does start with boiled potatoes, but the similarity ends there. The new ingredients include generous amounts of fresh mint and parsley plus onion, lemon and the chef's own secret spices. From the grill: We tried chicken, lamb and veggie kebabs. All were served with tzatziki sauce on the side. The chicken was excellent. The veggie kebab included red bell pepper onion. However, the lamb was the star of the show. Forget the roast leg of lamb (usually over cooked) smothered under mint jelly that you may have had at Easter. Instead imagine succulent pieces of tender, juicy lamb, grilled to perfection, with the texture of fillet Mignon. Dessert: Dessert was baklava with Cay (Turkish tea). The baklava was thin layers of dough with syrup and a hint of walnuts. It was light and airy, not too sweet. The warm tea was served in the Turkish style: small glasses with a sugar cube on the side. The light brew was not strong or acidic, but amazingly refreshing with a hint of jasmine. Atmosphere: Located at 1720 S. McCall Rd. in Englewood's Cornerstone Plaza (across from Merchant's Crossing), you might think that Ephesus is a humble spot that primarily does take-out with 1 or 2 chairs inside...but you will be transported as you enter. The back wall is a beautiful sapphire blue, reminiscent of the Mediterranean Sea. Against it white sheer veils drape like white foam waves. Beautiful photographs capture scenes of Turkish life (they were taken by Michelle Cakir). Soft Turkish music wafts through the air, and delicious aromas abound. Price: With prices of many appetizers and salads for around $6, and items from grill for around $10 (and that includes side dishes of rice pilaf and shepherd salad), the food at Ephesus are very competitively priced. It makes it a great choice for dinner, a healthy choice for lunch, and yet the atmosphere is so nice I would consider it an ideal place to go for a date on the weekend. The menu choices emphasize healthy items using olive oil, lean meats and vegetarian items. I could see bringing carry out for a sophisticated picnic on the beach. We are fortunate that chef Burak Cakir and his artistic wife, Michelle, chose to open their restaurant here. It's truly something new and good in Englewood. -- Kathy Y. O'Brien

Placida Fish House 697-6666 I believe is the ph#

Crows Nest in Venice; on the expensive side, but seafood delish. Also in Englewood - Lock & Key, very good. Gulf View - pretty good

Port Charlotte Fish house, or Peace River Fish Market in Punta Gorda.

Vino Loco or Beach Road Bistro is on the water

Beach Bistro. Everything they serve is great!

Ricaltinis BarandGrille; Inside dining room; Great Apps. (Stuffed Eggplant Rolls one of my favorites). Great atmosphere, great services and drinks.:)

Vino Loco on Dearborn. More of a wine bar but amazing small bites

Villa Capri!

Villa Capri!!

that used to be General Developements office or showroom for Independence Village before it was called Gardens of Gulf Cove