Fishing Classics

"Flyfishing is to fishing as ballet is to walking."
       Howell Raines, Flyfishing Through the Midlife Crisis, 1993

Doc Ford’s Sanibel Rum Bar & Grille Review

http://www.docfordssanibel.com/

Another great meal tonight at Doc Ford's. It's been almost a year and the anticipation is akin to that of Thanksgiving. You wait all year to find the perfect bird and all the fixings, spend countless hours preparing and then when it comes time to eat it seems to have gone by way too fast. It's the same for me at Doc Ford's. The Yucatan Shrimp, boiled and covered in butter, cilantro, lime juice and chili spices, are to kill for. The only clam chowder to rival Doc's came from a clam bar on Long Island. For my main meal I went with my old stand-by, the Shrimp and Grits. The Shrimp are barely breaded and lightly pan fried and the grits are perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of cheddar and jalapeno.

Did I mention this is an island sports bar? That means there are plenty of televisions tuned in, primarily to baseball, when in season.

The food is great, the prices are fair and the atmosphere is perfect for the whole family.

If you are not yet familiar with Randy Wayne White's Doc Ford series of books you owe it to yourself to check them out and follow the adventures of Marine biologist, Dr. Marion Ford and his sidekick Tomlinson.

Doc Ford's is located at 975 Rabbit Road on Sanibel Island, Florida.  

Lazy Flamingo Restaurant Review

http://www.lazyflamingo.com/

Located at 6520 Pine Ave Ste C on Sanibel near Blind Pass, the Lazy Flamingo is one of our must stop places while on the island. It may not look like much from the outside but this place has soul. If there is a seat at the bar, grab it. There are not many tables and it gets crowded. If you do get a table, order at the bar and they will call you when your order is ready. If you sit at the bar, they'll take your order. There is usually only two people working. One takes orders, cleans tables, takes your money and serves drinks. The other cooks. They have an incredibly efficient system. Sitting in the back corner of the bar can offer some interesting people watching.

My preferred meal consists of the conch fritters, wings, peel n eat shrimp and a basket of seasoned fries. I have never had a bad meal here.

As for value, it is very reasonbly priced.

Bring your own catch and let them prepare it for you. The nominal fee is well worth it and they even provide the fries and slaw.

They have two locations on Sanibel in addition to others elsewhere but this is where you will find me.