It's back and it is going to be better than ever according to organizers. Sizzle Dining Restaurant Week begins in Southwest Florida Thursday (September 7th) and runs through September 27th. More than fifty restaurants in Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral and all over Southwest Florida participate in this annual event that raises money for Blessings in a Backpack.
The organization helps prevent childhood hunger by providing backpacks full of food to school children in Lee and Collier counties who depend on school lunches and breakfasts to be fed. In many cases, school lunches are the only meals they receive. Research shows test scores, behavior, attendance, and more, improve dramatically when kids get proper nutrition. This program helps make sure they are fed outside of school hours. For the rest of the month, you can help provide food to the program by feeding yourself, dining at some of the area's best restaurants.
How Sizzle Dining Restaurant Week works
Participating restaurants offer special pre-fixed lunch and dinner courses. One dollar from each meal purchased goes directly to Blessings in a Backpack. For example, you can enjoy a two-course lunch that starts at just $19 or $29. For dinner, try three-course meals starting at either $29, $39 or $49. Price does depend on location.
This is a fantastic way for foodies and anyone who likes dining out, to try new places as well as new dishes at their favorite places. In addition, if your budget has prevented you from dining at some higher end places, this is the perfect time to try them. You'll enjoy their outstanding quality and service at a fraction of the price. And best of all, you're helping to fill the bellies of food insecure kids in the area. Here is a list of participating restaurants.
Sizzle Dining Founder Guy Clarke said, “We are honored to be able to partner with Blessings in a Backpack for this event again this year. The work they do to support the children in our community is outstanding.”
2 Florida Restaurants Made Southern Living Magazine’s List Of Best In The South
When it comes to good eatin', it's not hard in the south to find something great and 2 Florida restaurants have made Southern Living Magazine's list of Best New Restaurants in the South for 2023.
We're so lucky here in Fort Myers, Naples and Cape Coral that there are so many great restaurants. It seems, especially after the hurricane, that there are new restaurants popping up constantly. Whether it's restaurants that were on the islands that relocated or closures with new spots replacing them. You could probably go to a new restaurant that's opened every week at this point. I love all the options. And that's just here in Southwest Florida. Around the state the list of new restaurants is endless.
While Florida is a big state, there's more to the south than just the Sunshine State. Picture eating po boy's in New Orleans, hot chicken in Nashville, biscuits and gravy in Mississippi or some Georgia peach pie..mmm now I'm hungry.
Southern Living Magazine put together a list of the best new restaurants in the south and 2 Florida restaurants made the top 5.
When you think of what makes a good restaurant, of course the food better be good. But it goes beyond that. It could just be that it has a great atmosphere or amazing waterfront views. Maybe the service is impeccable. We all have our favorites and if you're like me you're always on the hunt for new spots to enjoy. The two restaurants in Florida that made Southern Living Magazine's list are two places I have yet to try, so I'm excited. Zitz Sum in Coral Gables came in at #4 and Willa's in Tampa came in at #5. The others on the list would be great to remember if you're traveling. For the full list, click here. Below are the Top 5.
Southern Living Magazine's Top 5 Best New Restaurants in the South:
1. Pizza Grace- Birmingham, AL
The menu at Pizza Grace is simple. But to be at the top of this list, it must really be THAT good. Sign me up for the MAGIC CITY WHITE PIE made with ricotta, garlic, provolone, Magic City Mushrooms, local gold potatoes and herbs.
2. Conifer- Bentonville, AR
Conifer is a farm-to-table, gluten-free restaurant that uses regional ingredients in dishes as much as possible. Some menu items that caught my eye include al pastor cauliflower and fried squash with pimento cheese.
3. Bardea Steak- Wilmington, DE
Bardea Steak is known for offering rare cuts of meat all sourced from small farms. Diners can pick their steak by breed , cut and size. For non-beef eaters other things on the menu include tiger prawn cocktails, turducken croquettes and guinea hen.
4. Zitz Sum- Coral Gables, FL
Zitz Sum sounds very interesting as chef Pablo Zitzmann's love of Japanese and Italian flavors come together. The menu changes frequently, but popular items include the spicy Har Gow (shrimp dumplings with Calabrian chili oil, lime, and Thai basil) and the Wonton in Brodo (chicken-and-foie gras-filled dumplings swimming in a mushroom-Parmesan broth).
5. Willa's- Tampa, FL
Willa's is located in Tampa's North Hyde Park neighborhood offering contemporary comfort food. Two dishes I NEED to try are the fries topped with pork belly and Mornay sauce and the Seared Branzino.
