2 Florida Bars Made USA Today’s List Of The Best In America

We all have our favorite spots for enjoying a cold on at the end of a long week and 2 Florida bars have made USA Today's list of the best in America.

I bet if you were to ask 10 people in Fort Myers what their favorite bar is, you'd get 10 different answers. Just here in town we have so many options for hole in the wall dives, to beautiful rooftops, nightclubs and everything in between. I used to be all about the party life with live music or loud beats to dance the night away to. Now, I'm a bit more laid back, preferring a beach bar or a rooftop lounge offering incredible views. And if you're looking for the best bars in America, there are 2 Florida bars that have made a list compiled by USA Today.

Now, what is the "best" of course depends on what you're looking for. but USA Today released their Bars of the Year list and 2 Florida bars are on it. To put together the list, food writers from all across America worked hard at choosing bars that span from local neighborhood spots to cozy wine bars, beach bars and more.

It doesn't appear that these bars on the list are in any particular order, so we'll go with the one closest to us in Southwest Florida. When I first moved to Florida, I lived in Sarasota so this is a bar that I'm very familiar with and have had some of the best times at. It's The Gator Club right on Main St. downtown. This 2-story bar and nightclub has over 100 years of history with live music on the bottom level and DJs upstairs.

The other Florida bar that made the list is Flora-Bama on Perdido Key. I frequently see this bar on "best of" lists and it really does look like the ultimate Florida beach bar. It's right on the Florida-Alabama state line, thus the name, and it's been in business since the '60s.

For the full list of the best bars in America, click here

This is the final week to get some great Sizzle Dining deals in Southwest Florida and help food insecure kids at the same time. The annual restaurant event runs through Wednesday. To whet your appetite, here is a look at my Sizzle Dining Stop at La Fontanella Bonita Springs and Fort Myers.

The Italian restaurant has two locations, Sizzle Dining options are the same at both. I went to the Fort Myers location on Winkler Road. It's in a strip mall, in the space formerly home to House of Pasta.

This regional dining event is intended to support local restaurants during what is traditionally the slowest time of the year for them. To lure diners, more than 100 restaurants all over Southwest Florida are offering pre-fix menus ranging from $19 to $59 for two, three and four-course meals.

So far, I've had lunch at Bicyclette Cookshop in Naples, and I still think about that dessert. Photos and more info here. Also, Stones Throw in Cape Coral. Those photos and menu info are here. Also, Taberna Ole in Fort Myers. More on that one here.

Finally, BLANC in Fort Myes. Click here for more on that one. It was fantastic.

Sizzle Dining runs through September 25th. Not only is it an affordable way to try a new restaurant or visit an old favorite, but you also help a charity in the process. $1 of each meal sold is donated to Blessings in a Backpack which helps feed food insecure children.

This special Sizzle Dining cocktail at La Fontanellla has vodka, Cointreau, Lavendar syrup, lemon juice and prosecco. It is typically garnished with a twist and is a $7 upcharge. Nice and refreshing, well balanced cocktail.

This Cannelloni was a first course at La Fontanella for Sizzle Dining. It was stuffed with veal, chicken and spinach. The three sauces make it look messy, but it was really good.

These mussels are served in a tomato cream sauce with garlic, basil and pernod. You can really taste that pernod on the finish too. It's on the Sizzle Dining and regular menu at La Fontanella.

Caprese Burrata was a salad choice for second course on La Fontanella's Sizzle Dining menu. It was fresh and drizzled with an aged balsamic reduction.

I typically like my Cacio E Pepe solo but at La Fontanella for Sizzle Dining, they have added a decadent touch. Chunks of beef tenderloin. This one also had spinach, and it was a generous portion

Herb crusted fish served with a mediterranean slaw and garlic mascarpone mashed potatoes. It felt and tasted like a more healthful option on La Fontanella's menu that had lots of delicious pasta options.