Globe writers pick the best of Fort Myers
Gordon Edes
My five recommended places to eat in Fort Myers: 1. Bistro 41 I didn't get there as much last spring, but it's my unofficial headquarters. Great grouper and red snapper.2. Sunshine Cafe It's unpretentious (how can you be pretentious next to a karate studio) but has terrific seafood. They also have a spot on Captiva Island.
3. Blue Point Oyster Bar and Grill You can sit outside, which is nice, though the view of the parking lot isn't
4. Farmer's Market It's especially good for breakfast. It's Southern fried, and close to the ballpark.
5. Cru Yes, you can get elk and Kobe beef in Fort Myers, and you're likely to spot a player schmoozing with owner Shannon Yates. Take out a loan first.
Two added starters:
Chain restaurant category: The Outback. Go here, especially when Bob Ryan is in town and college hoops are on the bar TV.
Place I'm adding to my must-go list: Blu Sushi. Word of mouth is outstanding, and you-know-who is liable to drop in.
Five things to do in the Fort:
1. The beach Fort Myers Beach is honky-tonk, Sanibel Island is for the shell collectors, and on Captiva Island go to the Mucky Duck at sunset and watch for the dolphins. I try to get down for a day to Lowdermilk Park Beach in Naples, then stroll down Fifth Avenue.2. Golf I don't even qualify as a hacker, but I have watched Derek Lowe launch 300-yard drives.
3. Mini-golf This is big-time stuff down here. Go for a little ride and visit Mike Greenwell's Bat-a-Ball in Cape Coral.
4. Ding Darling National Wildlife Preserve It's on Captiva. Great for the bird-watchers, and you can get fairly up close and personal with a gator.
5. Airboat ride through the Everglades Me, I like to keep my distance from snakes and gators, but no one's ever accused me of being Nature Boy.
Five tips for fans heading to spring training:
1. The games are fun, but the access is better the first two weeks. When the team is down at the minor league facility, you have your best chance to score an autograph or photo.2. Come early to the games. It's fun to watch BP, you can say hello to JP (Johnny Pesky, who will have his folding chair set up outside the dugout), and from the street you can get a glimpse of the pitchers throwing bullpens.
3. Let the players eat in peace. It's not cool to ask someone for an autograph when he's got a fork in his hand. No law against saying hello, though, when they finish.
4. Don't nod off during a game. Many of you will be sitting pretty close to the action; we don't want anyone to get smoked by a foul ball.
5. Say hello to a certain Globie. Always nice to hear from a homey, extra points if you're from Central Mass.
Nick Cafardo
Top five places to eat in Fort Myers:
1. Farmers Market It's a good location near the ballpark for breakfast.2. Prawn Broker It's seafood place that feels like a Boston eatery.
3.Mona Lisa This Italian restaurant is Joe Castiglione's favorite. Great pizza.
4. Bistro 41 They've got good food for a reasonable price.
5. Cru This is a high end place. I don't go too often so I can save the company money.
Top five things to do besides baseball in Fort Myers:
1. Fort Myers Beach Sanibel and Captiva are also pretty nice.2. Golf Lots of choices in the area.
3. Movies Take some time and get out of the sun.
4. Shopping There's lot's of shopping, but it's getting pricey down there.
5. Bowling For us Candlepin guys, Tenpin is easy.
Five tips for fans heading to spring training:
1. Wear a hat.2. Wear sunscreen.
3. Be prepared to sit in Fort Myers traffic.
4. Be prepared for long waits at restaurants unless you know some one.
5. Double-check your hotel reservations. Sometimes they are conveniently lost.
Dan Shaughnessy
Places to eat:
1. Bistro 412. Shooter's
3. Stonewood
4. New York Pizza
5. Ale House
6. Outback
Things to do:
1. Go to Sanibel2. Go to Naples Ritz
3. Do not go to Edison lights parade
4. Mike Greenwell's Bat and Ball Park
5. Bell tower has movieplex