Capt. Tommy Thompson's Saltwater Angler's Guides

Sustainable seafood is big here, as many chefs, restauranteurs and fishermen make their living and livelihood from the bountiful Gulf of Mexico. From the quintessential Florida cracker crab shack where blue crabs pile high atop newspaper covered picnic tables at Peace River Seafood year round, to contemporary dishes that top retro, stainless steel tables set amidst a wash of riotous color at acclaimed Trabue, the dining options in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands are as abundant as the fresh catch.

An authentic Florida crab house opened by long-time local crabber Jimmy Beall and his wife Kelly just outside Punta Gorda, Peace River Seafood is where the fishermen, crabbers, and shrimpers land their catch. During Stone Crab season the huge crab claws are the number one draw on the locally sourced seafood-centric menu.  Year-round, blue crabs arrive by the crate and are prepared and served up piping hot almost as fast as they come in. Spilling out of tin buckets – all you can eat for $20, 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday – the crabs are accompanied by the requisite wooden mallet, corn-on-the-cob, red potatoes and lemon. Novices take note: friendly expert instruction from the staff will have you crackin’ crab like a local in no time!

Chef Keith Meyer is one of the new breed of chefs planting roots in Punta Gorda.  At Trabue Restaurant, he translates the classic techniques he learned in New York City into approachable rustic, southern dishes. Menu items range from escargot to a bone-in, brined pork chop, and the menu is always chock full of from-the-Gulf seafood such as mahi-mahi, snapper and shrimp. While he incorporates flavors from across the country, Chef Keith’s goal is to highlight locally-sourced ingredients, especially the different flavors that come with each season

To wash down all this local farm (or sea) to table goodness, the county also features a winery and a new craft brew house with tap room.  Catania’s Winery in Englewood offers free wine tastings Thursdays – Saturdays.  While the new (opening Dec. 2013) Fat Point brewery in Punta Gorda is initially offering two craft beers in cans and on tap.

Maybe you don’t want to cook.  Or you’re tired of eating the usual “fisherman fare”.  Maybe it’s time to step it up a notch and try some of the  great, upscale dishes at Trabue Restaurant in downtown Punta Gorda.  Chef Keith Meyers offers fresh and modern American food, and features local seafood and produce.  Here’s you’ll find tasty, healthy and beautifully-prepared entrees and an extensive wine list.  Trabue is the original name given Punta Gorda in 1885 by Col. Isaac Trabue, who purchased the land from British investors.  Trabue, the restaurant, is located at 258 W Marion Avenue, just a short walk from most local hotels.

Trabue is stylish and attracts folks of all generations

Try some seafood at Trabue

A simple salad, and a beautiful presentation

Escargot, anyone?

If they're on the menu, give Chef Keith Meyers' lamb sliders a try!