Gourmet At Your Service – presented by The Sandy Butler

The Sandy Butler Restaurant and Market are providing guests with a variety of choices for Valentine’s Day dining and shopping. The restaurant is serving Valentine’s Day brunch and dinner, while the adjacent gourmet market offers gourmet take-out options, a flower market, gifts, custom gift baskets and a boutique wine selection.

On Valentine’s Day, Chef Michael Ragusa is serving a special four-course brunch for $22 per person. The first course is a mixed berry parfait with mascarpone mousse. For the second course, guests may choose either a chocolate waffle with strawberry syrup or banana foster’s pancake. The three choices for the third course include quiche Lorraine, eggs Benedict or spinach Florentine omelet with Gruyère cream sauce. For the fourth course, guests will be served a chocolate fudge brownie with raspberry sauce and vanilla ice cream. Brunch is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For a four-course Valentine’s Day dinner, Chef Ragusa will offer a chilled strawberry soup with mascarpone cream and chocolate shavings or potato cheddar ale soup topped with crispy pancetta for the first course. The second course includes a choice of a wedge salad or baby field greens with roasted red beets and pecan encrusted goat cheese tossed in raspberry vinaigrette. The third course features three choices: a surf and turf entrée which includes Maine lobster tail and filet mignon with a choice of peppercorn sauce or béarnaise sauce; lobster ravioli in a lobster sherry cream sauce; or bouillabaisse with lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels and grouper in a tomato broth. For the fourth course, guests will be served a flourless chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream. The cost is $50 per person. Dinner is available from 5 to 9 p.m.

“While enjoying Chef Ragusa’s special Valentine’s Day dinner, guests will enjoy special music,” said Jason Nelson, The Sandy Butler general manager. “For those who prefer a romantic evening at home, The Sandy Butler Market has freshly prepared gourmet-to-go options, along with a wide selection of flowers, wines, gift baskets and gift cards. The Sandy Butler is a one-stop shopping destination for all of your Valentine’s Day dining and gift-giving needs.”

For reservations, call 239-482-6765, ext. 1.

The Sandy Butler Restaurant will host an evening of art, wine and tapas on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. Chef Michael Ragusa is serving a tapas menu with a Latin flare that will include beef empanadas, shredded pork on fried plantains and ceviche. The tapas will be paired with two wines from Argentina, a Shiraz and malbec.

While dining, guests will recreate Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh’s masterpiece “The Starry Night.” Artist Annette Watkins, owner of Brushes and Bottles, LLC, a Fort Myers-based business that helps adult students tap into their creativity through painting, will provide art supplies and creative instruction to diners as they design their masterpiece.

“While enjoying Chef Ragusa’s specially crafted tapas menu, guests will enjoy participating in table-side art,” said Jason Nelson, The Sandy Butler general manager. “Easels, paint and brushes will be provided as diners create their own interpretations of ‘The Starry Night’. The evening will be a unique combination of culinary delights and personalized art at The Sandy Butler Restaurant and ‘gallery’.” 

The cost of the event is $45 per person. For reservations, call 239-482-6765, ext. 1.

News-Press columnist Rose O’Dell King featured The Sandy Butler’s exclusive line of Fernando Pensato flavored olive oils in a recent column on great last minute gift giving ideas. “These are the olive oils I use in my own kitchen because the beautiful flavor perfectly complements the intense, Mediterranean cuisine I like to prepare,” Rose said of the olive oils, which also were featured in the latest issue of O, The Oprah Magazine. Chef Michael shared two vinaigrette recipes that feature the popular olive oils on Rose’s blog: www.news-press.net/wordpress. These olive oils make a great last minute gift and our market is open Christmas Eve until 8 p.m. You can also purchase these year-round on our Web site: www.sandybutlerstore.com.

The Sandy Butler restaurant will be open on Thursday, Dec. 24, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Chef Michael Ragusa and his culinary team will offer a three-course Christmas Eve menu. The first course is a choice of shrimp bisque or the Butler salad. The second course offers three choices: a six-ounce Maine lobster tail served with corn on the cob and a baked potato, prime rib au jus served with asparagus and mashed potatoes, or stuffed fillet of sole with crab meat in lemon butter sauce served with couscous and julienne vegetables. For the third course, guests will be served a traditional Christmas bread pudding. The cost is $30 per person. Call 239-482-6765 to make your reservation.

In addition, The Sandy Butler Market offers a holiday take-home menu including fresh all-natural turkeys, certified angus prime rib, sliced honey-baked hams, vegetables, cranberry sauce, all the traditional side items and fresh-baked desserts. For customer convenience, The Sandy Butler gourmet market will be open Christmas Eve until 6 p.m.

Whether you are hosting a small gathering or a large business function, The Sandy Butler offers perfect gourmet dining and entertaining options this holiday season.

The Sandy Butler catering service offers a personalized catering menu, as well as a pre-set menu option. Parties with a minimum of ten guests can select from a carefully crafted catering menu that includes a variety of chicken, seafood and meat selections and side items prepared fresh daily by Chef Michael Ragusa and his culinary team. The Sandy Butler’s event planning services include floral arrangements, menu selection, tastings and event coordination. In addition to off-site catering, The Sandy Butler restaurant offers private dining on the veranda.

For guests who prefer a home-cooked holiday meal without the fuss, The Sandy Butler market offers a new holiday take-home menu which includes fresh, all-natural turkeys, certified angus prime rib, sliced honey-baked hams, vegetables, cranberry sauce and fresh-baked desserts.

For those who enjoy dining out during the holidays, The Sandy Butler restaurant is offering Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve lunch and dinner menus and is the perfect place to host your family or office get-togethers. For more information, call 239-482-6765

The Sandy Butler Restaurant is offering a special three-course Christmas Eve menu. In addition, The Sandy Butler Market offers a holiday take-home menu including fresh all-natural turkeys, certified angus prime rib, sliced honey-baked hams, vegetables, cranberry sauce, all the traditional side items and fresh-baked desserts. For customer convenience, The Sandy Butler gourmet market will be open Christmas Eve until 6 p.m.

For those who prefer to spend Christmas Eve dining out, The Sandy Butler restaurant will be open on Thursday, Dec. 24, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Chef Michael Ragusa and his culinary team will offer a three-course Christmas Eve menu. The first course is a choice of shrimp bisque or the Butler salad. The second course offers three choices: a six-ounce Maine lobster tail served with corn on the cob and a baked potato, prime rib au jus served with asparagus and mashed potatoes, or stuffed fillet of sole with crab meat in lemon butter sauce served with couscous and julienne vegetables. For the third course, guests will be served a traditional Christmas bread pudding. The cost is $30 per person.

“Whether our guests prefer to cook at home or dine out, The Sandy Butler offers a variety of choices for Christmas entertaining,” says Jason Nelson, The Sandy Butler general manager. “Our market has easy, no-fuss take-home options and all the ingredients you’ll need to prepare a home-cooked Christmas meal, while the restaurant has a specially-crafted menu with choices for everyone. Either way, The Sandy Butler provides one-stop shopping for low-stress holiday entertaining.”

Don’t forget, if you want a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal without the fuss, The Sandy Butler market offers a new holiday take-home menu including fresh all-natural turkeys, certified angus prime rib, sliced honey-baked hams, vegetables, cranberry sauce, all the traditional side items and fresh-baked desserts. For customer convenience, The Sandy Butler gourmet market will be open on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26 until 2 p.m.

For those who prefer to dine out, The Sandy Butler restaurant will be open on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Guests may order from the restaurant’s menus or for those who prefer a traditional feast, Chef Michael Ragusa and his culinary team will offer a three-course Thanksgiving menu. The first course is a choice of a butternut squash soup or pear and gorgonzola salad, the second course offers a roasted turkey breast with mashed potatoes and stuffing with cranberry compote or prime rib au jus served with asparagus hollandaise and mashed potatoes. For the third course, guests may choose apple, pumpkin or bourbon pecan pie. The cost is $30 per person.

With the holiday season fast approaching, The Sandy Butler announces several new gourmet dining and entertaining options for celebrations at home, in the office, an outside venue or at The Sandy Butler restaurant.

“The holidays are a time of celebration for families, friends and business associates,” said Jason Nelson, The Sandy Butler general manager. “The Sandy Butler offers several catering and dining options for a festive gourmet experience that reflects the tradition and spirit of the holiday season.”

The Sandy Butler catering service offers a personalized catering menu, as well as a pre-set menu option. Parties with a minimum of ten guests can select from a carefully crafted catering menu that includes a variety of chicken, seafood and meat selections and side items prepared fresh daily by Chef Michael Ragusa and his culinary team. The Sandy Butler’s event planning services include floral arrangements, menu selection, tastings and event coordination. In addition to off-site catering, The Sandy Butler restaurant offers private dining on the veranda.

For guests who prefer a home-cooked holiday meal without the fuss, The Sandy Butler market offers a new holiday take-home menu which includes fresh, all-natural turkeys, certified angus prime rib, sliced honey-baked hams, vegetables, cranberry sauce and fresh-baked desserts.

For those who enjoy dining out during the holidays, The Sandy Butler restaurant is offering Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve lunch and dinner menus.

“Whether you are hosting a small gathering or a large business function, our detail-oriented staff will work with you to create a celebration that is both personal and professional,” says Nelson.

About The Sandy Butler:

The Sandy Butler defines the gourmet experience, offering authentic specialty foods and the finest culinary products in a unique and upscale atmosphere. A gourmet dining and shopping destination, The Sandy Butler boasts a 150-seat upscale restaurant offering superior service with seating available indoors or on the veranda. “The Sand Bar” features a sophisticated, spacious bar for enjoying cocktails and appetizers. TripAdvisor, an online travel guide, has ranked The Sandy Butler number one of 351 restaurants in Fort Myers. The adjacent gourmet market features fresh fruits and vegetables, freshly-prepared entrees, organic foods and products, fresh baked goods, a full-service deli and vitamins and supplements. In addition, the market features “The Butler’s Signature,” The Sandy Butler’s exclusive line of authentic products including salts, seasonings and oils that are sold exclusively at The Sandy Butler and marketed to other restaurants and markets throughout the United States. A locally-owned business, The Sandy Butler also offers catering services and private dining. For more information, visit www.sandybutlerstore.com. Also, follow The Sandy Butler online on Facebook or twitter.com/thesandybutler.

The Sandy Butler Chef Michael Ragusa is participating in “Cooking for the Kids,” a fundraiser to benefit The Sunshine Kids. The event takes place Nov. 14 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa, 17260 Harbour Pointe Drive in Fort Myers. Come out and enjoy delicacies and cooking demonstrations, a silent auction and live action hosted by Patrick Nolan of Fox 4 News. For tickets or more information call 239-482-5700. The Sunshine Kids a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children with cancer by providing emotional support, group activities and adventure trips.

The Sandy Butler will offer samplings from the restaurant’s new seasonal menu during the 27^th Annual Taste of the Town even at event at Centennial Park on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sponsored by the Junior League of Fort Myers, The Taste of the Town has emerged as Southwest Florida’s largest outdoor food festival attracting local restaurants and a variety of other area vendors.

Serving up some of the newest gourmet entrees from The Sandy Butler’s lunch and dinner menus is John Inskip, aka, “the butler.” Well-versed in the world of gourmet, Inskip will offer patrons a taste of the new smoked salmon club on mini pumpernickel brioche, pork tenderloin with apple slaw and pumpkin mousse.