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 January issue of O, The Oprah Magazine features The Sandy Butler Group’s exclusive Fernando Pensato flavored olive oils in “The O List,” a column featuring a limited number of unique products selected by Oprah Winfrey or the publication’s editors. These authentic, imported olive oils are sold and distributed exclusively by The Sandy Butler Group. They are available in The Sandy Butler Market and online. In addition, Chef Michael Ragusa uses these products in a variety of The Sandy Butler Restaurant entrées. The products featured in O Magazine’s “The O List” include the Fernando Pensato Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), the Fernando Pensato Mandarin EVOO, The Fernando Pensato Truffle Olive Oil and the award-winning Fernando Pensato EVOO with Lemon.

“We are honored to have our exclusive, authentic Fernando Pensato Extra Virgin Olive Oils showcased in O Magazine,” said Jason Nelson, The Sandy Butler general manager. “Some of the top chefs and restaurants across the country select this product for its flavor and perfect balance. This line of award-winning olive oils is among the highest quality olive oil available.”

The Pensato olive grove is found in the Apulian hills on the Fernando Pensato estate. The Peranzana olives are handpicked the moment they are ripe and then specialty selected, cleaned and cold-pressed in the pink granite mills in accordance with the age-old tradition. The Fernando Pensato EVOO is available in a variety of sizes including a gallon, 16.9 oz., 8.5 oz. and 2 oz bottle.

The Sandy Butler offers a multitude of gifting options to satisfy every gourmand. While a variety of beautifully-wrapped pre-made gift baskets such as the Coffee Lovers Basket and Holiday Hostess Basket are available, the gourmet market also creates custom gift baskets that are individually designed to reflect the recipients’ personal taste. Individual items such as fine wines, imported cheeses, flavored oils and vinegars, specialty knives and cutting boards also make excellent gifts.

TripAdvisor, an online travel guide, has ranked The Sandy Butler number one of 351 restaurants in Fort Myers. On TripAdvisor, restaurants are ranked in an online survey completed anonymously by customers. The criteria include an overall ranking in five categories, selection of dining options, general commentary, recommendations and more.

“We are proud of The Sandy Butler’s top ranking on TripAdvisor,” said Jason Nelson, The Sandy Butler general manager. “The online customer reviews reflect the gourmet dining experience that we strive to achieve everyday. With the tourist season upon us, The Sandy Butler anticipates an increase in visitors to both our restaurant and market.”

With the growth of online dining guides such as TripAdvisor, travelers now have more resources for finding restaurants.

“With more online travel planning resources available, the customer experience is becoming even more influential to the restaurant industry,” said Nelson. “At The Sandy Butler, we have taken customer feedback and incorporated changes in our restaurant menus as well as to our market offerings. Customer opinion is the most important tool for a restaurant’s success.”

TripAdvisor provides users with an online opinion survey allowing them to rank restaurants, hotels and other travel options according to their personal experience. TripAdvisor provides information, advice and opinions from millions of travelers for purposes of planning trips, selecting hotels, restaurants and more. TripAdvisor claims a readership of more than 15,000,000 in 190 countries.

For more information on The Sandy Butler’s reviews visit TripAdvisor.

About The Sandy Butler:

The Sandy Butler defines the fine, fresh 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. 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, oils, jellies, pickles and sauces 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 for great seafood recipes, specials and events.

Chef Michael Ragusa and his staff from The Sandy Butler recently participated in the Women’s Council of Realtors 2^nd Annual Bon Appetit at the International Design Center in Estero. Chef Micheal served a Pensato Pasta at the event. All proceeds from the event benefited the educational funds of the Women’s Council of Realtors.

The Sandy Butler restaurant introduces its new seasonal menu offering fresh gourmet cuisine, along with a new affordably priced boutique wine list. With a focus on fresh and seasonal dishes, Chef Michael Ragusa and his culinary team have redesigned The Sandy Butler’s lunch and dinner menus, added new vegetarian and children menus, and introduced a new happy hour martini menu.

“We listen to our customers and have created a menu that offers guests a taste of the gourmet side of life,” said Jason Nelson, The Sandy Butler general manager. “Chef Ragusa’s new fine, fresh, gourmet menus continue to feature many of our signature dishes along with his new creations using fresh, seasonal produce and products.”

With increased customer requests for local produce, the new menu includes local, seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables from Rabbit Run Farms, a pesticide-free hydroponic farm in Fort Myers, offering a variety of heirloom vegetables and tropical fruits. When available, local produce will be offered as side items or used by Chef Ragusa in the creation of fresh gourmet entrees such as The Sandy Butler’s baby spinach salad using fresh, locally grown spinach. In addition, the menu offers locally caught seafood that will change out frequently based on seasonal availability.

New creations for The Sandy Butler lunch menu include a Gulf shrimp and littleneck clam scampi sautéed in garlic, white and The Butler’s Signature EVOO oil served on a bed of Pensato’s linguine pasta that will appeal to seafood and pasta lovers alike. Another new lunch entrée, beef Milanese, features a thinly breaded beef cutlet topped with micro-greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion and Manchego cheese served with chimichurri vinaigrette.

“New to our dinner menu is a truffle pasta dish prepared with our Butler’s Signature Pensato egg pasta Tagliatelle with wild mushroom ragout drizzled with black truffle oil,” said Nelson. “For seafood lovers, our grilled wild salmon is the freshest available, topped with Boursin cheese and Burre Blanc and served with grilled asparagus. Chef Ragusa uses only the freshest ingredients and everything on our menu is prepared daily on-site.”

In addition, a new vegetarian menu is making its gourmet debut at The Sandy Butler. The menu includes a vegetable stir-fry with an Asian flair mixes fresh Julienne dikon radish, carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, shitake mushrooms, baby bok choy, tofu noodles and ginger soy sauce. Asparagus and Tomato risotto is another vegetarian offering, along with The Butler’s vegetarian pizza made with gluten-free spaghetti pasta with wild mushroom ragout and a drizzle of black truffle oil.

About The Sandy Butler:

The Sandy Butler defines the fine, fresh 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. 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 http://www.sandybutlerstore.com/. Also, follow The Sandy Butler online on Facebook or twitter.com/thesandybutler for great seafood recipes, specials and events.

During the month of October, visitors to The Sandy Butler are invited to enter the Guess the Pumpkin Weight Contest. The public is invited to visit The Sandy Butler gourmet market where the large pumpkin will be on display. Visitors may complete an entry form and guess the weight of the pumpkin. The person with the guess closest to the correct weight will win the pumpkin and a gift certificate for The Sandy Butler restaurant or market.

“The ‘Guess the Pumpkin Weight Contest’ is designed to encourage the spirit of the Halloween season,” said Jason Nelson, The Sandy Butler general manager. “Customers also can enjoy shopping for festive Halloween treats and ghoulish gift baskets in The Sandy Butler market. Families with children especially will enjoy the sight of this large pumpkin and are encouraged to check out our new children’s menu at The Sandy Butler restaurant.”

Contest rules:

• Only one entry per person per day.
• In the event there are multiple entries with the correct weight, the winner will be selected randomly from those with the correct weight.
• Entries must be received between Oct. 19 and Oct. 31.
• No purchase necessary to win.
• The winner does not have to be present to win.

About The Sandy Butler:
The Sandy Butler defines the fine, fresh 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. 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 for great seafood recipes, specials and events.

In recognition of National Seafood Month during October, The Sandy Butler is serving up fresh, fine local seafood, including daily gourmet specials prepared by Chef Michael Ragusa. Both the restaurant and market feature a wide variety of seafood, including fresh, wild sea bass, black grouper, salmon, tilapia, scallops and pink shrimp.

“It’s National Seafood Month and with increased consumer focus on improving health and nutrition, what better time to think about adding more fish into your diet?” asks Jason Nelson, The Sandy Butler general manager. “Fresh fish is abundant locally, it’s easy to prepare and the numerous health benefits are well-publicized. Not to mention, seafood is a significant revenue source for our local fishing industry and restaurants.”

The National Fisheries Institute launched National Seafood Month in the 1940s as an opportunity to promote seafood. October initially was chosen because it was a slow period for seafood sales. Today, however, with modern technology, refrigeration, overnight shipping and other advances, seafood sales are strong year-round and diners have access to fresh seafood daily. National Seafood Month is an ideal opportunity to educate consumers about the benefits of seafood.

Scientific research has found that certain fats can be healthy and actually help the human body fight against cancer and heart disease. In fact, Omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood, especially salmon, can help lower blood cholesterol levels. Additionally, the Omega-3 oils found in many types of seafood have been linked to improvements in or prevention of certain types of cancer, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, arthritis, asthma, certain kinds of mental illness, depression and lupus. The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of fish per week as part of a heart-healthy diet.

“The health benefits of seafood are one of the many reasons our customers make multiple visits to our market every week,” said Nelson. “The Sandy Butler offers a wide variety of fresh, wild and farm-raised seafood in both our market and restaurant including seasonal specials, depending on supply. We also cater to special orders whenever possible.”

For more information on The Sandy Butler, visit www.sandybutlerstore.com.