THE COCONUT TELEGRAPH

The Sandbar is Making Waves in Sanibel's Resort Area; Tropical Setting Suits PocoLoco Well
by Anne Mitchell

Sanibel's dining scene just keeps getting better.

One new addition, The Sandbar at 2761 West Gulf Drive, reports brisk activity in the newly refurbished space, which now has an open kitchen and a fresh light and airy atmosphere.

Manager Brian Silveira said Monday, "Everything is great so far."

The location on West Gulf Drive, west of Tarpon Bay Road, makes this restaurant a niche-filler on this stretch of the beach-front area.

The Sandbar serves lunch and dinner and is soon to add breakfast to the lineup. Also, a small fish and meat market in one corner should be open by Friday, January 18, with selections such as king and snow crab, scallops, mussels, oysters, a variety of fresh fish and pork chops.

Executive Chef Teo Diaz offers two specials each night - one seafood and one meat - in addition to a varied menu that includes such dishes as Thai mussels, stone crab claws, salads, sandwiches, bronzed and blackened local fish, steaks and chops. There's also a children's menu for $5 to $6 with free drink refills.

An open kitchen showcases the culinary staff and adds to the casual atmosphere.

Silveira boasts of "the islands' friendliest staff" - and the crew certainly is outgoing and welcoming.

The Sandbar can be reached at 579-0235 or 579-0247. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner.

Besides a selection of coffees, drinks and frozen desserts, PocoLoco sells colorful, pop art ceramics by Romera Britto.

With its tropical atmosphere and parrot logo, PocoLoco - it means "a little crazy" in Spanish - fits seamlessly into its location in the lushly vegetated Jerry's Center, which the screeches of resident parrots and macaws startle and amuse visitors.

PocoLoco sells Love Boat Ice Cream, which is locally made just off-island and has had a following for decades, certainly for more than 35 years. The flavors say it all: Orange Creamsicle, Lemon Custard, Rocky Mountain Raspberry, Malt Whopper, Toffee Coffee, Gator Tracks and Mango are just a few.

Fine coffees and coffee based drinks, natural fruit smoothies and fresh pastries and sandwiches are also on the menu, which is hand written on colorful boards on the walls. You can order panini style grilled sandwiches too, such as Croque Monsieur, which originated in France.

The friendly face behind the counter the day I visited was Amy Wilmer but sometimes it's owners Susan and Paul Reynolds, longtime locals.

PocoLoco offers free wifi, which makes it a popular watering hold for laptop - and smartphone-toting types who can sit inside at the handsome granite-topped tables or outside on the umbrella-shaded patio area that's part of the garden-like shopping center. The parrots are in large cages dotted in and around the heavy foliage.

A pleasant surprise inside is the large selection of ceramics by noted pop culture icon Romero Britto. He has been described as one of the premiere artists of our time and the youngest and most successful pop artists of this generation.

The bold, vibrant designs, with elements of Cubism, are optimistic and likely to bring a smile to your face. At PocoLoco, the pieces include little bears, plates, mugs, book ends and teapots.

Embraced by the international community, Britto's paintings and sculptures are currently featured on five continents in more than 100 galleries worldwide, including Saatchi Gallery in London, as well as in private collections.

PocoLoco can be reached at 395-0290.

Island Sun (January 18, 2013)