New Dance Studio on Sanibel; Season Brings More Dining
Options
After falling in love with ballroom dancing during
Dancing with the Island Stars on Sanibel several years ago, Susan Scott
embarked on competition dancing and now wants to share her joy with others. She
has opened Enchanted Ballroom on Sanibel, offering private, couples and group
lessons.
You name it, waltz, foxtrot, tango, rumba, cha-cha, west
and east coast swing, samba, merengue and salsa, they teach it. Your first
lesson is free. No need to sign up for a block of lessons, go when you can.
Scott says she’s planning to do a Night out on the Town,
perhaps twice a month, where students will meet at a restaurant and dance to
put into practice what they learned at the studio.
Also in the planning stages is a Dancing with the Island
Stars reunion on Saturday, April 27 for all those who took part in the three
annual events – including the judges and instructors. It will be a catered
affair at the studio – with lots of dancing, of course.
Scott and her dance partner David Flory, an instructor,
have traveled around the country winning various competitions for several
years. She’s not hanging up her dance shoes – quite the contrary. She wants
others to have the fun and benefits – both health and social – of tripping the
light fantastic.
Scott stresses that dancing is so much more than leaning
steps – it covers every aspect of personal growth and health.
Enchanted Ballroom is at 2495 Palm Ridge Road. To book a
complimentary lesson with Flory, or to attend classes, call 579-0468 or 471-6797.
Looking for a new lunch spot? The Old Captiva House is
now serving lunch Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 2:30 p.m. You’ll dine
on the outdoor garden patio.
Also, The Old Captiva House is offering sushi and tapas –
also on the patio – on Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m.
The restaurant is located at ‘Tween Waters Inn, 15951
Captiva Drive, phone 472-5161.
The winter season crop of additional dining options also
includes dinner at the Lighthouse Café, which is famed for its breakfasts and
noted for lunch as well. Dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. includes fresh fish, notably
the hard-to-find menu species such as cobia and tripletail along with snapper,
salmon and grouper. You can get your fish crusted with potato/onion/Parmesan,
blue crab and butternut garlic, among others.
Reservations are required for dinner. Call 472-0303. The
Lighthouse Restaurant is on Sanibel’s east end at 362 Periwinkle Way.
Jerry’s of Sanibel must be one of the most picturesque
shopping centers in Florida – and possibly beyond. It’s a veritable garden
filled with lush vegetation, tropical birds, pretty pathways and an umbrella
shaded patio where you can have a snack or lunch.
Buy beyond the courtyard setting, Jerry’s has some fine
shops and businesses. There’s a full service restaurant inside the supermarket,
Jerry’s Café, a popular eating place for breakfast, lunch and dinner among
locals and tourists, and the prices are very reasonable.
In the same center there’s a coffee and ice cream shop, a
day spa, a gallery and stores specializing in footwear, clothing, beach gear,
novelties, jewelry and a liquor store.
Poco Loco sells Love Boat Ice Cream, which has been made
locally for more than 35 years, as well as coffees and coffee-based drinks,
natural fruit smoothies, fresh pastries and sandwiches. It also offers free Wi-Fi
for laptop and smartphone users.
Sanibel Surf Shop is more of an emporium with its vast
and eclectic mix of everything beachy. It’s as though someone took a collection
of seaside shops and packed the contents into a vaulted hall which hang blow-up
gators and sharks and all kinds of wind charms. The sheer variety will amaze
you. In includes gator crossing road signs, shelling ID charts, personalized
items such as beer mats, bookmarks and sticker books, beach toys and supplies,
candy, surfer jewelry, puzzles, books, clothing, footwear and accessories.
Footloose and sister store H2O Outfitters have all you
need in terms of sandals, shoes, swimwear and casual clothing with brands such
as Teva, Reef, Sperry, Crocs, Tommy Bahama, Life is Good and Quicksilver.
Sanybel’s Finest is packed with driftwood art, carved
wildlife, framed art and pieces by local artists Ellie Stephens, Joe Elias and
Rod Becklund.
Then there’s Spa-tini which offers all-natural services
for nails, facials and massage, organic hair color, natural and organic
facials, even an organic spray tan. It’s a serene oasis where you can drop in
for a complimentary organic iced tea or hot tea from a menu of international
teas.
Jerry’s of Sanibel is at 1700 Periwinkle Way, across from
Casa Ybel Road.
