Life In Bonita Springs

Top 10 Bonita Springs Restaurants & Dining Spots

If you're looking for a great place to eat in Bonita Springs, Florida this is THE list. Maureen McCabe, one of my blog cohorts from Active Rain shared her favorite Columbus Mexican Restaurants and it sparked the idea for this article on my 10 favorite Bonita Springs restaurants. So I decided to share with you my favorite ten restaurants in Bonita Springs. Here’s the guidelines:

First, I’m using a 10-ish mile radius around Bonita Springs and including Estero and Naples. Why? Because it’s my list and my favorite restaurants. My list, my rules. Deal with it. You can start your own list on myspace. Besides, not all my fav’s are in Bonita Springs and it’s only 2 minutes more to drive to Naples or Estero from most of Bonita Springs.

Second, I don’t care a whole bunch for most franchises and I don’t like paying for the real estate at the Coconut Point Mall. I only had to pay $18 for a salad once and learned that was not my locale for dining in Bonita Springs. Plus, when you eat at LOCALLY OWNED restaurants your money stays local and helps local business owners and local families. Pardon me, but I just don’t see Johnny Carrabba coming out of the kitchen, shaking my hand and asking me how my Mini-me is doing her first semester in college. You only get that kind of personal interaction with a place the locals own and the locals patronize. Period.

Third, it's a good mix of all kinds of cuisine. From beer to brie. Yes, in some of these places they just might serve beer with the brie. Again, deal. Who says that might not be a good thing, just for a change of pace?

So here goes, in no particular order or a particular order. If you know me personally, you know the order of my favorites, I’m sure.

1. AA Two Brother’s Pizza and Italian Cuisine – 25251 South Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, FL (Behind the John R. Wood Realtor building) Great food, great prices, they stuff you even if you’re not hungry. Just like Momma use to make. Dine in, carry out.

2. El Mesquite Mexican Grill – 26930 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, Fl. Great authentic food, super prices. Just North of W. Terry Street on Old 41.

3. Terri’s Summer Breeze Café – 3300 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, Fl. (Kmart/Publix Plaza) Breakfast and Lunch. The BEST biscuits in town and the home to most of my Seen in Bonita Springs photos.

4. Sushi Thai of Naples – 869 103^rd Street N., Naples, Fl (Naples Park) The best sushi in Southwest Florida. Period (and I am a really picky eater, ask my Mom. I'm sure she's got the stories...and photos to accompany)

5. South Beach Grill – 7205 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach. Santini Plaza at the south end of the island. Fresh fish, great steaks, modern and hip.

6. Da Ru Ma Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi – 241 Center Street, Naples, Fl. Vanderbilt Drive by the Ritz Carlton. Kids like the action.

7. Buffalo Chips – 26620 Old 41 Road. (North of Terry Street) The hottest wings and the coldest beer in town. Tons of local color and characters to watch. Noisy so kids can cut loose, video games in back.

8. Dolly’s – 9930 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, Fl. (Across the street from Marbella at Spanish Wells) Breakfast and lunch. Pot Roast on Thursday, look for me and my crew. Plates and silverware doesn't match, just like when you grew up. It's awesome.

9. Roy’s - at The Promenade on the corner of US 41-Tamiami Trail and West Terry Street. You have to get the pot stickers and the chocolate soufflé. Great martini’s, too.

10. The Neon Grill – 3300 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, Fl. (Kmart/Publix Plaza) Casual, catch a game, great food, great prices, home cooked style and taste.

Now, if you have any restaurants you’d like to see added to this website, I welcome you to write a review for inclusion. I will post it on the site. Contact Chris for details on submission.

A Photo Tour of Bonita Springs, Bonita Beach and Local Golf

What's Flickr? Flickr is a photo hosting site. It's yet another tool a Bonit Springs real estate agent or blogger can use to host and import photo to various applications that help market property.

The front page of the Life In Bonita Springs site has a Flicker Badge on it. You're likely reading this article from that site. Life in Bonita Springs is a site that offers real life commentary and articles that help you understand and feel what it is really like to live in Bonita Springs, Florida. What better way is there to share the local flavor than with photos.

The Flickr badge has a handful of small photo thumbnails of various location in Bonita Springs, Florida. If you were to click on the images it will take you to the Flickr site where you will be able to see the collection of Bonita Springs and Estero images. The gulf of Mexico, Grandezza Golf and Country Club, The Coconut Point Mall, Bonita Springs Christmas lights, and a happy dog in the back of someone's truck sitting at a red light.

So, if you're a friend from up north, away for the summer or dreaming of your vacation coming in a few weeks. Take a warm, sunny tour of Bonita Springs on me.

Click to go directly to the Bonita Springs photos.

Sneaky Mortgage Schemes and Mortgage Fraud

Lenders, Mortgage Brokers, Mortgage Bankers, Loan Officers and the like - Have at it. Your comments and ideas are welcom in the comments below. Buyers beware; consumers beware. I found this little beauty at the corner of Corkscrew Road and Three Oaks Parway in sunny Estero, Florida. I just couldn't resist snapping the photo as I sat at the red light.

Distressed home owners call these numbers, don't they? I thought to myself:

• How many calls do they get?
• What is the "angle" on this?
• How many people actually have their life improved by responding to a poster board on a phone pole - just under the "we buy junk cars" sign? (at least it isn't the same number on both signs)

Maybe these people have the answer. I don't know. My heart broke just a little knowing that someone that is in over their head can roll the dice and may or may not be calling an honorable organization or they many be getting duped into another bad situation.

Caveat Emptor

Protect yourself by becoming informed.

Caraway Lakes at Copperleaf

Open House Saturday & Sunday 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Come and take a look at this Oakwood model, single family home in Copperleaf at The Brooks.

Impeccably cared for, this Caraway Lakes home is in superb condition & ready for the choosiest home buyer. The eastern exposure allows for warm sunshine to wash the pool and oversized deck with summer kitchen. Features include tile throughout the main living area, nearly 12 foot ceilings, solid surface counter tops and raised panel cabinets. This home is furnished beautifully, the furniture is negotiable.

Copperleaf is a secure, gated, bundled golf community just minutes to gulf beaches, the new Coconut Point Mall and SW Florida International Airport. Commons Club memberships are available providing access to a private beach club. The new clubhouse addition will be complete in several weeks. Imagine entertaining your friends and family with the awesome amenities package offered at Copperleaf and the Brooks. 

• What: Open House
• When: Saturday & Sunday 1-4:00 p.m.
• Address:
• Directions: US 41 to East on Coconut Road to North on Three Oaks Parkway to turn right into Copperleaf. Turn left after guard gate and follow Copperleaf Blvd to Caraway Lakes.

An excellent day trip for lunch.  Naples City Dock is about 20-30 minutes from Bonita Springs, Florida.  Boat tours and sunset tours are also available at various locations.

Bonita Springs - Land of Safe (no) Drivers

Our little village has suffered through the growning pains and infrastructure upgrades to widen our roads. We can now accomodate our seasonal visitors without near the congestion the Bonita Springs and Estero area had suffered from in the past.

Today, I was on my way to meet the rest of the Keller Williams Running and Limping Club for an impromtu 8 mile run. We've been meeting behind Muvico at Coconut Point Mall and then we run throught the Brooks past Shadow Wood, Copperleaf and Spring Run. Heading north on 41 in front of Pelican Landing and sort of day dreaming I realized that if I didn't know better the car in front of me was DRIVERLESS. I watched it for a spell and then took a picture. The person driving this car was either very small or dunked down out of sight. I couldn't even see a head or any movement at all. I just thought the photo was cute enough to share with world.

I know, I know. If you're from the Bonita Springs area you'd be joking that you're surprised the car doesn't have an Ohio license plate, going 40 miles per hour in the fast lane with the blinker on. For the last time, we love our snow birds, we just don't like slow moving traffic.

The Abbey at Highland Woods

Enjoy this large Highland Woods, end unit, bright and open with vaulted ceilings and built in plant shelves. The decor is neutral with tile in the halls baths, laundry and rear lanai. The back lanai also features sweeping golf course views with optional, roll down, electric security storm shutters. This condominium home is offered turnkey furnished and comes with a bundled golf membership to the Highland Woods club and course.

St. Andrews Verandas condominiums offer both front and back screened lanais, 1 car detached garage and access to community pools. Highland Woods is located just minutes to the white sugar sand beaches of Bonita Beach and the new Coconut Pointe Mall in Estero. Highland Woods is within walking or biking distance of shopping and dining at The Promenade and many local conveniences. Bonita Beach and sunset cocktails at Doc's Beach House are just 10 minutes drive away. The airport is only approximately 20 minutes away.

This Abbey condominium is great choice for a full time, part time residence, rental or second home. Golf memberships are transferable to tenants, too. Tenants in place for February & March 08! 

The community of Highland Woods has long been a popular second home destination due to its affordable fee structure, low dining minimum and no CDD!

Highland Woods Golf and Country Club is a secure, gated community in the center of Bonita Springs Florida. Highland Woods offers 18 holes of golf in a "bundled" structured membership. Every homeowner is a golf member at the country club.

Genuine Florida Snowbird

This little rascal was booking across a yard in Brendan Cove and paused long enough to snap this shot.  I'm not sure if he's from Ontario or New Jersey but I picked up some sort of accent.  

Something Naughty in The Window - That Special Dress

On my way into "Q", uh, that's Quiznos in The Prado at Bonita Springs I walk by a dress shop named "That Special Dress".  I'm sort of not a dress person and next to never have the opportunity to wear a gown, but a girl can dream can't she?  The windows always have the best display and it's at least fun to ogle, right?  Today I saw a naughty dress in the window, which I thought was clever merchandising.  Never without my camera I caught it.  For the record, there was a nice dress right beside "naughty". 

If I keep up the running I just might fit into it, right?  Eh, but my knees would show.  I'm certain you don't want to see middle age knees without a tan.

It's that time of the year to find that holiday or New Years Eve dress.  (For some of us - I stay home for New Years, it's amateur night, right?)  If you're in the market for a naughty or even a nice dress you should stop in, the selection is huge and everything is so B-E-A-utiful. 

That Special Dress is located by the Regal Cinemas, Crispers and Big Al's. 

Affordable Dry Cleaning in Bonita Springs

3401 Pelican Landing Pkwy #3, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 (239) 498-2446

Several months ago I stumble onto One Price Cleaners.  I had been a loyal customer of a different cleaner for years but a "creepy" started working there and I had to leave that scene.  It took me three weeks of driving the old cleaners before "creepy" wasn't at work and I could get my clothes back.

Simply by accident I found my new cleaner.  It's in one of the Commercial Bernwood Building complexes in front of Lakemont at Pelican Landing at the Old 41 and US 41 intersection.  I had actually gone behind the building to take photos of the cypress trees.  A little know secret is that there is a preserve with a boardwalk that cuts right though a swamp and cypress head between Bernwood complexes.  I happened to have laundry in my car that day and when I returned from the photo shoot I decided to drop of the clothes to get laundered as a trial.  It's one of the best finds I've ever made in Bonita Springs.  One Price Dry Cleaners will launder, starch and press shirts.  (prices subject to change and probably will so don’t get a tattoo of that price.) That is a fraction of what I was actually paying at creepy cleaners on the other side of Bonita Springs.

This may not be monumental to most people, but it is to me.  I abhor ironing and much like washing a car or golfing, I stink at it.  There are skilled professionals that are willing to pick up the slack were I lack; and I'm perfectly willing to let them.  Plus, I wonder if it is even possible to wash, dry and iron a shirt more economically at your own home with a great price like that.

One Price Dry Cleaners is located at the Center gate of Pelican Landing of Bonita Springs behind CVS and just across the entrance from Frankie and Johnny's Pizza.

3401 Pelican Landing Pkwy #3, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 (239) 498-2446