Bon Appetit! San Carlos Island’s newest restaurant nears completion
Prepare your palettes a well-known Italian bistro is migrating north to San Carlos Island. Luna Rossa, a Mediterranean bistro that’s served the Estero community for nine years, is expanding into the building where the Channel Mark used to rest, 19001 San Carlos Blvd.
After weeks of anticipation, the restaurant is expected to open its doors by mid-November.
General manager Adam Mlnarik, who will be running the operations at the new Luna Rossa for business owners Eve and Alex Alves, is involved in the remodeling stages.
“We expect to open up the dining room a little bit by mid-November,” said Adam, a Missouri native who has lived in Florida for 11 years.
Adam and his remodeling staff have updated the restaurant through a multitude of renovations, from retiling and painting virtually every nook and cranny to shipping in granite table tops for the outer deck, retiling other outside table tops, putting in recessed lighting and knocking down walls to really open the place up and show off the back bay.
“It’s great to be back on the water again,” he said. “Renovations have been coming along really well.”
Property owner Mike McGuigan admittedly is particular about what business goes into his commercial building, but is confident about his choice.
“They’re great changes. They’re cleaning it up and it’s all for the better. It’s going back to the way it used to be,” he said. “I’ve eaten at Luna Rossa many times and have not had a bad meal. They do a heck of a lot of sales (in the Miramar Outlets). For such a bad economy, they are doing really well.”
The restaurant prides itself on its tantalizing pastas, soups, salads and fresh seafood and veal, tastes of Italy and the Mediterranean that we’ve all come to love.
Appetizers selections include Clams Luciano, Mussels Fra Diavlo, Mozzarella Di Casa, Calamari Fritti, Bruschetta, and Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms. In addition to a homemade soup of the day, an assortment of side and entre salads are offered along with a traditional Antipasto Salad.
The pasta offerings are numerous, from lasagna and penne rustica to fettuccini alfredo, spaghetti carbonara and many other crowd pleasers.
“As well as their menu, we’ll be sharing five of my of my original Channel Mark recipes, that will probably be set up as specials first five of our best selling items,” Mike said. “Anyone who used to come in for those items will still be able to still get them, such as cajun chicken and shrimp fettuccini, crunchy grouper, the Channel Mark shrimp fettuccini with Boursin cheese.”
Its full bar is equipped with virtually any liqueur you care to imagine, and the restaurant prides itself on its signature drink, the Luna Rossa martini, a concoction comprised of vodka, strawberry pucker and sweet and sour mix. The cocktail symbolizes its restaurant’s English translation, “pink moon.”
Of course, as any find Italian restaurant, Luna Rossa offers patrons a little slice of heaven for dessert. Whether you care to indulge on tiramisu, cannoli or cheesecake, your palate is sure to be pleased by the flavor.
Mike believes the new owners will be hiring many members of the staff who previously worked at the Channel Mark.
“Other than a few key employees that they will be bringing in from their other restaurant, they anticipate hiring most of the staff back,” he said. “At least six employees used to work for me over six years ago. I personally recommended the re-hiring of those people I knew to the new owners. There are applications available at the restaurant, and they’ll be interviewing and going through the process.”
Happy hour will be offered regularly, as will live entertainment and food and drink specials.
“We’re absolutely excited to be expanding,” said Dustin Angle, server and acting manager of the Estero location. “Opportunity is always great.”
Behind the redone facility, half of the docks will be available for leasing for monthly or annual usage. The other half will be available for daily diners of the restaurant. For leasing information, call Mike at 822-1888.
For more information on the new addition to Fort Myers Beach and San Carlos Island, call the restaurant at 463-0582.
BOB PETCHER also contributed to this article