Best of Fort Myers Beach 2019
By LEAH SANKEY
The Fort Myers Beach Observer’s Best of Fort Myers Beach award ceremony was held at Coste which also catered the event, at the Diamond Head Resort. Diamond Head received two awards for best hotel as well as best resort.
The winners are chosen by Observer readers who cast votes in categories that ranged all the way from best bartender to best pool contractor.
More than 80 awards were presented to businesses and individuals who were recognized by residents for standing out in the community. Some of the winners were first timers, while others have made winning this award a tradition.
The Island Jewel took home the awards for best gift shop and best jewelry store. This is their eighth year at Best of the Beach, and their team is confident that this won’t be their last.
“This is our eighth year at Best of the Beach in a row, and it feels amazing,” said Maria Carlini, owner of the Island Jewel. “We decided that on our 10th year we’ll invite our husbands.” Carlini was there with her four female Island Jewel Team Members.
Liki Tiki won two awards, for best BBQ and best new restaurant. They opened in December of 2018.
“It feels good to be recognized and welcomed by the community and we hope to be back next year,” said Kristian Stojkoski of Liki Tiki.
Parrot Key Caribbean Grill was awarded best bayfront restaurant. David Kastan, the marketing manager, gives the staff all of the credit for this win.
“It is always such an honor and thrill to win Best of the Beach,” said Kastan. “It’s the culmination of the hard work of all of our staff, and a reward from our guests for our efforts.”
Fort Myers Beach Friends of the Art won best community organization.
“We do this for the community, and we look forward to seeing everyone at our events, including our sustainability event, our concert series, and film festival,” said Janeen Paulaskis, the treasurer of Fort Myers Beach Friends of the Art.
Semmer Electric has been serving Southwest Florida since 1972 and won best electrician this year.
“I’m proud to be a part of this company and we couldn’t have won this award without Bill Semmer and our awesome customers. With good teamwork, it’s all a win,” said Sandy Biancha, the office manager of Semmer Electric.
2019 winners
Air conditioning service: Scott Air Cooling & Heating
Appetizer: South Beach Grille
Appetizer: Fresh Catch Bistro Lounge and Raw Bar
Automotive repair: Jerry’s Tire & Auto Service, Inc.
Bakery: Mom’s
Bar: Skye’s Restaurant
Bait & tackle: Fish-tale Marina
Barber shop: Shear Class Salon
Barbecue: Liki Tiki BBQ
Bartender: Jeni Gonzales at Skye’s Restaurant
Bayfront restaurant: Parrot Key Caribbean Grill
Bike rentals: Joy Rider
Boat Rentals: Salty Sam’s Waterfront Adventures
Breakfast: Heavenly Biscuits
Casual fare: Junkanoo’s on the Beach
Chiropractor: Dr. Nicole Bennett
Coffee: Truly Scrumptious
Community organization: Fort Myers Beach Friends of the Arts
Day cruise: Pirate Cruise Salty Sam’s Waterfront Adventures
Dentist: Dr. Nancy Bouchard
Dessert: Truly Scrumptious
Dinner: Lani Kai Island View Restaurant
Dry cleaner: 60 Minute Cleaners & Tailor Shop
Doctor: Beth Ullman P.A.
Electrician: Semmer Electric
Family dining: Nervous Nellies
Family entertainment: Beach Theater
Favorite restaurant: South Beach Grille
Fine dining: South Beach Grille
Fishing captain: Captain Neil Eisner
Fishing charter: Goodtime Charters
Flooring: Klare’s Carpet Inc.
Florist: Santini Floral
Gift shop: The Island Jewel
Happy hour: South Beach Grille
Home improvement: Gavin’s Ace Hardware
Hardware store: Gavin’s Ace Hardware
Hotel: Diamondhead Beach Resort & Spa
Humanitarian of the year: Pastor Shawn Critser
Ice cream: Love Boat Ice Cream
Inn/motel: Wyndham Garden Fort Myers Beach
Insurance agency: Ft. Myers Beach Insurance Brokerage
International cuisine: Skye’s Restaurant
Jewelry store: The Island Jewel
Ladies apparel: Palmettos Apparel
Lanai privacy: Lanai Escape
Liquor store: The Skipper’s Liquors
Lunch: Pierside Grill and Famous Blowfish Bar
Margarita: Skye’s Restaurant
Marina: Fish-Tale Marina
Marina service: Fish-Tale Marina
Marine supply: Walker Marine
Mini golf: Jungle Golf
Mexican cuisine: Mr. Tequila Authentic Mexican Restaurant
New restaurant: Liki Tiki BBQ
Place for dancing: Castaway’s Bar & Grill
Pizza: Ray’s Pizza
Physical therapy: Islandfit Physical Therapy
Pool contractor: Tropical Pools
Resort: Diamondhead Beach Resort & Spa
Real estate agency: Century 21 Tri Power Realty
Real estate vacation rental: Kathy Nesbit Vacations, Inc.
Romantic dining: Fresh Catch Bistro Lounge and Raw Bar
Roofing contractor: Nastar Roofing
RV Park: Red Coconut RV Park
Salon: Hot Heads on the Beach Salon & Barber
Seafood restaurant: Fresh Catch Bistro Lounge and Raw Bar
Shoe store: Comfort by Design of Ft. Myers Beach
Spa: Esterra Spa & Salon
Sports bar: The Sandbar & Grille
Steak: South Beach Grille
Sunset dining: Fresh Catch Bistro Lounge and Raw Bar
Sushi: Zushi Zushi
Tattoo studio: Fort Myers Beach Tattoo
Teacher: Lori Zamniack
Timeshare rentals/shares: Ral Resort Property Management, Inc.
Thrift store: Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Thrift Shop
Waterfront restaurant: Matanzas on the Bay
Watersports: Holiday Watersports
Wine selection: The Skipper’s Liquors
Wings: Hooters
Best of the Beach photos can be viewed on our facebook page at: www.facebook.com/FortMyersBeachBulletinAndObserver/