We are right in the middle of a special dining event in Southwest Florida where part of the proceeds go to feeding hungry children. Sizzle Dining Restaurant Week actually encompasses 20 days. Last week I shared an experience at A Table Apart in Bonita Springs. However, over the weekend I picked a Sizzle Dining stop on Sanibel Island and want to share it for Monday Funday. I dined at the impeccable Cielo on Sanibel Island. The island is still in major recovery mode after Hurricane Ian. Only two restaurants are participating in this year’s event. Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen is the other one.

It’s been a minute since I’ve crossed the causeway that was impassable in the days and weeks after Hurricane Ian. Repairs are coming along nicely but it is still hard to see. I have so many great memories of cookouts, parties and stealing moments of peace on those causeway beaches. I know many people who have put off going to the island because they’re not ready to see the damage and destruction left behind by the storm.

If you are one of them, Cielo is just a couple of blocks in. And the restaurant looks amazing! The interior is beautiful, the building is OK, the staff gives impeccable service, and their Sizzle menu is great. For me, it was important to support island establishments that have been suffering even more during this slow season.  Coincidentally, the Sizzle staff was also dining at Cielo when I was there.

More than 50 restaurants are participating in Sizzle Dining this year. Each one puts together their own two, three and four course pre-fix meals for prices that begin at $19 for lunch. The idea of this restaurant event is three-fold. First, to get locals into restaurants that are typically starving in the slow month of September. Second, to entice diners to try new restaurants through special pre-fix menus that won’t break the bank. Finally, and perhaps best of all, to support food insecure children in Lee and Collier Counties through Blessings in a Backpack.

Here are some delish photos from my Sizzle Dining stop on Sanibel Island.

• Cielo On Sanibel Island

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  Water from Hurricane Ian caused some damage to Cielo on Sanibel Island, however, the restaurant was among the first on the island to reopen. It is on Periwinkle, not far from the island's entrance. It looks great inside.

• Cielo’s Dining Room

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  The dining room in Cielo is island chic. It's bright but sophisticated with live piano music that is just the right level. It adds great ambiance to the dining experience. I love the wine wall here.

• What She’s Having

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  This is a popular cocktail that uses sage infused vodka, Lychee Rose Cordial, and Prosecco. It is super refreshing and awakens the palate pre-dinner. It really is named What She's Having. Yes...I'll have she's having for sure.
• One For Mary Jo

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  This signature cocktail is a riff on the traditional Cosmo. It has house infused Citron Vodka, Peach Liqueur, White Cranberry Juice, Fresh Lemon. It's not pink, it's not sweet, it is just right.

• Calamari Fritti

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  A popular appetizer, we chose this as one of our starters. The calamari pieces were so tender. They were tossed in Sweet Chili Aioli, them sprinkled with Cashews, and drizzled with Mango Coulis

• 12 Month Aged Manchego

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  This is a filling appetizer and it's so good. Three triangles of the tasty cheese are lightly fried until both crunchy and gooey, then placed on a chutney made with Mission Fig, Cranberry and Orange. Portions are nice and big.
• Which Wine

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  Cielo has wine on tap as well as by the glass and bottle. Gina Birch sips and smells as she tries to decide between two.

• Grilled Shrimp and Seared Scallops

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  This was one of the options on the entrée list. It is a rich English Pea and Mint Risotto with Baby Heirloom Tomatoes and a nice sprinkle of Micro Basil. The shrimp and scallops were cooked to perfection.

• Grilled 12oz Demkota Ribeye

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  This was our second entrée. We shard both to create our own surf-n-turf dish. Because of the cut of steak, this one had a $10 additional charge but it was worth it. It was served with whipped potatoes, vegetables and a savory merlot demi-glace.
• Rutherford

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  Rutherford the Frog used to be outside, greeting customers at Cielo. Now he has a spot inside the front door. Yes, he survived Hurricane Ian.

• Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

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  This is one of the desserts we chose and it was superb. A Ginger Spiced Pineapple Cake with Caramelized Pineapple and Cherry. It was served with a small shot of Warm with Vanilla and Bourbon Caramel Sauce for us to pour on top, if we so desired. We desired.

• Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

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  Ooooo, here we are pouring the warm Vanilla and Bourbon Caramel Sauce on top of the Ginger Spiced Pineapple Cake with Caramelized Pineapple and Cherry. It was a great ending to the meal, sweet but not too heavy.
• Vanilla Creme Brulee

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  This is a classic dessert and it was a big portion. The caramelized top was nice and thick. The Caramelized Vanilla Bean Custard was the perfect temperature. It was served with Fresh Berries and a Brown Butter Tuille....mmmmmm

• Hide The Keys

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  Gina Birch and Guy Clarke attempt to break into the wine wall at Cielo on Sanibel Island. They have an extensive collection of wine stored in this cellar that separates the bar from the dining room. Guy is the founder of Sizzle.

• Hanging out at Cielo

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  Gina Birch had a chance meeting with the Sizzle Dining staff at Cielo on Sanibel. The group is supporting the restaurants that are on board for the annual fund raiser.
• New Heart Sculpture

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  This new sculpture welcomes patrons to Cielo. It was made by local artist Lacy McClary and its description plate reads "Sanibel Strong, Our Beat Goes On!"

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