Sharky's---is it a good place? (Port Charlotte, Venice: hotel, house, rooftop)

[CindyRoos]

Thought while I am in Ft Myers Beach next week I would drive to Venice and check the area out. Is Sharky's on the Pier good? Thanks in advance for your thoughts

[Old Gal]

They have a nice view but IMHO that's about all. Food is so so. It's very much a tourist place.

[CindyRoos]

Originally Posted by Old Gal

They have a nice view but IMHO that's about all. Food is so so. It's very much a tourist place.

Is there a place on the water around there or Port Charlotte that is better?
and Thank you old Gal

[TamRE]

Some waterfront restaurants. Are you looking for gulf view or river view or any water view?

TT's Tiki Bar at Four Points Sheraton in Punta Gorda
Hurricane Charleys at Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel in Punta Gorda
Farlows on the Water in Englewood
The Captains Tables at Laishley Park in Punta Gorda
Harpoon Harry's at Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda
Gulf View Grill in Englewood overlooking the Gulf
Flounders Restaurant and Tiki Bar in Englewood
Leverocks Restaurant in Placida

[vacoder]

For good food with a water view I would recommend Micelli's in Matlacha. Hurricane Charley's and the Rooftop at the Wyvern are the only two water view restaurants in PG that I would rate as having good food.

[Nancy in Nokomis]

Its a tourist trap with just average food - but it is so nice sitting right next to the gulf - worth it to try a couple of times.

[newtovenice]

If you are looking to go to the beach and then grab dinner, or want to see sunset on the beach while having dinner, Sharkeys is touristy but ok, good for kids. Gulfview Grill is nice and a bit more upscale and the food is also very good. It's across from the beach so you get the beach sunset.

If you want good food on an inlet, try Casey Key Fish House on Casey Key. Food is really good, you're right on the dock and the view of the water is very pretty, but it's not a beachfront restaurant.

[Old Gal]

Originally Posted by CindyRoos

Is there a place on the water around there or Port Charlotte that is better?
and Thank you old Gal

As far as food and a water view in Venice I guess my favorite is the Crow's Nest. It's on the island and we haven't had anything we didn't like. Now the water view isn't as good as Sharky's but it's not bad. Another place we have found is in Nokomis. Pelican Alley. It's on the ICW and it's fun to watch the boats "try" to dock or in some cases just make it under the bridge. Kind of entertaining in somewhat sick way. We like most everything we've eaten there and they make a kicker mojito. Pelican Alley is kind of old Florida and a little bit of a dive. Then you have the Old Salty Dog, food is ok, view of the boat docks. And lastly there is, I think the new name is Dry Dock at Marker 4 with a view of the Marina. I can't give you a review of the food at Marker 4 because it just sold and then reopened about a week or so ago. I personally do not care for the new menu - looks like bar food. I guess you can tell that we like to go out and eat. If you don't care about a water view there are quite a few good places.

Edited to add: It's a little pricey, but next door to Sharkey's is Fin's. We've eaten there once and we liked it. If you can get the right table you will have a nice view of the gulf. You will most likely need reservations. It is considered a "destination" restaurant.

[jean_ji]

We went to Pop's one evening after the snowbird exodus thinking it would not be as busy. Apparently everyone else thought the same thing. It was one of those beautiful low humidity evenings a few weeks ago and there was a 75 minute wait. We had the young grandkids along and decided to walk to the bridge while waiting and came across Pelican Alley. We stopped in to chexk on how long it would take to be seated.. They had a scheduled reservation for later, but decided they could fit us in right away.

Our DIL ordered a Sweeney martini, it was presented with the martini glass and a small vodka bottle frozen up to the neck in ice that had flower petals, fern leaves and a few shark's teeth. The grandkids had fun chipping out the teeth when their mother was done with it, it was more fun than a coloring menu. The food and service was good and it was fun to watch the traffic under the bridge. It's a very low key place and was a pleasant surprise.

[blueherons]

Not a fan of Sharkeys except to drink there.

LOVE Harpoon Harrys!