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Dining & Spirits
Tolf's Picks - July 2007
FORT LAUDERDALE
Bimini Boatyard
1555 S.E. 17th St.
954/525-7400
Marina-front location with a popular social shopping scene on the weekends and with overactive bars but also serious cheffing and servings of fine salads, burgers, seafood specialties and pastas. Lunch entrees, $9 to $16. Dinner entrées, $16 to $39.
ORLANDO
Plantation Room
700 Bloom St.
407/566-6000
Celebrationhotel.com
In downtown Celebration, in a sunny, mock 19th-century setting, executive chef DeJuan Roy crafts an ever changing menu from fresh seafood, quality aged beef and locally grown produce. Dinner entrées, $19 to $35.
NAPLES
Il Bellagio
492 Bayfront Place
239/430-7020
Tom Billante opened this mission to the western provinces, installing a kitchen well qualified to execute the Northern Italian menu. Dinner entrées, $14 to $35.
TAMPA
Catch Twenty-Three
10103 Montague St.
813/920-0045
Catchtwentythree.com
The back room could have come from the islands with its citrus and fruit sauces — the daiquiri-infused cream sauce with plantains for the lightly seared scallops is a real winner. Sources of all the guaranteed fresh seafood are a welcome listing on the menu. Dinner entrées, $14 to $24.