Food Critic Review (2007): The Sandy Butler, Fort Myers, FL

RATING: ***** (5 out of 5 stars)
Phone: (239) 482-6765
Web site: The Sandy Butler
Managers: Jamie & Jason Nelson

The Sandy Butler is the newest restaurant that opened near Fort Myers Beach, FL. If you are coming from Summerlin Blvd, Sandy Butler is just a couple miles before the Matanzas Bridge. You'll find the restaurant and gourmet market on your right. The Sandy Butler is a mixed treat, it offers a 150-seat fine dining restaurant but also offers a gourmet market with rare, and unique foods. In fact, one of my favorite gourmet treats in the market is the chocolate-covered strawberries.

When I go to fine dining restaurants, there are two main things I look for: the meal and the atmosphere. While the meal part is common sense, you have to balance that with the proper mood. There are certain things you expect in fine dining restaurants: soft light, low-level noise, a relaxed pace, and delightful service. Luckily for me, Sandy Butler had all of this on June 25th, 2007.

The main entrée I had was the sea bass. Tenderly made, the meat was cooked to perfection. Forgive this trite expression, but the meat basically "melted in your mouth". Combined with a butterly sauce, it was a nice ending to the evening. My only regret was that I only ordered one sea bass. :-)

Michael W. Smith's concert in Fort Myers

Michael W. Smith is an award winning Christian singer, songwriter, guitarist, and keyboardist. I saw his concert last night at McGregor Baptist Church. The church was full and vibrant, every single person there, young and old had a connection to Smith, since his career encompasses a couple of decades. Smith sang songs from his new album and also songs from the past such as Friends Are Friends Forever (his encore).

Smith is also a philanthropist and a spokesman for Compassion International, a charitable organization that he promotes during his concerts. I personally recommend this organization if you are looking to sponsor a child's education and welfare in a developing country.

Michael W. Smith also has a new album out called 'Stand'. Click on the link below to hear some of the songs.



On another note, I had a slight problem before the concert. I had eight tickets; however, my party increased to nine the last minute. Thankfully, Bill Carl from WAY-FM was able to lend a hand and get me a free ticket. Thanks Bill!

8 bodies found in Fort Myers, FL -- possibly a serial killer?

The other day, I commented how I was surprised that a murdered body was found behind the Harley Davidson store in Fort Myers, FL, a stone throw away from one of my old offices [the Teleperformance / CallTech building] where I worked for almost 5 years.

Now, CNN and other media channels are taking a look at 8 skeletons also found just a few miles away, which may, some have speculated, is the result of a serial killer (yikes!):

"Fort Myers police have been deluged with media calls after an Associated Press report hinted police believed eight human skeletons found in a wooded area off Arcadia Street on March 23 were the work of a serial killer."

Source: NewsPress

Murdered man found behind Ft Myers Harley Davidson, near CallTech/Teleperformance

Matthew Haller, 23, of 15513 Monterosso Lane in Naples, was found dead by a city garbage collector at about 3:43 a.m. in the driver's seat of a blue 1985 Mercedes, Fort Myers police said. Authorities are investigating his death as a homicide. The Mercedes was taken from the scene, at 2160 Colonial Boulevard, to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement facility for processing, police said. Matthew apparently had a gunshot wound.

The car was located right behind the Harley Davidson store. The plaza shares its space with a Cuban bar/restaurant and CallTech / Teleperformance. Having worked in that vicinity for 5 years, I find it very surprising that crime has increased there tremendously. Before it was just people getting rowdy at the bar, or at worst, people stealing from the parking lot.

Now a murder. Yikes!