{ CHARLOTTE COUNTY

. SUSHI AT AMIMOTO Sushi at Amimoto — It’s hard to go wrong with sushi of any sort at Amimoto, but one of my favorites is the Mexican, with a crisp fried shrimp and creamy avocado in the middle, surrounded by sushi rice and seaweed. Add a dab of wasabi and prepare for a delicious, sinus-clearing treat.

2705 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda

(941) 505-1515

Larp at Chaang Thai — This traditional Thai dish brings together ground chicken, cucumbers, onions, lime juice, lemongrass and a light dusting of toasted rice for a chewy, crunchy, spicy, aromatic salad that could serve as a meal.

1900 Tamiami Trail,

Port Charlotte, (941) 743-6200;

www.chaangthairestaurant.com

. BLUE CRABS AT PEACE RIVER SEAFOOD

Oysters Moscow at Harpoon

Harry’s — For oysters on the half shell with a kick, try these little devils topped with vodka, horseradish sauce, cocktail sauce and black caviar.

Fishermen’s Village

1200 W. Retta Esplanade,

Punta Gorda, (941) 637-1177;

www.harpoonharrys.com Fried Mississippi catfish at

Laishley Crab House — Cornmeal dipped and fried catfish served with hush puppies and tartar sauce — quintessential soul food.

150 Laishley Court,

Punta Gorda, (941) 205-5566;

www.laishleycrabhouse.com

Chorizo empanadas at Lulu — A pair of golden brown pastries come filled with lightly seasoned chorizo, cheese, corn and potatoes, accompanied by a light orange cream dipping sauce.

The Wyvern Hotel

101 E. Retta Esplanade

(941) 637-5858;

www.thewyvernhotel.com

World-famous grouper sandwich

at Nav-A-Gator — If gator bites and swamp cabbage served here aren’t to your taste, the mondo grouper sandwich should be more than enough to satisfy even a hearty eater.

Old Desoto Marina

9700 S.W. Riverview Circle, Lake Suzy

(941) 627-3474; www.nav-a-gator.com

Pizza at Old Monty’s — Watch as the pizza cook deftly tosses the crust, flips it onto a cookie sheet, dresses it with just enough sauce, cheese and toppings then plunges it into the pizza oven. The result: a pie that any New York pizzeria would be proud to serve.

2310 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda

(941) 637-0008 Mozzarella salad at One Eleven

Martini Bar — Tired of ho-hum mozzarella salads? Then try One Eleven’s version, which marries exquisite buffalo mozzarella from Italy with flavorful tomatoes, a bit of romaine and balsamic reduction.

201 W. Marion Ave., Suite 111,

Punta Gorda, (941) 637-8800 Blue crabs at Peace River Seafood

— You’ll get down and dirty wrangling with freshly steamed blue crabs, but the payoff is worth it. On Saturdays, it’s all-you-caneat blue crabs and shrimp.

5337 Duncan Road,

Punta Gorda, (941) 505-8440 The Ocean’s Roll at The Perfect

Caper — Chef/owner Jeanie Roland melds east and west by placing shrimp, crab and salmon in pastry, frying it to a golden hue and serving it with a fresh organic salad studded with pickled ginger and dressed with yuzu vinaigrette, with a touch of wasabi on the side.

121 E. Marion A ve.,

Punta Gorda, (941) 505-9009;

www.theperfectcaper.com

Butterfish at River City Grill — This mild white fish is carefully pan seared with a sweet mango glaze and drizzle of balsamic reduction, lending both sweet and tart notes.

131 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda

(941) 639-9080

Choritos a la chalaca at Santhino’s

Restaurant — This dramatic looking dish features giant mussels on the half shell topped with corn, lemon, red peppers, olive oil and spices.

615 Cross St., Punta Gorda

(941) 833-0380

Biscuits and gravy at Smokey’s

Smoke House — Never mind the arteries. Smokey’s fluffy biscuits with sausage gravy feed the soul.

415 Cooper St., Punta Gorda

(941) 639-2000

Pate at Table 209 — The menu here changes seasonally, but I fervently hope the pate remains forever. Exceptionally creamy chicken liver stars with a supporting cast that includes apple wood smoked bacon, a touch of Madeira, rosemary pear conserve, olives, crackers and crostini. This dish could make a liver lover out of anyone.

209 W. Olympia A ve., Punta Gorda

(941) 639-3990; www.table209.com.

Yucca fries at Torch Bistro Sushi

and Rumtini Bar — There are lots of intriguing items on the menu here, but one of the standouts is a side dish: the hand-cut yucca fry stack, with the fries arranged like a metal infrastructure, each one crisp on the outside, creamy within, finished with spicy red chili sauce.

2113 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda

(941) 575-3505; www.torchbistro.com

Veal limoncello at Trattoria

Limoncello — This dish features tender medallions of veal bathed in a lemon sauce that’s both sweet and slightly sour with capers adding a salty tang.

10361 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda

(941) 639-6500