C is for Cap’n and the Cowboy Restaurant in Port Charlotte, Florida

New Decor at Cap'n and the Cowboy in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Howdy, Partner! Should your wagon roll into the Southwest Florida community of Port Charlotte with your tummy hankering for good eats, give Cap’n and the Cowboy Restaurant a try. The restaurant serves up seafood, steak, and other dishes sure to please herbivores.

Food Network Makeover

If you’re a fan of Food Network, perhaps you’ve heard of this eatery. Last summer, Restaurant Impossible hosted by Chef Robert Irvine rolled into town and gave Cap’n and the Cowboy a makeover. All it took was two days, $10,000, a few tears and lots of determination to make a night and day transformation for the best.

Six months after the re-opening I finally checked out Robert Irvine’s culinary magic. Compared to the “old” restaurant, the interior is now sleek, chic and bright. Tables have replaced booths and white walls and wood flooring brighten the dining area.

Admiring the “new” restaurant, I could hear other diners comment about the renovations and point to specific decor saying they saw it on television. Many said they specifically chose to dine there because of Restaurant Impossible. (All hail power of media!)

Coconut Fried Shrimp at Cap'n and the Cowboy, Port Charlotte, Fla.

But How’s the Food?

The menu has been trimmed down from what it was before and the food was AH-maz-ing! My parents dined with me and we started off with perfectly crisp coconut fried shrimp ($8) followed by our respective entrees. I had one of the specials, an incredibly tender fillet of beef covered with a silky red velvet sauce (not cake but made with red wine) and topped with haystack onions. The beef was so tender I could have cut it with a butter knife ($25-ish).  Entrees were accompanied by green salad.

I regret not tasting the “she crab bisque” because EVERYONE around us bragged about it being incredibly delicious. Oh well. Gives me a reason to return. And if you mosey on over to Cap’n and the Cowboy, be sure to ask to sit at one of Anna’s tables.

Inside Cap'n and the Cowboy Following Restaurant Impossible Makeover

Cap’n and the Cowboy
2200 Kings Hwy Unit 3N
Port Charlotte, Fla. 33980
Tel: (941) 743-3969
www.capnandthecowboy.com

The restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday at 4:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., except it’s open ’til 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Happy Hour is 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. and my dad scored a Manhattan for less than $3.

This post is part of the 2012 Blogging from A to Z Challenge. Check back daily for a different letter!