Il Cielo
1244 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL, 33957
Il Cielo Menu
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Address :
1244 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL, 33957 - Phone (239) 472-5555
- Website https://Ilcielosanibel.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Upscale
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Michael H.
We read the reviews and had high expectations. Disappointments: the restaurant had a special which was beef ribs, supposedly tender and fall off the bone with homemade pasta and a side of vegetables. I got two huge chunks of bone and a small beef rib that was not very tender and had to be cut up with a knife. The vegetables were lukewarm. The pasta was quite good and I enjoyed it.wine list by the glass was disappointing. However, there were some nice wines by the bottle on the menu. Good news: my wife had a fish special with crab wrapped inside grouper and she thought it was great. The management was very responsive when I complained about my food and offered to bring me an alternative entrée. When I declined, they took my beef rib charge off our bill. We still spent more than $150 here for a disappointing experience. Overall: I thought this place had more fluff than substance.
(2)christy b.
We saw a play right down the street and came in at the end of the night with our 11 year old daughter. They gave us a warm welcome and did not make us feel rushed! The menu is OUTSTANDING! We have eaten all over the world and my husband said it was one of his favorite meals in a very long time! Fabulous service!!! ~ LOBSTER RAVIOLI , Oven-dried Tomato Sage Butter ~ PAN ROASTED LOCAL FISH, Blue Crab, Asparagus,Sweet Chile Garlic Butter ~ FILET OF BEEF * , Porcini Butter, Demi Glace ~ Espresso Chocolate Bombe....Chocolate Mousse coated in rich, dark chocolate. Coffee Anglaise
(5)Jane P.
I cannot rave more about this restaurant! It was our last meal of our stay on Sanibel, and we definitely saved the best for last! My only complaint is that Il Cielo is not in New York, so I cannot frequent this place as often as I would if it were closer! The atmosphere in the restaurant is very nice, it has an upscale island flare; the piano player was an added bonus as well! We started our meal with salads. The goat cheese is so fresh and I can tell it was not store bought. In their cappers salad the mozzarella was very fresh as well. For entrées I had the duet of veal scallopini and the two others I was with had the lobster ravioli. The veal was amazing, as were the shrimp! I have never had veal that cut like butter. The lobster ravioli was to die for as well, as I tried some of my sister's. Chef Neil even came out to talk to our group because we happen to be from an area close to where he grew up. That was such a nice added personalized touch, and it was great to see the face behind our amazing meal! Make sure you leave room for dessert because Chef Neil's wife makes an amazing Chocolate Bombe (chocolate coated chocolate mousse), an amazing twist on s'mores, and a perfect creme brûlée. We did not endulge on individual desserts on any other location on the island, but the desserts at Il Cielo were worth making room for. Next time I return to Sanibel, I will be sure to stop by this restaurant again. I cannot recommend it more!
(5)Linda B.
What a wonderful place...food excellent and presentation superb!!! Dessert to die for...
(5)V B.
Oops! I left a review on this restaurant by mistake. I haven't tried it but friends have and loved it!
(5)Al M.
We had the best dinner in a long time. We were a party of twelve picky eaters celebrating a birthday. Great ambiance, awesome service and impeccable food. The lobster ravioli, the grouper (fish of the day), and the veal were the standout dishes. But everything we ordered tasted great. Il Cielo is a gem in the island; we strongly recommend it.
(5)Susan P.
Back after a two year hiatus and still as fab as our first visit. We did the prix fixe menu ($40) that is only available from 4:30-6:30pm. The three course menu also includes 2 glasses of wine. I had the fish tacos, which we very flavorful and my husband had the lamb chops for his appetizer. The lamb chops were perfectly prepared. We both had the Caesar salad (ask for anchovies if you like them), and it we nicely prepared. I had the sea scallops/sea bass and lobster ravioli entree. All can say is YUM! My husband had the filet/crab cake entree and that was perfectly prepared. We sat outside and was served by Sarah, who got us out smoothly sincere had a deadline to hit. We'll be back with our kids. Yes, they have a kids menu too! Great value for our dollar tonite and outstanding food.
(5)Sue H.
Had a delicious meal with my family. I had the filet mignon and it came out a bit too rare, I ordered it medium rare and it was RARE. The waitress saw the color and without me saying anything came over and said- that she would take it back. So to have a meal go back and still give it 4 star tells you something. The filet melted in my mouth. It was so flavorful and tender. My mom got a veggie plate that was exquisite. Best meal in a long time. Next vacation in Sanibel- I'll be back. Great service all around and we had a party of 9!
(4)Debbi N.
One of best meals and dining experiences in a while. We started with excellent cocktails and apps. I had the steamed clams in tomato broth - omg! Hubby had the cesar salad. Don't even talk to me about the fresh bread and flavored oil! Diet killer!! We shared the two entrees. Rib eye and a black grouper specials. Both perfection. I should have skipped the extra drink and the appetizer so I could have the dessert. This is a beautiful spot, there is piano music in background which is a nice touch. Highly recommend.
(5)Steve W.
Great food great service and atmosphere. High end elegant dining. Had lobster ravioli. Excellent. My wife had grouper. Loved it.
(4)John M.
Very good good. We had the fish tacos and the crab cake. They were both excellent! Prices seemed a bit high but we did enjoy our meal.
(4)Joseph S.
This is the best restaurant in the Island and Fort Myers beach area. Great dinning room. Great service. The veal Milanese was excellent as were the scallops, filet mignon, and even the chicken dish. Lobster ravioli were fabulous. Have them for an app. They also have a wonderful vegetarian dish too. In season you need a reservation. Can't wait until we return.
(5)Emily T.
I cannot rave enough about this restaurant! After a few days of the typical island eateries, we were looking for a fancy meal for our last night of vacation. Il Cielo exceeded our expectations. We decided to share the Lobster Ravioli small plate, Filet of Beef, and the Red Snapper that was a special. Uma, our server, was incredibly sweet and made great recommendations for us. If there was a site to review servers, Uma would have 5 stars--she knows people and food very well and turned a great meal into an unforgettable experience for us. I hope we get to come back someday!
(5)Donna E.
Wow is all I can say. Being Sanibel we were floored by the excellent service incredible food and overall ambiance over the top great. Took our waiters suggestion and ordered both specials. Both were seafood one striped bass with lobster ravioli and mine was a fish I never heard of served with lobster risotto and asparagus and ordered the meatballs as an appetizer Yum is all I can say. My husband liked it so much that he would drive over from the east coast just to eat here definitely will be back
(5)David L.
There is nothing more frustrating to me when being on vacation than paying good money for mediocre food. What a pleasant surprise at Il Cielo! The atmosphere is resort casual with a beautiful (elegant ) dining room. The wait staff is attentive but the most amazing thing is that I went with my wife and two adult daughters and we all loved everything! Appetizers, entres, sides, desserts: it was all wonderful. We had grouper, lamb, salmon, soup, salads and four different desserts - all delicious. Our bill was roughly $50 per person with my wife and I having a glass of wine and that was before tip. Everyone left happy and we even put some money in the tip jar for the piano player. They have a skilled kitchen and pay attention to small culinary details like a delicious bread basket with dipping oil and also attending to one daughter's gluten allergy.
(5)Delene K.
We had a fantastic meal for our 19th Anniversary. Our server Lorraine was terrific. I had the bone in rib eye and my husband had the fish special. Both were delicious. I had the red and green romaine salad-perfection. For dessert i had the sticky toffee bread pudding-superb, my husband had the bombe- also delicious. We will be back soon!
(5)Gus V.
My wife and I were looking for a nice place to step out for our 2nd anniversary dinner. Absolutely fantastic meal! Our waiter was amazing! I think his name was Dan. Anyhoo...He was super all the way around. Very detailed when my wife and I had a few questions about various food options. Superb timing with food delivery, filling drinks, checking in, etc. The food itself was out of control yumminess! I had a steak and my wife had the Grouper. Easy parking with an excellent ambiance throughout including the entrance. Definitely going back next year on our annual vacation to Sanibel for a 2nd helping. It was about $135 for a nice relaxing romantic meal for two with one dessert and a couple of drinks.
(5)Mary M.
If you want a special dining experience, done here. The staff is exceptional. The drinks are wonderful. The food is phenomenal. I know-- lots of superlatives, but this is a great dining experience.
(5)Mary K.
We go to Sanibel, every year in July, the moderately off season. Il Cielo is the elegant meal we would never miss. The food is fantastic, every person we take says it is one of the best and most memorable meals of their lives. Treat yourself to an evening of fine dining. The staff made us feel completely welcome and Chef Neil came to our table at the end of the meal, to talk of the history of the restaurant and the delights on the menu. His wife's desserts are a special treat. 5 stars all around. This is such a treasure of a restaurant here on Sanibel Island. See you next year.
(5)Jack L.
Almost wish there was something to complain about. Server knowledgable , fast and beautiful. Food was great in appropriate portions nice atmosphere and large clean bathrooms. A must try place. I'll be back for more
(5)Jack R.
This was the best meal we've had on Sanibel. By any standard the food, service and ambiance were excellent. There were four of us and we all left happy. The meals are expensive, expect to pay $25-$45 for entrees and $11 for a salad. Add in appetizers, wine, tax and tip you can expect a hefty bill. Although it was expensive, the meal was worth every penny and I will go again next time I'm here. If you want to treat yourself, make a reservation.
(5)Dean O.
Excellent meal , friendly staff , nice setting food best on the island!
(4)Rick P.
As many Sanibel-ers know, this site has changed hands several times over the last 5 years. If you ever visited in the past you know it's a beautiful restaurant on the inside. In it's present incarnation, the restaurant excels at all levels. It is still a beautiful/comfortable/elegant restaurant to dine in. The restaurant was spotless and the bathrooms were in great shape (always a good sign). If you're a fan of live music you'll be in luck as there's a piano and a talented pianist ready to play your favorites. As for the food, I have dined there 3 times and each time I have ordered the same thing... because my first meal was tremendous! Here's my recommendation: start with the mussels (some of the best I've ever had), next do the Artisan salad and for the main course, you've got to go with the Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb (best I've ever had). The lamb was tender, juicy and delicious! Their homemade mint jelly really complements the lamb as well. The cappuccino is good as well... each one is served with a sugar stick. My dad won't order a cappuccino unless it comes with one. My only critiques... I think their signature cocktail menu needs some work. It would be great if they offered some truly unique beverages... perhaps a Sanibel version of a Ramos Gin Fizz or something. We tried a couple of the drinks and just weren't as impressed as we were with the food. One other tidbit... they source organic when they can. That's something I truly appreciate. All in all, I highly recommend!
(5)Kurt P.
Five stars for food and ambience. Our waiter was only there four months and was totally immersed in both knowledge and culture of the restaurant. We were told that last night (Wednesday) was the busiest weeknight since February. Hence, our 2.5 hour dinner with our 10 year old grandson who fortunately is versed in fine dining and held strong. Highly recommend.
(4)R. M.
Nice spot on Sanibel. Excellent and friendly service. Wine list seemed fairly priced with a selection fitting the venue. We liked the lobster ravioli app. Scallops and a flounder special for entrees were pretty good. Sticky toffee pudding was a highlight. Tasty coffee too. This is a tough location for fine dining and they are doing a nice job we thought.
(5)Philip R.
This place is the best overall restaurant experience one can ask for and by far and away the best on the island. No detail was missed. Parking was lit and plentiful, the bathrooms are clean and have extra touches like real towels. The hostess, waitress and manager were class acts. Now to the important part, food. The fish tacos were some of the best I have had anywhere. The salads were unique and fresh. My local pan seared fish (grouper) and vegetables was executed perfectly. The lobster ravioli was also excellent (wife's dish). We then had key lime for desert. There was also a very nice piano player. The seating and building are very well done. Bravo!!
(5)Brooke B.
We had an elegant adult family dinner to celebrate our last night at Sanibel. We sat at a large round near the talented piano player (who graciously played some requests.). The restaurant could easily be in the center of any city, with its classic decor--if you are looking for an island-vibe, this is not the place. Our server was great. We enjoyed grouper, veal and scallop main courses at this chic and glamorous restaurant. While you don't need ties or formal dresses, this is a nice place to wear your new resort-style outfit!
(4)Van V.
Chic interior. A sophisticated place with piano player, excellent service, very tasty food including some unique approaches to grouper, veal, scallops. We had a reservation for a family celebration on Sanibel--everyone was pleased. A little expensive.
(4)Johnny B.
We really enjoyed our first visit to Il Cielo. The service was very patient and friendly, I loved the unique "open air" vibe of the restaurant. The food was good. Not mind blowingly memorable but nothing wrong with it. We were all very full by the end. Definitely will be back next year.
(4)Elizabeth M.
By far the best restaurant on the island. If you are looking for an expensive but unpretentious meal that is worth every penny, you have found the place. The service is impeccable and the food is up there with it. The mussels cooked in the usual white wine and garlic were some of the best I've tasted. The filet mignon was cooked to perfection and the wine selection is excellent. We tried almost every dessert option on the menu and while all great, what stood out most was the toffee bread pudding (and I don't even like toffee!). The flavor combinations were so delicious that we couldn't stop eating even after our bellies were beyond full. Everyone at the table was very happy with their meal. We liked it so much that we went back again in the same week! If you find yourself looking for a well executed meal and great service, I highly recommend this place. We will be returning.
(4)Brian L.
The wait staff was very professional and friendly but the food had a total lack of flavor. Even with a healthy dose of salt and pepper added, the main courses were a disappointment. Maybe it was an off night, but for this price range we expected better.
(2)Andrew G.
We went here after being disappointed at Thistle. Thank God! The food was very goo, the service was excellent and the drinks superb. The decor is a bit heavy, but atmosphere was wonderful.
(5)Jamie L.
One of the best meals I have ever had and hands down the best food I've eaten on Sanibel Island! I had the scallops that just melted in your mouth. The "bomb" mousse dessert was to die for. Excellent service too!
(5)Kirt K.
This restaurant came highly recommended by a friend who visits this area in the spring. We stopped by while on our Sanibel trip from Fort Myers Beach but they weren't open during our visit. We did look at the menu and read the Yelp reviews and will make it a definite stop, possibly for our wedding anniversary dinner, next year.
(4)Julie O.
I was taken here for a date night. Our server Walter was great! From the appetizers, to my perfectly cooked GRILLED BREAST OF FREE-RANGE CHICKEN w/ Vidalia Onion Rosemary Jus, to the decadent dessert of Raspberry Key Lime Pie, everything was amazing! This restaurant is definitely worth checking out if you are on Sanibel Island!
(5)Kathryn S.
OMG! Finally a place to eat in Sanibel that has an elegant ambience, but has a casual element about it AND the food was DELICIOUS!! Our waiter Chris was friendly, explained the specials WITH pricing and was truly a delight . Of late I've gotten into the habit of reading reviews before giving an establishment a try. My husband and a very discriminating 10 year old were in search of dinner. We went to another restaurant (different review pending and quite the opposite experience - hint that's the only Latin place we found on the island) and without a doubt I would recommend this place to EVERYONE who visits Sanibel. The lamb ribs was falling off the bone, the asian seared tuna was seared to perfection, and the fish tacos (shrimp, they were out of grouper) was also note worthy in that the flour tortilla held just a held of smokiness and the cabbage had a nice crunch with made for an excellent combination bite with the seasoned shrimp. And on a final note - my son said their restroom was the cleanest on the island.
(5)Bismarck C.
Every year a group of us go out to Mad Hatter for our "nice night out" and this year we added Il Cielo to that rotation and are so glad we did. Their Old Fashioned cocktail, mushroom soup and filet were all incredible. My favorite part though was the live piano music. Excellent setting all around.
(5)James O.
First let me start with the decor. This is a beautiful restaurant both inside and out. Dining out on the porch looked very nice but we decided to dine inside. Everyone was very friendly and attentive, the chef very accommodating. Our salad appetizers were excellent. I had the Stripe Bass special which was very very good, my wife had the Salmon, portion was huge, perfectly cooked and seasoned, our couple friend had the fish tacos and a custom made vegetarian dish, both were superb. We all had special requests for our entrees and the chef handled each one perfectly. This was our first meal in Sanibel and it was a great start. We also like the fact that you could order from either the casual menu or the fine dinning menu. We did both. I have no problem recommending this place.
(5)John D.
A SPECIAL PLACE 4 1/2 STARS This is truly one of the better restaurants on Sanibel, an island not known for fine dining. Perhaps it's the best. For starters, we shared the Escargot. It was, shall we say, unusual. Instead of the customary butter, they were served on pureed mashed potatoes, and the result was decidedly ho-hum. For dinner we had the Crispy Skin Yellowtail Snapper Filet, Yellow Tomato-Basil Provencal, with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and the Grilled Breast of Free-Range Chicken with Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Natural Jus. We thought both meals were exquisite and perfectly prepared & presented. Overall, a very special dining experience. Alert: This place is VERY EXPENSIVE. Only come here if you are rich, planning on making a marriage proposal, or celebrating a lottery win. In addition, everything is ala carte. For example, if you order meat or fish and would like some sauce on it, there is an extra charge. Ambiance/Decor - 5 STARS Service - 5 STARS Food - 4 1/2 STARS Location - 5 STARS Value - 2 STARS
(5)Cara M.
Outstanding! Loved that we could make a reservation, as that is not the norm on Sanibel. Lovely setting. We took our children, aged 15 & 10. The menu selections were varied and interesting. Our server, Uma, was fabulous! The apps we had (escargot-amazing! And caprese, were delicious. Our meals were delicious, perfectly sized and deliciously flavored. Uma was very complimentary of our boys, and brought lots of extra bread for them! Loved it and may try to go here again this week. Highly recommend. I do recommend dressing up a bit. It is a lovely setting that warrants NOT showing up in sneakers and shorts.
(4)Hannah H.
Best restaurant we went to on a recent vacation on Sanibel Island. The ambiance and service were beyond reproach. We told our server that we (a lesbian couple) were there for our seventh anniversary. When they brought out our dessert (delicious creme brûlée), it had a thoughtful, congratulatory message written in chocolate on the plate. The food was inventive and perfectly balanced.
(5)Patrick T.
We are Sanibel residents and its the first time we have been back to the restaurant in almost 2 years. The room is beautiful the service was excellent and the food was exquisite. Feel very comfortable in recommending the restaurant to friends and family
(5)Jen K.
Outstanding. Chef Neil is a culinary genius. The hostesses were welcoming and waitstaff attentive. I ordered the Vegetarian Inspiration with strict parameters and Chef Neil concocted a feast that could convert any carnivore. My plate looked like a work of art. My husband ordered the Ahi Tuna and was blown away by the preparation. If you're looking for a special dining experience on Sanibel Island, Il Cielo is worth every penny.
(5)Jim F.
Oh, I don't want to be too grumpy. We came in late and were greeted warmly and shown to a nice table. The lamb ribs were delicious - so, too, were my partner's lamb chops. The espresso chocolate bombe was everything you'd like in a chocolate bombe. But the service was rather unattentive and unhelpful. I'd go back readily for another try.
(3)Aladin G.
Must dine here. An amazing experience with really fresh seafood. Best dining on Sanibel Island. It's fine dining but you can come casual. If you like good food you'll love this place.
(5)Elaine P.
DH and I enjoyed Christmas Eve dinner at Il Cielo -- the best restaurant meal during a 10-day trip to SW Florida. Il Cielo is more "upscale" than many restaurants on Sanibel, but DH still felt comfortable without a jacket or tie and I felt appropriate wearing nice slacks and sandals. I had an excellent salmon and DH enjoyed a wreck fish and lobster combo. Selection of wines by the glass was somewhat limited (from our California perspective). The seeded cracker bread in the bread basket was particularly tasty, the focaccia just "so so." We both opted for desserts, rather than sharing ... after all it was Christmas Eve. DH felt the apples in his apple crisp were a bit underdone. Serving was quite generous. I had the affogato -- vanilla custard/ice cream with espresso poured over it. The almond brittle which accompanied it was an attractive addition, but a bit too sweet even for my sweet tooth.
(4)Carole C.
A lovely find on Sanibel Island. If you tire of the casual beachy restaurants and want to try something a bit more special, and don't mind spending accordingly, try Il Cielo. My daughter and I decided to try it after years of visiting the island, and we were not disappointed. I had the "trio," a special offering with three kinds of fish each prepared differently and deliciously. I especially liked the salmon, which had an adobo rub. My daughter had "Chef Neil's Vegetarian Inspiration," which is apparently different depending upon the chef's whim -- during our visit, it was a collection of perfectly roasted vegetables on a bed of puréed butternut squash. We split a huge piece of key lime pie on a bed of raspberry sauce--outstanding. Our waitress was outstanding with just the right balance of warm friendliness and professionalism. We will go back on our next visit to the island.
(4)Albert M.
This place was so much better than we expected. A great bar for a drink and then fantastic service, high quality food and a calm atmosphere. I was expecting resort island schlock and I left wishing this place was in my hometown.
(5)Nicole R.
AMAZING! BRAVO! I don't even know where to start with how fantastic our dining experience was at Il Cielo. We were just in on 8/14/13 for our "nice dinner" of our vacation, and were really looking forward to it based on the menu and the reviews. Everything, absolutely everything, exceeded any expectation that we had, and left us talking about our experience still today! The cocktails were superb, with a very generous pour. The wine list was large, and categorized by region or country, too. We had the crab cake and mussels for apps, and I had the snapper dish, and my fiancé had the grouper...everything was gone and I do not typically finish a meal out but I couldn't leave a bite! The menu was truly inspired and unique to capture both an elegant and island flavor for the diner. The service was also incredible. We left there feeling like we had visited with old friends, like at "Cheers" or your favorite neighborhood place. Walter, our server and bartender was very kind and knowledge about the menu and pleasant to talk to; even the runners, CJ and Josh, made us feel very welcome and chatted with us when they had a minute. Finally, Chef Neil came to our table and talked with us for awhile, and gave us some tips about the island, including how to get rid of bug-bites! When we said that we liked to cook and used Global knives, he brought out his favorite knife, and we were talking about the aspects of good cooking utensils! It was such an enjoyable evening, and it was made personal and memorable by the amazing food and attentive service. I recommend coming here 500%! I wish Chef Neil would open a second location in New York so that we could frequent Il Cielo again.
(5)Richard G.
In certain respects, our visit was less than the extraordinary experience it should have been. Our waiter, Walter, was perhaps the best part of the evening. The carrot soup or bisque I had was wonderful. Three of the six of us had crab cakes, and although Walter assured those ordering them that they weren't just filler and little crab, the reality is that they were lots of filler, the consistency of them all wrong. One of our party had lamb riblets, which weren't special. I think for what il Cielo wants to present itself as, more attention needs to be paid to what's coming out of the kitchen.
(3)John K.
Best meal I ever ate anywhere. My vegan son also had the best meal of his life too. The restaurant is truly fine dining. The food is made to order and the flavors are amazing. There were four of us and everyone loved their meal. Can't wait to go back. The specialty cocktails were also great. Don't miss this if you want a great meal. Not a young family type place.
(5)Colin C.
This is one of the best options on Sanibel. Amidst a sea of casual dining options, there are few as elegant as this. High quality ingredients, perfectly cooked, artfully presented, and served with style. Authentic Italian cuisine, including some nice homemade pasta options, and a great wine list many of which are available by the glass. The ambiance was good too - a nice comfortable dining room, very calm and relaxing - exactly what you want on vacation! Highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Morgan M.
Had the pleasure of being Il Cielo's last table of the night and the food was absolutely wonderful - The off season on Sanibel can be a little quiet but it's nice to see that Il Cielo is still hard at work and hasn't let their standards slip. We had 2 orders of the crisp duck wings (which were in fact, crisp- and absolutely delicious). We also had the heirloom tomato / caprese salad. The tomatoes were delicious but the mozzarella wasn't anything to rave about. The white bean chili was recommended by our waiter and was absolutely *superb*. It definitely reminds me of something I would make at home and you can tell it's something they put some time into making. The lobster ravioli was incredibly light and served in a tangy sun dried tomato sauce that bordered on too citrus-y. The warm spice roasted lamb ribs were perfectly braised and seasoned. As a rib connoisseur they surpassed my expectations! Bravo!
(4)Daphne D.
The atmosphere was wonderful, the food was superb and the waiter was excellent. We were seated right next to a party of 10, they were not noisy at all but the manager thought we were inconvienced and paid our check (on the house) we almost fell off our chairs. Thank you so much, great food, service and overall experience!
(5)John H.
My wife and I had dinner while vacationing on Sanibel. The decor and interior are decidedly more upscale than most of Sanibel's other restaurants. My wife and I had the shrimp fettuccine and green artisan salad to start with. Both were very good with the shrimp being the better dish. My wife had the short rib while I had a Wreck fish special - the short rod was excellent and the Wreck fish was also very tasty prepared in a caper lemon sauce. The fish was also served with a hash that had lobster and other shell fish in it - unfortunately it also had a hair in it - which sort of ruined everything
(3)Javi R.
Food is delicious. We had mussel app, lobster ravioli and Ahi Tuna. Everything was wonderful. Good service and management. Highly recommend this spot.
(5)Jason H.
We've been twice, both times the meals have been excellent. Our sampled about every seafood option and all were expertly prepared and delicious. The service was incredible, our waiter was great with service as well as navigating the menu and making entree decisions. We had 4 kids in our group 3 and under, and they were extremely accommodating.
(5)Nancy W.
A lovely choice for our first dinner on Sanibel. Elegant but unfussy decor, with friendly and attentive service. Good wines by the glass. Escargot appetizer was unusual, with tomato and cheese, but tasty. Lobster ravioli was fantastic; rich but I ate every bite. My husband had veal and shrimp dish and said it was some of the best veal he's ever had. I only wish we'd had room for dessert.
(4)Barry E.
We are vegans and went out for we thought would be a nice evening on Saturday night the evening of March 24th. After much back and forth discussion the best the kitchen could come up with was risotto with beets. We asked them to add sauted spinach and seasonal vegtables which were items on the menu. What we got was a small amount of chopped, I think broccoli and Lima beans and maybe one other vegtable in white rice. Missing were the promised beets, seasonal vegtables and spinach. The rather tasteless dish was disappointing to us. Then we were shocked when the bill arrived charging us $25.00 for each dish. I should add that we had bean soup and wine, both of which were good. We left feeling like for the first time in 30 plus seasons on Sanibel we were mugged. Barry Sanibel and Cleveland
(1)Dori C.
Sanibel has an abundence of casual and fun food, but fine dining is not easy to find. Il Cielo has both great food and equally fine service. Chef Neil knows his fish, and his preparatons. My Special - Hog Fish, Tile Fish with Jumbo Shrimp was out of this world, the shrimp (frequently overcooked) was beautiful and tender. Our server was knowledgable, assisted with wine and made a recommendation for dessert - again made in house. For Sanibel, - anywhere in Florida Il Cielo is well worth a visit.
(5)Alan W.
Firstly, I realize that there is a markup for food in tourist areas, and I take that into account when writing the review. This review is not about price, but about quality. But, no matter where a restaurant is located, the food should be properly prepared and taste like quality. Dinner cost $500 for six adults. Starting with the escargot appetizer (served with mashed potatoes?), I was left disappointed. The escargot tasted rubbery; it was either overcooked or not fresh. I ordered shrimp and grits for dinner. The grits, which was actually 'soft' polenta, was anything but soft. It was very dry and lacked any seasoning. It had neither the flavor nor quality of polenta (which is one of the least expensive dishes to make anywhere) that I get at other places. The spinach was floating in a pool of oil. The mashed potatoes were lukewarm to cold. And, most meals on its menu come with side accompaniments despite the menu's presentation that it is a-la carte dining. So, my wife ordered the fillet and mashed potatoes. To her chagrin, the fillet actually came with potatoes. And now she had two. The server conveniently forgot or neglected to mention that it already came with potatoes when she ordered them to accompany her dish. In our minds, that was sleazy because it appears that the server was trying to increase the bill to increase his tip. In summary, however, the food isn't worth any mention. The experience was overall a disappointment.
(1)Lois L.
Just want to share that I had another (3rd) exceptional dining experience at Il Cielo. Not only was the food and service wonderful, the chef, Neil Griffin, is attentive and creative and whips up superb appetizers with the best fresh ingredients as if it's no big deal. We enjoyed a special fresh pasta dish with spinach, shrimp, smokey tomatoes and goat cheese and then clams cooked in an amazing broth with a special ham that had a hint of smoke to it as well. Our entree was the filet off the regular menu that was cooked perfectly and topped with the chefs special porcini butter that had a hint of truffle. We ended our meal with a desert that had espresso poured over creamy gelato with peanut brittle. I know my words cannot accurately describe all the details but trust me it's worth a visit if you are on Sanibel and interested in a unique dining experience. In addition, the decor lends itself to fine dining but the atmosphere set by the chef and staff is welcoming and casual. We just hope we can still get a reservation during the height of the season.
(5)J. S.
I've dined here twice in the past month, once in the casual bar area and once in the formal area. The restaurant has been remodeled, although the decor retains its original heavy, stuffy feel. It's a mystery to me why the owners didn't change the name when they reopened - why keep the name of a place that closed because it was unsuccessful? And the old restaurant was Italian, hence the name. Anyone coming here looking for Italian now will be surprised to find an eclectic menu leaning toward Mediterranean. While expensive, nearly every dish we had was very good, especially the small plate offerings. Service, though, was spotty - on one visit our waitress was friendly, helpful and attentive; on the second visit our waiter was surly and unable to answer basic questions about the menu. On balance, it's worth going back for drinks and small plates, particularly as there is no wait for a table.
(4)