NEWS

NEWS

May 25, 2017

Where the Chefs Eat: David Rashty, Table & Tap

By: Vicki Parsons - IT

Artis Henderson, Special to The News-Press 6:00 a.m. ET May 24, 2017

Chef David Rashty of the new Table & Tap at Babcock Ranch shares some of his favorite places to eat around Southwest Florida.

David Rashty

David Rashty is the executive chef for Table & Tap at Babcock Ranch.(Photo: Annabelle Tometich/The News-Press)

 Chef David Rashty of the new Table & Tap at Babcock Ranch has a wide range of restaurant experience.

He’s worked at some of the most glamorous establishments in Florida, including the reopened Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, and he’s owned a fleet of food trucks that served everything from alligator to lobster rolls. Now, he’s heading a farm-to-table restaurant where he sources local ingredients for his bacon-wrapped meatloaf, braised short ribs, and shrimp and grits, among others. Here are some of his favorite places to eat around Southwest Florida.

Other than Table & Tap, what is your favorite farm-to-table restaurant in the area? Harold’s. Harold (Balink) does a phenomenal job. We’ve had the duck there and the lion fish.

Your wife is vegetarian. What is your go-to spot when you eat out together? We eat vegetarian a couple of times a week, and it’s a challenge sometimes. We like Loving Hut (in Cape Coral).

How about a place for both vegetarians and meat-eaters? Aji Limon is really good. I’ll eat there at least once a week. I’ve pretty much worked my way through their menu. I like the sauteed beef or the steak with rice and beans. They also do a good soy protein with mixed vegetables. It’s pretty tasty.

Fish and shrimp ceviche

Fish and shrimp ceviche from Aji Limon in south Cape Coral. (Photo: The News-Press file photo)

Any other favorite spots? Fathoms. The chefs are really talented, and it’s just a good place to go and hang out by the water. True Food Kitchen in Naples. They’ve got some interesting grains and combinations. I had a curry and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Everything was fresh and good. Summerlin Jake’s is one of my favorites. The brisket sandwich is phenomenal.

 

Find Chef Rashty at Table & Tap in Babcock Ranch, 42680 Crescent Loop, Punta Gorda. Call 941-235-6906 or visit babcockranch.com for more.