Now in its 40th year, the popular Taste of the Islands gives visitors access to special dining opportunities at Sanibel and Captiva Island restaurants throughout the month of November. A portion of Taste of the Islands proceeds will benefit the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel Island.
“Modifying Taste of the Islands from a one-day event to a month-long event allows people to enjoy our restaurant partners at their convenience and for more of our wonderful island restaurants to participate,” CROW Executive Director Alison Charney Hussey said.
Participating restaurants will offer at least one Taste item to showcase their cuisine. A portion of the proceeds from those designated food and beverages sold will be donated to CROW toward its mission. Participants can enjoy their Taste items in-person, or order them for take-out to be enjoyed at home.
“The safety and welfare of those supporting CROW is our first and foremost concern,” Hussey said. “We were pleasantly surprised as to the increased participation in 2020 with the COVID modified format and with the success of CROW’s longest running fundraiser. We cannot thank the community enough for their support.”
Guests may purchase a Taste passport that includes a restaurant guide. Each restaurant will stamp or punch the passport. Only passport holders will be eligible to vote for their favorite restaurant to win the People’s Choice Award and be entered into a drawing for prizes, including vacation stays and gift certificates.
Passports are available at CROW’s Visitor Education Center, Bank of the Islands/Edison National Bank branches, Bailey’s General Store locations, Huxter’s Market & Deli and select participating restaurants.
Participants may also purchase their passport online at www.CROWClinic.org for pick up at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce or CROW’s Visitor Education Center.
Also during November, “CROW Crawls” will be held every Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., featuring restaurants in different areas of the islands. CROW’s Animal Ambassadors will be at the CROW tent in front of one of the restaurants, with Taste sponsors featured outside other restaurants.
For a complete list of restaurants and CROW Crawls, visit http://www.crowclinic.org.