Amy P.
Yelp
Wow! I spent the last week on CAPTIVA Island for the first time. I have eaten in most all of the notable restaurants and actually have come back for dinner to the Green Flash twice with the family because of the food and staff! Tonight was my last night and I decided to go again. The General Manager, Cindy MUST be doing something right because our waitstaff ANGIE was exceptional! She was a consummate professional, attentive, willing to go above and beyond to ensure we had an amazing dining experience! The views are amazing over looking the river and with the "stadium"seating there is not a bad seat in the entire place! If you are not ready to eat inside, they offer a huge patio/deck of outside seating ready for your dining pleasure although I do recommend reservations if you have a large party because the "word is out" that this place is the best of the best!
Anyway, back to tonight's experience...our waitstaff ANGIE it turns out (according to the hostess) was recently hired and yet you would never know it! She is exceptionally well versed at all aspects of dining service. From keeping our drinks filled, to dinner service, to ensuring everything from the bar and even dessert was brought out with perfect timing and ensuring our entire meal from start to finish was outstanding! This was my mother's first time eating here and she was blown away by the service and the food! Every other restaurant on the on the island pales in comparison and yet they charge the same prices for dinner that is merely subpar compared to The Green Flash!!!! I only wish I would have found out the reason why they named this establishment what it is?
In regards to the food I had the salmon served with fresh spinach and crab meat in a mango sauce and this has to be one of my favorites along with the swordfish that is incredible! The first night I ate here they had grilled vegetables (they have a different vegetable every evening that is served with all entrees). The second night I had sautéed spinach and of the two choices I would say I prefer the grilled vegetables. They were amazing when paired with the fresh fish and rice! They also offer some incredible selections like steaks, seafood, and lobster all served with an extra special flair. This chef truly knows how to please even the most discerning FOODIE like my husband and I! Their drinks are STRONG (which is exactly how I like them) especially on vacation, and the bread served with the dinner menu is wonderful! OH, and the desserts are huge and TO DIE FOR! I recommend the key lime pie, or the carrot cake!
The outside seating is fully accessible although I am not completely sure about the inside. A full bar rounds out this amazing dinner experience along with the spectacular views! You can even pull your boat right up to the dock for dinner. Just be prepared for lines if you come after the dinner opening at 5pm. They fill up fast but it seems the turnover of tables is very efficient and yet you do not feel rushed at all! A delightful evening and an amazing dining experience all around! I would give them far more that five stars and cannot wait to go back! This will be the highlight of my future CAPTIVA Island vacations! My boys begged to go back and said the oysters on the half shell are the biggest they have ever seen or eaten! Thank you for this amazing experience. IF you are reading this and want a perfect evening, especially for a special occasion please ask for ANGIE! If the general manager is reading this THANK YOU and please extend my gratitude to your waitstaff Angie, for her outstanding service. Please do whatever you need to do to keep her on staff including giving her a RAISE! She has earned everything and more! I will be asking for her when I return. Thank you so much!