From Cape Coral restaurant openings to Valentine's Day dining, save these foodie dates

We blinked and now it's February, a month highlighted by Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day, and more food events than we can keep up with.

To help you stay ahead of the game, here’s just a small taste of what’s on the calendar this month.

Bayside Burger & Beer

Although this family-friendly restaurant opened in the former Crossroads Grill & Lounge spot at 211 Hancock Bridge Parkway in Cape Coral in December, it’s holding a grand-opening bash Saturday, Feb. 3. The special event begins at 6 p.m. with food, free Champagne, live music and a chance to win a TV. Owner Edison Mernaci has given the spacious restaurant a new look, completely redoing the inside. Even the bar looks spiffy and new. There are starters (from wings to bang bang shrimp), salads (including taco and Greek), a dozen sandwiches, entrees (from stir-fry to seafood and steak), and of course burgers on the menu. Frozen drinks and specialty cocktails are offered too. (239) 471-7611 or follow on Facebook and Instagram

Lee County Chili Challenge

Firefighters, police, paramedics and military members cook and serve their best chili recipes in this fifth-annual fundraiser. The event raises money for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Collier-Lee Honor Flight and Injured Warriors Fund of Florida. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3. $10 admission includes a “chili testing kit” for sampling various chilis. There will also be prize drawings, drinks and more food. Stu’s Motorcycles, 14607 Ben C. Pratt/Six Mile Cypress Parkway in Fort Myers; facebook.com/leecountychilichallenge

Bonita Springs Food Truck Rally and Pop-up Biergarten

Saturday, Feb. 3, is the final day for this event featuring live music, food trucks, a variety of German and American beers and more. The free event is in the tradition and spirit of a German-style biergarten. noon to 9 p.m. at Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds Road, Bonita. Open to all ages and leashed, well-mannered dogs. Visit Pop-up Biergarten Events on Facebook.

Everglades Seafood Festival

The Florida Stone Crabbers Association presents the 54th annual festival in Everglades City on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 3-4, at 102 Copeland Ave., Everglades City. Adult admission Saturday (10 a.m.-10 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) is a $10 minimum donation per adult. The event is headlined by country music group Lonestar from 8-9:30 p.m. Saturday. More at evergladesseafoodfestival.org/.

Gumbo Fest at The Shell Factory

Celebrate all things gumbo with food trucks, vendors, a raffle and live zydeco and Cajun music. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4. Free admission at The Shell Factory & Nature Park, 16554 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers; (239) 995-2141 or shellfactory.com

Sanibel’s Best Homemade Ice Cream: Proudly Presents Crooked Cow Creamery

The folks behind this hurricane-closed Sanibel ice cream shop will hold a grand opening of a new location in Cape Coral on Monday, Feb. 5. Homemade ice cream (with alcohol-infused options too!), coffees, baked goods sandwiches and more will be offered in their new spot at 3310 Del Prado Blvd. S. It’s in the former home of Life-The Vegan Drive Thru, and yes, the drive-thru will be up and running for creamy goodness on the go! Hours will be 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. For more, follow along on Facebook

Super Bowl celebrations on Feb. 11

Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill: Both locations are having deck parties with surround sound, touchdown buckets, premium craft buckets and Cazadores cocktails. Game begins at 6:30 p.m. 17101 SR 31, Fort Myers, (239) 332-2628; 5819 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral; (239) 945-2628; theboathouseusa.com

Big Game Watch Party: Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples is hosting this free admission event on Super Bowl Sunday. Attendees are invited to watch the big game on the largest outdoor screen in Southwest Florida. Food trucks on site and drinks are available from The Cove Outdoor Beer & Wine Bar. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. at the Great Lawn Area, 3920 City Gate Blvd. N. More at playparadisecoast.com.

Fathoms: The Cape Harbour restaurant will have food and drink specials, trivia from 4-6 p.m. and show the game on a big screen beginning at 6:30 p.m. Reservations needed. 5785 Cape Harbour Drive, Cape Coral; (239) 542-0123; fathomsrestaurant.com or find on Facebook and Instagram

The Saucy Meatball: Be game-ready by pre-ordering (at least 24 hours in advance) your Super Bowl Sunday special from the Italian favorite in Gateway. For $29.50 each, choose 25 jumbo wings; two large one-topping pizzas; one large stromboli with six pepperoni pinwheels or a large, one-topping pizza with 10 jumbo wings and 12 garlic rolls. The family favorite includes a large tray of baked ziti with six large chicken parmesans and two dozen garlic rolls for $99. Call (239) 800-7172 to order. Follow on Facebook

Celebrate Valentine’s Day on Wednesday, Feb. 14

Artichoke and Co.: A five-course dinner (passed hors d’oeuvres, ahi tuna, pan-seared day boat scallops, slow-roasted prime New York strip, dessert) is $89.85 per guest with a 6:30 p.m. seating. Includes a complimentary glass of Champagne. Reservations only at (239) 263-6979. 11920 Saradrienne Lane, Bonita Springs. Follow on Facebook

BARunch: The new seven-day-a-week brunch spot will hold a reservation-only Valentine’s Day wine pairing event with a five-course menu ($55 per person). Call 800-Barunch for details. 1327 Cape Coral Parkway E, Cape Coral; follow on Facebook

Casa Blanca: This chic Mexican tequila bar has a special couples menu with appetizers for sharing, choice of two main courses, dessert for sharing and two drinks. $130 per couple. 9510 Marketplace Road, Fort Myers; (239) 362-0729; casablancamex.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram

Coastal Dayz Brewery: Flight & Feelings beer and dessert pairing. $16 for a flight of four 5-ounce brews and four different bite-sized desserts. Tickets at tinyurl.com/cdvday2024 or message them on Facebook. 3-9 p.m. at 2161 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; (239) 204-9665

Cork Soakers: The Hancock location will have a special Valentine’s dinner and a live belly dance show. Space is limited so call (239) 990-6775; 4400 Hancock Bridge Parkway, North Fort Myers; follow on Instagram

Front Porch Social: This South Cape restaurant is taking reservations for its Valentine's Day seatings from 5 p.m. to close. Special menu and Champagne specials all night long. 4721 Vincennes Blv., Cape Coral; call (239) 347-8914 for reservations; follow on Facebook and Instagram

Gulyas Factory: A six-course candlelight dinner with live music includes everything from a mixed salad to chicken gulyas with rice, wiener schnitzel, a selection of cheeses, glass of prosecco and more for $75 per person. Reservations only at (239) 747-4111. 3816 Chiquita Blvd. S, Cape Coral; Gulyasfactory.com or find on Facebook

La Fontanella Ristorante: Both locations will have exclusive three-course Valentine’s Day dinner menus for $65. Entrees include filet mignon, Chilean seabass, grouper and more. 24600 S Tamiami Trl, Ste 204, Bonita Springs, (239) 498-6808; or 7050 Winkler Road, Suite 112, Fort Myers, (239) 237-2143; lafontanellahospitality.com

Metro Diner: Pink is in the air with limited time Strawberry Shortcake Griddles, including pink-drizzled bread pudding, waffles and pancakes. There’s Pretty in Pink Mimosas too. 1625 Cape Coral Parkway E, Cape Coral; (239) 288-0057; metrodiner.com or follow on Facebook

Nice Guys: This crafty Cape Coral pizza joint has several sweet specials including four corn dogs and a botle of Dom Perignon for $355; a bottle of wine, an appetizer and a 14-inch pizza for $60; two splits, two draft beers, an appetizer and 14-inch pizza for $60; or four cocktails, an appetizer and a 14-inch pizza for $60. All come with peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie dough truffles for dessert. 1404 Cape Coral Parkway E, Cape Coral; (239) 549-7542; niceguyspizza.com or follow on Instagram

Norman Love Confections: It’s not Valentine's Day without this annual limited-edition collection of 10 heart-shaped dark, white and milk chocolates. $15 for a five-piece signature box, $31 for a 10-piece. Signature collection comes in 24-piece for $65 or $110 for 50-piece. Normanloveconfections.com to order or for locations in Fort Myers and Naples.

Prime 239 Steakhouse: A reservation-only, three-course prix fixe dinner will be held from 4-10 p.m. It includes a selection of soup, a choice of prime NY strip steak or steak with lobster and homemade dessert. $79 per person. Fifty percent off select bottles of wine. (239) 673-8816 for reservations. 1715 Cape Coral Parkway West, Cape Coral; prime239.com

Skillets: Both locations will have Valentine Waffle Hearts with fresh strawberries, home whipped cream, warm homemade strawberry syrup and two thick-cut Smokehouse bacon slices for $13.95 from Feb. 14-18. Cypress Terrace, 13300 S Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, (239 237-2916) and University Village, 10950 Eagle Village Drive, Suite 330 C, Fort Myers, (239) 471-0553; skilletsrestaurants.com

Two Meatballs in the Kitchen: Specials for the day at the Cape location include a Cupids Arrow cocktail with coconut rum, peach schnapps, pineapple and cranberry juices and raspberry syrup, scallops, prime rib, twin lobster tails, sea bass piccata and red velvet cake. 1403 Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral; (239) 347-3013; 2meatballs.com or on Facebook

South Cape Mardi Gras Trolley event

During the 11th event, participants (21-and-up only) will visit eight locations for drink and appetizer samples. Trolley hosts will conduct trivia and giveaways throughout the evening. Festive attire is encouraged. Tickets are $30 in advance ($25 for designated drivers) and can be purchased through Eventbrite. Details on event's Facebook page.

Fort Myers Brewing

A four-day anniversary party — featuring more than 50 rotating specialty craft brews, food trucks and live music — will be held Feb. 22-25. Food will be dished up by new and longtime food truck partners, including Fat Thor’s Smash Burger, Detour Diner, Don’t Give Up, Mad Brunch, South Pizza Co., Wicked Streatery and more. Live music will be performed by Ben Allen Band, Rock Republic, Soapy Tuna, Matt Walden, Wendell Ray, Virgil Cain and more. The brewery’s anniversary party features four days of beer releases, and the main event on Saturday will introduce 50-plus craft brews that will rotate the taps throughout the day. On Sunday, guests will help Kick the Keg with food trucks and specialty beers being poured until the kegs run out.  12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, Fort Myers; (239) 313-6576; FMBrew.com

In case you missed it: 'Feels like home': New Italian restaurant in south Fort Myers has recipe for success

Cracker Dinner

This annual dinner includes door prizes, a silent auction, a buffet dinner and this year's headliner: Author Bernard Malamud, best known for his baseball-themed novel “The Natural." He'll talk about baseball and Fort Myers' spring training history. Cracker Dinner is presented by the Southwest Florida Historical Society. 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26. $45. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Tickets sold at Broadway Palm; (239) 278-4422 or facebook.com/SWFLHS

Robyn George is a food and dining writer for The Fort Myers News-Press. Send news to [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Foodie events include Sanibel's Best Ice Cream opening in Cape Coral