Castaways debuts at Punta Gorda’s Fishermen’s Village

Just two and a half months after Tidewater Hospitality Group opened Latitude 26° in the former Captain’s Table space at Fishermen’s Village, the owners debuted a second restaurant in the waterfront complex. 

Castaways opened Sept. 14 in the space below Latitude 26° that was occupied for years by Harpoon Harry’s. 

Although the restaurants share the same location, they offer distinctly different atmospheres and menus. 

Castaways is the more casual of the two, with an atmosphere inspired by the waterfront lifestyle and activity along the pier. It has a relaxed, tropical feel and sweeping 180-degree water views from a centrally located bar. 

Tidewater Hospitality Group partners Lew Bennett and Michael Landsberg describe Castaways as a casual “dockside open-air bar and grill, loud in the best way, and built for flip-flops, boat shoes and one more round at sunset.” It was designed as a place where guests can “wander in for a drink and somehow end up staying ’til dark.” 

On its second day of operation, Dave Beers, chief operating officer of Tidewater Hospitality Group, was on hand to greet guests. By 3 p.m., the restaurant remained busy with patrons of all ages. 

Castaways’ menu also sets it apart from Latitude 26°. Its highest-priced item, an 8-ounce American Wagyu Denver steak, is $32, while many items are priced below $15 or $20. Entrees at Latitude 26° range from about $20 to $70 and include premium hand-cut steaks, meats and seafood, such as Chilean sea bass. 

Castaways has an extensive menu featuring wings, burgers, hot dogs, tacos, handheld sandwiches and shareable appetizers, along with seafood, chicken and beef dishes, some with Caribbean-inspired flavors. Other offerings include salads, soups, fry baskets, crab cakes and shrimp ceviche. 

The Caribbean Mahi Wrap features grilled mahi with mango salsa and lettuce in a flour tortilla. The Island BBQ Pulled Pork is topped with pineapple and the restaurant’s signature barbecue sauce. Tacos from the Sea come with a choice of blackened mahi or grilled shrimp, along with crisp cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado-poblano drizzle and cilantro on four tortillas. 

The signature cocktail is the Shipwreck, a frozen daiquiri made with Bacardí Mango Chile rum and a hint of peach. Other signature drinks include the Jolly Roger, an on-the-rocks margarita made with Patrón 100-proof tequila and Patrón Citrónge, and the Royal Fortune, a frozen margarita. 

Castaways can seat 430. Like Latitude 26°, the restaurant encompasses about 12,000 square feet — “the size of approximately two Olive Gardens,” Beers said. Its size requires six managers and a staff of about 150, he said. 

Beers’ wife, Joyce, is Tidewater Hospitality Group’s hospitality operations director and played a key role in designing the interiors of both restaurants. 

Renovations took months, with both restaurant spaces gutted and rebuilt with new plumbing, electrical systems and layouts. 

Castaways has large TVs and monitors throughout. The former Harpoon Harry’s dance floor and indoor band area have been replaced with tables, while an entertainment area is planned for the outdoor deck. Cameras will provide live video of performers that patrons can watch on screens throughout the restaurant without leaving their seats. 

The restaurant’s bright colors and tropical decor are reminiscent of Key West, with murals depicting Punta Gorda and the surrounding area. Blue, orange and white dominate the color scheme. 

Dave and Joyce Beers, originally from Philadelphia, now call Charlotte County home. Dave Beers has extensive restaurant management experience in the county. 

Beers said local businessman Bennett identified the Fishermen’s Village opportunity and recruited him to develop the restaurant concepts and oversee their execution. As the plans evolved, Landsberg became Bennett’s partner in Tidewater Hospitality Group. 

Landsberg, a financial planner and principal at Landsberg Bennett Private Wealth Management, is also a longtime Punta Gorda business leader. 

Tidewater Hospitality Group is a separate private venture and has no connection to the wealth management firm, Beers emphasized. 

Castaways is at 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Unit A56, in Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.