New restaurant Latitude 26° debuts waterfront dining spot

Latitude 26°, the newest restaurant at Fishermen's Village, opened to the public June 29 after months of renovations to the second-floor space formerly occupied by Captain's Table. The restaurant is accessible by stairs or a private elevator. 

Latitude 26° offers a polished coastal dining experience centered on seafood, hand-cut steaks, prime rib, craft cocktails and an extensive wine selection. The restaurant features enclosed waterfront dining with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Charlotte Harbor, along with an outdoor patio that extends the length of the building. 

Before the official opening, Dave Beers, chief operating officer of owner Tidewater Hospitality Group, and Joyce Beers, the company's hospitality operations director, invited hundreds of family members, friends and guests to preview the restaurant during invitation-only events June 26-27. Guests sampled selections from several menus as the staff conducted a final trial run before opening day. 

Dave Beers said the preview events were designed to ensure operations ran smoothly before the public opening. Guests paid only for drinks, with proceeds from beverage sales and tips benefiting local charities. Nearly 1,000 meals were served over the two days. 

To manage the crowds, guests were assigned arrival times in 15-minute intervals. The restaurant's 80 to 90 newly hired employees used the events as part of their training while serving hundreds of diners over the two afternoons and evenings. 

The Beers transformed the 12,000-square-foot restaurant into an open, coastal-inspired space featuring white, neutral and blue tones. 

Nearly every seat offers views of Charlotte Harbor. While the bar faces an interior wall, a large monitor displays a live harbor feed from cameras mounted outside the building. 

Boat traffic through the harbor draws diners' attention throughout the meal, and a mix of standard, high-top and outdoor seating provides sunset views from the second floor. 

Although the Beers have years of experience in restaurant management and renovations, they said this marks the first restaurant they have designed from the ground up. 

In addition to the Beers, Tidewater Hospitality Group is owned by local residents who plan to open a second restaurant, Castaways, in late July in the former Harpoon Harry's space on the first floor. Like Latitude 26°, the restaurant will occupy 12,000 square feet and was designed by the Beers. 

The project began when Lew Bennett identified the opportunity and recruited Dave Beers to develop the restaurant concepts and oversee their execution. As plans evolved, Michael Landsberg joined the venture as a partner. Landsberg, a financial planner and principal at Landsberg Bennett Private Wealth Management, and Bennett are longtime Punta Gorda business leaders. 

Although the restaurants share the same location, each will offer a distinct atmosphere and menu. 

Latitude 26° provides an upscale waterfront dining experience, while Castaways will feature a more casual dockside setting. Beers described Castaways as an energetic, social restaurant with an open-air bar-and-grill atmosphere inspired by the waterfront lifestyle and activity along the pier. 

Latitude 26° is at 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Unit A55, in Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.