provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The community welcomed another food and beverage outlet to Sanibel Island on Thursday, June 4, with a ribbon-cutting at Island Panda, 2003 Periwinkle Way, Tahitian Gardens shopping center. The new takeout restaurant specializes in sushi, poke, and hibachi, says owner Eve Alves.
“We welcome Eve back to the dining scene on Sanibel, where she operated Tipsy Turtle prior to its destruction in Hurricane Ian,” said John Lai, chamber president and chief executive officer. “She returns to fill a gap for Asian specialties and build-your-own bowls that islanders and visitors have been clamoring for.”
Alves and her husband, Alex, first moved in 2003 from Florida’s East Coast to Sanibel, where Eve opened The Jac. It later transitioned into Tipsy Turtle.
At Island Panda, talented, sought-after chefs hand-make each sushi roll using the highest quality seafood delivered daily. The house favorite, the Island Panda Roll wraps tempura shrimp, cucumber, and krab inside of tuna, avocado, tempura flakes, eel sauce, and spicy mayo.
Fresh tropical fruits add character to the poke bowls, and grilled veggies mingle with a variety of proteins in the hibachi dishes.
The restaurant opens daily 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Alves says she’s working on other menu additions including desserts and invites the community to stay tuned and stop in often for food on the go or a quick meal on the patio.
“The Chamber has always been the backbone for my businesses on Sanibel,” said Alves. “Their community strength and support are invaluable assets for any local business.”