Port Charlotte

14 Let’s Go! E/N/C/V May 30-June 5, 2012IN THE KITCHENTaqueria Tonita Mexican DinerBY DEBBIE FLESSNERSUN CORRESPONDENTSo you think you know Mexican food?Chances are what you believe is a trueMexican dish is more likely Americanized— or Tex-Mex style. And Juan Garcia, one of theowners of Taqueria Tonita Mexican Diner, saysthere’s nothing wrong with that.“We serve authentic Mexican food, everythingis homemade,” he said, “but we’re also implementinga little Tex-Mex into it. People come inhere and ask for hard-shell tacos, but we don’thave that in Mexico.”No problem, though, Garcia has not onlyadded hard-shell tacos to his menu, but alsoother Tex-Mex favorites like chimichangas andwet burritos.Garcia and his family are new restaurant owners,but they already have plenty of experienceThese papers on the wall are items that are nottechnically menu items yet, but are availableto order.cooking the delicious food they’re serving.“There are four of us here,” he said. “Mybrother-in-law has about 12 years of experienceas a cook, but we’re all cooking. Everything isauthentic and everything is homemade.”The authentic Mexican part of the menu isSUN PHOTO BY DEBBIE FLESSNERTaqueria Tonita Mexican Diner has been located on South Tamiami Trail in North Port sinceFebruary.446661May Golf 2012AM $20/18, 4PM $18/18AM $15/9, 4PM $12/9WEEKENDS$18/18, $12/9TEE TIMES888-663-2420Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, North Port, Englewood & Venice50436715BOB TWAY DESIGN COURSEAM........... $39.95PM ...........$29.95AF 2..........$23.00CALL FOR OUR BSGC RATESBook Tee Times on-line atwww.bobcattrailgc.com(941) 429-0500Located off I-75, Exit 179pmW“Experience Pure Golf”GOLF CLU B446659Open to the Public18 Holes w/cart $ .00 (plus tax)179 Holes w/cart $ .00 (plus tax)13Same rates since 2009WALKERSWELCOMEANYTIMENew ProShop!!!“Driving Range / Snack Bar” Open 7-3For Tee Times Call(941) 637-6191 or Proper (800) Attire 579-6191Required29201 S. Jones Loop Rd. • Punta Gorda, FLIBllun Blue I Heron I mi Thn Pines: eoo A Nzftuuir Naturall Wondeir Wonder447050st• Weddings • Anniversaries • Golf Outings• Business Meetings • New Membership OpportunitiesTo Reserve Tee Times Call 941-625-8898Membership Informationor to Hold your Next CelebrationCall 941-276-5349WWW.KINGSWAYCOUNTRYCLUB.COM13625 SW Kingsway Circle, Lake Suzy1 mile east of I-75, Exit 170 (Kings Highway), Left at Kingsway CircleIf you want to play golf in less time and with perhaps less frustration, Blue Heron Pines in Punta G orda is a course well worth considering. An 18-hole, par-60 executivecourse, Blue Heron Pines is semi-private, offering both memberships and pay-as-you-go daily fees. B oth walkers and carts are permitted at all times of the day.“It’s an exciting, fun track to play, yet it’s easy to walk it,” said Bill Itschner, manager of the course and surrounding community. An abundance of water throughout thecourse makes it both challenging and beautiful. Maintaining the course’s rustic, natural beauty is something Itschner has worked hard to achieve.Like other area courses, Blue Heron Pines was hit hard by Hurricane Charley in 2004. But unlike oth er courses that had all the damaged trees removed, Itschner insisted onkeeping the bent and downed trees that were still living.The result is a course with trees that are natural wonders in their own right. Some are so bent you can’t help but know which way the hurricane blew. Others stretch acrossthe ground, determined trees with winding trunks exploding into robust foliage.Purple jacarandas surround creeks and ravines, while several stone formations add to the eclectic mi x.Blue Heron Pines sits in the midst of a community by the same name. The original, nine-hole course was called Emu Lakes, and the community Casa del Mar. While manycourses have alligators on their grounds, Emu Lakes actually had emus.Thirteen years ago, American Land Lease bought the community and golf course, renamed it, and added the front nine holes. Three greens have been rebuilt since HurricaneCharley hit, and two more will be rebuilt this year.“It’s an ongoing process that will continue until all the greens have been rebuilt,” said Itschner.The clubhouse was also rebuilt and expanded to 9,000 square feet, with a commercial kitchen, deck, g ame rooms and meeting rooms added around the original centerclubhouse. In addition to the golf course, the community includes shuffleboard, horse shoes and an aqua driving range that utilizes floater golf balls. Lessons are alsoavailable.Blue Heron Pines golf course is located at 29225 S. Jones Loop Road in Punta Gorda. For information or tee times call 941-637-6191.446913