The Rod & Gun Lodge in Everglade City, Fla.-a dining review.

This is the third in a series of reviews of the attractions I visited while on vacation in southwestern Florida.

After taking an exciting air boat ride through the Everglades, our group decided we had worked up an appetite and were ready for lunch. Our wonderful host scooted us off to the famous Rod and Gun Lodge in nearby Everglades City, Florida. Located at the western gateway to the Everglades National Park, just 4 miles off Rt. 41, it was really convenient.

Entering the front door, I felt like I was taking a step back in time to the early 1900's. Dark wood paneling and leather back chairs were very inviting. The entrance walls were lined with newspaper stories about the Lodge that went back to the early 20's. One that caught my eye was a spectacular photo of the lodge totally engulfed by fire in 1973. What we were seeing was actually a reconstruction of the lodge to it's former glory. There were several large dinning rooms surrounded by walls filled with stuffed animals, and an alligator that was skinned and spread across the wall. Stuffed fox and birds were tastefully peering out from the corners of the room. A large copper fireplace hood was a spectacular rustic touch .There was no doubt that this was a hunting and fishing lodge!

We were fortunate to land a seat at an outside table on the large sweeping veranda. Totally screened in, we were safe from the bugs and could enjoy the beautiful sight of the canal on one side and a man made water fall on the other. Large ceiling fans provided a sweet breeze.

The service was prompt and friendly. This was just the right setting to enjoy an ice cold gin and tonic while we took in the atmosphere. We ordered fried alligator as an appetiser and a house favorite -the grouper sandwich platter. The alligator was fried nicely and crunchy and brown. It was delicious and as predicted, tasted like chicken nuggets. The grouper was juicy and flavor full. Maybe a little too juicy for me as it made the sandwich a little difficult to hold. The gin and tonic was small and too light on the gin, a real disappointment. But the atmosphere more than made up for our disappointment. The bill for three of us having one drink each, no dessert, tax and tip was $90. A little pricey but this F. Scott Fitzgerald experience was well worth the visit! Not recommended for groups with a lot of small kids.