Sometimes, Dessert Just Needs to Come First

From time to time, a place comes along where dessert really just might as well come first. Because, not only is it what the place is famous for, it's also what the place does best. The Bubble Room (watch out, there's audio) on Captiva Island, Florida is just such a place.

So, in honor of that, I'm going to tell you about our dinner there with C's parents backwards -- starting with dessert and ending with bread service.

Bubble Room's Red Velvet Cake is C's favorite cake in the world--so much so that I ordered a whole one to be FedEx'd for his birthday a couple of years ago. Its faintly cocoa flavor and moist buttermilk base are the perfect "delivery system" for the luscious cream cheese frosting and pecans.

Dad ordered the family's other favorite, Orange Crunch Cake. This one has almonds, cinnamon & brown sugar between its dense yellow layers, and a thick layer of orange cream cheese frosting. You can see here that Dad was so excited that he had to get a tiny bite in before C could wield his camera!

Finally, I had to go for Very Moist Chocolate Cake. A bundt cake ("Iza Buunt!"*) layered with fudge toffee and pecan crunch icing, this thing is seriously super-strength. It was enough to keep me awake until nearly 3am!

The Bubble Room puts a cute, kitchy twist on all the names for their entrees. It's pretty entertaining, actually.

C and Dad both had The Eddie Fisherman, local grouper topped with herbs, Ritz crackers and other goodies, then baked in a brown paper bag. The waitron opens the bag tableside with much pomp and circumstance. The fish was totally moist and buttery, and the topping was amazingly delicious.

Mom had The Great One, a bacon-wrapped filet with bearnaise butter and mushrooms. I got a little bite of this, and it was very tasty, and cooked perfectly.

I couldn't help myself when I ordered the Prime Rib Weissmuller, Jane Cut, cooked rare and serve au jus. Prime rib is one of my favorite indulgences, and this was a great version. Just a little bit of gristle around the edges, but the meat was perfectly rare and juicy.

The entrees were all served with standard forgettable vegetables and freaking awesome twice-baked potatoes. Simple starter salads were fine, with pretty good dressings.

We only ordered a couple of appetizers since we knew how much food would be coming. We couldn't pass up the Flaming SocraCheese, which as you might guess is basically Saganaki--Kasseri cheese flambeed with brandy tableside. That there is our Bubble Scout (ya, I know, gag) doing the big "O-pa!" The guy behind her looks pretty terrified, but that's because he didn't get one of these oozy, gooey, tasty slabs of cheese on his table. His loss.

Last, but certainly, most definitely not least is the Bubble Bread & Sticky Buns. Yes, my friends. In a wacky twist of fate, we actually finish our post (and started our meal) with sticky buns. Didn't I say this was my kind of place??

The Bubble Room
15001 Captiva Drive
Captiva, FL  33924
239.472.5558

*My Big Fat Greek Wedding reference here... couldn't resist

Don't forget that the Gastronomie Forum is now open... pop in, say "hello", and share a tip or question.

Comments

[Alison]

what a fun website - thank you for sharing - wish i was in florida!

[Amy]

Must have cake! I'm having such a lousy day a slice of cake could really help...

[Fatemeh]

Amy - Cake makes the world a better place. So the real question is, who makes a good, "I'm having a crappy day" cake?

Alison - So glad you found us! Florida is, indeed, a blessed land. But boy, am I glad to be home in the Bay!

[sam]

i just dont get the scout thing. why?

[Pamela Hall]

Was looking for the recipe for Bubble Bread from the eatery that was in Orlando for many years..the Bubble Room when I found this site...is this a new location for an old standby or a completely different establishment? If I recall the Red Velvet Cake was a feature at the Orlando site...gosh I hope it is the a new location!!!!

[Kristie]

Do you have the recipe for the Orange Crunch Cake? I was just at the Bubble Room a few weeks ago - and that cake was sooooo good! Would love to make it at home. Thanks

[dawn]

if anyone has this orange crunch cake recipe, please share it with me!!! My daughter's 1st bday is coming and would like to make it for the occasion!

[Rita]

Any chance to get the Bubble Room famous Eddie Fisherman and/or the Bubble Bread recipe? This is absolutely heavenly and your article brought back so many fond memories spent at the BR.

[brenda blincoe]

My family just returned from Captiva. We ate at the Bubble Room and Mermaid Kitchen(Sanibel) they both serve orange crunch cake, but won't give out the recipe. It costs a fortune to ship one! My 9 yr old daughter said, "Mom, this is the cake I want for my birthday!" I didn't have the heart to tell her that it costs too much to ship. SO, if anyone can figure out a recipe, please let me know. Thanks.

[Marlene]

Looking for The Bubble Room's Orange Crunch Cake recipe!! Please send ASAP !! Thank you so much!!

[Vantel]

We just returned from Captiva and this place truly does serve the best dessert!!!!!!!!! The orange crunch cake was to die for! We did a comparison between both cakes (and some others) from the Mermaid Kitchen and the Bubble room. The recipes do vary a bit but each had their "Bests". The orange crunch was definately better at the Bubble room!!!!!!!! I, too, would love to make something like this..so if anyone has a recipe?!!

[Katt]

I went to Captiva with my family and we of course tried the orange crunch cake. I'm a small person and I almost ate all of it it was sooo good! My sister's graduation is coming up and it was her favorite cake too so I would really love the recipe. I cook all the time and have been dreaming about making this cake, so please send it asap. (her graduation is in two weeks!!)

[Laura]

Love, love, LOVE the Bubble Room's Bubble Bread! Could've had just that and the Red Velvet Cake as a meal!!!!

[Toni]

White Christmas Cake recipe? I would love to make the Bubble Room's White Christmas cake, any one have the recipe? I would love the bubble Bread one as well. Thank you

[Holly]

Did anyone happen to find the recipe to the Orange Crunch cake and the White Christmas Cake? If so, would you please share it with me. I would like to make it for a birthday today.
Thanks.