Waterfront eatery keeps award streak alive

MARCO ISLAND — Sale e Pepe, a gourmet Italian restaurant at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort, recently won its 12th consecutive Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine.

Sale e Pepe is the only Marco Island restaurant to receive the prestigious award for its top-quality wine list, according to a statement. Honorees must offer a wine list of typically 350 or more selections; consistently provide a superior presentation; and display either vintage depth - with several vertical offerings of top wines - or excellent breadth across several wine regions, the release adds.

Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Sale e Pepe, with an authentic Italian cuisine menu, offers alfresco dining on The Terrace or elegant dining indoors. In addition to the recognition from Wine Spectator, Sale e Pepe has been recognized as a AAA Four Diamond award-winning restaurant each year since 2006 and was ranked No. 2 among Marco Island's top restaurants on USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards.