SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. (Jan. 15, 2013)—Sanibel Island’s five-star dining restaurant, Il Cielo, has added Angela Morales as manager.

Meaning “the sky” in Italian, Il Cielo is located at 1244 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island and features eclectic fine dining as well as the more casual Cloud 9 Grille.

Morales has more than 20 years experience in the food and beverage industry and most recently served as managing sommelier for Angelina’s Ristorante in Bonita Springs. Her career also includes serving as experience coordinator for Land Resource in Orlando, sommelier for Naples Tomato and general manager/sommelier for Aqua Grill in Naples.

She is a certified sommelier and a Culinary Institute of America graduate with an associate of occupational studies degree in culinary arts. During her career, she has earned numerous one and two glass Wine Spectator Awards for her wine lists.

Morales has been involved with a number of local charities including being chosen to participate as a sommelier for the Naples Winter Wine Festival for consecutive years and she has served on the committee of the Southwest Florida Wine and Food Festival for the past three years.

In her new position, Morales will work with Il Cielo’s General Manager Bruce Ronty and Executive Chef Neil Griffin in managing the restaurant and staff while overseeing an intimate wine list that compliments the eclectic nature of the menu.

“We are very pleased to have someone with Angela’s industry experience and knowledge on our team,” said Ronty. “She is definitely an asset to our island residents and visitors from across the globe.”

“I am looking forward to working with Bruce and Neil to make Sanibel a food and wine destination,” said Morales. “Our wine selections will favor the locally grown, sustainable and organic nature of our menu.”

Morales added that currently 50 percent of Il Cielo’s wine list consists of sustainable organic wines.

The Il Cielo menu has been revamped and now offers a more eclectic sampling in addition to a number of favorites from last season’s menu including mussels, traditional meatballs, linguini and clams, pastas, filet and lamb. New items featured on the Cloud 9 menu include Baja fish tacos, lobster mac and cheese, a six-ounce New York strip, wild-caught Salmon and more.

Menu items range from $4 to $38. Hours are daily from 5 to 10 p.m.

For more information, visit www.ilcielosanibel.com or call (239) 472-5555