Is the anything GOOD in Fort Myers!!??
I have just about given up. Cru is good but I have had some poor service from time to time and the food is also hit or miss. I like Harolds on the Bay. The Veranda is so dated its sad. The food tastes like nothing different then I would find at any basic hotel restaurant. The menu and the place its self needs a whole renovation. There is a seafood place in the Bell Tower Mall (the name escapes me right now) which I find to be just awful. I go for the oysters and fried artichokes and thats about it. I do like the sushi at Origami but service seems a little crazy when they are busy. I like Blue Pepper but its nothing I would go out of my way for. I know I am all over the board with this but I am just looking for some ideas.
Suzie
Sep 11, 2006 03:42PM
I should also add, so it doesn't sound like too crazy of a rant, we pretty much like just about everything but Thai, Indian, or cuisines where bell peppers are often used. I am allergic to them.
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Suzie - try Anthony's Trattoria
just south of Bonita Bch Rd , on Hwy 41 - in Bonita Springs of course.
- Steve
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There has gotta be something out there I am missing in Fort Myers. Anyone????
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Technically not in Fort Myers, but just to the south is Chops City Grill in Bonita Springs. I've been there about three times and every meal has been excellent (especially the pork porterhouse). Good attention to detail.
The only downside is some of the underdressed diners (alas, the bane of dining in a tourist area).
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THANKS! I knew there had to be someone out there! I don't mind going outside of Fort Myers to check out a recommendation. I will try it out in the near future.
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Have you tried Sunshine Cafe off McGregor and Mille Sapporo(sp?) in the Publix plaza on Summerlin in Ft Myers?
Someone posted about a fabulous italian/pizza place on McGregor a few months ago...and good Mexican near the Bell Tower. You might want to do a quick search on here to find them. Their names escape me right now.
I don't live in the area (my parents do) so I'm not up to date on what else is out there. We did have a great meal at Cru but the service was just OK and there was a little too much attitude in the place. The food WAS outstanding though.
Good luck!
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I will put Sunshine Cafe and Mille Sapporrro on the list! Thanks. The Italian Place is called Buon Appitio (sp) and I was one of the ones who recommend it. It really is good.
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I have Buon Appetito on my list to try next time we're in town. Sounds great.
If you go, please report back on the two I suggested. I haven't been in a while but my parents and their friends love both of them.
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Don't miss the annual LaBelle Swamp Cabbage Festival (swamp cabbage= hearts of palm). Would maybe look into food in Naples to the south... especially Cuban (in either place).
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I enjoy festivals but I am really looking for restaurants in Fort Myers and the surrounding areas. I will keep a look out for the Swamp Cabbage Festival though! Thanks.
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HEADS UP, swamp cabbage lovers! the festival is coming up quickly!
http://swampcabbagefestival.org/
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My last trip to Fort Myers the best meal was at Bonefish Grill. Fish was cooked exactly to order, we were treated well, and it was among the less expensive meals I had.
I also like Bistro 41 for the meatloaf, though it is criticized as going downhill. In Naples, had good food but bad service at Tommy Bahama's, though they gave a card for a comp to make up, and wonderful contact but ordered poorly at Miss Saigon -- got a special and fried rice but should have gone for pho and grilled pork.
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The pho is awesome at Miss Saigon....I've also had the grilled pork with noodles, highly recommended. I would also suggest the Banh Mi sandwiches...for $3.95 a tremendous and delicious bargain though I wish they would put more cilantro on it. There's a NEW Vietnamese place just opened just south of Wiggins Pass on the east side of the road called "Noodle Saigon" but the prices are much higher than at Miss Saigon and they don't serve Banh Mi from what I've read on their website; haven't been there yet.
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On a recent trip to Naples, we ate at Noodle Saigon and had an excellent meal. It turned out to be the best meal we had the entire vacation. I've been to a number of Vietnamese restaurants and they seem to either be wonderful or pretty bad. The cold summer rolls (we got the shrimp rolls and the tofu rolls) were very fresh. I had the Gulf shrimp with heads in garlic sauce and it was wonderful. My husband always gets Bun with chicken and his was good and my daughter had a tofu and mixed vegetable dish that she enjoyed.
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Thanks, azogal...will have to try it out...co-worker of mine who also loves the chicken pho at Miss Saigon tried the chicken pho at Noodle Saigon and was totally disappointed with the broth. But, I'm still curious about Noodle Saigon and will check it out for myself.
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I'll second this recommendation of Noodles Saigon. Very good service and food - all the usual Vietnamese favorites (except Banh Mi). The rice noodles salads are very good and big enough for two to share. Excellent summer shrimp rolls.
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Courtside Steakhouse at the Sanibel Harbour Resort is excellent. By far my favorite restaurant in Fort Myers. Stop by Charley's Bar in the lobby for a drink before dinner.
McGreggor Cafe is excellent. The nightly specials sell out quick...so get there early!
Other Suggestions:
Sasse's --(Evans just north of Winkler) is wonderful. Totally cute environment.
Decent Mexican food at --Cantina Laredo just north of Bell Tower shops
British Open Pub in Bonita has great "comfort" food
Chops in Bonita-- 1/2 price entrees before 6 come with a drink
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I noticed Cantina Laredo today as I was driving into The Bell Tower Shops (I dont know why I never noticed it before, lol) and from the outside it looks very nice, almost too nice for Mexican. Whats it like on the inside? Dress code, fancy??
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Cantina Laredo is a Texas-based upscale chain that has two locations in Florida: Ft. Myers and Plantation.
We've eaten at the Ft. Myers restaurant a couple times for dinner and liked it for what it is -- Americanized Mexican. My wife ate at the Cantina Laredo in Plantation with a work group for lunch and less impressed than she had been before.
A step above other Mexican restaurants such as Iguana Mia in SW Florida, or La Bamba in Broward County.
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La Casita - on McGregor (in the IONA area)
purple little house-like, perched in the K-Mart shopping
Food was good...might be equal to Iguana - you decide.
small inside - family owned and operated....they want you happy
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casita beats iguana. imo, more authentic!
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I recommend "The Prawnbroker" for seafood. It is on the East side of McGregor up around the intersections with College Parkway or Daniels. (I can't remember the exact location because I always come from Sarasota and drive up Palm Beach Boulevard/McGregor; so I don't pay much attention to the intersecting streets. You'd better get an address, though, because it is hidden away and easy to miss.)
Not surprisingly, I think the best fish served there comes from local waters, so that it is not frozen, but even the (presumably frozen) northern fish is very good. Still, I would stick with grouper, snapper, mahi, redfish, etc. for maximum flavor.
The chefs do not overcook the fish, which is a major criticism I have of other restaurants. The sauces for the fish are particularly good. I am not generally big on restaurant fried fish (anywhere), due to the danger of getting armor-plated breading, but they do not overdo the breading at this restaurant, so it is much better than average. Also, I strongly recommend the fried soft-shelled crab, if it is in season.
However, I think well of the grilled fish, the "en croute" fish, the fish steamed in a bag with spices and vegetables, and the baked fish. The menu rotates, so all of these things may not be on the menu when you go.
I got the impression from your e-mail that you do not care for places with less than a formal restaurant ambience (Cru, Harold's, etc.). While "The Prawnbroker" is certainly a dressy restaurant, it may not meet your standards. The well-maintained restaurant has been around for a long time (a tribute to its high quality, I believe), is in an old building, has a low ceiling, and generally feels a bit "Old Florida," although it has low lighting, white tablecloths and candles, as I recall. The bar is nothing special and feels a bit barren.
In contrast, the wine list is good, and remarkably inexpensive. They have more than the usual low-end wines and sometimes feature wines from small, high-quality California wineries, which do not generally seem to export their wines beyond the West Coast of the United States. The standard pour is six ounces. Keep that in mind when looking at the "wines by the glass" prices. Very impressive--a real deal!
Finally, to give you an idea of "where I am coming from" (as we used to say in the 1960s), I have never been to "Cru," (and will try it, based on your recommendation--thanks!) but do like "Harold's." I tend to disagree with you about "The Veranda," which would get a B+ from me, if we were grading the restaurants. Finally, I lived in Ft. Myers for three years before moving to Sarasota and am a highly engaged "foodie."
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Thanks GFR,
I appreciate such a detailed post and will certainly try the Pawnbroker soon. I do not want to give the wrong impression -- I have no problem with "less than formal" and in fact I tend to enjoy those places more. I am just very frustrated with the lack of decent places here.
To give you an idea of "where I am coming from", I am a HUGE foodie. My family owned restaurants since I was a kid and they were all successful. I, on my own not under Daddys wing, ran restaurants for over 20 years. I study culinary and love to cook. I am just frustrated here with the mediocre food and service which seems to plague Fort Myers.
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On my last trip to Ft. Myers I discovered Vicenzo's which had the best pizza and sub sandwiches I've had in Florida. Their pasta is ok too. It's on South Cleveland about 5 miles south of Daniels, in the same shopping center as a Publix.
There is also a Clam Shack in that center that has decent fried Ipswich clams and lobsters, but has clam chowder that I would expect to find in California, perfectly awful.
Miami Connection on South Cleveland between Colonial and Daniels is a pretty good Jewish deli, especially for that area. I think it's a really good place for breakfast. The only complaint I ever heard about their homemade corned beef hash was that it had too much corned beef and not enough potatoes. That compaint did not come from me; I think it's terrific. I think they're only open for breakfast and lunch.
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I know this is kind of an old post but if you still read this, I have a bunch of suggestions for you.
CinCin is a Mediterranean restaurant in the same plaza as The Prawnbroker. The Tapas menu is great and the service is usually very good. Nice wine list with more boutique wines from around the world. Cozy yet lively atmosphere most evenings.
Yabo is a fairly new Italian restaurant that I keep hearing rave reviews about. I was given a gift certificate for Yabo by a customer of mine who absolutely loves this place. I can't wait to try it based upon his recommendation alone. He's a big foodie who's worked in the restaurant and wine business for years so I trust his judgement. I work at a local boutique wine shop so I hear all the good restaurant buzz.
Yabo serves traditional Italian fare that is all hand made. The owners are foodies who make Italian food like it has been made for centuries; with fresh ingredients and love. I don't know about their wine list or if they are licensed yet but I'm sure you can bring your own bottle for a corkage fee (call first to be sure it's ok to BYOB).
Harold has just opened another restaurant just across the alley from Harold's On Bay (where Eddie Fishbowls used to be). This is a Tapas and wine bar concept called H2. I haven't been there yet but I hear good things so far. It only opened about a month or so ago.
There's a little hole in the wall Thai restaurant on 41 that I love! It's called Suriya Thai and it's on the southbound side of 41 near the K-mart by Winkler Ave. I've only been there a few times and I've never been when they're busy so I don't know how the service is when they're weeded but we've always had polite, helpful and prompt service. We are exploring Thai food so we try something new every time and everything we've had is delicious. We usually get Thai curry of some sort (because we can't find a good place to get Indian Curry in Ft. Myers. Any suggestions?) and the spices are always perfect and the meat and seafood have never been over cooked. We are always wowed by the size of the portions and the presentation of everything is pretty yet not over the top. Not much of a beer and wine list but they do have a few Thai beers that are pretty yummy if you like a kind of light lemony lager. The Thai beer goes nicely to cut the spice of a hot curry (and of course, they will make your curry as hot or as mild as you like it). They offer carry out and deliver locally but I will say we were slightly disappointed with the size of the portions when we picked up take away one night. The take out portions pale in comparison to the portions you receive at sit down service. The atmosphere is not exciting but reasonably typical for a Thai restaurant. They have a nice sushi bar and a HUGE sushi menu but I've never had the sushi there so I can't vouch for it (we go there when we crave curry ;-). I've seen people eating sushi and it looked nice and fresh and beautifully made.
If you like sushi, Blu Sushi is considered to be the best place in town. Kind of pricey but worth it from everything I hear. We're not big sushi eaters so we haven't been there but everyone says Blu is the best. It's in the same plaza as CinCin and The Prawnbroker (that whole corner is loaded with great restaurants and there are more places packed in there than you probably realize).
Another plaza teaming with good restaurants is The Bridge plaza. It's at the corner of College and McGregor. Cafe Cibo is an excellent Tuscan style restaurant with a terriffic wine list. They serve the most incedible grilled meats and fish served with traditional, yet inventive sauces and sides. The first time I went there, I ordered the veal chop with porccini mushroom sauce and truffled mashed potatoes. It was gorgeous! The chop was almost 3 inches thick and grilled to perfection with the rich sauce and mashed potatoes and just a simple sprig of rosemary as garnish. Beautiful, simple and absolutely delicious! The dining room is small so call for reservations and bring a friend because more people need to know about this place because it is really a great little restaurant. The food isn't cheap but it's not too expensive either and absolutely worth every penny. The servers are wine savvy, pleasant and attentive. You must not miss this restaurant!
Jayne's Victorian Garden is in the same plaza and only open for lunch. They serve mostly vegetarian fare and have a small organic grocery selection that they use to make the loveliest food. My wine shop has hosted 2 ladies dinners there (by special reservation and the owners are friends) and it has be wonderful both times. The sweets and deserts are different but delicious and made from all natural and more hypo allergenic ingredients. Jayne, the proprietor, has many food allergies and created this restaurant to showcase the incredible foods she and her husband have created because of those allergies. So if you have wheat, soy, dairy or other food allergies, Jayne's can create something that you can actually eat without worrying that you forgot your epi-pen. Regardless of your food allergies or lack thereof, the lunch menu at Jayne's is fresh and delicious and you'll never guess that anything is made with alternative ingredients. In fact, those ingredients make typical foods taste a lot better than usual. Jayne's caters frequently and also hosts afternoon tea in and out of the restaurant. A must try restaurant that you can feel good about what you ate afterwords.
The Bridge plaza is also home to the best Philly cheese steak in town at Philly Connection. They make great breakfast too! The owners run it themselves and the service is friendly and quick. A great lunch stop when you just gotta have a good cheese steak. They make other Philly favorites including fried scrapple for breakfast. Sorry, no giant soft pretzels on the menu but they make killer onion rings and have PA Dutch birch beer in a can! A little taste of home for people like me. They deliver locally but only for orders over $20.
As far as Mexican is concerned, I have two favorites in Ft. Myers. The first is La Casita. It's on McGregor; the little purple restaurant in the front of the K-mart plaza on the way to Ft. Myers beach, just before the Gladiolus intersection if headed south on McGregor. Bright, fun atmosphere. Service is usually good and the food is good and authentic. The beans can sometimes be a little too salty and the chimichangas are disappointing but everything else I've had is excellent. The Basil Chicken is delicious and the Wet Burritos are huge and tasty. They only have a beer and wine license with a scant wine list and domestic and Mexican beers, but they make a nice Margarita with wine instead of Tequila. I drink enough wine so their short wine list doesn't bother me. I prefer a Margarita with Mexican food and the way they make it, you'd never know it was made with wine.
My other favorite, even though it's kind of a dive and not in the best area and they have terrible parking, is Jalapenos on 41 near downtown. It's painted bright green but it's still somewhat easy to miss because it's a little hidden by the building next to it. Once again, it's terrible to get in and out of because they only have one narrow row of parking, but the food is super good, super cheap and worth the aggravation of navigating that area of 41. There is a Jalapenos in Edison Mall now and another on College Pkwy but none of them make food as good as the dive on 41. The 41 location is self service with a dining room (they call your number in Spanish first then English if no one responds ;-), the one on College is full service but I've only eaten there once and was disappointed by a rather lackluster and watery taco salad. The 41 location serves the best 50c tacos that are fresh with lots of cilantro and served with lime wedges. My favorite is the shrimp quesadilla and my husband loves the gigantic chimichanga. The beans and rice are just right and the salsa's are traditional. The best part is, most of the meals are under $5. Everyone else can go to Iguana Mia and pay twice as much for food that isn't nearly as good as Jalapenos and that's why I don't mind risking the fenders on my car to eat there instead.
I'm going to end this now but I have more suggestions for great restaurants if you want them. There are lots of great little restaurants in Ft. Myers, you've just gotta know where to find them. I'm glad I stumbled upon this blog and I hope you get a chance to try some of these restaurants. Let me know what you think. Bon apitite!
P.S. Sunshine Cafe is one of my favorites too. Hope you've tried it.
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Niko...I live in Naples and we have a Blu Sushi here...is yours related to ours? Can't help but wonder..Blu Sushi is awesome!!!!! Yes, a bit pricey...we love Sushi-Thai for more affordable fresh sushi AND great cooked Thai foods here in Naples (we have 2 locations now!) but I did not know that Blu Sushi opened a Ft. Myers store also IF it's the same...do you know??? We love going to Blu Sushi for special occasions! Thanks!
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Blu Sushi in Naples is done by the same company who did the one here in Fort Myers.
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Blue Sushi was in Fort Myers first then opened in 3rd st. South. H2 is a great little tapas bar and serves lunch so Harold's is a dinner only place now. I eat at h2 all the time. Menu rotates frequently. Wines are good and will improve as the restaurant get's in the groove.
It is the most attractive place in town at this point, at least in the "River District".
Over the weekend I had a great dinner at Blue Water, the latest offering from the Chops group in the instantly popular Coconut Point. Outstandingly prepared tripletail served with a parmesan corn couscous. We stopped for chocolate bread pudding at Bistro 41 on our way home and the Bell Tower seemed deserted and very sad. Pathetic live music offering. Oh dear.
I agree about Jalapenos being better than Iguana Mia. It is hugely popular with local hispanic families. I still prefer Cantina Laredo for the freshness of its ingredients and much better cocktails.
No one mentions Courtney's here. Nor Tratoria Napoli, stuck in a tiny strip on 41. These are wonderful places with independent spirits. LMF
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Thanks for much for taking the time and typing this all out! I am printing it as we speak!
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You also might want to try The Sandy Butler. It is on McGregor on the way to Fort Myers Beach. The restaurant there seems to focus on fresh ingredients and there is also a great market in the same building. They serve both lunch and dinner. Somewhat higher prices than Fresh Market for groceries, but if you are in need of some obscure product, it's the only place to look around here. I love to go there and browse for inspiration.
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I love that place and go there often to shop!
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cuban restaurant in a-1 video store toward bokeelia from the pine island road t-intersection with stringfellow.
my review:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/466933
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sad to relate the owner, Barbara, died just about 6 weeks ago, and the cuban resto closed.
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If you like steak, we've found Stonewood Grill & Tavern (corner of College Pkwy and Hwy 41 [also known as Cleveland]) has to-die-for filet mignons. The steak melts in your mouth. (Sides are scrumptious, too - hats off to chef)
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A big surprise find from my visit last season was Sasse's, and I'm already looking forward to returning this March. This is my post from last March:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/378890
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I suppose a Chili Dog at Sonics is not what your'e looking for then
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Hi Suzie, I'm not sure if you are still reading this blog, but I have felt the same way as you at times and have made it my goal to read reviews and try the hidden gems around here and see if I can find some authentic delicious food worth paying for as opposed to just staying home and making it myself (which I thoroughly enjoy.) The answer is yes! I have found some recent discoveries, and I have to share the place I tried last night!
It's called La Trattoria Cafe Napoli- it's a small place located North of the College & 41 intersection on U.S. 41 in that orange roofed plaza on the right hand side, close to the big Sun Trust Bank. Do not be turned away by the outer appearance of this place, the inside is much nicer, and the food is just great. The Chef's name is Gloria Cabrales and she's Cuban, but makes amazing italian food with Spanish and cuban inspirations.. The seasonings were just perfect. It's an unpretentious environment with food lovers inside.
I also love Buon Apettito off of College Parkway with their homemade mozzarella and cavatelli. Great! Both of these places are very reasonable prices.. one would think for the taste they would be more. They also have limited seating so either be prepared to wait or call ahead.
I know that you said in the local area- but in case you're ever looking for some special French Food, go to Chardonnay Nouveau in Naples. I have personally worked with the Chef and the food there is upscale "homey" (if that makes any sense) French food from the South of France. The Chef is an expert saucier. The Dover Sole is their signature dish, as well as the escargot (done a different style- the best) and their souffles are famous. My recommendation for an app is also the Diver Scallops made with the best sauce that will elevate you and lose you in a dream for a moment. Good luck- let me know what you think.
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regarding Trattoria d'Napoli...shhhh. That is my favorite place but I seldom mention it. It is packed enough and will lose much of its specialness if it had to move to a larger space. Her Paella Valencia is spectacular and she usually has excellent reasonable bottles of wine that are specific to her cuisine, not just some Southern Spirits sales rep promotion. I think it is charming and romantic.
How recently were you to Buon Appetito? The last few times I went (I live very close by) it was poor. It's spark was gone, owing to the mass throngs of seniors plate sharing I would guess. Their second location has closed and they just have the one now. Maybe that would help. I first wrote about it maybe 3 years ago here and I know regret emailing Jean deBoeuf regarding it. His review in the appalling News Mess sent masses of bargain hunters into the place. I'll give it another go, if you think it is good again. Thanks LMF
Who bought Chardonnay. Is Chardonnay Nouveau in the same location? The old one closed last year and I haven't paid much attention since then. It had not kept up with the times and it was time for it to close.
New one sounds great. I took cooking classes in the south of France centuries ago and I have loved their food ever since.
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Hi, LMF
Well, I ate at Buon Apetito last about a month ago, and it was on a Thursday evening. It was full (of course since there's only 8 tables) and I had a pasta with shrimp which was very good and big portions.. but my husband had something much better- Veal Sorrentino with eggplant prosciutto and fresh mozzarella, it was delicious. Then we had a limoncello dessert which we've never had before and it was like a dream. I tried to go back the other night with some friends but I guess we got there too late (almost 9) and the kitchen was closing. We really enjoyed ourselves, although i can't compare to how it was before.
Chardonnay Nouveau is pretty great, they have some Nouveau dishes but still have some of the old classics too. The Chef is so talented. I do know that they changed management though, so I'm not sure how that's affected the kitchen.
-Pamela
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All these posts pretty much mention what's decent in the area. For those of you that don't mind traveling a bit, there's a place up in Punta Gorda called The Perfect Caper run by a husband and wife team. Great place. I've only been there twice but both times we were more than pleasantly surprised. It can be a bit pricey but it's well worth the trip. It only took 45 minutes from Estero during rush hour. Also went to EVOO down in North Naples for the first time. Another pricey place but I though the food was of high quality, well prepared and service was professional. Cru is always first on my list but I'm starting to dislike that "meat market" atmosphere as you get close to the weekend.
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Oops. Almost forgot about Farfalle in the strip mall on the corner of 41 and Corkscrew.
Italian by way of Florida but very fresh and well prepared. Again, not inexpensive, but as I'm realizing, the better restaurants like Chops, and Wylds, and Cru, and The Perfect Caper, etc. are charging around the same $26 to $36 average per entree and $9 to $16 for appetizers. Wines are being priced in the stratosphere in my opinion. All worth it for the occasional splurge.
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wow, that is an expensive range for entrees.
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I live about 50 miles south of Ft. Myers (Marco Island) and the only reason I ever drive to Ft. Myers is the Farmer's Market Restaurant on Edison.
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Really? I've heard of that but didn 't know what to expect. What kinds of things do they offer?
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It's very southern and does a huge breakfast business. Collard greens, okra, fried chicken livers, grits, etc. Very sweet tea. Not my kind of place but good for its type. Always lots of she riff's cars in the lot. Most either hate it or love it. I'm firmly in the middle. <G> LMF
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do you know the name or address of the market
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http://farmersmarketrestaurant.com/co...
It's suffered this past year as road work made it inaccessible many days. Roads are done, sort of, now. It's in a grimy industrial area of Fort Myers.
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If you look hard enough and you are willing to be adventurous, then there are some pretty good food options in Fort Myers. I am a native New Yorker and my family just moved down there recently. I thought it was going to be a struggle to find good food, but I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Some places that I have found to be decent:
Cafe