653788 Mon Sep 21 04:35:14 -0700 2009 50 10 Florida 0 5045324 I'm looking for the best restaurants in the following cuisines/styles: ITALIAN - there's some place mentioned a lot, located on College Parkway near Cleveland? I'm a big fan or fresh, stuffed pastas, like ravioli -- esp. with seasonal ingredients. maybe seasonal, like sweet potato gnocchi with brown butter & sage sauce. MEDITERRANEAN -- isn't there a place around College (or Daniels?) that is Italian and other Med. food, because the owners are not Italian? MIDDLE EASTERN -- braised lamb, stuffed vine leaves, mezze PIZZA -- i like all styles, but ingredients must be top quality. wood burning or coal fired oven a plus. "Old Monty's" in Punta Gorda is the very best (pizza and strombolis -- GREAT!), but it is a special trip to get it. INDIAN - again, quality ingredients very critical. CHINESE -- not "americanized" gloppy stuff, but somewhat CLOSE to authentic -- Cantonese or Hunan/Szechuan specialties a plus CUBAN -- I'm a big fan of Rincon Cubano in the Cape. Is there any better? TAPAS THAI -- must have FRESH rice noodles so I can get my fix of drunken noodles. good som tum a plus. GREEK -- all types, from gyros up to more elaborate dishes with seafood, lamb, etc. SEAFOOD -shrimp, grouper, snapper, smoked fish.... CHEESEMONGER -- retail sales of gourmet cheeses BEST REUBEN Sandwich BEST BBQ -- RIBS and Pulled Pork FRENCH -- Heck, I'm an optimist! ;-)). and while I'm asking: does anyone know where I can buy some fresh green (new, raw) peanuts to make boiled peanuts? or where I can buy some good BOILED PEANUTS? ..... NOTE: I'm looking ONLY for recommendations in FORT MYERS, N. FT. MYERS, CAPE CORAL, PINE ISLAND, (maybe also Ft. MYERS BEACH). Please give me your top picks. THANKS (NOT interested in recommendations in Naples, Bonita, etc., where I know the "pickins' are better, but I'm limited.) Mon Sep 21 04:35:14 -0700 2009 105717 alkapal 1 5045694 I know Mexican is not on your list but it's the one cuisine I can cast a definite vote for best in class: La Casita http://tinyurl.com/n5mbdl Mon Sep 21 07:55:51 -0700 2009 5045324 221363 Bumstead 2 5046548 la casita, the purple shack? with the great carnitas and dark dos equis in a pitcher? plus, great fresh roasted salsa and chips?! i like it! Mon Sep 21 12:06:27 -0700 2009 5045694 105717 alkapal 1 5046064 SEAFOOD: Skip One in Ft. Myers. Not fancy but good. http://tinyurl.com/SkipOne A bit off topic again but I've come to realize in the short time I've been here that the best seafood will come from your own kitchen. With that in mind I've taken the liberty to add FISHMONGER. I consider one of my real "finds" the Jug Creek Fish Market on Pine Island. It doesn't get any fresher than this. He also has great smoked mullet that he smokes himself in a converted refrigerator. It's at the end of Tortuga St. in Bokeelia. I'd say follow the signs but there aren't any. http://tinyurl.com/JugCreek Mon Sep 21 09:44:00 -0700 2009 5045324 221363 Bumstead 2 5046594 bumstead, this jug creek fish market is news to me, but i'll check it out. thanks. i looked at google "look around" and there does not seem to be any commerical spot, but i'm willing to give it a shot for decent smoked mullet. my nephew fishes around there, and i want to find a place that offers prepared/restaurant "real" food, so that i can go get good fish when he has not ventured out in his boat. i don't want tourist food. also, tell me more about skip one, if you would. Mon Sep 21 12:17:31 -0700 2009 5046064 105717 alkapal 3 5046701 believe it or not you were "looking" right at it. 2 buildings at the end of the drive. The one on the right is a small marine store, on the left is the fish "market". No signs or anything. Skip One looks like an old fast food type place, It's small and no frills but you're there for fish, not ambiance.. We went last March and it was busy. Service was friendly and quick once we got in. We did have to wait but the food was very good. Mon Sep 21 12:50:02 -0700 2009 5046594 221363 Bumstead 2 5110474 Just back from Jug Creek. Stone Crab is $8.00 lb. and, with a bit of bay seasoning, made for a great lunch. I also picked up 4 mullet. When I told him they were for smoking he gave me 4 intended for his smoker that he had just filleted. Sat Oct 17 11:44:11 -0700 2009 5046064 221363 Bumstead 3 5110738 hi bumstead, did you see my post about smoked mullet with swamp mustard? Sat Oct 17 14:04:52 -0700 2009 5110474 105717 alkapal 4 5110772 I just checked it out. It does sound good, I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks. Sat Oct 17 14:23:33 -0700 2009 5110738 221363 Bumstead 1 5046338 BANGKOK THAI 11751 SOUTH CLEVELAND YOU WONT GO WRONG, UNBELEIVABLE VOLCANO CHICKEN, AWESOME PAD THAI AND APPETIZERS, ALL THE VEGGIES WERE CRISP AND FRESH AND CLEAN PLACE, GO BACK EVERYTIME WE GO THRU THERE TO FT MYERS BCH Mon Sep 21 11:08:13 -0700 2009 5045324 1095207 seminole phil 2 5046573 seminole phil, can you give me a concept about the fresh rice noodles, please? and hold the caps, if you would. Mon Sep 21 12:13:28 -0700 2009 5046338 105717 alkapal 1 5047044 i really dont know much about their noodles other than they are awesome and not glued together Mon Sep 21 14:27:04 -0700 2009 5045324 1095207 seminole phil 1 5048330 Thai: believe it or not Siam Hut in Cape Coral makes a pretty decent Phad Thai, but the real treat is the green curry. Pizza: I like Sal's on Cape Coral Pkwy in the Cape. Cuban, stick with Rincon Cubano, you aren't going to get much better outside of Havana Tue Sep 22 04:50:02 -0700 2009 5045324 1107098 Rusyoak 1 5048703 For Italian I'd recommend La Trattoria Café Napoli, 12377 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. We went last spring based on recommendations in this thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/324960 and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's pretty nondescript looking from the outside but inside was warm and friendly. Luckily we were there early as it's small and filled up quickly. Tue Sep 22 07:49:42 -0700 2009 5045324 221363 Bumstead 2 5049261 Trattoria d Napoli is more mediterranean than italian but it is very good. I've never seen the kind of pasta Alkapal is looking for there. The chef/owner is locally known for her paella. Is she still open, however. I'd call first. Tue Sep 22 10:38:39 -0700 2009 5048703 10438 LilMsFoodie 3 5052588 Passed by today - they're still there... Wed Sep 23 11:25:44 -0700 2009 5049261 221363 Bumstead 1 5049297 No french in Fort Myers. The only little French style storefront closed overnight about a month ago. It was about time as it had deteriorated with new ownership. Cheesemonger has been brought up here. I don't like 55 in Gulf Coast. The last two cheeses I bought from her at the Green Market here in town had the taste of refrigerator, not a good sign. The Sandy Butler has good cheeses. Better to go there in season when stuff is moving. Desparation can take you to Fresh Market which has some ok selections but everthing is wrapped up like mummies. I like to buy fish at Skip One when I don't feel like driving to Fort Myers Beach or Matlacha but it is not really for dining, it is more for scarfing down ok fish. Miserable wine in little plastic cups...need I say more. This isn't some waterside place. Just a throwback. Greek here is dismal. Others may disagree. Drive to Naples. Best Reuben: Fort Myers does jewish deli very poorly. Miami Connection had good corned beef, but alas, they have closed. Boiled Peanuts are sold at roadside stands in high season. Otherwise I don't know where. Chinese food in Fort Myers...absolutely nothing edible here IMHO. Again, travel south. Fort Myers is a white bread kind of town. LMF Tue Sep 22 10:47:00 -0700 2009 5045324 10438 LilMsFoodie 2 5057876 LMF, I heartily agree with you. Slim pickings for any very good food for Alkapal in the area. H2 had tapas, but with Harold gone, I'd not rely on it anymore. Siam Hut gets rave reviews from my FT Myers friends for Thai. Which French style place closed down? Fri Sep 25 09:36:21 -0700 2009 5049297 138338 An Insatiable Appetite 3 5058628 My post disappeared. Do you know what Harold is going to do. I knew his wife's sister but do not see her anymore. If Bell Tower were not on life support, I'd pull for him to open in the old D'Amico space. The kitchen style would suit him, wood oven, big piano cooktop, lots of carry out space. He could polish off Cru. French place: First it was Andre's, lovely for crepe lunches, simple dinners and spectacular pastries. Andre's made the pastries for the Ritz Carlton for many years. Then it was called LaLavande with pretty murals, basically the same food but a different pastry chef...good but not as good. Last owner, well, it didn't last long. When I started going there everyone spoke in French. Very charming and french sans Gauloises stench. They disappeared in the middle of the night. In a little strip where Cafe Cibo, Crave and Pizza Fusion are. Also the worst of the worst Greek places.... Fri Sep 25 13:57:37 -0700 2009 5057876 10438 LilMsFoodie 4 5059704 Harold is mum so far on his options... dunno who will take over Cru "Lite" and get it off the tired Kagan's back. Bistro 41 leaves them in the dust. Besides Harold's and H2, Harold's done some amazing, tasty and creative catering for high end customers in Naples. I'd hire him for catering in a New York second-most of the other caterers have the same items, year after year-you can sometimes tell who the caterer is, by a quick look at, or bite of an item.. Yep, he has some good options open to him, just needs an investor who puts quality ahead of quantity, and solid long term profits ahead of a quick fix and flip situation.. Wonder if he (and others) may follow Scott Sopher and Brian Roland to greener pastures in larger restaurants in Naples. Rumor has it that some are looking.. Re French place. Andre is baking the superb goodies at Naples French Bread Oven-I've picked up a few dozen bread and pastry treats, and am still going strong! While they sell some bread at the Ft Myers Green Market, it's not an ideal setting, and the variety of pastries is worth coning south, and getting a dozen! . If I lived in Ft Myers, I'd consider a membership at Blue Coyote, based only on two friend's positive reports. Pay more get more. I may hae to go way up to Pine Island aea for Red's and some other spots to get good seafood north of Collier county. Sad. So far, Bonefish Grill has the best seafood and steaks in Cape Coral. I've never been disappointed at that one, or the Naples one. Alkapal, wish I could deliver better news! Sat Sep 26 07:17:30 -0700 2009 5058628 138338 An Insatiable Appetite 5 5060078 I was a member at Blue Coyote for a while. I'd rather cook at home. Outback does a great job with Bonefish Grill. Sat Sep 26 10:48:43 -0700 2009 5059704 10438 LilMsFoodie 6 5071165 LMF, Thank you, saved me a trip! Wed Sep 30 20:36:47 -0700 2009 5060078 138338 An Insatiable Appetite 1 5075857 Alkapal, Are you driving down? I recently drove to/from the Clearwater area and saw signs for green peanuts and boiled peanuts at roadside stands/produce tents on 301 between Ocala and Hawthorne. Have a good trip! Fri Oct 02 21:55:05 -0700 2009 5045324 111267 meatn3 2 5076308 Harold Balink and Shannon Yates are now co-chefs at Cru. I expect the Kagans to sell Cru's lease contract to them in 2010 at a very good price, and thus gracefully extract themselves from Cru. Over the past few years,Cru has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows for the Kagans and dismissed staff. Can Harold and Shannon make Cru successful? They have my vote! With the moves of Scot Sopher and Brian Roland to Naples, there's not many very good spots left in Fort Myers. I hope they change the restaurant name, for a fresh start in peoples minds. With a pair of very competent and complementary chefs, I expect very good things. Sat Oct 03 08:24:46 -0700 2009 5075857 138338 An Insatiable Appetite 3 5076312 Last I talked to Shannon his non compete clause was not up till May of 2010. After that he can get in the kitchen. Did something change? Personally I think CRU is a waste of time and money. The last meal I had there was horrible and I am done with the place. Sat Oct 03 08:27:50 -0700 2009 5076308 15229 Suzie 4 5076398 Lawyers make a very profitable living finding loopholes in contracts. Shannon may not be "in the kitchen" till May, however he can cook up goodies and tapas at a portable table at the bar,, as "bartender" or whatever they need to title him as, to not displease Bacchus.. He'll l be a chef in deed, if not in name, to suit the contract. That may put a smile on his face. For the contract non-compete, perhaps Harold will be Executive Chef till end of May, then things change, and Shannon can put his toes back in the kitchen. Sat Oct 03 09:15:40 -0700 2009 5076312 138338 An Insatiable Appetite 5 5076425 Yeah he told me about his plans about the kitchen at the bar but I even joked about I am sure they can't keep him out of the kitchen and he got very serious and made is very clear that his contract will not let him in the kitchen till May. He seemed a little upset about it but he also said it was an agreement reached by all parties involved. Sat Oct 03 09:30:08 -0700 2009 5076398 15229 Suzie 6 5076566 I smell fiasco. Two very strong personalities with differing styles in the kitchen. Not particularly complementary, I don't see that. Good luck to them. I hope they come up with a completely different menu, style and name. Cru needs to be buried along with the era of excess that created it. Sat Oct 03 11:08:05 -0700 2009 5076425 10438 LilMsFoodie 7 5078581 LMF, You know these Fort Myers personalities far better than I, with my few visits to each spot, I value your opinion. Upside is, both chefs get paid till May,or till they find something better. Downside, Cru just continues its death spiral. With your take on things, I wouldn't bet against you on this Odd Couple lasting long past May. This doesn't bode favorably for any one betting on Cru, leat alone buying Cru within the next year. or two. Sun Oct 04 14:52:25 -0700 2009 5076566 138338 An Insatiable Appetite 8 5078666 I'm certainly not betting against them. I hope they succeed. We need good independents. It is hard. I am part of the group that is to blame, and I know it. When we want to have a night out, we drive to Naples or up to Sarasota or a weekend on the east coast. I've eaten at Carrabbas twice in the past month. I love their mussels, they are better than any others including some first tier independents. We sit at the counter facing the grill and watch them cook our dinner. Friday we went fishing at Blind Pass. Cap-San village. We had perfect Appalachicola oysters, spicy french fries and ice cold Foster beer. It doesn't get better than that, at least for me. They have a tiny menu, a few things done well, just a great little fish shack. They do grouper perfectly. They will cook your own fish for you. They make money in any economy, at least at that location. I just wish restaurants would try to focus on a few things they do in a superior way. That used to be a model that worked for good restaurants and I think its time has come again. I think they would be better off and would be able to improve their profit picture. Just my opinion, of course. LMF Sun Oct 04 15:41:15 -0700 2009 5078581 10438 LilMsFoodie 9 5081316 LMF, Which restaurant served the oysters? What would be your top 5 picks for dining in the Greater Fort Myers area? Mon Oct 05 18:07:59 -0700 2009 5078666 138338 An Insatiable Appetite 10 5082262 Lazy Flamingo in Cap San Village had the oysters. They are the best I've found here, although some of that opinion will be colored by location and the fact that I've always spent a morning on the beach or fishing and the cool briny flavor combined with ice cold beer is perfect in that setting. Do I have any top picks in Fort Myers. Hard to say right now. So many places cutting corners, surly help because their income is so far down (creating a bigger spiral down for them), I am hard pressed. Dives: Berts Bar (for their potato chips and fish sandwiches only) and the spectacular view of pine island sound. Lazy Flamingo for oysters. Their slogan is "life in the raw". I only would go to the original LF, not the one on Periwinkle, which doesn't have the "ambience". Bistro 41: kudos to a place knowing what they do well and sticking to it. Very good bartenders mixing a good drink. They could do a little better on their wine, but I'm not complaining. I shudder to put this in my list but the Carrabbas on 41 near Bell Tower does the best mussels around. Carrabbas has their own mussel fields and so they have a steady primo supply. Ducale Gold Chianti is cheap there, showing the restaurant has a good attitude towards wine. Not a fine wine place. Suzy will scream, but I am going to put The Veranda on the list for now. Yes, it is old fashioned but they know who they are and they stick to their style. I think the old fashioned style is needed. "Foam", Coulis of whatever, balsamic reductions, etc have their place but they are tiresome after a while. Cheese grits, perfectly poached fish, salads assembled tableside by waiters that have been there for 20-25 years. We have had several dinners there lately for business as they are one of the few places that has dedicated rooms for this, and they have been excellent. (we had one dinner at Angelina's and it was horrible: cold food, incompetent service, tough veal, etc.) I had grouper meunier two weeks ago and it was perfect. Not many kitchens can do a traditional meunier presentation. I had one at one of the first tier restaurants in Naples that used Panko instead of a light dusting of flour. It was a soggy disgusting mess. The place needs new carpet, but otherwise I wouldn't change it. Eating on the patio in season is delightful without the cougar stalking clientele you get at Campiello. Normally I would have Sunshine Seafood Cafe on Gladiolus on this list but I haven't been in a long time. Bayfront Bistro is also another, but again, I try only to recommend places I've been in the last two months. Things can go downhill so quickly right now. LMF Tue Oct 06 06:44:59 -0700 2009 5081316 10438 LilMsFoodie 11 5082378 Screaming!!!!!!!! aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!! Tue Oct 06 07:31:12 -0700 2009 5082262 15229 Suzie 12 5082536 just shows that Fort Misery is earning its name. <G> Tue Oct 06 08:22:26 -0700 2009 5082378 10438 LilMsFoodie 11 5082420 LMF, Sad to hear Angelina's Ristorante has gone downhill so quickly, it was my favorite Italian spot in southern Lee County for a year. I was to bring a party of 40 folks there, however I won't risk lousy food and service. Next! Maybe Chef Nick was visiting Italy, and not just sleeping on his laurels. I;ve had solid lunches at Bistro 41. I like Delicious Things, and, for healthy organic food Brooke's is very good. I also like Carrabas mussels! I love Lee Roy Selmons' Southern foods, and bring back an assortment each time I'm in the area. I grew up in S Florida with Southern food, Latin cuisine-whole pigs roasted in backyard pits, Roumanian, etc, I also ate friends fresh venison and boar, and caught fish for my dinner- a whole mix of things serve as my "comfort foods". Bayfront Bistro's quality has gone downhill since opening, and Doc Ford's Fort Myers Beach still has mediocre quality, unlike their Sanibel spot. You don't have be more than mediocre to do well on Ft Myers Beach -it's a captive audience. I do like Flippers' food and view. Yabo's has a great funky young atmosphere, and solid food and live entertainment-It's been a while since I was there.. I heard Siam Hut is tops-I had good food at Brew Babies a year ago. I rarely get to Cape Coral. I need to try Pho Vinh. With Harold gone, I'll not return to H2 for months, till I hear they get their act together. A TAble Apart has been my spot in Bonita. New Bonita spot- Home Thai sushi looks good, will visit them in a few weeks. Come to Naples for dining! I have enjoyed Inca's Kitchen-superb cuisine, be it ceviche, savory fish or beef wiht superb saucing, and have been there 3 times in 2 months! I was at beachside's Turtle Club's 10th birthday yesterday, and had great meals at sister Bay House on the mangroves in the last month. There's little European spots for better than home cooking-European Bakery, Little Prague, and some very European markets. Yes, it's a drive for you to come South for good food. Since Cin Cin closed, it's now a painful drive north for me, as there's not ta handful of spots worth an hour's drive to Fort Myers anymore. . Tue Oct 06 07:45:26 -0700 2009 5082262 138338 An Insatiable Appetite 12 5082458 Speaking of Cin Cin, does anyone know the Chef or owner? I found an e-mail and have tried e-mailing 2x now asking for the recipe to the Lobster Mac and Cheese or at the very least the cheeses they use and the first time it was deleted and the 2nd time it was read but not answered. Its a long shot but I was just hoping one of the regulars on here might be able to help. Tue Oct 06 07:59:51 -0700 2009 5082420 15229 Suzie 13 5082572 butter poach the lobster and make sure you use a mix of cheeses: aged gruyere is important, good parmigiana reggiano and aged cheddar. That is not CinCin's recipe but it is mine. I use butter sauteed fresh bread crumbs on top, usually sourdough french. I feel like I should have a coronary angioplasty just talking about it<G> Tue Oct 06 08:32:07 -0700 2009 5082458 10438 LilMsFoodie 14 5083011 Thats really close to one of the ones I make but I also saute a little shallot and a touch of garlic. It yummy (but what mac and cheese isn't, lol). I have tried probably 2 doz variations over the years and that one is a favorite but the one I had at Cin Cin was one of my favorites I have tried so I was hoping I would get the recipe. : ( Tue Oct 06 11:05:25 -0700 2009 5082572 15229 Suzie 13 5082938 Suzie, Cin Cin's chef Scott Sopher left closed Cin cin for greener pastures, in all senses of the phrase, and he is now at Naples Olio's. The Lobster Mac n’Cheese (14) at Capital Grill is luscious with tender chunks of lobster and a quartet of melted cheeses, said by Chiara Assi to be grana padano, havarti, and mascarpone, topped with white cheddar and crisp buttered bread crumbs Tue Oct 06 10:43:38 -0700 2009 5082458 138338 An Insatiable Appetite 14 5083018 Yep, found something close to that one line and it was good. I knew the place was closed and the Chef was gone but there is still a working e-mail and its and aol addy and I have an aol addy and I can tell when something is opened or deleted and someone on CIN CINs end is still there looking at e-mail. Tue Oct 06 11:07:24 -0700 2009 5082938 15229 Suzie 12 5082551 If you have an important dinner coming up, I'd do a preview at Angelinas. We might have just hit a bad night, although it was Thursday and the restaurant was fairly busy for August. Not sure what is going on. We probably shouldn't judge an independent in off season. They are lucky to keep their door open. Maybe more should just close for the summer and open Columbus Day. I have had some nice meals at Yabbo. Fun entertainment. The name is Australian slang for a beach bum i think. Again, I haven't been for a year. I love Turtle Club and we meet friends there often in season. I also have been very fond of Baleen. Again, I've not been this summer except for champagne at sunset. It can not be beat for that. Contrast that with beer in a plastic cup at The Mucky Duck, the only beachside restaurant in Lee County. (no one even mention that dreck on Fort Myers Beach, doesn't count.) Tue Oct 06 08:27:21 -0700 2009 5082420 10438 LilMsFoodie 13 5083019 It is so often a Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde dichotomy- off season and in season, at restaurants. I''ve generally had better food and service off season, than than in the season's hustle and bustle. Then, places are packed, and young, chirpy hostesses could care less if you are a local or tourist-the long wait's often the same for you, and locals pay the same for a dinner as a tourist.. Off season, places really need and want the business, and thus offer 1/2 price coupons, prix fixe meals, and may toss in a bottle of wine. A finer dining spot like Angelina's should have consistency day to day, and service should be at its best off season. Sadly, there's no acceptable excuse for lousy food ever leaving the kitchen, in or out of season, whether Angelina's Ristorante is serving 2 or 40 people. I'll return to Angelina's as a two or four-top in the next few months, I can't risk 40 unhappy people, when there are other restaurants ecstatic to have such an evening's business. I expect and pay 18-25% tip for good to superb service, whether I am a two top or my group of 40 people. My dinners for my group, held at Bay House, IM Tapas, Capital Grill, McCormick & Schmick's, Escargot 41, and M Waterfront, were great. I'll look at Olio's and others for the next dinner. Tue Oct 06 11:07:25 -0700 2009 5082551 138338 An Insatiable Appetite 1 5099207 siam hut -- go only on friday or saturday when the mom (owner) is there. the daughter is surly. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/504096#5099008 we've been patronizing siam hut since it opened. the quality is now only so-so, and i just had a weird, weird, weird drunken noodles, where they swore it was fresh noodles (but i know fresh noodles), and they had zucchini and carrots in the dish. they made it hot with red chili flakes. not a thai bird chili in sight. too-sweet pad thai (my mom HAS to get this dish). siam hut is not what it used to be, but it seemed somewhat busy on a recent monday lunch. the viet place on del prado is bland, even for vietnamese food. skip the spring rolls. ~~~~~~ ps meatn3, my nephew got some green peanuts from s. georgia, so i was able to have my boiled peanuts. i made them cajun style, and they're addictive. ~~~~~ enjoyed our first visit to buon appetito. the veal stew was ok, but heavy on the potatoes; mom's eggplant parm was light and tasty. the roasted veggies as my mom's side were strange -- they reminded me somehow of those chinese vegetables you used to get frozen. i'd get some other veggie as a side next time. a lemon sponge cake/souffle with white chocolate and raspberry puree was delicious. the chianti was quite nice, and after lunch, the sambuca brought out with the espresso was delightful. next time, i'm getting the antipasti/salumi platter to start. i overheard the owner telling the guys that he'd just made the mozz that morning. Tue Oct 13 07:11:25 -0700 2009 5045324 105717 alkapal 2 5112808 French / Viet Nam restaurant right behind Outback on 41 The French Roast Cafe. Very good on both cuisines. Greek - I haven't eaten there in years, but Athenian Restaurant 1130 N Tamiami Trail, N Fort Myers has the menu you are asking for. They have been there for at least 30 years. I love La Casita! Yeah the little purple shack. Sun Oct 18 15:06:39 -0700 2009 5099207 282119 MartiniGenie 1 5118753 Fabios is a family run business with great home-made Italian food. Try the gnocchis with pesto or any of the daily specials. Good bread and salad, friendly atmosphere, but most importantly, good food. Tue Oct 20 19:30:59 -0700 2009 5045324 1117924 BLewin 2 5185066 yep, we've loved fabio's for years. i hear they take credit cards now. Mon Nov 16 06:58:33 -0800 2009 5118753 105717 alkapal 1 5185023 Found a great little seafood shack on Pine Island. Gulf Seafood in Bokeelia. Features FRESH LOCAL seafood. Small menu: Mullet Sandwich 5, Mullet Fritters 5, Fresh Gulf Shrimp 8, Smoked Mullet 4/8, Fish Cakes 5, Fish of the Day - Market. We had fish cakes and sesame seared yellow fin tuna (7). Quite Good Eat outside at picnic table or inside overlooking the water. A beautiful spot nestled in the mangroves. North Sstringfellow - Right on Barrancus 2nd Left Porto Bello to end. Mon Nov 16 06:38:22 -0800 2009 5045324 221363 Bumstead 2 5185057 interesting. when i was down, my nephew and i went out to charlotte harbor and got lots of mullet. what was the fish of the day? bokeelia marina is the building in your photos, right? the food is from the trailer? what's your opinion of the lazy flamingo in bokeelia? how is the place down at the end of bokeelia these days? Mon Nov 16 06:56:27 -0800 2009 5185023 105717 alkapal 3 5185144 The fish of the day was the Tuna (I assume - it was on the chalk board but not the menu). Yes it is at the marina and the food is cooked in the trailer. They have tables inside so I guess you can either go in, sit down and order or just order at the trailer and eat outside. We walked in and looked around - great view. It was so nice we ate outside at the table. The place at the end (Capt Con's) did not impress me. No local seafood! Their fish sandwich is ".. just like Grouper and comes from New Zealand.." Nice location though.. I haven't been to the lazy flamingo. Mon Nov 16 07:26:32 -0800 2009 5185057 221363 Bumstead 4 5185757 Cap N Cons has been poor for a number of years now. It somehow coasts on the old rep it had when the original owners were there, with their real grouper, home made coconut cream pies, and the resident Great Heron working as a doorman. <G> I have fond memories of the place 13 or 14 years ago. The owner moved to St. James City at the other end of Pine Island. I do not recall the restaurant's name that he opened. Lazy Flamingo isn't nearly as good as the CapSan Village original. We generally don't get further than Bert's these days. Love that dump and their potato chips. LMF Mon Nov 16 10:35:22 -0800 2009 5185144 10438 LilMsFoodie 5 5186326 Hear, hear! Mon Nov 16 13:34:59 -0800 2009 5185757 221363 Bumstead