OPEN SEASON
26 NEW RESTAURANTS LAUNCH ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Annabelle Tometich
It’s been a wildly busy few weeks in the local restaurant world. The area has seen a slew of new bars and restaurants throw open their doors (and patios, and takeout windows) in recent weeks, with several more launching soon.
Fort Myers
The Apothecary at Millennial Brewing. Tucked inside Millennial, The Apothecary offers everything from classic gin & tonics made with non-alcoholic, house-crafted gin, to fizzy, booze-free “Champagne” cocktails infused with botanical syrups. (1811 Royal Palm Ave., downtown Fort Myers; facebook.com/apothecaryswfl)
Bluwave Lobster House: Serving a menu filled with seafood and cocktails, Sanibel Outlets. (20350 Summerlin Road No. 1128, south Fort Myers; 239-887-4532; bluwavelobsterhouse.com or facebook.com/bluwavelobsterhouse)
Cubans Be Like Restaurant & Cafe: Figueredo worked in bakeries in Havana and has used that experience to create a menu filled with croquetas, burgers, ropa vieja, surf & turf, and much more. Cubans Be Like also offers a full bar with mojitos and Cuba libres. The restaurant took over a long-empty space at the Cypress Trace shops in south Fort Myers. It’s located between Skillets and Peltz Shoes on the north end of the plaza. (13300 S. Cleveland Ave. No. 21, south Fort Myers; 239-789-1869; facebook.com/cubans belikerestaurantcafe)
Pirate Hook Seafood & Chicken: This fast-food concept is taking over the drive-thru building near the corner of Fowler Street and Winkler Avenue that used to house Krispy Krunchy Chicken. Pirate Hook was scheduled to open Jan. 15, according to its Facebook page, but its launch has been delayed due to construction. (4065 Fowler
The Standard: This downtown Fort Myers restaurant plans to open a second location Jan. 25 in the former Square 1 Burgers space at Page Field Commons. More at facebook.com/thestandardftmyers.
Tres Amigos Taqueria : The restaurant held a grand opening Jan. 7 in the former Paradise Pizza space in south Fort Myers. Its menu features traditional tacos, as well as menudo specials, quesadillas and more. (8660 Gladiolus Drive No. 106, south Fort Myers; 239-791-8630; find it on Facebook)
Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel
400 Rabbits Mexican Kitchen & Tequilaria :
The owners of Sanibel’s Paper Fig Kitchen, Chef Jeramie Campana and his wife, Debra, teamed up with longtime friends, Chef Don and Cleta Yamauchi, to transform the original Doc Ford’s space on Rabbit Road into a Mexican- inspired restaurant and craft tequila bar. Chef Don is a former James Beard nominee, according to Debra, who served as executive chef for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. “It’s a scratch kitchen. At the bar, we don’t use mixers, it’s all fresh juices,” Debra said. “This has been a jewel of a location for decades. We are beyond thrilled to be here.” (975 Rabbit Road, Sanibel; 239-558-8756; facebook.com/400rabbitssanibel or 400rabbitssanibel.com)
Oliver’s Place: This casual restaurant and bar opened in December in the former Castaways space in Santini Marina Plaza on Fort Myers Beach. Oliver’s features live entertainment and more than 30 HD TVs according to its Facebook page. (7205 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; 239-444-6627; find it on Facebook)
South Lee, Estero and Bonita Springs
Freddie’s Pizza & Subs: Opened in November at Flamingo Island Flea Market, 11902 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. More at facebook.com/flamingoisland.
Lehne Burger: This local burger joint launched its second location in the former Johnny Rockets space at Coconut Point in Estero Dec. 23. The new store remains in a “soft opening” phase according to owner Mike Lehne. The area’s first Lehne Burger opened in 2014 on Fort Myers Beach. “I have been amazed at the support we are seeing from local people supporting local places,” Lehne said. “When (the pandemic) started, I was really scared being such a little business like we are. But our customers have kept us growing.” (More at facebook.com/lehneburgerestero; facebook.com/lehneburgertheoriginal; lehneburger.com) Nectar Lab: After celebrating a year in business in Naples, this kava bar is expanding. Nectar Lab is taking over the former Kilwins space at Gulf Coast Town Center in San Carlos Park. It’s also opening a location in Miami, per its website. Nectar’s owners did not respond to a message asking about its opening date. Find more at naplesnectarlab.com.
Naples and Marco Island
Afsona: One of the area’s first Uzbek restaurants, owners Gholibjon Avsamatov and Mamlakat Tadjieva launched Asfona Dec. 24. The space, near the NCH Baker Hospital, was formerly occupied by Maria D’anna Cafe. Afsona sserves unique dishes from Central Asia. “I’m happy because people start loving my cuisine, and I’m finally an owner of a business,” Avsamatov told the Naples Daily News. “I was waiting for 24 years since I moved to the United States.” (300 U.S. 41 North, Naples; 239-263-6892; afsona-restaurant.business.site) The Butcher:
Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria : A second Collier Felipe’s is slated to open soon at Logan Landings in North Naples. Felipe’s also has a location on Fort Myers Beach. More at facebook.com/felipesnorthnaples.
The Hangout by Two Guys: From Peter and Larry Falisi, the brothers who also run Two Guys Kitchen and The former Square 1 Burgers space at Page Field Commons soon will be home to The Standard, a locally owned restaurant that first launched in downtown Fort Myers. It offers a casual yet house-made menu filled with salads, burgers, pastas, grilled items and a section of healthful fare. It also features a lengthy list of desserts. (2360 Pine Ridge Road, Naples; 239-384-9072; hangoutnaples.com; facebook.com/thehangoutnaples)
Mitch’s Cookies Dessert Bar & Soda Fountain: After years on Davis Boulevard, Mitch’s opened a second location Jan. 11 in the former Adelheidi’s Gelato space at 520 Park St. off of Fifth Avenue South. The shop offers egg creams, sundaes, malts, shakes and the giant, scratch-baked cookies for which Mitch’s is known. More at facebook.com/mitchscookies or mitchscookies.com.
Nawty Hogg Backyard BBQ : This Naples-born barbecue restaurant opened its second location Jan. 10 in the former Pei Wei Asian Kitchen space at the Shoppes at Vanderbilt. Nawty Hogg is known for its smoked chicken, pulled pork and sliced brisket. See More at facebook.com/ nawtyhogg.
Ria at Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort: Led by Chef Aldo Novoa Rodriguez, this outdoor concept, which launched Dec. 21, blends the flavors of Latin America, per its opentable.com page. “Try a twist on a classic dish or discover something new, from cochinita pibil from Mexico to Peruvian lomo saltado, with clever cocktails, tacos, and sweet surprises too,” the site reads. Visit ritzcarlton.com for more.
Smith House: The restaurant took over the Petit Soleil space on Marco Island Nov. 19. Smith House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Morning items include house-baked pastries, pancakes and omelets. Dinner service began in late December with a menu that includes wild-boar poutine, vegetarian elotes and a re-imagined version of shrimp and grits made with a cheddarjalapeno grit cake and pink Gulf shrimp — plus much more. (210 Royal Palm Drive, Marco Island; 239-389-8414; facebook.com/smithhousemarco island)
Ziggy D’Amico’s Whiskey Bar & Diner: This D’Amico group concept opened Nov. 12 in the former D’Amico & Sons
space in the Neapolitan Way Shopping Center. Ziggy’s is open for lunch and dinner daily, with brunch on the weekends. The casual menu ranges from pizzas and small plates, to burgers, ribs and Nashville-style hot chicken. The bar offers wines, beers, cocktails and dozens of whiskeys and bourbons from around the U.S. and the world. (4691 Ninth St. N., Naples; 239-430-0955; ziggydamicos.com)
North Fort Myers and LaBelle
Grandma Penny’s Pizza: This pizzeria took over the former Amore Brick Oven Pizza space in November at 4353 Hancock Bridge Parkway, North Fort Myers. Along with pizzas, the restaurant offers a range of appetizers, salads, subs, stromboli, calzones and pasta entrees, as well as a kids menu, beer and wine. Grandma Penny’s offers dine-in seating and online ordering for takeout or delivery according to its website. Call 239-217-0584 or visit grandmapennyspizza.com for more.
Pelican’s SnoBalls : The frozensweets chain held a grand opening for its newest location in LaBelle Nov. 21 at 55 E. Yeomans Ave. Pelican’s is known for its New Orleans-style shaved ice available in more than 100 flavors. This family-owned outlet also offers softserve ice cream and toppings. Find it on Facebook for more.
Annabelle Tometich writes about food and restaurants for The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Email her at atometich@news-press.com or connect on Instagram (@abellewrites).