Sakura Japanese- Thai Steak House

www.rholland63.blogspot.com   Sakura Japanese-Thai Steakhouse Restaurant, Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
Some chatter. Be advised this place has new owners. They are of thai background. They have done some remodeling, ( Hibachi grills/tables ) Plus added thai dishes to the menu.
Now the food. I ordered a japanese seaweed salad. It was mauvelous. Cold crisp. Great presentation. see pic. The miso soup was delish. I took the suggestion or my server, Dream, (yes that's a nickname)  I got the pad thai. I thought it was pricey at $10.50.. It was. Not as big of a portion as I have seen from other thai eateries. It was NOT as hot as I liked. Plus when ask for additional hot sauce I got dried red pepper flakes.   :-(   But overall an acceptable dish.
I liked that they called the sodas Endless soda. It was.
Service was great. I hope they decide on what they wish to be known for.

Victory Lane Cafe

www.rholland63.blogspot.com   Victory Lane Cafe, Hancock Bridge Pkwy., N. Fort Myers, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
The food. I was easily talked into having the Prime Rib Au Jus sandwich. 10.50 with coleslaw and choice of taters. I got crinkle potato.
 I have found it amazing , the a potato, shape of a pasta or thickness of a meat , can and will always taste different depending on the cut or shape from the same texture of food... Why is that?????

The coleslaw was not enough. It was very creamy and sweet, chopped fine...so good.. I desired more.
The bun for my sandwich was so fresh and tender it fell apart as I dip it into the au jus.. A bit salty but oh so much beefy in flavor.. What I could not so soak up in bread,  I just place it on my lips and drank it down with a smile. The beef was sliced thin, some cheese and sauteed onions. A wonderful meal.
This is a car guy hangout. Great food. Great service

Expresso to Go

Expresso to Go, Hancock Bridge Pkwy., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents.
This is, I believe, the only local stand alone coffee drive thru coffee joint. It a local family owned place. And the best.
It got so popular the city had to place new traffic signs to help traffic flow better.
We have Dumbins, Star B*ck and now Sco**ter.
But they can compete and out do the chains. As far as types of drinks/prices.
So if you need your caffeine fix try this place. My favorite is the 24 oz. Red Eye. Hot. Their regular coffee with a shot of espresso,  I add 7 sugars with half/half.
Oh yes they serve muffins and pastries.
Service is with a smile.  2 windows...Plus a nice view of a canal while you wait.
Tables in front and behind ,by the canal if you are having a lazy day.

Orient Restaurant

www.rholland63.blogspot.com   Orient Restaurant, Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, Fl. Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
The food. I went different today and got the General Tsao chicken. I have never had this. $10.50 I was suprize for a popular dish it was a bit spicy. Good texture good flavor. My biggest complaint would be the broccoli. It was past its prime. Since I do not like broccoli it did not matter..
I got this item to go.
Orient does not deliver. BUT they have Grubhub.   You order here, pay a fee of 4 bucks or so  ( also a minimum of food purchase )and a taxi driver brings you the meal.
I got my meal last time within 30-40 minutes. It was still hot and fresh.
Orient has been around for about 17 years. Good chow. They must be doing right.

Bread Petes

www.rholland63.blogspot.com   Bread Pete, Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chit chat.
Some chit chat. This is one of the best european bakery and cafe in the area. Forget all those south american places. This has the real deal. Pastries , bread, croissants, etc. Plus a small european style cafe/ americanize,
The food. I had the typical breakfast. $5.99  ( see pic) add coffee .99 refill .99
Cooked to perfection. Coffee very good...espresso is available.
The real stars are the bread, pastries, and such. Come early, when They are out they are out
Service was stellar

The O Bar & Grill

 www.rholland63.blogspot.com    The O Bar & Grill, Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
Let's start with chatter. First, this is a local hang out, divey bar. It has smokers. It has characters, it has a pool table ,it has Darts. It has coupons . It has daily  specials.
It has GOOD FOOD. On Saturday they offer prime rib for 9 bucks, after 2 PM.
It was wonderful. My prime rib was cooked to a perfect medium rare. It was very tender & tasted just fine.  I got horseradish and au jus. My sides of green beans were delish. My mash taters were a bit runny, but the flavor was great
They offer coupons for free drinks, free food etc.
The only drawback is the smokers. BUT I believe you can get this to go.
Or prepare yourself to shed your clothes and shower immediately when you get home. That's what I did.
Service was grand.
Get over the smoking and you will a nice meal.

A Cajun Bowl

A Cajun Bowl, NE 3rd Ave, Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
I must first say, in all parts of the world, each local area can have very different style for the same dish.
So for me this was a different style of the same food.
The food. They have hands down the very BEST sweet tea in SWFL. I get sweet tea at all my outings. If it is house made......Sweet just right no bitterness perfect.
The cup of red beans and rice. $5 a large cup. ( good portion good price)   it is not like a Jamaican red bean and rice. It had chunks of meat and was just different though good.
Shrimp Etouffee, ( pronounce  A-2-fave) I will acknowledge this is the 2nd place that has the hottest spiciest food in the area. It had potatoe salad. It reminded me of the german tater salad my Mom made. I hated it. It was too sour with vinegar. But that's me.
They claim this is the best etouffee in SWFL.  I found it was ok. Very spicy. But since I have etouffee only twice before I am not sure. The price is $13 or so. The portion was very generous. Good for seconds later on.
Be warn what is Cajun mild is Florida Hot !!!!!
The eatery is small (4 tables) but does a lot of take out. It has a large following
It has been here for 2-3 years so they are doing something right.

Surfside Farmers market

Surfside Sunset Farmers Market, Surfside Ave, Cape Coral.Fl.  Here is my 2 cents and observation of this Florida farmers market and the others I have been to.
Farmer Market venues are suppose to be locations where the local populous and the farmers meet.
The farmers bring their produce or wares . They cut out the middleman and cut prices.
So in theory ,residents get to meet the producers of better quality items at a cheaper prices.
In California this is the norm.
Here in Florida IT IS NOT. Plus comparing produce prices they were usually higher than supermarket.
In one instant I bought a small loaf of apple bread 8 oz or less from the Loaf Lady. I was assured of lots of apple inside. They were WRONG...Plus 6 bucks for such a small item. I definitely was rip off.
I have been to all of the farmers market in this area.
They all are greedy folks.
I will stick with W-D and Wal**at...
I get a better deal.

The Love Boat

The Love Boat, San Carlos Blvd., Ft. Myers, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter. My first time going to the many ice cream joints around here.
The food. I got a chocolate malted shake.  OBA OBA 7 bucks. This is the most expensive shake I have ever had.  It was thick. I could not suck on the straw until 25 minutes after getting home. Very chocolatey and sweet. Yes I tasted the malt. Is it worth 7 dollars??? NO. Maybe $5.50 or $6 but 7 bucks...no...
Service was quick and nice.
Chatter...I hated the design of the  parking lot. Only 1 way in and out ...plus you had to circle around the entire building to leave.
Handicapped parking is a long 75 feet from the only entrance. If you have never been here before you do not know this.  Again stupid floridian designers they should have and could have place the disable spots IFO  the only entrance. They failed to follow the spirit of the disabilities act.
Another reason florida is always in the top 5 of worst drivers in the US.

Buster Sports Tavern

Buster Sports Tavern, McGregor Blvd., Ft. Myers, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
The food. If it is Wednesday it AYCE fried chicken, 10 bucks. Let's start with my sides. You get 2. I got coleslaw. Creamy and very good. I tried the veggie, zucchini medley. A tad salty but maybe its me. But good.
The fried chicken. They start you of with a 1/2 a chicken (see pic) then you  can get as much as you wish. 2 pieces at a time. I had high expectations but unfortunately this was bad tasting chicken. It was fried just right. Just that the chicken had no real flavor. You are better off at Popeyes or KFC.
Also when I tried later, when it was cold the texture was mushy.
Chit chat. Service was excellent. I love this place. I felt at home .I felt welcome, it had a nice atmosphere.
I am sure there are other great entrees. But they will not go broke selling AYCE fried chicken. They need to add some spices and reformulate the recipe.   ;-(

Chen China Bistro

Chen's China Bistro, Pine Island Rd., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
The food. A couple of egg rolls, 1.50 each, Kung Pao chicken, extra spicy, hot & sour soup. 9 bucks
The egg roll crisps and flavorful. Hot & sour soup, thick with tofu so very good.
Kung Pao chicken... a bit disappointing ....Though I asked  for extra hot it was not. I needed chili paste. The chicken was white meat. not my first choice, was very tender. Lots of peanuts. Plus way too much celery. Over all just ok this time.
Chatter... This is one of the better chinese joints around ( Ginger Bistro is better)
NOTE: they give you a card ,where after spending so much here ,you can get a free meal.
Service was fine and attentive.

Jax Diner

Jax Diner, Weavers Corner, N. Fort Myers, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chit chat.
The food. Pot Roast, with green beans, mashed potatos/gravy and cornbread ( cornbread a southern thing) 10.50        ( NOTE... They only accept CASH...no checks, no credit card or debit cards)
The green beans are cooked with bacon/onions. mmmm, pot roast, just fork fall apart and plenty of  mash taters with gravy. Lets not forget the southern addition of cornbread.
A wonderful comfort foods.
Then to top it off .  A Malted vanilla shake to go.
Service is excellent and attentive.

Herons Nest Restaurant & Ballroom

Herons Nest Restaurant & Ballroom, Avenida Del Vera, Inside a gated community, N. Fort Myers, Fl.,
Here is chatter and my 2 cents on the food.
Chatter... First my GPS had me going in circles finding this place. But I was smart enough to disregard it. You must tell the sentry you are going to the eatery. About 3/4 mile ahead.
The restaurant is on a small lake. A bit hidden, easy to find.
First a small sign at the hostess desk greets you saying.  NO CASH only credit cards.!!!!
I was by myself dress casual in nice shorts and tee shirts. NO TEES SHIRTS ALLOWED. I was give a short sleeved shirt with a collar.  ( NOTE... The manager was wearing a red plaid shirt. :-0   )   There was only 2 tables filled in a place that could handle 100 folks.
They directed me to a  table next to a wall. I ask for a table with a view of the lake ...they said they were reserved. I got one in a corner next to a baby piano. For my 45 minutes being here NO ONE sat at the reserved tables.
The food. Waffles, sausage, home fries and  coffee. 16 bucks.
First , the coffee was just commercial brand , no big whoop. The waffles were ok. They mix up my order and brought me bacon the first time out. It was quickly change.
I am having a bad luck of fried foods. The home fries were fried too crisp. I could not poke a hole in one potato pieces with my fork. My server offered to exchange. I denied it. I was full.
Service was fine.
This has to be the MOST PRETENTIOUS  & SNOBBY place I have EVER been to in my life.
Do I recommend this??? Only if you are high maintenance, pretentious and snobby!!!!

the Edison

The Edison, McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, Fl.,  Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
I was suprise as to how empty this place appeared to be. This being a big golf course & well known eatery. A few workers and 2-3 guys having a drink at the bar.
The food. For 12 bucks, I got a fairly large and very fresh salad. I really enjoyed it. Plus a chicken pot pie with puff pastry on top. The pie was very creamy. Thick with white chicken meat, peas, carrots and taters. A bit salty  but I am sure thats me. Plus a sweet tea. A good lunch at a reasonable price.
My server disappeared quite often but always pop up when I needed something.
Over all a good experience. I would go back.

Petes Fish and Chips

Petes Fish and Chips, Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
The food. Fish & Chips.... always excellent fried to a golden brown. Moist on the inside... Cole slaw ,chopped fine and so tasty. A in house delish.
I venture out and tried the frozen pies. I heated in a toaster oven as directed.
WOW.... the crust  was so flaky and wonderful. The ingredients was savory and so good. It was a meal unto itself.
Service was stellar as usual.

Miami Bakery & Cafe

Miami Bakery Cafe, Hancock Bridge Parkway, Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
Chit chat... This is a small place that seems to be a hangout out for those who speak  spanish as their first language. So it helps if you speak spanish or can just point at what you like.
The food...., The coffee is very good if you like it strong. I have tried a variety of the cookie and pastries. Though not as good as a true european bakery it passes for sweetness.
I tried the cubano. It suck. the portion was small and the pork tenderloin was dry and stringy.
Service was quick.