Gusto Cucina Italiana

Gusto Cucina Italiana, Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.

Lets start with chatter. I have had this booked mark for 7-8 years, I went here twice at 4pm when they were supposed to be open...they were not....Finally another Saturday arrived and a big green light saying open.

I was seated quickly and attended to. I order a coke.This was a small but nice place with Italian things .I was brought a small, hot fresh loaf of bread. very good. Then I realize two things...paper napkin and three bucks for one can of Coke. I had dress up and thought it being Saturday evening there would be more sophistication here. Nope I was wrong

My meal: I always order thing that I do not know or have the regular skills of making my self.

I splurged on a $12.00 shrimp cocktail. It was not as fancy as I had thought. No glass dish just a plain white saucer plate... cocktail not very spicy but  acceptable.

My meal today was Veal Michelangelo. $27.00...it was tender veal, sauteed shrimp, sea scallops, spiced tomatoe creamed sauce, jump lump crab meat, Brandy Sauce, served over angel hair pasta.

The entree was quickly designed and brought to me. The sauce was wonderful,the items were farm or ocean fresh delicious , Properly cooked.. But the angel hair pasta was not prepared as al dente. The proper method for Italian food.  It was over cooked.

I brought this item attention to my server. She apologized but stated this is how they must cook it for the patrons. I would have to request al dente next time. 

So basically they have to dumb it down from proper sophistication to bad taste buds in SWFL folks. Well chefs have to change their style to make a go of it.

So over all my meal was excellent... You must give Gusto a try.

Note: No easy access parking for people with mobility issue..no ramp

First Round Draft Sports Bar & Grille

First Round Draft Sports Bar & Grille, Del Prado Ave., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on  the food and chatter.

First off the chatter...If I was to select a all around good eatery, locally owned and easy to get to restaurant this is it.

Though this is a sports bar, this has some of the best food I have tasted in The Coma. ( also know as The Cape,  or Cape Coral.)
You can boat here,drive here, walk and ride a bike here...
They have outside dining and a fair parking lot including handicapped spaces.
The food has never disappointed me. The service is stellar, even when they are hosting a 20 party group & a 12 party group at the same time.

My meal. The clam chowder is one of the best in the area. Specials are changing. I got a coconut fish with Macaroni salad. I hate coconut shrimp... but this coconut fish was great.
Served with a asian condiment of a sweet/hot chili sauce or tartar sauce.
Though the macaroni salad was dumbed down for the local folks, it  was still very good. They cut back on onions in the ingredients.

So over all this is my go to local eatery since it is in .75 miles of my homestead.

Skillets

Skillets, Cleveland Ave, Ft.  Myers, Fl. Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.

Well another breakfast joint for the area. Which is a good thing.

Tip: A warning.. The parking lot is 30-40 yards away from the entrance. Including handicapped spaces. So if you have mobility issues. FYI... 

Lets talk food. I order coffee, Orange juice and a Belgium waffle combo. $15.00

First the OJ. It was served up in a cold frosted mug with a slice of fresh orange. Very nice. A wonderful touch of a presentation.
My coffee was given with its own pot.  No need to wait. Just pour my own.  ;-)
The waffle was not the round Belgium style. It was the new in fashion heart shape.
Nice. Cooked to extra crisp just right.  The way I requested it. My eggs was delivered over easy and still warmed.
The bacon was thicked sliced and crispy very good.

The staff was very good. Helpful and friendly.
Except for the longer than usual trek from parking lot to door... I had a great experince.

Wow Sandwich & Grill

Wow Sandwich & Grill, NE 3rd Ave, Cape Coral, Fl.,  Here is my 2 cents and the food and chatter.

Chatter... I eat out because I get tired of my own Superior cooking. Plus its cheaper to eat out sometimes. Though it is never cheaper for me because I ALWAYS tip 20% or more to my server. ( I never tip owners.)

With the name like wow and too many stars on yelp. I needed to try this joint.

Well, it really does not stack up to all these stars... The service is wonderful...Folks are really nice.
But I come to eat...I was not WOW with my order... It was just okay...Same way as I would make at home. Also very reasonable price I will say.

My entree was a thick cut pork chop with plantains and cole slaw.  It did not knock off my boots. No special seasoning or other sauce was added. Just salt & pepper. Plantains were just OK. Slaw I have had better... I will be back and try a recommendation from the house the next time though.

Maybe next time they can earn the name.

M & A Carribean Restuarant & Grocery Store

M & A Caribbean Restaurant, Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my chatter and 2 cents on the food.

First off let me warn you the folks are nice BUT are on Jamaican time. Which means they are usually 45-60 minutes behind in our time span.
Also though there are tables to sit down to eat, they are more geared for take out. Plus this is listed as a grocery store. There was not a lot on the shelves. Only to go containers were available.

Now my food. I requested the jerk chicken, rice & cabbage. $9.00. At 1115 AM this was the only thing ready. ( the hours stated they were open at 9 AM)
I have been to Jamaica and have had jerk chicken here..But never had it with a sauce on it. It tasted okay, I just not was expecting it.
To be honest this was just a mediocre meal. You can find MUCH better jamiacan food in Ft. Myers.

I will pass on coming back and go to Ft. Myers when the need for jerk chicken or oxtail strikes me.

Tijuana Flats

Tijuana Flats, Cleveland Ave., Ft. Myers, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.

I was in the mood for a taco but settled for enchiladas.
So  I decided to try this place

The best things first. Outstanding staff. Very helpful.
Plus a believe it or not a hot & spicy sauce bar. Who would have known this of all things in Florida.
Now the food.  $6 bucks seems to be the average price here. Which is a good thing.

Since Floridians have horrible taste buds this is a great thing.
The food is terrible with massive amount of SODIUM...For Floridian this means SALT.  Just too much.
Now I know why they have this hot  sauce bar. It covers  the salty food.

Never more for me...Though I do not have any health issue with salt. It just taste bad.

Miller's Ale House

Miller's Ale House, Kernel Circle, Ft.  Myers, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.

I went to Gordon Food Service and saw this next door. I never heard of this place. It is a chain .
It is a sports bar with typical bar food.
I was uncertain of what to order. My server recommenced the fish and chips. $7 bucks.
I was served up fries and 3 pieces of fish...Along with tartar sauce, ketchup and malt vinegar. It was a simple and cheap meal. I enjoyed the meal.

 Service was acceptable.

At 1120 AM there were lots of staff standing around. From the clientele entering it was typical retired boring floridian.

So if you are looking for a simple boring place, from my observation this qualifies.

Farmers Market Restaurant

Farmers Market Restaurant, Edison Ave., Ft. Myers, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chit chat.
Folks if you wish to get your tummy filled , have great food and not break you wallet...this is the place.

Everyday they have a special.. Thursday.... is chicken and dumplings. With 3 sides and roll or muffins.
Only $12 bucks..mmmmm good.
I got 1 of each a corn muffin & roll. Freshly baked and served hot with real butter
The chix & dumpling are house made... Do not expect the meal to be rushed out. Grand food takes time...It is simple fare but oohh so good.
Sides. Green beans with a big chunk of bacon or fatback( look at my photograph)
Delish corn fritters .... a southern favorite fried green tomatoes.
When you come here and you must...It is crowded with folks that have not missed too many meals...LOL...like me. Plus you are sure to find law enforcement personnel with a variety of government workers.
The staff is running around like busy bee's... giving supreme service.

Oh yes, do not do, what I did... I failed to leave room for the pies!!!!

If you have not been here...YOU MUST BOOKMARK it and go.

But go hungry.

Fins Seafood & Dive Bar

Fins Seafood & Dive Bar, Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, Fl.,  Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.
Well lets start by saying this is not a dive bar unless you talk about ocean diving.
This place is too expensive and too new to be a dive bar.

But food first. They make one of the best clam chowder around. Lots of clams, taters great flavor... Though adding chives on top is a unusual topping for chowder. A small bowl is 6 bucks.
My pink lemonade was 3 bucks. See where I am going,dives are usually a poor man joint.
I was feeling hungry. So I got the seafood platter. 18 Big smackaroos. At other eateries I would have leftovers for a doggie bag.
I will say food was good...Just not enough for what you should pay in a "dive".
I got 4 shrimp, 1 piece of cod & 4 fried clams.  See my photograph with the fork for comparison of the size of this so call "platter'.
If you want a real seafood platter go to Skip 1 in Ft. Myers. Much more bang for your bucks.
Service was good food was good. Not so much good for your hard earned money.

Siam Thai & Sushi Restaurant

Siam Thai & Sushi Restaurant, N. Cleveland Ave., N. Ft. Myers, Here is my 2 cents on the food and chit chat.

Another wonderful inexpensive restaurant in N. Ft. Myers.

I got the always great Thai coffee, sweet. Hot & crispy egg rolls along with a dipping sauce. Plus for my entree

Pad Kee Mao, a basil infused noodle dish with beef this time.
Plus they offer a small tray of hot peppers and such.
Fresh full of flavor. Filling with enough to take home.
Service as always outstanding.
If you like sushi a good place with all you can eat option.
Be warn if you ask for it spicy IT MAKES YOUR EYEBALLS SWEAT...

A must try if in the area.

Bahama Breeze

Bahama Breeze, Tamiami Trail, Ft. Myers, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.

Well this is just another overpriced chain joint. Lots of drinks for the retired seniors who are trying to be young again. Young no where else to go for cheap booze specials.
Personnel that stand around waiting for customers to show up.
I am guilty too.
I came at lunchtime for the $2.29 Margarita Day special. And to try the jamaica cuisine.
I got the small portion over priced oxtail. With rice and green beans. $18 or so.
It was meaty it tasty fine.
I also got the jerk chicken to go. I have had better. chicken was small, not too much flavor plus over salted.
My server was ok.
Will i be back...Only IF YOU ARE PAYING.

Per and Brew

Perk and Brew, Cape Coral Pkwy, Cape Coral, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.

I have been here before and got the delish Big meatball entree.

This time I requested a  extra sweet coffee and a bacon/onion quiche.
The coffee...NO... not sweet at all. I had to add more ....which I was trying to avoid using those little packets.
I was really disappointed in the quiche. Now it tasted ok, creamy Not firm crust was fine.

First it was $9 bucks... then it was only 4 inches across (See Photograph with tape measure)
Where was the bacon...Not even one third of a average size slice of bacon...A hint of some onions.
I have been to other eateries where my entree was the same price & twice as big. Plus more bacon  cheese & onion.
They offer wi-fi and you can hang out for a while.

Pho 99

Pho 99, Boy Scout Dr., Ft. Myers, Fl. Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.

WOW..... My ox tail pho was fantastic.
$16 bucks ... but so worth it.
A big meaty chunk of ox tail along with slices of beef. Savory broth, lots of noodles.
A big take some home bowl of soup.
I had wonderful fried egg rolls. Along with a thai coffee, cold & sweet..
Service was great.
If you like soup this is the place to be.
You need to bookmark this place.

Ember Korean Steakhouse

Ember Korean Steakhouse, College Pkwy, Ft. Myers, Fl., Here is my 2 cents on the food and chatter.

Lets start with chatter.  This is in no way a American Steakhouse... I went here for LUNCH with a steak cravings...THERE WAS NO STEAK OFFERED ON THE MENU...

Now what did I have. I was stuck with a short rib entree. Plus I was given a salad along with 5-6 different dishes. From Korean potato salad to a marinated tofu item.

Now all the food was WONDERFUL. It tasted Great. I was very satisfied with all of the items including the spicy Kimchi.  My server was outstanding.

I was just so disappointed of not getting my carnivore meal on.