Stunning fine-dining steak and seafood restaurant opens in Fort Myers: A first look inside
Robyn George
The Capital Grille made its long-awaited Lee County debut in all its splendor at 11 a.m. Monday, June 24.
Located at Bell Tower in south Fort Myers, the fine-dining restaurant took over the spot previously occupied by the now-demolished Mimi’s Café near Jared The Galleria of Jewelry along Daniels Parkway.
“It’s the 73rd location,” said managing partner Seth Kooistra. “We’re glad to be here in Fort Myers. Couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Known for its dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and a highly acclaimed wine list, this Capital Grille is a bit different than the one at The Mercato in North Naples that opened in 2008.
“This is a newer model,” said Kooistra, a 1998 graduate of Mariner High School. “(Older locations) have darker wood, not as bright artwork, the bars aren’t as stunning and big.”
Stunning describes much of the 10,000-plus-square-foot restaurant, from the signature chrome lions glistening and guarding the entryway to that long, luxurious bar with row after row of colorfully coordinated glowing bottles.
Everything you would expect from an upscale restaurant and steakhouse awaits ― from stark white linen tablecloths and buttery soft leather seats to deep, rich earth tones and eye-catching artwork that provides bold splashes of color.
Most of artist Harley Bartlett’s bright and beautiful portraits (think Bobby Bowden, Ray Charles, Burt Reynolds and others with Florida ties) are flanked with coordinating black and white photographs and scattered throughout the restaurant, including the private areas.
“We have six private dining rooms,” Kooistra said. “The Ford, Edison, Wine, Board, Sanibel and Captiva rooms.”
Add in the temperature-controlled, glass-paneled wine cellar, inviting lounge area and shiny and bright open kitchen and you’re wrapped in luxury wherever you dine.
And the menu matches it all perfectly.
“We have dry-aged steaks, 18 to 24 days and a butcher on hand to carve them,” Kooistra said.
There’s also fresh seafood and a wine list with “over 300 labels from $40 to $1,100 a bottle.”
Wine Spectator has honored Capital Grille with an Award of Excellence for the breadth and depth of that wine list.
Signature appetizers and sides include pan-fried calamari with hot cherry peppers, lobster mac ‘n’ cheese and lobster and crab cakes. Desserts, like The Capital Grille Cheesecake served brûlée style, are made daily from scratch.
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Part of the Darden family of restaurants (Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Ruth's Chris, Bahama Breeze and more), this location joins a strong lineup of restaurants at Bell Tower, with Meagan and Tom McGregor’s Irish-flavored McGregor’s Public House and Tom Houghton’s La Ola opening last year. Other dining options include Burntwood Tavern, Cantina Laredo, DaRuMa, Dave & Busters and Ice Spot.
Welcome to Lee County. We’ve been waiting.
The Capital Grille, 5070 Bell Tower Shops Ave., Fort Myers; (239) 722-3116; open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 5-10 p.m. Saturday and 5-9 p.m. Sunday. Reservations can be made online at thecapitalgrille.com/reservations.
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@gannett.com