The Capital Grille Debuts in Fort Myers with SplendorThe Capital Grille Debuts in Fort Myers with Splendor On June 24th, The Capital Grille made its highly anticipated debut in Lee County. Located in the Bell Tower in south Fort Myers, the fine dining restaurant took over the former space of Mimi’s Café. A Modern and Luxurious Ambiance This Capital Grille location features a modern design, unlike the older locations. The 10,000-square-foot space boasts bright artwork, a luxurious bar with glowing bottles, and crisp white linen tablecloths. Exceptional Menu The menu showcases dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, and a renowned wine list with over 300 labels. Signature dishes include fried calamari, lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, and lobster and crab cakes. Private Dining Rooms The restaurant offers six private dining rooms, each named after notable individuals with Florida ties. These rooms provide an intimate setting for special occasions. Open Kitchen and Wine Cellar Guests can witness the culinary action in the gleaming open kitchen. A temperature-controlled glass wine cellar displays a vast collection of wines. Joining a Culinary Hub The Capital Grille joins a growing culinary scene in the Bell Tower, alongside other top-rated restaurants like McGregor’s Public House and La Ola. Location and Reservations The Capital Grille is located at 5070 Bell Tower Shops Ave., Fort Myers. Reservations can be made online or by calling (239) 722-3116. The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
The Capital Grille made its highly anticipated Lee County debut in all its splendor on Monday, June 24 at 11 a.m.
Located in the 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 happy to be here in Fort Myers. I couldn’t be happier.”
Known for its dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and an acclaimed wine list, this Capital Grille is a bit different from The Mercato in North Naples, which opened in 2008.
“This is a newer model,” said Kooistra, who graduated from Mariner High School in 1998. “(Older locations) have darker wood, not as bright artwork, the bars are not as beautiful and large.”
Beautiful describes much of the 10,000-plus-square-foot restaurant, from the signature chrome lions that glitter and guard the entrance to that long, luxurious bar with row upon row of colorfully coordinated glowing bottles.
Everything you would expect from a luxury restaurant and steakhouse can be found here: from crisp white linen tablecloths and buttery-soft leather chairs to deep, rich earth tones and striking artwork that provides striking pops of color.
Most of the bright and beautiful portraits by artist Harley Bartlett (think Bobby Bowden, Ray Charles, Burt Reynolds and others with Florida ties) are flanked by matching black-and-white photographs and spread throughout the restaurant, including the private areas.
“We have six private dining rooms,” says Kooistra. “The Ford, Edison, Wine, Board, Sanibel and Captiva rooms.”
Add to this the wine cellar with temperature-controlled glass panels, the inviting lounge area and the glossy and bright open-plan kitchen and you will be enveloped in luxury wherever you dine.
And the menu fits that perfectly.
“We have dry-aged steaks, 18 to 24 days and a butcher on hand to cut them,” Kooistra said.
There’s also fresh seafood and a wine list with “more than 300 labels from $40 to $1,100 per bottle.”
Wine Spectator has honored Capital Grille with an Award of Excellence for the breadth and depth of that wine list.
Signature entrees and sides include fried calamari with hot cherry peppers, lobster mac ‘n’ cheese and lobster and crab cakes. Desserts, such as The Capital Grille Cheesecake, served brûlée style, are prepared from scratch daily.
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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 line of restaurants in Bell Tower, including Meagan and Tom McGregor’s Irish-flavored McGregor’s Public House Tom Houghton’s La Ola opened last year. Other dining options include Burntwood Tavern, Cantina Laredo, DaRuMa, Dave & Busters and Ice Spot.
Welcome to Lee County. We waited.
The Capital Grille, 5070 Bell Tower Shops Ave., Fort Myers; (239) 722-3116; Open Monday to Thursday from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturday from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM and Sunday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Reservations can be made online at thecapitalgrille.com/reservations.
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at [email protected]
