$$$Asian
Monday could be Friday, and Saturday could be Tuesday at this colorful hotspot in Bonita Springs. Dark, moody lighting and striking teal walls adorned with eclectic art set the tone as crowds file in throughout the week looking for a proper good time. The menu roams the globe and takes much of its inspiration from Asia: A deconstructed banh mi features smoked short rib, and serious steaks come with Japanese sweet potatoes. Everything is designed to be shared, so bring friends.
$$$American
Aptly named, this Fort Myers restaurant is hidden away in an unremarkable strip center. With burners on full blast and music turned way up, Chef Bob Boye is front and center cooking at warp speed and engaging customers seated right before him at the counter. The menu doesn’t align itself with any one cuisine or style, and the inspiration seems at the whim of the chef and his merry band of rebels. Plates are designed to be shared so order without restraint. Think shrimp toast with sweet chili, smoked wagyu beef cheek with peanut nuoc cham and steak tartare with “bone-mayo.”
$$$american
At this neighborhood favorite in North Naples, find sincerity and creativity in ample supply. A warm front of house team treats everyone like a regular, while the kitchen prepares a playful, inspired menu that is endlessly tempting. Where does one begin? Caviar with bugles and crème fraiche? Chorizo potatoes with chipotle hollandaise? The signature vanilla soft serve doused with olive oil from the owner’s own vineyard in Italy is a sweet, honest reflection of the restaurant itself. A tastefully designed dining room makes this a sharp pick both for lunch and dinner.