3 restaurant openings from Sanibel to Cape Coral, and one has a Florida Man doughnut
From a waterfront reopening in Matlacha to a Fort Myers Beach groundbreaking, here’s the latest restaurant news.
Yucatan Waterfront
The parking lot has overflowed onto Pine Island Road since this bar & grill in Matlacha reopened a week ago after hurricane damage and a planned remodel.
“We’re getting a large amount of tourists,” said Rob Reilly, who manages Tom Kolar’s two Yucatans — this one and the other on Fort Myers Beach. “But we have lots of locals too. People have been coming and just hanging out here.”
They’re lingering in the large dining room, at outside waterfront tables and the huge new bar — half of it inside and half of it an outdoor swing bar.
“We added a lot,” Reilly said. “About 60 or 70 seats. Most people want to sit outside.”
The menu consists of steaks, seafood, pastas and more.
“We cater to everyone,” Reilly said. “It’s a large menu but not too large. We do everything well.”
Judging by the line of cars, they sure do. 4875 Pine Island Road NW, Matlacha; grand opening with live music, ribbon cutting from 4-6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, RSVP at [email protected] for a rough headcount, which does not guarantee a table; (239) 283-0113; yucatanwaterfront.com and on Facebook and Instagram
Take Two Coffee
This new coffee shop across from IMAG History & Science Center in downtown Fort Myers had one heck of an opening day April 20.
“We are blown away by the support,” said Caleb MacPherson, who co-owns the small, cool and comfortable space in The Commons with Hunter Keslar. “What a great community. It blew out all our expectations.”
Specialty coffees include espresso, drip, Americano, cortado, cappuccino and lattes.
“We roast the coffee ourselves,” MacPherson said. “It comes from all over the world ― Ethiopia, Colombia, Rwanda.”
Tea (matcha, chai and loose leaf) is also available, as are made-fresh-daily doughnuts.
“We made about 400 (for opening day) and sold out at 10:30,” MacPherson said. Very impressive since they opened at 8 a.m. that day.
The doughnut getting the most buzz?
“Florida Man,” MacPherson said. “It’s a take on a Boston cream.”
For the first few weeks, Take Two will be open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
They expect to be open every day except Tuesday beginning later this month. 2633 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers; taketwocoffee.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram
The Lighthouse Cafe
This breakfast and lunch restaurant on Sanibel made its highly anticipated debut in its new home on Thursday, April 25. The self-described "World's Best Breakfast" is being served at 1020 Periwinkle Way, in the spot previously occupied by Sanibel Fresh. Expect the same scratch-made goodness Lighthouse has perfected over decades. Breakfast — egg dishes, omelets, frittatas, homestyle hotcakes and more — is available from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The sandwich and salad-focused lunch menu runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Before Hurricane Ian roared through Southwest Florida in September 2022, Lighthouse Cafe was in the Seahorse Shops plaza on the island's east end. Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant — from the owners of Island Cow and The Mad Hatter — recently opened in that spot. For more information on Lighthouse Cafe, call 239-420-0303, go to lighthousecafe.com or follow on Facebook or Instagram.
Swamp Cat Brewing Co.
A recent stop at this former 1953 church-turned-a-whole-bunch-of-businesses and now-becoming-a-brewery found co-owner Chris Gutierrez hard at work getting it ready.
“We’re getting close (to opening),” said Gutierrez, who gave me a quick tour of the building and property on the northeast corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Fowler Street (just down from Take Two Coffee!). “Hopefully this summer. Late June or early July.”
We’re excited after seeing the beautiful original trusses supporting the high ceiling, the added overhang and walkways, the shiny and bright 10-barrel brewing system, and the lovely indoor/outdoor bar overlooking what will be a 5,000-square-foot beer garden.
“We have a lot of work in the next couple of months, but it’s not too bad,” said Gutierrez, who spent 27 years in the Navy and began home-brewing and dreaming of owning a brewery two decades ago. “We lost nine to 12 months thanks to the hurricane.”
A water feature, pergola, new fencing and kids area will be added to the outdoor space, and the three kitchens — which Gutierrez will lease out to burger, pizza and Latin food vendors — need to be finished.
When it’s done, it’ll be a unique, welcoming space — called The Refuge — that everyone can enjoy.
“We really want to create an experience,” Gutierrez said. “We want foodies, families. It’s dog-friendly. Yes, there’s food and beer, but it’s also an experience.”
Before you know it, Swamp Cat’s signature blonde, pale, amber ales and West Coast and New England IPAs will be flowing along with a stout, honey brown ale and more.
We can’t wait. 1943 Fowler St., Fort Myers; swampcatbrewco.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram
Gregory’s Fusion Restaurant
This Cape Coral restaurant, which opened in 2019, has officially announced its closing via social media.
“The closure of Gregory’s is due to various circumstances that, after much reflection, have led us to make this difficult decision,” the Facebook post read. “It is time to close this chapter, but not before thanking you deeply for having been an essential part of this story.”
Gregory’s, in the Diamond Billiards-anchored plaza, served an international array of food — American, Mexican, Greek and Italian.
More: Beloved downtown Cape Coral restaurant, bar on brink of closing for good is back
“We want to inform you that the place will pass into the hands of new owners, who will bring a different concept of food,” the post continued. “We are sure that they will continue to fill this space with joy and good times and we wish them the greatest success in this new endeavor.”
The new restaurant — Old Cuban Restaurant and Bar at 1242 SW Pine Island Road, Unit 35 — will serve Latin food.
“To you, our loyal customers, we thank you for every visit, every shared smile and for choosing us to be part of your special moments,” the post concluded. “Gregory's was always more than a restaurant; It was a meeting point, a big family and a home away from home.”
Fresh Catch Bistro
Franco Russo is at it again. The restaurant guru behind Junkanoo Below Deck and Fresh Catch Bistro on Fort Myers Beach, Stones Throw in Cape Coral and Two Meatballs in the Kitchen in Cape Coral and Fort Myers just announced he has another business in the works. A second Fresh Catch Bistro will open later this year in Coconut Point in Estero. It will take over the space previously occupied by TGI Fridays and most recently, T42.
The new location at 7991 Plaza del Lago Drive is expected to have the same happy hour as the beach location (it’s one of our favorites with creative martinis and mouthwatering apps), a slightly larger menu (maybe lunch will be served?) and something for everyone.
Follow Fresh Catch Bistro ― Estero on Facebook for the latest updates.
The Whale
The iconic Fort Myers Beach restaurant and bar will say goodbye to its big tent and hello to the future during a three-day groundbreaking ceremony May 17-19. The tent has welcomed guests since Hurricane Ian destroyed The Whale in September 2022. The new venue will feature seating and bars on each of its three levels. The groundbreaking ceremony at 1249 Estero Blvd. on Fort Myers Beach starts at 1 p.m. Friday, May 17, followed by drink and merchandise specials, giveaways and live music through the weekend, including Real Deal Dueling Pianos, Smokin Aces, Red Hannah and more. Save the date and follow The Whale FMB on Facebook for updates.
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lighthouse Cafe, Fresh Catch, Florida Man doughnut in restaurant news
