New Cape Coral restaurant, from the owner of Two Meatballs and Junkanoo, to open soon

Franco Russo doesn’t sit still for long.

After relocating and reopening his two restaurants on Fort Myers Beach, he’s about to open Stones Throw in Cape Coral, right next to Two Meatballs in the Kitchen which he also happens to own.

“When we bought and opened Two Meatballs, it was doing really well,” said Russo, a 2005 graduate of Canterbury School who also owns the Two Meatballs in Fort Myers. “We wish we had the building next door but it wasn’t for sale. We went back and forth for a long time and finally reached an agreement.”

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Russo bought the property in 2021 and Stones Throw is set to open on Wednesday, May 24.

“I feel like we’ve been working on the concept and design for a year,” said Russo, who owns the Cape Coral Two Meatballs and Stones Throw with business partner Wayne Entsminger. “Hammering away at the menu off and on.”

What he’s come up with is a restaurant “offering something different from what’s in the area.”

Stunning bar 'is the focal point'

For starters, the space has been completely transformed from its Backyard Beer Garden and Three Amigos days.

The sleek and modern bar, which was expanded, is simply stunning.

“The bar really is the focal point,” Russo said as LEDs changed the bar’s top and sides from one electrically soothing color to the next. “You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see the space if you know it from Backyard Beer Garden.”

Greenery, bottles and a few TV screens fill the wall behind it. Balancing it out are more LEDs above it all, artistically spelling out Stones Throw. Twenty some odd beers, red and white wine by the glass or bottle,  and craft cocktails will be served. Two of those cocktails – a Wicked Dolphins punch and a martini – are on draft along with a white wine. Happy hour will be from 3-5 p.m. at the bar.

Everything except for the floor is new.  Round and square-topped tables are scattered around the L-shaped room. A sleek black bench, with more LEDs above and below it, provides seating along the western brick wall. More lights above chicly tie it all together.

The patio, which isn’t quite finished, will have a large awning for covered outdoor dining.

Splurge-worthy steak on the menu

It all provides an ideal setting for the menu which, although seafood and steak focused, has a little bit of everything.

“We are not a steakhouse, but I’m most excited for the steaks,” said Russo, whose “main grill guy” has 20-plus years of experience from Peter Luger Steak House in Brooklyn. “There are different price points, and I’ve tried them all. They are really, really good. If you want to splurge, the wagyu (New York strip) is such a great piece of meat.”

Filet mignon, skirt steak, bone-in ribeye, braised short rib and a wagyu burger round out the beef offerings.

“What also sets us apart is we are not a la carte,” Russo said. “When you get a steak, you also get potatoes, sides.”

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Seafood is also highlighted – from mussels to oysters on the First Flavors menu to grilled salmon, bouillabaisse, and twin lobster tails on the main.

There are also soups, greens, and chicken & chops to round things out.

“There’s a lot to be excited for on this menu,” said Russo, whose chef worked at Diamondhead and Oxbow at the Luminary. “It will be a bit higher price point for the food. We are serving top-quality ingredients and we have to charge a little bit more for it.”

Opening in the off-season

Russo doesn’t want Stones Throw to be a special occasion venue, although those are always welcome.

“We have guests who come to Two Meatballs three or four times a week,” he said. “I want this to be a place where people will want to come to all the time. Sit outside and have a drink. Stay for dinner. Come every day if you want to.”

Russo is not too concerned about opening off-season.

“I think this off-season is slower now than other off-seasons,” he said. “But it’s all par for the course. There are still a lot of people in Cape Coral and they are very loyal. I’ve opened in the thick of season and Two Meatballs during COVID. It’s easier to open off-season in some ways.”

It ended up being a good season for Russo’s other restaurants despite the challenges.

Junkanoo, Fresh Catch and more to come

After Hurricane Ian destroyed Junkanoo and Fresh Catch Bistro on Fort Myers Beach, he acted quickly. Russo reopened Junkanoo on Feb. 8 and Fresh Catch at the end of the month, about a mile south of the restaurants’ original location.

“Even the Beach had better numbers than we expected,” Russo said. “We were able to settle in nicely. Not being on the sand is a drawback but we are getting a boating crowd now. And we are still waterfront. It’s a different beauty.”

Don’t expect Russo to slow down even after Stones Throw opens.

He mentioned opportunities in the Cape Coral area, along with the dining scene in the Estero and Bonita Springs areas.

“Fresh Catch has been around for 15 years,” he said. “It has great food and great service. It could work inland if you do it right …”

Stones Throw, 1339 Cape Coral Parkway E, Cape Coral; Grand opening Wednesday, May 24; hours will be 3-9 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and 3-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Monday; (239) 291-3900 for reservations; follow on Facebook.

Robyn George is a food and dining writer for The Fort Myers News-Press. Send scoops and news to [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: New Cape Coral restaurant, Stones Throw, is latest to open downtown