Fine-dining steak, seafood restaurant about to open in Fort Myers: What we know

Robyn George, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read

The wait for dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and a highly acclaimed wine list is almost over.

The Capital Grille is set to make its Lee County debut when it opens Monday, June 24, at Bell Tower in south Fort Myers.

The fine dining restaurant has taken over the spot the now demolished Mimi’s Café once occupied, near Jared The Galleria of Jewelry along Daniels Parkway.

Seth Kooistra of Fort Myers is a managing partner at the popular fine-dining restaurant.

“I am excited to both hire and serve the great people from the community I grew up in,” Kooistra — who has been with The Capital Grille for 15 years — said in a news release.

The Capital Grille's signature chrome lions are ready and waiting at the Fort Myers location.
The Capital Grille's signature chrome lions are ready and waiting at the Fort Myers location.

His 10,156 square-foot restaurant includes a dining room (which will be open for lunch Monday to Friday and dinner daily), a lounge and six private event spaces. The chain's signature chrome lions are in place outside, already guarding the entryway, and Fort Myers-themed art and photographs will adorn the walls inside.

The Capital Grille is known for its 18- to 24-day dry-aged and hand-carved steaks, fresh seafood and 350-plus wine list selections. Wine Spectator has honored the restaurant, which offers personalized wine lockers for lease annually, 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 br?lée style, are made daily from scratch.

Tenderloin with chimichurri sauce and fries is one of three entree selections for Capital Grille's $28 lunch "Plates" special.
Tenderloin with chimichurri sauce and fries is one of three entree selections for Capital Grille's $28 lunch "Plates" special.

It will be the latest restaurant to join a strong lineup 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 Bell Tower dining options include Burntwood Tavern, Cantina Laredo, DaRuMa, Dave & Busters and Ice Spot.

Part of the Darden family of restaurants (Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Ruth's Chris, Bahama Breeze and more), The Capital Grille has 10 locations in Florida, including one at The Mercato in North Naples since 2008.

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The new Fort Myers location will be at 5070 Bell Tower Shops Ave. Go to thecapitalgrille.com for more.

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: The Capital Grille is about to open at Bell Tower in Fort Myers

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