Great Restaurants of Fort Myers, Florida

Ft. Myers does have it's share of great places to eat; I have discovered a few more interesting places. OPA!, Mediterranean Gourmet, specializing in Greek and Mediterranean Cuisine. On the corner of Winkler and Metro Parkway in a small shopping center. The GYROS are out of this world and they also have other homemade specialties, many delicious vegetarian dishes. This is a MUST STOP if you are anywhere in this area. I discovered OPA! because it is right down the road from the Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach REALTOR Association building, of which I am a member. I'm not finding a website for Opa! OPA! 2950 Winkler Ave. #201 Fort Myers, FL 33916 239-936-2901 AUSTRIAN-GERMAN PAVILION RESTAURANT I discovered this restaurant secreted in the middle of the courtyard of the Royal Palm Square, while attending additional real estate classes at a real estate school there. As they say: "Helmut and Helga welcome you to a pleasurable dining experience." Eat indoors or out, under the umbrellas, in the European style. Hungarian goulash or schnitzel anyone? You must park and walk inside the inner courtyard where there are flowing fountains and streams; you cannot see the restaurant from Colonial Blvd. Austrian-German 1400 Colonial Blvd. #33 Fort Myers, FL 33907 239-936-8118

http://www.austrian-german-restaurant-ftm.com/

While I'm in the neighborhood, wandering around the Royal Palm Square shopping center courtyard, I run across this charming little shop, A Swedish Affair, the finest in Scandinavian handicraft. Lots of handmade goods, signs, cards, Norway goods, aprons, blown glass, wood, etc...Found an adorable little scottie dog crafted from "brushes". Anyway. Worth a look if you love Scandanavian goods or just simply a charming shop. You cannot see the shop from Colonial Blvd. You must park and walk inside the courtyard. But, that's okay as there are little waterfalls and of course the cafe described above.

A Swedish Affair

Royal Palm Square

1400 Colonial Blvd.

Fort Myers, FL 33907

239-275-8004

http://www.swedensfinest.com/

SALSA I have often had a quick peek at this building and sign as I was flying down 41 from Fort Myers to Bonita. But, one day, I happened to be hungry for what I thought would be Mexican food, so I took a quick right into the parking lot. (Actual entrance is off of Boy Scout Rd.). What a nice surprise. Don't let the not exciting exterior fool you, or the not exciting interior deter you, once you walk in the doors. This is great food! And, it's a mix of Cuban, Mexican and Puerto Rican dishes, all seemingly freshly prepared from scratch. We sampled the whole fried fish (excellent), the garlic roasted chicken with rice and black beans and plantains, also delicious. Next time, I'm going for their $5.00 Cuban sandwich. They also light up at night with live music and dancing and even one night with Salsa lessons, thus the name. SALSA 1920 Boy Scout Dr. Fort Myers, FL 33907 239 277-0166

http://www.salsaftmyers.com/

Mimi's Cafe I am not a chain restaurant sort of person, however, Mimi's is not your typical chain. 1) It's French Countryside style 2) It's a very small chain and 3) it retains it's charming decor and delicious food and baked goods. Was treated to a wonderful breakfast of Crab Cake Florentine and Benedict. Loved to look at all of their memoribilia on the walls including old photographs from France. If you only drive down 41 from Naples to Fort Myers you will not see Mimi's Cafe. You must turn into the Bell Towers Shopping Center at the corner of Daniel's Parkway and 41. Go to the Daniels side of the Bell Towers shops. Mimi's Cafe 5070 Bell Towers Shops Ave. Fort Myers, FL 33907 239 561-0073 http://www.mimiscafe.com/ Remember, if you are out and about in SW Florida and decide that you need to buy (or sell) a home here, I'm Dana Carrera, I know the area well and am a licensed REALTOR. See contact information to have me assist with your next property.

A Day in the Bay

Revisited a favorite place today by kayak; a tiny sand island in the bay (Estero Bay)that appears and disappears with the changing tides. In the sand I found flamingo pink color shells; an unusual find. There is a resort on Fort Myers Beach called Pink Shell Resort; I wonder if this is how they got their name. Perhaps many years ago there used to be an abundance of pink shells.

While stretched out on the sands of my miniature empire, a jet flies overhead, taking off from the Fort Myers airport heading West to loop North. I thought how strangely interesting I must appear to someone looking out their windows, me and my kayak on a few yards of sand surrounded by tons of water.

When totally submerged in nature and without distractions I am fortunate to be able to revert back to childhood play and creativity. A mangrove pod floating by, rescued and examined becomes a quill pen with which to write letters with oceans of clear ink on perhaps parchment in the form of a giant seagrape leaf, which must now be found. A corkscrew shell becomes the perfect earring so one must search for the other missing one. Translucent white shells make perfectly glamorous fingernails. I make a great ten year old.

When my kingdom is being reclaimed by the bay waters and it is time to go, if all is well and the timing is just right, I can simply drift and float back to the exact piece of shoreline where I started out. I am my own sail. It has been a good day in Florida.