It’s a busy week on the Lee County foodie scene.
Take Friday, Oct. 4, for example. On that day, three (yes, three!) very different food ventures will debut.
From a popular franchise cake shop in Estero to a food truck in Bonita Springs and the opening (reopening actually) of a pizza-and-more joint in Cape Coral, we’ll be ready to eat.
And if we don’t catch you there, maybe we’ll see you Tuesday, Oct. 8, at our special dinner and conversation event at Next Door in Cape Coral.
Or maybe at the long-awaited opening of Bruno’s of Brooklyn later this month. We’ve got our reservation — do you?
Here’s a quick look at what’s happening …
Blue Dog
One of our favorite restaurants, this Matlacha bar & grill is closed due to flooding from Hurricane Helene. According to its Facebook post, Blue Dog “will be closed until Tuesday, October 8th (and possibly later).” Photos showed water one-third of the way up the front door and equipment scattered about inside. Known for its fresh seafood, the blackened mullet sandwich was named one of the best handhelds in the state in 2023 by USA TODAY Network’s Florida Dining and Entertainment Team. Follow Blue Dog (4597 Pine Island Road NW) on Facebook for more.
Bruno’s of Brooklyn
We’ve been waiting for this one. The grand opening of this downtown Fort Myers gem will take place Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 2149 First St. The space on the corner of First and Dean streets has gone through extensive renovation for months. The Brunos purchased it in late 2022. Reservations can be made now by going to brunosofbrooklyn.com. Hours as of Oct. 22 will be 5-10 p.m. Monday to Friday; lunch will be added from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Oct. 28; and brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday beginning Nov. 2. Follow Bruno’s on Facebook for more.
Sylwia’s Ice Cream
This 5-plus-year-old ice cream shop in northeast Cape Coral closed for good the last weekend in September.
“Although this chapter is coming to a close, it’s not goodbye forever,” a Facebook post from owners Sylwia and Brad Mills read. “We’ll still be in the area, and our hearts are full of gratitude for having been a part of this wonderful community.”
Sylwia’s was in the same plaza as the newest Stuff-A-Bagel and Luciano’s Too Pizzeria off Del Prado Boulevard N.
Dine with JLB
Next Door in Cape Coral is one of my favorite restaurants in Southwest Florida.
If you haven’t been or if you love it too, let’s go!
I’ll be there Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Lee County debut of At the Table, a small, intimate dining event that brings foodies and storytelling together.
Only a few tickets remain so act quickly if you want to go.
John Hill, a wonderfully talented and engaging chef at Next Door and neighboring Gather, has created a special three-course meal for the event.
Picture a burrata salad, followed by John’s homemade agnolotti (duck confit, sweet potato, squash, bok choy, miso-black garlic beurre blanc). Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.
It’ll begin with an amuse bouche and end with a dessert from Jessica Shoemaker, another of my favorite chefs. I’ve popped in solely for her luscious layer cakes from time to time and recommend you do the same.
I’ll chat with John and Jessica about how they ended up in Southwest Florida, where they love to eat locally, their Klondike Bar connection and much more.
And please bring your questions too.
All in all, it should be a fun, food-filled evening at this fabulous waterfront restaurant.
We’d love to see you there.
Seating is limited, so get your tickets asap at news-press.com/table. It’s $80 per person, with dinner, tax and gratuity included. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and dinner is at 6 p.m.
See you then! (Next Door, 5971 Silver King Blvd., Unit 114, Cape Coral)
Pizza Parma
This Italian restaurant in Cape Coral is getting back in the game with a grand opening on Friday, Oct. 4. Food, drinks and live music will be featured from 4-10 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling (630) 492-6902. It’s located at 4643 Coronado Parkway. Follow on Facebook.
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Bundt cakes, Bundtlets and Bundtinis are coming to Estero. Nothing Bundt Cakes will open Friday, Oct. 4, at 19970 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 105, in Estero. It’s in the Cayo de Estero Shoppes, just north of Estero Parkway. It’ll be the third location in the area, joining one in Colonial Square at the southwest corner of I-75 and Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers and another in the South Street-anchored Goodlette Corners off Pine Ridge Road in Naples. Go to nothingbundtcakes.com for more.
Maddie’s Artisanal Bakery
The Coral Baker has rebranded and will soon open in LadyCakes Bakery’s previous space at 2924 Del Prado Blvd., Suites 7-8, in Cape Coral. Maddie’s will make pastries, cakes and artisanal bread from scratch daily. Stay tuned to Maddie’s Facebook page for more. (LadyCakes is moving to Cape Coral Parkway and still taking orders in the meantime. Find it on Facebook.)
Reggae Kitchen
This food truck is bringing the flavors of the Caribbean to Rooftop at Riverside. At 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, it will become the newest vendor at the year-old venue, with one more new truck coming later this month. Chef Marlon McLeary and his wife Terryann helm this flavorful, spicy taste of Jamaica.
More news: Latest: Fort Myers Beach restaurants drying out, reopen after Hurricane Helene
“Marlon and Terryann’s flavors pair perfectly with our growing Reggae Sundays music that we launched this summer,” Rooftop owner and operator Chris Magnus said in a news release.
Reggae Kitchen will join OCN Seafood Co, Butcher Blvd., Zoey’s Pizza Kitchen and Crooked Cow Creamery food trucks in the lineup. Find Rooftop at Riverside at 27333 Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs. Follow on Facebook.
Palmas de Medallo
This new restaurant and bar took over Cork Soakers recently vacated spot (the Cape Coral location is still open) at 4400 Hancock Bridge Parkway in North Fort Myers. It features a fusion of Colombian and Mexican cuisine. The grand opening — complete with live music — was held Sept. 28. Follow on Facebook.
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: Dining news: From Bruno’s, Blue Dog to a sweet goodbye in Cape Coral
