Cafe Italia

Update to my last review: Nov 2023 Back again tonite. It’s season and time to try this place. I told Betty, if I post anymore reviews, people are going to think I’m a member of the family! Try the million dollar bacon and shrimp appetizer, Yum. 4 shrimp, 2 pieces of bacon in a sweet and smoky glaze. My husband had veal saltimbocca. If you like veal, my husband says it’s the best he’s ever had. I had the special which was swordfish stuffed with crab and topped with shrimp, covered with Bernaise sauce. They will be open and taking reservations for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year’s Eve. Come celebrate it’s great! This is our first time back since the hurricane, all redone. We couldn’t wait to get back. The food here is delicious and cooked to order. This family owned business in Fort Myers deserves our support. I was supposed to take pictures of the food, but we ate everything before we remembered. Come and take your own!

Like many gems in Fort Meyers this is located in the otherwise unspectacular location of a strip mall. If you’re not paying attention you will drive right by it and not give it a thought. I did for years. If I had not gone into a next door business and noticed an employee updating an outdoor chalk board and been thirsty, I probably would still be driving past on my way to Publix. Courtney’s is a very good and well known to regulars, small and charming restaurant. It is not hip or trendy, more traditional, but not dated either. The menu is “courageous” and extensive for the size. I finally had dinner with a choice of seating at a small comfy bar, high top or traditional seating. The triple tail fish special was excellent, bread and olive oil tapenade dip very good. Service with a very light crowd on a weekday was excellent. I don’t know the owner chef, but it feels like a family operation. I urge you to support this and other hurricane Ian affected small businesses. Courtney’s is located in an area that was devastated and knocked down. Help them get back up! (FYI. I’m inclined to not publish anything critical for any businesses affected by Ian for one year. Some are not back up to former games just yet. But Courtney’s is well on the way!)

We were celebrating a birthday, couldn’t wait for Courtney’s to reopen after the devastating hurricane. We had the surf and turf, and the fillet mignon with béarnaise sauce. We were served delicious bread with olive oil and herbs. Next we sampled the house salad and my favorite, the Caesar salad. Next came the fabulous entrees, the steaks were flavorful and melt in you mouth tender, the lobster tail,was prepared perfectly. Jordan provided excellence service. Happy to see owner Betty again, Doc & Jerrie