Lots happening in the Fort Myers cuisine scene

Biddles' tuna is tops - again

It seems as if last month's dining column started out with the news that Biddle's Restaurant's Tower of Tuna came out on top at the Junior League's Taste of the Town, held Nov. 4 in Centennial Park.

And here I am again, reporting on the 18th annual March of Dimes Signature Chef's Auction, in which Biddle's again loomed large among the competitors, capturing first place in both the Fine Dining and People's Choice categories as well as for Best Display.

As one of the judges - a job I've had the honor of performing for at least six years - I can attest to the superb flavors, textures and appearance of chef Bruno Ferreyra's signature appetizer that mounds lightly marinated diced raw tuna with an avocado salsa and ginger glaze atop a nest of crunchy wakame.

Congratulations once again to Biddles as well as to the other winners of the Nov. 17th event held at Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa. They are:

Fine Dining: Biddle's first place; Dwyer's, second place; Gasparilla Grill, third place.

Dessert/Catering: Dwyer's, first; Yum Yum Cakes, second.

COURTESY PHOTO Biddle's Restaurant Chef Bruno Ferreyra and an assistant at last month's March of Dimes Signature Chef's Auction.

People's Choice: Biddles, first; University Grill, second; Catering Extraordinaire, third.

Buon Appetito times two

If you haven't yet found your way to the charming and hospitable little Buon Appetito Café on Corporate Court just off College Parkway in Fort Myers, you can now sample some of the food at its second location, the diner at Sam Galloway Ford on Boy Scout Drive.

Buon Appetito is owned and operated by longtime friends and business associates Gabe Ermmarino and Alex Cervasio, their spouses and offspring. They serve traditional Italian fare made the old-fashioned way: they do it themselves, starting with the homegrown basil that flavors their wondrous pesto. That's just the start. The menu changes according to what they are inspired to make on any given day. On the occasions that I've dined there, it's all been great.

Apparently that's what Sam Galloway thought, too. You may remember that the auto magnate had an eponymous diner on the sprawling grounds of his dealership just off Boy Scout Drive. It closed a few months back.

According to Cervasio, Galloway persuaded the Buon Appetito team to branch out - and into his empty diner.

"He said 'if anyone can make a go of it there, you can,' " Cervasio says.

And so they are giving it a try to see if he's right.

From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, they serve traditional diner fare for breakfast and lunch along with some Buon Appetito delicacies, including pizza and lasagna.

Nonetheless, the original restaurant - "we call it headquarters now," Cervasio says - remains open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 4 to 9 p.m. Saturdays at 6314 Corporate Court.

Cervasio seems unfazed by the expansion despite the original restaurant's long hours.

"When we go to dance, we dance," he says, his upbeat way of saying they get fully involved when they commit to something.

See for yourself. And, if you need directions, call Buon Appetito's headquarters at 433-0117.

Shannon Yates, Chief Food Nerd and Cru founder New at Cru

This month's Protein Series pays homage to the lobster, featuring it in three courses. The menu includes: Persian and Maine lobster cones; Caribbean lobster ceviche; butter poached South African, Cuban spiny and Maine lobster with scallion and sake butter dipping sauces (add filet mignon for $18); served with Swanson merlot and pinot grigio.

The special meal will be served on Sunday, with reservations available between 6 and 9 p.m. The cost is $70 for the dinner, $90 with wine.

Paella lovers - or those who just like to see a heated culinary competition - may want to reserve a spot at Cru on Sunday, Dec. 16, for what promises to be a battle royal between two chefs who pare paella proud. Gloria Cabral, the effervescent chef/owner of La Trattoria Café Napoli, faces off against Shannon Yates, the formidable chief Food Nerd and Cru founder.

The competition starts at 1 p.m. at Cru and features unlimited paella, as well as rioja and albarino wines. It's $40 per person.

FLORIDA WEEKLY PHOTO Blu Sushi opened this month at the Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero. Cru is at Bell Tower Shops. For reservations or information, call 466-3663.

Open doors

Ah, you can tell it's tourist season by more than the changing colors of the license plates. It's also the time when a lot of restaurants open their doors and this year is no different.

Here are just a few of the new kids - or old kids in new digs - on the block:

Blu Sushi opened its Gulf Coast Town Center branch just after Thanksgiving. The third Blu - the other two are in Fort Myers and Naples - is open seven days a week, serving imaginative sushi and cocktails. Call 334-2583 for details.

Café Cibo has moved a few doors away from its original location in the Bridge Plaza on McGregor Boulevard just south of College Parkway. Chef/ owner Marc Marotta and his wife, Mary Pat, did a massive renovation of the former Kennedy's Cove, which has a lot more seats than the old spot and a full bar. And what of the old location? Marotta plans to make that into a Southwestern-themed restaurant he'll call Cabo. Meanwhile, Cibo is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday and dinner Monday through Saturday. For details and reservations, call 454-3700.

850 on Lafayette opened last week at 850 Lafayette St., Cape Coral. Chef Sean Boller offers a menu that melds American and Asian food and flavors as well as tapas and favorite dishes from Chip's Sanibel Steakhouse, which is also owned by Chip Durpo. A taste of the menu includes: ahi tuna bites, lobster spring rolls, smoked free-range chicken, a 22-ounce, bone-in cowboy steak and grouper Oscar. It's open nightly. Call 541-4898 or get more details at its Web site at www.850restaurant.com.

First Watch opened another branch Friday. This one is next to the new Publix in the new First Street Village near downtown Fort Myers.