Yates takes reigns at Toro in Bell Tower

Yates takes reins at Toro in Bell Tower

COURTESY PHOTO YATES No matter what happens later in life, you never really forget you're first love or stop secretly hoping for a second chance.

Shannon Yates is getting that chance this week as he takes over Toro, which he opened almost a decade ago as Bacchus.

This week, Yates returns to the scene, bringing in an impressive mix of talent to the cozy little restaurant with the open kitchen and sprawling outdoor dining area.

"This was my baby," Yates says. "I've always loved this space."

This time he'll serve as more of an overseer than the day-to-day hands-on chef/ manager. He'll also have some help from Eric Truglas - current food and beverage director for Bonita Bay and former executive chef at Sanibel Harbour Resort - who will serve as a culinary consultant.

Heath Higginbotham is the executive chef, while Matt Hartmann takes on the front of the house. Both are chef alums from Yates' most recent restaurant venture, Cru, which is also at Bell Tower.

"We're getting a lot of bang for our buck," Yates says about those who will have a hand in re-energizing the restaurant. "Four of eight members of the service staff are chefs. I've always believed chefs make the best servers."

Yates was the creative force behind Bacchus & Co., which opened at the Bell Tower in 1999. It quickly became a popular haunt for food and wine devotees.

He went on to open a downtown version and a bar before moving on to join forces with John and Liz Kagan with whom he opened Cru. He still makes periodic appearances there, working in tandem with current executive chef Brian Roland.

Meanwhile, Yates is also busy with other projects.

Food Nerds LLC, the company he owns jointly with the Kagans, is running full-tilt producing Volcano Spring Rolls, which are sold both wholesale and retail from the Fort Myers factory. He's also planning to open a new to-go concept, Mad Takeout, in late spring with chef Ruth Cohen (also a Cru alum) in the space between French Roast Café and Outback Steakhouse just north of Bell Tower Shops.

Toro is open for champagne brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and for dinner Monday through Saturday. Yates says it will open again for lunch in a few weeks. For details or reservations, call the restaurant at 437-8676.