PAST REPASTS

PHOTO KAREN FELDMAN Creme brulee is a specialty of the house at Delicious Things.

Delicious Things, 2262 First St., Fort Myers; 332-7797.

This lovely little downtown restaurant has the feel and taste of an authentic trattoria. Dine inside or at sidewalk tables on impeccably fresh, flavorful Italian favorites, such as caprese salad, carpaccio, tender gnocchi and exceptional créme brulee. Specials often feature fresh seafood and vegetables in delicately seasoned sauces. There hasn't been a dish I've ordered here that hasn't looked and tasted terrific. And to top it all off: the service is good, too. Open for lunch and dinner. Price range: appetizers, $6.50-$11.55; entrees, $14.80-$28.90. Beer and wine served. Ratings:

India Palace, 11605 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 939-2323.

India Palace is an establishment in which one of the world's finest cuisines gets the royal treatment. Although Indian food has a reputation for being ultra-hot - and it certainly can be - the kitchen here is happy to make it as mild or as fiery as you'd like. Tender palates will enjoy the tandoori items, the dal (lentil) soup, soothing raita and naan bread while those who like a bit more spice can choose from vindaloos, curries and a lively onion chutney that will add more heat if desired. It's tough to go wrong here, from the crisp onion bhaji and vegetable samosa, to the smooth, gingery dal soup, the tandoori items, the biryani and a real standout, bhindi, a dish that features tender-crisp okra in a well-balanced sauce. Full bar. Ratings:

Delicious Things

Origami, Cypress Trace Shopping Center, 13300-41 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 482-2126.

Origami's Korean and Japanese fare remains as good as ever. Sushi and sashimi share space with cooked Japanese standards and Korean classics. A hot mango roll - spicy tuna with sliced yellowtail and mango on the outside, served with mango and eel sauces - was refreshing with its blend of fish and mango with sweet notes from the eel and mango sauces and a fiery finish from the spicy sauce tucked inside with the tuna. Pan-seared Chilean sea bass with roasted sweet pepper sauce and pineapple rice was expertly prepared, and the jop chae, a Korean version of lo mein, was hearty and well seasoned. All the little side dishes - miso soup, seaweed and kimchee, among them - were tasty, too. Banana spring rolls with coconut ice cream and chocolate sauce finished the meal nicely. Service was friendly, if a little inconsistent. Full bar. Ratings:

PHOTO KAREN FELDMAN Indian fare features lots of spices and vegetables. From left, tandoori chicken, bhindi over basmati rice, onion naan and vegetable biryani.

P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Gulf Coast Town Center, south Fort Myers; 590-9197.

Lush, lovely décor, exemplary service and praiseworthy food make Chang's an immediate hit wherever it opens. It's usually crowded and, as a result, a touch on the noisy side, but worth it to feast on Chang's vegetarian lettuce wraps, crisp crab wontons, mu shu pork, Cantonese roasted duck (Chang's version of Peking duck), and orange peel shrimp. Chocolate lovers should plan their meals so as to save room for the Great Wall of Chocolate, but also worthy of mention are the banana spring rolls with coconut-pineapple ice cream. Full bar. Ratings:

India Palace Origami PHOTO JIM MCCRACKEN Origami's Pan-seared Chilean sea bass with pepper sauce and pineapple rice gets elegant treatment in Origami's kitchen. PHOTO KAREN FELDMAN Servers at P. F. Chang's China Bistro dress in black. They make sure customers are served quickly and have everything they need. P.F. Chang's China Bistro