PAST REPASTS

A rich and creamy flourless chocolate cake that's not overly sweet makes a fine finish to a meal at Sasse's. FLORIDA WEEKLY PHOTO / KAREN FELDMAN

Crave, Bridge Plaza, 12901 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers; 466-4663

What a great name for this unobtrusive little gem tucked into the Bridge Plaza not far from Nomiki's Plaka and Café Cibo. Try it once and chances are you'll return. With just 10 tables and three booths, a large chalkboard for daily specials and a minimalist décor, it's the food that shines here, just as chef/owner Sean Gavin intended. For breakfast, there are classic biscuits and gravy as well as shrimp and grits or corned beef hash. BLTs, burgers and the Wicked Fluffa Nutta (a tripledecker Marshmallow Fluff and peanut butter sandwich) are lunch fare; and dinner includes standards such as mac and cheese, roasted chicken and meatloaf. I liked the Crave dip, with shrimp, crab, spinach, mushrooms and cheese, as well as the goat cheese mac and cheese. The three-way duck is a tasty and imaginative entrée and the salmon was delicious with a raspberry vodka martini sauce. Don't skip dessert: the trio of cupcakes (red velvet, chocolate with raspberry sauce and vanilla with chocolate sauce) was a

Crave

standout. Breakfast and lunch served Tuesday through Saturday, breakfast and lunch on Sunday, lunch and dinner Mondays. Beer and wine.

Fitzgerald's Famous Pub & Grill, 18767 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers; 433- 0419

When it's time to feed the family and one wants barbecue, another craves pub grub and someone else has a hankering for shepherd's pie, this cozy establishment in San Carlos Park (with another branch in Bonita Springs) can handle it all. Add in a staff that's warm and welcoming as well as live music on some evenings—it was a strolling bluegrass band on the night I visited—and you've

Fitzgerald's Famous Pub & Grill

got a recipe for a fun-filled night out that won't blow the budget. The Monaghan mushrooms—with a crab stuffing, then battered, fried and topped with a horseradish sauce—were good starters, followed by a well-prepared salmon in bourbon whiskey sauce and a gargantuan farmhouse pie, which is a variation of the better-known shepherd's pie. We finished with a satisfying Irish whiskey pudding.

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

India Palace is an establishment in which one of the world's most vibrant 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 more spice can choose from vindaloos,

India Palace

curries and a zesty onion chutney. Everything I've ever eaten at this restaurant has been delicious. From the crisp onion bhaji and vegetable samosa, to the smooth, gingery dal soup, the tandoori items, the biryani and a real standout, bhindi (tender-crisp okra in a well-balanced sauce), each dish is painstakingly prepared with fresh, flavorful ingredients.

Rain Sushi Bar & Thai Cuisine

Rain Sushi Bar & Thai Cuisine, 11861 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers; 693-7246.

Stylishly executed Asian fare served in a lovely setting by a gracious staff awaits adventurous souls who head east on Palm Beach Boulevard to Rain, set The Shops at Veranda, not surprisingly situated in front of the Veranda community. You can't go wrong with tom kha gai, a chicken soup with coconut milk, galangal and kaffir lime, the savory gingerine talay or tofu with cashews and vegetables. The sushi menu is extensive and the massive one I tried—Pleasure Island—would almost make a meal by itself. The wine list offers an interesting selection by the bottle or glass.

Sasse's

Sasse's, 3651 Evans Ave., Fort Myers; 278-5544.

Sasse's has become a kinder and gentler establishment since Barbara and Jerry Snyderman bought it a couple of years back. Both credit cards and reservations are accepted these days and servers, chefs and management go out of their way to make everyone welcome. And if that's not enough, the kitchen is at the top of its game. This outpost of refined Italian cuisine has long been known for its gargantuan portions and that hasn't changed. From the big bowl of perfectly steamed mussels in a white

 wine broth to the freshly baked bread shrimp Parmigiana and braised lamb shank, every dish was expertly seasoned, cooked and plated. And, no matter how much food you order, save room for dessert. The créme brulee was an exercise in delicious decadence and the flourless chocolate cake was dark, dense and intensely satisfying. Expect to take home leftovers. It's a Sasse's tradition. Open for lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Beer and wine served.