CRU Fort Myers FL

Cru: "My favorite in Fort Myers"
Aug 2006

I don't usually get very passionate about restaurants, but my experiences at Cru have always been amazing. The restaurant has been open for about 4 years, or somewhere around there, and has become THE place to go eat or drink in Ft. Myers as that is what they say in bestfortmyersdining.com. It is located at the Bell Tower Shops, which is itself a very popular destination in town. It's a great location because you can go do some shopping before dinner. There is a movie theater next door as well, but I think you'd enjoy your dinner too much to want to leave to make a show time.

The restaurant is not really that big, and it can get a little noisy. So it might not be the place if you want a quiet romantic dinner, but if you would like to do some people watching and like an energetic atmosphere, it is just what you need. Cru has a bar/lounge area that gets very crowded on weekend nights with the young, stylish, set. There is some outdoor seating for dining, but it is out in the walkway for the mall (it is an open air mall) so it is not terribly private. I prefer to sit inside myself. The owner is opening a second location (right next door, I think) that will be a more intimate, quiet place. Genius.

The food is always perfect and the service is great. The owner has done an excellent job of creating dishes that are inventive and fresh. The salads are always very different. One time I got a salad that came in cubes. Hard to explain, but it was delicious. Get the spicy crab rolls for an appetizer. The motto of the restaurant is "Lush Wines and Pure Food" and they definitely follow it. The meat selection usually includes duck, elk, steak, and sea bass. I've had the duck and Cru Steak, and both were delicious. I love their Paella, though. It's hard not to get it every time, because it is so good (a waiter once told me that it will never come off the menu since people like it so much).

Cru is expensive, especially if you get wine and extras (dessert, appetizers, etc). But if you are celebrating a special occasion or you want to splurge on vacation, this is the place to go in Fort Myers. Of course, it is not a waterfront restaurant, but I don't know of another place in town with food like Cru. But always check swfloridarewards.com for coupons you never know.