1hundredsixty8

 (Originally posted March 10, 2014)

I was having a discussion with my friend Dustin here in Cape Coral the other day about food and restaurants. We both enjoy cooking and we agreed that 1) we had no desire to work as professional chefs- too arduous and that alone would lessen the appeal; but 2) it would be fun to have a restaurant that was open a day or two a week and served a very limited menu. The conversation turned to the subject of food trucks and popup restaurants as a way for young chefs to showcase their skill, perhaps make a name for themselves and build a following. Dustin then grabbed his iPhone to ask his friend Google about a local celebrity chef who’d opened a small place in the Cape. He quickly came up with Shannon Yates as one of the owners of “Nevermind”, a local bar that happened to be a stone’s throw from where we live.

So, last night, the Princess and I and another couple ventured across Cape Coral Parkway to a little strip mall (3 store fronts) and into what looked to be a local bar. Rock and roll was playing loudly, the NBA was on the big screen: it did not look much like a place where you would find a gourmet meal. Wendy and Larry appeared ready to bolt, but we pressed on. Looks, it is said, can be deceiving.

We passed on the chance to share a high top with other patrons in the bar area and were able to get two small tables pushed together in the quieter rear dining area. Barb and I opted for Rastafarye Ales* on tap while we perused the menu. Larry and I went for the “Catelli Farms Lamb Burger” with truffle fries; Wendy chose the “Brisket and Mash” with collard greens. Barbara ordered the lamb burger, too, but, seeing the “B&W” (Angus beef burger and parmesan-encrusted chicken wings) served to another table, quickly changed her order. Each couple decided to share a house salad with “toast and lime”, prompting Leslie, our server, to state that we were obviously people who “liked living on the edge.”

While we waited and chatted, the couple next to us was served a “2 Pound Dry Aged New York Strip for Two” which was presented beautifully. They had driven about 25 miles from Estero because they had heard about “Nevermind”. The young woman worked in a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and at the end of the meal pronounced it the equal of what her employer served.

Our salads came- large pieces of Romaine leaves with capers and chopped red bell pepper. The lime-infused vinegarette was sublime, just enough of a citrus bite to tantalize the taste buds. Despite the surroundings, this was definitely not pub food.

The entrees also drew raves from our group. The lamb burgers were juicy, done medium rare and served in halves on a fresh-baked roll. The truffle fries were sinful: Shards of white potato deep-fried in truffle oil and lightly salted. Barbara’s wings were a welcome change from the typical “Buffalo-style” hot wings- no greasy barbeque sauce- with a crispy parmesan crust sealing in the tender meat. Wendy’s brisket was as tender and flavorful as a steak, an unusual combination for a cut of beef that can be difficult to prepare. She made the point that the collard greens were not bitter “like they usually are.”

“Nevermind” was a great discovery for us, high-end food at very reasonable prices (entrees averaged $15 each; the salads were $9 apiece). And it is only a 10 minute walk from our home.

Oh, and yes, it was a very lively bar crowd, too.

Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery

927 E. Cape Coral Parkway,

Cape Coral, FL

*A product of the Blue Point Brewery from Long Island, our other home town.