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Address: 2122 Second St., Fort Myers
Phone: 239-332-2065
Website: www.verandarestaurant.com
Recommended by: Phyllis Ershowsky, principal of PKE Marketing & PR Solutions, says she would bring a valued client to the Veranda because of its upscale elegance and Old Florida charm.
Reservations: Yes, for parties of six or more.
Parking: Parking can be a challenge, especially on busy days at the nearby courthouse. The restaurant's small parking lot is often full. There's parking on and off the street, but you may have to walk a block or two.
One-hour lunch test: Efficient and friendly service here guarantees you'll be finished within an hour. That's even as we lingered over the menu and some dishes were more elaborate. Our water glasses were filled immediately and replenished frequently.
Privacy: You can discuss business here without worrying about being overheard. There's plenty of space between tables, the ceilings are low and soft music drowns out any conversations nearby. But because of its location downtown, you're likely to run into lawyers you know. If you're trying to avoid the legal community, we suggest you look for an alternative lunch spot.
Ambiance: The Veranda, inside two turn-of-the-century homes, fits right into its Old Florida surroundings in downtown Fort Myers. Its white-tablecloth service and Southern cuisine suggests long, leisurely lunches, but the service is fast without making you feel rushed. Downtown Fort Myers is home to the legal profession, so it caters to that clientele.
Food: The Southern cuisine means dishes lean on the heavy side. The entree portions are generous, so consider ordering from the appetizers if you're not that hungry. Dishes range from the Veranda Carpetbagger, a roast beef and turkey sandwich, to crab cakes and grilled fish. Lunch for three recently cost about $60.
Ownership: Fort Myers father-and-son team Paul and Craig Peden are the owners of this institution, now in its 33rd year. The Pedens are well-known restaurateurs in the area and own Rib City, a chain of 29 barbecue restaurants.
Review Date: July, 2011
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