When Shawnee and Davide Mistretta opened Morning Bloom — their breakfast and lunch restaurant in Bridge Plaza in Fort Myers — last August, they had no intention of expanding.
Heck, just a few months ago, they still had no plans to open another location.
But plans change quickly.
“We were just sitting at home,” Shawnee said. “Then our coffee guy said there was a restaurant for sale we should check out. The owner was looking for someone to come in and take over. I said, ‘OK, cool, will let you know.’”
That restaurant was Tim Yoa’s Artisan Eatery on Daniels Parkway.
“We got to talking with him,” Shawnee said. “We weren’t looking at all. But my husband said, ‘Let’s do it.’ I said, ‘Oh my god. We’re going to do this.”
They closed on April 21 and on June 1, Morning Bloom 2 officially opened.
“I never would have thought we would have two restaurants like this in my wildest dreams,” Shawnee said.
“It was only closed three weeks,” said Davide, who oversees the kitchen, while Shawnee mans the front. “We got right in and opened up. It was already known as a breakfast and lunch place. People just kept coming.”
When their first Morning Bloom took over Crave Restaurant’s previous space off McGregor Boulevard a year ago, it didn’t have such a fast start.
“That had been closed for a year and a half,” Davide said. “This one was easier.”
Breakfast and lunch at Morning Bloom
It also helps that their menu — the same as the first Morning Bloom — is tried and true.
And extensive.
Think flatbreads, skillets, omelets, Benedicts, classic egg platters, breads & bowls and griddle items.
“The (three-egg) omelets are popular,” Davide said, noting there are 10 of them. “The mushroom omelet is a best-seller. So is the Southern with the homemade sausage gravy. We do a lot of Benedicts too.”
We loved the salmon Benedict, topped with avocado, basted eggs, English muffin and Hollandaise, which, like pretty much everything here, is homemade.
On the lunch side, you’ll find more flatbreads, salads, burgers and sandwiches, wraps, starters and desserts.
“We’ve become known for our Philly,” Davide said. “The steak with fried onions, American cheese on an Amoroso roll. It’s hard to beat. Flatbreads are a big hit too.”
The only difference between the menus is that this new spot has gyros.
“It’s on the spindle,” said Davide. “We shave it down and serve it with our own tzatziki. People love it.”
“As soon as we got this, Davide said, ‘Let’s introduce gyros,’” Shawnee said. “He’s so excited about it. He tells everyone who comes in.”
He told us, and we’re glad he did.
It comes on a flatbread (with tomatoes, onion, feta and that wondrous tzatziki) and overflowing from pita bread.
We tried, and thoroughly enjoyed, both.
“We sell a lot of mimosas and fresh-squeezed orange juice,” Shawnee said. Beer and wine are also available.
And we’d be remiss not to mention the cinnamon roll (“we make our own icing”) and other homemade desserts.
Expect to see Davide again when he enthusiastically brings his complimentary zeppole — a bite-sized, deep-fried pillow of joy — to your table.
“It’s a thank you,” he said.
Coming up at Morning Bloom
Other than some pictures on the walls and Morning Bloom’s logo, not much has changed decor-wise since the Mistrettas took over Artisan Eatery. You’ll find plenty of low-top tables scattered throughout, plus high counter seating.
One difference, though, is that the restaurant is no longer fast-casual. It’s full, sit-down service.
“It’s a minor change, but a lot of customers have thanked us for that,” Shawnee said. “If you’re in a rush, you can still order at the counter, but most like (full service) now.”
While Davide is focused on the new location, Shawnee’s been bouncing back and forth between the two restaurants.
“We’re coming up on one year (for the first location),” Shawnee said. “We’ll be giving away gift cards, coffee mugs, merchandise. We’ll have specials all week.”
The celebration is set for Aug. 9-16 at 12901 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers (follow on Facebook for details and giveaways).
In the meantime, could there be more Morning Blooms on the horizon?
“Now we need one in Cape Coral,” Shawnee said, laughing. “You never know.”
Morning Bloom 2, 8951 Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers; open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily; (239) 204-9950; follow on Facebook
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: New restaurant brings more breakfast, lunch favorites to Fort Myers
Reporting by Robyn George, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
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By Robyn George, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
