Belvedere Bistro

I’ve driven by this place many times but never noticed it until one day I was cruising Del Prado, looking for somewhere new to eat and I saw the A-​frame sign proclaiming their openness.
I parked. The sign on the door said that their hours were until the last patron left or 8pm. It was a little after 7 so I walked in. There are actually 2 rooms. One is a fairly open space with a pool table and a few high top tables and the other has the rest of the tables as well as a bar.
There was nobody in the place. I know if I’d been with any number of my friends they would have convinced me to go elsewhere because the place was too unoccupied (and therefore presumably nobody goes there because it’s not a good place). I happen to like quiet places and being one of only a few patrons and I am not deterred by lack of trendiness.
After a moment a woman poked her head out of the kitchen and I confirmed that they were still open. She assured me they were and showed me to my choice of tables. I was seated and then greeted by a second woman who reviewed the menu with me and offered me a drink. I made my selections and settled in to wait. She took my order and returned to the kitchen to prepare it.
As I was the sole patron, there was not too much for them to do and the food came out quickly. The portion was huge and the food was fresh and yummy. This place is billed as a Polish restaurant but they are catering to the Americans and Germans who frequent the area. While there were Pierogis on the menu most of the remainder of the menu was food that one would think of more as German, like variations of Shnitzel. There was one entry that had the work Polski in it so this is what I chose. It ended up being Jaeger Schnitzel but without the sauce. It was still very tasty.
During my time alone in the Belvedere, I got to talking with my server who was also one of the ownership partners and I learned their story. Basically, two polish women who met each other in Chicago. They each got married to American men and both ended up in Cape Coral where they decided to open a Polish restaurant together. Seems like a good plan to me.

The food is amazing. It was obviously fresh and all homemade. This restaurant is a diamond in the rough. Mom and Pop joints don’t usually make it in this area but this is one that I really hope does. It was gourmet food at a very reasonable price. You don’t even need to love polish cuisine to enjoy the food.

Great meal, seven of us dined there and everybody enjoyed their meal. Three of the group had Polish ancestry, they all expressed that this was «old country» fare. Authentic Polish beer and good food, whats not to love?

We enjoyed a wonderful meal at Belvedere Oasis last evening, our first visit to a restaurant that is evidently working at a second life. We understand that, after its original opening, they did close and are now trying it again. I’m hopeful they’ll be very successful. I can’t criticize the service for, on our leaving, there were only eight of us in the restaurant, but from what I heard, reaction to foods ordered was very positive. We began with a Polish beer, on the darker side, my favorite. We both ordered the Polish sausage but asked they hold the mashed potatoes and instead ordered potato pancakes, which were piping hot when served, our choice of sour cream or apple sauce with them. We preceded our entrees with, for one of us, a salad, for me a split pea soup, which was very tasty and also served hot. The sausage was excellent, as was the sauerkraut. My partner had a slice of strudel, which was warm and easy to cut into, capping off a meal that would definitely have us returning. It’s easy to drive past this location. It’s right off Del Prado as one approaches Cape Coral Parkway, on the west side of the road. There is a larger display of the establishment’s name toward the road… and the address is noted on that display too…4518. They are nestled in a corner of some storefronts, next to Rug Man, which is now closing, and the Salvation Army resale store on its other side. The restaurant’s phone number is (239) 770‑7790. They take reservations, which at times might be more to allow them to determine how many they’ll be serving. I think it’s so important that restaurant businesses here in the Cape be supported, and this seems to be one needing that support. Taking on a restaurant business must be grueling and chancy. Belvedere
Bistro, it seems, is trying to do things right this second time around.

We visited with 9 people tonight. Service was very very slow. We had to ask for water and bread which again took a long time to deliver, we were supplied with one pitcher of water and had to ask three time that it be refilled. The bread supplied was one small ½ slice person, the second request for bread was the same amount of a lesser quality. The people were served dinner at different time some people were finishing before others were served. Again service was very very very slow
Potato pancakes served were very poor with no taste, many went not eaten. Soups served were very good. Salads served were good but were served with like a PC creamer size of salad dressing. Not enough. We did not order dessert due to the long waits we had to endure to get the other items in our meal.
The meals were just OK but not worth the wait time. We agreed that we would not return. Remarks were made by many on how long they would stay in business. Recommend do not go to the Belvedere.

We visited this charming restaurant on the recommendation of my pal’s mother, Dorothy Wall, who frequents this place regularly. Dorothy is a fantastic cook, so we knew we’d be wowed by her recommendation.
This is a real find. Family owned and operated, they feature a variety of European dishes, including schnitzel, pierogi, goulash, and potato pancakes, although Polish dishes are their specialty. Portions are quite generous, and many of the dishes include several choices of sides.
The only criticism I have of this place is that the service can be very slow. They really need an extra service person, or at the very least, a busboy, or another cook in the kitchen. From what I’ve seen, only family members run the business, and customers don’t want to wait ½ hour or more to get their drinks/​appetizers or food.
They are in process of getting a web site, but you shouldn’t wait to visit. It’s only a matter of time before word gets out and this place gets crowded. But know that service might be slow. If you’re in a hurry, don’t bother coming.
I wish we had one in Culver City, CA. where I do my weekly dining reviews. It would be a hit, especially if it’s properly staffed.
Mary McGrath
Member ASJA