Blue Windows Bistro

Superb, superb, superb. The food is wonderful and the ambience is romantic
They are opening on Sanibel in May and will be a wonderful addition to our restaurants. 5 stars

We just stopped in for a little bite and what a surprise, this is the best little restaurant we have been to in Ft Myers. What fun.

Food was excellent. Menu selection had good variety ans shows creativity of the chef (elk bourgeone). Not low light, haute cuisine, just good food prepared with skill and attention to detail. A small dining room with good attentive service.

One of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to. Visited 4 times, everytime the dinner and service has been amazing. The marrow and lobster-​go are unbelievable.

Never had such a rude experience in my dining life, my husband spoke with Chef Christian asking about New Years Eve and continued to say we’d be in later Friday eve. the 26^th we walked in at 6:00 p.m. not a soul in the restaurant… and his wife what a mean person… yelling I don’t believe you have reservations, my husband said I just spoke with the chef… she went on about for over 10 minutes, reluctantly sat us… continued about it… called the chef out to ask him in front of us, did you speak with this man… he said oh yes I did… the wait staff was even embarrassed on how she treated us, she apologized on behalf of the owner… end of meal our server said hope to see you back… THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN… really store front strip mall, no ambiance no fun, no music, 25 cork charge, seriously who needs her… and Blue Windows Bistro… horrible!!!

French Onion Soup is exquisite. Veal Chop was coked perfectly, with an amazing sauce. Escargot, dripping in garlicky butter and crisp truffle fries. Always an memorable and delicious dining experience. Very unique to Ft. Myers. A must dining experience for anyone who enjoys authentic French cuisine in a casual friendly atmosphere.

Contempt for Patrons
My husband and I had 2 very bad experiences with «Blue Windows Bistro» in Fort Myers, Florida, and we will not return.
1. On January 22^nd, we telephoned Blue Windows for a reservation. Their recorded message was from January 2^nd. We left a message. When they did not return our call, we decided to just go there. After a 30-​minute drive, we arrived only to learn that they were not open to the public that day. I said, «We called you and left a message and didn’t get a return call.» They said, «Oh, yes, we are doing call backs right now!» A bit late for us! If they had bothered to update their message, we would not have made that long drive for nothing.
2. The following day we made a reservation for the Twilight Dinner Menu. It was available until 5:30 PM. We started out early enough. However, this time we were not so lucky in LOCATING THE PLACE. Blue Windows is located in a strip mall, perpendicular to a main highway, with a service road in between and no visible sign.
We called them well before the 5:30 PM deadline for the Twilight Dinner Menu. The woman was very nice in directing us and said to call again if we needed to. We did. Again she sounded very nice and gave us a marker of a gas station near the restaurant. Going back and forth along the Tamiami Highway seriously delayed our arrival time.
We arrived a few minutes after 5:30 PM, but the «nice woman» we had just talked to minutes ago REFUSED to give us the Twilight Dinner Menu, even though she was well aware of the extenuating circumstances. We did not stay.
By the way, we suggested they put a sign out on the highway. They said they already had one saying «Bistro.» with no reference to the «Blue Windows Bistro.» That small sign was surrounded by myriad other signs and not clearly visible from the highway, plus it was 2 buildings away and did not say, «Blue Windows.»
Given our efforts on 2 successive days, one would have thought they would have been more considerate. It seems they feel no need to be nice to people. Promoting CUSTOMER LOYALTY is apparently not a priority.

On our first visit to Blue Windows Bistro, where we had a reservation. We entered a warm dining area with white linen covered tables. We were seated at a very small (too small) two person table very very close to the bar where several people were seated We had the feeling of being in a cramped space. There were many tables empty in the dining area including several 4 person normal size tables that were empty when we arrived, an also empty when we left an hour and a half later. I feel with a reservation we should have been seated at a larger table since the place was not overbooked.
We were greeted warmly by the owner who informed us that her husband was the chef and was French trained. Our waiter was French which added to the ambience of the restaurant. A large pricy assortment of wines were offered. My wife the wine drinker choose a half carafe at $ 16.00 which was acceptable.
My wife choose the Twilight menu and ordered the Chilled Vichyssoise soup appetizer, Sautéed Triggerfish au Beurre Blanc entrée and Cream Brûlée dessert. The Vichyssoise was a large portion and very good. A salad of tender Artisan lettuce was served to both of us. It was pre-​dressed with what was listed as Roasted Shallot Balsamic dressing, but to us it tasted as if the dressing made with coarse ground mustard. We did not enjoy the salad dressing which we felt was overly strong in flavor. The Triggerfish topped with artichoke was cooked properly and adequate in portion size. The side vegetables we both received presented well on the plate. The seasoned potatoes left a lot to be desired taste wise. The green beans were dark in color and tough.
I had an appetizer special of chunks of lobster served in garlic butter that was bubbling when served. The problem is the high heat of the bubbling butter made the lobster tough. My entrée which was a special for the evening, Veal Oscar. The veal was lean but tough, the white asparagus was soft and mushy, the Maine lobster tail was a bit salty and the Hollandaise sauce was overly thick. It is also noted that the rolls served were unremarkable and nothing special. The menu called for French bread.
The service was very attentive and we were also visited by the chef and the bartender.
French restaurants are expensive and you expect food that is complex an a step above other types of restaurants. We were disappointed with the Blue Windows Bistro’s food. We always go back for a second try with the hope that the first time we made the wrong selection, or it was an off night. We will see what happens the next time. We would love to have a French restaurant in Ft. Myers, so we would not have to travel to Naples or Sarasota.

This is probably our 9^th or 10^th visit to Blue Windows Bistro. Every time it is a joy. Antoine, who is usually our server, had the night off, but we were not at all disappointed with the young lady that served us. (my bad i didn’t get her name, but I assure you I will). We started with the lobster-​got which was divine. Followed by salad with the most delicate of vinaigrette dressings i have ever tasted. My partner had the boulibase, which he said was delicate but body full. Our friend, the veau au crème. I have enjoyed this in the past and recommended it to her. She was enamored with it. I had a special of the evening a Bronzed (explained as a milder blackening) Grouper, with a vanilla beurre blanc! What an unbelievable treat. So light with just a bit of a kick and fantastic aroma.
Try Chef Christian’s offerings and you will not be disappointed, I was blown away and as I said this was not just my first visit but even after many visits, still our favorite restaurant in SW Florida.

BW participates in Lee County’s Restaurant Week with a prix fixe menu to make you roll, rather than stand up, out of your chair. It’s a succulent, savory, sweet, DELICIOUS, perfectly prepared and presented repast.
We enjoyed a tangy, Asian shrimp app, cool gazpacho, filet mignon a point in red wine/​mushroom sauce, lettuce with a balsamic spritz, and qumquat pie. Yes! Tiny chunks of tart fruit hide in Chef Christian’s recipe, resembling key lime pie. Also at the table was a crème brule, with its alchohol lit a table by the waiter, who can coo in French until the low, blue dessert flame burns deep into your heart.
Thanks John & Clara for making the evening so enjoyable. Here’s another round of applause for Christian and Mari for their Blue Windows’ genius.

My husband and I just had a wonderful meal here! The service was great, very attentive. My husband ordered escargot and triggerfish, while I had lobstergot and seabass. Everything was excellent! Amazing sauces. Crème brûlé for dessert and espresso. Perfect meal, highly recommend! Can’t wait to return!

Profoundly disappointing, $ 160 bucks straight down a disposal.
I waited a while to write what I knew would be a poor review to see if my negative impressions might soften with time. If you check my reviews you will see this is my first bad one. I say that as a prelude to noting I am a dissenting vote in the company of adoring fans who seem to be inexplicably thrilled about this place. Perhaps being the singular French restaurant currently in Lee County does not invite proper critique since there is nothing to compare it to.
Over the 35 years my wife and I have lived in this area, we have seen several very fine French restaurants come and go, like Michele et Michelle and Peter’s La Cuisine, for example. Now, enter Blue Windows Bistro. With rave reviews, how could we not rush to go try it?
I called the owner to make sure he was not catering that night as the website instructed, and to ask about bringing my own wine since I have a nice collection of properly cellared wines. He said corkage would be $ 20. That may be par for the course in New York or San Fran, but it’s a very stiff fee for these parts. However, I figured once he saw the extreme rarity of what I would bring in he would probably comp the corkage, especially after sending him a glass to the kitchen like I usually do on first visits to new places. Not that I expect it, it’s just how it normally goes for us when the owner or manager recognizes the rarity of the vino we bring and how much food we order.
The place was busy upon arrival, usually a good sign. It was cramped, tables were small and the atmosphere was super plain vanilla, but it was the food we came for so that didn’t deter us Our poorly situated reserved table was just elbows away from our neighbors. We still remained open minded.
As we normally do on first visits, we ordered about a third of the menu. Our girl server couldn’t answer most of our questions but said she would find out. Okay I said, «While you’re at it, would you please take these two rare wines back to the kitchen and show the owner?» «Please ask if he would consider charging just one corkage fee of $ 20 for both of them. And tell him he will get a full glass of each!» That seemed like a reasonable request to me and I was sure he would come out brake dancing after seeing what I had brought. One was a ’89 Leroy Pommard Les Vignots. The other was a ’86 Ch. Mouton Rothschild. If you know wines, you know how insanely rare and impossible those wines are to come by now and what they would cost at auction.
What was his response? «The owner says absolutely not, corkage will be $ 20 each! He says, there will be no discounts at this house.» She seemed quite uncomfortable having to tell us that. I reassured her it was not her problem, and all was okay. She then went on to explain she only worked there one day a week and really didn’t know as much as the other people.
A review of their so called «wine list» sheds some light on that unexpected response, it contained domains I never heard of, and they all came WITHOUT a single vintage designation. And all were very pricey.
Okay, we decided that $ 20 bucks it would be, to drink our super rare ’ 86 Mouton (by ourselves.) We’d just return the ultra rare Pommard to 55º in the Vinoteque back home.
That episode shook our server girl and a new obviously French guy showed up, whose name I think was «Jacque.» No explanation about why there was a sudden change in servers, it was an awkward moment.
Okay, fast forward to the dinner.
The Frog legs Provencal were poached or steamed and placed directly on a dollop of poor tasting tomato purée… highly unappetizing. A bite from each of us and we were done with that abomination.
The signature dish, the Pave de Boeuf aux Champignons was bitter and improperly prepared. We came to the conclusion they never cooked all the alcohol off. A few bites and we were done with that. as well.
The worst disappointment of all were the sweet breads, a dish we adore when we find it. It was ruined with more salt than Lot’s wife could withstand.
We had several other dishes I have since forgotten, none of which were worthy of mention. In the end, I should have sent all but the soup and bread back, but due to my normal reluctance to do so, they hit us for the full bill, even though we ate almost nothing of what they brought to the table.
First time in my life I ever tipped less than ten per cent. Was eager to exit that place quickly. In our haste to do so, the server had to run us down in the parking lot to tell me I forgot to sign the bill. That was another very awkward moment.
P. S. Look at the owner’s catering photos and cooking videos to discover what an amateur he really is. But somehow he seems to have the fans, I’m still scratching my head over that. Boy, do we ever need a REAL French restaurant in Ft. Myers again! In the meantime we go to La Lafayette in Naples when we have the urge.

Chilled soup was the best I have had. My wife very much liked the frog legs. We both thought the ribeye and Chilean bass were extemely good!

Well … that was breathtaking.
The duo has been awe struck on only a couple of occasions, i.e. Le Bernardain, WD-​50 … add to that list Blue Windows Bistro.
The second we walked in to the charming and warm Bistro we were greeted by Chef Christian’s wife and partner Mari with a smile and a warm hello. As she whisked us away to our ‘romantic’ table we couldn’t help but take in all of the lovely details in this quaint space.
We began the meal with an olive tapenade laced with spice. It was fantastic but I imagine it would work marvelously on grilled crostini. The menu was small but that made it all the more difficult to decide between the appetizer and entrée. I had the Pâté de Champagne– described as a country-​style terrine. It was described perfectly. The flavors and texture were wonderful. Chris chose the frogs legs (note: we were stuck deciding between the frogs legs, veal sweetbreads, and a lobstergot.) I kid you not when I state that Chris was almost cleaning the dish with his tongue, a trend that would continue throughout the meal. The sauce was rich and amazing and the ‘meat’ just fell right off the bone.
As we were enjoying our bottle of Chateauneuf Du Pap and the wonderful server T.R. cleared what was left of our apps we couldn’t help but imagine what was in store for our entrees. much to our surprise we were served a crisp and refreshing green salad. on a chilled plate nonetheless.
You might be wondering why we would include what some might think of as a mundane detail of the meal. Well, this was what our experience was all about at BWB … the details. A completely unpretentious, home like meal which we look forward to enjoying again and again.
Before we knew it, our entrees were upon us. The better half of the duo had chosen to go with the Sole & Shrimp Beurre Blanc and I went with the blue plate special of Magret al Orange (a kick ass duck breast). As chef Christian likes, he pairs each meal with the featured sides of the evening. We enjoyed the most spectacular haricot vert and corn salad (which I begged and pleaded for the recipe for to no avail) as well as boiled potatoes with a dollop of crème fraîche.
Thank you for the caviar on the potatoes — a touch to be remembered.
The sole and shrimp did not stand a chance as it was meticulously devoured. The beurre blanc was creamy yet smooth adding the rich complexities of a divine dish. As for the Duck Breast, another superb dish which is nearly too wonderful to describe. I made it very easy for them to clean our plates as I did most of the cleaning with all the bread I could find.
A testament to Chef and his crew of 3 (we think) … the sauces, as to be expected in fine French Cuisine were spectacular. Absolutely, 100% perfection.
Not to be short but we have taken up lots of your time already. Our desserts, the lavender infused crème brûlée and the poached pear with vanilla ice cream and chocolate gran marnier sauce were … you guessed it, stupendous.
All in all folks … come here. Now. Repeat and Repeat and Repeat until you have enjoyed everything on this menu and then try it all again. Not one stone goes unturned in this gem of a Bistro.
There is not a better meal in all of Ft. Myers.

I guess its time I update my review since I have been back another 3 times.
Blue Window Bistro has now gone into the Restaurant business full time and no longer Caters. that’s a shame if you wanted something catered, but for us foodies… its great news. Mari still suggests you call ahead just to make sure that they haven’t taken the week off during the summer.
We love the food here. I like to try some of the wines they have by the glass as their selection is always nice and they serve them in the proper glass not those walmart specials.
I have had the pork Tenderloin and it was outstanding. The last trip I had the Trout and I will say it was not my favorite dish but none the less it was still well prepared. As always its a joy to go to the Blue Windows. Our favorite seat is the one on the left in front of the window…
I know they have a small wine bar and if I can just need to remember that this is a great place just to stop by for a nice glass of wine.

This was agreat place to eat. The service was great and the Sweetbreads fantastic.

Filet is awesome. Also would recommend the dip that comes with veggies.

Returned again and had another great meal. The wines are reasonably priced and well thought out. The staff obviously loves working there and enjoy themselves which helps you enjoy the evening. Really a 4.5 star, just lacking ambiance.

This is a delightful little mom & pop restaurant. In a city overloaded with corporate chain restaurants, this is a breath of fresh air. The owners, Christian & Mari, are both there to help and answer questions. Our waiter was the sous chef — everybody pitches in here.
We started with the Escargot and Shrimp Provencal appetizers, dividing them three ways. Excellent.
For dinner I had the «Seared Lamb Chop,» which was actually a rack of lamb with four chops. It was delicious, though the sauce was very heavy and rich. The others had the «Coffee and Molasses infused Pork Tenderloin» and the special «Mediterranean Sea bass.» They both thought their meals were excellent.
For dessert we shared the «Profiterolles au Chocolat» and thought it a perfect way to end a lovely meal.
All this with a bottle of Block Nine Cabernet from Napa. What a great meal.

Authentic french cuisine, a hidden treasure. I was in Paris a year ago and this brought me right back. We started with the escargot and it was soooo good. It was served the traditional way in a garlic butter sauce. The sauce was perfect though. When it came to the main course I could not decide. The menu is small but everything on it sounded so good. Since I could not decide I made an impulse decision and went with the special. The mustard creole sauce that came over my steak was to die for. I tried my friends salmon and it was cooked to perfection with a really nice dill sauce. I don’t even know what I would order next time, every ones food looked so good. It’s a small place so make sure to make reservations. I think they are only open on week nights.