Flippers — Restaurant in Bonita Springs

We’re staying next door for our first visit to Fort Myers, and having a wonderful time so far. While in the pool this afternoon, the smell of the restaurant food was wafting over and smelled incredible so we dried off and put on our dinner clothes and headed over.

Restaurant was full however we were promptly seated. The server was generally pleasant and attentive so no complaints there. We ordered two bucket of fun drinks (32oz cocktails), a lobster mac n cheese for our kids to share, a paella dish, a pasta dish full of seafood (I don’t recall the names) and a Asian salad which we never touched, boxed up for later so I can’t comment on how that is.

The drinks were a little weak, could have done with more alcohol in them for the size /price. My son really enjoyed the Mac n cheese although I think it could have been a bit cheesier and the lobster, although plentiful was a little briny, however again he was happy so no issues there. I think if the lobster was tossed in a butter or garlic sauce it may have made it pair a little better for my taste.

My pasta was very good with a medley of seafood and pesto sauce, I finished it and scooped up the sauce with the cheesy garlic bread it was served with. 10/10 for my meal.

The problem arose with my husbands meal- he ordered the paella based on the one ordered by the table next to us. It arrived with a mountain of various seafood and to start with it was good and he was enjoying it. However when he got through the mountain of seafood, the rice was swimming in gravy and very soupy. In my experience and his, that is not how paella is, and he is not a fan of runny rice. We brought it to the servers attention and pointed out that the table next to us, did not have a paella swimming in gravy. He essentially shrugged and said they vary in wetness and if we wanted extra rice to soak up the ridiculous amount of liquid, we would have to pay for rice as a side. Hmm!

Initially we held off, and he was trying to eat it but I could see he was not enjoying it and that response put a damper on his mood. The head chef came around the tables minutes later and asked how the food was, we told him it was generally very good however we showed him how wet the paella was and that my husband was not really enjoying it.

Instead of offering to fix it he again told us, some come out wet some come out dry. What a disappointing response from both server and chef. What happened to the saying the customer is always right? Especially when we are. A quick google search will confirm “ No, paella is not typically a soupy dish. While it is cooked with liquid (broth or stock), it is intended to be absorbed by the rice, resulting in a dry, separate grain texture. A properly made paella should have just a minimal amount of residual moisture, with the socarrat (crispy, caramelized rice) being a key characteristic. ” Not to mention we have enjoyed paella directly in Spain and that is the first soupy one we’ve ever had. As such a supposedly renowned chef I am disappointed in the nonchalant response we received and no offer to make it right.

None the less, after seeing my husband was not enjoying his meal I promptly ordered the rice side even though we were told we’d have to pay for it. When the check came, you better believe I deducted that plus some extra for the lack of care and consideration from the servers tip.

So note to the chef, server and management: instead of making the customer happy, when the fault was clearly yours, you actually took money from your own pocket and that of the server who had to pay for the rice himself with his reduced tip for your poor decision. I do not feel bad because being a business owner and heavily involved in customer service, it would have been effortless to correct the error and ensure we were happy. Rice is dirt cheap so why nickel and dime the customer at the expense of probably not having us return? This could have easily been a 5 star review but it was handled poorly. I hope you improve for next time, the view and the rest of the...

First the food is AMAZING! This was probably our favorite meal the whole week. I had the Sea Bass and it was awesome and my husband had salmon and he said it was some of the best salmon he has ever had. I would give them 5 stars but unfortunately there were some negatives. They put us at a table outside which was fine but it was a high top table with these high bar stool seats. This would have been fine just relax by the bar and grab a drink but to eat a meal that cost well over $100 it was not the comfortable dining experience I was hoping. The bugs were also terrible. My husband left with bites all up and down his legs. The hostess also left a lot to be desired. When we showed up, it was a Wednesday so we didn't think to call ahead. They were buys which was fine and she told us it would be about 2 hours. We were also fine with that as it was early and we were staying right over the bridge on FMB. We told her we would good with that and we'd be back. With an attitude she told us we would only have 10 min from the time they texted us to get there or she gives our table away. I told her I understood and we would be in the area prior again and she again with attitude told me I only had 10 min or too bad. They were busy so I gave her grace thinking she had probably been hounded by a million people already. We went back to our condo relaxed for a bit then went to Lover's Key State Park beach area which is basically across the street to catch the sunset and wait for our table. We were told when we were first there when we got the text if we weren't on the property to call and let them know we were coming. We got the text and I called immediately letting her know we were across the street and getting in our car now. Again very rudely she said be here in 10 min or I give your table away. So I was starting to get a little frustrated with her attitude but I was trying to be nice I told her we were across the street and on the way. She said 10 min and hung up. So we got there my husband dropped me off so he could park. She shows us to the high top nightmare table so I waited for my husband to get there. He was not excited about this table either so he went to ask if there was any chance of another table, we were even OK waiting a little longer and she laughed in his face and said no take it or leave it. Again I'm glad we stayed because the food was amazing, our waiter could not have been nicer, but when you pay so much for a meal you expect a more comfortable eating situation and maybe a little less attitude from the hostess station. I would suggest calling ahead, she seemed to be nicer to those guests. Also make sure to tell them you don't want to sit at the most uncomfortable table...

Tonight, we stumbled upon an absolute gem in Fort Myers Beach – Flippers at Lovers Key. Originally headed to a familiar spot, we were deterred by crowds and decided to drive up the coast. On a whim, we checked maps and found Flippers. What a serendipitous discovery! This place is now our favorite dining experience in the three years we’ve lived here. The outdoor seating was breathtaking, with prime tables right along the bay’s edge. The setting was serene and intimate, yet wonderfully laid-back. As we settled in, we were treated to a magical surprise – a pod of dolphins swam right up to the shore, followed by more, playfully lingering and even interacting with a family on a jet ski. It felt like a private show that made the evening unforgettable. The staff elevated the experience to another level. Our server, a delightful woman from Montenegro (wish we’d caught her name!), was warm, attentive, and made us feel right at home. Every staff member we encountered was genuinely friendly. A special shoutout to Matt, the fantastic valet, whose passion for Flippers was infectious. We were unaware of the complimentary valet-only parking and didn’t have cash to tip, but Matt kindly shared that we could add a valet tip to the meal tab in the future. We felt terrible but will absolutely make it up on our next visit – because there will be a next one! The menu was a masterpiece, crafted by Chef Juan, who trained under culinary legends Wolfgang Puck and Thomas Keller. We ordered the Wild Florida Pompano, in season and served with a Mediterranean Saffron Broth, Yucca Cake, Baby Spinach, Green Olives, and Pear Tomatoes. It was a flavor explosion – perfectly balanced and beautifully plated. The Black & Bleu Chicken and Shrimp Salad was equally stunning, with blackened chicken and shrimp, organic baby spinach, peppers, onions, tomatoes, bleu cheese crumbles, and a balsamic glaze and vinaigrette that tied it all together. Every bite was fresh, vibrant, and perfectly seasoned, with generous portions to match. Flippers is a must-visit for anyone seeking an extraordinary dining experience. From the stunning waterfront views and dolphin sightings to the impeccable service and world-class cuisine, this was a night we’ll never forget. We can’t wait to return to this...