Nonchalance — Restaurant in Florida

Decided to check this place out on a whim after a run at nearby Lakes Park. To put it mildly, I was floored. I ordered three things: the GOAT salad - simple, clean, and delicious- greens, light dressing, with some delightful balls of goat cheese covered in fried crispy onions which went very nicely with the sweetness of the beets. Next I had the poutine. You can’t go wrong with fries, gravy, and cheese, but what elevates this dish is the lightness and crispiness of the fries, which are conveniently curled to pick up all that cheesy/gravy goodness. Last but certainly not least, I ordered the chicken nuggets and honestly teared up a bit with how good they were. The owner Dan was explaining how he brines the chicken to bring out its juiciness, and you could just tell this man loves food. Service was personable and prompt. Truly found a gem here. 5/5.

Returned on another date for a wine tasting featuring four wines from Italy. I will preface by saying I know very little about wines and generally prefer a low cost beer shared among friends. However, I so enjoyed the tasting that I felt compelled to edit my review to include an assessment of this most enjoyable experience. Each generous portion of wine (one with bubbles, one white, and two bold reds) was deliberately paired with a small bite of carefully prepared food of deliciously appropriate fat content. The bubbles - a light, crisp, not-too-sweet Moscato paired with a soft and fragrant feta wrapped in a delicate layer of crispy fried dough while the last deep red was paired with a beef meatball cooked in bacon grease and covered with house made basil marinara, for example. The food and wine were excellent, but as with all things in life, what really headlined the experience were the people behind this event. The owners provided detailed description of each wine - its region, notes to look out for, why it paired so well with its chosen morsel of food, and more importantly, took the time to make sure everyone in the restaurant was having a good time by personally greeting each guest. When we asked for a bit of bread, a tray of warm seasoned bread came out along with an assortment of cheeses and a caprese. When we asked about a wine, one could sense a gush of delight emanating from the thorough answer provided. I could go on but will end here as I realize I have written a fair amount already. In sum, we cannot...

Wow! So surprised. There were 6 ladies today. We had reservations. We decided to choose multiple options and share. We had egg rolls (Hawaiian, street corn, and ??). The street corn was best and had the most filling. The Monte Cristo was absolutely delicious. It arrived as 2 large egg roll shapes and was so crispy and delicious, one of my fav tastings. We also had two flat breads: Gouda and apple and the Brie and prosciutto. Both were delicious, crispy with ample toppings. We had the Italian Hoagie and it was delicious. The bread was very crispy which I prefer. It was stuffed with cheese, provolone and after sharing the sandwich everyone was eating the salad that fell off the sandwich because the dressing was so good. It even had a hint of mustard in it. Another of my favs was the pimento cheese. Next time I go I will get some to go. You can order it hot or cold. We chose cold and it arrived looking like a flower. Nice big scoop of tasty, creamy cheese with spicy seasoned little crackers. Our bill was $110 without tax or tip. Dan and Sarah the owners were so nice and personable. They told us all about their vision, their creative process, and could not have been nicer. I would go back just for them alone but the food was delicious. Very nice afternoon. Next time I will save room for dessert. They all sounded Heavenly from peanut butter marshmallow fluff empanadas, to lemon cheesecake in a white chocolate orb, dark chocolate mousse, apple pie...

We dined here last night and were reminded how rare it is to find a restaurant in Southwest Florida that dares to break the mold. In a market dominated by bar food, chains, and tourist trap menus, Nonchalance stands out as quirky, intimate, and deeply intentional.

Dan Keagin, the owner, is a ball of energy in the best way welcoming guests, talking wine, and sharing the story behind each dish. His wife Sarah, a certified sommelier, brings a curated wine list that actually enhances the food rather than checking a box.

I ordered the Shepherds We Shall Be and my guests, who had the Puff Puff Pie and I Want to Bake Brie, couldn’t resist digging into my plate. For the first time in a long while, every dish was wiped clean.

Dan’s concept reminded me of the late Chef Shannon Yates, another Fort Myers original who built something soulful and fearless. Like Shannon, Dan is creating more than a restaurant ... he’s building a community around food, wine, and experience.

If you’re tired of the same 5 menus under different logos, come here. It’s special and we need to keep...