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Hot Off the Grill: Wyld's Cafe

By JONNA RUBIN (Contact)

Sunday, April 8, 2007

The restaurant: Popular with locals and seasonal residents alike, Wylds Cafe features modern American cuisine in a relaxed, intimate setting. The menu changes somewhat regularly to include seasonal ingredients, however, many staples stay throughout the year.

The current menu features starters ranging from peppered tenderloin to pan-seared scallops to creamy mushroom soup. Entrees include peppered Hawaiian tuna, parmesan-encrusted walleye pike and a kurobuta chop, a highly-coveted select pork chop from the heirloom Berkshire pig.

New beer and wine: Wylds is also a wine bar of sorts, with more than 15 wines available by the glass, and an impressive 150 by the bottle. Beer is also a priority for the establishment, and features at least 30 different beers, with a specific focus on microbrews. Both lists rotate regularly, with selections chosen based on quality and unique appeal.

New wines include a Meeker merlot that comes housed in a hand-painted (literally!) bottle decorated with bright acrylic hand prints. For beer, the owners just brought in a few brews from Oregon-based brewery Full Sail, including an amber, IPA and their Session lager, which resembles more of a light beer than a traditional lager.

New seasonal discounts: Local residents and seasonal visitors who linger will be rewarded by visiting the restaurant’s Web site at www.wyldscafe.com for coupons worth up to 20 percent of their entire check all week long, with the exception of Friday and Saturday nights.

Price range: $10-$30

Atmosphere: Upscale casual

If you go: 4271 Bonita Beach Road, one mile west of U.S. 41 on the south side of the street. 947-0408.