A La Carte: Pho 38 takes over Pho Vinh in Cape, and more

Pho 38 opened last month in Cape Coral, taking over the space that for seven years housed Pho Vinh.

“We closed Pho Vinh at the end of April,” said owner Tammy Tran, who still owns Pho Vinh Express in Fort Myers. “We’re focusing our efforts on the Fort Myers store right now, which we really haven’t had a chance to do.”

Pho Vinh Express, the Vietnamese takeout joint at 2150 Colonial Blvd., recently added new signage and drive-thru service.

“People order online then come pick up through the drive thru,” Tran said. “We’re trying to make it really easy for everyone.”

The shop is also working on new menu items, including larger portions that can be shared by families to tap into more of a dinner crowd.

Tran and her husband, Joseph Vu, sold the Cape Pho Vinh to longtime cook Liem Nguyen. Nguyen opened it as Pho 38 on May 1. He has kept the mostly Vietnamese menu intact — pho, spring rolls, boba teas — while adding combination platters, a few Thai dishes and more stir-fry meals.

“It’s just a few different things,” Nguyen said, “fried rice, chicken with green beans, stuff like that.”

Pho sho': Vietnamese restaurants catching on in SWFL

Pho 38’s dishes start at $5 for a meatless pho, topping out at $10 for a chicken-broccoli stir fry with garlic sauce and white rice.

Pho 38 is open Monday to Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday noon-6 p.m. at 601 Del Prado Blvd. N., Cape Coral. Find more on the restaurant at pho38cape.com or by calling 829-0343. Contact Pho Vinh Express at phovinhexpress.com or 338-3422.

MEAT MATTERS

Discuss, explore and taste why meat, and the issues surrounding its production, matters. Chef David Rashty of Jack's Farm to Fork ​and the local leader of Chefs Collaborative will host Meat Matters Fort Myers at 5 p.m. Sunday at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina, 275 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. While learning about sustainable and humanely raised meat, guests will taste bison, lamb, beef, pork and chicken prepared by featured chefs. Tickets for general admission are $50; discounted tickets are available for members of Chefs Collaborative, culinary students, and children. For more information visit bit.ly/meatmattersftmyers.

The Art of Butchery: A dying trade

SCOOTER'S COFFEE COMING TO CAPE

A sign is up for Scooter's Coffee at 1014 Del Prado Blvd. S., Cape Coral. It will be the first Florida location for the Nebraska-based drive-thru chain.

“The Scooter’s family is thrilled to see further expansion from coast-to-coast,” Scooter's co-founder and CEO Don Eckles said in a press release. “I’m confident we’ll see great success in the state of Florida."

Scooter's serves hot and iced coffees, smoothies and teas. Food options include breakfast sandwiches and burritos, as well as muffins, pastries and oatmeal. Franchisees Pat and Suzi Thomas are opening the Cape store. They also hold franchise rights to the Fort Myers area.

Founded in 1998 in Bellevue, Nebraska, Scooter’s Coffee has close to 130 locations in 13 states — Florida will be the 14th. The coffee chain plans to open 30 more locations in 2016. Find more at scooterscoffee.com.

BOURBON, BREWS AND BBQ

Head to Six Bends on Saturday, June 25, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for Bourbon, Brews and BBQ. The event will include bourbon tastings, craft beer and barbecue from five vendors. Fort Myers-based Jonesez BBQ and Deep Down South BBQ and Seafood will be there, serving ribs, pulled pork and other favorites.

A rib-eating contest is planned as is a children's pie-eating contest. Entries for the contests are $10 for rib eating and $5 for pie. Proceeds from the competitions benefit Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. The event also includes live music by Sheena Brook and a children's play area. Six Bends is located at 9501 Thunder Road, south Fort Myers. Visit sixbendshd.com for more.

LITTLE BITES

Madame Peach Cobbler and Jazz Cafe has opened at 1635 Hendry St. in downtown Fort Myers. The café, which has a retail location in Naples, serves cobblers, pies and coffee. Find more at madamepeachcobbler.com.

A new Tropical Smoothie location is open at 16240 Summerlin Road, suite 310, in south Fort Myers.

El Gaucho Inca will open a Naples location this fall. For more information, check elgauchoinca.com for updates and visit the Fort Myers restaurant at 4383 Colonial Blvd.

TK BBQ, located at 2612 Santa Barbara Blvd. in Cape Coral, has closed. It was formerly Blaze Bistro.

In Iona, Cork and Barrel closed last week after 18 months in business.

Cork and Barrel to close in Iona

NEW TO NAPLES

Creekside Corners, a retail center new to the southeast corner of Goodlette-Frank and Immokalee roads in North Naples, will be home to seven restaurants. The first, McAlister's Deli, is now open. Still to come are Bone Hook Brewing Co., Public House, Komoon Thai Sushi & Ceviche, Motor City Coney Island, BurgerFi and Smoothie King. For hours and information on McAlister's, visit mcalistersdeli.com. For Tim Aten's full article on Creekside Corners, visit naplesnews.com.

CAKEBREAD CELLARS WINE DINNER

Ruth's Chris Steak House will host a five-course Cakebread Cellars wine dinner Friday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. Courses include a wedge salad paired with chardonnay, BBQ shrimp with cheesy grits paired with pinot noir, French onion soup paired with merlot, filet mignon and lobster tail paired with cabernet sauvignon and banana creme pie brulee and chocolate truffle paired with a 10-year-old tawny port. Cost is $120 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Ruth's Chris is in Coconut Point Mall at 23151 Village Shops Way, Estero. To reserve, call 948-8888.

RECIPE CONTEST

Mimi's Cafe is calling for French-inspired American comfort food recipe entries now through June 17. Original recipes will be judged by The Cowgirl Chef, Ellise Pierce. The winning recipe will be featured in Mimi's 97 locations in September and the winner will receive a trip to France. The runner-up will win a trip to Korbel Champagne Cellars in California. Original recipes must include no more than 10 ingredients and may be an appetizer, entree, salad or dessert. For entry and official rules, visit mimiscafe.com/contest.

A La Carte is a compilations of news and notes from the Southwest Florida dining scene. Send ideas to taste@news-press.com. Connect with these reporters: @ATometich (Twitter) and @AnneKathrynReed (Twitter).