COASTE | FOODIES
That attitude doesn’t disappoint once you walk into Yabo — clearly one of the hippest, hottest and refreshingly different restaurants for both atmosphere and cuisine in Southwest Florida. Once inside, darkness quickly engulfs you and you wonder whether Yabo’s a place to dine or a shrine to masters of the music industry. Tobe sure, it is both, andyetmuchmore. Immediately noticeable is the guitar hanging on the wall at the entrance, autographed by Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Dave Matthews. But that’s only an appetizer of what reveals to be a visual feast of music and memorabilia up, down and all around Yabo — including encased gold and platinum records from a who’s who in music highlighted by Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Cliff Williams and Brian Johnson, respectively known as the bassist and lead singer for a little musical act called AC/DC.
Reminiscent of a hidden jewel you might gratefully stumble upon off Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Yabo delights in sensory overload of the very best way — taste, sight and sound — with a creative and altogether delicious Italian-infused menu, complimented with a revolving side of local and nationally-touring musical artists, performing live. And the man rockin’ the kitchen? That’s Ryan Kida. Savoring Success Yabo’s current rock star status began six years ago as a mere three-table, hole-in-the-wall tucked away in a tired strip mall on McGregor Drive in south Fort Myers. Even in that small setting, live music and awesome food shared center stage — and Ryan Kida’s recipe for true “experiential dining” proved so successful that new digs followed in 2012, with credits to recording artist Chris Corley for the assist.
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