Chef-owner Lauren Daniels designed Southern Charm Bistro with an old-school speakeasy in mind. Located on the west coast of Florida in Fort Myers, this bistro features upscale Southern comfort food served in a nostalgic ambiance with jazz music and striking imagery of legendary artists such as Louis Armstrong and Diana Ross. She has bridged traditional cuisine with innovative skills to create a dining experience that feels like home. Daniels’ journey is a powerful reminder that passion, adaptability, and dedication can transform dreams into reality.
Daniels began by recreating her grandmother’s biscuit recipe that she joyously made from scratch to feed her blended family of 21 children. Then she built a menu of deliciously prepared foods from perfectly crisp fried chicken to the braised oxtail, caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, garlic horseradish sauce served on a toasted hoagie to an array of inventive vegetarian dishes like the Sweet Potato Wild Rice Bowl and Black Lentil Bowl with maple-glazed Brussels Sprouts. With divine cheesecake and a variety of bundt cake flavors to top the meal off, I wanted to know more.
Here are highlights from our conversation where Daniels shares how she hopes her culinary expertise and commitment to community will have a lasting impact, one dish at a time.
For 12 years, you honed your culinary skills in your kitchen while raising your children. How did this help you become a professional in cuisine?
I always had a passion for cooking and baking. During the time my children were growing up, I refined my skills by studying cookbooks and closely following renowned chefs. I was convinced this self-training would allow me to transform my hobby into a professional pursuit. My first step was launching Little Chefs In Training, a culinary program designed to teach youth the fundamentals. Making these events engaging and educational, we taught at summer camps and themed birthday parties, and announced community events sold out within minutes!
Tell us about your branded product, Pearl’s Southern Biscuits
These were inspired by my grandmother, Pearl McIntosh, who was a wonderful cook and always made delicious biscuits that everyone would rave about! I knew if I could recreate her biscuits, I would have a big hit. I tested and tweaked recipes for over 4 months until the taste matched what I had enjoyed as a young child in her kitchen. Pearl’s Southern Biscuits are hand-made and crafted with all-natural ingredients in several flavors of Butter, Frosted Blueberry, and Garlic Cheddar, and can be purchased in local Fort Myers, FL stores, including Sun Harvest Citrus.
Is more of your family heritage reflected in the menu?
My Southern roots are at the heart of everything we serve. I wanted to create elevated versions of classic Southern dishes while staying true to the flavors and traditions. Most were staples in our home growing up, and we have refined them adding a modern twist. Our fried chicken is brined for 48 hours in a fragrant blend of fresh sage and rosemary, then fried to order and served with our signature biscuits. The oxtails are slow-braised for four hours, served over a butter bean purée, and topped with a rich gravy and vibrant purple cabbage. Through and through it is nostalgic while being current at the same time.
Do you have a social impact mission, community outreach, or donation program?
Giving back is a big part of who we are. We regularly host cooking classes for youth through our original program, Little Chefs in Training, and we support local nonprofits with pop-up dinners, in-kind donations, and fundraising events. Our goal is to nourish not just through food, but through connection and community-building.
What is next for Southern Charm Bistro? New products? New Locations? Collaborations? Events?
We’re excited to be expanding with a new space in downtown Fort Myers. It will feature some of our most beloved dishes and serve as a gathering spot for cooking classes, social nights, and community conversations. We want it to be more than a restaurant and become a cultural hub rooted in food, fellowship, and fun.
What are your biggest tips for aspiring restaurateurs?
Know your “why” and your purpose will guide every decision. Start small, but think big and focus on consistency and quality. Build relationships with your team, your customers, and your community. Stay humble, stay hungry, and always be willing to learn. And never forget that hospitality is just as important as the food on the plate. Good luck.
Tenyse Williams is an award-winning Brand Strategist, an Adjunct Instructional Specialist at Columbia University and George Washington University, and Founder & Chief Communications Officer of Verified Consulting, leading a team of digital marketing professionals amplifying awareness for their clients. Follow her on LinkedIn.
