A speakeasy-style, two-story mezcal and tequila lounge is slated to open later this month in the Richards Building in downtown Fort Myers. Escondido Lounge is a joint project founded by Kilgore Culinary Group, which is owned and operated by Miami Chef Bradley Kilgore, Southwest Florida entrepreneur Brad Cozza and local restaurateurs Ozzie Morrobel and Max Curtis. The lounge will welcome guests through a secret library door behind Taco Works. Kilgore created the menu for Escondido, featuring shareable plates. Some notable dishes include the cheesy Gruyere and black truffle panini, a combination of aged cheddar, Gruyere and black truffle with garlic aioli. On the lighter side, the menu features caviar chips and dip made with warm goat cheese and chive mousse folded with slow caramelized onion jam.