photo mosaic of Naples, Florida pier, Bayfront, Bayside, dolphin jumping, magenta orchid, water birds silhouetted against the sunset
Dinner and a show: Pre-theater restaurant suggestions in Naples and Marco Island – JLB

Dinner and a show: Pre-theater restaurant suggestions in Naples and Marco Island – JLB

Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News

One of my all-time favorite traditions is dinner and a show. When growing up, my parents always paired the two, whether heading to Broadway, the ballet or opera at Lincoln Center.

Fun habits are hard to break. That ― and once I’m out for the night, why not make the most of it?

Tis the season for the performing arts in Collier County, though I wish they were accessible year-round. With that in mind, we’ve created a list featuring several favorite restaurants convenient to Collier County’s best-known venues and players.*

Two tips before heading out:
Given how bananas traffic is right now, allow ample time for delays and finding parking.
Make a reservation and let your server know what time you need to be out, even if you included that info while making a reservation.

Venue: Marco Island Center for the Arts’ Theatre
Venue: The Norris Center, home to the Gulfshore Playhouse
Performers: Opera Naples
The players: TheatreZone

Read the full article and restaurant recommendations for each venue on naplesnews.com.

Find a home convenient to great restaurants and entertainment in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

What’s new, what’s back this week in SW Florida?

What’s new, what’s back this week in SW Florida?

Supercar dealer, Marriott, Margaritaville

Phil Fernandez | Naples Daily News

We may be nearing the end of the year, but it’s the start of something new this week for many in the Southwest Florida development and business game.

The mantra probably should be the late Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” and yes, let’s dispense of the letter G please.

Because the timin’ couldn’t be better for endeavors to get their engines runnin’, with the economy roarin’ as Americans spent $18.86 trillion in October, the most ever for a month in the nation’s history, according to analytic company WalletHub’s new Consumer Spending Report last week.

I miss G already. Bringing it back.

The In the Know notebooks, in-boxes and voicemails are overflowing with all the activity for future columns so today’s just a sampling of December debuts. And don’t forget to take a moment to reflect later this week on Pearl Harbor Day that allows us and should continue to spur us to protect the freedoms we have.

Here’s what to know, my friends.

Vroommmm. Lamborghini Naples zips into Southwest Florida
Lamborghini Naples officially green flags its new Southwest Florida showroom on Tuesday, with the international honchos flying in to also check out our Paradise Coast.

The 5154 Tamiami Trail E. address can be found between the Thomasson Drive intersection and the Isles of Collier neighborhood.

What new is cooking in the Naples Design District?
The folks at The Collective told us last week their only eatery at 111 10th Street S. is cooking in time for the Naples Design District’s 7th annual Holiday Stroll on Wednesday.

Warren American Whiskey Kitchen plans to begin taking reservations Tuesday to dine during the Wednesday stroll that runs from 4 to 8 p.m.

The Collective is among the participants in the annual Naples Design District Holiday Stroll.

What are some restaurants making debuts in SW Florida?
When it comes to Warren, my colleague and dining superhero Diana Biederman tells us the restaurant features more than 1,000 bourbons to go along with fancy eats.

At least a couple of more coming in December to that general vicinity, give or take a few blocks: Le Colonial’s Asian entries at 445 Fifth Ave. S. and Unidos Latin fare at 1 Ninth St. S.

$35 million rebuilding continues at Sanibel Harbour Resort
Also trying to bounce back this month from the punishment dealt by Hurricane Ian is the 85-acre Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa ― especially the spa part this week.

Resort: Margaritaville FM Beach has soft opening, though rooms not available to everyone

Punta Rassa pickleball on Sanibel Causeway’s northeast end

Read the full article on naplesnews.com to find out what $713,000 will get you at a hot Lamborghini dealership, more restaurants, pickleball, and Margaritaville news.

Are you looking for a home in southwest Florida? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Playing pickleball in Collier County

Playing pickleball in Collier County

A guide for everything you need to know

Kendall Little | Naples Daily News

As the weather starts to cool off, it’s the perfect time to get your pickleball practice in.

Naples has been cementing itself as the “pickleball capital of the world” over the past few years by hosting the national Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championship tournament. Last year, the tournament brought in 40,000 spectators and 3,000 players.

If you’re a part-time resident or full-time local looking to practice your pickleball skills before the tournament this spring, here’s everything you need to know about Collier County’s pickleball facilities.

Where can I play pickleball in Collier County?

  • LOCATION: Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park
    COURTS: 6
    HOURS: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
    LIGHTS: Yes. Until 10 p.m.
  • LOCATION: East Naples Community Park
    COURTS: 59
    HOURS: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
    LIGHTS: Yes. Until 10 p.m.
  • LOCATION: Veterans Community Park
    COURTS: 14
    HOURS: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
    LIGHTS: Yes on courts nine through 14. Until 10 p.m.

Read the full article for information about costs, parking, new pickleball courts coming, and more on naplesnews.com.

Are you looking for a home in the “pickleball capital of the world”? Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

$25-$30 million Naples theater would boast Pavarotti name, 900 seats, lush garden

$25-$30 million Naples theater would boast Pavarotti name, 900 seats, lush garden

Charles Runnells | Naples Daily News

If all goes well, a new $25 million – $30 million performing-arts center could open within two years in Naples. The 900-seat Theater in the Garden would be the second-biggest venue in Collier County, after Artis-Naples.

Organizers announced the proposed venue Friday.

“This project is born out of the proven need for another venue to perform in Collier County,” said Livio Ferrari, director of Theater in the Garden Inc., a not-for-profit corporation.

Pavarotti’s famous husband, who died in 2007, never visited Naples, she said. But his American opera career started nearby on Florida’s east coast.

“The door to his American career was opened by Florida, when he performed in 1965 in Miami,” Nicoletta Pavarotti said. “So when Livio came to us with this idea, we found it fascinating.

“We were looking for a special place where art and opera were in the hearts of people … a place where we can grow together in the name of Luciano … a place where we can even work on the future of opera.”

Read the full article and see renderings on naplesnews.com.

Surround yourself with the good life, find a home in the Naples area, contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Red carpet affair: Naples International Film Festival opens Thursday night at Artis-Naples

Red carpet affair: Naples International Film Festival opens Thursday night at Artis-Naples

Jonah Hinebaugh | Naples Daily News

The red carpet took center stage for those who arrived Thursday for opening night at the 15th annual Naples International Film Festival at Artis-Naples.

The festival ends Sunday with a special presentation of Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” featuring a live performance of John Williams’ classic score by the Naples Philharmonic. This year’s festival features 57 films and all screenings will be held in person at Hayes Hall, Norris Garden or Paragon Theaters ― Pavilion.

There are lots of photos of the event on naplesnews.com.

Find a home in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

Off The Hook Comedy Club in Naples gets $1 million face-lift

Off The Hook Comedy Club in Naples gets $1 million face-lift

Dave Osborn | Naples Daily News

The one-liners and laughs ended for most of August at Off The Hook Comedy Club but not because the comedians weren’t funny.

Few acts were scheduled for the club because the inside of ROW Seafood by Capt. Brien & Crew restaurant underwent a $1 million renovation, said owner Brien Spina.

Whole new look
Work crews over 20 days in August made $1 million in renovations to Off The Hook Comedy Club, which is inside ROW Seafood by Capt. Brien & Crews along Vanderbilt Beach Road in North Naples, Florida.

Anyone who went to the Off The Hook website or called last month may have thought the comedy venue shut down to give club workers time away in the “off-season.”

Instead, construction crews over 20 days ripped out much of the restaurant and reconfigured it.

“We’re remodeling the front of the house top to bottom, all new furniture and fixtures,” Spina said in late August.

New rearranged seating will be “much more conducive to the show,” he said, pointing out there’s no increased seating but “we just have more spaced-out room with better sight to the stage now.”

Read more about Off the Hook changes on naplesnews.com.

Find a home near great dining and entertainment in southwest Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.