Playing tourist at home: Naples’ 8 quintessential, one of a kind independent restaurants

Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News

As this JLB bids adieu to Naples next week for Florida’s other coast, perhaps it’s the ideal time to list where I’m eating my last meals in town.

Factors for making the cut?

Places uniquely evoking the restaurant landscape in Naples. Some are historic, and a few iconic or on their way to that status.

As in every JLB review I’ve written since February 2022, I seek good value, food without fuss or pretension. On-point service without being overbearing is a must from the host stand to the exit.

Sending regrets

I am kicking myself for not making time to eat at The Turtle Club since its May reopening, given my most recent meal there was in 2019. It’s among the prettiest waterfront haunts around, exemplifying icon status.

Want to make an impression on anyone visiting Southwest Florida? Those breathtaking Gulf Coast views make folks understand why you still live here despite hurricane season.

The same holds true with Chokoloskee’s blissful Havanna Café. As much as I want to go back, the drive is a schlep from Naples and there’s not enough time between deadlines and packing.

In the terrific space formerly home to 360 Market & Café, I can only hope Seventh South’s terrific team opens their new waterfront location by my first return visit.

Where else to take your friends to dine in Naples? Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Luxe for less: Hits & misses during September’s Sizzle Dining promo

Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News

I remember skipping New York City’s semi-annual “Restaurant Week” because of a few disappointing meals served up during its early years.

I recall servers at higher-end restaurants seeming less enthusiastic about working those dates. Special three-course prix-fixe menus were created to make the price points work but were rarely indicative of a chef’s talent.

That first restaurant week in 1992 was priced $19.92, making it tricky for participating restaurants to make any money even though their staffs were working so much harder because demand volume was crazy.

Case in point: When working at ‘21,’ we served tilapia instead of the famous market-price Dover sole and a human-sized portion of the legendary burger with a different bun to make Restaurant Week’s price points work.

For years, the price crept up a penny.

But Sizzle Dining is different, especially during an offseason when COVID returned and it was too steamy to dine outside. It got butts in seats for restaurants during a traditionally slow month while offering sweet deals to patrons. Participating restaurants also fork over $1 for every meal sold to Blessings in a Backpack.

Making a list, checking it twice
JLB is always looking for the biggest bang for her buckaroos. So how to choose?

Find out how to choose on naplesnews.com.

Rooted in Naples: Award-winning Bleu Provence grows food at Corkscrew Swamp farm

Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News

Long pants? Check.

Long-sleeved shirt? Check.

Mosquito repellant? Check.

The biggest decision: Sneakers or rubber boots?

I opted for beat-up sneakers that had previously survived a summer deluge.

On what was predicted to be a real-feel day of 107 degrees, I was dressing for a visit to Jacques and Lysielle Cariot’s swamp farm, where they unwind after 70-hour work weeks.

The couple is famous for Bleu Provence, arguably Naples’ most prestigious restaurant, which has achieved global recognition for its astounding wine offerings.

Yet unlike several regional restaurants that list local food purveyors — a wonderful thing to be encouraged— Bleu Provence’s menu does not mention their farm as a source. Eggs, fruit, vegetables and herbs grown there are ingredients at the restaurant.

Why?

It’s a work in progress.

“Two years ago, we started to plant vegetables every week, and serve what’s in season,” said Lysielle.

The jam accompanying foie gras is the farm’s papaya. Black grouper’s citrus-papaya sauce and sweet potato chips garnish are harvested there, too.

Just-picked berries adorning a luscious pavlova or meringue? The tuna tartare’s mango and passionfruit coulis? Peppers, squash and tomatoes in ratatouille?

All from the farm.

Read the full article with photos on naplesnews.com.

Would you like to own a home in Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island area of Southwest Florida? Contact David at David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.

USA Today’s readers vote Ritz-Carlton restaurant in Naples one of America’s 10 Best

Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News

USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards has announced the winners of America’s best hotel amenities. Categories encompass spas, eco-friendliness, bars, swimming pools — and ta-da! — on-property restaurants.

While several prestigious hotel restaurants (think Inn at Little Washington and Blackberry Farm) might be considered the destination augmented with adjacent rooms, neither made USA Today’s list in 2024 revealed on Aug. 21.

And when considering how many high-end hotels dot our nation’s landscape, calling this category ultra-competitive is an understatement.

Consider this an opportunity to live like you’re on vacation minus the overnight stay when visiting Florida’s sole best hotel restaurant winner.