Her top 3 Naples restaurants
Diana Biederman | Naples Daily News
What are JLB’s top three restaurants when friends and family visit?
It took a lengthy scroll through my phone’s gallery to figure it out.
Until 2021, one top destination (according to my photos) was Siam Thai, an affordable and convenient go-to with dated décor a la Mad Men. From my vegan pal Thomas Farley, aka Mister Manners, to “Iron Chef America” judge Karine Bakhoum, whose palate was once insured for $1,000,000 by Lloyds of London, this easy downtown joint was a crowd pleaser.
Alas, Siam Thai changed hands and then closed in 2022, making it ineligible for this story inspired by USA Today’s recent listing of America’s top 100 restaurants of the year based on where my Gannett colleagues go when friends and family land in town.
…below are JLB’s three most frequent restaurant haunts from May 2015 to now.
What they have in common? Each is independently owned, decidedly fuss-free and family-friendly. They also won’t break the bank unless you go bananas ordering multiple fun cocktails because you might want to try several.
JLB’s Top 3
If there’s a downside to JLB’s job, it’s only that I don’t get to visit my favorites as often as before. But when friends and family are in town, these are my must-visits, listed in alphabetical order.
Island Gypsy
292 Capri Blvd., Naples; 239-394-1111; theislandgypsy.com
Jane’s Cafe
1209 Third St. S., Naples; 239-261-2253; janesgardencafe.com
Seventh South Craft Food + Drink
849 Seventh Ave. S., Naples; 239-231-4553; seventhsouth.com
Don’t miss JLB’s photos and descriptions on naplesnews.com.
Find a home convenient to delicious dining spots in Naples, Florida. Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086.
J. Kyle Foster | Naples Daily News
The Bonita Estero Rail to Trail will include construction of a 12-foot-wide asphalt path for almost 15 miles, looking similar to paths in Baker Park in Naples.
After four years of negotiations, Seminole Gulf Railway has agreed to sell its 14.9-mile Bonita-Estero rail corridor for a public pedestrian and biking trail.
Lee County and its municipalities, and Collier County if it chooses, have until March 2026 to come up with the $82 million agreed upon price brokered by the Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit that works to connect people to outdoor spaces, said Deborah Orton, president of Friends of Bonita Estero Rail to Trail.
The Bonita Estero Rail to Trail – called BERT – would run from just south of the Lee Collier County border to Alico Road through downtown Bonita Springs and Estero ending just north of San Carlos Park at Alico Road. The trail will connect to Lee County’s John Yarborough Trail to the north and the planned Paradise Coast Trail to the south in Collier County.
Seminole Gulf Railway has agreed to sell its 14.9-mile Bonita-Estero Rail Corridor for a public trail in Lee County.
“This isn’t an isolated 15-mile piece of land,” said Doug Hattaway, Southeast Region conservation director at Trust for Public Land. “It’s going to connect to a statewide trail network.”
Read the full article on naplesnews.com.
Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086 to find your home in healthy southwest Florida.
Laura Layden | Naples Daily News
There’s a long way to go, but plans to rebuild the Naples Pier continue to move forward.
City Council heard an update on the multimillion-dollar project Tuesday, with the design plans now virtually 100% complete.
The pier, destroyed by Hurricane Ian, will be built stronger and taller, with new features, including more shaded areas and more seating to take in the Gulf views.
Here’s more to know from the brief update, shared at a workshop:
What’s the next step?
The city is developing the bid documents to meet the guidelines set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to ensure the project qualifies for reimbursement. The reimbursement could be as high as 90% for the eligible parts of construction tied to Ian.
Based on the latest estimates from the engineers, the project could cost up to $22.5 million, with contingencies.
More information can be found here: naplesgov.com/parksrec/page/naples-pier-approved-design
Read the full post on naplesnews.com.
Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086 to find your home in Naples, southwest Florida.
Laura Layden | Naples Daily News
A posh Port Royal compound in Naples has made national headlines as the most expensive home for sale in America.
A story about the listing first appeared in the Wall Street Journal, offered up as an exclusive to the publication by the seller’s agents. News – and marketing – has spread since then to other national and local media.
The price tag for the property: $295 million.
What’s for sale?
Known as Gordon Pointe, the gated compound stretches a little over 9 acres. It includes about 708 feet of beachfront and Gulf of Mexico views, 952 feet of bay views, an “exclusive and extremely rare” yacht basin, measuring 231 feet, and a T-shaped dock for up to six boats.
What else does it offer?
There is not just one, but three houses on the property, built over time. There is also the potential to redevelop the site, …according to the selling agents.
Read the full story with photos on naplesnews.com.
Resale going for $32.5 million
Laura Layden | Naples Daily News
A penthouse in Naples has been listed for a whopping $32.5 million.
That makes it the most expensive condo resale on the market in the city, according to the Southwest Florida Multiple Listing Service. Here’s more to know about the offering:
Where is it located?
It’s in The Seasons at Naples Cay. Located at 81 Seagate Drive, the 22-story building has been described as “an intimate experience,” with a total of 43 condos.
When was it built?
The gated beachfront high-rise tower, offering views of the Gulf of Mexico and Outer Clam Bay, was completed in 2002. The residence, known for short as PH20, however, was recently redesigned.
How big is it?
It boasts 16,803 total square feet, with 11,960 of that space indoors, and 4,843 of it on outdoor terraces. There are five bedrooms and seven bathrooms.
What else does it offer?
The home includes floor-to-ceiling glass windows throughout, with panoramic views of the Gulf, the city and “beyond.”
Read about “Other notable features” and view photos on naplesnews.com.
Watch the video on YouTube.
Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086 to find your luxury home in Naples, southwest Florida.
Laura Layden | Naples Daily News
Just days into 2024, Bonita Beach saw a record home sale of $12.9 million.
It beat the previous high paid for a single-family home on the beach by more than half a million dollars, set in October.
Property records show the new record sale closed on Jan. 3.
Not surprisingly, the 5,300-square-foot beachfront residence in Bonita Springs has plenty to boast about, from its open-floor-plan design and beachfront entertainment deck to its floating wood beam ceilings and smart home lighting and automation systems.
“This residence is a showcase of visionary design, both inside and out. No details were overlooked. Built to the most current and stringent codes with concrete block construction, it is a beachfront masterpiece with exquisite features and finishes,” said Doug Grant, with John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate’s Grant Group, who represented the sellers.
Read the full article with photos on naplesnews.com.
Contact David at David@DavidFlorida.com or 239-285-1086 to find your new home in Bonita Springs, Florida.
