Southwest Getaways 2008 - (Page 23) Culinary Naples A Quick Cook’s Tour of Napless WHAT’S TASTY Aurelio’s Is Pizza Style: Chicago pizza Setting: Checkered tablecloths and Illinois license plates Menu: 29 types of pizza plus other Italian specialties Don’t miss: Super Six (the works!) Details: 239-403-8882, aureliosofnaples.com Things to see: If you think the only place in Florida to find bold, exciting dining is Miami, think again. As one of the nation’s most sophisticated resort towns, Naples way outshines its size in culinary stature. Here are but a few restaurants, divided into some highly arbitrary categories that include What’s New, What’s Hot and What’s Tasty. — Chelle Koster Walton WHAT’S NEW Coast Style: Continental Setting: Hotel lobby restaurant without walls; the definition of beach-view cutting-edge Menu: Pared down to well-crafted works of art Don’t miss: Chocolate marquise Bonus: Stay overnight at the Edgewater Beach Hotel (888-325-7711, www.edgewaternaples.com), the home to Coast Details: 239-403-2000 WHAT’S HOT Artisans Chef: Executive Chef Derin Moore, one of 60 certified master chefs in the U.S. Style: Regional seafood with a Mediterranean twist Setting: Tranquil, artful elegance Menu: Items grouped by protein types, available in full or half portions so diners can design their own dinner tasting menu Don’t miss: Lobster salad Bonus: Spend the night in luxury at The Ritz-Carlton (800-241-3333, www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/naples), home to Artisans Details: 239-598-3300 Handsome Harry’s Style: American Uptown Setting: Indoor-outdoor glam Menu: Well-crafted, well-rounded seafood, steak and pasta selections for lunch and dinner Don’t miss: Lemon Cream of Lobster Bisque Details: 239-434-6400, www.handsomeharrys.com Bha! Bha! Chef-owner: Iranian native Michael Mir Style: Persian Setting: Bistro chic Menu: Classic and innovative ethnic specialties Don’t miss: Spicy kermani beef with saffron sauce and cucumber yogurt Bonus: Belly dancing on select nights Details: 239-594-5557, www.bhabhapersianbistro.com The Strip House Owner: A product of Las Vegas, and it shows Style: Steakhouse excess Setting: Bordello meets clubhouse Don’t miss: Bone-in ribeye Bonus: Sleep it off at Naples Grande Resort (800-247-9810, www.naplesgrande.com), where the restaurant resides Details: 239-598-9600, www.striphouse.net Dine on Fifth Avenue at Chops City Grill, Naples. Photo by Greg Brown. Chops City Grill Chef-owner: Skip Quillen, owner of several local restaurants. Style: Steaks and Pacific Rim Setting: Bustling bistro-bar with display kitchen Menu: Fine beef, sushi and seafood Don’t miss: Asian Barbecue Glazed Pork Porterhouse Details: 239-262-4677, www.gr8food.net The Dock at Crayton Cove Owner: Vin DePasquale, longtime Naples restaurateur Style: Old Florida fish house Setting: Open-air at Naples Dock Menu: All major Florida food groups: sandwiches, seafood, deep-fried and Caribbean-style Don’t miss: Blackened mahi tacos Details: 239-263-9940, www.dockcraytoncove.com Trilogy Chef: Ross Peterson of Roy’s and Syrah fame Style: Global fusion Setting: Smart bistro Menu: Fin, Fowl & Shells, Butcher Block and other options for dinner; salads, small plates and “sammiches” at lunch Don’t miss: Butter-poached lobster tail with spinach gnocchi Details: 239-261-1221, www.trilogyofnaples.com Escargot 41 Chef-owner: French imports Chef Patrick and Jackie Fevrier Style: Classic French Setting: Cozy corner au Provence Menu: Seven escargot apps, tournedos with escargots, duck and seafood Don’t miss: Seafood and morels in champagne cream sauce Details: 239-793-5000, www.escargot41.com Skillet’s SunRise Style: Good ol’ American Setting: Country-style; more cheerful than anything should be first thing in the morning Menu: Huge selection of breakfast favorites all day (until 2:30); also lunch Don’t miss: Whole wheat cranberrypecan pancakes with orange sauce Details: 239-566-1999, www.goodbreakfast.com Southwest Getaways 23 http://www.aureliosofnaples.com http://www.edgewaternaples.com http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/naples http://www.handsomeharrys.com http://www.bhabhapersianbistro.com http://www.naplesgrande.com http://www.striphouse.net http://www.gr8food.net http://www.dockcraytoncove.com http://www.trilogyofnaples.com http://www.escargot41.com http://www.goodbreakfast.com
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