Zeits's Profile
new restaurants in Naples
i did eat at Bay House and was disappointed. they sat us by the window but in the smaller room and the table next to us was so loud that i almost said something but my wife stopped me--i mean so loud that it hurt--they seemed to think that they were at home with friends and screaming and laughing as though no one else was dining.
the food was mediocre. had the short ribs and shrimp (surf and turf, for them). the food was barely warm and nothing to recommend.
the service was good, actually excellent--
maybe i should stick with burgers in the tavern.
new restaurants in Naples
what is the word on Aqua and Alberto's? have heard mixed things about Aqua and Alberto's had a good write-up in the local paper.
anything more on Etoile?
thinking of going to Bay House this week--is it doing well?
Restaurants in Naples
Inca's Kitchen fits that description. you won't find anything like this unless you're in a major city.
Rafael, owner/chef has created one of the best places in Naples and moderately priced.
Naples steakhouses
Preston's has the best steak i've ever experienced--and that includes CG, Morton's, Smith and Wollensky, the Palm, etc. its charming and not a scene--its for people who just want to spend time and talk with the person you're with. also the chocolate cake, made there is great.
you should also try the local CG (cap grill) as each one sort of takes on the personality of the local managing partner.
Sea Salt makes a great steak too and its on 3rd st for great people watching.
Agave Naples
i had a different experience. i was hoping for the best since i too like Angelina's but after ordering an array of selections i came away not only disappointed but pissed since i know they can do better. we had the guacamole made at the table and it was bland. the meats and chickens for their fajitas had no edge/heat/oomph to it.
i had a margarita and realized why they put in that short, wide straw--because if you try to bring the glass directly to your mouth the drink dribbles down your chin
and to make matters worse, i was in Boca Raton recently and went to Uncle Julios which is the same as Rio Grande that we have in Md and it was just wonderful and less expensive. i kept wondering why they can't put one here.
Falafel Grill...New ethnic restaurant in Naples!
all i can add is that the newer places that have opened do not compare to Falafel Grill for mediterranean fare (esp falafel).
happy to hear of your new opening.
Visiting Naples
depends what part of town you are staying and whether you want to travel--but even going from downtown Naples to Bonita is 30-40 min.
Naples Tomato--known for their fresh pasta and many wines by the glass (mostly adult)
Mercato center has many good places from Capital Grill to AZN (asian fusion sushi as well as hot dishes--all ages. also a deli there that some consider good (its from Michigan so you decide). Chopotle also there-tex/mex on the cheap.
Agave is a new high end mexican--guacamole made at the tableside. its been very crowded--all ages.
Bricktops--great bistro in the Waterside center and Brio next door is good (Italian Trattoria --has a sister rest Brio at Mercato).
upscale downtown: Prestons for steak. Campiello for italian. Sea Salt for expensive world class food. Jolly Cricket for good pub fare.
and of course my all time favorite, off the beaten track--Inca's Kitchen.
trader joes in SWFL
just want to reply to the spate of comments about Naples being 4 mos city and not able to sustain another niche store:
since i work in Naples i get a feel of the change from May thru Oct and it gets busier every yr. yes its busier in season but that only means it takes 10 more minutes to get someplace. if you think i may be wrong just travel on Pine Ridge to and from work (8am and 4pm). although Wild Oats was never busy, when WF bought them and moved to a better location its been going like gangbusters (even with Publix placing their own "gourmet" store across the street). another sign of the times is that the Darden Group which owns Capital Grill has just opened (soft opening) Seasons 52 right next to CG so here is another successful business that thinks NAples is ready for expansion.
basically Mercato has been a game changer and North Naples is the new downtown Naples and it appears restaurants and businesses and people are coming back.
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Darden Restaurants
5900 Lake Ellenor Dr, Orlando, FL 32809
Naples moderately price
my mistake. can one combine brooklyn and queens? the irony is that i grew up 2 towns over from Rosedale.
Naples moderately price
at Waterside Mall (upscale Mall) Bricktops is great food and service and is about that (if you share the app).
Inca's Kitchen is very moderate, you'll have to share the app if you want to eat your entree. also its one of the best places in Naples and family owned. (Bricktops is the second of a "chain" rest out of Ohio i think.
Angelina's in Bonita is family owned and mod to exp. they have just opened an upscale tex-mex that few have tried as yet called Agave--but the word of mouth is good.
the Jolly Cricket is owned by a local family--located on 5th ave--but have heard they might not be around much longer (nothing wrong with the food, its the lease).
Brookdale's is a new place by a family that moved here from Brookdale queens--and brought the family italian recipes.
for breakfast/lunch there's Sunburst--family from Boston that's been here for about 12 yrs.
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Bricktop's Restaurant
5555 Tamiami Trl N Ste 18, Naples, FL 34108
trader joes in SWFL
have been to TJ's in DC and it seemed like a food coop on steroids. it was not far from a WF--both have different and overlapping clientele. when i think TJ i think of hippies who have made it and when i think of WF i think of yuppies who have made it.
new restaurants in Naples
there are a slate of new places that have opened (Agave, Pita Pit, Chipotles ) and are will be ( Seasons 52, some high end French where Mr. G's was)--
has anyone tried any of the new places and want to speculate about the upcoming ones?
Inca's Kitchen is still my favorite...
Amador's in Naples
has anyone been? i had gone to the restaurant when it was by Royal Harbor as it was a favorite of my borther-in-law and i must say it was good and usually crowded and could never figure out why it closed (but perhaps lease was up; location was a off the beaten path;).
so now its better located but haven't been there so wondering if anyone has tried it.
Piola in Mercato, Naples, FL
i don't know why this place still exists. i've been there 3 times (none recent) about a yr ago and each time was worst. i went there primarily with my kids. the pizza was mediocre at best and the service was awful.
another place that i think will not last is the deli at mercato too. each time i go there the food is less appetizing. i think whoever was in the kitchen when it first opened must have left or they are cutting back on ingredients.
anything on Chipotle?
Norman Love's new place
yes, the new place in Naples is across from Coastland Mall, in the same strip as USS Nemo rest.
Norman Love's new place
i wrote a post and think it went into a black hole--so excuse me if this is redundant.
went there recently for coffee and had a banana-choc chip-almond muffin and both were great. also the service is terrific as there are about 2 staff for each customer.
anyway just wondering if anyone has been there yet?
Naples, Bleu Provence
always had good meals there and never felt rushed but haven't been there in a while.
don't forget to try Norman Love's new cafe across from Coastland Mall (next to USS Nemo)--it is a real jewel. a real european patisserie.
Cafe Italia replaces Encore in Naples
i take it that Cafe Italia has folded. any idea what is going in there next?
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Cafe Italia
1810 S Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
looking for Naples recommendations
stopped in on the way home for take-out from Sophia's. i thought i was getting some generic veal parm platter but it was a veal chop in sauce and cheese. little surprised by the price but it was absolutely delicious.
Park Shore in Naples
i think everyone should try Alexander's--it looks great on the menu and the chef has a book on display but i was disappointed (only one time dining there).
M Waterfront Grill in Venetian Village sounds like something you'd like based on your previous choices. never heard a bad thing about the place.
my favorite bistro is Bricktop's at Waterside (although many prefer Brio just across the way). i think the food and service at Bricktop's is superior but a more limited menu.
Preston's for Steak or anything there.
i second Insatiable's suggestions, esp Inca's Kitchen--this is something you will not experience at most places, even big cities.
i'm just going to throw this out but someone i work with has this thing for "Lindberger's" on 41 close to downtown--i think it has new owners but he tells me that the hamburgers are fantastic...
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Bricktop's Restaurant
5555 Tamiami Trl N Ste 18, Naples, FL 34108
Cafe Italia replaces Encore in Naples
does anyone go here? is the Italian equiv of Real Sea Food (a place that's still around but you don't know anyone who goes there).
is it still worth checking out?
Naples--Rossopomodoro and Sophia's??
took family to Rosso and the consensus was overpriced for ok food--and the kids didn't care for the very thin pizza.
i found Sophia's one night while i was working late and ordered what i thought was a simple veal parm dinner to go. that is considered one of their specialties and its made with a veal chop. $35 later i'm at home eating a very pricey but delicious dinner. keep meaning to go back.
Asian restaurants in Naples?
its Sushione for me--its always fresh. Norio knows his fish. the place is simple and the meals are consistent. even a simple green salad w ginger dressing tastes great there.
Need Help in Naples!
the chefs from Fujiyama's left and opened their own place called Sushi one which is on the SW corner of Pine Ridge and Goodlette. its the best sushi i've eaten and i've eaten sushi in NY and LA and SF. ask for Norio.
no really good chinese. no really good Thai.
Inca's Kitchen is not only great peruvian food but at a bargain--and he recently renovated. best local, non chain ethnic cuisine we have.
plenty of Italian: Campiello's and Sea Salt sit opposite each other and offer different choices. Sea Salt is owned by a world class chef (he had the #1 rated rest in DC).
Michelbob's for ribs but Bricktop's at the Waterside Mall also has good ribs and for me is the best bistro in town--great service and food (part of a very small chain).
AZN at Mercato has both good sushi and fusion asian dishes and is very busy on the wknds and one can eat outside and people watch or go to the Silverspot theater and watch movies in oversized leather theater chairs or just hang out in the "European style" cafe.
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Bricktop's Restaurant
5555 Tamiami Trl N Ste 18, Naples, FL 34108
Please comment on these Naples restaurants
are u talking Naples, FL? the 2 you've mentioned are not known for anything special. most would rec: Campiello's; Sea Salt, Angelinos; Naples Tomato for Italian and/or continental.
Sophia's is relatively new and has good word of mouth.
I NEED to know WHERE I can find the BEST STEAK in NAPLES, Florida!
you got that right....
Norman Love's new ventures in Naples
i forgot to add that he has the contract for the concession for the new Redsox stadium. the visitors to spring training will be eating better than people in Boston...
