An Insatiable Appetite's Profile
Fort Myers Great new restaurant on McGregor
I ate at Cristofs in March, and several others ate there in April. Same experiences, unfortunately.
It's a lovely building, with parking too far away, disorganized service, hit or miss entrees, and a total disconnect between the kitchen and servers on pacing a meal. If you order an appetizer and an entree, be prepared for everything to arrive at once, and then have the emptied plates sit too long in front of you, hoping your server will take pity on you and finally come pick them up. Other tables complained that when 5 people ordered entrees, three came quickly , and the other two person's entrees came waaay too long after, with no apology from the staff. I blogged this and other things on my blog, this is a summary and more up to date.
I want the place to succeed-it'll only happen if the owner/chef spends more time on site, and really, really makes some changes. It started out good, and locals tell me service and quality have consistently and steadily gone downhill. I speak on a monthly basis with all sorts of people in Fort Myers who have dined there, not liked the experience, and I've summed up the consensus on Christof's. Such a shame, to have put so much effort into fixing up an old house into a charming, (and noisy!) location, yet, dropped the ball on service and food quality.
new restaurants in Naples
Coupons for L'Etoile can give them a sudden cash flow they seem to lack.
People that buy such coupons had best use them within a week or so, just to avoid being stuck when a place financially implodes, and suddenly closes.
Naples Tomato had quite a few loss leaders, like L'Etoile now does. I am stuck with a now-useless Naples Tomato card.. Ugh. Buyer Beware.
Naples Tomato Suddenly Closes.
Groupon is a mixed blessing.
For a $30 payment for a $60 meal, Groupon keeps $15, and the restaurant gets $15, too. Yes, there's no profit if people wisely keep their purchase to just $60. Profit is made only on pushing drinks and appetizers and desserts to get the food and beverage in excess of the $60.
Restauranteurs who are not well established tell me they choose to take the hit, as far more people see and actually read the Groupon advertisement than buy it. So, it's still a cheaper cost for very targeted PR than using the newspaper. Most restauranteurs choose not to do Groupon because it cheapens the brand, and most importantly, those who use Groupons do not come back later to pay full price, they just go to other discounted places. In L'Etoile's case, 560 diners will require a lot of upselling of additional food to make it a break even. Their servers have been going to other restaurants...not a good sign.
Some crafty vendors are said to create special items and pricing just for Groupon discounts, where they jack up the price 2x to 3x, so the hit isn't so bad. Buyer beware!
Naples Tomato Suddenly Closes.
Per today's Naples Daily News and NBC2, Naples Tomato, operated over the past 8 years by Pete Serfass and Jack and Nadine Serfass, closed without warning after service on Saturday night.
The Serfass's decision left numerous employees in the lurch without expected paychecks today. Many live paycheck to paycheck. As the season is over and restaurants typically go to skeleton crews during the summer, it will be difficult for them to find jobs until November.
Numerous coupon owners and suppliers are also left high and dry, while the assets will be "liquidated" over time. Guess who's at the end of the line...and won't get a thing.
See articles at:
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/may/01/naples-tomato-restaurant-closing-after-eight-years/
and at NBC-2 and others.
Barbatella Newish Naples restaurant: Third Street South
I've been to Barbatella several times and enjoyed the real delicious flavors of Italy, on their generous portions of meats, fish, pasta and pizza. I've been to Italy a few times, and this is the real thing-stick to your ribs good cooking! It's not New York Italian style. It doesn't have or need foams, vertical stacking, or other trendy things. I like that the pizza is served on an openholed metal tray, so it doesn't get soggy. The bar area and outside dining are my favorite spots. And yes, the botoxed and generously siliconed cougars haven't set up a lair there yet...give them time!
I've been to "big sister's" Sea Salt a dozen times since it opened, and had delicous food and good to excellent service. Some places have off days-need to let management know-teh owners are usually on site, too.
I like Komoon as a neighborhood restaurant. It's good to get authentic Peruvian, Thai and Japanese in one spot. Nice setting and friendly service, too.
Fort Myers - El Acajutla is a local gem that will make you a regular
I've only heard great things about this spot!
When I'm in Ft Myers, I am often in a rush , so look forward to being there and having time for a beer, pupusas and shrimp!
new restaurants in Naples
Alberto's is my favorite of the three. It's authentic Italy-Italian, not Italian-American Italian, as many places in the US are. I like both styles, and they are different. I was in heaven with the pastas for $15-18. Yes, I've been to Italy recently and know top Italian-this is the real thing. Now, it's not a fancy looking cuisine, just delicious, and still attractively plated. The restaurant is upscale on decor, and service was very good.
I enjoyed Aqua, and like the strolling musicians. Prices are at the higher end for Naples-this is 5th Ave. South, so it's not a surprise. I would happily go back for the delicious food and ambiance.
L' Etoile is circling the drain and may close. They didn't have a good season and may not make it in the off season. The owners plan from the start was to take off and go back to North Carolina in Naples' off season (for N.C.'s profitable high season), so that works for them.
Etoile;s food had been mixed, some good some lousy. Service is not always up to par, according to all who've been there. I won't go till I hear an improvement. Too many good places instead, to spend my money.
Naples steakhouses
Andre's and Cloydes are just not at the top of most steak lovers lists here.
I favor Capital Grille for taste, elegant setting and service. Their salmon , too, is tops.
I've always had an enjoyable time at Flemings, and their new menu with lighter dishes is a hit. also in the bar, thier wine and appetizer specials are great.
I've enjoyed Trulucks food and fish-I just don't get to 5th Ave much anymore..
Prestons has good steaks, wierd convoluted dining room, and high prices.
Andre's has high prices,good steaks, but it's atmosphere and service have never been a place my guest say "lets go back".
trader joes in SWFL
I was there opening day-total insanity with parking and jam packed inside and in parking lot.
Went back yesterday and still jam packed! That will lessen in side the store in time, but outside there will always be insufficient parking space. Encore Bank and other got screwed on this deal!
The 2 buck chuck wine is ok for $2.99, spend a little more and get a lot more wine quality for your $$.
Produce is underwhelming.
Tops are lower priced wines, inexpensive tasty cheeses, varied organic items, great frozen specialty TJ's items, and some wasabi seaweed for $.99 that I love. Just for starters.
It won't hurt whole foods or Publix-it's in its own niche.
Worth a visit...in a couple weeks to let the buzz settle down.
Naples-Alberto's On Fifth
I 'll give it a few weeks to get its stride going. Great chef from Marco Island.
O'Mei Chinese Naples
I agree with RevrendAndy on Omei!
Great family run spot that is usually far from the maddening (season) crowd. The owners are pleasant.
Asian friends frequent Omei's as well as Charlie Chiang's for delicious Asian food. Both have great crispy duck.
Chiang's is more popular, for its riverfront dining with eagles fishing, stunning interior decor, and traditonal and creative Asian foods. Mr and Mrs. Chiang are often on premises, very friendly, and very supportive of local charities. The chefs come straight from China, and customers have too often asked them to not put any authentic spicing in foods...keep it on the bland side, that's Naples for some. I ask to have it "as it's really made" when they are not busy, and it's bursting with taste. Your taste buds may vary.
I don't care as much for P F Chang's which is a quite predictable chain that's as popular as Cheese Cake Factory.
Empire China and some others are local Naples spots that have thier followings.
For home cooking with Asian fresh and canned items, Asia Pok Market on Pine Ridge, and 88 Asian Depot on East Trail are good spots.
Great BBQ in Naples?
Simply Southern BBQ is authentically delicious.
I've tried them all and blogged about them-this is the one BBQ lovers keep coming back to. Family run, no big advertising budget, you get the real deal here.
http://www.simplysouthernbbqfl.com/
Marco Island, FL - Christmas
LMF,
Thank you for the heads up!
Talking about southern Collier County...
I like Camilla's at Everglades City, good food great live music, and right on the water.
changes in Fort Misery...er Fort Myers
LMF,
Collier's loss is your gain. Your sandwich sounds heavenly!!! I was recently in Bordeaux and the food at an "average" French spot in France is usually the equal to many very good or even top French places in the USA for dinner and baked goods. Your sandwich sounds like what would be a natural sandwich combo in France!
For those who don't know, Andre is the top baker in SW Florida. Fortunately, he's taught bakers at French Bread Oven and other spots the tricks of the trade. He's a gentleman!
I ate at Lush the other day-enjoyable food and a very good malbec- and it's always fun to see Shannon shine, larger than life. His following is faithful, -it's good to see restaurants flourishing in this economy. From tapas style apps with white beans to varied imported olives, juicy hamburgers with truffled fries, to filet mignon topped with foie gras-he's got the bases covered with a well honed menu and solid wines- that should expand in season. The unique interlocking white plates and the food plating is inviting. The building is a good setting for live music, inside or outside-I don't know if he'll have such regularly scheduled during the season.
Naples moderately price
Rosedale's pizza is absolutely delicious! Light, thin and very crisp with fresh ingredients, it's perhaps the best pizza I've had in SW Florida, and that says a lot! I stopped by for lunch, and was happily surprised at the bold fresh taste and top quality.
It's Neapolitan style, bursting with flavor, baked in a wood burning oven. Your pie is made from scratch as you wait-watch the dough twirled till thin, then hot-oven baked till crisp.
They also have antipasti, soups, salads, oven baked sandwiches, classic pastas and deserts-it's a real restaurant, and doesn't serve only great pizzas. I'll write more when I've tried those, too.
(And yes, I'll have a mention on my blogs, too.) How people can settle for soggy mediocre chain-store pizza is truly beyond me.
Chowhounds, It's getting to be time to organize chowdowns in SW Florida, especially before season starts. Rosedale's would be a perfect spot-great food, friendly atmosphere, and weallet-froendy prices.
Falafel Grill...New ethnic restaurant in Naples!
Hi Feibi,
Thank you for the heads up. Your food is delicious, and priced right for families!
We were wondering when Porto Cafe was going to open-now we know.
For readers, it's in the former spot of Sweet Mamas, across from NCH.
BTW, many hospital workers I know are on "odd" shifts compared to most 8-5 workers. It's 3-11pm, 11-7am, and 7-3pm, Others are on 12 hour shifts.
Point is, most have no time to go out for lunch, so those restaurants that can deliver are set. Same for dinner, workers make pick up take out to go home to their families, but not have time to eat dinner alone at the restaurant.
FYI - Sweet Mama's was forced out by the landlord, and moved to Mr. Mom's on the East Trail, serving great breakfasts and lunches, and perhaps dinners again in season.
Simply Southern BBQ Grand Opening in Naples Florida
bagofwater,
(What a great name!!)
Come on down!
BTW, I learned much practical hands on about BBQ- rubs, fire sources, smoker designs, meat placement, etc- from Fort Myers' Emmett Todd's Backyard BBQ School-great tips from one who's studied the winners at BBQ competitions, and shares what he's found with ordinary mortals. Plus, the Q he sells around Ft Myers sells out in an hour or two-delicious.
You also have to try Inca's Kitchen when you're down in Naples, too-a Chowhound's delight! It's Peruvian food, not "Q" that's full of flavor.
Simply Southern BBQ Grand Opening in Naples Florida
Simply Southern BBQ officially opens October 10th, and it'll be the first time for many to have heard of it. No wonder, Chef Mikkel Brinson had a very soft opening a few weeks ago, and he's cookin' with gas, er hardwoods, that is!
It's located at the north end of Empire Plaza, 600 Goodlette Road North, Suite 101, at the end of the same strip mall as Bambusa.
Naples has a so-so BBQ spot that sounds like a beer, and for years advertised itself as" the best", however Chef Brinson's BBQ ribs put theirs to shame!
He smokes his ribs with a light rub for long and slow hours, and they are served wonderfully tender. they could win any BBQ rib competition. They are succulent and naturally sweet without needing sauce slathered on. He does has a sauce, and notes it's St Louis style.
Try the brisket-it'll make a Texan proud! Tender and full of taste, with a good fat cap on tip. Remember, fat = flavor, and then thin cap comes right off, revealing the rich taste.
His pulled pork is good too, it doesn't need any sauce slathered on to appreciate it. There's also BBQ chicken, fish, and plates for the kids.
The hamburger is a treat, as it's made from the BBQ meats! For dessert, have some sweet potato pie-heavenly!
Go out back and look at the humongous smoker. Across the lake is the house where Chef Brinson grew up learning about BBQ, before becoming a private chef and caterer for a few years. Then, like many chefs, he got the bug to open his own restaurant, and it's a keeper.
Phone 403-3663
Check it out, and share your thoughts.
Need suggestion for Sushi , local seafood, and spanish food in Ft. Myers
Wow!
LMF, Thank you for the heads up on Home.
Amador's in Naples
Amador's closed months after it opened. Not a surpise to insiders, a surpise to financial backers, I'm certain.
Richie Amador should appear at another spot in time for season-just have to find where he is!
Need suggestion for Sushi , local seafood, and spanish food in Ft. Myers
I'll second LMF's Ft Myers area recs.
Home Thai is actually in Bonita Springs on US 41 at Bonita Beach Road and the duck is terrific!.
If you can get to go to Naples, an unforgettable favorite of Chowhounds is Inca's Kitchen, well worth the drive for gourmet quality Peruvian cusine and inexpensive prices for the portions and wonderful spicing. This is Latin food at its best i the US of A, and Peru, for that matter.
new restaurants in Naples
I really like Seasons 52- I was there for their first practice dinner service.
The decor is beautiful and understated with stone and woods, the kitchen is open for all to see. Best part is the food, natch!
All dishes are 475 calories or less, and the portion size is what I have had as the norm at spots all over Europe. You don't see many Europeans in Europe morbidly obese; excercise and dietary moderation being two factors.
Those who frequent Buca di Beppo and other spots where you expect to leave with a big doggie bag will be disappointed. I'm happy, because I can have an app, main and tiny dessert and not fall asleep in a movie at the Mercato! The chef knows how to deftly use heat, spices and the freshest ingredients-I can't get ingredients that tasty at Pubix.
Portions are a good size, it's not anyting like sitting with a Weight Watcher's plate, so prices are less, giving a very delicious product for the money. They open Oct 10th. The sister restaurant to The Capital Grill, they fill a very different niche. I expect service to be just as top notch as at TCG.
I like Agave, and will go back again before I write about it-I'm reluctant to write so soon about any spot. It's beautiful, the brisket and hamburgers are heavenly, and the rest is being tweaked, according to friends who've been there a few times. The sister of Bonita Springs' top Angelina's, I know Agave will be a favorite, with its beautiful decor, food sith spicie and heatop restaurant in its field. , and just a great spot to hang out in.
People are loudly telling the staff of their complaints and preferences, and it's confusing. At one table, the black bean soup was considered authentic and great (me), another thought it was too salty, another not salted enough, and another said it's not like his Cuban place makes. (Agave is Southwestern cuisine, as in New Mexico and Colorado, not Little Havana or Tex-Mex.) You get the picture- go pleae hundreds of very different palates, many used to Midwestern fare. The guacamole is delicious-hunks of Haas avocado and roasted garlic made tableside to order- mine is similar but my secret ingredients just might include good shots of Tequila, Cialis and ground Chipotle-I'll never tell!
I like that Agave has flights of tequila-I should go with my designated driver and do a scientific study of some of the 150 brands available some evening!
A third new spot is Dolce &Salato, on Third Street Next to Bice on Fifth Ave South. It's a well thought out Ialian cuisine boutique, not a formal restaurant. Their pastries and other baked goods are tops, truly amazing in taste and texture. You'd be impressed at the quality and authenticity. No surprise, they import choice things from Italy. Think a mini-Eataly, if you know the concept from NYC and from cities in Italy. The charmingly cosmopolitan couple that runs it are friendly and very knowledgeable about Italian and French cuisine, having owned successful restaurants in NYC, and grown up in Italy. I spent a quick hour talking with them, and will be a regular there for desserts-baking is not my forte.
It's well worth a visit and a chat-bring back pastries, cold cuts, and cheeses. There's a wine tasting Oct 22 on Italian wines that will have live entertainment and hors d'oeuvres. I put a little more at;
http://aninsatiableappetite.blogspot.com/2011/10/dolce-salato-naples-italian-food.html
M Waterfront and IM Tapas knocked 60 diners socks off with a multicourse wine dinner with one key ingredient-foie gras! the last dinner will be October 17th. Chef Brian woks with Roy's Exec Chef David Speegle on quail eggs as the theme. Don't underestimate what can be created around a tiny egg theme!
Trader Joes, Barbatella, and many others will hurry to open by end of Dec to catch the season's five feasting months, then make it through the off season.
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Little Havana Restaurant
721 S Federal Hwy, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
FORT MYERS, CAPE CORAL -- Need recommendations for TOP PICKS
Saigon Paris Bistro is just the renamed "French Roast Cafe". I've lunched there.
Asian is better than French. Service is ok. If you want French, go to Blue Windows instead.
Let me know what you think of Saigon and of Blue Windows.
I'm not familar with Vietnamese in Fort Myers area, In Naples area, I go to Noodle Saigon and Eurasia for my Pho fix.
Thai Food in Naples?
I just went back to Em-On's and had a delicious meal.
I put a write up on my blog.
They've been there since 1996-that's amazing staying power.
Em-On goes back to Thailand each year, so she's up on traditional as well as newer Thai food trends. Em-On's is also where many Asian servers, and cooks go to eat after they are done at their own restaurants-tells you something about Thai taste and authenticity.
The $30 special for two with a bottle of wine is a good deal, as the wine is quite good, not the cheap swill served by others in their specials.
Thai Food in Naples?
Count me in for weekend lunch or evening dinner, too!
I love Home Thai, and haven't been to Em On in a few years.
ARE THERE ANY GOOD CHINESE RESTAURANts in North Naples?
I know San Francisco and Hong Kong, and true China Chinese, not NY style.
Charlie Chiang's, perhaps a mile north on 41 from PF Changs (no relationship), has chefs direct from China who can cook off- the- menu authentic Chinese mainland dishes. They did offer them years ago, but took off the menu, as most Americans favor Americanized Chinese as their "Chinese".
If you know the real dish's name, or can describe what you enjoy, stop by for the real thing! They are my SW Florida choice for delicious "new" Chinese and weekend Dim Sum, too. The setting is pretty, too on the river.
where to eat when in florida
cille,
Welcome to Florida! I was in lovely Copenhagen, couldn't get into Noma, and wrote up charming Puk on my Sept 3, 2010 blog, which srsone has alluded to. There's plenty of photos of 100 area restaurants, however with perhaps 1-2 days in the Naples-Fort Myers area, it's easier to tell you some SW Florida favorites that my out of town guests love. There's also an evening sailboat ride-often a few dolphins will join you!
Srsone has named some goodies, (Turtle Club right on the sandy beach at dinner is great) and I'll add Inca's Kitchen as a Must Visit for its delicious Peruvian cuisine large portions, and inexpensive pricing-closed Mondays.
Bites at the Ritz Carlton on the beach gives a reasonably priced and magical night especially when musicians Steve and Winnie are playing-call ahead to know.
For Fort Myers, La Trattoria Casa Napoli is a fun spot with Spanish and Cuban cuisines-great food great prices. To try Southern food, inexpensive Lee Roy Selmon's is great for a lunch. Sweet Melissa's is worth a visit if you are Sanibel for supper.
You gotta do BBQ for Fourth of July and reserve a spot for fireworks, weather permitting, too!
A Fort Myers Gem -El Gaucho Inca
Tute T,
You're the second person in two days that recommended El Patio. It's on my list to visit!
I never would have though of Cape Seafood being Peruvian.
How would you compare Cape Seafood with El Patio? With Inca's Kitchen?
Any Fried Chicken on Sanibel Isand?
I am still bummed over the closing of Popeye's in Ft Misery. I have tried over two dozen variations of cooking fried chicken, and still can't find one like my childhood favorite made by Eunice Mayberry.
I like the 50's like ambiance at Farmers Market. Some of the servers have been there since the beginning of time. Kinda like Veranda. Kinda like me, oops.
The fried chicken's good.
A Fort Myers Gem -El Gaucho Inca
Nah, I'm not JLB. Can't afford the weight gain with trying and writing up an extra place each week, either!
I'm a decent cook, and go to a spot with friends who are cooks or very familiar with the country's cuisine. I just don't think JLB has that approach or experience. She indicates she's a 29-ish yo mom-I don't think she's travelled much or had the opportunity to try many examples of a country's cuisine, not that it's a prerequisite for anyone to opine.
I, on the other hand grew up with Fred, Barney, and the dinosaurs.
I've had quite a few meals in the countries of origin of the places I write about. (You can see that from my blog,-I just covered a teeny spot in Calafate, Argentina on June 1, 2011.) I don't blog often about my dining in foreign countries-I like to visit a place twice if possible. Also, my blog is tailored for my "foodie" friends who enjoy the photos. I don't seek readers-Chowhound take note.
Yelp is amazingly popular, however restaurant staffs have admitted they stuff it with positive reviews on their place, and would never, ever trash competitors! Not always objective, so I ignore the top few and bottom few reviews to get a feel for the place.
Conversely, I've really found Chowhound most useful as a resource before I go to any other large city, in USA or abroad. I'll find a reliable writer's likes. So far I've not been led astray.
El Gaucho is down to earh, not fancy, inexpensive and delicious. Try them or Inca's Kitchen, and see if the Peruvian cuisine's for you. I don't know your tastes. I've enjoyed it for years at the better quality spots like these two-the cuisine's as unique as French, Chinese, Ialian, etc.
If you, friends, and other Chowhounds want to meet and have a chowdown, I've time during the summer to do that.
