Gulfshore Life December 2024

In winter’s light, our paradise reveals her finest gifts— warmth and joy that flow from harbor to hearth.

The Haytacs

AS A DYNAMIC COUPLE IN NAPLES, ONUR AND JELENA ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN. BOTH IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO THE U.S. FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, THEY MET IN NAPLES A DECADE AGO AND HAVE SINCE BUILT A STRONG PARTNERSHIP GROUNDED IN SHARED VALUES. THROUGH THEIR 2L FOUNDATION, THEY HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN SUPPORTING LOCAL INITIATIVES, INCLUDING HELPING PATH2FREEDOM ESTABLISH A SECOND SAFE HOUSE FOR EXPLOITED CHILDREN. THEY ARE CURRENTLY SPEARHEADING A PROJECT TO EDUCATE PARENTS ON PROTECTING KIDS FROM ONLINE DANGERS LIKE SEXTORTION. THEIR DEDICATION TO GIVING BACK REFLECTS A PASSION FOR CREATING SAFER, MORE INFORMED COMMUNITIES. THE PROCEEDS FROM THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE “POWER COUPLE OF NAPLES” CAMPAIGN WILL GO DIRECTLY TO FURTHERING THE FOUNDATION’S MISSION.

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88 / Classic Jewels, Revisited

Traditional styles are modernized with an empowered, brawny edge—perfect for holiday gifting.

Tiffany HardWear

Graduated Link Necklace

shot by Anna Nguyen

100 / The Artful Baker

The Ritz-Carlton, Naples’ pastry chef, Lerome Campbell, wows with his artful, often impossible-seeming confections.

Anna Nguyen

HARBOR SPRINGS | ROCHESTER | TRAVERSE CITY | NAPLES

Naples Showroom Opening Fall 2024

Contents Departments Home Stylish Living

Naples designer Julia Hall Liegeois pulls off a wholly fresh take on coastal design in this Naples renovation, filled with ombré palettes, textured fabrics and plenty of abstract nods to the beach, like the tide poolinspired mirrors in the family room.

Stylish Living: A fresh take on coastal in Naples

166 Talking Shop: Thomas Riley’s master carver

Healthy Life

190 Wellness: Restorative SWFL staycations

196

Editors’ Pick: A luxe body wash from Naples

200

Dining Guide: 150+ essential restaurants

221

Agenda: Top events for December

180 Favorite Things: Fadia Bechara’s biophilic designs — Life on the Gulf

Holiday Wish List

Our Holiday Wish List package curates inspired gifts and experiences to light up your holidays in paradise. Within these pages, you’ll find locally crafted treasures, hosting inspirations and that extraspecial something for the most discerning on your list (hint: celebrated Naples artist Carmelo Blandino was involved in the list-topping creation).

Your

Publisher

Carin Keane

Editor in Chief

Stephanie Granada

Creative Director

Scott Glick

Editor at Large

Dorothea Hunter Sönne

Assistant Managing Editor

Addison Pezoldt

Senior Editors

Nikki Miller-Ka, Food + Wine

Emma Witmer, Arts + Culture

Assistant Editors

Emily Flournoy

Annamarie Simoldoni

Visvajit Sriramrajan

Editorial Fellows

Jasmine Heckerman

Alexandra Igoe

Sydney Sakalosky

ART

Art Director

Alberto Orta

P hoto Editor

Elizabeth Bankmann

ADVERTISING

Associate Publisher

Mindy Roosa

National Account Director

Wendy Tooley

Marketing Consultants

Holly Baldwin

Natasha Gonzalez

Meredith Parsons

MARKETING

Director of Marketing and Events

Samantha Tobias

Digital Marketing Manager

Meagan Bonesteel

CIRCULATION

Director of Audience Development

Kerri Nolan

PRODUCTION

Production Manager

Martha Leavitt

Production Designer

Romina Combe

ADMINISTRATION

Advertising Services Manager/ Reprint Sales & Distribution

Kathleen Hill

President

Jim Schwartzel

Reader Services

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Ingrid Aielli Co-Owner, Aielli Group 2016 Woman of the Year

Dwayne Bergmann Principal Designer/ Owner, Dwayne Bergmann Interiors

2020 Man of the Year

David Corban President, David Corban Architects 2020 Man of the Year

Brooke Denson Real Estate Professional, Dina Marie Realty Trustee and Treasurer, SWFL Children’s Charities

2019 Woman of the Year

Mark Loren Head Jewelry Designer/Owner, Mark Loren Designs 2016 Man of the Year

Elliott H. Singer

Managing Director and Founder, Fairview Advisors Trustee, Naples Children & Education Foundation Member-at-Large

Mary Susan Clinton Founder, Gallien Global Vision Inc. Trustee, Naples Children & Education Foundation 2002 Woman of the Year

Shirlene Elkins Real Estate Professional, John R. Wood Properties Trustee, Naples Children & Education Foundation

2003 Woman of the Year

Rebecca Maddox Owner/Developer, Three60 Market, Three60 Wine and Celebration Park

2019 Woman of the Year

Adria Starkey President, Collier FineMark National Bank & Trust Trustee, Naples Children & Education Foundation 2000 Woman of the Year

Denise Cobb Chair, Community Advisory Board Trustee, Naples Children & Education Foundation

2000 Woman of the Year

Ellin Goetz President, Goetz+Stropes Landscape Architects 2000 Woman of the Year

Gail Markham Founding Partner, Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company

2011 Woman of the Year

Sandra Stilwell Youngquist Owner and CEO, Stilwell Enterprises

2006 Woman of the Year

McCurry Jewelry Buyer and Curator, G. J. G, Marissa Collections

Kathleen van Bergen CEO and President, Artis—Naples

2012 Woman of the Year

Jennifer

Anna Nguyen (13), Brian Tietz (2); Courtesy Ellin Goetz

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On the Cover

Shot on location at The Venue at Mudge

Model Laken Romine

Stylist Veronica Porras HMUA Duality Artistry

The model wears an Atelier Zuhra gown; a cape from Parodi Costume Collection; Valentino brooch; Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels earrings and bracelet; and assorted Yamron Jewelers rings and necklace.

Ranch, in LaBelle, by Omar Cruz.

Winter’s

Canvas

As we approach the season of giving, we like to look at stories of makers and dreamers who enrich our cultural landscape.

Take Nicario Jiménez Quispe and his retablos , soulful renditions of Latin American altarpieces, which he and his ancestors updated with 3D forms and personal and social reflections (covered on p. 44). Inside his Golden Gate Estates studio, the Peruvian artist arranges miniature figures into intricate narratives, each scene a dialogue between his Andean heritage and contemporary life. His work speaks to the global perspective increasingly defining our community, where ancient traditions find new resonance on the Gulf.

This spirit of creative adaptation appears again in our fashion spread (p. 76), where we traded the expected beachfront holiday scenes for the rustic warmth of an inland barn. The juxtaposition reminds us that Southwest Florida’s identity and beauty extend beyond its coastline.

Two December profiles illuminate the intersection of craft and community: Mapy Chavéz Askins, whose nonprofit Alcanzando bridges crucial gaps for Spanish-speaking families navigating autism support (p. 58), and Thomas Riley Artisans’ Guild master carver Chris Zettel, who celebrates 25 years with the superlative Naples woodwork group in 2025 (p. 66). While Mapy builds networks of understanding and support, Chris sculpts intricate, time-honored architectural details, turning Gulf homes into works of art.

These stories reflect the layers of experience enriching our subtropical region. They remind us that Southwest Florida isn’t just a destination—it’s an incubator for cultural progress and artisanal excellence.

As you settle in with this issue—perhaps outside on a December morning delightful enough for lanai sitting—I hope these pages reveal new facets of the place we call home. Our region’s story is still being written, and these makers and visionaries are helping shape the next chapter.

Granada Editor in Chief

Stephanie

8 Models Now Open

Moment of Merriment

The holidays descend upon our Southwest Florida shores once more, and our part-time residents are trading cold, snowed-in nights for warm, sun-kissed days. In the spirit of the season, our December issue of Gulfshore Life is brimming with delightful stories and festive inspirations that celebrate the beauty of our coastal community.

In this issue, we take you on a visual journey with our sparkling holiday jewelry feature (p.88). Each piece and image captures the essence of the season, the magic of our surroundings and some great gift inspirations. Who says Gulf Coast winters can’t have a little frosting?

We’re also thrilled to celebrate Lerome Campbell, the creative force behind the iconic gingerbread house at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples (p. 100). As The Ritz’s

executive pastry chef, Lerome brings his culinary artistry to life, turning a childlike wonder at his mother’s pastry chef career into a lifelong pursuit. The passion and skills that go into each dessert he creates seep through every page— but don’t just take our word for it. Each delicate morsel photographed throughout the piece speaks to the sweet tooth in us all.

If you’re worried about finding the perfect gifts this holiday season, look no further. Our carefully curated Holiday Wish List (p. 123) has something special for all your friends and family, from hand-crafted homeware by local artisans to thoughtful cookbooks from the chefs next door.

As December unfolds, we invite you to tap into the giving spirit and attend some of the vibrant events happening around town. Experience the enchantment of Opera Naples at their annual gala to support the nonprofit, immerse yourself in the shimmering Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden experience at the Naples Botanical Garden for a Florida spin on holiday light shows, and swing by the Grant

Thornton Invitational tournament to watch all the PGA and LPGA pros battle it out on the fairways. No matter how you choose to fill your calendar this month, we encourage you to spend it with the community.

Thank you for joining us this month as we celebrate the season. We wish you a joyful holiday filled with love, laughter and cherished moments. May the coming year bring you prosperity and health.

Carin Keane Publisher

Cheryl Richards

Gulfshore Treasures

In a world where the art of tradition is often lost in translation, master carver Chris Zettel redefines modern craftsmanship with age-old techniques. At Thomas Riley Artisans’ Guild in Naples, Zettel utilizes hand tools passed down through his family to create architectural art, from intricate door panels to ornate corbels and decorative moldings. Each piece bears the hallmark of classic technique and his distinctive artistry—a rare unity between the past and the present. See the master at work on p. 166.

INSIDER / People, places and ideas making waves on the Gulf

Artist Profile: Vignettes from the Andes 58 Personalities: The Naples woman pushing change for autism

Wine Watch: A love letter to Bordeaux in a bottle 76 Fashion: A SWFL bucolic Christmas

Brian Tietz

All the World’s a Stage

A Peruvian artist’s groundbreaking work traces his journey from the Andes to Naples, exalting the shared human experience.

Nicario Jiménez Quispe’s fingers are coated in white as they deftly shape doughy balls of powdery material into sculptures no bigger than his thumb. In his Naples studio, with its verdant wraparound porch and nearby garden, filled with yuca and tomato plants, the artist mounts the figures into festively painted boxes to create his retablos, three-dimensional artworks recalling Latin American altarpieces.

The foundation for Nicario’s retablos, an ancestral craft learned from his grandfather and father, stems from his Peruvian heritage. While most Hispanic cultures have some form of retablos typically two-dimensional, devotional paintings housed within a painted box—the versions from Nicario’s native Andean village of Alcamenca, in the Ayacucho region, are filled with intricate, sculptural scenes blending colonial Catholic imagery with Indigenous Wamani religion. During Nicario’s childhood, neighbors would call on his grandfather, the village retablo maker, to craft icons of Saint Mark to be used in twice-yearly fertility rituals for herds of cattle, llamas and donkeys. “They served a purpose,” Nicario says. “It wasn’t commercial. The practices were always about duality: wintertime and summertime, planting and harvesting.”

In his Golden Gate Estates home studio, the trilingual artist (his native Quechua, Spanish and some English) carries on the techniques and whimsy of his family’s artform but deviates distinctly from their traditional content. Nicario narrows in on social and cultural themes, creating windows into Andean life through

Insider — Artist Profile — By Lauren Amalia Redding — Photography by Brian Tietz

folksy vignettes and representations of the stories he learned as a child—part of his village’s tradition of oral history. He also explores themes of guerilla violence and political unrest in Peru, and since moving to the United States, has dug into American history and civil rights struggles, past and present.

In Years of Struggle (on display at The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis), Nicario depicts chilling, violent altercations among American police, Confederate flag-wielding mobs and groups of peaceful protesters holding signs that read “I AM A MAN.” Meanwhile, in La Pishtaco—considered by many professors and scholars to be his magnum opus—Nicario explores the namesake Quechua legend through three time periods, showing how a mythical figure who kills Indigenous peoples for their fat evolves as a metaphor for colonialism.

Each retablo encases a microcosm of one of the myriad stops on Nicario’s journey from Ayacucho to the United States— whether based on a personal experience or something resonant he witnessed. Many of his more playful scenes, such as Bar Sal Si Puedes, channel his hometown’s neighborhood bar. “When I make a bar, everybody is laughing and playing—I add humor: One person is drunk and vomiting. The sign says no smoking; everybody smokes. Someone in the corner had too much to drink, and he’s peeing,” Nicario says with a genial laugh.

Doors open like stage curtains, revealing miniature sets rife with color, depth and detail. Whole villages come to life, complete with gesturing hands, emotive faces shielded by hats and stocked cantina shelves. You can almost hear the sound of miniscule chairs scraping bar floors. Nicario’s retablos encourage the viewer to gaze in on countless characters and props packed into the diorama-like pieces he describes as “sophisticated folk art in the form of portable boxes.”

The pasty, clay-like material caked onto the artist’s hands—a mixture of cooked potatoes and plaster—is a Jiménez family

From his Naples home

and an autobiographical lens.

studio, Nicario crafts retablos (a Latin American artform) with social commentary

Nicario Jiménez Quispe’s The Dog Bar (2023)

Nicario learned the craft from his father and grandfather, who developed a new style for retablos with 3D scenes made from a mixture of cooked potatoes and plaster. Each box—which Nicario calls “sophisticated folk art”—contains its own world, expressively detailing places he remembers from his life or stories he heard growing up among the oral history-rich Incan culture.

recipe dubbed ideal by his grandfather for the consistency created by starchy and abundant potatoes. “In a small village, we don’t have a Home Depot. It’s only everything natural,” Nicario says. The artist pinches and prods the pliable, quick-drying material into shape using spartan tools: a knife; a small, thin stick; and his fingers—devices repeatedly dunked into plaster in a nimble dance to avoid marring the delicate forms while sculpting with the sticky substance.

Nicario doesn’t bother sketching out his designs ahead of time; they’re already laid out in his head. Each expressive figure receives a couple of broad coats of acrylic paint before Nicario adds eyes, noses and wardrobe stitching with a fine-tipped brush. “My grandfather’s painting was very primitive, using natural pigments,” he says. Nicario’s father was the first to branch into

Nicario Jiménez Quispe’s Day of the Dead, A Walk in the City (2023)

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acrylic paint, using primary colors to distinguish features (red for herds and blood, blue skies, green agriculture, yellow sand). For many years, Nicario followed this example, but when he moved to Naples, the artist started incorporating a wider palette reflective of the styles he found locally.

Pieces are varnished to protect and enhance the colors’ depth, and the wooden boxes are coated with a layer of plaster and glue, providing a secure, smooth surface for his chromatic floral patterns evocative of traditional Andean motifs. These archival methods pay off, as proven by the still-sturdy state of the retablos his grandfather made a century ago. “I have a display here in my studio of my grandfather’s pieces, my father’s pieces, and I keep my big pieces here,” he says. Though a little battered, the colors of his grandfather’s works still blaze.

Nicario’s father began the family’s separation from what Nicario describes as the region’s “magical-religious” imagery when he

moved the family to the region’s city center in 1968. Here, Nicario would make retablos for sale alongside his father, catering to tourist markets with nativity scenes and cactus fruit harvests. Meanwhile, Nicario struggled with the transition to city life, a dynamic that only increased when he was forced to move to the much larger capital city, Lima, in 1980 to flee guerilla violence in Ayacucho. “I’m an immigrant from the mountains, from the highlands. In a small village, you have everything—it’s all family. When we moved to the city, everyone was speaking Spanish. In my village, it’s all Quechua, an Incan language. It’s a different culture,” he says. “I saw a lot of things: controversy, politics, corruption.”

Then a young man in his early 20s, Nicario encapsulated his feelings of isolation and cultural detachment in works like Life Between Two Worlds, a side-by-side comparison between the community-centric, agricultural landscape of village life with the traffic-filled streets of Lima. This piece was the first—but

Immigration is a common theme for the artist, whose work captures the untethered rhythms of his experience moving from a tight-knit, agricultural village to a big city as an adolescent. Other socially minded works, like Immigration: The Beast, The Freight Train (pictured), focus on the plight of immigrants and refugees, with a blend of desperation, apathy, cruelty and hope depicted in striking emotional detail.

Nicario Jiménez Quispe’s Immigration: The Beast, The Freight Train (2020)

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Nicario makes the small figures, most no larger than his thumb, using only a knife, a thin stick and his fingers.

Individual pieces are painted in acrylic, with the artist using a fine-tipped brush to add eyes, stitching and other minute details. The boxes are adorned with Andean-inspired floral patterns and coated with plaster and glue.

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Nicario’s retablos are regarded as invaluable anthropological lenses into Peru’s Indigenous culture. His work has appeared in books and at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.; he’s also a regular on the art fair and university lecture circuits.

far from the last—to catch international attention. University of Miami professor Steve Stein stumbled across Nicario’s work in a Lima gallery and was fascinated by the artist’s use of a traditional artform—whose creators most often go unnamed—with contemporary subjects. Steve went on to write a book about Nicario’s retablos and their role as invaluable anthropological lenses into modern-day indigeneity.

In the years that followed, Nicario became a regular on the university circuit, speaking at colleges in New York, Washington, Massachusetts, and beyond. In 1992, Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, D.C., commissioned Nicario to create a retablo for its Seeds of Change: 500 Years of Encounter & Exchange exhibition, which highlighted the relationship between North and South American cultures and communities on the 500-year anniversary of Columbus arriving in the New World.

Now well into his 60s, Nicario still travels for art fairs and museum shows, sharing the spirit of Andean oral history and tradition through his work. But at home with his wife and daughter, the artist lives a quiet life. He wakes up early and works in his studio, taking breaks to tend his garden. “It’s like therapy for me,” he says. He may be far from where he started, but his village is only a plane ride away.

There’s been one constant throughout Nicario’s journey: He’s always sculpted his wondrous boxes. “My retablos serve as reflections of the spectrum of human emotions and experiences,” he says. “I aim to capture the essence of everyday life.”

Nicario Jiménez Quispe’s The Day of the Dead, The Bar (2018)

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The Multiplier Effect

Mapy Chávez Askins empowers Spanish-speaking parents of autistic children through her grassroots, Naples-based nonprofit, Alcanzando.

Mapy Chávez Askins sits on the couch in her light-filled Quail Creek home, her feet tucked beneath her. The Naples-based behavioral analyst leans forward and speaks with luminous intensity about the film she credits with changing her life— Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love, the true story of a 3-year-old boy with autism whose parents refused to accept the diagnosis as untreatable. The movie shaped Mapy’s trajectory, eventually leading her to co-found the telehealth nonprofit Alcanzando, which provides screening, diagnostic and counseling services to Spanish-speaking children with autism and their families and teachers on three continents.

The oldest of five children, studious and hard-working, Mapy was 11 years old and living in Lima, Peru, with her family when she came across Son-Rise. The film struck a chord with its depiction of a family developing their own home-based,

child-led treatment program for their son, Raun (the movie has been criticized for portraying Raun as ‘cured’ of autism).

Mapy thought about her younger brother. He’d struggled with selective mutism, an anxiety disorder affecting social communication, until his firstgrade teacher—through empathy and personalized interventions—helped her brother find his voice. Mapy knew she wanted to help other families break through similar barriers of neurodevelopmental and emotional disorders.

Mapy’s path unfolded before her, winding in and out of that moment—from undergraduate work at Florida Atlantic University to a master’s degree and PhD at Columbia University. After receiving her doctorate, Mapy spent five years teaching in New York and developed a course called Autism in Latin American Countries, which involved the students working with

Mapy—pictured above with her husband—launched Alcanzando with her sister in 2008 to fill the gap in autism care for Spanish-speaking families. The organization provides telehealth treatment, and empowers caretakers and teachers through trainings.

Peruvian children in Lima. The group saw myriad youth from every socio-economic status—in schools with dirt floors, church back rooms and high-end institutions with the latest technology.

Everywhere Mapy looked, she recognized a need: Autism, a complex, lifelong developmental disability, affects people of all races and backgrounds, yet the available support and resources vary across cultures, with a glaring delay in diagnosis for Spanish-speaking communities. Research shows Latino children are diagnosed with autism two-and-a-half years later than white children, often due to resource scarcity, hindering crucial early intervention.

In 2008, Mapy co-founded Alcanzando— the Spanish term for reaching or attaining a goal—with her sister Antuanete Chávez, also a behavioral analyst. Initially, the pair moved back to Peru, where they envisioned working directly with children, six at a time. But, word spread, and soon, they had an overflowing waitlist. The model evolved as the sisters realized they could reach more people by training families to work with their own children.

Six years later, the sisters expanded into the United States. After moving to Naples in 2014, Mapy had taken note of the growing number of Spanish-speaking families in Collier County and the severe lack of

resources available when she connected with churches and doctors’ offices. The women registered Alcanzando as a Florida nonprofit and contacted local churches, doctors and hospitals to promote their services and seek funding from private donors. They also worked to expand their team, recruiting nearly 50 international psychologists, clinicians and special education teachers. At the heart of the nonprofit is the drive to empower parents and educators to serve as children’s primary therapy providers.

Alcanzando follows a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention model, an evidence-based approach that

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The Columbia University graduate taught in New York before launching the nonprofit. Her can-do, giving spirit extends to everything: When a friend called last year about a baby boy needing a home, Mapy and her husband didn’t hesitate. “We had 48 hours to prepare,” she says.

takes place amidst the rhythms of daily life, with a focus on following the child’s lead and training caretakers to implement the applied behavior analysis (ABA) strategies. Learning opportunities often arise from the child’s interests, like teaching about colors or counting wheels when they reach for their favorite toy truck; talking about food groups when they want a snack; or mimicking the kid’s sounds while maintaining eye contact to simulate conversation. “As a parent, you don’t want to change your routines, which are just as important

to your child’s stability,” Mapy says. “You want to incorporate effective strategies into the everyday.”

All services—from diagnosis to parent and teacher workshops—are offered via Zoom in the home, at school or at care centers. Working with an Alcanzando specialist, caretakers learn how their kids’ minds work, key focus areas and evidence-based interventions. Mapy likes to joke that they were using Zoom before ‘Zoom’ became a verb. “It’s a beautiful tool,” she says. “We work with parents worldwide, teaching

them parent-mediated strategies while the child remains in their home environment.”

Research shows parental involvement is the number one factor in determining the success of ABA therapies, since it offers children consistent practice and generalized application of learned behaviors in their various settings.

Alcanzando’s approach bridges the gap in the availability of board-certified ABA therapists as autism rates rise. Since moving to Naples, it has reached about 200 kids in Southwest Florida, tapping into

LIC AA26001988, REG FLOR DA AR16971

the large population of Spanish-speaking families, of whom many had been on a waitlist for care for nearly 18 months.

“Other organizations offer workshops and even a bus to shuttle families to and from the service, but Immokalee-based immigrants who may not be here legally are not going to get on a bus,” she says. “They’ll find a way to log into a Zoom call, though.” The same goes for remote Amazonian regions where Mapy and her team can reach the unreachable, conducting twice-weekly telehealth therapies.

From diagnosis to counseling to general education, the team has reached more than 6,000 children throughout the U.S.,

Latin America and Spain. They recently wrapped up a 40-hour course for school teachers to learn effective strategies for elementary school kids who present with communication and social issues in Cusco, Peru. The team has also hosted trainings to help families, teachers and healthcare professionals identify signs of autism. “They may not have the tools or the language to ensure autistic children are included, but we do, and we can train them,” Mapy says.

She brings this roll-up-your-sleeves attitude to everything in her life. Last year, a friend in social services called her with an urgent situation. A baby boy needed a home quickly. Mapy turned to

her husband, and the pair agreed. “We had 48 hours to prepare,” she says. “My friend called on Monday morning, and the baby was here Wednesday night.”

The new dynamic has shifted her already packed schedule. “I’m answering emails at 10:30 at night, sometimes 2:45 in the morning,” she says. Even as her life grows fuller—and more rewarding—she continues to ask herself, ‘What else can we do to help children with autism? And how can we do it better?’

“We ask a lot of parents,” Mapy says. But the responsibility brings a form of relief—a path forward and an advocate to walk alongside you.

Relying on Zoom to provide services, Alcanzando reaches families who otherwise wouldn’t get care. “Immokalee-based immigrants who may not be here legally are not going to get on a bus. They’ll find a way to log into a Zoom call, though,” Mapy says.

Safeguard your legacy

The current federal lifetime estate and gift tax exemption amounts, absent further legislative action, are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. Are you taking full advantage of today’s higher exemption?

Assessing how these changes may impact your plan will involve in-depth conversations with your wealth management team and estate planning attorney. Any adjustments will require meticulous document preparation.

The holistic, team-based approach at Commerce Trust, consisting of financial and tax planning, investment portfolio management, and trust administration, is designed to guide you toward achieving your family’s goals while safeguarding your legacy.

Connect with the Commerce Trust team at commercetrustcompany.com/estatetax to safeguard your legacy.

From Limestone to Legacy

For Bay Colony Club’s advanced sommelier, Mladen Stoev, no other Burgundy wine matches the finesse of this Domaine Dujac vintage from the mid-aughts.

Courtesy Domaine

Dujac

For Old World wine lovers, 2006 stands out as a singular moment for Burgundian wine. The year brought a complex growing season to the region—early warmth, midseason rains and a late-summer ripening—which gave way to wines layered with elegance, deep expressions of terroir, refined minerality and gentle acidity. The vintage is prized by those who seek finesse over boldness, wines that open slowly, revealing hidden depths over time.

When we asked Mladen Stoev, a Naples advanced sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, to select an exceptional bottle, he immediately named the 2006 Domaine Dujac Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru. The pinot noir, grown in a mix of clay and limestone, is perhaps the best expression of this seductive vintage. For 12 years, Mladen has shaped

the wine program at Bay Colony Golf Club, arranging dinners, tastings and exclusive European wine tours, guiding members through renowned growing regions. As cellar master for the Naples chapter of Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, an international fraternal society dedicated to Burgundian wine, he might be a bit biased. But he’s not wrong. “What makes it so special is the land. It comes from the land of monks and dukes, which was planted centuries ago. They had nothing to do but drink wine and pray,” Mladen says. “Even today, the wine world is trying to duplicate the same vineyard classification.”

Burgundy’s 2006 vintages are often overshadowed by the exceptional 2005 harvest, celebrated as one of the best in recent decades due to its nearly

Gina Zammit

Advanced sommelier Mladen Stoev describes the Domaine Dujac Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru, now at the apex of quality, as exuding all the romance of celebrated wine lore. “Burgundy is a holy grail for wine connoisseurs,” he says.

perfect growing season. Meanwhile, 2006 bottlings are just now revealing maturity and elegance, defined by classic Burgundian freshness balanced with ripe fruit. Domaine Dujac was particularly fortunate in the mid-aughts. While most area wineries benefited from an unusually long and cold, pest-defying winter and a mild, rainy spring that provided essential moisture for healthy fruit development, Domaine Dujac was spared from the epic midsummer hailstorm that pelted many vineyards in the area. A midsummer bout of extreme heat only encouraged richer fruit concentration for deeper flavors. Mladen describes this Burgundian grand cru, now at its apex, as exuding all the romantic lore of the region, embodying a maze of appellations, fractured vineyards and vintage variability.

The estate is among the most respected in the Morey-Saint-Denis appellation, situated in the heart of Burgundy between Dijon and Beaune. Cultivated for centuries, the land was a working vineyard long before 1967, when Jacques Seysses founded Domaine Dujac. Since then, it has grown from 12 to more than 40 acres. Jeremy Seysses is part of the second generation leading the estate. He describes the grand cru poetically, noting its shift from a concentrated, racy wine to one much softer than their other grand crus. According to documented tasting

Brian Tietz

Expanding Florida’s Promise

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With a range of projects for a diverse group of customers, we’re bringing more of what Florida has to offer to more of those grateful for it.

Dujac is considered among the most respected estates in the Morey-Saint-Denis appellation, located in the heart of Burgundy between Dijon and Beaune. The land was a working vineyard long before Dujac was founded in 1967.

Courtesy Domaine Dujac (3); Brian Tietz

Domaine

notes, the wine showcases vibrant red fruit accented with hints of licorice and violets. Over time, the bottle reveals rich notes of leather. The 2006 bottle’s transformation has given way to one of the best wines in the Côte de Nuits, a sub-region already known for memorable reds. During fermentation, the estate used a high percentage of whole grape clusters, which added a tannic structure to the wine. After pressing, the rich red revealed the sweetness, profundity and concentration the Seysses family anticipated. Their focus on biodynamic, minimal-intervention techniques ensures the wines proudly embody their Burgundian terroir—and this vintage exemplifies the notion with its fresh, harmonious mid-palate sweetness, spice and fine tannins.

For those who share Mladen’s enthusiasm, a word of caution: Only 200 bottles of the 2006 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru were produced. The vintage occasionally appears at auction, where it goes for about $800 a bottle. “A set of four bottles appeared at Christie’s auction in 2023 and quickly sold out,” Mladen says. The ultra-collectible wine stands as a testament to the artistry of Burgundian wines. From the vineyard’s limestone-rich soil to its patient aging, each bottle promises to reveal its secrets to those patient (and resourceful) enough to uncork them.

Perhaps the best expression of the seductive 2006 Burgundy vintages, the Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru reveals the region’s trademark freshness with ripeness and a delicate, silky tannic structure.

Brian Tietz

CHRISTMAS ON THIRD

Gorgeous Gifts, Fabulous Fashions, Memorable Meals, Magical Moments

NAPLES. FLORIDA

NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION

CLASSIC IS ALWAYS IN VOGUE.

WALK, DON’T RUN. EVERYWHERE.

Whatever, whenever, it’s around the corner, down a cobbled, palm-lined lane, or simply, downstairs. Infinity at the Colony is a collection of spacious residences and all the amenities you crave, curated in a style that celebrates a classic coastal lifestyle. If you must venture out, we know it will be… in style.

Five Inspiring Condominium Floor Plans • 3,000 to 4,000 SF • From the Mid $2Ms Sales Gallery: 4861 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs, FL 239-362-9550 | InfinityColony.com

A Florida Winter’s Tale

At Mudge Ranch in LaBelle, couture finds its pastoral muse as holiday glamour mingles with rustic charm. The season’s grand gesture: dramatic capes, shrugs and sweaters that keep you warm and steal every scene.

Holiday glamour takes an unexpected turn in this avant-garde ensemble where delicate and daring elements collide. The Oscar de la Renta beaded cape floats like stars over a gleaming Rabanne mini set, while vintage boots ground the ethereal look. Around here, elegance knows no bounds—even in cowboy boots. Oscar de la Renta white beaded cape; Rabanne top and skirt set; vintage boots from Fly Boutique in Miami; Yamron Collection diamond earrings and bracelet from Yamron Jewelers.

Dramatic volume meets stunning detail in this show-stopping

ensemble. Handcrafted roses adorn the theatrical cape, which elevates a classic Carolina Herrera dress. Nicole + Felicia red rose cape; Carolina Herrera silk bow mini dress; diamond and ruby earrings from Yamron Jewelers.

Taking cues from the West, structured shoulders and liquid gold fringe elevate knitwear for holiday fetes on uncharacteristically chilly nights. Stacks of gold bangles and a hat complete the fanciful look. Saint

Laurent sweater; Wade Allyn beaded shrug; vintage hat from Fly Boutique in Miami; bracelets from Kimono Dragon NYC.

A vintage crystal-studded cape commands attention over a sculpted, ruched midi in crimson. Metallic accessories add the perfect golden touch. Dolce & Gabbana dress; Miu Miu shoes; gold and pearl earrings from Kimono Dragon NYC; Ahikoza python handbag.

LEADERS IN quality care.

AT NCH, WE ARE COMMITTED to providing innovative, quality care in Southwest Florida. The Rooney Heart Institute was just named top 50 in the nation by Money Magazine. We are the first healthcare system in Southwest Florida to receive Joint Commission Accreditation for Comprehensive Stroke Care.

With over 40 active cardiovascular trials and more than 20 in development, we are continuously advancing treatment options. Through state-ofthe-art technology and physicians trained from the top hospitals in the nation, NCH is dedicated to bringing the best comprehensive care to our community.

Schedule your appointment today at NCHMD.org

DR. ROBERT CUBEDDU

DR. MAZEN ABUAWAD

President, NCH Rooney Heart Institute

Executive Director, NCH Wingard Stroke Institute

John & Susan Morrison Endowed Chair

Soft layered knits in earthy shades pair with leather opera gloves and statement earrings for a harmonious blend of cozy and elegant. Wade Allyn pants, top and sweater; vintage gloves from Fly Boutique in Miami; earrings and rings from Kimono Dragon NYC.

AMY MOGLIA HEUERMAN

FEATURES / A deep dive into the soulful stories of the region

“When it’s homegrown by farmers that love and care for their product, you can tell the difference, and you will also taste the difference in your food.” — Lerome Campbell, executive pastry chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples

88 Classic Jewels, Revisited

100 Candy-Coated Creativity

HEART OF GOLD

Tiffany, Cartier—talk to me Louis, tell me all about it! These modern takes on classic jewels are your best friends for the season of sparkle.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNA NGUYEN

Let it Glow, Let it Glow This 9.38-carat necklace shines with 100 facets per diamond. Roberto Coin Lariat Necklace from Yamron Jewelers Previous spread: Hammered gold gives these rings an antique feel. Coomi The Diamond Chain Band Ring and Wide Gold Band with Diamond and Beaded Borders from Saks Fifth Avenue at Waterside Shops.

Silent Night Vhernier updates its Eclisse collection, taking sculptural inspiration from Romanian artist Constantin Brâncuşi; Cartier’s iconic Trinity (far left) shines brighter with 6.45 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds. Vhernier Eclisse Endless Bracelet and Earrings and Cartier Trinity Bracelet from Yamron Jewelers.

Top: LV’s new fine jewelry collection translates the brand’s unmistakable Damier checkered motif in gold.

Le Damier de Louis Vuitton Earrings from Louis Vuitton at Waterside Shops.

It’s Gold Outside An unexpected take on classic

with its structured coils and strong silhouette.

Baby

gold, Seaman Schepps’ Verona necklace channels an industrial edge

Seaman Schepps Verona Necklace from Yamron Jewelers.

Holly, Jolly Blue Box Tiffany & Co. collections are always expressive. The New York-inspired HardWear earrings and necklace celebrate grit and resilience. Meanwhile, T1 represents eternal love. Here, pavé diamonds add dimension to the design.

HardWear Large Link Earrings and Graduated Link Necklace, and Tiffany T T1 Ring from

Tiffany

Tiffany & Co. at Waterside Shops.

at Waterside Shops.

Miracle on Fifth Timeless hoops get the holiday treatment with rose-cut diamonds. Coomi Trinity Large Hoop Earrings from Saks Fifth Avenue at Waterside Shops. Far left : A Van Cleef bracelet’s masterfully set diamonds cast light on the house’s intricate craftsmanship. Van Cleef & Arpels Palmyre bracelet from Van

Cleef & Arpels

Confectionery connoisseur Lerome Campbell brings inspired plates, chocolate craftsmanship and gingerbread carpentry to The Ritz-Carlton, Naples.

Candy-Coated Creativity

BY

BY

BY EMMA WITMER WITH REPORTING

ANNAMARIE SIMOLDONI PHOTOGRAPHY

ANNA NGUYEN

The Ritz-Carlton, Naples’ executive pastry chef Lerome Campbell is the multi-hyphenate mastermind behind the hotel’s confectionery wonders and life-sized holiday gingerbread house. Growing up helping in his mother’s bakery in Jamaica, Lerome developed an affinity for tropical flavors, which he spins with classic French techniques.

he Ritz-Carlton, Naples’ executive pastry chef, Lerome Campbell, draws inspiration for his delicately flourished pastries, towering chocolate sculptures and annual life-size gingerbread house at The Ritz from a variety of muses. His Jamaican upbringing, farmto-table inclinations, French pastry apprenticeships, eclectic professional background, and affinity for Southwest Florida flavors all play a role. His motivation, on the other hand, is quite simple; Lerome’s creative fervor is driven by boredom. It’s been a lifelong affliction, the undeniable itch for something new, but a fortuitous one when paired with another attribute emblematic of the artistically leaning chef: He’s a quick learner.

Growing up on the windswept coast of the island nation’s Westmoreland parish, Lerome’s voracious appetite for information, discovery and creativity often left his mother’s house littered with disassembled TVs and furniture the budding pâtissier would pour hours into reconstructing, desperate to understand how everything worked. Time in his mother’s kitchen was no different.

A pastry chef herself, Lerome’s mother sparked his love of the culinary arts and fed his incessant curiosity with recipes that kept his hands and mind busy. A Jamaican fruit cake—made with raisins, cherries and other fruits left to soak in Wray & Nephew Red Label Wine for weeks, if not years (Lerome says “the longer, the better”)—was a staple at her bakery. “I still can’t make it like her,” Lerome says happily. “She’s old-fashioned, you know? She’s one of those people who doesn’t scale anything. They just add a little bit of this and a little bit of that.”

Though it may not precisely match Mama’s, his version of the boozy confection (his comes with measurements) delights on The Ritz-Carlton, Naples’ banquet menu. “I give her all the credit for my creativity,” he says. “I liked how she thought [about baking] and her love for tropical fruits. Growing up with her taste in all these things, baking with her, I think it never really goes away.”

A chocolate lover of the highest caliber (he once traversed the Atlantic to see how it was sourced and made), Lerome incorporates silky Swiss chocolate into countless pastries. A chocolate sponge cake tops these artful dollops of mousse, alongside a rich crémeux, raspberry coulis and milk chocolate chantilly.

Today, Lerome feels his mother’s influence when infusing his tweezer-refined French desserts with mango and coconut. He’s transported home when pouring rich vats of molasses—a major Jamaican export—into the dough for his playful gingerbread house—an annual attraction that drives viewers in droves to The Ritz’s beach location over the holidays.

Often inspired by Swiss chalet houses and his drives through the Naples Park and Bayshore Arts District neighborhoods, the yearly gingerbread giant isn’t just an aesthetic marvel; it’s a feast for all the senses. Of the innumerable candies and iced edges adorning the structure (construction tips the scales at a ton), Lerome makes his selections with obsessive care: cinnamon-flavored licorice for a festive scent, strawberry chocolate for a candy shop air of sweetness.

Bringing Lerome’s ever-expanding ambitions for the lofty house of sweets to life each year takes a village of bakers and a host of carpenters, who set to work building out the confectionery construction’s supporting structure to the chef’s exacting specifications months in advance. “On my days off, I go to Home Depot or crafting stores and just walk around,” Lerome says. “You’d be surprised at the number of ideas you will come across if you are a creative pastry chef.” He was, after all, a carpenter once—and an electrician, and a mechanic and a computer technician. “When I finished high school and told my mom I wanted to go to culinary school, she said no,” Lerome says. “She said, ‘You’re going to change your mind when you finish your culinary school. You’re going to want to do this or this or this. How about you try all these things and see if that’s what you want to do?’”

Each career experiment, including earning a degree in art, plays a role in his craft today. When sculpting with chocolate— his favorite medium for the task—Lerome pulls on his carpentry background to achieve mind-bending tall structures ranging from steampunk timepiece-themed sculptures to coiling red dragons to delicately frilled derby hats and behemoth squids with tendrils

A polymath, Lerome channels his studies in art, electrical engineering and carpentry into sculptural, gravity-defying chocolate creations. On the lighter side, His matcha and yuzu bite offers a decadent symphony of earthy tea and sweetness from Tahitian vanilla mousse with notes of citrus and local strawberries.

that curl in and around each other with organic ease. “People will look and say, ‘It’s going to fall, it’s going to fall,’” he says with a laugh. “It’s not going to fall. I know where to put the weight. I know how to balance everything out.” Those skills again came into play when Lerome recently constructed a giant, fully functional Rubik’s Cube out of various desserts, with handmade hardware supporting the array of sweets organized according to color theory for perfect aesthetic balance.

Despite his professional explorations, culinary school inevitably won out. “As a carpenter, I felt like I was going to cut off my finger. As a mechanic, I smelled like grease. Electrician? I’ve been shocked, and being a computer technician was just boring,” Lerome says.

Culinary school, with its artistry, attention to detail, and endless opportunities to learn and experiment, was the perfect fit. Lerome attended Jamaica’s Petersfield Vocational Training Center, then worked for a series of resorts around Jamaica, learning whatever he could as quickly as he could before moving on to the next.

Before long, he felt he had nothing left to learn, so his mom encouraged him to find work in the United States, where he’d often visit his Rhode Island-native father. The young chef landed in Southwest Florida, where he soon found work in the kitchen at The Gasparilla Inn under Peter Timmins, one of the country’s rare master chefs, certified by the American Culinary Federation.

Peter would often invite other pedigreed chefs to cook, dine and chat, exposing Lerome to a vast array of influences and techniques. Among the masters who walked through the door was Sebastien Thieffine, the then-executive pastry chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, who took Lerome under his wing. In the years that followed, Lerome bounced between jobs under the two culinary icons and jetted around the country to various French culinary training programs whenever he could, learning and advancing at an exponential rate. “I was the head pastry chef [at Gasparilla] in two years,” Lerome says.

This French training opened up new avenues of flavor and design for the artistically inclined pâtissier, reinforcing the technical foundation on which Lerome would build and iterate to form his present-day, intuitive approach to plating. Balanced flavors are paramount, forming the first guiding principle for his visual representation—the composition of each plate is cohesive and avant-garde.

In October, while polishing the menu for The Ritz-Carlton, Naples’ Italian culinary gem Nolita—home to the chef’s Food Network award-winning tiramisu—Lerome agonized over a new creation blending chocolate, caramel, hazelnut and almond. Bite after bite, the flavors sang, and as their melody translated onto the plate, a crucial element eluded him—how to pipe the crème finish.

Before taking on the coveted role of executive pastry chef at The Ritz in 2018, the Food Network favorite trained under celebrated chefs like the American Culinary Federation-certified Peter Timmins and French cuisine master Sebastien Thieffine. Still, his mom remains his biggest influence. “I give her all the credit for my creativity,” he says.

He leaned back, took in the room, with the sous chefs running to and fro, piping and tweezing and scattering edible rose petals onto a cake, and thought, ‘Wait, why not just do a rose?’ “Sometimes it’s as easy as that. You see something and think, ‘Okay, I can do this. It’s going to be complicated for them to create a whole bunch of these, but it’s going to look great.” Once mastered, each of Lerome’s creations becomes a blueprint for his sous chefs to follow, allowing for myriad variations depending on what’s in season.

Seasonal and local ingredients with a sense of place are foundational to Lerome, who, after two years as Gasparilla’s head pastry chef, ventured north to Vermont to work with Woodstock Inn & Resort, where nearly every ingredient is sourced onsite. When the longing for Southwest Florida’s silken warmth and tropical pastry palette became too much to bear, he returned to the region. He joined mentor-turned-friend Sebastian at The Ritz, who passed the reins of executive chef to Lerome in 2018. Even with his swift rise to success, landing an executive role at The Ritz—where an amateur could easily stand with the pros anywhere else—was a major leap. “You have to understand that The Ritz-Carlton, Naples is a flagship hotel,” he says. “At that time, we had one of the founding fathers of The Ritz-Carlton (the venerable Edward Staros) as the general manager, so the standard was very high.”

Now, with seven years in the job under his belt, the subtropical flavors of our region continue to ignite Lerome’s imagination, yielding creations like a passion fruit-infused meringue, white chocolate and coconut ganache, and innumerable concoctions that lean on Key lime, strawberry and orange. His deconstructed pineapple cake with honey crémeux and mango passion foam cascades across the plate, golden and warm. Lerome harnesses the full power of Southwest Florida’s bounty by collaborating with local farmers, like Farmer Mike’s in Bonita Springs. “When it’s homegrown by farmers that love and care for their product, you can tell the difference, and you will also taste the difference in your food,” Lerome says.

Lerome’s tweezer-refined plating style is the product of a deceptively intuitive approach allowing the dish’s flavor and the pâtissier’s inspiration-packed kitchen environment to guide the way. The Raspberry Pistachio Bar, embellished with pistachio micro sponge cake and tuile, is available on The Ritz’s banquet menu.

THE OF THE GULFSHORE 2025 BEST

Gifts from the Heart

Keep the giving and celebrating close to home this year, with pieces and experiences crafted by local virtuosos (think: Everglades pythonskin handbags, blown glass treasures from Naples and home decor sculpted along our shores). When it comes to entertaining, look no further than local chefs’ cookbooks and our wine advisor’s guide for surprising, delightful menus. We have you covered for the ultimate holiday season in paradise.

Why give a bouquet, when you can give a Garden?

Give the gift of nature, where the beauty of the tropics is always within their reach. With unlimited Garden admission, exclusive Members-Only access, and botanical treasures in store for all ages.

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Purchase a $200 gift certificate receive a $50 gift card for yourself or someone else for the holidays.

*Any Hydrafacial, Microneedling, or BBL package purchased, receive one free treatment of that same service to gift to somebody.

Wish List — Gifting — Produced by Emily

Holiday

Flournoy — Photography by Anna Nguyen

Made With Love

Capture the bounty and artistry of Southwest Florida with gifts crafted by local artisans.

Python Wildman’s Snakeskin Clutches

Collier County resident, python hunter and conservationist Dusty Crum, of Python Wildman ( pythonwildman.com ) , showcases his creative side with a stunning line of serpentine accessories. His Everglades Collection’s Top Frame Clutch and Full Frame Clutch, like most of his goods, are made from the skins of invasive Burmese pythons. Dusty—featured on History Channel’s Swamp People: Serpent Invasion —humanely captures the pests and sends their hides to a Florida-based tannery, transforming an ecological challenge into fashionable material. The skin is sewn onto a base of coveted Italian Vachetta leather (famously used by Louis Vuitton) and finished with metal clasps. Each handbag is singular, following the snake’s unique skin pattern, making for a wearable work of art that doubles as a defender of nature’s balance.

Consider this a stylish badge of honor for your conservationist-minded friend.

Visvajit Sriramrajan

JordanBCeramics’ Black Matte Coffee and Tea Set

As the thesis for her master’s degree in fine arts at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Estero-based potter Jordan Blankenship ( jordanbceramics.com ) created this Stacking Ceramics Black Matte Tea and Coffee Set blending contemporary design with spacesaving convenience. Streamlined brewing enthusiasts can build their ideal set from the series’ mix of cups, lidded jars, pots and pourovers. Jordan masterfully throws all the pieces on her potting wheel, where she uses a caliper tool to create consistent rims allowing for secure stacking. Coated with a charcoal-black, food-safe glaze, the set is beautiful and functional—no more rummaging through a cabinet to find matching mugs. —Jasmine Heckerman

Mi Vida Collective’s Outside The Lines Mirror

To design the perfect mirror, Mi Vida Collective ( mividacollective.com) founder Alexandra Andersen chose to reflect the organic lines found in nature. Her Outside The Lines Mirror conveys a sense of warmth and whimsy with its earthy, maple wood frame and fluid form, reminiscent of flowing water. Available in natural or espresso finishes, the statement piece is produced in collaboration with woodworkers Tom and Dave Staber, who also craft one-of-one musical instruments at their Bonita Springs-based Fatherwood Guitar & Co. The father-son duo shapes the mirrors’ hardwood and meticulously refines each corner with precision tools and hand sanding. The result is a piece with a rustic allure that elevates the ambiance of any abode. —J.H.

Conrad Williams’ Rifugio Collection Vases

Naples glassblower Conrad Williams ( conradwilliamsglass.com ) has mastered his medium. The artist, who began his career with an apprenticeship under celebrated glass sculptor Dale Chihuly, has more than 30 years of experience manipulating glass through extreme heat, blown air and careful attention to timing. For his dual Rifugio vases, Conrad created an opaque mirror gradient that shifts from dark amethyst to pearl white, signifying life’s transformative state. Each piece can stand on its own as a functional container for flowers. But together, the organically shaped vases—one tall, one stout—seem to meld together, their curvatures nearly interlocked, capturing Conrad’s exacting technique and use of color. Alexandra Igoe

Cocoon Gallery’s Infinity Wall Hanging

Cocoon Gallery owner Mitchell Siegel works with Southeast Asian and local makers to create one-of-a-kind furniture and artworks that honor the essence of the piece’s organic material. To craft the Infinity wall hangings, Cocoon ( cocoongallery. com ) has its Naples artisans shape sustainably sourced rattan from the Philippines into mesmerizing spirals, preserved through an extensive process of steaming, drying and sanding. The final product—available in 36- and 52-inch sizes—is infinitely customizable: It can be kept raw, dyed or decked out in gold leaf. All that’s left is for the wall hanging to be delivered—like Santa, but better—by Cocoon’s complimentary, white-glove installation service. — Emily Flournoy

Spanky's Speakeasy

Pictured: Emily Monty, Proprietor

Brooklyn Buffalo Woodworks’ Whiskey Smokers

Brooklyn Buffalo Woodworks ( brooklynbuffalowoodworks.com ) has the ideal gift for brown water connoisseurs: a handcrafted whiskey smoker perfectly proportioned to sit atop a rocks glass. Made from rich walnut and white oak, the two-piece topper traps wisps of smoke from torched wood chips inside the glass, imbuing whiskey with woody and earthy notes that complement the spirit’s flavor. Each smoker is individually crafted at the brand’s Port Charlotte studio by owner Marcus Tobolski, who has more than two decades of experience transforming hardwoods into objets d’art, from intricately inlaid serving boards to beautiful mahogany deck chairs. For the smokers, he uses a computer numerical control (CNC) machine to cut blocks of walnut with exact precision, then sands each piece by hand until it’s perfectly smooth. The gift set also includes a custom blend of oak and cherry wood chips and a butane torch—perfect for getting the holidays fired up. — Sydney Sakalosky

Woodland Treasures’ Cutting Boards

Sarah Ruganis shaves and sands raw hardwood planks into stunning yet functional kitchenware, from serving and cooking spoons to cutting boards destined to become family heirlooms. Each Woodland Treasures ( woodlandtreasures.us ) board is unique, made from American maple, cherry and/or walnut. Sarah hand-selects woods based on grain, color and weight, then cuts them to size and sands the surface at least 10 times before applying a food-safe coating of Florida-harvested beeswax to seal and enhance the wood’s natural luster. With a variety of sizes to choose from, there are plenty of ways to incorporate Sarah’s boards into your kitchen routine. Pick up a compact 5-by-7-inch, perfect for a holiday cheese ball, or opt for the 12-by-18-inch workhorse—large enough for carving a holiday ham. V.S.

LoKey Hat Co.’s Hats

Neighbors-turned-certified hat masters Candace “Candy” Nanke and Amanda Boge started LoKey Hat Co. ( lokeyhatco.com ) in Candy’s garage before growing their bespoke hat-making experience into a maximalist storefront just off Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs. Bring in the millinery lover in your life for a custom fitting, or book a hat party for up to 12 people, and Candy and Amanda will whisk you away to select a beaver blend, wool, straw or palm base. Then, you’ll pop over to the accessory counter to choose from an array of accessories—peacock feathers, porcupine quills, faux pearls, playing cards, antique matches, tropical flamingo pins—that can be sewn in or swapped out for festively themed events. “Once they have everything chosen, we help them piece it together,” Amanda says. Specialized measurements of the crown, head size and head shape ensure that your gift fits like a glove. — E.F.

Assemble a Local Gift Basket

Fill a basket with our top picks for the perfect Southwest Florida gourmet gift. Pair some gluten-free, European-inspired treats from Angelic Desserts ( angelicdesserts.com ) with a bag of roasted-to-order Costa Rica Guanacaste beans from Naples’ Kunjani Craft Coffee ( kunjaninaples.com ) and any of Estero Bay Olive Oil & Tea ‘s ( esterobayoliveoil.com ) 160 loose-leaf blends for a cozy treat. A warm sourdough loaf from Crusty Cravings by Hannah ( hotplate.com/crustycravings ) is the perfect vessel for a dollop of smoked Gulf mullet dip from The Fisherman’s Daughter ( thefishermansdaughterfl.com ) or a squeeze of Walker Farms ‘ ( walkerfarmshoney.com ) black mangrove honey, harvested within a 60-mile radius of the farm from Pine Island mangroves. Polish off the one-gift feast with a bottle of Wicked Dolphin ‘s ( wickeddolphin.com ) award-winning spiced rum, or opt for the zero-proof, bourbon barrel-aged Unthinkable Smoked Oak Botanical Elixir from Fort Myers-based Gather Beverage Company ( gatherbeverages.com ). No matter how you mix and match, this selection of local bites and sips is sure to satisfy your giftee’s cravings. Nikki Miller-Ka

Grape Expectations

Naples ace sommelier Zach Bingham shares wines for the modern host looking to elevate their holiday soiree.

Curating the perfect wine list demands finesse, knowledge and a touch of daring. Varied preferences and pairings can make the process daunting, but it needn’t be a chore. “Don’t ever let the serious—and sometimes complicated—business of wine overshadow the simple fact that wine is crafted for the purpose of pleasure,” says Zach Bingham, the oenophilic virtuoso behind Naples’ celebrated Old Vines restaurants. After orchestrating more than 350 wine-fueled events, including Old Vines Supper Club’s weekly themed wine dinners, he knows what guests want in their glasses. “People’s palates are more diverse now than they ever have been,” he adds. In other words, picking your bottles has never been more fun. Here, Zach shares a cheat sheet of bottles to delight during the holidays.

THE WHITES

Light & Dry: Bodegas Itsasmendi Txakolí 2022, País Vasco, Spain

Low-alcohol Txakolí (pronounced CHAH-ko-lee) is light and fresh, making it a fabulous accompaniment for locally sourced seafood; the two are traditionally paired in the sipper’s native Basque Country in Northern Spain. Slightly effervescent with an elegant, rounded finish, this wine is a party starter—especially when served from a spouted porrón pitcher.

Bold & Elegant: Planeta Chardonnay 2022, Sicily, Italy

The Burgundian style of this Italian chardonnay—aged and fermented in French oak—lends sophistication to your bar. The slightly mineral white, which Zach calls ‘liquid sunshine,’ pairs well with grilled fish and rich risotto. “It’s zesty and floral on the nose, with a kiss of candied fruit, Mediterranean salinity and almond nuttiness on the palate,” he adds.

Getty, Courtesy Bodegas Itsasmendi, Planeta

THE REDS

Robust & Refined: Field Recordings Fiction Red 2023, Paso Robles, California

Fiction’s grape formula—a ‘field blend’ with zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and syrah—shifts each year, but the result is always the same: an expressive, structured wine with notes of fresh blueberries and tart black cherries with a dash of black pepper, cinnamon and cardamom shining through.

Deep & Silky: Bodega Numanthia Termanthia 2015, Toro, Spain

Bodega Numanthia’s latest vintage to reach the U.S. is this bold, perfectly aged red ready to be served without additional cellar time. With fruit hand-sourced from some of the oldest ungrafted vines in the entire world, the wine—made of 100% tempranillo grapes—is one of the purest expressions of the ancient Spanish varietal, making for an impressive pour at a dinner party.

SWFL

FACIALS / LASHES / BROWS / SKINCARE

Luxury In 5.68 Ounces

MOTHERLINE BALM + LIQUID GOLD SPRAY

Rejuvenate your skin with the soothing, collagen-boosting power of the Motherline Balm and Liquid Gold Spray, which lifts and tightens your skin. Available this holiday season at FACE FOUNDRIÉ Naples and Estero locations.

+ 121 8th St S, Naples, FL 34102 naples@facefoundrie.com / 239-777-2013

+ 23140 Fashion Dr, #111, Estero, FL 33928 coconutpoint@facefoundrie.com / 239-944-0287

Courtesy Field Recordings, Bodega Numanthia, Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups, La Ronciere

THE BUBBLES

Fresh & Fun: Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups Triple Zéro Brut, Loire Valley, France

Winemaker Jacky Blot was ahead of his time when he started producing his superdry pét-nats (sparkling natural wines) in France’s Loire Valley in the 1980s. The wine is balanced and fragrant with soft expressions of citrus and pear—it’s ideal for apéritifs, oyster pairings and clinking glasses.

Rich & Lively: La Ronciere Selva Oscura Extra Brut, Malleco Valley, Chile

Chile’s Malleco Valley is at the top of Zach’s list of emerging wine regions. “Everyone should be familiarizing themselves as Chile continues to cement itself as a prominent character on the global wine stage,” he says. La Ronciere’s Selva Oscura Extra Brut—made of pinot noir and chardonnay and crafted in the traditional méthode champenoise (which shuns sugar at the three key stages of production)— exemplifies the appellation’s appeal. Reach for this bottle when you’re craving fine bubbles and sharp acidity with indulgent aromas of butter and toast.

WHAT IS PÉT-NAT?

Zach likes the increasingly popular, low-intervention pétillant naturels (pétnats, for short), which originated in 1500s France, prior to Champagne’s ubiquity. Bottled before the first fermentation is complete, pét-nats have a subtly fizzy, somewhat hazy quality that’s light and casual—perfect for a holiday party.

Signed & Seasoned

Local culinary luminaries offer more than a century of wisdom from subtropical kitchens—perfect for holiday hosting and gifting.

In Southwest Florida’s culinary landscape, where catching stone crabs at sunset pairs naturally with holiday gatherings, three celebrated chefs have distilled more than a century of expertise into volumes that transcend typical kitchen guides. Whether it’s your first time bringing a side dish to a family gathering, assembling an entire menu or looking for a gustatory gift for a culinary friend, these cookbooks from Fabrizio Aielli, Tony Ridgway and Jeanie Roland offer technical mastery shaped by decades of professional experience.

Fabrizio, chef and owner of iconic Naples restaurants Sea Salt, Barbatella, Dorona and Grappino, knows that a dish made from the heart cannot be duplicated. Food is personal and cooking is a fluid process. That’s why Fabrizio created Sea Salt as a roadmap rather than a rule book. “The cookbook is a good guide, good direction on how to create something, but you’ve got to have the flexibility to adjust your recipes,” the chef says. He compares cooking to getting dressed, both mandatory activities dependent on contingencies and guided by personal taste. The book’s roast chicken exemplifies his philosophy, with a recipe meant to be adjusted and expanded upon, preferably with a glass of wine in hand.

Courtesy Aielli Group

Tony, co-owner of Ridgway Bar & Grill and Tony’s Off Third, is often hailed as a founding father of Naples’ restaurant scene. With his book Kitchen Privileges, he brings more than 50 years of culinary expertise into focus, with an emphasis on helping home cooks master fundamental techniques: the browning of a golden loaf of bread, the sizzle of hot oil, the salty-sweet fragrance of roasted garlic. “If you don’t understand the process of cooking, you are not a cook,” Tony says. His apple galette and tomato basil soup recipes demonstrate his emphasis on technique and simplicity, woven together with narratives from his life in the restaurant industry.

Courtesy Caroline Ridgway, chef Jeanie Roland

Kingdom Chandelier

Kelli is a big fan of lighting designer Lindsey Adelman. “Her material usage range and combinations, scale choices, and the organic multi-directional shapes impress a freedom that we could all use a good dose of,” Kelli says. She was delighted to come across this collaboration between Lindsey and Brooklyn-based designer Karl Zahn. Their 61-bulb Kingdom Chandelier is modeled after the burro’s tail succulent, with plump bulbs draped in a perfect arc—a reflection of our modern-day yearning for sleek elegance and the imperfect beauty of nature.

lindseyadelman.com

Jeanie’s The Perfect Caper Home Cooking , named after her Punta Gorda restaurant, distills four decades of the James Beard Foundation Award-nominated chef’s professional experience into accessible instruction. The book features scaled-down versions of signature dishes, including her herb-rolled goat cheese appetizer and tender lobster siu mai. Like her fellow Southwest Florida chefs, Jeanie advocates for flexibility in the kitchen, and she encourages home cooks to embrace the experience rather than strive for a perfect result. “A lot of people are just going through the motions, and if I did that, people would be able to taste it,” she says. “I want people to be able to relax.”

By Annamarie Simoldoni

Dream Ride

Local artist Carmelo Blandino’s limited-edition, hand-painted Vespa makes a perfect gift for the person on your list who has everything.

The bike under the Christmas tree gets a grown-up makeover with a Vespa adorned by lauded Naples artist Carmelo Blandino.

The acclaimed artist, known for his oversized floral canvases, recently launched a collaboration with Vespa Naples for about 20 made-to-order, handpainted scooters with tropical, abstract designs.

Carmelo spent a month and a half creating a prototype, contorting himself into balletic poses, and, at one point, dismantling and reassembling the scooter to get the design right.

Emerald palm fronds flow along the Vespa’s curves, weaving through paint spatters and abstract florals to create a sense of motion. His signature arcs between the handlebars, completing

the scooter’s transformation into a rolling canvas.

Each commission integrates the owner’s vision with Carmelo’s signature style—a blend of his Italian heritage and adopted paradise: “There’s a flair for Italian design integrated with the beauty of our beaches and the warmth of Florida and Naples, in particular,” he says.

HOME / Spaces, concepts and characters for inspired design

152 A fresh take on coastal in Naples

166 Talking Shop: Thomas Riley’s master carver

180 Favorite Things: Fadia Bechara’s biophilic designs

Dan Cutrona

BUILDER: D. Brown General Contractors

INTERIOR DESIGN: Julia Hall Designs

PHOTOGRAPHY: Dan Cutrona

Modern Tide

A

Lely Resort renovation rides the wave between coastal comfort and contemporary edge.

By the time the wife set foot in their four-bedroom home in Lely Resort, her husband had toured dozens of others—none of which interested her. “I was perfectly fine renting, as we had for a long time,” she says. The couple spent a few months a year in Naples and liked having space to host their grown children and grandchildren when they came to visit, but she was picky: “I didn’t want something I wasn’t going to be comfortable in on Day One.”

This home sold her—perhaps because the previous owner had the same critical eye. “She was meticulous—what struck me was the quality of the furniture, how well the spaces were used, how clean and organized everything was,” she says. “Once I realized how comfortable the beds were, I knew we could live here.” The decorating was not quite to her taste, though. It was done in browns and tans, “a sort of Tommy Bahama look,” and the kitchen was dated. But the bones were there, and the couple had plenty of time. After living in the home for a few years and observing how they used the spaces, they got to work.

They enlisted builder Joshua Brown of D. Brown Construction to update the paint, redo some flooring and work on the kitchen; he, in turn, brought in Julia Hall Liegeois of Julia Hall Designs

to help with the design and surface selections. Since the homeowner already liked the furnishings and layout, she and Julia worked mostly through paint and fabrics to brighten the space.

“I had a vision of curtains blowing in the breeze,” the homeowner says. The first big change was to paint all the walls white. Initially, the homeowner was hesitant. “I was like, ‘What—white-white?’

And Julia said, ‘Yeah, it’s going to be great, I promise,’” the homeowner recalls. “And she was right, it is. The first time we walked through the door after it had been painted, I was just blown away. My husband, too; he just loved it.”

Throughout, the designer transcends coastal design tropes, with a fresh, understated elegance. The common area floors became shellstone-hued travertine, and Julia created matching vignettes on either side of the entryway using mirrors framed in faceted blue glass, hung above rattan-wrapped console tables. “The client just fell in love with these mirrors; they’re a little retro and bounce light in such a cool way,” Julia says. To refresh the furnishings, they chose upholstery in a blue-and-white scheme, layering energetic patterns in different scales. For the main sofa, in the sitting area just past the entrance, they used a

Crisp white paint, patterned upholstery and beachy elements (faceted glass mirrors, travertine floors), lend nuance to the coastal vernacular. Rattan-wrapped furnishings add warmth, continuity and a modern touch through their clean-lined forms. Previous spread: Inset panels of ombré Phillip Jeffries Mirage wallpaper (in Blue Apparition) fade from navy to blue-gray in the dining room; the ceiling tray is an almost-white blue. “It pulls your eye [up], without really noticing why,” designer Julia Hall Liegeois says.

Stacked glass cabinets make the kitchen appear grander; wooden beams keep the space from looking too modern. Surfaces are Daltile, with the ONE Quartz in Statuary Glory for countertops and Mesmerist tile in Spirit for the backsplash.

white fabric with seemingly random horizontal lines for an oversized strié-like look. “We wanted to set the tone,” Julia says of the space, visible just past the entryway. On the walls, oblong, curvy mirrors resemble tide pools. “She just kept showing me beautiful things,” the homeowner laughs. “She’s very good at finding fresh-looking and unique things.”

Many existing pieces had rattan or wicker detailings, which warmed up the otherwise cool-toned new scheme while creat-

ing cohesion and adding a touch of modernity through the chairs’ clean-lined, tailored forms. “Sometimes that blue-and-white coastal modern look can feel cold or bare—this feels more balanced,” the designer adds.

Cosmetic renovations included painting the bar cabinets, originally stained a honey brown, in bright white; adding blackened-navy hardware; and retiling the backsplash in Daltile Multitude in Modern Khaki. The kitchen’s cabinets were painted

In a guest bedroom, a triptych of beachgoers, from Aldecor Custom Framing in Naples, recalls the vertical panels in the dining room. “We tried to add subconscious nods throughout the house,” Julia says. She papered the bed wall in Thibaut’s Mizu Stripe, trimmed the ceiling in navy and layered on more stripes and blues with the bedding.

Julia worked with the existing family room furnishings, adding a navy console and bird wall sculptures. Below: A crystal chandelier provides glamour against the home’s many naturalist elements; the loose arrangement keeps the vibe light. The vintage chairs were reupholstered with a modern-palm pattern.

white and built up to the ceiling. (“It makes the kitchen feel much grander,” Joshua says.) The team swapped the dark, bilevel peninsula counter for a single-layer one in brilliant quartzite. They kept the wood-toned beams in the ceilings so the room wouldn’t feel too modern. Meanwhile, the guest bathroom received a deep navy paint job, arranged with pebble-shaped iridescent tiles climbing along one wall. “I just love textural art,” the homeowner says. “When Julia added those cool stone decor elements to the bathroom, it just tied everything together.”

The final touch came from layering a few new details, like statement lighting, wallpaper, textural art and cool hardware. In the dining room, Julia added twin palm sculptures on one wall and a trio of coral-inspired discs on the other. The homeowner fell in love with a chandelier with cascading crystal cylinders, which now serves as a glamorous moment over the breakfast nook, facing the open kitchen and living area. Orange accents in the family room

Textural wall art and distinctive lighting and decor reframe coastal design with gallery-like precision. Most of the furnishings were existent in the home or scoured from estate sales and reupholstered. “Even though reupholstering furniture can sometimes be more expensive than buying new, it’s more sustainable and turns a piece into something really unique,” Julia says.

On the lanai, they reupholstered and repainted the existing lounge set and added a woven blue rug to connect to the interiors.

draw in hues from sculptural elements outside and pick up the warm tones in the ceiling beams and coffee table. “They’re a nice break from some of the blue and white,” Julia says.

Ombré Phillip Jeffries Mirage wallpaper panels, set within trim in the dining and living areas, emphasize the soaring 12-foot ceilings and capture the light just so. “When the sun is setting and hits that wallpaper, it feels like you’re in a cloud,” Julia says. In the dining room, the wallpaper, which fades from deep navy to a misty blue-gray, is installed as a triptych, making for a showstopper space. (Nods to the trio echo through spaces, like a guest bedroom, where vertical photos of beachgoers set a playful tone.)

The dining room’s existing curved wood chandelier, rattan chairs, sisal rug, and planter (transformed with a bright white lacquer from its previous dark brown) were repurposed. Julia updated it all with fresh textiles—a striped ikat print on the chairs’

back cushions, watercolor ombré stripes in the curtains—for another updated take on coastal modern. The table’s mix of traditional and modern ginger jars makes a scaled centerpiece fit for the high-ceilinged room. Atop the Phillip Jeffries wallpaper, Julia added white, dimensional palm sculptures for an artful moment that doesn’t compete with the rest of the space. “I didn’t want to take away from the simplicity and the interplay of the patterns here,” she says.

With the main living areas up to date, the two haven’t stopped working together (the primary bedroom is a work in progress, and the homeowner has plans to redo the primary bathroom). But by taking it slow—and carrying through reimagined pieces from the past—Julia and her client have cultivated a design that feels at once fresh, collected and timeless. “You don’t have to redo everything to make a space feel modern,” Julia says.

Home — Talking Shop — By Lauren Amalia Redding — Photography by Jenn Goodell

Sharp as a Chisel

At

Thomas

Riley Artisans' Guild in Naples, master carver

Chris Zettel is like a time traveler, bridging centuries-old techniques and modern luxury.

In a world dominated by mass production and computer-assisted design, Chris Zettel’s hands tell a different story. Steady and sure, they wield chisels inherited from generations past and transform raw wood into intricate masterpieces. “My relatives never left me money, but they left me the tools to make money,” he says with a laugh. His workspace, equal parts curio cabinet and artist’s studio, nestles into a bedroom-sized corner of Naples’ Thomas Riley Artisans’ Guild. Long, thin pieces of lumber rest on equally long, thin work tables, waiting for the carver’s delicate touch to transform them into intricate moldings. Family photos and postcards pepper the spaces between handsome antique gouges and mallets hanging in dark wooden cabinets. Two model ships—venerable, if a bit battered—perch on shelves, and graphite sketches of past

Chris Zettel, who celebrates 25 years with the guild in 2025, specializes in carving, adding the finishing flourishes to fine wooden interior accents with simple tools and a honed touch.

and future designs line the walls. Nearby, a bourbon-colored, cherry wood ‘book’ with a carved cover depicting an Art Deco-inspired lily pad and fish design lies close to its carver, a man whose twinkling eyes and wiry hair make you think of Father Christmas and Frank Zappa.

The 71-year-old master carver—and incorrigible storyteller—distinguishes himself from the fields of cabinetry and carpentry. Throughout Thomas Riley’s 42,000-square-foot, four-building village,

fellow specialized woodworkers mill lumber, book-match rare veneers, hand-finish surfaces, and test new materials and technologies—preserving and evolving their heritage. Meanwhile, Chris works on the architectural and decorative millwork, like a swath of modern scallops on a cabinet front or the scaly koi fish making up the base of a mahogany table.

Most of his work is structural—the steam-bent archways, the mangrove-like balusters, the flourished corbels. For his

decorative work, doors, panels, and furnishings arrive at his station structurally ready but needing refinement. He chips away at the hard edges, transforming the surfaces into eloquent visual narratives with smooth cuts, intricate relief work and flowing patterns born from his artistic mind. Sometimes, it can take an hour to chisel and refine a few inches. “It’s the frosting on the cake,” he says. “But there are far more hours in carving than there will be in cabinetry.”

“I like the idea that I don't have to depend on having access to a machine. I can sit on a park bench and do what I do if I want to.”

INLET QUAY | Exclusive 37-unit private waterfront retreat located on the Gordon River. With 18 boat slips, boaters can enjoy a scenic ride straight to the Gulf. Centrally located in Downtown Naples.

With every project, Chris begins by affixing a paper pattern—many of which he sketches himself—onto the wood’s flat surface and chisels around the template. Whether he’s wielding a chisel or a graphite pencil, his touch is fine, light and unerringly precise. At the 33-yearold guild, where well-heeled clients from across the country find an answer to their search for pinnacle woodwork, Chris’ craft is a one-of-one attraction.

These last few months have presented particularly titillating work for the carver.

“I’m working on a once-in-a-lifetime job,” he says, beaming. Earlier this year, the guild took on a massive contract up the coast in Nokomis, Florida, where the client requested everything be hand-carved. “They wanted a large room that would look like a 1700s British men’s club—lots of fancy moldings, lots of fancy corbels and four mermaids,” he says. Together with his former apprentice, Sepeideh Azin, now a carver on contract with the guild, Chris is pouring every ounce of power into bringing his clients’—and his own—dreams to life.

Despite his venerated position at the guild, Chris doesn’t stand on ceremony: “I’m just all about making things—that’s my core.” His matter-of-fact perspective masks decades of expertise and mastery. He’s an enthusiastic admirer of French Gothic cathedrals, waxing poetic about aesthetics—their buttresses and vaulted ceilings—and the craftsmen and artisans who brought the structures to life with tools moved only by the power of the human body. “I grew up in Jamaica, where things were still very much done

Many of Chris' third-generation tools, are inherited or leftover from his days building mahogany boats and sailboats for Naples clients from 1976 to 2000.

A stately table becomes a canvas in Chris’ hands. His gouge and mallet stand as a paintbrush.

the old-fashioned way,” Chris says. “My formative days and my learnings were all hands-on, not too many power tools. There’s a feel to the hand-carved stuff that I just love.”

At the guild, where nearly every square inch of their clients’ coveted interiors and furnishings are handmade, those timetested skills live on. “There aren’t many of us left who know how to do this kind of work,” he says.

The guild carefully balances traditional and technological techniques. While computer-powered milling and carving machines are a boon for getting Chris started on the yards and yards of trim required for luxe estates, their fuzzy, ill-defined cuts only emphasize the value of deft artisan hands. “The machine’s work looks good, but it doesn’t look real,” he says. Even if a machine slowed down enough to achieve the perfection expected by the guild’s discerning clientele, Chris’ hands—with decades of carving in their muscle memory—would complete the job long before the machines sputtered out their final yards of trim.

Unparalleled Coastal Estate

A third-generation craftsman—his family is filled with carpenters and tradespeople on both sides (alongside a rum runner or two)—Chris first tested his hand at woodworking with a Kingston-based boat repair and building company when he was 13. When his parents shipped him off to New York for college at 16, he broke up his time studying chemistry with a canoe-building side hustle in the university’s cellar. He worked as a chemist, but not for long. After moving to Naples with his wife in 1976, Chris promptly fell back into boat building, rendering full-sized mahogany runabouts and sailboats until clients began to prefer fiberglass over wooden vessels.

When Chris arrived at the guild in 2000, he began working under the company’s then-master carver, Jim Boot. “He was doing the really fancy, Baroque-style moldings, chubby cherubs, fancy corbels— all by hand,” he says. Enamored, he took on any job Jim would throw at him, soon realizing that, scaled-down, boatbuilding translated organically into the persnickety work required to sort out the minute imperfections in fine trims and moldings.

His first big assignment involved three decorative carvings of open books made to top a series of lecterns commissioned by Collier County’s Champions of Learning nonprofit. The project, now some 25 years ago, inspired a pastime Chris maintains

today. “I came up with this idea for the memory boxes, or ‘memory books,’ as I call them,” he says. “You get all these little odds over the years, like theater tickets, invitations to weddings, pictures—things that strike a chord within you. So, here’s a box specially made just to hold all kinds of fun memories.”

Like the sculptural cherry book in his workspace, each memory box is adorned with a motif inspired by the recipients. Many have initials on the cover or a special date, but others are more complex. “This one couple, their grandmother had knitted them a baby blanket that had this beautiful design, so I took the same design and put it on the front of the memory book,” Chris

Hand carving is a rare and valued skill— one Chris was intent on imparting to the next generation through his former apprentice, Sepeideh Azin.

says. For a man whose craft centers on the functional, these small tokens of artistry are a treat and a labor of love.

Among his countless hand tools, Chris’ favorite is a set of chisels made by Takahashi Norikazu, a renowned Japanese blacksmith. “I’m handing my tools down to Sepeideh, to the next generation,” he says, smiling at one of her nearby carvings. “The traditions of artisans working go back thousands of years,” he adds. “I’m part of that tradition. And now, so is she.”

In Her Element

In each issue, we tap local design pros to share their favorite global finds. This month, Colombian interior designer Fadia Bechara, owner of sustainable home design studio At Faro, in Naples, curates biophilic pieces bringing nature’s grandeur indoors.

Courtesy At Faro, Pelle Designs

The fronds of Pelle Designs’ whimsical banana leaf pendant lights are so realistically detailed that Fadia says she feels almost like a ladybug under the gleam. Crafted from hand-painted and sculpted cotton-fiber pulp, the 36- and 48-inch-long fixtures are suspended from the ceiling via pipes, steel rods or leather straps with brass hardware, creating a branch-like appearance. When illuminated, they give off a warm glow that shines through the translucent leaves. “It brings a little bit of the wild into our everyday lives,” Fadia says, noting that she likes to place the leafy designs in small spaces, like a guest bath or reading nook for a dramatic surprise.

pelledesigns.com

Nana Lure by Pelle Designs

Created in Fadia’s native Colombia, this pendulum sculpture by visionary textile studio VERDI, has a base of 4,000 handmade knots made of Amazonian plant fibers. Adorned with peacock feathers, the colorful artwork is also a functional hammock, nodding to the country’s rich tradition of hammock weaving.

Creative director Tomás Vera, son of legendary Latin American textile weaver Carlos Vera Dieppa, designed an innovative system of steel and tension springs allowing the sculptural hammock to open and close with a pendulum mechanism, emulating the peacock’s extravagant courtship display. “Cartagena, where I’m from, it’s a place where vibrant colors play a big, big role in design and culture,” Fadia says. “This piece is a celebration of culture, craftsmanship and the beauty of nature.”

intl.verdi.com.co

La Macorina by VERDI

Novasedes Elm Sculptural Bench by Joseph Walsh Studio

Joseph Walsh Studio salvaged a diseased, century-old Dutch elm from the grounds of Austria’s Schloss Hollenegg castle and transformed its timber into this a bench. “[They] created a piece that showcases the tree’s beauty but also tells a story, making it a living piece of art,” Fadia says. “It’s a reminder that design is a living practice.” Three hewn planks serve as the base of the seat, while thinly sliced boards painstakingly glued together in sequence comprise the legs and back, giving the bench its sinuous form.

josephwalshstudio.com

Courtesy Joseph Walsh Studio

Courtesy Mirei Monticelli

Mirei Monticelli

Fadia prioritizes furnishings made of natural materials with a rich heritage evoking a sense of place, and this pendant lamp ticks both boxes. Milan-based Filipino designer Mirei Monticelli envelops the light with translucent fabric woven from the fibers of the banana plant’s peels and stems.

Sourced from Bicol, Philippines, the material is harvested, stripped, knotted and woven by hand.

Available in a variety of sizes and hues, the made-to-order lamp creates a sense of movement with its delicate interplay of light and shadow. “It’s like a celestial dance,” Fadia says.

studiomirei.com

Nebula Pendant Lamp by

HEALTHY LIFE / Rituals, resources and goods for a balanced life

190 Wellness: Restorative SWFL staycations

196 Editors’ Pick: A luxe body wash from Naples

Merry & Mellow

Get into the holiday spirit with a stress-free staycation at one of these Southwest Florida wellness escapes.

December evokes a sense of celebration, with tinsel-tied soirees and festive feasts to fill our social calendars. But, all the hosting, traveling, shopping—you name it—can also stir up stress and anxiety. Fortunately, our coast hosts plenty of plush, wellness amenity-stocked accommodations, where you can recharge and ensure you leave the holidays invigorated for the new year.

For a tropical resort experience without the plane ticket, it doesn’t get better than The Gasparilla Inn. Once you cross over the Boca Grande Causeway, you’re transported by the bougainvillea-framed buildings, live oak canopies and crushed-shell paths—not to mention the pastel-hued, Colonial Revival grand dame that’ll be your home base. The 1913 resort maximizes

Southwest Florida’s even-keeled winter weather with seven Har-Tru tennis courts, three USCA-certified croquet lawns, and a Pete Dye-designed, par 72 waterside golf course recently renovated by golf course architect Tripp Davis. And, guided kayak tours, paddle board rentals, and an expansive beach club make for an active respite.

“There’s a certain calm and quaintness to

the island that really resonates with people,” says Gasparilla’s Corey Anglin. “You feel that you’re in a different place.”

Hoping to squeeze in a recharge session in Naples? Book a night (or get a spa day pass) at Naples Grande Beach Resort. The resort’s expansive, indoor-outdoor spa center beckons with an assortment of wellness treatments, like the saltwater float

Courtesy Naples Grande Beach Resort

Healthy Life — Wellness — By Christie Galeano-DeMott

tank, granting a zero-gravity experience to promote deep meditative relaxation and muscle relief. To target those on-the-go season feet and boost energy, the ionic foot detox harnesses mineral saltwater, said to bolster the lymphatic system and recharge the body. Or, go for one of the CBD-infused massages or mani-pedis. In addition to the full range of traditional luxury spa offerings (body wraps, collagen masks, and nail and hair treatments), the resort also has a private spa villa you can rent out as a secluded oasis of serenity, complete with a private hot tub and infrared sauna.

For those looking to let the whispering wind and rustling leaves soothe their cares away, Timberline Glamping leans on the science-backed, healing power of nature

without compromising modern comforts. The anything-but-rustic camping company has two new Southwest Florida sites. “This is camping every mom loves,” says momof-two and co-owner of Timberline Fort Myers, Nada Elftman. “You pack your food, and that’s all you have to worry about.”

Each camp—one in Estero’s Koreshan State Park and another in Naples’ Collier-Seminole State Park—hosts four cozy tents that sleep up to six campers comfortably, with air conditioning, heat, refrigerators, (real, not air) mattress beds, plush bedding and Timberline’s signature boho-chic aesthetics. Koreshan tents place you in the center of the verdant site that was settled as a utopia in the late 1800s and is ideal for paddleboarding excursions on

the Estero River. The Naples locale provides access to the park’s 7,000 acres, with off-road biking trails, hiking paths and the Blackwater River for boating and fishing. After all, unwinding isn’t always about stillness; sometimes, it’s an active pursuit. Tent-averse nature lovers find their zen at Bonita Springs’ Shangri-La Springs, a 1920s boutique resort hotel built around what was once believed to be the legendary ‘Fountain of Youth.’ Locals still flock to the banyan-filled, eight-room property for its tranquil spa; certified organic, farmto-table restaurant; and near-daily yoga sessions with local gurus, as well as regular sound healing and meditation workshops. Luxuriate in Shangri-La’s Himalayan eucalyptus steam room and Himalayan

Naples Grande Beach Resort beckons visitors with luxury spa treatments and amenities, including a saltwater float tank and ionic foot baths.

Courtesy Naples Grande Beach Resort

From plush, water-facing accommodations at The Gasparilla Inn (left) to farm-to-table fare at Downtown Bonita Springs’ Shangri-La Springs, these venues guarantee a reenergizing stay.

salt-infused sauna before proceeding to one of the spa’s organic ingredient-driven treatments, like the Yon-ka Time Resist Facial and the aromatic Voya Warm Spiced Seaweed Mud Wrap, with four types of Irish hand-harvested seaweed used to fortify the skin and reduce inflammation. It’s easy for general manager Lee Bellamy to pinpoint his favorite amenity: “It’s the property itself. You’re taken back in time. The overall ambience and personality of the property are quiet and peaceful.”

Among the region’s prime wellnessenhancing stays lies a selection of home rentals that maximize the power of an intimate staycation. At Naples’ SolanaMind BNB, Krystyna Shepetiuk welcomes guests into a Bali-inspired, biohacking home

with amenities you’d find at a modern holistic wellness center (infrared sauna, cold plunge, red light panels, gym). Personal chef and fridge stocking packages are available, and Krystyna plans to add a hydroponic garden to supplement the farm-to-table-style offerings. She’ll also call on her cadre of experts to offer private reiki, sound bath and yoga sessions, alongside spa services and IV therapy, without you having to leave the property.

Just east of I-75 on Vanderbilt Beach Road, Time 4 U Estate guests can unwind among a lush, 9,500-square-foot property with jaw-dropping architecture and a host of white-glove amenities. Board-certified aesthetic physician Lisa Gulcher transformed her tony Time 4 U Med Spa into a

wellness-experiences brand, with rental estates and a 72-foot yacht. Her Urban Estates compound has a six-bedroom main home and a 3,000-square-foot, three-bedroom guest retreat (the two are never rented concurrently to ensure privacy; Lisa and her family stay in the unoccupied home to provide guests with concierge services). You’ll have access to a 150-foot pool, a 14-person hot tub, and sporting courts for pickleball, tennis, basketball and bocce. Ask, and she’ll set up indulgent services—a private chef to have snacks prepared on arrival, on-site pickleball lessons, live music and a cruise (with a discounted rate) on the Time 4 U Yacht. “Everything is taken care of,” she says. “It’s time for you, not time for anything else.”

Courtesy The Gasparilla Inn, Shangri-La Springs

Squeaky Clean

Naples’ Vitasana elevates the body wash scene with products that turn your morning shower into a spa-like experience.

Covering Southwest Florida’s wellness scene for the past two years, I’ve encountered countless soap and skincare brands touting natural ingredients and clean formulations. And, while many local makers create stellar products, it takes something special to stand out in the saturated natural beauty market. Enter Vitasana: The Naples-based brand delivers clean, luxury skincare—with Environmental Working Group (EWG) certification backing its claims—at drugstore prices.

Loaded with naturally derived, toxin-free ingredients, the hybrid gel-serum formula lathers like a dream. It combines waterand oil-loving ingredients for a silky suds experience that cleanses while maintaining

the skin’s moisture barrier. You’re not just washing up, you’re feeding your skin antioxidant-rich ingredients like cherimoya fruit extract and soothing aloe vera in a light, refreshing soap.

Essential oil-based scents with crowd appeal transform your shower into a spa. I like to use the Mandarin Orange or Sea Buckthorn to energize my mornings, while the Lavender Citrus creates a calming evening ritual. The bottles, with their springy pastel hues and minimalist aesthetic, are pretty enough to display.

For founders Scott and Donna Pecci, creating safe, effective body care became personal after struggling to find suitable solutions for their daughter’s severe

eczema and acne. The couple was alarmed over the lack of strict regulation in skincare formulations and set out to do things differently. After a year of collaborating with cosmetic scientists, the Peccis debuted the hypoallergenic formula that’s luxurious and gentle on my sensitive skin. All their products (three body washes and a lotion) are third-party tested and EWG Verified, ensuring full transparency and omission of roughly 1,500 unacceptable ingredients. I take pleasure in elevating ordinary moments, and with Vitasana, showering becomes a ritual. When I glide the aromatherapeutic, velvety gel-serum wash across my skin, I’m reminded that self-care can start with life’s simplest acts.

Christina Bankson; Getty

Despite its potent formula—loaded with healing naturally derived ingredients—Vitasana’s body washes are silky and lightweight—perfect for our balmy weather.

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LIFE ON THE GULF / Flavors, institutions and experiences shaping our culture

DINING GUIDE

The Dining Guide is crafted each month based on editorial discretion and may include restaurants that advertise regularly (denoted by an asterisk). Please email diningout@gulfshorelife.com to report changes in a restaurant’s location, prices or menu.

Crow's Nest Steakhouse at 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa brings a sophisticated dining experience to Sanibel, with its second-floor perch overlooking the Gulf and vibrant dishes, like seared ahi tuna over sticky rice and a fragrant broth.

Dining Guide Key : b Brunch o Outside Dining p Pet-Friendly v Valet w Water Views

Brian Tietz

COLLIER COUNTY

NAPLES

SOUTH

NAPLES

Osteri Capri

387 Capri Blvd., (239) 970-5721; 918 N. Collier Blvd., (239) 3884081, osteriacapri.com. Chef AJ Black creates Italian pizza, pasta and seafood specialties from waterfront fish houses on Isles of Capri and on Marco Island.

$$$ ITALIAN o p w

THIRD STREET SOUTH

Barbatella

1290 Third St. S., (239) 2631955. barbatellanaples.com

A stunning bar and relaxed patio with casual Italian cuisine from the team behind Sea Salt.

$$$ ITALIAN o p

The Bevy 360 12th Ave. S., (239) 228-4220. naplesbevy.com

Enjoy craft cocktails and New American cuisine at this indoor-outdoor favorite off Third Street South.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o p

Campiello/The Club Room

1177 Third St. S., (239) 4351166. campiellonaples.com. A favorite for its contemporary Italian cuisine and courtyard. During season, The Club Room, a restaurant within, has its own menu and live music most nights.

$$$ ITALIAN o p v

D’Amico’s The Continental American Provisions and Craft Bar

1205 Third St. S., (239) 6590007. damicoscontinental. com. Savor top-quality cuts of steaks and the stylish indoor and outdoor decor.

$$$$ STEAK o p v

Jane’s Cafe on 3rd 1209 Third St. S., (239) 2612253. janesgardencafe.com

Come for the lobster Benedict and stuffed French toast, stay to sit around the koi fountain on the sunny patio.

$$ CAFE b o p

Ridgway Bar & Grill

1300 Third St. S., (239) 2625500. ridgwaybarandgrill.com.

A quintessential Old Naples restaurant. For light bites and coffee, head to neighboring Tony’s Off Third.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o p

Sea Salt

1186 Third St. S., (239) 4347258. seasaltnaples.com. Loved for sophisticated seafood, monthly wine dinners and events

$$$ MEDITERRANEAN o p v

Mediterrano

336 13th Ave. S., (239) 2617498. mediterrano-naples. com. Bright decor and a lush patio complement robust dishes and decadent desserts. $$$ MEDITERRANEAN o

FIFTH AVENUE SOUTH

Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro 865 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 594-5557. bhabhabistro. com. Iranian chef Michael Mir serves indulgent flavors in a jewel box of a dining room.

$$$ MIDDLE EASTERN o

Bontà Bakery

824 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 234-6631. bontabakery.com. Italian pastry chefs use traditional ingredients to prepare pastries, pizza, sandwiches and gelato. $ ITALIAN o p

Bistro 821

821 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 261-5821. bistro821.com. An open kitchen serves a menu filled with creativity, including its original Neapolitan pasta and seafood dish.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

Chops City Grill

837 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 2624677. chopscitygrill.com. An elegant, Baroque-inspired steakhouse with in-house dry-aged cuts.

$$$$ STEAK o p

Del Mar

494 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 3500134. delmarnaplesrestaurant.

com. Cameron Mitchell’s two-story, fine-dining locale draws from various Mediterranean cuisines.

$$$$ MEDITERRANEAN b o p

Dolce & Salato

300 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 3000444. dolcesalatousa.com.

A tucked-away, transportive cafe. $$ ITALIAN b o

The French Brasserie Rustique

365 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 3154019. thefrenchnaples.com.

Lauded chef Vincenzo Betulia serves escargot and Wagyu steak frites in an elegant atmosphere. Tucked into the back is Rouge, an intimate speakeasy.

$$$ FRENCH b o p

HobNob Kitchen & Bar

720 Fifth Ave. S., Suite 101, (239) 580-0070. hobnobnaples.com. Updated takes on American cuisine inside a cool, contemporary dining room.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

Ichi Togarashi

800 Fifth Ave. S., Suite 102, (239) 778-5324. togarashinaples. com. A favorite for its authentic takes on dim sum, seafood and 10 types of ramen.

$$ PAN-ASIAN

Keewaydin's on Fifth 711 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 262-5787. keewaydins.com. The team's approach to American fare takes a coastal and global twist.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o v

La Pescheria/Molto Trattoria

474 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 316-7322 (La Pescheria). lapescherianaples.com. (239) 261-553 (Molto Trattoria). moltonaples.com. The Neris' Italian standbys offer fresh seafood (La Pescheria) and classic comfort recipes (Molto) within steps of each other; plus there's a newer, darling wine bar, Casa Neri, next to Molto.

$$$$ ITALIAN o p v

Le Colonial

457 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 3729700. naples.lecolonial.com. Jaw-dropping interiors set the stage for exciting takes on the culinary category.

$$$ FRENCH VIETNAMESE o

Ocean Prime

699 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 4300404. ocean-prime.com Cameron Mitchell presents surf and turf, an elegant dining room and highly attentive service.

$$$$ MODERN AMERICAN v

Osteria Tulia/Bar Tulia

466 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 2132073. osteriatulia.com. Go for Sicilian-inspired fare in a rustic-chic setting or craft cocktails at Bar Tulia gastropub next door.

$$$ ITALIAN o p

Pazzo! Cucina Italiana

853 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 4348494. pazzoitaliancafe.com. Beautiful presentations and twists on Italian favorites.

$$$ ITALIAN o p

Sails Restaurant

301 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 3602000. sailsrestaurants.com. This uncompromising establishment offers fine-dining to the max—and a stellar Champagne brunch. $$$$ SEAFOOD b o p v

Sushi Thai Downtown

898 Fifth Ave. S, (239) 430-7575. sushithaidowntown.com. Find a mix of sushi and Thai dishes with locations throughout Collier and Lee counties.

$$ PAN-ASIAN o p

Truluck’s

698 Fourth Ave. S., (239) 5303131. trulucks.com. A fine-dining locale touting seafood from the Gulf and beyond.

$$$ SEAFOOD v

Veranda E

290 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 6593466. hotelescalante.com. A courtyard setting serving Asian and French influences in The Escalante Hotel.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

The Vine Room

465 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 3161202. vineroom.com. Behind an ivy-shrouded door, this cocktail lounge crafts drinks with flair, plus small plates.

$$ COCKTAIL LOUNGE

DOWNTOWN NAPLES

The Claw Bar/The London Club

221 Ninth St. S., (239) 231-3912. theclawbar.com

Southern charm, the best oysters and elegant seafood are found at The Claw Bar inside the Bellasera Resort. Upstairs, The London Club serves the same menu with a sultrier vibe and live jazz. $$$$ SEAFOOD b o v

District/Staff Only/ The Kitchen & The Mini Bar

1200 Central Ave., Suite 105, (239) 428-3101. districtnaples. com. A mini culinary complex

in Naples Design District, with the sexy bar District, speakeasy Staff Only and alfresco The Kitchen & Mini Bar.

$$$ SEAFOOD/ MODERN AMERICAN b o

LoLa 41

560 Ninth St. S., (239) 3993300. lola41.com/location/ lola-41-naples. Influenced by the cultures along the 41st parallel north, Lola 41 excels at sushi and bistro-style plates. $$$ PAN-ASIAN o

PJK Neighborhood Chinese 835 4th Ave. S., (239) 3670300. pjkchinese.com. From restaurateur Paul Fleming, with coastal-inspired takes on Americanized Chinese fare.

$$ CHINESE

Grappino

90 Ninth St. N., (239) 331-4325. grappinonaples.com. This Aielli Group spot offers a fine selection of charcuterie and build-your-own pasta dishes.

$$$ ITALIAN o

The Lake Park Diner

944 Seventh Ave. N., (239) 228-6351; 8856 Founders St., (239) 529-1559. thelakepark diner.com. Now with a second location at Founders Square, the casual locale serves organic fare with vegan options, plus diner classics. $$ MODERN AMERICAN b o p

Limón Rooftop Bar

455 12th St. S., (239) 9443755. limonrooftop.com

Contemporary chic inside with a pool outside and modern Med fare on the plate.

$$ MEDITERRANEAN o

Nosh on Naples Bay

1490 Fifth Ave. S., Suite 101, (239) 384-9208. noshon naplesbay.com. Chef Todd Johnson crafts a menu of haute small plates.

$$$ ECLECTIC o v w

The Rooster Food + Drink

600 Goodlette-Frank Road N., Suite 101, (239) 228-5973. theroosternaples.com. Comforting breakfast and lunch.

$$ AMERICAN b o p

Seventh South Craft Food + Drink 849 Seventh Ave. S., Suite 101, (239) 231-4553. seventhsouth.com. Among Naples’ top restaurants, where food and drinks earn equal acclaim.

$$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

Unidos

1 Ninth St. S., (239) 3313668. unidosrestaurant. com. The likes of Peruvian ceviche, Cuban ropa vieja and Argentinian-style grilled meats come together in perfect harmony.

$$$ LATIN AMERICAN o

Warren Naples

111 Tenth St. S., (239) 3302611. warrennaples.com. An expansive whiskey and wine collection headline alongside a contemporary menu.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN

CRAYTON COVE

Bleu Provence

1234 Eighth St. S., (239) 2618239. bleuprovencenaples. com. Channel Southern France with the cuisine and Naples’ only Grand Award-winning wine list.

$$$ FRENCH o p v

The Boathouse on Naples Bay

990 Broad Ave. S., (239) 6432235. boathouseonnaplesbay. com. This waterfront restaurant dishes up fresh seafood.

$$ SEAFOOD o w

Chez Boët

755 12th Ave. S., (239) 6436177. chezboetnaples.com

French staples paired with an impressive Scotch list.

$$$ FRENCH o p

The Dock at Crayton Cove* 845 12th Ave. S., (239) 2639940. dockcraytoncove.com. This laid-back spot serves Florida seafood on Naples Bay.

$$$ SEAFOOD b o p w

M&M's Cafe at Tin City 1200 5th Ave. S., Suite 122, (239) 261-5317. cafemn.com. Enjoy more than 30 flavors of housemade ice cream, among other treats.

$ DESSERT

The Syren Oyster & Cocktail Bar

909 10th St S., (239) 610-1559. syrenoysterbar.com. Located just northeast of Crayton Cove, within the Naples Boat Club, this seafood-centric hotspot is the latest creation from lauded restaurateur Peter Tierney (The Claw Bar, The London Club).

$$$$ SEAFOOD o w

EAST NAPLES

21 Spices by Chef Asif

4270 Tamiami Trail E., Suite 21, (239) 919-8830. 21spicesdining. com. Authentic cuisine from an award-winning chef.

$$$ MODERN INDIAN o p

Carole’s Place Café & French Bakery

8793 Tamiami Trail E., (239) 331-8003. carolesplacecafe. com. French pastries with freshbrewed coffee, robust breakfast and lunch menus.

$ BAKERY b o

Celebration Park

2880 Becca Ave., (239) 3167253. celebrationparknaples. com. This waterfront food truck park has a lively bar scene and boat-up slips.

$$ ECLECTIC o p w

Kareem’s Lebanese Kitchen

4270 Tamiami Trail E., (239) 315-4167. kareemskitchen.com

Try shawarma wraps, salads and chicken with za’atar potatoes.

$$ MIDDLE EASTERN o p

Espíritu Peruvian Cuisine

3861 Tamiami Trail E., (239) 2853924.espirituperuviancuisine. com. Don’t miss the ceviche here.

$$ PERUVIAN o

Lima Restaurant

5047 Tamiami Trail E., (239) 280-0167. lima-restaurant. com. Traditional Peruvian cuisine and a wide selection of pisco are the calling cards.

$$$ PERUVIAN o

LowBrow Pizza & Beer

3148 Tamiami Trail E., (239) 529-6919. lowbrow pizzaandbeer.com. Creative wood-fired pies are served with craft brews in a fun, art-filled space.

$$ ITALIAN o p

Rebecca’s Cocktail & Wine Bar

2955 Bayshore Drive, (239) 799-1801. rebeccas naples.com. Gorgeous decor and stellar charcuterie headline the latest from the namesake Bayshore visionary.

$$ WINE BAR

Rumba Cuban Café

1265 Airport-Pulling Road S., (239) 659-2996. rumbacuban cafe.com. Classic Cuban cuisine with fun twists and attentive service. $$ LATIN AMERICAN o p

Old Vines Supper Club

2795 Davis Blvd., Suite 1, (239) 417-4466. oldvinesnaples.

com. Find seasonal tasting menus and a weekly wine dinner on Wednesdays at this refined yet unpretentious East Naples hideaway from chef

Brooke Kravetz.

$$$$ MODERN AMERICAN

Tacos & Tequila Cantina

4834 Davis Blvd., (239) 7328226. tacosandtequilanaples.

com. Tacos with lots of clever spins, plus margaritas aplenty.

$ MEXICAN o p

The Med

3929 Bayshore Drive, (239) 307-4755. themednaples. com. Artfully plated dishes, intimately showcased.

$$$ MEDITERRANEAN o

MIDTOWN

Alexander’s Garden Restaurant

4077 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 262-4999. alexandersna ples.com. Menus filled with

Andre’s Steakhouse

2800 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 263-5851. andressteak house.com. If you consider yourself a fan of New York’s iconic Peter Luger chophouse, opt for this tiny joint founded by one of its former chefs.

$$$$ STEAK o

Cibao Grille

814 Neapolitan Way, (239) 434-6653. cibaogrille.com. Dishes from the owners’ native

DISCOVER ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT

From headlining performances at Caloosa Sound Amphi theater to delectable food and beverage tastings in The Worksh op, there's something for music lovers, foodies, and everyone in between to enjoy.

DiGusto

4180 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 228-9414. digustoitaly.com. Authentic Italian pasta and other specialties presented with simple elegance.

$$$ ITALIAN

Dorona 2110 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 529-2819. dorona naples.com. The Aiellis’ chic steakhouse has a menu with Mediterranean-style seafood, pasta and prime cuts. $$$$ STEAK o p

Escargot 41

4351 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 793-5000. escargot41. com. This traditional spot features a page of escargot specials alone.

$$$ FRENCH o p

Fernández the Bull Multiple locations in Collier and Lee counties. fernandez thebull.com. Authentic Cuban dishes, such as picadillo a la criolla and ropa vieja.

$$ LATIN AMERICAN o p

Fujiyama

2555 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 261-4332. naples fujiyama.com. Japanese master chefs prepare dinners with flair at your hibachi table. $$ ASIAN

FUSE Global Cuisine/ FUSE BBQ

2500 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 114, (239) 455-4585. fuseglobalcuisine.com.

Cosmopolitan cuisine, stellar barbecue and cocktails with a creative punch.

$$$ ECLECTIC o p

Harold’s Place

2555 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 263-7254

naplesharoldsplace.com

This chickee bar serves a topshelf charbroiled burger and poolside ambience.

$ CLASSIC AMERICAN o

Hogfish Harry’s

600 Neapolitan Way, (239) 776-7623. hogfishharrys.com.

The menu sources most of its seafood from local fishers.

$$$ SEAFOOD o p

Hyde N Chic Restaurant

923 Creech Road, (239) 3995756. hydenchicrestaurant. com. In his artfully appointed dining room, chef Andy Hyde guides you through inspired tasting menus from Africa, Europe and the Americas.

$$$$ ECLECTIC FUSION

Jimmy P’s Charred

1833 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 643-2427. jimmypscharred.com. A casual butcher-steakhouse specializing in Wagyu beef.

$$$$ STEAK o p

Komoon Thai Sushi & Ceviche

Multiple locations in Collier and Lee counties. komoonthai.com. Thai, Japanese and Peruvian fare come together.

$$ ASIAN

Lamoraga Restaurant

3936 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 331-3669. lamoraga restaurant.com. Find upscale twists on Spanish dishes, plus inventive vegan fare.

$$$ SPANISH p v

The Local 5323 Airport-Pulling Road, (239) 596-3276. thelocalnaples.com.

A farm-to-table restaurant with locally sourced, healthy cuisine.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o p

Martin Fierro

13040 Livingston Road, (239) 300-4777. martinfierrorestaurant. com. At this Argentinian and Uruguayan parrillada, you’ll find grass-fed beef and other South American specialties.

$$$ LATIN AMERICAN o p

Moura Bistro

3369 Pine Ridge Road, (239) 738-8883. mourabistro.com. Flavorful Lebanese fare, such as falafel, tabbouleh salad and shawarma.

$$ MIDDLE EASTERN o p

Nat Nat

3080 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 1, (239) 919-8732. natnat naples.com. A coffee shop by day, evening menus showcase scratch-made shareable plates and natural wines in a buzzy space.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

Shula’s Steak House 5111 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 430-4999. shulasnaples. com. Late NFL Hall of Fame coach Don Shula’s brainchild.

$$$$ STEAK

Spanky's Speakeasy

1550 Airport-Pulling Road N., (239) 643-1559. spankysspeakeasy.com. The 40-year-old Naples staple serves everything from broiled seafood to filet mignon.

$$ SEAFOOD, AMERICAN o w

Swan River Seafood & Fish Market

3741 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 403-7000. swanriver seafood.com. Find Cape Cod-style seafood and a market with fresh catches, wine and more. $$$ SEAFOOD o p

Turco Taco

410 Ninth St. N., (239) 431-6682; 1514

Immokalee Road, Suite 116, (239) 431-6682. theturcota co.com. Bright, comforting flavors infuse the menu.

$ MEXICAN o

Opened in 2023, the poolside Sofra brings Mediterranean flair to the The Ritz-Carlton, Naples.

Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Naples

USS Nemo

3745 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 261-6366. ussnemo restaurant.com. Masterful, fresh seafood creations.

$$$ SEAFOOD o

THE VILLAGE SHOPS ON VENETIAN BAY

Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar

4270 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., (239) 649-5552. baysidesea foodgrillandbar.com. Dine with more than 200 feet of waterfront views.

$$$ SEAFOOD b o p v w

MiraMare Ristorante

4236 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., (239) 430-6273 miramarenaples.com. Enjoy classic Italian fare on the waterfront patio overlooking Venetian Bay.

$$$ ITALIAN o v w

Fish Restaurant

4360 Gulf Shore Blvd., (239) 263-3474. fishrestaurant naples.com. Find seafood and a waterside breeze overlooking the bay.

$$$ SEAFOOD o w

M Waterfront Grille

4300 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., (239) 263-4421. mwaterfrontgrille.com. Organic meals served with bay views.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o p v w

T-Michaels Steak & Lobster House

4050 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., (239) 261-0622. t-michaels. com. Steakhouse dining on the water, featuring USDA Prime meats, Maine lobster and an early dining menu.

$$$$ STEAK v w

WATERSIDE SHOPS

BrickTop's

5555 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 596-9112. bricktops. com/naples. This locale draws crowds for a wellchoreographed menu of seafood and steaks that appeal to a variety of appetites. $$$ AMERICAN b

True Food Kitchen

5375 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 15, (239) 431-4580 truefoodkitchen.com. The health-driven menu caters to flexitarians but has plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans. $$ CAFE b o p

NORTH NAPLES

BALEEN

9891 Gulf Shore Drive, (239) 598-5707. laplayaresort. com. A stunning dining room and tables on the beach for dining on creative cuisine, overlooking the Gulf.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o v w

The Bay House

799 Walkerbilt Road, (239) 591-3837. bayhousenaples.com. Southern-inspired menus, a raw bar and mangrove-lined views.

$$$ SEAFOOD o v w

Bicyclette Cookshop

819 Vanderbilt Beach Road, (239) 514-3333. bicyclette cookshop.com. Helmed by a Food Network Choppedwinning chef, with inspired menus—don't miss it.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o

Black Forest Restaurant 2366 Immokalee Road, (239) 592-4784. blackforestnaples. com. Find classic German and Austrian fare like traditional sauerbraten and schnitzel.

$$ EUROPEAN

Bone Hook Brewing Co. 1514 Immokalee Road, (239) 631-8522. bonehook brewing.com. A microbrewery with a taproom and full kitchen.

$$ BAR BITES o p

Côte d’Azur

11224 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 597-8867. cotedazur restaurant.com. Old World French cuisine in a cozy, Provençal setting.

$$$ FRENCH

The Crust 8004 Trail Blvd., (239) 244-8488. thecrustpizza.net. A sports bar with stellar pizza.

$ ITALIAN

Deep Lagoon Seafood & Fish Market

Multiple locations in Lee and Collier counties. deeplagoon. com. The family behind Pinchers owns this popular eatery.

$$$ SEAFOOD o p

Dusk/The Grill/Gumbo Limbo/Nolita/Sofra at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, (239) 598-3300. ritzcarlton.com. The beach resort hosts several favorites: private club-like The Grill, sultry sushi joint Dusk and Italian gem Nolita on the finer end; poolside, Mediterranean, Sofra and beachfront Gumbo Limbo for more casual eats.

$$$$ ASIAN, STEAKHOUSE, ITALIAN, MEDITERRANEAN, AMERICAN b o v w

Food & Thought 2 7941 Airport-Pulling Road, (239) 791-3663. foodandthought2.com. The longtime Naples organic grocery debuted a cool, second location in 2022, with a sit-down restaurant and menus that draw from the owner’s nearby farm.

$$ AMERICAN b o p

Grain de Café

8803 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 594-8081. frenchcafe naples.com. The pain au chocolat, quiches and crepes are worth a visit.

$$ FRENCH b o

Jimmy P’s Burgers & More

1201 Piper Blvd., Suite 11, (239) 514-1800. jimmypsburgers. com. Superior meats are a local tradition here.

$$ AMERICAN o p

Namba

8847 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 5924992. nambanaples.com. Enjoy a remarkable selection of ramen, sushi and small plates.

$$ JAPANESE

New York Pizza & Pasta 11140 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 5943500; 8855 Immokalee Road, (239) 597-3800. nypp.com. Go for hand-tossed pies. $$ ITALIAN o p

Parmesan Pete’s 7935 Airport-Pulling Road, (239) 992-3663. parmesan petes.com. Order large portions of eggplant, veal and chicken Parms, meatballs and lasagna.

$ ITALIAN o p

Ria at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Tiburón 2600 Tiburon Drive, (239) 5932000. rianaples.com. Find food and cocktails inspired by Latin American street markets, served up alfresco.

$$$$ LATIN AMERICAN o v

Simit Fresh Mediterranean 1230 Airport-Pulling Road, (239) 331-4477. simitfresh.com. Lunch is a good bet, but seafood shines on the menu.

$$$ MEDITERRANEAN

Chef-owner Gloria Jordan-Cabral of Jordan’s Wine Bar & Cellar , in Fort Myers, draws inspiration from her worldwide travels for her menu of tapas, served alongside live music and a wine shop.

Dan Cutrona

The Turtle Club

9222 Gulfshore Drive N., (239) 592-6557. turtleclubnaples.com

A longtime favorite for toesin-the-sand lunch and divine seafood dinners.

$$$ NEW AMERICAN o p w

Two Fillets

10395 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 788-0222. twofillets.com. Surfand-turf restaurant and market from the folks behind Pinchers.

$$$ AMERICAN o p

Zen Asian BBQ

10823 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 260-7037. eatatzen.com. A pan-Asian joint with fresh sushi, ramen, bar bites and Korean barbecue. $$ ASIAN o

MERCATO

Bar Tulia

9118 Strada Place, Suite 8150, (239) 438-1031. bartulia. com. This location of the Italian-inspired gastropub features expertly crafted cocktails, pasta and wood-fired pizza.

$$ ITALIAN b o p

The Hampton Social 9114 Strada Place, (239) 2022038. thehamptonsocial.com.

A chic, rosé-all-day bar scene complemented by great seafood and noshes.

$$ NEW AMERICAN b o p

Old Vines Mercato

9105 Strada Place, Suite 3125, (239) 591-5351. oldvinesnet

The parent restaurant to Naples’ top supper club also has stellar happy hours (two daily). Esteemed chef Daniel Swofford leads the kitchen team, making for forward-thinking menus that do

justice to the sophisticated wine and cocktail lists. $$$ MODERN AMERICAN o

Rocco’s Tacos

9123 Strada Place, (239) 5008226. roccostacos.com. Go for the roughly 500 selections of tequila and mezcal.

$$ MEXICAN b o p

The 239 Naples 9108 Strada Place, (239) 6311902. the239naples.com. The restaurant keeps the focus on local growers and producers.

$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o

A Fine Art Experience

Visit our vibrant Art District for a one-of-a-kind experience, where you can meet over 100 of our artists in person while strolling through their galleries and watching them work in their studios, each of them creating original fine art that is as unique as the District itself.

OPEN STUDIOS

Every Thursday and Saturday 1-5 PM November through April

GALLERIA SHOPPES AT VANDERBILT

Alpine Restaurant

2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 158, (239) 325-9499. alpineofnaples.com. The best of German, Slovak, Czech, Polish and Hungarian fare. $$ EASTERN EUROPEAN b o p

Real Seafood Co. Naples 8960 Fontana Del Sol Way, (239) 591-3523. realseafoodcorestaurant.com. Fish from New England, the Great Lakes and the Gulf pair with local produce.

$$$$ SEAFOOD

The Cave Bistro & Wine Bar

2343 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 604, (239) 513-0095. thecavenaples.com. A magnificent selection of wines and small plates.

$$$ WINE BAR o p

Mister O1

Extraordinary Pizza

2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 176, (239) 631-6844. mistero1.com. Extraordinary isn’t hyperbole; try the star-shaped pizza with ricotta-stuffed crust for proof. Visit the second location coming soon to Downtown Naples. $$ ITALIAN o p

MARCO ISLAND

844 Gulf and Prime 844 Bald Eagle Drive, (239) 544-9844. 844gulfand prime.com. Stunning spaces make an apt backdrop for shareable small plates and robust entrees.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN w

Ario

400 S. Collier Blvd., (239) 642-2695. arioatjw marco.com. At the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Ario has a sophisticated aesthetic, elevated culinary offerings and an impressive bar program.

$$$$ STEAK o v

Island Gypsy Café & Marina Bar

292 Capri Blvd., (239) 394-1111. theislandgypsy.com. A go-to on Isles of Capri—just north of Marco Island proper—the restaurant's alfresco, marina setting is as salty as its seafood specialties and casual ship-shaped bar (once a fishing yacht).

$$ SEAFOOD o w

LeeBee Fish Restaurant

350 Royal Palm Drive, (239) 389-0580. leebefish.com. A fisherman-owned seafood market and restaurant, it sells products right off the boat.

$$ SEAFOOD o

The Oyster Society

599 S. Collier Blvd., (239) 394-3474.

theoystersociety.com. This chic locale's raw bar has more than 80 oyster selections, as well as sushi and fresh catches.

$$$ SEAFOOD o p

Sale e Pepe

480 S. Collier Blvd., (239) 393-1600. sale-e-pepe. com. A seasonally open gem with inspired Italian dishes, a formidable wine cellar and a waterfront patio overlooking the beach. $$$ ITALIAN o p v w

Tesoro

400 S. Collier Blvd., (239) 393-3208. tesoroat jwmarco.com. Beach views and coastal fare make for a dreamy dinner. $$$ MEDITERRANEAN o v w

Verdi's American Bistro

241 N. Collier Blvd., (230) 3945533. verdisbistro.com

Specialties include crispy duck, rack of lamb, apple strudel and a distinguished wine list.

$$$ AMERICAN

LEE COUNTY

BONITA SPRINGS

Angelina’s Ristorante 24041 S. Tamiami Trail, (239) 390-3187. angelinasof bonitasprings.com. Plush banquettes, live piano and award-winning wine lists define the fine dining here.

$$$ ITALIAN o v

The Bohemian

27975 Old 41 Road, Suite 104, (239) 451-9619. thebohemian

bonita.com. The team behind Downtown Coffee and Wine Company presents a globally inspired menu.

$$$ ECLECTIC o

Chartreuse Craft

Cocktail Lounge

27313 Old 41 Road, (239) 9492776. chartreuselounge.com.

Swanky and hip, with personable bartenders shaking up cocktails you’ve never had before; plus, there’s a dessert menu.

$ COCKTAIL LOUNGE

Chops City Grill

8200 Health Center Blvd., (239) 992-4677. chopsbonita.

com. The sister restaurant to Naples’ elegant steakhouse.

$$$$ STEAK o p

C Level Bistro & Wine Bar

4450 Bonita Beach Road, (239) 221-7046. c-levelbar.com.

An intimate locale great for steak, lamb and seafood.

$$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o

Coconut Jack’s

Waterfront Grille

5370 Bonita Beach Road, (239) 676-7777. coconutjacks.

com. A perfect stop for quick bites and water views.

$$ SEAFOOD o p v w

DeRomo’s Gourmet

Market & Restaurant

26811 S. Bay Drive, Suites 140 and 148, (239) 325-3583.

deromos.com. The big-city vibe here is part of an Italian market.

$$$ ITALIAN o p

Downtown Coffee and Wine Company

27546 Old 41 Road, (239) 272-6068. downtowncoffeeand winecompany.com. Light bites accompany specialty coffee and more than a dozen wines by the glass.

$ CAFE b o p

El Basque Vin & Pintxo Bar 25245 Chamber of Commerce Drive, (239) 3014973. elbasque.com. Spanish

and French influences merge at this tapas-style wine bar.

$$$ BASQUE p o

Jimmy P’s Charred 25301 S. Tamiami Trail, (239) 390-0301. jimmypssteaks.com. Enjoy superior meats and shareable side dishes.

$$$$ STEAK

Lapa’s Costa Rican Bistro

26251 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 9, (239) 221-7016. lapascr.com. Our editors'

favorite lunch spot serves up authentic Latin fare, like arroz con pollo, gallos and tostadas.

$$ LATIN AMERICAN

The Other Side Bistro

24630 S. Tamiami Trail, (239) 992-7433. othersidebistro.com. Chef Brian McCarley serves comfort dishes with modern flair.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

Malinche Mexican Cuisine

3250 Bonita Beach Road SW, Suite 202, (239) 301-2902. malinchebonitasprings.com. The Salazar brothers dish up

Central and Southern Mexican flavors. $$ MEXICAN

Petar’s Restaurant

3300 Bonita Beach Road, Suite 120, (239) 249-4064. petarsrestaurant.com. Chef Petar Al Kurdi has developed a strong following for his deftly prepared cuisine.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o

Rooftop at Riverside

27333 Old 41 Road, (239) 2680080. eatdrinkparadise.com

The rooftop craft bar overlooks a half-dozen food trucks and Old 41.

$$ ECLECTIC o p

NOVEMBER 9 - JANUARY 2

Roy’s Restaurant

26831 S. Bay Drive, Suite 100, (239) 498-7697. roysrest aurant.com. Enjoy celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi’s Pacific and Hawaiian fusion fine dining.

$$$ PACIFIC RIM o

A Table Apart

4295 Bonita Beach Road, (239) 221-8540. atableapart. com. Fusion influences from the Pacific Rim and beyond.

$$$ PACIFIC RIM

Wolfmoon

27975 Old 41 Road, Suite 107, (601) 557-3238. wolf moon.co. Go for some of the best croissants and coffee in town—hands down. $ CAFÉ o

Wylds Café

4271 Bonita Beach Road, (239) 947-0408. wyldscafe.

com. Three chefs join forces for this fine-dining experience. $$$ MODERN AMERICAN

ESTERO

Divieto Ristorante

23161 Village Shops Way, Suite 101, (239) 390-2977. divietoristorante.com. The famous fettuccine Alfredo is prepared in a hollowed-out Parmesan wheel. $$$ ITALIAN o p

El Gaucho Deli Café

22905 Lyden Drive, (239) 3172994. elgauchoinca.com. This

locale intertwines South and North American flavors.

$ ECLECTIC b

El Nido

23161 Village Shops Way, Suite 113, (239) 319-1900. elnidoeats.com. A contemporary joint using local ingredients for house-made sauces and a modern spin on Latin dishes. $$ MEXICAN o p

Real Seafood Co.

8001 Plaza Del Lago Drive. realseafoodcorestaurant.

com. Fish from New England, the Great Lakes and the Gulf paired with local produce. $$$$ SEAFOOD

Tacos & Tequila Cantina

10952 Eagle Village Drive, (239) 330-8226. tacosandte quilanaples.com. Tacos with clever tweaks, plus margaritas.

$ MEXICAN o p

FORT MYERS

SOUTH FORT MYERS

Artisan Eatery

8951 Daniels Parkway, (239) 887-4844. artisan eatery.com. Look for outstanding specials at this stamp-sized favorite.

$ MODERN AMERICAN b

Backyard Social 16371 Corporate Commercial Way, (239) 703-7077. backyardsocial.com. One of

the region’s food truck-outdoor bar concept with eight vendor take-out options. $$ ECLECTIC o

Bellini's 13451 McGregor Blvd, (239) 270-5005. bellinisfortmyers. com. Elevated Italian favorites in a casual atmosphere with live music nightly.

$$ ITALIAN o

Coldwater Oyster Market 5611 Six Mile Commercial Court, (239) 220-5918. coldwateroystermarket.com.

Oysters and seafood from the North Atlantic and Pacific Northwest from Chef Adam Nardis. $$$ SEAFOOD o p

Courtney's Continental Cuisine

20351 Summerlin Road, Unit 111, (239) 466-4646. court neyscontinentalcuisine.com. A hidden gem serving an eclectic from-scratch menu and wine.

$$$ CONTINENTAL EUROPEAN

Cubans Be Like

13300 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite 21, (239) 789-1869. cubansbelike.com. Cuban favorites define the menu— don’t miss the vaca frita.

$$$ CUBAN o

Ember

7091 College Parkway, Suite 9, (239) 771-8818. emberfortmyers.com.

A gem with tabletop barbecue, fusion dishes and sushi.

$$$ PAN-ASIAN

Fancy’s Southern Café

8890 Salrose Lane, Suite 101, (239) 561-2988. fancyssoutherncafe.com.

Elevated Southern favorites in a casual atmosphere.

$$ AMERICAN b o p

Flock Wine Bistro

9405 Cypress Lake Drive, Suite 1, (239) 245-7105. flockwinebistro. com. Inspired by Rome’s hipster Monti neighborhood, this wine bar offers curated vinos, obsession-worthy small plates and pizza-flatbread hybrids.

$$ WINE BAR

Harold’s

15250 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 107, (239) 849-0622. haroldscuisine. com. Chef Harold Balink’s cozy, farm-to-table bistro and bourbon bar.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN

Liberty

12995 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite 112, (239) 689-5528. eatliberty.us. Chef Bob Boye’s gem features artfully presented, progressive menus of complex small plates.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN

MAKS Asian Kitchen & Sushi

13650 Fiddlesticks Blvd. Suite 206, (239) 985-9632. maksfl. com. Masters at sushi, the Mak brothers also prepare Japanese noodle and rice dishes.

$$ ASIAN

Mastello Ristorante & Steakhouse

7890 Summerlin Lakes Drive, Suite 101, (239) 936-3660.

mastello.com. Upscale creations dished in a gorgeous dining room.

$$$ ITALIAN

Osteria Celli

15880 Summerlin Road, Suite 308, (239) 267-1310. osteriacelli.com. Pasta and open kitchen are highlights.

$$$$ ITALIAN

Two Meatballs in the Kitchen

8880 Salrose Lane, (239) 4891111. twomeatballsmenu.com

With a second location in Cape Coral, it brings classic and housetweaked dishes to the table, including gluten-free pasta.

$$ ITALIAN BELL TOWER SHOPS

DaRuMa Japanese

Steakhouse & Sushi Lounge

13499 S. Cleveland Ave., (239) 344-0037. darumarestaurant.com. Enjoy Teppan-style tableside cooking, tempura and sushi.

$$$ JAPANESE o p

McGregor's Public House

13499 S. Cleveland Ave., (239) 990-3336. mcgregors publichouse.com. Delightful interpretations of Irish cuisine made with from-scratch goodness. $ IRISH o

CENTRAL FORT MYERS

El Gaucho Inca

4383 Colonial Blvd., (239) 275-7504. elgauchoinca.com. A mix of Argentinian and Peruvian dishes with a clone in Estero.

$$$ LATIN AMERICAN o p

Farmers Market Restaurant

2736 Edison Ave., (239) 3341687. farmersmarketrestaurant. com. Southern classics and comforts at this regional mainstay. $ AMERICAN b

Ginger Bistro

4650 Cleveland Ave., Suite 8, (239) 689-3113. gingerbistrou sa.com. Traditional dim sum and Cantonese barbecue are highlights. $$ CHINESE

KJ’s Steakhouse

10950 S. Cleveland Ave., (239) 275-4745. kjsfreshgrill.com. They pride themselves on aging and searing.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

MCGREGOR CORRIDOR

Azure

15301 McGregor Blvd., Suite 1, (239) 288-4296. azurefortmyers.com

434-5900

The Veranda Restaurant , serving Downtown Fort Myers since 1978, has live piano music at its bar six nights a week.

Enjoy modernized French classics with a Southern flair.

$$$ FRENCH o

Blanc

13451 McGregor Blvd., Suite 10, (239) 887-3139. blancentertainment.com.

France meets Asia at Chef Jean Claude Rogé’s intimate restaurant. $$$ ECLECTIC

Cibo

12901 McGregor Blvd., Suite 16, (239) 454-3700. cibofortmyers.com. This popular Italian spot serves stellar food and wines. $$$ ITALIAN

Jordan’s Wine Bar and Cellar

12901 McGregor Blvd., Suite 14, (239) 313-7056. The latest venture from chef Gloria Jordan-Cabral, with novelties and next-level sandwiches. $$ WINE BAR

Lan Xang

1400 Colonial Boulevard, Suite 57, (239) 689-8603. lanxangftmyers.com. Popular

for takeout and dine-in, its pan-Asian—Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian—flavors are spot-on. $$ PAN-ASIAN

Roadhouse Café

15660 San Carlos Blvd., Suite 280, (239) 415-4375. road housecafefl.com. Try a wide range of dishes, including steak. $$$ MODERN AMERICAN

DOWNTOWN

FORT MYERS

10 Twenty Five

33 Patio De Leon, (239) 208-6903. 10twentyfive.net. A from-scratch kitchen adds culinary legitimacy to its rooftop and downstairs scene of craft cocktails, live music and clever pub fare.

$ AMERICAN b o p

Bay Street Yard

2136 Bay St., (239) 2705941. baystreetyard.com. Downtown’s new beer garden offers fresh food truck bites and thoughtfully curated cocktails in an alfresco setting.

$$ ECLECTIC o

Bruno's of Brooklyn

2149 First St., (239) 278-0211. brunosofbrooklyn.com. Acclaimed Sicilian cuisine by way of New York City, with a new address and new lunch and weekend brunch menus.

$$ ITALIAN

The Silver King Ocean Brasserie/Oxbow Bar & Grill/Beacon Social Drinkery*

2200 Edwards Drive, (239) 314-3855. luminary hotel.com. Inside Luminary Hotel & Co., find fine-dining at The Silver King, riverfront eats at Oxbow Bar & Grill, Ella Mae's Diner and the rooftop Beacon Social Drinkery.

$$$ SEAFOOD o v w

The Standard Restaurant 1520 Broadway, (239) 219-6463. thestandardftmyers.com. Fromscratch eats and craft cocktails.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b p

The Veranda 2122 Second St., (239) 3322065. verandarestaurant.com. Fort Myers’ grande dame

provides top-notch service and Southern-inspired specialties.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p v

Wisteria Tea Room & Cafe

2512 Second St., (239) 6894436. wisteriatearoom.com

A charming historic home with several prix fixe options for afternoon tea and nibbles.

$$ TEA ROOM b o

NORTH FORT MYERS

Blossom & Brie*

8250 Nalle Grade Road, (239) 385-0415. blossomandbrie.com. The new locale offers farmside meals with wide selections of fresh greens, meats and desserts.

$$$ AMERICAN b o

FORT MYERS BEACH

Fresh Catch Bistro 4761 Estero Blvd., (239) 4882400. freshcatchbistro.com. Hidden behind Publix amongst a marina and backwater mangroves, its menu

Anna Nguyen

JOIN SWFL CHILDREN’S CHARITIES, INC.

JANUARY 17 & 18, 2025

CHEF VINTNER DINNERS

FRIDAY | JANUARY 17, 2025

The secret’s out. We’re hosting a luxurious party, pairing the finest wines with the region’s most celebrated chefs, together in the most exclusive spots. It’s gonna be the cat’s meow.

For the 16th annual Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest to enhance pediatric healthcare in our region.

THE GRAND TASTING & LIVE AUCTION

SATURDAY | JANUARY 18, 2025

Get up to more mischief as you savor signature creations from culinary masters, complimented by the finest wines from our favorite vintners. Raise your paddles in our auction of historic proportions and take home once-in-a-lifetime experiences like travel to exotic lands, and manifest miracles for pediatric healthcare.

and second-story patio views win favor.

$$$ SEAFOOD o w

JWB Grille

451 Crescent Street, (239) 899-4094. margaritaville resorts.com. The new Margaritaville Resort’s eatery offers international flavors with local flair in an elevated setting overlooking the beach.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN w

SANIBEL ISLAND

Bleu Rendezvous

751 Tarpon Bay Road, (239) 565-1608. bleurendez vous.com. This restaurant is lauded for authentic French fare, such as coq au vin and cassoulet. $$$ FRENCH o p

Cielo

1244 Periwinkle Way, (239) 472-5555. cielo-sanibel. com. Elevated island fare and craft cocktails.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN v

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille*

Locations throughout Lee County. docfords.com. Seafood, mojitos and a namesake rum bar.

$$ SEAFOOD o p

MudBugs Cajun Kitchen 1473 Periwinkle Way, (239) 472-2221. mudbugssanibel.

com. Find Cajun classics here.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

Rosalita's Cantina

975 Rabbit Road, (239) 9557673. rosalitascantina.com/ sanibel. Modern Mex cuisine in a contemporary setting.

$$ MEXICAN b

The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market

703 Tarpon Bay Road, (239) 472-3128. timbersofsanibel. com. Fresh fish off the docks and fine steaks make up the old-school menu in this longtime institution.

$$$ SEAFOOD

Traders

1551 Periwinkle Way, (239) 472-7242. traderssanibel.com

A local's pick for lunch, dinner and happy hour, its consistent menu adds signature twists to fish and beef dishes.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p v

Tutti Pazzi

1200 Periwinkle Way, (239) 966-7654. tuttipazzisanibel. com. Pizza and Italian favorites with and simplicity.

$$ ITALIAN

Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant

362 Periwinkle Way, (239) 4721100. wickieslighthouserestau rant.com. Two high-powered restaurants' new venture after Hurricane Ian is a hybrid of casual and gourmet in a clean, modern space.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o p

CAPTIVA ISLAND

Keylime Bistro at Captiva Island Inn

11509 Andy Rosse Lane, (239) 395-4000. keylimebistrocaptiva.com.

A colorful island spot on Boca Grande expected to reopen on Captiva spring 2025.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o p

RC Otter’s Island Eats

11506 Andy Rosse Lane, (239) 395-1142. captivaislandinn.com.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner with live music.

$$ AMERICAN b o p

Sunshine Seafood Cafe and Wine Bar

11508 Andy Rosse Lane, (239) 472-6200. captivaislandinn.com.

A sophisticated, beachy cafe with beloved chef Ryan Kida at the helm.

$$$ SEAFOOD

Crow's Nest Steakhouse, Old Captiva House and The Shipyard 15951 Captiva Drive, (239) 4725161. tween-waters.com. ’Tween Waters Island Resort presents refined and casual fare in its locales. $$$ STEAK, SEAFOOD

CAPE CORAL & PINE ISLAND

Café YOU

1423. SE 10th St., (239) 6000966. cafeyou2.wordpress.com

Global and gluten-free breakfast and lunch plus monthly fine dining menus.

$ CAFÉ

Cork Soakers Deck & Wine Bar

837 SE 47th Terrace, (239) 542-6622. corksoakers.net. An irreverent tone shows in the decor and on the menu.

$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o p

Fathoms Restaurant & Bar

5785 Cape Harbour Drive, Suite 106, (239) 542-0123. fathomsres taurant.com. Upscale cuisine with international influences.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p w

Fish Tale Grill

By Merrick Seafood 1229 SE 47th Terrace, (239) 257-3167. fishtalegrill.com.

With an adjacent fish market, many items earn nods.

$$$ SEAFOOD b o

Front Porch Social 4721 Vincennes Blvd., (239) 3478914. frontporchsocialcc.com.

A breezy, shaded patio, small plates and fab cocktails make for a perfect date spot.

$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o

Gather

5971 Silver King Blvd., Suite 116, (239) 673-9939. gathercape. com. Celebrated chefs blend Mediterranean flavors with classics. $$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o w

Ginger Bistro

2366 Surfside Blvd., Suite C-101, (239) 558-8865. gingerbistrousa.com.

Authentic Chinese fare and traditional Cantonese barbecue. $$ CHINESE

Next Door

5971 Silver King Blvd., Suite 114, (239) 984-2453. nextdoorcape. com. From the team at Gather, Next Door elevates small dishes with focused flair.

$$$$ ITALIAN o

High Tide Social House

6095 Silver King Blvd., (239) 3414441.hightide socialhouse.com. Modern, nautical charm with

coastal-inspired menus and weekly live music.

$$$ SEAFOOD o w

Jungle Bird Authentic Tiki

1520 Lafayette St., (239) 471-4111. junglebirdtiki.com.

Clever Pacific Rim dishes and signature rum drinks.

$$ ECLECTIC b o p

Lobster Lady Seafood

Market & Bistro

1715 Cape Coral Parkway, (239) 471-0136. lobsterlady seafood.com. In addition to lobster, find sushi selections,

crab, snapper and a whole list of local seafood.

$$$ SEAFOOD o p

Marker 92 Waterfront

Bar & Bistro/ Nauti Mermaid

5961 Silver King Blvd., (239) 541-5000. marriott.com

Bay views and entrees from two restaurants at The Westin Cape Coral.

$$$ SEAFOOD b o p w

Nevermind Awesome

Bar and Eatery

927 Cape Coral Parkway E., (239) 257-9444. nevermind awesomebar.com. A legend-

ary place with a history of offgrid sandwiches and cocktails. $$ MODERN AMERICAN

Nice Guys Pizza

1404 Cape Coral Parkway E., (239) 549-7542. niceguyspizza. com. Its cultish following indulges in pizzas like Street Corn Named Desire.

$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

Point 57 Kitchen & Cocktails

3522 Del Prado Blvd. S., (239) 471-7785. point-57.com.

A modern bar and dining space with a critically acclaimed menu.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o

LEARN MORE AT FLORIDANATIONALPARKS.ORG

S A V E T H E D A T E

Life on the Gulf — Dining Guide

Prime 239 Steakhouse 11715 Cape Coral Parkway, (239) 673-8816. prime239.com

Known for the 24-ounce porterhouse power-hitter, but don't miss the creative side dishes.

$$$$ STEAK

Sage on 47th

1015 SE 47th Terrace, (239) 542-0200. sageon47th.com.

A locally grown chef returns to his roots with this buzzy space.

$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o

Tarpon Lodge

Restaurant

13771 Waterfront Drive, Bokeelia, (239) 283-3999. tarponlodge.com

Dine in a 1920s fishing lodge.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o w

The Waterfront Cafe Restaurant & Marina 2131 Oleander Street, (230) 966waterfrontrestaurantmarina.

. A favorite for well-crafted seafood creations without pretension and dockside seating.

SEAFOOD o p w

An evening fundraiser benefiting Big Cypress National Preserve and Biscayne, Dry Tortugas, and Everglades National Parks hosted by Chris Lombardo

TOP EVENTS FOR DECEMBER

Fill your calendar with winter festivities, momentous exhibits and delights from the stage in Southwest Florida. As events may change, we recommend you check with the organizations for the latest information.

Through Dec. 20

An Unconventional Lens at Method & Concept, Naples

The gallery presents an ode to the art of photography and its ability to capture and reflect the moods and matters of the day. See pieces from more than six working photographers, and catch the exhibit’s evening

reception on December 4 during Naples Design District’s Holiday Stroll. methodandconcept.com

Through Dec. 23; Dec. 26-30; Jan. 1-5

Johnsonville Night Lights in the Garden at Naples Botanical Garden

Experience the allure of tropical wintertime with the return of this annual tradition, where

Naples Botanical Garden floods with thousands of festive lights. Every night, take in live music, picture opportunities, and Christmas goodies and drinks for purchase. naplesgarden.org

Moscow painter Stanislav Plutenko brings his surrealist pieces to East West Fine Art on December 3.

Through Jan. 4

Holiday Nights at Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers

Get into the season’s spirit with thousands of twinkling lights and hundreds of decorations on display at the historic estate. Enjoy kids’ games, carolers, special tours and more hall-decking happenings. edisonfordwinterestates.org

Dec. 1 — Feb. 28

Daydreaming: Niki

Butcher’s Hand-Painted

Photography at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island

Discover the coastal vistas, tangling Everglades, and mom-and-pop shops that define Southwest Florida through the lens of eternal optimist and artist Niki Butcher with this exhibit at the Sanibel refuge. Through the exhibit, Niki presents more than 60 hand-painted, black-and-white photographs captured over five decades. clydebutcher.com

Dec. 3-17

Cloud Tree at East West Fine Art, Naples

Drawing inspiration from lucid dreaming, Stanislav Plutenko, a Moscow painter known for his unique blend of realism, allegories and social commentary, explores universal themes through Cloud Tree. The solo exhibition of surrealist paintings showcases art that defies the laws of gravity. eastwestfineart.com

Dec. 3-21

Christmas at Historic Palm Cottage, Naples

Step back in time with tours, lighting displays and period-appropriate decorations at the oldest house in the city—constructed in 1895. Extend the festive family outing with a short walk over to Naples Beach, where you can catch a blazing sunset over the Gulf. napleshistoricalsociety.org

Catch Artis—Naples’ Prohibition era-inspired adaptation of the 1959 film Some Like It Hot , part of their Broadway series.

Dec. 4-22

Christmas With The Crawfords at The Laboratory Theater of Florida, Fort Myers

The campy musical comedy revisits actress Joan Crawford’s wonderfully weird 1949 holiday radio broadcast with irreverent glee. Cast members embody a variety of quirky celebrity characters throughout the show, which showcases the starlet’s larger-than-life persona. laboratorytheaterflorida.com

Dec. 5-8

Festival of Trees at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers

Back for its 18th year, this Fort Myers festival sees dozens of creatively decorated trees—with presents beneath—fill the art center’s halls alongside daily events, like a wine and painting party, wreath lighting ceremony, concert and block party. Local businesses chip in to

make the magic happen, assembling handsome arbors to be raffled off in support of Goodwill of Southwest Florida and the art center. sbdac.com

Dec. 6 and 7

Christmas in Naples at Fifth Avenue South

Roam through the city’s historic Fifth Avenue South unimpeded as traffic shuts down to make way for a skating rink, live music,

appearances from Santa, and shopping and dining during this two-day holiday extravaganza. Bring the whole family out on Friday night for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

fifthavenuesouth.com

Dec. 6 and 7

Sanibel and Captiva

Luminary Holiday Stroll throughout the islands

The resilient islands’ beloved luminary strolls return after

Part of her Daydreaming exhibit, artist Niki Butcher’s hand-painted photographs are on display at Marco Island Historical Museum through February.

2023 CHAMPS Lydia Ko - Jason Day

Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón

Hurricane Ian halted the festivities. Miles of lanterns illuminate the islands’ many walkable paths, starting with Sanibel on Friday and Captiva on Saturday. Meet with Santa, catch a live nativity scene, dance to live music and find merriment at the many local shops. Expect extra sparkle as Sanibel kicks off its 50th-anniversary celebration, spanning through 2025. sanibel-captiva.org

Dec. 6-8

Toadfrog at Koreshan State Park, Estero

Southwest Florida’s thought-provoking nomadic theater troupe, Ghostbird Theatre Company, takes flight with a new season and new play that director and playwright Barry Cavin describes as “mysterious and delightful.” Performed

inspiration from portions of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. ghostbirdtheatrecompany.org

Dec. 9

A Seraphic Fire Christmas at Moorings Presbyterian Church, Naples

Part of the vocal ensemble’s South Florida seasonal tour, A Seraphic Fire Christmas exalts the Grammy

Guest conductor Anthony Trecek-King returns to lead the chorus through favorites like “O Come All Ye Faithful” with his trademark emotive style. seraphicfire.org

Dec. 9-15

Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburón Golf Club and The Ritz-Carlton Naples

This unique competition sees

29th annual storybook ball

pirates of the caribbean

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2025

6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

MARRIOTT SANIBEL HARBOUR RESORT & SPA

HONORING CALIFORNIA CLOSETS

GRAND PATRON SPONSOR

Scan for Tickets & Sponsorships

MEDIA SPONSOR EMCEES

AMANDA HALL & MATT DEVITT

Fort Myers’ Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center opens its doors for a creative display of decked-out holiday trees from December 5 to 8.

Breakthrough T1D Gala Naples Elite Jets Hangar 125 Aviation Dr S, Naples, FL 34104

5:30 PM – 11:00 PM

Gwendolyn Heasley

2025 Gala Chair

2025 Gala Chair Emeritus JAN 31 2025

Jessica Shwedel

Courtesy Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center

Featuring Dennis Quaid

A Grateful Thank You to Our Sponsors

David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health is committed to providing lifesaving and life-changing behavioral health care to individuals in need across our community. Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our sponsors, Sound Minds 2025 is set to make an even greater impact. Your support empowers us to transform lives and strengthen the mental well-being of those who need it most.

This spring, award-winning actor and singer Dennis Quaid will join DLC for an evening of moving stories and hope. DLC’s signature event Sound Minds raises critical funds to directly address the staggering mental health crisis in Collier County.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors for making this event possible. Your dedication to our mission ensures that every individual, regardless of their ability to pay, can receive the care they deserve.

joy complimentary morning yoga on the fairway, and in the evening, head to the Tiburón Driving Range for the fifth annual Live Fest concert, with performances from American Idol alum Lauren Alaina, “Iris” band Goo Goo Dolls and Nashville country rockers Old Dominion. grantthorntoninvitational.com

Dec. 10 — Jan. 12

Fully Committed at Florida Repertory Theatre, Fort Myers

Award-winning director Gus Kaikkonen brings this oneman comedy to the Artstage Studio Theatre. The madcap performance—a mix of 40 characters—follows an unemployed actor named Sam who works the reservation line at a busy New York City restaurant where everyone is desperate for a seat at the table. floridarep.org

Dec. 11-31

Climbing the Art Ladder at Aldo Castillo Gallery, Naples Colombia-born sculptor Ancizar Marin’s newest exhibit, Climbing the Art Ladder, offers a playful, 3D twist on Pop Art. Inspired by Andy Warhol, the artist integrates modern technologies, like printing and Polaroids, into his metal wall structures, a series of human and animal

figures that can be moved around using magnets. aldocastillogallery.com

Dec 14

Naples Philharmonic Masterworks: A

Midsummer Night’s Dream at Artis—Naples

This Shakespearean musical performance begins with the world debut of Kazakh composer Meilina Tsui’s

6 p.m. | The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Beach March 8, 2025

Join us as we illuminate the impact of our care team and raise funds for nurse education and advancement programs. From vibrant storytelling to enchanted experiences, be part of an elegant evening that inspires and empowers generations of caregivers.

TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS

For more details, visit NCHmd.org/NCH-Ball

Watch 16 PGA and 16 LPGA pros compete for $4 million at the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburón Golf Club.

Courtesy Tiburón Golf Club

Floridian Symphony, followed by Felix Mendelssohn’s iconic “Violin Concerto,” featuring renowned violinist James Ehnes. London-based actor Tama Matheson joins the philharmonic for the night’s closing number, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, reciting lines from the Bard’s original play. artisnaples.org

Dec. 17

Zach Bartholomew Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas at Tribby Arts Center, Fort Myers

In this playful holiday concert, award-winning pianist, composer and educator Zach Bartholomew and his trio offer a nod to Peanuts with compositions from Vince Guaraldi, best known for the music of Charlie Brown. tribbyartscenter.com

Dec. 19

The Dauntless Dr. Snyder — Physician, Hotelier, and Politician in the Swamp at Museum of the Everglades Museum manager Thomas Lockyear shares photographs and tales from the Snyder family’s collection—which was recently donated to Museum of the Everglades— telling the story of Dr. Kenneth E. Snyder, a ‘50s

Everglades City resident who impacted many lives by supporting education, business, hurricane relief and community health. colliermuseums.com

Dec. 20-22

Home for the Holidays at TheatreZone, Naples TheatreZone’s seasonal staple and original production—from the minds of company founders Mark and

‘Tis social season once more, and what a gift to celebrate the enchantment of theatre amongst friends! Join us for an evening of starlit splendor at the Ritz-Carlton, Tiburón. Delight in an extravagant feast, exquisite spirits, and glamorous entertainment while you don your nest gowns and tailored suits.

Chaired by Wilfredo Emanuel, Wilfredo Emanuel Designs

Co-Chaired by Pamela Calligaro Friday, March

Royal

Karen Danni—returns with new twists on classic holiday tunes and elaborate dance routines. theatre.zone

Dec. 21

The Nutcracker at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers Gulfshore Ballet and Gulf Coast Symphony unite to deliver a classic performance of The Nutcracker. Gulfshore

Ballet artistic directors Iliana Lopez and Franklin Gamero bring original choreography to Tchaikovsky’s magical score in this two-act show. gsballet.org

Dec. 24, 26-29

Some Like It Hot at Artis—Naples

Based on the original 1959 film, this Grammy and Tony Award-winning musical with

boisterous dance numbers makes its way to Southwest Florida via Artis—Naples’ Broadway Series. Set in Chicago during the Prohibition era, the show follows two musicians who witness a mob hit and must flee. artisnaples.org

Dec. 31

Downtown Countdown in Fort Myers River District Ring in the New Year with food trucks and vendors at this Fort Myers River District block party. Stick around late for the countdown to midnight, when a custom-made, 300-pound ball, with 2,400 color-changing lights, drops to welcome 2025 amid an explosive fireworks display. myriverdistrict.com

BARBATELLA

BROOKS BURGERS

CAFÉ ROAR BY SSA

CREATIVE CATERING NAPLES DORONA

EVENTS WITH PAIGE FLEMING’S PRIME

STEAKHOUSE AND WINE BAR

GRAPPINO

JUICELATION

K.C.’S PARROT 41

KELLY’S ROAST BEEF

MISTER 01 PIZZA-NAPLES

NARRATIVE COFFEE ROASTERS

NOTHING BUNDT CAKES

OAR AND IRON

SEASALT

SIMIT FRESH MEDITERRANEAN

SWEET CHEESUS

TARPON BAY – HYATT REGENCY

COCONUT POINT THE BOWL

GREG DEBSKI CO-CHAIR

NICOLE RYAN CO-CHAIR

SALLY BERTSCH

CASEY DEIFIK

DAN DIEKNEITE

NIKKIE DVORCHAK

KATE EDWARDS

MORGAN HILA

JEFF JEROME

SCOTT JONES

DAVID RUBEN KYLA THOMSON RYAN ULRICH

Naples International Film Festival

by Darron

Photos

Silva

Courtesy Gulfshore Ballet

Gulfshore Ballet and Gulf Coast Symphony unite for a performance of The Nutcracker at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW on December 21.

MORNINGS

Corey Lazar

Rachel Cox-Rosen

Zach Maloch

Lindsey Sablan

Taylor Petras

Dec. 31

Jim Gaffigan at Hertz Arena, Estero

Funny man Jim Gaffigan’s Barely Alive Tour makes a pit stop in Estero with a characteristically self-deprecating stand-up routine. Expect jokes about everything from marriage to weight loss to the antics of parenting teens from the seven-time Grammy Award-nominated comedian. hertzarena.com

Recurring Events

We Love

With live music on the streets, nibbles at local galleries, and shops and other fun diversions, these monthly events keep us coming back.

Dec. 6

Art Walk in the River District, Fort Myers

Downtown Fort Myers’ growing arts scene converges on the first Friday of each month. Find holiday shopping and festivities in December. Don’t miss the accompanying rooftop party at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. sbdac.com

CHAIRS

Ingrid Aielli, Rufino Hernandez & Deborah Houk, M.D.

Join us for Starry Nights, an elegant evening of dinner, cocktails, entertainment, dancing, and a silent auction, all to benefit Youth Haven. Help support the programs and services for the abused, neglected, and homeless children and teens who call Youth Haven home. Secure your Sponsorship. 239-774-2904 Events@YouthHavenSWFL.org Visit StarryNights.YouthHavenSWFL.org

HONORARY CHAIRS

Elizabeth & Stanley Star

ENTERTAINMENT: Powerhouse: Next Generation

SATURDAY MARCH 22, 2025 5:30 - 10 P.M. THE RITZ-CARLTON NAPLES, TIBURÓN 2600 TIBURÓN DRIVE | NAPLES, FL 34109

MEDIA SPONSORS

THURSDAY

FEBRUARY 6, 2025 7:00 p.m.

FRIDAY

FEBRUARY 7, 2025 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.

FRIDAY

FEBRUARY 7, 2025 6:00 p.m.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2025 12:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.

SATURDAY

FEBRUARY 8, 2025 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Life on the Gulf — Agenda

Evening for Better Tomorrows

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Entertainment by Shadows of the 60’s

Tickets are $750

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Dr. Jaclynn Faffer at 239.325.4444. BakerSeniorCenterNaples.org

Media Sponsor |

Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28

Third Street South Farmer’s Market, Downtown Naples

This family-friendly market offers fresh fruit, flowers, baked products, prepared dishes, jams, relishes, freshly roasted coffee and more. thirdstreetsouth.com

Dec. 12

Evening on Fifth in Old Naples

The shops stay open late, restaurants offer dining specials, and live music fills historic Fifth Avenue South on second Thursdays. fifthavenuesouth.com

Dec. 14

Music in the Garden at Naples Botanical Garden

On select Saturdays throughout the season, local musicians play at Naples Botanical Garden. This month, Virginia native Kelly Neff brings her signature, bold stage presence and captivating rock, funk and blues performances to the event. naplesgarden.org

Dec. 14

Naples ArtCrafters in Cambier Park

Find everything from oil paintings to handwoven baskets during the Downtown Naples festival that runs monthly through April on the second Saturday of each month. naplesartcrafters.com

Dec. 15

Cars and Coffee

Join local car enthusiasts every third Sunday to get a first-hand look at some of the neighborhood’s most luxurious cars. carsandcoffee239.com

Dec. 20

Music Walk in the River District, Fort Myers

Enjoy live music by local and regional musicians in the streets of Fort Myers’ downtown on the third Friday of the month. myriverdistrict.com

TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE

Contact us today to learn more: WineWomenAndShoes.com/Naples (239) 846-2273 (CARE) lanauhrig@naplescanceradvisors.org or mercedes@naplescanceradvisors.org

ZOO GALA, IN THE LAND OF THE CROWNED CREATURES, WAS HOSTED AT NAPLES ZOO ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024.

THE EVENT SUPPORTED NAPLES ZOO’S WORK TO INSPIRE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO RESPECT, VALUE, AND HELP CONSERVE WILDLIFE AND OUR NATURAL WORLD.

Sheliah Wall

Event Chairs

Nina Van Arsdale Christine Homan

Thank you to our generous partners

Presenting Sponsors

TANYA & DENNY GLASS

Regal Lion’s Mane Sponsors

JEANNE GUGLIELMI

NANCY & JONATHAN HAMILL

CHRISTINE HOMAN

Majestic Porcupine Crest Sponsors

Susan Gohl

Jerri & David Hoffmann

Sherie Marek

Kathryn Marinello

Beverly & Mike Neal

Ann & Senator Rick Scott

Wilson & Johnson

Thank you to our Generous Partners

Tamarin's Tiara Sponsors

JACKIE & MAX GUINN LISA & MICHAEL ULLMANN

Grand Giraffe Occicones

MARY & NICK BABSON

DANA & GREG DEBSKI

KATHRYN KENSINGTON & EDWARD CAWLEY

AMY PERRY & BRIAN DENNEY

TERRY & BOB EDWARDS

WILFREDO EMANUEL

BEVERLY FANNING

FIFTH THIRD BANK

CORTNEY & JONATHAN HOWGATE

HEIDI HUIZENGA

TERI KUHN

MARISSA COLLECTIONS

THE MCCURRY FAMILY

NORTHERN TRUST

HEWIT & BRENDAN ROME

VIRGINIA & MARK ROMETTY

SUSAN HASSAN SCHREIBER & RODD SCHREIBER

SUE & FRED SCHULTE

DYAN & JOHN SMITH

NINA VAN ARSDALE

Media Sponsors

GULFSHORE LIFE THE NAPLES PRESS

Table Design Sponsors

DENISE FOGARTY INTERIOR DESIGN

GARDEN DISTRICT

HEATHER SERRANO DESIGNS

KALEIDOSCOPE FLORAL

KC WEDDINGS AND EVENTS

LISA LONDON EVENTS

MARGARET EVENTS

MATTHEW KRITIS

TOM TROVATO EVENT FLORAL & DESIGN

VOGUE INTERIORS

ZAZOU

SHOPPING DESTINATIONS

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Turning Pointe

The art of dance has never been more alive in Southwest Florida. Ballet performances abound this month as December brings its traditional flutter of tutus and anticipated The Nutcracker performances to stalwarts like Artis—Naples and Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. And, the new year promises an even greater rise for the artform: February marks the inaugural Naples International Dance Festival, the long-held dream of United Arts Collier executive director and recently appointed member of the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, Elysia Dawn. From those early dance groups, like Jeanne Bochette’s Lee County Dance Council, which we featured in 1981, to the icon’s still-existing Dance Bochette studio in Fort Myers to the ever-growing wave of local and international performances, Southwest Florida’s cultural scene continues to pirouette forward, promising countless encores in the seasons to come.

Patrick J. carrigan, DMD Jose M. Horak, DMD eDwarD a. scHerDer, DMD, JD robert c. HeDgePatH, DMD katie n. roDriguez, DMD, Ms kurtis P. Hussey, DMD