Gulfshore Life August 2025

MICHAEL G. LAWLER PA

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68 / The Gulf’s Maker Movement

Across Southwest Florida, artisans are turning back to the elemental, crafting objects with patience, precision and purpose.

Cigar

roller Ernesto Pinero by Brian Tietz

For 45 years, PGT Custom Windows and Doors have been engineered, assembled, and delivered from right here in Florida by neighbors just like you. Our impact products helped set the code standards that protect Florida homes, and our teams are on the ground every day with the localized expertise and support to help you build stronger.

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Departments

Home

136 Alfresco: Structured ease in Port Royal

146 Talking Shop: Presenting Barrett Bergmann Home

154 Favorite Things: Wendy Berry’s stylish finds

162 Root & Rise: Hydration for Florida summers

170 Editors’ Pick: Ladder Pilates in Fort Myers

— Life on the Gulf

174

Dining Guide: 150+ essential restaurants

Home

Alfresco

136

Landscape architect Christian Busk infused Japanese and Chinese garden aesthetics into this Port Royal home’s lush greenspace.

Ed Chappell

NORTH NAPLES

2

Launched this year, Fort Myers-based Barrett Bergmann Home brings hands-on craftsmanship to everything from bathroom vanities to faux floral arrangements—redefining accessible luxury.

Dan Cutrona

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Life on the Gulf

One of Naples’ most anticipated debuts, Blackbird Modern Asian lands with cinematic style—crimson surfaces, arched entries and silk-panel walls that set the stage for a new era of ambition in the local dining scene. Find more of our go-to restaurants in the Dining Guide.

Publisher Carin Keane

Editor in Chief

Stephanie Granada

Creative Director

Scott Glick

Editor at Large

Dorothea Hunter Sönne

Assistant Managing Editor

Addison Pezoldt

Senior Editor

Emma Witmer, Arts + Culture

Assistant Editors

Annamarie Simoldoni

Visvajit Sriramrajan

Editorial Fellows

Jasmine Heckerman

Kaitlyn McCormack

Contributing Editor

Samantha Garbarini

ART

Art Director

Alberto Orta

P hoto Editor

Elizabeth Bankmann

ADVERTISING

Associate Publisher

Tess Woods

National Account Director

Wendy Tooley

Marketing Consultants

Holly Baldwin

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Meredith Parsons

MARKETING

Director of Marketing and Events

Samantha Tobias

Digital Marketing Manager

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CIRCULATION

Director of Audience Development

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PRODUCTION

Production Manager

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Fabry

ADMINISTRATION

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Jim

Reader Services

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Gulfshore

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

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

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

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

Denise Cobb Chair, Community Advisory Board Trustee, Naples Children & Education Foundation 2000 Woman of the Year

Kathleen van Bergen CEO and President, Artis—Naples 2012 Woman of the Year

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

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

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

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

Anna Nguyen (12), Brian Tietz; Courtesy Ellin Goetz

Adria Starkey

Leopoldo Baccaro, MD

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Made to Last

We’ve built a world where you can buy anything without touching it, talk to anyone without meeting them, work without leaving your house. It’s efficient—but it can also feel hollow.

The things we remember aren’t the fastest or the easiest, but the ones that required something of us: time, attention, presence.

Our first Made in Southwest Florida edition highlights people who’ve chosen a different pace. From artisans reviving bottarga and broomcorn to creators experimenting with biocomposites, these makers are committed to doing one thing well—through repetition, with patience and precision that’s increasingly rare.

Their work doesn’t romanticize the past. These artisans choose the harder path because it leads to better outcomes—more lasting objects, more grounded

relationships to work and time. Part of the reward lies in the process: hands moving, mind steadying. Carving, sewing or welding something into being demands attention. And over time, those acts shape our culture. Craftsmanship creates jobs that can’t be outsourced, knowledge that gets passed down, and communities built around shared practices and ideas.

Taken on a personal level, these pieces serve as markers. The white wooden clock in my kitchen, hand-carved to resemble river stones, brings me back to a week I spent on assignment in the Smoky Mountains. Around the corner, the Matt Shlian paper sculpture I picked up at Naples’ Method & Concept still stirs a sense of awe. The precision behind each fold makes the static material feel like it’s in motion. Every handmade piece celebrates a moment when we slowed down long enough to notice something worth keeping. This magazine works the same way.

Each issue is crafted deliberately, without shortcuts—meant to be held, read, and returned to. There are no algorithms deciding what you see next, no notifications. Just pages you turn at your own pace, and stories that unfold as slowly as they need to.

Thank you for being here— making, supporting and valuing work made with heart.

Stephanie Granada Editor in Chief

Anna Gunselman

Vision in Action

There is something inspiring about the creativity and resilience found right here in Southwest Florida. New people arrive on the scene with innovative ideas; storied institutions uphold the traditions we hold dear—this month’s issue celebrates that spirit.

In our August feature, we spotlight the makers, artisans and creators pouring their skill and vision into products made in our backyard. From handcrafted goods to inventive new ventures, these efforts remind us why it’s worth investing in what’s built close to home—and how these individuals continue to shape the fabric of our community.

The spirit of innovation and focused action extends beyond the artisan world, too. This month, we’re proud to share our annual Women Visionaries special section, highlighting the

women leading with purpose across the region. These individuals are more than business owners or executives—they’re mentors, philanthropists and changemakers. Their stories show what’s possible when determination meets vision, and we hope they inspire you to pursue your own bold ideas and uplift the women around you who are driving our community forward.

I also want to share an important update: Jim Schwartzel, President of Gulfshore Life, has announced his candidacy for Congress in 2026—an exciting new chapter for him personally.

As he takes this next step, we want to be clear that our editorial team remains fully independent. Gulfshore Life’s commitment to delivering high-quality, unbiased journalism has always been central to the publication’s mission, and that will not change. Our stories, and the people we highlight, are chosen with care—guided by our editors, not by politics.

As we move through the final weeks of a Southwest Florida summer, I hope you find moments to slow down, enjoy the sunsets and explore the local businesses and experiences highlighted in this issue. Thank you for making Gulfshore Life a part of your month. We look forward to continuing to share what makes this region extraordinary in the months ahead.

Carin Keane Publisher

Cheryl Richards

On Location

This month’s cover shoot takes place at Cocoon Gallery’s Naples woodshop, where makers favor substance over scale.

On the Cover

Stylist Veronica Porras HMUA Duality Artistry

Elizabeth wears yellow silk pants and a top from Silvia Tcherassi; jewelry from Navarro; shoes by Alexandre Birman.

Photography by Omar Cruz

Model Elizabeth Miroshka

Right: Black crochet top by Ibraina Atelier; silk and lace skirt by L’Agence; earrings by Navarro Official.

Cocoon, opened in 2020 on Fifth Avenue South, transforms raw materials from Asia, Africa and South America into sculptural decor. Philipp Plein trench coat; Alexandre Birman heels; Wolford hosiery; vintage ring; Kimono Dragon earrings.

Cocoon’s artisans let grain, knots and natural asymmetries guide their designs. Crochet top by Zimmermann; Pucci cargo pants; Patricia Robalino Designs earrings.

Monumental geodes from Brazil and Uruguay are offered as standalone showpieces or set into elemental tables.

Silk skirt and suede flower by Wade Allyn; Brunello Cucinelli fringe embroidered cardigan; gold sandals by Alexandre Birman; Navarro Official necklace.

Biomorphic tables and twisted teak roots—salvaged, bleached and handfinished—anchor the collection.

and

Sports jacket

pants by Silvia Tcherassi; Dion Lee corset; Andrea Gomez shoes; vintage python belt.

Gulfshore Treasures

A broom made by Celia Kuruc isn’t just a broom. Crafted from hand-foraged, -stitched and -dyed materials, each tool is a tribute to generational labor and craftsmanship. As Gulfshore Life celebrates the makers who bring character and acclaim to our shores, we zero in on those who embody slow, methodical mastery. From fly tying to leatherwork to ceramics, discover the artisans behind the movement on p. 68.

Anastasia Walborn

Fibrous Finesse

Local basket makers have spent decades creating in the dark. Now, with fiber arts gaining new prominence in the contemporary art world, we explore the innovations and inspirations behind these unsung artists.

Baskets line the walls of Punta Gorda’s one-year-old Southwest Florida Fiber Arts Guild. Some have amethyst bottoms; others are woven with beads. Simple, handwritten tags hang from undulating lines of coiled pine needles and muhly grass, denoting the artful vessels’ price, title and materials.

Despite the evident artistry, there’s no signature. But a peek around the corner reveals the sculptural vessels’ maker, a petite woman with a stoic focus and shock of white hair. There, guild vice president Kathryn Erickson muscles walnut staves into a frame for bundled coils and a central fossilized shell. The 80-year-old has been practicing the art of basketry for more than 20 years, but the circular design at hand is only her second wall hanging. “I don’t know how big it’s going to get,” she says matter-of-factly. “I work on them until they tell me, ‘I’m done.’”

In Southwest Florida, a quiet class of basketry artists practices the craft on living room couches, in guilds and clubs, during downtime at their day jobs, and at markets and fairs. The most skilled local weavers hold years of experience, inventing techniques, stitches and patterns to craft impossibly complex sculptures beautiful enough for display, yet functional enough to carry home a garden harvest. Their creations take days, if not months, to complete, from foraging and processing materials to coiling and stitching.

Still, until recent years, the art world saw basketry—and fiber arts more broadly—as little more than a hobbyist enterprise, better suited to clubs and craft fairs than gallery exhibitions and museum displays. Years ago, Kathryn and her cohorts had to lobby local arts centers for fiber arts programming and fight for their place among exhibits dominated by paintings. “It’s a craft. That’s a nasty word,” she says with a sarcastic glint. That attitude seems to be changing. Over the last decade, American art hubs like Los Angeles and New York City have embraced fiber arts, coaxing smaller arts agencies to broaden their programming. Some point to the COVID-19 pandemic as the catalyst for the rise in craft arts. Others take a broader view, crediting the reclamation of stereotypical ‘women’s work’ that emerged as part of the second wave of feminism.

Regardless of the genesis of the genre’s popularity boom, the catalyst of individual creation rings true—somewhere along the line, a woman with knotted hands paved the way. She would speak in family recipe terms, explaining the art, not the science: Use a thread about this thick to connect your bundles; soak the reeds until they look right.

Nancy Weeks—known for her 15-year-old Woven Wonders stall filled with colorful, New England-style baskets at Third Street Farmers Market—learned first from a long line of family fiber artists who introduced her to the art of weaving, then from a Cape Cod teacher who applied the technique to basketry. “I think it was passed down for generations,” she says. Sanibel coiler and instructor at BIG ARTS, Gisela Damandl, was taught by a longtime Pennsylvania basketeer more than 40 years ago. Now, she devours books on modern basketry and travels the country visiting shows for inspiration—explorations that have led her to experiment with media like imported seagrass.

For Bonita Springs-based pine needle coiler Tom Firth, mentorship came from a woman he never actually met. A hairstylist of more than five decades, Tom started tinkering with pine needle baskets about seven years ago when he saw a friend’s creations. “She invited me to join the Brookdale Basketeers,” he says. “It was a group started here a long time ago by an old woman in Bonita, and I unfortunately started seeing them about

Bonita Springs pine needle coiler Tom Firth melds traditional and unexpected materials, like mismatched jewelry and dried gourds.

Florida’s natural abundance of pines and grasses makes coiling a popular technique among local makers like Tom Firth (work seen, top left) and Kathryn Erickson (bottom right). Naples resident Nancy Weeks’ (top right and bottom left) reed-weaving technique is influenced by the traditional styles of her native New England.

four months after this woman had died at nearly 100 years old.”

Though the two never met, he pored over interviews and memories shared about the club’s matriarch, and in turn, the club poured back into him—not as formal teachers, but as models of what was possible.

As Tom learned the pine needle coiling technique—a process of bundling the slender fibers and stitching them together in an ascending circular pattern—he began to experiment with a wider range of materials. Dyed needles, walnut slices and antique brooches sourced from his travels through the United Kingdom make regular appearances, as do dried gourds, which form the base of some of his most avant-garde vessels. In one, thick bundles of rich, amber needles seem to defy gravity, weaving in and out of three large holes in the gourd’s sides. In others, alcohol-based ink creates a splotchy, watercolor-like finish on gourds with yawning openings flourished by rippling coils.

Like Kathryn, who keeps a muhly grass patch in her front yard and scours parks for fibers from queen palms, and Gisela, Tom forages the majority of his materials. “I wait until somebody clears a lot or a storm knocks down a branch,” he says. “You grab the whole side of the branch and pull against the grain and pull off 200 needles at one time.” Once gathered, needles must be dried (if used green, they’ll shrink as they dry, loosening the coils and compromising the basket’s structure). “If you dry them in the dark, they dry a lighter color—that takes about a month. If you let them dry on the ground in the sun, they get that pine needle color that’s kind of an orangey brown.”

From drying onward, the consistency among Tom, Gisela and Kathryn’s approaches begins to fade. Tom never soaks his needles (a process used to prevent breakage while bending coils) and

Nancy Weeks’ hand-dyed reed baskets have been a mainstay at Naples’ Third Street Farmers Market for 15 years.

Photo: Kip Hassel

Many local basket makers forage materials, adding a grounded sense of place to their art. Kathryn harvests the native muhly grass patch in her front yard and scours parks for queen palm fibers for her designs.

only dampens his needles for the most precarious curves. Gisela soaks overnight, but only uses the wetted needles for her first three rows of coiling. For dyeing, Tom simmers his needles in an electric turkey roaster with a touch of glycerin for sheen. “To heck with the glycerin,” Kathryn says. “I tell my students to soak them for 10 minutes with fabric softener—just dampen them.”

Nancy takes a different approach altogether. Rather than following the region’s dominant coiling technique, the 71-yearold Neapolitan weaves imported oak reeds one over the other. Home-dyed reeds (“I cook them on the stove and make a mess,” she says with a laugh.) fold into intricate patterns—some taught, others adapted through years of trial and error. “At the end, I write my name and date with a burning tube on the bottom. I blowtorch the hairs off [the reeds] and stain them with Minwax, either natural or golden oak,” she says. Her creations range from simple Easter baskets—like those made for her children and grandchildren—to complex, leather-bound backpacks and vessels with swirling handles muscled together over weeks of work.

“There have been a few where I’ve gotten frustrated and thrown across the room and went back to later,” she says. After 40 years making baskets, those frustrations still happen, but only when she pushes herself to try something new. A recent commissioned project—a woven staircase rail at Naples’ Patina Collection—tested her mettle, but the results are eye-catching. For Nancy, it was just one more way to shine a light on the craftsmanship created locally and often overlooked.

Like Tom at the Bonita Springs Farmers Market, Nancy weaves baskets live at her stall. “I do it because they need to know who’s making the baskets. Sometimes I’m weaving, and they still ask,” she says, chuckling. “Each of my baskets is a work of art made by me and only me.”

Insider — Artist Profile — By Jaynie Bartley — Photography by Anna Nguyen

Shifting Scales

Bonita Springs’ teen composer-pianist, Frazar Henry, draws on modern and classical genres to craft his textured compositions.

As finals week rages on at Ohio’s Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Frazar Henry reflects on his musical career and muses about the future’s uncertainty. The insightful, often poetic composer’s steady cadence persists through the clang of nearby instruments.

Like most 19-year-olds, Frazar is charting the unknowns of adulthood and career. Unlike most people his age, he’s been a force in his field for more than a decade. The musical multihyphenate has won numerous awards for his narrative-driven composition style, from the Morton Gould Young Composer Award to first place in the Webster University Young Composer Competition. In March, the Bonita Springs-raised composer debuted his most recent symphonic selection, “Seas of Glass,” at Gulf Coast Symphony’s 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration. At Fort Myers’ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, the venue swelled with a full complement of musicians. “I wanted to use the idea of the ocean around Florida and the tumultuous waves as a metaphor for uncertainty—uncertainty in the world in general and uncertainty in my life,” Frazar says. “Throughout the piece, there are some brief moments of stability that represent the idea of being able to find a place for yourself.”

Despite successes, Frazar is still defining his signature sound. He calls himself a pianist and composer, but his instrumental knowledge—including violin, guitar, electric bass and clarinet— proves the musician’s talents span much wider. His words are equal parts measured, confident and curious, thoughts strung together like notes in a musical score. “Even though I’ve been composing for a long time already, I’m still really in the early stages of my musical life,” he says.

At 5 years old, Frazar Henry shocked his parents by crafting piano melodies by ear. Now 19, he has a wealth of instrumental prowess and composing awards under his belt. In March, the teen composer contributed a new piece, Seas of Glass, to Gulf Coast Symphony’s 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration.

In a way, Frazar started making music before he learned to read it. At age 5, he found his grandmother’s old CASIO electric keyboard and began plucking chords out by ear, little fingers crafting melodies. His mom, Sara, taught him the notes, and seeing his appetite build, moved him into music lessons at The Village School of Naples with Naples Philharmonic Orchestra’s Jeff Leigh, with a focus on piano. It wasn’t long before Frazar’s parents found themselves out of their depth—their son’s musical vocabulary expanded with each instrument he touched. The next step: bringing it all together. “I think about texture, the unique characteristics that make each instrument individual, but also the combination of sounds within an orchestra that combine to make a unified soundscape,” he says. By age 7, he’d composed and conducted an original piece, “Magic Carpet Ride,” with Naples Philharmonic Youth Symphonia.

After he spent a few years performing with and composing for the Fort Myers Mastersingers, Frazar’s parents—a film industry veteran father and former figure skater and actor mother—saw a shift in his demeanor. Childhood curiosity bloomed into virtuosic drive, and they searched the state for mentors who could channel his talents into a healthy, sustainable future in music.

Miami’s Giselle Brodsky, the co-founder and CEO of Miami International Piano Festival, helped awaken his love of piano through the Taubman method (named for her mentor, pianist Dorothy Taubman), which emphasizes body positioning and mechanics over memorization. Frost School of Music at the University of Miami professors, including electronic music professor Juraj Kojš, inspired Frazar’s explorative side, and revered professor of composition Charles Mason led the young composer to search for his sound outside of conventional stylings. Perhaps most influential, though, was Charles’ wife, associate professor Dorothy Hindman, whose knack for fusing punk and grunge music with classical nuances sparked a revelation—electronic music, rap and hip-hop were as valid a source of influence as classical and jazz standards.

Frazar’s contemporary influences are not obvious but rather heard in the texture and timbre of a piece. In his 2023 composition, “Fracture,” the composer experimented with looped electronic soundscapes, gradually increasing playback speed to create an evocative blend of discordant and harmonious notes. “One of the big draws for contemporary concert music is that there are no limits for what you can pull or draw from,” Frazar says. “Is there a narrative concept that I want to explore in the piece? What philosophical or scientific concept can I represent through music?”

The teen uses music to explore human experiences and emotions, playing one instrument off another to build anticipation or cut the listener’s expectations short. Take his 2022 piece, “In the Dark.” The work, written for flute and percussion, juxtaposes feelings of solitude through two distinct sections. In the first, a serene flute section evokes the tranquility of night. Later, the steady hum of a vibraphone dances with the flute’s sharp whistle, and the crash of a snare drum encapsulates a sudden fear of the unknown.

Though he set the stage young, Frazar remains committed to his craft—however it unfolds. Maybe he’ll add a minor in conducting or create a campus opera ensemble. Ideally, a master’s degree is in the cards, as is a musical collective—something fresh and new. As a sophomore at one of the nation’s top music programs, he’s in the right place to figure it out—surrounded by peers and educators who understand his passion. Last semester, he met a violist in the library who mentioned she had always wanted to play a song with a clarinetist. Frazar jumped at the opportunity to meld their talents, composing and workshopping a piece for her and a fellow student to play.

With each new instructor, commission and dorm room banter-turned-jam session, Frazar draws closer to his sound. Ultimately, “Seas of Glass” explores his metamorphosis from student to composer. Just as sand becomes glass through heat and pressure, his formative years—shaped by mentors and his studies—are crystallizing something malleable into a singular artistic voice.

Like any college student, Frazar is trying to find his place in a world full of possibilities, searching for his sound amid classical music, opera, and contemporary electronic and hip-hop sounds.

On March 6, more than 450 attendees wandered through foliage-framed doorways and clinked glasses over charcuterie-laden tables at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s Magic Under the Mangroves gala. During the evening, CEO Rob Moher honored John and Carol Walter for their $25 million grant. A record-breaking $100,000 live-auction bid helped push the total raised to more than $1.7 million for conservation programs in Naples.

Magic Under the Mangroves / Hosted at and in support of Conservancy of Southwest Florida

1 Barbara & Franklin Carson

2 Dave & Nancy Murray, Mike Hardman

3 Sarah & Kyle Sesslar

4 Laura Lynne Krider, Katrina Lee

5 Nancy White, Charles & Susan Armfield

6 Elaine Cole, Luann Battenberg

7 Ali Bergeron, Venanzio

& Shannon Arquilla 8 Paul Myerson, Giselle Wagner

Marcia Ramos, Jim McGraw

Felicia & Tim Brown

NCH Ball / Hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, in support of NCH Healthcare System

More than 500 attendees donned black-tie attire for Naples’ longest-running gala, held March 8. During the outdoor cocktail hour, aerialists dazzled the crowd before everyone moved indoors for dinner. NCH Healthcare System honored its 2025 Physicians and Nurses of the Year and invited patients to share their powerful stories on stage. The evening raised more than $2 million through auctions and sponsorships, supporting educational and professional development opportunities for NCH’s clinical staff.

1 Ralph & Shelly Stayer

2 Lisa Viviano Henesy, Joseph Viviano, Melinda Henesy

3 Karon & Richard Schulze

4 Dr. Aschanti Abarca Selva, Dr. Alvaro Zamora

5 Karen & Sam Smith

6 Alexandra & Dr. Roberto Cubeddu

7 Dr. Kristen Schmits, Ernesto Gavilanes

8 Brian & Denise Cobb

9 Scott & Simone Lutgert

10 Tom & Sandi Moran

NCH Ball / Hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, in support of NCH Healthcare System

1

2

3

4

5

Chris & Tiffany Tavarez

Paul, Kris & Suzanne Hiltz

Mason & Megan Rose

Kevin Beebe, Meredith Gibbons

Dawn & Lew Allyn

6 Jay & Stephanie Waltbillig, Dr. Meredith Frankel & Max Kamerman

7 Dr. Daniel & Susan Ruggles 8 Joan & Joe Williamson

Dawn & Dr. Santiago Chahwan

Gabby Song

Marie & Kyle Bacchus

Kids’ Minds Matter Signature Gala / Hosted at Arthrex One in support of Kids’ Minds Matter

1 Nicole Phelps, Bill & Debbie Toler, Michael Phelps

2 Saylor & Angela Davis, Jill Kushner

3 Anne Frazier, Breanden Beneschott, Tori Meglio, Dani Beneschott

4 Patrick & Brooke Denson, Kelly & Jason Stephens

5 Carol & Dave Anderson

On March 12, healthcare professionals and supporters gathered for Kids’ Minds Matter’s signature event. High school student Saylor Davis shared her experience with anorexia, and Olympian Michael Phelps spoke about his own mental health journey. By the night’s end, attendees had raised more than $2.6 million for youth mental and behavioral health care in Southwest Florida.

— Guest List — Photography by Lionel

Friends

of

Artis—Naples

and Darron Silva, courtesy Artis—Naples

Gala / Hosted at and in support of Artis—Naples

On March 16, patrons gathered to support a major force in Southwest Florida’s arts scene. Guests filled Hayes Hall for a special joint performance by the Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus and the a cappella ensemble Voctave. After an intimate dinner staged on the concert platform, attendees transitioned to a nearby lounge for live jazz and dancing. The evening raised more than $1.7 million to support the organization’s youth programming.

1 Zoe & Alexander Shelley

2 William & Sandra Snyder

3 Bob & Pamela Krupka

4 Patty Baker

5 Tess & Brian Manley

Decius

Sound Minds / Hosted at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón , in support of David Lawrence Centers

David Lawrence Centers welcomed 550 guests—the organization’s largest turnout to date—on March 20 at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, for its signature event supporting access to life-saving mental health care. Emmy Award–nominated actor Dennis Quaid reflected on his decades in film and his personal journey with addiction. The evening raised more than $1.5 million to help keep critical behavioral health services within reach across the region.

1

3

4

5 Garrett & Diana Richter

Camille & Richard Forman

Lisa Kahn-Allen, Celeste Lynch, Diana Bailey

Ashlee Kelly, Andrew Rath

Dr. Diane McGinty, Martin & Peggy Lamb

1 Katy Kurili, Kayla Crawford, Jessica Short

2 Vicki Pohlman, Liz Curtin, Mary Pendleton 3 Cheryl McDonnell, Jeff & Julie Diermeier 4 Nichole & Blake Beyer 5 Jennifer Trammell, Ashley Redding

Sound Minds

/

Hosted at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón , in support of David Lawrence Centers

6 Dr. Kerriann Peart, Dr. Kathryn Tapper

7 Linda & Bob Magrann, Barbara & Dr. James Collins

8 Debra Glendening, Kelly Gieser

9 Sal & John Campo

10 Scott Burgess, Sara & Dave Peterson

PROUDLY MADE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. Locally designed and crafted with precision by in-house experts.

IN-HOUSE MANUFACTURING. UNMATCHED QUALITY

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

“People see you rolling the cigar by hand, and they know it’s made with love. They know my hands move as my father’s did and his father’s before him.” —Ernesto Pinero, Bonita Springs-based cigar roller

Southwest Florida’s Handcrafted Revival

MA KE RS

IN A REGION ONCE DEFINED BY RETIREMENT DREAMS AND IMPORTED LUXURIES, A NEW CREATION STORY IS UNFOLDING. VALUE IS NOW MEASURED BY HANDS IN CLAY, FINGERS IN WIRE AND THREADS OF TRADITION REIMAGINED BY A GROWING WAVE OF LOCAL ARTISANS WORKING FROM GARAGES AND SUNLIT STUDIOS. MANY ARE YOUNG, NEARLY ALL ARE SELF-TAUGHT AND ALL ARE CARVING A PATH TOWARD SLOWER, MORE DELIBERATE WORK. WHETHER THIS IS A MOVEMENT OR A MOMENT, THE DESIRE IS CLEAR: TO MAKE SOMETHING LASTING—BY HAND, WITH CARE, RIGHT HERE.

Cheri Dunnigan | The Metalsmith

Cheri Dunnigan was 15 when she first picked up a coil of wire in a high school art class. As she twisted it into a simple brooch, she felt she was discovering a secret language, understood through repetition, rhythm and structure. “The minute I picked up the metal, I just fell in love with it,” she says.

She spent her summers immersed in metalsmithing and bobbin lace classes, then enrolled in the Cleveland Institute of Art’s five-year metals program, where she began developing the looped motifs that now define her work. “At this point, I think in [the language of] metal,” she says. “I built this beautiful vocabulary with a very simple structure.”

In her Naples studio, Cheri methodically weaves fine wire— primarily sterling silver, sometimes 18-karat gold—into tight curlicue coils that mimic lacework. She blends textile sensibility with Old World metalsmithing, forming each loop by hand, then shaping the intricate webs with heat and hammer and soldering them into airy, architectural sculptures and jewelry.

Her pieces—shown at Naples gallery Method & Concept, which Cheri credits as a force championing fine craftsmanship in the region—echo the geometry of nature and traditions like Armenian needle lace. She sees her work not just as adornment, but as a form of fluency, a dialogue between maker and medium made manifest. “Craft is becoming more visible,” she says. And with visibility comes more artisans choosing patience over speed, creating heirlooms that honor something lasting. —Annamarie Simoldoni

Claire Rohweder | The Printmaker

Minnesota-born Claire Rohweder spent childhood summers camping in the forests of her home state, quietly trailing deer with her gaze and listening for the flick of a bird’s wing. “I loved just being quiet and observing and feeling everything,” she says. “I still do.”

Now based in Naples, she explores a different kind of wilderness—one where roseate spoonbills wade through shallows and turtles haul themselves onto sunbaked logs. Claire channels those serene encounters into her work at Lady Printmaker, where she crafts hand-carved woodblock prints that capture the hush and wonder of the

natural world. Most pieces begin as a drawing, which she translates into a woodblock by carving away the negative space until the image appears in shallow relief.

She then rolls ink onto the carved surface with a brayer, presses the block into paper, and adds watercolor washes to lend warmth and life. “It’s like a meditative process,” she says, drawn to the solitude of her craft.

After a decade of visiting the area, she moved to Naples last year—and has been struck by the strength of the local arts scene. “I have never been anywhere else where it is so easy to meet artists and people who are excited about supporting the arts,” she says.— Justin Paprocki

Celia Kuruc | The Broom Maker

For centuries, settlers bound switches and twine to fallen wood to sweep homesteads from coast to coast. In Fort Myers, Celia Kuruc honors the inherent beauty in purpose and preserves the once-essential American craft with Beach Brooms.

In the 1780s, Indian broomcorn—a sorghum relative—took root in the South, powering the broom industry until the 1950s, when synthetics all but erased the hand-spun tradition. Celia’s introduction came at a Sanibel Island art show 30 years ago. “It was a heaven-parting moment—this man (storied North Carolina broom maker Ralph Gates), who looked like Santa Claus in overalls, was sewing straw together with a long stretch of colored cotton cord,” Celia says. “It was as if I was seeing a broom for the first time—truly seeing it.”

An island bartender for 40 years, Celia learned from Ralph and became a full-time artisan upon retirement. She crafts each broom by hand, making handles out of various “sticks,” ranging from black bamboo grown in her backyard to driftwood around Captiva Island. After the wood dries, Celia sands, lacquers and pairs each handle with naturally dyed broom corn grown by her family in Ohio. She soaks the straw until pliable, then feeds it into a broom winder—one foot pumping the pedal to wrap the fibers tightly around the handle. Then, she flattens and clamps the bundle and pushes a needle through the thickest part of the base, making tight stitches at one-inch intervals—a final marriage of utility and grace.

Her brooms sweep sand, adorn walls and, on occasion, sprinkle holy water (a priest recently purchased one to bless his congregation, preferring the gesture of water scattered across many rather than a touched few). At Fort Myers’ Twisted Acres Emporium, where the brooms are sold, passersby often pause before the brightly colored bristles, drawn, like Celia was, to the familiar turned sacred.

Chanda Jamieson

Michael Korchmar | The Leatherworker

In his Old 41 Road workshop, Michael Korchmar reads his hides’ stories through touch—grain patterns, weight and texture reveal the subtleties that separate good from exceptional.

The third-generation craftsman leads Korchmar, the leather goods company his grandfather founded in Ohio in 1917. Two decades ago, he moved the operation to Naples, where his son and daughter now help run the business. Often drawing from company catalogs dating to the 1930s, the Korchmars’ bags, wallets, dopp kits and accessories merge heritage craft with modern sensibilities (think: a saddlebag with slots for phones instead of notepads).

They source full-grain hides from cold-climate U.S. and European cattle, where harsher conditions produce thicker skins with fewer blemishes. The hides travel a precise journey: chrome-tanned for suppleness in Korchmar’s Dominican Republic factory, then re-tanned with vegetable extracts before returning to Naples, where skilled hands cut and stitch each piece. A single bag could require up to 76 steps.

This month’s launch of an all-American line—using Central Plains hides, Midwestern tanneries and Rhode Island zippers —represents the culmination of a years-long quest to put passion over profit. A century in, the Korchmars know artistry lives in the process—measured in every bag. —Addison Pezoldt

This month, Michael debuts an all-American line—leather goods made with Central Plains hides and stitched by hand in Naples.

Anna Nguyen (2), Brian Tietz (2)

Ernesto Pinero | The Cigar Roller

In Bonita Springs’ Flamingo Island Flea Market, third-gen Cuban torcedor Ernesto Pinero balances a freshly rolled cigar in his hand. He passes the Habano to an eager Michigan transplant and first-time client. Between the draw and exhale, two men from different worlds find common ground.

Ernesto’s craft is deeply rooted—his grandfather planted tobacco in Cuba in the early 1900s; his father opened a factory in 1951 before Castro forced the family out. “My hands move as my father’s did and his father’s before him,” he says.

Rolling since age 14, Ernesto approaches cigars’ three core components (filler, binder, wrapper) with intuitive mastery.

Once the leaves are moistened and destemmed, he begins: three to five filler leaves, from aromatic seco to bold ligero, are bunched to create air channels. A light touch is critical— packing too tightly restricts the draw; too loose creates uneven burn. His fingers glide forward and back, like a timeworn waltz. He wraps the bunch in a binder, placing the milder tip toward the end so the smoke deepens with each puff. The cigar rests in an antique zebrawood mold before getting its final wrapper, which Ernesto trims with an heirloom chaveta, or roller’s knife. A touch of vegetable glue seals the cigar. The result? A slow burn and even flavor—passed from hand to hand, from one life to another. —C.J.

Ernesto shapes his cigars in a zebrawood mold from his father’s old tobacco factory—a tangible link between four generations of Cuban craft, now carried on by his son, Emanuel.

Conrad Williams | The Glassblower

Naples glass artist Conrad Williams can’t always explain how he knows when molten glass is ready to shape. “It’s something that only comes with practice and failure,” he says.

Conrad has been fine-tuning his craft for more than two decades, drawn to an artform that demands speed, control and a high tolerance for failure. He trained under glass legend Dale Chihuly and with American glass pioneer Benjamin Moore, whose studio walkways were lined with decades’ worth of broken pieces. “I saw glass failures from all of my idols,” he says.

Today, he runs a backyard forge out of his home near Lowdermilk Park, where a rotating cast of artisans helps him execute larger commissions, like his recent sea glass-inspired installation at The Naples Players’ Sugden Theater. From gathering glass for drinkware from the 2,100-degree furnace to coaxing color into orbs, bowls and oil lamps, Conrad makes split-second decisions guided by intuition. He can read the slightest change in molten glass’ hue or texture, knowing when to add heat and when to hold back.

For Conrad, the work is equal parts control and adaptation. He recalls watching the late Pino Signoretto masterfully reattach a broken angel wing during a live demonstration. The crowd thought it was ruined, but Signoretto calmly lifted the wing, grabbed a blow torch and corrected his mistake. Moments like these inform his practice: He knows recovery from failure, not perfection, forges mastery. —Emma Witmer

Courtesy Conrad Williams

From blue crab to bottarga—Chanda transforms her family’s Gulf catch into heritage delicacies for modern palates.

Chanda

Jamieson | The Preserver

When she’s not crafting with words—writing for this magazine and her poetry—Chanda Jamieson is often found with a fillet in hand, reviving disappearing Gulf flavors through her label, The Fisherman’s Daughter. The smoked mullet spread for which she is known starts with a net tossed from a skiff’s bow, cast by kin—her dad, brother or her 7-year-old “fishergirl.”

Chanda turns their catch into the heritage foods she grew up eating—seafood salads, soups and smoked fish dips. The humble mullet is her family’s prized harvest—and one of the Gulf’s most sustainable, with fast respawn and deep local knowledge guiding the catch. The Jamiesons, among the region’s last mullet fishers, strive to reintroduce this onetime staple to our collective palate.

The Fort Myers native smokes the fish over native buttonwood logs from Pine Island. She shreds the fillets, dripping with golden fat, and adds just enough mayonnaise to bind the mixture. Her foods, primarily sold at farmers markets, now appear in other locations, including Naples wine bistro Nat Nat, which serves her mullet dip atop focaccia, sprinkled with fresh dill. Chanda sees consumer tastes shifting, rejecting technology-dependent lifestyles in favor of homegrown industries. “There’s a sense of the ‘new traditionalists,’” she says. “Younger folks are sort of clinging to these things that feel built to last, that feel sustainable, that are made by hand and made with attention and care.”

This summer, Chanda is experimenting with bottarga (salted, cured mullet roe) and bream, a snook-like fish known to old-timers as “goats” for their guttural cry. “As we realize our resources are not infinite, we return to those traditions,” she says. “We hold them closer.” —Jennifer Reed

Drew uses fur, feathers and dish scrubbers to craft lifelike flies—like a yak-hair baitfish, designed to tempt trophy-size saltwater species.

Drew Chicone | The Fly Designer

After he’d won “fly tyer of the year,” published his 17th book, won best in show—twice—and appeared in 70-plus publications, Drew Chicone wondered: What’s next? The Fort Myers saltwater fly tying master had yet to catch a record-breaking trophy on one of his designs. Game on. Last year, off Tarpon Springs, he cast his Sanibel Cannibal, a yak-hair baitfish. By day’s end, he had broken a record for his gag grouper catch. The fly is one of about 50 patterns Drew has published. Working from his Whiskey Creek workshop, the fishing guide dives deep into ichthyology, studying how fish feed and behave to craft lifelike flies, each engineered for a specific species, scenario and strike response. “A great fly needs to have three abilities: durability, castability and fishability,” he says.

He morphs fur, foam, feathers and repurposed household items—like dish scouring pads and Kool-Aid, his go-to dye— into fish, crabs and shrimp that look and move like the real thing. Early on, he counted hairs strand by strand. Now, he trims by feel, using his palm lines as guides. He wraps thread to form bodies, adds bead-chain eyes, builds movement with fibers and seals the flies in acrylic. One award-winner used foam sliced into noodle-like strips—an idea sparked midItalian dinner—to solve a buoyancy issue deer hair couldn’t. To him, making the fly makes catches sweeter. That’s why he teaches anyone willing to learn. “Catching a fish on something you create is far more gratifying than buying something off the shelf,” Drew says. “In your mind, you think, ‘I’ve tricked the fish. I’ve cracked the code.’”—J.R.

Trained at FGCU and with an MFA in ceramics from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Jordan brings fine arts training to everyday wares.

Jordan Blankenship | The Ceramicist

In her Estero home studio, Jordan Blankenship shapes clay with the grace of someone who’s logged her 10,000 hours. “I could throw all day,” she says. “It’s all about being on the wheel and having that time to explore forms.”

Her minimal, modular designs—ranging from speckled white juicers to satin-black candleholders—invite mindfulness in everyday routines. Jordan sees each piece as an invitation to slow down and find intention in routine acts like brewing coffee or setting a table. Forms begin with her daily life, developed in her studio and tested at home to ensure function drives design.

Jordan works with glazes she’s developed through years of experimentation. Some designs incorporate cork—used as built-in coasters or lids—for warmth and utility. Her approach resonates widely—from Narrative Coffee Roasters in Naples, where she made the branded mugs, to the more than 50 retailers that stock her work nationwide. As her brand grows, Jordan still throws each piece by hand, producing about 100 each week.

A Florida Gulf Coast University graduate with an MFA from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Jordan brings artistic vision and technical precision to her line. In her hands, utility becomes the highest art. — Jaynie Bartley

Joanna runs ZOA Concept with daughter Aleksandra. Her sustainable, hempcrete designs mold like clay, require no kiln and cure to stone-like finishes.

Joanna Janusz | The Sculptor

Imprints ripple across Joanna Janusz’s stone-like shelves, mirrors, floor lamps and stools. “It should be earthy, organic,” she says. The pieces, reminiscent of design greats Isamu Noguchi and Pierre Szekely, echo our coastal terrain.

The ZOA Concept co-founder relocated from Poland to Naples with her daughter and business partner, graphic designer Aleksandra, in 2023. While Aleksandra manages clients and the website, Joanna finds her creative rhythm in their home studio.

The sculptor taught herself to work with clay before discovering hempcrete, a plant-based composite made from hemp

fibers and hydraulic lime. The eco-friendly material sculpts like clay, looks like concrete, and creates shapes without needing molds or kilns. Joanna starts a project with a miniature clay prototype—which she keeps as a memento—before layering hempcrete for the full-scale version and allowing it to air-dry. “It’s my tiny collection,” the artist says with a laugh. Mineral-dyed plaster adds organic color, and sanding creates the final concrete-like finish.

Mother and daughter share their home with the commissions Joanna has drying throughout the space. Next, they’re dreaming up a line of earth-toned, hempcrete furnishings, incorporating elements of epoxy for a glossy juxtaposition. —J.B.

Tyler MacDonald | The Luthier

Marco Island native Tyler MacDonald runs his hands over storm-felled trees, reading their stories—each knot echoing branches grown and lost, rings recording the complex chemistry of the soil from which they sprang. He whittles the aged trunks into handcrafted electric guitars.

Sound waves echo through the hardwoods’ unique grain patterns, shaping the guitar’s tone. Tyler gravitates toward hurricane-split hardwoods like Cuban mahogany, a smoothgrained South Florida native whose pinkish-red hue deepens with time. A neck crafted from sinker redwood, reclaimed from California riverbeds, lends a brilliant, almost liquid sound, as if the grain’s striations were little currents set to time. “Each guitar tells a story, the same as every tree. It could be hundreds or thousands of years old,” Tyler says. “It knows what it wants to be—I just have to live with it for a while.”

In 2019, Tyler, eager to learn how to play the guitar, immersed himself in the instrument’s mechanics. Now, with over a hundred species of wood collected, the 30-year-old maker moves through his Naples Art District studio with the eye of an artist, balancing light, color and composition until a shape emerges. Using saws and hand planes, he cuts and curves harvested slabs to craft the guitar’s body, with shoulders, a waist, belly and back, while primitive chisels and sandpaper refine the head and neck. Tyler completes 10 to 15 guitars annually, each the result of years of refinement. “They have distinct personalities,” he says. “You can feel the chords vibrating into the wood—these trees turned guitars turned human song.” —C.J.

Dan Cutrona (3)

Compassionate, comprehensive women’s health care.

We always accept new patients and can often book same-day or next-day appointments.

You can choose from among our ob-gyns, midwives and physician assistants for your routine women’s health care.

We offer gynecologic, family planning, prenatal, delivery and postpartum care, as well as minimally invasive surgery.

Our urogynecologist offers specliaized treatment for prolapse, incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders.

We can perform 3-D mammograms on-site, the same day as your annual exam.

THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

Fort Myers at Park Royal 9021 Park Royal Drive

Fort Myers at The Forum 3230 Forum Boulevard

Cape Coral 1265 Viscaya Parkway

Appointments (239) 432-5858

Obstetrician-Gynecologists

Cathy Balogh, DO

Natasha Bower, MD, FACOG

David Hunter Brown, MD, FACOG

Samaris Corona, MD

Anita Del Bianco, MD, FACOG

Sarah DiGiorgi, MD, FACOG

Deidra Duncan, DO

Aparna Eligeti, MD, FACOG

Kevin Fleishman, MD, FACOG

Blaise Kovaz, MD, FACOG

Sarah Krauss, MD, FACOG

Richard Murray, MD, FACOG

Shannon O’Hara, MD, FACOG

Kathleen Shimp, MD, FACOG

Urogynecologist

Cathy Dahl, DO, FACOG

Midwives

Amy Borkowski, CNM, MSN, APNP

Theresa Buckley, CNM, DNP

Kerry Calavano, CNM, MSN

Sarah Lee, CNM, MS

Sandra Lewis, CNM, MSN

Tammy Luettich, CNM, MSN

Carol Roth, CNM, DNP

Heidi Zielinski, CNM, MSN

Physician Assistants

Sydney Dakos, PA-C, MPAS

Olivia Hovis, PA-C, MPAS

Hope Kohlbus, PA-C, MPAS

VISIONARIES WOMEN

Shaping the futu r e of SWFL

We

the

Naples native and Naples High School graduate Dr. Nikki Bechtol treats every patient like family — from infants to seniors, athletes to pets. As founder of Bechtol Chiropractic & Wellness Center, she delivers personalized, hands-on care to improve movement, relieve pain, and restore quality of life. She’s also a certified animal chiropractor, offering gentle care for dogs, cats, and horses. Compassionate, connected, and community-driven — that’s the difference.

DAWN BELAMARICH President & CEO

JOSEPH CAMPBELL ”

The privilege of a lifetime is to be who you really are and to encourage others to do the same.”

Community and collaboration are not just buzzwords at Collaboratory; they are guiding principles. By bringing community partners together, they develop opportunities that drive long-term impact. No single entity can solve the multitude of challenges surrounding education, the workforce, housing, mental health, access to food and many others. Collaboratory convenes partnerships that move key data points in the right direction and creates systems that ensure long-term, sustainable change across the five counties in Southwest Florida.

KATHY BIGHAM Founder and CEO

Captivating the Southwest Florida community with a concierge shopping experience, Kathy Bigham and her team at Bigham Jewelers are known for their unparalleled expertise and personalized service. For nearly 30 years, Bigham Jewelers has represented the epitome of elegance and sophistication in our region – garnering a loyal following as they craft countless unforgettable moments for their fine jewelry clientele.

A specialist in internal medicine, Dr. Diane Brzezinski has been practicing in Naples for over 25 years by helping patients take ownership of their health through education and a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Brzezinski is lauded as one of the most highly experienced and trusted providers of diVaTM Laser Vaginal Therapy in the country. Countless men and women across Florida have had their lives changed through bio-identical hormone replacement therapy with Dr. Brzezinski’s guidance and care.

KRISTEN COURY

Founder, CEO and Producing Artistic Director

You’ll see it when you believe it.”

—WAYNE DYER

Kristen Coury often describes herself as a founder, an entrepreneur and a manifestor—and it’s true. Kristen’s grit, perseverance and entrepreneurial skills enabled her to weather every storm. She has grown Gulfshore Playhouse into a $15 million enterprise that has generated more than $20 million in economic impact. First, she visualized and then created the new iconic landmark at the gateway to downtown Naples.

ERICA CURRENT Owner/Founder

Erica Current is a results-driven leader in advanced aesthetics and founder of The Skin Room. She is dedicated to making a positive impact by combining her passion with clinical excellence. Known for her personalized approach, Erica creates custom treatment plans tailored to each client’s needs. With a focus on reversing and preventing signs of aging, she delivers transformative results using cutting-edge technology, science-backed skincare, and a deep understanding of the skin’s natural healing process.

MEGHAN DAVIS-PEREZ Co-Owner

Meghan Davis-Perez, co-owner of Keystone Custom Homes, grew up watching her mother break the glass ceiling as one of the first female home builders in Southwest Florida. That early exposure ignited a passion for construction and a commitment to excellence. Meghan builds successful custom home renovations on relationships with open communication. She credits Keystone’s growth and stellar reputation to the trust built with clients, ensuring projects are truly a collaborative experience from start to finish.

BONNIE DOUGHTY CEO, Owner & Visionary

At Glass Design, Bonnie Doughty’s team believes luxury is a feeling. They create bespoke glass and door solutions that transform everyday spaces into extraordinary statements. As a woman-owned, family-run company, their passion lies in timeless designs with flawless execution. From curated styles to fully custom creations, every tailored detail reflects the beauty, comfort and quality clients deserve. They don’t just design glass and doors; they open the door to elevated living.

KERRY EDWARDS, CFP®,

CHFC®,

Senior Wealth Investment Advisor

CAIA®

Providing the clarity, perspective, and care to help clients achieve longterm goals with peace of mind.”

Each financial journey is as unique as the family’s story. At Wilmington Trust Wealth Management, Kerry Edwards brings over 25 years of experience, helping families in Naples and across the U.S. navigate today’s complex financial landscape. Specializing in legacy planning, investment management, retirement planning, and intergenerational wealth transfer, she works to ensure her clients’ vision and values are honored. As part of M&T Bank, her team integrates robust banking and lending capabilities with Wilmington Trust’s premier wealth services, delivering bespoke financial solutions that evolve with client needs over time.

Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Dr. Gill has distinguished herself as a consummate artist in the fields of aesthetic breast surgery, surgical facial rejuvenation, body sculpting and anti-aging.”

The Naples Aesthetic Institute, a premier boutique plastic surgery practice and Med Spa, offers both surgical and non-invasive options. As a plastic surgeon and female physician, Dr. Kiran Gill has a keen understanding of her patients’ needs and cosmetic goals. The all-female team is dedicated to providing best in class services to patients who seek a combination of customized treatment, caring teamwork, and exquisite, natural results.

LINDA GOLDFIELD CEO

Linda Goldfield is a purpose-driven leader dedicated to creating a sanctuary for abused, neglected, and homeless youth. As CEO of Youth Haven, the only emergency and residential shelter for ages 6–21 in Collier County, she ensures children find home, hope, and healing. Her leadership is rooted in integrity, compassion, and collaboration. Linda forges community partnerships that strengthen the safety net for vulnerable local youth, inspiring change and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of children in crisis.

and Enriching Lives Through Fine Art.”

SALLIE HIRSHBERG Founder and CEO

SH Modern’s founder and CEO, Sallie Hirshberg, is a fine art historian, curator and masterworks expert. She established and led a successful fine art gallery for over 20 years in the heart of Boston. With deep industry knowledge, she helps collectors acquire rare, museum-quality works that transform private and corporate spaces. Known for her lifelong record of trust with discerning clients, Sallie has grown SH Modern into a premier destination for collectors seeking value and inspiration through art.

“ Salvador Dalí, Original Hand Colored Etchings”

JENNIFER JOHNSON Owner

Jennifer Johnson is a multifaceted entrepreneur who is actively involved in her community. She is the proud owner of True Fashionistas, Florida’s largest lifestyle resale store, and The Confident Entrepreneur, which encompass her podcast, professional speaking and small business coaching/online academy. Jennifer serves as an inspiration for female business owners as she demonstrates that it’s possible to be successful in business while also making a difference through giving back to the community.

LISA KAHN CEO, Founder and Chief Design Officer

In Lisa’s world, interior design transcends mere aesthetics—it is an opportunity to create spaces that nurture us and enable mindful living. Lisa Kahn Designs views their work as the creation of sanctuaries, drawing on the profound connection between the human spirit and the built environment. Through their work, by instilling beauty and harmony into their external world, they strive to bring peace and purpose to people’s lives.

Because getting dressed should feel like becoming her.”

JENNIFER KALLSTROM

Owner and Founder

Love, Celine is a Naples and Bonita Springs boutique with chic fashions for modern women. Founder Jennifer Kallstrom combines her Swedish roots and Florida upbringing for a curated clash of minimal European elegance and bold, feminine flair. With a keen eye for style and a passion for empowering women through fashion, Jennifer hand-selects each piece to help build an elevated and effortless wardrobe.

Anna Landolac’s design firm is rooted in culture, shaped by community and guided by heart. Driven by the motto “Bespoke interiors, refined living,” Anna designs spaces that speak. Every interior reflects a story of strength, identity and vision. Her work is personal, purposeful and grounded in the belief that beauty should be both empowering and accessible, because when our spaces reflect who we truly are, we don’t just live, we rise.

DR. CHERYL L. MALICK, DMD Dentist/Owner

Dr. Cheryl Malick celebrates 22 years of serving our community at Dental Excellence, her privately-owned, state-of-the-art office. Dr. Malick is an honors graduate of the University of Florida Department of Biomedical Engineering and the University of Florida College of Dentistry. Dr. Malick sincerely thanks the Naples community, her family, and her patients for their continued support and patronage during the past 22 years and looks to continue to fulfill her vision of providing Dental Excellence to the Naples area.

AMANDA MANCUSO

Every detail of your vision matters. My goal is to protect and restore the sight that helps you experience life to the fullest.”

MARILYN A. MÁRQUEZ, M.D. Medical Retina Specialist

Fellowship-trained ophthalmologist and retina specialist Dr. Marilyn A. Márquez is dedicated to preserving sight, blending compassionate care with advanced technology. Certified by the International Council of Ophthalmology, she trained at Duke Eye Center and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Márquez offers cutting-edge treatments for retinal conditions, including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. She was among the first in Southwest Florida to provide FDA-approved light therapy treatments for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

DONNA MCGINNIS President & CEO

As President & CEO, Donna McGinnis oversees Naples Botanical Garden, a world-class cultural institution and an engine of applied environmental science. In addition, Donna currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for the American Public Gardens Association. She’s also a member of Botanic Garden Conservation International’s International Advisory Council and on the Board of Directors of the Florida Suncoast Chapter of the International Women’s Forum.

ALINA MIZERNIUC

Managing Principal, Southwest Florida Offices

True leadership is rooted in service. When we listen deeply, lead boldly and uplift others, we create a legacy that extends into the heart of our communities.”

CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) believes relationships drive results, and communities thrive when people are the priority. As managing principal of office, Alina Mizerniuc brings vision, empathy and strategy to Southwest Florida’s evolving business landscape. She embodies CLA’s promise to empower clients, mentor colleagues and build bridges across the community. Her journey is a testament to the power of connection, courage and community-driven leadership.

You define your own life. Don’t let others write your script.”

Owning a restaurant isn’t for the faint of heart, but Emily Monty continues to bring new energy to one of Naples’ most historic landmarks. Known for its eclectic and nostalgic southern charm, Spanky’s was once a Naples “hidden gem”. However, it’s no secret anymore. Emily learned at a young age that success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you’re doing, you will be successful.

A seasoned professional ranked in the top 1.5% of Realtors in the USA, Amy’s focus lies in providing elevated service by listening to her customers’ needs, paying sharp attention to detail, and offering solutions to navigate the ever-changing market. With over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, Amy spent over half that time specializing in the custom home market before bringing her skill set to customers in the Naples luxury market.

Founder & Co-Owner and

Co-Owner

Every frame tells a story—honoring your memories with excellence and heartfelt artistry.”

At Olive Branch Studios, Hope Synod and Carly Langlands transform the beauty of life’s most significant moments into lasting keepsakes through skilled floral preservation. They provide personalized, high-quality services to capture and celebrate memories from weddings, special occasions and everyday milestones. By combining thoughtful craftsmanship with heartfelt care, they create timeless pieces of art that preserve the essence of each unique story.

Hope Synod

Carly Langlands

STEPHANIE PARADISO Founder and Chief Strategist

Stephanie Paradiso is a multifaceted entrepreneur, agency owner and published author. As the founder and chief strategist of Inspired Social Collective, a full-service marketing agency, she brings unmatched creativity and expertise to every project. Born in New York City and now based in Southwest Florida, Stephanie has more than a decade of experience in brand storytelling, content creation and campaign development, instilling confidence in her ability to help visionary women grow bold, iconic brands.

Strive to do great things in life, always have a goal.”

SUSAN POWELL

Co-Owner, President & CEO

Being a small business owner is not for the faint of heart, but after 10 years, Susan Powell wouldn’t have it any other way. Sweet Liberty Catamaran has survived two major hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic, serious red tide issues and a slew of other challenges over the years. Susan has learned to stay persistent and persevere through the tough times. She hopes her two daughters can be “boss ladies” in their future, too.

No family should have to struggle alone.”

In childhood, Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together, experienced the power of community as church volunteers rallied around her family in a time of need. It shaped the trajectory of her life and career in child welfare, eventually inspiring the creation of Better Together. The nonprofit is on a mission to build strong families and communities through loving and meaningful connections, work opportunities, and short-term care for children while parents get back to flourishing.

I help people become their greatest leading themselves and others.”

SUE RYAN Founder

Founder of The Caregiver’s Journey and Sue Ryan Solutions, Sue Ryan is an executive coach, speaker and author who empowers others to maximize their potential. With over 40 years of experience navigating business leadership and her own caregiving roles, she coaches leaders and family caregivers, as well as helps organizations support caregiving employees. Sue co-created the award-winning The Caregiver’s Journey podcast for dementia family caregivers, authored bestsellers, is a TEDx speaker and certified hospice volunteer.

sue@thecaregiversjourney.org | sue@sueryan.solutions | caregiversjourney.org

SUZY BETH SARVER

President & CEO of Bee Shining Media Group, Inc.

I’m here to align Lady Bosses in the community so they may amplify their message and achieve results.”

A coach, consultant and cheerleader for entrepreneurs, Suzy Beth Sarver of Bee Shining Media Group Inc. provides inspiration, encouragement and helpful advice to women via her monthly event- The Ladies Power Lunch. This impactful, high-energy luncheon provides programs and resources for women in business and those looking for a positive and uplifting experience. Find The Ladies Power Lunch in Naples, Estero, Ft. Lauderdale and three additional cities slated for 2026.

AMBER SCHWARTZ Owner

As your wedding-planning dream team, Amber Jane Weddings goes above and beyond to bring a vision to life that’s uniquely yours. With over 10 years in the wedding industry, Amber’s favorite aspect is the people. She was born and raised in Naples, which contributes to her love and knowledge of the area. She has built relationships with exceptional vendors who share her passion for crafting unforgettable memories for couples on their special day.

Photography by Rachel Platt Photo

Your No. 1 trusted partner in real estate success.”

BRITTANY SKOTAK

Luxury Real Estate Visionary

Brittany Skotak brings over a decade of expertise in luxury real estate as the visionary behind the award-winning Skotak Group. Brittany’s ability to navigate the challenges with grace, turning obstacles into outcomes, is widely respected. Clients celebrate her personalized, genuine, caring and concierge-level service.

Co-Owner & Aesthetician and Co-Owner & Medical Aesthetician

Two dynamic women, Ashley Anderson and Jacqueline Sargent, are reshaping the standards of self-care. Their mission to empower everyone to love the skin they’re in—confidently and unapologetically—has made them true visionaries in their industry. The duo focuses on leading with integrity, with a sincere passion for helping others look and feel their best. Blending expertise with a deeply personal touch, Skin Deep is a sanctuary where clients feel seen, heard and celebrated.

MEG STEPANIAN Executive Director

Deeply committed to collaboration, creativity and community, Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District’s executive director, Meg Stepanian, is pivotal in shaping the avenue’s vitality. Her strategic vision and marketing expertise elevate the district’s profile, draw visitors from near and far, and empower local businesses to thrive. Guided by a philosophy of purposeful partnerships and dynamic storytelling, she champions initiatives celebrating the avenue’s unique character, securing its status as Naples’ cultural and commercial heartbeat.

ALBERT EINSTEIN

MONIKA STEPANOVICH

President of Operations

In a world of disruption, I lead with intelligence— transforming how we pay hourly workers.”

As co-founder and president of PayDayPortal, Monika Stepanovich leads the mission to modernize the way hourly wages and tips are paid—digitally, accurately and in near real-time. The AI-powered platform connects fragmented systems to provide real-time earnings visibility and seamless payouts for the service workforce. Monika is passionate about using intelligent automation to elevate frontline employees, promote financial equity and empower women to lead the future of fintech with purpose and innovation.

A Naples resident for over 45 years, Vicki is best known for her broad civic involvement. Chief Operating Officer at luxury real estate firm Gulf Coast International Properties®, Vicki has been awarded numerous leadership awards, raised millions of dollars for the community, and is a passionate advocate for seniors, veterans, and children. She also serves on many boards including the Naples Chamber of Commerce.

RIO WILSON Founder

Rio Wilson founded Brain-Body Therapy, a mental health app that integrates exercise with therapeutic dialogue to support emotional healing, inspired by personal experiences with trauma, anxiety and depression. She earned a Master’s in Counseling from Northwestern University, gaining clinical experience and studying the mind-body connection. Her work is tailored to specific diagnoses, bridging research and real-life application, bringing both strategic insight and clinical expertise to her mission to revolutionize mental health care.

info@brain-bodytherapy.com | brain-bodytherapy.com

ANNALISA XIOUTAS President & CEO

Licensed construction professional Annalisa Xioutas has grown FFI Contracting Services into a nationally recognized remodeling firm. Her company has earned prestigious accolades, including the Women Presidents’ Organization’s 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies in North America, sponsored by American Express OPEN. The talented FFI team is dedicated to excellence and innovation in all phases of construction, providing a high-touch client experience. From commercial buildouts to whole-home transformations, FFI is your full-service design and build firm.

AMIE YAVOR

Founder & CEO

A Hollywood talent agent for 23 years, Amie Yavor is now the creative force behind Crooked Halos, a lifestyle gift shop with an elevated bohemian vibe, located downtown Fort Myers. Crooked Halos is a destination for gorgeous gifts, where shopping is an experience--not a transaction. Amie oversees the buying of standout products that set Crooked Halos apart, including jewelry, home décor, and much more. Always growing, Amie is currently scouting locations for her second store.

DANA ZEITLER Founder & CEO D-Lux Medspa

Our goal is to help patients feel refreshed and confident in their skin while offering honest recommendations and remarkable results.”

Board-certified physician assistant, Dana Zeitler, PA-C, is an aesthetic innovator and founder of D-Lux Medspa, an Inc. 5000 company. A visionary in aesthetic medicine and a passionate lifelong learner, Dana trains globally with top injectors. Dana elevates the industry through safe, effective treatments and business insights. She’s a frequent Galderma GAIN trainer, speaker and podcast host. Her unique approach, including specialized neurotoxin dilutions and biostimulatory injectables, help patients achieve natural, beautiful results.

KIMBERLY ALVORD

Luxury Real Estate Agent

Kimberly Luxury Group offers personalized guidance and unwavering support, recognizing real estate is more than a transaction; it’s about embracing a lifestyle, creating memories and turning dreams into reality. Whether buying or selling, KLG understands it’s about more than the property itself. Your goals are unique. KLG’s approach is, too.

787 5th Ave N., Second Floor, Naples, FL 34102 (239) 919-2742

kimberlyluxurygroup.com

Executive Director

As Executive Director of the Marco Island Center for the Arts and the Arts Center Theatre, Hyla Crane fosters a vibrant cultural hub. She leads initiatives that unite the community through visual and performing arts, educational programs, and public engagement, promoting creativity, collaboration, and a deeper appreciation of the arts. 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island, FL 34145 (239) 394-4221 www.marcoislandart.org

MARIA ELLIS NAVE Owner and Director

As owner and director of Dance Arts by Maria (DABM), Maria Ellis Nave instills a love for the arts and a sense of community in her dancers. She also supports multiple local children’s charities. Now in its 20th season, DABM has welcomed hundreds of students and hosts special performances all over town.

5610 Yahl Street #10, Naples FL 34109 (239) 513-6999 www.naplesdancearts.com

Founder & Marketing Strategist

Brittany DeSantis-Roper’s marketing firm, The Social Link, blends big-agency strategy with hands-on support. A seasoned pro in digital strategy, branding and content, Brittany partners closely with clients to create thoughtful, personalized plans. She shows up in a way that truly feels like part of your team.

(239) 327-1450 thesociallinkswfl.com

” SUSAN FRANTZ Founder & CEO

Rooted in Southwest Florida, Frantz Marketing blends art and insight to build brands that lead with purpose and power. The team helps businesses grow from within by utilizing strategy, storytelling and soul. They believe challenges spark brilliance, creativity drives connection and every brand has the power to make lasting waves.

(941) 677-5029 www.FrantzMarketing.com

Opportunity is everywhere for those willing to lead with intention and rise to the moment.”

There is no greater reward than seeing someone get the chance to discover their strength and shine.”

KAREN GOVERN

CEO

Karen Govern leads STARability Foundation with vision, compassion and an unwavering commitment to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. STARability has become one of Southwest Florida’s most impactful nonprofits, expanding its programs, growing its team and building community partnerships that support more than 370 STARs, enabling them to thrive.

720 Goodlette-Frank Road, #400, Naples, FL 34102 (239) 594-9007 starability.org

KATHERINE

MARX Director of Sales and Design

Headwaters Development fuses refined design with enduring craftsmanship to create homes that are both artful and resilient. Thoughtful consideration goes into every space, and each detail is built with intention. It’s the intersection of vision and execution, where beauty, function and Florida-ready strength come together seamlessly.

P.O. Box 110062, Naples, Fl. 34108 (239) 298-4351

kmarx@headwaters-development.com headwaters-development.com

Marie Grasmeier pioneered the virtual CPA office in 2009, providing a competitive edge serving individuals and businesses. Her international team specializes in tax consulting and compliance for global real estate investors and entrepreneurs. Marie is a published author and has received the President of the U.S. Volunteer Service Award for her work with the American Red Cross. 12221 Towne Lake Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33913 (239) 450-2105

www.MarieCPA.com

BARBY MERCADO Founder

BIG ENERGY Cafe, founded in 2022 by Barby Mercado, is already a two-time Best of the Gulfshore winner in the Healthy/ Organic category—boasting vibrant beverages, exquisite plates, and refreshing smoothie bowls. Mercado is not only a trendsetter, but also a trailblazer for aspiring female entrepreneurs. Thank you, SWFL, for believing in our vision and supporting our mission. CHEERS!

8646 Gladiolus Dr Ste 404, Fort Myers, FL 33908 (239) 851-4661 bigenergycafe.com

Inspire thoughtful impact through empowerment of others.”

DAWN MONTECALVO CEO

At Guadalupe Center, possibility isn’t just a promise; it’s a plan. Under the leadership of CEO Dawn Montecalvo, students from early learning through college graduate and build brighter futures. Guadalupe Center students prove what’s possible when you invest in potential. Join in creating endless possibilities that last for generations.

509 Hope Circle, Immokalee, FL 34142 (239) 657-7711 z z zvvcentger.org

JESSICA PEREZ Habitat Homeowner

Jessica Perez became a Habitat homeowner in 2012. Since then, she’s built a life of purpose. As a school counselor and community leader, she’s a powerful example of what is possible. Jessica is one of more than 2,600 families proving that affordable homeownership creates lasting change and brighter futures. 11145 Tamiami Trail E., Naples, FL 34113 (239) 775-0036 habitatcollier.org

CANDY NANKE

Founder

Welcome to LoKey, our custom hat boutique in Bonita Springs, Fl. inspired by the LoKey Ranch in Cornersville, TN. Founded by Candy Nanke, we’re an all-women team who specialize in creating one-of-a-kind experiences for all. From private parties and events to individual appointments, every guest becomes a friend. It’s our happy place—and soon, yours too.

(239) 961-2634

www.lokeyhatco.com

DR. FRANCES I. ROMERO, MD, DABFM, MSCP

Founder

A visionary in Southwest Florida, Dr. Frances I. Romero founded Shine Direct Primary Care with a heart for compassionate, whole-person care. She integrates primary care, hormone therapy, survivorship, and employee health to support each patient beyond the limits of insurance — ensuring they feel truly seen, heard, and cared for.

9470 Corkscrew Palms Circle #104, Estero, FL 33928 (239) 237-5688 shinedpc.com

Your health deserves more than a copay and a clock.”

Sister Seekers partners with carefully chosen, earlystage nonprofits to help them grow and reach their full potential.”

JULIA REISMAN AND

JAYDA REISMAN

President & Founder and Co-Founder

Julia and Jayda Reisman launched Sister Seekers to help fledgling nonprofits reach their full potential through collective giving. They distribute donations across vetted partners, amplifying the missions and impact of each nonprofit. The model nurtures emerging organizations, creating ripple effects for meaningful, long-term change in the communities they serve.

25081 Bernwood Dr., Suite 1 Bonita Springs, FL 34135 (239) 565-6318

www.sisterseekers.org

I was moved to act when I met the ‘one’—no longer a statistic—she had a name, a beautiful face and a hopeful future.”

MARY PAT WALLACE Founder

20 years ago, Naples’ resident, Mary Pat Wallace, had a vison to bring the world’s best beds to North America. Now known as the “Sleep Whisperer”, Mary Pat is committed to sourcing the highestquality, bespoke mattresses and sleep products from across the globe to curate the best night sleep.

111 10th St S, Suite 110, Naples, FL 34102 (239) 296-5497

www.TheLuxuryBedCollection.com

ANA STEVENSON President & Founder

Magnolia House is a secure, therapeutic group home for girls rescued from sex trafficking. Set on 2.7 secluded acres, it offers a safe and nurturing space with on-site schooling, recreation and trauma-informed care. Magnolia House restores hope and freedom, empowering survivors to heal and reclaim their lives.

1200 Goodlette Road N. #9916, Naples, FL 34101

info@path2freedom.org path2freedom.org

Henderson Franklin Starnes & Holt, P.A.

Amanda Dorio Wills & Trusts

Amanda Ross Tort & Insurance

Christina O’Brien Divorce, Marital & Family Law

Margaret Karakashian Business & Tax Planning

Erin Houck-Toll Health & Tax Law

Krithika Venugopal Business Litigation

Shannon Puopolo Business Litigation

Kayla Richmond Divorce, Marital & Family Law

Beth Vogelsang Divorce, Marital & Family Law

Iman Zekri Divorce, Marital & Family Law

Sharon Zuccaro Real Estate

Spencer Shaw Workers’ Compensation

Madison Tanner Tort & Insurance

Haylee Blessing Wills & Trusts

Colby Keefe Real Estate

Kelly Tackett Business Litigation

Not pictured: Lisa Goddy, Esq. and Sarah Oquendo, Esq.

HOME / Spaces, concepts and characters for inspired design

Alfresco: Structured ease in Port Royal 146 Talking Shop: Presenting Barrett Bergmann Home

Favorite Things: Wendy Berry’s stylish finds

Home — Alfresco — By Annamarie Simoldoni

Photography by Ed Chappell

Layered with Intention

Spatial constraints— including a short, streetto-bay lot and elevation codes—shaped this Port Royal garden, where Japanese and Chinese influences meet restraint and modernity.

Among the rows of showy, manicured gardens in Naples’ Port Royal neighborhood, this landscape—blending tranquil Asian aesthetics with modern sensibilities— stands apart. Designed by renowned landscape architect Christian Busk, the site reveals its beauty slowly through soft layering and deliberate restraint.

There’s no grand reveal, no over-thetop floral display to add curb appeal. Instead, a hushed border of royal palms and a veil of green island ficus conceal the green space. Beyond the natural buffer, visitors step through a freestanding trellis—an understated welcome that avoids the formality of a traditional gate. A granite-clad fountain murmurs softly nearby, setting a meditative tone that carries throughout the space.

Completed in 2021, the three-year project presented a series of design challenges. For one, the home sits atop the Coastal Construction Control Line and had to be built 14 feet above street level, creating a sharp divide between the natural and built environments. The building’s coastal modernist footprint also occupies most of the lot and required extensive hardscaping to integrate with the terrain.

Christian was left to work with small planting zones—a constraint at odds with the homeowners’ request for organic lushness and ease. “The first thing we told Christian was that we were not interested in symmetry,” the homeowner says. “We were looking for a little wabi-sabi—perfection created by imperfection.” The process became an exercise in adaptation—an ongoing dialogue between function and feeling. “It’s like a video game in a way,” the homeowner

Landscape architect Christian Busk designed geometric granite block and turf driveways to maximize limited planting space around this Naples lot, which sits 14 feet above street level. Previous spread: The two-tiered pool preserves neighboring sightlines while creating a sculptural water feature.

Layered plantings of flowering cassias, palms and angel wing begonias build upward to visually anchor the elevated home. “The house is floating in the air, but you can’t tell from the road,” Christian says.

adds. “You have to factor in constraints, and then you have the artistic elements you want to add.”

To address the incline and make the journey to the front door feel natural and grounded, Christian designed an entryway with a gradual set of shallow marble stairs broken by landings and framed by planters of swaying palms. “The house is floating in the air, but you can’t tell from the road,” the landscape architect says. Due to the lot’s linear layout, the home required two driveways—one to the front door, one to the guest entrance— further cutting into the available green space. Christian offset the hardscape’s dominance by designing the drives as geometric grids of split-faced granite blocks and turf. Because the driveways are visible from nearly every vantage point, he developed a design that worked both underfoot and from afar, using

A gradual ascent of shallow stairs broken by marble landings makes the journey to the front door feel grounded; a waterfall echoes the garden’s meditative tone.

Terraced gardens step gently toward the bay behind the home. Intentional touches—like a hidden Buddha in a shaded corner—create moments of pause inspired by China’s Classical Gardens of Suzhou.

negative space to create a clean, graphic rhythm. “Even after 45 years of designing elaborate hardscapes, it didn’t follow any pattern we’d done before,” he says.

In the front yard, plantings of flowering cassias, palms and angel wing begonias build upward, visually anchoring the elevated home in layers of green. Moments of discovery punctuate the grounds, nodding to China’s Classical Gardens of Suzhou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its layered vignettes and poetic asymmetry. Between the entryway and the garages, a stepping-stone path slips into a shaded pocket of Australian tree ferns and gingers. At the stair landing

above, a built-in bench overlooks the scene, offering a moment of pause before the final ascent.

Granite paver paths run along the sides of the home, bordered by black pebble beds planted with mondo grass, red congo philodendron and guava trees—subtle contrasts that guide the way toward the backyard and dock. Behind the home, the garden steps down in four terraced levels—part patio, part planting—softening the grade as it approaches the bay. Above it all, a raised terrace overlooks the water.

To preserve neighboring sightlines, the pool was designed in two tiers: a smaller upper basin, flush with the house, spills

into a larger lower pool. Lining the feature, slim planters filled with red candle bromeliads add a bold flourish, turning what could have been a utilitarian edge into a sculptural moment. “You had to make it beautiful, even though there’s just concrete everywhere,” Christian says. Stairs crafted from the same marble used at the front entry lend a sense of continuity throughout. Despite the refined materials and crisp geometry, the mood remains unforced and intimate. Clustered palms shelter the garden in quiet green. “The space is just wondrous,” the owner says. “It’s so private and filled with nature—it’s liberating.”

$3,995,000

Future Heirlooms

From its Fort Myers base, Barrett Bergmann Home makes the case for a new kind of luxury: elegant, functional and refreshingly attainable.

In a 110-year-old factory in Peru, Kyle Barrett sits beside an elder craftsman and watches as a decorative tray comes together over two days of shaping, edging and refining. “These items are future heirlooms, and we’ve touched every single one with our hands,” he says.

The piece was a prototype for Barrett Bergmann Home (BBH), the to-the-trade lifestyle brand Kyle launched with his partner, celebrated Southwest Florida interior designer Dwayne Bergmann, this year. After years of working around the same sourcing limitations, the pair decided to move from curators to creators. While the market is saturated with luxury, there isn’t much accessible, sophisticated utility. Most design-seekers are forced to compromise: either go fully custom (expensive, slow) or settle for prefab styles that lack character.

With a clarity of purpose, the two men set out to democratize design with the level of craft and intention usually reserved for the ultra-luxury tier. Unlike private label collections, where brands put their names on pre-existing styles, every piece in the BBH line was designed by the Fort Myers-based duo. “This has been three-and-a-half years of our lives,” Dwayne says. “None of this has happened overnight.”

In the 3,300-square-foot workshop, fittingly situated next door to Dwayne’s interior design showroom, the two ideate and sketch new concepts, while a team of four works around long communal tables, crafting floral arrangements and pouring candles into glass vessels. Patterned pillows, alpaca throws and sinuous vases fill rows of shelves, ready to be packaged and shipped off the moment they’re ordered.

Driven by the belief that our surroundings shape how we feel and live, Kyle and Dwayne tapped into their extensive network and taught themselves every part of the supply chain, from the engineering of a vanity to the weave of a sheet. By eliminating intermediaries and working directly with mills and fabricators, they’ve created a line that looks custom, feels luxurious and ships within days or weeks, not months. “You can usually hit

two out of three: price, quality or speed,” Dwayne says, citing the age-old project-management maxim. “We’re pushing the level of creativity to hit all three pillars.”

Their vision—material integrity, studio-level design and intentional craft—comes into focus with the botanical collection. “I had a floral design business in Texas for many years, and I never liked faux flowers—they were all just too artificial,” Kyle says. Dwayne, for his part, was captivated by ikebana, the Japanese floral art. He had long wanted to capture the artform’s architectural elegance in permanent installations that wouldn’t wilt or require constant maintenance. But achieving ikebana’s signature fluid curves required flexible blades of grass that simply didn’t exist in the market. “I’d been all over the world looking,” Dwayne notes.

Interior designer Dwayne Bergmann launched Barrett Bergmann Home with partner and senior vice president of design at Dwayne Bergmann Interiors, Kyle Barrett, to bring atelier-level design and materials to market—minus the six-month wait or five-figure price tag.

A centerpiece of the collection, the faux ikebana florals mark a breakthrough. After years of searching, Dwayne and Kyle developed a pliable, real-touch grass engineered to hold the artform’s signature curves.

Working out of a 3,300-square-foot workshop, the team prototypes each piece, refining forms and materials before partnering with artisans in the U.S., Peru and Italy to bring designs to life.

After three years of experimenting with alternatives, they found a Chinese maker willing to co-develop a structured, pliable material. The real-touch grass is engineered with a proprietary blend of components, mimicking the movement and rebound of natural stems. In one arrangement, a single blade winds into an open spiral, guiding the eye through a circular glass vase as a cascade of orchids spills from the top. Other arrangements flaunt feistier orange foxtails, proteas and succulents, or traditional tulips reimagined in off-center compositions.

Vases—some of which are 3D printed using a clay-plaster material to recreate the weight and texture of ceramic—make a statement without overwhelming the florals. “They’re simple and look so real,” Dwayne says. “It looks like something you’d actually get from a florist. So many faux arrangements are very layered, heavy and traditional-looking. I’m drawn to a more modern, architectural form.”

The often-overlooked bathroom was another focal point. BBH started with vanities—a category that tends to be marked by two extremes: overly ornate or sterile minimalism. Few designs feel artful and livable. Working with Ohio manufacturer Abner Henry, Dwayne designed a suite of vanities with streamlined silhouettes in solid wood and considered details. Art Deco inflections (fluting, sculptural hardware, curved profiles) nod to the grand hotels each piece is named after, including the Savoy, Delano and Aman.

Some of the most technically complex pieces come from the most seemingly basic of items: bath decor. BBH’s soap dispensers and toothbrush holders swap brushed metal or ceramic for leather wrapping, walnut finishes or horsehair textures.. The modular sets are elevated and problem-solving: This fall, the duo debuts wastebaskets with built-in toilet paper storage and discreet nooks for phones (modern life, after all) and a wall-mounted soap-andtowel combo for clean counters.

For the bedroom, the team tested more than 150 sheets and duvets, including myriad Egyptian cotton varieties, before choosing a cotton sateen made from U.S.-grown long-staple

BBH spans the full home experience—from fragrance and linens to vanities and bath accents. This fall, Dwayne and Kyle debut a ranch-inspired capsule, with future collections tailored to distinct design styles, including modern, coastal and transitional.

cotton and woven in Italy. Pillows range from memory foam to alpaca, sourced from a Peruvian mill where the animals roam free. “When you use alpaca as a duvet insert, it stays put,” Kyle says. “It’s like sleeping on a fur coat that breathes.” Fragrance rounds out the brand, with 12 scents drawing from the pair’s memories, including Kyle’s Texas upbringing and Dwayne’s equestrian background. More soaps, whole-home scenting systems and a ranch-themed design series are coming this fall. Despite its breadth, BBH isn’t just about products—it’s about authorship. Kyle and Dwayne are driven by the desire to honor the creative process and offer value rooted in expertise. There’s a sense of pride in knowing they can personally speak to how a vanity is made, how a sheet is woven and how a candle is poured. “Any designer can place something beautiful in a client’s home,” Kyle says. “But everyone wants something that’s meaningful. If you can tell them where an item comes from and how it was made, it makes it extra special.”

C O A S T A L

C O NT E M P O R A R Y

Combine the Southwest Florida coastal feel with the modern addition of hand-made blown glass, interesting shapes, or fun textures for a sophisticated twist on a coastal design We invite you to visit us in store or give us a call so we can work together to design and create something beautifully unique for your home space

Natural Selection

In each issue, we tap local design pros to share their favorite global finds. This month, W Design Interiors’ head, Wendy Berry, curates a collection that plays with nature’s darker, sharper edges. Think: faceted forms, shadowy palettes and entomological references.

Beetle by The Rug Company

In Alexander McQueen’s fifth collaboration with The Rug Company, the fashion house translates its signature mix of edge and elegance into a statement-making floor piece. Inspired by the symmetry and shimmer of beetle wings, the rug is hand-woven in Nepal from a blend of Tibetan wool and silk. The silk catches the light with a subtle, iridescent sheen, lending the pattern a sense of movement across its deep, moody tones. “It’s very cool. It doesn’t scream beetle—you have to hunt for the pattern,” Alexander says. The softness matches the visual impact: A finishing process of washing, shearing and clipping enhances the rug’s plush texture by drawing out the natural lanolin in the wool and evening the pile. The result is a rug that cushions every step while grounding the room with artful texture.

therugcompany.com

“This is the most comfortable chair I have ever sat in,” the designer says. Los Angeles–based maker Mimi London—celebrated for its made-to-order, organically inspired furnishings—hand-carves the chair’s frame from solid wood. The sculptural base evokes the folds and angles of Japanese origami, creating a form that’s architectural and fluid. A down-filled cushion over a spring core provides deep, enveloping comfort. You can specify the wood, such as poplar, oak or Sitka spruce (shown above) and customize the stain to suit any palette. “The lead time for pieces can be around 25 weeks, but it’s worth it,” Wendy says.

mimilondon.com

Courtesy Mimi London, Moss & Lam/Rocky Choi

Origami Lounge Chair by Mimi London

Walking Bear Side Table by Moss & Lam

Crafted by Canadian studio Moss & Lam, the striking, bear-shaped side table fuses sculpture and utility. The piece is hand-cast using a gypsum-cement blend, then sanded, painted and sealed for a soft matte finish that subtly reflects light. Sitting lightly yet assertively in a space, the structural visual brings heft without ostentation while providing a cool counterbalance to sun-soaked Southwest Florida interiors. “It’s very clean yet whimsical,” Wendy says of the clever, conversation starter. “Adding pieces like this makes a space feel approachable and not so stuffy.”

mossandlam.com

The

Spire Leaf Pendant 9 by Boyd

Designed by Toronto-born industrial designer Jake Oliveira for the historic, California-based Boyd Lighting, the pendant blends delicate craftsmanship with architectural presence. White porcelain forms float from curving brass stems, evoking church spires and falling leaves. Each element is individually cast and can be rotated at home to sculpt the light and adapt the silhouette to the space. A warm-glow LED array casts soft, ambient illumination, while four finish options—antiqued, blackened or satin brass, and satin nickel—allow for seamless integration into foyers, dining rooms or libraries. “I love how it staggers to create depth,” Wendy says. “It’s like having a sculpture over your table.”

boydlighting.com

In the Naples Art District, over 100 ARTISTS create world-class art in all

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

170

162 Root & Rise: Hydration for Florida summers

Editors’ Pick: Ladder Pilates in Fort Myers

By Jennifer Khosla

Inside-Out

Hydration

You can drink plenty of water and still be dehydrated. The secret lies in how your body retains and uses fluids—processes supported by minerals, steady rhythms and whole-food nourishment.

When it comes to hydration, most people think in terms of volume: Drink more water, stay hydrated. But it’s not just about how much you drink—it’s about how well your body absorbs and holds onto that water. Electrolytes power that process. These charged minerals help move fluid into your cells and keep it there. Without enough, your body can’t retain what you drink—so even if you’re sipping the recommended intake (15.5 cups for the average man and 11.5 for women), you might still feel tired, foggy or dehydrated.

During a Southwest Florida summer, when high temps and heavy sweat are daily realities, electrolyte loss happens fast. Understanding how these minerals work—and how to replenish them—can make all the difference in how you feel.

Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium carry an electric charge that drives hydration at the cellular level. They help regulate fluid movement in and out of cells, support nerve signaling and muscle contractions and maintain your blood pressure

Jennifer Khosla brings over a decade of experience bridging clinical nutrition and holistic wellness. With a background in sports medicine and advanced training in functional holistic nutrition, she helps clients optimize their health through evidence-based, natural solutions. Each month, she explores practical applications for enhanced well-being in paradise.

Anna Nguyen, Getty

While water is essential, electrolytes—like potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium—are what help your body absorb and retain fluids. Jennifer suggests getting the quenching minerals from whole foods—bananas, avocados, leafy greens, beans, dairy—rather than sugary sports drinks or supplements. Watery produce like watermelon adds variety to your hydration routine while delivering a refreshing dose of vitamins and antioxidants

and pH levels. Think of them as the conductors in your body’s hydration symphony—powering everything from your heartbeat to your reflexes.

Many minerals are lost when you sweat, but most are replenished through foods like bananas, avocados, leafy greens, nuts, beans and dairy. When levels dip, fatigue, cramps and dizziness can set in. By the time you actually feel thirsty, you’re likely already dehydrated. Some of the earliest signs of fluid loss show up in your mood, energy and focus—studies show even mild dehydration can impair cognitive function. Heat, intense workouts, illness or lowcarb diets (which lower insulin and signal the kidneys to flush more sodium and water) can all leave you parched. Caffeine and alcohol can also throw you off, giving the illusion of hydration while depleting minerals. Sports drinks and electrolyte mixes are rarely the answer, either: Many are loaded with counterproductive sugar, and some contain surprisingly low levels of the minerals they claim to replenish. Overcorrecting with supplements can also do more harm than good. Too much—especially of sodium, which many people already overconsume via processed foods—can disrupt the balance your body depends on to move nutrients in, push waste out and regulate fluid levels. Unless you’re engaging in endurance training or recovering from illness, food and water are usually enough.

To stack the odds in your favor, combine fluids with high-water-content or mineral-rich foods. Add a pinch of salt to your water to enhance cellular uptake. Consume fibrous foods like chia, lentils or oats, which act like sponges and help hold on to fluid. Watery produce like melon, cucumber and leafy greens makes for great hydration-boosting meal bases and snacks throughout the day. How you drink matters, too: Rather than chugging large amounts at once, sip steadily throughout the day to give your body time to absorb and retain fluids more effectively. Clean, filtered water is the base of a well-hydrated body. I use a Berkey at home, which gets rid of contaminants but keeps helpful minerals, unlike some systems that strip water completely. When I need a boost, one of my favorite homemade hydration drinks blends 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 cups of water, a pinch of pink Himalayan salt and a little honey. Stir, chill and sip.

Water-rich foods help keep you quenched through Florida’s hottest days—their fiber and trace minerals support absorption, retention and cellular balance. Avocado toast with sea salt delivers potassium and magnesium from the avocado and sodium from the salt. Shaved pecorino on top adds a hit of calcium.

Getty (2)

Hair Loss Restoration for Men and Women in Naples Florida

Michael F. Wisiorek, MD Hair Restoration Specialist with 20 Years of Experience.

Dr. Michael F. Wisiorek is a double-board certified physician with 17 years experience in medicine and surgery, intense and comprehensive training in hair restoration. An expert in hair restoration, he has an additional 20 years in the hair and beauty industry as an owner operator of a successful salon chain in New York. Hair restoration specialist, Dr. Wisiorek, has treated and counseled thousands on hair care, alopecia, genetics and medical/surgical options.

Author of the text book ”Growing Hair, Growing Your Business” Dr. Wisiorek is regarded as an industry leader in hair restoration. He has a deep and personal connection with hair restoration—even undergoing the FUT and FUE procedure personally! He understands the procedure from a provider AND patient perspective and can answer all of your questions. He is best suited to explain your options for the best possible outcome.

President and medical Director of hair Restoration America, Dr. Wisiorek operates high quality hair restoration offices in 4 states and has trained dozens of physicians and technicians throughout the world.

Drinking water doesn’t directly hydrate your skin’s surface—so even if you’re sipping all day, your face might still feel dry. Jennifer recommends antioxidant-rich aloe (go for gentler inner leaf juice) to promote smooth, luminous skin.

One of the clearest signs of proper hydration is a supple, healthy-looking glow—the kind that doesn’t come from a bottle. If you’re drinking water all day but your skin still feels dry, the issue may be poor retention. While water hydrates your internal systems, it doesn’t directly reach the skin’s outer layer, which relies on lipid balance and moisture retention. Consider adding aloe juice to your routine to boost your complexion. The plant’s polysaccharides and antioxidants help the body hold on to fluids and reinforce the skin’s barrier. Choose inner fillet juice with no additives, as it’s

gentler and better tolerated than the bitter, laxative-prone whole leaf. Add it to a smoothie or pure orange juice, or take it straight on an empty stomach. If you make your own aloe juice at home, start with 1 tablespoon and gradually work up to about 1 ounce.

With the right tools—minerals from whole foods, clean water and consistent habits that support absorption— hydration becomes second nature. Electrolytes are the piece many people overlook, especially in the summer heat. Support their function, and steady energy, focus and glow can follow.

Gravitational Pull

Our Pilates devotee assistant editor tests out Southwest Florida’s first Fuse Ladder studio, a vertical take on the classic workout.

Fort Myers’ Happy Life Movement looks more like a jungle gym than a Pilates studio. Opened last year, it’s the only local facility specializing in classes using the Fuse Ladder, a relatively new, wall-mounted machine rigged with rungs, springs, straps and push-through bars for gravity-assisted workouts.

Despite five years of Pilates experience, I’m initially intimidated by the approach that reimagines the practice through standing, climbing and hanging movements. But, after 20 minutes, I’m hooked. Owner Carolyn Bell leads our group of four through hanging L-sits. Swinging my legs reminds me of childhood play, but my burning core confirms it’s a serious workout. “Three … two … one …” she says. “And now we’re going to hold.” Carolyn, who trained under Joe Pilates protégé Ron Fletcher, focuses on injury recovery and prevention. Last year, she had an emergency spinal fusion—which typically sidelines patients for at least six months. She credits the ladder for getting her back in the studio in 12 weeks. “I can do lunges and backbends because the equipment [takes the pressure off] my back,” she says.

The 50-minute classes layer breathwork, strength, calisthenics and stretching with progressive intensity. As we move into a ladder-supported handstand, Carolyn assesses each participant, coaching beginners to modify and advanced students to go fully vertical. “I form the class based on the bodies in front of me,” she says. Classic moves like footwork—lifting and lowering heels from different positions—are more intense when done upright. Gravity deepens the burn.

By the end, I feel two inches taller. My spine and hamstring tension have melted. “That’s the beauty of the ladder,” Carolyn says. “The same effort produces better results.”

LIFE ON THE GULF / Flavors, institutions

and experiences shaping our culture

DINING GUIDE

In Naples, Rebecca's Cocktail & Wine Bar expertly pairs gourmet surf-and-turf dishes with premier bottles.

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.

COLLIER COUNTY

NAPLES

SOUTH NAPLES

Island Gypsy Café & Marina Bar

292 Capri Blvd., (239) 3941111. theislandgypsy.com. A go-to on Isles of Capri, 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

Osteria Capri

387 Capri Blvd., (239) 9705721; 918 N. Collier Blvd., (239) 388-4081. osteriacapri. com. Chef AJ Black creates Italian pizza, pasta and seafood specialties from

waterfront fish houses on Isles of Capri and 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

Campiello/The Club Room

1177 Third St. S., (239) 435-1166. 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

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

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

$$$$ STEAK b 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

Mediterrano

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

$$$ MEDITERRANEAN o

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

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 dining room. $$$ MIDDLE EASTERN o

Bistro 821

821 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 2615821. bistro821.com. An open kitchen serves a menu filled with creativity, including its original

Neapolitan pasta and seafood dishes. $$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

Bontà Bakery

824 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 2346631. bontabakery.com. Italian pastry chefs use traditional ingredients to prepare pastries, pizza, sandwiches and gelato.

$ ITALIAN o p

Chops City Grill

837 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 262-4677. 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 with breakfast, lunch and in-season weekend brunch.

$$ ITALIAN b o

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

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

$$$ FRENCH b 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) 2625787. keewaydins.com. The restaurant's approach to coastal American fare takes a global twist.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o v

La Pescheria/ Molto Trattoria

474 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 316-7322 (La Pescheria). lapescherianaples.com; (239) 261-5853 (Molto Trattoria). moltonaples.com. The Neris' Italian standbys offer fresh seafood (La Pescheria) and classic comfort recipes (Molto) within steps of each other. A darling wine bar, Casa Neri, sits 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 Vietnamese cuisine.

$$$ 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

Sendo De Cafe

534 Park St., (386) 338-7986. Ichi Togarashi owners serve boba tea, udon, onigiri, sandos and desserts at this Japanese cafe. $ JAPANESE

Sushi Thai Downtown 898 Fifth Ave. S, (239) 430-7575. sushithaidowntown.com. Find a mix of sushi and Thai dishes at locations throughout Collier and Lee counties. $$ PAN-ASIAN o p

Truluck’s

698 Fourth Ave. S., (239) 530-3131. 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

Blackbird Modern Asian 1500 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 9442473. blackbirdmodernasian. com. Lavish, retro, Shanghaiinspired interiors set the stage for modern Asian plates and a standout craft cocktail program.

$$$$ PAN-ASIAN o p v w

The Claw Bar/

The London Club

221 Ninth St. S., (239) 231-3912. theclawbar.com. The best oysters and chilled 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 Mini Bar/The Alley

1200 Central Ave., Suite 105, (239) 428-3101. districtnaples. com. A culinary hub in Naples Design District, with sexy sushi bar District, speakeasy Staff Only, alfresco The Mini Bar and '90s-themed The Alley.

$$$ SEAFOOD/ MODERN AMERICAN b o

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) 2286351; 8856 Founders St.,

(239) 529-1559. thelakepark diner.com. The casual locale has organic fare with vegan options, and diner classics.

$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o p

Limón Rooftop Bar

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

A stylish interior meets an outdoor poolside area, with lively bar drinks and Mediterranean fare.

$$ MEDITERRANEAN o

LoLa 41

560 Ninth St. S., (239) 3993300. lola41.com. Influenced by the cultures along the 41st parallel north, Lola 41

excels at sushi and bistro-style plates. $$$ PAN-ASIAN o

Mimoto

71 Ninth St. S., (239) 247-6498. mimotonaples.com. The latest venture from Ichi Togarashi head June Dispongsa and chef Somi Teamtanong, this Japanese dining hub specializes in sushi and sake.

$$$ JAPANESE 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

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

$$ CHINESE

The Rooster Food + Drink

600 Goodlette-Frank Road N., Suite 101, (239) 228-5973. theroosternaples.com. Comforting, Southern-style breakfast and fast-casual lunch served seven days a week.

$$ AMERICAN b o p

Tong Yin

75 Ninth St., (239) 331-4961. tongyinnaples.com. From Ichi Togarashi co-owners, find Thai dishes with Laotian and Vietnamese influences.

$$$ ASIAN Unidos

1 Ninth St. S., (239) 331-3668. unidosrestaurant.com. The likes of Peruvian, Cuban and Argentinian dishes come together in perfect harmony.

$$$ LATIN AMERICAN b o

Warren Naples

111 10th 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 the Grand Award-winning wine list.

$$$ FRENCH o p v

The Boathouse on Naples Bay

990 Broad Ave. S., (239) 6432235. boathouseonnaples bay.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

The Syren Oyster & Cocktail Bar

909 10th St. S., (239) 6101559. syrenoysterbar.com

Located within the Naples Boat Club, this seafoodcentric hotspot comes from lauded restaurateur Peter

Tierney (The Claw Bar, The Turtle Club).

$$$$ SEAFOOD o w

EAST NAPLES

Carole’s Place Café & French Bakery

8793 Tamiami Trail E., (239) 331-8003. carolesplacecafe. com. French pastries with 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

Espíritu Peruvian Cuisine

3861 Tamiami Trail E., (239) 285-3924. espiritu peruviancuisine.com. Don’t miss the ceviche here. $$ PERUVIAN o

Kareem’s Lebanese Kitchen

4270 Tamiami Trail E., (239) 315-4167. kareemskitchen. com. Try the shawarma wraps, salads and juicy chicken with za’atar potatoes. $$ MIDDLE EASTERN o p

Lima Restaurant

5047 Tamiami Trail E., (239) 280-0167. lima-restaurant.com. Traditional Peruvian fare 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.

$$ PIZZA o p

The Med

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

$$$ MEDITERRANEAN o

Old Vines Supper Club

2795 Davis Blvd., Suite 1, (239) 417-4466. oldvines naples.com. Chef Brooke Kravetz crafts seasonal tasting menus and weekly wine dinners at this refined East Naples hideaway.

$$$$ MODERN AMERICAN

Rebecca’s Cocktail & Wine Bar

2955 Bayshore Drive, (239) 799-1801. rebeccasnaples. com. Gorgeous decor and stellar cheese and 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

Seventh South Waterfront

2891 Bayview Drive, (239) 2314553. seventhsouth.com. A new name and location for

one of Naples’ top dining experiences where food and drinks earn equal acclaim.

$$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

Tacos & Tequila Cantina

4834 Davis Blvd., (239) 7328226. tacosandtequilanaples. com. Tacos with lots of clever spins, plus margaritas aplenty.

$ MEXICAN o p

MIDTOWN

Alexander’s Garden Restaurant

4077 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 262-4999. alexanders naples.com. Seafood and global flavors in a modern cafe and garden. Open October to May. $$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

Andre’s Steakhouse

2800 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 263-5851. andressteak house.com. Fans of New York’s iconic Peter Luger chophouse exalt this joint founded by one of its former chefs.

$$$$ STEAK

Cibao Grille

814 Neapolitan Way, (239) 434-6653. cibaogrille.com.

Dishes from the owners’ native Dominican Republic mix with American classics.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

DiGusto

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

$$$ ITALIAN

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. fernandezthebull.com. Classic Cuban dishes such as picadillo a la criolla and ropa vieja. $$ LATIN AMERICAN o p

Fujiyama

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

$$ ASIAN

FUSE Global Cuisine

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. naples haroldsplace.com. This chickee bar serves a topshelf charbroiled burger with poolside ambience.

$ CLASSIC AMERICAN o

Hogfish Harry’s

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

Premier Dining on the Water

Dining Menu 3 to 5:30 pm 3 course meal w/ free glass of wine $59 everyday

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 crafts inspired tasting menus from Africa, Europe and the Americas. $$$$ ECLECTIC

Jimmy P’s Charred

1833 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 643-2427. jimmyps charred.com. A casual butcher-run steakhouse specializing in Wagyu beef. $$$$ STEAK o p

Komoon Thai Sushi & Ceviche

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

$$ ASIAN

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, including falafel, tabbouleh salad and shawarma.

$$ MIDDLE EASTERN o p

Nat Nat

3080 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 1, (239) 919-8732. natnatnaples.

com. A coffee shop by day, its evening menus showcase scratch-made shareable plates and natural wines.

$$$ WINE BAR 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 chophouse. $$$$ STEAK

Spanky's Speakeasy

1550 Airport-Pulling Road N., (239) 643-1559. spankysspeakeasy.com

The 40-year-old Naples staple serves the classics, from broiled seafood to filet mignon.

$$ SEAFOOD, AMERICAN o w

Swan River Seafood & Fish Market

3741 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 403-7000. swanriverseafood. com. A menu of Cape Cod-style seafood is complemented by a

fishmonger and market.

$$$ SEAFOOD o p

Turco Taco

410 Ninth St. N., (239) 4316682; 1514 Immokalee Road, Suite 116, (239) 431-6682. theturcotaco.com. Bright, comforting flavors infuse the menu. Two other locations in Naples. $ MEXICAN o

USS Nemo

3745 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 261-6366. ussnemo restaurant.com. Masterful, fresh seafood at a Naples institution. $$$ 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

Fish Restaurant

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

$$$ SEAFOOD o w

MiraMare Ristorante

4236 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., (239) 430-6273. miramare naples.com. Enjoy classic Italian

fare on a waterfront patio along Venetian Bay. $$$ ITALIAN o v w

M Waterfront Grille

4300 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., (239) 263-4421. mwaterfront grille.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 early dining.

$$$$ STEAK v w

WATERSIDE SHOPS

BrickTop's

5555 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 596-9112. bricktops.com/naples This locale draws crowds for a well-choreographed menu of seafood and steaks.

$$$ 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

The 239 Naples 9108 Strada Place, (239) 6311902. the239naples.com. The restaurant keeps the focus

on local growers and producers. $$ MODERN AMERICAN b o

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 views.

$$$ SEAFOOD o v w

Bicyclette Cookshop 819 Vanderbilt Beach Road, (239) 514-3333. bicyclette cookshop.com. James Beard Award semifinalist Kayla Pfeiffer crafts inspired menus.

$$$ ECLECTIC o

Black Forest Restaurant

2366 Immokalee Road, (239) 592-4784. blackforestnaples. com. Find classic German and Austrian fare like 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 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. Naples-based Phelan Family Brands 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 resort has private, club-like The Grill; sultry sushi joint Dusk; Italian gem Nolita; Levantine-inspired Sofra; and casual beachfront cafe and bar Gumbo Limbo. $$$$ ASIAN, STEAKHOUSE, ITALIAN, MEDITERRANEAN, AMERICAN b o v w

Food & Thought 2

7941 Airport-Pulling Road, (239) 791-3663. foodand thought2.com. The longtime organic grocer's second location has a sit-down restaurant that draws 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, quiche and crepes are worth a visit.

$$ FRENCH b o

Jimmy P’s Burgers & More 1201 Piper Blvd., Suite 11, (239) 514-1800. jimmyps burgers.com. Superior meats are a local tradition here.

$$ AMERICAN o p

Namba

8847 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 592-4992. nambanaples.com. Enjoy remarkable ramen, sushi and small plates from a Japanese-trained master chef. $$ JAPANESE

New York Pizza & Pasta 11140 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 594-3500; 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 Parm; meatballs; and lasagna.

$ ITALIAN o p

Ria at The Ritz-Carlton

Naples, Tiburón

2600 Tiburon Drive, (239) 5932000. rianaples.com. Food and cocktails inspired by Latin American street markets are served alfresco. $$$$ LATIN o v

Tigress Restaurant & Rooftop Bar

12155 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 423-3199. perryhotelnaples. com. Celebrity chef Dale Talde's modern Cantonese menu pairs with cocktails from open-air rooftop bar Easy Tiger at the Perry Hotel. $$$$ ASIAN o w v

The Turtle Club

9225 Gulf Shore Drive N., (239) 592-6557. turtleclub naples.com. A longtime favorite for toes-in-the-sand lunch and divine seafood dinners. $$$ NEW AMERICAN o p w

Two

Fillets

10395 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 788-0222. twofillets.com. Surf-and-turf restaurant and market from Phelan Family Brands. $$$ 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) 202-2038. 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. oldvines.net. The parent restaurant to Naples’ top supper club has two stellar happy hours daily. Chef Brooke Kravetz leads the culinary team, conceiving forward-thinking menus that do justice to the sophisticated wine and cocktail lists.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b 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

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

Estia

8990 Fontana del Sol Way, (239) 631-2902. estiarestaurant.com.

Fresh Greek dishes, including fresh seafood flown in daily from the Mediterranean, are complemented by Greek wines.

$$$$ GREEK o w v

Mister O1

Extraordinary Pizza

2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 176, (239) 631-6844. mistero1.com. Extraordinary isn’t hyperbole; try the starshaped pizza with ricottastuffed crust for proof.

$$ PIZZA 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) 6422695. arioatjwmarco.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

LeeBe 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. theoyster society.com. This locale's raw bar has more than 80 oyster

selections, as well as sushi.

$$$ 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.

$$$ 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) 394-5533. 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 an award-winning cellar define 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

Canary Club 10610 Founders Way, Suite 140. canaryclubbonita.com

Cocktails, shareables and wood-fire pizzas with Middle Eastern flair.

$$$ MIDDLE EASTERN o

Chartreuse Craft

Cocktail Lounge

27313 Old 41 Road, (239) 949-2776. 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. A classic Italian restaurant with an adjacent market of imported goods and takeaway foods.

$$$ ITALIAN o p

Downtown Coffee and Wine Company

27546 Old 41 Road, (239) 272-6068. downtowncoffee andwinecompany.com. Light bites, specialty coffee and wine by the glass. $ CAFE b o p

El Basque Vin & Pintxo Bar

25245 Chamber of Commerce Drive, (239) 301-4973. elbasque.com. Spanish and French influences merge at this tapas-style wine bar.

$$$ BASQUE p o

Lapa’s Costa Rican Bistro

26251 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 9, (239) 221-7016. lapascr.com. Our editors' favorite lunch spot serves Latin fare, like arroz con pollo, gallos and tostadas. $$ LATIN AMERICAN

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

Maria's Restaurant

27080 Old 41 Road, (239) 4951868. restaurantmarias.com

Homestyle Mexican comfort food with creative twists, plus exclusive Taco Tuesday menus. $$ MEXICAN o

The Other Side Bistro 24630 S. Tamiami Trail, (239) 992-7433. otherside bistro.com. Chef Brian McCarley serves comfort

dishes with modern flair.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

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

Roy’s Restaurant

26831 S. Bay Drive, Suite 100, (239) 498-7697. roysrestaurant.

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. wolfmoon. co. Go for some of the best croissants and coffee in town. A satellite location operates out of Naples' Kaleidoscope Garden Club. $ 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, Suite 116. (239) 539-4748. realsea foodcorestaurant.com. Find seafood from New England, the Great Lakes and the Gulf.

$$$$ SEAFOOD

Tacos & Tequila Cantina 10952 Eagle Village Drive, (239) 330-8226. tacosand tequilanaples.com. Tacos with clever tweaks, plus margaritas. $ MEXICAN o p

FORT MYERS

SOUTH FORT MYERS

Artisan Eatery 8951 Daniels Parkway, (239) 887-4844. artisaneatery.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 rising food truck hub-meets-outdoor bar concepts with eight vendors. $$ ECLECTIC o

Bellini's 13451 McGregor Blvd., (239) 270-5005. bellinisfort myers.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. courtneyscontinentalcuisine. com. A hidden gem serving an eclectic from-scratch menu and wine. $$$ 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 wines, obsession-worthy small plates and flatbreads. $$ WINE BAR

Harold’s

15250 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 107, (239) 849-0622. harolds

cuisine.com. Chef Harold Balink’s cozy, farm-to-table bistro and bourbon bar.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN

Lan Xang

12995 S. Cleveland Ave., Unit 133, (239) 689-8603. lanxang ftmyers.com. Popular for takeout and dine-in, its panAsian flavors (Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Indian) are spot-on. $$ PAN-ASIAN

Liberty

12995 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite 112, (239) 689-5528. eatliberty.us. Chef Bob Boye’s gem features a progressive menu 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

Sweet Melissa’s Restaurant

16230 Summerlin Road, (239) 990-6889. sweetmelissas restaurant.com. James Beard Award semifinalist Melissa Donahue returns with the same, seasonally driven, Gulf-centric cuisine she championed on Sanibel.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN

Two Meatballs in the Kitchen

8880 Salrose Lane, (239) 489-1111. twomeatballsmenu. com. With a second location in Cape Coral, it brings classic and creative 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. mcgregorspublic house.com. Delightful interpretations of Irish cuisine made from scratch.

$ 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 second location 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

KJ’s Steakhouse

10950 S. Cleveland Ave., (239) 275-4745. kjsfreshgrill.com.

The team prides itself on aging and searing.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

MCGREGOR CORRIDOR

Azure

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

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. cibo fortmyers.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

Roadhouse Café

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

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS

10 Twenty Five

33 Patio De Leon, (239) 2086903. 10twentyfive.net. A fromscratch kitchen adds culinary legitimacy to its rooftop and downstairs scene featuring 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 has a roster of fresh food trucks and thoughtfully curated cocktails. $$ 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. luminaryhotel.com. At Luminary Hotel & Co., find fine-dining The Silver King; riverfront Oxbow Bar & Grill; all-day breakfast spot Ella Mae's Diner; and rooftop Beacon Social Drinkery.

$$$ SEAFOOD/AMERICAN o v w

The Standard Restaurant 1520 Broadway, (239) 2196463. thestandardftmyers. com. Expect a from-scratch menu 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 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. $$ TEA ROOM b o

NORTH FORT MYERS

Blossom & Brie

8250 Nalle Grade Road, (239) 385-0415. blossomandbrie. com. This locale pulls raw materials from its on-site farm for its menu and desserts.

$$$ AMERICAN b o

Buckingham Farms

12931 Orange River Blvd., (239) 495-1868. buckingham farmsonline.com. Farm-to-table breakfast and lunch, weekly togo dinners and a country store.

$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o

FORT MYERS BEACH

Fresh Catch Bistro

4761 Estero Blvd., (239) 4882400. freshcatchbistro.com. Hidden behind Publix among a marina and backwater mangroves, its menu and second-story patio views win favor. $$$ SEAFOOD o w

JWB

Grille

451 Crescent Street, (239) 899-4094. margaritaville resorts.com. This eatery at Margaritaville Resort offers an array of global tastes in an elevated setting overlooking the beach.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN w

SANIBEL ISLAND

Bleu Rendezvous

751 Tarpon Bay Road, (239) 565-1608. bleurendezvous. 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. Cajun classics anchor the menu here. $$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p

Rosalita's Cantina

975 Rabbit Road, (239) 9557673. rosalitascantina.com/ sanibel. Modern Mexican 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 steaks comprise the old-school menu in this longtime island institution. $$$ SEAFOOD

Traders

1551 Periwinkle Way, (239) 472-7242. traderssanibel. com. A locals’ pick for lunch, dinner and happy hour, its menu adds signature twists to fish and beef. $$$ MODERN AMERICAN o p v

Capturing the milestones, wisdom, and lessons of your life or a loved one’s will be an enjoyable experience, and your completed memoir will be more than just a book. It will be a legacy to be treasured by your family and future generations.

Through private, face-to-face interviews, our expert ghostwriters will craft your words into a beautifully written memoir, printed on the fi nest paper, bound by hand, and presented in an elegant gift box. Don’t wait—the best time to share your story is now.

White-glove experience

Face-to-face interviews

Hand-picked ghostwriter

Heirloom-quality hardback books

Photo scanning and restoration

Voice-recording session

Alan Beckett

Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen

1200 Periwinkle Way, (239) 966-7654. tuttipazzisanibel. com. Wood-fired pizzas and Italian favorites in a cozy farmhouse ambience.

$$ ITALIAN

Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant

362 Periwinkle Way, (239) 472-1100. wickieslighthouse restaurant.com. Two highpowered restaurants combined to create a casual-byday, gourmet-by-night spot in a fresh, nautically themed space.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o p

CAPTIVA ISLAND

Crow's Nest Steakhouse, Old Captiva House and The Shipyard 15951 Captiva Drive, (239) 472-5161. tween-waters.com.

’Tween Waters Island Resort presents refined and casual fare in its locales.

$$$ STEAK, SEAFOOD

Keylime Bistro at Captiva Island Inn*

11509 Andy Rosse Lane, (239) 395-4000. keylimebistro captiva.com. A colorful island

spot with locations on Boca Grande and Captiva.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o p

RC Otter’s Island Eats* 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, (239) 395-1142. captivaislandinn.com.

Tropical-inspired breakfast, lunch and dinner with live music. $$ AMERICAN b o p

Sunshine Seafood Café 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

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. fathomsrestaurant.com. Find 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. Overflowing seafood platters and diverse menus, plus an adjacent fish market, make this family-owned seafood spot shine.

$$$ SEAFOOD b o

Front Porch Social 4721 Vincennes Blvd., (239) 347-8914. 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. gather cape.com. Celebrated chefs blend Mediterranean

flavors with classics. $$$ MODERN AMERICAN b o w

Ginger Bistro

Multiple locations throughout Lee County. gingerbistrousa. com. Traditional Chinese fare and Cantonese barbecue.

$$ CHINESE

High Tide Social House

6095 Silver King Blvd., (239) 341-4441. hightidesocialhouse.com. Modern, nautical charm with coastal-inspired menus and live music. $$$ SEAFOOD o w

Jungle Bird Authentic Tiki

1520 Lafayette St., (239) 471-4111. junglebirdtiki.com. Asian-inspired dishes and signature rum drinks served at the bar and in the Polynesian courtyard. $$ PACIFIC RIM b o p

Lobster Lady Seafood Market & Bistro

1715 Cape Coral Parkway, (239) 471-0136. lobsterlady seafood.com. In addition to lobster, find sushi and local catch. $$$ SEAFOOD o p

Marker 92 Waterfront

Bar & Bistro/ Nauti Mermaid

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

marriott.com. Bay views make for an atmospheric experience 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 legendary restaurant and bar with off-grid sandwiches and cocktails.

$$ MODERN AMERICAN

Next Door

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

$$$$ ITALIAN o

Nice Guys Pizza

1404 Cape Coral Parkway E., (239) 549-7542. niceguyspizza. com. It's built a cultish following for creative pizzas like the 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

Prime 239 Steakhouse

11715 Cape Coral Parkway, (239) 673-8816. prime239.com It's known for the 40-ounce tomahawk 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. tarpon lodge.com. Inspired menus, Old Florida charm and stunning waterfront views combine in a historic 1920s fishing lodge.

$$$ MODERN AMERICAN o w

The Waterfront Cafe

Restaurant & Marina

2131 Oleander St., (230) 9665026. waterfrontrestaurant marina.com. A favorite for well-crafted, pretense-free seafood dishes and its dockside seating.

$$ SEAFOOD o p w

Living Threads

Long before ‘artisanal’ returned to the lexicon as a buzzword, there were tucked-away studios like Carpet Designs in Naples, where rugs were drawn and hand-cut to order. In this 1989 photograph from our Home & Garden issue, a designer leans over a sketched-out pattern, blade in hand.

Even then, we were celebrating the uncommon commitment to slow work. What seemed like a fading craft in the ’80s feels revolutionary now—a deliberate alternative to mass production. In this issue, we honor the Southwest Floridians who still choose the long way: creatives who shape, stitch, forge and form with intention, resisting the rush toward speed and automation. Whether working with thread, timber or clay, these Gulf makers remind us that the soul of a region is shaped by working hands.

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

Create Where You Belong