TASTE THE GRILL Luxurious Ritz-Carlton dining features aged prime beef, chops, and fresh seafood. 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples (ritzcarlton.com/naples) SHULA’S STEAK HOUSE In the tradition of NFL coach Don Shula, the “Shula Cut” is one of the best steaks in town. 5111 Tamiami Trail N., Naples (shulasnaples.com)
Neighborhood NOOK
BARBATELLA Pizzas and pastas are delish, but don’t overlook offerings like the grilled salmon. 1290 Third St. S., Naples (barbatellanaples.com) BELLINI ON FIFTH The Bellini family treats guests to cuisine inspired by matriarch “Nonna” Maria. 445 Fifth Ave. S., Naples (bellinionfifth.com)
BISTRO LA BAGUETTE This traditional bistro serves classic combinations like coq au vin. 3560 Tamiami Trail E. Naples (bistrolabaguette.com)
BLEU PROVENCE Authentic dishes from the South of France paired with an award-winning wine selection. 1234 Eighth St. S., Naples (bleuprovencenaples.com) CHEZ BOËT FRENCH HOME COOKING Serving French classics in a warm, homey atmosphere. 755 Twelfth Ave. S., Naples (chezboetnaples.com) CÔTE D’AZUR Provencal bistro specializing in standouts like Maine lobster roasted in a clay pot. 11224 Tamiami Trail N., Naples (cotedazurrestaurant.com) THE FRENCH BRASSERIE RUSTIQUE Rustic French cuisine with desserts prepared by an in-house pastry chef. 365 Fifth Ave. S., Naples (thefrenchnaples.com) TARTINE & TARTELETTE Authentic cuisine with wine pairings as sweet as the restaurant’s name. 11121 Health Park Blvd., Naples (tartine-tartelette.com)
MEXICAN AGAVE BAR & GRILL Innovative Southwestern cuisine in a comfortable setting. 2380 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples (agavenaples.com) ROCCO’S TACOS AND TEQUILA BAR Every day is Cinco de Mayo at this high-energy eatery. 9123 Strada Place Suite 7135, Naples (roccostacos.com)
TACOS & TEQUILA CANTINA Namesake street food is made with fresh products and handmade tortillas. 4834 Davis Blvd., Naples (tacosandtequilanaples.com)
ITALIAN ALBERTO’S ON FIFTH Chef Alberto Varetto cooks fine dishes in his elegant restaurant. 868 Fifth Ave. S., Naples (albertosonfifth.com) ANGELINA’S RISTORANTE Featuring a 4,000-bottle wine tower and elegant cuisine. 24041 Tamiami Trail S., Bonita Springs (angelinasofbonitasprings.com)
BAR TULIA This late-night brother of Osteria Tulia serves outstanding pizzas and a variety of irrestible small bites. 462 Fifth Ave. S., Naples (bartulia.com)
DAVE HORTON AND GIAN FORTUNE
FRENCH
It’s a long way from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in St. Louis to serving brunch in Naples, but Eric Becker is glad he made the journey. In March 2012, he opened EJ’s Bayfront Café and never looked back. “I’ve worked in country clubs and fine dining restaurants, and I know it’s hard to meet customer expectations in those situations,” says Becker. “Breakfast and lunch have a better profit margin, and it gives me the flexibility to have a family and a life.” Don’t think Becker is taking it easy, however. The café serves 450 to 500 diners per day in season, and the pace is fast. Even so, he remains committed to using fresh, seasonal produce in nearly every dish. “Our mission was to create a family-oriented restaurant that would bring the community together and offer a homemade, quality product.” Benedicts are the most popular category on the encyclopedic menu, but Becker says customers also crave his banana-stuffed French toast. The biggest change over the past seven years has been the proliferation of lighter choices, such as his tofu scramble, black bean cakes, and smoothies. “As a population, we’re definitely trending more toward healthier foods,” he says. One thing about EJ’s Bayfront Café that won’t change is the restaurant’s pet-friendly policy. The large terrace accommodates dogs, and a county dog park is directly across the street. (ejsbayfrontcafe.com)
BRIO TUSCAN GRILLE The location in Waterside Shops makes this a popular place for pre- and postshopping meals. 5505 Tamiami Trail N., Naples (brioitalian.com)
CAMPIELLO RISTORANTE & BAR This mainstay on Third Street South is a perennial gathering place. 1177 Third St. S., Naples (campiellonaples.com) MOLTO TRATTORIA The homemade pasta, sauces, pizza Napoletana, and Italian home-style cuisine are all top-notch. 368 Fifth Ave. S., Naples (moltonaples.com)
OSTERIA
TULIA Chef Vincenzo Betulia’s rustic venue and “peasant” cuisine are homey, hearty, and delizioso. 466 Fifth Ave. S., Naples (osteriatulia.com)
PARMESAN PETE’S Chef and owner Peter Della Rocca creates meals that taste like a “big bite of Brooklyn.” 7935 Airport Pulling Road, Naples (parmesanpetes.com) ROMA ITALIAN BISTRO Pizza and other specialities made with ingredients imported from Italy and organic produce. 655 Fifth Ave. S., Naples (239-776-7042) TERRAZZA This Italian eatery pairs cool Gulf breezes with classic entrées and an array of pastas. 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples (ritzcarlton.com)
ASIAN ARAYA SUSHI ASIAN GRILL Thai dishes, along with a wide choice of rolls, sushi, and sashimi. 2650 Immokalee Road, Naples (arayanaples.com) AZN AZIAN CUIZINE PanAsian cuisine and an expansive sushi menu that includes creative specialties. 9118 Strada Pl., Naples (aznrestaurant.com/naples) DARUMA Visit this Southwest Florida institution for traditional service or teppanyaki-style cooking. 241 Center St. N., Naples (darumarestaurant.com) FUJIYAMA STEAK AND SEAFOOD HOUSE Enjoy steaks and seafood prepared with Japanese flair at Fujiyama’s hibachi table. 2555 Tamiami Trail N., Naples (naplesfujiyama.com) NAMBA Named for a district of Osaka, Namba specializes in aburi sushi, a style of nigiri where the fish is partially grilled on top. 8447 Tamiami Trail N., Naples (nambanaples.com)
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