If it’s May, it must be time to reveal our findings on the very best ways to savor the abundant delights of Gulfshore living. Our pleasure patrol—the editors, with the help of a panel of experts—combed all of Southwest Florida to bring you the ultimate joys in dining, shopping, entertainment and more. Turn the page and dive right in. And that’s not all. Once you’re finished with our picks, read on for the results of our Readers’ Choices poll and our editors’ personal favorites as well.

DINING

Collier

Best Walk Through the French Countryside
Bleu Provence in Naples, which was founded by a couple from Provence, France. The décor, the food and the wine (more than 20,000 bottles) inspire the feeling of being there. Although this vision will be mere fantasy, the taste of the food and wine on your lips is a blissful reality.

Best Grilled Calamari MiraMare Ristorante in Naples. One of the few places in town to serve calamari not of the fried variety, MiraMare accents it perfectly with a lemon oil dressing.

Best Fried Cheesecake
Charlie Chiang’s Modern Asian Kitchen in Naples. Even our editor in chief, a cheesecake traditionalist from New York, can’t stop gushing about this delectable version of his favorite dessert. Take his advice and you’ll be grateful you did.

Best Queso
La Bamba Mexican Restaurant in Naples. On one hand, queso is simply melted cheese in a bowl. On the other hand, anyone who’s tasted La Bamba’s version—matched perfectly with homemade chips—would never diminish it so.

Best Fresh Florida Crab
Truluck’s Seafood, Steak & Crab House in Naples. This restaurant has its own navy—16 boats—operating out of the Isle of Capri. The result? Delectable Florida stone crab from the Gulf to your plate in a matter of hours.

Best VIP Dining Service
The Chef’s Table at Sea Salt in Naples. Esquire’s best new restaurant of 2009 does everything well. But by ordering The Chef’s Table, eight to 10 foodies can experience the highest treat: multiple courses prepared personally by Chef Fabrizio Aielli, not to mention the perfect accompanying wines.

Best True-Florida Ambiance
The Turtle Club in Naples. Follow the sounds of undulating waves to a Gulf view that’s second to none. You’ll discover a postcard sunset over a white-sand beach and some of the freshest seafood around.

Best Place to Take an Out-of-town Date M Waterfront Grille in Naples. Trying to make a lasting impression in the short time you have with that special someone? This restaurant’s bay views will make you seem romantic, the luxury décor reflects your maturity, and the modern fare magnifies your hip sensibilities. Trust us; they will be visiting much more often. 

Best Slice of Pizza Heaven
Just try the thin-crust Super Six pizza at Aurelio’s Pizza in Naples—loaded with sausage, cheese, green peppers, ham, pepperoni and mushrooms—and you’ll learn the meaning of divine. And, yes, you’ll be returning for more over and over.

Lee

Best Collaboration of Chef and Sommelier
Angelina’s Ristorante in Bonita Springs. Some of the finest Italian fare created with the most natural of ingredients isn’t enough for Angelina’s. The bistro features a 30-foot wine tower and a sommelier on location to create the perfect matching of food and drink from a seemingly infinite wine list.

Best Organic Desserts
Chef Brooke’s Natural Café in Fort Myers. Stay fit and organic (and vegan, if that’s your thing) without losing taste with Chef Brooke’s Faeriecakes, brownies and double-chocolate cookies.

Best Use of History
The Veranda. The two buildings that house one of Fort Myers’ best restaurants were built by Manuel Gonzales. The houses went up in the early 1900s and were joined together by Peter Pulitzer, son of the famous publisher. That’s a lot of history to go with some serious Southern-comfort food.

Best Fishmonger Andy’s Island Seafood in Matlacha. This fish market, set in the funky arts hamlet of Matlacha, may not smell like a fresh-caught haven, but that’s because of the seductive aroma from Andy’s fresh bread and chowder. Don’t worry; it still boasts the freshest grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi, tuna, stone crab claws and more, pulled directly from the adjacent Gulf.

Best-kept Secret
Il Tesoro. A.J. Black’s Italian powerhouse is tucked away on Sanibel, but the cuisine he cultivated while second chef at Rome’s Grand Hotel and perfected at restaurants in Manhattan and Martha’s Vineyard is worth the toll.  

Best Use of Water Grimaldi’s Pizzeria in Fort Myers. Many pizza shops claim to be “New York style,” but only Grimaldi’s hired a chemist to analyze and recreate the mineral content and composition of the Big Apple’s H2O so the dough tastes as authentically Empire State as possible.

Best Surprise
Lazy Flamingo. The local seafood staple made its name on the islands (two on Sanibel and one on Bokeelia), so its move inland to Fort Myers is a bit of a shockingly good surprise. The new location is under construction on McGregor Boulevard.

Best Place to Network
University Grill. Lunchtime isn’t free time anymore; visit the University Grill during the noon hour to liaise with Fort Myers’ powerbrokers.  

Best Place to Eat and Never Leave
Tarpon Lodge, Pineland. It’s worth a trip for the food alone, sure, but after visiting the Calusa Indians’ pre-Columbian mounds, hitting the golf course and spending the day fishing Pine Island Sound, there’s a chance you might never leave. 

Best Transcontinental Business Lunch
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Bonita Springs. Who says the economic downturn has spoiled executive luxuries? Meet with colleagues across the country via Ruth’s Chris’ new satellite broadcasting feature. It’s like Skype, if Skype served some of the best steak in the world.

Best Place to Feel Like a Tourist
Key Lime Bistro at Captiva Island Inn. Live music every day, a uniquely Sunshine State menu and the best kind of Old Florida décor will make you feel like a Florida first-timer.

GOING OUT