Best of the Gulfshore

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Watermark Grille (Naples)

Finalists: Kelly's Fish House (Naples); Swan River Seafood (Naples)

Southwest Floridians expect the best the in fish and shellfish. Watermark Grille meets-and often exceeds-those expectations with impeccably fresh, expertly prepared dishes that take advantage of the area's rich bounty, such as grouper sautéed with fresh basil, garlic, tomato and wine.

BEST SUSHI BAR

DaRuMa (Naples)

Finalists: Origami (Fort Myers and Naples); Syrah (Naples)

Boasting its second win in as many years, this place is on a roll: California roll, shrimp tempura roll, spicy tuna roll, spicy salmon roll, and unagi eel roll, that is.

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT

P.F. Chang's (Naples)

Finalists: China Pavilion Restaurant (Naples); Panda Pavilion Chinese Restaurant (Naples)

This Arizona-based chain has been packing diners in at its year-old outpost in north Naples with Celestial delights like Soothing Lettuce Wraps, Oolong Marinated Sea Bass, Sichuan Chicken Chow Fun, Moo Goo Gai Pan and other Far Eastern ecstasies.

BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT

Chardonnay (Naples)

Finalists: Bleu Provence (Naples); Marie Michelle (Naples)

A mainstay on Naples' dining scene for 15 years, Chardonnay represents the finest of French cuisine served in an atmosphere of uncompromising concern for detail. From escargot to soufflé, expect a magniifique experience.

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Campiello Ristorante (Naples)

Finalists: Bravissimo (Naples); Noodles Italian Café (Bonita Springs)

With its elegant indoor dining room and buzzing courtyard, Campiello Ristorante draws the in crowd. If the beautiful people don't keep you engrossed, the entrées from an oak-fired oven will.

BEST BARBECUE RESTAURANT

Michelbob's (Naples)

Finalists: Porky's Last Stand (Naples and Bonita Springs); Rib City Grill (Lee and Collier counties)

Any place with the name "bob" in it has got to have good 'cue. And Michelbob's is undeniably bobelicious (even though the owners brewed up the name 25 years ago by playing with the name of Michelob beer). Meaty pork ribs imported from Denmark and swathed in sweet or tangy sauce get most of the attention here, although barbecued chicken, beef and pork platters also are hot items. Check out the freshwater fish pix on the wall, taken at the owners' summertime Kesagami Wilderness Lodge Canada.

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Flaco's (Naples)

Finalists: Iguana Mia (Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Bonita Springs); La Casita (Fort Myers)

Sí, senor, Flaco's rhymes with tacos. But this cozy casa on the Tamiami Trail also cooks up some awfully bueno burritos and especial enchiladas. And the pollo mole is almost holy.

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT

DaRuMa (Naples)

Finalists: Fujiyama Steak House of Japan (Naples); Origami (Fort Myers and Naples)

Readers' ballots fell like falling sakura blossoms in the spring for this roomy restaurant near Vanderbilt Beach. An extensive menu of sushi and sashimi, along with hibachi tableside cooking, draws bows, along with entrees like the intriguing Emperor's Feast (lobster, shrimp, scallops, fish, filet mignon, New York strip, duck breast and chicken) and the yummy teppan yaki steak.

BEST PIZZA RESTAURANT (Non-Chain)

Aurelio's (Naples)

Finalists: Frankie and Johnny's Pizza (Bonita Springs); Mama Mia's Pizza, Sub and Italian Food (Naples)

It's dinner only, and only from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, so it's no wonder that cars start filling the lot as early as 4 p.m. And even on steamy summer days, they hover by the locked door, pacing in anticipation of that tasty, round pie that unusually enough is cut into squares. That's Chicago-style for ya.

BEST STEAKHOUSE

Andre's Steak House (Fort Myers, Naples and Marco Island)

Finalists: Sanibel Steakhouse (Sanibel Island, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Naples); Shula's Steakhouse (Naples)

Andre's once again staked out the top place as a great meating place in a region that boasts more than its share of good steak houses. The place's rare cuts of beef, including a prime porterhouse, win plaudits, although its dazzling wine list of some 200 varietals may have tippled the outcome.

BEST GROUPER SANDWICH

Grouper & Chips (Bonita Springs, Naples)

Finalists: Baleen at LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort (Naples); Matanzas (Fort Myers Beach)

Everyone seems to gravitate toward grouper when it comes to local fish, and the grouper sandwich is a Gulfshore classic-simple, satisfying and full of the essence of Florida. Grouper & Chips knows how to do it right-simply and inexpensively.

BEST APPETIZERS

Chop's City Grill (Bonita Springs, Naples)

Finalists: Roy's (Bonita Springs); Stonewood (Naples, Fort Myers)

Sophisticated in atmosphere and dazzling in the kitchen, Chop's offers a broad selection of small plates and sushi starters. Roasted-duck pot stickers, anyone?

BEST DESSERTS

Naples Cheesecake Company (Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers)

Finalists: Bubble Room (Captiva Island); Tony's Off Third (Naples)

"Put a slice of heaven in your life," advises the Naples Cheesecake Company slogan, and for 20 years, that's what local dessert lovers have done. Heaven comes in flavors ranging from subtle amaretto to flashy strawberry-Key lime swirl.

BEST KEY LIME PIE

Naples Cheesecake Company (Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers)

Finalists: Rhodes (Bonita Springs); Parrot Key Caribbean Grill (Fort Myers Beach)

Nothing says Southwest Florida like key lime pie, and these experts say it best.

BEST ICE CREAM SHOP

Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream (Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs)

Finalists: Royal Scoop Homemade Ice Cream (Bonita Springs); Brusters (Bonita Springs)

"Vermont's Finest"-ice cream with a scoop of political attitude-has long had a home in Naples, its first local outlet, and now it's all over the Gulfshore Innovative flavors like Cherry Garcia and Chunky Monkey keep us stopping and sampling in every city.

BEST BRUNCH

Tie: The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples and Café Chablis at The Registry Resort, Naples

Finalists: Tie: Bacchus (Fort Myers) and First Watch (Fort Myers, Naples)

Brunch takes on new meaning at two of Naples' finest hotels. The Dining Room's Sunday Jazz Brunch and Chablis' Sunday Champagne Brunch represent the epitome of upscale early dining.

BEST BREAKFAST

First Watch (Fort Myers, Naples)

Finalists: Cracker Barrel (Fort Myers, Naples); Mel's Diner (Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples and San Carlos Park)

Now that there are two in Naples, one would expect the crowds to be more manageable. Wrong. But no matter what the wait, it's worth it for those cheesy skillets, overstuffed omelets and spicy creations.

BEST MARGARITAS

Flaco's (Naples)

Finalists: Iguana Mia (Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Bonita Springs); Parrot Key Caribbean Grill (Fort Myers Beach)

There's a lot of competition even when tasting away in Margaritaville, but frosty glasses brimming with triple sec, lime juice, salt and Jose Cuervo Gold tequila won big olés for Flaco's. Weekday evening happy hours, with margaritas at $2.50 a pop, may have garnered a few extra votes for this particular frozen concoction.

BEST WINE LIST

Tie: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples

Finalists: Bacchus (Fort Myers); Syrah (Naples)

The Ritz's wine list features bottles from less than $100 to several thousand. Small wonder it's earned AAA's Five Diamond award.

BEST MARTINIS

Chop's City Grill (Bonita Springs and Naples)

Finalists: Campiello (Naples); Shannon's (Fort Myers)

"Shaken, not stirred," is how Dana Wilson, corporate wine and spirits director for Chop's parent company, describes the big $8.95, 7.5-ounce martinis here. Drinkers pick from 21 types of gin or vodka mixed with a splash of dry vermouth and anchored with a colossal green olive. The 11-drink "Choptails" list ranges from Kosmopolitans (chilled Kremlynovskaya Limonnaya from Russia with Cointreau, fresh lime juice and a touch of cranberry juice) to Silk Panties (Grey Goose Vodka and Peach Schnapps).

BEST COFFEE HOUSE

Starbucks (Naples, Bonita Springs)

Finalists: Coffee Beanery (Naples); Blackhawk Café (Fort Myers)

The Seattle slew of coffeehouses has heated up Southwest Florida's once-tepid coffee market with 30 kinds of basic blends, from Ethiopia Sidamo to Komodo Dragon Blend, and a host of creamier concoctions including Toffee Nut Latte and Caramel Macchiato.

BEST WATERFRONT DINING

Maxwell's on the Bay (Naples)

Finalists: Baleen at LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort (Naples); Turtle Club (Naples)

Maxwell's offers the best of two worlds: a charming view of Venetian Bay and a location amid the Mediterranean splendor of The Village on Venetian Bay. It's seaside dining with a sophisticated urban twist.

BEST RESTAURANT FOR A ROMANTIC MEAL

Tie: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples and Roy's (Bonita Springs)

Finalist: Verandah (Fort Myers)

The two Rs-Ritz and Roy's-offer two dazzlingly different settings for lovers-and lovers of fine food. Just decide which fans your flame more: the serene surroundings of a stellar hotel or a hip and frenzied fusion scene. Both have their place in Cupid's arsenal.

BEST RESTAURANT FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH

Shula's Steakhouse (Naples)

Finalists: Café Chablis at The Registry Resort (Naples); University Grill (Fort Myers)

No need to ask 'where's the beef?' at this restaurant, particularly with a 48-ounce porterhouse on the menu. That cut is probably too indulgent for a business lunch, but there's plenty at Shula's to suit noontime appetites, including a menu of more than just steak, a classy dining room that serves as a shrine to Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, and two elegant private banquet rooms.

BEST DEAL ON A MEAL

Mel's Diner (Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples and San Carlos Park)

Finalists: Tropic Chill (Naples); Carrabba's Italian Grill (Naples, Bonita Springs)

Give your wallet a break. Mel's serves up tasty meals for under $10, and that includes soup, salad, potato, vegetable and bread. Expect burgers, sandwiches, omelets and hot platters smothered in cheese, chili or gravy, and lots of it all in a fun, take-you-back-to-the-'60s atmosphere.

BEST IRISH/ENGLISH PUB

McCabe's Irish Pub (Naples)

Finalists: British Open Pub (Bonita Springs); Paddy Murphy's (Naples)

No blarney: At lunch, 'tis a good place to go for a bowl of Irish stew swimming with pearl onions and practically bleating with juicy chunks of lamb. Wash it down with a mug of creamy Guinness Stout. Come back in the evening, when it is lively and loud o' a weekend night.