The Best of The Gulfshore Winners 2004

Every year, in this "Best of the Gulfshore" issue, we search out the very best things to taste, see and do in this best of all possible places on earth. To help us with this monumental task, this year we assembled a panel of people (see page 62) who keep their fingers on the pulse of Gulfshore goings-on, from the latest culinary crazes to the hippest new shops and hangouts. Eclectic, energetic and willing to drive long distances for a great dinner or diversion, they rose to the challenge with passionate convictions and a wealth of local knowledge.

We thought we knew all about Southwest Florida, but our panel surprised us with a host of new hotspots and discoveries, from gourmet restaurants hidden in strip malls to a hot new happy hour in downtown Cape Coral. They also saluted some long-running favorites that continue to set a standard of excellence.

If you share their insatiable taste for the good life, get ready to be tempted by world-class wine lists, locally made chocolate that's won raves from the New York Times, dry cleaners who deliver top-drawer service along with impeccably pressed clothes, sensational spas and glitzy fund raisers.

You'll also get the inside scoop on bargain breakfasts, killer consignment shops, Everglades adventures and the very best spot to spy a roseate spoonbill or close a business deal. And that's just a sliver of the tips and tidbits you'll find on the following pages; there are 52 categories in all, ranging from the serious (Best Arts Group) to the silly (Best Local Controversy). We named a winner in every category and two finalists.

Our story is designed to help readers get more out of living on the Gulfshore, and though we applaud every person and place included on these pages, we know that "best" is a wildly subjective concept, and that this list is anything but definitive. We urge you to use it as a starting point to discovering the many exceptional experiences and establishments that flourish along the Gulfshore, and we only hope you have half as much fun reading the story as we did putting it together. Without further ado, here's our list of 154 great reasons for living here.

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

The Tropical Reef (Naples)

Finalists: Blue Pointe Oyster Bar and Seafood Grill (Fort Myers); Sunshine Café (Fort Myers and Captiva)

The panel raved so much about the Tropical Reef's crunchy grouper in a kicked-up mango chutney sauce that the uninitiated might think it's the only item on the menu. But regulars at this north Naples spot know that chef Bryan Sutton has a way with all sea creatures. Newcomer Blue Pointe impressed with its oysters, and the Sunshine Café was recognized for its divine catches.

BEST SUSHI

Blu Sushi (Fort Myers)

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

Its beautiful clientele alone didn't guarantee the very young, very hip Blu Sushi a win-the eatery's inventive interpretations of sushi and sashimi classics earned them the honor. Two previous honorees rounded out the list.

BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT

La Brasserie (Fort Myers)

Finalists: Le Lafayette (Naples); Lafite (Naples)

We could have named as many winners in this category as there are lovers in Paris. A passionate argument for La Brasserie's Bearnaise sauce-as well as a nod to its authentic bistro atmosphere-won it top honors. Old Naples' charming Le Lafayette and the venerable (and recently revamped) Lafite at the Registry Resort were also the site of fondly remembered meals. Ah, to be on the Gulfshore in the springtime.

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Bice (Naples)

Finalists: Mille Sapore (Fort Myers); Papa Mondo (Fort Myers Beach)

Mamma mia, our panel carried on like the Capulets and Montagues for this category, as one person's perfect pasta spot turned out to be another's wet noodle. They kissed and made up over their love for the Milan-based cuisine of Naples' hot new Bice. Judges also recognized the intriguing Mediterranean tastes of Mille Sapore and the friendly smiles and freshly made noodles at Papa Mondo.

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

La Casita (Fort Myers)

Finalists: Cilantro Tamales (Naples); Lalo's (Naples)

Light Mexican? Sí. La Casita continues to break the pass-the-cheese-please mold, converting diners to its concept of Mexican food as a showcase for fresh ingredients, simply prepared. Signature items-cilantro tamales at the aptly named north Naples Cilantro Tamales, huitlacoche and ceviche at the cozy Lalo's in Golden Gate-boosted the profiles of our finalists.

BEST OTHER ETHNIC RESTAURANT

Bha! Bha! (Naples)

Finalists: P.F. Chang's (Naples); Pimpa Thai (Fort Myers Beach)

The panelists said Bha! Bha! so quickly that you'd have thought they had all been turned into sheep. No, they were just remembering chef Michael Mir's tender lamb, creamy hummus and other delicately spiced Persian specialties. P.F. Chang's made the cut for its smart update on Chinese-American favorites; and the reliable Pimpa Thai was also praised for its takeout.

BEST PIZZA RESTAURANT

(NON-CHAIN)

Lorenzo's (Naples)

Finalists: Mille Sapore (Fort Myers); Taste of New York (Fort Myers)

Everybody loves a good slice of pie, and because the Gulfshore attracts people from all over the country, we have everything from Chicago-style deep dish to New York thin. The saucy standards at Lorenzo's tempted tastebuds, as did the bistro pizza creations at Mille Sapore and Taste of New York.

BEST STEAKHOUSE

The Grill Room at the Ritz-Carlton (Naples)

Finalists: Chops (Naples and Bonita Springs); Sanibel Steakhouse (Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Naples and Sanibel Island)

Carb-counters know that steak, not bread, is the real staff of life. Prime cuts of dry-aged beef served in a posh, clubby atmosphere earned The Grill Room at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, its trip to the winners' circle, closely followed by perennial favorites Sanibel Steakhouse and Chops City Grill.

BEST APPETIZERS

Chops (Bonita Springs and Naples)

Finalists: Café Lurçat (Naples); Zoë's (Naples)

Chops' gravity-defying, fusion-inspired appetizers-beef satays with peanut sauce, artfully stacked tuna and ginger combinations-are culinary works of art. The elegant Zoë's also got a nod for its appetizer selection, and the judges singled out the "awfully cute" baby burgers at the stylish Café Lurçat.

BEST DESSERTS

The Bubble Room (Captiva Island)

Finalists: Ridgway's (Naples); Baleen at LaPlaya (Naples)

Spun sugar sculptures and austere spa sweets have their place, but they have nothing on an old-fashioned, ooey-gooey, dripping-with-frosting layer cake. The Bubble Room on Captiva Island is famous for its red velvet, orange crunch and other flavors. Ridgway's pastry chef Toni Belknap has a crowd of admirers, as do the super-talented sugar suppliers at LaPlaya's Baleen.

BEST BRUNCH

Café Chablis at the Registry Resort (Naples)

Finalists: The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort (Naples); Baleen at LaPlaya (Naples)

Sleeping late, sipping champagne on a lazy Sunday morning before a walk on the beach-a great brunch is a glorious necessity on the Gulfshore. The champagne brunch at the brightly remodeled Café Chablis is still the one to beat, although late snoozers looking for elegance with their eggs Benedict will also appreciate weekend repasts at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort at Tiburón and LaPlaya's Baleen.

BEST BREAKFAST

First Watch (Fort Myers and Naples)

Finalists: Manna from Heaven (Naples); Skillets (Naples)

If there's a Breakfast Central, it has to be First Watch, where sunrise classics are served by friendly faces-all trained to watch for the telltale signs of caffeine deprivation. Skillets is another favorite place to score a.m. cakes and eggs, while the intimate Manna from Heaven does gourmet innovations on breakfast fare.

BEST WINE LIST

The Grill Room at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples

Finalists: Ridgway's (Naples); Zoë's (Naples)

We knew our crew knew wine, but we couldn't have guessed just how eloquently the judges could speak on the subject of the grape. All agreed that the deep list at the Ritz-Carlton's Grill Room, recognized by the Wine Spectator, deserved the head spot. They also praised the intriguing selection at Tony Ridgway's eponymous Old Naples restaurant and the comprehensive list at Zoë's.

BEST MARTINI

Blu Sushi (Fort Myers)

Finalists: Chops (Bonita Springs and Naples); Cigar Bar (Fort Myers)

This crisp cocktail is surpassing the margarita as the regional drink of choice. Judges were overcome with cravings for Blu Sushi's sake martini but would have settled for any other libation from that hip restaurant's wondrous 'tini bar. Chops and downtown Fort Myers' Cigar Bar were honored for their traditional drink constructions as well as postmodern martini spins, or shakes.

BEST WATERFRONT DINING

Rumrunners (Cape Coral)

Finalists: The Turtle Club (Naples); The Mad Hatter (Sanibel Island)

Up-and-coming Cape Coral scored a coup with Rumrunners at the Cape Harbour marina. By car or boat, diners are showing up to nosh on American casual cuisine and to admire a view that goes on for miles. The Turtle Club in Naples is as close as you can get to dining in the water without becoming shark bait, while The Mad Hatter on Sanibel is another favorite.

BEST RESTAURANT FOR A ROMANTIC MEAL

The Veranda (Fort Myers)

Finalists: The Ritz-Carlton Grill Room (Naples); Preston's (Naples)

Sweet nothings sound even sweeter when whispered in the dining room of the historic Veranda, still the special-occasion place in Fort Myers. When in Naples, you might pop the question at the quietly charming Preston's, or by the firelight at that all-around judges' favorite, the Grill Room.

BEST RESTAURANT FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH

Shula's (Naples)

Finalists: The Veranda (Fort Myers); Café Chablis at the Registry Resort (Naples)

Big business gets done over big steaks at Shula's, which earned its third win in this category in as many years. Maybe some of coach Don Shula's legendary luck and savvy will enhance the deals diners do there. But if not, at least they had a great meal. A mile or so north, another alpha crowd holds court at Café Chablis, while in Fort Myers, the romantic Veranda becomes business central during the day.