Dining

Best Wine List: Zoë’s (Naples) Finalists: Bleu Provence (Naples), Naples Tomato, The Grill at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples
They say land is becoming scarce here, perhaps that’s due to the expanding wine cellars at area restaurants. Zoë’s houses 18,000 bottles of 1,500 wines—including some very rare vintages. Good thing a sommelier is on hand to help you choose. Bleu Provence’s cellar is stocked with 14,000 bottles, and you’ll find the best reds at The Grill. Naples Tomato’s Enomatic self-serve technology keeps hundreds of wines-by-the-glass flowing.

Best House Drink: Doc Ford’s Sanibel Rum Bar & Grille (Sanibel) Finalist: Snook Inn (Marco Island)
This drink may have gained national popularity, but no place makes a mojito like Doc Ford’s. Named after the protagonist of Randy Wayne White’s novels and inspired by the tropical waters the author once fished for a living, Doc Ford’s stocks more than 50 different rums. Island lovers also can’t resist ordering the Snook Inn’s Rum Runner in the charming thatched-roof, waterfront chickee bar.

Best Mexican Food: La Casita (Fort Myers) Finalists: Cilantro Tamales (Bonita Springs and Naples), Flaco’s (Naples)
Purple is the color of royalty—a sure indication that the south-of-the-border-inspired shrimp cocktail is worthy of a king at La Casita, a little building painted in the princely hue where fresh Mexican fare is served. South of the Lee County border, diners relish the large portions at Cilantro Tamales, and the spirited presentation at Flaco’s.

Best French Cuisine: Bleu Provence (Naples) Finalists: Le Lafayette (Naples), Bamboo Café (Naples)
Everyone from the ladies who lunch to business associates to couples on romantic dates fill the three dozen or so seats at the charming Bleu Provence. The impressive wine list, exquisite entrées and unusual desserts are accented by the staff’s tres magnifique service. For more romantic fare, our panelists swear by Le Lafayette and the unusual French-Moroccan flavors at Bamboo Café.

Best Italian Restaurant: Ristorante Ciao (Naples) Finalists: Lemonia (Naples), Bice (Naples), Sale e Pepe (Marco Island)
Bravo! Ristorante Ciao marks its 20th year, and once again tops our list for its elegant Italian cuisine. Chef/owner Gianfranco Loreti continues to endear himself with his anything-for-the-customer approach. At Lemonia, diners swoon for the ultimate Ritz-Carlton experience, while they love to see and be seen at Bice, and gladly trek to the Marco Beach Ocean Resort’s Sale e Pepe for the four-star fare.

Best Seafood: Truluck’s (Naples) Finalists: USS Nemo (Naples), Kelly’s Fish House (Naples)
Truluck’s took the guess work out of the how-fresh-is-it question by purchasing its own fishery on the Isle of Capri. The giant crab legs go from trap to table in mere hours—and diners are hooked on the savory claws. A fusion of fresh seafood, laid-back atmosphere and Asian flair keeps regulars aboard USS Nemo in Park Shore. Kelly’s makes its statement with understated décor and classic menu items.

Best Sushi: Tsunami Asian Grill & Sushi Bar (Naples) Finalist: Blu Sushi (Fort Myers and Naples)
Nestled in with several other top-notch ethnic eateries, Tsunami in north Naples’ Pavilion Shopping Center got our judges’ attention with its recent upgrade and variety of offerings. Perennial favorite Blu Sushi offers even more hip, fun food, cocktails and people-watching with a third location at Gulf Coast Town Center this year.

Best Thai Food: Pad Thai (Naples) Finalists: Thai Basil (Naples), Pimpa Thai (Fort Myers Beach)
The name is straightforward and so is the cuisine at Pad Thai, where the chef doesn’t rely on gimmicks or unorthodox food pairings to get his point across. Delightful spring rolls, noodle dishes and made-to-your-tolerance spicy entrées highlight the simple, yet elegant, restaurant’s menu. Thai Basil and Pimpa Thai both won votes with their consistently good soups and vegetarian offerings.

Best Pizza: Marsala (Bonita Springs and Estero) Finalists: Starz (Fort Myers), Cosmo’s (Naples)
Located in the area’s hottest growth spots and home to our panel’s favorite pizza, Marsala’s is earning rave reviews and a sneaking suspicion that there’s something magical in that pizza dough recipe. When they need a break from the traditional, pie lovers head to Starz for its white pizza or over to Cosmo’s for the chicken ranch special and melt-in-your-mouth garlic knots.

Best Burger: Waterfront Restaurant (Pine Island) Finalists: The Dock (Naples), Tommy Bahama (Naples)
Waterfront Restaurant’s Big Daddy is the mother of all burgers. It’s nearly two-and-a-half pounds of ground beef paired with the usual accompaniments. And if you’re not man enough to eat it by yourself, it’s cut into quarters for sharing. For single servings, The Dock’s Black Angus Chuck Burger gets high marks, as does Tommy Bahama’s bacon cheeseburger on a potato-bread bun.

Best Steakhouse: Fleming’s (Naples) Finalists: Preston’s Steakhouse (Naples), Shula’s (Naples)
Any time is prime time at Fleming’s—USDA Prime, that is. The consistent, perfectly aged filet, ribeye and strip steaks earn high marks from our judges, as do the family-style side dishes and roasted chicken. Preston’s offers high-end beef in a cozy atmosphere, and Shula’s goes grand with its giant porterhouse, which is big enough for two.

Best Breakfast: First Watch (Bonita Springs, Fort Myers and Naples) Finalists: Amy’s Over Easy Café (Sanibel), Cove Inn (Naples)
What better way to start the day than First Watch’s Tri-fecta, a calorie-laden meal with a waffle, two eggs and bacon or sausage? (Don’t worry, you have all day to burn it off.) Amy’s Over Easy can wake up any sleepyhead with its cheery décor, while diners at the Cove Inn Coffee Shoppe enjoy an inexpensive breakfast with a great view of Naples Bay.

Best Brunch: Lemonia at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort (Naples) Finalist: Biddle’s Restaurant & Piano Bar (Fort Myers)
When we’ve been good all week, there’s no greater reward than Lemonia’s lavish brunch with seafood, omelets, griddled goodies, decadent desserts and free-flowing Bloody Marys and champagne. Diners also get into the swing of things with an oversized seafood omelet, mimosa and piano playing in the background at Biddle’s week-ending feast.

Best Desserts: Ritz-Carlton, Naples Finalists: Ridgway Grill (Naples), Bubble Room (Captiva)
You can scoop up a bowl of ice cream any ol’ night, but if you really want to end the day in style, let the culinary artists at the Ritz take your pastries and confections to new heights. At Ridgway, the flourless chocolate and carrot cakes are things cravings are made of, and the Bubble Room’s red velvet, rum and orange crunch cakes make diners weak in the knees.

Best Romantic Meal: The Veranda (Fort Myers) Finalists: Marie-Michelle’s (Naples), Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Thistle Lodge (Sanibel)
Planning to confess your love? It can’t hurt to have a little Southern charm in your corner, so when local suitors go a-courting, they rely on the turn-of-the-century romance found at the Veranda. Other places to get in the mood: Marie-Michelle’s at the Village at Venetian Bay, The Grill at the Ritz or dining by sunset at Casa Ybel Resort’s Thistle Lodge.

Best Business Lunch: USS Nemo (Naples) Finalists: St. George and the Dragon (Naples), Trader’s Café (Sanibel)
Whether the workday is sailing smoothly or hitting rocky waters, the seafood at USS Nemo is the perfect mid-day retreat. When confidentiality is key, savvy industry leaders head to St. George and the Dragon for private tête-à-têtes. On the islands, workers blend dining and shopping at Trader’s Store & Café.

Best-kept Secret: Ristorante Ciao (Naples) Finalist: Café Cibo (Fort Myers)
We can’t keep secrets, so here goes: At lunchtime Tuesday through Friday, Ristorante Ciao opens its back door and owner Gianfranco Loreti is your waiter, cashier and chef. For about $8 per meal, he serves the 10 or so seats in the gourmet shop. OK, OK, here’s another one: Café Cibo chef/owner Marc Marotta trained under some of the county’s most famous chefs—try one of the fresh fish dishes.

Best Outdoor Bar: Shane’s Cabana Bar at Bayfront (Naples) Finalist: Naples Beach Hotel Sunset Beach Bar
Ah, this is the life in Southwest Florida. Tie up the boat, meander through art galleries, enjoy a world-class gourmet meal, and then listen to the water lap against the marina at Bayfront’s Cabana Bar with a frozen, fruity cocktail. And there’s always a party—and usually live music—at the Sunset Beach Bar at the Naples Beach Hotel.

Best New Restaurant: Brio Tuscan Grill (Naples) Finalist: Nektar (Naples)
We knew Brio was hot when we drove around for 30 minutes trying to get a parking spot—in July. By season, its reputation and refurbished surroundings at Waterside Shops make it the place to be seen while dining on superb pasta and grill entrées. And although it opened in mid-2005, we’ve still got a big crush on Nektar, which continues to refresh its image in downtown Naples.

Best Coffee: Starbucks (Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers) Finalist: The Bean (Naples)
No one can hold a cup to Seattle-based mega-coffee conglomerate Starbucks. We appreciate the consistency every time we order our double tall, half-caf, sugar-free, one Splenda, extra-foam caramel macchiato. Nothing like perpetuating our penchant for being high-maintenance. When we need it, the bluegrass and folk music paired with the coffee, beer and wine at The Bean keeps us a bit more grounded.

Best Cake: Tony’s Off Third (Naples) Finalist: Black Truffle (Marco Island)
Who needs to eat their Wheaties when the pastry chef at Tony’s Off Third is cooking up such creamy cake confections? Open for breakfast, the Old Naples coffee shop/wine store has a variety of tempting tiers—we say try them all. On Marco Island, the chocolatiers at Black Truffle bring their sugar artistry to custom cakes as well as to their signature candies.

Best After-Work Drink: Campiello Ristorante & Bar (Naples) Finalists: Shane’s Cabana Bar at Bayfront (Naples), Sanibel Steakhouse (Naples)
What better place to get your mind off work than the courtyard at Third Street South’s Campiello? We hear the Bellini is the cocktail of choice when the working folks relax to the sounds of the Campiello Jazz Trio. Shane’s Cabana Bar is another scenic spot, but who knew things got wild in north Naples at Sanibel Steakhouse’s half-priced happy hour?

Best Sandwich: Trixie’s Torpedo Sandwiches (Naples) Finalists: Jason’s Deli (Fort Myers and Naples), Panera (Estero and Naples)
Our panel’s favorite neighborhood sub shop? Trixie’s wins for its wraps, salads and subs—especially the BLT. The seemingly never-ending choices make the mid-day much more fun at Jason’s, and we oohed and aahed when we saw the Panera signs go up—and then we caved into our every craving when they opened.

Best Dining with Many People: Buca di Beppo (Naples) Finalist: Zizi at Bellasera (Naples)
For a real crowd pleaser, Buca di Beppo in north Naples has plenty of tables and enough kitsch on the walls to keep your conversation going for hours. The Cardinal Room (yes, that is a bust of the Pope in the middle of the table) or the chef’s table in the kitchen make for unusual dining experiences. The gracious hosts at Zizi will bend over backwards to fit in a large gathering—even without a reservation.

Food & wine

Best Caterer: Cinderella Service (Naples) Finalists: Celebrations Unlimited (Naples), Wynn’s (Naples)
Denise Denard and chef Michael Rhodes of Cinderella Service turn out creative social events and intimate parties that would impress even a fairy godmother. Jon Berry of Celebrations Unlimited brings his bicoastal expertise to the Gulfshore, and Wynn’s is no Johnny-come-lately with 60 years of experience in planning Naples’ bashes.

Best Wine Shop: The Wine Merchant (Naples) Finalists: Haskell’s (Naples), Wine Knows (Naples), Total Wine (Fort Myers)
We can’t pretend to understand the magic that turns little bunches of fruit into the nectar of the gods, so we gladly turn to the pros at The Wine Merchant and its Wednesday wine tasting parties. And we’ll happily hand over our palates to Haskell’s wine of the month club, sample the selection at the new Wine Knows and search for the best bargains at Total Wine.

Best Bakery: Bara Bread Bistro & French Bakery (Fort Myers) Finalists: Mason’s Bakery (Fort Myers), Mikkelsen’s (Naples)
Downtown Fort Myers continues to turn out some of the most sought-after baked goods. No Bara Bread lunch is complete without a tasty sweet pastry. Nearby Mason’s Bakery prides itself—and wins our vote—for its butter-cream frosting and passionate ban of fondant. And temptations await at Naples’ Mikkelsen’s.

Shopping

Best Party Dress Shop: Marissa Collections (Naples) Finalists: Caché (Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Naples), Zola Keller (Bonita Springs)
It’s the only place in the area to purchase some of the hottest designer fashions, making it the key destination for Naples’ socialites who trust the 30-plus years of experience Marissa Hartington provides at her Third Street South boutique. On-trend shoppers also find swingy cocktail dresses at Caché and formal gowns at Zola Keller.

Best Consignment Shop: New To You (Naples)
Oh, the benefits of friends with money. When they’re done with their beautiful stuff, New To You makes it available to the masses—whether they’re looking for a St. John knit suit, a fur coat for a trip up North or a hand-painted armoire from Ethan Allen.

Best Formal Menswear: John Craig (Naples) Finalist: Brodeur Carvell Fine Menswear (Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Naples)
Dress him up or dress him down, we don’t care as long as you dress him at John Craig on Third Street South or at the Ritz-Carlton. The custom tailoring and the staff’s eye for detail will turn out a man you’d be proud to take to any Southwest Florida soirée. The elegant displays and nationally known brands at Brodeur Carvell also inspire sophisticated style.

Services

Best Spa: Ritz-Carlton, Naples Finalists: Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Resort, Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa
Named to a ridiculously long list of the world’s best places to be pampered, the Ritz-Carlton makes several of its services, including facials and salon time, available to locals, while hotel guests can enjoy a daunting list of decadent treatments. The relaxation vibe is purely Old Florida at Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, while Sanibel Harbour incorporates the legends and lore of the long-gone Calusa Indians into its spa regimes.

Best Pet Pampering: All Pets Grooming (Naples)
Does your poodle need perking up? Is your Persian having a bad hairball day? North Naples’ egalitarian All Pets Grooming gives both dogs and cats the star treatment.

Best Place to Work Out: NCH Wellness Center South (Naples) Finalist: The Omni Club (Fort Myers)
Through the plate glass windows at the state-of-the-art NCH Dr. John Briggs Wellness Center, exercise cyclists have a clear view of the Dairy Queen across the street. Keep peddling, pal, you aren’t there yet. Serious gym rats find fitness Nirvana at the spacious Omni Club, which also runs a get-fit-quick boot camp.

Best Salon: Robert of Philadelphia (Bonita Springs and Naples) Finalist: Vincent Salon & Day Spa (Fort Myers)
The scissor wizards at Robert of Philadelphia’s three locations are well versed in the latest hair-dos—and will protect you from any hair-don’ts. If you’ve been sweating off the pounds at Fort Myers’ Omni Club (see above), take advantage of the gym’s separate entrance to Vincent Salon & Day Spa, where award-winning stylists will handle your hair with care.

Best Interior Design: Kendra Interior Design (Naples) Finalists: Kris Kolar of Robb & Stucky (Naples), Summerfields (Naples)
Longtime Naples designer Kendra Shumake knows her market, with designs that are not too traditional, not too contemporary, but just right. Design guru Kris Kolar keeps the venerable Robb & Stucky out front on new looks; and a storefront full of fun stuff complements the interior design services at Old Naples’ Summerfields.

Best Florist: 50Fifty Creative Services (Naples) Finalists: Occasions of Naples, Pink Tangerine (Bonita Springs)
“The whole Gulfshore thinks they’re nifty/There’s no one like 50Fifty.” A perennial winner in this category and the designing minds behind many of Naples’ Very Important Parties, 50Fifty’s principals deserve something more reverent than our attempt at verse. But we couldn’t help ourselves. Tastefully reliable is the byword for the petal pushers at Occasions of Naples, and the Pink Tangerine, based at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, does a booming business with blushing brides and area party throwers.

Best Garden Center: Driftwood (Estero and Naples) Finalists: Home Depot, Naples Fertilizer
If you can plant it, grow it, prune it or mow it, the folks at Driftwood either have it, can get it for you or can help you take care of it once it’s in the ground. Gardeners in the know often find rare treasures among the potted offerings at Home Depot, and Naples Fertilizer has everything the green thumb needs to tackle the Gulfshore’s fickle growing season.

Attractions

Best Place to Take Kids: Naples Zoo Finalists: Imaginarium (Fort Myers), Collier County Library (Naples), the beach
Don’t whine to us that there’s nothing to do, because every kid loves the monkey cruise at Naples Zoo. Get up-close and personal with the primates, and then get a thrill out of the reptile show. For hands-on fun, the Imaginarium rotates visiting exhibits, and the library’s children’s section is top-notch. When all else fails, buckets and shovels at the beach equal hours of free fun.

Best Place to Take Visitors: The beach Finalist: Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery (Everglades City)
You’re obviously a visitor if you demand a trip to the beach during the winter. We’ll just zip up our hoodies and chatter our teeth in the unfit-for-the-beach 60-degree weather. We’ll humor you while you try to tan. A treat for both locals and guests is a trip to acclaimed photographer Clyde Butcher’s Everglades studio.

Best Performing Arts Group Opera Naples Finalists: Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, Naples Players, Florida Repertory Theatre (Fort Myers)
Our panel is singing the praises of Opera Naples, and not just for the company’s first-rate shows. The Young Artists and Student Apprentice programs are bringing opera to a whole new generation. The NPO’s season includes something for everyone, while the Naples Players and the Florida Rep showcase live theater both classic and modern.

Best Beach: Vanderbilt Beach (Naples) Finalists: Lighthouse Beach (Sanibel), Delnor-Wiggins Pass (Naples), Little Marco
Vanderbilt is perfect: lots of facilities, ample parking and the in-crowd. Get there early, and you might find some decent shelling. Active hikers, shellers and surf-casters converge at Sanibel’s Lighthouse Park Beach. The best picnic spots can be found on the north side of Delnor-Wiggins, but the tables and parking lot fill up fast. For an unspoiled view both seaward and leeward, a trip to Little Marco at the end of Keewaydin is in order, but you’ll need a boat to get there.

Best Golf Course: Tiburón (Naples) Finalists: Old Collier Golf Club (Naples), Olde Florida Golf Club (Naples)
Residents of  Tiburón golf community share their greens with guests of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. The Greg Norman-designed Tiburón is tough enough for the most PGA-hardened pro while still enjoyable to your average duffer. To see the ultimate in swank private courses, beg or borrow (but don’t steal) tee times with a member friend at north Naples’ Old Collier Golf Club and Olde Florida Golf Club.

Best Community Park: Sun-N-Fun Lagoon at North Collier Regional Park (Naples) Finalist: Lovers Key State Park (Fort Myers Beach)
Splish-splash! There are wet and wild times to be had at Collier County’s new water attraction, which can also be rented for private parties. A state park with a loyal local following, Lovers Key has something for everyone, from serene spots for nature lovers to well-stocked concessions for families.

Best Local Entertainer: Janina Birtolo Finalists: Tim Poindexter, Danny Morgan
Melding her three passions, writing and acting and a fascination with famous women, Janina Birtolo has become a local stage force with her one-woman “conversations with history.” Kick back and get your groove on with a little sax on the beach from south Florida’s smoothest horn man, Tim Poindexter. Or if the Parrothead vibe is more your thing, catch Sanibel’s Danny Morgan.

Best Fishing Spot: The waters off Chokoloskee Island (Ten Thousand Islands) Finalist: Naples Pier
Chokoloskee is off the beaten path of your average pleasure cruiser, but well worth the trip for the serious angler. Several area charter captains take sportsmen into these waters, which teem with snook, tarpon, redfish and more. The rod-and-reel gang that hangs out at the Naples Pier has plenty of advice for would-be fishermen—listen to them, and you might land your own whopper. Or at least have one to tell.

Best Bird-Watching: Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (Naples) Finalists: J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge (Sanibel), Turner River Road (Naples)
Spoonbills, anhingas and the world’s largest nesting population of woodstorks are at home at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, a rare and well-preserved habitat that serves as the local base for the National Audubon Society. No one could tire of the natural delights, winged and otherwise, at Sanibel’s “Ding” Darling Preserve, while serious birders get their binoculars out along Turner River Road off U.S. 41 in east Naples. (Just remember to let someone else drive.)

Best Scenic View: From Boca Grande Finalists: Hancock Bridge over the Caloosahatchee (Fort Myers), Marco’s Jolly Bridge
Not only is the singular Boca Grande a favorite vacation destination for presidents from Carter to the elder Bush, but once you stand on its shores and look back at the rest of the Gulfshore, you understand how magical this place we call home really is. Want to see for miles and miles? Cruise over Hancock Bridge to spy Fort Myers sprawling alongside the Caloosahatchee, or hit the Jolly Bridge to watch the sun set over Marco.

Social scene

Best Black-Tie Event: The Heart Ball Finalists: Edison-Ford Foundation Gala (Fort Myers), NCH’s Hospital Ball (Naples)
You’ve got to have heart, and the Gulfshore does, with two black-tie balls, one in each county, held to benefit the American Heart Association. The Edison-Ford Foundation Gala, which benefits restoration at the historic attraction, lights up the grounds of the inventor’s estate. One of the area’s oldest benefits, NCH’s Hospital Ball, is also one of its most glamorous.

Best Festival: Naples Winter Wine Festival Finalist: Everglades Seafood Festival (Everglades City)
From high-society to local flavor, these two festivals show just how well rounded the Gulfshore can be. The Naples Winter Wine Festival is the world’s most successful charity wine event ever, annually bringing in millions of dollars for kids in Southwest Florida. Everglades City rolls out the welcome wagon each February for thousands of tourists and locals to feast on stone crabs, fried gator nuggets and other delicacies.

Best Place to Be Seen: Port Royal Club (Naples) Finalists: Campiello Ristorante (Naples), The Veranda (Fort Myers)
The private club that does not like to see its name in print, the P.R.C., as we will call it, is an ultra-exclusive place to be spotted, whether you are working out at its deluxe new gym or dining at its Gulf-side tables. Snagging a good spot under the ficus tree in the Campiello courtyard will give your friends something to talk about, while a sharp suit and sharper line of patter will help you stand out from the power-heavy crowd at Fort Myers’ Veranda.

Best First Date Spot: Naples Pier Finalists: Muvico Coconut Point (Estero), The Turtle Club (Naples)
You’ll have to skip the jug of wine (alcohol being strictly prohibited on city beaches), but you can bring a loaf of bread and other picnic accoutrements to the beach by the Naples Pier, a perfect place to watch the sun set with a first date. At Naples’ Turtle Club, the Gulf murmurs sweet nothings while you dine at tables on the beach, and you can snuggle together for a movie’s scary parts at the palatial new Muvico at Estero’s Coconut Point.

Best Local Power: Couple Simone and Scott Lutgert (Naples) Finalists: Linda and Jim Malone (Naples)
He’s the laconic, get-er-done kind of guy, while she’s a bright spot of light on the Gulfshore scene. Together Scott and Simone Lutgert continue his family’s undeniable impact on the local business and charitable scene. Chairing the 2007 Naples Winter Wine Festival, Linda and Jim Malone surpassed expectations—and then surpassed them some more—raising more than $18 million.

Best Place to Dance: Noodles (Naples) Finalist: Sway (Naples)
Because you have to get rid of those rosemary-dusted garlic rolls somehow, on Thursday nights Noodles transforms itself from pasta purveyor to dance club, with a DJ manning the mix well after the clock strikes midnight. And no one will mind if you sway—ever so tastefully—on the center dance floor at the uber-trendy Sway Lounge.