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.