DINING

Best Wine List
Ritz-Carlton, Naples
Finalists: Naples Tomato, Bleu Provence (Naples)
For discerning diners in Naples, wine selection is all about quality and quantity. The Grill and Artisans restaurants at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, have both been honored for multiple years with Wine Spectator magazine’s Best of Award of Excellence for the 1,600-plus varieties available. More than 1,200 club members can’t be wrong about Naples Tomato’s wine selections and enomatic wine-by-the-glass program. Likely the largest offering of wine varieties can be found at Bleu Provence, another Wine Spectator honoree.

Best House Drink
Aloha Mr. Edison at Blu Sushi  (Fort Myers, Naples)
Finalists: Bahamarita at Bahama Breeze (Fort Myers), Strip Teas at Strip House (Naples)
Just add a bikini and some cocoa butter and the Aloha Mr. Edison will transport you to a tropical paradise with its chilly mix of Van Gogh pineapple vodka and DeKuyper tropical pineapple schnapps. Keeping things tropical is the Bahamarita, a frozen margarita concoction of Cuervo Gold tequila, kiwi, mango and strawberries. A little more complicated, but equally refreshing, is the Strip Teas, a cranberry- and raspberry-infused version of the Long Island iced tea.

Best Crab
Truluck’s (Naples)
Finalists: Crü’s crab rolls (Fort Myers), Kelly’s Fish House’s stone crab claws (Naples)
With its own fishery and fleet of 16 boats that trap crabs daily off the Isle of Capri, Truluck’s sets the standard when it comes to fresh crab menu items. The classic spicy crab roll at Crü is nearly legendary in these parts—you can find it on the small plates menu if you’re one of the few who hasn’t experienced it yet. Kelly’s has been serving seafood the longest in Naples—since 1952—with classic, old Florida ambiance.

Best Chicken Taco
Maria’s Mexican Restaurant (Bonita Springs)
Finalists: La Bamba Mexican Restaurant (Naples), Flaco’s Mexican Specialties & Steak House (Naples)
Two white corn torillas, grilled chunks of chicken, cilantro and a squeeze of lime complete the irresistible and authentic el pollo los tacos blando at Maria’s. A variation on the theme can be found at La Bamba, where shredded chicken is paired with cubed tomatoes, cilantro and lettuce on two flour torillas. Flaco’s has also mastered this tried-and-true favorite—best when served with the rave-worthy sangria.

Best French
Bamboo Café (Naples)
Finalist: Bleu Provence (Naples)
Its name may conjure a different vision, but chef and owner Philippe Boet has created a completely charming and authentic French bistro at Bamboo Café. A fine meal at this quaint eatery should always include the bouillabaisse, with lobster tail, scallops, shrimp, clams and grouper. No doubt the superb and attentive service—along with the inventive cuisine, delightful décor and extensive wine list—once again have placed Bleu Provence among the best in Southwest Florida’s French dining.

Best Italian Dish
Zuppa di Pesci at Ristorante Gaja (Naples)
Finalists: Tortellini Dolofino at Nino’s Ristorante Italiano (Fort Myers), Lasagna Bolognese at Yabo (Fort Myers)
Gaja’s Zuppa di Pesci gets high marks for this perfectly prepared tomato broth teeming with clams, muscles, shrimp, calamari and fish. Nino’s cheese tortellini, diced chicken, artichoke hearts and Romano cheese in tomato sauce create a marriage of Italian fabulousness. Yabo’s menu calls its Lasagna Bolognese "The Best!" So who are we to argue?

Best Sushi
Blu Sushi (Fort Myers, Naples)
Finalists: Fujiyama Steak House of Japan (Naples), Tokyo Sushi Japanese Restaurant (Naples)
With names like It’s All Good and Sugar Mama, the specialty rolls at Blu Sushi are something special indeed, and we’re more than a little bit proud of the new teal Chillax martini, created in Gulfshore Life’s honor. If you’re not in the mood for the festive hibachi dining experience, you’ll definitely want to apply for membership at Fujiama’s Club Sushi, or check out the offerings at east Naples’ Tokyo Sushi.

Best Pizza
California Pizza Kitchen (Estero, Naples)
Finalists: Aurelio’s Pizza (Naples), Napoli on the Bay Pizza & Deli (Naples)
There’s absolutely no guilt in finishing an entire order of CPK’s out-of-the-ordinary pizzas by yourself. But if you can’t, they’ll give you one of those cute, yellow boxes to enjoy the rest of this top-notch treat later. Pizza champ Aurelio’s returns to the Best of the Gulfshore with its generous servings of Chicago-style pie. If it’s NYC-style pizza you’re after, Napoli on the Bay has the cuisine and vibe you crave.

Best Chinese Takeout
Charlie Chiang’s (Naples)
Finalists: Pei Wei (Naples), Ichiban (Fort Myers)
For Doubletree Suites visitors in north Naples, the best Chinese takeout in the area can be found steps from their hotel room at Charlie Chiang’s. (We recommend the Yu Shion Shrimp for its delectable sauce.) Newcomer Pei Wei at the Collection at Vanderbilt has quickly become a lunchtime favorite for its quick and tasty meals born from the masters at PF Changs. Ichiban adds its own style of Japanese and Chinese flavors to Fort Myers’ River District.

Best Steakhouse
Ruth’s Chris Steak House (Estero, Naples)
Finalists: Chops City Grill (Bonita Springs, Naples), Fleming’s Steakhouse (Naples)
Talk to any steak aficionados about Ruth’s Chris’ thick cuts of beef, and you’ll see their eyes glaze over with a dreamy expression just thinking of how aged steak meets salt, pepper and butter. Long-time favorites Chops City Grill and Fleming’s continue to wow with their filets, Porterhouses, sirloins and more.

Best Breakfast
First Watch (Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Naples)
Finalists: Crissy’s at Bayfront/Crissy’s Wild Side Cafe (Naples), Skillets (Bonita Springs, Naples)
Regulars line up to partake in First Watch’s breakfast and brunch menu, with a selection that includes 11 omelettes ranging from spicy Cajun to Greek, signature "Crepeggs" and plate-sized pancakes, French toast and Belgian waffles. Crissy’s also boasts out-of-this-world omelettes and French toast, while Skillets offers eggs in every configuration your heart desires.

Best Non-chocolate Dessert
Tarte aux pommes chaude a la mode at Escargot 41 (Naples)
Finalists: Carrot cake at Truluck’s (Naples), Key lime pie at Randy’s Fishmarket Restaurant (Naples)
Who says dessert has to be drenched in chocolate? Satisfy your sweet tooth at Escargot 41 with its warm, sweet apple pie, laced with caramel sauce—ice cream optional. Baked to order, it’s worth the wait. The rich carrot cake at Truluck’s and Randy’s signature Key lime pie may also test your commitment to the cocoa bean.

Best Business Lunch
The Veranda (Fort Myers)
Finalists: USS Nemo (Naples), Bistro 41 (Fort Myers)
Within walking distance of bustling government complexes, The Veranda is a favorite lunch spot for Fort Myers’ movers and shakers. Two turn-of-the-century homes were transformed into the restaurant, which has multiple smaller dining areas (perfect for discreet business deals). Last year’s winner, USS Nemo, is on the list again with its laid-back atmosphere; and Bistro 41 regularly draws a bustling crowd with its full lunch menu.

Best-kept Secret
Gaja Ristorante (Naples)
Finalists: La Trattoria Café Napoli (Fort Myers), AA Two Brothers Pizzeria & Italian Cuisine (Bonita Springs)
Gaja Ristorante, just west of busy Third Street South, features authentic Italian cooking by chef Gino Sciallis, who uses fresh produce and herbs from his own garden. La Trattoria Café Napoli in Villas Plaza is owned by chef Gloria Cabral-Jordan and features amazing paella and homemade pastries. AA Two Brothers Pizzeria & Italian Cuisine, tucked in Bay Crossings plaza, has big ambiance for a small space. It isn’t open for lunch, but dinner offerings are, of course, New York-style pizza—gourmet toppings even include clams—and an extensive menu of Italian dishes.

Best After-work Bar
Shane’s Cabana Bar (Naples)
Finalists: CinCin Mediterranean Bar & Grill (Fort Myers), Boston Beer Garden (Naples)
Shane’s Cabana Bar, an outdoor chickee hut with a full bar, can relieve the stress of a long day with beautiful views of the water and specialty tropical drinks. Although CinCin’s happy hour technically starts at 11:30 a.m., a regular crowd finds its way to the sophisticated bar when the workday ends. With no less than a dozen beers on draft and a full bar and TV screens viewable from any seat, Boston Beer Garden offers a more refined version of the sports bar with, naturally, a New England tilt. If you stay for dinner, we insist on the grilled chicken Caesar salad.

Best Deli Sandwich
Jason’s Deli (Fort Myers, Naples and Cape Coral)
Finalists: Wynn’s Market (Naples), Pastrami Dan’s (Naples)
With 10 different choices under the "Favorites" category—not to mention slimwiches for the health-conscious, muffalettas, po’boys, paninis and wrapinis—Jason’s Deli has a sandwich to please any palate. The deli at Wynn’s Market features imported salamis, fresh roast beef, roasted turkey, seasoned hams and heart-healthy chicken, plus a wide selection of imported cheeses. And offering big taste in a much smaller menu—pastrami and roast beef are the two sandwich choices—is Pastrami Dan’s.

Best Family-friendly Restaurant
RC Otter’s Island Eats (Captiva)
Finalists: Carrabba’s (Fort Myers, Bonita, Cape, Naples, Port Charlotte), Parrot Key Caribbean Grill (Fort Myers Beach)
If the tropical setting, live music and ring-toss game don’t keep your kids occupied, then the giant menu at RC Otter’s Island Eats will. To simplify the selection, go for the restaurant’s kids’ menu, featuring chicken fingers, cheeseburgers and mac and cheese. Carrabba’s also has a kids’ menu with typical American fare and popular Italian dishes: four-cheese ravioli, pizza and fettuccini Alfredo. Parrot Key Caribbean Grill offers open-air waterfront dining in a colorful, parrot-themed tropical restaurant. Its kids’ menu also includes tried and true favorites—chicken fingers, grilled cheese, hot dog, fish and chips, cheeseburger and buttered pasta.

Best Caterer
Matthews & Gardner (Naples)
Finalists: Victorian Garden Catering (Fort Myers), Tony’s Off Third (Naples)
Matthews & Gardner has been creating new and exciting dishes for adventurous clients for 11 years. Based on French traditional cuisine, it also ventures into Asian, Spanish, Indian and more. Although the owners of Jayne’s Victorian Garden have closed their restaurant, their catering business, Victorian Garden Catering, is still in full bloom. And Tony’s Off Third offers full-service catering (right down to the venue and music selection) for everything from formal dinner parties to picnics at the beach.

Best Cake Decorating
Kakes by Karen (Naples)
Finalists: Mikkelsen’s Pastry Shop (Naples), Mason’s Bakery (Fort Myers)
Karen Vasquez specializes in custom-designed homemade cakes for all occasions. Decorated in rolled fondant using traditional and contemporary techniques, the cakes range from ultra-elegant, intricate wedding cake designs to bright, whimsical birthday creations, all of which would be right at home in an art gallery. Mikkelsen’s also offers a wide range of styles and unique designs dependent on your choice of buttercream, fondant or rolled white chocolate icing. For those who prefer the taste of cream icing with the smooth look of fondant, Mason’s offers a technique to combine the best of both worlds.

Best Wine Shop
Haskell’s Wine & Spirits (Naples)
Finalists: The Wine Merchant (Naples), Total Wine & More (Fort Myers, Naples)
Haskell’s Wine & Spirits has a wide range of wines, including ultra high-end offerings stored in its temperature-controlled cellar. Want to try it before you buy it? Attend one of the many in-season wine tastings at The Wine Merchant and enjoy the expertise of the staff to guide you to the right selection. For no-nonsense shopping, find your trusted favorite at Total Wine & More.

SERVICES

Best Massage
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Naples
Finalists: La-Te-Da Salon & Spa (Fort Myers), The Spa at Naples Beach Hotel
Once you walk up the fairy-tale staircase at the Ritz-Carlton Spa, Naples, chances are you’ve already forgotten your worries. But in case you still need some pampering, there’s a plethora of choices, including the decadent—and highly appropriate—Gulf Stone Massage. If it’s holistic principles you dig, La-Te-Da Salon & Spa offers Li’Tya natural treatments, while The Spa at Naples Beach Hotel mingles aromatherapy and ancient methods to make day-to-day tensions a thing of the past.

Best Place to Get Six-Pack Abs
NCH Wellness Center (Naples)
Finalists: The Omni Club (Fort Myers), Bikram Yoga Naples
There’s no better way to trim down and tone up than by grabbing a spot in the half-hour Abs & Glutes class at the state-of-the-art NCH Wellness Center. Up the ante at the Omni Club’s boot camp for an all-over burn, or stretch your way to great abs with Bikram Yoga Naples. Namaste!

Best Salon
Vincent Salon and Spa (Fort Myers)
Finalists: Dariel’s Hair Salon (Naples), Salon Nicholas (Fort Myers)
Women (and men) around Southwest Florida are choosing Vincent Salon and Spa as their hair apparent, not only for its staff’s frequent training sessions with Redken experts, but also for its cool, new, touch-screen displays streaming breaking fashion news at stations throughout the salon. Dariel Saiz is the mane man for the Naples set, while the stylists at Salon Nicholas remain a crowd favorite at its location in Fort Myers’ picturesque River District.

Best Florist
50Fifty Floral Art (Naples)
Finalists: Fort Myers Florist, Garden District of Naples
If it’s artful designs you’re after, look no further than 50Fifty, a recurrent favorite in this category. They’re the creative force behind many of the Gulfshore’s most opulent parties, including more than a few of those famed Naples Winter Wine Fest dinners. Fort Myers Florist, part of a group that ranks among the top 10 largest floral companies in the United States, delivers exotic, contemporary or traditional arrangements, and the Garden District of Naples takes it to the next level with elegant fountains and statuary.

ATTRACTIONS

Best Playground
North Collier Regional Park (Naples)
Finalists: Estero Community Park, Lakes Park (Fort Myers)
The playground at North Collier Regional looks more like a modern work of art than a play place, but its young patrons don’t seem to mind. Its sleek and colorful design, which includes realistic-looking boulders for climbing and a faux fossil dig, puts ordinary swing sets to shame. If the complex rope maze at Estero Community Park doesn’t cut it in the summer swelter, splash over to Lakes Park’s new sprinkler paradise for water-gushing palm trees, alligators and a giant mushroom.

Best Performing Arts Group
Naples Philharmonic Orchestra
Finalists: Florida Repertory Theatre (Fort Myers), Naples Players
What’s not to love about the NPO? It touts a seasonal menu of everything from Baroque to the Beatles that’s music to our judges’ ears. The Florida Rep performs award-winning, outside-the-box productions each season at the renovated Arcade Theatre nestled in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District, and the volunteer actors of the Naples Players showcase a mix of musicals, comedy and drama.

Best Local Entertainer
Jimmy Keyes
Finalists: Heather Brooks Band, Cahlua and Cream
The ultimate all-around entertainer, Jimmy Keyes sings, plays the keyboard and keeps the crowd happy with his unique sense of humor. Husband-and-wife duo Don and Lesly Hale make up Cahlua and Cream, popular among Neapolitans during season for their range of tunes, including Broadway show tunes, pop classics and modern hits. A jazzy-bluesy crowd pleaser, Heather Brooks is garnering attention outside of her native Southwest Florida—her music is available worldwide on iTunes.

Best Beach
Barefoot Beach (Bonita Springs)
Finalists: Vanderbilt Beach (Naples), Captiva Island
Kick off your flip-flops at Bonita Springs’ aptly named Barefoot Beach, one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s southwest coast and a favorite spot for avid fishermen. If people-watching is your thing, the view is always good at Vanderbilt Beach, and the peaceful beaches of Captiva Island are the perfect place to pull up a towel and umbrella and watch the wildlife.

Best Golf Course
Tiburón Golf Club (Naples)
Finalists: Old Collier (Naples), Naples National
The Greg Norman-designed course at Tiburón shares its turf with the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. It’s got two levels—Black and Gold—that alternate daily to keep things interesting for players new and seasoned. You’ll have to make friends with a member of the Old Collier Golf Club to get a glimpse of its notable Tom Fazio design—and its resident wildlife, which includes eagles, gopher tortoises and the infrequent bull gator—while the design of the Naples National kicks back to the design of historic courses a century past.

Best Wildlife Sightings
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (Naples)
Finalists: J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge (Sanibel Island), Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve (Fort Myers)
Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary features a boardwalk through a cypress forest offering some of the best views of Southwest Florida’s unique birds, mammals, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians. The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is more than 6,400 acres of mangrove forest, seagrass beds, cordgrass marshes and West Indian hardwood hammocks, providing habitat for more than 220 species of birds. The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is a 2,500-acre wetland that’s home to a diverse population of plants and animals that can be spotted from the 1.2-mile raised boardwalk.

Best Dog Park
Dog Beach (Bonita Springs)
Finalists: K-9 Corral (Estero), Rover Run Dog Park (Naples)
If you and your dog are getting bored with walks around your neighborhood, it’s time to take a field trip. Dog Beach, the only Lee County beach that allows dogs to frolic off-leash, can be found at Lovers Key State Park in Bonita. The K-9 Corral, on two acres in Estero Community Park, and Rover Run Dog Park at Veterans Community Park (the only dog park in Collier County) both have separate fenced areas for large and small dogs.

Best Place to Watch the Sunset
"Sunset Beach" (Captiva Island)
Finalists: Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club (Naples), LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort (Naples)
Unofficially dubbed "Sunset Beach" by the locals, this year’s winner can be found just past the entrance to South Seas Island Resort at the north end of Captiva Drive. Keep your eye on the horizon for that elusive "green flash" as the sun sinks into the Gulf of Mexico. Naples Beach Hotel is a fabulous place to wind down the day with a cocktail at its sunset beach bar overlooking the Gulf. LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort even offers a romantic sunset picnic retreat for couples on Vanderbilt Beach, complete with Scottish bagpiper and nightly sunset bell-ringing ceremony.

SOCIAL SCENE

Best Black-Tie Event
Angel Ball (Naples)
Finalists: Heart Ball, Red Ribbon Ball
Last year’s Angel Ball was so popular that it sold out before the invitations hit the mail. This gala, which benefits The Community School of Naples, provides the main source of donations for children in need of financial aid. Both Lee and Collier counties gussy up for their individual events that help out the American Heart Association. The Island Coast AIDS Network celebrated an old Hollywood-themed event with its seventh annual Red Ribbon Ball this spring.

Best Festival
Naples Winter Wine Festival
Finalists: Edison Festival of Lights (Fort Myers), Taste of Collier (Naples)
At $7,500 a couple, the price of admission makes the Naples Winter Wine Festival quite an exclusive event, yet it draws attendees from around the world who, year after year, contribute millions of dollars for Collier County’s youth in need. 2008 marked the 70th annual Edison Festival of Lights celebration in honor of inventor and one-time Fort Myers resident, Thomas Edison. The three-week event culminates with the highly anticipated grand parade. The first Sunday in May signals the end of season and honors year-round residents who keep local businesses buzzing at the annual Taste of Collier.

Best Place to Be Seen
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
Finalists: Fifth Avenue South (Naples), Philharmonic Center for the Arts (Naples)
A hot spot for the beautiful people is The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, beach hotel, whether dining at its many restaurants, rejuvenating at The Spa, enjoying a cocktail in the Lobby Lounge or a snack by the pool. Fifth Avenue South is the place for an eclectic mix of locals and visitors to see and be seen strolling past its quaint shops, restaurants and nightclubs. Those who enjoy the arts will always find an interesting mix at the Phil. Whether visiting for the symphony, an art exhibit or a touring Broadway show, the crowd is always overflowing with culture.

Best Singles Scene
Fifth Avenue South (Naples)
Finalists: The River District (Downtown Fort Myers), Gulf Coast Town Center (Fort Myers)
Whether you’re looking for a swanky spot to enjoy a martini, an Irish pub with rowdy live music or a nightclub where you can get your groove on, you’ll find all these options and more along Fifth Avenue South. A younger crowd descends on Hendry and Bay streets and the venues along Patio de Leon to mix and mingle in downtown Fort Myers. And no weekend is complete for local singles without a trip to the Ale House, Blu Sushi and Bar Louie at Gulf Coast Town Center.

Best Country Club
Bay Colony Beach Club (Naples)
Finalists: The Port Royal Club (Naples), Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club (Fort Myers)
If you’re lucky enough to call Bay Colony home, you can enjoy the Beach Club’s private beach access, sundeck, chickee bar and air-conditioned lounge. The Port Royal Club also provides residents with beach access, nine tennis courts, fitness facility, personal training and massage therapy. If you don’t live in Gulf Harbour, you may still be in luck. The 30,000-square-foot Yacht & Country Club along the Caloosahatchee River has a few coveted non-resident memberships. Those who get in can enjoy the 8,000-square-foot spa and fitness club plus eight tennis courts, 18-hole championship golf course and a private island beach.

Best Local Power Couple
Jay and Patty Baker (Naples)
Finalists: Joe & JoAnn Catti (Fort Myers), Steve and Lou Pontius (Fort Myers)
In an interview with Gulfshore Life, Jay Baker said, "When you’ve been lucky, you give back to what you believe in." He and wife Patty must believe in this community, as they have generously supported organizations such as the Naples Museum of Art, the Sudgen Community Theatre, the Naples Players and much more. Joe Catti, the president and CEO of FineMark National Bank, spends much of his time serving on boards such as the FGCU Foundation and Lee County Public Schools, while wife JoAnn supports her share of charitable endeavors. Steve and Lou Pontius are also well respected for the good they’ve done for various Lee County organizations, including the American Heart Association, United Way and Boy Scouts.