Sanibel’s Mermaid Kitchen's new owners Jenny and Andrew Edgar, from the United Kingdom, have brought in new chefs—Executive Chef Michael Colter and Sous Chef Joe Cox—and their food is great! I flipped over the fresh taste and beautiful presentation of Neptune’s chilled poached seafoods ($16.50), and the tenderness of the herb-crusted 14-ounce Kurobuta pork chop’s roasted shallots, candied walnuts and raspberry glace de veau ($24).

Kurobuta pork chop at Mermaid Kitchen

Dino’s Italian Restaurant now offers lunch as well as dinner, and cooking lessons start up in December! Chef/Owner Dino Redzik is one of the few Italian chefs who will cook to order many favorite Italian dishes not found on the new menu. (Do be kind—come in early or later, not at 7 p.m., for this special treat). I like the friendly staff and rich seasoning of the cuisine. Whether it’s a simple pasta soup, homemade sausage, or his oh-so-savory rack of lamb with sautéed spinach and goat cheese, his style of Italian cookery has a bold, authentic rustic taste. And whether people go for the simple fare, weekend live entertainment, a tasting dinner with wine or the multicourse Chef’s Table, Dino’s is a Naples favorite. Dino’s, 1575 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 22 in Mission Square, Naples, (239) 594-1900.

rack of lamb at Dino's