Hot Dish
Inside the Gulfshore's Dining Scene
08/26/09Hot Dish: Aug. 26, 2009Hot Dish Inside the Gulfshore’s dining scene. A Star is Born! Inca’s Kitchen serves some of the best cuisine in Southwest Florida, and it’s on my—and quite a few others’—lists of “Top 10 restaurants.” The food is Peruvian and an exquisite mix of Asian, Italian, Spanish and French cooking. Inca's Kitchen Chef Rafael Rottiers and wife Blanca. Chef/Co-owner Rafael Rottiers serves some of the tastiest seafood and steaks in town. I flipped over Inca’s Wari fish ($16), an ambrosia-like grilled fish with mango salsa. Inca's Kitchen's Wari fish. The Peruvian ceviche ($12) is tops, a full-size portion of fish, calamari and shrimp. The lomo saltado and other steaks are a match for any steakhouse. Inca's Kitchen's sampler featuring grilled... Posted at 03:45 PM | Permalink |
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08/12/09Hot Dish: Aug. 12, 2009Inside the Gulfshore’s Dining Scene. Naples’ Blue Martini Is an Instant Hit Blue Martini at Mercato in Naples has been packed with more than 250 guests almost every night since opening, offering pretty martinis and light food to savor. Walking by the open bar in front, you’d think it’s been the center of Naples’ night life for years. Blue Martini at Mercato in Naples It’s a long, lean, attractive club, luring patrons in their 20s through their 80s for its Happy Hour, narrowing to mostly 20s and 30s later in the evening. Two main indoor bars are busy, and the large outdoor bar is just right for short-sleeve weather. Food is primarily flatbreads, bruschetta ($8), a fruit-and-cheese plate ($14), seared tuna ($14), steak sandwich ($14) and a lobster taco... Posted at 03:20 PM | Permalink |
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07/29/09Hot Dish: July 29, 2009Inside the Gulfshore’s Dining Scene. Dine with Dolphins at Flippers on the Bay Flippers on the Bay has long been a tropical oasis for boaters, who glide right onto its sandy beach, as well as for those who arrive by car and bicycle. Boaters head back into the bay after dining at Flippers. This palm-shaded, poolside paradise, at Lovers Key Resort on Fort Myers Beach, could be a setting for Jimmy Buffet’s Cheeseburger in Paradise! Beach your boat or park your car and come upstairs. Yep, it has a roof and a wooden deck, but its sides are wide open to the cooling breezes, stunning sunsets and curious birds. The view is relaxing, stretching across the expanse of the open bay. When I visited last week, five dolphins lazily swam by and pelicans dove for dinner. ... Posted at 05:25 PM | Permalink |
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07/15/09Hot Dish: July 15, 2009Inside the Gulfshore’s Dining Scene. Popular Two Brothers Relocates to Naples Two Brothers Baci Italian Restaurant is one of the best in Southwest Florida. Formerly known as AA Two Brothers Pizzeria & Italian Cuisine, it was named a Gulfshore Life Best of the Gulfshore Best-Kept Secret in 2008 before relocating from Bay Crossings in Bonita Springs and tweaking its name. Two Brothers specializes in fresh Brooklyn-style cuisine—even the sauces are made on the spot. This is a warm, friendly neighborhood treasure, with brothers Bob and Sal Lanzieri always on site. Two Brothers Baci Italian Restaurant owners Bob and Sal Lanzieri The food is very, very good! My favorites are the zuppa di pesce ($24) with lots of fresh, tender shrimp, mussels, clams and calamari... Posted at 04:17 PM | Permalink |
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07/08/09Hot Dish: July 8, 2009Inside the Gulfshore’s Dining Scene. Beat the Heat with Great Meal Deals Many restaurants are feeling the pinch of the typical slower summer mixed with a tight economy. Owners are reluctant to share figures, but the general buzz is this past season was down 15 to 25 percent. What’s bad news for them is good news for diners in search of a great deal, as many restaurants are offering big discounts on food and drink to lure new customers, maintain regulars and keep servers’ tips up. I could fill this column for months just listing specials such as Naples Originals’ 30 percent discounts at more than 35 locally owned restaurants (www.naplesoriginals.com). And check out some of the other great deals I found along the Gulfshore: —Naples’ Miramare, with one of... Posted at 03:20 PM | Permalink |
