Hot Dish
Inside the Gulfshore's Dining Scene
04/29/09Hot Dish: April 29, 2009Inside the Gulfshore’s dining scene. Vivi Ristorante Brightens Naples’ Coastland Center Vivi Ristorante, nestled between Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Macy’s at Coastland Center, is the newest Italian restaurant in town. With lunches from $5 to $13.50, and more than 50 dinner items from $5 to $23, this truly is, as co-owner Miguel Sacal calls it, “primarily a neighborhood restaurant for year-round people, serving great food at reasonable prices.” Vivi Ristorante at Coastland Center The casually upscale setting is open, with an outside patio that seats 20 and ample room inside for 190 people. The décor is elegantly simple, with tall ceilings, tile floors and a comfortable bar area. The wait staff is dapper in black pants, long white... Posted at 10:14 PM | Permalink |
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04/15/09Hot Dish: April 15, 2009Inside the Gulfshore’s dining scene. New Kid on the Block is Tops in Pizza Café Alessio Chef /owner Joe Mannino has guts. Who else would open an Italian restaurant in Naples, just a few calzone tosses from Noodles Italian Café & Sushi Bar and Dino’s, each already offering great Italian food and live entertainment on weekends? Well, Joe’s gutsiness and his tasty food have paid off—Alessio’s is standing room only on weekend nights. The broad selection of more than 70 salads, sandwiches, pasta and seafood dishes is good, ranging from $4 to $25. However we, and many regulars, especially rave about their wood-burning-style pizzas! We had the 12-inch pesto and shrimp pizza ($17), with fresh tomato, pesto sauce, shrimp and lots of mozzarella, with a thin crisp... Posted at 04:57 PM | Permalink |
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03/25/09Hot Dish: March 25, 2009Inside the Gulfshore’s dining scene. AZN Spells Asian Delight at Naples’ Mercato AZN Azian Cuizine opened last week at Mercato in Naples. My dining experience was flawless, delivered in an asymmetrically beautiful setting, with broad windows open wide to welcome Naples’ mid-70s breeze. AZN complements Mercato’s other culinary offerings— McCormick & Schmick’s, Capital Grille and Whole Foods—with its fresh, high quality food at reasonable prices. Three circulating managers, an abundance of servers and a trio of sushi chefs provide attentive service. AZN's interior The seafood, beef and duck are tender and beautifully plated. I enjoyed the Ahi Poke Hawaiian ($9), a classic mix of cubes of fresh raw tuna, avocado and pineapple in ponzu sauce, topped with... Posted at 03:19 PM | Permalink |
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03/11/09Hot Dish: March 11, 2009Inside the Gulfshore’s dining scene. Food Fest Overflows with Delicious Dishes and Generous Bidders I attended an elegant Chef and Vintner Dinner at the home of hosts Marshall and Lori Hanno during the 8th Annual Southwest Florida Wine and Food Fest in late February. Lori and Marshall Hanno The cuisine was created by Executive Chef Nick Costanzo of Angelina’s Ristorante in Bonita Springs, and the wines were generously donated by attending vintners Juelle Fisher and daughter Cameron Fisher of Fisher Vineyards. Vintner Juelle Fisher, Marshall Hanno, Chef Nick Costanzo, Lori Hanno and Vintner Cameron Fisher Chef Costanzo served a six-course meal in the Hannos’ home equal to Michelin-starred restaurants. His selections included crispy seared black bass,... Posted at 05:04 PM | Permalink |
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02/25/09Hot Dish: Feb. 25, 2009Inside the Gulfshore’s Dining Scene The Gulfshore’s Other Wine Festival Missed the Naples Winter Wine Festival? Come sample great food and fine wines at the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest this Friday and Saturday. Top chefs will join 16 wineries at chef vintner dinners at select homes on Friday. Seats are still available, ticket prices vary and the quality is tops. For the public, do not miss Saturday’s Grand Tasting and Auction, starting at 12:30 p.m. at Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club in south Lee County. This is a rare opportunity for you to talk, face-to-face with two dozen chefs, and try their savory creations. You don’t often get that experience while dining in one chef’s restaurant! Have auction fever? Rare Robert Rauschenberg prints, exquisite... Posted at 04:09 PM | Permalink |
