Hot Dish
Inside the Gulfshore's Dining Scene
01/31/12Inside a Naples Winter Wine Festival dinnerForty five guests at the 2012 Naples Winter Wine Festival experienced a magical evening in a dream-like setting at one of 17 elegant vintner’s dinners. This dinner featured renowned Chef Dean Fearing of Fearing’s in Dallas, fine wines from Gargiulo Vineyards of Oakville, California, acclaimed pianist Robert Wells and singer Maria Wells, a magician, and a surprise duet. The next day, 580 guests gathered under the Auction tent at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort to raise $12.2 million dollars. All funds directly help the children of Collier County. The evening’s dinner, hosted by NWWF trustees Laura and Jim Dixon and NWWF trustees/vintners Valerie Boyd and Jeff Gargiulo, was held at Michael DeGroote Sr.’s lovely Port Royal beachfront home. Guests were greeted with... Posted at 06:10 PM | Permalink |
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01/25/12Gordon's on the River marks the return of the classic supper clubInside the dining room at Gordon's on the River. This elegant setting perched above Naples’ mangrove-shored Gordon River is truly the favored catbird seat for upscale diners—both seafaring and landlubbers alike. During the season it's a welcome lush oasis to relax in, free from the crowds and noise at popular spots. It is set apart from other restaurants by Chef Andrew McLaughlin's culinary expertise. Shrimp cocktail appetizers I flipped over the large tender diver scallops topped with bits of crisp onions, wonderfully sauced tenderloin, and delicious rich venison with Madeira sauce and ostrich (tastes like steak, not chicken) with grain mustard-shallot sauce. Gordon’s luscious bread pudding is a dessert must! A trio of featured desserts. Sommelier Ian... Posted at 05:22 PM | Permalink |
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12/27/11Le Lafayette owners open new Paris BistroParis Bistro and Bakery offers delicious French cuisine and bistro comfort at bistro-friendly prices in a welcoming setting. Brothers David and Phil DiGrazia with Astrid Maillard, co-owner of Naples’ Le Lafayette Restaurant, opened the Bistro about a month ago. It’s already popular with Le Lafayette’s regulars, and has been discovered by curious drivers on Tamiami Trail North. Located at the prior site of Amador’s Bistro Italiano, the trio has wisely kept Amador’s upscale décor and added unique accents with an antique scale and paintings. Le Lafayette chef/co-owner Sebastian Maillard is currently the main chef, alternating with other Le Lafayette chefs. A baker as well, Maillard added the bakery and a long, open case displaying a luscious variety of fruit... Posted at 10:26 PM | Permalink |
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11/15/11Rosedale Brick Oven Pizzeria and Falafel Grill offer up two different tastes of the MediterraneanTo me, the best thin crust pizza around is at Naples’ Rosedale Brick Oven Pizzeria. Just as any true pizza made in Naples, Italy, when I ordered a sausage and spinach pizza, the ball of dough was ably tossed to become a flat disc, topped with the freshest of ingredients, wood-fired-brick-oven baked and hot on my plate a few minutes later. “ Owners Joe Arato and Joe Gonnelly brought their love of pizza, pasta and other Italian specialties to Naples. They opened in April and have been busy since. There’s a baker’s dozen of great pizza combos, and you can mix and match. It’s an attractive restaurant, great for bringing friends or family for lunch or dinner. A choice of varied pastas come with sauces like amatriciana, alla vodka and roasted red pepper. Have a... Posted at 10:07 PM | Permalink |
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10/20/11Simply Southern BBQ is Simply DeliciousSimply Southern BBQ just may have the most tender, juicy and delicious St Louis-style barbecue smoked ribs in Southwest Florida. It’s that simple. Owner/operator/chef Mikkel Brinson was born and raised in Naples, at the house just across the pond from the back of the restaurant. As a youngster, he learned BBQ from his father, and making the most luscious sweet potato pie and other treats from his mother before becoming a recognized caterer and private chef to several Naples families. Dine in at several tables or the couch, or take it home. Chef Brinson crafts the most succulent smoked ribs from his backyard behemoth of a smoker. The brisket is very good, tender with a great rub, and the pulled pork and cole slaw hold their own quite nicely. There’s also smoked... Posted at 04:45 PM | Permalink |
