When looking at the dining scene, to borrow a lesson from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a second (or seventh) coming still warrants our attention.
One recent sister act, Fernandez the Bull Cuban Café and Bar, indeed landed a place among our January 2016 issue’s list of the 10 Best New Restaurants by improving on an already great blueprint—with an expanded menu, a full liquor license, and bringing a real touch of the island inside with a classic Chevy and traditional wagon wheel mounted on the walls (pictured).
Here are some more siblings that we’ve seen open or are about to do so. Some might even say it’s a trend to add to our burgeoning list.
COLLIER COUNTY
Fernandez the Bull: As mentioned, a hip younger sister debuted on Pine Ridge just east of Livingston, joining a previous locale on Immokalee.
Inca’s Kitchen: A second much larger space in North Naples’ Pavilion complements the original on Collier Boulevard.
Joey D’s: The popular pizza joint added a third location on Davis Boulevard and is in the process of opening a fourth on Marco Island (with hopes to be up and running by April 2016).
Pelican Larry’s: It’s three times the charm for local wings fans with the new location east on Immokalee.
New York Pizza and Pasta: Fans of the Empire State’s slices who live closer to I-75 will soon not have to slog through the seasonal traffic on Immokalee to reach the original on 41.
Shea’s at Lansdowne Street: Also a work in progress, this extension of the Red Sox sports pub in Bonita is set to open soon on Naples’ Fifth Avenue South.
The Crust: The original parlor for crispy pizza pies in Naples’ Pavilion will stay open even when the huge new space just down on 41 debuts.
LEE COUNTY
Aji Limon: A quaint second (and much more convenient) location of the authentic Peruvian place opened in southern Cape Coral.
Blu Sushi: Downtown Fort Myers saw a disco-like new spot unveil, along with a satellite campus within Fish Crazy in North Naples.
Cancún Bar & Grill: Not exactly a carbon copy, this Mexican joint in Estero is from the owners of Señor Tequila’s.
HaVen: We’re awaiting this swank gastrolounge, an export from Miami, to open up in the Bell Tower Shops.
