Place to Go: Naples

The Thing to Do: If you think the only place in Florida to find bold, exciting dining is Miami, think again. As one of the nation’s most sophisticated resort towns, Naples way outshines its size in culinary stature. Here are but a few restaurants, divided into categories that include “What’s New,” “What’s Hot” and “Still Tasty.”

 
What’s New
 
Coast
Style: New American.
Setting: Hotel lobby restaurant without walls; the definition of beach-view cutting-edge
Menu: Pared down to well-crafted works of art
Don’t miss: Chocolate marquise
Bonus: Stay overnight at the Edgewater Beach Hotel (888-325-7711, www.edgewaternaples.com), home to Coast
Details: 239-403-2000
 
Handsome Harry’s
Style: American Uptown
Setting: Indoor-outdoor glam.
Menu: Well-crafted, well-rounded seafood, steak and pasta selections for lunch and dinner.
Don’t miss: Lemon Cream of Lobster Bisque
Details: 239-434-6400, www.handsomeharrys.com
 
The Strip House
Owner: A product of Las Vegas, and it shows.
Style: Steakhouse excess
Setting: Bordello meets clubhouse
Don’t miss: Bone-in ribeye
Bonus: Sleep it off at Naples Grande Resort (800-247-9810, www.naplesgrande.com), where the restaurant resides.
Details: 239-598-9600, www.striphouse.net
 
Trilogy
Chef-owner: Ross Peterson of Roy’s and Syrah fame
Style: American-Asian
Setting: Smart bistro
Menu: Fin, Fowl & Shells, Butcher Block and other options for dinner. Salads, small plates and “sammiches” at lunch
Don’t miss: Butter poach lobster tail with spinach gnocchi
Details: 239-261-1221, www.trilogyofnaples.com
 
 
What’s Hot
 
Artisans
Chef: Executive Chef Derin Moore, one of 60 U.S. certified master chefs
Style: Regional with a Mediterranean twist
Setting: Tranquil, artful elegance
Menu: Items grouped by protein types, available in full or half portions so diners can design their own dinner tasting menu
Don’t miss: Lobster salad
Bonus: Spend the night in luxury at The Ritz-Carlton (800-241-3333, www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/naples), home to Artisans.
Details: 239-598-3300
 
Bha! Bha!
Chef-owner: Iranian native Michael Mir
Style: Persian
Setting: Chic sheik
Menu: Classic and innovative ethnic specialties
Don’t miss: Spicy kermani beef with saffron sauce and cucumber yogurt
Bonus: Belly dancing on select nights
Details: 239-594-5557, www.bhabhapersianbistro.com
 
Chops City Grill
Chef-owner: Skip Quillen, owner of several local restaurants.
Style: Steaks and Pacific Rim
Setting: Bustling bistro-bar with display kitchen
Menu: Fine beef, sushi and seafood
Don’t miss: Asian barbecue pork porterhouse
Details: 239-262-4677, www.gr8food.net
 
Escargot 41
Chef-owner: French imports Chef Patrick and Jackie Fevrier
Style: Creative French
Setting: Cozy corner au province
Menu: Seven escargot apps, tournedos with escargots, duck and seafood
Don’t miss: Seafood and morels in champagne cream sauce
Details: 239-793-5000, www.escargot41.com
 
 
What’s Tasty
 
Aurelio’s Is Pizza
Style: Chicago pizza
Setting: Red-and-white checkered tablecloths and Illinois license plates
Menu: 29 types of pizza plus other Italian specialties
Don’t miss: Super Six (the works!)
Details: 239-403-8882, aureliosofnaples.com

The Dock at Crayton Cove
Owner: Vin DePasquale, longtime Naples restaurateur
Style: Old Florida fish house
Setting: Open-air at Naples Dock
Menu: All major Florida food groups: Sandwiches, seafood, deep-fried, Caribbean-style and rum
Don’t miss: Blackened mahi tacos
Details: 239-263-9940, www.dockcraytoncove.com

Skillet’s SunRise
Style: Good ol’ American
Setting: Country-style. More cheerful than anything should be first thing in the morning
Menu: Huge selection of breakfast favorites all day (until 2:30); also lunch
Don’t miss: Whole wheat cranberry-pecan pancakes with orange sauce
Details: 239-566-1999, www.goodbreakfast.com