Culinary Naples

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The shops and restaurants along Fifth Avenue South, Naples

Photo Credit: Elena Prostova

Miami's not the only city with culinary appeal. Naples impresses with everything from swanky five-coursers to good ole American breakfasts.

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 truffle torte
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 salad 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 Beach Resort (888-722-1267, www.naplesgrande.com), where the restaurant resides.

Details: 239-598-9600, www.striphouse.com/naples

What’s Hot

Artisans

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 rolls
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: Dry aged steaks

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: 30 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