By Kara Franker
 

Stroll along the downtown promenade on Fifth Avenue in Naples -- lined with trendy boutiques, outdoor cafés and lush tropical foliage -- and you'll notice a chic new neighborhood hotspot in the place where McCabe's Pub formerly sat for more than 15 years.

Located at the luxurious Inn on Fifth and Club Level Suites, a new fine-dining restaurant called Avenue5 is serving lunch and dinner to a crowd of Naples' own socialites, business clientele and visiting travelers.

Avenue5 is the latest addition to the area’s flourishing social scene and I couldn't wait to visit and experience both the AAA Four Diamond hotel and the brand new restaurant.

 

Lobby of The Inn on Fifth

Lobby of The Inn on Fifth

- The Inn on Fifth

 

The interior of the restaurant is simply stunning -- there's nothing quite like it in downtown Naples. With seating for 240 guests in a vintage glam atmosphere, the $3 million restaurant project was directed by owner and entrepreneur Phil McCabe, world-renowned designer Jeffrey Beers International (who's portfolio includes Fontainebleau hotel and restaurants such as Daniel Boulud and Todd English), Naples builder Deangelis Diamond (who recently completed the extravagant Club Level Suites at the Inn on Fifth), and local firm Kukk Architecture & Design, P.A.

“Countless hours of planning and hard work have gone into the design and opening of Avenue5, but it has all paid off,” says Phil McCabe, owner of Avenue5 and the Inn on Fifth and Club Level Suites. “We have an outstanding culinary and management team ready to amaze guests with fabulous food and ambiance and make Avenue5 a new local favorite.”

Watch the video below to learn about the history of the property, which used to be a bank, and witness the transformation of the space from McCabe's Pub into Avenue5:

 

 

Not only is the atmosphere a combination of chic and welcoming, the food is a feast for the senses. Executive Chef John Welch has crafted a menu featuring prime cuts of meats, chops, local vegetables and the finest seafood from Florida and the coast of Maine.

Using only the best available ingredients, Chef Welch offers an array of appetizers, soups and salads, in addition to a raw bar and specialty seafood and meat entrees. An exclusive Chef’s Table experience accommodates up to eight people at a select table near the kitchen, where Chef Welch will personally direct an extraordinary one-on-one dining experience.

Menu items you must try include the Native Maine Lobster Sliders appetizer (shown below), Cajun Rubbed Black Grouper and Delmonico Steak. There's also an extensive wine list available.

If you're planning a special event, Avenue5 also offers two private dining rooms designed to host weddings, corporate dinners, family get-togethers and other gatherings. Both offering views of Sugden Plaza, the Verandah can seat up to 80 guests, with the more intimate Plaza room seating up to 30. The Verandah also features an outdoor ambiance created by large, surrounding picture windows that can be opened, letting in the fresh sea air.

If You Go: Avenue5 is located at 699 Fifth Avenue South and is open Monday - Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for lunch and from 5 to 10:30 p.m. for dinner. On weekends, Avenue5 is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for lunch and from 5 to 11 p.m. for dinner. Reservations are accepted. For more information or to make reservations, visit Avenue5Naples.com or call 239- 403-7170.

Insider Tip: For help planning your next trip to Naples, visit ParadiseCoast.com.

Want more Florida travel tips from VISIT FLORIDA’s Entertainment & Luxury Insider? Follow Kara Franker on Twitter.

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