Testimonials

Back to Testimonials

The Naples area is blessed with many fine dining venues from unfussy neighborhood pubs, including some doggone good cowboy cuisine, to elegant four-star restaurants. Here is my seventh annual list of some of the best taste treats enjoyed over the past year. Lobster pot pie at Parkshore Grille: The pot pie, served in a steamy oval casserole and crusted with buttery-cheesy cracker crumbs, was a taste triumph — lots of sweet lobster in a robust pink gravy reminiscent of seafood bisque. Sauerbraten at Heidelberg European Restaurant: A beef roast is marinated for several days in a mix using 25 spices. Following a slow roasting process, the resultant fork-tender sauerbraten is served with spaetzle and a haystack of red cabbage. Gumbo at Traders Store & Cafe: Discover perfection in a Fiestaware bowl. The lusty brew is thick, stewlike and rich with plenty of fresh seafood and yellow rice. A friend says the gumbo alone is worth the drive to Bonita Springs. "Cookies from Heaven" at Aqua Grill: The decadent chocolate fantasy had all the right components — freshly baked Heath Bar cookie, chocolate truffle ice cream, warm chocolate ganache, crunchy toasted walnuts and a cloud of Chantilly whipped cream. Hummus and pita at McCabe's Irish Pub: This freshly made blend of pureed chickpeas, tahini and olive oil, heavily infused with garlic and partnered with chopped ripe tomato and diced onions, made the store-bought stuff taste like school paste. Petti di pollo rollata at Giovanni Ristorante: Chicken breasts were rolled around salty proscuitto and mellow provolone, flavored with basil and partnered with tasty artichoke hearts and mushrooms in a light marinara sauce. Portobello mushroom fries at Toucan Grille in Bonita Springs: Somebody is going to steal this idea. They looked like big steak fries and taste wonderful, accompanied by a sauce that tastes of sour cream and horseradish. Yum. Roast maple leaf duck at Maxwell's on the Bay: A semi-boneless portion of perfectly roasted duck, with golden, crispy exterior and moist interior, was accompanied by Lingonberry sauce. A lovely entree, a praiseworthy waterfront setting. Banana-chocolate cheesecake at Ditka's Steaks, Chops, Seafood: We happily forked our way through this imaginative dessert consisting of an extra-flaky, pocket-style crust encasing a luscious banana cheesecake duo, drizzled with rich chocolate. Eggplant rolatini at Vergina: The eggplant was stuffed with fresh ricotta cheese and served in a tomato-basil sauce, accomplished by sauced pasta — enjoyed while sipping a better-than-average bloody mary in an opulent dining room Penne pizzaiola at Chianti Classico: The zesty marinara sauce contained spicy sausage, roasted red pepper and crimini mushrooms, topped with mozzarella. The bread basket contained a warm crusty loaf that was perfect for mopping up any excess sauce. Meatloaf at Maximo's: This was one of the top early bird specials of the year. My well-seasoned slab of beef came with savory mushroom gravy, glorious garlic mashed spuds and trendy haricot verts and broccoli. Texas Tonion and Texas Margarita at LongHorn Steakhouse: A powerful pre-dinner combo of icy, tart beverage and lightly battered sweet onion petals surrounding a bowl of seductive salmon colored horseradish-tinged dipping sauce. Bella Napoli at Romano's Macaroni Grill: Definitely a belt-buster, the towering creation was made with pasta chips, sausage, olives, peppers, tomato, onion, mozzarella, parmesan and asiago cream sauce. German chocolate truffle cake at Syrah: Mounds bar lovers, listen up. You'll love this intoxicating dessert consisting of deep, dense chocolate; sweet, moist coconut; a creamy, mousse-like filling and a cloud of whipped cream. Reuben sandwich at Richie's Open Kitchen Family Restaurant: Generous layers of lean, aromatic corn beef, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese was piled on sturdy rye bread. The requisite Russian dressing came on the

Back to Testimonials