This month’s column spotlights many of the restaurants that opened for the first time during the first three months of 2023. As expected, the first quarter of the year introduced many new dining spots in the Naples area. Target opening dates remained a moving target for local restaurants, of course. Some that had planned to launch in season during January, February, or March are setting their sights on the second quarter this spring. Restaurants opened last quarter in two different sprawling, gated communities in North Naples.
- Casa Cotzelli
an old-school Italian restaurant, launched Feb. 22 in Island Walk at 6175Towncenter Circle, Suite 201, off Vanderbilt Beach Road. The restaurant is in the residential community’s Town Center, which also has a post office, gas station, and hair and nail salons. The restaurant uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create house-made fare such as tuna tartare, pasta carbonara, and whole branzino. Lunch and dinner are served 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and the full bar remains open later, said Gabriele Cotza, a native of Milan, Italy, who co-owns the restaurant with Filippo Butelli, a Tuscany native. The Cotzelli restaurant name is a creative combination of both surnames of the Naples residents.
- Courtside at Pelican Marsh
As its name implies, Courtside at Pelican Marsh opened on Jan. 16 near the tennis courts at the Foundation of Pelican Marsh community center, 1504 Pelican Marsh Blvd. The patio bar and grill serve lunch, dinner, and happy hour specials. Menus feature appetizers, salads, flatbreads, tacos, sandwiches, wraps, and a variety of surf and turf entrees. The new restaurant is open only to Pelican Marsh members and their guests.
- PJK Neighborhood Chinese
PJK Neighborhood Chinese Restaurant is the newest eatery of legendary restaurateur, Paul Fleming, and his wife, Jody Goodenough-Fleming. Blending traditional craftsmanship and a commitment to scratch-made sauces, the PJK menu features delicate hand-folded soup dumplings, perfectly prepared local seafood, and the sweet crave-able heat of traditional Chinese dishes like orange beef with spicy Sichuan sauce. JK Neighborhood Chinese connects people and communities, and the Flemings look forward to welcoming their guests, serving delicious food, and creating memorable occasions in the Naples community!
- Old Vines Supper Club
Old Vines Supper Club is the latest creation from the team behind the venerable Old Vines Wine Bar in Kennebunk, Maine. In early 2022, encouraged by their many customers who “Winter” in Naples, owners Rick Taranto and Jon Ellms turned to Old Vines’ very first chef, Brooke Kravetz, who had gone on to become sous chef at Sea Salt, chef de cuisine of Baleen at LaPlaya Resort, and eventually, general manager at The Cave Bistro and Naples Wine Collection. The Supper Club realizes Brooke’s vision of a unique, chef-driven space that offers sophisticated yet informal tasting menu dinners, themed supper club nights, and wine, cocktail, and beer pairing menus. Their dining room, minutes from downtown Naples, seats just 35 guests, ensuring an intimate experience.
- Mother Trucker Cafe
The Mother Trucker Cafe, which offers Chicago-based creations in a casual, colorful eatery on U.S. 41 East in East Naples
- Forever Fiore Tea Lounge
Forever Fiore Tea Lounge, a high-end tea room that opened in February on Fifth Avenue North in Naples
- Mercato at Ave
Is a new innovative concept of an indoor marketplace. It is a family-oriented proposal where people can shop, enjoy local events & gather in a safe area. Also will provide a lounge area, with a coffee bar, an indoor playground for kids & more. A place full of charm with elevated rustic aesthetics bringing the perfect atmosphere to enjoy with friends and family.
- Shea’s Lansdowne Street
Shea’s at Lansdowne Street operated for more than four years off Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples until lease negotiations failed in June 2020. Shea’s will be moving into 6340 Naples Blvd, Suite 1, an end space vacated in early 2020 by the short-lived Newk’s Eatery. Shea’s will have three units and about 200 total seats in Sutton Place, the retail strip at Hollywood Boulevard’s main entrance into Regal Naples cinema. Shea’s menu will feature signature deli sandwiches mostly named after roads and landmarks in Boston.
- Carole’s House Cafe & French Bakery
A restaurant that provides authentic and fresh French Viennoiserie along with a breakfast and lunch menu created with high-quality, wholesome ingredients for you to discover and enjoy. Their menu is available to enjoy on-site, to go, and for delivery.
- Sammy’s Pizza
Sammy’s Pizza, which opened in late February in Naples Towne Centre on U.S. 41 in East Naples, is the first restaurant in Florida for a couple who operates three other Sammy’s near Chicago.
- Pelican Larry’s Raw Bar & Grill
Proudly serving Naples for over 23 years, their menu features traditional sports bar favorites like Larry’s award-winning wings, burgers, wraps, and the best sandwiches alongside seafood so fresh- it’s straight from the Gulf! Their award-winning raw bar features oysters so fresh, we shuck ‘em in front of you, snow crab, peel-and-eat shrimp, Littleneck clams, and our famous straight-from-the-Gulf grouper! At Larry’s, everyone is a local! So grab a seat and get in on the fun while you enjoy daily happy hour, weekly live entertainment, and so much more!
- Off the bone BBQ +
Off the Bone is a place for you to pause, take a deep breath, enjoy mouth-watering, authentic BBQ, crank some tunes, share stories, and have some laughs.
- Nautical Bowls
Debuted in early January at the Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt in North Naples. Their Nautical Bowls are gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based, and soy-free, contain zero refined sugars, and are made with organic, all-natural ingredients. They are packed with essential vitamins & nutrients to fuel your life! They truly value a healthy & active lifestyle, which means they will always provide their guests with ingredients that will FUEL you right, to FEEL right.
- Miller’s Ale House
Miller’s Ale House is a local restaurant and sports bar where you can eat, drink, watch sports, and enjoy the company of others without breaking the bank.
- Jersey Mike’s Subs
Jersey Mike’s, a fast-casual sub-sandwich franchise with more than 2,100 locations open and under development nationwide, has a long history of community involvement and support. Started at the Jersey Shore in 1956, Jersey Mike’s serves authentic East Coast-style subs on freshly baked bread – the same recipe it started with over 60 years ago. The company’s mission is to bring its customers the highest quality, freshest-made sub in the industry and give back to the communities in which it operates.
- Habaneros Mexican Grill in Bonita Springs
Habaneros Mexican Grill in Bonita Springs draft beer special is the perfect way to kick off your night out or to end a long day. They have a wide selection of brews to choose from and always have something to suit every taste. Available all day, everyday. Whether you’re looking to unwind after a long day at work or catch up with friends, Habaneros Mexican Grill in Bonita Springs Happy Hour is the perfect way to do it. Their cozy atmosphere and friendly staff will make you feel right at home. Plus, their Happy Hour specials are available in the bar area, patio, and lounge.
- Fat Katz Slider Bar
Fat Katz Slider Bar Is the sister restaurant of Skinny Dogz and Fat Katz Slider Bar. They serve up unique cuisine that you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re craving a juicy burger, a piled-high sandwich, or some delicious wings, they got you covered. Fat Katz Slider Bar pride themselves on their homemade recipes and use of fresh, high-quality ingredients with multiple TVs you’ll never miss a big game. The decor and friendly staff will make you feel right at home.
- Hooked Island Grill
Hooked Island Grill is a family-owned, waterfront restaurant located in beautiful Matlacha, FL. American grill fare & seafood in tropical-inspired digs.
For more information visit https://www.gulfshorebusiness.com/tim-aten-knows-first-quarter-of-2023-introduces-many-dining-spots/