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A Week in Naples Florida--Much Ado About Food (and Wine)

A Week in Naples Florida--Much Ado About Food (and Wine)

Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 10:34 AM
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A Week in Naples Florida--Much Ado About Food (and Wine)

Because of very busy work schedules in her family, my friend M will be solo at their place in Naples FL. And, because JR and I loved to do a getaway over Thanksgiving, visiting M for the week was a perfect idea for the both of us.

Friday: Southwest flight from BWI Thurgood Marshall in Baltimore to Ft. Myers Florida was smooth even though M told me we landed in a thunderstorm. I park at EconoPark. You can reserve online, they pick you up at your car and, so far have been there at pick ups upon return. It costs slightly less than airport's long-term parking.

Getting on the plane, I held my Kindle Fire under the reader instead of having to print out a boarding pass. If you have a smart phone, you may know already that you can use that also. You can also get a Kindle app for Word, BTW.

Three people in my general area onboard ordered cranberry juice and vodka--it that a trend? Peanuts and a bag of mixed treats. For wine, beer or mixed drinks you pay and it must be with a credit or debit card or a SW voucher. Sodas, fruit juices and water are free.

It's about 25 miles from Ft. Myers airport to Naples and the airport is comfortably sized. M was able to pick up right at the airport door.

Dinner for day one was salads and snacks: 4 different kinds of shrimp; little crusty slices of bread with a wonderful cheese spread; chicken salad, spinach, fruits, edamane and beans. Not to mention wine and much talk!

Saturday: I scrambled and egg with chopped shrimp but M only wanted some fruit. A nearby mall has an outdoor market each Saturday so we went there and had a wonderful time. M's little dog S rides in a doggy carriage and we made all kinds of new friends who came to pet S and say what a great life he has!

We bought some stuff for snacks: sourdough bread, whole grain bread; hot pepper and hot apple pie jellies; radishes to slice and put on butter on last night's bread. Good looking tomatoes for BLTs with quacamole.

We strolled the nearby stores--consignment, foodie stuff (I got some cooking school info for WFD). M usually eats a large lunch so we went to an Austrian/Czech place for a meal outside. Recipe links to come.

Did I say it is 85 degrees?
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 10:48 AM
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M had a schnitzel whose name we forgot to note but it was chicken pounded thin in fried batter with saurkraut, sliced potatoes and a cucumber/vinegar salad.

Mine was vepro-knedlo-zelo with caramelized cabbage and fluffy dumplings. OMG, take a look at the link. What looks like bread are the dumplings. After a WFD discussion about dumplings, I was primed to try them but they so different from what I expected:

http://www.tofoodwithlove.com/2013/0...pork-with.html

For dessert we shared a Marlenka. Again the link's picture is true to what we ate. We both expected an unusual flour but the honey in the cake gave it the color and texture that was new to both of us:

http://howtoexpo.com/recipes/marlenk...ey-cake-recipe

Did I say we both had 2 glasses of wine at lunch? The afternoon is free to read, sleep or just feel mellow!
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 11:29 AM
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TDudette, it sounds like you're having a great trip! The pork roast looks good and the dumplings look like the ones I had in Prague last year but didn't care for because I thought they were too heavy. Did you like them?
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 12:07 PM
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Hi LouisaH, The ones we had were light and airy (unless they got into the gravy)--I actually thought it was bread.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 12:08 PM
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Which place was this? Alpine? Little Prague?
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 12:20 PM
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Alpine, NeoPatrick. Do you know it?

Oh, and here are pictures--third from left is what ours looked like:

http://bollywoodpictures.esy.es/?s=marlenka
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 12:30 PM
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Only had lunch there one time. Naples -- so many places - so little time.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2014, 12:31 PM
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Sounds great. Tell more!
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Old Nov 23rd, 2014, 05:43 AM
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Regarding the bollywood pics above, the marlenka one 5th to right on top row is what our looked like. Guess more photos get added all the time.

We were both too full for anything so continued last night's snacks. I made the radish starter and also did some with apples which I thought were better. M also had a 3 desserts: a raspberry mousse in a chocolate cup, a chocolate mousse in a chocolate cup, and chocolate cannollis. We have been munching on those also.

Sunday: So far just lounging with the Sunday paper and coffees. Plan is for brunch and then stroll Naple's nice downtown at leisure.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2014, 09:32 AM
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Sounds wonderful, warm and relaxing, TDudette! Love the doggy in the stroller...I always threaten Mr. MVOR that I'll get one for Marco e Polo.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2014, 11:23 AM
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Thanks, jubi and mvor.

We lounged so well that we had lunch instead of brunch. M's burger was with cheese and mushrooms, and mine was with bacon, boursin cheese and crunchy capers. Ironically, the resto ("Capers") owner is from Annapolis Md. We both agreed they were the best burgers we'd had in a while. Goldilocks ones--not too big, not too small; just right.

Our plan was to go to an antique mall but a time check showed it closed so back home in the AC with our computers. Tomorrow M is shipping me off to the Everglades and then we'll watch lighting of holiday decorations in downtown Naples.

Snackings for dinner.
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Old Nov 24th, 2014, 05:13 PM
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Monday: Another lounging a.m. then M dropped me in downtown Naples' Tin City for the half day Everglades tour. M arranged it online. A van driven by Dave takes us to Everglades City (do Google this old town for more info) where we will get an air boat tour through the mangroves. He stops along the road to see if we can see some manatees or gators but no luck.

There is a fair amount of stuff to learn about the Everglades and how development affected it, and how restoration is actually a goal. Part of the rainy season drainage from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf determines when there is good bird and alligator watching. Driver Dave says come in January to see more than in November.

There are 5 of us and it looks like 7 could fit in the boat. We departed with Captain C. from what could only be described as not a high end establishment. There were many stuffed alligators, raccoons and similar touristy stuff. One bath for all.

The history of these boats is pretty interesting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airboat

Ours was made of fiberglass and had 3 rows of seats in front of the pilots chair. Capt. C. wore a cap that read "Jesus Guides Me" so I figured we'd be safe from harm. Later Dave said that Capt. found Jesus in prison.

The airboat tour lasted about one hour. We saw nothing but mangroves (3 types)--no alligators and only one great blue heron. We did pull up to a tree and a small raccoon ventured out on a narrow limb. She high-fived Capt. C. and patted him on his cap. And then her children came out. One of our party had Ritz crackers and Capt. fed them to the raccoons who then numbered 6. He then crumbled a bunch of crackers and tossed them in the water and a bunch of fish came up in a group water ballet to scarf them down.

On the way back, Capt. C. took photos of each of us in the driver's seat. No one took him up on his offer to actually drive the boat. He then sped the boat in big circles and got the 2 people in front splashed. Dave said Capt. C. needed more lessons. Don't sit in the front if getting at least feet wet is a prob.

Back to the van and Dave drove us through Everglades City (very small with some early 1920s buidlings) and then along a side road where we saw gators and some nice birds. I'll post some photos next week. The gators on land looked like stretched out tires. I did get a good shot of those alligator eyes and nose just above the water. We saw herons great and not so great; ibis; wood storks; cormorants; anhingas; and egrets but not in huge numbers.

A bird tour in January would be fascinating (Toucan2, are you listening?!)

Back to Tin City and M is waiting with the top down on her car. We drive down Naples' 5th Avenue where the holiday lights (all in white) have been lit. Back to home to raid the fridge as we are both too pooped to go out to dinner.

[FYI, local traffic in downtown Naples and San Marco Island is heavy. Even worse in "the season" says Dave.

I wore long pants and shirt, a visored cap which might have gotten blown off when Capt. C. sped--the sound earphones helped keep the cap on.]

Tomorrow: no plans. Just relax.
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Old Nov 25th, 2014, 12:26 PM
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Tuesday: Easy going a.m. and then to an Italian resto, Lucarelli's ( http://www.lucarellisnaples.com/ ), for our big meal of the day. M had PENNE ALLA DONNA-- Chicken, sun dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, onions, artichoke tossed with garlic & olive oil, topped w/ shredded romano cheese; I had SCHINI’S PASTA CONTADINA-- Shrimp, Spinach, Tomato, olive oil, onion, basil and mozzarella. Boxed up what we didn't finish along with 2 cannolli for later. Both delish. We are ready for siesta.

SW Florida is awaiting a cold front later today. A trip to a local antique/consignment shop put off as M is having some knee pain. I'm happy to relax and visit Fodor's after being too busy in October and early November to really read what's going on.

Tomorrow--more relaxing.
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Old Nov 25th, 2014, 01:12 PM
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Have you been to Silverspot? For a "relaxing do nothing day" a movie there is great -- sipping wine at your super comfortable leather seats while watching a movie is nice. We like it in the late afternoons followed by super cocktails and light fre at Blue a Martini happy hour prices.
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Old Nov 25th, 2014, 05:20 PM
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Not I, NeoPatrick. I'll ask M if she has. This is a nice area.
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Old Nov 26th, 2014, 04:48 AM
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Wednesday: Loud thunder storms awoke everyone in Naples and it's now in the 60's instead of the 80s.

Not sure what's on the agenda. As Aunt Polly says--we might do nothing and not start that until noon.
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Old Nov 26th, 2014, 10:33 AM
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Big meal out was at Buca di Beppo, a large national chain. On the way, we pass through the Mercato development and M points out Silverspot that NeoP mentioned upthread. This is the type of development I've been seraching for--a main street and apartments right there--everything walkable. A tad too rich for my purse though.

Lunch for M was spaghetti with a giant meatball and I had a meatball panino. Chianti and a Columbia Crest blend. Chocolate chip cannolis for the road and 1/2 of my sandwich.

Back home to chill and check emails.
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Old Nov 27th, 2014, 03:43 AM
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Happy Thanksgiving!
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Old Nov 27th, 2014, 08:18 AM
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Gobble, gobble, TDudette! The Everglades report was very interesting, thanks. Enjoy the remainder of your trip!
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Old Nov 27th, 2014, 10:50 AM
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Thanks, mvor.

Weather in the balmy 70s. Rather like Md. in October. We ate at a buffet at a local place. No humble brag except for the menu below. We wished we'd brought lunch boxes--the turkey was the best ever. Server said theirs were both roasted and steamed. We waddled home and slowly took the dog for a little walk. Naps next! Back at home, I got the email version of my boarding pass for tomorrow.

Chilled Seafood Station Sushi Display to include Nigiri and Maki Rolls, Chilled Shrimp and Snow Crab Claws with Sun-dried Tomato Cocktail Sauce, Smoked Fish Presentation with Salmon, Tuna and Trout

Cheeses and Charcuterie Station Imported and Domestic Cheeses with Fresh Berries, Sliced Italian meats and Hard Sausages

Salad Bar and Speciality Salads Florida Greens, Baby Spinach and Romaine Lettuce, Artichoke Hearts, Heart of Palms, Broccoli Florets, French Green Beans, Sliced Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Garbanzo Beans, Shredded Carrots, Black Olives, Chopped Eggs, Assorted Dressings; Bulgur Wheat and Smoked Chicken with Raisins, Roasted Fresh Beets, Blood Oranges, Kumquat with Cilantro, Granny Smith Apple and Sun-dried Camberries, Blue Cheese and Toasted Pecans

Pasta Station Conchiglioni, Tortiglioni, and Lobster Ravioli, Pesto, Pomodoro and Alfredo Sauce

Carved Meats Roasted Whole Turkey with Sage Gravy and Cranberry Sauce, Roasted Rib of Beef, Yorkshire Pudding, Au Jus, Creamy Horseradish Sauce

Soup and Breads Station Roasted Sweet Corn and Butternut Squash Bisque, Roasted Corn Bread, Pumpkin-Raisin Bread, Orange-Cranberry Bread, Banana Nut Bread, French Baguettes, Sourdough, Honey Wheat, Ciabatta, Focaccia

Sides Candied Yams topped with Marshmallow Brulee, Apple, Pecan and Sun-Dried Cranberry Stuffing, Whipped Potatoes, Season Fresh Vegetable Medley

Desserts Crepes Station, Milk Chocolate Walnut Bread Pudding, Apple Currant Crisp, Pumpkin Pie, White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie, Pecan Pie, Peach Purses, Sugar Free Chocolate Raspberry Shooters, Assorted Mini Pastries, Carmet Apple Cake, Chocolate Hazelnut Torte, Mixed Berries Trifle


In addition to items from the main buffet, kids can also choose:
Fruit Salad, PB&J Finger Sandwiches, Turkey Sliders under Heat Lamp, Mini Corn Dogs, Fish Sticks, Chicken Tenders with Barbeque and Honey Mustard Sauces, Mac & Cheese, Tator Tots, Peas, Corn and Carrots Dessert - Cookies, Rocky Road Brownies, Jell-O Shooters, Cake Pops

YUMS!
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