I'm growing weary of Campiello and Cafe Lurcat. I still love them but want something new. What would you recommend? Nektar? LMF

Thanks for answering your own question. Yes -- try Nektar!!

Of course you know we have a new Roy's at Bayfront now?

And clients of mine are still raving about Lemonia at the Ritz Golf Resort, but I haven't been.

Hey, want something really off beat? On Davis Blvd. just east of where it branches from 41 and right in front of the Oaks Market is a little place called Patric's.

Patric is a super caterer in town who mainly does private dinners in people's homes. He started this restaurant and it is really very good. The feel inside is not unlike a living/dining room. There is no liquor -- just wine, but he welcomes you to bring your own and they'll pour and provide mixers.
I had duck there that was out of this world. It's not real fancy -- but a very interesting place.

Got some time next week and headed to Naples? Email me and I'll meet you at Patric's for lunch one day. Nektar isn't open for lunch (I don't think).

Scarlett is full of envy

Scarlett, you're invited too. Just hop on a plane and get down here.

thanks for the invite. I seldom get to naples during the week anymore.

I had heard about Nektar and thought it might be fun but may end up at Lurcat yet again as the person going with me has not been and I have talked it up with them before.

Chardonnay is now gone and with it, the last of the traditional white cloth type places with French service, etc. Not to be unkind, but I imagine their clientele was literally dying off...just like Lutece, etc. but Chard was never even close to that league.

Is Bleu Provence still around? It is a pretty feminine restaurant but my meal there was nothing special.

Do you have an opinion about Bamboo? It is right next to my "emergency" drapery shop (home of the $1k shower curtain) but I never had time to eat when I was doing all the model homes. LMF

I'm not so sure that Chardonnay's customers were dying off as they were being chased off. Good clients of mine were long time faithfuls there -- spending thousands entertaining there. But when the manager came by their table when they were hosting important guests and asked if they could move to sit at the bar (not in the bar, but at the bar) for their dessert and coffee as they needed their table, that was the end for them.
And my last time there was when our rack of lamb ordered rare came out well done and they told us they couldn't do anything about it as they didn't have any more. Then they brought out the "must order ahead" souffles while we were still eating our dinner. They plopped them on the table and left them there.
But my favorite was the time we got up and went to ask if we had a waiter as we hadn't seen him yet and we'd been waiting ages. He came to our table and abruptly informed us that he hadn't come to our table because he had his eye on us and we had been talking. He didn't want to interupt our talking, so he wasn't approaching our table. In other words, if you go there you aren't allowed to talk at your table or you'll never get waiting on?

Good riddance as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, Blue Provence is still there and their business picked up when they got a full liquor license, but like you our meal there was nothing special.

I haven't been to Bamboo -- isn't that terrible, it's like four blocks from me. (And I must laugh at your 1K shower curtain reference). Others rave about Bamboo.

I guess the age of formal white tablecloth service is dying off period. Still found at the Ritz or similar hotels, but the "trendy" and noisy restaurant has certainly taken over.

I MUST hear about the $1k shower curtain shop. Do tell! Neo, when are you in NYC?

Hey LilMsFoodie, I just read your quote published in the Fodors Maine Guide last night.....

I'm trying to figure what I could be quoted on regarding Maine. I do like the restaurant Primo in Orlando whose home base is in Maine I believe. LMF

I believe you described why the formal french restaurants have mainly died. Lack of properly trained help both waitstaff and in the kitchen. Why would someone go through all that when they can get bigger tips by the places that turn the tables quicker. Two or three seatings in the time of two plus the ease of service. LMF

mclaurie, we are in NYC from May 15 to 24. I posted on another thread for you to email me, but you may have missed it. Wanna do lunch or meet for a drink between all our theatre appointments?
patash2atearthlinkdotnet

The curtain place is this "ready made" upscale place. They have all these ready made panels, mostly in silk (guaranteed to rot within one year in Florida's sun and humidity. Since the thing today is fastening up panels of huge plaid or striped silks, you can pick them up here instead of ordering and having them custom made. At least I guess that's the idea.

The houses I did models for frequently had 12 ceilings in the bathrooms (look like an elevator shaft). The Curtain Exchange (national franchise) stocks very long panels of silk, linen, cotton chintz etc. Great for last minute finishing touches. They aren't shower curtains per se but I used them to frame the tub. LMF

So where is Patrick? I even looked on TOP and no sign of him for over three weeks.

On vacation.

Thanks. I hope he is having a wonderful time.

He's in Europe.