We'll be visiting the in-laws in Naples. They love places like the Pewter Mug and anywhere they serve big, cheap food (taste & quality is not really an issue). My husband & I prefer a lighter, carribean style fare that would complement the warmer climate. We are looking for something more creative than fish & chips or fried seafood platter with an all-you-can-eat salad bar.
Last year we went to the Riverwalk in Tin City. That was a good compromise. Here's the challenge: Can you suggest anywhere that would satisfy both?
Also if there are any places with a water view that would be a bonus!
Thanks for your help!

the Yabba island grill on 5th ave south they even have a early bird specials Tommy Bahamas on 3rd street . Nemos, Thai Basil, on 41 Stonewood grill on airport pulling rd and vanderbilt beach drive. Turtle club on Vanderbilt beach rd.

also try this link to the napes dail news restaurant reviews http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/colum..._10262,00.html

OK, here are a couple of suggestions. A lot of the "senior" set love Maxwell's at the Village on Venetian Bay. It does have a nice water view, and the food isn't bad -- the offer some selections beyond the standard "clubhouse" type menu. I think it's too stuffy and overpriced for what it is, so maybe not.

Right by The Cove Inn on the bay is The Boathouse. Again a really nice view (this is the old Pate's Marker 4 for the old timers). A little more upscale food than it was, but standards as well and very unpretentious and casual. You'll see an older crowd.

And the same people as The Boathouse have now opened Turner's Lobster House, where the old Turner Marina has been replaced with a handful of exotic condos. I need to walk right across the street from my place and try it out, but it is drawing a crowd. Maybe a bit more expensive that the others. They call it "Naples answer to New England", whatever that means.

Since you liked Riverwalk, try their sister restaurant, The Dock at Crayton Cove, right behind the Cove Inn. Very similar.

By the way, you need to go to Calistoga Bakery and Cafe on Airport Road near Vanderbilt Drive for lunch.
It is popular with EVERYBODY. Great sandwiches and soups -- perfect for lunch or a light supper. Although you order at a counter and take to your seats, it has upscale decor and a huge outdoor patio area. It is like a wonderful new "California gourmet" style cafe.

You mention Carribean. Can you sneak away one night or even entice them to go to Mangrove Cafe on Fifth. Really good food, and not horribly priced. (Of course if they're into the early bird deal 5 to 6, it's something like $14.95). There are a surprising number of older people there -- who love the potroast and a couple of other simpler things besides the wonderful carribean menu. And Yabba, right by the Plaza on Fifth is good too and even less expensive. They'll like the big portions.

And I can't ignore my usual recommendation for the very laid back hole-in-the-wall on Vanderbilt (Bay side just north of the Ritz) Buzz's Lighthouse (look for the lighthouse). Sit on the deck over the water and have beers and Grouper Ruebens. It's a bit of unfettered paradise in Naples.

When are you coming? They'll be happy with the new Cheesecake Factory opening in front of the Coastland Mall in about a month, I'd guess.

Patrick I was just back in my Naples condo over the holidays. Is there any plans or talk on leaving the white lights from holidays on some of the trees on 5th and 3rd avenues it realy looked great kinda like the tavern or the green . I think it would be great all year round.

Patrick & Italiano,
Thank you so much for all the great info. Believe it or not we tried to get them to Yabba's last year and they thought it "too weird" and "anything on 5th ave. is a rip off for tourists". Did I mention it was a challenge? Old-school New Englanders. However, we will try to venture on our own to Mangrove Cafe, sounds great. It sounds like Buzz's Lighthouse & Tommy Bahamas might be good for all? Is it a dinner or lunch rest.?
Calistoga Bakery is a definate for lunch.
Thanks again!

I've never been to Buzz's in the evening, I think of it as lunch, but I'm pretty sure it's open evenings as well. Tommy Bahamas is open straight through from 11 or so until 10 at night. In the evening they usually have music -- would that be a turnoff for them? And dinner is more expensive than lunch.

By the way, after a movie the other night we stopped at the brand new Noodles on Pine Ridge. We thought they had just reopened the same type place they had before, just into new and bigger quarters. It is wonderful. Sort of a supper club feel, but still great prices. I laughed that the menu said lamb shanks over fettucine (as in plural which I thought was a typo). Wrong. For $14.95 I got TWO wonderfully slow braised lamb shanks served over their homemade spinach fettucine (you choose from lots of different pastas). Comes with caesar or tossed salad. They couldn't object ot the portion sizes or the prices -- and it really isn't just Italian.

By the way, I've heard that Fifth Avenue comment too. And I have old time friends who say, "isn't it terrible what they did to Fifth Avenue, I liked it before." I guess they miss the vacant buildings and the rent signs everywhere. Let some stay away. It's busy enough as it is. Funny, there's a Cheeburger, Cheeburger right on Fifth Avenue at the same prices as the others, but I've actually heard people say they go to the other ones because they can't "afford" Fifth Avenue. Huh?

Italiano, I don't know about the lights. I agree, aren't they wonderful? I come out of the Sugden frequently at night and walk home, out through those trees and down Fifth Avenue. It's like a nightly party. The lights are still up now. I have my fingers crossed.

Patrick's suggestion of Maxwell's restaurant reminded me of another restaurant in Venetian Village - The Village Pub. While not much of a Carribean flair, they offer nice salads and sandwiches, pasta, etc. Quite inexpensive - possibly why my parents like it so much for a casual meal. The best part is that you can eat right outside on the river and watch the boaters go by. Nightime is best, and do wait for an outdoor table alongside the river. There is plenty to keep you interested throughout Venetian Village while you wait for your OUTDOOR table.

Here is what a Naples website says about the place:
The Village Pub is a casual waterfront restaurant overlooking Venetian Bay. Dine inside the nautical-themed restaurant or catch some rays as you dine outside on the deck. The Village Pub offers appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts, all of which are deliciously basic fare. While alcohol is limited to beer and wine, the selection is plentiful.
4360 Gulf Shore Blvd. North
Naples, Florida 34103
239-262-2707

I second the suggestion of The Mangrove Cafe. You would love it. The inlaws probably would as well. Great lunches too. For your tastes, you might really enjoy the Cuban Sandwich. I have a friend that I work with back home here in MI who swears that this is her favorite restaurant in all of Naples (quite a statement!). Perhaps she likes the attached martini bar???

I usually never disagree with Patrick on his suggestions, but I must tell you that one dinner at Maxwell's was more than enough for me and my party. Overpriced, stuffy, and standard fare, IMO. I realize that this was offered as a solution to your problem and not as a strong recommendation - but I don't think it will help you at all.

Have a great time with the inlaws.

Buzzs is open at night and they have a line to get in a lot of people come over from the ritz after the sunset i guess they got a litte sticker shock after staying at the ritz a week.

Uh-oh, I'm crushed. Paul, you thought you were disagreeing with me about Maxwell's? One trip is way more than enough for me too!! But so many older people who sound like schelle's inlaws just love it. That's the only reason I brought it up. Although after the additional information about how they think everything on Fifth is a rip-off, I think they'd probably think so at Maxwell's too. They sound like my parents peeking through the window of a restaurant traveling and saying "oh, they have cloth tablecloths -- that's not for us!". I share your pain, schelle.

They may like for lunch the Foxborogh's Pub New England sports pub they have good home cooking and plenty of ex New Englander's Off of 41 east trail towards Marco at the new strip mall at rattlesnake Hamond drive down from publix

I will third the recommendation of Mangrove Cafe. I've never had a bad entree there and I love the fried plantain chips with mango salsa that they bring while you're looking over the menu. One place, along the fried seafood line, but not as buffet-like, is Kelly's Fish House. We've been going there for years, and if you must eat fried seafood, this would be the place to do it. Even my low-fat obsessed father was able to find something on their menu, plus it has a view of the boats, etc. at the city dock area. If the in-laws liked Riverwalk, they would probably like Kelly's as well. A suggestion for you and your husband, assuming you are more adventuresome, is Bha!Bha!, which bills itself as a Persian bistro. We went there for the first time this past summer and it was wonderful! Happy eating!

Patrick, Thank you for your support. Too funny. Why use fresh seafood when frozen will keep so much better?

Italiano, Thanks for the link. That has loads of ideas. Has anyone tried Dolce & Banana? It looks like it may be a chain?

dinner at Maxwell's: a walker or an oxygen tank are required accessories. I think it is horrid but it hangs on while other places come and go. It's clientele hangs in there also.

I will have to try Calistoga Bakery. I'm in that area all the time. I think I saw the sign last week. It is south of Vanderbilt on Airport on the west side, yes?

LMF

That is correct, LilMsFoodie. But we stopped on Sunday and the line was out the door, so we moved on. Popular! The assistant manager told me they're currently planning four more in the area. What a goldmine. Don't get me wrong -- Calistoga is not some great restaurant. But it is a pleasant place to go and get unusual and fantastic sandwiches for the same price as going to MacDonald's or Subway. They also have a great coffee/espresso bar and separate line for their own bagels and muffins. Open for breakfast.

You make me laugh, my Mom really likes Maxwell's. The last time I took there she had the required walker and the oxygen tank -- not one, but both!! I haven't been there in quite a while however and don't plan to.

Has anyone tried Dolce & Banana in Naples? It looks like it may be part of a chain?

No, not part of a chain that I know of. Friends weren't impressed by either the service, the atmosphere, the incredibly long waits for food, the lack of a bar (beer and wine only), or the attitude.
I've also avoided it because I've been told virtually everything on the menu is sweet -- fruit in almost every dish -- something I really don't care for.

Here's a review from the Naples Daily Snooze.

http://web.naplesnews.com/03/01/showcase/d860467a.htm

Thanks Patrick. Has Naples News ever given a bad review?

Well, not very. Usually you have to read between the lines. Sometimes you read carefully and it sounds just awful, but at the end they give them 3 stars out of 4 possible. Recently however, they did really slam a place and gave them 2 stars saying something like "there are many better places to spend your money". There were letters to the editor for days berating them for slamming their favorite restaurant.