Naples uptodate restaurant recommendations
 

I know that there have been recommendations in the past for Naples, but could any one give me an up to date list of restaurants that have atmosphere, medium priced good food that won't break the bank. We are arriving for our long awaited holiday in Naples next Saturday & will be staying in North Naples. any suggestions for 2 weeks holiday please?

A couple nights ago we had a wonderful evening at Bricktops, a new place at Waterside Shops. It appears like a rather upscale supper club with a wonderful big bar, but the menu and it's prices happily shocked me. I had the wonderful half rotisserie chicken with spectacular pommes frites for $14. My partner opted for a blue cheese hamburger and they offered broccolini instead of fries. The menu is varied from sandwiches to aged steaks and chops or even stone crab claws (at $42). And I loved that when my dry robroy was half gone, someone came by the table with a newly chilled martini glass and poured the remainder of my drink into it!

Noodles on Pine Ridge Road is certainly a bargain and again has a sort of supper club feel with varied entertainment most nights. I pass on the pastas (although they have great ones) and usually get the wonderful slow roasted lamb shanks which are seved on a bed of fettucini.

We actually have good Mexican food here now at Cilantro Tamales, a sort of hole-in-the wall across from P.F. Changs on the north Trail near Expo.

For a casual lunch, I can't pass by Airport Road near Vanderbilt Drive without a stop at Calistoga Bakery where I order a Ranchero Carnitas Pressata sandwich with half a salad (cobb or other choices). It's inexpensive, you order at the counter and pick a table, probably on the veranday by the fountain.

Thanks for the tips. I will be there in a couple of weeks.

Keith

Thanks Patrick - good tips as usual!
Is Campiellos still good ?

I've been too busy to do a lot of eating out lately, but did sneak in one nice lunch at Campiello about a month ago. Yes, still perhaps my favorite place in town overall.

I certainly second Patrick with the Calistoga recommendation! My favorite is the Calistoga salad with candied walnuts and mandarin oranges. There’s even complimentary high-speed internet service for fellow wireless junkies. It’s a great spot to hangout and read the paper while enjoying a cup of coffee. A terrific place to satisfy your sweet tooth is at the French Bread Oven. It’s an authentic French bakery with the tastiest pastries. The glass cases display the works of art from the Napoleons to the apple tarts baked daily by the owner, a French artisan baker. It’s tucked into the corner of the St. Andrews shopping center at 8793 Tamiami Trail East.

Wondering: Is Cilantro Tamales significantly better than Flaco's? If it is, and if they take reservations, we'll give it a try.

I think Bonefish is in the category that DianeC seems to be looking for.
And what about BhaBha? (I didn't think much of it, but other people seem to like it a lot.)
And Thai-Sushi, just a little north of that Pavillion Shopping Center.

Flaco's is a "fancier" place than Cilantro Tamales, but not nearly so good for food in my opinion. I don't think Cilantro Tamales takes reservations but I've never waited there for a table.
I have no idea what the attraction is for the bland food at BhaBha. I've been dragged there several times by friends who have never eaten at a "real" Persian or even Indian restaurant. I think they like it just because it's a different menu from other places.

I agree abt BhaBha, Patrick.
What do you think of Thai-Sushi and Bonefish?
Also: I keep wishing that there was a good Chinese restaurant in the Naples/Bonita area. I've tried every one (that I know of) and think they're all mediocre.
We'll try Cilantro.
(Do you like Truluck's?)

Never been to Bonefish or to Thai Sushi. I live just south of Fifth Avenue South so there are plenty of restaurants in my area not to "commute" so far.

You are right about Chinese. While not true Chinese, at least PF Chang's has really good food, all made with very fresh ingredients and having good flavor, so while it may be a chain, I think it's hard to top for "Chinese".

I do like Thai Basil which in on 41 near Robb and Stucky.

Truluck's is good, but soooo expensive for what it is in my opinion. I'd rather get a couple pounds of crab claws at Captain Jerry's, take them home, and have a freast.

By the way, last night after seeing "Happy Feet" we went to Bricktops again. My great niece from Miami is visiting with us. We all had great food -- she loved her tuna burger with a wasabi slaw. Lee had an arugula salad with carpaccio, and I couldn't pass up my rotisserie chicken and frites once again. But Lee and Cindi raved about their desserts -- a banana split with a dish of hot fudge sauce and a chocolate chip cookie baked in its own skillet topped with ice cream and carmel sauce.

I’ve been to Thai-Sushi a couple of times but prefer Thai Basil or Siam Thai. Siam Thai is on 41 near 5th Avenue. It looks a little scary and the parking setup is strange because you park in the rear but the folks who run the place are so nice and my red curry has always been delicious.

If you’re ever on Marco Island, the Cilantro Tamales there has a nice roomy outdoor seating area. The N. Naples location doesn’t really have outdoor seating.

Is there not a single Indian restaurant in Naples?

And where can you find the best sushi?

Many rave about the sushi at Blue Sushi on Third Street South, but I haven't been. I've found the sushi at Chops on Fifth Avenue to be very good, but I'm no expert. I've also joined friends at the Quality Inn place on 41 for sushi which was very good and surprisingly cheap.

And no, I don't think there is an Indian restaurant in Naples.

In May we ordered delivery of a meal for 5 people from Sushi Thai. It was fairly good but they forgot our order of Pad Thai. The restaurant was rude when we called about it, not believing us.

Eventually we got what we had ordered and paid for. It was quick enough that I am sure they found where they had prepared but not delivered it. But it was then cold and they never apologized for messing up or their behavior on the phone.

Keith

There's an ok Indian restaurant on Bonita Beach Rd abt half way between 41 and the beach, on the south side of the street. Can't remember its name. I'd rate it about a "C+" (Haven't been in a number of years.)

I think the place the above poster is talking about is called Passage to India. A C+ might be kind.

Passage to India it is-- and I think you're probably correct about the C+ being grade inflation. The reason we didn't go back (I enjoy good Indian food) is that the place wasn't very good.

No wonder I blocked that place out of my mind. Here are some interesting reviews of Passage to India. I dare you to read them all and still go there!

http://tinyurl.com/y6k7qc

A friend that lives in Naples wants me to take her for Indian Food this week.

Any suggestions in nearby towns or along the route driving over to Fort Lauderdale and down the keys?

Keith

Hmmm. Do you mean Indian as in Asian, or Indian as in Seminole?
If it's the latter, there is a place on US 41, Tamiami Trail not far from Shark Valley. The only place I know along Alligator Alley, although run by Indians is really four steps below a typical 7-11.

I'll be in Naples from 12/16-12/24 and will have to try Bricktops! It sounds great, and I had wanted to visit the Waterside shops anyways.