Hi Patrick, we are coming down to naples from Cape Coral for the day on Mon. for shopping and site seeing with my sister and fiance. This is their first time trip SW fl. Her fiance is treating. We would like a really great reataurant that epitomizes Naples....you know the quintessential Naples resturant great food and atomosphere. Any info is appreciated. Judy

Lunch or dinner? In either case my number one recommendation would be to call now for Campiello and make a reservation for the patio. 435-0108. They'll probably only do the patio as a request, but when you arrive, sit at the bar and wait for the patio (assuming that cold front they're talking about doesn't materialize into anything major by Monday).

Campiello is on 3rd Street South in the heart of the shopping area there, super Tuscan wood oven dishes are the best -- you'll smell it two blocks away.

Thanks Patrick, my sister's fiance mentioned the Rusty Pelican that someone had told him about? Campielo sounds like my kind of place! I love Italian and he is an Italian from Philly! I will have to check and see if it is open.... a lot are closed on Mondays. Judy

There is no Rusty Pelican listed in the Naples phone book. But that might be the name of the seafood restaurant at the Registry Hotel??? Decent but overpriced hotel dining room in my opinion if that's the name of it.

Campiello is open 7 days a week! Don't think traditional Italian, but rather "contemporary" Italian. Pazzo is another good bet if it is for dinner but like most places in Naples is not open for lunch. It is on 5th Avenue South.

There is a Rusty Pelican in Tampa, (and another in Dallas so I'm sure it's a chain). It is mediocre in Tampa, likewise in Dallas. I'd take Campiello over it any day, and can vouch for the quality of the food as well as atmosphere at Campiello. We had a delightful lunch there Saturday, eating on a patio shaded by umbrellas--very SW Florida. Saw the interior as well, and it was light and airy...would also be a great choice if anyone has an aversion to heat. The restaurant has a nice tropical feel, excellent service, and food. My husband had a pork sandwich, odd order I thought, but he claimed it was the best he'd had..freshly made bread, delicious sauce on the side, and homemade chips. I had a shrimp salad with mixed greens--light but equally excellent. Truly, you can't go wrong there--even Floridians will feel like they're on vacation.

There is a nasty Rusty Pelican in Miami as well as the one on the causeway in Tampa.

I'll vote for Campiello as well, but if you want "tropical" Florida rather than" Naples" Florida I'd also suggest the Tommy Bahama restaurant across the street. It is very popular and the food is better than you might expect from such a place. They have great coconut shrimp (although I think most Floridians hate this dish having had it massacred so often) and fun martini drinks. I think it is a place for hors d'oeurves and their wine list is not to my liking but I am a wine afficianado and want better choices. It is like a mini-tropical vacation for many and has a wonderful outside area just like Campiello.

Campilleo it is. I will give them a call this morning. We are having a brief rain shower now, but I think it will clear up by the time we get there. Thanks Oliveoyl for your input. Lilmissfoodie: I will keep Tommy Bahama in mind next time we go

Good Morning! We will be staying at the Escalante, would love one Very Special dining experience while we are their in early April. Is their a place that I should be making res. now?
Price is not an issue. Thank you all,
Freezing in Chicago sub, Kris

Patrick: you were right as usual, the food, service and atomosphere were superb, we all loved Campiello's! Thanks again, Judy

Great. By the way, it finally dawned on me that the name of the restaurant at the Registry is the Brass Pelican, so unless it has become very "tarnished" I'm pretty sure there is no restaurant here called the Rusty Pelican.

To Ferragamo. Well the very best experience and certainly at a price might be at The Ritz Carlton in the Grill Room or the new restaurant at their Golf Club in Tiburon. Sign of the Vine is certainly unique and upscale in a small house. But in terms of the best of the "trendy and new" I'd think either Syrah at the far end of Fifth Avenue South in the Bayfront. Or either Chops, Pazzo, or Zoe's all on the main part of Fifth in walking distance. For any of the above it wouldn't hurt to make reservations now if you are particular about what time you eat -- or in case it might be a busy weekend night.

Campiello's is my favorite, but maybe not as "special" as the others? It is a more casual, laid back experience, but don't miss it either.

Patrick, after conferring with my sister's fiance, we decided it was the Brass Pelican after all. But I can not imagine a better experience than Campiellos! My sister ADORED the Rotisserie Trio of lamb, pork and chicken....and stated it was of the top 10 best dinners she has had. And she lives in Philly and goes to some very good restaurants. Judy

Thank you Patrick! Campielo will be on my "daily" list for sure..I was going to ask about the Grill Room. It has been years since I was their, and wondered if it still was as wonderful today. I plan to consume major amounts of Stone Crab, any place I can get them for lunch that has some atmosphere? Thank you so much for all of you help.
Kris

I must confess it's been a couple of years since I've been to the Grill Room, but it is the most elegant room (men's club or English library feel) of anyplace in Naples in my opinion.

As to stone crabs, I love them, but they are messy. My personal favorite is to go up to Captain Jerry's at Wynn's Market (the big one, not the little one on Fifth) and get a couple pounds of them, (make sure they crack them for you) and maybe some of their mustard sauce and some deli salad. Then head to Cambier Park or Laudermilk Park and sit at a picnic table and feast where you can get really messy. (or maybe by the pool at Escalante?) Just not a restaurant thing to me. But otherwise, probably at the Dock (at the city dock by the flagpole at the bay end of Broad Avenue South) or at Riverwalk at Tin City.

The place to have Stone Crab is The Grill Room. Last time I was their they shelled them and placed them beautifully on a plate...The only way to go. Thanks for the info on where to buy them. Taking them back to the hotel is a wonderful idea. I could eat them for breakfast!! Thank you,
Kris