Two Naples Restaurants/Need a Third
 

My husband and I are visiting Naples June 25-29 and have made (tentative) reservations at two local restaurants: BhaBha Persian Bistro (which is listed in Bon Appetit Magazine as one of North America's best), and Bay House. Any thoughts/experiences with either of these, and recommendations for our Friday night TBD dinner? We like both really good eclectic dining, and fine dining. (We were going to try Artisan's at the Ritz, where we're staying, but it's closed for the summer. Any feedback on the RC's Lemonia restaurant?) We're fairly sophisticated 40-somethings.

Wow, this is tricky. Oddly I recently posted a review of BhaBha on TripAdvisor -- titled "I don't get it" or something like that because I don't. I find it mediocre at best and have no idea where that Bon Appetite comment comes from -- maybe they pay for an ad in the magazine? I find it mainly visited by a lot of seniors who have never had Persian or similar food -- the version served here is frightfully bland in my book, and horribly overpriced for a strip shopping center restaurant.

Bay House was recently taken over by the owners of Turtle Club and I hear it's now better than it was, but certainly known more for atmosphere than food. On the other hand, I'd rather go to Turtle Club and have similar food but sitting right on the beach at sunset which makes it a lot more special than Bay House.

I've also mentioned that good clients used to rave about Lemonia, but said it went dramatically downhill when they lost their chef. I've not been there.

I'd still say the best food is at Trulucks, Lurcat or Campiello, or maybe Chops or Pazzo.

Thanks for your thoughts. I'll pass them along to my husband, who gets to choose the third restaurant. BTW, the Bon Appetit magazine was not a paid ad. It was from their editorial department:

http://www.epicurious.com/downloads/...DIRSEP.WEB.pdf

Again, appreciate your feedback.

Didn't mean to imply that it was a paid ad, just that there is sometimes a tie in with who buys advertising or even who has a connection with the editorial staff and who gets recommended. I laughed out loud on my Delta flight to New York when I saw one of those lists of the "Top 10 Seafood restaurants in the US" that including the average quality Randy's Fishmarket in Naples. Le Bernardin didn't make the list, but Randy's did? Were they kidding?

Well, not sure it would ever make Bonne Appetit, but we always enjoyed Ridgeways.

I have lived in Naples for the past 28 years. Here are a few ideas:

1. Pazzo-My husband and I love this place.

2. Campiello- Very Consistent

3. Chops

4. Bistro 821

5. Bice

All of these are on 5th Ave. South, except for Campiello's. That is on 3rd St. South.

Hope this helps-enjoy!

Karamel, nice list! I could be happy just rotating among that list (sometimes I think we do!) although my experiences at Bice haven't always been so great.

And I have you beat by only 3 years! Gee, do I know you? There weren't many of us here 28 years ago!

Thanks to everyone for your feedback! I really appreciate it. It's up to hubby to choose, but this gives him some really good input. Best to all!

Pelagos Cafe has a nice atmosphere and good food. The hummus, pita bread, sandwiches and seafood are particularly good. The chicken livers are outstanding. We had them as an appetizer the first time and an entree the second.

Keith

I love Persian food. There were many mediterranean restaurants of this sort in Detroit and BhaBha is not of this caliber. Patrick is right, it BhaBha is SOSO, nothing else. It is just different and that is enough. Restaurants often are featured in magazines for reasons not readily apparent. Bha Blah doesn't stike me as one that might advertise in a national mag though.

My list is similar to those mentioned with a nod to Cafe Lurcat. Patrick and I have some interesting history with Bice. I still have a problem with fawning restaurants.

Here is a newish place that is north of Naples a little, but worth the journey. Angelina's is fabulous looking and food is excellent. Caveat: bring $$$$$.

http://www.angelinasofbonitasprings.com/

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs....60322/1054/ENT

Fear not about Bha Bha. My mother-in-law is Persian so we've been to every Persian restaurant we can find and this one is wonderful. It is pricey, but the food is excellent. Persian food is not a spicy food. Their meals in the clay pots are very good. Their hearts of palm salad is a favorite of mine, but get the salad appetizer of the three different ones.

Definitely hit Randy's Fish Market for lunch. Cool place with amazing fish.

Next time there we are definitely trying the Turtle Club at Vanderbilt Beach:

http://www.windwardhospitality.com/

Downtown there is a great Spanish restaurant near the ocean end of Fifth Avenue. And near the beginning is a great place that had spicy filet mignon and lobster pasta. Oh it was good! But I can't remember the name of either place. Doh!

Tthis place on Third Avenue is very good. This is a nice lunch place too. Their calamari was amazing:

http://www.campiello.damico.com/locations/fl_naples.asp

Happy eating!

"Downtown there is a great Spanish restaurant near the ocean end of Fifth Avenue."

Please dig deep and figure this out. I can't for the life of me imagine what this place is!

Also the spicey filet and lobster pasta? Rings no bells for me.

Okay, gone a diggin'...

I think it is the Bella Maria Cafe. Which I guess is South American and Spanish. If it has dark purple walls, then that is the place.

I wish I could remember the surf and turf pasta. It might well be Pazzo. It was on the north side of Fifth Avenue very near 41.

I just saw your remarks about Randy's! I guess we will never be sharing a meal in Naples. :) Sounds like we have very different tastes. But I do think Randy's is a great place for lunch. It is not a dinner place though.

I wanted to add that my usual dining companions are 2 and 4 years old so that may be why our tastes differ! They are adventurous little buggers though. They hate chicken fingers, love sushi, and have even willingly eaten chicken feet.

The past was a bow-tie pasta if that helps at all. It was a few years ago and might not be on the menu anymore. It was divine though.

Thanks again to everyone! My husband and I spent about an hour going through all the recommendations and restaurants' menus. It was very close, but we ultimately chose Bistro 821 for our third restaurant. I'll share feedback after our trip. In the meantime, I really, really appreciate everyone who took the time to respond and the great suggestions.

We were in Naples last year and we really enjoyed Chops - what good steaks. We also enjoyed the Turtle Club.