Naples is becoming a very popular location all year round. I strongly suggest reservations as many days or weeks in advance as possible. The restaurants below are listed order of preference except Gumbo Lumbo and the Bubble Room.

 Ruth's Chris Steak House, 23151 Village Shops Way Suite 101,  Coconut Point Mall, Estero, FL 33928 (239) 948-8888    View Map

At Ruth's Chris Steak House in Bonita Springs, you'll find soaring ceilings with massive arched doorways that are accented by exquisite dark wood molding. Beautiful eclectic tile inlays, contemporary chandeliers and Tuscan styled walls add to the feel of a classic old world steakhouse one would expect in a European setting. Whether it's a romantic dinner for two, an important business meeting, or a private dinner party, Ruth's Chris Steak House will accommodate your needs.

 The Grill - Ritz-Carlton Hotel - 598-3300. Excellent - Jackets required - ties optional. - Less formal and smaller than the Dining Room. More like a hunt club. One of the best restaurants in Florida and service to match. Pianist during dinner. In the Top 200 restaurants in Florida by Florida Trend magazine in 2/96. This is my favorite dining spot! Reservations long in advance are almost always needed. NDN 4 stars several times (latest ).

Gumbo Lumbo - Ritz-Carlton Hotel - 598-6644
Informal bar and restaurant. Lunch or dinner. Kid friendly. Open-air eatery is on the boardwalk overlooking the beach. Reggie music in the background and flaming torches. Sunsets are great! Food ranges from American to Caribbean favorites. NDN 4 stars on 4/23/99

 Chops City Grill - 837 Fifth Avenue South, Naples - 262-4677. Owned by the owners of Pazzo's. Innovative cuisine. It serves only the finest steak/beef available in the USA. Only problem, it is another loud restaurant. NDN 3 1/2 stars on 4/9/99. Excellent steaks - Much better than Corks and not as loud!

 Annabelle's - 300 5th Avenue South, Naples - 261-4275.(open Thursday, Friday and Saturday only). Excellent décor and food (in that order) - When making the reservation, ask for one of the "colorful" tables in the rear or behind the curtains - take center area as a backup. Make sure they know you want a table with a view of the interesting interior. NDN 4 stars (6/02/00).

Sale e Pepe, Marco Beach Ocean Resort,, 480 S. Collier Blvd.; Marco Island 393-1600. 3 rooms for dining. Outdoor patio (casual dress) the formal dining room (jacket required) - ask for Table 14, under the mural, or dining in the bar (casual dress). The best Italian food and service in S.W. Florida. Worth the 45 minute ride (very pleasant ride). NDN 4 stars (8/23/02)

 Roy's - The Promenade at Bonita Bay Commons, 26831 South Bay Drive, Bonita Springs - 498-7697. Opened 1/99. One of a few Roy's restaurants (13th) in the world. Food and ambiance mixes Hawaii and the Pacific (Japan). Since I was there, the NDN rated it with 4 stars (8/20/99)

 Baleen, LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, 9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples (Vanderbilt Beach). An outstanding restaurant with the finest waterfront/beachfront dining - great sunsets - overlooking the beach. Innovative seafood-centric restaurant. Indoor seating available, many nights with a pianist.

 Bravissimo, 849 7th Ave South, Naples - 239-435-1882. Very fine Italian cuisine in a somewhat modern setting. Fine service as well. Francisco A. Aquino is the Manager/Principal and usually on site.

USS Nemo, 3745 Tamiami Trail North, Naples - 239-261-6366. Very good seafood - casual dress. NDN 2 ½ stars (5/19/00). It's much better than 2 ½ stars. Try the Chilean Sea Bass and Eel Salad - The best!

 Le Bistro - 842 Neapolitan Way, Naples - 434-7061. The service and hostess are excellent. The restaurant is famous for its Duck a L'Orange. The chef is also known for his fish. NDN 3 1/2 stars (3/26/99). I went they're in 10/99 and the Caesar salad and roast duck (nice and crispy) were about as good as it gets. Ambiance is a re-creation of a more modern French bistro - hence the name!

Pazzo - 853 5th Avenue South - 434-8494. A bistro. Very Good. Food is a cut above Terra. NDN originally gave it 2 stars (NDN gave this one a bum rap!) NOTE: Reservations needed even in the off-season! But the paper has been vindicated since the NDN gave it 4 stars on 8/13/99.

 Campiello - 1177 Third Street South - 435-1166. Very nice continental cuisine in an interesting atmosphere. NDN 4 stars (1/29/99) - indoor or outdoor seating (outdoor in front or in the "core" of the restaurant - get the "core" if a nice evening). Very good!Zoë's - 720 Fifth Avenue South - 261-1221. Interesting interior decor - NDN 3 stars (4/30/98) and 3 ½ (8/03/01). 8/99 - We loved it. Definitely going back to this one!

Le Caffe des Artistes - 210 U.S 41 North - 261-7598. Opened since the fall of 1998, it has been completely renovated in the interior. From the exterior, you would never go in! The food and interior decor are both outstanding. The have a pre-theatre prix full course fixe menu for $20.00 (from 5:00pm -6:00pm). The duck seems to have been a big hit for the Naples Daily News reporter. Desserts also!! Service was superb. NDN 4 stars (03/05/99).

Cloyde's - 4050 Gulf Shore Boulevard North, Naples (Venetian Village). A steakhouse operated by the same people that opened Cork's on 4th Avenue South. It's better than corks in every way - service, ambiance and food! Female guests get a long-stemmed rose upon leaving (though the last time we went we didn't and I forgot to ask). NDN 4 stars (9/24/99) Directions/Map

 McCabe's Irish Public & Grill, 699 5th Avenue South, Naples - 239-403-7170. Popular real Irish pub, right in the heart of downtown Naples - live Irish music, great draught beer and decent "pub" food. Try to get a seat outside and what the scene. NDN 3 ½ (3/15/01)

Bice, 300 Fifth Avenue South, Naples - 239-262-4044. Also located in Coconut Point in Estero, FL 239-390-9927

Blue Water Grill, #109 Estero, Florida 33928, 239.949.BLUE (2583) Offering a wide variety of seafood, creative bistro fare, steaks and a daily selection of grilled fish, along with an extensive wine list and the coolest cocktails in town! Located in the Coconut Point Mall in Estero, Blue Water Bistro is the perfect restaurant for the power shopper on the go, intimate dinner or a night out with friends! 

The Grill Room - (239) 390-9081 - 23161 Village Shops Way Suite 107 S03 on map.  Casual dining, also open for lunch, entertainment nightly.  I highly recommend this restauant.