Decadent delicious dishes: JLB’s top 7 picks from new restaurants in Naples and Marco
Has it really been six months since our last round-up of great menu items?
Indeed, and JLB has eaten her way through many of Naples's newest restaurants. Marco too.
My motto: Time is money, honey. While your server hovers, just itching to take your order, you may still be perusing the offerings because menus in town seem to be getting longer.
Bad menu decisions? A waste of both time and money.
If you're heading to any destinations on this list and want to whittle down what can be an overwhelming number of selections, here are my seven favorite bites enjoyed since July, listed alphabetically by restaurant name.
Bicyclette Cookshop
819 Vanderbilt Beach Road; 239-514-3333; bicyclettecookshop.com
"Chopped" champ chef Kayla Pfeiffer’s crumpets rank among the richest dishes to taste in town. Listed on Bicyclette Cookshop’s snack section as “bread and good butter” for $9, it’s more of a shareable; JLB double-dares you to devour three toothsome fresh-baked goodies topped with slabs of creamy butter and Portuguese anchovies. During a recent visit (my fourth), I sat on the patio next to a heater that melted the butter; when dining inside, the semi-soft slab maintained its shape. It was fantastic both ways.
Keewaydin's
711 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-262-5787; keewaydins.com
A recent study by way of the U.K. analyzing TikTok’s global food trends reveals Florida's most searched food item is Key Lime pie. While that’s no shocker, the revelation of just how good it can be is discovered at this new restaurant that opened on Jan. 5. The first bite evoked four-letter expletives of joy from my husband; I’d share exactly what he said, but our newspaper has language standards that JLB must follow. This lusciously massive slab of lime mousse topped with light tufts of torched meringue is a lovely way to end an evening.
Related: 25 restaurants in 27 years: Phelan Family Brands opens Keewaydin’s on Fifth, a new concept
Le Colonial
457 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-372-9700; naples.leconial.com
Have you seen Julia Roberts’s new movie “Leave the World Behind” on Netflix? Though I won’t give away the ending, which has a bit to do with an enormous pantry, and since watching, I’ve endured sleepless nights for two weeks. At the risk of sounding morbid, if I knew my last meal on Earth was in the coming days, I’d likely opt for Shaking Beef. I loved it 30 years ago when the restaurant’s first outpost opened in New York City, but I believe the quality of terrific fresh vegetables adorning the caramelized bite-size chunks of Heritage Angus beef is even better now.
Old Vines Naples
9105 Strada Place at Mercato Shops; 239-591-5351; oldvines.net
While anchovy butter is trending elsewhere in town, executive chef Daniel Swofford’s parsley linguini gets the luxe touch here. There are several ingredients from the sea involved, including just the right amount of mussels and calamari. Tossed with uni butter and topped with a dollop of trout roe, it looks and sounds like a lot is going on, but this heavenly pasta is well-balanced.
Ori’s Bakery & Café
945 N. Collier Blvd.; 239-450-4062; oriscafe.com
Italian beef with all the trimmings from a Portillo’s alum? Yes, and every bite melts in your mouth. Though there’s ample gravy, many customers order an extra side cup; it’s that good. Peppery and optional giardiniera sauce made my head sweat. Pro tip: Before getting comfy at your table, ask the kitchen to slice this seven-incher in half for easier eating, plus a short stack of extra napkins because you’ll need them.
Shabo's Bistro
15215 Collier Blvd., Naples; 239-354-9955; shabosbistro.com
As someone who likes gamey goods, including goose and wild turkey, I’ve never been a huge fan of lamb until now, because chef Shabo Emara’s riff on the shank has made me a believer. The perfectly braised meat falls off the bone with merely a gentle nudge from your fork, and every bite gets better. Served atop fluffy risotto speckled with a delightful assortment of interesting mushrooms, why wait until Easter or Passover to savor this dish?
Warren American Whiskey Kitchen
111 10th St. S.; 239-330-2611; warrennaples.com
This playful presentation of comfort food of the highest order boasts ample chunks of Maine lobster delivered in almost every sinfully rich bite. This could be a decadent entree for one person because you may not want to share; alas, everyone at our table wanted in. After decimating the bowl's contents, I scraped inside the crustacean's shell to see if a teeny spoonful might remain; it was that good.
Jean Le Boeuf is the brand under which our restaurant critics have written for more than 40 years. Follow us on Facebook via BiteIntoSWFL. To connect: [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Decadent & delicious: Our top 7 favorite menu items at new restaurants
