Two popular regional dining concepts launched new locations this month at Coconut Point. Real Seafood Co. and PJK Neighborhood Chinese Restaurant independently opened upscale casual dining destinations in large, second-generation restaurant spaces at the regional outdoor mall in Estero.
Real Seafood Co.
Real Seafood launched Dec. 11 in the former large space of Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill in Coconut Point after shuttering its original regional location in May after operating 20 years in North Naples.
“This is a much larger space. We have a huge outdoor bar that seats about 20 people with huge patio seating facing the water there,” said Real Seafood General Manager Olivier Morame, who said the dining room’s modern decor is striking. “It’s a beautiful, renovated place. It’s really nice.”
A week since Real Seafood’s launch, Morame is pleased with the initial perception and reception of the new restaurant.
“It’s been very positive,” he said. “A lot of guests were familiar with us from the Naples location and thrilled and relieved that we finally opened and that they can come in and enjoy some of their favorites that they enjoyed at the Naples location. And, also, a lot of people who live in the area here in Estero, they are very, very happy to have a very good seafood option here, so it’s been overly positive for every guest that has come in so far.”
However, while Real Seafood retained popular items such as the Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass, the menu at Coconut Point offers some new choices.
“We have changed the menu drastically,” Morame said. “The menu is bigger with a lot more options. There will be something for everyone.”
A new grouper dish has been extremely popular, he said. The Gulf black grouper is served with chile crisp butter and crab fried rice, the menu notes. Other seafood entrees include fresh local mahi mahi, yellowfin tuna, blackened Atlantic swordfish and whole snapper.
Signature menu items include shrimp and scallop risotto, parmesan-crusted flounder, jumbo lump crab cakes, paella Valenciana, jambalaya, Cajun shrimp po’boy, adobo fish tacos, lobster roll, roasted half chicken and filet mignon.
The Neptune Tower appetizer prepared by the new chef features lobster, king crab legs, shrimp cocktail, raw oysters, tuna tartare and smoked fish dip, Morame said. “That’s a beautiful, beautiful preparation for a seafood tower,” he said.
Because of the 13-mile distance from the North Naples location, only about 15 employees, or about 10% of the staff, opted to follow the restaurant north. Because it’s a much larger venue that Morame thinks will be much busier, he had to hire many more people, he said.
Real Seafood, 8001 Plaza Del Lago Drive, is open for dinner only 4-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4-9 p.m. Sunday.
“We have an amazing happy hour at the bar from 4 to 6 (p.m.),” Morame said. “The outdoor bar I think is really going to be really something special.”
PJK Neighborhood Chinese
Naples-based Paul Fleming Restaurants expanded its PJK Neighborhood Chinese brand with the Dec. 19 launch of its second location, following the elevated modern dining concept’s debut in early 2023 in downtown Naples.
It’s new location in Coconut Point features more than 6,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor seating with an open kitchen in the transformed space of the former Blue Water Bistro and The Saloon next to Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The spacious new PJK location punctuates stylish design with colorful surprise elements — such as a flowering cherry tree centerpiece — to create an inviting dining experience.
“We are thrilled to mark an exciting new chapter for the growing PJK brand,” said Jody Goodenough-Fleming, founder of PJK Neighborhood Chinese. “This second location is a reflection of my personal passion, brought to life through every menu item and design choice. PJK is driven by our team’s hard work and the community’s love for exceptional dining. What started as a single restaurant location has grown into a thriving brand, and I am excited to see PJK become a key part of the Paul Fleming Restaurant Group.”
The fresh launch adds a lunch menu to PJK’s Chinese-inspired favorites and coastal flavors, such as classic wok specialties, small plates and hand-crafted dumplings and dim sum. Exclusive signature dishes include Peking duck, Szechuan sea bass, Teriyaki steak on a stick, braised short rib and dirty fried rice with duck confit, kimchi and poached egg.
The cuisine is complemented by a curated collection of wines, personally selected by longtime restaurateur Paul Fleming, as well as sakes and a variety of specialty drinks. Creative cocktails include Call Me Koko with Rivi Gin, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, pomegranate and lemon; Shiso Lovely with Wheatley Vodka, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, shiso leaves, lemon and lemon drop; and Mai Oh Mai Thai with a clarified Mai Tai, passion fruit and cherry chinola foam, Smith & Cross Rum, Angostura White Oak Rum, lime juice and dry curacao. PJK’s social hours are 4-6 p.m. daily with special food and drink prices.
PJK Coconut Point, 23151 Village Shops Way, Suite 109, is open for lunch and dinner 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Takeout also is available at PJK — an acronym comprised from the first initials of Paul and Jody Fleming and Kolton, their Bernese Mountain Dog.
