A state of flux may be the best way to describe the regional dining scene at the end of the first half of the year. More than the average year, many restaurant properties changed hands or concepts during the first six months of 2023.
Recent restaurant transitions are not necessarily a negative sign because change brings fresh perspectives, renewed energy and innovative concepts to the local dining scene, said Guy Clarke, founder of Sizzle Dining, which expects a record year for local restaurants participating in the annual prix-fixe dinner deals Sept. 7-27.
“Southwest Florida’s culinary landscape is buzzing with excitement, as a wave of new restaurants sweeps in, complementing the recent changing of the guard in our dining scene. With a multitude of eateries finding new ownership and fresh perspectives, the region is experiencing a delicious revolution,” Clarke said.
Similar to the stock market, new players are stepping in as old ones are cashing out or calling it quits. The reason for the recent flux varies, but it really doesn’t take much to throw in the kitchen towel post-season when looking at a long, hot, slow summer. Take a pandemic followed by a major hurricane, mix in a combination of higher operating costs and staff shortages and you have the recipe for a quick exit. It’s especially easy for restaurateurs on the cusp of retirement age to say, “That’s all, folks!”
New owners
In a few cases, restaurants changed hands but continue operating with the same name and concept under new ownership. That’s the case with the sale of Pazzo and Yabba in Naples and Chops City Grill in Naples and Bonita Springs, which Phelan Family Brands picked up from Naples-based Culinary Concepts. Phelan ended up closing Yabba early in the second half. At the end of June, the Hoffmann Family of Companies announced that it has Bleu Provence, the longtime award-winning French restaurant in Old Naples, under contract for acquisition. Fin Bistro on Marco Island also has new owners.
Many more ownership changes meant a change in restaurant names and concepts. That happened with a couple of longtime destinations on Pine Ridge Road. Noodles became Giuseppe and the Lion, while the original Pelican Larry’s became The Oasis Naples. La Cuisine, a longtime Peruvian restaurant in East Naples, is now Espíritu Nueve Peruvian with new owners.
The original Fuji on Naples Boulevard became Binto Thai, while the original Binto Thai in Bonita became Platoo Sushi & Thai. Fish 41 in East Naples is now Stix Sushi & Seafood under new ownership. Changing hands in Bonita, Seaside Bar & Grill is being converted into North Bonita Country Club, while Dolce Rita’s recently became Bella Luna Pizza & Pasta.
Damage control
While many places remain closed because of Hurricane Ian’s fury last fall, we didn’t learn until this year that some are not reopening because of that devastating storm.
That includes Caffe dell’Amore — the Café of Love — a classic Italian trattoria damaged by the wall of water that stormed Charleston Square on Gulf Shore Boulevard across the street from Lowdermilk Park in Naples. Although the longtime restaurant with hand-painted walls and an extensive wine collection sustained a devastating amount of damage, all members of the Caffe dell’Amore family were reported safe after the Sept. 28 storm. Dominic Richiano and Brian Kozack, who took over the local restaurant 10 years ago, decided to seek opportunities elsewhere.
“We have relocated to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We have taken over a very popular downtown restaurant called Cafe Mediterraneo. If you ever get to New Hampshire, come see us,” the restaurateurs recently messaged.
We also learned last month that the Naples location for Bonefish Grill, which launched 15 years ago in Naples Bay Resort & Marina, is not reopening there after being washed out by the storm surge. The chain’s parent company, Tampa-based Bloomin’ Brands, initially had planned to rebuild its waterfront restaurant but decided to look for another suitable space in Naples.
The storm forced Bleu Rendezvous French Restaurant to reopen this spring at a new location on Sanibel Island. Likewise, Hooked Island Grill relocated from Matlacha to Gulf Coast Town Center and Junkanoo Below Deck and Fresh Catch Bistro relocated on Fort Myers Beach. The owner of the destroyed Olde Fish House on Matlacha regrouped and opened Salty Girls Island Cafe this May on Pine Island.
Liki Tiki BBQ was leveled on Fort Myers Beach but launched in a new spot nearby this May. Not only did La Ola Surfside Restaurant reopen a location on Fort Myers Beach, but it launched a second location this spring at Bell Tower in south Fort Myers. Ian delayed the launch of The Shipyard at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva, but it finally opened in May.
Most of the popular Vanderbilt Beach restaurants, including Baleen at LaPlaya and Turtle Club had to sit out this past season, but both plan to return in the coming months. The dining spots at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples — including the new Sofra vegetable-forward restaurant — opened Thursday with the relaunch of the refurbished resort.
Pizza-pasta shuffle
Many local pizzerias saw changes in the last few months.
June 30 was the last day for Industry Pizza & Slice Shop, which operated for more than four years off Pine Ridge Road. Another pizzeria is expected to open there.
Local restaurateur Chris Jones also is converting his two barbecue joints into his new PizzaJones! concept. The BBQ Shop in North Naples recently made the conversion while Industry BBQ at Naples Bayfront is expected to change over this week.
Napoli on the Bay Pizza closed its original longtime location near the City Dock in Old Naples and relocated to Mama Mia’s former space in Naples.
San Giuseppe Pizza relocated in May to the former Rio Pizzeria space in North Naples and the area welcomed additional locations this spring for Baci Pizza in North Naples and Tony’s N.Y. Pizza in East Naples. Newcomers included Sammy’s Pizza at Naples Towne Centre in East Naples, Pezzo Pizza + Bar on U.S. 41 in Estero and Pizza Lab in Fort Myers. Clean Juice locations closed in Naples and Estero and are expected to be converted into Romeo’s Pizza franchises.
Frankie’s Italian Deli relocated in April from Collier Boulevard to St. Andrew’s Square in East Naples. New places specializing in Italian cuisine include Casa Cotzelli at Island Walk in North Naples and DiGusto Italian Deli & Tasting in Naples.
Italian restaurants permanently closing include La Bella Apulia Gourmet Italian Market at Shoppes at Dockside in Naples and Lil Italy Bistro and Cirella’s Italian Bistro & Sushi Bar in Bonita.
Last call
Other local restaurants that closed this year include Southern Style Kitchen at Bayfront and European Bakery & Café and La Colmar Bakery & Bistro in Naples.
Closings in Estero include The Saloon at Coconut Point and The Food Rock Cafe in University Village. Other closings include Gina’s Cafe in the Park in East Naples, Stillwater Grille in south Fort Myers and Sip & Dine in Cape Coral.
More new spots
The area saw a proliferation of new coffee shops, kava bars, ice cream shops and cookie bakeries in early 2023. A new Vietnamese restaurant, Pho An, opened in June at Kings Lake Square in East Naples.
Notable restaurants launching during the first six months include Paul Fleming’s PJK Neighborhood Chinese in Naples, Old Vines Supper Club in East Naples, Shea’s Lansdowne Street in North Naples, Jordan’s Wine Bar and Cellar in Fort Myers, Waffle Monkey and Wolfmoon Bakery in Bonita, and High Tide Social House, Next Door, Sage on 47th and Stones Throw in Cape Coral. University Village Shops near Florida Gulf Coast University saw the addition of Mi Pueblito Paisa, Fat Katz Slider Bar, Pelican Larry’s Raw Bar & Grill and Off the Bone BBQ + Ribhouse.
Popular new locations for restaurant chains include Mission BBQ in North Naples, Miller’s Ale House at Restaurant Row in East Naples, Logan’s Roadhouse in Fort Myers and Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant in south Fort Myers.
Other new Collier County restaurants include Boutique Sweet Couple, Nautical Bowls, 16 Handles, Foxtail Coffee Co. and Carole’s House Café & French Bakery in North Naples; Popeyes at Coastland Center mall and Forever Fiore Tea Lounge in Naples; Alchemist Kava, Black Tulip Coffee, Fernweh Ice Cream and Jersey Mike’s Subs in East Naples; Thai Thai Sushi Sports Bar and Mr. Bentley’s Ice Cream on Marco Island; and multiple eateries in Mercato at Ave in Ave Maria.
More new Lee County dining spots include Habaneros Mexican Grill and The Boba Shop in Bonita Springs; The Cave, Bubbakoo’s Burritos and Crisp & Green in Estero; Cava, Cookie Plug, Dim Sum King, Insomnia Cookies, Savour Coffee and Shawn & Tony’s Kitchen in south Fort Myers; Cadeau Cafe, Chips Sports Pub and Dutch-Way Cafe in Fort Myers; Crumbl Cookies, Holy Moly Ice Cream and PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans in Cape Coral; Rosalita’s Cantina on Sanibel and Street Eatz & Ale in Bokeelia.
The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com.
