Restaurant Week in Naples kicks off with meals, deals
Southwest Floridians survived another busy season, with fewer cars now on the roads and shorter lines at restaurants. And Guy Clarke believes that calls for a celebration.
The co-founder of Restaurant Week in Collier County says Neapolitans should embrace the annual two-week event, from June 1-14, where diners can enjoy fixed-price meals at 48 restaurants.
“The real essence of Restaurant Week is to get people to go out and try new restaurants, and for the restaurants to be busy during a slow period of the year," said Clarke, more well-known in Naples as co-founder of Baconfest.
Clarke and Rafael J. Feliciano, who has worked in the hospitality industry, are co-business partners of Restaurant Week, held every spring and fall. Participating requires four steps for diners: go to the website, SWFLrestaurantweek.com; select a restaurant; make a reservation or walk in; and order from the prix fixe (fixed price) menu.
The majority of the 48 restaurants serving three-course meals starting at $25 or $35, although some will offer four or five courses.
“Because we’ve eliminated the prices," Clarke said, "Restaurant Week now boils down to the menus.”
Dishes vary, such as from wild Norwegian cod, mussels and shrimp bouillabaisse at Bleu Provence; surf and turf filet mignon and cold lobster tail, house mashed potatoes and asparagus at Marco Prime; and black grouper, citrus beet risotto, shaved organic carrot salad and citrus buerre blanc at Latitude 26.
“This is really for the locals," Clarke said. "Season is over and the snowbirds are long gone so they can enjoy no long lines, no crazy drives.”
Restaurant Week also provides a shot in the arm for businesses transitioning from the hectic winter season to a slower place, he said.
The two-week event benefits a local charity, as the Humane Society of Naples benefits with more than $15,000 raised for the agency during a fund-raiser earlier this year. The event was held a few weeks ago at the new Mercedes-Benz of Bonita Springs along U.S. 41.
“Puppies and food together are great for our community," Clarke said. "Most of the chefs have rescue dogs, rescued animals.”
The fall kickoff dinner is Oct. 24, with the Restaurant Week from Nov. 30 through Dec. 13. And Clarke said they plan to expand Restaurant Week by adding Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Sanibel next spring. And they hope to already have expanded into Marco Island by then, he said.
The 48 participating restaurants
- 21 Spices by Chef Asif
- 7th Avenue Social
- Ario at the JW Marriott Marco Island
- Baleen
- Barbatella
- Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar
- BiCE
- Bleu Provence
- BRAVO Cucina Italiana
- Brio Tuscan Grille
- Cafe & Bar Lurcat
- Cafe Alfredo
- Caffè Milano
- Campiello
- Catch 41 Bar "N" Grill
- Cavo Lounge
- Continental
- Cooper's Hawk
- D'Amico & Sons
- Deep Lagoon Seafood
- El Gaucho Inca Bistro
- Fish Crazy
- Fujiyama
- Lamoraga
- Latitude 26 at the Hyatt House
- Lima Restaurant & Pisco Bar
- Marco Prime Steaks & Seafood
- Martin Fierro
- Moura Bistro
- Ocean Prime
- Palladio Trattoria
- Real Seafood Company
- Ridgway Bar & Grill
- Ristorante Davinci
- Roy's
- Ruth's Chris
- SAKURA
- Sea Salt
- Seasons 52
- Shula's Steak House
- Tartine & Tartelette
- The Capital Grille
- The Local
- The Oyster Society Marco Island
- T-Michaels Steak & Lobster
- Tommy Bahama
- True Food Kitchen
- Zen Asian BBQ