The Bayhouse
799 Walkerbilt Rd Naples, FL 34110
(239) 591-3837
Place was packed. Kevin's service was outstanding, could not have been better. The view is long and calm over the Cocohatchee river. We sat on the deck. My only fear, sitting outside, was no-see-ums... wonderfully, there were no-bites-at-all. The food is good - almost excellent. For example, the tomato pie is just a bit too sweet. Separately, it kills any type of traditional Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc on the first course. It would take a sweet Riesling or even a desert white to stand up to it. Which is not my favorite wine with which to start a meal. We did not let that stop us as our bottle of Chardonnay was more than half gone before the entree arrived.The house filet was cooked as the chef recommended, medium rare. A filet is hard to differentiate, but the Bayhouse does it with perfect horseradish sauce. The bouillabaisse is full of seafood. However the flavors are one dimensional. It could use a few more notes. We brought a Kongsgaard Judge with the idea of having only seafood. Then I went and ordered a Filet of Beef. Regardless the wine stood up to it and its sauce. The staff, and Kevin, were excited to see our wine. We tried to give Kevin a taste but far too many restaurants forbid the practice of allowing the server's a taste and the Bayhouse is one of those. Kevin seemed particularly concerned. We should not have pressured him as much as we did. Nevertheless, how often does a person get to enjoy a glass of Kongsgaard? Despite only "good" food. The service and atmosphere made the bottom line: a wonderful experience.
(239) 591-3837
Place was packed. Kevin's service was outstanding, could not have been better. The view is long and calm over the Cocohatchee river. We sat on the deck. My only fear, sitting outside, was no-see-ums... wonderfully, there were no-bites-at-all. The food is good - almost excellent. For example, the tomato pie is just a bit too sweet. Separately, it kills any type of traditional Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc on the first course. It would take a sweet Riesling or even a desert white to stand up to it. Which is not my favorite wine with which to start a meal. We did not let that stop us as our bottle of Chardonnay was more than half gone before the entree arrived.The house filet was cooked as the chef recommended, medium rare. A filet is hard to differentiate, but the Bayhouse does it with perfect horseradish sauce. The bouillabaisse is full of seafood. However the flavors are one dimensional. It could use a few more notes. We brought a Kongsgaard Judge with the idea of having only seafood. Then I went and ordered a Filet of Beef. Regardless the wine stood up to it and its sauce. The staff, and Kevin, were excited to see our wine. We tried to give Kevin a taste but far too many restaurants forbid the practice of allowing the server's a taste and the Bayhouse is one of those. Kevin seemed particularly concerned. We should not have pressured him as much as we did. Nevertheless, how often does a person get to enjoy a glass of Kongsgaard? Despite only "good" food. The service and atmosphere made the bottom line: a wonderful experience.
Barbatella
Address: 1290 3rd St S, Naples, FL 34102
Phone:(239) 263-1955
Address: 1290 3rd St S, Naples, FL 34102
Phone:(239) 263-1955
CAmpiello
Joe was our, initially, low key server. The pizza is reason enough for eating at Campiello. The wood fired oven, and skill of the chef, creates a thin wavy crust with small ripples that is the second definition of crispy. Breaking easily with a bright crunch would be the first definition. This crust also does that while providing a perfect stage for the well balanced toppings to dance.
We go to Campiello often and it is hard to get past the pizza and try other items. But, when we do, we are still satisfied. Campiello has the best atmosphere of any restaurant in Naples. The prime spot for people watching and ambiance. Two outdoor seating areas, the garden or the front court yard, are always full of well dressed diners (or drinkers near the bar.) We often bring our own bottle of a special wine and they are always happy to open it for us. We brought the 2007 Harlan Maiden the last time. Stunning wine, 98 points and may make it to 100. But it seems to be drinking nearly perfectly now.
Campiello is one of three best restaurant in Naples. The other two are Bleu Provence and M Waterfront Grill. Not on this list is Truluck's or the Turtle Club, two restaurants that consistently receive high scorer from Yelp and TripAdvisor. Truluck's is a Disney version of dining. The seafood hotspot (like Disney is a hotspot) comes complete with a scripted server and and plastic deserts presented as a desert menu. The plastic deserts are so lifelike that, like the Hall of Presidents, it is spooky and you almost expect them to start talking. If you like that sort of thing you will love Truluck's. You better make a reservation. The food is good enough and the location is better than average. But the ordering experience is about as creative as at a McDonald's. A chain at heart, Truluck's, also like the golden arches, leaves nothing to chance. There is no risk. Creative energy is is critical to a #1 restaurant. This is why, despite what all the crowd-sourced online travel sights say, is not even in the top ten for best restaurants in Naples. The Turtle Club suffers from the same problem. One of the first things you receive when sitting down is a laminated menu. Laminated? May as well freeze the whole restaurant in amber. May as well present your deserts in shiny plastic like they are barbie dolls. Fine for one visit, but why would anyone ever go back?
We go to Campiello often and it is hard to get past the pizza and try other items. But, when we do, we are still satisfied. Campiello has the best atmosphere of any restaurant in Naples. The prime spot for people watching and ambiance. Two outdoor seating areas, the garden or the front court yard, are always full of well dressed diners (or drinkers near the bar.) We often bring our own bottle of a special wine and they are always happy to open it for us. We brought the 2007 Harlan Maiden the last time. Stunning wine, 98 points and may make it to 100. But it seems to be drinking nearly perfectly now.
Campiello is one of three best restaurant in Naples. The other two are Bleu Provence and M Waterfront Grill. Not on this list is Truluck's or the Turtle Club, two restaurants that consistently receive high scorer from Yelp and TripAdvisor. Truluck's is a Disney version of dining. The seafood hotspot (like Disney is a hotspot) comes complete with a scripted server and and plastic deserts presented as a desert menu. The plastic deserts are so lifelike that, like the Hall of Presidents, it is spooky and you almost expect them to start talking. If you like that sort of thing you will love Truluck's. You better make a reservation. The food is good enough and the location is better than average. But the ordering experience is about as creative as at a McDonald's. A chain at heart, Truluck's, also like the golden arches, leaves nothing to chance. There is no risk. Creative energy is is critical to a #1 restaurant. This is why, despite what all the crowd-sourced online travel sights say, is not even in the top ten for best restaurants in Naples. The Turtle Club suffers from the same problem. One of the first things you receive when sitting down is a laminated menu. Laminated? May as well freeze the whole restaurant in amber. May as well present your deserts in shiny plastic like they are barbie dolls. Fine for one visit, but why would anyone ever go back?
Sea Salt
www.seasaltnaples.com
Sea Salt is a favorite restaurant of many people - I realize. But the place just can’t crack my top five. The premise, structure and foundation are all perfect. Quality organic ingredients, sophisticated and simple dishes, innovative cooking techniques. It all seems to be there in theory. But the place lacks a soul. I’ve been there five times in the last five years. But each time I go I’m reminded how much more I like Bleu Provence, Campiello or even M Waterfront Grille.
We were greeted by two hostesses. And they were outstanding. Big smiles and full of energy. I held out hopes that this would be that quintessential Sea Salt experience that this place has the potential to produce. Even the gentleman who poured our water had some character.
However, our server only did everything minimally required to get us food – and that was it. You don’t need to smile to take an order – and he definitely did not want to burn those calories. Likewise the food had all the ingredients that were described on the menu. The tuna tartare had tuna, avocado and truffle sauce. It was pretty, and was certainly edible. But I wouldn’t order it again. There was no bursting flavor. The texture also was consistently mushy throughout. And I know what people might think, it’s raw tuna and avocado of course it’s going to be mushy. But, no it doesn’t have to be. An avocado can be creamy rich and distinct. And tuna can also have texture. But, I’m not saying that that’s what it needed to set this dish apart. But it needed something to give it some personality. Flavor, texture layers anything or something.
The black grouper and the free range chicken were the same. Just, blah. The crispy potatoes were – French fries. I don’t mind being served French fries at a fancy restaurant but they better taste fancier than McDonald’s. These were served with a barbecue sauce instead of ketchup, which was very helpful. The sauce was excellent. But the French Fries themselves should have been made from better quality potatoes. I think that would’ve done it. It will probably be another year before I go back. Maybe in that time they will hire and train their servers to actually have some energy and charisma. That would go a long way.
www.seasaltnaples.com
Sea Salt is a favorite restaurant of many people - I realize. But the place just can’t crack my top five. The premise, structure and foundation are all perfect. Quality organic ingredients, sophisticated and simple dishes, innovative cooking techniques. It all seems to be there in theory. But the place lacks a soul. I’ve been there five times in the last five years. But each time I go I’m reminded how much more I like Bleu Provence, Campiello or even M Waterfront Grille.
We were greeted by two hostesses. And they were outstanding. Big smiles and full of energy. I held out hopes that this would be that quintessential Sea Salt experience that this place has the potential to produce. Even the gentleman who poured our water had some character.
However, our server only did everything minimally required to get us food – and that was it. You don’t need to smile to take an order – and he definitely did not want to burn those calories. Likewise the food had all the ingredients that were described on the menu. The tuna tartare had tuna, avocado and truffle sauce. It was pretty, and was certainly edible. But I wouldn’t order it again. There was no bursting flavor. The texture also was consistently mushy throughout. And I know what people might think, it’s raw tuna and avocado of course it’s going to be mushy. But, no it doesn’t have to be. An avocado can be creamy rich and distinct. And tuna can also have texture. But, I’m not saying that that’s what it needed to set this dish apart. But it needed something to give it some personality. Flavor, texture layers anything or something.
The black grouper and the free range chicken were the same. Just, blah. The crispy potatoes were – French fries. I don’t mind being served French fries at a fancy restaurant but they better taste fancier than McDonald’s. These were served with a barbecue sauce instead of ketchup, which was very helpful. The sauce was excellent. But the French Fries themselves should have been made from better quality potatoes. I think that would’ve done it. It will probably be another year before I go back. Maybe in that time they will hire and train their servers to actually have some energy and charisma. That would go a long way.