Naples, Florida: Sea Salt

Sea Salt

We rented a car for the day to drive to Naples. Although we usu
ally like to eat at Nemos, we decided to stay in Old Naples for lunch since we were already having such a wonderful time walking around in the sun. We spotted Sea Salt and decided to try it. The inside had a lot of seating (very open and airy), but we decided to sit outside because the patio looked like a lovely place to enjoy the nice weather (especially under the toasty heat lamps).

They brought us some warm bread with three different salts to try with olive oil. One was very sulfuric (tasted like eggs) that Jess and Nan liked but the men didn't care for. Olive oil+warm bread+sea salt=very interesting concept that most restaurants don't serve.

For lunch, Nan, Jess, and Mike ordered delicious Grouper sandwiches that were served with sweet potato fries. I would say the best sweet potato fries you can get anywhere! Bob ordered Swordfish soft tacos which he said were also very tasty. The food was very fresh and plentiful.

We would definitely return to this spot. Eating outside for lunch was perfect way to kill a few hours in Naples.

Marco Island, FL: The Italian Deli

The Italian Deli

The strong winds and cool temperatures did not allow for poolside
sunbathing. Instead, father and I decided to walk to the Italian Deli
for some exercise and to procure the evening's meal. During lazy
Florida vacations, planning the next meal is the the only mandatory
activity.

As we arrived at the small deli, a crowd of older Italian men,
characters rather, dined on chicken parmiganos and chatted in the
small seating area. The proprietor of this establishment, a New York
City ex-patriate with sausage fingers, recommended a large feast for
the evening's family dinner. We ordered lasagna with meatballs and
pasta fagioli soup. Minutes later, we were heading back to the
apartment with a heavy tray and full bag. Our arms were quite
exhausted after a long trek carrying literally kilos of food.

At dinnertime, mother and sister prepared, or re-heated, the food and
we dined around the table. The lasagna was rich and meaty layered with
ribbons of ricotta and a sweet and vibrant San Marzano tomato sauce. A
crusty bread loaf was the ideal vehicle to soak up the piquant gravy.
The pasta fagioli soup was a nice addition as well, speckled with
beans, bacon, and pasta in a rich broth.

This deli is a great place to pick up a delicious Italian meal to eat
in the peace and quiet of your home (and avoid Marco Islands abundance
of geriatrics) Run by a charming and possibly mafia-affiliated
gentleman, this deli is a unforgettable destination on Marco Island.

(Nan, Bob, and Jess returned a few nights later for a pizza. Very thin crust and right out of the oven. We ate there and it was delish!)




Eating it all in our condo....

(It tasted 100 times better than it looks!)

Naples, Florida: The Blue Heron

An annual tradition

For the past six or seven years, we’ve spent New Year/s Eve at Blue Heron.

Blue Heron is a quaint white tablecloth restaurant on the Isles of Capri, which are about a 10 – 15 minute drive from Charter Club. The restaurant is on the water, but we get there too late to enjoy the view. The owner, Alex (a very fit and friendly woman) knows us and saves our table for us at our “usual” time – 9 p.m.

Blue Heron has a fairly broad menu. At first blush, list prices are very high - $55 – 70. However, when you consider that the entrees come with soup, salad, rolls, dessert and coffee, all of which are superb and very plentiful, it is actually a good deal.

This year, our friends Alan and Eve Hyatt drove in from Boca Raton to join us. Eve is a picky eater, to say the least, but the waiter was able to honor her many requests and keep a good sense of humor about it. Alan said it was one of the best meals he’s ever had (and was kind enough to treat us).

As usual, Jess ordered cioppino (I can’t blame her). Nan and I had the special – sea bass. Alan went for veal and Eve for lobster. We had a few bottles of wine to accompany the meal. Despite being full to the brim, we all made room for the desserts – homemade key lime and peanut butter pie (and nonfat sorbet for Eve – ugh).

We’ve started the countdown for next year!

(On our way over to the Blue Heron is Allan's convertible!)

Marco Island, FL: Island Cafe

Island Cafe

Island Cafe was an Early Bird Special treat!! Bob hates eating dinner so early, so he insisted on calling our mealtime "Linner". It is a very old fashioned looking place....in a strip mall. but, it has surprisingly delicious food. The website describes the restaurant as "Creative and Classic". Shockingly, there was only one other couple (who was actually very young) who was also taking advantage of the Early Bird Special. For $19.00 one gets an appetizer, an entree and dessert. We all had fish specialties with wonderful preparations like grouper with horseradish and Panko crust over chive mashed potatoes with lemon butter. It is nice being in a quiet restaurant, where conversing is easy and the food is so tasty. We all loved it and felt it was a great value. We will put it on our list for next time.....

Key West, FL: Azur

Azur

Azur is a hidden gem located many in a residential neighborhood many blocks away from the touristy areas (Duval St.) in Key West. We found this place by luck (we peaked into a quaint B&B and took a brochure on our way out which mentioned Azur)!

The restaurant is small and only has about 15 tables. There were no open tables when we first arrived so we waited outside on their front patio sipping Rose wine.

Once we were seated outside, we knew immediately what we were going to order since we had a sneak peak of the menu while waiting. The entire menu looked fabulous! Nan and Jess decided to get a BTL Crab Cake (lump sauteed crab cake on ciabatta roll with applewood smoked bacon, beefsteak tomatoes, and salsa verde mayo $14.95). It came with a side of orzo salad and the meal was truly one of the best sandwiches we've ever had. Bob had the "Pigs of Bay" sandwich (fennel roasted pork with shaved red onion, Fontina cheese, and salsa verde $11.50) which came with chips. He said it was outstanding.

Everything on the menu looked superb and we would recommend it to anyone visiting Key West who doesn't like TTs (tourist traps).

(We even loved the natural bath salts they had for us in the bathroom in lieu of hand soap!)

(Dad's pork above)



Nan eating the crab cake BLT