"Culinary Wasteland": Naples, Florida

[chefdg]

I cannot figure out how to link but a new place opened this week, EVOO Market and Bistro. The menu looks nice and the concept is somewhat new for Naples. I'll check it out and repost.

[Gifted Gourmet]

I cannot figure out how to link but a new place opened this week, EVOO Market and Bistro. 

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May I be of assistance, chefdg?

EVOO Market, Naples, Florida

Looks terrific and it may help alleviate the "wasteland" idea of Naples ...

[robyn]

I have lived in Ft. Myers, NY and Seattle and there's no doubt the big cities have the best restaurants, but I do think FL is improving.  If you want a real culinary treat of the chocolate variety go to Norman Love's chocolate factory & store near the Ft. Myers airport.  We always assumed the food was so bad in SW FL because midwesterners came here while people from the East Coast went to Miami.

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I lived in Miami for over 20 years - and have traveled throughout most of the state numerous times during my 30+ years here. Although Miami had its moments - overall it wasn't/isn't terrific. On the other hand - we can thank southeast Florida for 2 things. Floribbean food (in my opinion started by Norman Van Aken when he was working in Key West in the 70's) - and Neuvo Latino food (started by Doug Rodriguez in Coral Gables in the 80's). I believe that these 2 movements - started by these 2 chefs - were extremely important in terms of the development of all the forms of fusion cuisine that came later. I don't think there is anything happening today anywhere in the US that is quite as exciting as what was happening then. Robyn

[chefdg]

Tanks G.G.

BTW even though I think the food at my place of employement is only good, albeit very consistent, we have 400+ rezos for valentines day. Go figure, but the restaurant is a Naples favorite and established for 15 yrs now.

[miche]

Hey, I've been to Naples and the food is not so bad! I agree with a previous post that some of the restaurants are not worried about repeat business, but I have been to some that were not like that. (don't ask for names, it was two years ago) I would like to return to Naples sometime later this year.......I will be even more critical and see how the restaurants compare.

[chefdg]

A little disappointed by the EVOO market, it looked like they put it together too fast, I didn't try the bistro, there was nobody eating and I didn't want to be the only one.

I heard today that David Burke will soon be opening a restaurant in Naples and am very anxious to see how his restaurant will do in this environment. I hope he can pave a new path for those of us who want to move food in this town into another direction. I don't know that much about him as a chef, or his restaurants, but the fact that he is a nationally recognized chef gives me some reason to be optomistic.

[robyn]

I ate at David Burke & Donatella in New York and thought it was great. Let us know if/when the place opens in Naples. I don't get to southwest Florida too often these days - but I'll make a point of trying the place when it opens. It's easier for me to get to Naples than New York . Robyn