thinking about naples, florida for your destination wedding? Part 2
Part I further down below of this mega-post ended with a visit to 3rd Street South. Picking up where I left off…
~Spots around Naples~
What’s another one of our favorite spots to around Naples? Well, Tin City, of course! Tin City has been here forever (since 1976) and it’s truly a unique spot. Not only does Tin City have some great spots for lunch and dinner, but there are some totally neat stores where you can get cool and of course, useless souvenirs to bring back to your friends and family. It’s a great place to walk around and cool off from the heat, too!
Another must-see spot in Naples is the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. The Phil (as us Neapolitans call it) is Naples’ central hub for visual and performing arts. Not only does the Phil showcase GREAT live performances, but it also houses the Naples Museum of Art. The museum displays paintings, sculpture, drawings and other art forms, and provides educational programs and lectures.
But of course, if you come to the Phil, we recommend spending an evening listening to the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Jorge Mester. The orchestra is phenomenal and plays a wide variety of music, including regular classical, pops and chamber concerts.
Back in the day, I used to play violin (I studied it for 15 years)! It was my second love, but alas! Photography won out! In high school, I applied, and was accepted, into the Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra program. It was an awesome experience and well, the Phil will always hold a special place in my heart! Check it out if you have the time. Even just a short stop to admire the architecture and the sculpture garden is a nice treat!
For you mom’s here in town, the Phil is home to the awesome Kindermusik program, directed by Bonnie Thayer. Bonnie, Susie and all the Kindermusik teachers are FANTASTIC! I’ve been participating in the program ever since Ali was about a year old. We now go to their family classes and I can’t recommend the program enough!
~Shopping~
Shopping, I know, I know! I saved the best for last! 
But really, there is some fantastic shopping here in Naples. There are two spots in town that I recommend for high-end designer buys: The Village at Venetian Bay and The Waterside Shops at Pelican Bay. Both of these spots are home to some of Naples most exclusive boutiques, offering only the very best in haute couture fashion, jewelry and home apparel.
The Waterside Shops’ most notable boutiques include Louis Vuitton, BCBG Max Azria, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Burberry, Coach, Gucci, and Hermes, just to name a few! Looking for a spectacular jewelry gift? With a selection the likes of Cartier to Van Cleef and Arpels to Yamron, you are sure to find something memorable for that special someone!
Not too far from the Waterside shops, resides Venetian Bay. Not only does this little jewel sit nestled across the Gulf, but it is home to some truly unique stores that offer only the very best in gifts and apparel. Make sure to read my very first blog entry in my palm series, for the love of palms…, for some personal recommendations from Venetian Village!
~Dining in Naples~
Along with shopping and sightseeing, Naples also offers some truly magnificent restaurants to fit any budget and any taste!
~5th Avenue~
Looking for the best hamburger on Fifth? Definitely try Cheeburger Cheeburger. Rene swears by the burgers here, but I totally love to have one of their floats and sit outside and people-watch!
If you are in the mood for more upscale fare, Chops City Grill provides casual chic fare with a great vibe. Rene swears by the T-bone, here, but my fav is the martini!
If Italian is more to your liking, our very, very favorite restaurant for Italian in all of Naples is right off Fifth, Ristorante Ciao! Back in high school, one of our first dates was at Ciao…yes, they have been around a long time, proving just how spectacular this true Naples gem is! I recommend the Fettuccine Ciao. It’s SOOO good, it’s the only thing I ever order there. I just can’t bring myself to not order it! Rene swears by the Risotto al Tartufo, a heavenly blend of Arborio rice in creamy Parmigiano Reggiano Truffle sauce! Simply spectacular…but definitely rich!
Off 5th as well is another one of our favorite places to grab a Martini and some awesome, awesome seafood: Truluck’s. I think it’s safe to say that Truluck’s offers Naples’ freshest seafood around. They have their own fisheries in Isle of Capri, which provide the chef with fresh catches for varied menus week to week. Our picks here include the Sesame Tuna, which is served with this killer spicy wasabi mashed potatoe and the Thai Chili Day-Boat Scallops. These are the jumbo scallops, which are marinated in this sweet Thai chili sauce. But the best part is the crab fried rice that accompanies the dish! Scrumptious! The piano-bar is a great place to people-watch, too! Oh, and if you go, make sure to get the ‘Chocolate Box’!
~Venetian Village~
Back to the Village, and our three recommendations are Cloyde’s Steak and Lobster House, Bayside and Maxwell’s on the Bay.
For steak, so far Cloyde’s has the best steak in town in our opinion. Be prepared to have your taste buds tantalized with some seriously gourmet steak at Cloyde’s And YES, the best martini does reside here as well as the best lobster! We’ve also heard GREAT things about Shula’s Steakhouse in the Hilton here in town and Preston’s, but we have not visited either of these two restaurants. They are on our list of places to taste…our anniversary is coming up and one of these two spots will do just fine! I’ll report back here after we celebrate…
Another one of our longtime favorites, Maxwell’s on the Bay has been a Naples gem for a very long time (another one of our high school favorites). Take our advice: sit outside by the water, order a glass of wine and an order of the stone crab claws. The food is to die for and the view is priceless! This is one of those places that is best enjoyed at a slow and leisurely pace…
Last but not least, Bayside Seafood Bar and Grill is another favorite of ours, serving one of the best Maine Lobster bisques around! Rene loves the Prince Edward Island Mussels, which are a real culinary treat, served with chorizo, Saffron, tomato, lobster broth, and lemon aioli. Bayside is a GREAT place to host your rehearsal dinner, too! They have ample space, a varied menu and the location is KILLER! Ask for John and tell him that Rene and Astrid sent you!
~Around Naples~
Our last two favorite restaurants offer true delicacies from around the world!
Up first is a totally unique restaurant that blends fantastic seafood and far off exotic foods from India and Asia. It’s a true East meets West type of cuisine, but done exceptionally well. The USS Nemo is absolutely FABULOUS! I know, I know. I’ve said that about a lot of restaurants already. But the Nemo’s claim to fame around here is definitely the fantabulous way chef/owner Nicolas Mercier blends cuisines so effortlessly, creating tantalizing sensations that well, are memorable. I’m sure a lot of people have eaten at these type of fusion restaurants, and they are typically hit or miss. The USS Nemo is certainly a hit…and what’s my recommendation here? ANYTHING! But seriously, try the Lemongrass Creme Brulee…experience what true Nirvana really is! If you love Sake, (and I don’t), they have a Sake bar which many of my friends seem to love.
Love French food? Cafe Normandie is a great little place that serves some of the best quiche and French pastriies you will ever try (this side of the Atlantic). Now I know what you may be thinking….French cuisine, Naples, rich town. This must be some stuffy over-the-top super expensive place. Not so! This is what is so fabulous about this place. Benoit Legris, a Normandy native, create basic French fare such as sandwiches, salads and omelets. I hate to use the word ‘basic’ because the way the food tastes is anything but basic! And while you are there, make sure to save room for dessert. Heck, even if you don’t HAVE room, MAKE room! It’s just sinfully delectable!
Ok, so there you have it. A wide range of tantalizing places to visit, spots to get married at and yummy treats to eat! While certainly not a definitive guide, it’s a start!
~Enjoy Naples,
Astrid~
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