http://naplesnews.com/news/entertainment/restaurants/?partner=RSSnaplesnews.com Stories: Restaurant News & Reviewsen-usentertainment/restaurants/news/entertainment/restaurants/?partner=RSShttp://naplesnews.com/feeds/headlines/entertainment/restaurants/2008-12-05T04:32:00.778006Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/review-good-food-nice-price-stir-crazy/?partner=RSSI’m not a big fan of chain restaurants — the uniformity of their décor and menus doesn’t really do anything for me. But there are a few exceptions, places that I enjoy dining at even though they are exactly the same in Florida, Maine and California. Stir Crazy, an Asian restaurant and grill, is one of those places. Prices are reasonable, the décor is sleek and the food, although not 100 percent authentic, is always tasty and well-presented. cassi@naplesnews.com (CHIARA ASSI)Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:01:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/04/review-good-food-nice-price-stir-crazy/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1877882008-12-04T17:01:002008-12-04T17:01:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008I’m not a big fan of chain restaurants — the uniformity of their décor and menus doesn’t really do anything for me. But there are a few exceptions, places that I enjoy dining at even though they are exactly the same in Florida, Maine and California. Stir Crazy, an Asian restaurant and grill, is one of those places. Prices are reasonable, the décor is sleek and the food, although not 100 percent authentic, is always tasty and well-presented. Bonita Springs, FLCHIARA ASSIReview: Good food at a nice price at Stir Crazynaplesnews.comreview-good-food-nice-price-stir-crazyhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/02/cookies-history-our-favorite-holiday-recipes-and-s/?partner=RSSThere’s something wonderfully nostalgic about holiday cookies. The familiar smell and taste remind us of afternoons spent baking with Grandma, or of messy hours spent decorating with the kids. They are a sign that the holiday season is here and, often, special recipes unite generations, passed along from parent to child to grandchild. And, they taste pretty good, too. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:36:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/02/cookies-history-our-favorite-holiday-recipes-and-s/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1875912008-12-02T18:36:002008-12-02T18:36:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about holiday cookies. The familiar smell and taste remind us of afternoons spent baking with Grandma, or of messy hours spent decorating with the kids. They are a sign that the holiday season is here and, often, special recipes unite generations, passed along from parent to child to grandchild. And, they taste pretty good, too.Bonita Springs, FLCookies with a history: Our favorite holiday recipes (and the sweet stories behind them)naplesnews.comcookies-history-our-favorite-holiday-recipes-and-shttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/02/doris-reynolds-art-pickle-preparation-coming-naple/?partner=RSSRoll out the red carpet, organize and rehearse the loudest bands and prepare to celebrate a most auspicious culinary experience. None other than Rabbi ‘Pickle” Mendy is heading south from his headquarters in California and is due to land in Naples shortly. The pickle rabbi is known as a master teacher of the art of creating kosher dill pickles and travels throughout the land sharing his secrets. foodlvr25@aol.com (DORIS REYNOLDS)Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:57:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/dec/02/doris-reynolds-art-pickle-preparation-coming-naple/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1875862008-12-02T17:57:002008-12-02T17:57:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Roll out the red carpet, organize and rehearse the loudest bands and prepare to celebrate a most auspicious culinary experience. None other than Rabbi ‘Pickle” Mendy is heading south from his headquarters in California and is due to land in Naples shortly. The pickle rabbi is known as a master teacher of the art of creating kosher dill pickles and travels throughout the land sharing his secrets.NAPLESDORIS REYNOLDSDoris Reynolds: Art of pickle preparation coming to Naplesnaplesnews.comdoris-reynolds-art-pickle-preparation-coming-naplehttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/26/st-matthews-house-has-enough-turkeys-still-needs-f/?partner=RSSSt. Matthew's House has received enough turkeys to feed the homeless and residents who need holiday groceries, but the shelter still needs fixings such as stuffing, cranberry sauce, pies and other items. Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:32:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/26/st-matthews-house-has-enough-turkeys-still-needs-f/?partner=RSSlocal1872282008-11-26T13:32:002008-11-26T13:32:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008St. Matthew's House has received enough turkeys to feed the homeless and residents who need holiday groceries, but the shelter still needs fixings such as stuffing, cranberry sauce, pies and other items. NAPLESSt. Matthew's House has enough turkeys, still needs fixings to feed homeless for holidaynaplesnews.comst-matthews-house-has-enough-turkeys-still-needs-fhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/26/biz-adel-khalil/?partner=RSS- Name: Adel Khalil - Age: 44 - Position: Owner - Restaurant: Sam-Bucco Bistro ahale@bonitanews.com (AARON HALE)Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/26/biz-adel-khalil/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1872102008-11-26T09:30:002008-11-26T09:30:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008- Name: Adel Khalil - Age: 44 - Position: Owner - Restaurant: Sam-Bucco BistroBonita Springs, FLAARON HALEIn The Biz: Adel Khalilnaplesnews.combiz-adel-khalilhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/25/doris-reynolds-each-thanksgiving-i-remember-flavor/?partner=RSSOn Thanksgiving, while I enjoy a traditional holiday feast, my thoughts will turn to another day when I spent the holiday in a far-away place with new friends and new food. I will reach into my bookshelf and explore once again the food of the Baltics; especially the fare served in Yugoslavia, before the country was decimated and separated. I added “The Balkan Cookbook” to my library and often turn to it for interesting dishes. foodlvr25@aol.com (DORIS REYNOLDS)Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:59:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/25/doris-reynolds-each-thanksgiving-i-remember-flavor/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1871662008-11-25T16:59:002008-11-25T16:59:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008On Thanksgiving, while I enjoy a traditional holiday feast, my thoughts will turn to another day when I spent the holiday in a far-away place with new friends and new food. I will reach into my bookshelf and explore once again the food of the Baltics; especially the fare served in Yugoslavia, before the country was decimated and separated. I added “The Balkan Cookbook” to my library and often turn to it for interesting dishes.NAPLESDORIS REYNOLDSDoris Reynolds: Each Thanksgiving, I remember the flavors of Yugoslavianaplesnews.comdoris-reynolds-each-thanksgiving-i-remember-flavorhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/25/dish-conversation-javier-vasquez/?partner=RSSWhat inspires you? “Food. Just plain old food. When I see ingredients at the market and they are fresh, I want to try them. I will try anything that is fresh.” If you could have dinner with one person who would that be? “My wife. I never get to see her. She’s a banker on Sanibel and works Mondays to Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and I work 10 a.m. to midnight.” snmesulam@naplesnews.com (SHEILA MESULAM)Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:45:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/25/dish-conversation-javier-vasquez/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1871642008-11-25T16:45:002008-11-25T16:45:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008What inspires you? “Food. Just plain old food. When I see ingredients at the market and they are fresh, I want to try them. I will try anything that is fresh.” If you could have dinner with one person who would that be? “My wife. I never get to see her. She’s a banker on Sanibel and works Mondays to Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and I work 10 a.m. to midnight.” NAPLESSHEILA MESULAMThe dish A conversation with JAVIER VASQUEZnaplesnews.comdish-conversation-javier-vasquezhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/24/annotated-menu-handsome-harrys-third-street-bistro/?partner=RSSMaybe it was coincidence, but it seems like fate brought Tony Biagetti and Handsome Harry’s Third Street Bistro together. Open for only a year, the tony restaurant needed a new chef. And after 18 years of working for private clubs, Biagetti was ready for a change. One year later, both the restaurant and its chef couldn’t be happier. And with time under his belt, Biagetti is now ready to launch a new menu, one that will bring the eatery back to it’s name — a bistro. jfoerster@naplesnews.com (JONATHAN FOERSTER)Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:17:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/24/annotated-menu-handsome-harrys-third-street-bistro/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1870452008-11-24T18:17:002008-11-24T18:17:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Maybe it was coincidence, but it seems like fate brought Tony Biagetti and Handsome Harry’s Third Street Bistro together. Open for only a year, the tony restaurant needed a new chef. And after 18 years of working for private clubs, Biagetti was ready for a change. One year later, both the restaurant and its chef couldn’t be happier. And with time under his belt, Biagetti is now ready to launch a new menu, one that will bring the eatery back to it’s name — a bistro.NAPLESJONATHAN FOERSTERThe annotated menu: Handsome Harry’s Third Street Bistronaplesnews.comannotated-menu-handsome-harrys-third-street-bistrohttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/24/market-share-local-ingredients-attracting-more-hea/?partner=RSSPeople are becoming more and more interested in not only how their food tastes, but also where it comes from. The slow food and organic movements have sent people looking for local ingredients, from seafood to produce to cheese, to use at home. Farmers markets are meeting that need. They are nothing new, but at least locally they’ve seen a renewed interest. Two new markets have popped up in Naples alone in the past year. jfoerster@naplesnews.com (JONATHAN FOERSTER)Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:25:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/24/market-share-local-ingredients-attracting-more-hea/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1870372008-11-24T17:25:002008-11-24T17:25:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008People are becoming more and more interested in not only how their food tastes, but also where it comes from. The slow food and organic movements have sent people looking for local ingredients, from seafood to produce to cheese, to use at home. Farmers markets are meeting that need. They are nothing new, but at least locally they’ve seen a renewed interest. Two new markets have popped up in Naples alone in the past year.Bonita Springs, FLJONATHAN FOERSTERMarket share: Local ingredients attracting more health-conscious shoppersnaplesnews.commarket-share-local-ingredients-attracting-more-heahttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/24/studio-55-cooking-doris-reynolds/?partner=RSSA Studio 55 video with local food expert Doris Reynolds shows you how to make a cranberry gelatin mold, just in time for the holidays. Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:02:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/24/studio-55-cooking-doris-reynolds/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1870062008-11-24T00:02:002008-11-24T00:02:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008A Studio 55 video with local food expert Doris Reynolds shows you how to make a cranberry gelatin mold, just in time for the holidays. NAPLESStudio 55: Cooking with Doris Reynoldsnaplesnews.comstudio-55-cooking-doris-reynoldshttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/review-la-fontanella-serves-real-thing/?partner=RSSIn a town where most sophisticated restaurants are often flashy and sometimes kind of snooty, it’s refreshing to find a cozy place where the atmosphere is refined yet friendly and the food is superb. La Fontanella is just that: a small but upscale neighborhood restaurant and — I’m happy to say — it’s my neighborhood restaurant. Located at the Shoppes at Pelican Landing strip mall, squeezed between the pink neon lights of Cheeburger! Cheeburger! and a busy nail salon, La Fontanella manages to pull off a casually elegant atmosphere, conveyed to the customer through tasteful decor and impeccable service. cassi@naplesnews.com (CHIARA ASSI)Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:01:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/20/review-la-fontanella-serves-real-thing/?partner=RSSdestinationnaples/dining1866182008-11-20T17:01:002008-11-20T17:01:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008In a town where most sophisticated restaurants are often flashy and sometimes kind of snooty, it’s refreshing to find a cozy place where the atmosphere is refined yet friendly and the food is superb. La Fontanella is just that: a small but upscale neighborhood restaurant and — I’m happy to say — it’s my neighborhood restaurant. Located at the Shoppes at Pelican Landing strip mall, squeezed between the pink neon lights of Cheeburger! Cheeburger! and a busy nail salon, La Fontanella manages to pull off a casually elegant atmosphere, conveyed to the customer through tasteful decor and impeccable service.Bonita Springs, FLCHIARA ASSIReview: La Fontanella serves the real thingnaplesnews.comreview-la-fontanella-serves-real-thinghttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/18/mr-and-mrs-gingerbread-decorating-contest-32nd-ann/?partner=RSSMove over, Santa Claus. Here comes Mr. and Mrs. Gingerbread. Although you will take center stage on Monday evening in Old Naples, this sweet and snappy couple will join you. Third Street will be celebrating its 32nd annual Festival of Lights, and Naples Backyard History is adding to the festivities by sponsoring a Mr. and Mrs. Gingerbread Decorating Contest. Chefs at the restaurants in Old Naples and Crayton Cove will decorate the 2-foot tall gingerbread couple along with a 6-foot Gingerbread Master of Ceremonies at a “carol-okee” and Christmas cookie duck decorating contest. foodlvr25@aol.com (DORIS REYNOLDS)Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:14:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/18/mr-and-mrs-gingerbread-decorating-contest-32nd-ann/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1865642008-11-18T17:14:002008-11-18T17:14:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Move over, Santa Claus. Here comes Mr. and Mrs. Gingerbread. Although you will take center stage on Monday evening in Old Naples, this sweet and snappy couple will join you. Third Street will be celebrating its 32nd annual Festival of Lights, and Naples Backyard History is adding to the festivities by sponsoring a Mr. and Mrs. Gingerbread Decorating Contest. Chefs at the restaurants in Old Naples and Crayton Cove will decorate the 2-foot tall gingerbread couple along with a 6-foot Gingerbread Master of Ceremonies at a “carol-okee” and Christmas cookie duck decorating contest.Bonita Springs, FLDORIS REYNOLDSMr. and Mrs. Gingerbread Decorating Contest at 32nd annual Festival of Lightsnaplesnews.commr-and-mrs-gingerbread-decorating-contest-32nd-annhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/18/sweet-and-savory/?partner=RSSWhen she was a baby, Valentina Visan traveled around the kitchen on her mother’s hip while the older woman stirred pots and mixed dough. “Probably that’s when I fell in love with cooking,” Visan says, 79, her accented words swelling with enthusiasm. She lifts her hands up to the sky. “God only knows.” God taught her how to cook, she says, and the Holy Spirit directs her. kmbishop@naplesnews.com (KATY BISHOP)Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:34:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/18/sweet-and-savory/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1865562008-11-18T16:34:002008-11-18T16:34:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008When she was a baby, Valentina Visan traveled around the kitchen on her mother’s hip while the older woman stirred pots and mixed dough. “Probably that’s when I fell in love with cooking,” Visan says, 79, her accented words swelling with enthusiasm. She lifts her hands up to the sky. “God only knows.” God taught her how to cook, she says, and the Holy Spirit directs her.Bonita Springs, FLKATY BISHOPSweet and savorynaplesnews.comsweet-and-savoryhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/18/happy-hour-conversation-lacie-delgado/?partner=RSSWhat is the first drink you ever had? A screwdriver. snmesulam@naplesnews.com (SHEILA MESULAM)Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:18:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/18/happy-hour-conversation-lacie-delgado/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1865482008-11-18T16:18:002008-11-18T16:18:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008What is the first drink you ever had? A screwdriver.Bonita Springs, FLSHEILA MESULAMHappy Hour: A conversation with Lacie Delgadonaplesnews.comhappy-hour-conversation-lacie-delgadohttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/12/meet-gloria-laroche-woman-many-senses/?partner=RSSGloria LaRoche’s love of cooking keeps her busy entertaining while she waits for more lucrative days again in the real estate business. Her youthful nature has her pondering other creative ways to make money through her love of food. She and friends have tossed around the idea of starting a small catering company. lesmith@bonitanews.com (LIANE SMITH)Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:00:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/12/meet-gloria-laroche-woman-many-senses/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1860562008-11-12T00:00:002008-11-12T00:00:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Gloria LaRoche’s love of cooking keeps her busy entertaining while she waits for more lucrative days again in the real estate business. Her youthful nature has her pondering other creative ways to make money through her love of food. She and friends have tossed around the idea of starting a small catering company.Bonita Springs, FLLIANE SMITHMeet Gloria LaRoche, a woman of many sensesnaplesnews.commeet-gloria-laroche-woman-many-senseshttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/11/dish-conversation-chef-joann-hallahan/?partner=RSSWhat is your experience or education? “I went to culinary school after I married. After graduation, I worked at the Hyatt Hotel in Princeton, N.J. It was hard to work when I had children, so I became a personal chef. snmesulam@naplesnews.com (SHEILA MESULAM)Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:00:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/11/dish-conversation-chef-joann-hallahan/?partner=RSSdestinationnaples/dining1860002008-11-11T17:00:002008-11-11T17:00:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008What is your experience or education? “I went to culinary school after I married. After graduation, I worked at the Hyatt Hotel in Princeton, N.J. It was hard to work when I had children, so I became a personal chef. Bonita Springs, FLSHEILA MESULAMThe Dish: A conversation with Chef Joann Hallahannaplesnews.comdish-conversation-chef-joann-hallahanhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/06/review-meat-and-potatoes-german-style/?partner=RSSSome people talk about meat and potatoes like it’s a bad thing. It doesn’t have to be. There’s something extremely homey and comforting about a generous portion of pork or beef next to a heap of piping hot potatoes. It looks like your favorite meal as a child and smells like Grandma’s kitchen on a cold winter day. cassi@naplesnews.com (CHIARA ASSI)Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:02:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/06/review-meat-and-potatoes-german-style/?partner=RSSdestinationnaples/dining1855022008-11-06T17:02:002008-11-06T17:02:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Some people talk about meat and potatoes like it’s a bad thing. It doesn’t have to be. There’s something extremely homey and comforting about a generous portion of pork or beef next to a heap of piping hot potatoes. It looks like your favorite meal as a child and smells like Grandma’s kitchen on a cold winter day.Bonita Springs, FLCHIARA ASSIReview: Meat and potatoes, German stylenaplesnews.comreview-meat-and-potatoes-german-stylehttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/04/lets-talk-food-quail-becoming-rare-even-hunting-pr/?partner=RSSFrom its earliest beginnings Naples has attracted hunters and fishermen to the region. Not only was hunting and fishing great sport, but those early settlers depended on game and the abundant fish for food. foodlvr25@aol.com (DORIS REYNOLDS)Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:50:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/04/lets-talk-food-quail-becoming-rare-even-hunting-pr/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1854362008-11-04T18:50:002008-11-04T18:50:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008From its earliest beginnings Naples has attracted hunters and fishermen to the region. Not only was hunting and fishing great sport, but those early settlers depended on game and the abundant fish for food.Bonita Springs, FLDORIS REYNOLDSLet’s Talk Food: Quail becoming rare even in hunting preservesnaplesnews.comlets-talk-food-quail-becoming-rare-even-hunting-prhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/04/happy-hour-conversation-ben-foster/?partner=RSSWhat is first drink you ever had? “A Jordan cabernet at a Thanksgiving dinner.” snmesulam@naplesnews.com (SHEILA MESULAM)Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:48:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/04/happy-hour-conversation-ben-foster/?partner=RSSentertainment/restaurants1854342008-11-04T18:48:002008-11-04T18:48:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008What is first drink you ever had? “A Jordan cabernet at a Thanksgiving dinner.”Bonita Springs, FLSHEILA MESULAMHappy Hour: A conversation with Ben Fosternaplesnews.comhappy-hour-conversation-ben-fosterhttp://naplesnews.com/news/2008/oct/30/annotated-menu-ridgway-bar-and-grill/?partner=RSSTony Ridgway (1) isn’t much for standing pat. Since 1971, he’s been running some of Naples’ best restaurants. And while he has preferred to stay in the Third Street South area, his efforts have gone through several incarnations. jfoerster@naplesnews.com (JONATHAN FOERSTER)Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:01:00 -0000http://naplesnews.com/news/2008/oct/30/annotated-menu-ridgway-bar-and-grill/?partner=RSSdestinationnaples/dining1849112008-10-30T17:01:002008-10-30T17:01:00Copyright naplesnews.com, 2008Tony Ridgway (1) isn’t much for standing pat. Since 1971, he’s been running some of Naples’ best restaurants. And while he has preferred to stay in the Third Street South area, his efforts have gone through several incarnations.Bonita Springs, FLJONATHAN FOERSTERThe annotated menu: Ridgway Bar and Grillnaplesnews.comannotated-menu-ridgway-bar-and-grill