Nektar in Naples, Fl.

I had the pleasure of exploring a fairly new restaurant in Naples called Nektar with the esteemed GWIV and his adoring wife. The cuisine is Mediterranean and was opened by 2 Albanian brothers. Our meal was superb, although my wallet suffered a mild hangover this morning.

The wives started the evening off with a couple of cosmopolitans while the "men" ordered some specialty cocktails-the Nektar, made with fresh peach,vodka,chambord, champagne, and a few other things I don't remember, and a watermelon made with vodka, fresh watermelon, and watermelon liquer. Great specialty cocktails because of the fresh fruit involved, but a little tough to stomach at $15 a pop. And they don't even add an umbrella!

Starters were calamari ripieni-squid stuffed with a shrimp and scallop mousseline finished on red pepper coulis, seafood bisque, chilled cucumber yogurt, and watermelon salad with red onions, crumbled greek feta, and fresh mint. The squid was wonderful with what we all agreed was the best red pepper sauce we'd ever had. The watermelon tasted like mid summer fruit and was a big hit, as was the seafood bisque. The cucumber yogurt was ok.

We continued with a pasta course of homemade papardelle with sauteed porcini mushrooms with a touch of truffle-infused cream. With homemade pasta and fresh, not dried porcinis this dish was perfect, if not a little rich. Split 4 ways kept this from being a cardiologist's dream dish.

Next was sea bass-oven baked in a fish fume broth over potato puree and asparagus spears, topped with fried leeks, veal osso buco with a variety of roasted vegetables, half of roasted duck with fig compote, charred red onions in a pomegranate reduction served with italian risotto, and braised pork stew with moroccan spices, raisins and sun dried tomatoes over fresh vegetable couscous. The fish was cooked perfectly with crispy exterior and beautifully moist inside. Terrific dish. I felt the sauce with the osso buco was a bit thin and oily. I also prefer risotto or polenta over a vegetable accompaniment. The pork received mixed reviews but I loved the rich, exotic sauce. The duck was also a very solid dish with crispy skin and a velvet sauce. The risotto was a little rich.

Pear Nektar, which is their signature dessert, was served with caramel sauce, ice cream, and some mediterranean spices and was first rate as was the panna cotta, finished with forest berries and drizzled with berry coulis.

Appetizers average $12-$18, entrees $20-$36, and desserts are $8. And of course there's those darn cocktails. The wine list was a bit pricey of course, but there's a few decent selections in the $30-$40 range. I believe this to be one of the best restaurants Naples has to offer. Did I forget to mention the room looks great too?

Naples, Florida, right?

What, no pictures or grouper?

How about a location?

I've got two Naples trips coming up: President's Day and late March. Over President's Day, my husband and I are having his birthday dinner at Bistro 821. Good choice? I wanted Chops, but they only had crazy reservation times.

I would love to check out Nektar!

Have you tried Campiello? That was my best meal there (admittedly several years ago, but Rev. Andy says he likes it a lot too).

ekpaster wrote:How about a location?



I would love to check out Nektar!

Nektar
849 7th Ave. South
239-435-1882

Campiello is still my favorite but Nektar has vaulted to #2. I understand they are trying harder. Here are some other places I'd try if you can't get in at Campiello. They may all be difficult.

Campiello 435-1166
Pazzo 434-8494
Bleu Provence 261-8239

I like Bistro 821 but I would do any of the aforementioned first. Check out the Naples Daily News restaurant page with info about many restaurants and links to their websites, if they have one. http://www.naplesnews.com/restaurants/

And make sure to check out Tommy Bahamas for lunch. Great food, drinks, and atmosphere. Buy a shirt while you're at it.

ekpaster wrote:I've got two Naples trips coming up: I would love to check out Nektar!

Ekpaster,

Nektar was a treat, food firmly in the very good category and, quite obviously, conceived and prepared by people who care. The Rev mentioned specialty drinks, I had watermelon and it was terrific, though $15 per is a bit steep. The Seafood bisque alone is worth a visit, I also enjoyed the crisp outside, moist inside sea bass and the papardelle had that elusive taste/texture that brings to mind Italy.

Nektar is a very pretty, in a pastel Florida fashion, restaurant, so much so one might think the focus is not on food, but one taste would prove them wrong. The two Albanian brothers who own Nektar are charming and, even though young men, have the vibe of old school restaurateurs.

Since you will be on the Grouper Coast I'd highly suggest a visit to Grouper and Chips for the best damn fried grouper you will ever have the pleasure of eating.

Grouper and Chips (Naples, FL)


Another great Naples place that's way off the beaten path but known to restaurateurs, clubs, caterers and serious foodies such as the Rev and his bride, is Wullaert Belgian Chocolates. An oasis of perfection tucked away in an off the main drag strip mall.

Enjoy,
Gary

Wullaert Belgian Chocolates
(239) 566-9025
1045 Collier Center Way # 5
Naples, FL 34110

Grouper & Chips
11121 Health Park Blvd # 900
Naples, FL 34110
(239) 594-0161

Grouper & Chips
338 Tamiami Trl N,
Naples, FL 34102
239-643-4577

Thanks for all the recommendations! My parents have had a house in Naples (bless them!) for about a year, but aren't there full-time, so we are still learning our way around.

WE have enjoyed meals at Campiello, Aqua Grill in the Waterside Shops and Tommy Bahama's (when you can get in!). But we will add all these places to our must-tru list. Thanks again.