Afternoon delights: Romance is on the menu for Valentine's Day in SWFL ― 14 critics' favorites

Diana Biederman and Robyn George, Naples Daily News
·4 min read

Who remembers “Love in the Afternoon”?

If you tuned in during the heyday of soaps on NBC or ABC (chances are, it was one or the other), both used the tagline.

Susan Lucci with her "All My Children" co-star Walt Willey.
Susan Lucci with her "All My Children" co-star Walt Willey.

Lunch has its advantages. For this writer, the thought of a heavy meal preceding a night of nooky is a non-starter.

Need more?

Many restaurants in town are already booked for dinner on Feb. 14 unless you want to eat at 9 p.m.

Sunshine is the ultimate good mood booster: according to the National Institutes of Health, the body loves it for producing serotonin, which affects emotions, appetites and digestion. Our gorgeous weather is why folks flock to Southwest Florida during the winter.

Lest you forget, it’s called Valentine’s Day ― not eve, not night. So why not play hooky with the one you love and head to lunch when it’s easier to score a table?

Check out our restaurant ideas to while away this hallmark holiday. Reservations and polarized sunglasses are suggested.

Collier County

Bistro La Baguette: Non-fussy fantastic French food. The setting: breezy with a dash of Hermès for good measure. Great wine list. (3560 Tamiami Trail E.; 239-403-7861; bistrolabaguette.com)

A languid lunch at Bistro La Baguette in East Naples.
A languid lunch at Bistro La Baguette in East Naples.

The French: A new $40 three-course lunch menu is dubbed “La Vie en Rosé”. A selection of rosés by the glass is extra. (365 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-315-4019; thefrenchnaples.com)

Le Colonial: The toughest dinner reservation right now debuts daily lunch, served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (457 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-372-9700; naples.lecolonial.com)

Sails: The famous weekend boozy brunch is served on a rare weekday for the occasion at noon; $165 per person includes tip and service charge. (301 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-360-2000; sailsrestaurants.com)

Acquerello risotto is among the brunch selections at Sails.
Acquerello risotto is among the brunch selections at Sails.

Romantic neighborhoods

The Esplanade Shoppes on Marco Island: Transporting vacation vibes via three waterfront restaurants overlooking Smokehouse Bay. Lunch feels less hectic and seafood is a specialty at all: CJ’s on the Bay, Deep Lagoon and Mango’s Dockside Bistro.

Mango's sushi boat for two.
Mango's sushi boat for two.

Third Street South: While Fifth Avenue gets most of Olde Naples's attention, Third offers a more languid experience. Five no-reservations-needed lunch recommendations, though you may have a bit of a wait: Jane’s, Old Naples Pub, Ridgway Bar & Grill, Sea Salt and Tommy Bahama.

Old Naples Pub's lush courtyard.
Old Naples Pub's lush courtyard.

The Village Shops on Venetian Bay: Did you know that JLB fell in love with the idea of moving to Naples after her first visit to what is (I think) our city’s most magical nighttime spot? Long-timers know it as Venetian Village. Daytime is none too shabby either, offering pretty restaurants with water views and much easier parking.

Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar's rooftop patio.
Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar's rooftop patio.

Lee County

Cadeau Café: Lucky for us, breakfast and lunch favorites ― think croissants, waffles, BLTs, clubs, salads and more ― are served all day at this cute, cozy and chic Fort Myers café. And with velvet-covered seating, neon signs, plush pillows and florals, and greenery galore, it’s an Instagram-ready Valentine’s Day.(10650 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers; 239-689-1857;cadeaucafe.com)

Cadeau Cafe is Instagram ready with velvet-covered seating, neon signs and a picture-perfect European phone booth.
Cadeau Cafe is Instagram ready with velvet-covered seating, neon signs and a picture-perfect European phone booth.

Dixie Fish Co.: We love eating the freshest of fresh seafood in this open air restaurant on the water beneath the Matanzas Pass Bridge. We love it even more on a (hopefully) coolish afternoon day in the middle of February. (714 Fishermans Wharf, Fort Myers Beach; 239-233-8837; dixiefishfmb.com)

Front Porch Social: Picture it – bright white curtains blowing in the breeze as you enjoy shareables and craft cocktails on a wrap-around porch. You’ll find it at this Cape Coral restaurant. (4721 Vincennes Blvd., Cape Coral; 239 347-8914; frontporchsocialcc.com)

Cape Coral's Front Porch Social is chic and elegant.
Cape Coral's Front Porch Social is chic and elegant.

Pezzo Pizza + Bar: This Estero hotspot gets busy at night and on weekends. Luckily, it’s open for lunch, offering signature cocktails, 10-inch sharable pizzas and so much more to love without the bustling crowd. (20041 S. Tamiami Trail, Estero; 239-908-9197; pezzopizzabar.com)

Even though pizza is in its name, Pezzo Pizza + Bar is a gourmet Italian kitchen.
Even though pizza is in its name, Pezzo Pizza + Bar is a gourmet Italian kitchen.

Pine Island Getaway Café: This local and tourist favorite is known for its freshly made French-style pastries, breads, and sandwiches. Be warned ― once you discover it, you’ll want to linger at this getaway. (5281 Doug Taylor Circle, St. James City; 239-283-3602; pineislandgetawaycafellc.business.site)

While Pine Island Getaway Cafe has quiche, pastries, tarts and French custard in chocolate and vanilla, croissants are the No. 1 seller.
While Pine Island Getaway Cafe has quiche, pastries, tarts and French custard in chocolate and vanilla, croissants are the No. 1 seller.

Two Meatballs in the Kitchen: Chic two-top tables with stylish padded chairs in the newly remodeled Fort Myers location are perfect for private conversations and leisurely lunches. (8880 Salrose Lane, Fort Myers; 239-489-1111; 2meatballs.com)

Love on a $14 budget

Skillets's heart-shaped Valentine's Day waffles, $14.
Skillets's heart-shaped Valentine's Day waffles, $14.

National Pizza Day is Feb. 9: Where to celebrate this food holiday in Naples, Marco

Skillets: Super cute heart-shaped waffles with fresh strawberries, homemade whipped cream, and warm strawberry syrup, plus two thick-cut Smokehouse bacon slices for $14 are served from Feb. 14-18. (Multiple Collier and Lee locations; skilletsrestaurants.com)

Jean Le Boeuf, aka JLB, is the brand under which our restaurant critics have written for more than 40 years. This article came from food writers Robyn George (rhgeorge@gannett.com) and Diana Biederman (diana.biederman@naplesnews.com).

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: 14 romantic restaurants in Lee, Collier County for Valentine's Day