Naples restaurant news, the feel good edition: Fun food fundraisers, 3 terrific deals, more

Diana Biederman, Naples Daily News
·4 min read

This week, you can eat well and do good, all while having fun.

Mark your calendar for a birthday party benefiting our furry friends at Humane Society Naples and indulge in three great deals. Improving your French language skills is also on the menu.

Paw-ty time food fundraiser

Gypsy Sue Cochran and her humans Mike and Gail host the pup’s 11th birthday party at Island Gypsy Café on Aug. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. Admission is free, and so is the food, but showing up empty-handed might earn a growl: All gifts go to Humane Society Naples, the nonprofit no-kill shelter, which relies on donations to keep the facility running.

Suggested presents include unopen bags of dog and cat food; clean towels and blankets ― a huge need; bowls and collars; plus kitty litter. Cash and checks are good too. T-shirts honoring the pooch are $25 at the café’s shop, with 100% of proceeds benefiting HSN.

From L to R: Alex Woods (Humane Society Naples: Paws Around Town Coordinator), Michael Cochran, Gail Cochran, and Gypsy Sue, the birthday pup at Island Gypsy.
From L to R: Alex Woods (Humane Society Naples: Paws Around Town Coordinator), Michael Cochran, Gail Cochran, and Gypsy Sue, the birthday pup at Island Gypsy.

“Unfortunately, some families are put in a position where they are unable to care for their pets, so they will surrender them or rehome them. At Humane Society Naples, we have programs in place to try preventing that from happening to keep them with their families,” said Marketing Coordinator Carolina Diaz. One such program is HSN’s Denny Plesea Foodbank for pets.

More than 7,000 pounds of pet food have been donated to HSN since the annual party’s inception. In 2022, this mostly-Mastiff mix's efforts earned Gypsy Sue a doggie dorm room dedicated in her honor at the Airport-Pulling Road shelter.

A typical late afternoon at Island Gypsy.
A typical late afternoon at Island Gypsy.

(292 Capri Blvd., Naples; 239-394-1111; theislandgypsy.com)

Feeling good beyond the neighborhood

If you’re a regular CBS Sunday watcher, you might be familiar with my good friend Tracy Smith’s segments over the years featuring Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), the nonprofit founded by a young Alex Scott dedicated to funding pediatric cancer research for her fellow patients and family support programs. Applebee’s Southwest Florida patrons can help when dining in and online through Sept. 17 by purchasing "Digital Lemons" in $1 and $5 increments on Applebees.com or the company’s mobile app by clicking the donate now button when purchasing a gift card. Or head to Applebee’s to celebrate National Lemonade Day on Aug. 20 and do it in person.

Before Alex passed away in 2004 from the disease at age 8, she raised $1 million. The chain has raised more than $14.5 million for ALSF since 2005.

(Multiple locations; applebees.com)

Parlez au Chez Guy

Chez Guy Parisian Bistro is the venue for Alliance Française de Naples pay your own way “La Table Française” at noon Aug. 12. The conversation is free, but your lunch is not; the cost depends on what you order; lunch prices range from $14 to $32. Call Guy at the restaurant to reserve.

(5447 Airport-Pulling Road N., Naples; 239-431-5824; afnaples@comcast.net for info)

Deals

Spend $100 at Roy’s and nab $25 off through Aug. 31. Rules apply: one table, one check, per visit. Not applicable to other offers, gift cards or promotions, including Pau Hana, Aloha Hour or Aloha Thursday.

(26831 South Bay Drive, Bonita Springs; 239-498-7697; roysrestaurant.com)

Seventh South offers 25% off the entire check, including their famous cocktails, through August all night. No minimum purchase. Not valid on gift cards, on take out or with any other promotions, including happy hour.

Seventh South's short ribs are usually $38. With 25% off in August, they're $28.50.
Seventh South's short ribs are usually $38. With 25% off in August, they're $28.50.

(849 Seventh Ave. S., Naples; 239-231-4553; seventhsouth.com)

Carrabba’s “Kid’s Eat Free” dine-in-only special runs Aug. 8 to 14. The deal: purchase one adult entrée and score one kids menu freebie of spaghetti and meatballs, cheese ravioli or chicken fingers.

(Multiple locations; carrabbas.com)

Save the dates

Naples Woman’s Club’s popular Port Royal and Old Naples kitchen tour fundraiser returns Jan. 19, 2024. Tickets go on sale Aug. 15 for $200 per person; an extra $125 includes a post-tour reception. Proceeds benefit David Lawrence Centers, Wounded Warriors of Collier County and several other organizations. Visit napleswomansclub.org for more information.

One of four kitchens featured during Naples Woman's Club's January fundraiser.
One of four kitchens featured during Naples Woman's Club's January fundraiser.

Fundraiser follow-up

Hooters Naples donated $10,000 plus nearly 300 backpacks filled with school supplies to the Christmas in July Foundation of Collier County, which helps CCPS students who are homeless or at risk of being homeless with backpacks, school supplies and clothing.

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Send scoops, deals and food events to diana.biederman@naplesnews.com by 5 p.m. Friday for editorial consideration.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples restaurants: 3 delish deals, poochie party, kitchen envy, more