Naples restaurants giving back to the community, chef move, 2 Italian deals & 4 foodie events

Diana Biederman, Naples Daily News
·3 min read

Would you spend $25,000 on dinner for two?

Forty couples are doing just that this Thursday at the private club Butcher, all winning bidders of Naples Winter Wine Festival’s Lot 32.

We have updates about two 2024 wine festivals where the entry price ranges from $1,000 to $40,000.

If like me ― ahem ― budget constraints prevent you from attending, consider two great deals at Italian restaurants for $29 and $45 per person.

Also making news: fun foodie things to eat, buy and do, a popular new-ish wine bar expands its offerings, and restaurants giving back to the community.

Let’s get to it.

Honoring the boss

Through Jan. 1, in homage to its late founder Jerry Alajajian, Hogfish Harry’s donates $1 from every meal sold to Cancer Alliance of Naples, which provides services and programs for children and adults battling cancer in Collier and Lee counties.

(600 Neapolitan Way, Naples; 239-776-7623; hogfishharrys.com)

Chef move

Paul Fleming Restaurant Group appointed Elton Huang as PJK Neighborhood Chinese’s new executive chef.

Elton Huang is PJK Neighborhood Chinese’s new executive chef.
Elton Huang is PJK Neighborhood Chinese’s new executive chef.

(835 Fourth Ave. S.; 239-367-0300; pjkchinese.com)

2 Italian deals

Pazzo! offers an all-night $45 three-course prix fixe dinner with ample choices.

Pazzo's butternut squash ravioli is on the $45 prix-fixe menu.
Pazzo's butternut squash ravioli is on the $45 prix-fixe menu.

(853 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-434-8494; pazzoitaliancafe.com)

On Dec. 1, Grappino intros a “pre-sunset” special running from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Three courses plus a glass of house wine is $29 per person, no splitting. Entrees choices include torchioni Bolognese, chicken Parmesan and jumbo shrimp.

(90 Ninth St. N.; 239-331-4325; grappinonaples.com)

Torchioni Bolognese is one of three entrees on Grappino's early dining menu.
Torchioni Bolognese is one of three entrees on Grappino's early dining menu.

Serving lunch & dinner

Because (wo)man can’t live alone on caviar, charcuterie and small plates (though it does sound tempting), Rebecca’s Wine Bar is now open at lunch and serving dinner fare in the evening. Entrees include pizza, handhelds, salmon and Angus ribeye. Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Mondays.

Rebecca's grilled grouper sandwich on challah, $24.
Rebecca's grilled grouper sandwich on challah, $24.

(2955 Bayshore Drive; 239-799-1801; rebeccasnaples.com)

To buy

Norman Love Confections’ holiday collection for 2023 includes a cute 10-piece candy cane box for $31. Other gift boxes run $15 to $110. Chocolatey Advent calendars are $50 and $100.

Norman Love Confections Advent calendars start at $50.
Norman Love Confections Advent calendars start at $50.

(Multiple locations; normanloveconfections.com)

Food & wine events

Everglades Wonder Gardens in Bonita hosts a wine tasting Dec. 2 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. featuring vintages from Boisset Collection’s wineries in Napa, Sonoma and Burgundy. Tickets are $50 per person for sampling eight wines; tickets may be exchanged for a larger glass. Food trucks selling their fare for an additional purchase. Proceeds support the quality of life for resident animals and proper husbandry of the horticultural collection. For information, visit wondergardens.org.

Bonita's Wonder Gardens uncorks at a fundraiser Dec. 2.
Bonita's Wonder Gardens uncorks at a fundraiser Dec. 2.

On Dec. 7 at 5 p.m., Garrison Brothers Distillery’s co-founder Dan Garrison hosts a four-course bourbon-pairing “Meet the Maker” dinner with shrimp, salad and steak at Shula’s. Tickets are $135 per person with pre-payment required.

Shula's at the Hilton is a Naples classic
Shula's at the Hilton is a Naples classic

(5111 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-659-3176; shulasnaples.com)

French-speaking Italian dinner

Alliance Française de Naples hosts Dîner de Noël, a pre-paid three-course prix-fixe and gift exchange Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at Casa Cotzelli. The price is $85 for members and $90 for non-members. Cash bar. To reserve and for menu details, visit afnaples.org or call 239-276-4125.

Casa Cotzelli's dining room.
Casa Cotzelli's dining room.

Tickets are on sale for 2024’s Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest. The $1,500 price includes one “chefs-vintners” dinner Jan. 19 plus access to the “grand tasting” and live auction Jan. 20. If you want to attend Saturday’s festivities, $1,000 scores a seat. Visit swflwinefest.org to purchase.

Naples Winter Wine Festival’s sommeliers for their world-famous event running Jan. 25-28, 2024, include Fernando Beteta, Pablo Braida, James Bube, Andy Chabot, Craig Collins, Julie Dalton, Erik Elliott, Lindsey Fern, Peter Granoff, Logan Griffin, Morgan Harris, Elyse Lambert, Michael McNeill, George Miliotes, Chris Miller, Vincent Morrow, Amy Racine and Scott Turnbull.

Doing good in the 'hood

Franchisees Doherty Enterprises won the esteemed Bill Palmer Heart of Applebee’s Award, recognizing the company for supporting its team members in Naples, Cape Coral, Fort Myers and points north following Hurricane Ian.

Why did they win? The company paid all employee hours scheduled for the days closed after the hurricane, amounting to over $135,000 for 426 hourly team members and covering 6,750 hours.

The Doherty Enterprises team accepting the Bill Palmer Heart of Applebee’s Award.
The Doherty Enterprises team accepting the Bill Palmer Heart of Applebee’s Award.

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

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples restaurants: 1 chef move, 2 deals, 5 foodie events, giving back