Naples restaurants: Tiki fun, locally sourced food gift ideas, free tasting event, table top
This week’s question: If a year for people is equivalent to seven for pooches, shouldn’t pups and kitties celebrate their birthdays seven times?
One such pup celebrates her 10th for the second time at a different tiki-chickee than the famous one she's named for.
In any case, it’s all for a good paws ― oops, cause ― as you’ll read below.
East Naples tiki paw-ty
Following the fundraising success at her namesake chickee Island Gypsy, Gyspy Sue Cochran and her humans Gail and Mike host a second birthday party, this time on Nov. 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Naples Tiki Bar & Grill in Hitching Post Plaza’s parking lot with live music from Matt Kramer. Pups allowed but leashes are mandatory. Donations of unopened bags of dry food for cats and dogs benefiting Humane Society Naples are requested instead of gifts.
(14498 Tamiami Trail E., Naples; 239-291-7177; naplestikibarandgrill.com)
We're jamming
Taste of Immokalee launches its annual holiday catalog with the theme "From Santa's Harvest to Your Home." Products are available in sets ranging $38 to $55 or by the bundle for $125. New jam flavors come in a $40 three-pack and include “jalapeno jive,” “tomato tango” and “mango mania” from locally grown ingredients. All sales proceeds benefit Taste the Impact, a workforce development nonprofit that provides young people with skills needed for career success. This year’s goal: selling 3,000 bundles. Visit tasteofimmokalee.com to order.
Local Holiday Gift Ideas, Part 2
On Nov. 16 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Grumpy Goat Roastery plays host to its monthly free tasting event featuring local purveyors Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies, Pansardo Italian Food Specialties, Juice Society Juicery and Olde Naples Chocolate. Trinity Wellness will provide complimentary massages. The event is free and open to the public.
(28280 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs; grumpygoat.com)
Star quality
STARability Foundation presented its STAR award to Winfield Street Coffee’s co-owner Jeanette Donatti. The honor recognizes local businesses that employ STARability participants and those enrolled in the Trailblazer Academy. This community-based program provides vocational training, life skill development and recreational experiences for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Two include Alexis Kypriotes and Dago Romero who work at Winfield.
In a media statement, Donatti, a star soprano at Opera Naples said, “We are thankful for what Dago has brought to our north location and excited to see Alexis thrive at the south location.”
At the table
If hosting a soiree at home, TableTop Creations can zhuj your décor. Owner Margaret Short’s new “Mackenzie Collection” is dedicated to her late stepdaughter and business partner Mackenzie Ryan, a star lacrosse player at Barron Collier grad who died at 23 from a car crash in May, and who created many of the gorgeous looks.
How it works? Pre-designed settings for the table are priced from $55 to $75 per guest and themes are featured on the company’s website. Pre-select your date and guest count, pair it with à la carte pieces and it’s delivered to you. Pack it up after your celebration, and they pick it up. Visit tabletopcreations.com to peruse selections. Questions? Email hello@tabletopcreations.com or call 239-662-9394.
Review: What sizzles (& fizzles) at a classic Naples steakhouse celebrating 30 years - JLB
Gobble, gobble: Thanksgiving Day restaurants open Nov. 23 in Naples, Marco, Bonita
Send food and restaurant scoops and events for editorial consideration to diana.biederman@naplesnews.com by Thursday at 5 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples restaurant news: Tiki fun, local food gifts, free tasting event
