Restaurant news: 2 al fresco dining spots open in Naples, 2 on Marco Island
Tis the season to try something new.
This week, we share news on four spots where two are neighbors vying for your visits.
On Marco, a much-awaited Mexican spot that this reporter originally planned to tour in October 2022, finally opened. Elsewhere on the island, a new daytime spot from a couple opening their first restaurant.
New & neighboring in Naples
The Kitchen & The Mini Bar at Victoria Square helmed by partners Christopher Lee, Christopher Shucart and Marty Kenney, opened Dec. 17. The casual al fresco bar and patio offers tropical island-inspired fare priced $5 to $10, salads from $7 to $12, and choose-your-size main courses priced $9 for two carnitas tacos to $28 for three lobster salad sliders or a chimichurri filet. Well-edited wine list with 12 selections plus fun-named cocktails; the “Badass Colada” is $17. Leave your pup at home unless it’s a certified service dog. The new spot is a sister business to The District, the glam bar with a tidy menu, and soon-to-open The Alley. Brad Moss, most recently at Truluck’s, is the chef at all three.
Hours: Monday through Thursday from 3 to 10 p.m.; weekends until 11 p.m.; weekend brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
(1200 Central Ave., Naples; 239-428-3101; kitchenandminibar.com)
Roof with a view
Limón, the new AC Hotel Naples 5th Avenue’s rooftop bar and indoor-outdoor dining space, is now officially open daily and you need not be a hotel guest to go. I spent five minutes navigating the entrance until a friendly concierge guided me to the door; it is behind Goodlette-Frank. The modern beige-gold interior is lovely.
As for the views? Tin City, condos, construction, or the hotel's pool, depending on where you sit. If you want a table, reservations are a must; the bar inside is first come, first served. What was empty-ish at 5 p.m. on Dec. 21 was full by 6 p.m. with not a seat to spare. As for the menu, light bites, salads, handhelds and entrees priced $18 for the burger to market-priced fish. Wines you'd find at Publix. Open for breakfast too.
(455 12th Street, Naples; 239-944-3755; limonrooftop.com)
Marco Island
On Dec. 3, Katie and Jake Pappas officially opened their family-friendly Island Hideout, a cozy and casual new cafe replacing Islamorada. Open daily: 8 to 11 a.m. is breakfast and weekend brunch with beer, wine, and wine-based cocktails, including Bloody Marys and mimosas. Lunch from 11 a.m. comprises soup, salads, sandwiches, tacos and quesadillas. Plan on spending $15 for food. Games and a kids menu too. The couple also owns Marco Pedal Boat. Check out Facebook for Saturday entertainment.
(2 Marco Lake Drive; Marco Island; 239-970-0812; marcoislandhideout.com)
Tequila is cheaper than therapy
So declares the neon sign on the wall at La Mesa Taqueria, Marco's new Mexican restaurant that opened Dec. 15. The new build looks like a grand hacienda and is in the same lot where NeNe's once stood a few years ago. Enchiladas, quesadillas, and burritos served with beans and rice range from $16 to $22; fajitas and other mains are mostly $22 to $30. It's a cute setting for dining in with patio seating, too. Takeout and catering are available. Never mind that Marco's midnight is unofficially 9 p.m.; this taqueria's hours are 4 to 10 p.m. A sister spot to the ultra-popular Doreen's Cup of Joe and Joey's Pizza, expect lines here too.
(297 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island; 239-388-8226; lamesamarcoisland.com)
Send scoops, news and restaurant events to diana.biederman@naplesnews.com by Friday at 5 p.m. for editorial consideration.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: New restaurants: The Kitchen and Limón in Naples, 2 Marco openings
