Naples restaurant news: Sea Salt turns 15, new-ish Turkish, Rocco's party, boozy dinners

Diana Biederman, Naples Daily News
Updated ·3 min read

To jump-start the holiday mode, this week we have six fun finds to celebrate with food.

From the restaurant that put Naples on the nation’s culinary map ― according to a famous restaurant critic ― to booze-pairing dinners, add heading out to your to-do list at least once for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

There's also news about a coffee shop changing hands.

Putting Naples on the nation's culinary map

Owners Ingrid and Chef Fabrizio Aielli are celebrating Sea Salt's anniversary with “15 Years of Dining – 15 Years of Giving.”

For the first half of November, they’re donating 15% of Sea Salt's sales to 15 charities, starting with Youth Haven Nov. 1; she serves on the nonprofit's board.

Next up in chronological order: Women's Foundation of Collier County, United Arts Collier, The Shelter for Abused Women & Children, STARability Foundation, PACE Center for Girls in Immokalee, NCH Healthcare System, NCEF (Naples Children & Education Foundation), Humane Society Naples, Gulfshore Playhouse, Guadalupe Center and The Everglades Foundation.

Skipping a day, from Nov. 14 to Nov 16, beneficiaries include David Lawrence Center, CMON and Baker Naples Senior Center.

Opened in 2008, Sea Salt earned national acclaim via Esquire magazine’s annual “best new restaurants" list in 2009, penned by esteemed food and travel author John Mariani, whose column now runs in Forbes.

Sea Salt, a Naples restaurant on Third Street South, is celebrating 15 years in business.
Sea Salt, a Naples restaurant on Third Street South, is celebrating 15 years in business.

Mariani told the Daily News, “Before Sea Salt arrived on the scene, Naples’ restaurants ranged from run of the mill to downright dull, with a slew of national chains. The Aiellis not only brought a freshness of style and personal hospitality, but also some of the most authentic Italian food, especially seafood, in the U.S.”

The Aiellis explained their “unbelievable journey,” feeling blessed to continue following their passion despite several hurricanes and economic challenges, including the pandemic.

“It is hard to describe the feeling of fulfillment we experience when seeing team members thrive and grow with us, when patrons keep coming back to share our love for food, when we witness our impact on local causes. All those moments have made the past 15 years very special to us," Ingrid Aielli said.

The Aiellis also own Barbatella, Dorona and Grappino in Naples. A sister Sea Salt outpost is in St. Pete's.

(1186 Third St. S., Naples; 239-434-7258; seasaltnaples.com)

Día de los Muertos at Mercato

Pumpkin-spiced flan with caramel sauce is offered as a seasonal special at Rocco's Tacos restaurants.
Pumpkin-spiced flan with caramel sauce is offered as a seasonal special at Rocco's Tacos restaurants.

Rocco’s Tacos celebrates Día de los Muertos through Nov. 5. Specials include $10 spicy mango margaritas and a combo pumpkin-spiced flan-chocolate cake drizzled with caramel sauce for $9. On Nov. 2, day-to-night festivities include face painting, music and sippable samples of Ghost Tequila if you’re over 21.

(Mercato Shops: 9123 Strada Place, North Naples; 239-500-8226; roccostacos.com)

Breakfast, böreks, baklava

Café Marquise, a casual Turkish coffee shop off Fifth Avenue South replaces Smyrna Café, another Turkish coffee shop. The space has been brightened up. In addition to specialty coffees, teas and smoothies ($3 to $7.50), the cafe serves up pastries, breakfast sandwiches, böreks, crepes, paninis and beignets. Prices top out at $13. Gorgeous baklava can be ordered by piece or tray from $55 for pistachio or $60 for chocolate.

Cafe Marquise's co-owner Nazmi Even.
Cafe Marquise's co-owner Nazmi Even.

(520 Park Street, Naples; 239-399-0386; cafemarquise.co)

Boozy dinners

On Nov. 1 at 7 p.m., Seventh South hosts Hailstone Vineyards owners Chris and Jessica Zazo for a four-course $165 prix-fixe pairing dinner with five wines. Reservations a must. Call or email owner Barry Larkin: seventhsouth.barry@gmail.com.

Seventh South's exterior courtyard.
Seventh South's exterior courtyard.

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

Carrabba’s hosts a $65 four-course wine pairing dinner Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. featuring Antinori wines and new sister label Stag’s Leap, which Marchesi Antinori purchased in July.

Antinori and Stag's Leap are featured Nov. 7 at Carrabba's wine dinner.
Antinori and Stag's Leap are featured Nov. 7 at Carrabba's wine dinner.

On Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m., the chain hosts “Friendsgiving Bourbon Pairing,” a $65 four-course dining experience featuring spirits from Brother’s Bond and Angel’s Envy.

Reservations for both occasions are recommended.

(Multiple locations; carrabbas.com)

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

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples restaurants: Sea Salt is 15; Turkish cafe's new owner