Sink your teeth into restaurant & food events in Naples, Everglades City
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Stone crabs, fashion and joy are this week's themes.
Loyal readers may remember our 2022 story on Siobhan Cleveland, fashionista turned Naples restaurateur because of the passing of her mother, Jeanne Harvey. This week, she combines her expertise in both industries with a cool designer event.
Also upcoming: A favorite restaurant uptown, created by physician and best-selling author Dr. Andrew Weil, debuts a new speakers series focusing on wellness.
A backstory on my Dr. Weil obsession: In the 1990s, I had a few freelance fitness stories in “SELF” (RIP), my then-favorite magazine even though the publication took itself a little too seriously.
In 20 years of subscribing, only one article ever elicited chuckles when SELF’s executive editor Lauren Purcell asked Weil to join her for three meals: McDonald’s for breakfast, Candle Café for a vegetarian/vegan lunch, and dinner at Alain Ducasse.
The premise: he told her what she should and shouldn’t eat.
It was hilarious; wine and cheese earned yeses with contingencies.
Back then, before email was the preferred way to send a compliment, I penned a note to Purcell, and we became very good friends to this day. One summer holiday weekend, we headed to tennis camp in New Hampshire, where Dr. Condoleezza Rice was among the players.
At lunch, we peppered the then-NSA chief with questions about her favorite restaurants, what dating is like when you’re trailed by the Secret Service every second, and if it was mandatory to join POTUS 43 on his morning runs.
An interesting weekend, to say the least.
Three fashionable friends share a recipe for fun
The Real Macaw presents Erica Wilson x Candy Shop Vintage, a pop-up trunk show, on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On-site: Erica Wilson’s Vanessa Diserio, daughter of the famed needlepoint artist, television star and best-selling author, and like Siobhan Cleveland, carrying on her mother’s business legacy. In addition to the label’s womenswear collection, an array of canvases include dedicated Naples designs available for the first time.
Why a pop-up shop? Pre-pandemic, Cleveland worked for the chic-niche Roberta Freymann/Roller Rabbit fashion line, which designed an exclusive summer collection in collaboration with Erica Wilson.
That’s how she met Diserio.
“I was fortunate to get to know Vanessa during the long design and production process, and became enchanted with her storied background and the deep love she has for Nantucket,” said Cleveland.
Deirdre Colligan is another close Cleveland pal who’s bringing her best-selling Candy Shop Vintage line of elevated costume jewelry to the trunk show.
“Deirdre's taste and style is only outmatched by what an absolutely lovely person she is,” says Cleveland. The two once shared a design studio on Broad Street in Charleston.
Coming full circle: Colligan spent a “whirlwind” summer managing Erica Wilson’s Nantucket boutique.
(3275 Bayshore Drive, Naples; 239-732-1188; therealmacaw.com)
Everglades City weekend eats
Florida Stone Crabbers Association presents its 54th family-friendly Everglades Seafood Festival. Different admission prices and hours each day are as follows:
Feb. 2, 4:30 to 10 p.m.; a canned good donation admits one
Feb. 3, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; $10 per entry
Feb. 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $10 per entry
Additional donations are encouraged, with contributions going toward community reconstruction and opportunities for youth and children. Live music with food, beverages and carnival rides a la carte. No pets, coolers or lawn chairs. Cash only, nearby ATMs available.
(Head to Everglades City Hall at 102 Copeland Ave., Everglades City; evergladesseafoodfestival.org)
Brews benefiting burrowing owls
Ankrolab is the venue for “Buddies Brew” Feb. 17 from 5 to 9 p.m., benefiting Audubon Western Everglades Owl Watch (AWE), Collier County’s oldest grassroots conservation organization established in 1961.
The brewery is serving "Burrowing Owl Brew," a special beer honoring the occasion. A food truck plus wine and other sippables available too.
(3555 Bayshore Drive, East Naples; 239-330-7899; ankrolab.com)
Tabletalk in North Naples
True Food Kitchen at Waterside Shops and prestige publisher Hay House are collaborating in a series they’re calling “Hay House Happy Hours.”
First up: Self-care guru/Naples resident Amy Leigh Mercree, who's launching her newest book, “Aura Alchemy”, on Feb. 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. Mercree's expertise has been tapped by Forbes, Oprah Daily, and other prominent media outlets.
Hay House Publishing was founded by Louise Hay, a legendary thought leader in the self-help and alternative therapies arena. Think joy: Hay’s imprint at Penguin Random House is famous for uplifting books and products, written by her and other wellness experts.
Dinner and a show: Pre-theater restaurant suggestions in Naples and Marco Island - JLB
(5375 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-431-4580; truefoodkitchen.com)
Send scoops, story tips and foodie events to diana.biederman@naplesnews.com by Friday at 5 p.m. for editorial consideration.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Restaurant & food events happening in Naples, Everglades City
