Deals, dumplings, doings, decamping: Where to find new dim sum, who's decamping for Estero
After Hurricane Ian destroyed my home, a good friend offered hers on Vanderbilt Beach Road rent-free for a few months so we could restore ours.
Near her home, Angelic Bakery & Desserts’ sumptuous egg souffles and breakfast sandwiches were a near-daily must-eat comfort food.
Another haunt was Poached, the setting for our first features team post-hurricane feast.
It’s shutting down May 28 and not by choice.
What they have in common?
They’re both at The Galleria Shoppes, where another nearby restaurant is leaving at May's end.
While walking that part of plaza, which is no longer a daily stop now that I’m back on Capri, I stumbled upon a cute newish café. Maybe it’s good that I’m late to the game because I could eat there every day and not tire of the myriad menu options.
Why you should go? Keep reading.
Just say sí
My new favorite Mexican find is Imperio Taqueria, owned by Felipe Cruz and managed by his daughter Monsi Cruz (an expert baker herself) whose mother Irene leads the from-scratch kitchen and hails from Oaxaca, Mexico’s culinary capital.
Pro tip: Ask to see what’s underneath the dozen-plus lidded steamer trays before ordering because there are so many tantalizing affordable choices. I left with a $13.50 customized chicken bowl loaded with fresh veggies they get daily from farms in Immokalee and ate the rest for lunch on Friday. I also picked up sides of pico, yellow rice and black beans ($5 each) to Sandra Lee-it for a few Gulf shrimp dinners over the weekend. This booze-free (for now) spot offers fresh watermelon juice too, a great thirst quencher as we head into summer.
Over the years, you may have spotted their red food truck at local farmers markets, but this is the family's first brick-and-mortar. The café opened Jan. 5 at Galleria Shoppes, and Monsi said it replaced Vampire Penguin, an icy treats concept.
Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Monday.
(2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road; North Naples; 239-319-7543; find them under their Facebook handle ImperioTaqueriaSWFL)
On the move
Within walking distance of Imperio, Real Seafood Co.’s last day in North Naples is May 31. Fret not: When renovations are complete, it will move to Bokamper’s space in Estero this fall.
“The building is being sold, but that wasn’t the impetus for the move to Coconut Point,” emailed Kevin Gudejko, president and CEO of Mainstreet Ventures Restaurant Group, which operates this chain's five locations. He also said the restaurant's lease on Fontana del Sol Way was expiring and they wanted a new location with more visibility and foot traffic.
Fun dim sum
Zen Asian BBQ launches dim sum from noon to 9 p.m. Prices range from $5 to $11. Options include numerous dumpling varieties, barbecue pork buns, shrimp or beef rice rolls, and Hong Kong egg tarts. Sticky rice in lotus leaf, a favorite of mine, will set you back $7.
(10823 Tamiami Trail N., North Naples; 239-260-7037; zenasianbbq.com)
District, the pretty cocktail bar, is adding Asian fare to its food offerings, including tempura, tuna, sashimi salad and the like. One unusual offering is a beef carpaccio roll with blue crab. Or you could just go for a nightcap and matcha crème br?lée for dessert.
(1200 Central Ave., Naples; districtnaples.com)
3 deals
LoLa 41: BOGO sushi and sashimi on Sunday evenings through summer.
(560 Ninth St. S., Naples; 239-399-3300; lola41.com)
Old Vines Naples at Mercato’s early dining deal is $50 for three courses from 4 to 6 p.m. Get the terrific mushroom toast.
(9105 Strada Place at Mercato Shops; 239-591-5351; oldvines.net)
Vergina: Save 50% on May 22 and May 29. No charge for live music.
(700 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-659-7008; verginarestaurant.com)
Boozey in Bonita
Love a trendy espresso martini? That's the drink du jour at Grumpy Goat Coffee’s Wandering Goat free tasting series in Bonita Springs on May 23 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Chartreuse Craft Cocktail Lounge hosts at 27313 Old 41 Road. Other sampling participants include Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies and Olde Naples Chocolate. A delicious idea: buy some chocolate and ask the bartender to shave it over your espresso martini. Think of it as dessert in a glass.
Open now: New restaurant at Naples-Bonita border serves up Argentine-Italian cuisine
Pay your own way dejeuner
On May 28 from noon to 2 p.m. at Café Normandie, Alliance Fran?aise de Naples hosts its next French-speaking Dutch treat lunch. For more information, email Alliance Fran?aise de Naples at [email protected]. Call the café to reserve your spot and ask for Sandie.
(3756 Tamiami Trail N.; 239-261-0977; cafenormandienaples.com)
Send deals, scoops and news to [email protected] for editorial consideration by Friday at 5 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples restaurant news: Deals, dumplings, who's moving, great Mexican
