Restaurants, food & wine: Fill up with brunch, new cookies, fundraisers, tastings
After writing the story about Tommy Bahama’s 30th anniversary, I heard from reader Lisa Pasler, who had a bakery near the restaurant and created the restaurant’s original pina colada cake 27 years ago.
We got on so well that we agreed to meet for cocktails and snacks. Our conversation was much more delish than the spot serving the food.
Fun fact: Although Pasler was accepted into the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, her neighbor when growing up in Connecticut was Jacques Pepin, who encouraged her to train in Europe. She heeded the legendary chef’s advice and headed to Switzerland.
This dynamic woman brought her clipbook stuffed with Naples Daily News articles written by legendary food scribe Doris Reynolds. She also had a typed thank you note on letterhead from Naples Philharmonic founder, president and CEO Myra Janco Daniels.
Why am I telling you this?
Pasler brought a few massive ― and massively delish cookies ― in a tres chic Henri Bendel-like box with polka dot tissue paper to try.
Following a few bites I told her, “These cookies are money.”
I was reminded of Lisa this week because a young entrepreneur’s cookies with a twist are finally coming our way and I can’t wait to try them. You can get them too.
But I still think Pasler should open a boutique bakery here starring her fab cookies.
Debut of frozen cookie dough balls
Quarter pounders might be common for burgers, not so much for cookies. La Gringuita’s Caroline McGinley, who grew up in Jupiter and lives in West Palm Beach, is debuting her stuffed frozen cookie dough balls for home baking at Whole Foods in Naples and Fort. Myers. Four flavors weighing 4.5 ounces each include Brown Buttah, Chocolate Soufflé, El Churro and The Jammy. McGinley entered Whole Foods’ Early Growth Cohort accelerator program in August 2023. She was one of 10 accepted out of more than 1,000 applicants.
(9101 Strada Place at Mercato Shops, Naples; 239-552-5100; wholefoodsmarket.com)
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Friday vino series kicks off May 31
Gourmet specialty market Ambrosi & Sons hosts a series of Italian wine tastings on May 31, June 14 and June 21, all starting at 4:30 p.m. Tickets to each are $25 and must be purchased in advance by visiting the website.
(3910 Domestic Ave., Naples; 239-304-9782; ambrosiandsons.com)
Shark Tank-style brunch
On June 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sails Restaurant's famous Champagne brunch will be the venue for a Biz Kidz fundraiser benefiting local junior entrepreneurs. All-inclusive tickets are $350 per twosome. A dozen kids will be there with their wares showcasing their businesses; three will pitch guests a la Shark Tank. Silent auction, too. For tickets, visit bizkidzusa.org.
(301 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-360-2000; sailsrestaurants.com)
More: Naples restaurant named among top brunch spots in Florida: What to know
Fundraising for a friend
On June 2 from noon to 4 p.m., The Cave Bistro and Wine Bar opens on a rare Sunday for a fundraiser benefiting Jeff Hall, who’s incurring medical expenses from his recent Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare neurologicaldisorder. Food, drinks and live music by Gypsy Blue and Danny Sinoff are on tap. Tickets are limited and priced $100 per person which includes two drinks and nibbles. RSVP a must by noon May 27; any remaining tickets will be sold at the door.
(2343 Vanderbilt Beach Road at Galleria Shoppes; 239-513-0095; thecavenaples.com)
America's most famous wine festival sets dates, chairpersons
Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF) hosts its annual fundraising weekend on Jan. 24-26 at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón. Chairs include several local folks who launched the inaugural festivities, including Nena and Bill Beynon, Debbi and Bill Cary, Denise and Brian Cobb, Shirlene Elkins, Valerie Boyd and Jeff Gargiulo, Libby and Rick Germain, Julia and Rob Heidt, Jr., Barbie and Paul Hills, Simone and Scott Lutgert, and Shelly and Ralph Stayer.
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In 2024, the auction raised a record-breaking $33 million, with every penny benefiting Collier County’s underprivileged kids because local taxes don’t.
Tickets to this world-famous Festival sell out fast. They are $17,500 per twosome and $40,000 for a foursome. Visit napleswinefestival.com for more.
Send local scoops, deals and food news to [email protected] for editorial consideration by Friday at 5 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Eat, sip, have fun: Brunch, new cookies, foodie fundraisers, tastings