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Friends and Neighbors, 

First and foremost, we hope that all our subscribers, readers and their families are safe following Hurricane Helene. Here in Naples, we had flooding on many of the lower-lying roads as well as in Royal Harbor and Wiggins Pass. We know that many homeowners in those areas had just gotten back into their homes after Ian repairs, and our thoughts and prayers are with you as you navigate any additional damage. 

In this issue we’ll take a tour of the 5 Best Sushi Restaurants in Naples. In a recent issue, we polled readers to find out their top picks for sushi spots and many of the top finalists will be featured in the countdown below.   

Also, the results are in from last week’s poll are in, and – by a huge margin – Sails was voted “The Most Overrated Restaurant on Fifth” by our readers. More about the poll and your comments in the newsletter below. A big “thank you” to everyone who participated and voted. 

Finally, at the end of this issue we will put some resources for readers who experienced damage to their property during Hurricane Helene.

Thank you,

P.S. We are always looking for fresh topics and businesses to feature in our regular Naples Hidden Gems section. Email your ideas or favorites to [email protected]. 

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• Best Sushi Restaurants in Naples

• The Most Overrated Restaurants on 5th Avenue

• Post-Helene Damage Tips

The Best Five Sushi Restaurants in Naples

Sushi restaurants abound in Naples, but it isn’t a cuisine that this town is particularly known for. Ask around town and you’ll be greeted with plenty of responses like:

“There is no good sushi in Naples”

“Did you hear that place in Fort Myers – Maks – made the Yelp 100 list?”

“Honestly I just go to [insert Publix, Whole Foods or Seed to Table here].”

But it can’t be denied – locals and visitors alike love sushi. “Best sushi” is also a common search on the local internet restaurant boards. We believe that good sushi does exist in Naples, and a recent poll of our readers helped to inform our Top 5 below. 

Here’s how I think about sushi restaurants, to give you a little insight into my mindset. I appreciate an artful sushi roll that proportionately combines the ingredients without swamping down the entire thing in too much sauce. I don’t like the feeling of having to ask myself the question – as I politely look around me – of whether I can fit this alleged one section of roll into my mouth. 

More than playfully-named rolls, however, I believe that the best sushi restaurants – and the best restaurants in general - must have outstanding fish. I don’t want to walk into fish market, never mind a sushi restaurant, where I can smell fish. Ocean-briny scent? Fine. Fishy? Hard no. 

This list will prioritize sushi restaurants that have outstanding raw fish that doesn’t need any rice or sauce or frills to make it excellent. We have found, along the way, that many of the sushi restaurants with the highest quality fish are also the most expensive. For the pricier options (I’ve ranked each $ to $$$$) I’ve tried to indicate Happy Hour times or deals. 

5. Maguro ($$)

What to get: Tuna Taco, Lover Roll

Maguro is a laid-back sushi spot in North Naples that consistently delivers clever, well-crafted rolls and solid sushi appetizer options. From the Sushi Appetizer menu we like the Tuna Taco and the Yellowtail with Sliced Jalapeno. The tuna taco is served with avocado, tomato and seaweed on a crispy “Asian taco.” The yellowtail/jalapeno appetizer is good as well, and a bargain compared to other restaurants, but it is not my favorite in Naples. The Lover Roll, which combines spicy tuna on the inside of the roll and fresh tuna on the outside. The honey wasabi adds an unexpected kick. 

4. Dusk ($$$$)

What to get: Scallop Roll, Sashimi 

Dusk, located at the Ritz Carlton on the beach, is currently getting a “refresh,” but it should be open any day now. The atmosphere is upscale, dark and chic, and the sushi menu is pared down and straight forward. The fish and ingredients are excellent, but this is the most expensive location on this list. With quality fish like this, lean into the sashimi options – there’s a decent selection of raw fish and the emphasis is on quality. The Scallop Roll, which includes scallop, yamagobo and avocado garlic-onion sambal, is also a great option. 

3. Sushi One ($$)

What to get: Sashimi Salad

Sushi One (like many hidden gems in Naples) is located in a strip mall and it is a nice-casual choice. The Sashimi Salad is technically on the dinner menu – but trust us – we’ve requested it for lunch without a problem. It is huge. So huge, that they have a separate menu option for the “half size.” Fresh greens are heaped with yellowfin tuna, salmon, yellowtail, krab, cucumber and avocado. It is dressed in their signature sauce, but you might want to ask for light dressing. 

2. LoLa 41 ($$$$)

What to get: Yellowtail Crudo, Sashimi
serrano, sriracha, ponzu, micro cilantro

This isn’t the first time we’ve covered LoLa 41 in this publication, but since its opening, it has become well-known as the go-to sushi spot downtown. I’ve found that they have one of the best yellowtail crudo in Naples, featuring serrano peppers, sriracha, ponzu and micro cilantro. The sashimi at LoLa 41 is on the pricey side but excellent and fresh. They have a good selection of roe, alongside freshwater eel and tuna and salmon. 

Specials –
Maki Monday: BOGO offer on all sushi rolls every Monday from 4 to 9 PM. 
BOGO Sushi Sunday (Summer only): BOGO on all sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi.
Happy Hour Daily 4PM to 6PM: Select rolls for just $10

1. Namba ($$$)

What to get: Sashimi

When it comes to the best quality fish in town, unadorned and served simply, Namba is the place to go. Their commitment to fresh fish is printed in their menu, where they proudly state that -with the exception of their salmon (sourced from Norway and Scotland) - all of their fish is carefully selected from Tokyo’s world-renowned Tsukiji fish market. Each morning, expert buyers handpick the freshest catch, which is flown overnight to the U.S. for next-day use. They purchase whole fish whenever possible and cut the fish in-house. Uni, two types of tuna, two types of snapper and salmon belly – they’ve got you covered.

The Most Overrated Restaurant on 5^th Avenue: Sails

The resounding “winner” of last week’s “Most Overrated Restaurants on 5^th “ poll was Sails. They had more than twice as many votes as the second-most-overrated – Del Mar. 

Sails is well known for the excellent quality of its food, so why did so many readers feel like they weren’t getting their money’s worth? That the quality didn’t justify the prices? One personal observation: by the time I was actually able to get a reservation, and had the time to eat at Sails, Nosh (not on 5^th ) and Le Colonial, I had heard so many good things about each one that it would be nearly impossible for them to live up to the hype. 

Let’s turn to your feedback about Sails!

“The value is just not there. The food is good, but not at what they charge. And the last time we went to the brunch, the food was average, the were stingy and the champagne was cheap. Sorry!” – Mary

“Outrageously expensive and VERY pretentious.” KM

“I ordered a pasta dish with Truffles which was expensive. It is my favorite thing and I order it in NYC and in Italy when I travel there. Truffles are supposed to be shaved at the table. It is part of the culinary experience. The pasta came out from the kitchen with the truffles on top - and they looked like potato chips. Truffles are a delicacy and an experience. This was neither. ” FA

“Brunch is very expensive and there are too many rules! 2 hours? They say it’s unlimited…but you have to finish each course before ordering the next OR get limited to 3 courses? I felt like a contestant on a game show.” CB

“Tremendously overpriced. Very surprised it is still operating.” DG

“Tiny portion and high prices.” GS

Is Sails worth the trip? Certainly. Every restaurant has “off” days and it’s a great place to go for a special occasion. Want to try the food at a reduced price? They do have an Early Dining Sunset Menu, which is a 3-course prix fixe $69 menu that is served for half an hour Monday through Thursday from 4:30PM to 5:00PM. 

Do I think Naples is ready for two new restaurants from the minds behind Sails? Located next door to Sails?  We will find out soon. Sava, which was originally slated for 2023, will open alongside another omakase concept soon. Stay tuned! 

Post-Helene Damage Resources/Information for Locals

Horticultural Debris:

If you don’t have a private lawn care service, you can place your horticultural debris in the right-of-way (by the road) for collection.

Repairs and Dealing With the City:

You can remove wet drywall up to 4 feet, along with damaged cabinets, carpeting, and baseboards without a permit. BUT, replacing any of these items will require a building permit and a review for Substantial Damage according to FEMA NFIP standards, even for items typically not needing permits. To avoid issues, take lots of pictures.  

Read more on the Building Department Website

Tips for Dealing with Your Insurance Carrier:

Take pictures of any damage before making temporary repairs. 

Contact your insurance carrier directly and have the following ready:

• Your policy number

• Your name as it appears on the policy

• Your contact information (i.e., phone, cell, email, etc.)

• Detailed description of loss or damage you incurred

Avoid signing an AOB (assignment of benefits) contract:

An Assignment of Benefits (AOB) is an agreement that transfers all insurance policy benefits and rights from you, the policyholder, to a third party such a contractor or repair vendor after damage has occurred to your property. An AOB contract is intended to help expedite the claims process and make things easier for the insured, but there is potential that an AOB contract may be fraudulently misused for repair vendors to seize control of the claims process with the intention of overcharging and inflating repair costs. 

Other helpful tips on post-storm damage and the claims process can be found here.

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Why It Matters

As we wrap up this issue, we're reminded of what makes Naples special - our vibrant culinary scene and our resilient community spirit. From hidden sushi gems to upscale dining experiences, Naples continues to surprise and delight food enthusiasts. These restaurants not only satisfy our palates but also contribute to the unique character of our area. By supporting local businesses, we're investing in the flavors that make Naples a true foodie family destination.

But beyond the culinary delights, this newsletter touches on something even more important - our community's strength in the face of adversity. As we recover from Hurricane Helene, just as we did after Ian, we're once again demonstrating the unwavering spirit of Naples. Whether it's helping a neighbor clear debris, supporting local restaurants as they reopen, or simply sharing resources and information, every action counts.

It's this sense of community that truly defines Naples, reminding us why we chose to call this beautiful area home. As we move forward, let's continue to support one another, celebrate our local businesses, and keep Naples the paradise we all love.

Carolyn Cervoni
Editor-in-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review

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