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Friends and Neighbors,

The flooding from last week’s deluge have receded and everyone’s lawn is looking great as we head into summer. Naples is about to get hot. 

This issue features a nostalgia-accented review of the newly-opened LoLa 41 Naples Location, the winner of last issue’s review-a-restaurant poll. More than a meditation on the (spoiler alert) excellent food, the review takes a bigger-picture look at how Naples and Nantucket have transformed in the last 40 years, and at the ways that LoLa 41 is emblematic of this change. It is also about $57 rice. 

Also in this issue is a blog that highlights exclusive luxury experiences in Naples, Florida and a link to breaking news about the possible privatization of Collier County’s Sun n’ Fun Lagoon. 

If there’s anything you would like to see covered in a future issue, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. 

Thanks for reading,

Best,

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• Fifty Seven Dollar Rice, Elite Enclaves and Billy Joel: A LoLa 41 Naples Review

• Naples' Luxurious Secrets ✨

• Big Changes for Sun-N-Fun Lagoon 🌊

Fifty Seven Dollar Rice, Elite Enclaves and Billy Joel: A LoLa 41 Naples Review

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I yelled across the house to my husband, who was attempting to work from home last Thursday, “this place has $57 dollar rice!” He yelled back toward me, not even questioning whether I was telling the truth, “are you surprised? It’s Naples!” 

The results of our recent Naples Florida Review poll are in, and LoLa 41 beat out Le Colonial by a slim margin to be this week’s restaurant review.  I’ve been anxious to go, but when I looked at the menu – with prices – for the first time last week, I, for one, was surprised. $57 dollar rice? A $42 sushi roll? I scanned the descriptions searching for “gold flakes,” “king crab” or “caviar,” but, nada. The Happy Hour Menu caught my eye next - $10 small plates, cocktails and limited sushi. I called up a friend, suggested that we arrive at 4 and transition to dinner. We were headed to land of luxury rice. 

LoLa 41 is the latest in a trifecta of luxury restaurants that were made famous elsewhere before arriving in Naples. The trend was kicked off in December with the debut of Warren and Le Colonial who – like LoLa 41 – first had locations in the Delray/Palm Beach area. All three openings were highly anticipated, and it was difficult to get a reservation at any of them during the last months of our busy season. Not so on June 18^th. When we arrived, the bar and dining room were empty, even though my friend had to give a credit card number for the reservation. 

The restaurant’s name jams abbreviated versions of longitude and latitude together while setting the scene for its cuisine. Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, home to the original LoLa 41, is a one to two hour ferry trip from mainland Massachusetts, and it is located on the 41^st parallel. The menu is a global tour of the 41^st parallel that highlights cuisine that turns out to be largely Asian influenced. Since opening LoLa 41 Nantucket in 2006, Chef and founder Marco Coelho has opened locations in Boston, Palm Beach and Naples. 

When Coelho left his family’s farm in Brazil to come to the U.S. in the mid-eighties, there was no internet, cell phones were prehistoric, and my parents rented a reasonably priced house on the beach in Nantucket each summer while my grandparents rented a reasonably priced home in Naples, Florida during the winter. By the late 90s when Coelho settled in Nantucket, the island was already undergoing rapid change and, down in Florida, my grandparents settled in nearby (more affordable) Bonita Springs. I mention this to underscore what incredibly different places Nantucket and Naples were in the 80s and 90s. 

The two future homes of LoLa 41 have transformed in dramatic, parallel ways over the last 40 years. Nantucket and Naples have gone from lesser-known vacation towns with strong local flavor, to elite enclaves with huge seasonal populations. Nantucket and Naples are a sort of snowbird exacta – six months of good weather in one and six months of good weather in the other. You’re pretty likely to run into your social circle in both places year-around.

Why did Coelho pick Nantucket? Why the 41^st parallel as a map for his cuisine?  Seems like an odd pick for a chef from Brazil that had - most recently – been working in Miami. We’ll have to speculate for now, because my request for comment is probably sitting in someone’s inbox. Asian cuisine was slow to reach Nantucket and Asian fusion was huge in the 90s and early 2000s. There was demand and Coelho was there to feed it. That’s my working theory at least. 

Turning back to the physical location of the Naples LoLa 41, I can only describe it as awkward. LoLa 41 is clearly a Fifth Avenue Restaurant – chic vibe, see-and-be-seen crowd, steep prices – but it’s actually a block off Fifth on Ninth Street South. There’s not much parking on the street near the restaurant itself, but the parking garage at the corner of 8^th Street South and Cambier Park Way is a convenient option.

I was pleasantly surprised by the interior. I was worried that the vibe and decor would try to be something it’s not, which is Nantucket. The dark tones and red dining room inside LoLa 41, however, are modern and chic and the bar is cleverly dotted with coins from countries along the 41^st parallel. There’s a beautiful outdoor dining space at the rear of the restaurant that – according to the waitstaff – is too hot right now, but perfect in-season for a large gathering or event.

My friend and I sat at the bar and ordered drinks and small plates. Everything was $10 for the 4-6PM Happy Hour.  The cocktail menu was sophisticated but not overwrought, featuring the vodka-based Con-cu-bine and Date or Dad and alongside the LoLa Spritz and the tequilla-based Spicy Flamingo. Our attentive bartender told us that the Con-cu-bine was the most popular. From the limited food options, we picked the Peking Duck Bao Buns and the Shrimp Tempura Roll. The mix of sushi rolls on the Happy Hour Menu is the basic line-up: California roll, spicy tuna roll, spicy salmon roll, shrimp tempura roll and dynamite roll. The shrimp tempura roll was better than average. The bao bun, however – with crispy bits of duck and crunchy greens – was excellent. 

We moved from the bar to a leather booth for dinner, and I didn’t find the sound level to be as deafening as some diners have mentioned. We ordered two small plates – Grilled Octopus ($29) and Poke Nachos ($28) to share, and – drumroll please – the Shrimp and Crab Fried Rice ($57) as the main event. The quality of the food was excellent. The Grilled Octopus had crispy edges and delicious accompanying potatoes. Who knew, but preserved lemon & mint gremolata and ndjua vinaigrette are new favorite sauces. The Poke Nachos were loaded with delicately diced fish (not huge chunks) and had just the right amount of sauce drizzled over the top. The taste of my $57 rice was only blunted by the price tag. Visible chunks of crab and shrimp? Yes. Rice cooked appropriately? Yes. Was it worth $57 when it is basically a side? No. 

Service was excellent and the food was very good. The interior is chic, cool and inviting – fancy without being pretentious. Something, however, was missing. Nothing about the food or feel of LoLa 41 reminded me of Naples or Nantucket. I could be anywhere, in any city. 

Which brings us to Billy Joel. In 1990, when Chef Marco Coelho was getting ready to move to Nantucket, and I was sitting on top of our Jeep Wagoneer watching fireworks on the beach, a new single from Billy Joel’s album “Stormfront” was peaking on the charts. “The Downeaster Alexa,” written by Joel, tells the story of a poor fisherman from Long Island who is bound for Nantucket and lamenting about how much things have changed – for the worse – for fishermen and “islanders.” Joel’s narrator tells us how “[l]ike all the locals here I’ve had to sell my home” and “there ain’t no island left for islanders like me.”

I thought of the song last night as our attentive waitress boxed up what was left of our rice. The handful of friends I have that were born in Naples and Nantucket all seem to agree, at least mostly, with Joel. Modest homes they were born in are selling for millions or being torn down to pave the way for mega mansions. Soaring prices have made basics unaffordable for some.  Favorite local restaurants that were steeped in local tradition and flavor – The Mad Hatter in Nantucket or St. George and The Dragon or Pippin’s in Naples are just fond memories. The “islanders” – or locals - are being pushed out. 

What are we left with? In Naples and Nantucket, we have entered the age of LoLa 41. As more luxury culinary hot spots (made successful elsewhere) set up shop and the trend of member-only restaurants continues to pick up steam, I wonder how different the dining scene in Naples will look ten years from now. In the meantime, Naples is still a great place to eat and the food at LoLa 41 is undeniably good. Check out their summer Happy Hour Menu available daily from 4-6PM. LoLa 41 is located at 560 9th St S, Naples, FL 34102.

Naples' Luxurious Secrets ✨ read the full 911-word article here

Article published: January 15, 2024

Naples, Florida, is a haven for those in pursuit of the finer things in life.

From pristine beaches to upscale shopping and exquisite dining, this tropical paradise offers a myriad of one-of-a-kind luxury experiences that redefine opulence.

In this article by NaplesFloridaRentals, "A Symphony of Opulence: Exclusive Luxury Experiences in Naples, Florida," we embark on a journey through indulgent activities that promise to elevate your stay.

Imagine a beach picnic, but not just any picnic – one curated by the Picnic Society Company, featuring a charcuterie board, champagne, and floral arrangements.

Picture yourself aboard the Miss Naples Catamaran, cruising along the Gulf waters as the sun sets.

Or how about an exclusive tapas night by Ikon Journeys, with dishes prepared by Chef Maria Ferrera and wines selected by sommelier Tony Bryant?

And let's not forget shopping for designer shoes at D. Lacquaniti or experiencing ultimate relaxation at the Naples Grande Spa.

Naples, Florida, beckons with sophistication and relaxation intertwined, promising an unforgettable luxury escape.

Key Takeaways:

• 🌴 Custom Beach Picnics: Picnic Society Company offers elegant setups with charcuterie, champagne, and decor for a lavish beach day.

• ⛵ Private Cruises: Miss Naples Catamaran provides personalized cruises with stunning sunset views and coastal beauty.

• 🍷 Gourmet Tapas Nights: Ikon Journeys crafts unique culinary experiences with expert chef Maria Ferrera and sommelier Tony Bryant.

• 👠 Exclusive Footwear: D. Lacquaniti boutique features rare, ultra-exclusive designer shoes for the discerning shopper.

Big Changes for Sun-N-Fun Lagoon 🌊 read the full 192-word article here

Article published: June 13, 2024

In all of my years in Naples I have never successfully visited Sun n' Fun Lagoon, Collier County's water park.

Sun n' Fun has been plagued with repairs and has never actually been open when I've had the time to check it out.

Hope is on the horizon - it appears - with the breaking news that the park may be privatized in the year ahead.

Here's to hoping that Sun n' Fun might be back in the Summer of 2025. 

Key Takeaways:

• Privatization on the horizon 💼: Collier County is considering leasing Sun-N-Fun to private operators for better management.

• Massive repair costs 💰: Repairs for the lazy river, slide stairs, and pumps will run into millions, delaying the park’s reopening.

• New management approach 🛠️: Shift from temporary fixes to sustainable, long-term solutions to improve the park’s operations.

• County-wide improvements 🌍: Hiring a consultant to develop a maintenance plan for all aquatic centers in Collier County.

• In the meantime, check out more info about the Great Wolf Lodge's Grand Opening this fall in our last edition.

Take this edition’s poll:

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Why It Matters

Naples isn’t just a destination; it’s a lifestyle that blends luxury, natural beauty, and community.

With a strong housing market, exceptional culinary experiences, and rich cultural offerings, Naples has something for everyone.

Staying informed through The Naples Florida Review ensures you won't miss out on the city's best.

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

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