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Friends and Neighbors, 

Do you ever feel like you’re not getting what you paid for on 5^th Avenue in Naples? As the Summer Dining Deals vanish and Sizzle Dining comes to an end tomorrow, we’ll be left with regular in-season prices that have skyrocketed in recent years. In this issue we’re curious to find out which restaurant on 5^th Avenue that you think is the most overrated. Take our poll below and we’ll reveal the results in the next issue. 

Also, a fantastic new bakery has opened next to Grappino, and we’re excited to tell you all about it! Read our review of Bakery at Grappino below and be sure to check it out!

Did you know the Great Wolf Lodge opened early? There has been cheering at our house with my four and six year old sons eager for our planned adventure in early October. Read all about the launch below and – if you go – please let us know what you think. Email [email protected] with any feedback. 

Stay cool and stay in touch!

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• Bakery at Grappino Launches With a Bang

• Take Our Poll: Most Overrated Restaurant on 5th Avenue

• Great Wolf Lodge Is Open! 

Bakery at Grappino Launches with a Bang

I knew that there was probably something special about the new Bakery at Grappino, when I stepped into an absolutely packed space last Wednesday. Young couples, tables of friends and professionals dressed for work talked excitedly in the two tops and four tops along the floor. It was wild. This place had just opened days before, and already it was buzzing with customers in September. I have checked in a few times since, and Bakery has been consistently packed. 

If you were familiar with La Colmar – the excellent French bakery that used to occupy the space – you’ll find the restaurant space relatively unchanged. Low wood and metal tables are the primary seating inside Bakery, but there are also tables available outside that will be pleasant in the cooler months. The owners knocked down part of the wall between Grappino and Bakery at Grappino so you can peek at the restaurant on the other side. A countertop with a glass case displays appetizing pastries and sweets that are frequently refreshed. 

Bakery has a breakfast menu that is available from 8AM to 11:30AM and a lunch menu that spans from 11:30 to 3PM. The breakfast menu boasts a large selection of omelets, breakfast sandwiches and Eggs Benedict. The lunch menu has a selection of sandwiches and salads along with other specialties. Along with the homemade juices, fresh bread, and selections of homemade sweets, there’s really something for everyone. 

I went with three of my friends and we were quickly seated and attended to. We arrived around 10AM so we were on the breakfast menu side of things, and most of us veered in that direction. I started with one of their fresh juices that promised to boost heart health. My other friends ordered other juices and coffees. My beet/grapefruit/lemon concoction proved to be delicious. I found the flavors and quality to be similar to the fresh juices at Food & Thought. My friends said the coffee was great and we were off to the races for food. 

Around the table we had a breakfast pizza, a slice of quiche with a generous side salad and my Croque Madame. Another friend had her eye on a ham and cheese sandwich served on a French baguette that happened to be on the lunch menu. Our server asked the chef and the restaurant accommodated the request. 

The Croque Madame was incredible. Homemade toasted bread, sliced ham and the most decadent truffle béchamel sauce that I’ve ever had. Literally dripping and pooling from inside the sandwich and onto the plate. I cut it in half right through the perfect sunnyside up egg on top and went to work! I highly, highly recommend it. My friends universally had rave reviews and I have no doubt that we will be back in the future. 

I think that my only suggestion for Bakery is that I think they might be better served by paring down the menu a bit and making it a single breakfast/lunch menu that is served for the entire time they are open. Other than that, my experience was excellent. Head on over and check out the latest excellent bakery next to Grappino. 

Take Our Poll: Most Overrated Restaurant on 5^th Avenue

Locals and visitors alike have long been complaining about sky-high prices down on 5^th Avenue South, but the low grumblings have grown to a roar over the last few years. From paying for bread to $30+ cocktails, to paying additional for a large ice cube in your cocktail – restaurants have gotten aggressive on pricing to say the least. 

So…what do you think is the most overrated restaurant on 5^th Avenue? Choose from one of the options below OR email your choice to [email protected]. Want to share why? Feel free to email your rationale to [email protected] and indicate whether you’d be willing to have your comments shared in our next issue. I can post your feedback anonymously if indicated. 

Great Wolf Lodge Is Open! 

After plenty of anticipation and controversy, the newest Great Wolf Lodge (and first in Florida!) opened early on September 18^th, in Naples. The summer temperatures are still blazing here, so I’m positive that this place will be mobbed with locals before season starts. 

We will be visiting the Great Wolf Lodge in early October, and I look forward to reviewing it – with the help of my test subjects (children, just kidding) soon after. 

To read more about the Great Wolf Lodge Opening, check out this article from Wink News:

https://winknews.com/2024/09/17/great-wolf-lodge-to-launch-early-in-naples/

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Why It Matters

Local spots like Bakery at Grappino are more than just places to grab a bite—they’re becoming the heart of our community. Whether it’s the energy of a bustling new opening or the comfort of finding your favorite go-to meal, these experiences are what make our town feel like home.

Supporting local businesses like Bakery means more than just enjoying a great meal; it’s about helping build the thriving, unique culture that we all love.

So next time you’re looking for a cozy breakfast, a fresh juice, or just a new favorite spot, remember places like this are what make our community special.

Let’s keep them buzzing!

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

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P.P.S. - As mentioned earlier, what’s your pick for the most overrated restaurant on 5th Avenue? Email your choice to [email protected] and let me know why! We’ll feature your feedback in the next issue, and if you prefer, I can share your thoughts anonymously. Looking forward to hearing your opinions!