Friends and neighbors,

This week, we’re uncovering everything you ever wanted to know about spring training, and yes, yet another steakhouse in the mix.

Did you know three new steakhouses opened in Naples over the past few months, and there’s a new James Beard-winning Chef behind the helm of a fourth over in Bonita? I have the latest. 

Here’s to great meals and a little baseball in the Florida sun.

Cheers,

Long gone are the days of my youth when I religiously watched the Red Sox and checked The Boston Globe each morning to see where we stood in the AL East. But spring still does what it always has: it pulls you back to baseball.

With Fort Myers close by, we don’t have to travel far for it. Our backyard hosts two Major League camps in the Grapefruit League. The Boston Red Sox play at JetBlue Park — built to mirror Fenway’s dimensions — and the Minnesota Twins take the field at Hammond Stadium.

If you haven’t gone in a few years, circle a date now. Spring Training tickets are still far more affordable than regular season games, but weekends and specialty matchups move quickly. Buy online in advance. For locals, weekday games in March are the sweet spot: lighter crowds, manageable parking, comfortable weather, and a relaxed atmosphere. 

Many longtime regulars swear by going the weekend before the regular season starts. By then, roster cuts are mostly done, starters play deeper into games, and you can often backdate the rotation to catch a specific pitcher. That said, don’t expect every regular to play on the road, as away teams often rest their stars. The final tune-up weekend is particularly good for seeing pitchers.

If you’re hoping for autographs, get there early (at least an hour before first pitch) and head to the backfields. That’s where you’ll see drills and batting practice up close. Bring a baseball and a simple pen. Players will sometimes sign when there’s downtime, but be respectful. They’re working. Inside the stadium, particularly at JetBlue, netting and pre-game prep make autograph chances more limited. Locals also note that sections 112 and 114 along the third-base side at JetBlue are closest to the home dugout - intel many first-timers don’t realize.

The Minnesota Twins play in the American League’s Central Division during the regular season and their spring home at Hammond Stadium has a slightly different feel than JetBlue. It’s a bit more compact, a little more old Florida in atmosphere, and generally easier to navigate. Sightlines are strong, berm seating is popular with families, and the overall experience feels relaxed even on busier weekends.

What to Expect at the Parks

Concessions are standard ballpark fare. Nothing groundbreaking, but perfectly decent. One important note: both stadiums are card-only now, and prices at JetBlue are closer to regular-season levels than you might expect. Lines move fairly well if you avoid peak innings.

Parking is straightforward but fills up quickly, especially at JetBlue. Arrive early. Leaving, however, can be a test of patience. Traffic exiting the lots after a well-attended game can crawl if crowd control isn’t tight. Plan for it and don’t schedule yourself too tightly afterward. And don’t underestimate the sun. Even in March, it reflects hard off the seats. Sunscreen and a hat are necessities.

I’ve talked to locals who’ve made this a ritual (some have done half a dozen trips or more, catching multiple games each year). The consensus is simple: it’s worth it, as long as you’re prepared. Come early. Be patient. Respect the players’ time if you’re seeking autographs. Prepare for traffic on the way out. 

What makes it special isn’t the intensity, it’s the access. You’re watching elite athletes tune up for the season in your backyard in an excited atmosphere among so many fans. And it’s a good reminder: we live somewhere people travel to for exactly this experience. 

Perhaps all the financiers of the SWFL area got together and decided to go all in on steakhouses, because in addition to the three new steakhouses in Naples, Bonita Springs just got one more to add to the mix. Not many, however, are perched on the water with a serious culinary pedigree behind it. Acqua Bistecca, the newest addition to the Saltleaf Marina on Estero Bay, has both.

The restaurant is the first Southwest Florida outpost of Michael Mina and his MINA Group. Mina is a Michelin-starred, James Beard Award–winning chef with restaurants across the country. But instead of importing a concept that feels out of place here, Acqua Bistecca settles easily into its coastal surroundings.

The name literally translates to “water and steak,” and that is reflected in the menu. This isn’t a traditional, dark-wood steakhouse built solely around beef. It’s a coastal Italian-inspired restaurant where prime cuts and seafood share equal footing, helped by the wide views of the marina. Outdoor seating opens directly onto the water, prime real estate for sunset reservations. The decor leans into natural wood and contemporary starkness, like we see more in refined high-end dining of late. 

Start with their house-made focaccia and choose from a selection of toppings, like tapenade and pistachio pesto. If you’re going all out, get their caviar cannoli. The steaks are, as expected, the anchor. Oak-fired and deeply caramelized, they arrive properly rested and confidently seasoned. Steak snobs will be impressed by their Prime Delmonico, while seafood lovers can still order an impeccable Branzino over an orange saffron fregola. Just expect fine-dining pricing. Several cuts are finished with a red Lambrusco butter, a nod to Northern Italy that adds richness without overwhelming the meat. 

But what makes Acqua Bistecca unique in our market is how seriously it takes the “acqua” side of the equation. The raw bar features local stone crab claws in season and oysters brightened with limoncello mignonette. Crudos and seafood starters are light but well-dressed. House-made pastas, including a favorite with Florida clams and nduja, bring depth without being too heavy. They also have a signature spiral lasagna with spicy sausage ragu if you want to move away from seafood. You could build an entire meal here without ordering steak and still feel like you experienced the restaurant fully. 

What Acqua Bistecca ultimately delivers is balance. It’s upscale and carries national-chef credibility without feeling corporate. In a region where many steakhouses feel interchangeable, this one stands apart, not just because of the name attached to it, but because it genuinely offers a menu on a different level. Waterfront dining with real culinary ambition doesn’t happen often in Bonita Springs. This time, it does. 

Acqua Bistecca — Bonita Springs, FL
Address: 5500 Coconut Rd, Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Hours: Dinner Daily 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
(239) 319-2301
Website

Aufieri & Martinez — Naples, FL
Address: 2355 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Ste 200, Naples, FL 34109​
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday–Saturday 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
(239) 591-5845​
https://aufierimartinez.com/

Connors Steak & Seafood — Naples, FL
Address: 950 Immokalee Rd, Naples, FL 34110​
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM; Friday–Saturday 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM​
(239) 467-2120​
https://www.connorsrestaurant.com/naples-fl-steakhouse.html

Tulia Italian Steak — Naples, FL
Address: 365 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102​
Hours: Daily 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM 
(239) 315-4019​
https://tuliaitaliansteak.com/

Last week’s poll asked: Which burger is your favorite?

Here’s where you landed:

Brooks Burgers leading with 18.34% of votes, followed by Syren Oyster Bar with 14.6% of the votes. Here’s our reader ranking: 

You also wrote in to tell me your favorites. 

 “Only Doubles is also the best as he often offers burger specials in addition to his O.G. such as Slim Thickory, PB Bacon, Cheese Curds, to name a few. I was unimpressed with Brooks Burgers two times in a row both times the burgers were too salty.” –H.

“Kaptain and Krewe” –T.

“Sadly, Five Guys!” –A.

“Soluna Triple Prime burger” –A.

“Bricktops has a surprisingly good burger for a fancy restaurant” –R.

Never had burgers at Kaptain and Krewe or Soluna - so those are on my radar now. And Only Doubles just combined my favorite Mexican food - street corn - with a burger that was to die for. 

Thank you for all the responses! 

Naples is at its best when you use what the season brings. Spring training is one of the few “big” experiences that still feels easy: close, affordable, and casual enough to do on a weekday.

And the steakhouse wave is more than noise. A James Beard–winning chef opening on the water in Bonita is a real signal that Southwest Florida is attracting serious talent, which usually means better food and better options for all of us.

Pick one game, try one new place, and enjoy the fact that people travel here for what we have in our backyard.

Elizabeth Bellotti
Editor-In-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review

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