Friends and neighbors,

Happy February! As the weeks roll on, I find myself pushed to discover the new and revisit the old. This week, I’m bringing you next door to Bonita Springs for a restaurant that somehow slipped under my radar and might just become a Monday pick-me-up spot. 

And even closer to home, I’ve looked for the Bloody Marys around town that make brunch worthwhile (because sometimes, a mimosa just doesn’t cut it). 

I’m glad I get to share the corners of Naples and beyond that make life a little tastier, and I hope this week’s picks inspire you to savor the simple pleasures of life. Know a place that deserves more love? Put it on my radar! Email me at [email protected]. 

Thanks for being here. 

Warmly,

I once lived above a pizza shop that, inexplicably, ran a Monday special: five-dollar margaritas and ten-dollar margarita pizzas. What started as a frugal date-night dinner turned into a ritual and eventually a cherished friendship with the owner. Those Mondays became something to look forward to. Which is why I want to suggest a new Monday ritual for your calendar: Canary Club.

Sometimes the best places are hiding just out of reach. Canary Club, a Middle Eastern–inspired pizza spot in Bonita Springs, opened in early summer but somehow flew under my radar. They’ve just brought back an amazing special: Mondays are a buy-one, get-one free pizza for anyone dining in. 

The restaurant is the latest venture from chef‑owner Brandon Schewe and his wife, Caitlin Emery Schewe, who also run The Bohemian and Downtown Coffee and Wine Company. The couple met in Naples’ restaurant scene before making Bonita Springs home. Canary Club offers a chef-driven menu with wood-fired sourdough pizzas, house-made mezze (Middle Eastern small plates), and craft cocktails with a twist.

From the moment you step inside, the space feels fun and inviting: a wall-to-wall orangy-pink glow, an airy dining room, open kitchen, and a generous patio. In the back, a bright, yellow–tiled wood-fired oven radiates warmth and holds up to twelve pizzas at a time. Casual by design, the room doesn’t take itself too seriously, but the food most certainly does.

“Chef-driven” is a phrase that’s been dulled by overuse, but here it earns its place. The menu is deliberate and confident, refusing run-of-the-mill offerings. Pizzas are made on sourdough crust, paired with cold and hot mezze like blissfully smooth hummus with za’atar pita (that’s hard not to order), melon and cucumber salad with labne and schmaltz, and wood-roasted cauliflower with green harissa and goat cheese crema. Regular cheese pizza? Not here. They serve adventurous combinations like mushroom “shawarma” with brie and burnt onion cream, lamb with muhammara and caramelized onions, and harissa BBQ chicken with goat cheese. Desserts include creations like “Relax, Have a Snickers,” with date caramel, halva, and banana gelato. A full lineup of cocktails, wine, and beer rounds out the menu.

Canary Club is made for a casual night out, and on weekends they have live music acts to add to the atmosphere. Bonita Springs might be a bit of a trek for a weekly habit, but on any Monday that’s testing your patience, Canary Club might be exactly what you need.

Canary Club 
10610 Founders Way, Suite 140, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
Open daily 11:30 AM–10:00 PM; Sunday 11:30 AM–9:00 PM; closed Tuesdays.
Mondays: BOGO Pizza (dine-in only) 
canaryclubbonita.com
239.776.8065. 

What’s brunch without a drink that almost feels like a second meal? Bloody Marys are a staple that belongs on any brunch menu, but they’re not always a given and can often disappoint. No matter if you’re into all the toppings or just want a solid cocktail, here’s where to find worthwhile Bloody Marys in Naples: 

The Dock at Crayton Cove
If you’re serious about Bloody Marys, this is the first stop. Their build‑your‑own Bloody Mary bar runs every Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., letting you customize from house mixers to a bounty of garnishes. My favorite part? Sitting by the water, fiddling with your drink, and pairing it with the Crab Eggs Benedict. The crab and rich hollandaise sauce are the perfect mellow pairing with spicy tomato.

The Claw Bar
For a touch of downtown swank, head here. Their signature Bloody Mary arrives crowned with a crab claw, living up to its name. This one straddles the line between cocktail and meal. Feeling adventurous? Go all out with a seafood tower. Prefer something sweet? Lemon ricotta pancakes do not disappoint. Either way, this spot makes brunch feel like a real occasion.

The Turtle Club
Beachfront bliss, sandals off and a Bloody Mary that holds its own. That’s the magic of the Gulf Bloody Mary at The Turtle Club. With Tito’s vodka, a spiced tomato base, all the classic garnishes, and a Gulf shrimp perched on top—it’ll leave you wanting for nothing. Pair it with the coconut fried shrimp salad or the fresh fish sandwich and let the afternoon drift by.

For a more casual affair:
If you want a relaxed brunch without the fuss, head to The Cabana Bar for their Sunday Bloody Mary bar and bottomless mimosas (10 a.m.–2 p.m.). You still get a lovely waterfront atmosphere without steep menu pricing. Nearby, EJ’s Bayfront Cafe is another favorite for a reliably spicy Bloody Mary. Order a cinnamon roll to share and one of their house omelets, and soak in the bayfront views.

No matter your style, there’s a Bloody Mary (or two) waiting to make your weekend a little better.

Last week’s poll asked: Do you have plans to watch the Super Bowl?

Here’s where you landed:

I think this might be our first-ever tie! Both “Watch party with friends” and “I’ll be at a bar” received 27% of the votes, sharing the top spot. Most respondents have plans to watch the game, but nearly a quarter couldn’t care less and honestly, I wouldn’t either if my team wasn’t playing. May the snacks be plentiful and the best team win! 

The whole point of brunch feels hinged on indulging in a fun drink—otherwise, it’s just a late breakfast, right? So I’d like to know: 

A good Monday special can turn a tough start to the week into something you actually look forward to. A great Bloody Mary can make brunch feel like an event, not just a meal. These small choices add up—they shape how we spend our time, who we share it with, and whether a regular week feels routine or memorable.

Canary Club is the kind of place that rewards curiosity: a little farther out, a little different than the usual, and worth the drive when you want something that feels fresh. And the Bloody Mary list is a reminder that the best brunches aren’t about doing the most—they’re about finding the spots that get the details right, from the drink to the view to the food you’ll still be thinking about later.

Here’s to simple plans that hit exactly when you need them.

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

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