Adoré Opens on Davis Boulevard + 3 Rooftop Happy Hours Worth Trying + Poll

Friends and Neighbors,

One of the joys of covering Naples' restaurant scene is that there's always something new to discover. This week, I'm taking you to Adoré, the newest restaurant to open in the former Pelican Larry's space on Davis Boulevard. From the family behind GG Brunch Haus, it's an ambitious Italian concept that brings a more polished Italian dining to East Naples.

I'm also looking upward. While Naples isn't exactly known for rooftop bars, we do have a handful of elevated spots where the views are as memorable as the cocktails. Summer, when reservations are easier to come by and the crowds have thinned, may be the perfect time to enjoy them.

As always, thank you to our sponsor, Naples Florida Rentals, for supporting this newsletter.

Warmly,

For years, East Naples residents seeking an upscale Italian dinner usually headed downtown. Adoré is betting they won't have to anymore.

The new restaurant recently opened in the former Pelican Larry's space on Davis Boulevard, joining sister restaurant GG Brunch Haus in what is slowly becoming a family-run dining corner of East Naples. The restaurant is owned by the Hoxha family which has developed a loyal local following for their fresh brunch food and warm hospitality, where the owners are routinely present in the dining rooms and get to know regulars.   

Step inside Adoré and there's little evidence of the old spot that occupied the space. The room has been completely reworked with white walls, marble tables, soft lighting, and a sleek bar that feels more Miami-contemporary than neighborhood red-sauce joint.

The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Livio Leone, who comes from Italy's Lake Como region, and the menu clearly has more northern Italian influences.

Yes, there's chicken parmigiana. But there are also dishes you don't see on every local Italian menu: veal vitello tonnato with tuna sauce and capers, osso buco served with saffron risotto, lobster-filled ravioli with pistachio pesto, and black linguine with Manila clams. The pastas and the sauces are made in-house and also push the envelope a little, like a seafood carbonara with Sicilian red shrimp and lemon zest.  

A few details suggest the restaurant is aiming higher than a casual neighborhood Italian spot. Imported prosciutto and salumi boards, Sicilian red shrimp carpaccio, octopus carpaccio, and burrata finished with white truffle powder all point to care and elevation. 

For years, East Naples residents wanting an upscale Italian dinner often defaulted to downtown. Adoré appears to be making a bet that locals would rather stay closer to home if the food is good enough, and it might just pay off.

Adoré Bar & Cucina

7785 Davis Blvd, Naples, FL

Open 7 days a week: 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM

One of the lovely things about Naples is that we’re more horizontally built. This isn't Miami. We don't have dozens of sky-high cocktail lounges competing for attention. What we do have are a handful of elevated bars where the view becomes part of the drink order. And in the summer, when reservations loosen and parking becomes easier, these places are arguably at their best. 

Limón Rooftop Bar Web Address: 455 12th St S, Naples, FL 34102 Phone: +12399443755

If you haven't been to Limón since it opened, summer is the time to go back.

The biggest surprise isn't the view—it's the value. Their "Beat the Clock" happy hour is one of the better drink deals in Naples: 40% off from 3 to 4 p.m., 30% off from 4 to 5 p.m., and 20% off from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

The rooftop itself feels more sophisticated than beachy. You're looking out over Old Naples rooftops, Fifth Avenue, and toward the water. It's not a Gulf sunset view, but it gives you something Naples doesn't often offer: perspective.

The drink that locals come for is the Coconut Mojito, but the atmosphere of the rooftop setting is the real reason to return. 

Tigress Restaurant & Rooftop Bar Web Address: 12155 Tamiami Trl N, Naples, FL 34110 Phone: +12394233199

This is the rooftop that feels least like Naples.

Perched atop The Perry Hotel, Tigress overlooks the Cocohatchee River, mangroves, and the Gulf in the distance. Instead of Fifth Avenue energy, you get a more coastal, resort-style atmosphere. Several local reviews specifically mention the Gulf view and rooftop vantage point as the highlight of the experience. 

The rooftop cocktail program was created by award-winning mixologist Lynnette Marrero, and the drinks get nearly as much attention as the food. What I like most about Tigress is that it doesn't feel like a hotel bar, and they pour a great espresso martini. 

Tesoro Web Address: 400 S Collier Blvd, Marco Island, FL 34145 Phone: +12393933208

If your definition of a great rooftop is simple, a cocktail and a sunset, Tesoro wins.

Located on the fifth floor of the JW Marriott Marco Island, Tesoro isn't technically a rooftop in the urban sense. It's an elevated terrace. But nobody sitting there with a drink in hand watching the sun disappear into the Gulf is going to care about the distinction.

The view is the entire point. The outdoor balcony and the unobstructed sunset over the Gulf are worth the trip to Marco. Unlike Naples rooftops, which mostly overlook the city or waterways, Tesoro gives you the classic Southwest Florida sunset that people put on postcards.

The cocktail most favored here is the Negroni, though the broader cocktail program generally is strong. Be sure to ask for a table with a view. 

For the best happy-hour deal, go to Limón. For the best cocktail program, go to Tigress. For the best sunset, make the drive to Marco Island and grab a seat at Tesoro.

Summer is the rare time of year when you can actually enjoy all three without fighting season traffic, reservation lists, or crowds.

Last week we asked: Sometimes, locals don’t always get around to the touristy stuff. So I want to know, have you ever taken an airboat tour?

Yes, and I'd do it again! leading 31.20%. I’m glad most see the joy in these types of activities, although I realize it’s not for everyone. For the 24% who haven’t gone, consider this some indication that it might just be fun. 

Naples changes in small, steady ways. A new restaurant opens where an old favorite used to be. A rooftop becomes easier to enjoy once the season slows down. A place you thought you knew gives you a new reason to go out, look around, and try something different.

That is the fun of living here. There is always another table to book, another view to catch, and another local spot worth giving a chance.

See you around town,

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

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