🥃 Whiskey, Fritters & Side-Eyes + Naples for Dog People + Your Dockside Favorites

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Friends and neighbors,

How are you faring this July? I’m finding it’s a puzzle trying to make plans with friends now that people are flying in and out of vacations. But grab at least one and head to Warren. I didn’t expect to be glowing about a $59 prix fixe menu, but here we are. Warren pulled me in with a steak of various preparations and finished me off with the warm donuts I swore I was “just going to taste.” I can’t wait to go back. 

On the other side of the spectrum, I’ve also been thinking about my dog-parent friends. Specifically, where to take your dog that isn’t your usual neighborhood loop. I rounded up the best local spots for walks, off-leash swimming, and patios that don’t mind a little fur. So, whether you’re a dog person or just dog-adjacent, there’s something for you (and now your dog-owning friends have no excuse not to meet you out). 

Also included: your favorite dock-and-dine spots from last week (you all really love The Boathouse), and a new poll that I’m curious to hear your take on.

More below. I hope something in here makes your week a little better.

Talk soon,

I stopped into Warren this week for their $59 summer prix fixe and left unbelievably full and genuinely impressed. I’ve always associated Warren with whiskey and special occasions (both of which they do well), but their summer menu was so well-executed that it elevated an unplanned Saturday night into an event itself.

Warren is tucked behind the Bellasera Hotel, away from 5^th Ave South. The high-ceilinged dining room is stunning: black, glossy, a little dramatic. Leather seating, dim lighting, and impressively alive in the evening. It was busy when I arrived, but I found some calm in a banquette off the bar. The bar itself has more breathing room, and from there, you can admire their wall of over 600 whiskeys, stacked all the way to the ceiling, glowing in stately rows. It made for some impressive décor, and, embarrassingly, a trip down memory lane of ex-boyfriends and their preferred Japanese whiskies. 

The $59 prix fixe menu has a handful of options. I started with the tartare: wagyu, served on fried wontons with a soy-cured yolk and topped with a micro salad. It was rich and cold, and the pickled shishito added just enough heat and acidity to give the dish a real depth. I liked the crisp wontons as the tartare vessel, and considering what was coming next, I was glad I skipped the add-on bread service (though it is delicious). 

Then came the Butcher’s Duo: teres major and a double-bone lamb chop, served with duck confit potatoes and caulilini. Was it a little crazy to follow beef tartare with steak? Probably. But I had no regrets. The teres major (a shoulder cut) was cooked perfectly, even by my rigorous standards. I was honestly shocked at how smoky, flavorful, and tender it was. The lamb was solid, cooked well, but needed the chimichurri to give it depth, while the steak didn’t need a thing. I caught a few hungry servers giving my plate some jealous side-eye. 

For dessert, I (thankfully) was talked into the house-made fritters, warm doughnuts with a blueberry cream cheese glaze. I was full by the time they hit the table and figured I’d take a polite bite or two. I also don’t really like blueberries (horrific, I know). But then I blinked and the whole bowl was gone. I absolutely devoured them. Only when I stared down at the empty bowl did I realize I forgot to take a photo. Perhaps the lack of a photo is an even stronger endorsement.

Even though Warren is known for its whiskey selection, their cocktail program is worth your attention, and each was built with precision. I had a hibiscus paloma that was bright and citrusy. The bartenders were friendly, even with a full room, chatting with regulars and checking in often to make sure everything was right. It was.

Warren has a very specific energy that’s not the typical Naples scene. Low lighting, an excuse to be dressy, with bartenders and whiskey aficionados trading notes on the latest barrel pick. The staff is dialed in and matches the upscale pricing. My water glass was never empty, and no one was standing around. And after tasting what came out of the kitchen, I trust they know exactly what they’re doing with flavor. 

If you’ve been meaning to check out Warren but haven’t gotten around to it, now’s the time. Sixty bucks gets you a full, thoughtful meal that’s not a watered-down summer special. If you don’t want to commit to three courses, do as the regulars do and pop by the bar for their “damn good” burger and a whiskey neat of whatever the bartender recommends. 

Warren Naples

111 Tenth Street S, Naples, FL

Website

Happy hour: 3–7 PM 

Valet parking is available. 

Hot tip: Check their Eventbrite for biweekly, complimentary whiskey tastings from 5-7PM. 

While Naples beaches aren’t known for being dog-friendly, if you know where (and when) to go, there are so many lovely spots to take your furry friend. Here’s some inspiration on where you can take your dog, or where you can meet your dog-parent friends. 

Keewaydin Island
If you want your dog to have a real beach day, this is where you go. You’ll need to take a boat (or the dog-friendly water taxi from Marco), and once you get there, it’s a long, undeveloped stretch of sand where dogs are welcome on leash. It’s peaceful and gorgeous, and there’s nothing to do but sit in the sand and watch your dog lose their mind in the water. No bathrooms, no shade, no food, so bring what you need. If your dog likes swimming and you don’t mind putting in a little effort, it’s worth it. Don’t have a boat? Pure Florida runs Bark on the Ark, where you can book a ticket for you and your pup on their 3-hour excursion to Keewaydin. 

Bonita Beach Dog Beach
Technically in Bonita Springs, but close enough. This is the only proper off-leash beach in the area, and dogs are allowed to run and swim freely. It’s shallow and calm, and there are usually at least five retrievers living their best lives at any given time. Go early before it gets crowded (and before the tide swallows up the beach). There’s a rinse station but no real amenities. Bring water and don’t forget towels.

Naples Dog Park (Central Bark)
This is the one downtown, next to Baker Park. It's fully fenced, split into big dog/small dog areas, and usually full of locals who will keep watch over their dogs. Shaded benches, water fountains, plenty of room to run around, and very well-maintained. You do need a dog tag from the city to get in, but once you have it, you’re good to go. Your dog will enjoy socializing, and you will too. 

Gordon River Greenway + Baker Park
If your dog’s more of a walker than a player, this is a great spot. Shady boardwalks, paved trails, and enough lizards to keep things interesting. You can park at Baker and walk through the Greenway or extend the route toward Freedom Park if you’re feeling ambitious. It’s not a dog park, so leash rules apply, but it’s one of the more peaceful spots to walk without being stuck in a neighborhood.

Naples Botanical Garden
They only allow dogs on Sunday and Tuesday mornings from 9–11 AM, which is weirdly specific, but it’s lovely. You do have to complete a registration form for your dog (if it’s your first time), but the garden is beautiful and shaded. A good option if you want some peace and quiet. 

Sugden Regional Park
Sugden is right in town on Avalon Drive and centers around a large freshwater lake. Dogs are not permitted in the lake (although you see it occasionally), but there’s a scenic loop around to walk. The park’s open from 8 a.m. until sunset, and dogs are allowed on leash. Just keep in mind it’s a shared space, so watch out for wildlife (gators have been spotted). 

North Collier Regional Park
This park is a nice escape if you're already out near Livingston Road. There are fields and shaded walking loops. It’s open daily and a perfect strolling location.

Celebration Park
Food trucks, live music, a dock, and all dogs welcome. It’s not as shaded, and it gets crowded, but the energy is good, and the views are better. Bring your dog, get something fried, and try to snag a table near the water. It’s casual and loud, and everyone’s in a good mood.

Dining
Most outdoor patios downtown will let you have a dog, but if you need extra assurance, check out bringfido.com. In the morning, Tony’s off Third is my favorite spot for sipping coffee with a dog, and for lunch, I’d hit Lake Park Diner. For dinner with the pup, I would head to The Dock at Crayton Cove (named the best dog-friendly dining in Naples Illustrated). And if you need happy hour with Fido, outdoor seating at Old Vines is your best bet. 

A few things to keep in mind:
• Most Naples beaches are strictly no-dogs. Don’t risk it.
• Always bring water. The heat is real!
• If your dog doesn’t love crowds, skip Celebration Park on a Friday night.

That’s the list. There are other places, but these are the ones I’ve been to, liked, and gone back. I hope it inspires you to change up your scenery outside of your trusty neighborhood loop. 

Last week's poll asked: What’s your favorite dock and dining spot?

Here’s where you landed:

The Boathouse was the crowd favorite, followed closely by Snook Inn. I’m glad I covered their earlier summer dining deals. Thank you for your comments. I can’t believe I didn’t include Island Gypsy! 

I like learning what matters most to you, especially when it comes to dining out. It helps me get to know you better and make informed choices for this newsletter. 

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Why It Matters

Great food and fresh outings connect us to our city, to each other, and, sometimes, to the four-legged pals who drag us outside. Sharing these finds keeps local kitchens humming, supports the parks and beaches we love, and reminds us that even in the steamy stretch of summer, there’s always something new to taste, toast, or explore together.

Thanks for reading—and for keeping Naples lively, delicious, and dog-friendly.

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

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