In the 20+ years that we come to Naples we built up a list with frequently visited restaurants.
Quite a lot went out of business.
Like Pippins - the place for filet mignon and the fantastic salad bar.
But since this year we crossed some former favourites off our list.
Coincidence?
They're all downtown. Fancy, upscaled downtown.
Here are the restaurants where we won't eat next year.
1. Pazzo's.
Advertises with cheap menu's. Lost quality since chef Dominique left two years ago.
2. Vergina.
Rush, rush, rush. Cold food.
3. Campiniello.
Too expensive for what you get.
€9,50 for five soft-brown leafs of Roman lettuce, with a drop of Ceasar dressing out of a bottle.
Shame on them.
Can you believe this? On Valentine's eve every single restaurant on Fifth had tables available?
We have eaten all over Europe - expensive, moderate and cheap.
We don't mind spending money on a good, expensive, fancy dinner - accompanied by different wines.
We do mind when the ingredients are not fresh. It has to be made from scratch.
Better simple of good quality than (so called) "haute cuisine" of bad quality.
We also mind bad services. Especially while it's a general rule in the US to leave a 15% tip.
Naples has too many "Italian" restaurants.
However - not many can provide the authentic Italian flavours, but that of course is a matter of taste.
And here's our YES-list:
1.Watermark Grill (corner Immokalee/US41): an oldtime favourite.
Good food, good service, good bar, nice ambience and fair prices.
No hurry, no rush.
-No reservations.
2.Cheesecake Factory (across from Coastland Mall): always a surprise.
Huge menu with a great variety for big and small eaters.
The appetizers are delicious and we shared this BLT-salad (starter for one!).
- Drinks are expensive!
Desserts are to die for.
Nice for lunch after shopping.
3.HB's on the Gulf (Naples Beach & Golf Hotel - Gulf Shore Blvd N): a place with a view.
Wonderful location, right on the beach. Great food.
We had lunch there.
It all looks wonderful after the renovation. You have the choice of "fast food" in the bar area or the outside restaurant.
-"We don't serve many desserts," is what our waitress said when she brought my key lime pie. And although it looked like a beautiful painting I could taste we don't serve many desserts.
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