Hot Dish


Hot Dish: Sept. 16, 2009

BY September 16, 2009
Inside the Gulfshore’s Dining Scene.

Silverspot Cinema—Naples’ Upscale Hot Spot for Dinner and a Movie

 
Silverspot Cinema’s 11 theaters opened Friday on Mercato’s upper level, bringing elegant touches to Naples’ cinema experience. It offers the traditional soft drinks and popcorn ($4, $4.50 and $7), but it also offers 10 beers ($3-$4.25) and more than a dozen wines by the glass ($7-$9).

Silverspot Cinema’s restaurant.

 
You can also dine in the theater’s own sleek, 65-seat restaurant, which offers fare such as a Caesar salad ($5), sushi plates ($7), fruit platters ($6) an 8-ounce burger with fries and tobacco onions ($9), or a 7-ounce filet mignon and sides ($23). The pricing is as attractive as the food! 

Silverspot Cinema offers sushi, salads, desserts and fruit as well as the 
traditional popcorn. 
Even the theater experience is different. It’s easy to order reserved seating via the Internet before you arrive or at mini-kiosks located just outside the entrance. Take your wine, beer and other drinks in paper cups into the theater— along with any of the food that doesn’t require a knife or fork—and savor them while relaxing in large plush leather seats.
 
Enjoy independent, foreign or first-run films for $15 for adults; $12 for seniors. Matinees before 4 p.m. and children’s tickets are $10. The Naples International Film Festival will be held there from Nov. 5-8, and I predict success for this refreshingly upscale concept. Silverspot Cinema, 9118 Strada Place (above AZN Restaurant), 592-0300.
 
 
Patric’s Worth Following to Pine Ridge Road
 
Patric’s & The Cookie Jar opened recently in Naples across from Noodles Italian Café and next to Café Alessio. Patric, a well known caterer, moved his eponymous restaurant from Davis Boulevard to a more visible location just off Pine Ridge Road that is sure to draw larger crowds. 

Tomato and mozzarella salad at Patric’s.

 
Patric’s serves ample large breakfast and lunch selections, and has quite a following of regular customers who place orders by fax and phone as well as dining in at tables or at the counter where you can watch the chefs in action. 

The lunch crowd gathers at the counter at Patric’s.

I like the $7 grilled chicken breast with bacon, guacamole, provolone cheese and chipotle dressing, as well as the large smoked salmon “BLT” ($8) with lemon parmesan dressing on a ciabatta roll. His pasta dishes and salads are also popular.

The chicken sandwich at Patric’s.

 
Joyce Vaughan’s Cookie Jar, within the restaurant, serves fresh muffins and large cookies that can’t be beat. Patric’s & The Cookie Jar, 1485 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, Suite 8, 304-9754.
 
 
Comings and Goings…
 
Bravo! Cucina Italiana is opening Friday, Oct. 16 at Mercato. I can’t wait to try Chef Steve Fusaro’s cooking at the white-tablecloth casual dining restaurant featuring a decor designed to look like the courtyard of an historic ruin in Italy. The chain is part of theBravo/Brio Group (as in Waterside’s Brio Tuscan Grill), and will serve fresh, made-to-order, authentic Italian food for lunch or dinner. Bravo! will be Mercato’s ninth dining spot.
 
Meson Olé in Naples has closed. The phone is disconnected and a For Lease sign now faces Tamiami Trail North. It was a popular spot for Latin dancing and some Live Art experiences.
 
Tastings—A Wine Experience at Gulf Coast Town Center in south Lee County closed Saturday night, just shy of its first birthday, despite having a loyal customers. It offered 100 wines by the bottle, 80 wines by the glass, friendly servers and creative food, but the economy took its toll.
 
 
Let’s broaden our dining choices together. Post your hints and experiences of great Southwest Florida restaurants below, as a comment, or email diningscene@live.com

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