Nightlife: Patric's restaurant expands to evenings, keeps day job

Photo by GARY JUNG

Patric Achilles, a longtime Naples caterer who serves breakfast and lunch only at Patric's, is opening a new dinner restarurant called Patric's in the Evening this fall. The new restaurant will be located next door in the former Cafe Alessio, which closed in May. The restaurants are located in the Mission Square West Shopping Center off Pine Ridge Road.

NAPLES — First, there was simply Patric’s. Then, Patric’s Breakfast Lunch & More. Now, Patric’s in the Evening is coming soon to North Naples to cap off those long days in paradise.

Next month, the new Patric’s is expected to begin operating next door to Patric’s Breakfast Lunch & More in Mission Square West, 1485 Pine Ridge Road. The original Patric’s will continue to serve breakfast and lunch, closing in the afternoon to turn over the stage and spotlight to Patric’s in the Evening, which plans to offer small plates, beer and wine, and music in an adjacent space within the same square. The new evening location was previously Cafe Alessio, until it closed in May.

Owner Patric Achilles has a soft spot for the perfect dining experience. The Naples chef/caterer has created a string of local dining options that receive continuous raves.

Patric prefers to be called only by his first name, but his last name might as well be Perfection. He does it all, from eggs and home fries to seven-course wedding receptions. And he does it all well.

Of course, Patric doesn’t do it all himself. Other talented folks, especially partner Gary Teater, lend a hand. Even on the new venture.

“I couldn’t do it without him,” Patric said. “It takes a lot of effort to keep a restaurant going.”

Still, Patric’s personal stamp is everywhere. His signature is even scribbled behind his eponymous restaurant’s logo. He lends much more than his name to his operations.

“I am here cooking, so I am not an absentee owner,” he said.

Patric makes his own jams, preserves and butters as well as other sweets such as homemade ice cream. Last year, Patric even had his own cookbook published, “Cook Your Way to a Happy Ending,” a collection of his favorite recipes.

“I am very comfortable, happy and content when people come into my home and have a good lunch or dinner and go home happy,” Patric said.

For Patric’s in the Evening, a menu of appetizers and small plates has been created for a lighter, healthier dining experience. Following the example set by Patric’s breakfasts and lunches, the light fare for dinner is also light on the wallet.

“We are known to be affordable here, and we are taking it right through to the evening,” Patric said.

Enjoy crab cake strata with lemon cornbread, planked salmon with baby bok choy and mango salsa, bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with apricot, seared duck breast with black rice and berries, and chickpea burgers and wilted garlic spinach with sweet chili sauce, among other menu offerings.

For those with a sweet tooth or looking for a happy ending, Patric will offer miniature apple pies, cheesecake bananas Foster, chocolate french toast with marscapone oranges, fried pineapple and caramel, and key lime creme brulee. CLICK HERE to see the full menu.

Patric boasts that his restaurants serve nothing out of a can.

“The only thing that is processed is a credit card,” he said, daring to compare his creations to his competition’s.

“Step out of the box, out of your habits and see what quality really is,” Patric orders readers in a recent blog post on his website, patrics.com.

Born and raised in Vermont, Patric learned to cook from recipes handed down through generations. He has showcased his culinary expressions as a caterer in Naples for at least 12 years. For more than two years, he had Patric’s at 2225 Davis Blvd. in East Naples until October 2007, before eventually relocating to North Naples.

His current restaurant has been busy since it opened in July 2009 at the previous site of Cookers Hot Dogs & Grille.

“We were amazed. Then, in season, it was a whirlwind,” Patric said.

Originally joining forces with Cookie Lady Joyce Vaughan, Patric’s hosted the Cookie Jar to sell fresh baked goods at his restaurant. But Patric bought her out in December, and now sells his own homemade muffins, cheesecake, cookies and pies. Despite the nighttime addition, the old Patric’s will continue to operate as a diner with a breakfast counter.

“Nothing is changing in Patric’s. Nothing,” Patric said.

The concept for the new venue centers around an eclectic atmosphere designed to be inviting, homey and comfortable. Although entertainment will be provided by live musicians, patrons also are encouraged to play the piano.

“We welcome everybody,” Patric said.

Patric’s in the Evening is expected to be open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. five or six days a week. The restaurant may be closed Mondays, but that’s still up in the air, Patric said.

Connect with Tim Aten at naplesnews.com/staff/tim_aten

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