KELLY MERRITT

• Mr. Big Fish: Laid-back seafood swims up Neapolitan Way Published 06/14/2013 at 7:15 a.m.

  Mr. Big Fish fills a hole in the area's upscale casual dining choices, where you can get classic favorites without pretentiousness.

• Culinary star says 'Bonjour' to fine Naples dining Published 05/30/2013 at 12:26 p.m.

  A veteran culinary star -- with praise from New York City diners for his Cosette and Orienta eateries -- has opened Restaurant Bonjour in Naples.

• Dining Out: Eat your veggies, says The Local restaurant Published 05/24/2013 at 6 a.m.

  The brainchild of Jeff Mitchell and Chef Richard Demarse, The Local showcases light-as-air salads, savory soups and satisfying sandwiches — especially the savory veggie sandwich.

• Pooches get ready to put on the glitz for Fort Myers dog show Published 05/24/2013 at 6 a.m.

  While Southwest Florida looks forward to the Greater Fort Myers Dog Club Show this weekend, handlers and owners already are hard at work beautifying their competitors for the spotlight. Just what does it take for a handler or owner to ...

• Sandy's Cuban Cafe spices up East Naples food scene Published 05/17/2013 at 8 a.m.

  Nothing gets my taste buds fired up like discovering a great little gem of a restaurant close to home.

• Fluent flavors flourish at Flava Published 04/26/2013 at 7 a.m.

  Sometimes the best-kept secrets exist right in front of you, but somehow you keep missing them. In the case of Flava Restaurant in Old Naples, I’ve been missing a hidden gem.

• Gustitos pleases palates with Peruvian plates, pastries Published 04/05/2013 at 7 a.m.

  It’s always a good time for empanadas. Gustitos Bakery and Peruvian Cafe in North Naples, is home to a variety of empanadas, but it also serves up a bevy of other delights.

• New chef, old favorites: Vergina still satisfies on Fifth Published 03/29/2013 at 7 a.m.

  Vergina Restaurant, which has long been a staple of the Fifth Avenue South dining scene, has someone new at the helm in the kitchen.

• Skillets adds to culinary scene at Pavilion shops Published 03/22/2013 at 5:15 a.m.

  Pavilion Shops in North Naples is fast becoming a Naples culinary attraction, with KC American Bistro’s expansion, Fit n’ Fuel Cafe, Trattoria Abruzzo, Margarita’s and now the new Skillets.

• Veranda E is downtown dining aphrodisiac Published 03/08/2013 at 7 a.m.

  You've likely seen the saying “eat dessert first.” While Veranda E at the Hotel Escalante has some amazing savory dishes, Executive Chef Michael Kang’s homemade ice cream dictates beginning this story with dessert.

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