On The Move: Weekly roundup of business news

• Frank LaCava reaches back more than 100 years into his Sicilian heritage to bring the cuisine of that region and the rest of Italy to Marco Island.

Photo by QUENTIN ROUX, Marco Eagle

Cook Doloros Ochoa prepares a dish at LaCava's Bistro. Longtime restaurateur Frank LaCava owns the 40-seat eatery on North Collier Boulevard.

At LaCava's Bistro, LaCava and his wife, Lynette, serve what they call genuine home-cooked Italian food.

The 40-seat restaurant is on North Collier Boulevard in the space formerly occupied by Capt. Brien's Seafood & Roast Beef.

After running a restaurant in Cleveland where they had to work exhausting double shifts, the LaCavas prefer the small size of their Marco bistro.

Their dishes include Frank LaCava's favorite, eggplant rollatini. The recipe calls for long slices of marinated and grilled eggplant covered with sautéed spinach, a blend of three cheeses and prosciutto ham rolled up and then baked with cheese and sauce. The concoction is served with hot linguini.

Another house special is what LaCava calls the "world's best meatball."

The recipe, a family secret, was handed down by his Sicilian-born grandmother. LaCava revealed only that it contains a fair amount of parsley.

The restaurant also has its own pasta maker.

"When I say fresh, I mean fresh," he said.

LaCava said he's had good repeat business since opening Nov. 25. People seem to like the intimacy of the place, he said.

The LaCavas moved to Marco permanently nine years ago, but have been familiar with the island since 1975.

LaCava's Bistro has a staff of seven and opens at 4 p.m.

seven days a week. It has a beer and wine license.

• They used to be just buddies. Now they're also restaurant co-owners.

Marco Islanders Keith Reeves and Joe Joseph have taken over the Tide Restaurant in the Apollo condominium in south Marco.

Photo by QUENTIN ROUX, Marco Eagle

Joe Joseph, left, and Keith Reeves are the new owners of the Tide Restaurant, located on the ground floor of the Apollo condominium.

Previous owner Bob Bacon, who still owns a restaurant in New Jersey, said Reeves will "enjoy life" after the sale.

Reeves and Joseph plan no immediate changes to the Tide, popular for its Gulf views.

Reeves has worked for the restaurant in various positions for seven years, while Joseph recently joined the staff to cope with the football-season rush, especially on Sundays.

Joseph is a former financial adviser. Reeves was a casino boat captain operating from the former O'Shea's Restaurant on Bald Eagle Drive, now the site of the Pier 81 twin towers.

They also operate a Marco stucco business, but devote most of their time to the restaurant.

Reeves and Joseph employ a standing staff of 23 people.

The Tide is open from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. seven days a week.

The restaurant has a full bar license.

• It's that time of year again: Marco businesspeople are preparing to showcase their products and services, network and socialize.

The Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Business Expo will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 16, in the Grand Ballroom of the Marco Island Marriott Resort.

Chamber members pay $300 for draped and covered 8-foot tables. Those who sign up before March 1 receive a $25 discount.

Nonmembers can reserve tables for $500.

Chamber Executive Director Sandi Riedemann Lazarus said the event is always a sellout and tables are going fast. For reservations, call the Chamber at 394-7549.

As always, Riedemann Lazarus said, vendors are encouraged to provide plenty of giveaways and to hold drawings for promotional prizes. Each table is limited to three prizes.

A cash bar will be available and complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served.

The registration deadline is March 10.