Marco Polo to honor vets with meal

Marco veterans, such as these Islanders at a free dinner in 2009, have enjoyed the Veterans Day generosity of Marco Polo Restaurant for several years. Don Farmer/Eagle Correspondent

Veterans Day on Marco Island will be celebrated with many wonderful events to honor veterans and show appreciation for the sacrifices endured not only by Army, Navy and Marine veterans and active duty personnel here on the Island but also veterans everywhere and those who are serving across the nation and overseas.

It is in this spirit that Marco Island’s Marco Polo Restaurant owner Tom Naifeh is hosting a dinner on Veterans Day and is inviting veterans and active duty personnel to enjoy a complimentary four-course gourmet meal that evening in the restaurant.

“It’s our contribution to show appreciation to all veterans and active military who have selflessly served. This is our first year, and I’m honored to participate in conjunction with the City of Marco Island’s Veterans Day events to take place Nov. 11 at Veterans Park,” stated Naifeh.

City of Marco Island Utilities customer service manager Jim Lang, serving on the Marco Island Veterans Memorial and Veterans Day event planning committees, was equally enthusiastic.

“We were fortunate to have Tom Naifeh offer this wonderful meal to the vets on Veterans Day,” he said noting that 16th annual City of Marco Island Veterans Day Memorial Ceremonies will be attended by Maj. Gen. James A. Guest, head of Special Forces Homestead A.F.B., honored guest and speaker at the event along with other dignitaries, who will be attending the Marco Polo restaurant veterans appreciation dinner later that evening said Lang.

Marco Polo Restaurant executive chef Charlie is creating an opulent four course dinner to serve the restaurant’s special guests starting with the chef’s amuse bouche (a little palate pleaser), house salad followed by a sorbet palate refresher prior to the Surf & Turf entrée: Chateaubriand (roasted beef tenderloin) and baked stuffed shrimp served with a steamed vegetable side, chef’s potato and fresh baked rolls and butter.

A cash bar will be available during

the evening.

Veterans and military personnel who want to attend the complimentary appreciation dinner event must call the restaurant at (239) 394-5777 and make a reservation by Thursday, Nov. 10.

There will be a choice of three seatings offered for the dinner with the first seating starting at 5 p.m. Naifeh noted that the meal is complimentary for veterans and active duty military and family members are welcome to attend but there will be a charge for their meal.

Marco Polo Restaurant, 30 Marco Lake Drive, Marco Island. Tom Naifeh’s chic supper club is open for season seven days a week with a new menu revised with an emphasis on new special three course prix fixe dinners identified by the $19 price printed next to the entrée, in addition to the full menu available. Dinner served 5 to 10 p.m. and limited menu in the lounge’s full-service bar, 5 p.m. to close, with entertainment starting at 7 p.m. Happy hour, 5 –to 6:30 p.m., featuring discounted drinks in the lounge only. Phone: (239)

394-5777 for information or reservations.