KELLY MERRITT

• 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.

• Better burgers: From Kobe beef to fried-egg toppings, these sandwiches have folks talking Published 02/27/2013 at 10 a.m.

  It’s impossible to name every restaurant that serves a great burger in Naples. But it’s also impossible to ignore the noise some special burgers are getting.

• Scallywags fills dining need on East Trail Published 02/15/2013 at 5:30 a.m.

  Scallywags Steak and Burger House fills a dining need on the East Trail in East Naples.

• Tasty food, dance and fun characterize Collier County ethnic festivals Published 02/01/2013 at 6:30 a.m.

  Attending food festivals is one of the best ways — not to mention tastiest — to experiment with diverse cuisines without having to get on a plane. Naples has at least four food festivals coming up in February, including German ...

• Dining Out: La Piñata provides a fiesta experience Published 01/25/2013 at 4 a.m.

  When La Piñata Mexican restaurant opened recently in East Naples, people flocked to it. And they are still flocking.

View all stories for this staff member.