Restaurant news: Crumbl Cookies opens in Naples, wellness meals, fundraisers, deals and events
This week's focus is perfect pairings: sweet, savory and time-saving options spanning much of Southwest Florida.
Cookies and coffee and zeppole, oh my.
A tapas and paella party showcasing Spanish wines on a Saturday afternoon? Fantastico. Wines matched to your Italian feast? Perfetto.
A Marco restaurant with ample parking? Delighted to hear it.
We also share news about wellness waterfront dining options, a beloved destination restaurant taking a break and two urgent fundraising efforts in Sanibel.
Immokalee
Immokalee Pioneer Museum hosts "Cowboy Coffee Workshop" at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 15. Learn to roast beans and boil coffee like a pioneer while exploring the drink’s origins and importance to American history. Admission is free and so is the coffee.
(1215 Roberts Ave. W., Immokalee; 239-252-2611; colliermuseums.com)
Marco
August is National Wellness Month and the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort's chefs and on-site nutritionist collaborated on new menu items at its 11 restaurants to mark the month.
Among the tony resort’s most popular spots for guests and locals alike is Quinn’s on the Beach, where chef de cuisine Kristin Nemeth’s popular tropical quinoa salad recently earned a permanent place on the casual cafe’s menu.
Via email Nemeth said, "Wellness and food go hand in hand: when you take control of what you put into your body, you reward yourself with good results. When designing dishes for Quinn's, I try to take a health-forward approach and feature nourishing ingredients that pack on the flavor but are also nutrient-dense with antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and phytonutrients. With our menus, we show guests that you can indulge in delicious cuisine while focusing on overall well-being."
Nemeth earned certification in nutrition and healthy living from Cornell University. She works with the resort's entire culinary team to assist guests with nutritional guidance and allergens.
(400 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island; 239-394-2511; marriott.com)
Cocomo’s Grill has a new address with more parking to boot. The family-friendly restaurant replaces Susie’s Diner, which closed in 2017. Hugely popular with local residents, the spot moved a few blocks uptown to a brighter refurbished space at Marco Towne Center near small Publix.
(1069 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island; 239-394-3600; cocomosgrill.com)
Naples
Crumbl Cookies, a chain with 450 locations, opened its first Southwest Florida store in Naples on Aug. 11. The local franchise is owned by Ginny and Ben Rattner.
While milk-chocolate chip is a menu mainstay, Ginny shared that the shop's weekly rotating selection of five flavors among 200 varieties remains a mystery for everyone — including herself — until Sundays when the company announces what's cooking via TikTok, Instagram and Twitter. This week's flavors: French silk pie, lemon-poppy seed, raspberry cheesecake, peanut butter blossom and caramel popcorn. The pretty boxed packaging makes an appealing host gift. Individual cookies start at $4.50 per.
(6270 Naples Blvd., Naples; 239-799-5289; crumblcookies.com)
SAWM Imports Warehouse is the venue for a Spanish wine tasting hosted by Naples Wine Collection Aug. 27 from 1- 3:30 p.m. Bonita's El Basque Vin & Pintxo Bar will serve tastes of tapas and paella with vegan options available. Tickets are $50 per person. Only 30 reservations are available; pre-registration is required.
(1495 Railhead Blvd., suite 10, Naples; 239-513-0095; napleswinecollection.com)
While we bid adieu in two weeks to DaRuMa, the team at Saki Japanese Kitchen is hanging its sign at a second East Naples location near Rattlesnake-Hammock Road. The restaurant is still under construction. The original is on Collier Boulevard at Lely.
Meal deals
Three courses starring farm-to-fork fresh ingredients? A deal indeed. Through Sept. 27, The Local hosts "Family Night" on Monday and Tuesday from 6:15 p.m. to close. The parental tally for soup or salad, entree and zeppole for dessert is $30 per person. The kids menu is priced $10-14 with $2 upcharges for gluten-free substitutions. Note the restaurant is closed for vacation Sept. 5-12.
(5323 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples; 239-596-3276; thelocalnaples.com)
When a four-course wine-pairing feast is under $100, consider it a deal: all Southwest Florida Carrabba Italian Grill’s host "Season’s Peak Wine Dinner" at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 24. The Italian-inspired menu with full pours is priced $55 excluding tip and tax. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended.
(Multiple locations; Carrabbas.com)
More:5 of our favorite locavore and farm-to-table restaurants from Naples to North Fort Myers
And:Where to eat in Bonita Springs, Estero: A taste of two new Mexican restaurants — JLB review
North Fort Myers
The restaurant at Rosy Tomorrows Heritage Farm is taking a break. An excerpt from the Farm's newsletter was sent to guests Aug. 3, as follows:
Sanibel
Fundraisers hosted by the nonprofits FISH of Sanibel-Captiva and Put It On Pete’s Tab were established for the family of Mad Hatter's executive chef Sarah Wagner who died unexpectedly in early August. Visit madhatterrestaurant.com or putitonpetestab.org for details on how to help.
On Aug. 11, Put It On Pete’s Tab launched a page benefiting employees at The Island Cow, which closed Aug. 6 following a kitchen fire. Use hashtag #HelptheHeard to learn more.
The Island Cow:Following iconic Sanibel Island restaurant fire, owners launch fundraiser to help employees
And:DaRuMa Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Lounge says sayonara to Naples: What to know
Diana Biederman is the food and restaurant reporter at Naples Daily News who contributes to Fort Myers News-Press. Send your scoops and deals two weeks in advance to diana.biederman@naplesnews.com.