Indice dei contenuti per November 2021 in Naples Illustrated

STYLE NOTES SQUARE DEAL: Update your wardrobe with a classic day-to-night box bag. SOFT SHADES: Opt for pastel colors for an effortless take on the trend. GO LONG: Cascading jewelry pieces make a chic evening statement.…

For me, part of being a grown-up is having a wellstocked bar always at the ready to entertain guests, whether planned or last minute. I fully recognize that there are many people who, for whatever reason, do not drink. This article is probably not for them, although I have several friends who are teetotalers yet still maintain a little bar of some kind in the spirit of hospitality. Whether one does or does not is a personal decision, but it is one that I gladly make as it involves a few of my favorite things: hosting and arranging things in an attractive manner. As a child growing up in the Connecticut suburbs, the basement bar was a common sight. It generally involved knotty pine, some irreverent signage having to do…

Armed with masks, snorkels, and underwater cameras, the Reef Rescue team enters the glacier-blue water at Amanyara in the Turks & Caicos. Their leaders: conservation educators from the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Miami. Their mission: to swim out to Northwest Point Marine National Park and document reef-dwelling creatures, including some endangered ones. Their ages: 10 to 12. It’s a good 10-minute swim to the edge of the park, but the budding conservationists—members of Science Explorers and Environmental Keepers (SEEK)—are undaunted. They’ve been told there’s a rare variety of squid out there, and they’d swim a mile if they had to. Besides, the sun is shining and the water is so clear they can make out the pores on the sand dollars. For squid-spotting, they couldn’t have…

In the words of Toy Story’sz Buzz Lightyear: “To infinity and beyond!” Okay, switch the “y” in “infinity” to an “i,” and Buzz could have been talking about Infiniti’s brand-new QX60 three-row sport-ute and how it’s set to take Nissan’s luxury brand beyond and into the future. Truth is, for the past decade, Infiniti-with-an-i has been on somnambulant snooze control, offering slim pickings in the way of new products or innovation. Sedans, SUVs, and coupes that were cool when they came out, are now definitely cruising past their sell-by dates. Take the previous-gen QX60. This bland Jello-O mold on wheels has been around since 2012. In car years, that’s older than Betty White. Yet, amazingly, it was Infiniti’s top seller last year. But Infiniti’s image is all about to change…

ARMENIA Probably the oldest wine-producing region on the planet, Armenia is the site of wineries dating to 4,000 B.C. Wine cultivation has experienced a renaissance since Armenian independence in 1991, and the country is once again a star in the Caucasus region. Storica Wines (storicawines.com), an import company focused on marketing, production, and direct-to-consumer sales, has spearheaded distribution. It has partnered with visionaries such as Syrian-born, Italian-trained Vahe Keushgue-rian, who repatriated to Armenia and founded WineWorks, a consulting firm and “winery incubator.” Varieties such as Voskehat and Khatouni may not be household names, but the wine is delicious. Properties to watch: Keushguerian’s label, Keush, specializes in sparkling wines such as Origins ($21) and Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut ($31); his daughter Aimee’s label, Zulal, offers an Areni Noir ($19) and…

Fifty artists painting en plein air and three musical acts will descend upon Cambier Park November 27 to create and sell original works to raise funds for the Legal Aid Service of Collier County while supporting artists and musicians. This is the second annual Art Aid Naples QuickDraw. The first was held on the grounds of the now-demolished Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club in 2019 with 27 artists. “It went on hiatus last year due to the pandemic, of course, but is bigger and more multidimensional this year,” says founder and organizer Laura Barnard. Musical acts include Moonstone Riders, Roots Almighty, and flutist Kat Epple with Ray Nesbit and Darrell Nutt. More than a dozen Plein Air Palm Beach artists from Florida’s east coast are participating. Dispel notions about…

SWFL CHILDREN’S CHARITIES WHAT: 2021 SWFL Wine & Food Fest WHERE: Dinners held at eight luxury venues throughout the region (and one in Napa Valley) SUPPORTS: The nonprofi’s efforts to build the SWFL Children’s Charities Eye Institute of Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida DETAILS: The virtual festivities were broadcast live and included an entertaining presentation by 2021 Honored Signature Vintner Jean-Charles Boisset. THINK PINEAPPLE FOUNDATION WHAT: Inaugural Freedom Cup Naples WHERE: Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples SUPPORTS: Local hospitality industry employees and their families experiencing financial crisis, as well as specialized training programs for veterans seeking a second career in hospitality.…

The Everglades Foundation has teamed up with handbag designer Kent Stetson and National Geographic photographer and foundation board member Mac Stone to create a special Everglades Collection of handbags, debuting this month. Six clutches in the series turn Stone’s sublime images of the landscape, migrating birds, underwater life, an almost-abstract swamp scene, and a toothy gator into unique environmental statements for fashionistas. The clutches, available in two sizes ($149 and $208), are made of coated canvas. Fifty percent of the proceeds from online sales hosted on Stetson’s website (kentstetson.com) will benefit The Everglades Foundation’s mission to restore and protect the Everglades. In December, the handbags will also be available at Bruno on Third Street South in Naples, and more limited-edition pieces will be unveiled in April to honor National Everglades…

Designing each detail of a stunning three-bedroom residence—down to the placemats and silverware—for an unknown buyer from anywhere in the world is a creative but challenging task that interior designer Luann Powers Gilwski embraces with confidence With more than 20 years of experience, Gilwski, who works with Romanza Interior Design, is attuned to clients’ aesthetic tastes. “We have a broad range of clients, but I’ve learned what the majority want,” she says. “While they want to see a very together look, they do not want a museum look. Our clients want their homes to be relaxed and livable.” She was tasked with executing the interior design of a 3,735-squarefoot turnkey model called Bianca. The residence was built by Naples-based London Bay Homes; Romanza is London Bay’s in-house interior design service.…

Even before designing their dream home in Old Naples, the homeowners knew its corner lot a block from the beach and a quick walk from downtown checked all their boxes. The home—which features 2,000 square feet of outdoor living space—has an Old Naples vibe. Inside, the homeowners wanted coastal comfort. Jennifer Stevens, senior director of Romanza Interior Design, achieved its crisp white-on-white design using Benjamin Moore’s Snowfall White paint, with pops of blue in multiple shades, including in the wine room and bar. Across from the home’s entrance, the nook is painted in a dramatic deep blue and gold, beckoning guests with glass shelves that display sparkling crystal. From there, the home’s natural flowleads into the kitchen, where a full-height black soapstone splash and countertops flank a Lacanche range and…

Over the past 18 months, travelers have divided into two categories: those who were so ready for cool experiences that they jumped in with both feet, COVID be damned; and those who tiptoed in by choosing places that felt safe. Destinations that satisfied both of those urges shot straight to the top of must-go lists, especially if they were close to home, luxurious, and inclusive of elevated dining and activities. Enter the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Early on, Grand Velas made a commitment to guest safety by limiting capacity and sanitizing suites extensively and sealing the doors before the next guests arrived. With the ubiquitous sanitation mats, temperature check stations, distanced dining tables, and PPE worn by staff, it’s impossible not to…

There’s this term, “gentleman’s yacht.” Can’t say I know precisely what the definition is. But for me, it conjures an image of vintage style and elegance, with sleek, simple, timeless lines—and lots of varnished mahogany and mirror-polished stainless steel. See a yacht like this on the water and it moves with grace and pace, parting waves like a hot knife through butter. And being a true gentlemanly vessel, it would have a sun-kissed George Clooney at the helm. The artisans at Wisconsin-based Burger Boat Company have been building gentlemen’s yachts since the early 1900s. Their newest is the compact Burger 50 Cruiser, which carries on those traditions yet seamlessly merges eons-old boatbuilding techniques with some very cool technology. Just gazing at the yacht makes my heart soar. It is strong…

Leilani Bennett is curled up in the corner of the sofa on her balcony overlooking the course at Tiburón Golf Club. She’s dressed for comfort in a black Michael Kors T-shirt, Lululemon leggings, and iRi sneakers—with a bit of a heel, because her glamour always shines. The founder of Bennett Interiors and the recently opened retail luxury furnishings boutique Home Philosophie on Fifth Avenue North sees inspiration in everything. “The balcony is a sanctuary where I spend a lot of my time creating, writing [including a screenplay and five novels], and imagining what’s next,” says Leilani, who has lived in Naples for nearly 36 years and seen it grow from “a sleepy little fishing village” to what it is today. A free spirit, Leilani moved to Naples on a whim…

THE LISTINGS The Naples area is packed with an abundance of great eateries, serving up food and drinks to satisfy every palate. Naples Illustrated has rounded up details on can’t-miss places for dining delights. ★ = NI’s Dining Hall of Fame* *Dining establishments that have won three or more Dining Awards in the same category are inducted into NI’s Dining Hall of Fame. AMERICAN ALEXANDER’S The tastes of farm-to-table American and European cuisine commingle at this establishment. 4077 Tamiami Trail N., Naples (alexandersnaples.com) ALICE SWEETWATER’S BAR & GRILLE An institution of more than 25 years, this local’s favorite serves a large array of lunch and dinner fare. 1996 Airport Road S., Naples (alicesweetwatersbarandgrille.com) BALEEN AT LAPLAYA BEACH & GOLF RESORT Dine amid elegant tropical surroundings indoors, or on the patio…

Freshly baked cookies are perfect for the holidays, and they’re even better when they’re healthy. Nagen Vegan Bakery offers a variety of vegan cookies called “coogens” (cookie plus vegan) made without any dairy or butter. While neither cofounder Franko Cardozo nor Carl Veus is vegan, both were interested in creating a healthy treat. “When I eat two regular cookies, I start feeling kind of bad,” says Cardozo. “With these cookies, I can eat quite a bit more.” The two started the bakery as juniors in a college business program at Lorenzo Walker Technical High School in Naples. The idea came from the sister of one of their original partners when she mentioned the lack of vegan desserts in town. It took them a year—and many tastings—to finalize their first recipe…

Southwest Florida foodies know Rafael J. Feliciano as the restaurant promoter who founded the annual Sizzle SWFL Restaurant Week. Now the gregarious Feliciano has launched Think Pineapple Foundation to support local hospitality industry employees facing financial hardship. It will also offer a security-to-bartender-to-manager training program for veterans seeking a new career. Before the pandemic, Feliciano was serving on eight nonprofit boa ds and committees. As mass layoffs and furloughs upended hard-hit restaurants, bars, resorts, and spas in 2020, it became clear these employees needed support, he says. “All of my hospitality friends were struggling. Big cities have coalitions that step in and help, but we don’t in Florida. COVID lifted the veil on some issues that the industry deals with. If you take hospitality out of Southwest Florida, what do…

There is perhaps no better “stop you in your tracks” decor accent than a gorgeous built-in aquarium. Jeff Turner, founder of Reef Aquaria Design, has delivered his share of showstopping moments with residential projects that have ranged up to a 6,000-gallon reef tank. Based in Fort Lauderdale, the company’s clients are spread throughout Florida—with four current projects in Naples—as well as other parts of the country. Turner dives into the basics of tank creation with NI and what people can expect when becoming aquarium owners. (reefaquariadesign.com) NI: What’s your background with aquariums? Turner: I built my very first glass aquarium with my dad when I was just 7 years old. Now I have more than 50 years of experience with marine aquarium design and construction—the entire time here in South…

Design showrooms, galleries, and talent under one roof is the modus operandi of The Collective, Naples’ growing design hub. Spread across three floors, The Collective is an amalgam of businesses catering to design professionals and those who seek to build, renovate, or simply add some pizzazz to their home decor. Home furnishings, windows, art galleries, closet design, lighting, tile, and appliances are among the businesses found in The Studio on the second level. The third level is the headquarters of Kurtz Homes and offices or Stofft Coon y Architects, as well as designers and a custom cabinetry shop. Randy Kurtz, co-owner of Kurtz Homes and the visionary behind The Collective, calls the center a “one-stop destination for visitors and the trade.” (thecollectivenaples.com)…

ROASTED ORGANIC CARROTS WITH THYME, GARLIC, AND HONEY Chef Andrew Wicklander, The Continental “Tricolor carrots are peeled, quartered, or halved, depending on the size,” says Wicklander. “Sauté them lightly in extra-virgin olive oil along with fresh thyme, garlic, salt, and a bay leaf. Then finish them in the oven.” When the carrots are tender, remove the thyme and bay leaf. Toss with honey, fresh thyme, and a fresh bay leaf before plating, and top off with sea salt an grated Pecorino Romano. (continental.damicos.com) POTATO GRATIN Chef de Cuisine Darren Veilleux, Sails Restaurant Veilleux’s French-Canadian heritage is reflected in this twist on a classic potato gratin, developed with Sails’ co-owner Corinne Ryan. He uses a Japanese sheeter to thinly slice potatoes and turnips, then layers them with julienned onions. The casserole…

SPACs (special purpose acquisition companies) might well be the exciting new investment kids on the block. A decade ago, these entities—formed for the sole purpose of raising capital to acquire existing private companies and take them public—were little-known outside the financial community. But within the past year, they’ve emerged from the shadows, driven in part by some notable initial public offerings (IPOs) such as spaceflight company Virgin Galactic and online sports betting company DraftKings. Investors seeking a big payoff from buying into a company before it goes public can purchase shares of SPACs through a brokerage account. They are typically more accessible to the average investor than a more traditional IPO managed by investment bankers, and they can also circumvent some of the red tape, giving them more agility in…

THE Q ILASIK & MED SPA WHAT: The Q iLASIK & Med Spa Grand Opening Fundraiser WHERE: Quigley Eye Specialists’ new Q iLASIK & Med Spa in Naples SUPPORTS: Imagine Children’s Health Center, a Naples nonprofit that it eats children with symptoms of emotional trauma. NAPLES SENIOR CENTER WHAT: Building site dedication ceremony for the future, permanent home of the nonprofit aples Senior Center WHERE: 13.7-acre site on Autumn Oaks Lane in North Naples DETAILS: A 30,000-square-foot facility will provide comprehensive services to 1,400 seniors. Visit our website at naplesillustrated.com Naples Illustrated and Palm Beach Media Group North, LLC. retain exclusive rights to all editorial and photographic materials used, which cannot be reproduced in any manner without written consent.…