Table of contents for April 2021 in Naples Illustrated

In July 2014, we packed up our three kids in our SUV and moved from the Nutmeg State to the Sunshine State. While our furniture was en route in a moving truck, we rode for several hours and hundreds of miles. When we finally pulled into our new driveway, I could hardly believe that my husband, Michael, and I owned a house with palm trees and birds of paradise in the yard. We’d done it. We’d made a break from the rat race so intertwined with living and working in the New York metro area. It was a wonderful move. Our family lifestyle flourishes here with memorable sunset beachside barbecues, fishing trips in the Keys, and epic tennis and golf matches. The downside of our big relo is that we…

This year heralds a fresh start for the nonprofit Naples Art with the appointment of Frank Verpoorten as executive director and chief curator. Verpoorten brings a renewed vision for the organization that has been integral to the local arts and cultural community since 1954. Many Neapolitans know Verpoorten from his previous role as director and chief curator of The Baker Museum at Artis—Naples. He is credited with advancing the extent and focus of its permanent collection during his six-and-a-half-year tenure, as well as bolstering sponsorships, gifts of art, endowment support, and underwriting. Originally from Belgium, Verpoorten came to Naples with 20 years of curatorial and artistic leadership experience. His wife, Rachel, is a visual artist and teacher who has taught art classes to children and adults with intellectual and developmental…

When Mamlakat (Maya) Tdajieva and her two children, Komola and Farrukh, opened Afsona Restaurant in December, they were pleasantly surprised at how many diners were familiar with the cooking of Uzbekistan. Many of their customers were European tourists, and the locals who tried the restaurant for the first time were enthusiastic. The family were no strangers to this area, as both Maya and Farrukh worked for years in the kitchen at Alexander’s. “Uzbekistan cuisine is extremely diverse,” says Komola. “We have influences from Europe, Asia, and Russia. Our goal is to introduce our tradi - tions to people and share a different perspective on our food and culture.” According to Maya, healthy preparations are the hallmark of Uzbekistan cuisine. “All of our ingredients are fresh,” she says. “We rarely buy…

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’tmiss 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 7TH AVENUE SOCIAL Eclectic Southern fare and craft cocktails with an outdoor patio and live music. 849 Seventh Ave. S., Naples (7thavenuesocial.com) ALEXANDER’S The tastes of farm-to-table American and European cuisine commingle at this fine dining 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…

Have you heard of audio sunglasses? This new technology, available by companies such as Flows, has open-ear audio that still allows you to hear your surroundings, as opposed to other headphones that obstruct or eliminate exterior sounds. This is an important safety improvement for those who’ve chosen to exercise outside on the streets. To determine if this development is terrific or trendy, we asked Eric Johnson, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Jaffe Sports Medicine in North Naples, to weigh in. He acknowledges that listening to music can make you walk or run faster, and it can also “have a distracting effect to make you not think about fatigue and pain.” However, Johnson agrees that the downside of wearing earbuds or headphones while exercising outside is that they can muffle sounds,…

Aromatic herbs and fragrant blooms lend enticing scents and invigorating properties to these fresh picks: Aesop Resurrection Aromatique hand balm ($30 for 2.6 oz., Nordstrom); Leonor Greyl Régénerescence Naturelle scalp oil ($40, leonorgreyl-usa.com); Saje Goddess Euphoric bath salt soak with jasmine and neroli ($20, saje.com); AVegan Beauty plant-based detox cleanser ($38, aveganbeauty.com); Qet Botanicals Hydrating Clay Exfoliant with green tea and thyme ($32, qetbotanicals.com); and Embryolisse Eau de Beauté Rosamélis with rose, orange blossom, and cornflower ($25, embryolisse.com).…

The rare Key Marco Cat will remain on display at the Marco Island Historical Museum through 2026, following an unprecedented loan extension by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Using local hardwoods, the region’s indigenous Calusa people carved the enigmatic feline between 500 and 1,500 years ago; it was uncovered on Key Marco during a Smithsonian archeological expedition in 1896. The 6-inch half-cat/half-human figure is considered one of the finest pieces of pre-Columbian Native American art ever discovered in North America, according to the museum. It will join other Key Marco artifacts and a “living exhibit” of a primitive, 75-year-old wooden skiff that was hand-crafted by a quiet hermit who lived amid Marco’s backcountry mangrove islands. (themihs.org)…

Sharon DeLaura has been making Naples more beautiful one face at a time throughout her 14-year career as an aesthetician. Currently a partner at The Laser Lounge Spa, she’s well-known for her personalized facials. Originally a Jersey girl, she’s also lived in Crystal Lake and Chicago, Illinois, and found her way to Naples 15 years ago. Naples is now home to her dad, Bill—whom her brother and sister in California and Washington often come to visit—and some of her childhood best friends. As someone who loves what she does, DeLaura says the evolving nature of her industry keeps it fun. “There are so many advanced nonsurgical, anti-aging methods and new ones being developed every day,” she notes. “I love learning and I love people.” She also makes a difference by…

Seascape photographer Gareth Rockliffe has lived in Naples with his wife for the past 20 years. The pair has been working side by side for 30 years and co-own Soderquist Photography. Rockliffe is also the owner of Gareth Rockliffe Landscape Photography, where he captures Naples seascapes and the movement of the Florida Gulf. He is currently working on a project called Unity, a collection of photographs taken in Naples, featuring an old glass fishing ball as a representation of humanity. “This is a time when we need to be reminded that we are all connected,” he says. “I’m really drawn to trying to look for the other side of Naples because there are so many beautiful sunsets that people have already captured. So, I’m drawn to storm clouds and rough…

In case you haven’t heard, wallpaper is cool again. But these days it goes by the name “wallcovering” and is far more multifaceted and visually compelling than what covered our childhood homes. David Fruscione, an award-winning designer and owner of Republic of Decor in Naples, shares his thoughts on the new personality of wallcovering and where it likes to hang these days. (republicofdecor.com) NI: What overall trends are you seeing in wallcoverings? Fruscione: When I do a wallpaper consultation in my shop, clients are drawn to the inspiration wall, which highlights the latest offerings from the best wallcovering lines in the industry. The most popular designs tend to be large-scale murals, handmade papers, metallic-embellished naturals, and graphic prints. Are there particular rooms that are becoming more or less popular to…

Ernie and Laura Wu met at a mixer for health and medical professionals at Tavern on the Bay in 2015. They married in May 2019 at The Seagate Beach Club and honeymooned in Tahiti. Ernie, an Ohio State graduate, has been a pathologist at Naples Pathology Associates for 18 years. Laura, who studied at the medical massage institute at the University of Maryland, is the owner of Bella Diva Fitness, where she provides fitness training and nutritional coaching. She also volunteers at Wellfit Girls as a coach and a mentor. Ernie shares her love of fitness and recently participated in a bodybuilding competition. In addition to biking and walking around Naples together, they savor family time with Ernie’s children, Charles, age 15, and Hannah, age 13. Their favorite way to…

Successful business leaders often have morning rituals. For Pyure Brands CEO Ben Fleischer, that involves meditation and spending time with his wife, Shannon. On the patio of their charming Naples home near Vanderbilt Beach, which Ben bought in 2015, the Fleischers treat themselves to homemade coconut or almond milk lattes adorned with a leaf design—though sometimes it’s a heart or a smiley face. It’s a habit the twosome embraced early in their relationship. “We’re pretty much coffee nerds,” says Shannon. Ben adds: “Rituals are everything in a relationship. It becomes a bit of a competition [to see] who’s the best barista.” On weekends, Shannon is likely to make her famous overnight challah French toast topped with Pyure maple-flavored syrup or a dollop of the brand’s hazelnut spread that rivals Nutella…

Budding entrepreneurs may find the cost of a restaurant buildout prohibitive. As a result, it’s becoming more common to start with a food truck and move to a brick-and-mortar location once their reputation is established. That was the path for Digambar Sahu, known as Chef Di, who established his I Love Curry food truck in Celebration Park in 2018 and opened his first location two years later. “Operations are totally different,” he says. “When you go to an event or a brewery with a food truck, you know more or less how many customers will show up; with a restaurant, it’s unpredictable. The guest expectations are higher, and you need a much wider range of skills to succeed.” Originally from Mumbai, Chef Di has brought many of his native dishes…

For food that benefits both the land and your health, try The Local in Naples. Owner and chef Jeff Mitchell sources many of his ingredients from nearby Inyoni Organic Farm, which uses a method called regenerative farming to replenish the soil while growing diverse produce. Mitchell maximizes the nutritional benefits of lentils, almonds, and other items on his menu by sprouting them. The process increases the overall nutrient levels in lentils, plus makes them easier to digest. “Not only are they healthy choices, but they taste good,” he notes. The Local has served a sprouted lentil soup since it opened. If you want to experiment with the benefits of sprouted legumes, try making it yourself using the recipe below. (thelocalnaples.com) Ingredients 1 quart lentils, sprouted in 2 quarts distilled water…

INSTEAD OF AN ONSITE FUNDRAISER, NAPLES ZOO’S ZOOBILEE WILL TAKE PLACE AT SELECT RESTAURANTS ACROSS COLLIER COUNTY. THE ORGANIZATION WILL OFFER DISCOUNTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH WITH A ZOOBILEE DINING CARD AS WELL AS AN ONLINE RAFFLE AND A SILENT AUCTION APRIL 12-18. (NAPLESZOO.ORG/ZOOBILEE) COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTAR TOBY KEITH WILL BRING HIS COUNTRY COMES TO TOWN TOUR TO THE HERTZ ARENA IN ESTERO APRIL 30. FANS CAN EXPECT A NIGHT FULL OF KEITH’S GREATEST HITS, SUCH AS “I LOVE THIS BAR” AND “COURTESY OF THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE.” (HERTZARENA.COM)…

Shelly Stayer, chairperson of the board of the Wisconsin-based Johnsonville Sausage Company, looks at reinvention through many lenses. First, there are her personal and professional journeys, inspiring stories of when she learned that she loved the business world after many years of active involvement with her children. Beyond that, though, Stay-er’s interest in family safety motivated her to be the lead benefactor in building the Shelly Stayer Shelter for Victims of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence in Immokalee, which officially opened in May 2020. The Shelter includes 60 beds for victims of domestic abuse and human trafficking, and has recently seen an uptick in calls. NI caught up with Stayer, who lives in Naples with her hus-band, Ralph, to discuss her thoughts on life’s reboots. Turn the page to read…

One of Naples’ newer residents, Mary Pat Wallace, is the founder of The Luxury Bed Collection. With locations in Chicago, Dallas, and now Naples, Wallace is parlaying her background in design and manufacturing into running a business dedicated to craftsmanship and finding clients their perfect custom mattress. Wallace was one of those kids who’d lock her door and rearrange her entire room. When she was in high school, she hopped on a train from her suburban hometown to work for a designer in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. After graduating from college with an economics degree, she went to design school and landed a job in an Italian showroom. “That’s where I learned a lot about manufacturing—kitchens, baths, lighting, upholstery, you name it,” she says. Once she returned stateside, she impressed Holly…

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First mentioned in the Old Testament, challah is a hybrid between bread and cake that forms an important part of many Jewish holiday rituals. Mikkelsen’s Pastry Shop started baking the braided loaves shortly after they opened in 2000, and now turns out several dozen each Friday for Temple Shalom; they also accommodate special orders for occasions such as weddings and bar and bat mitzvahs. “It’s a delicious, brioche-based bread,” says Elizabeth Mikkelsen, “and a lot of non-Jewish people use it to make French toast. Challah’s popularity is growing—we now have customers who turn up on Fridays because they know we make it, and they hope to find a few extra loaves available.” (mikkelsenspastryshop.com)…

Over many centuries, the wine business has acquired a reputation as an old boys’ club—unofficially, an old white boys’ club. While more and more women are breaking the glass ceiling of America’s wineries, the same hasn’t been true for people of color. According to the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV), fewer than 100 of the nearly 11,000 U.S. wineries are Black-owned, amounting to less than 1 percent. However, things are beginning to change. There are 35 members in AAAV’s “Vintner/Grower” category and additional Black-owned wineries are springing up all the time. Here, we highlight some of the most exciting. Vision Cellars: Mac McDonald, the son of an East Texas moonshiner, decided to become a winemaker after tasting his first Burgundy at age 12. After purchasing land in Sonoma County,…

Emma Purvey, a New York City–based model and actress, first visited the Naples Grande Beach Resort and Spa in 2006 as a teenager on a family vacation. “Massage was pretty much what a spa meant to me at that time in my life,” she says. Many visits later, she notes that she and the Naples Grande have evolved together. Purvey, a vegetarian during that first trip, now follows a vegan, holistic lifestyle, which she describes as understanding that the mind, body, and spirit are interconnected. “I feel like I’ve grown with the spa as I’ve gone back over the years, and the spa has expanded holistically also.” Purvey generally visits the Naples Grande yearly, and says she was thrilled to discover its new holistic therapies on a recent trip—several of…

2020 is over, but its mental health effects are still taking a toll. Jane Simmons, a licensed mental health counselor and the owner of Peaceful Mind Therapy of Florida in Naples, says she’s seen many more people experiencing anxiety during the pandemic. To cope, she recommends activities like walking or stretching, along with mindfulness exercises to focus you on the here and now. One of the following may also help with day-to-day anxiety and stress. (peacefulmindtherapy.org) 1 ADULT COLORING BOOK: STRESSRELIEVING PATTERNS. A study in Academic Emergency Medicine found that coloring books helped reduce anxiety in patients waiting in the emergency room. Simmons describes coloring as a mesmerizing, almost hypnotic activity. “It puts a person in a very relaxed state.” 2 LAVENDER CANDLES. Multiple studies indicate that the scent of…

Two exhibitions featuring female artists as well as a Marcus Jansen retrospective continue The Baker Museum’s twentieth anniversary season at Artis—Naples. The complementary touring shows “Blurring Boundaries: The Women of American Abstract Artists, 1936-Present” and “Making a Mark: American Women Artists” examine the contributions of intergenerational female artists within the American Abstract Artists organization founded 80 years ago. “Marcus Jansen: Two Decades of Relevance,” opening April 24, takes a wide view of the internationally acclaimed artist who calls both Fort Myers and New York home. His large-scale expressionist paintings offer commentary on global sociological, political, and economic issues, in addition to world events that have shaped the Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm veteran’s life. At 53, he’s been called “one of the most important American painters of his generation.”…