Chef/Owner Charles Mereday has earned success in Naples.
In less than a year even, his first restaurant, Mereday's Fine Dining, was
selected as Gulfshore Life Magazine's Best 2014 New Restaurant.
His friendly, strong visage is on the cover of Gulfshore Life's July issue, too! The teaser asks, "Can this hot chef cut it here?" The answer, of course, is a resounding "Yes!"
His friendly, strong visage is on the cover of Gulfshore Life's July issue, too! The teaser asks, "Can this hot chef cut it here?" The answer, of course, is a resounding "Yes!"
His second restaurant, Alto-Live Jazz, Kitchen, has been
just as successful for both its cuisine and its high quality of Jazz that entices
people to linger long after dinner, especially when Lew Del Gatto and Dan Miller are on stage. (And,
there's no cover charge.) As Cheryl7677
on Tripadvisor says "Alto is the ultimate Jazz Dining Experience in
Southwest Florida! Our food was elegantly prepared and served while listening
to an equally matched musical experience by expert jazz artists! The menu
offers a variety of selections at prices for your budget! The music is top
shelf!"
I stopped by for drinks with friends the other day, and we
stayed at the bar to try some dishes before going to Alto. Before we knew it, hours
had gone past unnoticed and we had experienced one of those magical evenings in
Naples with superb food and company...
and we never got to Alto!
The bar looks out on part of the Bay, with some diners arriving
by boat. The other side of the restaurant also has a water view. You can take the water taxi to the restaurant,
and enjoy the ride and the view along the way. Then continue gazing on the
water and passing boats from inside Mereday's or while dining out on the waterfront terrace. How many restaurants offer these beautiful perks?
We had a flight of
delicious wines through the evening...each stands on its own merits. I'd enjoy it even when not paired with food; the food only elevates it. There's
also daily wine flights for $10 as well. Cocktail? Try "Thyme after Thyme",
"The Sazerac", and the "Green Goose". Draft beers are on tap from Naples Beach
Brewery; Pale Ale, Rye Stout and Weizen.
The menu changes daily.
We started with pan-seared hog
snapper, with a lusciously creamy
parsnip purée, truly fresh peas and micro greens.
The combination of the crispy hot tender fish and parsnips in each bite is like ambrosia.
The 2013 Origine Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc was perfection. One of my dining partners paused between bites and sips to exclaim, "This is ridiculously delicious!"
The combination of the crispy hot tender fish and parsnips in each bite is like ambrosia.
The 2013 Origine Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc was perfection. One of my dining partners paused between bites and sips to exclaim, "This is ridiculously delicious!"
Next was cheese-filled squash blossoms atop blood oranges and beets,
with edible nasturtium, and two different sauces.
The hot oozing cheese, crisply fried blossom and the cool
sweetness of the blood orange slices is over the top. My other dining companion
said " If I can eat here every day it would make me happy forever!"
We cleaned our plates in no time!
Pizza at Mereday's is also over the top, with real Wagyu (Kobe) beef and oodles of Maytag blue cheese, caramelized onions, basil and micro
greens sprinkled on just before serving.
The crust is crisp and hot. The savory combination of the blue cheese and seared rare beef is a must have.
The crust is crisp and hot. The savory combination of the blue cheese and seared rare beef is a must have.
I went to the completely open kitchen to see the chefs
working their magic.
Next was long flat pappardelle pasta with earthy fresh
brown mushrooms, basil, cherry tomatoes and pancetta in a creamy sauce.
Pappardelle derives from the word to "gobble up, " and you'll do just that. Pasta never smelled as wonderful or tasted this good outside of Italy till now!
Pappardelle derives from the word to "gobble up, " and you'll do just that. Pasta never smelled as wonderful or tasted this good outside of Italy till now!
Do try one of the wines we enjoyed...the Domaine Nicolas
Girard "Menetou-Salon" 2011
Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire River Valley, the Domaine Jean Guiton Savigny
Les Beaune, or the medium bodied La Tribu Bodegas el Angosto Mourvedre blend. The sommelier has already figured a pairing
for each new dish, and wines change with availability. These may come from
small allotments-the sommelier has his buying connections. The Yountville
Liparita "V Block" Cab goes fast!
Every afternoon in SW Florida it
rains for a glorious half hour, and we got the catbird's seat view of the rain
and clouds coming and going.
Nice show. If only we thought to bring our dishes onto a nearby yacht's covered deck, I could not imagine a meal being more enjoyable.
Nice show. If only we thought to bring our dishes onto a nearby yacht's covered deck, I could not imagine a meal being more enjoyable.
We stayed after the rain for the spicy spirited mussels in red
Thai curry sauce with coconut milk, topped with cilantro. It was paired with
my favorite Hoopes Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa
Valley.
I like boldly spiced
food-it's infrequently found in Naples.
If you like some heat, this dish will
also be one of your favorites.
The ambiance at Mereday's is one of simply casual elegance. The servers are amazing. Tell them your preferences, and they are ready to suggest a dish or wine that will suit you.
Stay for dessert-the pastry chef crafts unique dishes- some
with Caribbean origins, others with twists on classical
desserts. Currently, there is mocha pots
de cream with flourless chocolate cake and white chocolate ice cream; sticky
toffee pudding with brown butter ice cream, strawberry lemonade sorbet with
fresh fruit, and artisan cheese selections.
1500
5th Ave S, Naples, 732-0784, www.meredaysnaples.com/
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2 comments:
Lew DelGatto
His website spells it Lew Del Gatto, with a space between all 3 words. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
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