Saw Grass Grill, a Home away from Home in Naples' Golden Gate

It’s like walking into a time warp, as you enter the Saw Grass (Sawgrass) Grill. Picture sitting down on a town's village green, and neighbors and strangers come over and chat with you. Not sure what to order? Someone may politely ask if you’d like a recommendation.

Blue eyed co-owners Peg Robinson and Sherry Long started it 8 years ago, leaving their hot, outdoor days with their landscaping company behind. They heard the place, Granny’s Hideaway, was for sale, talked to the owner, and 5 weeks later, opened Sawgrass Grill. Neither had even worked in a restaurant before! Some of the regulars helped them along. They spent thousands on advertising the first year, and it brought in one person! After that, word of mouth has kept tables filled, as regulars bring snowbirds friends in for a taste of genuine community caring, and they too become regulars, even if it’s a 15 minute drive for breakfast. Neighborly is the spirit, and the word here. Someone’s moving? A few folks in earshot ask if they can volunteer a hand. The Sawgrass Grill is intricately woven into the neighborhood’s social fabric. Sherry mentions she may need a hand getting food to a big catering job. Not a problem, a nearby woman volunteers her Suburban for transport, and a few hours of her time as well. These are real people. This is small town, neighborly America. You’d expect Charles Kuralt to come in and start filming any second. After the last hurricane, it was a social center of the area, as people checked on their dining friends and neighbors. Strangers whose houses were damaged, or who were suddenly without work, were clothed and fed, and helped back on their feet. Not to mention that as soon as a path was cleared to the restaurant, Peg and Sherry donated all the food to cook and feed the neighborhood, and neighbors brought fresh food and generators to keep them going, in turn.

Artistic Sherry’s large photographs of the Everglades, rivers and outdoors decorate the bright, yellow walls. Sherry runs the culinary side, and Peg keeps the “front of the house” happy and joking. It seems like everyone walking in gives or gets a big hug. “It’s been a lot of fun,” Peg says, “We’re off the main track, you have to search to find us, and once you come in , you’re part of the family.”

Tasty, well priced food’s gotta be the magnet, and it is. The place can be filled in the season for breakfast and lunch, with favorites like 2 "alligator" eggs with choice of hash browns, home fries or grits, and toast or biscuit for $3.50; or the 3 "flying lizard" egg Western omelets with ham, onion, tomato, green pepper and American cheese for $6.95. The Breakfast Burrito with scrambled eggs, cheese, grilled green pepper, onion and ham, with salsa, sour cream, and choice of potatoes or grits is $5.95, and you’ll have some to take home! Still hungry? Get the Hungry Gator Special with 2 eggs, homefries, bacon or sausage smothered in sausage gravy for $5.95, or a Swamp Burger- one half pound of beef smothered with grilled onions melted pepper jack and American cheese on a Kaiser roll with chips and pickle wedge for $6.25.

There’s no shortage of sandwiches-Cordon Bleu Sub with chopped grilled chicken breast with chopped ham on a grilled hoagie bun, smothered in Swiss cheese (6.95), a lightly breaded or grilled pork tenderloin on a Kaiser bun for 5.95, or a Philly Cheese Steak with grilled onions, green pepper and melted Swiss for 6.25. You can't go wrong with the Everglades Club, with freshly carved ham and turkey with bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo on Texas toast (6.25), below.The fried chicken is a favorite!I went for the weekend special, lightly fried fresh mullet. I haven’t had this since mullet used to swim by the hundreds in rivers-now they are rarely seen on menus, unless “smoked”. Saw Grass Grill’s is super fresh, tender, and the corn meal light, crisp batter is one of the best fried fish I’ve had in years. With sides of hot cheese grits and fresh cole slaw, it’s highly recommended! For dessert, there’s different pies and cakes. Red Velvet Cake or pudding comes free with each meal- it’s the real home made fresh Southern delight.

Red Velvet Cake
While I visited, a recent Swamp Buggy Queen came in with her family, and kept the place in laughter as she told of her latest experiences. A dental student, she’s comfortable with low and high tech. Sophistication and small town friendliness; that describes many of the customers. Some of the others dining were previosly in construction, and Peg and Sherry have seen them since reinvent themselves, adapting to the economy. One woman, formerly in construction, now runs a day care, and for free, has a riding school for handicapped children.

Breakfast and lunch, year round, dinner starts around October, a few nights a week when the demand is there. “Flexible and creative” do well here. During the summer, people asked for an early Thanksgiving dinner. 40 people signed up and came, for turkey, corn and all the fixins, with salad bar, and a big shrimp boil!

The Sawgrass Grill, 11865 Collier Blvd, (about 1.5 blocks north of Golden Gate Parkway, NOT directly on 951!), 354-0855

Naples Cibao Restaurant Review

We arrived at Cibao Grille, sat at a table next to a large family’s dinner, and before long, they welcomed us like long lost cousins. We were not the only one's to feel so welcomed at Cibao. Being warmly welcomed by staff and by other "regular" diners; it's just part of Cibao's charm. Proprietor/owner Pedro later echoed the same, saying "Everyone who visits us (soon) feels like they are part of our family". Cibao is a North Naples hidden gem, where families come back weekly for the food, warm ambiance, and friendliness of family owners Pablo and Pamela Nolasco covering the “front of the house”, and Johnny’s Caribbean accented cookery.

It’s a neighborhood bistro, an intimate watering hole for regulars’ families and friends for having weekly dinners, rather a trendy hot spot, or one on the “let’s try that one next” list. This is not for the “half-priced special” or the “happy hour” seekers. Tourists do not stumble in here, fresh from the beach, in damp shorts and sandy sneakers. Tucked away just off 41, on the south side of Neapolitan Way, it is west of Kinko’s and east of Sunsplash, easy to miss. Don’t miss it.

The food is familiar to most Americans, with a twist-there’s a touch of Caribbean spices, Doninican Republic style, that gives a subtle pleasant change to old favorites, and to some new dishes as well. Johnny certainly mastered cuisine at St. George & Dragon before Cibao. Pedro is well known from his time at Hideaway Beach on Marco Island. When we were there, a well known Naples family had 16 members for dinner at several tables.Regulars at other tables recognized them and said “hi”. We sat at a two-top table next to them, watching three generations enjoy the food, and, after our dessert, some leaned over and said hi to us, (they didn’t want to disturb us earlier, as they thought we might have preferred an uninterrupted romantic candlelit dinner). We happily welcomed their polite overture- they were so kind to share their world with us. One said "here, it's like having dinner with friends and family" Pedro later echoed the same, saying "Everyone feels like they are part of our family".

There are a handful of appetizers-Shrimp cocktail ($12), Smoked Salmon (8), Crispy fried Artichoke hearts (7), a Caribbean black bean soup with chorizo (3.5) (highly recommended by regulars) , and Caesar Salad (7).

The Maine Lobster Ravioli, (9) (half portion- below) a Maine Lobster and Chive Filled Ravioli with a Roasted Red Pepper Crème was a delight. We said we’d share it, and when it came, they had already made it on two separate plates, each with two large, tasty ravioli, strips of peeled red pepper, and a delicious Crème sauce. You could easily taste and spot the lobster! I ordered a glass of white wine, a nice Las Brisas Sauvignon Blanc, and said I’d give my dining partner a sip (not all my dining partners drink). The wine came, split in two glasses, as well, with a few sips in my partner’s glass! We were amazed at the extra steps they took to give us separate plates, and separate glasses-we didn’t think to ask-and they did. Nice. Other shared their stories of just how attentive, considerate and caring Pablo and Pamela are, in so many little ways.

We were told the “must haves” were the Walleye Pike Key West (21), Chicken Piccata (17), and that we should also try the Scallops Neapolitay (29), Coconut Grouper (23), and Havana Pork Chop (23).

I had the Walleye Pike, a bargain at $21.

You just don’t find fresh pike in Florida too often, either! It was fresh, cooked till just tender, a good sized portion, and covered with artichoke hearts, tomato slices, and a well prepared Béarnaise sauce, with potatoes au gratin and asparagus. Each mouthful was a sensual marriage of flavors. (It really looked much better than my “candle light shot!) Unlike fish at a recently reviewed "trendy" place, Cibao cooks fish properly- the first time.

May companion had the Pan Seared Sea Scallops with Balsamic Glazed Onion, drizzled with lemon chive butter (25). The scallops were cooked just right, nicely seared to bring out the scallops’ sweet taste, and the balsamic caramelized onions, au gratin potatoes, asparagus and carrots were a very nice touch.

For dessert we looked at the Key Lime Pie (5.50), double trouble chocolate layer cake, and the New York style cheese cake, and decided to split a Caramel Flan (5.50) (half portion below). It came to the table, a half portion on each of two separate plates, with a delicious dense, firm consistency, bathed in lightly spiced caramel sauce, with piped freshly whipped cream. Flan lovers, we savored every rich bite, and were very happy with the good sized portion.

Throughout the night well chosen Spanish music played softly-some Julio Iglesia, Andrea Bocelli, Gypsy Kings, and Rocío Dúrcal.

Cibao also donates hot meals to the volunteers at the Neighborhood Health Clinic several times a year. Turns out, the doctors, nurses and other hard working staff don't have time for dinner between leaving work and arriving at the clinic, so Cibao, Aurelio’s, Brio, Campiello, Noodles Italian Café, Naples Roy’s and other fine restaurants pitch in, and feed 30 volunteers at a time. The Clinic, founded by Dr. Bill and Nancy Lascheid, takes care of Collier County’s lower income patients. It gives personalized high quality care, and charges very little, based on a very affordable sliding scale. The docs, nurses and much of the staff volunteer their many hours. Caring donors generously financially support the overhead, Naples Community Hospitals helps tremendously, and thus Naples takes care of its own.

Cibao Owners Pablo and Pamela, and Chef/Owner JohnnyCibao- First rate cooking in an intimate bistro’s caring setting. Lunch and dinner, Mon-Saturday.

Cibao Grille: 870 Neapolitan Way, Naples, (239) 434-6653

Naples Mexican Taqueria San Julian Restaurant Review

Taqueria San Julian is a welcoming Latino lighthouse, a roadside's little yellow flower, guiding taco-craving folks to Naples Bayshore Drive. On Bayshore's east side, a little further south than dining neighbors Real Macaw and Saporitos, it attracts a 90% Latino crowd of happy families with well behaved kids, couples and quartets of all ages, and welcomes newbies (you and me),as well as some well tanned Gringo-seasoned veterans. There’s the Fort Myers' Taqueria branch in the Dragon Plaza by India Palace; Both have a homey ambiance.

What’s the draw? Very good Authentic Mexican food, primarily soft tacos, at prices from the 1970’s! The décor is simple and bright.. It’s a small, one room place with tile floor, pale yellow walls, wooden chairs, and colorful serape draped tabletops, quite intimately close to one another. The handwritten menu is up on the wall by the kitchen. A USA map, some posters, an advertisement in Spanish on the counter for coaching prospective nurse assistants through their degrees (CNA), -nothing fancy here. Sit down, and wait staff sets down a trio of sauces-dark red, smoky moderately hot Chipotle-my favorite, the Hot Habanero- the lighter red sauce (bottom of the photo), and the Verde, or moderately hot green sauce. Order some tacos off the handwritten menu, by the kitchen’s counter. Have a seat, and the busy wait staff soon appear. You can order a few things at first, and a few more later-it’s fine. A taqueria, or taco specialty store, they are well respected for their stable of soft tacos, and 4-6 seems to satisfy most people. Pair ‘em with a soft drink or $3.00 Bud, Corona or Modelo beer, and take it all in. My favorite taco is their specialty, the Taco de Pastor ($1.50) below, a tasty crisp, almost BBQ’d delight of chopped pork for the same $1.50 as the Steak (Bistec), Sausage (Longaniza), Head (Cabeza), Tongue (Lengua), Beef (Suadero) and Chicken (Pollo) tacos. Tripe (Tripa) taco is $2. Your order comes piping hot to the table, with two soft tacos per order (good for sharing) a cut lime for juicing, and red radish, I recommend you add the optional offered cilantro and diced white onion topping- for this gringo they asked, rather than just putting these condiments on. Below, see my Pastor (Pork) taco (bottom of the photo), and clockwise from the lime, the tongue, steak and beef tacos.

The soft, hot tacos were the perfect handle for the tender meats, and the onion, cilantro, with a touch of Chipotle sauce, was the right spicy icing on the cake, er taco, bringing together all the tastes and textures!
Another table had a different assortment, the sausage taco is red. Tostadas de Ceviche (2.50), were next, two crisp corn tostadas bearing ceviche a Mexican or Peruvian would have been proud of, cooked in lime juice, with tomato and green and red diced peppers. Topped with freshly cut avocado slices, the crisp tostada, the acidity of the ceviche, and the creamy avocado’s texture was a combo delight on the tongue!
I’ve had menudo (6) elsewhere, and figured I’d have a bowl, or half bowl, actually, as I was pretty filled from the above selections.. The bowl (available only on weekends)arrived hot, dark red, with bits of menudo, or tripe, tenderly cooked. Few seemed to eat it “straight”, so I followed others, and added bits of the accompanying plateful (below) of diced cilantro, diced onion, green pepper, a squeeze of lime juice, and tossed in a long hot black and red pepper. Go easy on the dried oregano, or it’ll overwhelm the nice marriage of tastes in the menudo's melange. Try some menudo on one of the eight foil wrapped, steamingly hot soft tacos that come with the order. It’s a filling order, and it was the best menudo I’ve had in many years. There's a Pozole stew (9) offered Sunday evening. I had a huge lunch with drink, enough for two people, for $14.

Is Taqueria San Julian the "best" Mexican place in the area? Hmmm. It specializes and excels in tacos, and isn't a larger restaurant- like Cilantro Tamales or Maria’s-just can’t compare ‘em. The Taqueria is packed by those who appreciate well made and well priced tacos and soups. Items run out, so get there early. The parking's behind the building, on the right. I’d go back in a heart beat, while in the area, just to try more on the menu, y hablar en espanol. You don’t need to speak Spanish, the servers and some other diners are happy to help with ordering, or tell you what something is that’s on their plate. Bonus- it’s a good opportunity to try Spanglish, or practice any residual Spanish you may recall.

Taqueria San Julian 3575 Bayshore Drive, Naples 239-775-6480

Naples Bon Gout Creole Restaurant Review

I've enjoyed Creole cooking at friends homes and at Naples' Paradise Haitian-American Take Out Restaurant, so when friends noted Bon Gout's opening earlier this month on the East Trail, we came to check it out at 8 pm, this past Friday.

It's a simple place, nothing fancy, in a dwindling strip mall next to a Radio Shack. Much like a simple place you might have seen in photos of 50's spots, it has a few booths and more tables, and can seat perhaps 50 people. When we were there, there was a table of 3, and a steady parade of people coming and going, with bags of take out. The owner said they were primarily a catering spot, and opened the restaurant portion to maximize use of the property.

The menu looked great, with Chicken in sauce ($9), Goat meat with sauce (12), Veggie plate (10), Oxtail (10), Conch saute (14), Salted fish (13) as regular items. There was a special sit down Family Dinner for four people, for $32, including choice of 3 from (chicken, goat, veggie, turkey, fried pork), with pork, and fried goat. Such a deal!

Since it was a Friday, the menu noted the Friday- Taste of Haiti offered Fried fish (11.50), fried pork (7.50), fried goat (10.50), fried chicken (6.50).

We ordered the oxtail and goat, and were told they only had Fried pork (7.50) and chicken in sauce (9). At 8 pm on a Friday night? Nothing more? Not even the Family Special?

"No, that's all we have left tonight."

We asked our lovely waitress to give us one of each, so we could taste the two different preparations. A mixed salad came, decent, however some leaves had seen better days. When she brought our food, she brought two orders -of the same fried pork! Help! With only our two-top and a three-top dining then- just two tables, it shouldn't be hard to mess up an order for one each of only two things ordered-pork and chicken. Besides, they were the only things available, anyways! We started on the order of fried pork. It was nicely spiced, and somewhat overdone, compared to what we've had at other Creole places. I still liked its warm, rich spicing and crisp texture. The romaine lettuce on the plate was wilted. We liked the generous side of rice with lima beans.

The chicken finally arrived, 20 minutes after the pork. The presentation was pretty enough, however the order, legs and thighs, was overcooked, and dry. It was fried, then the crust was wet with a mild sauce. Reminded me of institutional food I had as a kid in public school cafeterias.

Two of our friends ate there 3 days later, at 7 pm on Monday, not knowing we were there before. Same menu, same waitress, same routine. After they ordered goat and oxtail, the waitress came back 10 mionutes later and said all they had to offer was pork that evening. When asked why the generous menu offerings, and only one item actually available at 7 pm, they were told "It's a long story". Hungry, each ordered a pork plate. Twenty minutes later, the waitress arrived, with only one pork plate, and one set up of knife, fork and spoon!! No, no , no!! And again, people were coming and going with take out of some sort during their meal. Is this any way to run a restaurant? Just what is in the popular take out boxes, anyways?! I wanna see!

The menu mentions they cater weddings and anniversaries. Hmmmm. Not mine. Don't think I'll even join the mysterious line for boxes of take out. Give it a few months, and things should change, for better or worse. I think I can predict this one's outcome.

Bon Gout Creole 3749 Easat Tamiami Trail, Naples 239-234-6935

IM Tapas Restaurant Review- Spanish Treasure in Naples Florida

IM Tapas is a magical place in Naples. It’s like a small European neighborhood bistro, with superb Spanish foods and Spanish wines. Executive Chef/co-owner Isabel Pozo Polo, with co-owner Mary Shipman minding the front of the house and also cooking, have little prior restaurant experience. Numerous people return here, two to three times over just a few month period, just so they can try more of the large selection and variety of tapas (over 40!). With this, and seeing the 50 seat place packed on weekend nights, they have a hit on their hands, and could well teach others about attaining success in the restaurant trade!

Isabel, Cuban born and trained in Spain, is a willowy whirling dervish, a fiery latina in almost constant angular motion. She creates the tastiest and most authentic Spanish dishes, using, for example, only the finest imported smoked Iberian hams, special beans, varied paprikas, and unique peppers. Aficionados of Spanish cuisine rave about her creations. When not at the hot stove, she may come out and chat with guests. Mary's more subtle in expressing her passion for life and cookery; a calming influence for all when the pace kicks up. Mary and Isabel; Yin and Yang personified!
A Spanish friend took us to IM Tapas. We started with the Fabada Asturiana, ($8) a wonderfully rich soup made from a 1.5” white bean, with bits of Spanish chorizo sausage, tender moist morcilla sausage, green onion, and spices. Isabel is a master at how she simmers, and marries all sorts of tastes together. I could happily make a dinner from two orders of this soup. The place filled up by 7:30 pm with a younger crowd than is usually found in Naples. After overhearing discussions of wine and the food in several languages, it was obvious that the cosmopolitan clientele included younger visitors (20’s-40’s) who clearly appreciate the fine food quality.

A Birthday Party
Our server, Trinity (below), was very helpful in both food and wine suggestions to match our preferences. We were very happy with our wine choices. We had a sweet red sangria, a drier white sangria, and a red Penaguda Tinto 2007 (11), with a wonderful berry flavor depth, lighter tannins and a rich harmony of nuances from first sniff to finish. Next time, we’ll try the TAVS Tinto 2006, for comparison. We had fun with our food pairings. If Unfiltered Unfined Wines’ wine expert Jane Delaney is around, ask for her suggestions as well. The wait staff pitches in for each other in a friendly, professional way.

Jane and Trinity, BeamingNext we had the Napoleon do Remolacha (10), a tower of thick coins of roasted beets, layered between creamy goat cheese slices, with crunchy, powerfully flavorful bits of Serrano lardons and pine nuts on the side. Good, yet overshadowed by our next two tapas.The Racion de Jamon Ibérico de Bellota (by the ounce) is the classic prepared Iberian ham, cut paper thin, with a very soft subtle taste. Try this, and use it as the standard to measure the quality of other hams. These select black pigs freely range, eating acorns and grains, to acquire the special taste. Some hams easily sell for over $90 a pound.My favorite was the D O Pimientos del Piquillo Rellenos con Bacalao ((10). Three tiny, tender beak-shaped red towers arrive with the most simple yet heavenly combination of the handpicked piquillo peppers from Spain, fire roasted, then stuffed with a melt-in-your-mouth creamy bacalao, served with a slightly spicy roasted tomato and pepper cream. If food could be erotic, then these smoky fire roasted peppers and sauce are sensually R-rated. My companion said “This is so delicate, so subtley spiced, it is perfect!” WOW! My companion’s choice was the Vieras en Cama del Pulpo (29). Clearly fresh diver scallops, seared beautifully and perfectly cooked, were drizzled with a blood orange vinaigrette using orange infused olive oil, providing a balanced tartness and sweetness. The scallops were placed on tender octopus slivers. I don’t often find “tender” and “octopus’ in the same sentence’s description, around here.
One friend had the Foie Gras special, oh-so lightly seared and tender-it was truly “to-die-for” good!

Seared Duck Breast, Caramelized Figs, Port Reduction (15)Seafood Paella

Grilled Langostinos a la Plancha-Huge 8" and tender
Carabineros a la Plancha-Norwegian Lobster-Sweeter than Maine's
Pincho Moruno-Skewer of Pork Tenderloin-Spicey (9)!We had the 5 Quesos D.O. Capricho de Mary-Mary’s whimsy of 5 high quality cheeses, served on a cheese board. This great sampling of five cheeses for $25 includes (left to right), a Tetilla-a soft brie-like cows’ cheese, three slices of firmer, mild aged Mahon, with a nice attitude, and a tall slice of Garrotxa- an artisanal goat cheese aged and cloaked in dark ashes, with a firmer, drier texture than the preceding cheeses. Then chunks of pink tinged Marjorero cheese from the Canary Islands-a firm unpasteurized goat’s cheese- from goats whose diet includes wild marjoram and oregano- salted and rubbed with paprika and peppers, yielding a buttery texture, yet with a bite, great to go with a Port wine!
The Cabarales is a rich Blue veined cheese, the equal of any from France or Great Britain. On the side of the cheese plate were a large dollop of quince paste, persimmon slices, and ginger. This is a superb selection for both savoring a variety of Spanish cheeses, and Trinity's cheese education. We complimented Trinity on the varied choice of hanging artwork adorning the light yellow walls. Turns out Isabel is the creator of nearly all if it, in such different styles, no less. Not bad for a Harvard- trained Biochemist. turned vibrant, talented Chef!

One of the foursome at the table next to us said “ This has been an exquisite evening”. A woman two tables away said she wanted “to bring her friend, a top chef in town, here on his day off”. A table of 6 said they were here because “two people said we had to try this”. People are not shy about their love for IM Tapas, and word-of-mouth has made it a success.
Bacalao Brandade Croquettes For dessert we enjoyed the Espresso Coffee Flan, with a wonderfully creamy texture, much lighter than most flans. This was accented by a tiny “windowpane” of caramelized sugar with admixed Patron Tequila coffee liquor and coffee beans; it looks like a miniature stained glass window! The Crema Catalana, a lighter crème brûlée type dessert made with cream and milk, instead of just cream, was less firm than usual; some batches aren't always perfect.
They can be slammed at the magic 7 pm dining hour on Fri or Sat nite, so come earlier or later for best service. Order your tapas to be served perhaps 10-15" apart, Spanish style, to best savor each plate.It was a truly magical evening, from start to finish, with great food and wine, and attentive service in a warm, romantic bistro-like setting. Other diners at other tables noticed our curiosity about their arriving foods, and freely shared their preferences and experiences with us and with other receptive diners-not a common happening in the USA! There are other tapas serving places in town; IM Tapas is simply on a higher plane. That’s just part of Isabel and Mary’s magic, for you to enjoy!

Debbie Laites and friend
Chefs Isabel and Mary, at Top, with Porfi and Juana

IM Tapas -965 Fourth Ave. N., Naples 403-8272 Open 5:30 p.m.- Tues. through Sat. (Located almost 1 block East of the Downtown NCH Hospital complex and Dairy Queen, East of 41)

Paradise Haitian American Take Out Restaurant Naples

The Paradise Haitian-American Take Out Restaurant. is an insider's special, tucked in a little shopping center at the southeast corner of 5th Avenue North and Goodlette Road North. It's been there for years. You have to seek it out, as few of my acquaintances have even noticed the restaurant's little sign, when whizzing by the Kwik Pik on Goodlette Road, at 50 mph!

The cuisine is rich, tasty and most importantly authentic, per the comments by others on line ordering their food, and Haitian acquaintances who say it's a great example of Haitian cookery.

While I often arrive after 5 or 6 pm, and have slim pickings, it's clearly best to arrive earlier, like luchtime, for the best selection. Today, the selection was between slow cooked oxtails, and a beef dish. As I can't always get oxtails on 5th Ave, I asked for an order of Oxtails ($10), for take out. It came almost overflowing a large styrofoam container with a huge portion of rice, lettuce, a large firm plantain-the only bland food, and with a choice of vegetables or bean soup-I got the soup.

The Oxtails were a generous portion and the tender meat was so tastily spiced and smelled so good, I snuck a few pieces to eat while at stoplights, when not actually driving the car! It was made with garlic, green onions, bell pepper, salt and pepper, and the perhaps cayenne pepper was just enough, to give mild heat on the oxtails' saucing. The bean soup, my favorite of the two for its' spicing, was more of a rich puree than a soup, of red-brown beans, with a smoky-rich taste. The delicious spicing I couldn't quite place, it was suggestive of cinnamon or other tropical spices, with a minimal degree of heat. All of this, for $10, was enough for 2 1/2 meals for many people.

Oxtails, Plantain, Lettuce, Soup on Left side

Cow's Feet, Beans and Rice

The Cows Feet ($8) (across the top of the plate) was a novelty for me, however it was a delicacy for the others taking it home, or for the one gentleman having it at one of the 3 small tables. The portion was large, with carrots, garlic and green onions, and was tasty with the spicing. There is not much meat per se, at all in the foot; the thick substance around the bones is firm, yet gelatinous, from slow cooking of the cartilage and connective tissues. This resultant gelatin is key to giving expensive soups and reductions that rich "mouth feel". Though it's said to be a very good example of cows feet; I did prefer the more livelier and spicier accompanying abundant rich beans and rice. This is enough food for 2 1/2 meals.

The goat is very popular, with a generous portion of firm, well seasoned meat on the bones. It's chewy rather than tender, and has a little heat with its garlic and touch of salt. It comes with fried plantains-much like tostones, only it instead squashes several plantains together in an elongated pancake, before deep frying, and is then well drained, and crisp. A tiny cup of cole slaw is tucked next to the green salad, and the slaw packs some serious heat!

If you come here on a different day, there'll probably be different offerings. Call ahead for the options, or just come in early, and enjoy very tasty authentic Haitian food!

Paradise Take Out Restaurant. - 493 Goodlette Rd N., Naples, FL (239) 435-3997