While in Naples, Florida–fast becoming a regular escape–I like to do what I do whenever I travel and begin thinking upon dinner! I search “Top Restaurants” on Trip Advisor. (Note- I tend to identify a little more with the folks who prefer Trip Advisor as their go-to review site. I don’t know…I think the reviews tend to be less “Trump-like.” More substance, less blather.)
It’s always interesting to read about, then visit, the top rated places and find out whether the ranking is justified, from my skew, and also, if there are “other factors.” For instance, the #1 rated Trip Advisor location of 389 rated locations in Naples is The Rumba Café–A Cuban inspired spot that I have yet to visit. So far, the menu hasn’t been right for the mood. But, on the last research opportunity, I chose the #3 spot, Mediterrano. With all the great choices in this fairly wealthy and whiter-than-white restaurant-laden city, I couldn’t fathom how the top three rated eateries were so ethnically diverse and like, not Seafood, Italian or a Steakhouse! (The #2 rated restaurant is the excellent Fuse Global Cuisine) Apparently, the average diner in Naples is looking for diversity on their plate, if not the neighborhood!
So, Mediterrano. First star, the hostess almost hopped in the air she was so pleased to see us–for the first time. The perfect, friendly, welcoming greeting, with torches lit, Christmas lights twinkling, upbeat Greek music just loud enough to get folks walking in that direction from the sidewalk.
**Star #2, the servers worked together, checked on each other, and our assigned server was sweet, knowledgeable, grateful, attentive, and, well, Bulgarian. She made the braised lamb shank sound like it was created by the good lord above. “You could eat with spoon.” Nothing got missed–every dish delivered quickly and correctly, each dirty fork or empty plate cleared at just the right time to know we were finished.
***Third star, the food. Clearly, prepared with love every step of the way. Not fancy, but attractive. Not exotic, but fresh and cooked/mixed/flavored perfectly. From garlic and olive oil-rich hummus, to warm fresh-baked then flash-grilled pita, to eggplant-tomato spread, market greens, shrimp saganaki with barely-melting feta, and a baklava at the end that made ME almost hop in the air. Oh shit!
****Star #4 was the atmosphere, the touches, the cleanliness–the whole thing was well tended and cared for. Crisp linens, an aerator on the bottle of wine, water gasses filled (by 4 different people) throughout, music, lights, candles…all of it. Loving care.
*****And, the 5th star? The manager, and at one point the chef, visiting tables the whole time–knowing when to just ask how everything is and move on, and knowing when to engage, laugh, joke, share a story, and…knowing when, like at the table of (6) next to us who couldn’t stop gushing–to say–“Please share us with your friends and give us a rating on Trip Advisor. It really helps our business.” No joke. How do you get to the top? They could teach that shiz at Mediterrano.
I promise this…I will be back to Mediterrano well before I try the remaining 388 rated restaurants down there! But not before I have tried each of the top 10 (4 down)–because I learn something new each time–But these folks have surely earned the “top 3” spot. I’ll let you know about Rhumba someday. #1? Maybe. Maybe not. It’s hard to imagine them being better than this was. We’ll see.
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