ALL AROUND THE BEVERAGE UNDERGROUND
Here’s the news and notes heard all around the Beverage Underground in Southwest Florida. We are Pouring it on and Connecting the Industry…
H2 has reopened and owner Steve Adkins has recruited Chef Chris Yanovich and General Manager Tim Wipf to bring creative cuisine back to Downtown Ft. Myers, and the word is that The Morgan House one of Downtown’s landmark businesses is moving into the Patio de Leon in the old Patio 33 which was the old Varians location. Big Al’s Fort Myers location has been opened nearly a month now filling the sports bar with full menu concept void in the Daniel’s Road area of South Ft Myers.
Speaking of Downtown Ft Myers, did your gym shrink? BeverageUnderground suggests you meet Ryan Rodina of Planet Fitness. They have locations in Fort Myers and Naples and the undisputed best deal for a gym membership especially in this value-driven economy…and Ryan is one of us. Before moving to Florida’s West Coast, Ryan Rodina was the General manager and an owner of Flavour Lounge in the ever-cool Coconut Grove and then helped open and operate Amendment XXI in Miami’s design district for a year and a half.
Vision Nightclub in North Naples has always been a great party place but it’s also Southwest Florida’s most versatile venue, and the multi-themed club is undergoing some cosmetic and functional changes to allow for more entertainment options. Svedka Vodka and the Beverage Underground will host ‘Rock of the Ages’ Tribute Concert Tour that will begin on Wednesday November 11 and run for four straight Wednesdays. The shows will be two-concerts that will start at 8 PM and feature Tributes to Springsteen, AC/DC, Van Halen and Journey. Tickets include a Svedka Party from 6 to 8 as a concert warm-up.
Rumors are a part of the business…but take this to the bank. The last restaurant location available at Mercato in North Naples now has a tenant. ‘PURE Urban Oasis’ will be unlike any other restaurant bar concept with local, national and international appeal. The PURE concept unites proven restaurateurs and creates a lifestyle atmosphere that will be at high ‘buzz’ in the coming weeks. Just remember where you heard it first…
‘Restaurant Row’ is really the Daniels & 41 area of Fort Myers, and another established restaurant is moving into the Bell Tower. DaRuMa Japanese Steakhouse is well known in both Naples and Sarasota and their reputation for traditional Japanese Steakhouse selections and sushi will be served in a setting that will compliment Ft Myers. They’ll be located directly across from Bistro 41, and with the addition of DaRuMa, the Bell Tower now has the best choices for world class cuisine in Fort Myers.
Dan Snow has sold Citrolla’s on the beach back to the former owners and is concentrating on his popular restaurant Futuro’s on Bonita Beach Road. Futuro’s has great Pizza and subs, and bakes their own delicious bread daily…but they have added Italian entrees and it’s a neighborhood place where you can read the New York Post daily.
The Beverage Underground is popping and we need some help! How about a director of sales…and sales agents in Naples, Fort Myers, or both…street team help…and a chance to be on the ground floor of this revolutionary connection to the beverage industry. Call us…email us…we may be able to work around any schedule. .
Sunday’s on McGregor got better. The Prawnbroker has created a cool place to watch the NFL ticket with great $5 burgers…and a half price raw bar. Their free poured drinks and that bar is classic.
What? If you haven’t been on the beach road in a little while, the Barking Shark is getting an overhaul and a new name. ‘Nemo’s on the Beach’ will be ready soon. Look for the same great quality found at all the Nemo’s Sports Bar locations but this is the first one not attached to one of the six Bowland Centers in Southwest Florida.
The Beverage Underground is happy to hear that SIKU Vodka made from pure glacial ice WILL be available in this area in early 2010 and maybe even before on a limited basis. SIKU was featured in the October edition of the Beverage Underground in print.
By now most have heard about the sudden closing of the original Stevie Tomato’s Sports Page in Naples. Recent economic downturns were only part of the problem as the restaurant hadn’t offered any rent to the property owner, was cited for noise violations and a host of legal problems were mounting. So they moved out, stripped the place and didn’t tell their employees that they were packing up. The other Stevie Tomato’s locations are apparently independent of the ownership in Naples. Beverage Underground wishes all Naples Stevie’s employees luck in their pursuit of new jobs.
I know…I know…it’s not even Halloween yet…but Santa is coming to town and his arrival at Gulf Coast Town Center will be the first chance for kids to see him light the tree in Southwest Florida. Santa comes on Saturday November 14th and this year Gulf Coast Town Center will have some exciting new stores for holiday shopping
The new 360⁰ Vodka flavors Double Chocolate and Cola have arrived to the Beverage Underground Back Bar and over the next several days we’ll be sampling them with area bartenders and servers and posting their comments online. 360⁰ is the first ‘eco-friendly’ Vodka and the package is totally recyclable. Look for great opportunities to try these new flavors when they become available in January 2010. At first sip it looks like Cola Bombs may be your new shooter…
‘Mr. Tequila’ will be the new name on the restaurant space formerly known as Mason Ole in Naples. That’s the location that has beed 18 different restaurants in 25 years on 41 @ Rosemary Lane.
Beasley Broadcasting On the heels of K-Rock’s Lynynrd Skynyrd ‘God & Gun’s’ Concert Tour, the 99X-Mas Ball has been announced for Friday December 4 and Puddle of Mudd will headline the annual event. The Australian band Sick Puppies will also appear.
Sway Lounge in Naples celebrated their third anniversary in a big way when Tiesto the internationally know Dutch DJ performed there on Monday October 19. Tiesto is on a 175 city world tour promoting his fourth album called “Kaleidoscope,” which was recently released.
The Three O ‘Bubble Party’ at the Gulf Coast Town Center location of the World Famous Cigar Bar was big fun because of the great turnout by the hospitality industry. Beverly Hall of Biddles won the Bubble Cocktail Competition and took home a great prize package that included six assorted bottles of Three O flavors and a martini set with glasses. The place to find creative cocktail contests is www.OutrageousCocktails.com
Chops Restaurants are gearing up for the season and they will be enhancing their ‘Exceptional Cocktails’ with creative blends of premium spirits and a fusion of exotic juices BarMerchanics.com collaborated with Bar Managers John McCarthy in Bonita Springs and Robert Twerdoff on 5th Avenue to design a series of cocktails that make the award winning Chops experience even better.
Perky’s Pizza was in town this week to demonstrate their ‘fool-proof’ pizza system that can add money to retailer’s bottom lines. It produces a great pizza in varied sizes with an easy to operate and easy to manage business plan. Civic organizations, schools, community clubhouses and even a mobile version of this remarkable pizza system are available. Call 239-694-5000 to have information delivered to you.
Have a Happy Halloweek…BeverageUnderground will be on location at the Edison restaurant & Bar on McGregor this Thursday night…for The Pinnacle ‘Mad Scientist’ Cocktail Competition.
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