Listen to the Music!

Live Music for the Family  The Mercato Shops located at the corner of U.S. 41 and Vanderbilt Beach Road offer live music on the green across for THE PUB  and PURE~URBAN OASIS the first Friday of every month.  Tomorrow they are sure to have great music that can be enjoyed by the entire family.  Bring the kids and enjoy Pizza while listening to the music.  Let the kids enjoy themself with others their own age while they run on the green and dance to the vibes.  Bring a chair or a blanket if you prefer to sit instead of stand since it is an open green that doesn't provide seating unless you choose to enjoy a cocktail or bite to eat at one of the many establishments in this area of the Mercato that offer an outdoor dining option.  You can have a full meal, a lite fare, pizza, yogurt, a burger and much more.  It is a great family activity that doesn't have to cost you a penny.  The entertainment is free.  Your only expense is if you choose to support the local businesses at Mercato that have arranged for the entertainment.  So if the weather is permitting tomorrow evening between 6 & 9 pm, why not come out with the kids and enjoy some great live music.  I have had the opportunity to listen to many of bands throughout the year and I cannot say I have heard a terrible one yet.  In fact most of them are quite good.  So why not get out and enjoy the music with friends, family or even by yourself.  What else do you have to do?

Night Time Entertainment

If you miss the live music at Mercato, you can catch some great tunes at the BLUE MONKEY located on the corner of Collier Boulevard (951) and Vanderbilt Beach Road.  You can get bite to eat, have a few cocktails, enjoy a night out with your spouse, friends, date or by yourself.  Meet some new friends or meet a group of those you already have.  Enjoy yourself!  Dance to the beat, if you choose.  The music is always great on Friday and Saturday nights.  Usually begins about 9 pm but the service can be a little off from time to time.  Just take it upon yourself to get the waitress when you can.  Once the band starts the place is a bit dark, busy and the music is awesome.  Check it out if you haven't or come out and join in the fun again if you have.  You are sure to have a great time~ even the designated driver will enjoy themself with the music being played.

Other places in Naples that often offer live entertainment are THE PEWTER MUG;  SOUTHSTREET . . .  Will talk about others in future postings.  Have a great week!

Restaurant Review- "PURE ~ URBAN OASIS"

Are you anything like us?  Eat out 2-3 times or more a week?  Like to stay within a few miles of home?  Prefer to stay away from fast-food of any kind?  Enjoy a beer or drink with our meal?  Like to choose from a variety of establishments to avoid monotony?  Like good food without emptying the bank?

Well if you are, then you want to pay attention to my Wednesday blogs.  Wednesdays will look at one restaurant in Naples~ the cuisine, specialty drinks, entertainment (if applicable), service and price points.  Due to convenience, we tend to end up at one of the many restaurants located in ths Shops at Mercato located at the corner of U.S. 41 and Vanderbilt Beach Drive.  PURE URBAN OASIS is one of those spots.  They typically offer a specials menu that includes the chef's selections which can be a seasonal fresh catch, lamb chops, seasonal carpaccio, or rice toppers.  One great thing about this restaurant is they offer a simple menu with a varied selection of foods.  You may want to start out your meal with Rice Toppers (Tuna, Beef or Shrimp); Carpaccio (Beef or Tuna); or a Small Plate ~ Bacon wrapped dates; Sliced blackened shashimi tuna; Cajun sea scallops; Escargot; Pot stickers; Crunchy shrimp; Chicken skewers; Crab stuffed mushrooms; or Lobster corn dog.  If you prefer a more traditional start to a meal, you might like to choose between the Lobster Cappuccino (buttery cocoa blended bisque which is delicious) or Black bean soup.  If you order a salad to eat before your entry, you want to make sure you express your desire to the wait staff because the typical PURE salad is substantial and filling.  They offer five salads which you can add your choice of meat to if you wish (chicken, salmon, shrimp, or beef).  The salads include Apple vinaigrette salad; Baby spinach salad; Chopped Caesar salad; BLT salad or my favorite the Tomato Mozzarella salad.  Make sure you request all dresssings on the side since on occassion I have found the salad can get drenched if you forget.
PURE offers two types of main courses~

1. PURE Spa Cuisine (lighter choices with fewer carbs without sacrificing taste~ these selections are also guilt and gluten free)
• Grilled Chickn Breast with lemon grass vinaigrette
• Beef Filet
• Pan seared Atlantic Salmon with grapefruit vinaigrette
2. PURE Main Dishes (a combination of great ingredients and flavors)
• Beef Filet with peppercorn crust
• Grilled Shrimp with white wine and sundried tomatoes
• Sea Bass with honey ginger miso
• Hollies Chicken with goat cheeses and sundried tomatoes
• Chicken~ cranberry crusted

PURE  also offers a variety of side dishes and Desserts that can be added to any meal ~

• Side Dishes~ Bread points; Sweet potato fries; Truffle fries; Vegetable of the Day; Grilled vegetables or Parmesan Potatoes.
• Desserts~ Loaded cheesecake; Lava Cake; Gelato (variety of flavors); and Big Apple Fritter al a mode, of course.

We have eaten at PURE several times in the past two years and have never had a bad meal.  Once in a while the serves is a bit slow and the guy playing the 'horn' gets a bit carried away with the volume but the food has always been exellent.  There are ample servings without stuffing you like a Thanksgiving Turkey.  However my favority part of PURE is the specialty drinks.  They have over two dozen specialty drinks to choose from.  Each one I have tried has been wonderfully delicious.  One of my favorites is Hot Mango Night (rain organics honey mango melon vodka, jalapenos, fresh mango, lemon and lime).  If you want to have your dessert as a cocktail you have to try Original Sin (Dutch chocolate Van Gogh vodka, chocolate liquer, creme de menthe and dark chocolate shavings, whipped cream, double Dutch chocolate mint gelato, fresh mint)- it is definitely sinful but exceptionally good.  You are sure to have a good meal and time, if you choose to visit PURE located at 9123 Strada Place Suite 7135~Naples~Florida~34108~ (239) 514-PURE.  For more information, hours of operation, updates on specials and changes made to the menu, visit www.pureurbanoasis.com  Head out Friday evening between 6 & 9 pm and listen to live music while you enjoy your meal on PURE's patio or eat indoors and enjoy the music before or after.  The Starda at Mercato offers live music the first Friday of each month on the green across from PURE or you can catch a movie at the Silver Spot Theatre~ the only place to watch movies in town.    You will definitely want to at least try a cocktail- YHMMMM!