My daughter, Katie surprised me for Labor Day. A tropical depression didn’t slow us down. The forecaster said rain, so we drove to Naples to check out a restaurant Jeff and I have both been wanting to go to—Sea Salt.

This upscale restaurant has it all.

Great food pleasing to the eye, in fact you could call it designer and located on quaint Third Street in downtown Naples, that term seems appropriate.

It is perfect for a romantic celebration or for something livelier check out the top-shelf bar with seating both inside and out. 

The Chef and Owner Fabrizio Aielli hails from Venice, Italy. He uses organic and local, fresh and seasonal ingredients. Aielli he owned restaurants in the Caribbean and Washington, DC. His premise is centered on the sea and he uses more than 100 different salts to get just the right flavor. The menu changes daily and features wines and spirits from their own sommelier.

For starters at lunch we tried the Jumbo White Shrimp Cocktail and the Beef Carpaccio. Both exceeded our expectations. The shrimp were large and tender. The beef was perfectly prepared. We even debated about other another one because we enjoyed it so much.

Seared Ahi Tuna, Calamari,  Shrimp Tempura can be ordered as an appetizer to pair with and entree.

Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. With a summer special running for $12.95 at the bar, includes a glass of house red or white wine.

Sandwiches listed were the Grouper, Crunchy Chicken, Club, Reuben and Wagyu Beef Burger. Salad bowls range from Seared Tuna Nicoise to Lobster Cobb. Entrees were the Avocado Stuffed with Jumbo Lump Crab Meat for $18, Grilled Swordfish for $18 and from the grill ranging from $12 to $26 was the Black Grouper, Scallops, Prawns, and more.

In addition to seafood, the lunch menu has Reuben’s, Wagyu Beef Burgers, Steak and Chicken Salad and Bolognese, Capellini and Zucchini & Eggplant.

Scene-stealers at dinner was the braised fennel, maitake mushroom, marinated tomato with a fennel-minestrone emulsion on Red Snapper for $36. There are a nice selection of House-made Pasta ($22-$27), Boneless Short Ribs cooked in a red wine BBQ served with roasted corn succotash and a mushroom puree ($36). From the grill, you can order Grouper, Branzino, Snapper or Filet Mignon ($36-$50) served with a potato burrata mousseline and asparagus. 

The wine cellar at Sea Salt is beautifully constructed and is full of wines from all over the world. 

Happy hour is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., with half price cocktails, beer and wine by the glass and a Chef’s Summer Menu from 5 p.m. to close — includes appetizer, entree and dessert for $34.

Sunday all day oysters are $2 and to accompany those a Bloody Mary or Mimosa is $5.

Live music is available from Thursday to Sunday evening.

For an ultimate experience, ask to reserve the Chef’s Table in the kitchen with friends. 

Sea Salt is located at 1186 3rd St., Naples, FL 34102 239-434-7258. seasaltnaples.com

#seasonthisblog #seasaltnaples #seafood