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Foodie Favorites
FOODIE FAVORITES
Naples Grande’s Executive Chef Marcos Seville is introducing innovative culinary offerings to expand the resort’s already-amazing options
By Vanessa Molina Santamaria
From his time as a student at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, to his experience overseeing some of America’s finest resort restaurants, Marcos Seville has had a storied culinary career. In 2021, he took the next big step when he accepted the title of executive chef at the Naples Grande Beach Resort. Resort guests with a passion for the world’s finest cuisine are in good hands with Chef Seville. Having honed his technique in fine restaurants from New York and Arizona to Orlando, he’s excited about taking the already-superb culinary experience at Naples Grande to the next level. “My focus at Naples Grande Beach Resort is to build a relationship with our guests and enhance their alreadyexperienced palates,” he says. “I’d like to deliver the best representation of Naples and Southwest Florida in each of our dishes and challenge myself to make each dining experience across the resort memorable, leaving our guests wanting to return again and again.”
In the coming months, guests can expect a lot from Chef Seville and his staff, both in terms of top-level dishes and culinary experiences. “We will be debuting a private full-moon dinner on the beach, a chef’s tasting dinner at The Catch of the Pelican and a new rum bar at Mantra,” he says. “I will also be debuting cooking classes along with my team in our kitchen.”
Of course, the innovative cuisine is one of the highlights at Naples Grande, and guests can expect many more offerings in the months ahead to accompany the award-winning dishes already on the menu. Some of the can’t-miss experiences that Chef Seville recommends are Brunch "A La Kitchen," the famous Bloody Mary Bar with 48,000 possible variations and the custom beach sunset dinner for two. In terms of specific dishes, Chef Seville says you can’t go wrong with the Grande Seafood Tower or the prime dry-aged steaks at The Catch of the Pelican — though his personal favorite dish at the restaurant is the scallops with sofrito and a buttery cauliflower puree. At Mantra, he recommends the upscale sushi rolls, Chef Cesar’s signature pretzel-crusted crab cakes and the large selection of rum. No matter which restaurant you choose, you’re sure to have a grande culinary experience.
The Catch of the Pelican is just the beginning of the elevated dining experiences Naples Grande serves its guests. Aura Restaurant offers a delicious American cuisine menu that uses local and sustainable ingredients, including vegetarian and gluten-free options, and raises the dining bar with its cosmopolitan atmosphere. At Rhode’s End, you can enjoy sumptuous Mediterranean flavors along with beautiful views of the beaches and the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a romantic sunset with a delicious cocktail.
Additional dining options include the chic Mantra lounge, featuring specialty rum cocktails and champagne with delicious food to complement the lobby hot spot with live music on weekends; Gulf Coast Oasis for casual poolside meals; Spressi Marketplace for Italian-style brews, gelato and delectable all-day bites; and the open-air Sunset Veranda — the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee while reading a book, order a freshly prepared pizza from the wood-burning stove or enjoy lively music several nights a week. Sunset Veranda is also home to many of the resort’s pop-up events.
Make a Splash
For pool and beach lovers, you’d be hardpressed to find a resort with more to offer than Naples Grande. The three resort pools are thoughtfully designed for a wide variety of guest activities and preferences. With a water slide, cabanas with TVs and video game stations, among other details, the Mangrove Pool is made for family fun. Adults and children alike can’t get enough of the water slide action!
If you’re looking for something away from all the action, try the adult-exclusive Palm Terrace Pool, with private cabanas in a more relaxed and sophisticated setting. Finally, there’s the Hibiscus Hideaway, which is tucked away between the Garden Villa Suite courtyards. This secluded pool is perfect for water aerobics and lap swimming.
Naples Grande Beach Resort is also a beach and nature lover’s dream. Not only is the resort located right along three miles of white-sand beaches, but it’s also located within a 200-acre nature preserve and mangrove estuary. A picturesque boardwalk meanders through the estuary offering a breathtaking, exploratory walk or exhilarating jog. Once at the beach, you can enjoy a variety of watersports, swim in the ocean or simply kick back and relax on a chaise lounge or cabana.
Active Pursuits
Athletes and weekend warriors will enjoy unforgettable experiences on the property as well. Golfers travel far and wide to play a round at the private Naples Grande Golf Club. Designed by Rees Jones, it was voted one of the “10 Best New Golf Courses in Florida” by Travel + Leisure Golf and one of North America’s Top 100 Resort Courses by Golfweek magazine. The course blends beautifully with its surroundings, and the pro shop has everything you need for an amazing round, including premium equipment
