Adoré: East Naples’ Newest Italian Dining from GG Brunch Haus Owners

For years, East Naples residents seeking an upscale Italian dinner usually headed downtown. Adoré is betting they won’t have to anymore.

The new restaurant recently opened in the former Pelican Larry’s space on Davis Boulevard, joining sister restaurant GG Brunch Haus in what is slowly becoming a family-run dining corner of East Naples. The restaurant is owned by the Hoxha family which has developed a loyal local following for their fresh brunch food and warm hospitality, where the owners are routinely present in the dining rooms and get to know regulars.

Step inside Adoré and there’s little evidence of the old spot that occupied the space. The room has been completely reworked with white walls, marble tables, soft lighting, and a sleek bar that feels more Miami-contemporary than neighborhood red-sauce joint.

The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Livio Leone, who comes from Italy’s Lake Como region, and the menu clearly has more northern Italian influences.

Yes, there’s chicken parmigiana. But there are also dishes you don’t see on every local Italian menu: veal vitello tonnato with tuna sauce and capers, osso buco served with saffron risotto, lobster-filled ravioli with pistachio pesto, and black linguine with Manila clams. The pastas and the sauces are made in-house and also push the envelope a little, like a seafood carbonara with Sicilian red shrimp and lemon zest.

A few details suggest the restaurant is aiming higher than a casual neighborhood Italian spot. Imported prosciutto and salumi boards, Sicilian red shrimp carpaccio, octopus carpaccio, and burrata finished with white truffle powder all point to care and elevation.

For years, East Naples residents wanting an upscale Italian dinner often defaulted to downtown. Adoré appears to be making a bet that locals would rather stay closer to home if the food is good enough, and it might just pay off.

Adoré Bar & Cucina
7785 Davis Blvd, Naples, FL
Open 7 days a week: 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Originally published in
The Naples Florida Review.
Read the full edition here.