New Offerings For The New Year: Avenue 5

Champagne glasses ready to be filled
against the wine wall

Apologies for delays in posting....this was 'saved' but never 'published'.....oppose. Info still up to date and worth taking note of.


One of my favorite things about Avenue5 in Naples (FL) is the wine wall. You know when you are out to dinner and your date keeps peering past you to see the TV's mounted around the bar? I do the same with the wine wall, casually glancing past my dining companions, taking note of the labels I recognize, dreaming about which ones I would open first.

I did indeed get to sample some good ones along with some specialties of Avenue5's new Chef, David Nelson. A former chef partner at Truluck's in Naples, Nelson was telling our table how in his new role he was wanting "to do simple things right," when a smoking, Maine lobster cocktail came out. Dry ice was used to create a pillow of soft smoke under the bowl.

Definitely not a simple presentation but it was simply delicious; light and fresh in a Champagne dressing, with grapefruit and avocado. Served with Veuve Clicquot Rich over ice, a perfectly fresh and sweet sparkling cocktail for Florida.

Lobster Cocktail

You'll find a similar dry ice presentation with shrimp on the regular appetizer menu.

Next up was a bay scallop; ceviche with ginger, lemon grass, lime, cilantro, roasted serano and avocado mousse, served with soy wonton crips. The ceviche was nicely balanced with acid and heat and was a great compliment to the wine: Domaine Fournier Les Belles Vignes Sancerre.

Bay scallop ceviche

The gnudi's and meatballs had everyone guessing what would be on our plate next and snickering as gnudi is pronounced "nudie." It's a free form mascarpone and ricotta ravioli, dredged in semolina to make a kind of pasta shell around the cheese mixture. Plated next to the meatballs that were cooked in sauce, the combo was topped with a lemon gremolata and finished with a black truffle foam that I wanted to scoop up with my hands and daintily shove in my face.

In the glass was a Chianti Classico Antinori Marchese Riserva 2011; cherry and musty to the nose, with red fruit, tobacco and oak on the palate. This was a good marriage of food and wine.

Gnudi's & meatballs

The fourth course was a surf and turf of grilled Colorado lamb chops chimichurri and butter poached lobster tail with corn-tarragon sabayon, dauphinoise potato. The lamb was stunning with the Domaine Serene, Yamhill Cuvee, Willamette Valley 2012 Pinot Noir. I began salivating over that wine the minute I saw the bottle next to the decanter.

A beautiful perfume came from the glass with great fruit and spice as it opened more. It didn't go with the lobster, but it was perfectly suited for the tender lamb.

Lamb chops and poached lobster tail

Last but not least, was a delicious tray of desserts including a six layer chocolate cake, key lime cheese cake and the favorite, chocolate pot de creme. Each small taste was served with a carefully selected port, Sauternes and riesling.

Avenue5 often has wine dinners and other events so be sure to check the website or get on their email list to join the fun, food and wine. And be sure to say hi to Chef, I'm excited to see what new things he continues to add to the menu.