The owner of Hotel Escalante in downtown Naples is bringing some of her exceptional hospitality experience to Bayshore Drive.
Mary Brandt plans to launch The Med, a Mediterranean restaurant, to replace Sicilia Bar, Pizza & Pub, which closed at the end of this past season after operating for more than three years at 3929 Bayshore Drive, a location that previously was a succession of taverns such as The Anchor Bar & Grill, Ozzy’s Place, Bayshore Breeze Inn and The Ship’s Inn Tavern. The restaurant’s fenced yard, which partially sported a putting green during Sicilia’s run, will add more outdoor seating to that northeast corner of Bayshore and Lunar Street in East Naples.
“We’re really excited about coming into that space,” Brandt said. “It’s going to be authentic Mediterranean food—healthy, obviously tasty and all of the favorites when you’re in the Mediterranean, when you’re in the south of France or when you’re in Italy, Greece. All of those favorite fresh foods are what’s going to be on our menu.”
Following in Sicilia’s footsteps and its pizza oven, The Med will have pizza but expect a lot more from Brandt and manager Tommy Francavilla. “A lot of different kebabs, fresh kebabs sourced locally from farmers,” she said. “Obviously, lamb. A lot of seafood, which of course is indicative of the Mediterranean. A lot of vegetarian and gluten-free, a lot of fresh components like that.”
Brandt initially was targeting to launch The Med on Sept. 1 and she wanted it to be open last week when Sizzle Dining Restaurant Week started. “I would say we’ll definitely be open within two weeks and it could even be sooner,” she said. “It’s time we open.”
Cosmetic changes have been made inside through artistry work. “All design, nothing structural,” Brandt said. “When you come in, you’ll be surprised. The red glitter bar is no longer there. It’s a beautiful white. You will feel like you’re somewhere in the Mediterranean.”
More detailed plans that initially became part of the Collier County permitting process have been put on the back burner for now, Brandt said. “I think maybe over time we could achieve that but we want it to be open,” she said. “With everything that’s happening with a short supply of things and a slowness on just getting approvals and moving forward we’re doing what we can do with the existing footprint that we have and making it as beautiful as possible with the intent of being open ASAP.”
Some details in the initial plans, such as an outdoor bar, eventually will be realized, Brandt said. “Eventually there will be covered pergolas very similar to The Escalante. That will be coming later,” she said. “I think it’s going to be very exciting with what we’ve done already.”
That includes a clay court for petanque, an outdoor game similar to bocce. “We have a French petanque court that’s built, so we’re seeing people sipping rosé and playing petanque,” Brandt said. “We have a food truck that is going to be additional space for us. It’s just going to be promoting that beautiful garden sort of feel somewhat similar to the Escalante on that front. We also have aeroponic tower gardens there that we’re going to be cutting our garnishes and salads from. I was planting them last Thursday.”
Some operating tips are bound to be inherited from Hotel Escalante, a hidden gem with its Veranda E restaurant that Brandt bought in 2004 on the corner of Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South. While The Med will be more visible, the idea is to create a garden feel with fresh greenery and beautiful pots.
Similar to the Escalante, The Med will focus on service. “It’s going to be service-friendly, interactive, so it will be a very fun environment,” Brandt said. “A lot of this will be family sharing, so that’s a little bit different. It’s just another place for gathering and making long-term memories.”
Brandt counts on a team of top-rate employees to make a difference. “I really think from a service level that sets us apart. I really think that’s been our reputation. We’re very service-focused. I think that’s very important. I think that sets us apart in hospitality specifically for others. It’s that personal touch, personal service and just making sure you have the best experience. There’s a lot of competition.”
Not only is The Med poised to be an addition to the competitive Naples area dining scene, but the new restaurant also is creating another destination on Bayshore Drive, which is experiencing a neighborhood revitalization in East Naples. Bayshore Drive recently was named a finalist for the 2022 Great Places in Florida Award.
“It’s just such an exciting time there. I’m happy to be a part of it,” Brandt said. “You know our tagline is ‘Artisan Eatery’ and that’s for the Bayshore Arts District. We’re going to try to make everything as beautiful as we can and as sustainable as possible.”
Local entrepreneur Rebecca Maddox, who operates Three60 Market, Celebration Park and is building Rebecca’s and The Maddox venues on Bayshore Drive, welcomes someone of Brandt’s level of service to the lineup.
“We are all thrilled to have Mary come over onto the street,” Maddox said. “The more people that come here people then get up in the morning and say, ‘Do you want to go to Bayshore or do you want to go to Fifth tonight?’ because there are more choices. We all will help each other because the more people that drive down this street the more business we’re all going to do. To see someone of Mary’s caliber—and I’ve known Mary since farmers market days—it’s just super, super, super exciting. We’re going to reach out to Mary because, if we can help her in any way, we will because it’s just really good for the street.”
