The original location of Pelican Larry’s Raw Bar & Grill on Pine Ridge Road in Naples officially becomes The Oasis today. 

Longtime Larry’s owner Randy Seyler sold the Pine Ridge location in January to Dan Latino, a Chicago native who relocated to Naples a few years ago. So, after operating for 25 years, that Pelican Larry’s location at 1046 Pine Ridge Road, just east of U.S. 41, has a new name and owner. Seyler will continue to own and operate the other three Pelican Larry’s locations. 

Operating in a transitional period for the last three months, The Oasis is still a bit of a work in progress, but Latino said it’s coming together nicely. 

“I’m really happy with the way the place turned out,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of really good regulars, so we stayed open while we did the cosmetic rebrand, basically just refreshing the space. We liked the way everything was laid out, bar-wise and bathroom-wise and everything, so we just spruced the place up, replaced the tables, chairs, sound equipment, TVs, and obviously put our own spin on the menus. We came out with a cocktail menu, beer list and full new food menu.”

Menu options include a new raw bar with oysters hand-shucked to order. “We basically just did a modern version of the raw bar,” Latino said. “We’ve got a really killer ceviche. We’ve also got the Blue Point oysters and we also do a really good tuna stack.” 

The menu features eight appetizers and eight handhelds too. “We also do a lot of the bar classics really well,” Latino said. “We’ve got some really good flatbreads, and some really nice salads, as well, some healthy options.” 

The smash burger is Latino’s personal favorite menu item. “It’s a double patty with American cheese, grilled onions, pickle and Dijonnaise. So that’s really good,” he said. “And when paired with our fries, it’s delicious.” 

Being from Chicago, Latino also is partial to the Italian beef sandwich, of course, which features Vienna Beef and hot giardiniera served on an Italian roll with an option for Provolone cheese.

Latino is a seasoned restaurateur who has many business conversions under his belt in the Chicago area. He owns and operates Waterhouse Tavern & Grill, Country Club Chicago and three locations of Easy Street Pizza & Beer Garden. 

Latino doesn’t have plans to buy any of the other locations of Pelican Larry’s, but he definitely wants to continue to expand in the Naples area. “But first things first, you know, we got to do well with our first spot,” he said. “But I do own the old Break Time Lounge building at Rattlesnake and 41 and I’m hoping to open a new restaurant there.” 

Latino tentatively plans to start construction on that East Naples venue this summer. 

Meanwhile, some more renovation work is planned at The Oasis to add a little more energy to the place. “We’re going to make the back areas of the restaurant on both sides, more of like an adult arcade or beer cave, whatever you want to call it,” Latino said. “We’re going to do some old school vintage arcade games. We’re going to have foosball back there, a pool table. We’ve got the two pool tables over there. We got an NBA Jam, Ms. Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat, in addition to a few more. It just gives you something to do while you’re eating and drinking, if you want to mingle with some friends and play some games.”The venue will be open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day with the full food menu served until closing time. “One of our busiest time slots here is after 10 o’clock, because we’re one of the few places in the area with our kitchen open so late. So, we’re going to continue to do that,” Latino said. 

“We’re going to do stuff every night. We’re going to have aggressive happy hour specials. We’re going to have themed specials and some different themes each night,” he said. “We’re also looking for team affiliations. So, Penn State’s been in touch with us. So, I think they’re on board with doing the Penn State game watch here. The Packers are going to continue their watches here.”