The Local Restaurant — Restaurant in Florida

Bottom line on top: $75 for a two person dinner (oh..get ready for $7 draft beers), absolutely incompetent service (save one amazing busser), and teeny tiny portions will make you feel like you just bought a timeshare. There is the promise of top-class experiences and the delivery of an overpriced rip-off. My hope is The Local lives up to its name like snow-birds, local for a short time, then thankfully gone and forgotten.

There are some restaurants down here in Naples that are for year-round residents, and there are some from the snowbirds and tourists. The food for the restaurant might be locally sourced, but it appears that its target customer is not.

Upon entering, we were greeted appropriately enough, but that was the highlight of the evening. It was around 8pm on a Saturday night and there were six tables occupied, including our own. There were also five or six waitstaff on duty, a "hostess", and a busser. After being seated, we waited for about 15 minutes with no waitstaff coming near us. There was no offer of water, no greeting, there was nothing. There were two waitstaff hanging out talking in a corner and two others hanging out near the bar. The table who was seated 5 minutes after us received prompt attention. They were older snowbirds, we were not. Obviously, the waitstaff follow what they see as the money. After around 15 minutes, I went to the "hostess" to ask if waitstaff was assigned to our table. She looked at me as if I was speaking in tongues. It took the busser to actually give us attention and prompt service. She apologized for the wait and brought out water and the free hummus and veggie plate. So, unless you're a snow-bird or like reading a menu awkwardly for 15 minutes, AVOID! We were debating leaving, but figured the food might make up for the indifferent and incompetent waitstaff. NOPE. The hummus was more a chickpea puree with little seasoning. I've made my fair share of hummus, and know what it should taste like. It was free and was priced well considering its quality.

The entrees ordered were gnocchi and pork dish and a blue cheese encrusted steak. The sides for the steak were a sweet potato cake and beets/radishes. The food was cooked and seasoned competently, but lacking the flair of an artist. The portions were laughable. Maybe you're thinking "this is just some yokel who is used to Cracker Barrel portions.” Daniel Boulud, Wylie Dufresne, Michelle Bernstein, etc. left me more than satisfied and I paid much more. It is almost farcical to mention such esteemed names in a review of this place, but I just wanted to assuage any doubts you might have. One small sweet potato cake, 3 small pieces of beet and 3 small pieces of radish (is there a vegetable shortage??) is not nearly enough. Just because it is “locally sourced” doesn’t mean that $29 gets your what amounts to a tasting...

We dined here a couple of weeks ago on our way to the the Everglades. Very cute place (much nicer inside though) located in a strip mall. The service was excellent, our waitress was friendly and smiled a lot, we felt very comfortable with her.

The food was a bit more problematic. It was tasty but the portions were very small. I was still hungry after my entree and I am not a big eater. We found ourselves having to order several sides to fill up which were all again small. There was a lot of fat in my pork dish which I usually don't get at other restaurants. Also their "fresh" vegetables seemed to have a marinated and previously frozen taste to them. Only the leafy greens tasted fresh and there wasn't much of that in the salad or anything else. I ordered a dessert and while it was good it was very expensive for such a small portion. The prices are high, expect to leave having paid $100.00 or more with tax and tip for 2 including drinks and dessert. Very expensive for a strip mall restaurant.

The big disappointment came however after learning that they use refined white sugar (cane juice also, same thing) in all of their desserts and many of their dishes. Even the fresh whipped cream has added sugar as well as many of their sauces and dressings. My wife is a Diabetic and had to select very carefully with special instructions. And she couldn't have any dessert. For a place that professes to serve healthy fresh foods, I am disappointed they would use so much refined white sugar in their dishes. Our visit here and willingness to pay more for meals that are much cheaper elsewhere (and with a better view) was because we thought we were getting healthier food and my wife would have more options than the standard restaurant. Not so at all. While I appreciate the philosophy the food did not seem...

The Local is literally the only restaurant in Naples at which I have found locally-sourced, socially conscious, creatively prepared cuisine offered in a hip, yet unpretentious environment. Family owned, and professionally managed, it's a refreshing alternative to Naples typical restaurant fair. It's less Tommy Bahama or 5th Ave. wannabe,and more like something you would find in trendy Uptown Minneapolis, or Portland Oregon's artsy NW neighborhood.

With a menu that changes slightly each day according to locally available ingredients, The Local offers a full range of freshly prepared options for both vegetarians and meat/fish lovers. My favorites so far have been the Cobia, Gazpacho, Parmesan Fries, Kale cake and Vegetarian Flat bread. My husband is fond of their Pork Shoulder. I have just started eating beef again, but for health and ethical reasons, I only eat responsibly raised meat. I can't wait to try the grass-fed beef dishes at The Local.

The Local is located near the corner of Pineridge and Airport Pulling Rd in an unassuming strip mall. But don't let its vanilla location fool you. Creativity seeps not only through the simple, yet whimsical decor, but also into the anything but ordinary menu items. I love that instead of bread and butter, they serve fresh veggies and gourmet white-bean dip as a preamble to dinner. Of course, I'm sure bread and butter is also available for those who desire it.

As a side note when I have gone there, the restaurant has always been clean, which is super important to me.

In terms of service, the staff is low-key, friendly, 'real' and eager to please. Most of the times I have dined at The Local their front of house manager stops by our table to ask us if everything is going well. It's a nice touch - makes us feel welcome...