Buche noel at Cafe Normandy. -KAREN FELDMAN / FLORIDA WEEKLY
Café Normandie offers delicious French classics for holidays at home
Should you want to add a bit of delicious French style to your entertaining on Christmas, you have until Monday, Dec. 15, to order any of the festive goodies Café Normandie chef-owner Anthony Ethuin and his wife and co-owner, Sandie Ethuin, are offering for the holidays.
A Buche de Noel (traditional yule log cake filled with butter cream) comes in your choice of praline hazelnut, chocolate or mocha.
Beef Wellington served at Cafe Normandy. -KAREN FELDMAN / FLORIDA WEEKLY
The Christmas Market 2025 includes la ballotine de foie gras de canard (duck liver terrine with chutney); a dozen escargots in the shell with garlic and parsley butter; whole quiche; traditional beef Wellington (with sauce Rossini truffle, au gratin potatoes and veggies); Bite Me Sweet (medley of mini desserts for up to 6 people).
Place an order and 10% deposit by Dec. 15, then pick it up the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 24. Order onsite or call 239-261-0977.
The café also hosts a French bakery market from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays through April. Throughout the season, the café opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday through Friday for breakfast, with lunch commencing at 11 a.m. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 3756 Tamiami Trail N.; 239-261-0977; cafenormandienaples.com.
District adds space, including open-air cigar lounge
For Chris Shucart, Marty Kenney and Christopher Lee, opportunity need only tap lightly for them to answer the call.
The three friends and partners in CMC Hospitality saw the chance to create a multi-concept venue in the heart of the developing Naples Design District and took it, opening four diverse yet connected spots at Central Square: District (sushi and cocktails), Staff Only (Prohibition-era speakeasy), The Mini Bar (outdoor casual with live music) and The Alley (late-night sports bar).
Two years later, another opportunity enabled them to expand District by 400 square feet, adding indoor and outdoor spaces, including an open-air cigar lounge.
“When the opportunity arose to expand into the former Yacht Club Subs space, we knew it was a natural next step,” Mr. Shucart says. “We’re amplifying what guests already love about District: elevated dining, creative cocktails, and a fun, social energy.”
District specializes in creative sushi and craft cocktails. It now boasts an al fresco space on 12th Street South. The owners designed and constructed the new space, merging tropical ease with a modern urban edge. Mr. Lee developed the cigar program to complement the cocktail and sushi menus. The open-air cigar lounge blends outdoor dining, drinking, dancing, cigars and hookahs with an ambience that encourages guests to linger.
Cigar lovers can buy any of four cigar and wine memberships, ranging from the entry-level Cigar Enthusiast to the top-tier Great Gatsby. Perks include complimentary birthday cigars, monthly events with guest privileges, preferred pricing on individual cigars and boxes, onsite cigar storage and gift certificates. Premium tiers include wine locker access with personalized nameplates, discounts and the ability to bring in personal bottles.
District’s main entrance is at 12th Street South and 1200 Central Ave. (look for the wall of pink bougainvillea); districtnaples.com.
District Sushi & Cocktails. -KAREN FELDMAN / FLORIDA WEEKLY
Celebrate with Santa, hot chocolate and a Grinch movie party
If you want to meet Santa (and perhaps plead your case before the big day), mark your calendar for 9-10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Then head to Alamo Drafthouse Cinema for complimentary hot chocolate and photos with the big guy. No reservations or tickets required.
At noon, a family-friendly movie party starts with a presentation of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” presented as a 25th anniversary celebration. Movie party tickets include themed props.
Additional screenings take place at 3 and 6 p.m. Mercato, 9118 Strada Place; 239-427-4463; drafthouse.com/southwest-florida/
Santa then visits Sea Salt
Then, Santa heads to Sea Salt. Anyone interested in speaking with Santa, complete with a keepsake photo and a seasonal two-course lunch, can do so here on Saturday, Dec. 20, at either the 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. seating.
The adult menu includes cauliflower salad with pomegranate, celery, pistachio, cinnamon-allspice maple vinaigrette with cavatelli pasta with radicchio, prosciutto and grana padana cream.
Children younger than 16 will be served orzo “mac” and cheese and a double chocolate brownie. It’s $50 per adult, $25 per child. Seating is limited. 1186 Third St. South; 239-434-7258; seasaltnaples.com.
Dining and Cooking