Captain and Krewe, Naples, Florida

While Nancy and I were in Marco Island with John and Helen Tierney, we all decided to drive up to Naples to take in an art show and a sunset cruise. We arrived at the art show early, just as they were setting up in the park, so we decided to grab lunch, and then walk around downtown Naples. By then the art show would be set up and would occupy us until time to head to the pier for the cruise.

We had lunch at Captain and Krewe right across the street from the park at which the art show was then setting up,

It’s a small combination retail seafood store and cafe, with the fish display fogged up.

and the cafe with a helpful chalkboard guide to the dread Market Price.

The outside seating overlooks the park, and there are high-tops indoors. The former being full, we grabbed a couple of two-person high-tops that had been pushed together, and planned lunch. I reflexively started things off with some smoked fish dip.

It came with the crackers that you see above. The crackers were varied and interesting, and they didn’t fight the smoky flavor of the dip.

At this point we divided into two camps. Two of us had blackened grouper sandwiches.

And two had blackened grouper tacos.

You may see this as an inconsequential difference, but the Lilliputians and Blefuscuans were egged on into war over less. The shining sun and balmy breezes of Florida, however, soothe even the savage breast. That’s especially true for those fed with grouper that is fresh, seasoned just so, and cooked even just so-er. Did you notice the tomato with the sandwich — red rather than a sickly pink? It had flavor! In winter! And the little metal bowl contained an aioli rather than tartar sauce for another win.

After lunch we walked the couple of blocks to the main shopping strip. Downtown Naples is work of gawk. Or should I spell it Naple$? You get to see lots of Bentleys, the odd Ferrari, and shoals of Maseratis. I’ve passed the stage of wanting more stuff, so I had no interest in the stores or the real estate offerings — at least none beyond that car-wreck sort of fascination. It was remarkable that although hurricane Ian had put four feet of water into the stores of downtown Naples not long before, almost every vestige of damage had been scrubbed away. Nancy recalled that during her Operation Smile Mission to Nicaragua in 2017, the damage from the 1974 earthquake was still everywhere to be seen.

We strolled through the crowded art show, which featured the usual mix of incredible nature photos enlarged to mammoth proportions, large art, fine art, and bad art. I hate to sound like a Philistine, although I should be used to it by now, but there is a sameness to outdoor art shows. I may not know art, but I know what I like, and I can’t afford it.

The cruise was pleasant, and all in all it was a day very well spent. Captain and Krewe helped make it so. It’s a delightful place for a relaxed and tasty lunch, just the place to take a break from the elegant excess of Naples. Give it a try next time you’re there.

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