Hi from JLB | Revisiting two old favorites: One restaurant and one chef

Jean Le Boeuf
jleboeuf@news-press.com
Potato-crusted mangrove snapper with thick spears of asparagus in a light lemon-cream sauce.

I found myself at two longtime favorites this week: The Pewter Mug and Harold's. 

The Pewter Mug moved a few blocks north in Naples in August, leaving behind its almost-50-year-old home. Harold's has only been open for three years, but Chef Harold Balink has cooked in and around Southwest Florida for decades. 

And then there were doughnuts (all kinds of doughnuts), failed restaurant inspections (eww) and the tandoori chicken recipe that "Beat Bobby Flay" (yum). 

Here's what you may have missed.

New look same Mug

The Pewter Mug reopened in August taking over the former Fish Crazy and Naples Tomato space on the Lee-Collier border. The new restaurant looks cleaner and more modern, but its menu — slow-roasted prime rib, scallops, a massive salad bar — remains all but unchanged. Find my review here. 

Grateful

When I drove by and saw Harold's in south Fort Myers was closed last month I panicked. I thought Chef Balink had left us for greener pastures, and, after losing his wife to cancer last year, I wouldn't have blamed him. Turns out he was just on vacation. I vowed to go back to his restaurant as soon as it reopened. And I'm thrilled I did. Harold's is amazing as ever. Here's my review. 

In doughnut news

Is there such thing as too many doughnuts? On Tuesday, Krispy Kreme opened its first Southwest Florida location in Fort Myers when Mayor Randy Henderson lit the neon-red "Hot Now" signs at 6 a.m. The store caused traffic jams and still has lines around the block. Check out our coverage:

• Hot doughnuts NOW: Krispy Kreme debuts 

• Krispy Kreme Fort Myers: Meet the family behind the doughnuts

But there's more to the SWFL doughnut scene than Krispy Kreme. Those seeking doughnuts WITHOUT an insane line (or a drive into Lee County) need to check out my list of a half-dozen doughnut alternatives, many of which I love far more than Krispy Kreme. 

What else?

• What goes better with doughnuts than coffee? Four new java shops have sprouted up from Bonita Springs to Naples. Tim Aten has their stories. 

• Want to taste what it's like to beat Bobby Flay? It's going to take a trip to the Indian grocery store. Try out the recipe for 21 Spices' tandoori chicken, the dish that did indeed "Beat Bobby Flay" on his Food Network show of the same name. Shelby Reynolds has your shopping list. 

• Speaking of famous chefs, chef-lebrity Scott Conant is headlining this month's Paradise Coast Wine & Food Experience in Naples. Get an inside look at what the famed restaurateur is preparing. Shelby's back with his story. 

• And in not-so-tasty news, Golden Corral was one of a handful of local restaurants forced to temporarily close recently after failing health inspections. Annabelle Tometich shares the details. 

Stuffed? Just wait until next week. There's always something new and tasty happening with me. 

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Bon appetit!

JLB

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Why can't we be friends? Follow me at facebook.com/jeanleboeufswfl or @JeanLeBoeuf on Twitter and Instagram

Jean Le Boeuf is the pseudonym used by a local food lover who dines at restaurants anonymously and without warning, with meals paid for by The News-Press. Email the critic at jleboeuf@news-press.com