In the Know: Hampton Social opening Dec. 26 in Mercato

Q: Have either Rocco’s Tacos or The Hampton Social announced when they will actually be open in Mercato?

— Donald Shannon, Naples and Illinois

A: Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar is targeted to open in about a month, but The Hampton Social is opening the day after Christmas in Mercato.

The North Naples location of The Hampton Social will be Parker Restaurant Group’s first location outside of the Chicago area, where the hospitality brand operates three locations of The Hampton Social, a stylish, coastal-themed restaurant and bar. A predominately seafood menu for brunch, lunch and dinner is served in a venue promising cool vibes and a posh Hamptons-like East Coast experience.

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“We are ecstatic to bring the lifestyle experience of The Hampton Social to the beaches of Naples,” Parker Restaurant Group founder and CEO Brad Parker, 35, is quoted in a news release. “In addition to being a major milestone in our national expansion plan, this opening is a personal triumph for me as I grew up vacationing in Naples with my family and visit regularly to this day. This community is special, and we look forward to our continued growth both here in Florida and beyond.”

Parker’s grandparents built a home in Naples in the 1980s, so he has had the opportunity to spend many Christmas vacations and summer breaks here.

“We’ve been coming down here for as long as I can remember,” he said. “I’ve been coming down since I’ve been 7 or 8 years old, so Naples has always been dear to my heart.”

Opening Dec. 26 in the mixed-use lifestyle center, The Hampton Social replaces McCormick & Schmick’s, a Landry’s chain seafood restaurant that ended its 10-season run here on Easter. If possible, the new restaurant may have some soft opening events in the week before Christmas.

The completely renovated 8,445 square feet of dining space that will accommodate more than 300 guests, including high-top seating for up to 66 on a wrap-around outdoor patio. The new restaurant also will feature a private dining room, which will accommodate 50 people seated and larger capacities for cocktail parties or reception-style events.

The Hampton Social is designed to attract millennials as well as a wide range of age groups. The venue encourages parties of four or more for casual gatherings.

“It’s more about social dining,” Parker said. “No matter what time of day it is in the Hamptons, there’s something going on. So, I wanted a place to feel like there’s something going on no matter what time.”

Decorated with off-white Adirondack chairs and hammocks and warmly lit by a combination of chandeliers and rustic lanterns, the interior decor will embrace the concept’s nautical influence with whitewashed floors, rope accents, a pergola above the bar, and a large birch tree creating a canopy over the main dining room. Staff uniforms model the relaxed ambiance with rolled-up chinos or white jeans, polo shirts and boat shoes. 

The diverse food menus created by Corporate Executive Chef Francis Gonzalez will include signature seafood fare and select dishes that incorporate regional ingredients found in Southwest Florida. In addition to seafood and raw bar offerings, expect some eclectic items.

A healthy eater, Parker favors the restaurant’s cauliflower coconut risotto and pan-seared snapper but being a Chicagoan, he can’t resist a good cheeseburger.

“Our cheeseburger is phenomenal,” he said. “The scallop risotto is my favorite dish. The Brussels sprouts appetizer is one of my favorites.”

The Brussels sprouts starter features herb goat cheese, chili honey and almonds. Promoting what he calls “a pretty balanced menu,” Parker also recommends the jar of king crab with melted garlic butter, beef skewers with marinated tenderloin tips, the restaurant’s brick-oven pizzas, and lobster rolls served Maine-style or Manhattan-style (usually called Connecticut-style).

Diners also can expect an extensive wine list and a cocktail menu courtesy of Corporate Beverage Director Greg Innocent. The brand’s specialty cocktails include The Bee's Knees with tea-infused bourbon, apricot liqueur and honey; the Gatsby G&T with gin, lime, hibiscus apertivo and lemon tonic; and Frosé All Day with frozen vodka, rosé and peach puree. The Naples restaurant will feature the brand’s trademark “Rosé All Day” neon sign which guests can use as a backdrop for group photos or selfies.

“We want people to know that we are a big brunch spot and come out and experience our brunches,” Parker said.

Planning additional locations in Florida, Parker said he is working on some deals on the state’s east coast. His restaurant group also will have two more locations of The Hampton Social opening in the Chicago area next year and plans a Hampton Social and another one of its concepts, TheBassment, later next year in the trendy Flats area of Cleveland.

The Hampton Social in North Naples is next to Blue Martini lounge and near The Capitol Grille in Mercato. The upscale center at U.S. 41 and Vanderbilt Beach Road has two other highly anticipated restaurants coming this season.

Rocco’s Tacos

Rocco’s Tacos is targeted to launch in mid-January in the completely renovated space of the former Masa Mexican restaurant. The popular West Palm Beach-based casual restaurant chain is known for its taste of Mexico and a vibrant nightlife fueled by hundreds of types of tequila.

TooJay’s Deli Bakery Restaurant

TooJay’s Deli Bakery Restaurant is coming to the space vacated last year by Stage Deli. The Florida chain plans to open its first regional location this spring to serve east coast transplants and folks jonesing for a New York-style deli in Naples. 

The Hampton Social

The Hampton Social, 9114 Strada Place, will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. For more information go to TheHamptonSocial.com.

Have a local question? Email it with your name and city of residence to intheknow@naplesnews.com. Tim Aten’s "In the Know" is published every Monday and Wednesday. Follow In the Know on Facebook now at facebook.com/timaten.intheknow.

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