Don't stop with restaurants and bars. Already, the museum has acquired a collection of 276 contemporary American paintings spanning the years 1900-1955 and an extensive collection of ancient Chinese art. The museum building, adjacent to the current Phil space, is designed to be simple and elegant, says Daniels, with marbled interiors and a 90-foot glass dome by Dale Chiluly. Though the Phil is located a few miles to the north, much of the activity in Naples these days is centered in the historic downtown, in the areas along 3rd Street South and on 5th Avenue. Umbrella-covered tables spill onto cafe terraces.
Shops are now open at least some evenings and on Sundays.
When she first arrived in Naples 20 years ago, patrons required formal settings and service. The interest in casual options has grown so dramatically that last year she and her partner doubled the size of their coffee and wine shop, Tony's Off Third, adding imported cheeses and Ciabello ice cream, available on the Gulf Coast only at Tony's. We're finally becoming cosmopolitan. But that's not to say snooty. Naples is a community of layers.