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<p>Monterey, CA is a city with an interesting past. Alta (Upper) California was a territory that included Monterey. It was owned by Spain and was acquired by Mexico after their independence from them.  By Samuel Augustus Mitchell &#8211; This file was provided to Wikimedia Commons by Geographicus Rare Antique Maps, a specialist dealer in rare [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Cibao Grille is a restaurant in the Neopolitan Way Shopping Center in Naples, FL. As you approach the restaurant, there is ample outside seating. As you enter the Cibao Grille, there is a nice bar area where you can dine and a more formal dining area with very well appointed dining tables. Some very good [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Taco Vazquez is a restaurant inside of the Sunmart gas station in Estero, FL. I was intrigued by this place not only for the kudos it has received but by it&#8217;s interesting location. As you walk into the Sunmart gas station you will encounter Taco Vazquez. They do not have a website or an updated [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Here is another installment from local retired Master Sommelier Barry Larvin&#8217;s wine blog, Windows On Wine. To learn a bit more about the grape, Sauvignon Blanc, and the wine made from it, go Here. Cheers!</p>

<p>The American Culinary Federation (ACF) is a national organization of almost 20,000 members and 150 chapters nationwide. They are made up of chefs, food industry professionals and perhaps a food writer or blogger or two. For the most part, here is what ACF is all about. I cannot say this any better so I am [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Zen Asian BBQ  (Zen) is a restaurant in north Naples, FL. The restaurant, as of this writing, has been open less than one year. I have been there numerous times over the past 7 months or so. I consider this establishment one of the best restaurants in Naples. Even though this is another article in [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Shangri-La Springs is a historic property in Bonita Springs, FL. The initial building on the property was built in 1921 as a small hotel to accommodate potential buyers for a local real estate development. The property changed hands many times over the years, expanding and it&#8217;s mineral springs becoming a health-related focus for osteopathic and [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Joon Bar and Kitchen is a restaurant in Provincetown, MA. As of this writing, they have been open for their 3rd season. Joon Means dear in Farsi but I am not sure if this is what the owners had in mind.  Provincetown is a very interesting place historically. It dates from before the Pilgrims. Since [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The Peter Michael Winery (PMW) is a collection of properties in Sonoma and Napa counties. The original and main property is a 650 acre tract of land located on part of Mt. St. Helena in Calistoga, CA. The land was purchased by Sir Peter Michael in 1983. He may be best know for his foray into the film [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Blanc is a restaurant in Fort Myers, FL located in Cypress Square. The exterior of the restaurant is somewhat dissonant with the interior atmosphere and the fare served here. They occupy the space where the Oyster Shell restaurant resided for 37 years. There is not much Affichage outside at present so it was a bit [&hellip;]</p>

<p>For those that do not know, The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is one of the premier culinary arts schools in the world.  The school was established in the mid 20th Century, and became significant with the start of it&#8217;s Hyde Park, NY Campus in 1970. Associate and Bachelor&#8217;s degrees are awarded from this institution, with tuition [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The California Redwoods are the tallest living things on earth. They can grow up to 400 feet tall, be 30 feet in circumference and 1200-1800 years old. Unfortunately, about 70% of old (first) growth has been decimated by environmental changes or logging. Their natural habitat runs from Monterey, CA to Southwest OR. Their range is [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Araya  is a restaurant in Naples, FL featuring sushi, grilled Asian and Thai cuisine. Araya in Thai means rare. My dining companion (DC) and I that day decided to go to Araya for lunch. They have a pleasant, commodious indoor dining area and outdoor seating as well. DC and I decided to try a number [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Public relations (PR) is sort of a nebulous term to the uninitiated of us. What exactly is PR? The Public Relations Society of America defines it more globally as a tool to help “an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each other.” This is done in a variety of ways. These include, but are [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Salsa Brava is a restaurant that serves Mexican Cuisine. Jose, the owner, serves many excellent Mexican dishes here. Some of them are recipes handed down from his grandmother. My dining companion and I tried a number of items on our visit. Read More&#8230;</p>

<p>Fish Crazy is a restaurant in Naples, FL. As the discerning reader may surmise, they are a seafood restaurant.  Fish Crazy has been open since early 2015. Recently they have started a happy hour that runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. I am always looking for a good happy hour, and heard it was [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Breakfast lovers are different. They all seem to have their favorite breakfast spot that is off the radar and known to few but themselves. There are many in the area to choose from and if you are not a breakfast aficionado, it can be a difficult choice. Here are three that have made an impression [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Bleu Provence is an establishment in Naples, FL that serves French food. The proprietors are Jacques Cariot and his wife, Lysielle, who is the restaurant’s Chef De Cuisine. Recently, Bleu Provence sponsored a very special food and wine pairing with Peter Michael Wine. Read More </p>

<p>The Happehatchee Center is a 5 acre preserve of land in Estero, FL. As you enter Happehatchee and learn more about the property it has an interesting history. It was acquired by the Girl Scouts in the middle of the 20th century until sold to a private individual in 1972. Over time, it became a [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Brutus Seafood Market and Eatery is a restaurant on Marathon, FL. Marathon is a good stopping point when visiting the keys as it is about halfway down the Overseas Highway between Miami and Key West. As you approach the restaurant there is indoor dining and a seafood market in addition to outside dining in a [&hellip;]</p>