A new restaurant on US 41 in North Naples has opened for lunch and dinner.
J. Alexander’s opened with a queue out the door on January 10. Of the chain’s thirty outlets around the nation, this is the first one in Naples.
After “endlessly watching” the building’s construction progress, Tom and Lynn Duchardt were “overjoyed” that J. Alexander’s had finally opened. They wanted to be the first guests. The couple, who recently retired, has traveled widely and has been to ten different places, according to a recent article by Diana Biederman of Naples Daily News.
Mr. Duchardt remarked, “The food is outstanding and the service is excellent.”
The two of them sat by the large kitchen window, one of the many places to sit in the large room, accented with pieces of local art. Along U.S. 41, the old kitchen of Buca de Beppo is converted into a private dining space that seats 25.
Veteran J. Alexander takes over the kitchen in North Naples
Executive chef Morgan Couch, a veteran of J. Alexander’s, is in charge of the kitchen and is “excited to take Naples by storm.” The chain had previously employed him in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and Lexington, Kentucky.
Couch oversees the “tasting plate” several times a day, where the whole culinary crew gathers and gets ready to make sure the quality of everything from soups to sauces is constant.
The CEO of SPB Hospitality, which operates 15 restaurant brands—including Logan’s Roadhouse and J. Alexander’s—is Josh Kern. The nearest location is in Fort Myers.
Kern outlined the distinctions between J. Alexander’s and other comparable business ideas.
In terms of casual chains, it’s at the forefront of the upmarket eating scene, offering high-quality culinary service. Every location has had a scratch-made kitchen from the beginning.
“The team’s training has been focused on the heartbeat. They are trained to greet clients with a smile and to ensure that they are greeted warmly and invitingly as they enter the restaurant,” according to Kern.
Naples is home to a few specialties, such as kale salad and shrimp cocktail. Because the city is near the Gulf, there will be more seafood specials available. Kern’s go-to dish is baked “Brasserie Chicken” ($28), which can be challenging for many restaurants to serve because of the interval between cooking the chicken and serving the dish to preserve its juicy quality.
Things to be aware of
Appetizers and salads range in price from $14 to $24, portable lobsters from $17 to $25, and surf and turf from $31 to $54. More wines by the glass and in bottles are available on the extensive wine list than are usually seen at restaurants with comparable themes. Premium handmade drinks range in price from $13 to $16.
During peak season, reservations are recommended and can be made using Resy. There is also lots of parking.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; on Sunday, till 9 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News
