PJK Neighborhood Chinese Brings Coastal Chinese to Estero

By Cheryl Mandell

PJK Neighborhood Chinese has made its way to Coconut Point. Locals may already be familiar with its downtown Naples location, which opened in March 2023 in the former longtime spot of Ciao Ristorante. PJK is the newest concept from renowned restaurateur, Paul Fleming and his wife Jody Goodenough-Fleming, CEO of Paul Fleming Restaurants.

Paul Fleming, along with co-founder Bill Allen, developed a restaurant chain that bears his name: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, which started in 1998 in Newport Beach, California. Fleming is also the founder of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, a name derived from his initials. The first opened in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1993. Fleming’s Naples-based restaurant group also owns Lake Park Diner, with two locations in Naples.

The Flemings made Naples their home in 2016. After several years in the coastal community, they were inspired to create a restaurant in their own neighborhood, serving Chinese flavors while incorporating  locally sourced ingredients from the bounty of fresh seafood available along the Naples coast. Thus, PJK Neighborhood Chinese was born. This time, the acronym stands for Paul, Jody and Kolton, their Bernese Mountain dog who graces the restaurant group’s office and has been dubbed the Director of Vibes.

After much success in its original location on Fourth Avenue in Old Naples, PJK Neighborhood Chinese took over the former space of The Saloon in Coconut Point Mall. Stepping inside, one might find it hard to believe it’s the same space – the clean, white interior of PJK’s offers a glimpse of Asian accents on the walls, with the focal point being a large cherry blossom tree in the center of the restaurant. Large paper globe lanterns hang from the ceiling and provide a warmth to the contemporary ambiance.

The PJK menu features starters such as Asian corndogs and hand-folded dumplings, favorites such as Dirty Fried Rice, local seafood prepared with the sweet heat of traditional Chinese dishes like orange beef with spicy Sichuan sauce, and classics like General Tso’s – a favorite of Dining Manager Areceli Leon. The menu also features salads, dim sum, items from the wok and PJK Exclusives. They also serve a lunch menu, which features the same items in smaller, aptly priced versions.

To wash it down, PJK offers a wealth of beautiful craft cocktails, with exotic names like Dragon’s Hive and Shiso Lovely, along with a generous wine, bubbly and sake menu to round out the dining experience.

PJK is open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Experience traditional Asian cuisine with creative contemporary twists, for a delicious, authentic meal – now in your own neighborhood!