Ce Soir Brings an Elegant Taste of France to Naples

By Cheryl Mandell

CeSoir in Bayfront, Naples

The new Ce Soir modern French restaurant in Bayfront combines Naples coastal beauty with the sophisticated flavors of France and the Mediterranean. The menu brings together fresh seafood, premium meats, French technique and the smoky character of live-fire cooking.

The expansive 7,000-square-foot restaurant is the U.S. debut of Canadian-based Aidan Hospitality, whose original Ce Soir Brasserie + Bar opened in Oakville, Ontario, in 2023. For CEO John Pirathap and his family, Naples was a natural choice for the company’s first American venture. The family has a condominium in North Naples, and Pirathap saw similarities between Naples and Oakville, both communities offering an appealing combination of waterfront living and sophistication.

Inside, Ce Soir is modern and elegant, with jewel-toned greens, sandy neutrals and driftwood-inspired grays paired with mosaic tile, golden lighting, flowing drapery and luxurious seating. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the waterfront setting indoors, while a striking 24-seat Cristallo-stone bar and an impressive display of hundreds of wine bottles create a glamorous focal point. Outside seating offers  views of Naples Bay and the Gordon River.

Executive Chef Alex Malinowski creates menu items with precision and creativity. The raw bar offers ice-chilled oysters accompanied by green-apple mignonette, herb oil and Pernod granita, or a seafood platter featuring oysters, whole lobster, hamachi crudo, tuna tartare and ceviche. The snapper ceviche pairs fresh fish with a subtlety sweet passionfruit consommé, micro cilantro and green onion.

“The bone marrow and escargots are one of my favorite dishes. We have this one in Canada as well, but here in Naples we have the Josper grill, which gives it that wood fire char,” said George Gill, Aidan Hospitality partner and marketing director.

For heartier fare, the Josper charcoal grill takes center stage. Choices include an 1855 Black Angus prime ribeye, Chilean sea bass with leek fondue and saffron beurre blanc, and a spectacular 34-ounce Wagyu tomahawk designed for two. The duck confit, served with bean cassoulet, pancetta, sausage and pangrattato (Italian crispy breadcrumbs), delivers classic Mediterranean with a contemporary presentation.

Pasta lovers have plenty to explore, including  seafood linguine combining octopus, prawns and mussels with spicy fra diavolo sauce, while caviar pasta pairs spaghetti and seared scallops with Osetra caviar.

The cocktails carry the same spirit of creativity. Award-winning Canadian mixologist Jacob Martin created a lineup that incorporates Florida ingredients and unexpected flavors, including a Grilled Avocado Passionfruit Sour, Grapefruit Brulee and a Toasted Coconut Espresso Martini. A global wine collection complements the cuisine.

Happy hour is offered every day from 3-5 p.m., with $15 appetizers and $5 off all wines by the glass. Late on the weekend evenings, Ce Soir evolves into a stylish social destination. Curated music and Friday and Saturday DJs extend the experience late into the night, adding a lively pulse to the polished surroundings, complete with a disco-ball mirrored selfie booth next to the bar.

Ce Soir brings a fresh international perspective to Naples’ vibrant dining scene, blending French and Mediterranean influences with the warmth of Canadian hospitality.