Old Vines Naples at Mercato

A Seduction of the Senses

By Cheryl Mandell

Old Vines Naples at Mercato

One of the most notable additions to the impressive restaurant lineup at Mercato in north Naples is that of Old Vines Naples, which opened in January 2024.

Located near the entrance to Strada Place on the west side, Old Vines Naples beckons with its red illuminated sign and ample outdoor seating, both in front and in the breezeway along the side of the restaurant. Purposefully planted clusia bushes offer nice privacy from the road.

Stepping inside Old Vines, the seduction of the senses begins. Sultry red and black cover nearly every surface, from the red bar backdrop and black leather chairs, to the chic black and red bar lights, and red velvet curtains draped over the windows. An opulent chandelier creates a stunning centerpiece above a secluded eight-top, and a winding light display featuring clear wine bottles results in an artistic, eye-catching illumination that spans nearly the length of the rear dining space.

“The color scheme and palette comes from the original restaurant in Maine,” said Chef-owner Brooke Kravetz. “We took our visions and meshed them in terms of the food, cocktails and wine.”

Fourteen years ago, Kravetz was the first chef at the original Old Vines Wine Bar in her hometown of Kennebunk, Maine. The original spot, owned by her business partners Rick Taranto and John Ellms, was sold this past year to focus on expansion in Florida.

The first Florida location, Old Vines Supper Club on Davis Boulevard in Naples, is an intimate dining space that opened in February 2023 and will soon be exclusively for small private events. A third location in a much larger space is set to open this November in the Shoppes at Vanderbilt.

There is nothing ordinary about the casual fine dining offerings at Old Vines Naples at Mercato. The menu reflects a balance of tradition and innovation, blending classic techniques with fresh perspective, serving dishes from lunch to late night.

Chef Kravetz rolled out a new menu mid-October. House favorites remain on the menu year-round, but many of the dishes are replaced seasonally based on the availability of local fresh produce items, including varieties of mushrooms from Naples-based Stropharia Mushroom Farm.

“My friends Jor’El and Sheth Schustrin own that farm, which is super local,” said Kravetz.” They’re about two miles away cultivating mushrooms, so that was a really good match to start with, and we use their mushrooms in as many dishes as possible.”

Clever cocktails prepared by seasoned mixologists span from timeless classics to creative, adventurous concoctions like Make No Mistake, a beautiful blend of Prosecco, Lazzaroni maraschino liqueur, Cocchi Americano spritz and rosa.

The extensive wine list is a thoughtful mix of old-world heritage and new-world exploration. Wine flights are served “autopilot,” which includes pre-selected wine tastings, or “co-pilot,” which allows guests to choose four wine tasting selections.

Old Vines also believes in giving back to the community, raising $1,000 for Blessings in a Backpack through Sizzle Dining in September and creating a special cocktail menu in October to raise money for breast cancer awareness.

Enjoy a happy hour every day from 3 to 5 p.m., with crafted cocktails and slightly smaller portions of the existing menu options.

There are many dining options at Mercato in north Naples, but if you appreciate eclectic and elevated “casual fine dining” in a sultry and beckoning atmosphere, Old Vines Naples is not to be missed.