How Naples Noms Brings the Naples Dining Scene to Locals and Visitors
A Direct Link to Delicious: How Naples Noms Brings the Naples Dining Scene to Locals and Visitors
One day in 2019, a young couple who had recently relocated to Florida’s Paradise Coast started a new Instagram account. Little did Tatiana and Jorge Gadala-Maria know how quickly and organically their following would grow. Known as Naples Noms, they are now recognized by locals and visitors seeking the best dining experiences around town.
“We’ve always had a love for food and finding special or unique places to eat,” says Tatiana. “So the account was really just a way to show friends and family what we’d been discovering since moving to Naples.” But the more time they dedicated to it, the more vibrant, popular and trusted it became as a social media platform to showcase many of the area’s local restaurants.
What Stood Out About the Naples Culinary Scene?
Compared to where they previously lived, the couple was pleased to find a lot more mom-and-pop spots. “So when we’d think of a certain restaurant, we’d be thinking of a certain family, couple or chef,” says Jorge. “This has helped us connect on a personal level with the establishments as well as our followers.”
Sitting inside Bleu Provence, they elaborate further on this distinction. “We’re sitting in one right now,” says Jorge. “This restaurant was started by a husband and wife, and now their children are slowly beginning to take over.” He explains how the wine cellar is now headed up by one of their sons, adding a unique story to popular Naples restaurants like Bleu Provence.
A New Account Evolves…
Reflecting on the beginnings of Naples Noms, Tatiana chuckles. “I had just recently upgraded my phone,” she says. “So now I could take these beautiful pictures of food… and the idea came out of that.” Eventually, the couple started putting together reels not just showing menu items, but conveying the actual experience and what it feels like to walk into the featured establishments. They also highlighted the people behind the businesses for even greater emotional appeal.
Another gradual change was the couple revealing themselves to their followers. “We started out anonymous and faceless,” says Jorge. “But eventually we started showing ourselves a little bit, which led to being recognized more and more.” Now, when they want to feature a restaurant, they contact the business in advance. This up-front collaboration helps create the kind of high-quality content they want to share. “We always want our next video to be better than the last one,” says Jorge.
…As Does the Naples Culinary scene
In terms of how local dining has evolved, Naples Noms believes it’s moving more toward what you typically see in major cities. “Places have opened with chefs who are well known and have even been on television,” says Tatiana. “They are innovating and trying new approaches people in Naples may not be used to.” Jorge adds that restaurants are inviting guests to go outside of their comfort zone, whether by trying unfamiliar ingredients or something that might not be prepared the way they are used to.
When it comes to ingredients, Tatiana and Jorge have noticed lots of restaurants beginning to source locally. “When we first moved here, there were just a handful of places even listing where they sourced their ingredients,” says Tatiana. “But now there are so many menus sharing where everything is from. It’s a really awesome thing to see.” Jorge concurs. “At the end of the day, I think local food tastes better,” he says.
What Does Naples Noms Recommend to People Visiting Town for the First Time?
Smiling, the couple says this is one of the questions they are asked most often. Considering all the dining options available on the Paradise Coast, this makes perfect sense. “We always recommend trying at least one waterfront restaurant,” says Jorge. He also mentions visiting a restaurant in one of the many resorts, as well as somewhere unexpected, such as in a strip mall. Tatiana adds another consideration. “We also try to recommend places ranging from luxurious to very casual,” she says. “This way, people on any budget can have great dining experiences.”
Naples Noms would love for visitors to understand there are real people behind all of these businesses. “Every place has a story,” says Tatiana. “You can walk in as a stranger and leave as a friend, even if you’re a tourist.”
A Special Role and Relationship
Tatiana and Jorge say they want to be the biggest cheerleaders for everyone who has a passion for anything related to food and drinks across Naples. They also value and respect the trust they’ve established with followers.
Regarding restaurants, many of them also trust Naples Noms to showcase their place in the best manner possible. “We’re very flattered by that,” says Jorge. “I like to say that we recommend versus review. We’re not here to criticize or tell anyone what they should or shouldn’t be doing. Instead, if we go out and have a really good experience, you’re going to see that on our page.”
He also mentions how gratifying it is to hear from a restaurant owner who says they had an incredibly busy day or weekend after being featured on Naples Noms. And would you believe the couple often hears from people who have lived in Naples for 30 or 40 years who say Naples Noms introduced them to places they never knew existed?
For this much trust and such an audience, you might think Naples Noms requires around-the-clock work. But in reality, it’s a passion project for two people who each have a full-time job. “We do it because we love doing it,” says Tatiana. That love clearly shines through, as the once-new Instagram page is now a must-follow for any local or visitor with taste buds.
Time to Dish on Their Favorite Dish
The question has to be asked: If this popular young couple had to choose just one dish to enjoy for the rest of their lives, what would it be? With suddenly blank expressions, the Noms go silent. But after a few moments, they give an impossible task their very best attempt.
“For me it’d be a well-prepared, fried fish sandwich,” says Jorge.” “Most likely grouper… with homemade sauce or mayo… fresh tomato… and iceberg lettuce.” Less specific and with a dash of nostalgia, Tatiana chimes in. “A really good burger by the water… that’s all I really need.”
To experience the best dining spots in Naples for yourself, and perhaps bump into Naples Noms around town sometime, ONLY Paradise will do.