By TIM ATEN

Originally published 05:55 a.m., October 27, 2010
Updated 09:39 a.m., October 27, 2010

Q: At Bayfront, Shane’s Cabana Bar was to have gone by means of a remodeling job, converting it to two floors. Is the venture still alive, and if it is, when is the scheduled date for start of construction and completion?

— Juan Gonzalez, Miami

A: The venture to triple the size in the Naples waterfront bar has been temporarily put on maintain, according to Kevin L. Stoneburner of Stoneburner Development Co., which owns Shane’s Cabana Bar, 495 Bayfront Site.

Stoneburner had plans to replace the one-story, 1,000-square-foot bar on the Gordon River with a two-story, 3,600-square-foot open-air developing with restrooms on each floors.

The application for your project’s making permit was cancelled by the developer Oct. 1, stated Naples city planner Adam Benigni.

It has been nearly two years because Naples Metropolis Council approved the enlargement challenge, overturning the decision with the city’s Design Review Board. In August 2008, the advisory panel rejected the proposed growth since board members explained it was too big for the restricted waterfront space.

Amador’s Bistro Italiano

Q: Amador’s Bistro Italiano was closed in September. I heard a rumor that they may well reopen soon. I hope so. Very best Italian dining in Naples. Any word?

— Naples Joe

A: It’s not a rumor, Joe. Amador’s Bistro Italiano, 2500 U.S. 41 N., recently reopened right after taking a few months off during the slow season.

The restaurant, which was closed Aug. 15 to Oct. 15, is now open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday as a result of Saturday.

Extra news for Southwest Florida foodies:

■ CityFest “Films and Flavors” takes place on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. The special outdoor dining knowledge will take place on tables stretching from Ninth Street South to Third Street South. Participating in the special prix fixe menu are Bistro 821, Bert’s Seafood & Chowder House, McCabe’s Irish Pub & Grill, Vergina Restaurant, Fifth Avenue Coffee Company, Café and Bar Lurcat, Bellini Italian Restaurant, Bice, Café Luna, Ron’s Italian Pizzeria and Café, Ristorante D’Angeli, The Jolly Cricket and Truluck’s. A portion from the proceeds benefit the Naples International Film Festival.

■ Cafe Italia Ristorante’s Collier County location inside Naples Walk shopping center at Vanderbilt Beach and Airport-Pulling roads, reopened Oct. 1 after being closed for your summer. The restaurant offers gourmet lasagna for $1.99 each day for lunch between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. with the purchase of a soft drink. Cafe Italia’s new Miromar Outlets location remained opened all summer.

■ Stonewood Grill and Tavern unveiled its new menu and wine list last weekend, the first of many scheduled enhancements from the restaurant chain’s evolution. Among the new offerings are a rib eye steak and a Florida Orange Cake, a three-layer cake with a Dreamsicle taste. Stonewood has 16 Florida restaurants, including locations in Naples at 7935 Airport-Pulling Road, and in Fort Myers at 7091-9 College Parkway.

■ IHOP restaurants will be giving away free Scary Face Pancakes to kids under 12 this Friday. The national chain is asking parents to leave behind a little something to help support Children’s Miracle Network. The “design-your-own” Scary Face Pancake includes an oversized buttermilk pancake with a whipped topping mouth and strawberry nose, served with two mini Oreo cookies and candy corn on the side to allow kids to create their own Halloween hotcake.