Ellie Tegelman is my source for restaurants, new and old, so when she said she and Richard just love the new restaurant – Gemi’s – at 2800 Davis Blvd., phone 354-4364, I thought I’d better check it out. Excuse me if I gush, but this place is absolutely wonderful! Breakfast is breakfast…except at Gemi’s. There, it is a delight!
The young couple who own and operate Gemi’s, a name created from the first initials of their names and their partner’s name, is from Albania. They have lived and worked in Collier County for 12 years, and finally decided to open a place of their own. Gemi’s opened the first week of February. It is remarkable how quickly the East Naples people find a place of quality. I’ve been there twice, and both times it was bustling. The first time I went for lunch and ran in to some County Transportation staff and other county people. They know a good place when they see it. By the way, Gemi’s offers a 20% discount for people in uniform such as EMS, Firemen, Deputies, etc.
On Sunday, April 13th, my birthday, I saw the epitome of the American family. A young family with three little girls all dressed alike walked in to the restaurant. Every head in the place turned to see the little girls, holding hands, dressed in pink seersucker dresses with delicate, filmy bows in their hair, walking with their parents, who held a little girl. She too was dressed in pink, as was mom, even down to the shoes, and dad had on a pink shirt. They sat quietly, chattering amongst themselves, and enjoying breakfast after church. I couldn’t help myself. I just had to know who this special family was, so I walked over and asked their names and permission to write a little about them. Brian and Helen Thornburg then introduced me to Gabriella, 5 ½, Madeline, 4 ½, Chloe, 2 ½, and Lilly, 1 yr. old. This was the perfect T.V. family of the 50’s, and it warmed my heart to know that families like this still thrive. Maybe if I go back to Gemi’s every Sunday I’ll run into them again. Maybe you will too.
Our breakfast was absolutely delicious, and I’ve never in my life tasted such good hash browns! We even tried a scrumptious, homemade rice pudding for dessert. Yummm. They offer a breakfast and lunch menu 7 days a week, which includes a children’s menu. They accept all credit cards except Diner’s Club. The prices are most reasonable, the portions are perfect, the place is clean as a whistle, the menu selection is outstanding, and to top it off, the service was impeccable. What more can you ask for?
For breakfast they had all the usual, including Belgian Waffles, create your own omelet, Gemi’s Eggs Benedict, plus Healthy Heart Choices. Lunches include 9 choices of salads, Homemade soups & chili, Open faced sandwiches, Hot sandwiches, Wraps, Cold sandwiches, a variety of Burgers, and a Greek Corner with 4 selections.
Try Gemi’s. You’ll love it.
* My little tours have proven to be successful in acquainting our community with the infrastructure that supports our county. We’ve seen the Water Treatment Plant and the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Now I am planning to offer a tour of the Landfill. I suggested to the manager of the landfill that maybe I should hold it in the fall when it wasn’t so hot, just in case there would be smell. He replied that the county runs such a good landfill operation that it can be visited any time of the year. My goodness, I remember when Commissioner’s Coletta, Henning and myself took office just 7 ½ years ago that the landfill was disgraceful. It smelled so bad that at times it took your breath away and made your eyes water. What a difference from then till now! Now, other people come from around Florida to learn from us how to run an efficient, neighbor-friendly, cost-effective landfill. The tour is planned for Friday, May 16th from 9 AM to 10:30 AM. If you would like to sign up please contact my aide, Trisha, at 252-8097.
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