Best Summer Oyster Specials In Downtown Naples

Thanks to Ocean Prime for allowing me to try their Oysters & Bubbles for free, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Monday was National Oyster Day. Unfortunately the remnants of Hurricane Debby delayed my celebration. However, I made up for it in a great way. In the process I found some great summer oyster specials in downtown Naples. Here are some of my discoveries.

I love oysters but I love Champagne even more. When the two are served together it makes me a happy girl. That is what I got at Ocean Prime on 5th Avenue South. For National Oyster Day the restaurant unveiled their new private label east coast oysters. It's a big deal and they are excited to share them.

The Cameron Mitchell restaurant teamed up with Cape Cod Oyster Co. to grow delicious Hammerheads. These are meaty oysters that have a distinct flavor. They aren't overly briny but just salty enough. The flavors are balanced with a touch of sweetness on the finish. You wont find them anywhere else on 5th Ave.

For Oysters & Bubbles, the culinary team at Ocean Prime created a frozen Champagne granita. It is delicately spooned on top of the oysters before they arrive in the half shell. The granita adds that extra special touch to enhance the sweetness. Pair it with a glass of sparkling rosé and voilà You have a big hit.

That rosé Champagne comes from Veuve Clicquot. In addition to the oysters, the restaurant has a new partnership with Veuve Clicquot Reserve Cuvee Rosé and is featuring it by the glass and by the bottle.

It really does go seamlessly with the hammerhead oysters and that cold, sweet granita. The oysters are on special now and you get an extra discount during Happy Hour. Oysters & Bubbles runs through Labor Day.

You can find some good deals on oysters (Champagne too) this summer at several downtown Naples restaurants. Here are a couple.

Del Mar is a Mediterranean restaurant on 5th Avenue South. Tuesdays are when you'll find deals on oysters. They are only $2. Del Mar has lots of summer specials including a Sunday Brunch with half price Veuve Clicquot Champagne.

Sea Salt on Third Street has $2 oysters on the half shell on Sunday. This is not just for summer. This is a feature they've have for quite some time. But I have to include it. In addition, you can get an $8 Bloody Mary to accompany them.

Thanks to Del Mar for inviting me to media night. They provided free food and drink in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Summers are notoriously slow in Southwest Florida. It's the time of the year when restaurants and businesses launch all kinds of special promotions and events to get the locals in. I plan to introduce you to as many as possible in my new Summer Dining Series. To kick things off, check out these summer dining specials at Del Mar in Naples.

Del Mar is a Mediterranean restaurant on Naples' famous 5th Avenue South. It's a gorgeous two-story building that once was home to Cafe Lurcat. This December Del Mar will celebrate its three-year anniversary.

The food is full of flavor, still on the healthful side, and great for sharing. The crudos and ceviche feature fresh fish like snapper, salmon and tuna. There are all kinds of house made dips and spreads like hummus and boba ganoush and fantastic seafood.

I recently joined a group of media folks at Del Mar to get reacquainted with some of the menu signatures as well as seasonal specials.

For the summer, Del Mar is turning up the heat with weekday happy hour specials on select drinks, dips & spreads, and Turkish flatbreads in the lounge. The Early Dining Menu comes with a complimentary starter and dessert with an entree purchase.

I love Tuesday's $2 oysters and Wednesday's half price wine on bottles $150 or less. Del Mar also has a Sunday Brunch with half price Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Yes please.

Even better, on Sunday there is special on Del Mar's fire roasted shellfish platter. Get that and two glasses of bubbly for $65.

I tried that platter at the media night, and it was phenomenal. It comes in two sizes and is great for sharing. It arrives covered in grape leaves to lock in the steam and flavors.

Once they are peeled back you find a treasure of shellfish in a tomato, garlic and butter broth. Make sure you have enough bread for dipping.

For something even more substantial, consider the lamb rack tagine. You can get a small portion of this too and it is outstanding. See it in the video and photos below. Del Mar has a fire hearth where dishes from chicken to ribeye to branzino are cooked.

Click here for a delicious video of more food and fun from our media night.

Anytime I walk into a restaurant and am greeted by a pushcart of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, I'm a happy girl. Yes, Del Mar in Naples serves it by the glass and for weekend brunch it is half-priced

Snapper Ceviche is a summer high light at Del Mar. It is zingy, fresh and a nice light way to start a meal or enjoy as a snack in the bar with a glass of crisp white wine.

This roasted cauliflower at Del Mar is a popular starter. It is made with sweet onion tahini, chili relish, and dates. There are a lot of flavors in this gluten free veggie dish.

This is a great summer cocktail. It has Botanist Gin, Pineapple, and Cucumber. It is not too sweet and really is refreshing.

This is one of Del Mar's signature dishes and it is shareable. The presentation is picture worthy and is seen in the video above. It is full of lobster, scallops, prawns, clams, mussels, roasted garlic and lemon. The sauce is fantastic for dipping.

Del Mar has several Turkish Flatbreads on the menu. I was able to try this one with tomato, olives, artichoke and labneh. I also tried one with mushrooms and Havarti cheese. I would order both again. They were unique, light and delicious.

Ocotupus is a common food in the Mediterranean and Del Mar has some on the appetizer menu. It's so tender with a bell pepper vinaigrette, onion, and cilantro pesto. Good to share or even have as your main course if you like lots of little plates.

This is another specialty of the house at Del Mar and it's another dish that can easily be shared. The lamb tangine features seasonal squash, apricots, green olives, and a roasted chili lemon relish. It is succulent and a crowd pleaser.

Del Mar's downstairs bar is almost always lively and full of great people watching. There is a smaller, more intimate bar upstairs with more dining. You can also get a great view of the action on 5th Avenue South from the terrace.