By Mark Marymont
Special to news-press.com
Originally posted on April 18, 2007
When Stoney's Steakhouse promises "big steaks," "big chairs" and "big wines," that's just what they mean.
Asked about those big chairs, general manager Anthony Fazio laughs and says, "they really are big chairs and we even have pillows for the ladies if they want them when they sit down.
"We want people to be comfortable and have a bit of room. We don't want people sitting on top of each other."
As for the big steaks, Fazio says they are all USDA Prime dry aged beef, "and steak is what we focus on. We have about 25 percent seafood on the menu because we realize that not everybody wants a steak all the time. But steak is a big deal for us."
Diners can try everything from a slow-roasted prime rib carved tableside to a New York Strip, center-cut filet and a bone-in, rib-eye "cowboy steak" porterhouse.
The menu also has a Colorado lamb loin "t-bone" chop and a grilled chicken divan. The seafood entrees Fazio mentioned include shrimp scampi, grouper, baked stuffed prawns, Florida red snapper and sesame crusted ahi tuna.
Now, about that wine.
"We have a really big wine list and some are very high-end wines," Fazio explains. "The owner appreciates good wines, especially, a very good Bordeaux, and we have them up to $11,000 a bottle.
"I should also say we have them form $32 a bottle, so there's a good price range. We don't sell a lot of the really expensive wines, but I did sell one last year for $5,000 and we get a lot of people that appreciate wines in the $700 to $900 range."
For a corkage fee, you can also bring you own wine.
Stoney's was opened in 2001 by Kevin Stoneburner, developer of the Bayfront waterside complex on Naples, Bay, just off Fifth Avenue South. Located in colorful, charming mix of condos, shops and restaurants, it's always done well.
Nonetheless, Fazio says, "about two years ago, we really made some big changes, from the management to the menu to the staff. But we have always been dedicated to great food and service and that has never changed."
