Restaurants at Siena Lakes Focus on Creativity, Collaboration, and Socialization

At Siena Lakes, an Erickson Senior Living community in Naples, Fla., residents savor delicious dishes prepared by professional chefs at five on-site restaurants.

More important, each made-to-order meal provides the opportunity for social connection. Whether getting to know new neighbors over dinner, catching up with a friend over lunch, or celebrating a special occasion with loved ones, dining is a highlight of community life.

"My husband Jim and I typically have dinner with other residents. Dining is central to the social and friendly vibe at Siena Lakes," says resident Kathy Forte.

Something for every taste

Each restaurant features its own distinct menu and atmosphere.

At Chianti's, residents enjoy fine dining in an elegant atmosphere. Filet mignon, grilled salmon, and vegetarian dishes--like a mushroom-stuffed risotto cake and Thai curry vegetables--were recently on the menu.

Entrees such as sesame orange chicken, veal piccata, and shrimp scampi can be found at The Gulf, where guests dine al fresco overlooking the butterfly garden. The venue's Sunday brunch and build- your-own pasta options are very popular.

Stoney's, a traditional sports bar that opens directly to the outdoor pool, offers homemade pizzas, wings, and burgers. Siena Lakes' fast-casual restaurant, Café Eighty-Eight, is the perfect place for busy residents to grab a quick meal for lunch or dinner. A signature burger, Philly cheesesteaks, chicken quesadillas, and deli staples are readily available.

New this year is Amalfi's, which boasts tall ceilings and lots of windows so diners can watch the sun set over one of the community's lakes during dinner. Some menu items include veal marsala, Greek shrimp, and lamb pastitsio. The restaurant also features a community table, allowing residents to sit and meet new people. "That's a big social piece that's unique to Amalfi's," says Dining Director Bryan Weiss.

Powerful partnership

To ensure residents continue to enjoy five-star meals, Weiss and his team partner with the Resident Advisory Council's dining committee to identify strengths and ways to improve.

"The dining staff is very responsive to resident requests," says Kathy, who serves as vice chair of the Resident Advisory Council and liaison to the dining committee.

For example, after the Philly cheesesteak was served as a special at Café Eighty-Eight, residents requested that it be added to the regular menu--and it was.

In addition to this partnership, Executive Chef Stephanie Missar hosts Menu Monday, allowing her and other chefs to request feedback and suggestions about menu items. "That's a testament to how valuable the staff finds resident input," says Kathy.

Restaurant managers also stop by tables during meals to ensure everything is perfect.

"We're intentional about the questions we ask to make sure residents are having a great experience," says Weiss. "That way, if there is an issue, we can correct it with the resident right away and make sure it's fixed for the rest of the evening. We want to make sure that everyone leaves with a smile on their face."

Connecting the community

To create even more memorable, social meals, the dining team offers ten themed nights each month--everything from Italian, Greek, and Asian cuisine nights to Breakfast for Dinner, Oktoberfest, and pop-up specials celebrating National Fettuccine Alfredo Day.

"We take advantage of the community's beautiful design and host 'dining alfresco nights,' where we set up a dining space on our veranda overlooking the lake and feature live entertainment," explains Weiss.

"We like to keep things exciting!"

Kathy and her husband, Jim, appreciate the variety of special events.

"We enjoy the themed meals and celebrations, including Italian Night, Halloween, Mardi Gras, and Valentine's Day. The staff does a wonderful job with decorations to make the experience even more festive," she says. "They enhance our lifestyle, and we have fun with friends."

Time to socialize

Weiss notes that Siena Lakes' friendly atmosphere is what really makes mealtime shine. "An easy way to connect with others is through meals. Watching residents come together at the restaurants is rewarding for me and the dining team," he says.

"Dining here is a great way to interact with residents," adds Jim. "At least 90% of the time, when we dine at one of the restaurants, we're with [neighbors]--most of whom we didn't know before we moved here!"

To learn more about the ways you can explore senior living, request more information today.

By Michele Wojciechowski