Among Naples eateries, the fixe appears to be in

It's looking as if it's a diner's market this summer, with restaurants serving up scads of specials, including themed nights with bargain prices on specific entrees, usually with a salad and/or beverage included, and buy-one, get-one-half-price packages.

Perhaps the best deal is the three-course prix-fixe meal that appears to be gaining ground in town. Here's a sampling of what's available in the area. (If you don't see your favorite restaurants listed, give them a call to see if they, too, are offering some summer bargains.)

• Absinthe, The Collection at Vanderbilt, offers a three-course meal for $25 from 4-6 p.m. Call 254-0050.

• Angelina's, 24041 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs, serves a three-course meal for $27.50 during regular business hours. Call 390-3187.

• The Bay House, 799 Walkerbilt Road, offers a three-course tasting menu for $29 all night. Call 591-3837.

• Bleu Provence, 1234 Eighth St. South, has a two-course dinner plus a glass of wine for $23.95 available from 5-6:30 p.m. Call 261-8239

Scallops are one of the three entrees offered on the summer prix fixe menu at Fleming's. • BRIO Tuscan Grille, Waterside Shops, 5505 Tamiami Trail N., now has a threecourse summer menu for $16.95 Sunday- Thursday. Call 593-5319.

• EVOO, 13240 Tamiami Trail N., offers a three-course menu for $29 throughout dinner service. Call 444-2020.

• Fleming's, 8965 Tamiami Trail N., just introduced its three-course summer menu for $35.95. Call 598-2424.

• MiraMare, The Village at Venetian Bay, 4236 Gulf Shore Blvd., has a three-course menu for $18.09 from 5-6 p.m. daily. Call 430-6273.

• Mr. Five, 1716 Airport Pulling Road, offers a three-course Italian comfort dinner with a glass of wine for $15 every Thursday. Call 262-1555.

• Olio, Naples Bay Resort, 1500 Fifth Ave., offers an appetizer and entrée for $22 from 4-6 p.m. Call 530-5110.

• Ridgway Bar & Grill, Third Street and 13th Ave. South, has a three-course menu for $24 available all night. Call 262-5000.

Piccolinos are on the bar menu at Mr. C's at Carrabba's. • Roy's, Bayfront Place, 475 Bayfront in Naples, and The Promenade, 26831 Bay Landing Drive, Bonita Springs, has a threecourse summer menu for $35 per person. An added saving: no corkage fees through Labor Day. Call 261-1416 in Naples and 498- 7697 in Bonita Springs.

• Sea Salt, 1186 Third St. South, offers a three-course dinner for $24.95 all night. Call 434-7258.

• Two Brothers, 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd., serves a $14.95 meal from 5-6:30 p.m. daily. Call 597-4800. Naples Originals certificate sale

The 37 restaurants that make up Naples Originals are holding a mini-sale of gift certificates while they last. The periodic sale began Wednesday and continues until the certificates sell out.

Most get snapped up within hours of being offered, but there are still likely to be some left for those who don't dally.

"We are seeing unprecedented demand for gift certificates from price-conscious diners who don't want to give up the pleasures of enjoying good food in a warm and welcome ambience," says Lisa Boet, president of the group composed of locally owned and operated restaurants.

The sale is held on the Naples Originals Web site — naplesoriginals.com — and offers 30 percent savings, with $25 gift certificates selling for $17.50 and $50 certificates selling for $35. Gift certificates cannot be used for alcohol, tax or gratuity and are limited to one certificate per table. They cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts or programs.

Check out the sale and get more information on the restaurants by visiting the group's Web site.

Riverwalk revamps menu

Riverwalk at Tin City has sparked up its menu with items such as beach bread (garlic bread with jack and gorgonzola cheese, green onions and marinara sauce) and an expanded choice of burgers (Black Angus, South beach turkey, yellow fin tuna and char-grilled mini burgers).

The daily fish market offers a mix and match of six fresh fish options that can be grilled, blackened, fried or bamboosteamed, then topped with a choice of six sauces and complemented by a choice of six side dishes.

The waterfront restaurant at Tin City is open daily at 1200 Fifth Ave. South. Call 263-2734.

Slow Food goes Persian

An Afternoon of Persian Delights is the theme of Slow Food Southwest Florida's first Naples event, set for 3-5 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at Bha! Bha! A Persian Bistro in North Naples. Members and other interested foodies from throughout the region are invited to the soiree, which will include an array of chef/owner Michael Mir's signature dishes, stories about his homeland and the important role food played in family life.

Cost is $40 for Slow Food members, $45 for non-members. A selection of wines will be available for $6 per glass. Bha! Bha! is at 847 Vanderbilt Beach Road. Make reservations at slowfoodsouthwestflorida@ gmail.com or 437-4237 or 851- 9214. Closures and vacations

It's been a brutal month in terms of restaurant closures. Recent casualties include: Ruth's Chris Steakhouse at Coastland Center, Trilogy, Cork's, Tre Fratelli, Dino's, Pewter Mug, Mr. G's and Blu Sushi.

Chardonnay, Gabriello's of New York and Alexander's have closed for the summer and plan to reopen in September. Norm's is closed for a few weeks for vacation.

Carabba's opens Mr. C's Bar

There's something new at Carrabba's Italian Grill on the East Trail. Mr. C's Bar has opened. The restaurant will hold an official ribbon-cutting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 29, but the bar is already welcoming guests with a variety of specialty drinks, beers and snack items. On the liquid side, choose from blackberry sangria, two styles of bellini — the Venice, with peach nectar and prosecco, or the Tuscan, with blackberry, peach and orange juice and prosecco — and Mr. C's dirty martini. Drinks are $6-$8.

A sharing and snacking menu includes piccolinos, Italian mini sandwiches with either meatballs or chicken Parmesan; Italian potato chips known as patatinas, served with blue cheese sauce and green onions; beef or tuna carpaccio; an antipasti misto platter; meatballs with ricotta cheese; and a Mediterranean salad. Prices run $2-$7.50.

Mr. C's is named for Johnny Carrabba, father of the Johnny Carrabba who cofounded the chain with Damian Mandola in 1986. Today there are 231 Carrabba's Italian Grills around the country.

Carrabba's is at 12631 Tamiami Trail East. Call 774-2965.