Naples has long been defined by white-gloved luxury and timeless resort elegance. But beneath the palms, a fresh wave of culinary energy is shifting the tempo, and it is being led by two talented ladies.
At the heart of this evolution are Colleen Dunavan and Chef Kayla Pfeiffer. The pair first crossed paths in the local dining scene, discovering a shared philosophy: hospitality shouldn’t feel rigid, and dining out in Southwest Florida ought to offer something genuinely different. Dunavan brought an intuitive mastery of front-of-house warmth and operational vision; Pfeiffer brought CIA-trained technical precision wrapped in a rebellious, flavor-first attitude. By 2023, their shared passion for taking care of people, and pushing boundaries, led them to officially lock arms and launch Bicyclette Cookshop. They connected with Louie Mele, who owned Fit & Fuel Café, to reimagine the space in a quick three months.
Bicyclette was designed as an antidote to predictable dining. Unpretentious yet deeply polished, the kitchen turns out whimsical New American plates that balance high-low sensibility. Elevated Gulf seafood, playful caviar setups, and global twists that keep local palates guessing.
The response was immediate and overwhelming. Critics and locals alike flooded the dining room, earning Bicyclette rave reviews from day one. Within its first two years, the industry’s highest honors followed: Bicyclette earned a coveted Michelin recommendation alongside a James Beard Semifinalist nod for Pfeiffer, cementing the young restaurant group as a national force to watch.
Never ones to coast on success, the duo expanded their vision with Heyday Cookshop. Designed as a dynamic space featuring a chef residency program, an extensive wine and vermouth program, and a dedicated hi-fi vinyl listening room, Heyday offers Naples a cultural hub where music, art, and food collision seamlessly.
For Presidio Hospitality, this is only the beginning. Dunavan and Pfeiffer have proven that Naples is hungry for original, high-energy concepts. As the future unfolds, the team remains focused on bringing new, fun, and unexpected ideas to this sun-soaked coast.