Thursday, July 15, 2010

Little Moir's Food Shack: Food Wow - Jupiter, Florida









Little Moir’s Foodshack
103 S. U.S. 1, Jupiter, Florida 33477
Lunch and dinner served Monday through Saturday 11:00-9 p.m.
561-741-3626

By Jane Feehan

If ever there was a reason not to judge a place by its name, Little Moir’s Food Shack will be it. Sitting in a strip shopping center with a nondescript storefront, Food Shack is a culinary surprise. Exterior seating for fans willing to wait for a table provides one hint of what’s to come; opening of the door by a staffer before patrons reach it gives another.

We chose a counter dining spot to watch the cooking. No stumbling over each other here; it was choreographed preparation.  While trying to decide from one of their two daily menus, we ordered house made potato chips tossed with lemon, garlic, black pepper, olive oil, sun dried tomatoes, capers, caramelized red onion and freshly shaved Parmesan cheese. WOW. So good we could barely stop eating but wait – we said - there’s more; other items beckoned.

I chose Sweet and Spicy ($19) with scallops. Made with fresh cauliflower, squash, wilted spinach, mango, and peanuts over coconut rice, the soupy dish, loaded with scallops, was ambrosial. Fellow diner ordered blackened grouper over coconut rice (about $18) with Food Shack’s distinctive spiced fruit salad and cucumber slaw. Perfectly spiced and super fresh, the meal was more than pleasing. To top off the occasion we shared Raspberry Key Lime Pie ($6.50) that had to be the best version of that Florida tradition I’ve indulged in. Instead of a thick graham cracker crust, it was made with the thinnest layer of light cake. The creamy filling: a perfect blend of sweet and tart.

Food Shack, a name derived from a picture of a Bangkok, Thailand alleyway, is known for fresh fish, sweet potato crusted fish, BBQ chicken sandwiches and its fried tuna and basil roll. I’ll return to try some of their other “Shackatizers": Crab Guacamole ($12), or Fried Eggplant Stack with Grilled Pineapple, Tomato, and Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Topped with Blue Crab and Citrus Wine Vinegar Glaze ($11.50). There’s so much more – much of it not even on the menu, we were told. A glance at the offerings shows off innovation, variety and appreciation for freshness.  As one cook told us proudly – this is five star food in a one star setting.  Agreed.  All good reasons for me to dine at their other restaurant -Leftovers©. Beer and wine served. I've suggested Food Shack to Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.   


Service: Excellent. Reservations for parties of six or more. See their recent addition, Maxi's Lineup
Tags: Food Shack, Seafood, Jupiter, Florida, restaurants, dining