Mecca for hoagie lovers: LaSpada's in South Florida

LaSpada’s Original Hoagies

4346 Seagrape Drive

Lauderdale By The Sea, Florida 33308

954-776-7893

Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

www.laspadashoagies.com

Also at:
Davie, Coral Springs, Boca Raton and 17th Street Causeway in Fort Lauderdale

By Jane Feehan 

LaSpada’s tag line, “Best Hoagies in Town,” sounds a bit humble after digging into one of their creations. How about best hoagies in Florida, best in the South, best east of the Mississippi, best in the U.S.?  Could be; I haven’t had any better.

Don’t expect to get a comfortable seat here. Seating is minimal in this tiny hoagie mecca. Sandwich aficionados stand in line for their quests and carry them out as if they were treasures. This is the only place I’ll wait in line for food; it’s worth it.

Can’t put my finger on what places LaSpada’s ahead of the hoagie-making pack. It could be the bread or maybe the variety of sweet and hot peppers, or the fresh tomatoes, meats, cheeses, and salads. It could be the perfectly sprinkled oil and vinegar. Whatever, the wonderful smells seems to placate the crowds entering this  seemingly disorganized shop (it seems chaotic but they know who’s next in line).

Whether it’s an Italian combo, or turkey, roast beef or veggie (it’s delish), or a six-foot monster for a party, LaSpada’s does it right. A fav of locals, this joint also draws returning tourists who put this eatery in Lauderdale By The Sea at the top of their must-visit lists.  Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

Tag lines: Best hoagies, Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida, restaurant reviews

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

www.littlemoirsfoodshack.com

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

Waterfront dining thrives in Jupiter, Florida

  

Use search box at right to find restaurants open for Easter in Jupiter and the Palm Beaches

 By Jane Feehan

Jupiter is known, among other things, for its iconic lighthouse, jetty fishing and the beautiful aqua waters of its inlet.

There’s also a few waterfront restaurants, a dying breed of Florida eatery because of real estate and other issues, that draw locals and visitors from afar or from neighboring counties.   Below are a few. Jetty's and Guanabanas capture most of the dining business along the water. (For area Thanksgiving ideas, enter "Thanksgiving" in search box.

U-Tiki (see photo at left) - now open 
For hours and review, see: http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2014/11/u-tiki-beach-tropical-rhapsody-in.html
Next to and owned by Jetty's.
  

Guanabanas  - See review and photos here. 

18091 N. Hwy A1A

Jupiter, Florida 33477

561-747-8878

www.guanabanas.com

Jetty’s - See review and photos here. 

1075 N. Hwy A1A

Jupiter, Florida 33477

561-743-8166

Café des Artistes (at Jupiter Yacht Club and Marina)

318 South US Highway 1, Suite 101

Jupiter, FL

561-747-0998

http://www.cafedesartistesjupiter.com/

Review

Crab House (Landry's - chain) CLOSED - Re-opened 3/26/2012 by Landry's as 
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. -     2015 CLOSED RE-OPENED AS RUSTIC INN   CLOSED                                               

1065 N. Hwy A1A                                        

Jupiter, Florida 33477

561-744-1300

Dive Bar Restaurant  (at Jupiter Yacht Club and Marina)
318 S. U.S. Hwy 1
Jupiter, FL
561-747-4767
www.divebarrestaurant.com
Review

Square Grouper (must be 21; emphasis here is on drinking but they do serve food) 

111 Love Street

Jupiter, Florida 33477

561-575-0252

www.squaregrouper.net

Wylder's Waterfront Bar and Grill       CLOSED
18701 SE Federal Hwy
Tequesta, Florida 33469
561-744-7400

For breakfast or brunch in the Jupiter area, see http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2011/02/breakfast-and-brunch-in-jupiter-and.html
Tags: Jupiter Inlet restaurants, waterfront dining in Jupiter

Asian Fin: A sophisticated taste of Asia in Palm Beach Gardens

Asian Fin

4650 Donald Ross Rd, Suite 106

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418

Monday-Friday Lunch:  11:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m.

Monday-Friday Dinner: 2:30-10 p.m.

Saturday – Dinner only: 4-10 p.m.

561-694-1900

www.asianfin.net

By Jane Feehan

Owner/Executive Chef Tsutomu "Yama" Yamamoto of Asian Fin aims to please with his sophisticated choice and preparation of sushi, seafood and steaks.

It’s a small, elegant eatery with more seating outside than in, for now. He's opening extended space – a bar serving food - in August.  Judging by the way they filled up shortly after 6 p.m. one Saturday evening, the new area should have no trouble reaching capacity.

I ordered a sushi special for the evening: a Berry Nutty roll with tempura shrimp, avocado, cream cheese and paper thin strawberries ($15). Delicious. Fellow diner, not a sushi fan, sampled lobster cakes on a bed of greens for $12. They were fresh, ample in size and well prepared. We asked for vegetable fried rice that was out-of-this-world-good. Made with brown rice, fresh bok choy and other vegetables, it was more sautéed than fried – a good thing. Asian Fin is also generous with their glasses of wine.

Seafood entrees change daily, average $18-$25. The menu offers lots of different price points and choices for any taste or wallet size. Make a meal of appetizers, salads, bento boxes or even burgers.  We’ll be back. Service: excellent. ©2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

Tags: Asian restaurants Jupiter, Asian restaurants Palm Beach Gardens, Asian Fin hours of operation

Galuppi's in Pompano Beach: Not just for golfers

Galuppi's
1103 North Federal Hwy

Pompano Beach, Florida 33062

954-785-0226

Breakfast: 7 - 11 a.m.

Lunch: 11 a.m. 4 p.m.

Dinner: 4-9 or 10 p.m.

http://galuppis.com

By Jane Feehan

Galuppi’s draws not only golfers from the course that it sits on, but also business types and social butterflies for meetings, and those looking for a picturesque spot to marry. The food, though not for the gourmand, is consistently good.

A large covered patio and bar as well as a more formal table-clothed dining room with a great view of Pompano's public golf course provide contrasting venues for whatever the occasion. I’ve dined at Galuppi's for Rotary Club meetings and for lunch or dinner with a few friends and it’s always been a pleaser. It’s also reasonable. Lunches (from a large menu) average at about $10 and dinners can be ordered for just a bit more. Portions are large enough to share.

Galuppi’s knows its business; they accommodate groups as well as individuals with the same  efficiency and consistently good food.  It’s a great place for both winter and summer visits. Plenty of parking available. Service: excellent. © 2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved. 

Restaurants,weddings, Pompano Beach, Florida, golf.

Too Bizarre ... Too disappointing - Jupiter, Florida

                                      

                                                          

Too Bizarre

287 E. Indiantown Rd.

Jupiter, Florida 33477

561-745-6262

Lunch and dinner

Monday : 11:30 a.m. 12 a.m.

Tuesday-Thursday: 11:30-12 a.m.

Friday and Saturday: open until 1 a.m.

Sunday: 5 p.m.-11 p.m.

www.toobizarre.com

By Jane Feehan

Busy and noisy, expensive and trendy – that’s Too Bizarre. Overstuffed sofas and chairs, decorated interior balconies, ornate chandeliers, and stained glass lamps creatively thrown together provide a unique setting for drinking and dining.  With a name that reflects its décor more than anything else, Too Bizarre is a gathering spot for the 20 and 30 somethings of north Palm Beach County.

The food is not as enchanting as the setting.

The menu, touted as Thai, is not authentic with its overly sweet and less-than-spicy dishes. What they list as tapas run about twice as much as tapas in other places I’ve dined at from Washington D.C to Miami.  I sampled Thai Dumplings for $13 from the tapas menu; they were tasty but small. Fellow diner chose another tapas item – stuffed mushrooms for $16. The mushrooms topped with crabmeat were watery, tough and poorly prepared with the “gills” or membranes still intact. My main course was an Asian Crepe for $20. Rather than a paper thin soft pancake, the meal came in a crispy, fried, thickish casing with a bizarrely sweet interior concoction.  Companion ordered a Thai pizza for one - $14. With a random piece of chicken and some raw broccoli, this dish also proved to be a disappointment. The bill, which included three glasses of wine and a tip came to $108. I don’t mind paying for good food, but it wasn’t good here for any amount of money.

Another thing – Too Bizarre is too dark inside. Bring a flashlight to read the menu. This establishment doesn’t have much competition among the youngish set; that may account for its popularity. Service: good. ©2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved. Jupiter restaurants, Palm Beach County, Florida

Bring on the smiles at Cathy's Beach Connection - Juno Beach, Florida

                                            

Cathy’s Beach Connection

Beach Plaza

12850 US Highway 1

Juno Beach, Florida 33408

561-626-2262

Breakfast – Monday-Saturday: 8-11 a.m.; Sunday:  8-11:30 a.m.

Lunch and dinner – Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m. 9 p.m.; Sunday: 11:30-4 p.m.

By Jane Feehan

A visit to Cathy’s Beach Connection is like finding a beautiful little seashell encrusted in sand while taking a walk along the gentle surf. It’s a small, unassuming little place but step up to its misted deck with ample outdoor seating or into the café and the mood is set for smiling.

Color abounds and care is taken to craft a beachside atmosphere. This is a very casual eatery but they take more than a casual approach to the food they serve.  I dined on a mozzarella, tomato and lettuce  drizzled in balsamic vinaigrette and encased in a perfectly toasted roll. The fresh, crispy romaine lettuce and juicy tomato provided a perfect counter to tasty slabs of cheese. The meal came with a choice of sides for $10.95. Companion diner sampled a Juno Wrap - about $10 – of blackened grouper and was similarly impressed.

Come in shorts, bathing suit – anything casual - and expect to be pleased with both food and atmosphere. Cathy’s is close to the beautiful Juno Beach Pier.  Beer, including tap for a buck, and wine served.  Service: excellent.  ©2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

Sailfish Marina Resort: Dock the boat but diner beware

       

Sailfish Marina Resort

98 Lake Drive

Palm Beach Shores, Florida 33404

561-844-1724

Dining: open daily 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Breakfast Buffet:  Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

www.sailfishmarina.com

By Jane Feehan

Even in summer, the Sailfish Marina and Resort in beautiful Palm Beach Shores hums. Lots of people flock here to visit the Ship Store, charter boats for fishing or dock their boats on an annual or daily basis. There’s also a popular restaurant.

Waterfront dining nearly anywhere is popular but it’s not always good. It wasn’t the Sunday we stopped in the marina for lunch. I ordered a veggie wrap which tasted more like a cherry bomb. That is, besides the lettuce and a random pine nut or two and a teeny weenie bitsy drop of goat cheese, the sandwich was overloaded with dried cherries. I pulled out nearly half a cup of them and it was still overpoweringly sweet. It came with stale banana chips. Companion diner ordered a chicken salad sandwich on toast and it was delivered cold as if it were a rejected meal stored in the fridge. With two iced teas the meal came to nearly $26 – not a bargain, especially since the food was nearly inedible. Perhaps we would have had better luck with the buffet. Next time.

And there will be a next time because the marina is a pleasant spot. The water at high tide is a beautiful aqua and there is plenty of activity and places to sit to enjoy the view, which includes Peanut Island, a park across from Sailfish. A local told us the marina property was sold awhile back and when the real estate market improves, a condo development will go up. This is a familiar story about waterfront property in South Florida.

In the meantime, we’ll enjoy it while we can but it may not include dining. Service: good..©2010 Jane Feehan

Tags: Palm Beach, Palm Beach Shores, marina, dockage, docks, South Florida, Singer Island