Sea Watch Restaurant - Unique holdout on Fort Lauderdale beach

Sea Watch Restaurant

6002 North Ocean Drive

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308

954-781-2200

Open Seven days

Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Dinner – 5-10 p.m. Sunday -Thursday

              5-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Bar 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

www.seawatchontheocean.com

By Jane Feehan

Located on three ocean-side acres in northeast Fort Lauderdale, Sea Watch attracts both tourists and locals. It is, perhaps, the only upscale yet casual (no bathing attire) restaurant actually situated on the beach in Broward County. Ocean views and a plush, old-timey nautical interior make for a vacation-like atmosphere - if only for the duration of a meal.

Fruits of the sea – Gulf shrimp, Florida and Maine lobster, oysters, mussels and fish – top the menu but steaks are also available. Sea Watch works hard to please and its food is consistent. On some occasions, however, I’ve been annoyed with some frozen fish touted as fresh.  Given the quality of preparation, presentation and entire experience over the number of times I’ve been there since it opened in 1974, Sea Watch still earns my high recommendations.

Every year or so, especially during real estate boom times, rumors abound about the sale of Sea Watch. So far, rumors have been just that; they serve as reminder of the gift of this restaurant's seaside location. Visit during day light hours for lunch (excellent) or an “early bird” dinner to capture the beauty of the dunes and white sand framing South Florida's tropical blue-green ocean waters. 

Reservations recommended; it gets very busy.  A lively bar (beverages, no meals) on the second floor provides a great view. Venues for group events, including outdoor weddings, are available. Dinner entrees average $30.

Copyright ©2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

For the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, visit: www.sunny.org

Tags: Fort Lauderdale beach restaurants, Fort Lauderdale seafood restaurants, best Fort Lauderdale dining, beach weddings, Broward County beach dining, restaurant reviews

Tabica Grill: Odd mediocrity - Jupiter, Florida

Tabica Grill

901 West Indiantown Road (Jupiter Reserve Plaza)

Jupiter, Florida 33458

561-228-0108

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

Dinner – 5 pm-close seven days

http://www.tabicagrill.net     

By Jane Feehan

Enter Tabica Grill with caution. The menu is expansive (and overpriced), and in some cases, the food strange. It’s tough to describe their cuisine. It ranges from seafood to pasta to steaks (there’s even meatloaf) served up with a few Caribbean and Louisiana ideas.

Etoufee (about $17) came overloaded with sausage and shrimp tempura on the side. Strange indeed.  Needless to say, this is nothing like etouffee served along the Gulf Coast. No Mama influence here - a necessary Louisiana ingredient. I can’t imagine what twist they put on Louisiana BBQ shrimp. The other dishes we tried, very tough jerk chicken and an oddly cut piece of pork (each about $18) were equally disappointing. Bread delivered before the meal was a microscopically small loaf that we managed to divide into three slices. No salad included. To Tabica’s credit, they know how to cook up some delicious - and authentically Caribbean - plantains and black beans and rice.

The décor is odd as well. Lots of rough wood – almost a ski lodge look – but in a rail road car setting. Tables and booths are arranged in three neat rows down the room – good for maximum occupancy but not for comfort and design. While seating is geometrical and defined, the menu and food lack consistency and cohesiveness - an odd juxtaposition. Perhaps they should try it the other way around. Service: fair. Full bar, party room and catering available. © 2010. Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

Tags: Jupiter restaurants, Jupiter dining, Florida dining

Dining beach side in Mississippi - a little bit of this - and that

Below are a few restaurants that sit on or adjacent to the beach along the Mississippi Coast. Each provides a view of the Sound and, of course, some are better than others.  Reviews have been  posted and are available in this blog’s archives. Know of others? Send a message at the bottom of this post.

Shaggy’s (see review posted May 30, 2010)

Pass Christian Harbor (along Highway 90)

Pass Christian, MS

228-452-9939

Salute Italian Restaurant (see review posted Sept. 9, 2009)

1712 15^th Street

Gulfport, MS

228-864-2500

Chimney’s (see reviews posted April 20 and Jan. 13, 2010)

1640 Beach Blvd.

Gulfport, MS

228-863-7604

White Cap Seafood Restaurant (see reviews Dec. 17, 2009, Aug. 16, 2009)

560 Beach Blvd.

Gulfport, MS

228-604-4444

Snapper’s (see review Feb. 28, 2010)

1699 Beach Blvd.

Biloxi, MS

228-374-7962

Hang ten (or not) and head to Dune Dog Café - Jupiter, Florida

Dune Dog Café

775 North Hwy A1A Alt

Jupiter, Florida 33477

561-744-6667

Open seven days 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

By Jane Feehan

The theme is Key West: bright colors, outdoorsy, laid back. Toss in some picnic tables and plenty of inexpensive, fun food and you’ve got Dune Dog Café. It’s a winning combination that draws lots of locals for lunch and diner. This little place is busy all the time – even on sluggishly humid and hot summer days.

Hot dogs headline the menu (they’re delish) but the cafe also features wings, barbeque ribs, fish, shrimp – even lobster – and more. There's grilled veggies and a small assortment of salads for the health conscious. Portions are generous. Dune Dog offers a special menu for those under 12.

Dune Dog is not air conditioned. It sits close to the road, not the beach, under a canopy of trees making it easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. Trees plus fans manage to keep temperatures but not the humidity down. That may not be comfortable for some during the summer. A winter visit comes with a caveat: lines of eager customers seem to grow during cooler months.

Wine and beer served in a super casual atmosphere Service: good. Credit cards.

Copyright 2010. Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

Tag lines: Jupiter restaurants, hot dogs, children’s menu, Jupiter seafood, barbeque,South Florida restaurant reviews 

Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House - Celeb history, fine food at Jensen Beach landmark

Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House

1401 NE Indian River Drive (west side of Intracoastal)

Jensen Beach, Florida 34958

772-781-5136

Lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Open at 11:30 a.m.

www.dolphinbar.com

By Jane Feehan

Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House maintains the same standards of excellence as its predecessor, Frances Langford’s Outrigger.  The décor, food, and panoramic view of the Intracoastal and causeways justify a drive or a day’s outing here.

Fresh, local seafood dominates the menu but they also feature prime rib and other specialties for meat lovers. One of their desserts, Florida Orange cake made with orange custard and white chocolate chips earns high marks for a signature Florida dessert – better than Key Lime pie.

Entertainer Frances Langford opened her Outrigger restaurant and resort in the early 1960s. Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope and other celebs visited the Polynesian-themed locale, often staying at one of the bungalows on the property (still there but not used for guests). The property fell into disrepair over the years until Fred Ayres bought and restored the restaurant to its former stature. Frances Langford, who died in 2005, was on hand when the Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House opened in 2001.

Jensen Beach lies just north of Stuart. A sleepy, time-worn community, it’s located on an extremely wide expanse of the Intracoastal; one can barely see the east side of the waterway from the Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House. There’s a nice breeze on the deck in the summer but I’m looking forward to a return visit when the weather turns cool (indoor and outdoor seating available). Touted as “casually elegant,” Dolphin posts a dress code: no tank tops or sleeveless shirts for men, no flip flops or bathing attire. Moderately priced

© 2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

Tags: Frances Langford’s Outrigger, scenic outdoor dining, Fred Ayres, Florida, Jensen Beach, Stuart dining, seafood restaurants, South Florida restaurant reviews

Guanabanas - fo fanas, fe fi fun tropical dining - Jupiter Florida

Guanabanas Island Restaurant and Bar

960 N. Hwy A1A
Jupiter, Florida 33477

561-747-8878

Breakfast - Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Lunch: 11:30 a.m -3 p.m.

Bar Menu: 3 p.m. to close

Dinner: 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m.

Open Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m.

Happy Hour: 50 percent off well drinks and drafts - Daily 3-6 p.m., Friday, Saturday 11 p.m. to close

www.guanabanas.com

By Jane Feehan

Enter Guanabanas, and you’ll be transported into an outdoor paradise where atmosphere and dining provide the nexus to a complete tropical experience.  I half-expected pirate "captain" Jack Sparrow and his allies to saunter through for a meal and a bottle of rum. That didn’t happen but I wasn’t disappointed.

Most seating lies outdoors under umbrellas or thatched palm roofs in a setting thick with tropical flora, cooled with fans and misters. Torch-style lighting adds to the jungle ambiance at night.  Guanabanas (also the name of a tropical fruit) lies along a finger of the Intracoastal Waterway in Jupiter and is accessible by boat.  Available dockage is currently being expanded at an adjacent property to accommodate water travelers. There’s even a bar on a permanently docked "jungle" boat.

Live music plays several nights a week on a stage decked out with palm fronds. Two covered bars  provide other seating options for lunch and dinner gatherings. Seafood with a Caribbean touch highlights the menu but there are plenty of choices for those who prefer meat. The food is interestingly good.

Stroll on paths throughout the restaurant; there is something to see at every turn. Guanabanas welcomes all: families, singles, seniors and it’s casual – from shorts and flip flops to Sunday-go-to-meeting attire.  Warning: a very young, noisy crowd gathers for live music later in the evening. An older cocktail crowd gathers late Sunday afternoons. Self-parking is limited; plan to valet (free). Service: fair – slow at busy hours. Expect long waits for a table on weekends. © 2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.  

Tags: Jupiter dining, Best Jupiter restaurants, Guanabanas Restaurant, waterside dining, dockage, Florida, Jupiter happy hours, seafood, South Florida restaurant reviews

La Trattoria: Great unmet expectations

        

La Trattoria

2401 PGA Blvd. (Harbor Financial Center)

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410

561-775-0186

Open for lunch and dinner

11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

www.carmines.com

By Jane Feehan

Part of the growing roster of Carmine’s eateries, La Trattoria disappoints.  It sits adjacent to Carmine’s Gourmet Market, a trove of epicurean delectations that set the bar for our expectations.

Three of us ventured in for dinner one Saturday. The menu is expansive with seafood, pasta, pizza, and a variety of meat dishes. I ordered Pappardelle “Carmine's,” a wide fettuccini noodle served with chopped tomatoes and broccoli rabe. Another diner ordered lamb chops and the third, Linguine “Zia Pia,” a combination of clams, scallops and zucchini.   

While waiting, we sampled bread served with olive oil, the first disappointment. The server poured a concoction of dried (huh?) basil and whatever else onto the plate, followed by oil. The mix proved to be as tasteless as the bread. Then came the Caesar salads (a la carte) that earned an “A” for the anchovies, but flunked in garlic; we couldn’t taste any there or in the olive oil. Hey – La Trattoria is Italian, right?  

Bread and salads are first impressions. Neither impressed here.

Both pasta dishes were more uninspired zuppa than anything else and the lamb chops, well … ho hum.  We shared chocolate cake for dessert – the final nail in this meal of mediocrity.

Perhaps the pizza is better.

Service: good. Valet and self parking available. Moderately priced. ©2010. Jane Feehan. All rights reserved. 

Tags: Italian restaurants, Florida, Palm Beach Gardens,lunch,  dinner

Kevin's Dockside Deli: A nautical, kosher-style mix in Palm Beach Gardens

Kevin’s Dockside Deli        CLOSED

2401 PGA Blvd. (Harbor Financial Plaza)

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410

561-694-7945

Monday-Saturday: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

For more Jewish deli's see: http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2010/09/kosher-deli-restaurants-in-palm-beach.html

By Jane Feehan

There’s a little piece of New York City in Palm Beach Gardens; it’s Kevin’s Dockside Deli. Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch, Kevin’s dishes up the requisite specialties of a deli: hot corned beef or pastrami, whitefish salad, kosher hotdogs, chopped liver, house made rice pudding, soups and lots more.

Sandwiches and salad platters are oversized and delicious with side orders that match in quality. Breakfast features eggs and omelets, lox, French toast and bagels. Kevin Dennis and family know deli; they owned one in New York before moving to Florida to open Pomperdales in Fort Lauderdale. The family sold the popular deli and eventually moved to Palm Beach County.

Kevin's location (with nautical décor), provides an extra perk not found at a NYC deli: a beautiful dockside view of yachts. They specialize in buffet catering and - no surprise here - yacht provisions. Self service, pleasant atmosphere with a family touch. ©2010 Jane Feehan.  All rights reserved.

For other delis in Palm Beach Gardens, check this blog at: http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2010/09/kosher-deli-restaurants-in-palm-beach.html

Tags: Palm Beach Gardens, Jewish deli, Florida, yacht provisions, breakfast, lunch, kosher-style