Saturday, January 29, 2011
Table for two with a view in Jupiter ... shades of Valentine's Day?
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Dockside Sea Grille: a little oomph in North Palm Beach
Dockside Sea Grille
766 Northlake Blvd.
Lake Park, Florida (North Palm Beach)
561-842-2180
Monday-Thursday: 11:30 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Sunday: 12-9 p.m.
It's easy to miss Dockside Sea Grille driving along Northlake Boulevard. Don’t; it’s a pearl of a place.
Yes, it’s not unlike many casual outdoor dining spots serving seafood but here they put a little extra oomph into their biz.
It shows in the way they plate their food. Whether a lobster roll or hamburger, it comes with lots of color: pineapple, escarole, strawberry and shredded carrot garnish. That extra oomph also glows in the pride the chef took in showing us his special for the day, Grouper Napoleon (fish layered in vegetables) and how he was preparing his popular ratatouille.
Locals gather here for raw bar selections that include Blue Point oysters, steamed PEI mussels, peel and eat shrimp, clams, and rock shrimp. Crab cakes earn an above average rating as do their fresh fish sandwiches. Other choices include soft shell crabs ($22) pan sautéed or served with lemon butter, Snapper Picatta (about $24) Chicken Picatta ($17.95) and N.Y Strip ($23).
Dockside is also a great place to stop for Happy Hour, 4 -7 p.m. daily when there's “2-4-1 appetizers,” Martinis for $4 and, for casual dining, an ample selection of wines.
Owner Liz Turner has my vote and that of locals for her place. Dockside Sea Grille is known as a local spot but tourists would do well to find it. It’s on a small body of water that flows from the Intracoastal but there’s no dockage. No matter, there are plenty of other reasons to dine at this pearl of a place.
Tags: North Palm Beach raw bar, waterside dining in North Palm Beach, seafood restaurants in Palm Beach County.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Downtowner Saloon: a view of the New River, a slice of old Fort Lauderdale
10 S. New River Drive East
South of New River, east of the Andrews Ave. Bridge, behind the Courthouse (see their site for directions - tough to find)
Free parking in a lot approaching the restaurant.
Free parking in a lot approaching the restaurant.
954-463-9800
Monday-Thursday and Sunday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday Brunch
Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. 12 Midnight
www.downtownersaloon.com
Also home to the Maxwell Room – for weddings, receptions and other group events (954-463-6630)
By Jane Feehan
Sitting on the New River in a building nearly 90-years-old – historic in these parts – the Downtowner Saloon attracts locals who come from the nearby courthouse during the day, or those who want to soak up the sights of the river and its traffic while listening to live music at night. It’s also party central for the annual Riverwalk Blues and Music Festival, the Super Bowl and other sporting events.
I’ve never had a bad, if not memorable, meal here and have even enjoyed some holiday brunches. Outdoor seating is limited and fills up fast. The view from one of the indoor bars includes the river. Free parking available at the side of the saloon or take the Water Taxi and get off at stop number 10. Save taxi receipt for a drink discount. Service: good.
Tags: Dining downtown Fort Lauderdale, live music downtown Fort Lauderdale, Riverwalk Blues and Music Festival, Fort Lauderdale sports bar, Fort Lauderdale Super Bowl party
Sunday, January 23, 2011
South Florida's best catch - Pop's Fish Market in Deerfield Beach
Pop’s Fish Market
131 W. Hillsboro Blvd.
Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441
954-427-1331
Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
For more seafood markets in South Florida (Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Boynton. Fort Lauderdale, etc,) seafood markets at: http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2012/03/south-floridas-best-seafood-markets.html
For seafood restaurants in Fort Lauderdale , see:
http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2011/07/fort-lauderdale-area-seafood.html
Most trips I make from Jupiter south include a stop at Pop’s Fish Market in Deerfield Beach. Other than visiting a fishing boat back from an outing, it’s just about the best place to go for fresh seafood in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Owned by John and Sandra Adeimy, Pop's is always busy, even during summer months when other seafood marts nearly cry for business. I’m not comfortable buying a piece of fish from a place with no traffic; it’s too expensive to throw down the disposal if it doesn’t taste right. Pop’s prices are more than fair – sometimes a few dollars a pound lower than other markets.
There’s more to this shop than fresh-out-of-the-water fish. Pop’s also sells house made desserts - pies, puddings and more - and their own potato, macaroni and slaw salads. They also cook up some great conch chowder and other seafood soups. Some fresh vegetables, and a small selection of wines, round out the offerings.
Most wouldn’t have Pop’s on their lunch radars but should. A few tables - two or three - are available to enjoy one of the daily specials, fresh fish of one’s choice prepared simply or one of their signature soups - all a seafood lover’s delight. No ambiance here, just great seafood.
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Additional South Florida seafood markets at: http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2012/03/south-floridas-best-seafood-markets.html
Tags: South Florida seafood markets, Deerfield seafood market, Conch chowder, fresh fish, Maine lobster, Florida lobster
Friday, January 21, 2011
Fort Lauderdale's Greek Islands Taverna - Seriously good
Greek Islands Taverna
3300 N. Ocean Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
954-568-0008
Takeout: 954-565-5505
Open daily for lunch and dinner
By Jane Feehan
There’s no live Greek music, belly dancers or shouts of Opa heard over raucous banter here; it’s not a party place as some Greek restaurants advertise. Greek Islands Taverna is all about food.
Hallowed dishes of Greek cuisine – a 4,000 year-old tradition – can be found at Greek Islands. Dolmathakia (stuffed grape leaves), roasted lamb, Souvlaki (marinated pork on a skewer), and Moussaka (ground beef, macaroni and béchamel sauce) top the list of Greek specialties. Traditional salads of cucumbers, large wedges of tomato, feta cheese and sliced onion are tongue-slapping good.
A plate with two small loaves of bread – white and wheat – and a heaping dish of hummus comes to the table before one has time to look at the menu. Many items can be ordered as merze, a small dish, or as a full dinner. Dessert classics of honey, walnuts, filo and yogurt complete a typical Greek Islands meal.
There’s lots of wallet options and a tab without alcohol can be pleasingly moderate.
Prices and consistently good food keep the tables full here. A wait is not uncommon. Many patrons choose the full bar to eat a meal, watch a game or to socialize. It’s a comfortable place for the single diner.
Patio dining available for lunch and dinner. Service: good.
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Tags: Greek restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale restaurants, dining in Fort Lauderdale
Friday, January 14, 2011
Hurricane Café - a blast of good food in Juno Beach
Hurricane Café
14050 US Hwy 1 (closest cross street: Donald Ross Road)
Juno Beach, FL
877-775-2559
Breakfast – 7-11 a.m. (with early bird 8-9 a.m. for $4.75). Extended weekend breakfast hours
Lunch – 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Dinner – 4 -9 p.m. (Sunset dinner 4-6 p.m.)
By Jane Feehan
For some of us in South Florida, an establishment with the word “hurricane” attached to its name may conjure up images of a rough refuge taken during a storm where food, some adult beverages and fun-loving, adventurous company serve as ingredients for a party.
A tropical storm doesn't provide locals a reason to gather at the Hurricane Café in Juno Beach – the food does.
Breakfast, served with a basket of thick slices of toast, draws a loyal following. A meal is delivered within minutes of placing an order (good for those on their way to work). They know eggs done any way with omelets their specialty. They also do a great job with waffles and pancakes. For those who need a morning jolt, the Hurricane Café offers a variety of coffees, espresso and organic teas.
Lunch and dinner fare is a significant cut above a corner café and includes overstuffed sandwiches, vegetarian dishes and comfort foods like Yankee Pot Roast, N.Y. strip with gorgonzola and hand tossed individual pizzas. Seafood also available. There’s a good selection of wines (no hard liquor) to top off the dinner menu.
Hurricane Café’s interior is simple with a breakfast-place-look, far from elegant if one is looking for sophisticated ambiance for a special occasion or date. My advice is to take a seat on the patio, which offers a more pleasant atmosphere for dinner, weather permitting.
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Tags: breakfast in Juno, breakfast in Jupiter, dining in Juno Beach, dining in Jupiter, restaurants in Palm Beach County
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Sequin New York: Affordable Palm Beach Glitz
Sequin New York
330 South County Road
Palm Beach, Florida 33480
561-833-7300
Meandering through shops on Palm Beach’s Worth Avenue may leave some deflated by inflated prices but a visit to Sequin New York, just a few blocks away, may cure the-small-budget-blues. Yes, Virginia, there are bargains in Palm Beach.
New York-based Sequin is tough to miss with colorful, glitzy-ritzy high-end costume jewelry heaped elegantly on tables visible through their storefront window. Even non-shoppers are lured by the sparkling sight. The best part: prices. With baubles ranging from $15 to $750, few will walk out empty-handed.
Sisters Kim and Linda Renk, owners of Sequin, design jewelry for Badgley Mischka (sold at Neiman Marcus), for Target, Kohl’s, Cache, Nordstrom, other customers and for their own stores (private label). In addition to the shop in Palm Beach, they have two in Newport, Rhode Island.
Palm Beach store manager, Wendy McIlvain, says Sequin also does trunk shows, including an upcoming event in Houston. Stop by and say hello. For a little bit of cash, you can walk out with a piece of Palm Beach elegance.
Tags: Palm Beach shopping, Valentine's Day ideas, costume jewelry
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Floridian: A Fort Lauderdale 24/7 to meet, greet and eat
The Floridian
1410 E. Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
954-463-4041
Open 24/7
The Floridian is as remarkable for its longevity on Las Olas Boulevard as anything else. Operating for more than 60 years (under different owners), this spot is great for people-watching and generating a feeling for downtown Fort Lauderdale.
This corner eatery with sidewalk tables drums up a big weekend breakfast crowd and draws daily neighborhood business from Las Olas residents, merchants and night owls. A place at the indoor counter for breakfast ensures lively discussions with locals; it’s a friendly bunch.
The Floridian’s large menu and oversized servings will satisfy most appetites. Eggs cooked any way, huge sandwiches, platters of burgers overflowing with fries, and large salads – all at reasonable prices – may remind one of a diner. It’s the best way to describe this restaurant’s fare.
There aren’t many restaurants where one can walk off a large meal these days but one can after dining at the Floridian. A stroll down Las Olas, the quintessential Fort Lauderdale boulevard, may be a great way to top off a visit to this landmark.
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Tags: restaurants open 24 hours in Fort Lauderdale, breakfast on Las Olas, dining on Las Olas
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