Casablanca Café - moon light, love songs, not food - Fort Lauderdale

Casablanca Café

3049 Alhambra Street

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304

954-764-3500

Open seven days, lunch and dinner

Happy hour Monday-Saturday: 4-7 p.m.

http://www.casablancacafeonline.com

Use search box at right to find other "Fort Lauderdale" restaurants

For some history about the building, see: http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2011/07/florida-history-fort-lauderdales-1920s.html

By Jane Feehan

  

Casablanca Café occupies a restored house built in the 1920s. Sitting on the patio, one can appreciate the view early occupants had without busy A1A (Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard). It still has a great view of the ocean, especially from a second floor porch, but vehicular traffic is an interloper.

That said, Casablanca is a good place to go for drinks or a meal, as long as expectations are lowered; above all, this is a tourist spot. I’ve eaten dinner and lunch here a few times and have always left underwhelmed. Luncheon salad entrées tend to be a safe bet; they’re ample and tasty. House made hummus is above average quality and they serve lamb sandwiches, a rarity. Pick your pleasure from standard choices of burgers, seafood and pasta but I don’t recommend a chicken salad sandwich. It’s drippy and served on what seems to be an oversized hotdog roll. Dinner is also hit and miss. Most of the fish is frozen, but the menu is appetizing and they do an adequate job pulling ingredients together. With beef, chicken, pork, lamb and pasta choices, there is bound to be something pleasing.

View from Casablanca

My suggestion is to visit Casablanca for happy hour, eat from the bar menu, enjoy the view, the piano or other live music that plays Wednesday-Saturday (check times). Or stop by for an after dinner drink and music. Most of the seating in Casablanca Café is open air, which in the hot and humid summer can be a drawback.

Proprietor Peter Beck also owns the popular H20 Café down the street and the Aruba Beach Café in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. His knack for blending food, entertainment and above all, a beach view, has been a winning business formula for years. Service: Good. Parking is available in a dedicated lot west of the restaurant on Alhambra ($4). Dress is casual.

Tags: Fort Lauderdale beach dining, Fort Lauderdale waterfront dining, Fort Lauderdale live music, Fort Lauderdale restaurants

Pep's Island Grill in Tequesta: positively palatable, positively priced

Pep’s Island Grill (CLOSED)

1556 N. US Highway 1

Tequesta, FL 33469

561-575-5977

http://www.baystarrestaurantgroup.com/peps/peps.html

Open daily at 5 p.m. for dinner and Sunday Brunch, 11:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.

CLOSED - TO REOPEN AS ANOTHER RESTAURANT OCTOBER, 2012

There’s lots to like at Pep’s Island Grill. The food is fresh, prices right and the menu breaks the mold of  Caribbean fare that often is in name only.

Sides such as black bean hummus, Lobster Mac and Cheese, roasted corn potato croquette and coconut rice provide tasty accents for fresh fish, beef, chicken, pork, and rice bowl entrées. Their Bimini salad – super fresh greens topped with a toothsome mix of mango, walnuts and a light dressing - was terrific. Conch chowder, though not loaded with conch meat, was sedately spicy.

Pep’s crab cakes are better than average, as is their fresh catch kebab. What’s unique here, other than the dishes, are the pricing options. They’re noted for their $10 dinner deals and a deal they are. The portions are not large but entirely satisfying; one of these dinners comes with a salad or soup, main course with a side of black beans and rice or garlic mashed potatoes. Dessert with this is not just a tag along.  Though diminutive, they’re original.  Sweet Potato Beignet with a dollop of vanilla ice cream was as good as it sounds.

Small plates at small prices (less than $10), flat bread pizzas, and bar food round out the regular menu of items that average $17. A glass of wine at Happy Hour runs $3, something that’s hard to find these days. The interior of Pep’s lacks ambiance; its outdoor deck provides the best surroundings to enjoy a meal.  Full bar located on the deck but there’s a small one inside. Service: fair.

Tags: South Florida dining, Tequesta restaurants, Jupiter dining, seafood in Tequesta, Tequesta brunch

E.R. Bradley's Saloon - West Palm Beach's waterfront draw

E.R. Bradley’s Saloon

104 S. Clematis Street

West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

Breakfast (Mon-Sat, 7:30-10:30 a.m.) lunch, dinner, Happy Hour and Sunday Brunch (8 a.m.-1 p.m.)

561-833-3520 – Call for hours not listed

http://www.erbradleys.com

By Jane Feehan

E.R. Bradley’s Saloon sits as an anchor to Clematis Street, entertainment central for West Palm Beach. It’s a large, mostly open air establishment with a youngish, party ambiance at night. During weekend days the place pulls in all ages – and families.  An enclosed area with a bar and tables serves as a staging area for their popular Sunday brunch (about $16) and as an air conditioned refuge during the sweltering summer months.

Lake Worth Lagoon with Flagler Museum (reddish roof) 

Food is not primarily what draws patrons to E.R. Bradley’s; a stop here is also for the view of Lake Worth Lagoon with its boat traffic, an outdoor venue to meet and party with friends or a place to enjoy a drink or two (don't forget the saloon part in its name). Mixed drinks tend to be pricey, starting at $10, the norm for a place that attracts tourists. The menu, some items with a hint of Mexico and the Caribbean, presents a mix of bar food (nachos, quesadillas), good burgers, a small selection of sandwiches, standard steak and chicken options and the obligatory Florida seafood dishes. Most of the menu is fairly good – not gourmet.  Stay away from the Caesar salads; they’re meager and tasteless.

 E.R. Bradley’s Saloon is not Palm Beach. If you’re looking for something more sedate and upscale, with the clientele to match, drive across one of the bridges to “the Island.” Some restaurants there are not much more expensive.

Service at E.R. Bradley’s is fair. Parking is available in one of the many lots along Datura, a short walk to the restaurants. Cost is $5 for two hours with each additional hour at $2.

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Who was E.R. Bradley? 

Tags: West Palm Beach dining, West Palm waterfront dining, outdoor bar, Sunday brunch, breakfast in West Palm Beach

Breakfast and brunch in the Jupiter and Juno Beach areas

Below are some popular breakfast spots in Hobe Sound, Tequesta, Jupiter and Juno Beach.  A few serve Sunday brunch.  Some are linked to reviews or are listed with comments. Most of these restaurants are crowded on weekends, especially during the winter season. To find reviews of additional restaurants, enter zip code in search box at right. For waterfront restaurants in Jupiter, see: http://tinyurl.com/8gagqpw.

Berry Fresh Cafe
3755 Military Trail
Jupiter
7 am - 3 pm
561-401-5693

Flamingo Cafe - 561-622-9781
2588 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens

Cathy’s Beach Connection   See review

Beach Plaza

12850 US Highway 1

Juno Beach, Florida 33408

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

561-626-2262

Center Street Nook - 561-745-7477
223 Center Street, Jupiter
7 am.- 9 pm - Hours vary - call to confirm

Corner Café and Brewery  See review

289 North US Highway One

Tequesta, Florida 33469

Breakfast seven days, 7:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.

561-743-7619

www.cornercafeandbrewery.com

Gallery Grille    See review

383 Tequesta Drive

Tequesta, Florida 33469

Monday-Saturday, 7-11 a.m., Sunday brunch 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

561-427-8919

www.gallerygrille.com

Time to Eat Diner 561-744-9768
716 US Hwy 1, Tequesta
https://www.facebook.com/timetoeatflorida?rf=545752418801242

Guanabanas    See review

Jupiter, Florida 33477

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

561-747-8878          

www.guanabanas.com

Harry’s and the Natives    See review

US 1 and Bridge Road (west side of US 1)

Tuesday-Saturday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.   Sunday – breakfast only: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.

772-546-3061

www.harrysandthenatives.com

Hurricane Café        See review

14050 US Hwy 1 (closest cross street: Donald Ross Road)

Juno Beach, FL

Monday-Saturday 7-11 a.m. (with early bird 8-9 a.m. for $4.75). Extended weekend breakfast hours

Sunday brunch: 7 a.m.-1:30

www.hurricanecafe.com

877-775-2559

Jim’s Place (Standard fare, quick service, no credit cards)

901 Indiantown Road

Jupiter, Florida 33458

Monday-Friday,  6 a.m.  -  1:30 p.m.

Saturday, 6 a.m. - noon, Sunday, 7 a.m.-noon
561-746-6216

Juno Beach Café  (Huge, Paul Bunyan-sized portions, crowded on weekends, good menu)

13967 US Highway One

Juno Beach, Florida 33408

Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

www.junobeachcafe.com

561-622-1533

Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa    See review

5 North A1A

Jupiter, Florida 33477

Sinclairs Ocean Grill

7 -11 a.m. daily

Sunday brunch, 7 a.m. -12 noon

561-746-2511

866-943-0950

www.jupiterbeachresort.com

Lazy Loggerhead Café - review at: http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2012/01/dukes-lazy-loggerhead-cafe-good-food.html

401 North A1A (Carlin Park)

Jupiter, Florida 33458

Seven Days, 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

561-747-2952

Old Dixie Café

300 N. Old Dixie Highway, Suite 101

Jupiter, Florida 33458

Seven days, 4:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

561-747-1134

Royal Cafe- Diner style - no credit cards
75 E. Indiantown Rd. Jupiter 33477
Opens daily at 6:30 a.m.
royalcafejupiter.com
561-747-7426

Suzy Q's Home Town Diner - 561-822-3744
225 Chimney Corner Lane, Jupiter
561-822-3744
7 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Hours vary by day, call to confirm

Tags: Best breakfast restaurants in Jupiter, best brunch in Jupiter, best breakfast in Juno, Breakfast in Hobe Sound, best breakfast in Tequesta, restaurants in Jupiter

A Boat's Eye View of Fort Lauderdale

Though road traffic is congested in this oceanside city, the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale is not; it's one of the best ways to see the sights. Go by Water Taxi or inquire about Jungle Queen tours from Bahia Mar or other boat trips from downtown at the Riverwalk.

What's With Those Girl Scout Cookies?

By Jane Feehan 

It’s cookie time for the Girl Scouts and for those who enjoy a good cookie as much as they do contributing to a good cause. Hopefully, supporters won't be disappointed.

The Girl Scouts decided to cut back on their gallery of cookies but Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils (shortbread), Samoas, Lemon Chalet Cremes, Tagalongs (a k a Peanut Butter Patties) – ones that have been around awhile - will remain.

If cutting back the variety boosts profits (the suggested reason), I have no problem with it. The problem is the changing quality and taste. Last year, Thin Mints seemed not as thin, the chocolate mint coating just so so; it was an overall less tasty product. I thought no more about it until today when I bought a box of Do-Si-Dos. These former favorites are now slipping. The peanut butter filling seems the same but the cookie changed; cracker-like it’s a short-cut, lackluster -- and disappointing -- version of the former.  

So now it seems quality is heading the same direction as variety: south. Something’s missing and  hopefully it does not affect sales, which had been slipping a few years until last year. The Girl Scouts use two bakers: ABC Bakers of Interlake Foods LLC, with them since 1937 and Little Brownie Bakers, a Kellogg Company. Is the change in taste the baker, the recipe or the budget?

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Ahhh ... those Fort Lauderdale yachts

Docked at Bahia Mar

These yachts were photographed along Fort Lauderdale's  New River and Intracoastal Waterway the end of January - just before the blizzard up north. The next best thing to being on board one of these vessels is to be on another, albeit smaller, boat taking pictures. Defrost and enjoy.
 -- Jane Feehan

Docked at Sunrise Harbor

These belong to Hooters

Non Conformist ... color it olive 

Near Las Olas 

Coral Ridge Yacht Club

Full House

Greater Fort Lauderdale

Spoto's Oyster Bar, Palm Beach Gardens: Oyster bliss

Spoto’s Oyster Bar

4560 PGA Blvd.

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418

Lunch and Dinner

561-776-9448

http://www.spotosoysterbar.com

By Jane Feehan

Shell fish lovers will find many pleasures at Spoto’s Oyster Bar: a sophisticated ambiance, great service, but above all, excellent oysters, mussels, clams, shrimp and other shelled delights.

From the cold waters of the northeastern U.S. and Canada, oysters take top billing here. Unlike their counterparts from the warm Gulf and Florida coastal waters, northern oysters tend to be less fleshy, delicate and a bit more salty. Spoto’s serves Blue Point, Well Fleet, and a variety of others as they find them.

Fellow diner and I enjoyed a sampler platter, about 20 oysters on the half shell, and what a palate pleaser. Ice cold and fresh from Long Island Sound, Cape Cod, and Canada, the oysters were served with lemon, three sauces and plenty of crackers. We couldn't decide which ones were best; they were all delicious. We then shared a meal of Panko fried scallops, also from cold waters, with rice and asparagus. This part of the meal was less exciting. The scallops, though fresh and of good texture, were unimaginatively prepared. Spice cake from the dessert tray served as the ending. Not nearly as good as it looked, the cake was heavy and short on flavor.

Other diners sitting at high top tables next to us raved about their seafood salads and chowders. A jumbo shrimp cocktail for $12.95 looked like a show stopper. My inclination would be to stick with  shellfish for the main course; that’s their specialty.

                                                                                                                  

Whether one visits Spoto’s for shellfish (how about some oyster shooters?) lobster, salads, chowders and soups (including gumbo), pasta, and land lover dishes, there’s an inviting array of options to put together a meal without denting the wallet. 

A raw bar, the Blue Point Lounge, and a patio provide plenty of seating and socializing venues. There’s a good crowd at Spoto’s during the season and if there’s a wait, it’s worth it for their oysters and other shellfish.

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Tags: oysters, oyster shooters, Palm Beach Gardens seafood restaurants, Palm Beach Gardens fine dining, clams, lobster dinners, shrimp dinners