Cafe Seville: A touch of Spain in Fort Lauderdale

Café Seville

2768 E. Oakland Park Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33305

954-565-1148

www.cafeseville.com

Dinner: Monday-Saturday, 5 p.m. to close

Lunch:  Tuesday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

By Jane Feehan

Seafood is ubiquitous in Spain and it’s among Chef/Owner Joe Esposito’s specialties at his Café Seville in Fort Lauderdale.

On a recent visit, I dined on Merluza Francaise ($27) topped with crab meat in a creamy sauce touched with garlic. Merluza, or hake, a fish commonly served in Spain, is white, flaky and mild tasting. The dish was delicious. Though the sauce was generous, the flavor of the merluza wasn’t masked. Companion sampled Unicorn Olé, unicorn fish from Hawaii, gently covered in mushrooms, artichokes, leeks and garlic ($28), another winner. Flavorful Spanish saffron rice and green beans rounded out the meals.

Café Seville, open for about 25 years - a feat in this perpetually shaky restaurant market - also dishes up a variety of meats with the same finesse as seafood. The house specialty is paella, with chicken, pork and fish.  A list of fresh, daily specials on a white board greets diners at the entrance. Tapas, or appetizers, include traditional Spanish favorites such as Pollo al Ajillo, chunks of chicken in olive oil and sherry, and Butifarra a la Parilla, grilled slices of pork.

Terrific food with a Spanish flair served with good wines in a cozy atmosphere places Café Seville high on the list of restaurants to dine at - lunch or dinner - in Fort Lauderdale. Casual, no bar, good service.

___________

Tags: Fort Lauderdale restaurants, Fort Lauderdale seafood, Spanish food in Fort Lauderdale, lunch in Fort Lauderdale.

County Line Pizza: Best pizza in Juno Beach, Florida

County Line Pizza

877 Donald Ross Rd. (La Mer Plaza, east of the bridge)

Juno Beach, (also considered North Palm Beach) FL 33408

561-626-3662

Sunday – Thursday: 4-9:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 4-10 p.m.

By Jane Feehan 

Fabulous pizza here, done the Philly way: Thin, crispy crust well-coated in cornmeal served bubbling hot.They know what makes good pizza – great cheese with just the right amount of tomato sauce. It’s not expensive; a large plain pie (my favorite) goes for $11. Pies come round but are cut in squares – the best way to eat a crispy piece.  I haven’t tried their other fare but judging by the way the dining room fills up before six on a week day in May speaks volumes.  Summer specials kick in during May – dinners go for under $10.

If you’re looking for a thicker crust pizza – the folding type found in New York City - visit Angelo’s (see review) in Jupiter. These two – County Line Pizza and Angelo’s  - serve the best pizza in the area.

Bar with wine and beer. Great service (ask for Karen), casual  and family-friendly. 

___________

Tags: best pizza in Jupiter, best pizza in Juno Beach, crispy crust pizza, Italian restaurants in Juno Beach, casual Italian restaurants in Jupiter area

Crawdaddy's N'awlins Café in Jensen: this rhyme may save your dime

Crawdaddy’s  N’awlins Café and Raw Bar

1949 NE Jensen Beach Blvd.

Jensen Beach, FL 34957

772-225-3444

http://crawdaddysrestaurant.org/

By Jane Feehan

Always in search of a slice of the Big Easy,

I sashayed into Crawdaddy’s N’awlins Café feelin’ a bit queasy.

Would this be the place my Florida search would end

for the shrimp po’boy with that unbeatable Crescent City blend?

Shrimp are dipped into spicy batter in that city,

then fried golden and set atop a long crusty roll so pretty.

Dressed, maybe pressed they come, with lettuce crisp and tomatoes sliced.

But not at Crawdaddy’s where their version would have to suffice.

Because there’s no deep fryer at this Jensen Beach place,

to cook up shrimp N’awlins style, they told us with a straight face.

So it was sliced chicken drenched in etoufee on a weird roll served -

rendering the name "po'boy" undeserved.

But all was not lost at Crawdaddy’s N’awlins Café

‘cause  they dished out a thick and tasty gumbo made their way.

My Florida quest continues for an authentic, delicious shrimp po’boy,

something even a New Orleanian could call the Real McCoy.

_______





Tags: Jensen Beach restaurants, Jensen Beach blues, Jensen Beach raw bar 

Mother's Day Brunch in Boynton, Delray and Boca Raton

2013

Below are some, not all, restaurants serving Mother's Day Brunch. Reservations required.
Also see: Mother's Day Brunch in Jupiter and the Palm Beaches
Mother's Day Brunch in Deerfield, Pompano and Fort Lauderdale

Boynton Beach/Lantana

Old Key Lime House -561-582-1889

300 E. Ocean Avenue, Lantana 33462

Brunch (a la carte menu) 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Review


Prime Catch  – 561-737-8822

700 East Woolbright Rd. Boynton Beach

Brunch: Noon to 9 p.m.

Delray Beach

Atlantic Grille -561-665-4900

1000 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach

Brunch 9 a.m-2:30 p.m.

Deck 84 -561-665-8484

840 East Atlantic Blvd., Delray Beach

Brunch (regular) starting at 11 a.m.  – call for details

Review

Sundy House        561-272-5678

106 S. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida  33444

Brunch   One seating left - 5:30 p.m.

Old Calypso      561-279-2300

900 E. Atlantic Blvd. Delray Beach, Florida 33483

Brunch: 10 a.m. -3:30 p.m.

Marriott Delray Beach     561-274-3219 (Reservation line)

10 N. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach, Florida 33483

Brunch from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Boca Raton

Carmen’s  at the top of the Bridge Hotel – 561-368-9500

999 East Camino Real, Boca Raton

Brunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tags: Mother's Day Brunch in Boynton, Mother's Day Brunch in Boca Raton, Mother's Day Brunch in Delray, restaurants in South Florida

Mother's Day Brunch in Jupiter and the Palm Beaches

For 2012 update, see:
http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2012/04/mothers-day-brunch-in-jupiter-and-palm.html

Below are some, not all, restaurants serving Mother's Day brunch. This is one of the busiest restaurant days of the year; reservations required by all. Also see:
Mother's Day Brunch in Boynton, Delray and Boca Raton.
Mother's Day Brunch in Deerfield, Pompano and Fort Lauderdale


Jupiter

The Bistro – 561-744-5054

2133 South U.S. Highway 1, Jupiter

Serving Brunch Noon – 3 p.m.

Crab House 11 a.m-9 p.m. CLOSED BUT WILL REOPEN AS BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP CO BY SAME OWNER, LANDRY'S

Buffet 8 a.m.- 9 p.m.

1065 N. Hwy A1A, Jupiter, Florida 33477

561-744-1300

Review  

Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa   561-746-2511

Sinclair’s - Buffet: from 11 a.m. – call to check hours

5 North A1A Jupiter, Florida 33477

Review

Pep’s Island Grill - 561-575-5977

1556 N. US Highway 1, 

Tequesta, FL 33469

Brunch (regular)11:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. Call to confirm hours

Review

Schooners – 561-746-7558

1001 N. Hwy A1A, Jupiter

Brunch: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Review

Palm Beach Gardens

Waterway Café – 561-694-1700

2300 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens

Serving brunch 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Review

Note: River House Restaurant (below) is open one hour early, 4 p.m., for dinner, not brunch. It's an area favorite, thus the reason it's listed.

River House Restaurant 561-694-1188
2373 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens
Dinner only - one hour early at 4 p.m.

Palm Beach

The Breakers Palm Beach     561-659-8488, select #4

One South County Road,  Palm Beach

Several venues for brunch. Call or visit website for details 

Ta-boo – 561-835-3500

221 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach

Serving brunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Charley’s Crab Palm Beach 561-659-1500

456 South Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach

Brunch: 10:30 a.m – 2:30 p.m.

Four Seasons Hotel -561-582-2800

2800 South Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach

The Restaurant

Brunch : 12-6 p.m.

Ritz Carlton, Palm Beach -561-533-6000

Ballroom – two seatings. 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

100 South Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, Florida 33462

Testa’s -561-832-0992

221 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach

Brunch (regular brunch):  7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Review

Omphoy Ocean Resort -561-540-6440

2842 South Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach

The Terrace (regular Sunday Brunch) – 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Review

West Palm Beach

E.R. Bradleys – 561-833-3520

104 Clematis St., West Palm Beach

Brunch: 8 a.m-2 p.m.

Review

Hilton Palm Beach Airport -561-684-9400

150 Australian Ave., West Palm Beach

From noon - call for details

Tags: Mother's day brunch in Jupiter, Mother's Day brunch in Palm Beach, Mother's Day Brunch in Palm Beach Gardens, Mother's Day brunch in West Palm Beach

A nod to Russell's Blue Water Grill in Palm Beach Gardens - CLOSED

CLOSED
Russell’s Blue Water Grill

2450 PGA Blvd. (Prosperity Plaza next to TJ Maxx)

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

 561-318-6344

http://www.russellsbluewatergrill.com/

* Note - ownership may have changed

By Jane Feehan

Russell Beverstein and his band of chefs have put together an inventive, reasonably-priced menu at his new Palm Beach Gardens eatery.

With a display of eclectic cooking that’s been drawing a steady stream of locals and area visitors since it opened during the 2011 winter season, Russell’s Blue Water Grill should have no problems staying busy throughout the summer.

Seafood offerings such as Mango Lobster Tempura (about $23), Coconut Curry Snapper (about $21), join White Truffle Chicken Mac and Cheese (about $17) and a small selection of other land entrées. Prime USDA steaks, duck, and pasta all come with an interesting spin at comfortable prices.

Salads, loaded with fresh vegetables and served with a light but tasty house dressing are exceptional.  One caveat about their lobster bisque: full of flavor, made of lobster stock and the requisite cream, there's no lobster meat.

Russell’s Blue Water Grill offers live music Friday and Saturday nights. An attractive lounge area in an earthy wood and brick motif provides comfortable booths and a large bar with its own menu (as well as full menu).  It’s all here at the grill: good food, an attractive setting, light entertainment and great prices. It’s a welcome addition to the Palm Beach Gardens roster of restaurants.

 ________________

Tags: Palm Beach Gardens restaurants, Palm Beach Gardens seafood, Palm Beach Gardens night spots, Palm Beach Gardens good restaurants

Maxi's Lineup: Little Moir's brings live music, karaoke and tapas to Jupiter

Maxi’s Lineup (next to Foodshack)

103 South US Hwy 1

Jupiter, Florida

Open daily at 5 p.m., closed Sundays

www.littlemoirsfoodshack.com

561-741-3626

By Jane Feehan

Little Moir’s recently opened Maxi’s Lineup, next door to its popular Foodshack. Touted as a “tropical tapas bar,” Maxi’s is a welcome addition to Jupiter’s short list of places for live music and karaoke. It’s also a good place to have a drink and appetizer while waiting for a seat at Foodshack.

Maxi's interior mural

Smartly decked out in murals with an open kitchen, Maxi’s small room provides a stage for performers and an area for dancing. Seating is offered at two bars and in booths along one wall, with plenty of room to mix and mingle when the place fills up.

The tapas menu ($3-$10 average) changes daily and is as creative as that offered by Foodshack. The night I stopped by, BBQ Chicken Cigar Roll, Hot Tuna Poke with Macadamia nuts, and Panko Crusted Eggplant Fries joined an ample selection of other small plates on the menu. The eggplant ($5), served with a feta lemon honey aioli, proved to be a tasty start to the meal I had next store.

Maxi’s, reaching out to a younger crowd after 9, will also attract Foodshack fans of any age.

__________

Tags: Jupiter night spot, tapas bar in Jupiter, karaoke in Jupiter, live music in Jupiter

Café des Artistes in Jupiter - A breath of French air

Café des Artistes

318 South US Highway 1, Suite 101

Jupiter, FL

561-747-0998

http://www.cafedesartistesjupiter.com/

Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and takeout

By Jane Feehan

If the only reason for visiting the Jupiter Yacht Club and Marina is dining at the Café des Artistes, it’s a good one. The food is quite palatable and the ambiance provides an interesting blend of France and Florida.

There’s ample seating both indoors and out. An umbrella-covered patio that provides sufficient refuge from sun and rain overlooks a waterway with docked boats, a perfect setting for any meal. A cozy bar inside draws those looking for some good conversation to go with a glass of wine. Patrons feel comfortable practicing their French with the French-speaking staff; all attempts - even bad ones - are welcome. 

The menu is filled with some traditionally French items – quiche, French onion soup, duck à L’orange, escargot, foie gras, and various patés. Dinner items (average $26) include a selection of seafood, lamb, steak, pork and chicken, replete with typically French sauces.

View from the patio

For lunch, I passed up the burgers and quiche and settled on a salad with large, pan-seared scallops ($18); these seafood treasures were as  fresh as they were delicious. A chicken sandwich (about $10) my companion ordered was dominated by the baguette it was served on. An open-faced sandwich of the same would have been better. Their featured tarte tatin  - apples caramelized in butter and sugar atop a light, flaky pastry - proved to be an appropriately sweet ending to the meal. This very French dessert could tempt me again.

Breakfast at Café des Artistes is a Continental affair with pastries, fruit tarts and croissants.

Café des Artistes closes in late June for about two months. I plan to stop in again before they say au revoir for the summer; the staff, setting and menu are worthy of a repeat performance.

Tags: Dining in Jupiter, waterfront dining in Jupiter, French café in Jupiter.