Prime Catch prime dining in boring Boynton

Prime Catch

700 East Woolbright Rd.

Boynton Beach, FL 33435

561-737-8822

http://primecatchboynton.com

Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Dinner: M-Th, 4:30-10 p.m.

F; S: 4:30-11 p.m.

Use search box at top right to find other seafood restaurants and seafood markets

By Jane Feehan

The best thing about Boynton Beach is Prime Catch. No fried fish and burgers-with-fries joint, this eatery serves fresh local seafood such as snapper and grouper. They also specialize in Maine lobster and other shellfish as well as cater to those who seek gluten-free meals.

Most items on the menu are worth repeat performances except the fish and chips; save that for the beach and beer joints. Florida Rock Shrimp Chowder rings bells as do their seafood crepes. Salads and fish are fresh, bread is warm. Those averse to seafood will be pleased with the range of beef and other meat offerings. 

View from patio

On the Intracoastal (the only restaurant in town on this waterway), Prime Catch’s interior is just as pleasant indoors as out on the patio. The lounge area, the best place to eat when the weather is inclement, features a large dark wood pub-style bar and comfy booths. It’s a great setting with a view of the Intracoastal that makes for a relaxing happy hour 4:30-7 pm. downing a drink and an oyster shooter or two.

Prime Catch does an outstanding job with large parties and banquets and is open most holidays. Service is quite good. Both valet and self parking available. Patience is required during the season while waiting for a table. Reservations for parties of five or more. I suggest business casual attire during the evening.

They also own Banana Boat, and Fifth Ave Grill

http://www.bananaboatboynton.com/

http://www.5thavegrill.com/

Food Network has fabulous seafood recipes at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/search/delegate.do?fnSearchString=seafood+recipes&fnSearchType=recipe

Tags: Seafood restaurants Palm Beach County, seafood restaurants near Delray, banquets, Intracoastal dining, fine dining, gluten free dining, oyster shooters 

South Florida's best seafood markets

Jupiter Inlet

Below are retail seafood markets or grocers with significant seafood departments, i.e., selling both farmed and wild caught fish in Broward and Palm Beach counties. 

For seafood restaurants in Fort Lauderdale , see: 
http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2011/07/fort-lauderdale-area-seafood.html )

Broward County (Palm Beach County below)

Fort Lauderdale

Fish Peddler – 954-491-1441

2805 E. Commercial Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Fresh Market – 954-763-1250

424 N. Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

www.thefreshmarket.com

Pompano Beach

Wholesale Seafood (open to the public) - 954-784-3634

1101 S. Dixie Hwy., (One block north of McNab Road on west side of Dixie)
Pompano Beach
Maine lobsters and more

Deerfield Beach

Pop’s Fish Market – 954-427-1331

131 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Review  at :

http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2011/01/south-floridas-best-catch-pops-fish.html

Check Wholefood Markets for several Broward locations at: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

  

Palm Beach County

Boca Raton

Fresh Market – two locations. Visit:  www.thefreshmarket.com

Joseph’s Classic Markets - Visit: http://josephsclassicmarket.com/

Whole Foods, several locations - www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Boynton Beach

Fish Depot – 561-375-8363

1022 N. Federal Hwy., Boynton Beach, FL 33435

http://fish-depotboyntonbeach.com/

Capt. Frank’s – 561-732-3663

435 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach, FL 33435

Jupiter and Palm Beaches

Check Wholefood Markets for several locations at: www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

Check Joseph’s Classic Markets at several locations:

http://josephsclassicmarket.com/

Cod and Capers Seafood Market – 561-622-0963

1201 US 1, North Palm Beach, FL 33408

www.codandcapers.com

And cafe - see Review

Pinder’s Seafood and Market Place – 561-746-3670

1665 N. Old Dixie Hwy., #E, Jupiter, FL 33469

Food Network has fabulous seafood recipes. Visit: 
http://www.foodnetwork.com/search/delegate.do?fnSearchString=seafood+recipes&fnSearchType=recipe




Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved. Jane Feehan.

Tags: South Florida seafood markets, South Florida fish markets, Broward County fish market, Palm Beach County fish markets, Broward County seafood markets, Palm Beach County seafood markets, Fort Lauderdale seafood market, Jupiter fish markets, Boynton seafood markets, Deerfield fish markets

Dune Deck Café in Lantana a worthy seaside draw

Dune Deck Café

100 N. Ocean Blvd.

Lantana Beach, FL 33462

561-582-0472

www.dunedeckcafe.com/

Breakfast  - M-F: 8 -11:30 a.m.

Lunch, M-F: 11:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Brunch, Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 7 a.m.-4:30 pm.

By Jane Feehan

Dune Deck Café sits on a short list of open air, free-standing, beach side eateries in Palm Beach County.  The restaurant lies on a small bluff overlooking the ocean and provides a view from nearly any table, making it a worthwhile casual dining destination for residents and tourists.

The view draws higher ratings than the food but that doesn’t keep me from returning. The large but pedestrian menu that includes burgers, salads, chicken or fish sandwiches is enhanced by a few tasty Greek specialties: Greek pizza, gyros, Greek salads, spinach pies and more. Greece fills the nostrils when one first walks into the covered dining area, adding to its ambiance.

Dune Deck Café is a popular spot for brunch on weekends and holidays no matter what the weather; ocean breezes make the cafe comfortable year round. They've recently added a full-service bar.  Look for the public parking lot with the café set considerably off the street. The parking lot lies across from the Ritz Carlton Manalapan off East Ocean Avenue and bridge. Metered parking runs about $1.50 per hour. Beach access.

Family-friendly, good service.

Use search box at top right to find breakfast in Jupiter or other cities.

For recipes, grocery lists, a meal planner and meal plans, visit DinnerTool  at: www.dinnertool.com

Tags: breakfast in Lantana, beachside dining in Lantana, lunch on the beach in Lantana, brunch in Lantana. 

Duke's Lazy Loggerhead Café - Good food a few steps from Jupiter beach

Lazy Loggerhead Café

401 North A1A (Carlin Park)

Jupiter, Florida 33458

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

561-747-2952

Breakfast served all day until 2 p.m.

By Jane Feehan

Open for breakfast and lunch, Duke’s Lazy Loggerhead Café serves up gigantic portions at moderate prices.

It draws the gourmand rather than the gourmet but Lazy Loggerhead goes the extra mile to elevate a standard menu of egg dishes, salads, sandwiches and grilled lunch specials to acclaim and repeat performances. Most people are regular customers at this very busy eatery.

A recent lunch of a grilled chicken sandwich (about $11), steak fries and exceptional cole slaw proved to be as good as it looked (above). The chicken, marinated tender, came with shaved red onion, and a fresh, juicy tomato slice on a soft version of a hard roll. Companion diner enjoyed a blacked dolphin sandwich that earned high marks for perfect spicing.

The café sits on a ridge adjacent to the ocean in Jupiter’s Carlin Park; the beach lies on the other side of a berm of seagrape trees and tropical flora, so there’s no ocean view but the deep blue is just steps away. A long walk or bike ride will be in order after a meal at the Lazy Loggerhead Café. Beach goers welcome.

Tags: breakfast in Jupiter, lunch in Jupiter, beach side breakfast in Jupiter

Cruising Fort Lauderdale waterways - charter or ticket, it's the best way to see the city

Sun Dream at Sunrise Boulevard

What better way to host a holiday party, a wedding or other special event than on a boat cruising Fort Lauderdale's beautiful waterways. It's also the best way to see the city. Some companies offer private party charters, others sell individual tickets that may include lunch or dinner.

Then there’s the Water Taxi, a basic service that runs day and night along the Intracoastal and New River with stops at restaurants and points of interest. For $20 one can hop on and off and ride all day, a bargain. Other ticket prices are available to get from one stop to another and return. 

Some companies below will host Valentine’s Day special cruises.

For history of the Intracoastal waterway, see:

http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2011/04/florida-history-intracoastal-waterway.html

 For more on the Jungle Queen, see:

http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2011/06/florida-history-of-tour-boats-and-south.html )

____________________________________________

Water Taxi; some are two deck

Water Taxi – 954-467-6677   For schedule of stops, and fares, see:

http://www.watertaxi.com/watertaxi/fort-lauderdale/

Jungle Queen – 954-462-5596 – individual tickets, leaves from Bahia Mar

http://www.junglequeen.com/

Departs daily at 6 p.m. Dinner cruise available

Carrie B - 800-979-3370
Daily tours
Adults $22.95, Children $12.95 (under three, free)

http://www.carriebcruises.com/

Serenity Cruises – 954-941-3443

http://www.serenityyachtcruises.com/ Seems to be trouble with this site.

Cruises daily 4-7 p.m.

Valentine’s Day dinner $65

Riverfront Cruises (from downtown) – 954-463-3440

Adults $22; children $12

http://www.anticipation.com/riverfront/

(Call 954-463-3220 after 01/23/2012 to find out if they are having a Valentine’s Day special)

Sun Dream Yachts operates three (charter): - 954-765-1460

Sun Dream – for parties of 15 up to about 150 people

Caprice – for parties of 100-400

Catalina – parties of more than 100; Valentine’s Day dinner for about $100 (ticket, not charter for this occasion, call for details)

http://sundreamyachts.com/

Lady Lucille -954-525-7724 (lunch cruise on Wednesdays)

Adults $39, seniors $37, children $22

http://ladylucille.com/

Lady Windridge (three boats) – 954-525-7724 or 800-579-5085

Large parties, dinner cruises

http://www.windridgeyachts.com/

Tags: Fort Lauderdale yacht charters, boat cruises on the Intracoastal in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale boat charters, weddings on boats, Valentine's Day boat cruise, Valentine's Day dinner cruise, waterway cruises Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale boat tours, Valentine's Day ideas, dinner   cruises, river cruises, party boats

Gone and somewhat forgotten: America's first Shaker community near Albany

Shaker Cemetery, final resting place of founder Ann Lee

By Jane Feehan

America’s first Shaker Settlement, a few miles north of Albany, N.Y., close to the airport, looks like a place both time and people have forgotten. Remnants of the religious community include some interesting but dilapidated buildings, most of which are closed to visitors. The exception is the Meeting House, built in 1848, which serves as a museum. On some days, this settlement appears to be a ghost town; it could be if not for the efforts of The Shaker Heritage Society that works to preserve the history and cultural contributions of this religious group.

The community, formally known as the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearance was established in 1776 by Ann Lee, an illiterate textile worker from Manchester, England. Life in the Colonies began with about nine people and 200 acres. They became known simply as Shakers because of the way they worshipped, with meetings marked by shaking, dancing, and speaking in tongues.  Shakers lived by their values of simplicity, pacifism, celibacy, communal ownership of land, racial and sexual equality.

At the zenith of the community’s popularity in 1850, the Church Family near Albany included 350 residents and 2,000 acres. They were known for their innovations in canning, and laundering with an industrial size washing machine. The Shaker work ethic also produced the flat broom, the ladder-backed chair, and other furniture, and practical, simple architecture – all adopted by American culture.

Meeting House

The Shakers numbered about 6,000 throughout the U.S. (mostly in New England) in 1850 but Mother Lee’s community near Albany closed its doors in 1925.  Ann Lee, who died in 1784, is buried along with 450 other Shakers at a cemetery nearby. A small group, the Sabbathday Lake Settlement in Maine, still thrives.

Bennington Center for the Arts and its covered bridges: Where art meets history

View of the museum from Rt 9

Bennington Center for the Arts and the Covered Bridge Museum

44 Gypsy Lane

Bennington, Vermont 05201

802-442-7158

http://www.benningtoncenterforthearts.org/

Open seven days 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until December 19 – January 16, 

Adult admission $9 (dollar off for AAA Members)

By Jane Feehan

It’s hard to miss the Bennington Center for the Arts visible from Route 9 entering this southern Vermont town. The Center is comingled with the Covered Bridge Museum with its eye-catching red bridge sitting along its side.

Silk Road Covered Bridge in Bennington

Covered bridges, popular during the 19^th century, were built to protect bridge underpinnings from weathering so structures would last decades longer. There are about 600 covered bridges remaining in the United States with about 100 in Vermont. History and construction techniques are on display, with the real thing sitting on the property of the Center.

The Center’s art collections, displayed on two floors, are changed intermittently. Currently, original works include a fantastic display of Master Carver Floyd Sholz’s bird creations. Feathers appear to be, well ... feathery and so lifelike it’s hard to believe they were carved. Exquisite. 

For more on the world's leading Master Carver, visit http://www.vermontraptoracademy.com/works.htm

For more on covered bridges, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covered_bridges

For Grandma Moses exhibit and other things Vermont, visit:http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2011/11/bennington-museum-for-all-things.html


Tags: Bennington Fine Arts Center, Bennington, Vermont, Vermont covered bridges, covered bridges, Bennington museum

Bennington Museum for all things American: Grandma Moses, the Revolution and more

Bennington Museum

75 Main Street

Bennington, Vermont

802-447-1571

www.benningtonmuseum.org

Open year round

By Jane Feehan

A visit to the Bennington Museum is a requisite stop when touring this southern Vermont town. It’s a spacious, comfortable place with exhibits featuring the Battle of Bennington history and its weaponry, Early American furniture and pottery, and paintings by local artists, including several of the 

19^th- century Hudson River art movement.

Also on display is the largest collection of Grandma Moses artwork and artifacts in the world. A video of Edward R. Murrow’s 1955 television interview of the beloved American artist, then 95 (she lived until 101) plays continuously, which does much to infuse the exhibit with her personality.  Works of her family members, including her father and grandson, can also be viewed. A replica of a schoolhouse of Grandma Moses’ youth and toys typical of her childhood comprise one wing of the exhibit.

A handsome 1924 Martin-Wasp touring car, one of only 20 produced, rounds out the exhibits of this wonderful museum. 

Cell phone accessible audio tours, a nifty use of technology, works by dialing your cell phone at exhibits with a logo, and entering the displayed numbers. When browsing ends, a change of scenery is provided by the adjacent Hadwen Woods Nature Trail – a great way to finish a tour of the Bennington Museum.

Also see the Covered Bridge Museum and art at: http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2011/11/bennington-center-for-arts-and-its.html

Tags: Vermont history, Bennington Museum, Grandma Moses, Vermont Early American art, Bennington museums