Nauti Dawg Marina Cafe: View is better than the food

Nauti Dawg Marina Café – 954-941-0246

Lighthouse Point Marina 

2841 Marina Circle

Lighthouse Point, FL

Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day except for Tuesday

Open 7 a.m -  9 p.m.

www.nautidawg.com

Dockage Available

Beer and wine served

Lighthouse Point Marina: http://www.lhpmarina.com/

 By Jane Feehan

With new owners and a new name since I was last here, Nauti Dawg Marina Café looks much the same in its beautiful yacht basin setting. Unfortunately, the food has gone south.

Two of us headed there for a late lunch one Saturday.  The crowd had cleared and only a handful of tables remained; we anticipated getting served right away. We almost left after 45 minutes of waiting for our orders but held back after the waitress told us our meal would be delivered soon. Another 10 minutes went by.

We would have left had we known the food we waited for so long would be

almost, well … bad. An uninspiring Greek salad (about $13 with mahi mahi) was thrown together with lettuce that had an unwashed taste and a grilled chicken sandwich (about $11) was barely chewable with its tough French bread. Onion rings were greasy and tasteless.

We’ll be back to give it another chance. The view is beautiful from both indoors and out. A steel drum player kicks up the vacation-like atmosphere a notch or two on weekends from 2-6 p.m. Nauti Dawg celebrates when the moon is full with live music and local partiers. Breakfast overlooking the marina will be a great way to start my day on the next visit. I’ll bring a book.  Maybe I’ll have a positive update afterward … stay tuned.

The Lighthouse Marina, home of Nauti Dawg, is not easy to find. It’s next to the boat landing for Cap’s Place. If you’re driving north from Fort Lauderdale turn right at the pink church, which lies north of Copans Road. Follow the signs for “marina” and/or Cap’s Place. Dress is casual.

Tags: Waterfront dining Lighthouse Point,

waterfront dining Broward County, waterfront dining South Florida

waterfront breakfast Broward County

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: life is a bucket of shrimp in Jupiter

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. CLOSED - RUSTIC INN NEXT - CLOSED ALSO

1065 N. Hwy A1A                                      

Jupiter, Florida 33477

561-744-1300
Open seven days, lunch and dinner

Update: service has gone downhill here and so has the food.

http://www.bubbagump.com/assets/menus/jupiter.pdf

http://www.landrysinc.com/concepts/restaurants/bubbagump.asp

By Jane Feehan

Landry’s closed Crab House a few months ago in Jupiter and reopened at the location as Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. The menu boasts all things shrimp (of course) and changes to the building are minimal. The view of the Jupiter Lighthouse remains outstanding.

The façade has changed a bit to display the Bubba Gump logo. An additional bar has been added indoors where the buffet table once sat. The deck bar remains basically the same except for a small portion, parallel to the inlet, now occupied by tables. Lounge seating next to the bar has been upgraded for comfort and looks. Those with an attachment to the 1994 movie, Forrest Gump, or who hold a particular fondness for the restaurant can purchase T-shirts and tourist trinkets at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. store on the premises.

Thanks to Landry’s management style, the kitchen was right on top of things a few days after the restaurant opened. That’s impressive. The menu offers lots and lots of shrimp-based fare such as mac and shrimp, shrimp gumbo, shrimp po boys, shrimp and grits and much more. Steaks and burgers and salads are available for the seafood shy. Bubba Gump features many menu items for $12 or less – great for families and the budget conscious.

In the movie, Forrest Gump and his partner, Lt. Dan, made plenty of money with the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Enough to buy shares of Apple to make them wealthy.  I can’t predict how much money Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. will reel in for Landry’s in Jupiter but it’s sure to make those happy who believe a good life includes a tasty bucket of shrimp.

For more waterfront restaurants in Jupiter, see:
http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2010/07/waterfront-dining-thrives-in-jupiter.html)

Tags: Waterfront restaurants in Jupiter, seafood restaurants Jupiter, shrimp in Jupiter

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

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