Snorkel trail opens in Palm Beach County waters

Phil Foster Park

900 E. Blue Heron Blvd.

Riviera Beach, FL

A new snorkel trail at Phil Foster Park in the Lake Worth lagoon has recently been completed and is drawing underwater enthusiasts already familiar with the area’s clear waters and abundant sea life.

Palm Beach County spent $85,000 on construction of an artificial reef of limestone boulders and pre-fabricated concrete modules placed six to 10 feet under the water's surface.  The two-acre design includes ledges and small habitat spaces for fish, octopus, seahorse and other sea life. A kiosk was installed along the shoreline to help snorkelers identify what they find. Boat traffic is not allowed in the area. 

The county expects the new reef – a significant improvement over an adjacent reef of discarded grocery carts and garbage cans – to elevate the area to an important eco-tourism destination. It has been reviewed and endorsed by the Palm Beach County Diving Association.

The new snorkel trail, which still needs time to attract a large sea life population, can be accessed south of the guarded beach on the southern shoreline of Phil Foster Park. Parking is free but spaces fill up fast. For more information on artificial reefs in Palm Beach County, visit: www.pbcgov.com/erm/. 

Palm Beach on Dwellable

Tags: snorkeling in Palm Beach County, snorkel trail Riviera Beach, sea life in Palm Beach County, underwater photography locations, artificial reefs in Palm Beach County

Waterfront dining in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano

Below are restaurants on the water in Fort Lauderdale and Pompano. Some sit ocean side, others along the Intracoastal, canals or the Middle River. Locations indicated. Some are reviewed elsewhere on this blog.

Fort Lauderdale

Anglin’s Beach Café - pier on the ocean

2 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

954-491-6007 - Open daily 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.

http://www.anglinsbeachcafe.com/

Review on this blog, use search box

Aruba Beach Café   – on the beach

1 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale by-the-Sea

11 a.m.-11 p.m., casual inexpensive to moderate

954-776-0001

www.arubabeachcafe.com

Review on this blog, use search box

Asia Bay – on a fork of the New River – outdoor terrace

1111 E. Las Olas Blvd., lunch/dinner, moderate

954-848-9900

www.asiabayrestaurants.com

Bahia Cabana – on the Bahia Mar Marina

3001 Harbor Dr., Breakfast, lunch, dinner – Casual, inexpensive

954-524-1555

www.bahiacabanaresort.com

Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar – on the beach

At the Ocean Manor Hotel/Condo

4040 Galt Ocean Dr., Lunch/dinner – very casual

954-566-7500

www.BambooBeachTikiBar.com

Benihana – on the Intracoastal

276 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

954-776-0111

www.benihana.com

Blue Moon Fish Company – on the Intracoastal

4405 West Tradewinds Ave. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea - Moderate

954-267-9888

www.bluemoonfishco.com/

Kim Bokamper’s

Sports Bar and Grill
3115 NE 32nd Ave (Along east side of Intracoastal near Oakland Park bridge)

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 (opened Nov 27, 2013)

Locations also in Miramar and Plantation

www.bokampers.com
Phone - 954-900-5584 (not working as of Dec. 1)

Bimini Boatyard – on canal off Intracoastal

1555 SE 17^th St., moderate

954-525-7400

www.Biminiboatyard.com

Casablanca Café    954-764-3500 – Across the street from ocean

3049 Alhambra St.

www.casablancacafeonline.com

Reviewed on this blog; use search box.

Chart House (a Landry's restaurant) – on the Intracoastal

3000 NE 32 St - moderate

954-561-4800

http://www.chart-house.com/

Coconuts – next to Bahia Mar Marina, on the water

429 Seabreeze Blvd., inexpensive to moderate

Open daily at 11:30 a.m.

954-525-2421

http://coconutsfortlauderdale.com/

Review on this blog, use search box.

Downtowner Saloon – on the New River

10 S. New River Drive East - inexpensive

South of New River, east of the Andrews Ave. Bridge, behind the Courthouse

954-463-9800

www.downtownersaloon.com

Review on this blog; use search box.

East End Brasserie at  

The Atlantic Resort and Spa – Terrace across from the beach

601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.

954-567-8070

www.atlantichotelfl.com

Hyatt Pier 66   

2301 SE 17^th Street – two venues

Grille Room – Expensive

Pelican Landing – Casual. lunch, light dinner high up with view of Intracoastal

954-525-6666

www.pier66.hyatt.com

Pelican Landing is reviewed on this blog – use search box.

Marriott Harbor Beach   - overlooks ocean - Main number 954-525-4000

3030 Holiday Drive

Riva Restaurant – 954-765-3100 – moderate, casual

www.marriottharborbeach.com

Review on this blog; use search box.

Pelican Grand Beach Resort   - on the beach

2000 North Ocean Blvd., moderate

954-568-9431

www.pelicanbeach.com

Ritz Carlton Hotel – Terrace across from beach, lunch, breakfast

1 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.

954-465-2300

www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/FortLauderdale/Default.htm

s3

At the Fort Lauderdale Hilton Hotel

505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

954-523-7873

Sun-Thur: 11:30 a.m. to midnight

Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Sand Bar and Grill – very casual, with a deck and stairs to beach

Sun Tower Hotel (north of the Pelican Grand Resort)

2030 N. Ocean Blvd., Breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days 8 am- 9 pm

954-565-5700

Review on this blog; use search box.

Sea Watch Restaurant - on the ocean

6002 North Ocean Drive

954-781-2200

www.seawatchontheocean.com

Review on this blog; use search box.

Serafina – on Middle River off Sunrise

926 NE 20^th Ct., lunch/dinner, moderate to expensive

954-463-2566

www.serabythewater.com

Shooter’s Waterfront Café (New owners, Grateful Palate, reopening early 2013) 

3033 NE 32^nd St. Lunch, dinner - casual

954-566-2855

www.shooterscafe.com

Shula’s on the Beach, terrace across from the beach

Westin Resort Moderate to expensive

321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Breakfast, dinner

954-355-4000

http://tinyurl.com/9clp3te

Southport Raw Bar – end of canal off the Intracoastal

1536 Cordova Rd., Lunch and dinner. Casual, inexpensive

954-525-2526

www.southportrawbar.com/

Pompano Beach

Houston’s – on the Intracoastal at the bridge

2861 E. Atlantic Blvd., Lunch, dinner - moderate

954-783-9499

www.hillstone.com/#/restaurants/houstons/

Tags: waterside restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, waterside dining in Pompano, restaurants on the beach, restaurants on the Intracoastal, Fort Lauderdale waterfront restaurants

South Florida Farmers' and Green Markets

Listed below are some farmers or green markets in South Florida. Hours change at times, so check websites, if provided or call to verify schedules.

Boca Raton

Boca Raton Green Market

Royal Palm Shopping Center (Federal and Mizner)

Saturdays, 8 a.m. Oct-May

561-239-1536

Deerfield Beach

Cove Shopping Center
Selected Sundays during the season at 8 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Check website for dates/events updates:

www.deerfieldbeachgreenmarket.com

Delray Beach

Delray Green Market

SE 4^th Ave, half block south of Atlantic Ave

Saturdays, Oct-May 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

www.delraygreenmarket.com

561-276-7511

Fort Lauderdale

Las Olas Gourmet Market 

Saturdays (open year round)  E. Las Olas Boulevard and SE 12^th Ave

 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

www.themarketcompany.org

954-426-8436 

Coral Ridge Green Market

3000 N. Federal,

Saturdays, year round, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

954-426-8436

Hallandale

Gulfstream Park Green Market

Champions Plaza in the Village at Gulfstream Park

Wednesdays, year round 4-9 p.m.
http://www.thevillageatgulfstreampark.com/event/green-market/2145382676
305-531-0038

Hollywood

Yellow Green Farmers Market

Taft at I-95, Saturdays and Sundays, year round 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

www.ygfarmersmarket.com

954-513-3990

Jupiter

Abacoa Town Center Green Market

1200 Town Center Drive

Saturdays, year round, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

561-756-3600

Miami

Mary Brickell Village Sunday Market

900 block of So. Miami Ave, Miami

Sundays, year round, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

305-531-0038

Upper East Side Farmers’ Markets

NE 66 and Biscayne Blvd., entrance to Legion Park

Saturdays year round, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

786-427-4698

Lincoln Road Farmers’ Market

Lincoln Road between Washington and Meridian Avenues

Sundays year round, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

305-531-0038

Normandy Village Market

900 71 Street, Miami Beach

Saturdays, year round, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

305-531-0038

Parkland

Parkland Farmers’ Market
Two different addresses given

www.cityofparkland.org/index.aspx?NID=329

Sundays, Jan-April  954-757-4105 or 954-757-4120

Pembroke Pines

Back to Nature Farmers’ Market

Second and Fourth Sundays, Oct-Feb

Pines City Center, Pines Blvd. and Palm Ave.

954-431-4146

Plantation

Riverwalk Urban Market

6000 SW 18^th Street

Saturdays, year round – 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

954-401-3100

Pompano Beach

Green Market
Southwest corner of Atlantic and Cypress Street Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. through April 27 

Check website for seasonal updates:

www.greentowns.com/initiative/farmers-market/pompano-beach-green-market-pompano-beach-fl

954-782-3015

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach Summer Thyme

101 So. Flagler Drive

Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m. May-September

Saturdays, Oct-April 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

wpb.org/greenmarket/

Wilton Manors

Wilton Manors Green Market

Sat/Sun year round 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

2020 Wilton Dr

http://greenwilton.com/

Tags: Fort Lauderdale green markets, South Florida farmers markets, South Florida green markets, Green market Fort Lauderdale, Farmers markets Fort Lauderdale, green markets Broward County green markets Hollywood, green markets Miami, Farmers markets West Palm, green markets, farmers markets, green market Boca Raton, green market Hallandale, green market Delray

Jaxson's Ice cream Parlor a SOFLA tradition ... but

Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant

128 S. Federal Hwy.

Dania, FL 

954-923-4445

http://www.jaxsonsicecream.com/

By Jane Feehan

It’s been years and years since I last visited the iconic Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant. When I heard on national news that their ice cream truck was stolen (and not found as of this writing), I returned.

South Florida fans of Jaxson’s (open since 1956) are a dedicated bunch so what I’m about to say may sound, well … almost blasphemous. Gone was the ice cream parlor ambiance; it was replaced with a roadside tourist trap look with its hanging license plates, silly road signs, a gift shop with barrels of candy, and most telling of all – an automated gypsy fortune teller in a box. This is the stuff of boardwalk amusements and joints between New York and Florida off I-95 beckoning travelers with a host of silly reasons. (For a mere buck, the gypsy spewed out a card that read  I am about to meet a blonde Pisces; I hope it’s a guy.)

That fortune was better than the lunch. A hot chicken sandwich with peppers and onions, though plentiful was just so so. A bar-b-que pork sandwich was tough. We ordered onion rings. Ordinary and obviously out of a freezer bag. We should have skipped sandwiches and ordered sundaes. Watching our waist lines, we bypassed the jumbo ice cream creations ($10 and up) and settled for a bowl each though that is what people love this place for – the humongous sundaes and spectacular toppings.

 It could be said that Jaxson’s excels in presenting ordinary food in extraordinary ways. Onion rings were

delivered on a miniature wire airplane with sides of dip. Even a scoop of ice cream ($6.75) arrives with flair. Ice cream is house made, they say, and there are loads of flavors, but it’s not particularly good. I prefer more butterfat …

With all that said, Jaxon’s is a fun place; kids, even adult ones, enjoy it. A takeout window is available if you’re in a hurry and not interested in the indoor hype. Part of the South Florida experience, Jaxson’s is also a piece of its history. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved. Jane Feehan.

Tags: Ice cream parlor, South Florida restaurants, giant sundaes,

Saint Tropez Bistro - authentically French in Fort Lauderdale

Saint Tropez Bistro

1010 East Las Olas Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Open seven days for lunch and dinner

954-767-1073

http://sainttropezbistro.com

By Jane Feehan

History tells us that it was the Italians who introduced fine food to the French.  Saint Tropez Bistro brings its spin on French cookery to Fort Lauderdale and the city is better for it. Open since 2009, this eatery has endeared itself to the community; the bistro captures the essence of casual French food.

It’s not formal or stuffy with plenty of outdoor seating both adjacent to Las Olas Boulevard and in an airy, yet elegant arcade. A tip off to its authenticity is its limited but more-than-adequate and traditional menu featuring spicy lamb sausages, escargots in garlic-parsley butter sauce, steamed mussels, salmon, duck a la orange, several different cuts of beef, and lamb chops.   

Introduced by a basket of warm, tempting French bread, a lunch of Salade Byblos au poulet et aux noix – was as beautiful as it was tasty. Grilled, carved chicken on greens surrounded by large slices of tomato topped off with a generous sprinkling of blue cheese, a dash of delicate vinaigrette, walnuts, and artistically sliced apples made a sweltering summer day more bearable.  Their Sandwich Cannes with chicken was equally enjoyable served atop a fresh baguette and accented by a subtly nuanced French mustard.

Desserts vary by season but count on crème brulee or tarte tatin – upside down caramelized apple tart – as staples for a sweet ending to a great meal.

Service is excellent; moderately priced (check their website above for prices).

Check Food Network for tarte tatin recipes: http://tinyurl.com/c4mfqzw

Tags: Fort Lauderdale dining, Las Olas Boulevard restaurants, French dining in Fort Lauderdale, casual French restaurants in Fort Lauderdale

Feeding Fort Lauderdale's homeless - where a meal could be a new start

Update: Arnold Abbott died today, Feb. 22, 2019 at 94. A crusader for the homeless, he brought unwanted, international attention to his feeding of the down and out on Fort Lauderdale Beach. He did more than feed them; he trained many for jobs in the restaurant industry. Some may recall five years ago when he was arrested and released. The city released him after all the cameras were on Fort Lauderdale.


By Jane Feehan

While crowds headed to the beach last Wednesday for Fourth of July festivities, Arnold Abbott and his volunteers were stopped after they unloaded their vehicle at Fort Lauderdale’s South Beach, across from Bahia Mar Marina.  They were there, as they have been so many Wednesdays before, to feed about 200 of the city’s homeless. It was a tense 45 minute showdown until a sympathetic cop familiar with Love Thy Neighbor (www.lovethyneighbor.org ) and their mission let them set up and dish out meals.

Abbott, founder of the organization, has had these confrontations before but it doesn’t deter him from feeding the homeless. Love Thy Neighbor also provides more than 200 people with meals at Stranahan Park and All Saints Catholic Mission on Sundays. What many might not know as they see people gathered for food is that much of it is prepared by homeless volunteers. In an attempt to acquire skills, find a job and get off the streets, they take a nine-week culinary class provided by Abbott at the Homeless Assistance Center of Fort Lauderdale. If they succeed in this first step, they can attend McFatter Technical Center in Broward County at no charge to learn more about their new trade.

“About 40 percent of LTN students move forward to McFatter ,” Abbott said. “Some graduate from there to attend Fort Lauderdale Art Institute's culinary program; we consider it graduate school.”  Abbott, who founded LTN in 1991 at the behest of his dying wife, Maureen, says 350 students have graduated from his culinary skills program. It’s not easy keeping track of them as they move on, laments their teacher. Some go back to the streets to resume old drug and alcohol habits. Many have mental problems.  Others find jobs they were trained for. According to LTN, about 45,000 people work in the restaurant business in Broward County.

Arnold Abbott (from LTN site)

Both the feeding program and the culinary program are funded through donations.  Abbott, who works a full schedule of daily activities, including fundraising, does not get paid for his efforts. Only one staff member is salaried. Love Thy Neighbor attempts to fill a large social resources gap in the tourist-based economy of South Florida. 

LTN founder and students delivered meals recently to homeless families temporarily housed through Hope South Florida and Faith in Action at Saint Anthony Catholic Church. The food - meatloaf, pasta and chicken, curried potatoes, cole slaw, fruit salad - was prepared and dished out by Abbott’s students and other volunteers.

Some say a society can be judged by how it treats its elderly, women and children. If that is true, a community might also be judged by how it treats its homeless. A locally-based organization serving a local population in need, Love Thy Neighbor attempts to pull people up through caring and training. They do much; they need much.   I’ll  post more about Arnold Abbott, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, published writer, former jeweler, and man with an endless mission.

Visit www.lovethyneighbor.org for more information. 

For more on St. Anthony Catholic Church: www.saintanthonyfl.org

For more on Hope South Florida: www.hopesouthflorida.org

Tags: Arnold P. Abbott, Arnold Abbott, Love Thy Neighbor culinary program, homeless in Fort Lauderdale, feeding the homeless in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale charities

Burgers king at Burger Bar in Palm Beach Gardens

Burger Bar by Chef Allen

4650 Donald Ross Road

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418

561-630-4545

 By Jane Feehan

Fried pickles brought me to Burger Bar – that and high praise for its trendy grub at its other location at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Joining a growing legion of gourmet burger restaurants, Chef Allen Susser’s Palm Beach Gardens airy eatery is a welcome addition to the Palm Beach County market. It was a good move as gourmet burgers joints have little competition in that arena.

First the highlights. Burgers are outstanding, with USDA Prime Certified Angus beef and fixings they’re juicy, ample and cooked just right. The lineup of choices (from $8.50-19) presents more than beef; there’s tuna, turkey, Portobello mushroom and chicken. The Southern Fried Chicken Burger met the standard set by the burgers. The buttermilk fried chicken breast could be cut with a fork and was easily chewable through a perfect bun seared with the Burger Bar logo. There’s also a selection of fish sandwiches, grilled cheese, hot dogs, and mac n’ cheese and a great selection of salads, desserts, floats and shakes.

A Mississippi (where fried pickles flourish) transplant to Jupiter suggested I visit Burger Bar because they served fried pickles. They were a disappointment.  Overpowering fluffy beer batter (more like a tempura coating) diminished the tartness of the pickles ($5). They would have been more authentic and tasty had they been cooked in a buttermilk batter. We also ordered White Truffle fries, decorated more with its fancy name than flavor.

Burger Bar provides a sophisticated, yet fun atmosphere for all ages. Family friendly. Food takes awhile to be cooked, so patience is a virtue here. It’s worth the wait.

Tags: Gourmet burgers in Palm Beach County, Palm Beach Gardens restaurants, Jupiter gourmet burgers, Juno gourmet burgers, burgers in Florida

Coconuts breaks away from tourist fare in Fort Lauderdale

Coconuts

429 Seabreeze Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Open daily at 11:30 a.m.

Catering available

Sunday Brunch: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

954-525-2421

http://coconutsfortlauderdale.com/

By Jane Feehan

Set a block or so off Fort Lauderdale’s beach and adjacent to Bahia Mar Marina, Coconuts entices patrons with its view and consistently good food. 

Owners Elliot Wolf and Merv Jonota know what it takes to cultivate both Fort Lauderdale and tourist

clientele. I’ll return for the fresh crab cake served as a sandwich or atop a salad, hefty beefsteak tomato drizzled in balsamic vinaigrette or the Lobster Benedict (an item at Sunday brunch). Daily fresh fish, lollipop pork chops, strip steak, lobster roll or pan seared chicken with a side of sage and sausage stuffing provide a tempting lineup. It’s a cut above many eateries along the strip and its environs that pack customers in during winter season in spite of insipid food and sit empty during summer. Coconuts fills tables year round.

Wolf and Jonota bought Coconuts from restaurateur and musician John Day (of Mango’s on Las Olas) about five years ago. They recently opened G&B Oyster (next to Coconuts) and The Foxy Brown on Broward Boulevard; I look forward to visiting both.

Coconuts welcomes friendly pets, provides excellent service and complimentary valet.  Steel drum player on weekends. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved. Jane Feehan.

                                                

Tags: Fort Lauderdale waterfront dining, casual dining Fort Lauderdale, Maine lobster Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale restaurants along the water, Sunday brunch Fort Lauderdale