February 15th, 2012
The first restaurant in Key West handled the gluten allergy very well. They were very comfortable in going back to the kitchen and asking the chef what recommendations or substitutions should my husband have. That was Blue Heaven which I wrote about a few posts back.
I had been checking menus from different restaurants in Key West when I decided to talk to Stephanie, the Concierge at Casa Marina, where we stayed. I told her about the gluten allergy. She did not have to think twice. She mentioned Camille’s. She called the restaurant and spoke to the owner, Denise. A reservation was made and off we went later that evening to a funky, casual and very colorful restaurant.
Camille’s is located at 1202 Simonton St., precisely at the corner of Simonton & Catherine Sts. Tel. 305-296-4811. Website? www.camilleskeywest.com. This restaurant opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu changes every day. Take-out is available.
Denise was in charge and the moment she heard us say our names she immediately told our server that we had a gluten allergy. Denise was so friendly and full of energy.
I was only able to take a few pictures of the restaurant; patrons were dining, you know how it is.
Camille’s loves to meet food challenges; Denise said that they can accommodate the fussiest dietary needs.
So this is what we had.
Yellowfin Tuna Tartar, diced with fresh avocado, tossed in their sweet’n spicy Thai chili sauce. Two of us ordered this appetizer and hands down, we not only agreed that it was the best we had ever had but it turned out to be the best dish of the evening. Very very good.
Fresh pan fried Hog Snapper, topped with a Mango & Pineapple Salsa and paired with fun rice and veggie medley. After having the full flavor yellowfin tuna tartar, he thought that there were some seasonings lacking on this dish.
The Mahi Mahi was ordered. It was grilled and topped with pineapple and canteloupe salsa, served with fun rice and veggies. When I asked how it was, the answer was good.
I decided to have the Yellowtail Snapper encrusted with fresh panko, served with Island Tartar sauce (sweet chili & green onions) topped with avocado and a Balsamic reduction and paired with fun rice and veggies. I thought my fish was overpowered with all the sauce and garnish; I did want to taste the fish, since it was so fresh; not hide its flavor.
For dessert, we shared the Key Lime Pie. In Key West? A must in every restaurant. I had it also at Blue Heaven, but the one Denise made was definitely better. Tart; just like I wanted it to be.
So, another dinner in Key West. Each eatery had its specialty and we loved dishes more than others. Restaurants in Key West were certainly crowded; I was surprised to see the food coming out of the kitchen looked as good as it did.
Writing from sunny Delaware!! Talk to you later…
February 5th, 2012
Come and enjoy the day in Delray Beach….but tropical nights in the Village by the Sea are a lot of fun…
Usually, I tried to keep away from the hustle and bustle of the week-end. Having a friend in Delray, well, gave us an opportunity to check Delray at night. Those tropical nights, dining al fresco. Our choice? We decided on Vic & Angelo’s on 290 East Atlantic Ave. Tel. 561-278-9570. Website? www.vicandangelos.com. And, no, I don’t work for them. I happen to like the restaurant. I think a guest visiting would like it, as well. The food is consistently good, the service is great and the atmosphere is vibrant and fun.
Nights in Delray, at this time of the year, remind me of the nights in Rehoboth Beach during the height of the summer season. Where to park? Most restaurants have valet parking. Also the parking lot by the railroad tracks on Atlantic Ave. charge $10 and it is a good investment if planning on an extended evening in town.
After getting comfortable on our table we had to laugh. We almost did not need to talk; people watching was entertainment in itself. Our server was Jessie. She was very attentive, new the menu well and I decided to go with her recommendations. The night was young so let me tell you what we had.
After getting some of their delicious flat bread, some of us decided to get grilled octopus. Tender, it melted in your mouth.
 
I decided to get the Black Grouper, topped with a crab cake. It had escarole and white beans. It was a good choice. Very well seasoned.
A Veal Picatta was ordered with artichokes, capers and lemon jus. This dish has been ordered in the past and is popular with my husband; gluten free.
The Veal Chop was also ordered. This chop was not on the menu. A side order of the veal picatta lemon jus was ordered because it was so tasty; making this dish their own.
No dessert was needed; we were all pretty much satisfied with our meals.
Atlantic Avenue looked pretty at night. Illuminating lights gave it a special glow.
Off for a walk and a nightcap at the new Park Tavern, which of course, after their big official opening on Friday evening, was full to capacity. Sorry, no pictures inside, too many customers. Interesting dishes and sliders coming out of the kitchen.
Off to the second nightcap of the evening and to listen to some music at Il Bacio. This is an outdoor venue for music, located at SE 2nd Ave. but we entered through their entrance on Atlantic Ave. Completely outdoors; so check for the weather if you are planning to stop by. You don’t want to get there too early either. The atmosphere kicks on later into the evening.
It was time to go home…..enjoying time with friends and family….priceless!!
February 4th, 2012
Delray Beach is a dog town. Everywhere, there is someone walking along with one; different sizes and breeds. I was not surprised when the sign said that they offered frozen yogurt for your dog. No more sharing with that lovable pooch!!
I took a walk in Delray, enough of cleaning and watching a rainy day develop into a more cloudy day. Out and about I went; stopped to say hello to Michele, she owns a very cute consignment shop in Delray. Great new pillows at Varietai. Continued looking at the town; not that crowded at that time of the day. I guess visitors were resting for the night ahead of dinner and music in the Village by the Sea.
A sign caught my attention at a window. It said yogurt made specially for your dog. An adorable pooch on the poster. I decided to go in; too curious to keep on going.
My Yogurt Cafe is located at 524 East Atlantic Ave., between 5th and 6th Avenues and right next to Scuola Vecchias Pizza E Vino. Website? http://www.myyogurtcafe.com. Tel. 561-278-1810.
I remember when this self serve yogurt establishment opened last year; almost at the same time as Orange Leaf further east on Atlantic. I went to Orange Leaf for no other reason than to try it. I loved it. I guess Orange Leaf attracted me with all the bright colors, and catchy signs.
So, I am glad that I went in. Renee was behind the counter and I asked her about the yogurt for dogs. I had never seen it in Delaware. She mentioned that a lot of people that stopped had not either.
 
Renee mentioned that MYC is a full frozen yogurt and coffee shop. It is not big and the yogurt dispensers are on the wall. You help yourself, add toppings if you so desired, have it weighed, pay, and enjoy.
The frozen yogurt for dogs, Yoghund, is already packaged in small cups and kept in a small freezer. The company that makes it is The Barking Dog, Ltd., from Exeter, NH. This yogurt is a digestive friendly premium frozen yogurt; certified organic. There are different flavors available and some of the ingredients are papaya and peanut butter. You can visit www.yoghund.com/home.php. for more info.
How can I be standing and not have any when Renee is telling me all the new flavors arriving. Island Coconut was there and the Mango is coming next week. Other flavors like Espresso, Cali Tart, Chocolate, among others are already there.
I decided on 3; the Island Coconut, the Cali Tart, and topped with the Espresso. I thought the combinations were great. I sat outside and proceeded to enjoy one delicious frozen yogurt. I could taste the difference in the MYC yogurt; creamy consistency with well defined flavors. People were stopping in, also caught by the frozen yogurt for dogs. Out they came with yogurt. I asked the 2 ladies that were also enjoying some yogurt and they thought it was fantastic.
Renee told me that all the frozen yogurts were gluten free, which was music to my ears!! Their yogurt is also probiotic, low cal, Kosher certified, they have sugar free syrup and even a non-dairy sorbet; the Pink Lemonade.
In Florida MYC can be found in Key West, Miami, St. Petersburg, and Delray Beach.
Please note that is also a full service coffee shop.
Walking back home I had to stop at the draw bridge on the Intracoastal. There was a woman with 2 Labradors. I told her that they would love the frozen yogurt for dogs at MYC. She answered “Oh, they have it all the time, they love, don’t you guys? Off we went.
Have a great week-end….talk to you later…
January 26th, 2012
This was not my first time at Dos Locos and it won’t be by last. The evening started by taking 2 friends to enjoy a dinner out in downtown Rehoboth Beach.
I chose Dos Locos because it is a casual restaurant and my husband was dying for stonegrilled scallops.
As we arrived my friend said to her husband “let me sit across from Gloria…we are going to talk about fashion and jewelry….haha. That set the tone for laughter and a really fun meal to be enjoyed with close friends.
Dos Locos is located at 208 Rehoboth Avenue. Tel. 302-227-3353. Website? www.doslocos.com. The restaurant has a full size bar on one side and booths and tables on another. Even a private room is available for parties.
Alex was our server and he was really so attentive, as usual. Gosh we talked and talked….chips and salsa always at the table.
A few shots of tequila, a martini, and a margarita came to the table. The Margarita was freshly made; no mix there. It went so smoothly that another had to be ordered.
Some ordered from the stonegrill menu. Stonegrilling is very social. A stone is brought to your table and it is heated at about 700 degrees. You will be doing the cooking. All meat or seafood arrives raw. You can personalize it by cooking it rare, medium or well. When you cook on these stones the food is seared with all the natural juices inside. Very healthy; no oils and fats are included; just rubs and dipping sauces. All dishes came with a salad or chef’s side.
The Scallops.
The Scallops and Steak.
Another entree was the Steak Quesadilla which was grilled steak with melted cheese and a choice of Vallarta sauce which is a tomato sauce or the Santa Fe with jalapenos. She ordered the Santa Fe….Que bueno!!
I decided on Steak Fajitas. I love making my own. Temperature? Medium rare. It was a good size entre and it really hit the spot. Delicioso!!
As I looked at the table I thought it looked fun. Rice, beans, salsa, and dips!! Nothing else was needed.
It was such a nice evening…..Dos Locos has Happy Hour, specials pretty much every night of the week….they are also on Facebook.
Note: Dos Locos also offers a Gluten Free Menu
Gracias Amigos…Hasta Luego…
January 22nd, 2012
In Delray Beach, Florida some restaurants come and go, just like anywhere else. But then, there are those who are now part of the established eateries that make this Village by the Sea such a South Florida destination. They are serving tried and true dishes; some are a house specialty and some are a customer’s favorite.
So, if you find yourselves in this Village by The Sea, enjoy the town, the beach, the shops and all the restaurants; some are more casual than others, but almost all of them offer al fresco dining.
I visit Delray often and the following restaurants are favorites in Delray. They all offer so much on their menu. But, there are some dishes that I am totally hooked on. Check my list.
Ziree Thai and Sushi is located at 401 West Atlantic Ave. (a few blocks west of the Delray Beach Tennis Center). Tel. 561-276-6549. Website? http://www.zireethai.com.
Sushi, sashimi, other Asian delights are among the many dishes. I have been visiting Ziree since they opened and have seen it grow and be such a part of the local community.
I love a dish called the Atlantic Ocean. It is a combination of salmon, shrimp, scallops, squid and mussels, steamed in thick curry sauce and basil leaves. It is a delicious dish and can you believe that it is only $19.95. It is served with your choice of white or brown rice.
Jimmy’s Bistro has been in Delray for a few years, at 9 S. Swinton. Tel. 561-865-5774. You can find Jimmy’s Bistro on Facebook. I was there when Jimmy first opened the bistro. I knew success was around the corner. It was a matter of time; a few passed the word around and Jimmy has become very much loved in the community. It is small, quaint and has great background music.
One of my true favorites and I imagine, a signature dish along with his Po’ Boy is Jimmy’s Tomato Soup with Parmesan Crust. It is served steaming hot; love poking through the crust to find a comforting soup. It is filling so get a lighter entree. Or, have a salad with it.
Cabana El Rey – It is referred to as Cabana, located at 105 East Atlantic Ave. Tel. 561-274-9090. Website? www.cabanarestaurant.com. This restaurant serves a variety of Latin dishes; tostones, mariquitas, coconut rice, morcillas, paella, rice in squid ink, but a favorite of mine and one that you will always find on its menu, is the Pollo Asado which is a half roasted chicken rubbed with adobo (garlic, oregano, lime and extra virgin olive oil). It is served with a choice of yellow or white rice and beans, of course. It is $17.95 and is the best; kid you not.
Tramonti is located at 119 E. Atlantic Avenue. Tel. 561-272-1944. Website? www.tramontidelray.com. This restaurant is one of those that is crowded all the time. Do anything you can to get ahead of the line; speak Italian? That’s even better. They serve a very good lunch too if dinner is not your thing or reservations are hard to get.
A signature dish of Tramonti is called Spaghetti in Cartoccio Areo. It is a baked spaghetti with shrimp, parma prosciutto in a cognac cream sauce. The baking is done in foil. Well seasoned, thick sauce, just enough cognac.
Another favorite? Carpaccio Di Manzo is a beef carpaccio on a bed of arugola, capers, balsamic vinegar and shaves of parmigiano cheese. It is more of an appetizer.
Brule Bistro is in what is known as Pineapple Grove. This Art District of Delray is becoming a second Atlantic Avenue. Brule is located at 200 NE 2nd Ave., Tel. 561-274-2046. Website? www.brulebistro.com. I have yet to make it for dinner; that will be soon, though. The restaurant has a good menu and an extensive wine list.
The chilled gazpacho with yogurt creme is excellent on a hot South Florida day. Homemade; not canned.
The Market Salad is a favorite and it has assorted veggies and white balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Topped with grilled chicken, it is certainly a beautiful meal.
City Oyster was one of the first restaurants I went to when I first came to Delray Beach about 9 years ago. It is located at 213 East Atlantic Avenue. Tel. 561-272-0220. Website? www.cityoysterdelray.com. Definitely it is defined as American Cuisine. It has a great bar and very impressive inside. I usually just sit outside having what I love there best; raw oysters. They are from different parts of the country. Served on ice, plump and salty. That’s all I need to say.
Vic & Angelo’s is located at 290 East Atlantic Ave. Tel. 561-278-9570. Website? www.vicandangelos.com. Great atmosphere, good bread, fine wings, and delicious pastas, but one dish that I order every single time is the V & A Caesar Salad. Romaine Hearts, hand shaved Reggiano, white anchovies with the homemade Caesar dressing makes this one of my favorite salads. It is large enough to share; I never do and I never offer either.
After that salad a veal picatta with artichokes, capers and lemon jus…is a favorite, as well.
Bru’s Room is a Sport’s Bar right in the heart of Delray. Along with many types of beers, and plenty of televisions for all the sport aficionados, they serve the best, bar none, Wings. I usually order the Triple Threat. It is a combination of all their wings; BBQ, Sweet ‘N’ Tangy and hot, grilled and topped with minced garlic. You can leave the garlic out or just get like I sometimes do, the Sweet ‘N’ Tangy, but the magic word is Grilled. You can order them for take-out, as well. Call 561-276-3663. Bru’s Room is located at 35 NE 2nd Ave. Website? www.brusroom.com. The wings are gluten free and it is one of the few restaurants that I have encountered in South Florida offering a gluten free menu.
The Office is located at 201 East Atlantic Avenue. Tel. 561-276-3600. Website? www.theofficedelray.com. No ordinary office this is. They serve outdoors, at the bar or indoors. I have had different salads at the office; some are specials but one that is always on their menu and a favorite is the Vinegar Maker’s Salad. Romaine, tomato, avocado, cucumber, carrot, onion, olives, chick peas, and roasted cauliflower. It is even better topped with a fish, beef or chicken. My choice is usually beef.
A resurgence of deviled eggs I have found to be in a lot of restaurants. Their Truffled Deviled Eggs with paprika and chives are so good.
The Dark english Ale Battered Fish with salt and vinegar “chips”, pan fried onion dip, and cole slaw does not have any rivals.
Lemongrass is located at 420 E. Atlantic Avenue. Tel. 561-278-0222. It is a happening spot with plenty of customers enjoying unique fare. I have had, just like in the above mentioned restaurants, plenty of what they have to offer, but, one dish that is outstanding, besides being a conversation piece is their Holly Snapper. Boneless and fried snapper, topped with a garlic sweet chili sauce. I take my time in eating it and savour every last bite. Love it!!
Another favorite and signature dish is the Lobster Monster Roll…crispy lobster, cucumber, scallions, asparagus, masago, I/O with sesame seeds. This is all you need to order.
Delray Beach, let me tell you that you have come a long way….good for you…talk to you later.
December 27th, 2011
It is becoming a Holiday Tradition in my household to order a Tur-Duc-Hen. And, guess what? The company that I have tried again and again is Cajun Grocer from Lafayette, Louisiana. Have tried others; they do not compare. You can read all about it by visiting www.cajungrocer.com.
I have mentioned the Tur-Duc-Hen in the past and no, they are not sending them to me so that I can blog about them. They are really delicious, and, defiinitely, a conversation piece at a dinner table.
Cajun Grocer offers a multitude of dishes, but a specialty of theirs is this partially deboned turkey, stuffed with chicken, duck and your choice of dressing, which is my case was a creole pork and creole seasoning. Other dressings are available, but I chose the one that was gluten free.
The tur-duc-hen arrives ready to cook. It is so easy to prepare. Follow directions. I will tell you that mine took longer to cook than what it said on the package.
I like to make it my own so I put slices of bacon on the top. Once it is ready, you let it rest for a bit; just like you would with a regular turkey and then slice it.
Your guests will taste the 3 different types of poultry, along with the Cajun dressing that had been placed between each bird.
My family raves about it. We had plenty of left-overs since it weighed about 15 lbs. You will get plenty of juices in the pan to make a homemade gravy also.
I made extra gluten free stuffing on the side and other trimmings, as well.
For a sweet ending, we chose cupcakes from Cake Break, located at 7 South First St., Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-260-9264. Website? www.cakebreak.com. An assortment of cupcakes, including gluten free ones.
 
A hassle free Christmas dinner it was….talk to you later.
December 21st, 2011
Warm in Rehoboth Beach. I like it that way, even though at this time of the year I really do like winter to show its face for the holidays.
Rehoboth is known for its good restaurants; great chefs introducing their innovative cuisine is what a lot of foodies in the area want to experience.
Delray Beach, Florida is known also for its restaurants. One after another you will find them on Atlantic Avenue, which is ”Main Street”. Italian, Japanese, American, French, and Latin.
Years ago another street was introduced in Delray Beach. The street is NE 2nd Ave. This is known as Pineapple Grove, due to the produce that was grown in years past. It looked, at the time, that it would end up being an extension of Atlantic Ave.
Well, it has turned out to be one of the hippest parts of town; sidewalks are lined with art, sculptures, bookstores, eateries; downtown living at its best. The residents of Pineapple Grove have everything accessible to them, including gyms and postal service. Oh, and don’t forget that they are pretty close to the beach, as well; a bike ride or a short drive.
 Early Sunday a.m. One thing that Delray Beach has taken to the next level is the availability to dine ”al fresco”. A temperate climate in South Florida is so conducive for this type of dining. In Delray you might find yourselves dining right on the sidewalk or in some private garden, as well. The sidewalks are wide enough to let the pedestrian activity run smoothly.
Brule Bistro is located at 200 NE 2nd Ave., Suite 109, Delray Beach, FL 33444. It is right on City Walk which has retail on the bottom. Tel. 561-274-2046. Website? http://www.brulebistro.com.
This past summer I went on a hot day and thought it was delicious. Again, just a few weeks ago, it was the choice for my son and I on a perfect day in the Village by the Sea.
Brule has a casual atmosphere. The bistro is known for its extensive collection of wines. It has take out; no reservations, though. It opens early and closes late. The website has a full menu for you to check out. And, specials every day.
The staff was friendly and knew the menu well. There was an excitement as I asked my server what the dish that he had just served to another table was. I ordered that lunch special of salmon over roasted beets. It was considered a salad and I did not want it to end.
I first started with a Chilled Gazpacho with a yogurt creme. The gazpacho was homemade, no canned tomato juice there.
Then came that salmon over the roasted beet salad. I usually write down what I am eating but it the excitement of it all, I forgot. At least, the photo says it all.
My son started with a Shrimp Ceviche in a citrus and chili marinade, served with avocado and the thinnest of warm house chips.
Then an order of their Brule Club with roasted turkey, bacon, arugula, tomato, avocado, Asiago and pesto aioli on a multigrain bread. It was a handsome portion, perfectly displayed. Gone in not time.
 
No desserts for us….we were perfectly happy.
If you are in the Village by the Sea….check it out and let me know what you think. You can write to me to the blog or visit AboutMyBeaches on Facebook.
December 4th, 2011
The coastal town of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, was founded in 1873. It is only 1.6 square miles and the name Rehoboth means “place (or space) for all”. The town has done such a great job in keeping its visitors coming year round, practically. Restaurants stay open; some might close for a couple of months only. Beach eateries, cafes, bars, bistros, all serving a variety of good food for all tastes.
So….on Friday evening, with a couple of friends, we decided on Lupo di Mare located at 247 C Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-226-2240. Website? www.lupodimarerehoboth.com. The restaurant offers take-out. And, if you are staying at Hotel Rehoboth, then, you can even order room service.
Lupo di Mare has been in the community for more than several years. It is known for its fresh cuisine; pastas and sauces are prepared daily.
Lupo di Mare serves Italian cuisine, has a very good selection of wines, including small boutique Italian wines.
A small bar is located to the right as you enter the restaurant; a full menu is available there, as well.
The room opens up; tables comfortably assembled and a little nook here or there conducive to lingering chatter. We lingered so much, we closed the restaurant. What can I say? It was relaxing!!
Sheila was our server. She was also our server back on June 13th when right before the season got crazy we went to check Lupo. She is attentive; not intrusive and her suggestions have been the best.
The first thing arriving at the table was Lupo’s focaccia bread accompanied with Virgin Olive Oil. Herbs, a tad sweet; so good.
Two starters were ordered:
The Grilled Artichokes with Sea Salt, Fresh Herbs, Lemon and Virgin Olive Oil. I have had them before and they were still so very good.
The Shaved Brussels Sprouts came just like the picture shows it. A mixture of Truffle Oil and Pecorino Cheese made this a favorite. It is also one of those “raw” foods. Please do order this starter. It is amazing.
A Fall Farm Vegetable & Mixed Green Salad was full of color and gorgeous vegetables. This was a new salad for the season.
An Arugula Salad was what I ordered and again that Pecorino Cheese, Radish, Red Wine Vinegar and Virgin Olive Oil made this salad a light and refreshing dish.
We were full of expectations for some of the entrees to arrive; new for the season were the scallops and the lamb shank.
The Pan Roasted Scallops with a cauliflower puree, shaved brussels, gold raisins and pine nuts got raved reviews. They were gorgeous and perfectly cooked and the dish looked beautiful. This dish was gluten free so my husband was delighted.
The Braised Lamb Shank, had creamy polenta, rosemary, and a winter veal fennel ragu. It was pretty chilly on Friday and this dish fit the description of “comfort food”.
I had the Pan Seared Sea Bass before. Once again I ordered it since it was so good the last time. It came with a butternut squash risotto, pancetta and spinach. It did not disappoint.
Dessert was ordered for all to share. We chose their Panna Cotta. It was glutten free and we all decided we liked custards. This Northern Italian dessert is made by simmering cream, milk and sugar together and letting it cool to form the custard. Usually, it is served with berries, caramel or chocolate. At Lupo di Mare it is served with berries. I confess; we ordered two.
I think it was time to go but not before I asked Sheila if I could take the lamb shank bone for Addy (my rescue). She had never tasted anything like it. Her review? Bring me more!!
Note: Lupo di Mare is now serving 3 courses for $19 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Check www.lupodimarerehoboth.com to check the menu. It opens daily at 5 p.m.
Have a good one!! Talk to you later….
 
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