April 23rd, 2012
With such a gorgeous South Florida day, who wants to be indoors, or eat indoors, when you have so many restaurants in Delray, that offer al fresco dining?
We picked City Oyster because of its consistency; a dependable restaurant, offering a relaxed dining atmosphere. It was one of the restaurants that we first visited when we arrived in Delray years ago. Lunch, dinner or a drink at the bar, your pick. For us, it was lunch.
City Oyster is part of the group of restaurants owned by the Big Time Restaurant Group. It is located at 213 E. Atlantic Ave. Tel. 561-272-0220. Website? www.bigtimerestaurants.com.
It is open for lunch Monday through Saturday from 11:30 to 2:30 p.m.
For Dinner the schedule is as follows:
Sunday, 5 until 10 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, they start serving dinner at 5 until 10 p.m.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, dinner will start at 5 until 11 p.m.
On Saturday and Sunday City Oyster offers a brunch from 11:30 until 2:30 p.m.
I was delighted to see today on their chalk board, Dogfish 60 Minute IPA, our own Delaware beer. The board will show the Daily Beers on Tap, as well as a list of the oysters available for the day; other daily seafood too.
The bar runs the length of the restaurant.
Today everyone was sitting outside. The tables were closely assembled. As we waited for wine, which by the way it took a little longer than it should have, the gentleman on one side was choking (he got the help needed), on another side the guy sent his food back but then it looked like the same food came back. Go figure. And, the young woman that was savoring her fish tacos started to quietly cry. It was not the food, I know that. I think she got sentimental. The guy with her seemed very nice. Didn’t I tell you the tables were closely assembled?
Thank God our food came out and my attention was directed to my Grilled Mahi Mahi, which was the fish of the day, on a French garden salad. Tomatoes, broccoli, shallots, Mesclum with homemade aioli and a mustard vinaigrette. It was delicious and I really loved the fish.
My husband decided on Blue Point oysters and a side order of Red Bliss Potato Salad.
That was it!! No other excitement or drama….
Talk to you later…have a good one!!
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 15th, 2010
I came to Delray Beach about 7 years ago. If I remember correctly the first restaurant I went to was City Oyster. Sitting outside is one thing the restaurants in Delray offer, when possible. Yes, dining al fresco, people watching, palm trees swaying and the train just passing by just make me enjoy my dinners even more.
I have not had dinner at City Oyster in some time; I did not have it the other day either. I came for oysters very early in the evening; a few people at the bar nobody yet sitting outside. Come to think of it, South Florida has been a bit chilly. Also, it was because the oysters and drinks were on special if you sat at the bar. Not for me, I will even pay more and sit outside. Remember that I will be going back to Delaware and sitting outdoors is a treat, at the moment.
The service was great. More so, because they let us sit down at a prime outdoor table and we were just going to have a couple of drinks and some oysters.
City Oyster is located at 213 East Atlantic Avenue, right in the middle of this trendy Village by the Sea. The tel. is 561-272-0220. Website is www.cityoysterdelray.com. City Oyster is not the only restaurant for the Big Time Restaurant Group. They also have restaurants in West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and New York.
We ordered 2 kinds of oysters; they had a variety. Ours were nice, cold and salty.
City Oyster is mainly a seafood restaurant but they also have salads, burgers, chicken, pork chops and steaks. And, for the sushi aficionado they have a complete sushi menu; appetizers and rolls.
The oysters hit the spot and off we went….talk to you later….
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