July 11th, 2011

Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida, Restaurants, Village by the Sea, Palm Beach County, The Second Season

During the day the town of Delray Beach is somewhat quiet in this Second Season.  At night, well, it is a different story.  I think the snowbirds leave thinking that this town will just roll its streets and call it a night; shall I say?  Very mistaken.  They should have been here this week-end. 

Pineapple Grove (2nd St.) in Delray was sleeping in on Sunday a.m.

Delray is as lively as ever during the summer months as during the winter season.  Visitors are vacationing, shopping and enjoying that “al fresco” dining that I love the most.

So, I decided to walk and try some of them with Miguel and Rosalyn; brother and cousin.  This is what we found.

Crepes by the Sea is located at 6 NE 5th Avenue right by the intersection of Federal and Atlantic Ave.  Website?  www.crepesbythesea.com.

Mine was a tomato, spinach and cheese crepe.  To tell you the truth, it was good; but just that. 

Miguel had the ham, egg and cheese.  His was, definitely, better.

The Office is located at 201 East Atlantic Avenue.  Tel. 561-276-3600.  Website?  www.theofficedelray.com.  This restaurant is yet to disappoint me; no different in the Second Season.  A very enjoyable lunch.

Miguel had the lobster chowder.  It was nice and creamy with lots of chunks of that sweet lobster.

My two fellow diners had the Dark English Ale Battered Fish with salt and vinegar “chips”, pan fried onion dip, and cole slaw.  They both loved it with Rosalyn commenting that it had been the best she had ever tasted.

I had the Vinegar Maker’s Salad.  This salad had romaine, tomato, avocado, cucumber, carrot, onion, olives, chickpeas, roasted cauliflower and I topped it with steak.  The salad was perfect on such a hot, summer day.

The Office is a sister restaurant to the other well-known Delray Beach eatery, Vic & Angelo’s, located at 290 East Atlantic Ave.  Tel. 561-278-9970.  Website?  www.vicandangelos.com. 

We stopped at the fairly new Seagate Hotel to check out The Atlantic Grille located at The Seagate Hotel & Spa, 1000 East Atlantic Ave.  Website?  www.theatlanticgrille.com.

The restaurant is beautifully decorated.  Check the website for the weekly entertainment.

Our eyes shot to the breads sitting by themselves in the open kitchen.

Tramonti is one of the most popular restaurants on Atlantic Ave.  Early on Sunday evening you would have found us there.  It was not too crowded, which was perfect.  Georgio, our waiter, was fun and very attentive.

We had a Carpaccio di Manzo.  Thinly sliced raw beef, mixed salad, shaved parmigiano and balsamic vinegarette.

A simple arugula salad of roasted artichokes and shaved parmigiano is all I wanted.

My choice for an entree was a suggestion by Georgio.  It is a signature dish for Tramonti.  Spaghetti in Cartoccio Areo Special.  It was baked spaghetti with shrimp, parma prosciutto in a cognac cream sauce.  I came escounded in foil.  Very nice.

For a sweet ending, a Sicilian Cannoli is what we chose.  Rosalyn thought it was just good; I thought it was delicious, especially since I had not had one in a long time.

This is just a tiny tasting of the many restaurants found on Atlantic Avenue.  There is one for every palate, so get out and try them out.

Have a great day!!  Talk to you later…

February 11th, 2011

Out and About, Vic & Angelo’s, Delray Beach, Restaurant, Review, South Florida, Palm Beach County

Out and about checking the Avenue in downtown Delray Beach.  It was a bit chilly and I thought it was about to start raining, but it didn’t. 

I have been meaning to stop at Crepes by the Sea.  It is a tiny restaurant specializing in crepes.  I know that flour is added to the batter so I stopped to see if they did that, as well.  They said yes but immediately I was told that they are working with a gluten free buckwheat flour and soon they will be able to offer that option to customers with a gluten allergy.  Check their website, www.crepesbythesea.com.  They are on Facebook, as well.

I was walking back to my townhouse when I looked up and saw the guy trimming the palm tree.  He was so high up but seemed pretty comfortable and at ease in that position.

Then gathered the rest of my family and by now it was after 1 p.m.  So, guess what?  We went to Vic & Angelo’s.  I had not been to this restaurant in some time but I did write a post on them back on September 29, 2009.  To see it, all you have to do is go on the left hand side of this website and click on the month of September, 2009 and scroll down to the date. 

Vic & Angelo’s is located at 290 E Atlantic Avenue. Website?  www.vicandangelos.com. Tel. 561-278-9570.  You can also find them of Facebook and Twitter.

We ate indoors since it was sort of cold but there are plenty of tables for outdoor dining.  This restaurant is so open that you don’t even realize you are eating indoors.

Delicious bread was brought to our table.  I had forgotten how good it was.

We wanted something light.  Vic & Angelo’s gives you plenty of food, though.

The Grilled Calamari was ordered and I have had this appetizer before; it was just as good.  Olives, capers, peppers, arugula, with a lemon vinaigrette.

The Sicilian Chicken Wings had rosemary, chilies, aged Parmessan, olio verde and onions.  I have been testing chicken wings here and there and I am usually very partial to the ones at the Bru’s Room but these ones could be right up there with them.

The Vic & Angelo’s Caesar was my dish.  It had romain hearts, hand shaved Reggiano, and the best white anchovies.  I topped it with a very well seasoned, medium skirt steak.  It is unusual to find a Caesar salad with the white anchovies.  They are a great addition to this salad.  People don’t realize how mild they are.  The dressing was perfect; light.

We lounged and talked and watched people go by.  Yes, remember, we are on vacation and there is no hurry to get anywhere.  Kick back and relax. That’s precisely what we did.

Note:  Vic & Angelo’s Happy Hours are Mondays to Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7  p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.  They offer 1/2 price drinks and appetizers.

See you later….talk to you later too…