January 29th, 2013
This is a battle that I am counting on the Ravens to win! This is their year; many say, that it is their destiny. And, are you enjoying the sunny weather in SoFlo? Hope so.
Oceans 234 is hosting The Battle of The Fans. RSVP at 954-428-2539,. It will be on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3rd at 3 p.m. Reserve your table on your teams side. Two big screen tv’s, a free pig roast buffet for the first quarter!!
Oceans 234 has the perfect location, right on the beach. Enjoy seating outside on their cafe terrace, “boardwalk” style, or choose inside.
The pier is gorgeous!!
Plenty of drinks and plenty of food. Please visit their website at http://www.oceans234.com to check what else they have to offer. The menu is varied; something for everyone on your party.
And my “gotta have it” lunch? The Crab Cake BLT. It is awesome!!
March 12th, 2012
Today I was looking for a place where we could have lunch right on the beach. Deerfield!! That’s where we headed to. The restaurant? Oceans 234, located at 234 North Ocean Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. Tel. 954-428-2539 Website? http://www.oceans234.com.
I had forgotten that it is Spring Break for many. The beaches in Deerfield Beach were very crowded; surfing, beach volley ball or just getting a suntan were the activities of the day.
It takes about 15 minutes from Delray Beach to Deerfield Beach. I like to go on A1A; a most scenic route.
Oceans 234 has indoor seating, as well, but, who would want to sit inside? It is right on the beach; a little boardwalk connects other restaurants on that block. Full view of the longest pier too.
We had a very nice table and our waiter was friendly and attentive.
We first ordered some calamari. Usually they are fried; but because of the gluten allergy they just sauteed them. A roasted pepper relish and a honey balsamic glaze accompanied them. Sorry, my plate became such a mess. They were so tender and perfectly cooked.
I just wanted a burger. A Black Angus Burger, char-grilled, sourdough flour-top, adding sauteed onions and mushrooms. Fries!!
Now, the next one was a first for all of us. A Crab Cake BLT!! I have never seen this on the menu. Check the picture out!! It looked fantastic and it tasted delicious. Jumbo Lump, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, remoulade sauce on toasted bread.
If you are visiting the area, definitely, stop, at least for lunch like we did. Talk to you later.
Note: Oceans 234 has a sushi menu and a sushi bar.
February 7th, 2012
My day started with a trip to Belle Glade. What was I doing there? Guess what? If you want fast service from the Florida DMV, it is the best location. From Delray Beach it is a hike; probably about an hour give or take a few more minutes. 95 North to Exit 68, turn left and keep on trucking.
The sugar cane fields extended for miles and miles. Years ago Puerto Rico had so many sugar cane fields, so I actually enjoyed seeing them.
Then, I kept thinking…what happened to the sun? I have yet to see it. Prior to coming to Florida everyone said how gorgeous it was and la la la and more la. It was pouring rain.
What else but think about a late lunch? A suggestion from the peanut gallery. How about the Whale’s Rib in Deerfield Beach? Kept on driving. Did not matter at this point.
The Whale’s Rib is located at 2031 NE 2nd St. (by the beach), Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. Tel. 954-421-8880.
If the Whale’s Rib was good enough for Guy Fieri, of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives then it was going to be great for me. I love all those well known eateries by the beach. Casual, fun, and unique.
The restaurant is all wood with plenty of plaques adorning the walls. Lots of license plates donated by customers. The Delaware tag caught my attention. Didn’t they know that they are worth money? Others, were vanity tags.
We sat on the back room and Chynel was our server. She was friendly and gave me great recommendations, even though, I knew exactly what I was ordering.
A few beers and iced teas were ordered.
I love conch. Their conch chowder is made in-house. Very well seasoned and plenty of conch.
My husband decided on the stone crabs. I know a lot of people love them. I am probably one of the few that don’t. I just think they don’t have that much taste. Blue crabs fan all the way, that’s who I am.
The rest ordered the Dolphin Key West Sandwich with Thousand Island Dressing, Purple Cole Slaw and Swiss Cheese. Chynel told me to order it blackened. It really was delicious; moist and not salty, which was great.
Chynel told me that Guy Fieri ordered the same sandwich but his was fried. He also had the Whale Fries and Oysters Rockefeller. A twist to these oysters is that they are served with tomatoes on top.
I saw an order going by of Fried Grouper Fingers. They were huge. Chynel told me she has never seen anyone being able to finish that dish.
Whale’s Rib is a locals hang-out. You will get fresh seafood, that’s for sure.
November 30th, 2010
“Si me dan pasteles,
denmelos calientes,
que pasteles frios empachan la gente, Si me
dan arroz
no me den cuchara,
que mama me dijo
que me lo llevara”
Some of you know exactly what I am talking about. Others, well you are about to find out.
My grandmother used to make the best “pasteles” at Christmas time. They are part of the traditional Puerto Rican delicacies at this time of the year. Along with aguinaldos, the parrandas or carolings, blood sausages and many other indigenous foods of the Island, pasteles are a must in every Puerto Rican household. There are so many recipes; some people make them plain; others put raisins, olives, chickpeas, etc. It is an all day cooking “ordeal”.
There were times my grandmother used to send them to me to the states overnight. I have never tasted any like hers. Everything so fresh and meticulously prepared, following the traditional “comida criolla” style.
About a year ago I met 2 of my childhood friends in Miami. They also took me to get Puerto Rican pasteles. I don’t know how I could possibly want to make them myself.
Upon returning to Delaware I decided I was going to tackle a few of the pasteles. Well, it was sort of a disaster because, of course, I don’t have a banana leaf in sight, and the day I went to get the ingredients, my good old trusted supermarket, did not have a lot of what I needed. Well, I did not despair and still made them. And, you know what? Even though they looked pretty ugly, the taste was very good.
A few weeks ago I reconnected with another childhood friend, Aileen, on Facebook. Then I saw a notice to her Facebook “friends”, mentioning that once again she was going to be making pasteles this year. Well, I just immediatedly contacted her. She is located in the town of Deerfield Beach, Florida, south of Delray Beach, about 15 minutes away.
What a surprise!! She has more than pasteles. I will give you her information. Her name is Aileen. Her tel. is 239-839-6535. You may also contact her by e-mail at Aileenpasteles@aol.com. She will be glad to send you her menu through e-mail.
Pasteles (minimum order 1/2 dozen)
Masa with pork or chicken $36/dz
Yuca with pork or chicken $36/dz
Arroz con Gandules Pastel $42/dz (I have never have these ones)
Empanadillas or Turnovers
Beef or Chicken $15/dz
Party Platters for 8-12 people (60 empanadillas) $48
Guava and Cream Cheese $9/dz
Party Platters for 8 – 12 people (60 empanadillas) $32
Spinach, Mushroom and Swiss Cheese $15/dz
Combination Platter (20 beef, 20 chicken, 20 Guava and cream cheese)
Seafood Fillings: (special order) Shrimp, crab, lobster, etc. Please call for price.
Alcapurrias (frozen)
Masa or Yuca (beef, chicken or pork) $18/dz
Seafood (special order) Call for price
Soup
Butter Squash/Carrot $3/person/bowl
With heavy cream and creme fraiche $1.50/person/cup
Flanes (The ever present Puerto Rican custard) (small, medium, large, extra large)
Milks/Eggs/Vanilla
Espresso Coffee
Cream Cheese & Coconut Milk
Butter Squash and carrots
Espresso and chocolate
Guava and cream cheese
Coquito or Puerto Rican Eggnog
Brandy/Rum $25 (750 ml) bottle
I thought some of you that live in Palm Beach County or nearby counties in Florida would want to know about Aileen’s pasteles.
It is so funny that it seems that at this time of the year everyone of Puerto Rican descent wants to be a “jibaro”. I hope you fill your freezer because as you well know the holidays in Puerto Rico start at the beginning of December and last until that last octavita.
And, for the ones that cannot be in La Isla Del Encanto during the holidays then there is Aileen’s Pasteles.
Talk to you later….have a good one.
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