April 12th, 2012

What’s Going On? Delray Beach, Florida, Activities, Events, Arts & Entertainment, The Village by the Sea is a Destination, South Florida, Palm Beach County

It really does become a destination; so many things going on in downtown Delray Beach.  So let’s not waste any time and get on with the show.

Thursday, 4/12 – By the time you read this you will probably know that Delray Beach has welcomed its new restauranteur, Zach Erdem.  75 Main Delray has opened and its location is 270 East Atlantic Ave.  The new restaurant will be serving brunch from 10:30 – 4:30 p.m. and dinner will be served from 4:30 p.m. until 11 p.m., daily.  Tel. 561-243-7975.  Website? www.75main.com.

Delray Beach was chosen by Mr. Erdem for his second restaurant because this Village by The Sea is a vibrant coastal community and a destination in itself.  The sister restaurant, 75 Main is located in Southampton, NY.

75 Main Delray is a restaurant and a lounge.  The cuisine? Contemporary American Cuisine with Mediterranean accents.  The “sleek lounge with a sexy vibe” will feature European DJs spinning a blend of house music from 10:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.  And…the signature drink?  The 75 Maintini, which will change with the season…Spring brings Stoli Elite and Passion Fruit Juice.

I know Delray Beach has discriminating palates; the town is known for its restaurants.  Can’t wait to try it.

Friday, 4/13 through Sunday, 4/15 – The Delray Affair.  This is the 50th Anniversary for the greatest and most popular Arts & Crafts Show in South Florida.  It is also one of the oldest.  Along Atlantic Ave., over 10 city blocks and side streets, all within walking distance will have vendors, exhibitors, food, and entertainment.

Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.  Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Free Admission.  Please visit http://www.delrayaffair.com for all the details, like directions, maps, vendors, exhibitors, rules, etc. etc.

Fridays, Saturdays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – Live Entertainment at The Atlantic Grille located at the Seagate Hotel, at 1000 East Atlantic Avenue.  Tel. 561-665-4900.  Website?  http://www.theseagatehotel.com.

Fridays and Saturdays the entertainment begins at 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 p.m.  Singer and piano player, Orson Whitfield, entertains the crowds.

Tuesday is Doo Wop, which begins at 8 p.m. until 11 p.m.

Wednesday is called Tropical Wednesdays with Steel Drum Band from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.  Then, Orson Whitfield will be entertaining from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m.

Thursday’s entertainment will begin at 7:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. with Orson Whitfield and/or Brooke Eden.

Don’t forget that their Happy Hour starts at 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

The Atlantic Grille, of course, is open for dinner, as well.

Saturday, 4/14 – Every Saturday morning the Delray GreenMarket opens at 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.  It is located South of Atlantic Ave. on SE 4th Ave.  Local produce, baked goods, flowers and music fill the air so early on Saturdays.  April is National Florida Tomato Month, so please check them out…there should be plenty of them.

Saturday, 4/14, Sunday, 4/15, and Saturday, 4/21  –  “Arts Garage is a multi-disciplinary cultural hub for visual artists, musicians, performers, film presenters and arts educators”.  It is located at 180 NE First St.  It is in the ground level parking garage on NE 1st & NE 2nd Sts.  Tel. 561-450-6357.  Website?  www.artsgarage.org.  You can find them of Facebook and Twitter.

On Saturday, 4/14 at 8 p.m., Grammy nominated Othello Molineaux’s powerhouse performances blend Afro-Caribbean sounds with funky steel drum beats.

On Sunday, 4/15 at 7 p.m. Mad Romance, “one of the most exciting jazz vocal groups in America”!!

On Saturday, 4/21 at 8 p.m. is Jesse Jones, Jr., the Father of  ‘Scat-Hop’ and Miami Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, saxophonist extraordinaire.

Please check their website, www.artsgarage.com for more info. and schedule of events.

Wednesday, 4/18 – Event at Bostons located at 40 South Ocean Blvd. from 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.  Suzanne Boyd of CBS12 Candidate for Woman of the Year by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) South Palm Beach County Chapter, will be the Celebrity Bartender.

She will be raising funds in honor of 4 year old, Ryan Alarcon, from Boca Raton, a leukemia survivor.  His doctors say that without the research done by the LLS, Ryan would not be in remission today.

You can attend the event, you can make a donation by visiting http://www.pbf.mwoyspb.llsevent.org/supportsuze.

Suzanne is welcoming your comments at www.facebook.com/SuzanneBoyd.

Cocktails and great auction prizes!!  Live Music by Amber Leigh Band.

Friday, 4/20 – Murder on the Beach is located at 273 Pineapple Grove.  It is a mystery book and entertainment store.  I thought this booksigning event looked interesting and worth saving the date.  Michael Lester, who was the former North Florida Chaplain turned noir novelist will be signing his latest book, Burnt Offerings, at 7 p.m.

For more info. and schedule of events, please call 561-279-7790 or visit www.murderonthebeach.com.

Saturday, 4/21 – Beer Fest at the Old School Square Pavilion and Park.  4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Live Music and Gourmet Food Trucks.

Advance ticket purchase – $30 or $75 for VIP

Tickets at the Gate – $40 or $85 for VIP

VIP includes complimentary food, beer, wine and signature cocktails…other perks, as well.

Please check www.oldschoolbeerfest.com.  Please remember that this is a 21 year old and over event.

And….if you think this is just too much excitement for you and there is no way….then, please, by all means, if it is one of those beautiful South Florida days, head towards the beach.

And relax and watch the Florida lizards.  Cute isn’t it?

Have a great time!!

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…