Southern Byways

(Due to technical difficulties, Tales from the Road was delayed)
Seems as if all I have done on my beach trip is eat. Which I guess isn’t that bad, but I did have the opportunity to enjoy Pier Park, walk (and relax) on the beach and take in a quick game of putt-putt.
However, food was a very important part of this trip, as it is with every trip.
You know, I’ve talked about lunch, dinner and now it’s time to discuss the most meal of the day – breakfast.
I’m going to introduce you to two different places in Panama City Beach. …read more

Comments Off

(Due to technical difficulties, Tales from the Road was delayed)
Just as I returned home from one trip, I had a few days to rest before I was on the road again. Since I has heading to the beach, Panama City Beach, Fla., to be exact, I wasn’t complaining. Regardless of the time of the year, I’m always in the mood for a trip to the beach. See, my thought is you can never travel to the beach enough. And this was going to be a great trip because I was going to be here for the Panama City Beach Seafood, …read more

Comments Off

When it’s October in Florida, it’s your duty to indulge in Stone Crabs. They are only available for a short time, but how do you do it without breaking your bank account? It’s called — Stone Crab and Seafood Happy Hour — and it’s only available at Nikki Beach located on One Ocean Drive in Miami. This occurs on Friday and Saturday nights from 4-7 pm. $10 Jumbo Stone Crabs, Lobster Tail and half-price Mojitos. Life sure is delicious! For reservations, call 305-538-1111 or visit them online.
If you can’t make it to their happy hour, they have quite the …read more

Comments Off

Due to technical difficulties, Tales from the Road was delayed.
Well, as much as I hate it, all good things must come to an end, even my visit to the beach. There really isn’t a better way to end it than with a bang by attending the 30th Annual Destin (Fla.) Seafood Festival, followed by dinner at Commander’s Palace (yes, that one.)
Not only was I returning back to HarborWalk (yes, a lot of events and activities go on here), but so was the Destin Seafood Festival. After 30 years, the event was coming back to the place that it started – …read more

1 Comment

Some days I feel so lucky. Sitting in the sun, having lunch on the beach, feeling like you’re on vacation, sipping Sangria — all in a day’s work. That’s what I did yesterday in the midst of my busy day.

Yesterday, I was able to visit the DiLido Club at the Ritz-Carlton in South Beach.  Their chef, Jeff McInnis will be on this year’s Top Chef, so he will be making headlines soon enough. Let me tell you, this chef is extremely talented and his culinary creations are out of this world, and they are healthy too. Yes, you heard that …read more

1 Comment

They say every house a story, and this couldn’t be more true than at The Magnolia Grill located in downtown Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
But before I go into the story of the home, let me talk about the food. I was lucky to have a taste of the kitchen, that is I had the opportunity to try a little of everything, including dessert (more about that later.)
Tom Rice, owner, cook (not chef, he says) and all-around fascinating Ft. Walton-ite, says he got his start in the restaurant business at the early age of 17 working at an …read more

1 Comment

The challenge guidelines set forth by Bon Appetit Management Company to their cafes are simple: chefs can only use ingredients produced within 150 miles of their restaurants, with the exception of salt, of course.
Are they up to it? Of course, and on September 30 -  it’s game on.
During the 4th Annual Eat Local Challenge, around 400 locations in 28 states will take part in this day dedicated to bringing local bounty to the table. At one of the participating cafes, executive chef  Robert Garrett of Oglethorpe University Cafe, Atlanta, Ga., says it’s their time to go all out to …read more

Comments Off

 In a city that goes against the norm – their failure to latch onto chains (Houston’s had to be renamed Palm Beach Grill and it took years for the city to agree to put in a Starbucks on Worth Avenue) and the non-existence of sales in the multitude of designer shops that line the city, Palm Beach has decided to launch the first ever Palm Beach Restaurant Week taking place from October 20 – 26. So mark your calendars now. Though, take note, as the deals are valid for lunch only – 3 courses for $20.08.
Look at the line up …read more

Comments Off

Sometimes when I am away from home, I find myself craving something from home knowing I’m just plain out of luck. For me, it’s a steamy cup of chai tea from a little coffee shop in my hometown. Yes, I can go to my local Starbucks and order it, but it’s just not quite the same.
A few months ago, I was having dinner at Cafe Maxx and was speaking to one of the waiters. We were discussing such hometown treats, and he mentioned how much he craved his Philly Water Ice not having a clue as to where he …read more

Comments Off

Everyone loves a good deal. Whether it be discounted concert tickets or 1/2 price meal deals, why pass it up? It just takes a little preplanning on your part. Here are some of my favorite sites. Most of them are based in South Florida, but some are nationwide.

South Florida Dines:  This website offers half price dining certificates to area restaurants. Look for your old favorites or try a new place out. Search by city or alphabetically. They include information on the restaurant, times, location, upcoming events, etc. Here are two of my  favorites: Palm Beach Prime is a perfect site …read more

Comments Off