Restaurant critic review: At Saigon Bistro, Vietnamese food shines
Four of us stopped in to Saigon Bistro in Vero Beach without reservations on a Saturday night and were immediately seated in the three-quarters full dining room, painted a happy salmon. We sampled Vietnamese and Japanese offerings. The menu is extensive, but easy to read, with explanations of the sometimes unusual offerings.
Restaurant critic review: Calypso Pot an inexpensive taste of Trinidad
At Calypso Pot, across from the Port St. Lucie courthouse, they serve a delicious curry goat roti ($8), with heavily spiced chunks of this succulent meat buried inside. Trinidadian cuisine is greatly influenced by India, with curries, chutneys and spices such as saffron prevailing. For appetizers we had phulorie ($1), flour and saffron fritters with spicy sauce for dipping. We also tried beef and jerk chicken patties ($2), enveloped in an empanadalike pastry shell. The chicken patty was my favorite, with its smooth, savory filling.
Out to lunch with Diana Foote: Family ties fuel summer spirit, sense of renewal
You know summer is winding down when your nails are yellow from the chlorine in all the pools you dipped into the last couple of months. But we are still hanging on. Any talk of back-to-school supplies, or Halloween costumes would be a dismissal of these last wondrous days when you rehearse shows all day and put them on, with at least five costume changes, at night for the adults.
Shelley Owens: Grown-ups scream for ice cream at Papa Z in Stuart
Papa Z, in the Regency Square shopping center, has added ice cream, but this summer treat isn't for kids. Jeffrey Schlissel, general manager and chef, puts Baileys Irish Cream in the peanut butter cup ice cream. Mint chocolate chip contains creme de menthe and Godiva Chocolate liqueur.
Shelley Owens: Chef returns, as owner of Vito's Italian Restaurant on Hutchinson Island
Chef Vito Massa has purchased the the former Villa Parma restaurant on South Hutchinson Island, where he used to work. He is the owner of the new Vito's Italian Restaurant at 11005 S. Ocean Drive north of Jensen Beach, and diners have been keeping Massa busy all summer.
Restaurant critic review: Fine fare from land and sea at Captain's Table
In the heart of downtown Jensen Beach, a new Crab House location has opened under a fresh, new name: Captain's Table. One could make a meal of the appetizers alone.
Shelley Owens: Treasure Coast chefs contribute to cookbook
Yeoman House Books is preparing to publish the first in a series of regional cookbooks featuring recipes from chefs at golf resorts and private country clubs. "Golf a la Carte: Recipes from America's Finest Clubs Volume One: The Southeast" includes recipes from more than 120 chefs who were asked to submit their most-requested dishes.
Restaurant critic review: A Day of Delight teahouse ideal for lunch, brunch or tea party
For those wishing to indulge their inner child, perhaps a tea party is in order. A Day of Delight Teas, Treasures and Waterfront Cafe, near the Roosevelt Bridge in Stuart, could be the perfect setting.
Bennigan's, Steak and Ale file for bankruptcy
Franchise locations are not affected according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Staff at the sole store on the Treasure Coast, at 4050 NW Federal Highway in Jensen Beach, could not comment except to say that the store closed Tuesday.
Former Sal's owner returns with new Port St. Lucie restaurant
Morelli's Italian Grill on Peacock Boulevard in St. Lucie West was scheduled to open July 31, a day before owner Bob Morelli begins build-out on the second Morelli's in Renar Riverplace in Jensen Beach.
T.G.I. Friday's closes in Jensen Beach as part of bankruptcy deal
The T.G.I. Friday?s restaurant at 3201 NW U.S. 1 has been closed as part of a bankruptcy agreement by parent company Dynamic Restaurant Operations of Buffalo, Inc.
Restaurant critic review: Stern House has Cape Cod dining, Florida style
Approaching the entrance of the Stern House on Salerno Road, I could hear the jazz music beckoning. I couldn't help but get excited about what was inside. We sat where we could watch the band, and enjoyed some bacon-wrapped scallops ($9.95). We ordered the two specials. The Lobster Trio ($19.99) featured lobster, plump scallops and shrimp in butter sauce. The second special, an excellent encrusted tilapia ($10.91), ought to be on the regular menu.
Restaurant critic review: Ocean Grill a great catch on the beach
The Ocean Grill is a gem of a dining establishment that encourages you to use the adjectives "quaint" and "fabulous" in the same breath. This place caters to all festivities large and small with great, time-honored fare. Its standard dinner menu relies heavily on fresh fish and steaks, but each dish is as carefully presented as it is cooked.
Out to lunch with Diana Foote: Monopoly an example and antidote for these tough times
Lately, we sit on our dock and imagine the recession hitting all at once, like a hurricane. The only extra $200 I have now is from passing Go in our family's endless summer of that grand old game, Monopoly. It's that big-dreams-in-hard-times kind of game that is a perfect antidote to the economic recession.
Shelley Owens: Ian's Tropical Grill to host wine tasting July 28
Ian's Tropical Grill will host a wine-tasting dinner July 28, featuring boutique California wines. The dinner will include six courses and six wines at the Wine Spectator award-winning restaurant.
Gas prices eating revenue at Treasure Coast restaurants
A number of high profile causal dining spots, such as the Monkey King Florribean Grill & Brewpub in Stuart and veteran The Patio Restaurant in Vero Beach have been shuttered this year.
But problems aren?t confined to casual dining. The fast-casual franchise Camille?s Sidewalk Café has closed in St. Lucie West. The Firehouse Subs in Stuart has also closed its doors months after opening. Three Quiznos in Martin County are gone and the fourth, on Kanner Highway at Salerno, is up for sale.
Shelley Owens: Carrabba's introduces Wine Wednesdays
Carrabba's Italian Grill restaurants in Florida have introduced Wine Wednesdays. You'll get $10 off any bottle of wine from their 60-bottle wine list, when ordered with a meal. Carrabba's also invites consumers to help name a Carrabba's exclusive, red wine.
Restaurant critic review: Paisano's Gourmet Pizza masters the art of the crust
When it comes to pizza, I can be very particular. I loved the pizzas I ate as a kid in Spain, thin-crusted and crunchy. I was thrilled to discover that Paisano's Gourmet Pizza has mastered this type of crust. Thin, crispy and a beautiful golden color, it's strong enough to hold the numerous inventive ingredients found on their specialty pizza list. Part of the Promenade complex on Veteran's Memorial Parkway, Paisano's is a cozy restaurant with extra seating in the courtyard. The restaurant was immaculate and our attentive waitress kept us happy throughout the meal.
Restaurant critic review: Capt. Hiram's serves up fun along with food
On a rainy Saturday night the fun is contagious at Capt. Hiram's, the tiki-style resort in Sebastian that features live music in one of the most enormous bars around. No food could match the eclecticism of the restaurant-goers, but Capt. Hiram's tries hard to offer a smattering of everything seafood, as well as extensive salad, burger and sandwich offerings.
Out to lunch with Diana Foote: Our obsession with celebrities helps fuel their addictions
Far too many children are robbed of their childhood by the lure of stardom. And far too few of them sustain their success through adulthood. Which leads to years of regret and often bouts of addiction to dull the pain. And because we have our own national addiction -- to celebrities -- we witness the pathos of a Britney Spears crumbling before our eyes, or little Cindy Brady (Susan Olsen) ravaged by alcohol during a live interview.
