El Camino is hoppin’! And the food is tasty! On our December trip to Singer Island, we got together with sometime neighbors Doug and Emily Jacobson in Lantana — that was the trip where we ordered “the left side of the menu” at Grato — and they spoke highly of the food at El Camino. We were back during Spring Break and met Emily — … Continue reading El Camino, West Palm Beach, Florida

Pig Beach in West Palm is an offshoot of a NewYork City barbecue place with a distinguished history. You remember Sean Ludwig from this post and this one. Sean, of course, is the creator of NYCBBQ.com and co-author of The Smoke Sheet. Sean and bride Stephanie hosted their wedding at the original location in Brooklyn, the one with acres of outdoor space and a hugely … Continue reading Pig Beach, West Palm Beach, Florida

Nancy and I have been going to Singer Island for years, and we’ve always heard great things about the River House (they use the lower case “the”). We’ve never gone, however, and I was delighted finally to go there when Liza and I (Nancy preferred to look after the wee ones) joined our good friends, Scott and Julie Hammonds, on a boat ride and dinner … Continue reading The River House, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

While Nancy and I were in Marco Island with John and Helen Tierney, we all decided to drive up to Naples to take in an art show and a sunset cruise. We arrived at the art show early, just as they were setting up in the park, so we decided to grab lunch, and then walk around downtown Naples. By then the art show would … Continue reading Captain and Krewe, Naples, Florida

Marco is full of restaurants with water views, but there are surprisingly few that overlook the beach and the Gulf. Stilts is one of the hardy few. Stilts serves as the poolside bar and grill at the Marriott Crystal Shores, but it’s raised up a high story on, well, stilts, and gives a view over the dune of the sand and surf, even from back … Continue reading Stilts at the Marriott Crystal Shores, Marco Island, Florida

For our last evening in Marco we managed to get a reservation at Little Bar. It’s in Goodland, the fishing village that provides top notch seafood to Marco restaurants. The freshness at Little Bar is one reason for the crowd of people without reservations waiting outside. Little Bar is unique. There are two sizable dining rooms separated by a packed little bar into which a … Continue reading Little Bar, Marco Island, Florida

The Island Gypsy Cafe is so popular it recalls Yogi Berra’s statement, “It’s so crowded that nobody goes there.” Everybody goes there. The Island Gypsy is a sprawling place, right on the water. It’s on the Isle of Capri just across the bridge from Marco Island, with several seating areas and a walk-up bar that does a land office business. There is always a wait. … Continue reading Island Gypsy Cafe, Isles of Capri/Marco Island, Florida

On our second night in Palm Beach Shores, Nancy and I went to the Pelican Cafe, “Where Nantucket Meets the Florida Keys.” The Pelican Cafe sits on US 1, or the Federal Highway in this stretch, in what had been a home. There are two dining rooms, and a covered porch that has a roof and, in winter, heaters and plastic screens. You’ve noticed the … Continue reading Pelican Cafe, Lake Park, Palm Beach County, Florida