8 replies to this topic

[Sandra Levine]

During our recent week in South Florida, we had a few notable meals. Right in Deerfield Beach (where my father lives) we found a very good sushi place called Masamune, at 310 S. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach. We shared a "Chef's selection," for two, which included 2 miso soups, 2 salads, 16 pieces of nigiri sushi, a rainbow roll and 2 eel hand rolls for $33. The fish was beautifully fresh and varied, but since I didn't take notes, I cannot list the specific types.

I don't know anything about sake, but the sake list was extensive and the restaurant offers sake-fish pairings that we may try another time.

On our way to Key West, where we spent two days in the middle of our visit, we stopped at the Islamorada Fish Market for excellent grilled mahi-mahi sandwiches that were served with a small mound of spiced french fries. Good!

In Key West, we stayed at Heron House, more like a small hotel than a B & B, on Simonton Street, in the heart of the historic district, but away from the tacky madness of Duval Street. We booked a couple of days in advance through Expedia for slightly less than the rack rate. If we had known how lovely this hotel is we probably would have stayed for two nights rather than one.

The high point of our Key West trip-let was a visit to the Little White House, where President Truman used to take long working vacations. I'm old enough to remember Truman, so this was a lot of fun for me. The Little White House is on the grounds of the former naval station (now condos.)

We had dinner at Blue Heaven, a rather self-conscious "Bahamian" place.
You sit in the courtyard under an almond tree with canvas above and standing fans to push the humid air around a little. Somehow, even for an air-conditioning lover like me, it's ok in Key West.

We had rum punches (not as good as in Trinidad or Tobago or Dominica.)
Alan had Caribbean barbecued shrimpt with jerk seasoning that he wasn't sure about at first, but came to like better with each taste. I had Florida lobster tail with an expertly made citrus beurre blanc. Both plates were
loaded with sides -- corn off the cob, fresh string beans, a rather solid, heavy and unsweet cornbread that Alan liked better than I did. His plate also had black beans and plaintains.

The Florida lobster tail (spiny lobster) was coarser and less sweet than the best Maine lobster, but the beurre blanc added some refinement to the dish.

Alan drank Kalik, "beer of the Bahamas," a pilsener that comes with a slice of lime, which he eschewed. He says it was perfect with seafood.

Of course, no visit to my father is complete without a stop at Tom's Ribs, on Federal Highway in Boca Raton. We tend to have the baby back ribs. The ribs are smoky, the sauce is tomatoey and mildly sweet. Sides like collards, coleslaw and black peas are fine examples of their kind. We love this place.

[NJ2FLA]

Living in Boca Raton for like 10 years I can say that I don't like Tom's. People think I am nuts but there are other places that I like a lot better. My favorite is called Scruby's and they have locations in Davie and Hollywood, FL.

Babybacks, cole slaw, sweet potato, garlic bread.. sweet tea.. yum yum yum

[Kenny R]

Scruby's is great. I've been searching out bar-b-q joints in S. Florida for 25 years and Scrubby's is at the top of the list. The Georgia Pig in Davie is also excellent. Shory's is over-rated but the cole slaw is the best. The Pit out on the Tamiami Trail is good but not as good as it was before civilization spread west to almost engulf it. It used to be literally in the Everglades.

As for Spiney lobster tails there are a few things to keep in mind. Most are frozen and are tough and not too sweet. Even fresh ones are tough if over cooked. However, good fresh grilled "bugs" when not over cooked are as sweet and suculent as any Maine lobster tail I have ever eaten.

KR

[richw]

Scruby's is definitely one of the top BBQ places in South Florida. You should also try:

Jack's BBQ - Fort Lauderdale
Tom Jenkins - Fort Lauderdale

They both have big follwings with Tom Jenkins being more established. I believe that Jack is a relative (and former employee) of the owner of Tom Jenkins. He went out on his own earlier this year.

[NJ2FLA]

When I used to work on Las Olas, sometimes we would go over to Tom Jenkins. They have some odd hours there and the place is tiny. It's good for lunch. There is also a place on 84 that I forget the name but we used to go there sometimes and it's good. It's one of those places that have been there for years and years.

Scruby's - still my favorite.

We have a place that just opened here in NJ now called Famous Daves and I think they are from the mid-west and they are pretty good. I don't get the baby backs however.

[richw]

Where is Famous Daves? I will be in New Jersey this weekend.

[NJ2FLA]

Famous Daves is on Route 22 Eastbound in I believe Mountainside.

Famous Daves - NJ Locations

[phaelon56]

I was curious about dinners at Blue Heaven and enjoyed your report. I've had breakfast there on a number of occasions and it's outstanding. The fact that they charge extra for real maple syrup is understandable but a bit annoying (regular "table" style maple-flavored syrup is already on all the tables). Their breakfast is outstanding. Very good cafe con leche and the pancakes made from scratch are incredible - I'd always thought that the quality of pancakes couldn't vary much from one place to another but they disporve that theory. We also had shrimp with vermont white cheddar in white grits. Sound weord btu it was possibly the tastiest breakfast dish I have ever tried. If you get back down to KW be sure to try dinner at Siboney's - very authentic family operated Cuban place. Reasonable prices and good food. My GF of that time was (is) Cuban and she was very pleased with the food, as was I.

[Nick]

Anyone that visits Key West and likes a good, funky bar can't miss Captain Tony's. Sloppy Joe's on the corner claims to be Hemingway's old hangout, but Capt. Tony's is the physical, historical location. Don't know if Tony's still alive. Legend in his own time.

Also, as said above, when in KW get into the Cuban food, if nothing more than a Cuban sandwich. I've tried to get the recipe for the way they do pork for twenty years without success. It's a closely guarded secret.

On the way back up, or down, the keys check out Monty's Seafood for dinner. It's somewhere around Big Pine on the right headed toward KW.