What's good near the Highland Beach Holiday Inn?

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

My wife and I are thinking about coming down soon for a weekend getaway, and we will probably stay at the Highland Beach Holiday Inn at 2809 South Ocean Boulevard. What's good to eat in the general area? I grew up in Kendall (south Miami-Dade) and currently live in Orlando, so I don't know the area at all. I figure we'll spend some time on the beach, but I don't know what Highland Beach is like compared to nearby Delray, where I visited many years ago.

I'm hoping we'll be close to a casual, beachy-style seafood place, but we're always up for delicious burgers, gastropub fare (although we don't drink), sushi that won't break the bank, truly amazing pizza, Jewish deli (I've heard about Ben's), or anything else good. Any cool, funky coffeehouses or good little dessert places (ice cream parlors, etc) will be welcome suggestions as well. I don't mind driving to Delray or Boca, if there isn't much right nearby!

Thank you all in advance.

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

Well, we're back! Thank you all for the recommendations. We had dinner at Tryst our first night, which we loved. The bar was really hip and happening, but we were able to get a table for two right away, without any waiting. The burger and fries were very good, but what really struck me was the amazing ketchup, which they make themselves. Also, the scallops were the best we've ever had, anywhere. They were these huge sea scallops seasoned with cumin, with grilled (seared?) surfaces, but still melted in our mouths like butter. They were served on a bed of basmati rice and black beans with pork belly and sprigs of cilantro. The rice and beans were a little salty, but it was all delicious. The place was very cool, too.

After dinner, we walked to Theo's, a kitschy little gift shop/art gallery/dessert place, and had gelato. My wife loved her toasted almond gelato, and I thought the strawberry cheesecake flavor was good. That whole Atlantic Avenue area is really fun, and a nice place to hang out.

We had lunch at Ben's kosher deli in Boca Raton the next day, which was awesome. Our waiter Jerry was a real character, in a good way. I ordered the "Ronnie's Difficult Decision," which allows you to mix and match three appetizers, so I got stuffed cabbage, beef tongue polonaise, and chopped liver, all delicacies that are hard to get in Orlando. When it arrived, they were full appetizer portions of each ones, plus a slice of kishka and a huge latke with applesauce. I was blown away! Everything was absolutely delicious, but it became a matter of pride to finish it all (although luckily I had some help from my family). Everyone else stuck to classics -- pastrami on club, matzo ball soup, kasha varnishkes -- and they loved all of their food too. I wish we had something like Ben's near us, but Orlando is deli-impaired. All we have is Toojay's, which is okay, but nothing like the great Jewish delis of New York and South Florida.

My wife and I returned to Atlantic Avenue ourselves that night, and decided to eat at the Blue Anchor after all. We loved the pub itself and the history behind it, and the food was really good too. She got baked brie for herself, topped with blueberries and served with wonderful crusty bread, and I got a big platter with a small beef filet, bangers and mash, rashers of Irish bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, and my favorite, black pudding. She helped me with the mushrooms and some of the meat, luckily. We shared a wonderful hot blueberry crumble a la mode for dessert.

All in all, it was a great, much-needed little getaway, with good food at every point. Thanks again for the advice!

[smartie]

thanks for letting us know, it's great when somebody reports back!

[CFByrne]

Glad you had a good experience. And yes indeed, thanks for reporting back!

[OysterHo]

Thank you for the feedback! I have to admit, I live around the corner from Ben's and I've never tried it. I think I need to give it a shot.

[CFByrne]

You should probably spend one night (your first?) exploring all of Delray Atlantic Ave. This is a hotbed of restaurants, cafes, etc. Take a cab from your hotel to the corner of Atlantic and Swinton.

Your first stop there can be Tryst Gastropub, where you can get some great apps or an excellent burger sitting at the bar (I prefer this by far to The Office. The people watching may not be as “hip” but the staff and mgmt are much more welcoming IMHO).

Now you'll start walking back East towards the beach (which is exactly one mile away). One block in, you can have a coffee and snack at Spot Coffee. You're now surrounded by a dozen restaurants.

You could consider Vic and Angelo’s as Smartie mentioned. They have a special Italian sausage fennel pizza that’s one of my world favorites.

You'll cross the tracks and soon come to Kilwins where you can have sweets if you like, or walk a few stores past and have some Thai / Sushi at Lemongrass. (Or you could have done that at House of Siam near Spot).

Keep going east and if you really want that pizza go N one block to Anthony's Coal Fired pizza on NE 6th St. OR if you're in luck, Carolina's on SE 7th may be reopened by then (they closed due to fire). Or stop in at Scuola Vecchia right on Atlantic for authentic Neapolitan.

Eastward ho, next stop into the Blue Anchor pub for some authentic British food/atmosphere. Head over the Intracoastal, and now you're back near the more touristy beach area. (Pizza Rustica, in this area, makes huge thick crust pies with multiple toppings and then sells them by the slice, reheated to order. I only go there as last resort if I need one slice and am right there).

When you get to A1A, head into Boston's to check out some live music most nights.

Unfortunately, we don’t have too many “funky” places in Delray. It’s gone rather upscale and for wandering around, it’s largely going to be alcohol related. Although there are art galleries scattered throughout. But the nightlife, especially on the weekend in summer, is vibrant and can be a nice experience even if you’re not dining and/or drinking.

The next night, consider off the ave options of Bamboo Fire or Max's Harvest.

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

This is an incredible guide! Thank you so much. If you ever come to Orlando, I'll do my best to make a guide like this.

[Alfred G]

Sadly, Carolina's will not be reopening.

[CFByrne]

>Sadly, Carolina's will not be reopening.

You sure? They posted this on their FB page two weeks ago:
"Carolinas Delray- I know everyone is wondering what is going on. We just want to assure everyone we will be opening soon. As soon as we have an exact date we will let you know. Thanks for all your support and wonderful comments."

[Alfred G]

Yup, I saw the same posting. I also saw where D'Angelo is opening a trattoria in the same location. See link. http://www.jannorris.com/eat-beat/eat...

[smartie]

Last time I ate at Casa D'Angelo it was truly truly awful, nobody at our table touched their fish after one bite - I think they ordered snapper, and my chicken was raw inside. This was a speaker dinner of about 20 of us so we were not in a position to complain but we all discreetly told each other the food was dreadful.
I do not want to see any restaurant fail so I hope the Delray site can improve on the food.

[OysterHo]

Smartie, was that the Boca or Lauderdale location?

[smartie]

it was Boca.

[zook]

I'm really surprised to learn of your poor experience there. I eat at this location often and have never had a bad meal there; nor have any of our guests.

[pikiliz]

I might recommend http://www.scuolavecchiapizzeria.com/ really great pizza a bit on the brite side at night due to the decor mainly white white and more white but the pizza is really quite amazing
I liked the Keste' and the Prosciutto e rucola

[OysterHo]

I just had another thought about brunch. If I was staying at your hotel and knew what I know :) I would go to the beach cafe for early morning coffee outside and watch the sun over the ocean. If you're hungry, then eat a light breakfast. Later in the morning or early afternoon I would have brunch at Cafe Luna Rossa. It's just so nice there. Their brunches are great. Always a crowd and a wait, but worth it.

[Linda VH]

There is a restaurant next to Luna Rosa that was very good - not Boston's - but for the life of me I can't remember the name. Driving me crazy enuf to drive up there lol!!! As to Deck 84 - I will never eat there again. Their burgers are NOT good. The only thing decent IMHO is the flatbread. DH has taken the boat there a couple of times and the last time he went with the boys and invited the ladies to drive up and join them. I declined and the ones that did go said their food was inedible. The guys had beer and flatbread which they enjoyed.

[CFByrne]

The only restaurant next to Luna Rosa that's not Boston's would be on the N side... and that could have been Shore (appx 2008) or Surf-Sliders (appx 2009-2010). Both are long closed and next it's going to be a Burger-Fi opening in, oh, about 5 days or less from the looks of things this morning.

[OysterHo]

That's a shame about Deck84. I was only there for an opening party and the food was ok, but it was just some appetizers being passed around.

[OysterHo]

We enjoyed our Sunday brunch right at your hotel. We sat outside under an umbrella and drank mimosas and loved the view. I happen to think it's one of the better brunch buffets around here, but sit outside, not inside! They also serve a standard breakfast if you're not in the mood for a buffet, but I haven't ordered off their menu.

If you go north up A1A just before Atlantic Ave, Caffe Luna Rosa has a great brunch too (not buffet). Their dinner is awesome as well and you can't beat the view - right on the beach.

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

Have you been to The Office or Blue Anchor? I found them both by Googling around, and they sound like our kinds of places, food-wise. We don't drink, but how is the food? And how is Pizza Rustica?

[smartie]

The Office is pretty nice, great spot for people watching and the couple times I've been the food is not bad at all - kinda upscale burgers and trendy dishes. I prefer Vic and Angelos on the railroad tracks, their happy hour is worthwhile for drinks and apps.
The Blue Anchor food is average, it's British pub food but not fantastic but not terrible. The pub itself is old and brought over from the UK.

[OysterHo]

I enjoyed some appetizers at The Office, I haven't had an entree there, but the apps were good. Definitely great for people watching, yes.

Since you don't drink, I don't have to say this, but I will anyway (for anyone else's benefit). The Office charges a South Beach fortune for martinis. Get the beer instead. :)

Deck 84 has a nice view on the intracoastal, you might enjoy that too. I've heard their food is good too. Don't go to Bostons unless it's to drink and/or listen to music. Not for food though. It will be tempting if you want to go to Luna Rosa and there's a line there. Bostons (right next door) won't have a line and there's a reason why lol.

Have not been to Blue Anchor or Pizza Rustica yet.

Max's Harvest is awesome, it's got a good happy hour going on now and excellent food.

You'll have to drive to all of these places, by the way.

[smartie]

there is lots on Atlantic Ave in Delray and you will find plenty of suggestions on this board, most of us will easily suggest Bamboo Fire which is Caribbean and fantastic.

There is nothing at all near the Holiday Inn except their own restaurant which is nothing special. They do have happy hour until 6.30 though in the bar with some free snacks.

[Linda VH]

and the view is great. You will have to drive to anything else unless you enjoy walking in the heat. You could always walk early in the a.m. to Delray and take a cab back but driving would be optimal.

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

Oh, I don't mind driving at all. Bamboo Fire sounds great, but is there anything else in that general Atlantic/A1A area?

[smartie]

Atlantic Ave has over 50 restaurants I think. You will find everything from pizza by the slice to fine dining.