Jan Norris: Food and Florida

In the Kitchen cooking school and catering served these tuna tartar cones at the 2012 Riverwalk Food and Wine event. photo/courtesy

Thank the Friends of Jupiter Beach for those doggy poop bags and clean beaches all along Jupiter’s shoreline.

And thank Denise Mariani for organizing the fundraiser, the Friends of Jupiter Beach Riverwalk Food and Wine festival, that buys those bags and equipment for beach pickup.

Thirty restaurants will serve tasting plates at the event, and select wines, spirits and beers will be showcased, including the organic Tease Me Tequila, and two local breweries – Monk in the Trunk and Tequesta Brewing Co.

Last year, the event made $27,000; this year’s goal is to hit $30,000, Mariani said. As a non-profit worker often tapped to organize events, she chooses carefully.

“When it comes to lending my time and talent, I try to pick causes close to my heart. I live a mile off the beach, and walk there all the time. I feel strongly about keeping the beach clean and having a place to walk a pet.”

The Food and Wine fest is usually a sell-out, she said.

Here are some foods you might expect:

• Imoto: oshi zushi, a smoked salmon on shisho rice with capes and lemons
• Texas de Brazil: chimichurri flank steak over horseradish potatoes with microgreens
• Corner Cafe and Bistro: chili shrimp and pineapple chicken skewers
• Buonasera: duck and wild mushroom ravioli
• Food Shack: English pale ale cured cobia with curry grilled mango salsa

Other restaurants appearing include Coolinary Cafe, Talay Thai, Sugarcane Island Bistro, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.,  Casa Mia, Cod and Capers Seafood and Cafe, Tabica Grill, 3800 Ocean,  the Gallery Grille, Schooner’s, Ironwood Steakhouse, Verdea, Whole Foods, Koon Manee, The Bistro, Pita Grille, In the Kitchen, Sweets Seafood, Steak and Sushi, Too Bizarre, Red Tapas, Burger Bar, Vic and Angelo’s, Kilwin‘s, and Tutti Fruitti.

Ed’s note: The event time is 3-6 p.m.; a previous version saying 4-8 p.m.was incorrect.

The event is from 3-6 p.m. Saturday, May 18. It’s under the southeast area of the bridge (rain or shine) on Indiantown Road, Jupiter. Free parking in garage.

Friday is the last day for discount tickets at $35 (regularly $50). Go to www.fjbfoodandwine.org and use the code Restaurant until midnight for the $35 tickets. For more information, call 561-512-1440

Editor’s note: The day after this post appeared, Bobbi Sue Bar-B-Que in downtown West Palm Beach closed. They will not open for Mother’s Day brunch.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the  moms out there. Now, let’s cut to the chase.

Here’s a list of Mother’s Day specials and brunches that happening in and around Palm Beach County. Call to check availability and most definitely make reservations. Prices do not reflect tax and tip or alcoholic beverages unless where noted.

Check back on this site as we will update this with others all week.

South County

The Addison: Two Camino Real, Boca Raton; 561-372-0598; theaddison.com

Brunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (last seating). Buffet with stations. Live entertainment; setting is courtyard under signature banyan tree. $64.95; children under 12, half-price; under 3, free.

Bogart’s: in Cinemark Place Theater, 3200 Airport Road, Boca Raton; 561-544-3044; bogartsofboca.com

Brunch, Sunday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m, with special giveaways and raffle items. Setting in Premier level of movie theater. Ala carte pricing.

32 East, 32 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; 561-276-7868; 32east.com

Special 5-course Italian-themed dinner with wine pairings. One seating – 6:30 p.m. $110, dinner with wine; $70 for food only. Limited seating. Includes $30 voucher for next visit.

Sundy House, 106 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 561-272-5678; sundyhouse.com

Brunch, 2-hour seatings from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Courtyard and garden seating overlooking acclaimed botanical edible gardens. Chef Lindsay Autry cooks. $75 per person.

Pavilion Grille, 301 Yamato Road, Boca Raton; 561-912-0000; paviliongrille.com

Jazz brunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Carving station, buffet; sundae bar. Live jazz. $42.95 adults; $19.95 kids 5-12.

Central County

Backyard Bar at the Hibiscus House, 213 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach; 561-339-2444

Brunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Buffet. Tropical garden setting; sommelier on staff. $28.95 adults includes mimosa or bloody Mary; $15.95 children 12 and under.

Bistro Ten Zero One, at the West Palm Marriott, 1001 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 561-803-1908; bistro1001.com

Brunch, noon-5 p.m. Buffet with raw bar, carving stations, dessert bar. Restaurant inside hotel. $45 adults; $16.95 children 10 and under. Reservations through opentable.com or by phone.

Pistache, 101 Clemastis St.; 561-833-5090; pistachewpb.com

Brunch, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Prix-fixe menu, $39. Complimentary Champagne cocktail. Sidewalk seating available; restaurant overlooks downtown fountains.

The Wine Dive, 319 N. Clematis, West Palm Beach; 561-318-8821; mywinedive.com

Brunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $10 bottomless bloody marys or mimosas. Ala carte.

Bobbi Sue Bar-B-Que, 223 Clematis St., 561-838-9099; facebook.com/bobbisuebbq

Kentucky Bourbon Brunch, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Ala carte.

BB King’s Blues Club, CityPlace 550 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach; 561-420-8600; bbkinclubs.com

Brunch, noon to 4 p.m. Southern buffet with live entertainment. Adults, $24.99; $9.99 kids.

E.R. Bradley’s, 104 N. Clematis, West Palm Beach; 561-833-3520; erbradleys.com

Brunch, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. $16, with drink specials. Waterfront in West Palm Beach outdoors.

Cafe Boulud, in the Brazilian Court Hotel, 301 Australian Ave., Palm Beach; 561-655-6060. cafeboulud.com

Buffet brunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Courtyard setting; carving board with turducken stuffed with foie gras and herbs, charcuterie and cheese selections. $68 adults; $36 kids 10 and under.

North County

3800 Ocean, in Marriott, 3800 Ocean Blvd., Singer Island; 561-340-1795; 3800oceanresraurant.com

Brunch, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Buffet with stations; seafood a focus. Ocean views. $48 adults; $16, children under 12.

PGA National Resort and Spa: 400 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens; 561-627-3111; pganational.com

Brunch at Ironwood Steak and Seafood, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Setting indoors at steakhouse; notable wine list here. Specials at the spa. Ala carte.

Elsewhere

Spoto’s Oyster Bar, 131 SW Flagler Ave., Stuart; 772-220-7772; spotos.com

Buffet brunch, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Stations and seafood; homemade desserts. Waterfront setting. $29.95 adults; $12.95 kids 10 and under.

Want to start a community or backyard garden? The best way to learn how is from those who already do it successfully.

Sunday, May 5, Urban Growers Community Farm along with the Gray Mockingbird Community Garden in Lake Worth will co-host the “Local Foods – Local Gardens” free event.

The afternoon seminars, book signings and demonstrations cover vegetable and fruit gardening, beekeeping, goat herding, organics, worm farming and much more. Locally produced products will be sold.

Here is the tentative schedule of events.

1 p.m. Ginny Stibolt and Melissa Contreras – book signing

With food costs on the rise, people are turning to their own backyards for affordable and delicious produce. In this book, Ginny Stibolt, expert botanist, and Melissa Contreras, Founder of Urban Oasis Project of Miami, Florida and Master Gardener, provide simple and accessible advice for successful vegetable gardening in Florida. Organic Methods for Vegetable Gardening in Florida, University Press of Florida, is available here from the authors.

1:45 p.m. John Zahina – Just One Backyard

John Zahina a grandson of an immigrant homesteader on the Iowa prairie now lives in West Palm Beach and is attempting to grow all of the vegetables he needs for an entire year from his own backyard. With “Just One Backyard” John sets a stellar example to a community of people who wish to do something special with their backyards, something that will give food or create habitat for wildlife. Hear his story at his presentation.

2:45 p.m. JoJo Milano – Goodness Gracious Acres/Delilah’s Dairy

Dairy goat from Delilah’s Dairy

Blurring the lines between work and play every day – Jojo Milano of Goodness Gracious Acres and Delilah’s Dairy will teach us all about her love of “dairy” goats, the delights they bring and how not all goats are created equal. Goodness Gracious!! Don’t miss this demonstration!

3:30 p.m. Michael Madfis – Fort Lauderdale Vegetables

Founded by former architect Michael Madfis, Fort Lauderdale Vegetables works on the principle that local farms and farmers are fundamental to community building, improving the environment, a source of safe reliable food and creating economical living wage careers in sustainable agriculture. Lend an ear and turn your thoughts toward an inspiring message about the possibilities of true Urban Agriculture!

Experts at the event will be on hand to take questions. Local food products for sampling will be available. They include:

• Community Gardens – Brian Kirsch – Gray Mockingbird Community Garden
• Urban Agriculture – Michael Madfis – Fort Lauderdale Vegetables
• Backyard Organic Farming – John Zahina – Just One Backyard
• Aquaculture – Cynric Johnson – Golden Pharms
• Mushroom Farming – Michael Johnson – Oyster Island Mushroom, LLC
• Raw Foods – Nina Raw Chef Kauder – Possibilities with Garden Produce
• Sustainable Meats – Robert and Paula Farriss – Farriss Farm
• Beekeeping – Palm Beach County Beekeepers Association
• Goatkeeping – Jojo Milano – Goodness Gracious Acres/Delilah’s Dairy
• Poultry – Pat Coffey – Coffey House Family Farm
• Local Foods – Trish Strawn – Growing Synergy
• Worm composting – Nancy Boyle – Organic Answers

(More coming, not listed at post time.) 

Vegetarian foods will be offered for sale from the  Veggie Love food truck of Ft. Pierce, prepared by Chef Alison Murphy.

Local Food – Local Gardens

• 1-5 p.m., Sunday, May 5, 2013
• Gray Mockingbird Community Garden at the Scottish Rite Center, 2000 N. “D “St., Lake Worth
• Free, open to the public.
• www.eventbrite.com/event/6364683941#

For dine-arounds, this is a big extended weekend.

Why should you go? It’s a chance to sample local restaurants and often, meet the chefs in person to chat with them and maybe pick up discount coupons as well. And – to socialize with friends while helping the charities involved.

Legacy Place Food & Wine 2013

Thursday starts it out, with the annual Legacy Place Food and Wine Festival in Palm Beach Gardens. It benefits the Palm Beach Gardens Police Foundation. More than two dozen restaurants and food purveyors will be on hand to mix with the wines poured from Gold Coast Beverage Distributors.

There’s an international mix of flavors on the plates – Italian, Brazilian, Spanish, Mexican, Cuban, Thai, and American grill foods among them.

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Bice, Bonefish Grill, Cafe Chardonnay, Cabo Flats, Cod & Capers Seafood and Cafe, Havana, iBar at PGA National, Ironwood Grille, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Paella de Espana, PF Chang’s, Prosecco Cafe, Publix Greenwise, Red Tapas Bar & Grille, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Talay Thai, The Capital Grille (VIP food sponsor), Tijuana Flats, Texas de Brazil, Vic & Angelos Enoteca.

The event is 7-9 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Legacy Place, 11290 Legacy Avenue, Palm Beach Gardens. Entrance is on east side, via Fairchild Avenue. Free parking in garages.  (VIP ticketholders entrance at 6:30 p.m.) Tickets are $50 general admission; $75 VIP. www.legacyplacefoodandwine.com

Els for Autism in April Craft Brew and Food Pairing Experience

It’s a mouthful to say, but the Els for Autism event, also Thursday, April 25 in Tequesta will pair nine area restaurants with craft beers. The Tequesta Brewing Co. is teaming up with the restaurateurs to match its craft brews with their foods. The star brew for the night is the Big Blue Easy, a Blueberry Saison. It takes its name from the chairman of the event, Ernie Els, British Open Champion.

Fran Andrewlevich of Tequesta Brewing Co. will be coordinating the matches for beers and food, along with chef John Carlino. The pair are good at this – they put on the annual Field of Beers event at Roger Dean Stadium – a larger beer/food pairing. Carlino will be serving foods as co-owner of Chef Corp. in Palm Beach Gardens. Other restaurants include Tim Lipman’s Coolinary Cafe, Mike Moir’s Food Shack and Leftovers, Frank Eucalitto’s Cafe Chardonnay, Kyle Pintarelli’s Rockstar Catering, Guanabanas, Red Tapas Bar & Grille, Jaye Norris’ Cake Kingdom and Oceana Coffee.

Also part of the fundraising are a silent auction, and golf games on the 18th green during the event.

The Els Center of Excellence, a $30 million center for families with autistic children set to break ground this year in west Jupiter, will get the money from the event.

The Craft Brew and Food Pairing is Thursday, April 25, from 6-9 p.m. at the Old Palm Golf and Country Club, 11089 Old Palm Dr., Palm Beach Gardens. Tickets are $125 and limited. Call 561-598-6197; www.elsforautism.com

          John Spoto may be closing his Water Bar in Palm Beach Gardens, but is expanding Spoto’s Oyster Bar to Stuart. It’s bigger with more selections – and on the water, pluses all around, he said.

            “I’m done with other concepts,” he said. “Spoto’s (Oyster Bar) is the concept that works for us.”

The former manager at Chuck and Harold’s in Palm Beach opened the first Oyster Bar on Datura in West Palm Beach. It was a rousing success until rents for the improved downtown forced him out. He moved the restaurant to PGA Commons in Palm Beach Gardens, where he found an immediate audience.

He then branched out to a new concept – the Oakwood Grill, a steakhouse. It did well in the beginning, but once the area’s dining scene exploded and several other chain steakhouses opened around him, he saw fewer diners. Seafood seemed to be a favorite for area patrons, though, so he converted it to a modern seafood grill, the Water Bar, with steaks and other offerings on the menu.

The Water Bar closed the week after Easter. Spoto said the season has been disappointing – and puzzling. “We had an excellent crew and we were putting out a good product.”

Many of the staffers will join him in Stuart. The new Spoto’s takes over for Arthur’s Dockside Restaurant in downtown Stuart on the water.

“I found out the city of Stuart was looking for something to put in that space,” Spoto said. “They own the property. It’s always been a dream to be on the water. The city was wonderful to work with and I was very happy about it all.”

The work began in February to refit the restaurant. “It’ll be different from this Spoto’s – we have the ability to do a sushi bar, so we’re doing that, too.”

A fryer allows him to bring in some of the foods that were popular at the Water Bar to satisfy a new diners here. “We’ll do calamari, coconut shrimp, fried whole-belly clams and fried oysters. Everything else will be the same. We’ll have the sit-down oyster bar – and it overlooks the water. It’s beautiful. The view is just gorgeous.”

Docks allow boaters to arrive by water. The downtown crowd and theater-goers at the Lyric Theater nearby will have options for lunch and dinner, he said.

“We’re really excited and I think it’s going to be a great fit up here.”

Spoto’s Stuart is at 131 S.W. Flagler Ave.; phone 772-220-7772.