Jan Norris: Writer, Editor, Floridian

Jan Norris writes at all hours of the day and night. To keep up with Jan, please sign up for her once-a-day Appeteaser. We have a no-spam guarantee and you can opt out of the email Appeteaser anytime you like. Of, if you’re more of the RSS sort, you may subscribe to her feed.My fellow [...]

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You have to think outside a box to get visitors to your New Jersey inn during the heart of winter, right?
Owners of the Spring Lake Inn, a bed and breakfast in Spring Lake, N.J., have come up with hands-on vegetarian cooking classes for their guests, free if you stay two weeknights during January through March. The [...]

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Restaurant news from around the state: Criolla, at Rosemary Beach, has closed. Chef/owner Johnny Earles and his wife Debbie are going into catering and private events, etc., for the Panhandle crowds. I’m sorry to see this happen — it was always a favorite stop on my way to Pensacola, and the place to recommend for a [...]

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Vacation at last: My first since leaving The Post. We got a great last-minute, five-day deal through my Amex card; one of the joys of no
longer having to answer to One Who Must Be Obeyed.
Staying in San Jose at the really swell boutique hotel, the Wild Palms. Highly recommended — cute rooms, lovely landscaping and full breakfasts. [...]

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I have much to report about Houston, mostly involving beef, more beef, barbecue, some fabulous Indian and Asian food, and some great beers.
Still working through this “flight flu.” Tell me where to get the best chicken soup in town — I don’t feel like making any! TooJay’s is OK, but surely there are others. (Leave a comment [...]

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Kentucky’s favorite — the Hot Brown
A good friend is traveling in and around Indiana, and mentioned two lunches he’s had in Louisville, Ky. At one, he passed on the famous “hot brown” — it’s an open-faced turkey sandwich, generally made with bacon and pimientos, and topped with a Mornay sauce (a white, or Bechamel sauce, [...]

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Every year, the members of the Association of Food Journalists meet in a different city at an annual conference (upcoming in October, in Houston, Texas). We worry about the state of the industry (critical this year); we brainstorm ideas for stories, investigate food trends, listen to expert speakers – and do a city on our stomachs.
Last year, the [...]

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I went to Stuart today to interview Cliff Burg, of the Burg & Divosta team of house builders. Burg’s a sixth generation Floridian - a delight to talk with. We hit on his new Sunlight Equestrian Ranchettes and polo fields, etc., as well as his juice company that’s rolling out two interesting products — all [...]

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I was in Stuart today, talking to Marilyn Bauer, features editor of The Stuart News. I hope we’ll be working together eventually on some food coverage up there.
Marilyn recommended Amy’s Organic Gourmet Market and Cafe on Indian Street for lunch, so I decided to give it a shot. It’s terrific!
The roasted beet and root vegetable [...]

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If you’re driving through this little town that sits between the cane fields on the east, and the rim of Lake Okeechobee on the west, make sure you stop at Mr. Jellyroll’s café/diner on the curve at Main Street. (Note: breakfast and lunch till 2 p.m. only).
Southern comfort cooking (fried steak and gravy, fried chicken, [...]

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