Jan Norris: Food and Florida

Starbucks and Disney spokespeople announced that the giant coffee brand will be sold in Starbucks stores set in Disney theme parks in Anaheim and Orlando.

In a press release, the pair of industry giants said the first of six coffee shops, themed to Disney’s parks, will open this summer in Anaheim at Disney California Adventure. In Walt Disney World Resort, the Starbucks will be in the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Disney and Starbucks already are a team at Disneyland Paris; that coffee store opened in 2009 in the Disney Village.

Dogwoods in bloom in St. Louis, Mo. /photo by Lila Steinhoff

Lila Steinhoff

Welcome to the online world of blogging, or journal keeping, to Lila Steinhoff.

Lila, an old friend of mine, has a green thumb and we occasionally share plants – and growing advice. I envy her okra.

Now, she’s writing about growing vegetables here in South Florida. It’s no easy feat.

Smart gardeners down here grow above ground in pots or in raised beds – as she does. There are too many issues with the soil and its pests that never die, thanks to our endless summer. Paradise has its drawbacks.

Vertical garden, courtesy a closet hanging shoe organizer.

(An idea: check out this neat trick – a hanging closet shoe rack, repurposed as a hanging garden! Clever – we found it from a poster pippa5 at a DIY site.)

Read Lila’s stories

Lila grows flowers, too, around her yard in West Palm Beach, and appreciates those in her family town of Cape Girardeau, Mo.

She shot that gorgeous photo of dogwoods – among many other great spring shots, in St. Louis this spring.

You can follow Lila and her garden’s success at watchmyfoodgrow.com. Go check her out and sign up for her updates.

A successful event, the Fort Lauderdale Bus Loop has moved up to West Palm Beach to bring a night of bar-hopping by riding buses and trolleys to several bars and restaurants in the area.

For one fee ($20 now, $25 at the door) Bus Loop riders get a wristband, and a ticket to ride all night free to all the stops where there’s a free drink waiting. All money raised goes to three charities: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Palm Beach County Gator Club Scholarship Fund, and Little Smiles.

Stops include CityPlace’s Brewzzi and Blue Martini; and on Clematis: Longboards, O’Shea’s Irish Pub, Roxy’s, Wine Dive, Backyard Bar, World of Beer, and Gratify. ChaCha’s in Palm Beach is on the route; the first 100 women there get a Saks gift bag. Drinks may be beer, wine, or a well drink.

The loopiness takes place Friday, April 13, 6-11 p.m. (Buses will run till midnight.) For those who walk to the check-in points (that’s encouraged – not driving!) the trolley will return to them at the end of the evening. The Red Cap taxi service also will be available at check-in – plan ahead for getting home at the end. Designated drivers get in FREE, so bring one along. Buses run till midnight.

An after-party is scheduled for the Wine Dive at 10:30 p.m., where appetizers will be served.

For more information and tickets, go to busloop.org/west_palm_beach_bus_loop.

Vintage Easter cards from my personal collection

It’s last minute – but here are ideas for the Easter brunches and dinners you might find still with seats for tomorrow after church. They’re Sunday, April 8, unless otherwise noted. At most, reservations are required or at least, highly recommended.

International Polo Club Pavilion, Wellington: Field-side Easter brunch at 3 p.m.; Easter egg hunt at 3:30 p.m. and the US Open Polo Championships at 4 p.m. There will be an Easter hat contest at half-time with special prizes. Tickets and info: 561-282-5334; internationalpoloclub.com

Darbster, 8020 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach: “Raw” crepes, eggless quiche Lorraine, and “eggs” Benedict Oscar are on the brunch menu Sunday. Carrot cake Cheezecake for dessert. All foods are vegetarian; many are vegan and some are raw. Darbster is dog-friendly. 561-586-2622; darbster.com

Bentley’s, 805 Donald Ross Road, Juno Beach: Easter brunch served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; reservations recommended. Menu offerings include Mornay eggs, crab Benedict, beef filet Benedict, grilled lamb chops, beef tenderloin and chicken breast Cordon Bleu. 561-624-7944; bentleyscafe.com

Prime, 110 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach: An Easter buffet-style brunch is served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes stations with omelets, French toast, waffles, crab cakes, poached salmon, prime rib, chicken saltimbocca, swordfish, pasta with rabe and sausage, braised short ribs, seafood paella, sushi and more. Cost is $34.95 adults; $12.95 kids. 561-865-5845; primedelray.com

Philippe by Philippe Chow, 200 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton: Philippe will host its first fortune cookie hunt. Special $12.99 3-course menu for kids 12 and under; kids under 5 eat free. Menu choices are from standard Asian menu. philippechow.com

51 Supper Club, Downtown at the Gardens, Palm Beach Gardens: Carving station, fresh seafood, pastas, omelets, Benedicts, and desserts are on the Easter brunch menu here. 561-622-3500; 51supperclub.com

Cafe Boulud, 301 Australian Ave., Palm Beach: Brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. includes housemade Palmetto Creek Farms ham, roasted leg of spring lamb, salmon en croute; cream cheese carrot cake, a chocolate mousse nest and “other goodies” are on the desserts menu. East egg hunt with prizes is at noon for kids 5 and under; at 12:30 p.m. for kids 6-12 years old. Buffet is $75 for adults; $36 for kids 10 and under; tax and tip is extra. 561-655-6060; www.danielnyc.com.

Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach, 100 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan: Temple Orange restaurant features cold and hot specialties including a raw bar with sushi, clams, oysters, crab claws and shimp; carving stations, entree buffet, charcuterie, cheeses and salads. Egg and brunch dishes also featured on the buffet along with a made-to order pancake cart. Reservations required. Adults, $95; kids, $45 (under 5 eat free). 561-540-4924; ritzcarlton.com/palmbeach

Note that many other restaurants in the county are offering their normal Sunday brunch menus on this holiday, but call your favorite to confirm, to be sure.
Happy Easter to my readers!

Chicken and matzoh ball soup created by Chef Jim Leiken will on Cafe Boulud's Passover menu. /photo courtesy Maureen o'Sullivan.

If you just can’t take another year of bubbe’s same old gefilte fish loaf, there are a few restaurants offering Passover dinners in the area.

At Le Bistro in Lighthouse Point, chef/spouse team Andy and Ellen Trousdale again offer a four-course gourmet Passover dinner Friday and Saturday nights (April 6-7). Cost is $39 per person ($15 for kids 12 and under). For reservations, call 954-946-9240. The menu includes:

• Seder Plate, served with matzo, complimentary glass of sweet wine
• Appetizer choices: Whitefish and salmon terrine – baby beets, grain mustard & horseradish vinaigrette; Apple, walnut & blue cheese salad – baby greens, balsamic and olive oil; Rillette of Duck – shredded duck pate, pickles
• Soup: Fragrant chicken soup and garden herb matzoh balls
• Entree choices: Slow braised beef brisket – caramelized onions, garlic, sherry; Herbs des Provence and honey-roasted spring baby chicken; Baked cod, cream of wild mushroom sauce
• Choice of Dessert: French vanilla gelato “sundae;”  Carmelized apples and raisins, caramel glaze; Chocolate mousse.

At Cafe Boulud, Chef Jim Leiken will draw from his family’s recipes to create a Passover menu available April 6-14 at the Palm Beach restaurant. Three courses are $59; reservations are at 561-655-6060. Leiken’s menu includes:

• Matzoh ball soup made with chicken confit and hen of the woods mushrooms.
• Appetizers: Housemade pike gefilte fish, and baby beet salad with horseradish crème fraîche (among others)
• Entrees: Matzo-crusted Arctic char with parsley root puree; Spring lamb shank with charoset stuffing; Braised beef shortrib and tzimmes, with dried fruit compote, baby root vegetables and sweet spices.
• Desserts from pastry chef Arnaud include: Flourless chocolate cake with chocolate sorbet; Raspberry Pavlova with raspberry sauce, lemon sorbet.

Josef’s Table in Boca Raton offers a four-course menu for couples or singles as well as families, Friday and Saturday (April 6-7). Dinner is $39.95 per person. For reservations online, click here. Call 561-637-4441 for more info. Josef’s menu includes:

• Matzo with apple and walnut charoset
• Salmon and whitefish gefilte fish with horseradish sauce and green salad
• Homemade matzo ball soup
• Entrees: Braised beef brisket; Roasted lemon thyme chicken with grilled asparagus, candied carrots and potato kugel
• Desserts: Flourless chocolate cake; fresh berries with chocolate macaroons

For all restaurants, make your reservations now; they’re sure to fill up for the holiday.