Bufalina: Not Your Usual New Haven Pizza

“New Haven Style Pizza,” or “apizza,” is so much of a thing it has it’s own Wikipedia listing. For the record, I choose Modern Apizza when I’m back in New Haven.

During my recent summer trip to Connecticut I discovered a new pizza restaurant in Guilford that really stretched me outside of my pizza comfort zone in the most delectable way.

Bufalina Wood Fired Pizza on Boston Post Road is in a charming quintessentially old Connecticut building, with outdoor seating in season. The dining areas are rustic but comfortable.

You can bring your own wine. Bring your own wineglasses, too, if you don’t want to drink out of the plastic cups they are happy to provide.

The menu is limited, and changes seasonally. I just read their new fall menu with a tear in my eye. Where is that fabulous white pizza with fig and gorgonzola and bacon?  I guess if I make it back before the menu changes again I will have to try the “Zucca,” which is a pie with roasted autumn squash, sage oil, fontina and sausage. That sounds good, too.

My friend and I ordered two pies to share, and a salad. Everything was fresh and delicious. We had a few slices left over to take home for breakfast.

No matter how it changes, the Bufalina menu seems to offer something for the pizza traditonalist, something for the vegetarians and vegans, and something for the culinarily adventurous. For me, fig on a pizza was a pretty big leap, but fig with gorgonzola and bacon was too crazy not to try. When would I ever get another chance to taste something like that?

Now my question is, when can I have it again?

I will make sure to visit Bufalina the next time I’m in Connecticut.

Tacos al Carbon: A Unique Lake Worth Experience

Lake Worth is one of my favorite cities of all time, because it boasts such a wide variety of cultural offerings. This week I explored something different when my kids took me to Tacos al Carbon.

Tacos al Carbon consists of a corner lot in Lake Worth. There is a small restaurant with tables, and a window for outside service. There are a variety of picnic tables, one open food truck serving tacos, and a fleet of food trucks that I assume are waiting for rush hours and weekends.

Tacos al Carbon is open 24/7. The prices can’t be beat. The food is good, but a little inconsistent.

The guacamole was the best ever, but the chips seemed a little stale.

The most popular dishes seem to be tacos and wet burritos, which are like huge enchiladas.

I found the spicy pork to be not very spicy, and the beef to be a little dry.

Two of my kids say the beef tongue is the best meat to get. I will never know because I will never taste something that could be tasting me at the same time.

We had a fun outside dining experience, complete with feral kittens and a spider bite. This is not a great place to take a first date, but for an interesting evening in Lake Worth it’s worth a try.

The Moon under Water

Sometimes I get so tired of chain restaurants; even the nice ones. There’s a comfort in knowing what to expect and knowing you can get it anywhere, but I love the adventure of trying a creative, unique dining experience. There are just so few of them left!

To celebrate some birthdays, my companions and I traveled to downtown St. Petersburg to try The Moon Under Water, a British Colonial Tavern.

Located right on Beach Drive NE, nestled in with other interesting restaurants and shops, the Moon Under Water looks exactly as you would expect a British pub to look.

It’s been a long time since I’ve dined in England, but I was pleased to see exactly the food I associate with England on the menu. There were pasties, bangers and mash, Indian curries, hummus and taboule.

My dining companions and I each ordered something different. We were each very pleased with our meals, which were plentiful, artistically presented and delicious.

Another delight came at the end of the meal. The Moon under Water provides lovely atmosphere, a unique menu and a great meal at a very affordable price!

A note of caution; call ahead for a reservation. We were there on a Tuesday and waited half an hour for a table. It was worth the wait for a unique dining experience in downtown St. Pete.

Finally Falafel in West Palm Beach

Some of you know of my ongoing search for the perfect falafel. After expressing my disappointment in several West Palm Beach Middle Eastern restaurants I learned that different cultures make and serve falafel differently. So, to be clear, here is my falafel litmus.

I am searching for falafel that is as good as what I remember from Mamoun’s Falafel Restaurant in New Haven, CT, circa 1987. With locations in New York and New Jersey as well, Mamoun’s is still going strong, thank goodness.

But I want a Mamoun’s-style falafel in South Florida.

This is where I should probably insert a disclaimer.

Mamoun’s falafel, and other Middle Eastern delicacies, were best enjoyed late at night, after the bars closed, when Mamoun’s was the only restaurant open. Back then you could get a falafel for the few dollars you hadn’t spent on drinks at Toad’s Place. The Middle Eastern music, the Persian rugs and shiny brass and copper décor all added to the flavor, and the experience.

Even so, not everyone enjoyed Mamoun’s. Some of my friends called their falafel “feel-awful,”
 perhaps sometimes with good reason.

But still, in my memory, an entire era of my life smells and tastes like Mamoun’s falafel. 20 years and a thousand miles away, I long for that distinct experience.

The last time I was on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach I noticed that Yankee Dog was gone. I wasn’t surprised. I liked Yankee Dog. The thing was, they advertised an extensive menu and round-the-clock service, and ended up serving a limited menu during unpredictable open hours.

Where Yankee Dog once was, on the corner of Clematis and Rosemary, is now “Keese’s Simply Delicious.” Folks from Fort Lauderdale might know Keese’s first location in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

Unlike most places on Clematis, Keese’s doesn’t offer a classy dining room. You can eat at the window counter or on the outdoor tables, or you can take your food to go.

The menu is varied, offering American grill, salads, and Mediterranean and seafood dishes. The Mediterranean options include kafta, shawarma, hummus, babaghanouj, grape leaves and, of course, falafel.

Falafel is available as an appetizer, a dinner plate, a salad and a pita sandwich. After much deliberation, I chose the pita sandwich, and a side of grape leaves.

The falafel pita is made with lettuce, tomato, hummus and tahini. I was impressed with the fresh veggies and the generous portions. I was prepared to be disappointed in the falafel itself, but was pleasantly surprised.

The falafel at Keese’s is delicious. My search for great falafel in West Palm Beach has finally come to a happy conclusion.

My dining companions enjoyed the chicken shawarma and the lemon avocado salad.

Whether you want healthy veggie options or a great burger, or if you are like me and in search of the perfect falafel, Keese’s has everything you need.

_{Illustration: Golden Falafel Balls on a Plate, Creative Commons, by yummyporky.}

Awesome Breakfast in Tampa!

I love going out for breakfast, but I don’t really like eggs, or most standard American breakfast food.

Thank goodness we found Brunchie’s!

Conveniently located on Dale Mabry in Carrollwood, Brunchie’s serves breakfast and lunch. Their extensive menu is a delight to read, but it might take some time to make a choice!

Brunchie’s has plenty of healthy options that include some vegan and gluten-free fare. They also have some unusual dishes for culinary adventurers, like “duck bacon.”  Brunchie’s offers all sorts of eggs benedict dishes and pancake and waffle dishes for those who want a treat. I appreciate niceties like real maple syrup, and an assortment of teas - Brunchies has all that and more.

This restaurant gets busy, especially on a Sunday morning. Get there early, or be prepared to wait. Since there is no place like Brunchie’s anywhere, it is probably worth the wait.

The Best Breakfast in Boynton Beach

Whenever I am in Boynton Beach around breakfast or lunchtime I make it a point to have a meal at The Diner. The Diner is always busy, and the staff is always friendly and efficient. I was surprised to learn that they are still in their first year of business.

The word “diner” calls a lot of different images to mind. There’s the greasy spoon, the 1950s-themed soda fountain, the Jewish deli, and the Greek diner. The Diner in Boynton Beach isn’t really any of those.

There’s also the fabulous breakfast and lunch place you find on the New England shoreline, in Connecticut, or maybe in Maine. The sort of place that is family-friendly and family owned, where the food is fresh, healthy and delicious. That’s what the Diner is like.

On the lunch menu are things like spinach salad with strawberries, walnuts and goat cheese, or a chicken and hummus wrap. You can also get homemade soups or a great burger.

Breakfast includes omelets and frittatas. All the ingredients are high-quality and there are many choices for ingredients, including asparagus, spinach and olives.

If you want to spoil yourself you can enjoy chocolate chip pancakes or eggs benedict. If you want to eat light the fresh fruit bowl is wonderful, as are the yogurt dishes with fruit, granola and honey.

Along with the great atmosphere and great service, you’ll be as pleased with the check as you are with the food – the Diner is also affordable!

A Great New Mexican Restaurant in Wellington

Casa Tequila Mexican Cuisine is a new restaurant in Wellington, FL. I went there the other day with some friends, including a three-year-old child. I was really pleased with everything about the restaurant, and will definitely be back.

The décor is lovely, with enough flare to let you know you are in a Mexican restaurant but not enough to be tacky. There is a lovely patio for outdoor dining and a full bar. The atmosphere makes Casa Tequila appropriate for any occasion from a family meal to a first date.

The wait staff was friendly and attentive.

The menu is extensive and reasonably priced. My three-year-old friend enjoyed the child’s menu, complete with crayons. She was able to point to a picture of what she wanted and order for herself.

The thing about Mexican food is this. Great Mexican food is great. Bad Mexican food is horrible. My dining companions and I all agreed – Casa Tequila Mexican Cuisine serves great Mexican food. Everything was fresh, flavorful and exquisitely prepared. Even the standard rice and beans were remarkable.

My Favorite Restaurant in Orlando: Whole Foods

I love Whole Foods Market. I know it’s fashionable to mock Whole Foods, even while nomming on an organic salad topped with nine-dollar-a-bottle handmade vegan salad dressing.

I know Whole Foods isn’t perfect, but for now it’s the best alternative I have. I have to admit I’m a food snob. But I’m also pretty healthy and I think there might be a connection.

Recently I spent the week in Orlando. Orlando is filled with tourist traps and restaurants. I love fine dining but living in a hotel for a week sends me into a food panic. I don’t want to spend too much money on food, I don’t want to eat fast food and I don’t want to miss out on nutrition or consume too many calories.

I was thrilled to find the local Whole Foods to be the biggest and most complete Whole Foods I had even seen. The salad bar and hot bar were bigger than many, but that’s not all. There was a sushi bar, a shrimp bar, a granola bar (I mean, literally, a place to mix your own granola from a variety of grains, nuts, seeds and fruits), a soup bar, and even a beer and wine bar.

The cafeteria was a lovely place to eat and the food was scrumptious.

Years ago I would shop at Edge of the Woods in New Haven, Connecticut. I remember how strongly I protested that they wanted to start selling meat there (I don’t know if they ever did). I’m no longer a vegetarian but I didn’t try any of the meat products on the hot bar – I was too enthralled with the tempeh, dolmades, salads, eggplant and other veggie offerings.

In the cafeteria I noticed a gentleman really enjoying some ribs while his companion was eating hummus. I decided it’s a good thing to serve a wide variety of foods – there is something for everyone to enjoy. One thing I love about Whole Foods is the meat department. Everything is labeled according to its cruelty-free and free range production techniques.

There are some really fine restaurants in Orlando. But for the savings in money and calories and the opportunity to eat a wide variety of healthy and delicious food I would choose Whole Foods every time.

Lucky Jack’s a Lucky Find

Lucky Jack’s a Lucky Find

Driving back to the hotel from the last gig of a ten-day working trip to Connecticut we needed a place to eat dinner. We wanted a celebratory meal since it would be our last night in Connecticut before we started making our way back to Florida.

But where does one go to eat at 9 pm on a Sunday night in Northeastern Connecticut?

We remembered there had been a restaurant right off exit 87 in Plainfield. In fact, in the time we had lived in the area there had been many restaurants there.

We were happy to find Lucky Jack’s in that spot. It turns out they had opened only three months prior. Although it was late and the restaurant was just about to close, we were welcomed in and seated graciously.

The décor is marvelous; luxurious brown leather chairs and a western theme understated enough not to be brash or tacky.

The menu is extensive, with something for every taste and diet.

The house salads were large, including a variety of greens and veggies. I didn’t think one could find a great salad in Plainfield, CT, but obviously I was wrong. The dressings were made in-house as well.

My entrée was a chicken dish with arugula, artichoke and sun-dried tomatoes. The flavor and presentation were exquisite.  My traveling partner had a steak, which was a special of the evening. He was equally impressed.

Although we traveled for sixteen days total, I had the best meal of the entire trip at Lucky Jack’s. The service was spectacular, the food was well-prepared, creative, high-quality and delicious. The very reasonable check was a nice bonus, too.

It seems that particular spot, right off 395 at exit 87, has not always been a lucky place to have a restaurant. I hope it will be lucky for Lucky Jack's! If you are in the area check out their website and give them a visit!

Le Petit Cafe of Dania Beach

Someone once said Florida was little more than strip malls and palm trees. On the outside, the strip malls seem remarkably similar. It is easy to forget where you are because everything looks the same.

The truth is that many of these generic-looking strip malls contain absolutely unique restaurants. My friend and I just discovered Le Petite Café of Dania Beach. Le Petite is a French restaurant with a menu that includes crepes and other French specialties. It is a bit pricey, but we thought it was well worth it.

Once inside Le Petite we forgot we were in a strip mall. Each table was decorated with fresh flowers. French music played in the background. Most of the other diners were speaking French.

Our meal included a choice of soup, salad or fresh fruit. My friend had the salad, which came with a special dressing that we both liked, but neither of us could identify. The dressing was creamy and tangy. It turns out it was a mustard vinaigrette that had been whipped to a creamy consistency.

I had a delicious potato and leek soup.

Our entrees arrived on large square plates. We were each served peas, carrots and potatoes. I enjoyed duckling with orange sauce, topped with peach slices. My friend chose the steak with pepper sauce.

For the more adventurous, or the more traditional, there were snails and frog legs on the menu.

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Although we weren't really still hungry we decided we would be remiss if we did not end the meal with a light, creamy chocolate mousse.

If you enjoy French food or want a change from the ordinary and don't mind spending a bit of money for a nice meal, Le Petit Café is a truly enjoyable experience.