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!

Nick's on the Hollywood Broadwalk

The Hollywood Broadwalk has plenty of restaurants and bars. It’s easy to pay too much money for mediocre food. At the end, what you are really paying for is location – to eat and drink watching the ocean, and watching the people on the Broadwalk – people of all ages, people skating, biking, walking on stilts, people playing music and dancing.

The Broadwalk is one of my favorite places to hang out when I have the time. Recently, I’ve become a regular visitor to Nick’s Bar and Grill. What drew me there in the first place is this. Even when all the surrounding restaurants are dead, Nick’s is always busy.

Do not expect a five-star meal here. This is a beach shack bar and grill.  Some of the chairs are ripped and some of the tables tilt. Some of the wait staff are less than friendly, and they don’t always get your order right. If you can enjoy it for what it is, you might find Nick’s to be the quintessential Broadwalk experience.

The prices are reasonable for the area and the menu is varied. The salads are fresh and made with mixed greens rather than the browning iceberg available at most places. Portions are generous. I’ve enjoyed meat, fish and vegetarian options at Nick’s. The food is always fresh and tasty, and there are always drink specials.

So if you are ready to sip a cocktail and eat some food on the beach in Hollywood, Florida, give Nick’s a try!

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.