| Piccolo Mondo |
| 87 Via Mizner, PB |
| 655-9599 |
|
 This is one of my longest standing lunch places that I've been going to. When I had a "real" job downtown I would meet my husband here for lunch. It is now the place my daughter always requests to be taken to. It's in Via Mizner off of Worth Ave. You can also get to it from Peruvian (I have been known to keep the car idling and run up to the counter to get my food). It's owned by Renato's so it's the same food but taken out. You can either order at the counter and walk around while you wait or call in your order before you get there. Once your food is ready, if you want to eat there you can take it to the tables that are in the courtyards closer to Worth. I don't really recommend doing this during the worst bits of summer. It can get a little steamy. But surprisingly it's very pleasant most of the year. This is a fantastic thing to do with small kids because they can run around while you eat. |
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| Pizza al Fresco |
| 14 Via Mizner, PB |
| 832-0032 |
|
| This place is also in Via Mizner. It used to be owned by Renato's but I'm not sure it still is. They've pretty much taken over the west courtyard of Via Mizner. The pizza here is great and it's actually like a real restaurant not so much take out. They're not open year round so you may want to check before you go. We've gone here at night and it's just about one of the most picturesque places you can eat at in town. |
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| La Salsa |
| 477 S. Rosemary Ave., WPB |
| 366-8800 |
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| www.westpalmbeach.lasalsa.com |
|
 I am always desperate for good Mexican food. I have tried a lot of places I will not go back to in this town and surprisingly, La Salsa in CityPlace, is one of the best places to get Mexican food. They use fresh ingredients and cook it practically in front of you. I lived a summer in Mexico and this place reminds me of the restaurants that were the closest thing to fast food you could get at the time (this was before McDonald's went Latin). |
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| Field of Greens |
| 460 S. Rosemary Ave., WPB |
| 820-2465 |
|
| 4665 PGA Blvd, PBG |
| 625-0036 |
|
 The main location I go to is right across from La Salsa. This is a good place to go when you feel like a salad. (Ha ha - feel like eating one) Sometimes nothing else will do. You can create your own or pick from the menu. Pick the time you go carefully, around 12 they get pretty crowded and calling in your order does not help because they do so much to-go business. There's a signed picture by Rachel Ray on the wall that I always end up staring at while I'm in line - look for it. The other location just opened up at Midtown on PGA Blvd. It's almost exactly just across from Clayeux (fab new children's clothing store). I can't wait to go to this location. I know it's the same food but, you know, I've got to say I've been there. Just a thought, I've never really been able to say the name "Field of Greens" very well. I always call this place "the salad place." It's like my brain won't allow me to call it Field of Greens. Weird. I just realized the initals for Field of Greens is FOG. Cool. This is one of the places where you will run into people you know. Oh, so funny, a friend of mine went to pick us up lunch here and she didn't know what I wanted and the manager knew. I love stuff like that. That's why I go to the same places all the time. |
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| Nature's Way Cafe |
| 711 Village Blvd., WPB |
| 689-6895 |
|
| 777 S. Flagler, WPB |
| 659-1993 |
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| www.natureswaycafe.com |
|
 A couple of different locations most of them in areas that cater to office workers. There's one located in the Villages that's pretty easy to get to. The Phillips Plaza location has valet parking. If you take your ticket with you into the restaurant, they will validate it at the counter so parking will be free. The chicken curry salad in a wrap is delicious. I always add avocado to it. Yum. |
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| Five Guys |
| 11320 Legacy Ave, PBG |
| 625-3888 |
|
| www.fiveguys.com |
|
 This is a new place that has fantastic burgers.
I thought the interior was missing something - the tables and chairs seemed a little cheap. But I think about their burgers. A lot. I actually think they should make them bigger - or I guess I could order two. Where does one draw the line? |
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| CR Chicks |
| 711 Village Blvd., WPB |
| 616-8819 |
|
| www.crchickswpb.com |
|
| A locally owned restaurant with a couple of locations, for me CR Chicks could also be included under grocery. I think it's best for take out. Once you go once or twice you get the lingo - half bird, whole bird all white. They make wonderful rotisserie chicken and have great side dishes. When I have to make a load of chicken salad, I buy a whole bird, all white, and most of my work has been done for me. Also they have fantastic prices. Find the one closest to you and program their number in your cell. Trust me. |
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| Paul |
| 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens, PBG |
| 493-8495 |
|
 In Downtown on PGA Blvd, this French bistro has the best goat cheese toastie that I've ever had. Come to think of it, I didn't know what a toastie was until I went here but, it's delicious. This restaurant reminds me of the La Madeline chain of restaurants from the southwest. They also have nice outside seating. |
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| Belle and Maxwell's |
| 3700 S. Dixie Hwy, WPB |
| 832-4449 |
|
I have to admit, I made a mistake about Belle and Maxwell's. I was friends with the first owners of this restaurant but when ownership changed, I stopped going for a while. Terrible, I know. I didn't think it was going to be the same. Well, guess what, it isn't. It's better. They have the BEST sandwiches. My husband used to refuse to go here because he said it was a "chick" place but since they added meat to the menu, even he will go (occassionally). I am completely locked into the turkey, brie and avocado sandwich. It drives me nuts, but I can't order anything else. The decor is very funky and eclectic. They're tucked into a strip of stores in Antique Row on Dixie Hwy just north of Southern on the east side of the street.
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|
| Fire Rock |
| 1 N. Clematis St., WPB |
| 837-9050 |
|
 The first time I ate at Fire Rock I had five slices of pizza after I had onion rings and beef tips for appetizers. It is also one of the only restaurants on the waterfront in West Palm Beach. My biggest complaint used to be that they didn't have enough pasta dishes but I just got a postcard in the mail informing me that Fire Rock now has more pasta so I guess all of my off-menu requests for pasta has been noted. Yea. I do not think that this restaurant is very child friendly - they do have high chairs but no child sized dishes. I go there anyway, but I have to pack food sometimes. |
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| City Pizza |
| 632 Hibiscus St., WPB |
| 833-2323 |
|
 I usually refer to this place as our "local" because when all else fails, this is where we end up. It's located behind Cheesecake Factory in CityPlace. Somehow we frequently end up here on Friday night and we almost always run into someone we know. There is pizza, pasta, salad, sandwiches, everyone's happy when we go here. The pasta with vodka sauce is delicious. |
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| Allora |
| 402 Northwood Rd, WPB |
| 804-0009 |
|
 So I ventured forth deep into the heart of Northwood in search of sustenance. It was so worth it. Allora is a great Italian restaurant that disguises itself as a local neighborhood hang-out. Food matters sure, but I loved the inside of this restaurant too. For some reason I was really into having a typical Italian sub and yes, I ate the entire thing. I do not discriminate against bread. A friend had something with grilled chicken in it (the number 8) and she said she liked her dish too. One note to owners: I'm a Coke drinker, not Pepsi. The next time I come in, please lie to me and tell me you have Coke. |
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| Nick's Tomato Pie |
| 1697 Indiantown Rd., Jupiter |
| 744-8935 |
|
| Pretty far north in Jupiter, Nick's is a great place for Italian that's worth the drive. The lines to get in can be long, which can be annoying with kids, but the food is really good. I usually pig out on their bread and roasted garlic so I don't remember what I order. |
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| Pronti's Italian Kitchen |
| 1440 10t St., Lake Park |
| 842-3457 |
|
| My husband used to go to this place when he lived here when he was a kid. It's off of Northlake. Another Italian place (that makes four in a row, good grief), the food is good, but what I like best is when I go, I feel like a real local. We don't go here enough. |
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| Italian Restaurant at The Breakers |
| 1 S. County Rd., PB |
| Dining Reservation # 659-8488 |
|
Last Italian place I'm going to mention (for now). This restaurant should really be included in the "fancy" category because it's pretty pricey. But, it is set up to give parents a break from their kids so I decided to put it here. You don't have to be a guest of The Breakers to eat here, but you may want to make a reservation especially during the season. Once you arrive, the kids can go into a couple of different play rooms (one for younger kids and one for older with a huge tv with dvd's going) until your food arrives. The kids tend to eat as fast as possible then off they go again. It's great. Outside there's a playround and other kid oriented activities. The food's okay, but seriously, I don't really think of the food when I think of going there.
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|
| Green's Pharmacy |
| 151 N. County Rd., PB |
| 832-4443 |
|
Somehow during the soccer season we always end up here after games. It's on N. County across from St. Edwards Church and next to Salamander Market. When you feel like diner food, this is the place to go. I always get the grilled cheese. Yum. There is even a counter where you can sit and watch them prepare your food. So retro.
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| Hamburger Heaven |
| 314 S. County Rd., PB |
| 655-5277 |
|
Another diner type place on the Island, Hamburger Heaven is on County near Royal Palm Way, across the street from Island Video and Aristokids. If I had to compare Green's and Hamburger Heaven I guess I'd say Hamburger Heaven was more "upscale" but I think they're almost interchangeable. I get a grilled cheese here too. I don't think the chef salad is that great here.
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| Howley's |
| 4700 S. Dixie Hwy, WPB |
| 833-5691 |
|
 This place pretends that's it's a diner but it isn't really. For someone who's into vintage, Howley's is the kind of place that I picture myself fitting into (if one were to be narcissistic enough to do that which of course I would never do). It's on Dixie a half mile or so south of Southern. This restaurant is great. The food is comfort food that's been updated a little and the decor to totally retro chic. Very cool vibe. I just remembered what happened the last time I went here - we put my daughter in a highchair but I didn't check to make sure her legs were on either side of the strap in the middle and she slid down and got stuck under the wood bar. She went nuts and everybody looked at me like I was the worst parent in the world. |
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| City Cellar |
| 700 Rosemary, WPB |
| 366-0071 |
|
| www.bigtimerestaurants.com |
| www.helander.biz |
|
Located upstairs overlooking the big fountain at CityPlace, I'm only including this place because I love their mushroom soup. When my husband and I get to go out by ourselves (almost NEVER) I like to go here and sit at the bar - he gets a burger and I my soup.
Also, look at the artwork on the wall. It was commissioned by local artist Bruce Helander. I love his work and am so wow'ed that City Cellar hired him.
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|
| Rocco's Tacos |
| 224 Clematis St., WPB |
| 650-1001 |
|
| www.bigtimerestaurants.com |
|
 I had a great food experience here. My "moment" was helped by the fact that it was a beautiful day out, #3 fell asleep in the car and I was able to pull up to within 18" of a table and roll down the windows and sit right next to her while I ate with my husband and not ONCE did I have to deal with a toddler for an entire lunch. Anyway, enough about my life, lets talk MEXICAN. Rocco's is in the old location of Big City grill which I loved and was very disappointed when it closed. My friends who are addicted to Starbucks have been telling me about the signs for Rocco's but, really, I thought it was going to be a dive or something. I'm pretty prejudiced about Mexican food so it takes a lot to impress me. Well, when that parking spot opened up, I knew I was meant to try it. I got the enchiladas with tomatillo sauce and believe me, they know how to make it. Whoever planned this place, really knew authentic mexican food. I was surprised to find out that this place is owned by the Big Time Restaurant people. The same ones who own City Cellar (and who owned Big City).
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|
| Bradley's |
| 104 Clematis, WPB |
| 833-3520 |
|
| www.erbradleys.com |
|
 A favorite of tourists, Bradley's is an institution around here. We used to go when it was across from Publix in Palm Beach. Now it's on the waterfront in West Palm, across from the Meyer Amphitheater. There is a huge porch which somehow seems to stay pleasant year-round. The best table is the one in the north-east corner (I think they try to save it for special people so ask for it). Little tip, the food is okay, look, that's not why you're going to go there, but the best time to go is for brunch on Sunday morning. There is a great buffet and it means that you don't have to wait on the kitchen for your food. |
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| Cucina dell' Arte |
| 257 Royal Poinciana Way, PB |
| 655-0770 |
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| www.cucinadellarte.com |
|
 Located on the Island on Royal Poinciana, this was bought by the family that owns Bradley's a number of years ago. I was worried that it wouldn't be as good as the original but I think they made it better by making it more approachable. The food is good and it's nice and noisy so I can bring the kids and not be embarrassed. |
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| Spoto's Oyster Bar |
| 125 Datura St, WPB |
| 835-1828 |
|
| www.spotosoysterbar.com |
|
 One of only two seafood restaurants on my list, that's for a reason. I don't eat seafood. Sorry, can't help you much. But, I know Spoto's is good, loads of people go there. It's two stores away from Bradley's. |
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| Sushi Jo's |
| 319 Belvedere, WPB |
| 868-7893 |
|
| www.sushijo.com |
|
Another place I've never been to but that I have heard lots and lots of people talk about. I love the name though. I don't know if they make t-shirts with their name on it but if they did, I'd wear one. The restaurant is on Belvedere just west of Olive.
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|
| Sprinkle's |
| 279 Royal Poinciana Way, PB |
| 659-1140 |
|
Considering that South Florida is warm say 10 months out of the year, ice cream is pretty important. If you're visiting for a few days, Sprinkles is a must stop-in-place (so is the ice cream shop below - you should have ice cream every night so it'll work out).
On Royal Poinciana, it works out great to go here if you've just eaten at Cucina or Palm Beach Grill (although Palm Beach Grill makes a great apple dessert). Oh well, eat dessert twice. Walk it off. After you get your ice cream it's wonderful to stroll up the street past the Shiny Sheet, past Main Street news (need a book or a paper?), then there's the new Rapunzel's for babies and Island Home. There is almost always a breeze since you're so close to the beach and even if you live here, you'll feel like you're on vacation.
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|
| Sloan's |
| 112 S. Clematis St., WPB |
| 833-3335 |
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| 700 S. Rosemary Ave. Suite 138, WPB |
| 833-4303 |
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| 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Suite 1106, PBG |
| 627-4301 |
|
 Okay, three locations and I'm including them all. The first one is on Clematis right across the street from the library and fountains. It's a great place to go to if you've taken the kiddies to play in the fountains and need another stop on the Playtime Express. The second location is at CityPlace. That's great to go to if you've been to Muvico or out to dinner or you've been standing around listening to a band in the main courtyard. The third location is at Downtown PGA. There's also a movie theater there and there's also lots of restaurants like Johnny Rockets and Paul (Five Guys is across PGA). I haven't even told you about this place yet! It so fun and funky. The ice cream is great and the most interesting and unusual feature is the clear bathroom doors that cloud up when you lock them. |