Affordable Flavor
This area is home to solid examples of Floribbean cuisine, a lighter
version of Caribbean and Latin American flavors fused with classic
Florida favorites.
Havana restaurant boasts a colorful, funky, 24-hour walk-up window.
Inside you'll discover a family style eatery with solid service and
happy customers. The Tamal Cubano, fresh cornmeal laced with seasoned
pork presented in a delicate slipper of a husk, offers the best bang for
a buck ninety-five. Pan con Lechon satisfies with hot, tender pulled
pork marinated in fresh oranges and garlic, and then slow-roasted for
six hours. It's incredible, as are the braised oxtail and lamb shank.
Portions are copious here. Co-owner Rafael Perez cooks without pork fat
or MSG, and you can taste the difference. This is Cuban food at its most
authentic and healthiest. You may want to stop by on your way out of
town (as I did) for hot Chicharrones de Pollo (seasoned and fried
chicken chunks) or fried plantains and a glass of fresh watermelon
juice. 6801 South Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; (561) 547-9799 or
www.havanacubanfood.com.
Appetizers, soups, and salads: $1.75-$9.45;
lunch entrées: $6; dinner entrées: $10-$14.
Little Moir's Food Shack
I was warned about Little Moir's, but not because of its location (a
strip mall in Jupiter, Florida, about 15 miles north of West Palm Beach
with a sign that states: Food Shack). Mainly, I heard that it would be
impossible to get in.
Good challenges are enticing, as is Michael Moir's cuisine. I found a
seat at the crowded counter next to a regular (everyone who eats here
becomes a regular), who also happened to be the founder of the Burt
Reynolds & Friends Museum, located just across the highway from the
Shack. Never mind celebrities, it's the food that captivates.
The crew serves up refreshingly simple and creative fare such as Conch
Gazpacho or the fresh catch of the day, crusted with everything from
sweet potatoes or yucca to lemongrass or tortillas. Most dishes are
served with greens and an unusual dressing, such as banana-blueberry
salsa or cherryaki.
I wanted to try all of the daily specials, but it would have taken
awhile, and I didn't want to be scorned by the hungry diners waiting to
get in. I definitely want to come back to the best little food shack in
Florida. 103 South U.S. 1, Jupiter; (561) 741-3626. Entrées: $14-$20.
Mark's City Place
Mark Militello has all the right moves. Some consider him one of the
chefs responsible for putting South Florida cuisine on the culinary map.
His fourth restaurant, Mark's City Place, is located in the heart of
West Palm Beach's shopping and dining district. The menu combines the
best of ingredients, offering choices for every diner's palate,
including wood-oven fired pizzas, pastas, fresh seafood, and steaks.
You don't want to miss the sleek sushi bar. Sushi chef Roy Villacrusis
takes these delicacies to an unprecedented level. This is more than your
average California roll--it's true edible art. Roy rants so passionately
about sushi, it's bound to turn non-sushi eaters into lifelong converts.
Try the signature buttermilk fried calamari, but save room for the
dry-aged New York strip steak, perfectly marbled for incredible flavor.
One bite of the accompanying truffled macaroni and cheese, and you'll
know why Mark is a former recipient of the prestigious James Beard award
for best chef in the Southeast. 700 South Rosemary Avenue; (561)
514-0770. Appetizers and sushi: $2-$20; entrées: $12-$39.
