Orange Juice Squeezed by Manatees?

A good way to start your day: with a glass of orange juice and a dose of happy news. This morning, word came across the transom that Fort Pierce company Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice scored a win “in the David versus Goliath battle for dominance over America’s breakfast table.” The…

Paula DaSilva Bids Fond Farewell to 3030 Ocean

It’s time to kiss the chef goodbye, folks. Paula DaSilva, Hell’s Kitchen season 5 contestant and longtime Executive Sous Chef at Fort Lauderdale’s 3030 Ocean, is packing up her knives and heading to Miami. DaSilva, who’s worked at 3030 Ocean under Chef Dean James Max for over 10 years, will…

Happy Hours Go Mobile With New App

There are few things I appreciate more than my iPhone. One of them is alcohol. Luckily, my employers felt the need to combine my two favorite things, and thus we introduce my new best friend: the Happy Hours App. Available for iPhones and Droids, the free application lets you choose…

Colombian Hot Dogs: The Somewhat Healthier Version

Colombian hot dogs just might be the perfect late-night junk food, but let’s be honest: They’re a heart attack on a bun. So with our arteries in mind, I tried last night to make a healthy version. Or at least somewhat healthier. Hot dogs from Colombia are all about the…

Order Up: A Guide to Florida’s Divey Seafood Joints

Get ready to shuck, peel, and slurp — our Dish column this week is on South Florida’s cheap seafood dives. These joints are the types of places where you can soldier up to a worn bar top and order Gulf oysters by the dozen, slurping down briny shellfish with pints…

100 Favorite Dishes: Crepes From Paris Bakery and Café

As a countdown to the Best of Broward Palm Beach 2010, coming in May, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up a hundred of our favorite dishes in South Florida. Send your own nominations to john.linn@browardpalmbeach.com.No. 9: Crepes from Paris Bakery and CaféThe French have been eating simple pancakes, made first…

100 Favorite Dishes: Butifarra From Bravo Gourmet Sandwich Shop

As a countdown to the Best of Broward Palm Beach 2010, coming in May, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up a hundred of our favorite dishes in South Florida. Send your own nominations to john.linn@browardpalmbeach.com.No. 10: Butifarra from Bravo Gourmet Sandwich ShopThe postcard-sized menu at Bravo! Gourmet Sandwich Shop in…

Rock ‘n’ Roll Ribs to Host Iron Maiden Tour Party

Fans of Coral Springs barbecue joint Rock ‘N’ Roll Ribs have grown accustomed to seeing Iron Maiden drummer and co-owner Nicko McBrain as he parades around the restaurant daily. But with Iron Maiden’s upcoming U.S. tour kicking off in less than a month, McBrain’s will be MIA from the rib…

Chill Out at Chillounge Night

Take six truckloads of South Beach-style lounge furniture and custom lighting, food and booze booths, live music, a fashion show, and a samba parade, dump them all on the Great Lawn in downtown Delray, charge everybody $15 to get in ($20 at the door, $75 for VIP tickets) and you’ve…

Doggy Bag: This Week in Charlie

This week on the blog:Our 100 Favorite Dishes this week cover Chinese curry noodles, spicy rock shrimp, and a killer dolphin sandwich.$10 at Panaretto in Fort Lauderdale will get you an affordable Italian lunch.South Florida had a few James Beard Award entrants, and here are the winners.With Father’s Day around…

Food Events on the Radar

• The old phrase, “Take me out to the ball game” is going to have to be changed to “Take me out of the ball game” after Sunday’s Marlins vs. Mets game. That’s the Marlins are offering discounted “All You Can Eat Seats” for the throw down. This Club Level…

The Crappy Kitchen Cookbook

Is your kitchen smaller than Snookie’s brainpan? Do you barely have enough counter space to spill a can of Bud? Does your refrigerator wheeze like Kirstie Alley running a marathon? Is your stove something Neanderthal Man would have used to roast a hunk of woolly mammoth?  If you answered “yes”…

I’m Eating What?! Falafel-Flavored Bissli

Continuing my eating adventures with the theme of “funky Middle Eastern foods,” I came across another curious find: Osem’s Falafel Flavor Bissli. I examined the packaging on this “party snack” and wondered who it was meant to attract, since it features two cartoon characters — one confused nerd and the…

Happy Hour: Himmarshee Side Bar

The Spot: Himmarshee Side Bar The Hours: Monday- Friday, 5-8 p.m. The Deets: Payless isn’t the only one with a famous regular buy-one-get-one free special. Himmarshee’s Side Bar offers it every weekday. The special includes the majority of premium liquors, cocktails, and specialty drinks — but not top shelf and…

100 Favorite Dishes: Fried Rock Shrimp With Spicu Yuzu From Suite 225

As a countdown to the Best of Broward Palm Beach 2010, coming in May, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up a hundred of our favorite dishes in South Florida. Send your own nominations to john.linn@browardpalmbeach.com.No. 12: Fried Rock Shrimp With Spicy Yuzu From Suite 225The Florida rock shrimp story is…

Grateful Palate Reopens as Wine Bar & Lounge Tonight

For years, Grateful Palate on 17th Street has been a gourmet yacht provisioner, catering to some of South Florida swankest sea-bound parties. But tonight from 7 to 9, the party for landlubbers begins with the opening of Grateful Palates’ new Wine & Dining Bar and Lounge.The space has been completely…

Beer of the Week: A Magic Hat Trifecta

Unrepentant beer drinkers, rejoice! Each week, Clean Plate Charlie will select one craft or import beer and give you the lowdown on it: How does it taste? What should you drink it with? Where can you find it? But mostly, it’s all about the love of the brew. If you…