Wahoo's Riverhouse Restaurant

A friend called me Sunday and felt like getting out on such a beautiful day. I suggested we use one of the coupons from the Enjoyment Book and go to Wahoo's Riverhouse Restaurant. I had not been there in a while and the atmosphere was as delightful as ever, we got a high top table with views of the boats and the St lucie River, entertainment was playing outside, enough you knew it was there but not loud or to the point you couldnt have a conversation. It was perfect.

We decided on the Mahi and I had the fresh string beans sauteed in Garlic, soooo yummy! My friend had the sweet potato fries with his Mahi. He felt they were a bit greasy, we both bake our own sweet potato fries when home so they were a bit disappointed. I tried them and didn't notice it being too greasy. But I only had a few. 

He is a fisherman and when he looked at the Mahi, he said this is "real Mahi". He often felt restaurants passed off other fish as Mahi so he was happy to see it was the real thing at Wahoo's.

The food was delicious, nice size portions, perfect for lunch. The waiter was excellent but the view on a breezy fall afternoon was the best.  We both left relaxed and happy with our meal. Wahoo's has been around a very long time in this area and when you eat there you will understand why. 

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Roosters Restaurant, Jensen Beach FL

I havent posted in quite a while. Life has gotten busy in a good way and many new and exciting adventures on my plate. However today I used the book with a girlfriend of mine and I hesitated choosing the restaurant we did but she assured me it was very good. My past experience with the items I ordered were disappointing. Thinking maybe they changed I opted to try it again.
She ordered a breakfast meal and I ordered the special of the day Quiche. She was suppose to get fresh fruit between two pieces of challa bread French Toast topped with whipped cream. The choice of sides for my Bacon Quiche was tomato, french fries or coleslaw.
This restaurant is known for bringing warm crumb cake to the table instead of rolls. We asked about that and they reported they ran out. When we ordered they announced there were no strawberries, bananas or whipped cream to go with her French Toast my friend inquired about. This was an $8.50 menu item. They did have blueberries and when she put some on my plate some were a bit shriveled which made me think old?. My Quiche came and it tasted like the middle was made of eggs and rice, my friend tried it and agreed it was dry and spongy inside. I could barely get my fork trhough it to section a piece off. I sent it back and got a BLT and asked if I could have French Fries with my sandwich they told me NO since I already had 2 slices of tomato as a side with the quiche and I could not have another side. My friend spoke up and told her that was not good customer service since I didn't eat the quiche and had to wait for them to prepare a replacement. . We got the you want to speak to the manager response. I said to my friend, just let it go!
There was another couple nearby who were there for the first time and they were out of spinach for the item she ordered.  They didn't look very happy either.
A year ago  the amount of food was disappointing, this time the food I ordered was not worth the price in my humble opinion. In all fairness my friend did enjoy the French Toast but lamented about not having more fruit or whipped cream or warm crumb cake. We left saying we would never go back and I suspect the other couple after some more conversation came to the same conclusion.
This may be a great place for a breakfast of eggs and homefries or French Toast, and maybe the omelets would be really yummy, but I am not a satisfied customer as of today.
The prices were kind of high for the quality and amount of food.
I wondered if they would survive.  I thought something must be seriously wrong when they are out of items for the meals on the menu.
I dont know what its like to run a restaurant and I try not to criticize my neighbor till I walked a mile in their moccasins, but the energy and attitude of those in there did nothing to encourage me giving them a third chance.
If you eat there go with the simple foods that are easy to prepare and be forewarned that you might be missing a few of the items in the menu description.
I imagine breakfast is great there but then again what I imagine and what is reality may be two different things.
Of course we used the coupon from the book upfront, maybe that made a difference. Whatever transpired it was a disappointing lunch adventure.

Tutto Italiano

6185 SE US Highway 1 . Stuart, FL phone number is 772-286-9500

When you step inside Tutto Italiano it reminds you of a small Italian Bistro in NYC. the setting is welcoming and a perfect for a romantic dinner, a quiet time out form the stresses of the world or a special occasion. The seating is limited there are about 4 booths on each side adjacent to the brick walls. The windows are curtained, lights soft, and then near the booths are 3-4  tables with 4 chars at each. The booths and tables on either side are separated by a walk area where people come in to pick up their orders at the counter area. 

The sun was setting so it was a bit bright for a short time

Bar and counter area for pick-up decorated for Halloween

They bring three large hot garlic knots on a plate with olive oil, fresh chopped garlic and some Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top of the knots. I took a photo of the plate, but the garlic knots were eaten before I remembered to take a photo. The choice was obvious hot garlic knots, with olive oil dripping, rubbed in the garlic on the plate, warm and soft in your mouth OR take a photo? Sorry garlic knots won. 

Garlic Knots took priority over photo of them, sorry!

There is a wide variety of items on the menu, my dining partner agreed all reasonably priced. They have Appetizers, Subs and Wraps, Entrees, Sides, Pizza (who one woman said was "the best" she liked the thin crust style pizza), Calzone, Stromboli, Salads, Desserts and Drinks, including beer, wine  and soda.

They also offer lunch specials from 11 am to 4 pm starting at $5.99 for any sub or wrap on the menu list, with chips and a can of soda, or 2 slices and a soda for $3.49 or a cheese only Calzone or Stromboli with a soda for $6.99.

I ordered Eggplant Rollatini at $13.95

Eggplant Rollatini

and my friend ordered Chicken Parmesan for $13.95.

Chicken Parmesean

I choose the wide pasta which tasted home made and my friend the angel hair pasta. You could get a side salad very reasonably to go with it.  Our waiter was warm, friendly and accommodating regarding our requests.

If you are in a hurry this is not the place to go unless you are ordering take-out. Everything is freshly prepared. The music softly playing makes you feel like you are in Italy or want to leave on the next flight. This is a place for a leisurely dining experience.The food was delicious, the pasta yummy and the sauce PERFECTO!  Not too spicy or too sweet, really perfect in my opinion. I give this place five stars!

My friend who joined me was Italian and said the name Tutto meant "everything" then added everything good fits this place. 

They do have a pizza special on M/T/W  pickup and delivery only. $7.99 for an 18:x-large cheese pizza.

I live about ten miles from them, but now that I have discovered them I will be making the trip to pick up a pizza and if the pizza is as good as my meal, it will be well worth the drive there.
Please always remember to tip on the amount it would have been without the coupon. We left $6.00 for a $30 tab that after using the coupon came to $15 for both of us. 

What a great deal and they now have new customers.  Best part, cant wait to heat up my left overs!!! YUM!!!!

Bon ap·pé·tit

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Zapatas Border Cafe Port St Lucie, FL

I have been going to Zapata's for a very long time. They use to be further south on US 1 in an old blue house. It was delicious and reasonable and not too far from home. One day they were gone and I was so disappointed. Finally someone told me they moved to the Publix shopping center on the border of PSL and Fort Pierce.  Was glad to know they were still around.
In the Enjoyment Book there was a coupon for them so I told Ed all about it how good they were and we decided to combine lunch at Zapata's with a visit to Heathecote Botanical Gardens in Ft Pierce.
They have two areas to seat people one a closed in porch area where we ate and another area inside the restaurant.

 
The food was good. The salsa and chips were REALLY good. The waitress was nice enough to bring three bowls of salsa. It tasted fresh and homemade.

Our coupon was for up to $14 and we had to order a beverage with the meal. They had a large selection that seemed pricey for our budget.  But then again, living on SS, everything seems pricey. LOL   (click here to see the Menu)

We ordered the:

Fiesta del Rey Grilled chicken with shrimp, tomatoes, fire roasted onions and bell peppers, served burrito or chimichanga style. Topped with sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo.  It was one of the few dishes that had sour cream AND quacamole. We both had Ice Tea with the meal.
 
The food and plate was very hot and the refried beans and rice were very good. My  Fiesta del Rey had 8 large shrimp in my burrito. Ed was disappointed, he only had four shrimp total in his burrito. We compared it to a fish taco dish we had at another restaurant which for the same price as this was exceptional. Ed and I both agreed they should bottle their salsa!!! We could have eaten that for a whole meal.

I found out the original restuarant was sold about six years ago and new owners have owned it since then, and they kept the name.

We were glad we tried Zapata's, without the coupon, not sure if we would have eaten there since most items are ten dollars and higher.  For us it would not be worth driving the distance from Stuart area to eat there, due to the cost of gas.
Overall the food was good, our waitress was great, and we had a nice experience.

If your up that way and have the Enjoyment Book Zapata's is a nice place to stop.
Without a coupon, and on a budget,  you might want to find something less expensive.
Quick note: If you like BOTH guacamole and sour cream with your Mexican food be prepared to pay extra for one of them since only a few dishes include both.

Panama Hatties

Panama Hatttie's was a place I had been to many years ago and I remember the food as yummy and the atmosphere lovely. It sits just to the left of PGA Blvd heading west and right on the waterway. It has slips and docks for boaters wanting to tie up and come in for a bite to eat.
Our waitress was a sweetheart, pleasant, funny and accommodating. She made the lunch a pleasant experience.

She advised us the fish was fresh and being cut in the kitchen as we spoke. So we decided to splurge and go for the grouper platter.  They brought delicious hot rolls with honey butter, they were very good and they held us over till lunch was served. It was tough not asking for more!

Our Grouper Special included rice, which was very good, string beans which were tough and possibly under or over cooked. We ordered the blackened grouper but the fish tasted more lightly grilled then blackened. Ed is a fisherman and he didnt think it tasted like grouper. He was not impressed with what was suppose to be "fresh fish" It was a generous portion and I thought it tasted good, but didnt get overly excited about the dish, I have had better. It seemed a bit dry. You had a choice of a tomato salsa or lemon butter sauce.
The Grouper Special was $14.95 and with the book it cost us $8 each with a $3 each tip. We always tip on the amount it would have been without the coupon. I was wishing I had went with my first thought and ordered The Seafood Cobb Salad at $12.95.

However to Panama Hatties favor, while wandering around taking photos. I found a delightful man made beach area next to the thatched roof bar. There with chairs, tables and umbrellas on sand. I imagined the younger crowd must really enjoy this area. I could picture myself sitting there in my 20's sipping a Margarita to Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville. Did they have them back then? :-)

Those days are long behind me and a glass of regular ole' Ice Tea hits the spot these days.

I guess I was disapointed because of the old memories. It is not a place I would go again without a coupon. Once again a bit too pricey for a fixed income budget.

I must sheepishly admit I did keep looking over at the Waterway Cafe (one of my favorite places) on the other side of the water and wishing the book had a coupon for them. when I go there it seems to have a much brighter feel.

A Note About the Menu: Use the link below it's up to date. I found outdated menus on other sites.
 http://www.panama-hatties.com/ click on menu when site opens

Riverside Cafe-Vero Beach

 
We live in Stuart Florida and decided to take a wildlife tour at the Pelican Island Refuge at the North End of Vero Beach.  What a wonderful tour and even though it wasnt in the enjoyment book we will post something about our tour under the photo adventures tab on our blog.

Since we were in Vero and the Enjoyment Book has a few restaurants in that area we decided on the Riverside Cafe for lunch.There is a dinner and lunch coupon in the book.

A pretty little restaurant, with a very inviting front entrance .

The welcoming Alligator maitre d  a cute touch

We were asked if we wanted outside or inside and we chose outside since it was a beautiful Florida day with warm temperatures and nice breezes.
The waitress very sweet and friendly asked what beverage we wanted, and mentioned the specials. One was a Lobster Taco, the other a Grouper Reuben Sandwich. We talked about the other menu items and the few she suggested were fried foods. I mentioned I didnt eat fried foods. She left us to look over the menu, when she came back she said the onion straws were really good. I mentioned again I wont eat fried foods.

We forgot to take a photo when it first arrived (fried lobster threw us off)  so this is half of Ed's sandwich and half of mine. I had already eaten some of the braised cabbage.

The Lobster Taco at $17.99 sounded wonderful and Ed thought the Grouper Sandwich at $18.99 was good too. We had a choice of one side Ed chose the potato salad, which was very good. I chose the German Style Braised Cabbage also very tasty. The other side choices were French Fries or Coleslaw. with Rice & Beans and Onion Straw sides a dollar extra.
It was Feb 13th and this was our Valentines Day Treat to ourselves, so we decided to splurge a bit.
Figuring our meal would cost us about $10 each plus tip. Of course we always tip on what the total meal would have cost us without our coupon unless service is poor.
My taste buds were excited about Lobster! When our meal finally arrived, both the grouper and Lobster were heavily breaded and deep fried. As the food runner placed my plate down I said "It's FRIED."  I thought, who deep fries Lobster???!!!!   I had mentioned to the waitress at least three times, I didn't eat fried foods.
He took it back and said he could give me the grouper sandwich grilled or blackened. Our waitress did come and apologize. I was a waitress years ago and always tried to find out what my customers liked and didn't like so I could help them make a good choice. But other people aren't me. :-)
Salads, burgers, and wraps were also on the menu items start at $9.99 .The had a prime beef Monster Burger on the menu for $17.99 other burgers started at $11.99. Wishing now I tried one of those.
The menu is on their website http://riversidecafe.com/index.cfm?method=Home
The bottom line was we were not impressed with the Grouper Ruben and felt it and other menu items was overpriced, certainly not worth $18.99 for the sandwich with one side. I guess they are charging you for the location and also what the high end community in Vero are willing to pay.
For our senior budget this was too high, even with our coupon. I couldn't help but think of the Blue Water Beach Grill. I thought the prices were a "bit" high but the food was delicious.  Well worth the price. You don't mind paying a bit extra for quality! My taste buds and wallet can't say the same for Riverside Cafe.

Bluewater Beach Grill

I must admit, today when we first pulled up, I was hesitant about dining here. Mostly because the building looked old. The ocean only a few hundred feet away while the  inlet was across the street. If you sat at the bar you might be able to see the inlet as you ate.

There is quite a bit of construction going on in the area. We got there easily, following the signs.

We found a space right in front. We did get there about 11:45am.

The Enjoyment Book listed some menu items and thier prices. By our standards it was a bit pricey. However, we remember when soda and candy was a nickel so all prices today seem high to us! LOL

As we pulled up, I thought of Herbert Spencer;s quote:  "ignorance is contempt prior to investigation."  

As I started to say something, Ed gave me the look and I realized investigation was the answer! :-) What a pleasant surprise, it was like going back in time to a surfer hangout. The waitresses personality made the meal special and we hope they realize what a gem they have in her. She reminded me a bit of a flower child from the 60's. Young, vibrant, with a flower in her hair and a sweet smile and disposition. 

 The coupon today was buy one lunch get one free up to $14. We chose the Shrimp Tacos at $12.95.  It came with rice and black beans, (they tasted home made), sour cream and fresh made guacamole. The Taco had a sauce in the bottom, with onions, cabbage and a bit of crisp bacon mixed in, then the grilled shrimp on top. The salsa went great on the sandwich with just a hint of heat. 

Eddie and I enjoyed the meal. However for us, without a coupon, the prices are a bit too high for our tight budget.