South Florida is an interesting place for a gourmand. On one hand you have a much appreciated mix of Caribbean, Latin, and Jewish cultures to provide an eclectic mix of spicy jerk meat's, arroz con pollo (Latin chicken with rice) and babka's among other treats. While on the flipside you can find this clutter of corporate cookie cutter full service establishments. These Cheesecake Factory type eateries do have their place with those individuals who appreciate a hefty two pounds of food and enough menu options that one would need a Trapper Keeper to keep it all organized.
I haven't set out on my travels to find the restaurants and foods that I don't agree with, but the foods that really show the character, culture and ingredients of the world I'm in.
One of the best experiences I have found in Florida came from Bob Roth's New River Groves in Davie Florida. This citrus stand provides an array of juices and a substantial offering of imported Israeli honeys. One of the sweet and aromatic honeys that caught my eye was the Avocado Blossom Honey. A gift item for certain and definitely not for the oatmeal. But, what made this grove stand such a memorable experience wasn't the gift items and fudge, it was a wonderfully tart key lime pie. I have found a new appreciation for the dessert and I truly believe that one can never fully appreciate this pie until a trip is made to Davie, FL. It is all in the tartness provided from the kumquat sized key limes. And this pie is easily washed down and balanced out with fresh coconut water available to sip right out of the green gourdes themselves or for purchase in the half gallon.
Another food adventure I found can be recommended to anyone on a budget. Pollo Tropical, a limited service restaurant that can be found throughout the Dade County and Broward County area is highly recommended for their succulent chicken roasts and a yucca with garlic sauce that is to die for. The portions are very generous and the food is fast, flavorful and pretty authentic. This place makes McD's look like a freakin' joke and it costs about the same.
If you're one who enjoys to cook the local produce and product yourself, I'd recommend a trip to the Swap Shop near Ft. Lauderdale. If you can avoid the tacky yet characteristic fun park and make your way around fake Prada wear and cheap sunglasses the place actually has a farmers market full of some of the most beautiful produce around. Chile's and and peppers are aplenty and tropical fruit are some of the only things that add eye appeal to the Swap Shop. The bananas are sweet and worth eating, the yucca is cheap, and the papaya is not over ripe. I was happy to enjoy some orange-green bell peppers in a fritata at home and gained a new appreciation for the simplest of ingredients.
So I do hope that all who read do take these suggestions with them on their next trip to the Sunshine State.
Buen Provecho
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