EVANSVILLE — We’re bringing you Tri-State restaurant happenings and food news you need to know. Here’s the latest.
Breakfast with Santa
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Zeta Zeta Omega and Tau Rho chapters will present Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9:30-11:30 am at the Zion Missionary Baptist Church. The free event includes breakfast for everyone, and children will receive gifts from Santa and can participate in arts and crafts. Adults may participate in workshops on mental health and literacy. Kids and adults are encouraged to wear their favorite holiday pajamas.
The Zion Missionary Baptist Church is at 1800 S. Governor St.; 812-423-1963.
Superfoods restaurant now open
Bowlify Superfoods is now open on Evansville’s East Side. The healthy foods café specializes in acai bowls with fresh fruit and granola, smoothies and avocado toast.
Bowlify Superfoods is at 250 N. Burkhardt Road.
more:Here’s why you’re paying more for a salad — if you can get one at all
German Christmas dinner and pageant
The Evansville Germania Maennechor will host Christmas at Germania on Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3, from 7-9 pm each night. The evening includes an original pageant, choral music from the Maennechor and Damenchor, and a German dinner. Tickets are$30.
The Germania Maennechor is at 916 N. Fulton Ave.; 812-422-1915.
Breakfast with St. Nicholas to benefit needy families with donations
Holy Rosary Catholic Church will host its 21st Annual Breakfast with St. Nicholas on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9-10:30 am at the Holy Rosary School Cafeteria. Enjoy breakfast, crafts and special story time with St. Nicholas. The event is $6 for adults and children 3 years and up. Kids 2 and under attend free. Donations of food and household items will be accepted to be given to families in need. Each child is encouraged to bring one item to donate. Please download a form and reserve no later than Wed, Nov. 30.
The Holy Rosary Catholic School is at 1303 S. Green River Road.
New barbecue restaurant open on Franklin Street
Kenny’s Smoke Shack BBQ is open on West Franklin Street. The long-awaited restaurant offers catering and is serving whole hog barbecue, pork butt, smoked turkey legs, sausage links, brisket, mutton, beef ribs and more.
Kenny’s Smoke Shack BBQ is at 901 W. Franklin St.; 812-303-0867.
Franklin Street to get the first Mexican restaurant
Noche is a new Mexican-theme restaurant that will be opening on West Franklin Street, tentatively, in 2023. By the owner of The Rooftop and Birdies, The Landings in Newburgh, and Pips PubNoche will specialize in tacos and a range of high-quality tequilas.
Noche will be at 2215 W. Franklin St.
more:School lunches aren’t just for kids anymore. Evansville school offers buffet to the public
Ski lodge-theme dinners and photo ops downtown
NOCO PARK Will open its winter seasonal concept MOUNT NOCO on Friday, Dec. 2. The ski lodge-themed exhibit and dining experience will offer unique photo opportunities and your choice of igloos, a ski chalet tent or gondola for dining. Meals include charcuterie, one entree per person provided by The Bread Boule truck, one cocktail or other drink and one hot chocolate from the beverage menu. The experience is offered every Friday and Saturday of December, January and February from 5-9:30 pm Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children. Sales tax and a 20% service fee will be added. Reservations are for 90 minutes. Walk-ins may be accommodated if space allows.
NOCO PARK is at 163 S. Third Ave.; 571-239-0971
Pancake fundraiser for Cub Scouts
A Pancake Breakfast fundraiser for local Cub Scout Pack 399 will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 7:30-11 am at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. On the menu are pancakes, locally sourced whole hog sausage and eggs. Tickets are $6. Proceeds go to fund pack youth activities. Call 812-618-2239 to purchase a ticket.
The Sacred Heart Catholic Church is at 2701 W. Franklin St.
Nothing says Florida more than year-round outdoor dining options. We have so many waterfront options in our county we’ll be delivering this wisdom in geographic bites.
More waterfront dining:Best outdoor dining near Jupiter Inlet: Restaurants with sparkling waterway views
For a dining experience with a view that’s worth going to north-central Palm Beach County — think Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Singer Island, Palm Beach Shores, and Riviera Beach — here they are:
Waterfront restaurants in Palm Beach Gardens
The River House
The water view: Intracoastal Waterways
With an eclectic mix of seafood and homestyle favorites that include bistro chicken and prime meatloaf, filet mignon and prime rib, sushi rolls and salads, this eatery offers something for everyone. The tiki bar is a popular spot for a cocktail and a quick bite, like the millionaire’s bacon and deviled eggs.
The water view: Soverel Harbor Marina, Intracoastal Waterway
This upscale restaurant and craft cocktail bar specializes in fine-aged steaks, award-winning sushi and seafood. One of their specialties is Lionfish, aka FireFin. Though a highly-invasive species, the chefs at FireFin turn it into a delicious entree. When it comes to Lionfish their motto is ‘you’ve got to eat’em to beat’em.’
2401 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. 561-472-7900; firefingrill. com
Angry Moon Cafe
The water view: Soverel Harbor Marina, Intracoastal Waterway
Open for breakfast and lunch, this eatery hand selects the best meats, cheeses, fresh vegetables and all-natural, cage-free eggs to create dishes like Pain perdue, quiche, multiple varieties of eggs benedict including classic, Florentine and their ‘Benedict of the Seas,’ crepes and more.
2401 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. 561-694-7945; angrymooncafe. com
Seasons 52 – Palm Beach Gardens
The water view: Intracoastal Waterways
Sitting comfortably dockside at Seasons 52, one can make a meal from the restaurant’s popular brick-oven flatbreads, starters, soups and salads without ever consulting the lavish list of entrees, many prepared over wood fire. They’ll match any dish with one of the eatery’s 52 wines by the glass.
11611 Ellison Wilson Road, Palm Beach Gardens. 561-625-5852; seasons52.com
The Waterway Café
The water view: Intracoastal Waterways
Located almost underneath the PGA Boulevard bridge over the Intracoastal, the Waterway Café has been a go-to destination for outdoor dining for decades. The restaurant claims to have Florida’s only floating bar. The menu includes: fresh seafood, salads, steak, chicken, pasta and custom-made pizza entrees.
The Catch attracts diners from across the county, thanks to its chill vibe and lake view from the al fresco back patio. Dishes here are known for their global flavors and presentation, and there are salads, burgers, ribs and chicken too.
766 Northlake Blvd., North Palm Beach. 561-842-2180; thecatchseafoodsushi.com
Frigate’s Waterfront Bar & Grill
The water view: Earman River
Named for the legendary frigate bird, this favorite spot for sport fishermen is a casual setting with refreshing beverages, filling food and music. A local gathering place for boaters, the outdoor bar hosts happy hour and early dining specials Monday through Thursday. Surrounded by tall palms, the place has old Florida charm.
400 US 1, North Palm Beach. 561-855-7497; frigatesnpb.com
Palm Beach Shores/Singer Island restaurants
3800 Ocean at the Palm Beach Singer Island Resort & Spa
The water view: AtlanticOcean
The menu may be more limited than some other waterfront venues, but the dishes here are made from scratch using local produce and seafood. If you’re dining for the sweeping views, the Atlantic is feet away. The crash of the waves and the sea air will leave you feeling refreshed.
3800 N. Ocean Drive, Palm Beach Shores. 561-340-1795; www.marriott.com
Islander Grill & Tiki Bar at the Gold Crown Palm Beach Shores Resort
The water view: AtlanticOcean
This venue offers live entertainment and dining specials nightly (think Maine lobster and prime rib) and boasts a true island. Frozen tropical drinks are encouraged, and the expansive menu has something for everyone, from a burger to seafood pasta dishes. Live music nightly.
181 S. Ocean Ave., Palm Beach Shores. 561-842-8282; islanderpalmbeach.com
On the Rocks Pool Bar & Grill at the Marriott’s Ocean Pointe
The water view: Lake Worth Inlet, the Atlantic Ocean
In a nutshell: It’s American cuisine served poolside with a distant view of the Atlantic. After lunch, wander this resort’s palm tree-shaded paths to its water features and play area, all brightly colored and lushly planted.
71 S. Ocean Ave., Palm Beach Shores. 561-882-3000; marriott.com/
Sailfish Marina Resort
The water view: Sailfish Marina and the Intracoastal Waterway
Sailfish offers waterfront dining with daily specials, many of them inspired by the fresh catch from boats docked outside. Choices may include Abaco grouper, Florida dolphin, Florida spiny
Cuban businessman Felipe Valls Sr., founder of the iconic Versailles restaurant in Miami, Florida, died Saturday, his granddaughter, Nicole Valls confirmed to CNN. He was 89 years old.
Nicole Valls did not provide further details on her grandfather’s death, but said the family’s spokespeople were expected to provide more information at a later time.
After Valls opened his restaurant on Miami’s emblematic Calle Ocho 51 years ago, it became a vital gathering place for exiled Cubans who could congregate over flaky guava pastelitos and other familiar dishes.
The landmark spot in the city’s Little Havana neighborhood is still a usual point of concentration for activists and members of the Cuban community in South Florida. It also serves as a meeting point for demonstrations on political issues involving the island.
Miami Major Francis Suarez mourned Valls’ loss on Saturday, describing the businessman as “an extraordinary human being who served his family, his beloved Miami, and the freedom of Cuba with supreme devotion.”
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said in a tweet Valls was “the true embodiment of the American dream.”
“As a leader, philanthropist and brilliant businessman, he shaped (Versailles) into the pulse of our community for over five decades,” the major wrote.
Those sentiments were echoed by Florida State Representative Daniel Perez, who tweeted his condolences for the loss of “an icon in our community.”
Media outlets, including CNN, have visited Versailles over the years to gauge the opinions of the Cuban community on various issues and significant events such as Fidel Castro’s death in 2016, when crowds filled the streets around the cafe, appealing to pots and pans and popping champagne , according to CNN affiliate WSVN.
