Traveling the Quad Cities would be okay!

In early May, you may be in town for SunFest in W. Palm Beach, a huge music event. You'll have to goggle the website. For Burgers, try Duffy's. They're a local chain, but they have the best burgers in town and also have a heart healthy menu. My favorite beaches are in Jupiter. Also, a terrific outdoor restaurant in Jupiter is Guanabana's. They specialize in seafood. Right around the corner from there is The Square Grouper, an outdoor bar with music and entertainment. Staying closer to Palm Beach, there are many excellent restaurants. Good Mexican at Rocco's Tacos. Check out City Place in WPB as they often have great entertainment. Wishing you safe travels!

Heading to Bettendorf for a couple of days to do some gambling and visiting with friends. I already know we'll be heading to the Machine Shed for breakfast, but can anyone suggest some good dinner locations in the area? I really would like to get out of our hotel and their restaurants. American fare would be terrific, steaks, etc., or Italian or anything that is really good and worth the trip. Thanks so much!

Definitely will have cars available. I'm guessing less than $30 per person for breakfast or brunch. We are going to Piero's the prior evening for dinner, so I suspect everyone will be pretty full from that!

Thanks for your help!

I'm headed to Vegas with a party of 12, some are senior citizens! While I can easily see paying $40+ for a fantastic brunch, these seniors would never do that, nor would they eat $40 worth of food! Any suggestions near or on the strip for Sunday lunch or brunch that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? American or Italian cuisine would suit them best. Thanks for helping out a foodie traveling with cheap-os! They'd rather put the money in a penny slot machine!

Thanks for recommending Francesca's. I'll check that out.

I did inquire further. I was told no Asian, no sushi, that Italian would be great. These are older folks and are pretty much steak and potatoes kind of folks!

I'll be in the Chicago area next weeks with friends from California. Don't know if they like sushi, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, so I'd like to stick to plain good old American fare or possibly Italian, a nice restaurant, not a beef stand, not pizza, not hot dogs. We'll be staying in the Rosemont, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove, Shaumburg area but would venture into the city it it was worth the effort. Creative and inventive and moderately priced are preferred. Any suggestions for a travelor from Florida with visitors from Sacramento??

Our Christmas would be complete if I could find a bakery that makes its own fresh panettone. Somehow that stuff in the box that is God knows how old is simply unappealing! Panettone is delisicious, but if you ever had it fresh from the oven, you'll never go back to the box! Any input? Northwest suburbs would be great, but I'd be willing to travel a bit for this one!

I will be traveling with my dad who enjoys Italian or steak! Any suggestions for great restaurants in the Traverse City or Manistee areas of Michigan? Thanks! Also looking for good breakfast and light lunch spots! Some unique would fun!

Thanks! Sounds terrific!

Thank you so much! I can't wait to try it out!

What a sad commentary that all these local businesses are going belly up! Add to the list Raindancer, a long established WPB restaurant. I was at their sister restaurant, The River House in PBG last week. Same wonderful salad bar and terrific food. Raindancer will be missed! :-(

Boca de Bepe in Wellington is a fun restaurant, a chain, that serves family style out in Wellington. High end fun -- try Boulud in Palm Beach. Best restaurant ever and in the off season, you shouldn't have a problem with getting a table. Over and above treatment and excellent food where they really know how to celebrate a birthday -- Capital Grille in Palm Beach Gardens. Fun atmosphere, relaxed and casual -- Tiki Bar in North Palm Beach, Sailfish Marina in Palm Beach Shores and I also hear wonderful things about The Grill on Peanut Island, but I haven't been there myself.

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Sailfish Marina Restaurant
98 Lake Dr, West Palm Beach, FL 33404

I'm going on a three day Casino trip from Chicago to Michigan, probably as far north as Petosky, with my 90 year old dad. We'll be staying pretty close to the Lake Michigan Shore, NOT going to Detroit, and sleeping at several casino/hotel facilities. Please, please help make this trip bearable by suggestions of some fantastic restaurants along the way. He's 90, so he's not going to like Thai food, Chinese food, Mexican food -- pretty much Italian and steak and potatoes! We'll be there in October. I know some areas are seasonal. Please, please help a Florida girl make this trip with dad a great one!

Thanks so much for all the input! I really appreciate it!

Thanks!

Hi -- My hubby and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary with a day trip to Miami from Jupiter. I'm looking for a fabulous steakhouse for our dinner in Miami. Even better if it's on the Miami Spice list! Any suggestions???

My favorite caterer in PBC is Rock Star Catering. You'll have to goole them to find their page. Kyle is a fantastic chef! Don't know how far he'll travel, but he's fantastic!

Thanks for your help! It was decided to not go so central and go with White Fence Farm in Bolingbrook, I think. I haven't been there in years, but I'm sure the kids will enjoy it! Thanks again

Thanks to all!

Hi --

I have about 35 people for a Saturday night dinner. Looking for inexpensive fare, American preferrably, burgers, pizza, or something easy to split up the bill. We will be coming from Berwyn, Darien, St. Charles, Elk Grove and Glendale Heights. Looking for something central for all and hopefully with a private dining room. Any suggestions?

I'm hosting a party for 50. I need a punch, mostly for the ladies (men will be drinking beer) and I'm thinking something with Watermelon Vodka. That says spring to me. Don't want anything too sweet. I'm in South Florida, so watermelon is available here. Any suggestions on what goes into a do-ahead punch?? No champagne, no Pimms, no martinis and don't want to be blendering drinks all day. Need a great punch. Help!!!!!

If you like Rascal House, try Too Jay's Deli. It's much better and cheaper than Rascal House! The bread is fantastic as is the corned beef. Rascal House does have better desserts though. There's quite a few locations around town.

Thanks, Ash! That might be fun!

I'll have a group of about 50 adults (in the 50-70 age range) in Jupiter this summer. We're looking for a really fun thing to do which includes dinner! One night we are going on a cruise ship for a tour up the Intracoastal. One night we're doing Cooks at Abacoa, a cooking school type dinner, but we're still looking for one more fun event.

Any great ideas?

Traveling to get where we need to be is certainly a possibility to do. Thanks for the input!

I haven't been to the Capital Grille in Boca yet, but was at the one in the Chicago area over the weekend. Service was over the top. I had the Kona & cocoa encrusted Delmonico at my waiter's suggestion. Fabulous!! My dining partner had the ice cream dessert, hand made ice cream, said it was the best she ever had! I would definitely return!

After many years, I'm returning to see some colorful (hopefully) fall folliage this fall in Door County, Wisconsin. We're staying somewhere around Sister Bay, I think. I know the Inn at Kristoffer's and the Whistling Swan were two of my favorite spots, but I haven't been to DC in years. Any new recommendations??? Also, my favorite Root Beer is at Wilson's. Yummy! Anyone have an update on Door County foods I shouldn't miss???

I have to agree with another post; I think the best rib eye is at my house. How much skill does it take to throw a quality piece of meat on the grill?

That being said, my favorite spot is an oldie but a goodie. I like The Raindancer in WPB on PB Lakes Boulevard. It's been there for years. Great salad bar, ambiance. Always a pleasure.

New chains are popping up, Capital Grill, Morton's, Ruth Chris. They'er probably good. I still like the mom and pop choices. Call me old fashioned!

I was recently in NO with a non-foodie! Can you imagine?? I convinced her that going to the Cajun Cooking Class in the mall would be a fun Sunday morning activity. I was right. The stories told as the chefs prepared the food were quite entertaining and the food was pretty good. No complaints and would recommend to those visiting NO.

They served a dip there called their Mardi Gras Dip. It came in a packet and you added sour cream and mayo. It had enough snap to be called a something exciting from New Orleans, but no fire extinguishers were needed to cool off your mouth. I loved it. The ingredients listed were chili powder, dehydrated onion, garlic, bell pepper, etc. I bought serveral packages and they do ship around the country. You can even find websites that sell the packets with no shipping charges.

My friend has food allergies to some of the chemicals usually included in dehydrated dips. I would love to make a similar dip from scratch for her. Can anyone help me with some recipes for a similar type of dip?

Thanks so much!

I'm planning a birthday celebration in the Jupiter/West Palm area. I am considering Forte di Asprinio. Have you been there? I'm also open to all other suggestions of good food. Please help!