cookies and code

There are very few places in the Brevard area I really enjoy sitting down for a beer at. Charlie and Jake’s is a great spot for some home brews, but you can only drink the same 6 beers so many times. When I really want my beer fix, there is only one place that comes to mind, Coasters Pub. Now Coasters isn’t a microbrewery, so maybe the comparison isn’t fair, but they do have a crap load (100+) of awesome beers available, most of which are available on tap.

My father-in-law and I have been patronizing Coasters for the last two years, but it never occurred to me to make mention on the blog of them; that may be because of the great beer selection, however. Coasters not only carries some of the most popular brands on draft, but they also keep a seasonal rotation of beers going year round. Check out the winter selection they’ve made available this time around. Now it’s important to note, that I am by no means a beer expert, but I’m having fun learning about it all each time I go into Coasters. Lately, I’m really digging on Michigan with the Bell’s Two Hearted and Oberon Ales. I was bummed this past Friday that Delerium Tremens was no longer available on draft, but I switched over to the darker Arrogant Bastard Ale and it was well worth it. They always keep St Bernardus Tripel on tap as well as PBR (see the board), so you really have the full spectrum available to you at the pub. I really like the Fall and Winter beer selections, so this is a great time to visit, IMO. Pints can range anywhere from ~$2 for the PBR to ~$20 for their most expensive bottle from what I’ve seen. I usually try to go during happy hour, which will get you about $1 off your pint’s price of anywhere from ~$6 to $10. When I’m in a good mood, I’ll take 2 St. Bernardus and I’m out.

Coasters not only has the best beer selection in Brevard county, but they have great food as well. When we go, we typically get 20 wings (~$14), the fish and chips (~$9), and the french dip (~$9). Although there are some typical bar food menu choices (e.g. – chips and salsa and queso, mozzarella sticks, etc), their menu is diverse enough such that if you don’t feel like the fried experience, you can probably find a salad or sandwich to your liking. I personally really enjoy the wings, they always know how to fry them just right, although they will bake them as well. The fish and chips is made with haddock and just freagin’ rocks; it’s beer battered and comes with beer battered fries. The french dip is a great as well with your choice of onions, peppers, and mushrooms along with mozzarella cheese on a hoagie roll. Nothing is better than those beer battered fries though after a couple beers.

On top of the tasty food, Coasters wait and bartending staff is always spot on. Our waitresses always are great about bringing us samples of the new beers on tap. From our experience, they have a great demeanor and our food is always brought out hot. It’s gotta be tough dealing with a huge bunch of beer drinkers day in and out, but they do a great job. Between the beer, the service, and the food, it’s really hard to go wrong with Coasters Pub. Any place that keeps a longer list of beers than wine is tops in my book. If you like good, quality beer and need a great pub to replace your boring watering hole, Coasters Pub is the place for you. Hell, they even use their website to get information out to the community, how can you go wrong?

Coasters Pub is located in the Walmart plaza at 971A E Eau Gallie Blvd, Melbourne, FL.

This morning after church, my wife and myself found ourselves looking for a place to have breakfast. I’ve reviewed a few places around the area, but I figured I’d list most of the places we thought of as a good option for breakfast:

• Blue Lemon Cafe – 1301 South Patrick Drive, Satellite Beach, FL
• Blueberry Muffin – 1130 N Highway A1A, Indialantic, FL 32903
• Breakfast at Lilly’s – 240 Highway A1a, Satellite Beach, FL
• Corey’s Bagels on the Beach – 692 E Eau Gallie Blvd, Indian Harbour Bch, FL
• Eddie’s Sunrise Diner – 55 E Nasa Blvd, Melbourne, FL
• Memaw’s Bar-B-Q – 600 E Eau Gallie Blvd, Indian Harbour Bch, FL
• Niki’s Rainbow Cafe – 570 Highway A1A, Satellite Beach, FL
• Simply Delicious – 125 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL
• Suntree Cafe – 718 S Patrick Drive, Satellite Beach, FL

I know these aren’t all the options by far, but these are the ones we’ve been to and always had good service and food. For anyone who lives in the area, what places would you recommend for breakfast?

I try to stay on top of local news but I dropped the ball on this one. The Florida Today reported on Feb 4, 2008 that the Brevard Country Fire Department put out flames at Cantina Dos Amigos. Apparently it was an electrical fire that in the end damaged a large majority of the building. My thoughts and prayers go out to the owners and staff; it’s hard to see to a local business thrive for so long time only to be shut down by an unfortunate accident. Best of luck during your recovery.

When you mention going out for breakfast in Melbourne, most everyone who has lived in the area thinks of one place, the Blueberry Muffin Restaurant. Since my wife was a child, she has been going to the Blueberry Muffin with her family. From what I understand the restaurant hasn’t changed much from what it is today. They’ve got a bar where individuals can sit and a few dozen tables in the dining room. Each morning they make a few variations on their homemade quiche and muffins. Blueberry and chocolate chip muffins are always available, but other choices such as Strawberry Bran or Banana find their way on the menu pretty frequently. Healthy and hungry diners alike should have no trouble finding menu choices that will satisfy their appetites.

With family in town over the holidays, we decided there was no better time to visit. Between the table we ordered the country fried steak with sausage gravy and eggs with grits and rye toast (~$7), the daily quiche (spinach and cheese) with home fries and a biscuit (~$7), #1 Special with eggs, home fries, and a blueberry muffin (~$3), a large orange juice (~$3) and a few hot chocolates w/whipped cream (~$2). The food came out within 10 minutes, as it always does, and as usual, was great. The country fried steak and gravy is probably some of the best I’ve had. The quiche is a slice of a larger portion baked in a traditional pie crust topped with a melted, crusted cheese and filled with the mixture of the day (Sausage Mushroom was also available that day). Did I mention that the orange juice is fresh squeezed.

I am really glad that the Blueberry Muffin continues to operate and provide a great venue for grabbing breakfast. Their prices are reasonable (we’ve once fed 3 people for $10) and their staff is courteous and fast. If you haven’t heard about the Blueberry Muffin yet and live in the Brevard area, then you are missing out.

The Blueberry Muffin Restaurant is located at 1130 N Highway A1A, Indialantic, FL 32903.

NOTE: If you go on a Sunday be prepared to wait in line as much as 20 minutes to get a table. Don’t let this deter you though, it’s worth the wait.

Every time I go get my hair cut, the lady who cuts my hair talks about how much she loves the Island’s Fish Grill out near the beach. She always goes for dinner and says the prices are high, but she suggested my wife and I try lunch since it’s a much better deal. Well, today we decided to give it a try since we haven’t tried a new place in a while.

Let me just start out by saying, eating at Island’s Fish Grill has been one of worst experiences I’ve had since moving to the Melbourne area. Not only are the prices extremely high, even for lunch, but the service was so terrible that my wife and I wondered if the waiter (the only one they had working) just didn’t like us. Let me explain.

We arrived about 30 minutes before lunch ended to the small restaurant and were seated amongst 3 other couples who already had their food. We put in our drink orders and looked at the menu; they have a small lunch menu totaling around 8 to 10 items. About 15 minutes later, we placed our lunch order. We only had an hour and a half to eat, so we decided to keep the order simple. We ordered the chicken Caesar wrap with fries ($10.50 which was the special) and the local snapper sandwich with the soup of the day, Manhattan clam chowder ($11.00), prepared with jerk seasoning (+$1.50). We also got water and a Sprite ($2.50). We waited for 40 minutes to get our food during which about 4 more couples came into the restaurant, had their drinks filled, re-filled, and even got their food. When our food finally did come, we washed it down by chewing on the ice in our glasses because we didn’t get to talk to our waiter again until we got our check. I could have sworn my sandwich was supposed to be ~$2 less but by the time we were able to leave it wasn’t worth debating; also my usual patience was already worn far too thin.

I could go into my thoughts on the meals (I did like the fish) but I’m not going to give anyone reading this review any insight to the quality of their food; it’s the least this place deserves. The only thing I can say is unless you like waiting long amounts of time for food that comes with poor service and a ~$30 tab for a couple sandwiches, then Island’s Fish Grill is not for you. You pay to be eat on a road near the beach and for the potential to eat what the local fisherman provide. Bonefish Willy’s is a much better alternative with a great view, food that is just as fresh, and a bigger menu. Maybe one day when I’m really smug and realize I’m better than everyone else I’ll go back.

Island’s Fish Grill is located at 111 5th Avenue, Indialantic, FL 32903.

I joined my in-laws and some other family members this past week at the local Mexican restaurant, Cantina Dos Amigos. There are quite a few places in the Melbourne area, and Dos Amigos is by far one of the better joints. They’ve got a full liquor bar and we always go on Wednesday for their $1 margarita specials. If you do go on Wednesday’s make sure to get in early, the place fills up fast. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very friendly and the wait staff is always pleasant.

This time around I ordered the Pescado Tacos (~$13) which comes with tortilla soup, spanish rice, and refried beans. The tortilla soup is a bit salty but has some nice vegatables and tortilla strips in a good broth. The rice and beans come topped with cheese, but I usually ask for it without. The tacos themselves come with a great pico de gallo (some nice jalapenos are in the mix) and two soft shell tortillas filled with two big pieces of a white fish, shredded lettuce, and a creamy house fish sauce. The chips are good and the salsa, which is always a good metric of a good Mexican restaurant, has some great flavors and texture (medium spicy).

As a warning, be prepared to wait for your food. The staff and bartenders are really great, but I’ve never been to the restaurant and gotten my food right away. That being said, my food has always been hot. Other items you may want to try are the Shrimp and Spinach Enchiladas (~$13) and the Beef Tamales (~$11).

Cantina Dos Amigos is a place my wife and I regard as a local beach-side tradition in Mexican food. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who is the mood for great Mexican food, or a refreshing drink, in the Brevard area.

Cantina Dos Amigos is located at 990 North AIA, Indialantic, FL 32952.