Jerry/ Dune Deck Cafe/ West Palm Beach, Florida

Hello lovely readers. 

When I woke up today I felt an aching desire to go to the beach.  This isn't so surprising considering I am a born and raised (South) Floridian!  I knew I couldn't go to the beach so I put on some lotion called "beach" (really original) and hoped it would work its magic.  I believed the scent alone would transport me from my ice cold office to a hot, sandy shoreline.  My computer screen would transform into a juicy novel, and my hot coffee to a fruity, refreshing drink. Well, the lotion didn't do much other than make me smell nice, frozen and tinkering away at on a tedious project. 

Maybe I couldn't make it to the beach today but when left with few options I always turn to my imagination and memories.  It is in the spirit of my earnest desire to escape to the beach that I present this post.  When I am home in West Palm Beach and have very little to do, mom and I love to go to the Dune Deck Cafe to enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch. 

Mom, because she believes in the "complex theory of rubbing it in" sent me pictures and, of course, a cute waiter from her last visit to the Dune Deck Cafe (I was probably working ;-)). 

So, ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, it is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to Jerry, our shy, yet affable waiter!  Not only is Jerry a real cutie and a great waiter, he is also a kiteboarding instructor.  Don't feel bad if you've never heard of kiteboarding, I hadn't either.  But now that I know, kiteboarding sounds riveting! Take a look at this cute, instructor/waiter, Jerry:

I don't know about all of you, but I wouldn't shy away from a kiteboarding lesson from Jerry. 

Jerry is definitely a cutie, but there are many reasons to visit the Dune Deck Cafe.  The food is just fantastic and you will not leave hungry.  For breakfast, I usually have the eggs benedict (pictured below) and they are always delectable.  You can even have the evil hollandaise sauce on the side, if you're into that sort of thing.

If you are a pancake lover, fear not!  The Dune Deck Cafe has big, fluffly, yum-tastic pancakes (pictured below).  Oh the joys of breakfast!

If you happen to visit during lunchtime, I recommend the Greek salad.  Even if the Greek economy is sinking faster than the ancient city of Venice, this salad will make your tummy soar!  If you're a fish lover, get it with some fish on top--you won't be disappointed.

Perhaps the most compelling reason to go to the Dune Deck Cafe has nothing to do with waiters or food at all.  On top of the already thrilling prospect of waiters like Jerry and large portions of ridiculously yummy food, the Dune Deck Cafe is located right on the beach!  So after (or before) your meal you can stroll along this boardwalk:

Or you could simply admire the view:

Either way, you can't really go wrong at the Dune Deck Cafe.  Sometimes the wait is a little long, but it is worth it! And you couldn't ask for a more beautiful place to linger a little longer. 

So, tomorrow I might still have to drag myself into the frozen tundra of my office, but thoughts of the Dune Deck Cafe, Jerry, and the beautiful South Florida beachfront will surely keep me warm!

Love and yum,
Amy and Sharon

Aaron/ Andres/ Marcello/ La Sirena/ West Palm Beach, FL

Dearest readers. I must confess that this posting might be the nearest and dearest to my heart yet. You see, in this post I will share with you one of the most phenomenal restaurants (and waiters) in the entire world. Please, don't think that I am exaggerating. In fact, truth be told I hesitate to post this one at all because if mom has anything to do with it (or me for that matter) one of these cute waiters will one day be in our family...married to me! That's right, I'm unveiling my very own cute waiter crush. Let the blushing begin.

First, allow me to tell you about the restaurant itself: Marcello's La Sirena. If you are looking for an exquisite Italian dining experience that bears absolutely no resemblance to the Olive Garden or Macaroni Grill (i.e. fake, I mean, "Amerian" Italian food) then look no further than Marcello's. You will not find anything quite like this place anywhere else--except maybe in Italy. The owner and chef, Marcello (photographed below), makes his own mozzarella and there is an amazing wine cellar (in the attic of all places) where he keeps the wine perfectly temperature controlled. You can even have special dinners for up to eight people if you make a reservation well in advance.

Here's a picture of the man himself, Marcello! A handsome fellow, indeed.



Speaking of handsome fellows, let's move onto the cute waiters. I know my audience! Before we get to my crush, I want to introduce you to this fine gentleman, Aaron.


Just try to tell me that Aaron isn't just the sweetest wine peddler you've ever seen! I doubt there are any objections to his cuteness. What you couldn't know unless you met him is his sweetness. Aaron is adorable and he's an incredibly competent waiter to boot. He knows all about wine, and that makes him all right with me. Mom has a particular affinity toward Aaron. It might be because he is usually responsible for scenes like this one:


That's Aaron's hand pouring some effervescent prosecco, an Italian greeting wine. (Here's a tip: NEVER buy expensive champagne again. Go for some prosecco and you and your guests--and your wallet--will be quite pleased!)

Aaron is, indeed fantastic. I, however, have my eye on another waiter, Andres. Sigh. What can I say about Andres? Not much! I'm speechless. Andres, if you are reading this, just remember that I am single! Take a look ladies and gentlemen, and see what you think of my future husband-- I mean this cute waiter...



Now if the throng of good looking men isn't enough to entice you into visiting Marcello's then perhaps the food will bring you in. It is true that some of my favorite men work there, but the real draw is the fine Italian cuisine that Marcello cooks up each night. This is a dining experience you will not forget. To start, you might try the Bruschetta Sirena with fresh tomatoes, basil, oregano and extra virgin olive oil atop a crusty grilled bread. I've had a lot of bruschetta in my lifetime, but none so simply delicious as this one.


If you are a fish lover then you should try the Salmon Livornese. I don't know how to describe this one other than to call it (and this is a technical term) yummy-licious. This fish literally melts in your mouth. Honestly, when I make salmon at home it always turns up a little--dry. Not this one! Check out the menu for a better (and more technically accurate) description. For now, take a look at this divine fish dish.


Do you love pasta? Do you like porcini mushrooms? Have you ever even had a white truffle or truffle oil? Well, sometimes, on special occasions, you can have all three in one course. As you look at this next photo, close your eyes and imagine how indulgent it would be to dine on this feast.



For those of you more interested in heavier fare--meat--you are in luck as well! This filet melts in your mouth. Now that's a sensational savory!


Along with cute waiters and fantastic food, Marcello's also boasts an incredible wine list. Here are a couple of real gems that we imbibed on one particularly extravagant evening.


If you haven't already gathered this, Marcello's is a special place and it comes at a special price. (Oh--and did I mention that it is closed during the summer? Don't worry, they re-open in early September) But I guarantee that a dining experience at Marcello's is worth every penny! So if you're looking for a bit of luxury, and a lot of fun, go to Marcello's the next time you're in West Palm Beach. But don't try to steal Andres--he's mine. :-)

Love and yum,
Amy and Sharon

Dennis/ Rhythm Cafe / West Palm Beach, FL

Another favorite in the Palm Beach County area is a local joint located in a renovated and converted 1950s drugstore that was called Ranch's. It is now the home of Rhythm Cafe, a quirky and fun restaurant in the heart of the antiques district of West Palm Beach, Florida. You wouldn't know just by driving by the treasures that this campy restaurant holds. For instance, if you check out their website, you can see some of the prom pictures that adorn the walls donated by customers who used to frequent Ranch's Drugstore while sitting at the original counter.

Among the novel decor of this fun-loving restaurant is one of our favorite waiters ever, Dennis. Okay, maybe he isn't the waiter, he might be the host--let's not get bound by labels. Check him out, how could we resist?


The food at Rhythm is, as you might imagine, out of this world! We go to Rhythm Cafe regularly (when mom calls they know her voice--I'm not kidding), but the night we've featured is from dad's 60th birthday (look, I'm ratting everyone out)! The kind folks at Rhythm Cafe accommodated our 24 person group without a hitch and provided delightful service and food (and wine--duh).

The following dish is the hog snapper (they only feature fresh and local fishes, so this was on the menu that night) prepared with an artichoke sauce. Let's all say it together--YUM! An often overlooked item on a dinner plate, carrots, should not be strewn aside at Rhythm Cafe because they are, as mom says "to die for!" Why don't you go and find out for yourself?


Now, what birthday, (or meal), would be complete without a sweet treat to finish it off? Well the desserts at Rhythm Cafe are so good that you might think you're living in a dream world. Dennis, the "waiter" featured above, actually makes the chocolate cake himself and...expanded its size for our sweet-toothed party! I promise you've never had a cake quite like this. Feast your eyes on this, dear readers.


Rhythm Cafe has so much to offer that we could probably write an entire blog just about it. The waiters all make something on the menu (for instance, Blaine occasionally makes the sweet and spicy jalapeno brownies--only if you're good). All the desserts are made in-house, including the ice cream. This place is pretty much a foodies heaven. They are also very LGBTQ friendly, which we think is just swell.

It's small, so if you go in season be sure to make a reservation because it WILL be packed--probably with my family members.

Love and yum,
Amy and Sharon

John/ Centanni/ Royal Palm Beach, FL

This restaurant is one of my parents and my favorite places to eat. When we walk in the door we are greeted by name, and with ample amounts of sumptuous, fresh-baked Italian bread with olive oil and garlic. Yum. Another great feature of Centanni's is the waitstaff. I must say that if you're looking for a place with really, really, really cute and friendly waiters you should visit Centanni's. This waiter is John. Though his name is ordinary, this fellow is not. John is adorable and a fantastic waiter who couldn't wait to be featured on the blog. We hope you like him as much as we do!

Ladies and gentlemen, I don't think that you can deny the cutie-cuteness of John. But don't visit Centanni's just for the waiters, come for the food as well! While we all have our regular, standby meals, Centanni's has a marvelous menu filled with delectable Italian dishes. The dish featured below was a special of the night--lamb (it doesn't get much more special than lamb, folks).


The lamb chops were grilled to perfection and served on a bed of fresh, seasonal vegetables. What you don't see is the sinful side order of pasta, which comes with most meals. You definitely won't go hungry at Centanni's because if that wasn't enough to sate your appetite, the meal comes with a soup or salad ( I suggest the pasta fagioli--I have dreams about this soup and awake in...drool).

Because Centanni's has no website, we've provided the contact information below. Be sure to visit Centanni's if you are ever in the West Palm Beach, Florida area.

Phone: 561.792.7677

Address: 10107 Southern Blvd
Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411

Love and yum,
Amy

Austin/Brianna/P.F. Chang's/ Denver, CO

Recently, I took a trip to Denver, Colorado to attend the American Education Research Association's annual conference. While there I learned a lot about what's hot in the research community, but also got a chance to try some of the local cuisine. Now, this restaurant is not local, by any means. Indeed, PF Chang's is a standard of many cities across the country. However, some unique characteristics made this PF Chang's worth citing.

For instance, the place was swarmed with cute waiters! Honestly, if you're looking for cute waiters, this is the place to go! We saw so many that we had to choose two just to be fair. Though in truth, we could have taken pictures of any of the waitstaff because they were just. that. cute! Take a look at our two picks:
This first one is Austin. He caught our attention because of his rugged, Colorado man appeal. Austin really looks like he belongs in a place like Denver, which is all at once rustic and modern. Besides, who can resist a tall blondie? :-)

But if Austin isn't your type, fear not! Brianna was our actual waitress and was...dare I say...HOT! I know, this blog is for cute waiters, but when someone is hot that deserves attention. What do you think of Brianna? (We think she's hot, in case you didn't get that)

Come on! Admit it! She's a hottie.

So you're probably wondering why we decided that a chain like PF Chang's deserved to make it on the blog. The cute waiters are one thing, but the food is another! My traveling companion has coeliac disease, which makes it difficult to eat out. But! PF Chang's has an entire gluten free menu for her ( and other gluten free peoples) to choose from. For their consideration and love of all things gluten free, we just had to include PF Chang's in the old blog.

If you are in need of a cute waiter fix, or have dietary restrictions that limit your gluten intake, consider PF Chang's as your restaurant of choice. You'll be glad you did!

Love and yum,
Amy

PS- Special thanks to Jess Clawson (my traveling companion) for taking the photos!

Karen/Pelican Cafe/ Lake Park, FL

Darling blog readers! I've been a little busy with school and work and all those things that take up my time. But even in the midst of final paper writing and traveling, I've managed to collect a few cute waiters for your entertainment. After a long (at least long in internetspeak) hiatus, we are so proud to bring you another installment of cute waiters!

Our featured cutie-pie is Karen from the Pelican Cafe in Lake Park, Florida. For those Palm Beach County natives, you might remember the location as Cafe du Parc, which closed in 2006. Well, the new owners have breathed new life into this old establishment and have provided the area with a much-needed place for...yumminess! Karen, is just one aspect of the fabulous restaurant, and the seaside decor is classy, yet fun. But, as always, you don't have to take our word for it; see for yourself!

Yes folks, the Pelican Cafe is a sweet place with sweet waitresses like Karen. We went for breakfast and were treated to a wonderful time. To make the deal even more sacchariferous, the lovely waitresses bring you fresh-made doughnuts once you've ordered your breakfast! Take a look at these sugary, cinnamony treats!

The doughnuts above are the ones that we ravenously consumed at our table. But when you walk in the door, no one can miss this tempting display:


Are you drooling yet?

Mom got these blueberry pancakes with crispy bacon, (she ordered it crispy--she likes it that way). As described by mom, these pancakes were "perfect!" Even though I'm not a pancake fan, I have to agree that these particular pancakes looked delightful. I say looked because not a bite was left for me to try! Go mom!

Dad (yes, dad's in on the action this time), had the three egg omelet with mushrooms and sausage. Again, I didn't get to try this omelet, which he described as "the best he's ever had!" because there was simply none left. You'll have to go and check it out for yourself!


Speaking leaving nothing behind, did I mention the huevos rancheros that I ordered? Unfortunately, I couldn't take a picture because even though my blogging skills are finely attuned to my audience's needs, my stomach did not cooperate. I am a big fan of huevos rancheros, and these are second to none! You can order them with or without chorizo (what do you think I did, dear readers--ahem!), and they are covered in two kinds of cheeses. Can you say HEAVEN? I certainly can. To spice up the plate, one of the many cute bus-boys came along and offered a vast array of hot sauces (too bad this isn't a cute bus-boy blog)! I was impressed with the selection to say the least.

If you are ever in the Palm Beach County area, we would highly recommend giving the Pelican Cafe a try. We doubt you'll be disappointed, and although we've only tried breakfast, the Pelican Cafe serves up lunch and dinner as well. I can't imagine that this restaurant could be anything less than fantastic!



Love and yum!
Amy

Otis/ The Top/ Gainesville, FL

Our next waiter comes from one of my favorite restaurant/bars in Gainesville: The Top. This place boasts eclectic decor, an array of vegetarian and meaty dishes, a great bar, and, of course, cute waiters!

My last visit to The Top was on a Tuesday night after the mayoral election in Gainesville and the entire Democratic Party was there to, well, party! (We're in a runoff by the way) I was there with a lovely group of ladies from my doctoral program and we had a blast. Our cute waiter Otis helped out with that for sure. Otis is the kind of cutie who has that rugged, bearded, awesome look. I personally want to go camping with him and jam out with a guitar next to a blazing fire. What would you do with Otis?


As I mentioned, the ladies and I went to The Top on a Tuesday, which is a special day. Each Tuesday, The Top serves up its usual yummy-licious fare, alongside the specials: TACOS! These are no regular tacos, however. Mine were made with sushi-grade tuna and the ones featured below were fried grouper tacos. Not your typical taco.

This is a great place to go for a drink after work, dinner, late night fun, or even Sunday brunch. If you are in Gainesville you would be remiss if you didn't take a moment to stop by this local favorite.

Love and yum,
Amy