dining
GUIDE
INDIAN
TASTE OF INDIA
Authentic Indian cuisine on the buffet or from the menu, with great curries, tandoori and vindaloo prepared so that the spices do not overwhelm the meal. Butter Chicken is a local favorite, as is the Nan. 606 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, (321) 751-4191. LD. $12-$30
(321) 632-4199 |
tasteofindiafl.us
ITALIAN
Amici’s Italian Restaurant A casual family restaurant with a clean, contemporary look, Amici’s is no pizza joint, although it does a variety of pies. Specialty and traditional pastas are served, as are typical Italian meat and fish dishes. Sandwiches are good too. 7720 N. Wickham Road, Suntree, (321) 255-5377. LD. $5-$15
Amore Ristorante and Chophouse Prime meat,
fresh seafood and pasta are the stars of the menu in this new venue on the site of the former Primavera. 6300 N. Wickham Road, Suntree, (321) 242-8507. LD. $15-$25
Bacco Wine Café The heritage here is authentic Northern Italian rather than American-Sicilian, with pork, lamb, beef, veal and chicken dishes amid intimate elegance. The Piatto Miso, or appetizer selection, is a highlight of the dining experience and the panna cotta is wonderful. 4100 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, (321) 259-3456. D. $13-$25
Cibelli’s Unpretentious but clean and friendly, Cibelli’s offers pizza and subs as you’d expect in a good little pizzeria from the North, complete with “slice and drink” specials. It also has big televisions for sports lovers. 1356 S.R. A1A, Satellite Beach, (321) 777-3339. LD. Under $20
Gio’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria Located in
the same space where Abitino used to be, Gio’s has something for everyone including pasta, pizza, calzones, salads, soups, meat and seafood entrees, and subs. 2330 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, (321) 255-3155. LD. $5.95-$20.95.
112 : SPACECOAST LIVING
Melo’s Italian Ristorante Melo’s is another beach- side mainstay, a friendly little restaurant with classic ambiance and a classic menu. The tomato sauce clearly is homemade and creamy sauces are done properly, and portions are substantial. 1000 E. Eau Gallie Boulevard, Satellite Beach (321) 773-3555. D. $10-$30
Mezza Luna Completely renovated for alfresco dining in historic downtown Eau Gallie, Mezza Luna specializes in classic Italian food but also serves breakfast, complete with coffee in French press pots and frittata. 1385 Highland Avenue, Eau Gallie, (321) 254-6166. BLD. $10-$20
New York Pizza & Pasta This little, unassuming
pizzeria owned by veteran Long Island restaurateur Curtis Flynn may serve Brevard’s best pizza. New York Pizza also has big salads and very good entrees, and what’s available depends on what Flynn wants to make, though some dishes are standards. 6450 N. Wickham Road, Suntree, (321) 253-0588. LD. $5-$12
Pane e Vino Half of Pane e Vino contains good imported food products, with sausages and other meats hanging above the refrigerators as well as fresh bakery products like sfogli- adelle and pignoli cookies. The other half is the restaurant, which does typical entrees, as well as pizza. 1800 W. Hibiscus Boulevard, Melbourne, (321) 676-5499. LD. $7-$20
Tuscany Grill Another restaurant that may be Italian but is no pizzeria, Tuscany Grill features a diverse menu with various seafood, meat and pasta dishes, including some unique offerings like Grilled Mediterranean, a sauce-free, spicy combination of chicken, fish and sausage. 7640 N. Wickham Road, Suntree, (321) 757-7220. LD. $10-$20
MEXICAN/TEX-MEX
Da Kine Diego’s Insane Burritos An institution
among surfers, this quirky, friendly little restaurant is built over the former site of a miniature golf course, the kitchen a sort of shack at the back of the operation. It does surf grub – burritos, tacos, salads, etc. – very well, though, and even makes its own sauces. Keep your eyes open when you visit, because you never know which surf star you’ll see. 1360 Highway A1A, Satellite Beach, (321) 779-8226. LD. $3-$10
Fiesta Azteca For years, many Brevardians have believed that Fiesta Azteca has the best Tex-Mex-style food in the area. 6765 N. Wickham Road, Suntree, (321) 255-2185; 2242 Sarno Road, Melbourne, (321) 242-5966. LD. $6.50- $18.95
Francisco’s Mexican Restaurant The former
Cancun Café may have a new name and a new location in the same strip mall, but the food remains the same: good. It’s not a big venue, but it is inviting and the menu offers a lot of diversity with typical Tex-Mex fare, including what may be the best flautas in the area. 2447 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, (321) 751-3322. LD. $6-$20
La Cabana This is one of those tiny hole-in-the wall restaurants that you could miss if you drive by its little strip mall, but that’s something you don’t want to do. The people at La Cabana treat the place as if it were fine dining, with good table service by actual Mexican people, and they may serve the best chili relleno in the area. 586 Highway A1A, Satellite Beach, (321) 779-0190. LD. $5-$15
MIDDLE EASTERN
Cedars Café Cedars is a delight: a hidden-away (in the Post Commons shopping plaza), nicely decorated little Lebanese-Mediterranean restaurant to which locals will drive miles for stuffed grape leaves alone. Other Greek-style specialties are on the menu too, and they’re very good, but the Middle Eastern food is outstanding. 4100 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, (321) 751-0000. LD. $10-$20
SEAFOOD
Bonackers An informal, non-chain seafood restaurant is most welcome on the beach side, and this one features typical, northern-style offerings like raw and cooked clams, oysters and mussels, as well as the entrees you’d expect. Its specialty, however, is the “Montauk Clambake,” which serves four or more people. 490 E. Eau Gallie Beach Boulevard, Indian Harbour Beach, (321) 622-4232. LD $10-$30.
SPECIALTY
Melting Pot (The) If you are fond of fondue, this is nirvana, with steak, lobster, tuna, chicken, vegetables and shrimp in a variety of cooking sauces/media. Then there’s dessert: more fondue, with white, dark and milk chocolate in various treatments. It also happens to be an immaculate, modern sort of place with a great bar, outdoor dining and good menu items. Go hungry and prepare to spend some time. The Avenue Viera, 2230 Town Center Avenue, Viera, (321) 433-3040. D. $15-$30
SOUTH
(Melbourne S.R. 192 and south; Palm Bay, Malabar, Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, Indian River County)
AMERICAN
Captain Hiram’s Don’t just dine and be entertained there, stay there: captain Hiram’s has its own, adjacent resort. It is laid-back and rustic, with a diverse menu that offers everything from burgers to lobster. 1580 U.S. Highway 1, Sebastian, (772) 589-4345. LD. $6.99-$30
Chart House One of Melbourne’s great traditional-style American restaurants, with a wonderful river view, a menu that won’t disappoint anyone and a salad bar that most believe is the best in the area. 2250 Front Street, Melbourne, (321) 729-6558. D. $30-$50
City Tropics Bistro This is one of those places that is not precisely a lounge, but not precisely a restaurant, though it does well being both. It is a relaxed, popular after-work site that provides light foods, entrees, sushi, pizza and a Sunday brunch with flair. Appetizers like Hawaiian chicken, Mezza Luna (fried provolone) and panko-crusted fried brie are terrific, the sushi is very good, the Pollo Tropical is great and the Steak Mojito is a marvelous original. 249 Fifth Avenue, Indialantic, (321) 723-1300. LD. $14-$20
Djon’s Chophouse Djon’s is one of those restaurants to which you go to celebrate a special event or when you simply feel like a touch of elegance. If you go for lunch, you can get a Designer Kobe Burger, among other delights. If you go for dinner, prepare to order exquisite steaks, chops, chicken and seafood. Reservations are recommended. 522 Ocean Boulevard, Melbourne Beach, (321) 722-2737. Lunch (Mondays through Fridays), Dinner (Mondays through Sundays). $18-$54
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