Treasure Coast restaurants: What's opened, closed or moved recently?
Treasure Coast restaurant roundup
Every month, TCPalm will publish a roundup of Treasure Coast restaurants that have recently opened, closed or moved. Let us know about your restaurant — or your favorite restaurant — at [email protected].
OPENINGS
The Grill at CW Willis
The Vero Beach family farm debuted its newest addition, an outdoor restaurant, in late November. The Grill at CW Willis features classic American eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some of the most popular menu items so far have been the: pancake tacos ($7.99), two buttermilk pancakes stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and your choice of bacon, ham or sausage and served with syrup; the falafel burger ($9.95), a falafel patty with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion and tzatziki sauce on a toasted pretzel bun; and The Bella grilled cheese ($7.99), with gouda cheese, bacon and apple slices on marble rye bread. The family hopes the new restaurant will add to the activities available at the farm. Diners can eat at the outside venue or walk over to the nursery and picnic areas to enjoy their meals. The family is also planning to open a produce market and bakery at the farm to be a one-stop shop for Vero Beach residents.
3700 Ninth St. S.W., Vero Beach; 772-770-5970 ext. 1; cwwillisfamilyfarms.com/grill-home; 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday
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Zafè’m Caribbean Restaurant
Ena Jacques opened her restaurant in the Pineapple Palm Plaza in Gifford on Oct. 25. Zafè’m Caribbean Restaurant, meaning “mine” in Creole, serves traditional island fare. Jacques is from Haiti, but has lived in the U.S. for the past 26 years. She wanted to bring all the flavors of the Caribbean to Fort Pierce or Port St. Lucie, where her parents lived, but saw there was a need north of Vero Beach. Her most popular dishes have been the fried pork and the red beans and rice.
2190 45th St. #105, Vero Beach; 772-584-3886; facebook.com/Zafem-Caribbean-Restaurant; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday
Simply Sweets
Teresa Lawless opened Sebastian's newest "whimsical" confectionary shop in September to share her love of sweet treats with the community. Simply Sweets serves homemade fudge, cookies, cupcakes, cake pops, chocolates, malt balls and more. Lawless does not have a menu readily available, she said, because she whips up whatever her heart desires or residents crave. There's something to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth though. A coffee bar and Hershey's ice cream are also available.
8905 U.S. 1, Sebastian; 772-571-6876; facebook.com/Simply-Sweets; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Desi Chili's
Desi Chili's in Fort Pierce is an authentic Indian halal restaurant that opened Dec. 11. Menu items feature vindaloo, curry, masala, korma, biryani and more, with protein options including beef, lamb, chicken, lamb, goat, shrimp, salmon and vegetarian. Management did not respond to TCPalm's multiple requests for additional information, and the restaurant's hours were not readily available online.
1987 S. U.S. 1, Fort Pierce; 772-672-4304; desichilis.com
Rooted Reef Kava Bar
The downtown Fort Pierce kava bar opened Dec. 12, hoping to provide an alternative to be social and have fun without alcohol, said co-owner Ashley Frahm. Rooted Reef Kava Bar serves noble kava, kava brew, leilo kava and handcrafted botanical teas. The most popular drinks so far have been the Lavender Lemon Shark, a botanical tea with freshly squeezed lemon and lavender; the non-alcoholic Reef Mango Mojito, a botanical tea with a splash of mango, muddled mint and lime; and the Orange Dream Kava ($8 per glass). A majority of drink prices vary based on size. Rooted Reef plans to host trivia, karaoke, open mic nights and more in the future, Frahm said. She wants to promote an authentic atmosphere where residents can feel comfortable expressing themselves — operating under the motto, "Be kind to nature, yourself and others."
208 S. Depot Drive, Fort Pierce; 772-672-4927; facebook.com/therootedreefkavabar; 11 a.m. to midnight Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. to midnight Sunday
Delicias de la Abuela
This is the fourth location, but first Treasure Coast storefront, for this family-owned Latin American restaurant serving traditional Colombian dishes passed down from generation to generation. Delicias de la Abuela debuted its Port St. Lucie location Nov. 8 and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Various menu items include chicken, steak, pork or fish entrees, but the handcrafted arepas and tostones are fan favorites. Creations feature The Grandmother ($7.99), stuffed with mozzarella cheese, chicken steak, pork skin and Colombian sausage; The Zarzare?a ($7.99), stuffed with mozzarella cheese, steak and mushrooms; and The Poisoned ($7.99), stuffed with mozzarella cheese, grilled cow or calf lungs and your choice of sauce. Other storefronts can be found in West Palm Beach, Royal Palm Beach and Margate.
1180 S.E. Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie; 772-777-4888; usadeliciasdelaabuela.com; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Maia's
Kate and Alexander Pope, who also operate The Scoop ice cream shop, were elated to continue expanding in the Jensen Beach community. The couple opened Maia's, a cafe and coffee shop named after Alexander Pope's mother, Dec. 8. The most popular menu items so far have been the muffins ($3.25) and the quiches ($6.25). Espressos, cappuccinos, tea, hot chocolate and more are available. The storefront is still waiting for its beer and wine license, and will extend its hours once it's issued. Maia's is in an historic, 120-year-old downtown Jensen Beach building, formerly owned by the pioneer Ricou family and later turned into a bed-and-breakfast dubbed the Inn at Tilton Place in 2009. The Popes hope to maintain the homey, family atmosphere.
3350 N.E. Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach; maiasjensenbeach.com; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday
Scorpa Italian Cuisine
Chef Frank Ritz offers an ever-changing menu for Friday and Saturday date nights at Stuart's new Italian restaurant. Scorpa Italian Cuisine opened Nov. 5 and operates out of Three Little Birds Cafe in the Downtown Stuart Shopping Center. All meals are homemade, and the weekly menu is posted on social media by Wednesday. Dinner entrees featured so far have included parmigiana; chicken or veal marsala, francaise and calabrese; and shrimp scampi over sautéed spinach. All entrees are served with a glass of wine, bread, soup, salad and dessert. Prices were not readily available. Reservations are not required but are encouraged.
740 S.W. Federal Highway, Stuart; 772-285-6882; coryjo3.wixsite.com/scorpaitaliancuisine; 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday to Thursday
Bagel Bistro
This is the second storefront, but first Treasure Coast location, for owners Frank Picard and Rhonda Rifelli. Bagel Bistro in Hobe Sound opened Dec. 17, serving classic breakfast and lunch fare. The most popular menu items so far have been the bacon, egg and cheese ($5.45) and the Sunrise ($7.70), with bacon, cheese, hash browns and an over easy egg. All sandwiches have the option of being served on a bagel, wrap, croissant or bread. The bagels set the restaurant apart from competitors, Rifelli said, weighing 5 ounces — compared to the traditional 3 ounce portion — and baked fresh daily. Other items include homemade muffins, scones, cookies, pancakes, quiche and crepes. The couple hopes Bagel Bistro can become the go-to neighborhood spot where friends and strangers can come together and enjoy comfort food.
5663 S.E. Crooked Oak Ave., Hobe Sound; 772-210-2137; bagelbistro.square.site; 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
CLOSED
Supreme Pizza
After 14 years in business, the Stuart pizzeria permanently closed in October, according to signs posted outside the storefront. Management cited the national worker shortage.
Catie Wegman is TCPalm's community and real estate reporter. You can keep up with Catie on Twitter @Catie_Wegman, on Facebook @catiewegman1 and email her [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Restaurants opened in Sebastian, Stuart, Vero, Jensen, Fort Pierce, PSL
