At the Table newsletter: Iconic diner turns 72. Landmark café closes. But first, Salty doughnuts!
Iconic diner turns 72. Landmark beach café closes. But first, doughnuts!
The weekend greets us with a few milestones to celebrate, plus a sweet reason to hurry up and wait.
We’ll start with the hurry up and wait.
The Salty Donut, the Wynwood-born cult favorite, has been teasing us with pop-up appearances at The Square plaza for a while now. But the official opening of the concept’s brick-and-mortar shop is near – it happens a week from today.
What’s on The Salty’s opening menu at The Square? A decadent dozen that includes year-round favorites such as white chocolate tres leches doughnuts, brown butter and salt doughnuts, guava and cream cheese, milk-and-cookies doughnuts and caramel apple doughnuts.
Special seasonal doughnuts include caramel toffee crumb, vegan cinnamon roll and gluten-free chocolate chip and sea salt doughnuts.
The folks behind the family-owned, gourmet doughnut business are (rightfully) anticipating lines on its grand opening day, Aug. 19. So they’re rolling out a pre-opening “lotto” for doughnut fans today. The prize: a free box of doughnuts. They’ll select 60 winners daily on Tuesday and Wednesday. To enter, visit The Salty’s Instagram page for details.
460 S. Rosemary Ave., #170, West Palm Beach
Now, the milestones
The iconic Howley’s diner, a South Dixie Highway mainstay for comfort grub, turns 72 years old. The big birthday celebration happens all-day Saturday.
What’s in it for you? Prices a la 1950s. That means Howley’s smash burgers and pulled pork sandwiches will be priced at 72 cents on Saturday.
Also part of the celebration: live music starting at 6 p.m., local beers, vintage cars, art vendors and a kids’ zone with games and other activities starting at 2 p.m.
4700 S. Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach
Steam Horse Brewing, the youngest in a family of local craft beer breweries that include Tequesta Brewing Company and Twisted Trunk Brewing, turns 4 on Saturday.
I remember when it was in the planning stages, an urban West Palm dream for its owners and brewmasters, Fran Andrewlevich and Matt Webster. That was six years ago, before its food-hall neighbor, Grandview Public Market, made its debut at the Warehouse District.
The Steam Horse birthday party, which goes from 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, will feature special beer releases, $5 beer and live music starting at 6 p.m. Oh, and stellar Bavarian pretzels! My colleague Eddie Ritz wrote all about chef Manfred Schmidtke’s gourmet pretzels this week. You can read that story here.
1500 Elizabeth Ave., West Palm Beach
Some sad news from Jupiter beach
Duke’s Lazy Loggerhead Café closes its doors at 2 p.m. today after 25 years. When I heard the news, I remembered the crisp fall day in 2012 when I lunched at the café with my father. He had the Reuben. I had the lightly blackened dolphin, which was so tasty, I dreamed about it for days.
Dad enjoyed the homey, casual feel of the place, the generous portions and crispy, thick-cut fries. I enjoyed it all as well, and loved seeing Dad, smiling in his Miami Heat cap, khaki windbreaker and long shorts. His eyes widened when our server delivered his feast as if to say, "How am I going to eat all of this?" (He did.)
I would return several more times after he passed away two years later.
Sometimes, our local restaurants serve as repositories of our memories. They witness our cherished milestones and random moments. The best of these restaurants, be they casual or fancy, know the magic is in the small gestures and in making us feel welcome. Thank you for this, Lazy Loggerhead Café.
Duke’s Lazy Loggerhead Café: 6 Van Kessel Parkway (in Carlin Park), Jupiter
Have a delicious weekend!
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Newsletter: Iconic diner turns 72. Landmark café closes. And doughnuts!
