Native Sun

Native Sun
209 E Atlantic Ave
Delray Beach, FL 33444

I really like this store. I've got to agree with Andrea R though - a lot of the clothes are a bit too mature for me. But, my mom and aunt love this store so I always end up browsing around and I usually find something I "need". On the most recent trip, I got an awesome cardigan that was definitely not made for the older ladies. If you're around the area, Native Sun is definitely worth a browse.

Carnival Flea Market at Delray

A trip to Florida has always meant a trip to the Flea Market. We used to go to one in Lake Worth, but it closed down. So, now we come here. There is one really nice Jewelry stand here that sells all sorts of stones and they will custom make things for you. Also, a few different places sell discounted perfume. Pretty much everything else isn't really stuff you buy while on vacation. At least I don't go on vacation to buy packages of socks :) But, it's fun to walk around and see all the random stuff being sold. Plus, this flea market has slot machines and a food court!

Sloan's Ice-Cream

What a fun place! The pink. The glitz. The ice-cream! This is the sort of place that I would probably never go into at home, but its the perfect dessert spot when you are on vacation! The decor is over the top and it makes getting a scoop of ice-cream something to celebrate!

Il Bellagio

I'm probably a little biased because we originally went to CityPlace to eat at Legal Seafood and only ended up at Il Bellagio when we found out our original destination had closed down.

That being said, our experience at Il Bellagio was pretty decent. My risotto with shrimp was rich and creamy and my fiance's homemade Italian sausage was also very good. My grandfather ordered the linguine with clams and the number of canned clams in the sauce far outweighed the fresh clams that came with it, but it still had a lot of flavor.

Il Bellagio has standard Italian food. Nothing was stand out, but it certainly was good. I would eat here again if I happened to be at CityPlace for dinner - but I wouldn't go to CityPlace just to eat here.

City Place

Now, here is a place to SHOP. This is a wonderful outdoor shopping center that has every store you could ever imagine. This place caters to the serious shoppers or those who just want to enjoy the weather and stroll. Unfortunately, it did seem like a lot of the nicer restaurants have closed down and been replaced by bars. In fact, we came to CityPlace to eat at Legal Seafood (yum) - only to discover an obnoxious martini lounge in its place. But, no place is perfect and the wonderful stores at CityPlace deserve 5 stars!

Paradiso Restaurant

This is one of my grandfather's favorite restaurants and he has been coming here for years. Decades probably. So, whenever I visit him he always wants to go here. And I happily oblige :) I've never had a bad meal here and the ambiance is beautiful. It is definitely more fancy (and expensive!) than I do on my own, but its always a treat when we come here. On my last visit here I noticed a lot of people ordering the salt crusted fish and so I hope to try that on my next visit. My only complaint is that the whole table felt the dessert we ordered (pear tart) did not live up to our expectations. But, I would still recommend this restaurant to people for a special occasion!

Prime Catch

After another visit to Prime Catch I knew I had to revise my previous review. I must have been having a bad day or something, because I've completely changed my mind about Prime Catch. We came for dinner this time, not for lunch, and the food was excellent. I had Chilean sea bass on a shrimp cake in sweet corn chowder and it was delicious. like for real delicious. Everyone at the table loved their dishes and they all looked beautiful.

So here is the deal. The food is very good and it is worth coming to Prime Catch, even if you don't get a table outside. I wasn't as impressed with my lunch experience at Prime Catch, but dinner was wonderful.

I stand corrected.

Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach

This review is only for lunch at the four seasons.

To cap off our visit to Florida, my grandfather took us out to lunch at the Ocean Bistro at the Four Seasons. It is a casual lunch spot with, quite honestly, spotty service and (just) okay food. But, the atmosphere is beautiful. Coming from a Chicago winter, there is nothing better than sitting outside and being able to feel the breeze off the water. Plus, the Four Seasons is such a gorgeous hotel that the okay food is elevated to be something a bit more special than it probably is. While normally I deem having to wait half an hour for some sandwiches unforgivable, the Ocean Bistro somehow managed to turn it into an enjoyable experience.

Chico's

Chico's
266 S Ocean Blvd
Lantana, FL 33462

You might be wondering why a 23 year old is reviewing Chicos. And if this is what you are thinking, I don't blame you. I have no business shopping here. BUT my mom and aunt LOVE Chicos so we always stop here.  And what do you expect me to do, stand around and not look? That's just not my style. If I'm in a store, I will shop. And I shop to buy.

So - that is why Chico's get's four stars from me. I can always find something to buy and mix into my clothing rotation.

Eventually, I'm sure I will end up buying more and more of my clothing here as I plan to be a stylish older lady :) I guess I'm just starting a bit earlier than most.

Prime Catch

So the food here really isn't very good. It is underwhelming at best. But, it has outdoor patio seating right on the water that is lovely to sit by. At least for me, being from Chicago, I was impressed with it :)

So, here is what you do. Come for lunch. Or a late brunch. Or just appetizers. Get a reservation for outdoors and see if they can't reserve a table by the railing so that you get the best view possible. Order oysters and clams on the half shell and maybe a shrimp cocktail. Get something to drink. Enjoy.