FORT LAUDERDALE – Lum’s was once a chain of family restaurants in the U.S. It’s first location was in Miami, but the chain grew in Florida. Here, a photo of a location in Fort Lauderdale, from the Florida Memory Flickr page.

Who wouldn’t like world famous hot dogs, steamed in beer?

Gradually, the chain expanded across the states and into Europe. It failed, but memories survive.

NAPLES – This Key Lime pie was made by Randy’s Fishmarket Restaurant in Naples and sold in grocery stores. Tasty but not too tart, it has a crumbly Graham cracker crust.

GAINESVILLE – In a college town, there are always plenty of places to drink, but not always to eat. In Gainesville, these bar/restaurants are all located around University Avenue just north of the University of Florida campus.

But in downtown Gainesville, about a dozen blocks east of University of Florida, there is a well-maintained collection of restaurants in a lively downtown that speaks Old South trendy with restaurants like Liquid Ginger and Urban Flats. Most have outdoor eating areas.

The downtown restaurant district is south of University Avenue and east of Main Street. It not only encompasses restaurants, but a Hampton Inn and the Hippodrome State Theater.

Pictured here, Emiliano’s, which has a Cuban flavor, but not too gimmicky Latin tapas. It has college town prices, with some rice and bean dishes that can keep lunch well under $10 per person.

Emiliano’s Cafe, 7 SE 1st Ave., Gainesville, FL, (352) 375-7381‎,  emilianoscafe.com

DAYTONA BEACH – We happened upon the Flickr site of William Bird’s site of Florida postcards and history, and saw this old postcard of the Tic Toc.

Wethinks if it were still around, it would be a big hit.

The place was actually the Tic-Toc Cocktail Bar Restaurant Pit Bar-B-Que and Package Store. What a name.

It was at 2120 So. Atlantic Ave. The back of the card read “Most popular meeting place in the heart of 2000 Cottage Colony on World Famous Beach. Open 7 days a week. Bathers welcome. “Jay” and “Sis” your hosts.

Take a look at the Flickr site..its alot of fun. It’s called Edge and Corner Wear

FORT LAUDERDALE

In the dining program, leading restaurants have a $35 fixed price menu; below are some top participants, by city. Click on each of the restaurants to find out about their menu, chef and promotions:

Fort Lauderdale

Blue Moon Fish Co.
By Word of Mouth
Cafe Vico
The Capital Grille
Chart House
China Grill at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
Coco Asian Bistro & Bar
Dapur, Asian Tapas & Lounge
15th Street Fisheries
Grateful Palate
Grille 66 & Bar Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six
Hi-Life Cafe
ilios at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
Indigo Restaurant at the Riverside Hotel
Johnny V
Mai-Kai Restaurant
Market 17
The Melting Pot, Fort Lauderdale
Morton’s The Steakhouse
North Ocean Grille at the Pelican Grand
Primavera
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
SAIA at B Ocean Fort Lauderdale
Shula’s on the Beach at the Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale
SoLita Las Olas
Spazio
Steak 954 at the W Fort Lauderdale
Sublime Restaurant & Bar
Sunfish Grill
3030 Ocean at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Truluck’s
Via Luna at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale

Hollywood

AiZia at The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa
Bongos Cuban Cafe at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Lola’s on Harrison
Tatu at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Hallandale Beach

III Forks

Lighthouse Point

Le Bistro

Pompano Beach

Cafe Maxx

Wilton Manors

Tee Jay Thai Sushi

Weston

East City Grill
Ireland’s Steakhouse at the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure

Find out more at sunny.org

Once a popular Florida chain. The New England Oyster House apparently still isn’t around, but in the 1960s and 1970s, they had locations all over South Florida.

The Dry Dock Waterfront Grill is located on the east side of Longboat Key, just behind and adjacent to a vertical marina “boatel.” It’s sort of tucked in to the back; it makes  you feel like you are going someplace special as you have to pull your car into a funny, long, narrow parking lot. It’s one of those comfy waterfront places, casual but not too casual, with taxidermy and a wooden canoe for the decor. Sophisticated but family oriented, it serves lunch and dinner.

The large upstairs has a view of Sarasota Bay, and the first floor has a terrace that is right overlooking the dock and boat lift. On busy high-season nights, its a good place to go with kids as you can wait and walk around the pier while your table is called, or you can hang out upstairs in the bar.

412 Gulf of  Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34226. www.drydockwaterfrontgrill.com

• Joe’s Stone Crab, Miami. Still a classic restaurant, ever since it was in Goldfinger.
• Morada Bay Beach Cafe, Islamorada. Fresh berries and graham crust. www.moradabay-restaurant.com
• Kermit’s Key West Lime Shoppe. Popular with cruise ship visitors but still true with condensed milk and local credibility. www.keylimeshop.com
• Porkys Bayside BBQ. This key lime is deep fried. In Marathon. www.porkysbaysidebbq.com
• The Wreck & Galley Grill, Grassy Key. Lots of local color, with big slices and has a “natural” key lime hue. 305-743-8282.

Any other ideas for great Key lime pie?

For the entire month of September, the areas finest restaurants including Cafe Boulud, Ruth’s Chris, Renato’s, Charley’s Crab, Talay Thai, iii Forks and other Palm Beach County eateries will offer special three-course, price-fixed menus at $20 for lunch and $30 or $35 for dinner.

The dining showcase kicks off Friday, Aug. 26 with a party for food enthusiasts on the Great Lawn – the centerpiece of Downtown West Palm Beach’s spectacular Waterfront, proceeds will benefit the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.

In addition to an assortment of culinary delights, Flavor Palm Beach’s kick-off will offer live entertainment by The String Theory Band, dance performances from Palm Beach Atlantic University, strolling painted models and a light show.

The party is $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Sponsors include the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Beluga Vodka, Golden Bear Realty, Convention and Visitors Bureau, 97.9 WRMF and American Express.

For info on Flavor Palm Beach, a complete list of participating restaurants, or to make reservations, see www.flavorpalmbeach.com.

A regional menu and urbane customers make it a choice for special family events, the sort of place to take parents. It’s not too dressy- the waiters wear jeans and white button down Oxfords.

It’s named for Libby Seidensticker, mother of owner Steve Seidensticker, who made a name for his work at the Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande.

Located at 1917 South Osprey, Sarasota, FL, telephone 941-487-7300