321 Flavor Bites: July 4 in Rockledge, Leader Brewing beers go statewide; food holidays
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I've been on the Space Coast for a quarter of a century, but before before that, I moved every two or three years, just about the time I started feeling like part of the community.
I've felt like a part of this community for a long time, and I love it. I also love helping out in the town where I live, which is why you'll find me at McLarty Park in Rockledge on July 4 for the city's Independence Day picnic.
My pal Dana Packard and I will be working in the kitchen, or wherever we're needed for the annual event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by and say hello and enjoy a hamburger or hot dog, chips and a drink for just $1. The community event also features games, music and more. Admission is free. Call 321-221-7540 or visit cityofrockledge.org or facebook.com/CityOfRockledge. McLarty Park is at 790 Barton Blvd., Rockledge.
For more Independence Day fun and other things to do this month, check out this roundup by my colleague Christina LaFortune.
Love the beer, but not the buzz?
On April 30 of last year, Leader Brewing in Palm Bay made the local craft beer experience possible for folks who don't drink alcohol.
"I think we've got a pretty darn good product that tastes like beer but doesn't give you the effects of alcohol," owner and brewmaster Max Green said when I talked to him for this story, which published May 17, 2022.
For the past year, Leader Brewing's Danger Close American pale, Night Strike Irish-style stout brew and Tracer Fire amber have been available online and at multiple breweries, gourmet markets and restaurants in Central Florida. The names of the beer and the brewery are in honor of Green's service in the Marine Corp.
As of this month, you can get four-packs of the non-alcoholic beer at Total Wine & More stores across Florida. The announcement came last week on the brewery's Facebook page.
What better way to responsibly celebrate the birth of our nation this weekend than by sipping NA craft beer brewed by a local veteran?
But wait! There's more. This announcement popped up on Facebook Monday: "Being in Central Florida, we get the opportunity to be near some of the greatest resorts with millions of visitors a year. So we’re really happy to now be serving our Irish Dark NA craft beer at Universal’s NBC Sports Grill at CityWalk. Next time you’re in the park be sure to check us out!"
Looks like the Space Coast's first NA beer is getting noticed.
Sad news for Titusville diners
Hoffman's Table in downtown Titusville announced on Facebook over the weekend that it will be closing in July.
"It is with immensely heavy hearts that we must announce Hoffman’s Table will be closing its doors permanently on Sunday, July 16th, 2023," said the June 24 post.
"This has not been a decision we have taken lightly. We would like to say THANK YOU to all of our wonderful customers for your support, and HUGE shout out to our loyal and hardworking staff who have become like family to us."
In the time it was open, Hoffman's Table became known for its creative take on classic comfort food.
The announcement came just days after my colleague Lyn Dowling included the restaurant in this story about interesting, innovative places to eat in North Brevard.
We wish the Hoffmans well, and thank them for sharing their beautiful food with us.
Downtown Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
The Downtown Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, which quickly has become one of the area's signature food and fun events, has a new home. It's still in downtown Melbourne, but now it will be on the water.
Sounds perfect to me. Sip a little wine, watch the manatees play. Can't wait to see how the festival's new address melds downtown with Crane Creek. Read all about it here.
Metro Diner announces summer menu
Metro Diner recently introduced a summer dinner menu featuring 12 dishes for less than $12.
Among the dinner offerings are:
Classic Cheeseburger: Angus burger, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and red onions. Served with fries or side of your choice.
Chicken Caesar Salad: A traditional Caesar salad topped with buttermilk-marinated chicken tenders, croutons and creamy Caesar dressing. Also available with grilled tenders.
Spicy Honey Chicken Sandwich: Buttermilk-marinated chicken dipped in a signature spicy honey sauce, topped with tomato and paired with one side.
Boneless Wings: Crispy, buttermilk-marinated boneless wings tossed in your choice of buffalo, spicy honey, or teriyaki spicy honey. Served with celery sticks and ranch or blue cheese.
Double Decker BLT: Three slices of toast, loaded with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo.
Metro also has you covered if you love breakfast for dinner. Selections include:
Meat Lover’s Omelet: With bacon, sausage, ham and cheddar cheese, plus toast and a side of hashbrowns or grits.
Bacon Avocado Scramble Bowl: Avocado, bacon, scrambled eggs and roasted grape tomatoes, served over hashbrown potatoes and drizzled with Hollandaise sauce.
Belgian Waffle – Cinnamon Roll Style: A Belgian waffle, swirled with cinnamon and sugar, topped with cream cheese icing, candied pecans and cinnamon butter.
To see the full list of the 12 dinner dishes for less than $12, visit metrodiner.com/diner-digest/12-under-12-dinner.
FYI: All Metro Diner locations will close at 3 p.m. on July 4.
Metro Diner is at 7954 N. Wickham Road, Suite 101, Suntree.
Happy hour at Carrabba's
On June 20, Carrabba’s Italian Grill launched a new happy hour menu with $7 specials that will be available daily starting at 4 p.m. in the Carrabba's bar, aka the C Bar.
The $7 appetizers with Italian flair include bruschette caprese, meatball sliders, shrimp focaccia bites, vegetable focaccia bites, mezzaluna fritte, calamari and truffle fettuccine cacio e pepe. Aside from the Calamari, the $7 Bites are available exclusively during Happy Hour.
The C Bar also will feature charcuterie boards and wine specials during happy hour. The board features Mortadella, rustic Italian meat cuts, an array of Italian cheeses, burrata, olives. The cost, with two glasses of house wine, is for $25. Upgrade to two glasses of premium wine for $30. Or enjoy the board on its own for $15.
Beverage specials include a $7 cocktails: Passion Pear Spritz, Pomegranate Martini and Italian Old Fashioned. Blackberry, Peach and Classic Red Sangria Pitchers serving four are $25.
For more information, visit carrabbas.com. Times and offerings may vary.
Brevard's Carrabba's restaurants are at 60 Palmetto Ave., Merritt Island, 321-453-7045; 7620 N. Wickham Road, Suntree, 321-253-0991; 1575 Palm Bay Road, Palm Bay, 321-956-1900.
Celebrate with food
Every food has its day, right? So here's what we're celebrating this week, according to nationaltoday.com:
National Tapioca Day, June 28
National Almond Buttercrunch Day, June 29
National Bacon Burnt Ends Day, June 29
National Bomb Pop Day, June 29
National Waffle Iron Day, June 29
Watermelon Seed Spitting Week, June 29
International Chicken Wing Day, July 1
National Creative Ice Cream Day, July 1
National Gingersnap Day, July 1
National Anisette Day, July 2
National Chocolate Wafer Day, July 3
National Eat Beans Day, July 3
National Independent Beer Run Day, July 3
Great British Pea Week, July 3
Jackfruit Day, July 4
July also brings us:
Corn Month
Eggplant Month
National Baked Beans Month
National Blueberry Month
National Culinary Arts Month
National Grilling Month
National Ice Cream Month
National Watermelon Month
Until next time, happy eating y'all.
If you have questions about any of our food content, feel free to reach out anytime via email at sleonard@floridatoday.com. Or connect with me on Facebook: @SuzyFlemingLeonard or on Instagram: @SuzyLeonard
FLORIDA TODAY food editor
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Check out the summer menu at Metro Diner, plus Carrabba's happy hour
