321 Flavor Bites: Ode to a Southern vacation; Free Shake Day; mango fest; and Aussie wine
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Whew! It's not easy getting into the swing of things after vacation, but I'm trying.
I just spent a few days at FDR State Park in Pine Mountain, Georgia, with my sister, nephews and 25 or so aunts, uncles and cousins. We ate a lot of good Southern home cooking, and checked out some great small-town spots. If you're ever in Pine Mountain, Chipley Chicken is a must, and Dinner's Ready by Chad in Warm Springs was great, too.
More on that next week.
While I was gone, Brevard Bucket List story ran online and in Sunday's print Style section. In case you missed it, you can read it here. It's not all food related, but it's got a few restaurant recommendations sprinkled in among the other fun things to do in our beautiful county.
Here are a few other tasty things happening this week.
ICYMI: A review of Alligator Reef Club
My colleague Lyn Dowling checked out the Alligator Reef Club in downtown Melbourne recently, and found it stylish and fun.
Here's what she thought about the Reef Burger, the Cajun Shrimp with Crispy Polenta Cakes and a few other dishes at this new-ish spot that's full of potential.
Mango mania
Pine Island Preservation Society, the friends’ group for Sams House/Pine Island, will host the Mango Harvest Festival from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Saturday, June 24.
It’s all about the luscious tropical fruits, with demos of mango recipes such as mango salsa, sautéed mangos, mango sorbet and more. Following the demonstrations, guests will be invited for a taste sampling.
To reserve a seat and purchase a $5 ticket for the recipe demonstrations, call 321-449-4720. All other events at the festival are free and open to the public.
Mangos and mango-related delicacies including jams, hot sauces, BBQ sauces and baked goods will be available for purchase in addition to local honey. Brevard Tropical Fruit Club members will be available to answer questions regarding different mango species. Live entertainment will be provided from noon to 2 p.m. The 1875 Sams Cabin will be open with exhibits on the Sams family, Ice Age fossils and Native Americans who once inhabited this site.
The Mango Harvest Festival is inspired by the heritage of the pioneering Sams family, who were successful citrus and pineapple farmers and sugar cane growers in the late 1880s.
Sams House at the Pine Island Conservation Area is at 6195 N. Tropical Trail. This preserve of over 880 acres is part of Brevard County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands Program.
Rocking Rockledge
Join the City of Rockledge for “Food Truck Friday” from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 23, at Rockledge City Hall.
For more information, visit cityofrockledge.org or call 321-221-7540.
Aussie feast at Green Turtle
Experience great Aussie vines from old vines at Green Turtle Market's Australian wine dinner, slated for 7 p.m., Friday, June 23.
The five-course menu begins with fresh oysters served grilled and raw with an Australian lime mignonette and proceeds to wolf fish poached in melted Osetra caviar butter, Za’atar-crusted red deer loin, Wagyu beef short rib and ginger mousse tartlette.
Cost is $150 per guest. Reserve at 321-773-2001. The Green Turtle is at 855 E. Eau Gallie Blvd., Indian Harbour Beach. For more information, visit greenturtlemarket.com.
Free Shake Day at Wayback Burgers
Wayback Burgers in Titusville will host its annual Free Shake Day on June 24 to celebrate the first official Saturday of summer. Guests will receive one free 12-ounce vanilla milkshake, no purchase necessary, according to a press release from the burger joint.
Wayback Burgers’ milkshakes are hand-dipped and crafted to order with Blue Bunny ice cream and milk. Wayback Burgers offers a variety of milkshake flavors, including this summer’s limited time offer, the Key Lime Pie Shake, a hand-dipped vanilla milkshake blended with key lime flavoring and topped with whipped cream and a dusting of wafer cookie.
“At Wayback Burgers, we believe summer does not officially begin until you indulge in your first milkshake of the season,” said Patrick Conlin, president of Wayback Burgers.
Wayback Burgers is at 2530 S. Washington Ave., Suite 120, Titusville.
Summer menu at Sonny's
Sonny's BBQ has added three new limited-time sandwiches to its summer menu featuring chipotle candied bacon: the Candied Bacon Burger, Candied Bacon Chicken Sandwich and Fried Green Tomato BLT.
“We firmly believe that (barbecue) is one of life’s greatest gifts — smoked meats, classic sides, a cold glass of iced tea, all enjoyed around a table filled with friends and family. It almost doesn’t get any better,” said Billy Brewer, chief operating officer of Sonny’s BBQ, in a press release. “Until you add some bacon. So, that’s what we did with our limited release Big Deal Lineup featuring chipotle candied bacon on top of classic sandwiches. It’ll make your mouth water just thinking about it. Wait until you taste it.”
The chipotle candied bacon also can be added to any Sonny’s sandwich.
The limited-edition sandwiches join two additional featured menu items: the BBQ Queso appetizer, queso topped with either chopped brisket or chipotle candied bacon and Sizzlin’ BBQ sauce, and Spiked Pink Lemonade, lemonade kicked up with strawberries and Tito’s Vodka.
Brevard's Sonny's locations are at 150 Sheriff Drive, Suntree, 321-242-4600; 310 N. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, 321-449-9102; 2900 Cheney Highway, Titusville, 321-385-2665; and 1020 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay, 321-953-3997.
Viva Las Fajitas at Tijuana Flats
Tijuana Flats is launching a fajita revolution with the launch of its Viva Las Fajitas campaign, according to a press release. The limited-time offer showcases three new takes on the traditional fajita.
The Viva Las Fajitas entrées are available through July 30, and are prepared with grilled chicken, but guests have the option to upgrade to grilled steak for $1.
Viva Las Fajitas offerings are:
Fajita Tacos, featuring two soft tacos, grilled chicken or grilled steak, peppers and onions, garlic lime sauce, cheddar jack cheese, pico, and fresh jalapenos. Served with chips and salsa for a base price of $9.99 ($1 extra for steak). Uno Taco is $5.99.
Fajita Quesadilla, with grilled chicken or grilled steak, cheddar jack cheese, peppers and onions, garlic lime sauce, pico, guac, sour cream, fresh jalapenos and chips and salsa on the side. The fajita quesadilla is priced at just $9.99 ($1 extra for steak).
Fajita Burrito, with grilled chicken or grilled steak, peppers and onions, cilantro lime rice, black beans, garlic lime sauce, cheddar jack cheese, lettuce, pico, and fresh jalapenos and wrapped in a flour tortilla and grilled to perfection. Served with chips and salsa for $9.99 ($1 extra for steak).
The Viva Las Fajitas entrees will be available in-stores and online Monday, June 5 through Sunday, July 30. To learn more about the Viva Las Fajitas promotion, visit tijuanaflats.com/promotions/fajitas.
Brevard's Tijuana Flats locations are at 76 E. Merritt Island Causeway, Unit 104, Merritt Island, 321-453-1881; 7181 Lake Andrew Drive, Suite 101, Viera, 321-558-3355; 10 E. New Haven Ave., Suite 103, Melbourne, 321-373-4022; and 705 Palm Bay Road NE, Suite 109, West Melbourne, 321-215-4860.
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
Maria Sonnenberg contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: This week's food fun includes Free Shake Day and Mango Harvest Fest
