From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Destination: Downtown Delray Beach

by Jeff Rusnak

September 21 2005

Along Atlantic Avenue, from Swinton Avenue to the Intracoastal, www.downtowndelraybeach.com

Atlantic Avenue in downtown Delray Beach is a Chamber of Commerce member's wet dream for its well-kept storefronts and well-tempered street life. Yet it's not so neat and orderly that there's no room for fits of debauchery and excess. Most of the indulgence takes place in the restaurants that line a five-block stretch of Atlantic. The avenue sports only a few nightclubs, but they are distinct and diverse.

The district attracts its fair share of singles open to adventure, but it's also an ideal place for couples who like good food and wine. Several restaurants are swanky enough for special occasions, namely 32 East, Bice Ristorante and De la Tierra in the Sundy House. Yet Atlantic mostly comprises moderately priced eateries, nearly all of which have a bar that serves beer, wine and cocktails.

A good place to begin a night here is on the west side of Swinton at the Southwestern-themed Sol Kitchen, where specialties include mojo skirt steak, Scooter Brown's Texas fish fry and the So Cal taco. The art deco nightclub Delux occupies the southeast corner of Swinton, offering a free bottle of Moët and Chandon champagne to every table of five females. Next door is 32 East, which sells filet mignon for $38 but has a cool wine bar that pours a variety of original martinis such as the flirtini, a foamy blend of Stoli, Triple Sec, champagne, and cranberry and pineapple juices.

The tour continues to the 200 block for pastas and thin-crust pizzas at Louie Louie Too, Italian food and hip-hop dancing at Cugini Grille on the Ave. and fresh oysters and seafood at City Oyster. Across the tracks sits the unmistakable Elwood's Dixie Bar-B-Q, the former gas station that is now home to Harley-Davidson riders, pulled pork sandwiches and a jukebox that plays Johnny Cash. A block or so away is the Lemon Grass Asian Bistro, which lives up to its name by serving Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisines in a lively atmosphere. Finally, Cheeburger Cheeburger at Fifth and Atlantic serves curly fries and thick, juicy burgers.

Clubgoers will find the Chicago-style Falcon House bar on Sixth Avenue, one block north of Atlantic, where the fire-engine-red interior and specialty martinis keep regulars happy. Before the bridge on Atlantic sits the Blue Anchor Pub and Restaurant, a rebuilt 19th-century English pub with oak front doors, Zagat-rated food, two dozen draft beers and a reputation for housing ghosts in the woodwork.

Women feeling constricted by their brassiere can rid themselves of the harness at Hugh Jorgan's piano bar on Northeast Second Avenue, where dueling pianists trade licks under bras dangling from the ceiling. Meanwhile, back on Swinton, just north of Atlantic, is the hipster club Dada. It's a little off the beaten path, but its customers prefer it that way. Dada hosts the local-band showcase Popscene Saturdays, an open mike on Mondays, a spoken-word-poetry slam on Tuesdays, magic on Wednesdays, live music on Thursdays and free admission always.