Team Bob and Barb Tasked to Update Their Popular, Sold Out Book: “The Best Restaurants in the Florida Keys.”

Little Palm Island paradise! Barb and a Margarita libation, with a pastel sunset! — Little Palm Island paradise!
Barb and a Margarita libation, with a pastel sunset!

AmericanPressTravelNews-Sept. 23rd, Florida Keys–Bob and Barb “On the Road again?” Yes, we are booked to do an updated book of our original sold-out book: “The Best Restaurants in the Florida Keys.” The first book reviewed 60-Florida Keys restaurants, many still in business, some not since the 1980’s. The book had distinctly tropical recipes, comments on each page by charter captains about their favorite restaurants and dishes, collected articles from my column in the Miami Herald, and many of my own recipes one of which is being served in many restaurants across the country; “Fish Pizzaiole.” There have been nearly 100-new restaurants opened in the Keys since the 1980’s and Bob and Barb have been tasked to include them in the new book while updating all the original food emporiums they visited and tasted. This book will be hard-cover, full-color, and with an expanded Keys recipe section from the best of the best in the Keys!

For an original signed copy of the last 25 books I have held on to, contact Bob Epstein 772-812-0933 or [email protected]

This resort and restaurant is no longer open to the public. It is now part of the City of Islamorada's outdoor venues for residents and visitors. — This resort and restaurant is no longer open to the public. It is now part of the City of Islamorada’s outdoor venues for residents and visitors.

New Smyrna Beach – Night Swan Bed and Breakfast

AMERICAN PRESS TRAVELNEWS, Bob, Barb & Terry, “On the Road Again” and “Stopping to Smell the Roses” this time in New Smyrna Beach, FL. When we popped off I-95, heading for New Smyrna Beach, that the National Geographic Magazine folks voted as “the Worlds Top Surf Towns” and Dr. Beach rated New Smyrna as “Florida’s Top 10-Beach Towns” ,we knew that we’d be on the Intracoastal Waterway with dolphins feeding and playing, just about 200 feet away from our lagoon view window. We weren’t wrong! We enjoyed the frolicking marine mammals seen from our Manatee Viewing Suite, at the Night Swan Bed and Breakfast, before heading to the beach, after lunch with Terry at the Dolphin View Seafood Restaurant. Night Swan Owners, Matt and Betsy Baker, bought the business in 2013 and lovingly placed their experience and tastes in all upgrades, and you will see this in everything about the B&B, that consists of twin vintage, but thoroughly updated houses, 16 room, with 6 rooms dedicated to be dog friendly and a dog friendly cottage too! On a historical note; “Smyrna” comes from the word purported to be Myrrh, one of the special fragrances brought to the manger by one of the 3-wise men during the time of Jesus’s birth! There are other thoughts on the name, but from a historical prospective we are offering this theory! The other side of the B&B besides the bed, you also get the breakfast. We enjoyed the fruit, blueberries and seasonal strawberries. The scones, and the really great waffle, with real maple syrup and sausages. The coffee, tasted like coffee! Its not every place you go that you run into the real thing, “baby.” So many times, at too many other locations I have had dishwater called coffee, not at the Night Swan, it was real and good! There was all Breyers ice creams, cookies and drinks anytime you were in the mood for a snack, and we met some fine folks visiting from all parts of the east coast! The one thing that stands out for a great B&B is that the personalities and conviviality you find at a high quality B&B, is found no where else in the accommodations business, with the exception of cruising the oceans of the world! Some of the items and amenities found at the Night Swan: no charge boat dock, flat screen TV’s, private baths, elevated dock (we even watched a NASA launch from it on our last day at the B&B) lovely front porch, free WiFi, all kinds of meeting space for up to 40, great family reunion location, and wedding receptions in the great outdoors and so much, much more! You can come by boat, auto or any way you wish to this B&B—-Go: www.nightswan.com or call 386-423-4940 Check out the myriad of events you can attend weekly, for months in New Smyrna Beach and surrounding enclaves by going: www.nsbfla.com

Stay tuned 3 more posts coming at you from Smyrna Beach, trips, restaurants and a nature boat excursion as well.

P1040100 — **Water to land view of the Night Swan B&B with the sailing charter double mast schooner on their end dock!**

P1040020 — Bob and Barb with Terry at the Dolphin View Seafood Restaurant located at 107 N. Riverside Drive on the Mosquito Lagoon. One of the many pet friendly restaurants in New Smyrna Beach! We saw sea food and we all enjoyed it!

Just one of Dolphin's treats for lunch; stuffed mahi mahi with shrimp and crabmeat, oh, what a luncheon treat! — **Just one of Dolphin’s treats for lunch; stuffed mahi mahi with shrimp and crabmeat, oh, what a luncheon treat!**

Dinner at The Orchard Inn’s very Own Saluda NC Restaurant A Major Treat!

The town of Saluda, NC is famous for what had become known as the "Saluda Grade." Considered a true feat of railroadsmanship to make it up that grade. But today, Saluda and the Orchard Inn is easily accessible by auto. — The town of Saluda, NC is famous for what had become known as the “Saluda Grade.” Considered a true feat of railroadsmanship to make it up that grade. But today, Saluda and the Orchard Inn is easily accessible by auto.

American Press Travel News, Saluda North Carolina-The Newmans told me to tell our readers that:

Locals and travelers are welcome to our cozy Saluda NC restaurant, where you can enjoy the freshest and finest food this side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We are also located near the towns of Asheville, Hendersonville, and Flat Rock.

“Chef extraordinare, Stuart Partin, has done it again! His weekly menus feature the very best of what the region and season has to offer, in a fantastic setting. If you’re looking for a romantic getaway with world-class dining this is your “Go-to” destination! Absolutely breathtaking vistas, seasonal gardens, and a wait staff that anticipates your every desire, will keep you coming back!”

Review on TripAdvisor from March 2015

Join us for dinner on Thursdays through Saturdays and brunch on Sundays.

For reservations or any inquiries, call (828) 749-5471.

Weekly Dinner Menu – click to view

After a long day of travel, it’s time to pleasure your taste buds with regional cuisines and locally grown ingredients brought to you by the Orchard Inn’s restaurant in Saluda NC. A romantic dinner for two, a flavorful feast for families and friends, a comfortable place to unwind — the Orchard Inn restaurant aims to satisfy your expectations. Enjoy a warm meal and relax in front of the fireplace with a glass of our finest wine. Start with a soup or salad and pick from our delicious entrees. If there’s still room, try the Tiramisu or one of our other desserts. They also offer a broad array of fine wines! Barb and I stayed and we loved everything about this Inn. Our dinner was extraordinary! We are going back again and again!!!!