VERO BEACH — Despite a rather inauspicious start, including a 45-minute power outage and a few heavy downpours, chefs and businesses persevered and those who ambled along the Oceanside Business Association Taste of Vero were treated to a somewhat soggy but overall delightful evening of abundant food and entertainment. A portion of proceeds from the event were being donated to the Children’s Home Society.
Nineteen businesses paired up with an equal number of restaurants or caterers, spread out all along Ocean Drive, from German food at Patti’s Bistro north of Beachland Boulevard south to Chinese Food by Mandarin at Humiston Park. Satisfied snippets of “Ooh that’s good” and groans of “oh I’m so full” were overheard thru the evening, as ticket holders wandered from station to station sampling goodies from creative Vero chefs.
“Oh they’re delicious!” said Sandra Vaughn of the light as a feather coconut lime cakes at Orchid Gourmet Catering, which also dished up colorful bite-sized gazpacho shooters in cucumber cups.
Osceola Bistro made its debut with rich shrimp and grits, and mussels Provençal. Dining room manager Josh Graham said the new restaurant will open for dinner on October 24 in the former Greenhouse Café location.
People were almost swooning over the Palomilla Roja sliders by Mike Amaral, new executive chef at The Wave at Costa d’Este. Trudie Rainone, enjoying the evening with husband Don declared them, “So delicious; to die for!”
“This is his coming out party; his first official event,” said Monica Smiley, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing.
Indicating their New Orleans style shrimp creole, Joe Smith, Waldo’s night manager, said the restaurant is featuring a different city every six-weeks leading up to their 75th anniversary in February. To cool things off, they offered samples of their killer Waldo’s Voodoo Bucket rum drink – “yum in a bucket” according to general manager Lee Olsen.
Event chair Georgia Irish and the Marine Bank crew were helping out at the Ocean Grill tent, which offered Kobe beef burgers with chipotle cabbage slaw.
“We are so grateful that everybody came out,” said Irish, affirming that while the rain might have put a damper on things, participants were still enthusiastic. “We’ve been working like dogs and all of a sudden it rained. God bless the restaurants; they’re all putting up with it.”
A good crowd congregated at Norris and Company, enjoying Baci Trattoria’s eggplant angelica, and yummy champagne concoctions with various juices.
“In spite of the weather, it’s been a steady group,” said Norris’ Jane Schwiering. “People braved it which I think is great.”
Citrus Grill’s decadent desserts, Cobalt’s delicate blue crab and red quinoa dish, and young country singer MacKenzie Cappelen also drew strollers to the northern end of Ocean Drive.
“Next year we’re going to request air boat service,” joked George Fetterolf.
“We’ve missed it,” added Elke Brockway. “We used to come every year and we’re glad they’re doing it again.”
Tammy and Jim Bursick’s brand new Vero Beach Winery, which only just opened its doors on Oct. 8, offered samples of their signature fruity Florida wines.
Seafood predominated throughout, including rich lobster bisque from Joey’s Seafood, crunchy fish fry sliders from Mulligan’s, crab cakes from the Lemon Tree, crab cake sliders from Disney and fried mini lobster martinis from Tango II. Coco’s Village Bistro offered a tasty twist to traditional club and BLT sandwiches.
Luckily there is always room for ice cream, and many closed out the evening with gooey turtle sundaes in mini waffle cups at Kilwin’s, relished with music by the Old Barber Bridge band at Humiston Park.
