They say that the best things come in small packages. I believe that also holds true for some restaurants—like Colletti’s Italian Deli in Palm Coast. This tiny Italian market and delicatessen is also a restaurant that serves some of the best homemade Italian food in Flagler County.

I met my friend Laura there for breakfast the other day. Neither of us needed to look at the menu. We both ordered our usual favorite. Colletti’s Famous Breakfast Sandwich is a tasty combination of eggs, bacon or ham, cheese and potatoes on a fresh ciabatta roll. Not only does it taste fabulous, but at $3.95 you can’t beat it!

In fact, their entire breakfast menu is available for $3.95! Your choices include other sandwiches (also on wonderful freshly baked ciabatta rolls) as well as a host of Italian-style omelettes including prosciutto with provolone and sausage with peppers as well as the more traditional ham and cheese or western omelettes. You really can’t do better than Colletti’s for a fast, tasty and inexpensive breakfast.

Their lunches and dinners are also delicious and amazingly reasonable. They specialize in colossal hot and cold New York-style hero sandwiches as well as authentic Italian classic creations. Their bread is baked on the premises and Colletti’s only uses the finest meats and cheeses and fresh vegetables.

Colletti’s slogan is “Make love to your stomach” and they’re not kidding. Everything I’ve ever eaten there has exceeded my expectations! In addition to their delicious meals, you can pick up wonderful Italian specialty items including meats, cheese, handmade mozzarella, pasta, bread and sinful desserts—all homemade by the Colletti family and absolutely scrumptious.

Colletti’s is located at 5 Utility Drive just off Old Kings Road. They’re open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. You can check out their menu online or call them at 386-245-5122.

If you like Thai food, you’re going to absolutely love Thai by Thai in Palm Coast. It’s my favorite Thai restaurant and exactly as promised: Thai food prepared by a (fabulous!) Thai chef. My friend Judie and I went there for lunch the other day and, as always, I was blown away by how good it is.

Tucked away in the western corner of the Palm Harbor Shopping Center, this quaint little restaurant has been around for years. Shaw, the owner, worked there before he bought it seven years ago.

He greeted us at the door with a huge smile. Even though it was almost 2 p.m., Thai by Thai was still doing a brisk lunch business. To make sure we don’t get into a rut and order the same thing every time, Judie and I always tell Shaw what we’re in the mood for—chicken, seafood, pork, or beef—and how spicy we want him to prepare the dishes. Then, we sit back and wait for the masterpieces to arrive!

We both were in the seafood mode. Judie wanted fish and I had a taste for shrimp and scallops. We started off by sharing a delightful shrimp appetizer. The large shrimp were lightly battered, fried perfectly and served with a wonderful sweet and spicy dipping sauce.

Shaw brought our dishes out one at a time. For Judie, Shaw had prepared a thick filet of Chilean Sea Bass with a ginger soy sauce served with rice. My entrée consisted of grilled tiger shrimp and huge sea scallops with green curry, served with special noodle. A small dish of spicy sauce accompanied it. As always, Shaw demonstrated how to best to capture all the flavors of our dishes. That’s half the fun of eating at Thai by Thai. For a few moments, it’s just you, Shaw and this incredibly excellent and beautifully presented platter of extra special yumminess!

As usual, we finished it all and waddled out happy, full and ready to go back again. When you’re in Flagler County (or any of the surrounding counties) and are in the mood for Thai food, you must stop by Thai by Thai. They have a complete menu as well as daily specials and every dish can be prepared to your specification—and you can’t beat the personalized service.

Thai by Thai is located at 124 Palm Coast Parkway NE. They open at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. They serve dinner until 8:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and stay open a bit later on the other days. They don’t have a website, but if you have any questions you can call 386-446-0009.

One of the most beautiful holiday traditions in Flagler County is the annual Holiday in the Gardens Celebration at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park in Palm Coast. This gorgeous park is truly one of Flagler County’s gems any time of the year. Decked out in its holiday trimmings, it is magnificent!

As its name implies, the park features 20 acres of beautiful formal gardens nestled under majestic oaks—a kaleidoscope of native and exotic plant species are showcased artistically along picturesque, paved paths. But that’s just the beginning. The property consists of 425 acres extending from the Matanzas River/Intracoastal Waterway to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s an abundant example of multiple Florida habitats all in one spot.

On the Atlantic Side, there’s a beautiful beach boasting unique coquina rock formations. The beach is a popular place for sunbathers during the warmer months. It’s also a great fishing spot. When I visited, however, the action was across the street in the park itself. The Friends of Washington Oaks, one of the most dedicated volunteer groups in Flagler County, turned the rambling park into an Old Florida-style Winter Wonderland!

No matter what time of the year you visit Flagler County, Washington Oaks Garden State Park is a must-see. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Great Florida Birding Trail. The visitor’s center has a wealth of information about the park’s natural and cultural resources. There’s also a gift shop where you can pick up some unique Florida gifts and souvenirs, homemade goodies, as well as plants and fruit.

You can spend an hour touring the gardens or you can spend all day fishing, hiking, canoeing, just sitting back and watching the birds. An average of 40 – 50 different species visit the park every month, depending on the season. You never know what you might spot. It’s also the perfect place for an old-fashioned picnic.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is one of the absolute best ways to experience Flagler’s outdoor life at its most natural and very best.

Sometimes the most interesting things happen by mistake. The other night I went out to dinner with a friend who was in the mood for some Brazilian food. He wasn’t from Flagler County, so choosing the restaurant was my job. I thought I had a seen a Brazilian restaurant tucked deep into one of the little shopping centers in Palm Coast, so that’s where we headed.

Whoops! When we got there, I remembered the name of this particular restaurant was “Taste of Portugal.” It clearly wasn’t a Brazilian eatery, but we were both hungry and decided to try it anyway. I’m so glad we did! It was one of the nicest evenings I’ve had in a long time.

To start things off, we order a half pitcher of the homemade sangria and Appetizer a Portuguesa—three shrimp cakes, three cod cakes with some olives and sliced homemade sausage. The sangria was excellent—refreshing and tangy, but not too sweet. It was, in fact, the best sangria I’ve ever sipped.

That was when I realized that instead of a mistake, the forces of the universe had conspired to take us on a culinary adventure that we wouldn’t soon forget. Taste of Portugal (TOP) is a Flagler County gem.

The appetizer was wonderful. The fish and cod cakes were lightly breaded and fried—not greasy at all. And the sausage and olives complemented the flavors nicely. And, of course, the sangria complemented the scrumptious appetizer and before we knew it, we were ordering more sangria!

I love seafood, so I asked our server to recommended one of the three seafood combination entrees on the menu. He responded immediately by suggesting the Paella, a Portuguese rendition of the Spanish favorite. It was amazing! A half Maine lobster was nestled among shrimp, clams, calamari, and mussels over a bed of delicately seasoned rice.

We scored another win with TOP’s Grilled Cod Fish. Our server cautioned my friend to watch out for the bones—and he did find a few but he said his vigilance was well worth the effort. “Delicious!” he pronounced it. It was beautifully presented as well! Served with grilled peppers, onions, olives and potatoes in extra virgin Portuguese olive oil, it was worthy of a photo!

In addition to the seafood offerings, which also include red snapper cooked a variety of ways, Taste of Portugals’s expansive menu includes chicken, veal, pork, steak and pasta choices as well. They also have a childen’s menu.

We enjoyed our meal so much that we asked to meet Maria, the owner and chef. She was delightful and insisted we stay a bit longer. “Tonight we have dancing,” she said. “You will stay and have a drink on me. It’s great fun!”

She was right. Palm Coast is a sleepy little city and is mostly quiet after dark, so I wasn’t really expecting much although we had noticed that little by little the quiet little restaurant was filling up. A DJ was setting up at the small stage and the servers had moved several tables to the side revealing a polished wooden dance floor. Clearly something was up!

We moved from our table in the dining room to the fully stocked, cozy bar. At 10 p.m., TOP was transformed from a laid back restaurant to a high energy Latin dance club! What fun! Taste of Portugal offers music every Thursday night and on the first Saturday of every month.

We may have stumbled into Taste of Portugal by mistake this time, but we’ll definitely be back. When it comes to my favorite local restaurants, TOP is now at the top of my list.

Taste of Portugal is located at 15 Palm Harbor Village Way, just off Old King’s Road in Palm Coast. For hours and other information, you can call them at 386-447-3872.

Photos by Joe Wytiaz

While the rest of the country hunkers down and buttons up for the cold weather ahead, most folks in Flagler County are still wearing flip flops and shorts! I consider myself to be very lucky to live in a place most people dream about when they’re shoveling the white stuff.

Despite the lack of snow, however, the holiday spirit is very much alive and well! This is the place and time to experience the winter holidays Flagler County style. There are all kinds of activities for people of all ages and every year it gets better and better!

The festivities begin on Dec. 1 with the City of Palm Coast’s first annual tree lighting ceremony in Central Park. At 6 p.m., an elegant Southern Red Cedar tree, donated by the Palm Coast Garden Club at Palm Coast, will come alive with sparkling lights and ornaments.

This new event will kicks off the Flagler County Rotary's Annual Fantasy Lights display. This is the sixth year for this awesome exhibit, which has grown from 16 luminous displays in 2005 to 37 this year. It’s a beautiful sight to behold!

From Dec.1 through Dec. 30 from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., the lake at Central Park will be illuminated by hundreds of brilliant lights from

animated angels, Santas, racecars, golfers and more. Visitors are encouraged to park their cars and stroll through this fantasy of lights that has become a community holiday tradition.

Photos with Santa will be taken on Dec. 5, 12 and 19 and refreshments will be provided by local organizations. Additionally, there area bands will be performing on the weekends. There’s no charge for this event but donations to help eradicate polio or to contribute to local educational scholarships are encouraged.

But wait; there are lots more holiday happenings! On Dec. 9 and 10, a 15-ft inflatable clear snow globe will also adorn Central Park. For $8, a family or group of up to eight people can have their photos taken inside the snow globe. The snow will begin to fly around 5 p.m. on the Dec. 9 and a free movie, Polar Express, will be shown outdoors beginning at dusk.

Then, on December 10, the City of Palm Coast proudly presents their spectacular Annual Holiday Starlight Parade and Event complete with colorful floats and high-stepping marching bands. From noon until 6 p.m. there will be food and holiday crafts vendors, musical performances and letter writing to Santa with the parade beginning to circle the park at dusk.

Central Park at Town Center is located about one half mile north of Flagler Palm Coast High School at Bulldog Drive in Palm Coast. The Rotary Club of Flagler County and the City of Palm Coast work together to make this event available to the community and our visitors.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! While I’m not going to go out hunting any further than my nearest grocery store for my turkey this year, it’s interesting to note that the wild Florida turkey is only found in Florida…and that’s just one of the many species of our fine feathered friends that you can see here in Flagler County.

I truly am thankful that I live in the most beautiful area in Florida. It has gorgeous greenery, fabulous beaches, and some of the most beautiful birds that you’ll ever see. Flagler County is often called Florida’s quiet side. And it is. You won’t find congested traffic or huge shopping malls here, but if you’re into nature, you’re in for a real treat no matter which season you choose to visit.

After decades of living in the fast paced concrete jungle that is South Florida, it was truly a pleasure to move north to the quieter side of the sunshine state. You know how they say to stop and take time to smell the flowers? Well, as soon as I arrived I couldn’t help but stop and notice the plethora of wonderful birds that we have here.
We’re in the migratory path of so many different species that you really never know what you might see on any given day.

December marks the 112th annual Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count, the longest running Citizen Science survey in the world. Tens of thousands of volunteers throughout North America will brave the winter weather to contribute to more than a century of data. I’m proud to be among the members of the Flagler County Audubon Society that will be participating.

I’m not an expert birder—I don’t even know all their names yet, but I’ve learned to identify the wild turkeys as well as the huge pileated woodpecker, red shouldered hawks, sandhill cranes, great horned owls, ospreys, great blue herons, egrets, ibis’, Florida’s own scrub jays and a slew of other interesting characters. My favorites are the swallowtail kites, the roseate spoonbills, and the magnificent bald eagles. And I still am amazed that things as big and clumsy looking as the pelican or the woodstork can leave their perches on earth and soar so gracefully overhead.

You don’t have to be a birder to appreciate the beauty of Flagler’s birds. Just look around you wherever you happen to be. You can find them on our beaches, in our parks, and because Flagler County is so green, you can see several different species in the trees right outside your hotel or restaurant. Or if you’re a golfer, then make a point to play a round at the Hammock Dunes Creek or Links courses—both are Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries.

So whatever you do when you come to visit, make it a point to stop and take the time to see the birds—and while you’re at it, it wouldn’t hurt to smell the flowers, too.

According to legend, the early bird gets the worm—but in Flagler Beach, the early riser gets an outstanding breakfast at Sammy J’s Boston’s Best Breakfast. Word travels fast here in Flagler County, especially about a good, new restaurant.

I’d heard about Sammy J’s right after it opened about two months ago. People were saying the service was friendly, the place was clean, and the food was really good. The biggest accolade I kept hearing, however, was that it was open early! Like 5:30 a.m. early and around here, that is really unusual.

Now with rare exceptions—like wanting to watch a sunrise on the beach or having to catch an early flight —I don’t make it a practice to get up early. But to many local golfers, fishing fans, and even those who have to be at work before the sun has fully made the leap above the horizon, a great early breakfast is a wonderful thing.

So I decided to check out Flagler County’s newest wonderful thing albeit at a slightly less than “early” time. It was more like 8:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning. To my amazement, the parking lot was jammed!

Sammy J’s is located in a shopping center that was hard hit by the economy and not many of the shops survived. Considering that and considering it was too early for the other few shops to be open AND considering that all the cars were parked directly in front of Sammy J’s, there was no question that Sammy J’s was doing a hopping business!

And now that I’ve eaten there, I know why!

The coffee was great. The menu was extensive—and unique. The service was fast and friendly, but not rushed. The place was clean and the food was excellent! What more could you ask for?

I was tempted to try one of the menu items like the Portugese Omelet ($7.99) with cheese, linguica (a spicy Portuguese sausage), onions and peppers, or the Bacon Cheeseburger Omelet ($7.99) but I was in the mood for corned beef hash.

Great choice! The corned beef hash ($6.99) was prepared exactly the way I like it—crispy—and was served with two perfectly cooked eggs and fabulous home fries. I had asked for the optional onions and peppers with the potatoes and I’m glad I did. Yum…

Sammy J’s has something for every appetite. In addition to a wide variety of huge omelets, there are lighter breakfasts starting at $3.25 and healthy options like egg whites, eggbeaters, and multigrain pancakes. They also serve thick French toast as well as buttermilk pancakes, Belgian Waffles, crepes with your choice of fruit fillings, and all kinds of meats and sausages as well as Sammy J’s Special Baked Beans. Now that’s something you don’t usually see on most breakfast menus! There are also three different Kid’s Meals ($3.49) that come with a small drink.

Sammy J’s is not fancy. It’s a Florida breakfast place that feels like a diner. But it’s already become a Flagler County favorite with both the natives and with our valued visitors. This is the way breakfast should be served!

Sammy J’s Boston’s Best Breakfast is located in the Flagler Square at 2513 W. Moody Blvd (State Road 100—just before the bridge) in Flagler Beach. They are open from 5:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Monday through Friday and from 6 a.m. – closing on weekends. Their number is 386-693-4864.

Photos by Barbara Salter

I just discovered another special treasure in Flagler Beach: Grampa’s Uke Joint. This adorable little shop sits across the street from the ocean in Flagler Beach, just north of State Road 100. Don’t let the name fool you, though…it’s far more than just a ukelele shop! It’s an island adventure right here in Flagler Beach.

Whether you’re heading to the beach or just driving by, if you want a unique Flagler Beach experience that will stay in your head for a long time, then make it a point to stop by, check out the store and meet the owners Seajay and Sam Milner.

The Milners are warm, friendly and passionate about music. They’re popular musicians and frequently perform locally on the Sundance Cruises,  at the Hammock Beach Resort, and at other venues as well as down in the Keys.

They’re also passionate about the carefree island lifestyle we enjoy here in Flagler County. It all comes together in Grampa’s Uke Joint. New and used ukeleles, guitars and related accessories take up about half the store and you’ll find everything an aspiring or serious musician could ask for—including strings, books, and lessons.

The other half of the shop is dedicated to all things beachy. “At least 70 percent of our customers are visitors to the area so we carry everything they might need for a day at the beach,” said Seajay, ”even oil for their cars!” She laughed and I thought she was joking until she showed me the motor oil on the shelf under the Autoharp and next to the sun tan oil. “You never know what you’ll need! We’re like one-stop shopping for beach goers.”

Oh yeah! They even carry bicycle tubes, power steering fluid, hand sanitizers, and deodorant so visitors won’t have to drive across the bridge to pick up these staples. That’s good to know but there are a lot more “fun” things at Grampa’s. They carry everything a family might need for a day at the beach including beach toys, hats, sunglasses, water, snacks and even books.

And if you’re looking for unique gifts (for yourself or others) to take back with you, there’s an excellent assortment of island-style clothing and decorations as well as some of the most unusual Flagler Beach souvenirs available. You can also pick up one-of-a-kind artwork by Seajay and other local artists as well as CD’s of Sam performing his original music. Everywhere you look, there’s something that will make you smile.

Grampa’s Uke Joint Is located at 819 North A1A in Flagler Beach. They’re open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon - 4 p.m. and there’s no charge for the smiles. You can call them at 386-338-0245 for more information.

Photos by Barbara Salter

Whether you are a surfer or not, if you’re going to be in Flagler County on the weekend of Nov. 11 – 13, you’ve to check out the Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic.

The event began twelve years ago to celebrate the life of popular local surfer Tommy Tant who died unexpectedly in his sleep from an aortic aneurysm at the age of 24. Over the past twelve years, the Tommy Tant has grown into an internationally recognized surfing competition with more than 300 professional and amateur contestants.

The proceeds from the event benefit the Tommy Tant Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Flagler County Food Bank, and the National Marfan Foundation. Each year, the competition and the activities and events surrounding it have become bigger and better!

This year the 12th Annual Tommy Tant presented by Nautica will include two days of amateur and professional competition and a nighttime surfing exhibition hosted by Red Bull. But wait, there’s oh so much more!

The event kicks off with a concert and silent auction at the Golden Lion, which was voted the 2011 #1 Florida Waterside Beach Bar. Brian Corrigan of the band Dispatch will be performing and the silent auction features international travel packages and surf-related items. The suggested donation of $5 includes an automatic entry into the raffle for a surfboard.

Surfing begins at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. When you’re not watching the action, you can stroll along the Flagler Beach Boardwalk and check out the sponsor booths featuring a wide range of surfing goods, apparel, food, drinks, and free giveaways as well as live art with artist Patrick Maxcy as he returns to his hometown to create another wonderful mural on several canvases that will be auctioned off.

My favorite event is the Concert and Food Festival on Saturday night. Some of Flagler’s most popular restaurants will be serving it up in Veteran’s Park across from the Flagler Beach pier. You can get an all-you-can eat ticket for $25 that enables you to dine at all the vendors with as many portions as you’d like or you can buy a sampler ticket for five different restaurants. Either way, it’s a great way to taste some of Flagler’s culinary delights.

Then walk all that yumminess off and head across the street to the pier to watch the Red Bull Night Riders featuring six world-class surf pros as they battle it out under the stars. Last year more than 3,000 Flagler residents and visitors lined the pier and the beach to see this exciting, free event.

On Sunday, you can catch the second day of surf action. The booths, raffle, silent auction and live art will continue throughout the day culminating with the awards ceremony.

The 12th Annual Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic will be an event the whole family will remember as well as a great opportunity to experience the “surfing” side of Flagler County at its finest!

Photos: The Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic

One of the best things about living in Flagler County is the abundance of great seafood. The shrimp and fish that are served in the area restaurants for lunch or dinner may have been swimming in the Atlantic just off our beaches earlier that same day. It doesn’t get much fresher than that!

If you’re going to be visiting Flagler County on Saturday, Nov. 5 or Sunday, Nov. 6, you’re in for a special treat. The City of Palm Coast will be hosting their 2nd Annual Seafood Festival at Central Park, located in the Town Center. In addition to the opportunity to sample a wide variety of incredible seafood dishes from local restaurants, there will be all kinds of food, spirits, and entertainment for children and grownups.

Last year approximately 12,000 people attended and this year’s event promises to be even bigger. The 2011 Seafood Festival features a Key West-Parrothead theme complete with the Black Raven pirate ship floating on the lake. Pirates will greet visitors and fire their cannons throughout the day. It’s rumored that Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts might be invited to walk the plank...

The Disc-Connected K9s, world famous Frisbee dogs, will be back by popular demand to perform five shows over the weekend. Danny Veltri, Season Five’s winner of Hell’s Kitchen will be doing cooking demonstrations. There will also be car shows, hermit crab racing, arts & crafts vendors, carnival rides, a special “Fin” Zone for kids, and remote control boat racing in the lake. Local bands will be playing both days and on Saturday evening there will be a fireworks show and a concert featuring the Caribbean Chillers, a popular Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band.

The Palm Coast Seafood Festival is a unique opportunity to get to know the locals while indulging in some of the best fresh seafood you’ll ever taste. Festival hours are noon - 9 p.m. on Saturday, November 5th and noon - 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6.

Admission is $3 for adults and free for children under 12. Food and kids carnival tickets cost $1 each. Central Park is located one half mile north of Flagler Palm Coast High School on Bulldog Drive and there's plenty of free parking around the park. For more information, check out the Seafood Festival page on the City’s website.