Suzy Fleming Leonard: Too positive? Is there such a thing when great food is involved?
Suzy Fleming Leonard
I recently was accused of being too positive.
OK, so it wasn't aimed directly at me, but I took it personally. My colleague Lyn Dowling and I were called out for stopping arguments on 321 Flavor: Where Brevard Eats, the food-centric Facebook group we moderate.
The purpose of the 11,000-member 321 Flavor’s community is to share tips and advice about eating and drinking well in Brevard County. It’s a place where in-the-know locals can steer others to great bites and sips.
The complaint went something like this: Don't say anything negative in this group. It'll get deleted.
And while this inference isn't true — there are plenty of critical posts from group members — we do try our best to keep the tone of the tone constructive, and if not necessarily positive, at least polite.
Alas, this being the Interwebs, courtesy often gets pushed aside. It's so easy to spew anger when looking at a screen instead of into someone's eyes.
Luckily, the positive posts on 321 Flavor far outweigh the angry ones. So, because it's the month of love, I've decided to embrace the Suzy Sunshine side of my personality and share a few raves.
Natalie Neuman-Kasper, Feb. 13: I just wanted to give an awesome review to Ole Fire Grill (924 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne) for helping host my gala. Todd Spindler and his staff are very professional and friendly to work with and help anywhere they can. The buffet options were fantastic and the food was delicious! If you are in need of a place to host any kind of party with good fresh food and friendly service, I definitely highly recommend Ole Fire Grill.
Jennifer Foor, Feb. 12: It’s crawfish season and tonight we found THE place for crawfish, Autumns Crab on Barton in Rockledge. Everything was seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfection!!! If you haven’t checked it out yet you need to!!!
Ardeen Rentsch, Feb. 12: OK...Metro Diner (7954 N. Wickham Road Suite 101, Melbourne) today !!...just say YES and go!! Was keeping a friend company while her husband was having surgery at Viera Hospital. ... Saw Metro and did quick u-turn ! I'm from the Jacksonville area and know the original, but has been years. Both the food and service were outstanding. I was in the service industry years ago, and my GF still is...there was nothing we could find wrong. Yes, a little noisy, as previously mentioned, mostly due to the level the music was being played ...but not enough to be off putting. Quality ingredients, large portions, reasonable prices, and super friendly staff. It's about a 30 minute drive for us, but will definitely be back !
Leslie Selage, Feb. 12: I ran out for breakfast this morning and ended up at the Freedom Cafe on Wickham at Eau Gallie. I ordered the simple 2 eggs over easy, bacon, home fries, bread (English muffin) and coffee good enough to be drunk black. They deep fry their home fries, which isn't my favorite, but it's my fault for not asking. Everything else was perfect. The eggs: dark, goldenrod runny yolks and just set whites, were cooked in a pan — the way G*d intends. The bacon was both decent enough and crisp enough. The service was wonderful, attentive and friendly. No one called me "Doll." The walls are adorned with photos of vets and flags under a sign "Our Wall of Heroes." The remainder of the old fashioned diner decor is red, white and blue. What a joy to see honest patriotism unbridled by partisan political nonsense.
Gail Lightle, Feb. 10: Lunch at Ossorios Cocoa Village (316 Brevard Ave., Cocoa) don’t be jealous y’all
Larry Bishop, Feb. 10: Just curious. In the last three weeks, we have checked out three restaurants — The Cottage (1385 Highland Ave., Melbourne), Brix Project (5220 S Washington Ave, Titusville), 4th Street Fillin’ Station (382 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach) — that were reviewed either in FT or in this forum, and all of them were as good as we anticipated they would be, based upon the reviews. Have others done the same thing?
Now it's your turn. Go out and explore. What culinary gem have you found lately? Suzy Sunshine would love to know, and she looks forward to talking food with people who love it as much as she does.
Join the conversation at facebook.com/groups/321flavorwherebrevardeats
Email sleonard@floridatoday.com
Instagram: @SuzyLeonard
Facebook: @SuzyFlemingLeonard
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