Dining

Photos for Headline Surfer® / Blue at the Topaz, 1224 S. Oceanshore Blvd., is a quaint and hospitable restaurant along the shoreline.

FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. -- Blue at the Topaz is extending its dining hours hours during this festive season.

“We are excited about bringing lunch hours back for the holidays,” said Kelli O’Reilly, the restaurant's general manager and co-owner. “The feedback from our customers has been great so far and we are happy to be able to accommodate group gatherings during this time of year.”

Headline Surfer photo by Henry Frederick / Mom's Home Cooking server Mary Barrett, far left, takes orders from Sacred Heart Catholic School graduating eighth graders Thursday morning as teacher Rachel Woelfel goes over menu choices with them. In the inset photo, Mom's proprietor Patty Cook and Woelfel chat while the students decide what they want to eat and drink from a keepsake menu printed up just for them. 

NEW SMYRNA -- The twenty graduating eighth graders from Sacred Heart Catholic School were treated to a breakfast this morning at Mom's Home Cooking, 1201 N. Dixie Freeway. 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Several thousand people are expected Thursday on Flagler Avenue for the annual Food Festival, with dozens of restaurants offering samples of their best cuisine for a nominal price. The festive family-oriented event begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. Besides food from restaurants like Clancy's Cantina, there will be live music and other entertainment.

NSBNews.net video by Sera Frederick / The video showcases an interview with cookbook author Ed Pankonin.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Ed Pankonin, author of "Simple & Fresh" and a board member with the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority, manned a booth at the 16th annual Norwood's Holiday Food & Wine Festival. Pankonin was pleased with last weekend's turnout, about 300 on the opening Friday and 1,200 on Saturday, according to estimates provided by Norwood's owner Don Simmons. See what Pankonin has to say about the festival and tourism in general by clicking on our exclusive video above.

exclusive on-scene coverage 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Ray Guiser was able to keep the spirit of jazz alive while still providing a pop flavor when he performed Van Morrison's "Moondance" on a flute for an overflowing dining crowd Saturday night at That's Amore.

NSBNews.net video by Sera Frederick
NEW SMYRNA BEACH --

NSBNews.net video by Sera Frederick / The video showcases an interview with cookbook author Ed Pankonin.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Ed Pankonin, author of "Simple & Fresh" and a board member with the Southeast Volusia Advertising Authority, manned a booth at the 16th annual Norwood's Holiday Food & Wine Festival.

Photos by Henry Frederick / Edward and Patricia Hunt of Edgewater enjoy a glass of wine at Clancy's Cantina as Clancy's wine hostess Brandy Winthrow serves a customer during Saturday's New Smyrna Beach Wine Walk at Art Walk.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Edward and Patricia Hunt spent the morning with their 5-year-old boy at the beach. Then he was off to the babysitter so they could enjoy a stroll on Flagler Avenue and a glass of wine at Clancy's Cantina.

Video and photo by Sera Frederick.

Spirits were lifted by the taste of fine wines during Saturday's Wine Tasting event on Flagler Avenue, including Clancy's Cantina where Kathleen Hughes, at left, was having a good time. The wine tasting was just as popular at the That's Amore restaurant on nearby Pine Street. At these eateries and several other participating establishments, patrons  bought wine glasses at nominal prices and various ticket amounts for refills.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Kathleen Hughes knows a good wine when she sees it, but the true test is in the taste.