Sea Delray

   The sun has faded from the sky of the Village By The Sea. The lights of Delray cling to the palms that sway along Atlantic Avenue. They are beacons calling outsiders and locals alike, castoffs from wrecked weeks. Delray is awash with the glow that propels the night life of downtown.

   The muted hues of yellow and orange, contained on tops of tables for two, spill out onto the rocky boarders of the sidewalks anchored close by. Conversations stay, for the most part, contained within the table top beacon for two. The heat of breath and light combine only to dissipate as it strays past the breakers of white linen, going unnoticed by those passing by.

The Green Owl Restaurant

The Green Owl Restaurant: 330 East Atlantic Ave Delray Beach, FL 33483

   Cell phone service is suspended here. It's not because your carrier can't but instead these patrons won't. Inside the glass front of the Green Owl, things are indeed different from the rhythm just beyond the faded green sidewalk out front. The only thing here that sustains a hectic pace would be the flights of the waitresses and the rush of the kitchen. 

   As you sit sipping your well replenished cup of coffee you will notice the light mint green Formica counter top beneath the gleaming white cup. A surface known as vintage elsewhere, is worn and warm here with it's everyday use. Nothing about this hole in the world of south Florida is pretentious. Bikers blend with young men decked out in the latest fashion of the movers and shakers. All are equal when waited on here.

   There are no special privileges at the Green Owl, unless you count the banter between the waitresses and the regulars. This privilege is well worth the price of the "Two egg special" with a bottomless cup. A small price to pay, for this suspended world away. 

Dada

Dada: 52 North Swinton Ave Delray Beach, FL 33444

   Brie, its shell embossed with marks of amber, a lingering reminder of the heat. A heat that now radiates through the imperfect cast iron that restrains the grilled brie. A warm temptation floating in golden honey, mingling amongst islands of minced garlic. The rough, pale, yellow bread is laced with an aroma that could only be described as an edible perfume. The freshly cut fruit serves to balances the scale of wickedly rich and heavenly creamy. All mingle for a moment before the affair is over, far too soon. 

The Coffee District

Coffee District: 325 Northeast 2nd Ave # 104 Delray Beach, FL 33444

   Having failed at maintaining the resemblance of a bike ride, I have parked and locked outside of my favorite cafe. I am greeted by the chatter from a table supporting the elbows and gossip of three middle-aged women from a state with "New" in it. The stories of their lives are interjected with the strums of Bob Dylan on the radio. Both introspective and grating at times. One of my favorite dreamers is behind the counter today, Tim.  

   Tim is a twenty something who seemingly lives the life that most of us traded in for extra seating and safety features. He is in a band and wears suspenders for as far as I can tell, no particular reason at all. I imagine when Tim dreams of something he chases after it. Meanwhile I'm caught somewhere between dreamer and future safety features. So as my change finds the ceramic pumpkin orange bottom of the tip jar I can't help but be happy to let this money go. I'm supporting a local dreamer.