Delray Beach Tastemakers 2012 This Thursday and Friday

Courtesy of DDA

SoLita's signature house-made meatballs.

It's no secret that downtown Delray Beach is a dining mecca. Whether you're a casual diner or a snootie foodie, whether you are looking for cutting-edge haute cuisine or soul-satisfying comfort food, you can find it somewhere along Atlantic Avenue.

This Thursday and Friday, August 9 and 10, from 5 to 10 p.m., there's no need to limit yourself to just one of Delray's awesome eateries. Sample 21 of them during the fourth-annual Tastemakers of Delray Beach event.

At each participating restaurant, try one signature dish and one signature drink. Tickets, or "passports," cost $30 and can be purchased at participating restaurants.

Laura Simon, associate director at the Downtown Development Authority of Delray Beach, says, "We've increased the price this year, so that's a new thing, but since there are 21 restaurants, it's a great value. And the passport is good until the end of September. There are 21 coupons you can redeem until then."

If you don't make it to every restaurant Thursday and Friday, you have until the end of September to come back and make use of the other coupons in your passport. These coupons are for discounts like buy-one, get-one-free entrées at 75 Main, 15 percent off your check at Atlantique Cafe, or a free bottle of house wine at Boheme Bistro.

"We do it as an economic development piece for downtown," Simon says. "The money raised goes back into the restaurants with a portion going to benefit a charity. This year, it is going to the library, which is planning for its centennial in 2013."

The 21 participating restaurants represent some of the most popular dining in Delray. Here are just a few of the food and drink pairings you can look forward to.

Courtesy of Downtown Development Authority

Lemongrass Asian Bistro - Enjoy spicy tuna tartare with crispy rice paired with a saketini.
 

Courtesy of DDA

Caffe Luna Rosa - Reap the fruits of Florida waters with a bowl of Florida lobster and crab bisque paired with a glass of Urban Riesling.

For more information and a full listing of restaurants participating in this year's Tastemakers event, call 561-243-1077 or visit downtowndelraybeach.com/dda.

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