The lobster roll at the Palm Cafe is perfectly prepared to give
you the ultimate in dining satisfaction.
170 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MAY/JUNE 2018
CUAISR ITNE
A HIDDEN GEM
Palm Cafe at the
Dunedin Fine Art Center
By Aaron R. Fodiman and Margaret Word Burnside
Photography by Gram
Most people know
about the Dunedin
Fine Art Center’s
classes, summer
camp, exhibitions and the
provocative Wearable Art
Show. However, there is
another award-winning
attraction at the center,
its Palm Cafe. The eatery is
open Monday through Friday
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the art center’s
atrium lobby. Operated by Chef Brian
and Heather Healey, a talented husband
and wife team with years of experience,
it also offers brunch on Sundays from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
During the week, the menu has
something for everyone from a bagel
with cream cheese to exotic daily specials,
such as an authentic New England lobster
roll. You can have a cup or bowl of soup,
an egg sandwich and other light fare, or
choose from one of six great salads that
include a Chop Salad with turkey, egg,
bacon and cheese; an iceberg wedge with
blue cheese and bacon; an Ahi Tuna Salad
with shredded cabbage and sprouts; a
Chopped Kale, a Roasted Beet, or a Black
community functions don’t
always link the impressive
food they are enjoying to the
Palm Cafe.
Perhaps the cafe is best
known for its Sunday brunch,
which is served in the art
center and on the outdoor
patio. The brunch features
Crab Cake Benny, a fancy
form of Eggs Benedict; Shrimp
and Grits, blackened New Orleans-style;
and a Croque-Madame of Swiss cheese
and roast beef on grilled sour dough with
horseradish sauce, topped with a béchamel
sauce and two over-easy eggs. Of course,
they have other standards, too, from French
toast and Belgium waffles to eggs and lox
and bagels. Whatever you are craving,
you are bound to find it at the Palm Cafe.
Did we mention that Chef Brian makes
an irresistible chocolate croissant bread
pudding? Well, he does. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Palm Cafe is in
the atrium lobby of the Dunedin Fine Art
Center at 1143 Michigan Blvd. in Dunedin,
(727) 298-3322, ext. 237.
and Bleu with London broil and blue
cheese crumbles. Sandwiches range from
a roast pork Bahn Mi to a Cuban, French
Dip and BLT, along with chicken salad,
grilled cheese and others. In addition,
there is always a variety of daily specials,
such as a Mushroom Veggie Burger, Tuna
Guacamole, Salmon with Asparagus, Pasta
Bolognese, Herb-Crusted Haddock and
a Reuben.
There are nonalcoholic beverages,
including smoothies as well as vegan and
gluten-free protein drinks. The portions
are large, the prices reasonable and the
service impeccable. So what’s the catch?
They are hidden in the art center. Even
those who have enjoyed the center ’s
creative catering at private homes and