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Scenic Abacoa, Jupiter - Palm Beach County, FL

2010-06-07T16:27:00Z

I was out and about showing property in Abacoa, Jupiter this weekend enjoying the beautiful sights and attractions that we have right here in our backyard. I thought I’d share some photos of our beautiful Jupiter Lighthouse, the Jupiter Inlet and some other area attractions like the always popular Gardens Mall. It really is one of the best Malls I’ve ever been to!

The Palm Beach Post currently has a contest where you can submit “nature photos” that you’ve taken recently. I’ve been enjoying the beautiful magnolia blossoms in our community – aptly named Magnolia Bay Gardens – so I’m going to submit a couple of photos I took – wish me luck! The magnolia blooms this year are huge and their scent makes me feel like I’m in a spa relaxing and enjoying being pampered. Strolling around Magnolia Bay Gardens is a total pleasure!

If you’re not already living in Paradise – come visit! You’ll be ever so glad you did!

Posted by: Marion Suro

Restaurant options in and around Jupiter

2010-05-11T18:12:00Z

Hog Snappers Shack & Sushi
279 S. U.S. Highway One (Village Square)
Tequesta

We have so many great restaurants in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens and Juno Beach, my husband and I never really have to think of driving any further than a couple of miles to dinner. Of course, now and again we drive (20-30 minutes) to West Palm Beach, Hobe Sound, Delray Beach and Boca Raton to try other restaurants but we generally agree that our “neighborhood” restaurants are just as good, if not better so, why drive so far?

Then, about six months ago, some friends recommended we try the new Hog Snappers Shack & Sushi restaurant in Tequesta. We kept putting it off because it was “too far to go” – about a 10-15 minute drive – it’s only about 7 miles but lots of stop lights along the way! Since our friends kept raving about Hog Snappers we eventually decided to give it a try one evening and see what all the fuss was about. Well, let me tell you, they were not exaggerating! We are now totally addicted to this wonderful restaurant: the food, the ambiance, the servers and the owners dedication to their dreams!
It’s a small, casual restaurant but very inviting with its tropical theme and island music. They serve a good selection of reasonably priced wines and beers and the menu is huge! So many appetizers, salads (7), soups (8), sandwiches, entrees (fish and meat) and sushi to choose from. You’ll never be bored with this menu! Hog Snappers has a great menu - everything is so fresh plus it’s very reasonably priced and the atmosphere is great. You don’t come here to dine, you come here to eat!

On our first visit we ordered a salad to share, a sushi dish (JC Lopez roll) to share and then two entrees. We quickly realized this was way too much food for two people but it didn’t stop us from trying to finish everything - it was so incredibly delicious. The salad, the Mixed Salad, has become one of our most favorite salads and it’s hard to visit the restaurant and not order (and share!) it. The first main course I tried at Hog Snappers was the Crab Crusted Hog Snapper ($23) – it was absolutely delicious! The generous portion of lump meat crab, topping the freshest, tastiest piece of hog snapper I’ve ever eaten, sat atop a very generous portion of lobster mashed potatoes and perfectly sautéed asparagus – totally awesome! The sauce is delicate and not at all overpowering as many sauces served with fish can be. I’m not a fan of heavy, rich sauces and this is just perfect – you can taste all the individual flavors of the fish, crab, lobster and vegetables – just as it should be!

Since our first visit to Hog Snappers I’ve totally fallen in love with the Bouillabaisse soup – order a cup for just $8 – a very generous portion. Try everything: the crispy fried Hog Snapper ($23), the huge Hog Snapper Sandwich ($8 - not a typo!!!), the ceviche (which is unbelievable!), several of the sushi dishes. Oh, and by the way, don’t think this is just a “fish” restaurant. Hog Snappers serves great burgers, the best Argentinian Churrasco and awesome Rack of Ribs – I’m not a meat eater but all my friends and family are and they love these dishes, especially the Churrasco.

Other entrees include Whole Key West Hog Snapper, Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna, Cedar Plank Salmon, Paella, Delmonico Steak and an unbelievable dish, Tequesta Seafood Feast, that includes crab legs, lobster, clams, mussels, dolphin, soft shell crabs, scallops, squid, red skin potatoes, corn on the cob – the menu warns “be ready to get durty!” and they mean it – the dish is HUGE!

Of course it’s not just us that love Hog Snappers – the place is jammed with people of all ages at all times of the day. They are open every day except Monday – I hate Mondays!! Of course being so popular has its drawbacks … at dinner time, you may have to wait 20-30 minutes since, being such a small restaurant, they can’t take reservations. Like a lot of other people we’ve gotten smart and will either go for a late lunch around 2pm or an early dinner at 5pm or just be ready to hang out and wait outside – after all, it’s so worth it and we meet such interesting people all the time.

Owner/chef, Arthur Rivaldo, has been in the restaurant business for many years in New York, Washington, DC and now in Florida. He wanted to open a restaurant that featured food that most people enjoy hence the snapper and sushi combination. There’s definitely a Latin/Caribbean twist. Together with his partner and fiancee, Melanie Varquez, opened Hog Snappers in August 2009 and they haven’t rested since! But they came to have fun and provide good food and something different for the community and that’s exactly what they’re doing!

Now of course a weekly trip to Tequesta is a must – don’t be surprised if you see us there much more frequently – we can’t get enough!

Posted by: Marion Suro

Things to do in Jupiter: Shopping, Turtles and the Jupiter Lighthouse

2010-04-09T16:15:00Z

Although Jupiter is just a small town covering a little more than 21 square miles, there really is a lot to do and see. Because of the wonderful climate, we enjoy so many outdoor activities year-round; activities such as golf, tennis, fishing, boating, nature-walks and of course swimming in the warm Atlantic Ocean and walking along the beautiful Jupiter beaches at sunrise and sunset.

Known as a “beach town” we often forget Jupiter also has several other wonderful local attractions. Recently we had a 17 year-old young lady, Savanna, visit us from out of state. Before she arrived I pulled together information about local events and attractions that she might enjoy during her visit. When Savanna arrived on Saturday, I was very proud to present her with the results of my research - a whole stack of brochures I’d collected plus print-outs from the Internet about a bunch of things I’d found.

Of course one of the things high on Savanna’s list was shopping - what 17 year-old girl doesn’t want to shop?! Not surprisingly, one thing she selected was a visit to the Sawgrass Outlet Malls. I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed it too – incredible bargains on designer purses and so much more!

Another thing Savanna selected was the Loggerhead Marine life Center in Juno Beach – who wouldn’t want to see these magical, beautiful turtles being nursed back to health? And in such a beautiful setting right alongside the Atlantic Ocean.

What really surprised me though was that Savanna put the Jupiter Lighthouse tour very high on her list of things to do during her one week visit. I was delighted because it had been several years since I’d visited the lighthouse and of course the lighthouse is the symbol of Jupiter and all its history.

There were just five of us on the tour – we lucked out because the tour immediately before us was just ending and there were about twenty people in it! When you’re walking up the very narrow stairs to the top of the lighthouse you’ll understand why 5 is far more preferable!

The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly and shared a great deal of history with us, both about the lighthouse and about Jupiter. He was very patient and willing to spend as much time as we wanted in the grounds as well as in the lighthouse itself.

We had to climb several steps to get to the base of the lighthouse followed by 105 stairs to the top. You do get to stop every 25 steps or so and catch your breath if you need to so it wasn’t too bad at all. Once at the top the views are awesome! Here you are at the highest point for miles around. Look west towards the Loxahatchee River, look in front to the Intracoastal Waterway and look east to the crystal blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. What an absolutely idyllic spot!

Of course we took lots of photos as we listened to the tour guide tell us about the history of the lighthouse and the new lens that’s used in the lighthouse. I must admit it was difficult to concentrate on all of the tour guide’s information because the views were so spectacular!

If you live in the Jupiter area this is something you should enjoy every year or two. If you’re visiting you absolutely shouldn’t miss the experience.

As I drive around Jupiter showing property each day, it really makes me smile every time I pass one of the Town of Jupiter signs. They all bear the symbol that we all know and love: the beautiful red Jupiter lighthouse.

Posted By: Marion Suro

Restaurant Options in Abacoa, Jupiter

2010-03-19T20:12:00Z

We have so many great restaurants in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens, it’s difficult to know where to start. Have you been over to the new Carmine’s restaurants in the Bermudiana Plaza in Abacoa? It’s really convenient with lots of parking in the Bermudiana Plaza on the north east corner of Military Trail & University. WOW! Have they brought something really good to Abacoa!

Many of us locals know that Carmine’s has been a staple (since 1972) on PGA Blvd in the Harbour Financial Center for many years. There’s Carmine’s Trattoria - a great place to enjoy good Italian food: pasta, pizza, entrees and more. Then there’s the ever popular Carmine’s Delicatessen which has enjoyed an excellent reputation for many years with great produce, fresh fish, meat and poultry, prepared foods, bakery goods, wines and more. We “locals” even call the plaza Carmine’s Plaza!

Well, here we are with not just one but two great new Carmine’s eateries right here in the heart of Abacoa. There’s CG Burgers (CG for the owner’s name, Carmine Giardini) offering a great menu including awesome burgers from just $4.50 to a carving board of turkey breast, prime rib and filet mignon for a very reasonable $7 - $8. There’s also a selection of beers and wines to accompany your meal plus a great welcoming atmosphere with servers who seem genuinely pleased that you came!

Right next door is Carmine’s Coal Fire Pizza Ristorante – my favorite! The extensive menu includes a great selection of antipasti, salads, pizza, panini and pastas. What a great idea to let you choose from several different pastas and sauces of your choice – kinda like mix and match to your own taste! You can also choose from an individual serving to a “family” sized serving for two-plus. The food is good, the prices are reasonable and the service is friendly. Additional good news - there’s a great bar that you can also eat at and plenty of parking. Sounds like a recipe for success!

Carmine clearly recognizes the market potential in Abacoa with all the residential neighborhoods plus the industries moving in - Scripps® Florida, Max Planck and G4S Wackenhut to name a few. Thanks for introducing two good restaurants for us to enjoy right here in the heart of Abacoa’s growing community.

For more information call CG Burgers 561.340.3940 or Coal Fire Pizza 561.340.3930.

Posted By: Marion Suro

The Island – You’ll Want to Call it Home!

2010-03-08T13:49:00Z

I recently sold a beautiful home in The Island at Abacoa and I have to tell you every single person who saw this home loved it and absolutely adored this very popular community.

The Island was built by DiVosta in 2000-2001. It’s a fairly small community with just 170 Victorian-style single family homes and townhomes. With both one and two story single family homes to choose from there’s something to suit everyone’s lifestyle. The homes in The Island feature some very popular DiVosta floor plans ranging from just under 2,000 square feet to over 3,400 square feet of living space. Many of the homes have lovely front porches where you can relax and chat to your neighbors as they stroll by. Because The Island is surrounded by waterways and the golf course, many of the homes have stunning golf course and water views. It’s such a tranquil, relaxing area – no wonder everyone loves The Island at Abacoa!

Like most Abacoa neighborhoods, The Island also has a wonderful community swimming pool, clubhouse and children’s playground. Residents can enjoy the many parks and nature trails throughout Abacoa and the “town squares” where neighbors meet and get to know each other at the community clubhouses.

You can easily walk to the Abacoa public golf course & driving range and the Abacoa Golf Club where you can eat lunch or dinner while enjoying spectacular golf course views. You’re also just a short walk from Downtown at Abacoa with all the shops, restaurants and events it offers. Florida Atlantic University’s campus and Scripps® Florida’s state-of-the-art biomedical Research Facility are also within walking distance as are the Edna Hibel Museum and Roger Dean Baseball Stadium. Something for everyone – just a short walk or bike ride away!

One day when I drove in to The Island at Abacoa to show a home, I passed the lake on the right just after the entrance and saw this absolutely amazing sight! I stopped for several minutes to marvel at this spectacular scene – thank goodness I had my camera with me as everyone would have thought I was totally exaggerating about how many beautiful birds were gathered in one small area! Of course, for those of us who are lucky enough to live here, this was just an average day in paradise!

Posted By: Marion Suro

Tuscany – It’s the heart of Abacoa!

2010-03-02T16:14:00Z

When you think of Tuscany, you probably conjure up images of life in the sun, gorgeous landscapes, wonderful architecture and a very relaxed lifestyle. Of course, this is the Tuscany in Italy right? Well … maybe not! There’s a reason DiVosta selected the name Tuscany for one of the most popular communities in Abacoa.

The architecture of Tuscany at Abacoa is very reminiscent of the homes and villas in Tuscany, Italy. The homes in Tuscany have warm, earthy colors plus striking terracotta roofs to give the true look and feel of living in the original Tuscany in Italy. The barrel-tiled roofs, pavers in the driveways and walkways work so well aesthetically and, together with the carefully chosen warm exterior paint colors, blend so well with Florida’s natural environment. Put this all together with Jupiter’s sunny blue skies and lush tropical foliage and you really do have a slice of heaven right here in Tuscany at Abacoa. It’s no wonder so many people choose to call Tuscany their home!

The Tuscany neighborhood features a mix of single family homes and townhomes – 453 in all – with most of the townhomes around the perimeter of the community. The developer, DiVosta, presented a totally different townhome in Tuscany and it has proved to be extremely popular. You can choose from 3 or 4 bedroom townhomes with a bedroom and full bathroom downstairs for the convenience of those who don’t want to deal with stairs. Some townhomes offer two huge master suites upstairs plus a third bedroom and full bathroom downstairs while others offer 3 bedrooms upstairs and a fourth bedroom downstairs.

The single family homes offer from 2 bedrooms to 5 bedrooms - this flexibility of floor plans makes sure there’s a home to suit everybody in Tuscany!

Tuscany also has a wonderful community pool – stop by and enjoy a little exercise swimming or relax and enjoy some sun while meeting your neighbors and making new friends. Abacoa is all about lifestyle and it really is a wonderful one! Call me today if you’d like a tour of this terrific neighborhood – Tuscany at Abacoa. Love it!

Posted By: Marion Suro

Living in Cambridge at Abacoa, FL - Everything you want!

2010-02-18T18:13:00Z

I was showing homes in Cambridge at Abacoa today and was excited to tell you about this wonderful neighborhood in Abacoa – right in the heart of Jupiter. Cambridge is situated just south of Frederick Small Road on the west side of Military Trail. This is the very heart of Jupiter and all that it has to offer: beautiful beaches, boating, golf, nature and so much more. If you’re thinking about location, location, location, it doesn’t get much better!

Cambridge was built in 2001 by DiVosta Homes which is now part of Pulte Homes. You know them! The builders who won the very highest acclaim in the 2009 J.D. Power & Associates home builder survey – they also won the award in several years prior!

Cambridge is a welcoming community with 77 single family and 132 townhomes. The townhomes in Cambridge vary from duplexes with two units in each building to row homes with six units in each building. The floor plans are very spacious and the space is very well used. The duplex townhomes have two-car garages with a good-sized courtyard patio between the home and the garage – a great area for entertaining or outdoor grilling and dining – of course with our wonderful weather you can enjoy the outdoors all year round!

As I’ve mentioned before, each community in Abacoa has a unique flavor. Cambridge has unique Mediterranean-Georgian architecture with lots of green spaces within a fairly small neighborhood. Cambridge is also surrounded by Natural Preserves so those of you who enjoy walking and Florida’s wildlife will be totally happy here.

One of the things that everyone loves about Cambridge at Abacoa is how close the recreational facilities are to all the homes. The community swimming pool, clubhouse and children’s playground are located right in the middle of the community with easy access from all the homes.

Cambridge is just a short walk or ride away from the Roger Dean Baseball Stadium, Abacoa’s public golf course and the Abacoa Town Center with a great selection of shops and restaurants. With the recent addition of the SCRIPPS research center (which will soon be accompanied by Max Planck) the opportunities for jobs and growth in our area has been greatly expanded. Things just continue to get better and better!

Of course Cambridge is also just a few miles from Jupiter’s gorgeous beaches and the beautiful blue Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy watching the loggerhead turtles nesting on our beaches – what an awesome sight! Go deep-sea fishing, get out your surfboard or just bring your dog to walk or run with you on the beach – if you enjoy the outdoors you will not be disappointed.

Cambridge at Abacoa is just twenty minutes from the world-class shops and restaurants in Palm Beach as well as the Palm Beach International airport. Location! Location! Location! It’s what it’s all about …

Posted By: Marion Suro

Living, Working and Playing in Mallory Creek, Abacoa, Florida

2010-02-08T17:58:00Z

Located in the heart of Abacoa, Jupiter, just north of Frederick Small Road and just west of Central Boulevard, Mallory Creek is only a short distance from Abacoa’s Town Center and all the restaurants, stores and entertainment that Abacoa offers.

Pulte/DiVosta started construction of Mallory Creek, Abacoa’s newest neighborhood, in 2006. Mallory Creek’s 500 homes feature a popular Key West style architecture with totally new floor plans for both single-family homes and townhomes. There’s something for everyone at Mallory Creek with the wide selection of floor plans ranging from 1500 square feet to 3,768 square feet of living space. The larger floor plans, the Azalea, Martello and Hemingway, all offer 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms.

Mallory Creek homes include several upgrades such as granite counters and stainless steel appliances plus a selection of wood cabinets and floor tile to choose from. If you choose to buy a new home, you’ll be able to make your own selections and of course, I’m always available to help you make those decisions.

Mallory Creek features lakes, bridges, benches, green spaces and wide boulevards which give the neighborhood a very spacious and open look and feel. The community offers two clubhouses each with a heated swimming pool plus a fitness center. There are also play areas for children and, like all of the Abacoa communities, Mallory Creek’s pedestrian-friendly streets have lots of trees and tropical plants that will quickly become very lush and colorful as they mature.

Abacoa was planned to be a development where people can live, work, study, relax, exercise, shop, dine and enjoy entertainment all in one place. Has it completed its goal? You be the judge…

Lighthouse Elementary and Independence Middle schools are just a short walk/ride from Mallory Creek and of course Florida Atlantic University is in Abacoa Town Center.

The number of jobs available in Abacoa continues to increase as Scripps continues to build its research facility and Max Planck makes plans for their new facility right next door.

Abacoa residents can relax watching a game at the Roger Dean Baseball Stadium - Spring training ground for the Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals; they can play golf at the public, 18-hole Abacoa Golf Course or take an exercise class at one of the health and fitness centers in Abacoa Town Center.

There are lots of boutique shops along Town Center Drive and Main Street in Abacoa. It’s very relaxing to stroll around and meet the local store owners and their employees.

And, whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you need go no further than Abacoa Town Center with a great selection of casual and more upscale restaurants to choose from. There’s Rooney’s Irish Pub, Jumby Bay Grill, J.J. Muggs, Nature’s Way, Costello’s Pizzeria and The Bistro.

Call me today and I’ll introduce you to Mallory Creek in person!

Posted By: Marion Suro

Abacoa Events & Attractions

2010-02-04T18:03:00Z

This Saturday, February 6th, has lots of things for everyone to enjoy!

Start your day at the fabulous Abacoa Town Center Green Market which runs from 9am until 1pm. Stroll around and visit the different vendors’ stalls offering freshly baked goods, local produce, natural skin-care products and many more tantalizing things for the entire family. Of course you can also browse the other shops and check out the restaurants in Abacoa’s Town Center while you’re there.

How about walking or riding over to the Bike Parade & Doggie Mardi Gras in Mallory Creek? It starts at 12 noon and runs until 2pm. I’m sure there’ll be some great glitzy doggie costumes on parade – should be a lot of fun!

Then, in the evening, you can grab a bite at one of several restaurants like Jumby Bay Island Grill, Rooney’s, Costello’s or Le Metro while visiting the Main Street Cruise Classic Car Show that runs from 5pm until 10pm. There are always several incredible collectors’ cars to see and the owners love to show them off and tell you all about them!

There really is something for everybody all day long. Abacoa - what a great place to live!

For directions or other information please email Marion@MarionSuro.com or call me 561.310.6120.

Posted By: Marion Suro

Getting to Know NewHaven in Abacoa, Jupiter

2010-02-02T16:05:00Z

So let’s take a stroll around the different neighborhoods in Abacoa. I think we’ll start with NewHaven – are you ready?

NewHaven is located on the east side of Abacoa in the very heart of Jupiter with all the wonderful things it has to offer: great schools, shops, restaurants, entertainment, sports, fishing, boating, golf, tennis, nature – you name it!

NewHaven was built by DiVosta Homes who are well-known for their high-quality construction. With just over 500 Victorian-style homes, NewHaven has a charming, quaint “New England” look and feel. Choose from several very functional single-family home floor plans or one of the two townhome floor plans – there’s something for everybody no matter your age.

Known for its charm, NewHaven boasts tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly streets and wonderful community facilities where you can relax and socialize with your neighbors. Amidst a landscape of natural beauty and walking trails, NewHaven offers two clubhouses and two community swimming pools. Savor the lush landscaping and vibrant colors of the beautiful tropical plants as you stroll around this peaceful, friendly neighborhood – you’ll think you really have found paradise!

For information on what is currently available for sale in NewHaven, contact me at marion@marionsuro.com.

Posted By: Marion Suro

An Introduction to Abacoa, A Neighborhood of Jupiter, Florida

2010-01-29T00:40:00Z

Abacoa is a wonderful place where people can live, work, learn and play. There’s the Abacoa Golf Club, a beautiful 18-hole public golf course; Florida Atlantic University’s John D. MacArthur campus with the Wilkes Honors College, the Lifelong Learning Society and the Hibel Museum of Art; Scripps Research Facility; the Roger Dean Baseball Stadium which hosts Spring training for the Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals; the South Jupiter Community Park and the Skate Park.

Illustrated Properties’ Abacoa office is located right in the heart of Abacoa in the Abacoa Plaza on the corner of Military Trail and Donald Ross – right in the middle of all that Abacoa has to offer.

Abacoa and the immediate area boasts some excellent schools. Beacon Cove Intermediate School and Independence Middle are located in Abacoa. Lighthouse Elementary, Jupiter Middle, W.T. Dwyer High School and Jupiter High School are situated just on the perimeter of Abacoa.

Where else can you find all this within minutes of your dream home?

Abacoa has several wonderful neighborhoods that you’ll want to look at - each is unique with a different flavor. I’ll be sharing each of them with you over the next few weeks so come back and visit often!

Posted By: Marion Suro

Area Events & Attractions - the Jupiter Jubilee, Jupiter, FL

2010-01-21T16:27:00Z

I can’t believe it’s time for the JUPITER JUBILEE already!

The Jupiter Jubilee is organized by the Town of Jupiter for residents and visitors. This year’s event is on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 from 11:00am to 5:00pm at the Jupiter Community Center, 210 Military Trail, Jupiter (just south of Indiantown Road).

Each year the Jupiter Jubilee features entertainment and showcases civic, educational and cultural aspects. It’s an opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate all that Jupiter has to offer. The more we learn about our community, the more we appreciate and enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer.

This year’s theme is “Celebrate GREEN!” It will focus on Jupiter’s natural beauty and the importance of conservation. In the spirit of GREEN, you’re invited to walk or bicycle to the event – great for your heart and February is American Hearth Month! To encourage you to recycle and not use plastic bottles and aluminum cans, you’ll get your FREE Jupiter Jubilee Souvenir Cup to fill with water at the Jupiter Utilities Water Oasis!

It’ll be a great time full of fun, education and mingling – so come and enjoy! I’ll see you there!

Posted By: Marion Suro

Palm Beach County Florida Attractions

2010-01-11T23:11:00Z

Palm Beach County Florida offers their residents a magnificent landscape, a prosperous business environment, and great weather all year round. This county offers a variety of enjoyable activities and events for everyone to take pleasure in. We offer a variety of sports, shopping, boating, nightlife and cultural activities.

For those who enjoy dining, the island of Palm Beach and downtown West Palm Beach have a plethora of dining and nightlife choices. You can select from seafood and steak restaurants to French and fusion, your cuisine options are never-ending.

If you are an art enthusiast, you can enjoy an assortment of performing arts, art exhibits, museums, and numerous community concerts and festivals.

Whatever your interests are, you will discover it here.

Welcome to our new blog!

2010-01-08T18:11:00Z

This site is being set up this week and will be live with active bloggers very soon. Please bookmark and return next week!