Sally Herb, the aptly named owner of Crazy Conch Café, is the namesake of "Sally's endive salad" ($6.95), a party in your mouth and a colorful confetti for the eye. With citrus and warm bacon dressing, the salad is a gorgeous, delectable French favorite with an exotic mix of fresh endive, radicchio, bitter greens, croutons, chunks of bacon, and bits of coddled egg and oranges. Topped with tangy, homemade warm bacon dressing, reminiscent of sweet-and-sour dishes popular in Germany, the dish is so huge it could sub as a chewy, filling and healthful entrée. Plus, its sidekick is a basket of knockout homemade bread and big pats of unsalted fresh butter. Those of you who spurn bird food are missing something.
Crazy Conch Café, 1110 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, 727-865-0633 or www.crazyconch.com.
This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 1, 2003.