The parent company of Outback Steakhouse and its sibling restaurants has rescinded a policy of requiring its wait staff to cover credit-card processing fees for tips included on their customers' bills. ...more

February 2, 2008

Officials here are scrapping plans for a seagull shield made of fishing wire strung over the Boardwalk to protect diners from hungry gulls. ...more

January 30, 2008

The sight of scaffolding and guys in hard hats may give shoppers the impression that downtown's Fifth Avenue has been turned into a construction zone. ...more

January 11, 2008

Walt Disney World, home of Mickey Mouse, Tigger and Tinker Bell, has banned young children from its fanciest restaurant. ...more

January 6, 2008

ROYAL PALM BEACH - A Florida couple plan on having part of their dinner appraised. George and Leslie Brock found a purple pearl in their order of clams Friday night at Dave's Last Resort and Raw Bar. ...more

December 31, 2007

Tampa without grouper sandwiches? It may be as unthinkable as Philadelphia without cheesesteaks and New Orleans without muffalettas. But in 2007, it actually happened. With Florida-caught grouper in short supply last summer, some eateries – including the iconic Columbia Restaurant – took the fish off the menu. Others turned grouper from a regular feature into a special item or notified diners they get another fish as a substitute. ...more

December 25, 2007

Susan Dahl had spent four months homeless in Colorado and had just been on a harrowing 10-hour bus trip through sleet and snow. Hungry and broke, all she wanted to do was get back to family in Minnesota. ...more

December 22, 2007

SEBRING — The Salvation Army looked a lot like a big family gathering on Thanksgiving, with people hugging one another as they walked through the door and many cooks in the kitchen. Capt. Mary Holmes said the Salvation Army feeds about 75 mouths every Thanksgiving, and most of those people volunteer during the meal as well. "We usually have as many volunteers as we have diners," Holmes said. "A lot of people don't want to come just for the meal, so they help out as well, and we love having them. To me, people need the fellowship just as much as they need a hot meal." The diners enjoyed turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberries, rolls and big slices of pie. The turkey was donated by Kiwanis Club, and Village Inn had a pie drive and donated 40 pies. ...more

November 23, 2007

Tracey Rust spent her lunch break from work standing over a stove stirring shamrock-green eggs while 14 diners squirmed, giggled and held their noses. ...more

October 20, 2007

Ybor City, to be sure, remains a work in progress. ...more

October 17, 2007