In her never-ending and too often futile quest to find good food in Flagler County, Blue at Topaz was like a breath of fresh air for News-Journal staff writer Kari Cobham.

Very plain and unassuming, to the point that you've probably driven right by, Essex Seafood Two is where you may have been missing some of the best fried seafood this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

On a cool Saturday, staff writer Derek Catron took his family for some tasty soup at Cook's Cafe in downtown DeLand.

Copy editor Sherry Mims and her husband, Amir Fleminger, went to lunch recently at Ivy Lane Bistro on South Beach Street in Daytona Beach. It features a variety of sandwiches, soups and wraps as well as specials listed on the chalkboard out front.

Sports staff writer Michael Lewis and former News-Journal librarian Janice Cahill recently went to lunch at Luigi's, a new Italian restaurant, serving pizza, sandwiches and dinners, on West Granada in Ormond Beach.