Jimmy Buffett Day — Keep the Party Going

Jimmy Buffett Day — Keep the Party Going

Jimmy Buffett Day
Keep the Party Going
🍋‍🟩 🌴 🍔 🎸🧂 🍹

This year, Jimmy Buffett Day is Friday, September 4, 2026, celebrated on the Friday before Labor Day as a time to honor Jimmy’s music, generous spirit, sense of community, and the laid-back island lifestyle he shared with the world.

Jimmy left behind a clear message: “Keep the Party Going.” Today, the Coral Reefer Band continues to play his music and carry on the spirit of the incredible community he created.

And the party really does keep going.

The music still plays. Parrot Heads still gather. Margaritas are still poured. And every year here on Taste With The Eyes, another Jimmy-inspired dish joins the celebration.

It started in September 2023 with a Cheeseburger in Paradise, made in the days following Jimmy’s passing. Since then, the tradition has continued with Jimmy’s Favorite Gumbo, Jimmy’s Jammin’ Jambalaya, Margaritaville Island Rum Cake, and, most recently, Margaritaville Halibut with Artichoke Ragout.

So for Jimmy Buffett Day 2026, I’m bringing them all together — five recipes and tributes celebrating the music, food, stories, and Margaritaville way of life that Jimmy left behind.

I’m also taking a little trip back to Key West in 1991, when my brother and I visited the original Margaritaville Cafe on Duval Street. Along with a photo from that trip, I’m sharing vintage Margaritaville Cafe menus — a fun look back at the early days of Margaritaville.

🦜 My Jimmy Buffett 🦜
Recipes & Tributes

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Margaritaville’s Halibut with Artichoke Ragout

Margaritaville's Halibut with Artichoke Ragout

Margaritaville’s Halibut
With Artichoke Ragout

🌴 🍋‍🟩 🦈 🍹 🧂 🎸 🦜 🍔
A Jimmy Buffett Tribute

It started with Jimmy’s passing on September 1, 2023, when I headed to the kitchen to make his famous Cheeseburger in Paradise—the kind Jimmy sang about with such enthusiasm: a big burger on a warm bun, loaded just the way he liked it. Since then, the tradition has continued with gumbo, jambalaya, rum cake—and plenty of Margaritaville spirit along the way.

This year, we’re heading straight to Margaritaville: The Cookbook for Pan-Seared Halibut with Artichoke Ragout, a recipe from JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, the restaurant named for Jimmy himself.

The halibut gets a light coating of breadcrumbs before it’s pan-seared until golden, then served with a savory ragout of artichokes, Kalamata olives, garlic, white wine, butter, lemon, and plenty of fresh parsley.

My version takes a terrific shortcut with frozen artichoke bottoms. There’s no trimming, peeling, or removing the choke. Cut into substantial wedges, the artichokes brown beautifully while keeping their shape—and they’re just the right size for dipping into a little garlic mayo on the side.

Add a margarita, turn up the Jimmy Buffett playlist, and raise a glass to Jimmy.

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere. 🦜

Margaritaville's Halibut with Artichoke Ragout

Pan-Seared Halibut Recipe

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Why Las Vegas Locals Love South Point Casino

Why Las Vegas Locals Love South Point Casino

Why Las Vegas Locals
Love South Point Casino
🥩 💰 🍸 🎰

Las Vegas has no shortage of spectacular resorts, celebrity restaurants and over-the-top attractions. We love those too. But one of the pleasures of living here is having places that offer a completely different kind of Las Vegas experience.

That’s a big part of why we love South Point.

Big Sur Oyster Bar

Located at the southern end of Las Vegas Boulevard, South Point is especially convenient for us coming up from Henderson. There’s plenty of free parking, and the atmosphere is relaxed, casual and come-as-you-are. There isn’t an elaborate theme and there isn’t much pretense. It’s simply a comfortable place to spend an afternoon or evening.

And after living here for years, we’ve developed quite a few South Point favorites.

South Point
Hotel Casino and Spa

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Heirloom Tomatoes with Curry Yogurt, Bacon & Anchovies

Heirloom Tomatoes with Curry Yogurt, Bacon & Anchovies

🍅 Heirloom Tomatoes 🍅
with
Curry Yogurt, Bacon & Anchovies

At the height of summer, great tomatoes don’t need much, but this dish gives them plenty to play with. Ripe heirloom tomatoes and tiny Sprinkles are piled over a cool, creamy curry yogurt sauce with fresh jalapeño, then lightly drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and finished with crispy bacon, anchovies and fresh chives. It’s an umami flavor explosion—salty, smoky, savory, spicy and just a little sweet.

The curry yogurt is definitely better made a day ahead. An overnight rest gives the curry and turmeric time to meld with the yogurt, Kewpie mayonnaise and lime. Serve the finished platter in the middle of the table with thick slices of grilled sourdough for scooping up the tomatoes and curry yogurt. It’s a terrific summer side dish or appetizer to share.

Heirloom Tomato Curry Recipe

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10 Julia Child Birthday Tributes, Stories & Recipes

Julia Child's Coquilles Saint Jacques

10 Julia Child Birthday
Tributes, Stories & Recipes

Celebrating Julia Child’s birthday has become an annual tradition here on Taste With The Eyes. Every August, I find another reason to return to Julia—to cook one of her recipes, revisit a story from her remarkable life, or simply celebrate the joy and curiosity she brought to the kitchen. After so many years of birthday tributes, it seemed like the perfect time to gather some of my favorites together in one place.

Julia changed the way Americans thought about French cooking, but her influence went far beyond recipes and technique. She made ambitious cooking seem possible, mistakes seem perfectly acceptable, and the kitchen a place for learning, laughter, and a good appetite. Her enthusiasm for food was irresistible, and decades later she remains just as much fun to cook with. Here are ten Julia Child birthday tributes from over the years—recipes, stories, memorable meals, and a few adventures inspired by the incomparable Julia Child.

Click the link in each title to visit the original post, where you’ll find the complete story, recipe, photographs, and all the delicious details.

Julia Child Tributes

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