South Florida New Yorkers fret no more: Brooklyn Water Bagel will be expanding as early as this September.

No need to schlep to Delray to get a taste of your favorite Brooklyn water. Jupiter will welcome the next (and second) location to the franchise later this year. We can expect at least two Boca Raton locations and even one to hit South Beach in the months following the Jupiter store opening.

After opening in August, Brooklyn Water Bagel has been showing off their water treatment plant inside their restaurant. You don’t need to be a native New Yorker to taste the difference. Water really is a big deal.

Photo by: Michele Boyet

You’d think as a Jew I would care about the water, but I never cared about the water. Growing up, I ate pizza, hot dogs, pretzels and bagels like every other piece of food that entered my mouth: without thinking. Chains like Einstein Bagels, Offerdahl’s Café Grill, and yes, even the massive Dunkin’ Donuts, all contributed to many Jewish themed brunches. But it wasn’t until I took a bite of a product from Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. Then I cared about the water.

I’ve never been to Brooklyn. I’ve merely glanced at it from a bridge when I’ve been to New York City on trips. I’ve learned some history in books, heard stories from my Brooklyn native Grandmother, and eaten at restaurants claiming the Brooklyn-esque in South Florida.

But I don’t need to actually visit Brooklyn to understand its water impact on the food. Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. has a water treatment plant inside the restaurant that recreates the infamous liquid.

Photo by: Michele Boyet

In fact, they sell bottles of them for less than $1 for you to try it solo. I had it with my garlic bagel and mmm’ed for about 10 full minutes.

After opening in August, the sole Delray Beach location has been serving the New York natives and Floridians alike with their creations. Along with more than a dozen different bagel flavors and 10 different spread options, the restaurant also boasts a menu of full breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert options (the chocolate chip cookie is very well worth the investment).

I never thought I’d say it, but it’s time to care about the water.

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Banana Cafe's Key lime crepes.

Key West – the United States’ southernmost point – is well-known to mainlanders for excessive amounts of bars, seafood, and a dessert that is nearly impossible to replicate: Key lime pie.

Earlier this month, I had the esteemed pleasure of taking a long weekend down way way south and indulge in all three of those famous attractions. More than the traditional pie, however, it was the different variations of it that sparked my curiosity.

Banana Café on Duval Street – a French restaurant that offers breakfast until 3 p.m. – has one of those tasty variations: Key lime pie crepes. They’re made with real key lime pie filling and topped with whipped crème, powdered sugar and a piece of lime. Basically, everything you love about Key Lime pie in a crepe. (In case you’ve been living under a rock and don’t know what a “crepe” is, take a lookie here…)

If Key Lime pie isn’t your thing, never fear. The Banana Café also makes at least a dozen other crepes, including both breakfast and dessert variations. Trust me, this place is definitely worth a second visit. I had breakfast there two days in a row.

Back here on the mainland while we’re still trying so hard to perfect the traditional pie, those Key Westerners are having fun making new treats with an old tradition. A few I discovered on my trip were Key lime ice cream, chocolate-dipped key lime pie, and key lime martinis.

Got an original key lime recipe or idea? Share with the group in the comments.