18 minute read
Dining Guide
from Worth Avenue 2021
by JES Media
contemporary American dining influenced by British cuisines as well as European techniques— with an emphasis on local seasonal delicacies. The vibe is bright and lovely, but the cuisine is serious—with everything from oysters Rockefeller and stone crab claws to meatloaf, swordfish and roasted cauliflower. • Café 155 is perfect for the Palm Beacher on the run. Enjoy the café-style atmosphere to have a light breakfast or lunch, or try a grab-and-go selection, perfect for fueling up before a stroll to the nearby beach. • Swifty’s popular pop-up bistro returned this season—a Palm Beach take on the legendary Swifty’s on the upper east side of Manhattan for decades. This chic dining spot offers dinner classics (everything from steaks to oysters) and is complemented by its more casual Swifty’s Pool which offers a deliciously similar menu plus music and occasionaldiversions, like rum tastings.
THE CHESTERFIELD PALM BEACH,
363 COCOANUT ROW, 561/659-5800 • The Courtyard: The Courtyard is the more casual al fresco dining option within this hotel, with an eclectic menu by Chef Gerard Coughlin that offers everything from chicken curry with mango chutney to a shrimp stroganoff— even a beef and pork chili.
• The Leopard Lounge & Res-
taurant is the heart of this hotel, and is known for its over-the-top décor as well as its fine food. For starters, the rails on the bar are secured by the trunks of brass elephants. There are hand-painted murals on the ceilings. The lighting is low—and a little dangerous (in a good way). The menu covers all the bases, from lobster risotto to veal chops, and there are 18 martinis you may choose from, which pretty much says it all.
EAU PALM BEACH RESORT & SPA,
100 S. OCEAN BLVD., MANALAPAN, 561/533-6000 • Breeze Ocean Kitchen: If you’re truly looking for the ultimate Florida experience, then dine al fresco at Breeze’s oceanfront terrace, where Executive Sous Chef Matthew Gale has created a menu that infuses flavors of the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia. Treat yourself to the shrimp and chorizo empanadas or the seafood Cobb salad. Personal favorite? The Island Chips, plantains topped with taro root boniato chips, guacamole and charred tomato salsa. Don’t leave without sipping on the Caramel Cream beer float with vanilla ice cream and Due South Caramel Cream Ale.
• Temple Orange Mediterra-
nean Kitchen: Enjoy Mediterranean noshes while donning your “resort casual” wear (after all, this is a restaurant that gives you a beachfront view). The extravagant breakfast menu has it all: chilled seafood, inventive egg concoctions, griddle favorites and an indulgent battery of desserts. Sunday Fundays feature house-made bloodies, mimosas from fresh Florida oranges, and a personal favorite, the Veuve Clicquot Rich Champagne Garden. • Angle: Angle, the Resort’s “fine dining” option, offers a farm-tofork menu featuring prime meats and fresh seafood. This isn’t for the faint of heart (or wallet); for example, the $32 lobster tail is listed as a mere “enhancement,” and the $22 lobster mac and cheese with bacon is a “side.” Not to mention the $125 Seafood Tower, which just about empties the Atlantic Ocean.
FOUR SEASONS,
2800 S. OCEAN BLVD., 561/582-2800 The newly revamped Four Seasons Palm Beach offers the unparalleled French Riviera-inspired Florie’s, with a team led by three-star Michelin chef Mauro Colagreco. The menu is rooted in classics (like the heirloom tomato and peach carpaccio) with a seasonal spin and exquisite execution. Seaway is the resort’s more casual restaurant, with a European terrace vibe, great ocean vistas and signature dishes like the tuna and salmon chirashi. Expect the best from both.
LOLA 41 PALM BEACH,
290 SUNSET AVE., 561/599-5652 The country’s second LoLa 41, following the flagship spot on Nantucket Island, this restaurant features delicacies found along the 41st longitude/latitude parallel—hence its name. This means specialties of the Mediterranean, Western Europe, Japan and the Northeast U.S. appear on its diverse menu. Sushi rolls span from traditional to rarefied (the “Capt’n Jose” includes spicy salmon and cucumber topped with salmon, kiwi, and sesame aji mirin aioli), and other favorites
Seared Snapper Fillet from Florie’s include Hong Kong chicken lettuce cups, king crab rangoon and hefty brunch selections.
NYY STEAK,
IN SEMINOLE CASINO COCONUT CREEK, 5550 N.W. 40TH ST., COCONUT CREEK, 954/935-6699 Visitors from New York who do not mind a short trip south from Palm Beach may have found their new home! Within the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, NYY not only boasts a mean cut of meat, but it also provides a swanky lounge for gamblers and diners to relax. NYY’s in-house butcher (how many steakhouses can actually boast that?) dry-ages its USDA Prime steak for 21 days; you might view this as the Babe Ruth of steaks. It also has an impressive caviar selection. A fan favorite is NYY’s thick-cut bacon, housecured and smoked, and presented on what looks like a clothesline, so that the maple lacquer drips into the warm cornbread positioned below. Being a Yankees fan for one night is completely worth it here.
PICCOLO GELATO,
66 VIA MIZNER, 561/814-5966 This cozy, indulgent gelato shop tucked discreetly in Via Mizner is a wide draw for Palm Beachers in search of homemade gelato, gelato pops, gelato cakes, espresso and Italian specialty sodas. This is where you go when the grandkids are in town or if you just want to feel like a kid again.
PICCOLO MONDO,
87 VIA MIZNER, 561/655-9599 Piccolo Mondo is elegant Renato’s (next door) casual little sister, serving yummy wraps, sandwiches, salads and pastas in a casual atmosphere. It’s open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., and is perfect for an after-tennis meal, or lunch on the run—with a decidedly sumptuous spin, of course. This is, after all, Palm Beach.
PIZZA AL FRESCO,
14 VIA MIZNER, 561/832-0032 Pizza al Fresco offers excellent dining (indoors and out) in a romantic via, but without the—ahem—romantic prices normally attached to island dining. You can choose from apps and entrees ranging from lobster bisque, short rib Primavera, roast chicken and several pastas to a battery of pizzas locals swear by—especially the Palm Beach Pizza, with mozzarella, smoked salmon, caviar, red onions, capers and sour cream. This hidden gem is a locals’ favorite.
RENATO’S,
87 VIA MIZNER, 561/655-9752 Renato’s is arguably the most romantic restaurant in South Florida, with old-fashioned topdrawer service, a tinkling piano, an outdoor patio space that feels positively European and a fine dining menu that is superb. Renato’s has everything your heart desires, from foie gras to lobster risotto and more. Don’t wait for a special occasion; it’s always a special occasion here.
STARBUCKS,
150 WORTH AVE., 561/651-7740 Starbucks had to leap a few hurdles to land on Palm Beach, which is famously anti-franchise, but it is now a popular meeting spot right smack on Worth Avenue in the Esplanade. Caffeine close to both the beach and action central is all you could ask for.
SURFSIDE DINER,
314 S. COUNTY ROAD, 561/659-7495 Possibly the only spot on the island to offer a three-egg omelet with home fries and arugula salad for the un-Palm Beach price of $8.95, Surfside Diner is a beloved locals’ hang. All your favorite breakfast and lunch dishes are here, with ingredients that are impeccably fresh. And like any diner worth its weight in spoon grease, it serves milkshakes from the counter, cakes from coconut to chocolate, and mimosas and bellinis for workfree mornings.
TA-BOO,
221 WORTH AVE., 561/835-3500 Ta-boo is a tradition on the Avenue, and arguably its most well-known culinary landmark, the place to see and be seen for more than 60 years and counting. It is a local favorite for its happy hour, and regulars know to ask for certain tables. Ta-boo stories include the one that says the Bloody Mary was invented here, and that Joe Kennedy had a tryst with Gloria Swanson in the ladies’ room. True or false, it’s that kind of place—full of great gossip, better steaks and a buzz that never really goes away.
The White Elephant is the island’s latest luxury hotel
Laps of Luxury The waves of the ocean and Intracoastal are never far from these first-rate resorts and hotels.
Palm Beach hotels are legendary for glamour and service—and a real amenity for the Worth Avenue visitor. We suggest you make a holiday of it and rediscover the pleasures of top-ranked lodging and luxury.
The Breakers
1 S. COUNTY ROAD 655-6611, THEBREAKERS.COM The Breakers is synonymous with Palm Beach history and grandeur and is known for its sweeping hotel amenities—four pools, nine restaurants, a fabulous spa, endless beachfront. But we don’t want you to overlook The Seafood Bar, with its bright oceanfront setting, or HMF, for a sumptuous retro bar experience. Specialty dishes at the Seafood Bar include pan-seared sea scallops and lobster tails. The Seafood Bar is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for both lunch and dinner. Transport yourself to a world of glitz and glam at HMF, The Breakers’ retro-style bar. Select a drink from HMF’s acclaimed, 2,200-varietal wine list and order a meal from their globally influenced menu. HMF is open on Monday-Thursday and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight.
Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach 2800 S. OCEAN BLVD. 582-2800, FOURSEASONS. COM/PALMBEACH One of South Florida’s most elegant oceanfront boutique hotels offers impeccable amenities. The hotel underwent a multimilliondollar renovation a year ago which includes an enhanced beach experience, remodeled pool deck and guest rooms. Its restaurant Florie’s is directed by the 2019 “world’s best restaurant” chef Mauro Colagreco.
The Brazilian Court Hotel & Beach Club 301 AUSTRALIAN AVE. 655-7740, THEBRAZILIANCOURT.COM The graceful Brazilian Court is a Palm Beach mainstay that has everything—including a phenomenal Daniel Boulud restaurant—just a stone’s throw from Worth Avenue. The Brazilian Court has long been a popular destination for elegant weddings, and the hotel is also known for its graceful garden and poolside patio. The Brazilian Court has undertaken substantial room renovations that complement both its vintage legacy and its sunny South Florida character. Café Boulud, Daniel Boulud’s awardwinning restaurant, serves an impressive menu of modern French cuisine. The restaurant serves breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily, lunch from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m Monday-Friday and from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, and dinner from 5:30 to 10 p.m. daily.
The Chesterfield Palm Beach 363 COCOANUT ROW 659-5800, CHESTERFIELDPB.COM It’s a delight of a hotel—one of the island’s really great spots—but we’d have to make our favorite amenity The Leopard Lounge. Known as one of the best places to
get a drink and people-watch, the venue has live entertainment every day of the week as well as great drink and food specials. This can’tmiss nighttime hangout serves handcrafted cocktails as well as bar bites made by Executive Chef Gerard Coughlin. If you’re out for the day, join the Chesterfield for afternoon tea from 1 to 5 p.m., complete with tiny sandwiches, scones and pastries.
Eau Palm Beach Resort 100 S. OCEAN BLVD., MANALAPAN 533-6000, EAUPALMBEACH.COM Eau is whimsical and fully loaded with luxury amenities, but we have to stake our don’t-miss claim on its fabulous Eau Spa, a lavish, 42,000-square-foot “water playground” complete with a bath lounge, salon, spa treatments, garden villas, DIY scrub and polish bar, fitness center and a “bEAUtique.” Looking for a relaxing day to yourself? The spa offers a pass to the Self-Centered Garden, bath lounges, sauna and steam showers and meditation area for just $60 for hotel guests—a fee that is waived if you book a spa treatment. For fine dining made from local and regionally grown products, head to Angle for contemporary American cuisine. The restaurant serves fresh seafood and prime meets in a sleek, modern atmosphere. Angle is open from Tuesday-Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. Temple Orange is the perfect spot for a casual yet delicious meal. The Mediterraneaninspired restaurant is known for its fresh seafood and signature Mediterranean breakfast buffet served exclusively from Friday to Sunday. Temple Orange is open for breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. daily and for lunch from noon to 2:30 p.m. THECOLONYPALMBEACH.COM The Colony is another classic Palm Beach address, with a pedigree that dates to the days when the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were winter guests. We love, love, love it, but we have to say that its new iteration, including the exquisite CPB restaurant, brings it to a whole new level. Only steps from Worth Avenue, with a pool shaped like the state of Florida, this is Palm Beach at its Palm Beach-iest.
Palm Beach Historic Inn 365 S. COUNTY ROAD 832-4009, PALMBEACHHISTORICINN.COM In the heart of Palm Beach, within walking distance of shops, restaurants and the beach, the Palm Beach Historic Inn is equipped with modern amenities—yet stays true to its historic charm. Only a short distance away are golf courses, luxury spas, bike trails and other attractions unique to the Palm Beach area. After a long day of exploring the town, relax with an in-room spa treatment.
White Elephant 280 SUNSET AVE. 844/876-1848 Palm Beach’s latest and buzziest hotel has risen from the ca. 1924 building that was once the Bradley Park Hotel as a luxury boutique hotel numbering 13 rooms and 19 suites. Although the orginal footprint and Mediterranean Revival facade was preserved, the space was transformed by Boston-based Elkus Manfredi Architects into a contemporary but elegant space (complete with dipping pool, pool deck and garden area) that is a five-minute walk from the heart of Palm Beach dining, shopping and beach. Some suites boast private rooftop terraces— perfect for entertaining.
Custom and Personalized Items Luxury Leather Collars, Leashes, Harnesses Fine Pet Accessories and Gifts
The new Norton Museum of Art
South Florida:
Where to go, what to do
With Palm Beach as your launch pad, you can plan day trips throughout South Florida, from baseball in Miami to free-roaming wildebeest west of town.
Open hours, event schedules and pricing are all subject to change, so be sure to confirm details online or by phone before visiting these local hot spots.
FLAGLER MUSEUM, PALM BEACH
The development of Florida’s economy and status as a tourist destination can be attributed to Henry Flagler, who built the Florida East Coast Railway from Jacksonville to Key West. Flagler and his wife Mary Lily Kenan spent their winters in the Beaux-Arts mansion Whitehall, known today as the Flagler Museum, a beautiful, well-preserved national historic landmark.
Visitors to the museum can take selfguided brochure tours, self-guided smart device tours or docent-led tours of the estate and Henry Flagler’s private railcar, built in 1886 for his personal use. Visitors can also download the free Flagler Museum app on their smartphones prior to their visit to learn more about the history of the museum as well as have access to audio tours, an orientation video, events calendar and more.
At the corner of Cocoanut Row and Whitehall Way, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission is $18 for adults, $10 for kids ages 13 to 17, $3 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and younger. Call 561/6552833 or visit flaglermuseum.us.
SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS, PALM BEACH
For more than 80 years, the Society of the Four Arts has presented top-shelf cultural programming to the Palm Beach community. As its name suggests, its multi-building campus houses a quartet of disciplines, with hundreds of events filling its concert hall, gallery space, cinema and library each year. The Four Arts’ signature O’Keeffe Speaker Series, running Tuesday afternoons from January to April, welcomes nationally renowned figures from the realms of politics, media, arts and entertainment. Its concert series features the best in orchestral, chamber and jazz music on Wednesday nights and some Sunday afternoons in season, and its film series features foreign and domestic titles fresh off the art-
house circuit on select Fridays. All year round, visitors can enjoy the Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden and Four Arts Botanical Garden.
All programs are open to the public, with admission reasonably priced. The 2021 season will see limited capacity, with all programs subject to change or cancellation. Most buildings in the Society, at 2 Four Arts Plaza, are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The sculpture garden and botanical garden are open seven days a week from 10 to 5, weather permitting. Call 561/655-7226 or visit fourarts.org for details and current scheduling.
PAN’S GARDEN, PALM BEACH
Standing with flute in hand, the bronze statue of Pan of Rohallion welcomes visitors to this green oasis in the center of Palm Beach. Pan’s Garden is a half-acre filled with southern magnolia trees, scarlet milkweeds and about 300 more species of Florida native vegetation.
Visitors can walk through the tranquil pathways or relax on a bench under the garden’s roofed, open pavilion. At 386 Hibiscus Ave., Pan’s Garden is open to the public for groups of 10 or fewer Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission to the gardens is free. Call 561/832-0731.
NORTON MUSEUM OF ART, WEST PALM BEACH
One of the Southeast’s premier art museums, the Norton Museum of Art has been a cultural fixture in West Palm Beach since 1941. Two years ago, the museum unveiled its $100 million transformation. The new 59,000-squarefoot Kenneth C. Griffin Building added more than 12,000 square feet of gallery space earmarked for new and special exhibitions and the 210-seat Stiller Family Foundation Auditorium is available for lectures and performances. The internationally renowned permanent collection features more than 7,000 works, concentrated in European, American, Chinese and contemporary art and photography. The museum also offers a yearround schedule of special exhibitions.
Check the museum’s website or call 561/832-5196 for information.
ANN NORTON SCULPTURE GARDENS, WEST PALM BEACH
After marrying Ralph Hubbard Norton, founder of the Norton Museum of Art, in 1947, sculptor and art collector Ann Weaver began to fill their property, now the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, with more than 100 works of art.
Visitors to her historic home and studiocan wander the grounds and admire Ann’s artwork, including the nine monumental sculptures she left behind, eight in brick and one in granite. Seasonally changing exhibitions feature sculptures from contemporary and classic artists nestled among Ann’s work.
Admission to the gardens and home, at 2051 S. Flagler Drive, is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students and children ages 5 and older, and free for members; however, the gardens are only open from October through June. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Call 561/832-5328 or visit ansg.org.
MOUNTS BOTANICAL GARDEN, WEST PALM BEACH
Mounts is the oldest and largest botanical garden of its kind in Palm Beach County, welcoming visitors to its verdant paradise since 1925. Specializing in what it calls the “art, science and joy of gardening,” Mounts has cultivated 20 gardens, each organized as a living exhibit with curated flora designed to edify visitors about our challenging subtropical climate.
The garden, at 531 N. Military Trail, is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (last entry at 2 p.m.) and is closed during major holidays. As of this writing, the garden is operating at 50-percent capacity with a maximum group size of five people. Admission is free for members, $10 for general admission and $5 for children between ages 5 and 12. Call 561/233-1757 or visit mounts.org.
RAYMOND F. KRAVIS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, WEST PALM BEACH
Since its grand opening in November of 1992, the Kravis Center has grown into one of the premier destinations in Palm Beach County for plays, concerts, arts education and more. At 701 Okeechobee Blvd., during a normal year the center hosts about 550 performances by national and international artists each season, welcoming nearly 500,000 visitors in the process. The Kravis Center is also home to Miami City Ballet, Palm Beach Opera, Kravis on Broadway, P.E.A.K.—Provocative Entertainment at Kravis—and other compelling series.
As of this writing, performances and events are limited and open at curbed capacity due to COVID-19. Call 561/832-7469 or visit kravis.org for details and current scheduling information.
PALM BEACH DRAMAWORKS, WEST PALM BEACH
This renowned regional theatre company mounts exceptional productions of classic and contemporary plays, tackling heady fare from the likes of Strindberg, Albee, O’Neill and Mamet, performed by veteran local talent and the occasional Broadway or television star. Dramaworks operates a six-show season from the 218-seat Don & Ann Brown Theatre, recognizable from its vintage marquee and picturesque location overlooking the West Palm Beach waterfront. The theater, at 201 Clematis St., has box office hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. As of this writing, the theater is operating with a limited schedule due to COVID-19, but is offering virtual play readings on its website. Call 561/514-4042 , or go to palmbeachdramaworks.org for current schedule and details.
The only museum in the United States devoted exclusively to Japanese culture recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens features a large museum that showcases Japanese art as well as unusual objects from everyday life, past and present. It also features one of the largest authentic Japanese gardens in the United States, complete with waterfalls and bridges, rock gardens and koi ponds.
The museum, at 4000 Morikami Park Road, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and military, $11 for students, $9 for children ages 6 to 17, and free for children ages 5 and younger. Call 561/495-0233 or visit morikami.org for current admission and capacity guidelines.
BOCA RATON MUSEUM OF ART, BOCA RATON
The Boca Raton Museum of Art serves the Boca Raton community as a cultural and art hot spot with its two-story museum and outdoor sculpture garden that houses more than 30 installations by internationally known artists as well as Florida artists.
