NORTHEAST BY SOUTHEAST

Palm Beach’s cultural landscape is changing thanks to a post-pandemic renaissance.

BY ERICA CORSANO

The New York Times recently reported on Southern Florida’s major appeal for pandemic-exhausted New Yorkers, and the Northeast’s resulting influx into the area. The result may have caused minor traffic jams for year-round locals, but the trade off is proving to be well worth it. The flow southward has created a higher demand for businesses that are accustomed to catering to people hailing from cities like New York and Boston. The hospitality hybrid of Northeastern efficiency with Sunshine-State laid back vibes is shaping the area’s fashion, hospitality, culinary, arts and entertainment scenes.

NYC designer and “King of Pants” Alvin Valley first recognized the trend of Northeasterners, including his clients, traveling to Florida more frequently during the pandemic. In January 2021 he opened an appointment-only, permanent atelier on Palm Beach’s chic Worth Avenue, selling ready-to-wear as well as made-to-order pieces for his clientele. “Palm Beach has taken off beyond my wildest expectations. My personal connection with my clients—as I am often here, fitting and styling them—was an added benefit to my business. I finally came from behind the curtain and am being inspired everyday by my customers,” Valley explains.

However, some of the most noticeable imports are in the restaurant realm. New York City cult bistros La Goulue and Le Bilboquet both opened up on the island of Palm Beach. Known as swanky and expensive places to see and be seen, the French hotspots are always bustling with guests. The incredible fare has folks flocking as well. NYC culinary institution La Goulue has charmed food lovers for more than 25 years. Now a Palm Beach treasure, the restaurant dishes out haute cuisine, both classic French dishes and globally-inspired food, created by Michelin-starred executive chef Pascal Sanchez. Indulge in Le Souffle Au Fromage, an award-winning signature dish since 1972: Made with Gruyère, parmesan and white truffle oil, and accompanied by a bright garden salad, this dish is tres magnifique!

Located in the ever-so-charming Via Encantada just off shopping hub Worth Avenue, Le Bilboquet also offers French Bistro food in a high-end atmosphere. Unlike its sister

COURTESY ALVIN VALLEY PALM BEACH Fashion icon Alvin Valley, pictured in his new Palm Beach atelier.

restaurant, the Southern outpost reminds more laid-back guests that they should “dress to impress” on their website’s homepage; no beach attire, shorts, flip-flops, sweatpants, baseball caps or athletic wear are permitted. (Although we’re pretty sure that if a stylish PB influencer came in for dinner attired in track pants and heels, an exception might be made.) It’s not hard to see the temptation toward casual wear: One might prefer to be comfortable after devouring dishes like La Bouillabaisse Royale and Moules Marinieres.

The iconic Colony Hotel, in all its pretty-inpink glory, recently debuted the resurrection of NYC Upper East Side watering hole and restaurant, Swifty’s. A magnet for celebrities and socialites in New York for decades, the well-known establishment closed its doors in 2016. Much to many a New Yorker-transplant’s delight (and anyone looking for good food with a side of eye candy), diners, drinkers and gawkers can do so in style, poolside anytime at Swifty’s Pool, which offers casual dining plus live music and impromptu pop-ups like rum tastings, book readings and other engaging, sociallydistanced activities.

New Englanders are also getting in on the Palm Beach hospitality scene action. Nantucket’s White Elephant Hotel debuted last year. “Palm Beach was a natural fit for the brand’s expansion to a second vacation destination. Both Nantucket and Palm Beach are known for theirshopping, dining, beaches and waterfront. These are two iconic vacation destinations,” explains the property’s general manager, Bernhard Duerrmeier.

The 32-room property is housed in the former Bradley Park Hotel, originally constructed in 1924 as one of the first resorts on Palm Beach’s Main Street. The footprint of the structure and the facade remained, while the interiors have been stripped to the bones and rebuilt by Boston-based Elkus Manfredi Architects. Breaking from the bright pinks and greens that dominate the Palm Beach aesthetic, White Elephant Palm Beach features a neutral color palette with sleek metal accents and vibrant pops of color. Rates start at $650 for a guest room and $995 for a suite.

Global bistro and sushi bar, LoLa 41, also a Nantucket (and Boston) mainstay,opened inside the hotel, bringing with it cuisine inspired by destinations that the 41st longitude parallel crosses through—including Nantucket, Spain and Japan.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the Palm Beach community. It has been exciting to extend the level of hospitality and service excellence we are known for in Nantucket to another legendary resort destination,” Duerrmeier added.

Hotels, fashion and food aren’t the only business categories to flock South; The art scene in the Gold Coast has benefited tremendously from the migration as well. For example, NYCbased Acquavella Galleries and Pace Gallery recently opened at Royal Poinciana Plaza, an upscale outdoor shopping concept created by WS Development, based out of Boston.

Founded by Nicholas Acquavella, Acquavella Galleries is distinguished for its expertise in the fields of 19th, 20th and 21st century art. Three generations of the Acquavella family have run the business for more than 90 years. Pace’s ninth location (worldwide) opened as the global gallery is now in its seventh decade of operation. As a leading contemporary art gallery representing many of the most significant international artists and estates of the 20th and 21st centuries, this arts haven fits in perfectly among the art-collecting millionaires who call Palm Beach home.

After your culture fix, peruse the elite shops, get coiffed at New York’s Paul Labreque Salon & Spa and have a bite at Milan-born, NYCfave, Sant Ambroeus, for authentic Italian fine dining or casual sweet eats, cocktails, gelato, coffee and more in their cafe.

(Opposite): A selection of dishes from LoLa 41, located inside White Elephant Hotel. (This page, clockwise from top): The convivial atmosphere at La Gouloue; afternoons lounging in style at White Elephant; White Elephant’s lobby.

ALVIN VALLEY

36 Via Mizner Palm Beach 561-727-8811 alvinvalley.com

LA GOULUE

288 S County Road Palm Beach 561-284-6292 lagouluepalmbeach.com

LE BILBOQUET

245 Worth Avenue Palm Beach 561-812-2363 lebilboquetpb.com

THE COLONY HOTEL

155 Hammon Avenue Palm Beach 561-655-5430 thecolonypalmbeach.com

WHITE ELEPHANT HOTEL

280 Sunset Avenue Palm Beach 561-832-7050 whiteelephantpalmbeach.com

THE ROYAL POINCIANA PLAZA

340 Royal Poinciana Way Palm Beach 561-440-5441 theroyalpoincianaplaza.com