Food

S A SS A F R A S

Serving Upscale Southern Staples to West Palm Beach

BY ALEXIS PAIGE

PHOTOS: ALEXIS PAIGE

Both the Sub-Culture Group and chef John Thomas have individually made a reputation of dishing out some seriously good eats. With their powers combined, one could endlessly fantasize about what could be made. Luckily, we don’t have to use our imaginations because they have granted us Sassafras.

If you head east down the main strip of West Palm Beach and turn right, you’ll see a new neon sign that reads “eat.” Inside you’ll find a minimal, modern atmosphere with an inviting bar, pickled vegetables on the wall, and decorations that could be taken from your grandmother’s country house. Even though it’s not explicitly stated, you’re invited to make yourself at home.

If the name chef John Thomas rings a bell in your stomach, you have probably eaten at Delray’s beloved-but-lost 32 East. Bringing the same delicious, innovative ideas to Sassafras, Thomas’ talent combined with Sub-Culture Group’s delicious track record is sure to make your taste buds start speaking with a drawl. The team is giving your guilty pleasure foods a refresh by offering an upscale menu inspired by Southern staples, causing you to never look at Southern food the same way again.

With a goal to provide “damn fine food,” Thomas sets the quality of the food as his top priority, and utilized local, fresh ingredients as inspiration when creating the menu.This included sourcing from the beloved Swank Farms in Loxahatchee as well as farms located in

states known for their southern cuisine, which keeps everything as credible as possible. Pickled vegetables, buttermilk biscuits, and collard greens are just some of the classic comfort foods on the menu, but are only a start to your meal.

With local fish and butcher’s cut options, you’ll always have something fresh to choose as your main course. Or get your hands dirty with baby back ribs, fried chicken, or a double cheeseburger “served our way.”

If you can’t decide just exactly how to indulge, let Thomas decide for you. Simply order the chef’s choice tasting menu (and add the beverage pairing, because, why not?). It is five rounds of something tasty and you only had to make one decision. Or, bring a big party, each order a different dish, and share until your stomach’s content. Now that’s Southern hospitality at its finest.

anywhere else. Whether you want to pair an adult beverage with your meal or a starter, or just sip on a drink by itself, you’ll want to treat yourself to a crafty cocktail from the bar.

Indulge in the Daiquiri Lavaré made with Plantation white rum, butterfly pea, lime, and lavender, or sip the Narcissus Mule, which features a refreshing blend of Tito’s vodka, pomegranate, lime and rosemary. Both are half off during happy hour, which is held every day from 5 to 7 p.m. Their Instagram profile is a teaser into their complete drink and food menu, so don’t be jealous, just visit and make your own IG mark.

For only being open for a short period of time, Sassafras has already gotten a slew of reviews online. Many of them are five stars, which only means one thing: the locals and picky seasonal diners already love it.

Just like most of the other Sub-Culture Group’s restaurants, Sassafras also has an elaborate cocktail menu. In fact, their cocktail menu was crafted specifically for Sassafras and you won’t find these mixes

105 S. Narcissus Ave., West Palm Beach

@sassafraswpb

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