TRAVEL ‘N STYLE
beachfront ocean view provided by ceiling to floor windows spanning the entire width of the restaurant. For my first cocktail, when in Rome do what Romans do, right? I ordered the Malcom’s Palm Beach Cosmo. I swilled down the white beverage along with the unique story about its origin.Apparently, a group of ladies who often dined here for lunch are credited with inventing the atypically colored beverage. Back when the restaurant served a signature ruby red cosmo, one of the women in the party would often accidentally spill the drink on her clothing. So, the ladies came up with a “white” cosmo recipe using white cranberry juice instead. Delish…and so was the first course. The earthy dish is one the restaurant is known for, yam ravioli cooked with vanilla, maple, pine nuts, sage, granola and pomegranate. Butter poached Maine Lobster and Coral Orzo pasta with truffle on the base tops off the main course and the evening. My stomach, appreciates you greatly, Malcom’s at the Omphoy! On my third day of trying to work my way up Palm Beach’s social ladder, I leave the Omphoy taking a twenty minute drive to quaint, yet bustling Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach where the restaurant, 75 Main caught my eye. Anyone familiar with the establishment’s longstanding northeast sister restaurant of the same name in the Hamptons knows the brand is an area mainstay in fine dining and celebrity culture on Long Island. Now, the new spot here in Florida is a nice addition to an area voted most fun small town in America. 75 Main Delray brings the same legendary elements as its counterpart, from James Beard Award winning chefs to notable celebrity sightings like Leonardo DiCaprio. I chose an outside table for lunch mainly because the peoplewatching on Atlantic Avenue is a huge plus. The Turkish cuisine adds an exotic flavor the area has not seen before. Ordering the Wasabi Icelandic Tuna with ham, dates, blue cheese and arugula, drizzled with honey, I have now discovered what is my favorite lunch dish in Delray Beach, hands down! In a feverish search to crown a winner for favorite dinner in Delray, I find myself at 50 Ocean on Ocean Blvd. Walking in close to 10pm, the atmosphere has Boston written all over it. Boston Celtics and Red Sox memorabilia adorn the walls. I’m getting a sentimental feel reminiscent of the beloved hangout depicted on the longtime running television series, Cheers. Any minute now,
I almost expect to hear someone shouting out, “Norm”! However, what really shout out at me are the diverse flavors in each dish I try. Glass Smoked Confit Duck, Asian Braised Short Ribs and Beef Carpaccio, just to name a few of the standouts. No meal is complete without ordering the house’s signature drink, Spiked Agave Lemonade. For favorite dinner, the winner is…Glass Smoked Confit Duck. Now you know what to ask for when you visit 50 Ocean. Day four brought me to West Palm. West Palm Beach and its more ballyhooed neighbor, Palm Beach, have long been locked in a symbiotic—if occasionally antagonistic— relationship. Whereas Palm Beach prides itself on privacy and discretion; its neighbor, thanks to a billion-dollar boomtown period, is proud to flaunt its monuments of commerce. One such monument, the new restaurant Pampas Grille on Okeechobee Blvd. where I learned first-hand, the menu is as diverse as the Brazilian culture. Pampas Grill is THE ultra-modern Brazilian steak house or Churrascaria. Although, the top sirloin (Alcatra) and pork sausage (A de Porco)— are my favorites on the menu--I can’t hold back from tasting each element on the seemingly never-ending parade of meats. The real surprise here is even a vegetarian (Vegan or not) can leave with a full belly.The restaurant has a lengthy list of any and every side dish you could ask for and even prepares made-to-order vegetarian meals. Do not be surprised when visiting The Brazilian Court Hotel & Beach Club on Australian Avenue in Palm Beach, at any given time you happen to run into a myriad of high profile privacy seeking celebrities and politicians alike. Inside the historic landmark hotel’s Frédéric Fekkai Salon, you spot Oscar Award Winning Actress, Queen Latifah getting a quick blow out from one of the world-class coiffeurs. I’m told Hollywood talent just left the resort two days before I arrived. Or while walking the hallways of the tranquil 80-room vacation retreat, you find yourself waiving a quick, hello to President Bill Clinton.The former commander-n-chief, staying at the posh spot just a month before. Perhaps, while dining at the hotel’s five-star Café Boulud, legendary actor, Robert Duval is quietly enjoying a book at the table next to you. All of the above along with a plethora of other famous guests often call the ultra-private retreat their sanctuary while passing through the area.
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My two-day stay at the luxurious boutique resort is rather fitting for the culmination of this amazing journey through Palm Beach paradise. The destination has a 24hour concierge service to help fulfill guests’ wishes. I’m bowled over with anticipation for dinner at Café Boulud. Starting with a white cosmo which to my surprise it has a unique twist. Within my martini glass sits a perfectly round ball of ice with an Orchid frozen in the middle. I quick make a mental note to try and figure out how it was done as I would love to use the same technique for entertaining at home. The Potatoes Latke Amuse Bouche came next, followed by Roasted Baby Beet salad, made with horseradish-beet purée, and mâché smoked duck breast. The smokiness of the duck breast really makes the dish irresistibly palate-pleasing. Main course: Tournedos “Rossini”- Pan Roasted Filet Mignon and Seared Foie Gras with Supergreen Spinach, Pommes Purée, and Black Truffle Beef. Now, this is what food should always taste like! I decided to retreat to my suite but ordered dessert to be delivered to the room. To my astonishment, dessert was already delivered and waiting for me when I returned to my suite. Speaking of suite, mine is a one bedroom but the resort also offers studios, as well as two and three bedroom dwellings. The meticulously restored suites, designed with irresistible charm, luxurious fabrics and mahogany millwork. The Brazilian Court Hotel & Beach Club makes it hard to leave but easy to promise to plan a return visit. Between the impeccable service all surrounded by lushly landscaped courtyards fit for a queen, the close proximity to ocean beaches and shopping on nearby Worth Street are also a plus. The Brazilian Court Hotel & Beach Club is the epitome of comfortable luxury and quintessential Palm Beach. It makes it hard to leave but easy to make plans for a return visit and not just to this resort but every enjoyable place I have been throughout the trip. I may not be leaving as Palm Beach society’s new queen, as first intended but I sure felt like one! < For more information please visit: www.MyPalmBeachSummer.com www.PalmBeachFL.com
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