The Palm Beach County restaurant rotation was in need of a reset. It’s here.
Big openings are reshaping and reinvigorating the scene, from the long-awaited premieres of Tutto Mare (a sibling of Hamptons favorite Tutto il Giorno) and Coco’s in the new Vineta Hotel, to hotspots like the Polo Room and Armando’s in Boca Raton — opened by a longtime local maître d’ — which have become instant institutions.
Want to know where to go and what to order? Here’s dinner on us.
Tutto Mare | 70 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach
Years in the making and situated on the Intracoastal within Royal Poinciana Plaza, this has a perfect location and is one of the prettiest dining spots on Palm Beach Island. No surprise, because it’s the vision of Gabby Karan de Felice, daughter of designer Donna Karan, known for transforming rooms into chic havens.
The signature pane carasau — paper-thin Sardinian bread that has become wildly popular at her Hamptons spots — has made the trip south, as have other favorites like grilled branzino and paccheri with mixed seafood.
Arrive early for a drink at the social bar under a frescoed ceiling, then step out onto the large veranda with its water view.
Polo Room | 251 Sunrise Ave., Palm Beach
An actual polo player, international sports star, and heartthrob, Nacho Figueras is a co-owner of this equestrian-themed island spot that’s caught on like wildfire.
If you can take your eyes off all the major moguls in the room long enough to order, you might want to try the trending caviar bumps, followed by crab and avocado salad, lobster frites or the wagyu beef French dip, and finally key lime pie with brûléed Italian meringue.
Coco’s | 363 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach
The hospitality group behind the famed Hotel du Cap in Antibes, Le Bristol Paris, and the Eden Rock in St. Barts opened its much-anticipated first US property in Palm Beach last month — and along with it, Coco’s, which features a bit of the French Riviera vibe, including some signature dishes from the Hotel du Cap, like steak Diane.
There is a wow factor right from the start, with a spectacular seafood bar and other impressive meal starters like chicken consommé with chestnut mushrooms, aged pecorino, and the option of truffles; and Alaskan king crab legs with shiso leaf — hand-picked, of course.
Pastas include mezzo paccheri with monkfish and Meyer lemon, and entrées range from wagyu ribeye to grilled lobster with tomato-cognac jus.
Del Mar | 1015 North Railroad Ave., West Palm Beach
The biggest eatery to open early next month — in West Palm’s hot new Nora District (an acronym for North of Railroad Avenue) — is this Mediterranean-accented spot from renowned Cameron Mitchell Restaurants.
If it’s anything like the Fort Lauderdale flagship, we are in for a treat, with a large selection of local and imported fish, as well as house-made cheese and impressive menu items like loaded hummus with pomegranate-braised lamb and green tahini, and a fire-roasted shellfish platter.
The new place will also have two bars and a sprawling terrace.
Kyma | 151 N. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach
The team behind the popular Greek estiatorios in Flatiron, Midtown West and Roslyn, Long Island, has branched out to West Palm Beach, with a spacious location that occupies two dining rooms and an expansive rooftop with a stellar view of the island.
The weekend DJs and nightlife vibe we’ve come to expect from the brand are in Florida as well, and the Hellenic specials — from zucchini chips and tomato salad with feta to whole Mediterranean fish and grilled lamb chops — are first-rate.
Seahawk Prime | 220 Lake Shore Drive #101, Lake Park
The sun never sets on chef David Burke’s growing empire, which has now expanded from New York and New Jersey to South Florida, where he has opened this waterfront steakhouse within the Nautilus 220 waterfront residential building in North Palm Beach.
In addition to a range of beef cuts, the menu features local seafood and the chef’s fanciful signature dishes, like clothesline bacon, angry lobster, and a cheesecake lollipop tree.
Armando’s Italian Restaurant | 4199 N Federal Highway, Boca Raton
One of the most popular maîtres d’ in Boca Raton, Armando Naclerio, has opened his own stylish room, and it’s already hard to score a table.
You can start here with carpaccio drizzled with truffle oil or shrimp with cannellini beans, and move on to pastas like chitarra with clams, shrimp, and calamari or pear raviolini.
Entrées include classics like veal parmigiana, as well as rack of lamb in a red wine reduction, and fish choices include Dover sole and a local catch each day.
Ayre | 3100 N Ocean Drive, Riviera Beach
There are not many Indian-influenced restaurants in Palm Beach, and this one, within the swanky Amrit Ocean Resort on Singer Island, is run by the owners of Michelin-recognized Karma Modern Indian in Washington, DC.
There are options of three-, five- or seven-course tastings of such dishes as spinach and paneer croquettes, Gucchi chicken, tellicherry pepper crab, and guava samosa. An à la carte menu is available as well, and if you opt for outdoor seating, you have a full view of the ocean.
Cafe Landwer | 9858 Clint Moore Rd #134, Boca Raton
Riding the wave of the Levantine trend, this all-day dining spot opened in Boca Raton as well as New York this season, featuring fluffy pancakes and vegan omelets for breakfast, and schnitzel and shawarma for dinner.
Whether you choose Mediterranean fish or beef and lamb skewers, the food is fresh and flavorful.
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