By Chloe Hechter By Chloe Hechter | August 5, 2022 | Food & Drink, Feature, Food & Drink,
These eight restaurants are heating up the Palm Beach dining scene this summer. From wood-fired pizzas to Turkish-inspired recipes, eating out has never tasted so good.
Aba’s Daphne’s Delight cocktail
KAPOW NOODLE BAR
Kapow Noodle Bar brings the rich flavor profile of Southeast Asia to South Florida with an inventive menu, signature curated cocktails, private karaoke and a lively bar. New to the table is executive chef Bryan Emperor, whose extensive culinary experience includes work at Kuro at the Hard Rock, Mizumi in Las Vegas and O-Ku in D.C. On top of the decadent bites, Kapow is also a hot spot for art and design—showcasing pieces by Rosanna Kalis, Jasper Mosher and Craig McInnis (as well as curated tiki glasses by Joshua Noom). Inside, the space boasts an interactive LED abacus and a 7-foot life-size maneki-neko (Japanese lucky cat) with a movable arm, all courtesy of Pam Manhas Design. 402 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, 561.347.7322
RPM Italian’s Aperol spritz
SHAKER & PIE
Th is modern Italian trattoria in the heart of Boca Raton brings beloved Italian dishes to the table. Shaker & Pie’s specialty neo-Neapolitan pizza from the wood-burning oven is a delectable pie of slow-ferment sourdough, cooked to perfection with a light crust and chef-selected toppings. Th is local hot spot also highlights a curated collection of handmade pastas, family-style shareable plates and Italian wines that effortlesslty intertwine a homestyle feel with downtown Boca. Th is classic joint alleviates the stress of an extravagant meal out and gives locals a quintessential Italian dine-in experience. 435 Plaza Real, Boca Raton
RPM Italian’s buccatini.
ABA
Serving up delicious Mediterranean dishes by Top Chef’s CJ Jacobson is the newest addition to Bal Harbour Shops, Aba. Aba, meaning “father” in Hebrew, originated in Chicago’s landmark Fulton Market District and embraces Jacobson’s lighter style of cooking with influences from the Mediterranean including Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece. On the menu, find exquisite dishes such as sugar snap and English peas mixed with whipped tahini, hamachi with charred avocado, whipped feta spread and salmon kebabs. With a bar program crafted by lead mixologist Liz Pearce, diners are transported to a Mediterranean paradise with a rare selection of handpicked wines and spirits. Set to open this fall, the Bal Harbour destination will mark Aba’s third location
RPM ITALIAN
Waterfront views, family-style Italian cooking and a lively indoor-outdoor setup will soon be heating up West Palm Beach’s dining scene with RPM Italian’s fourth location on the first floor of Phillips Point. The sister restaurant to RPM Steak and RPM Seafood launches the collaboration between R.J., Jerrod and Molly Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants alongside partners Bill and Giuliana Rancic. Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway and the island of Palm Beach, patrons can enjoy an authentic selection of housemade pastas and modern Italian dishes built to share. The extensive space will be designed by the iconic Rockwell Group and will feature a vibrant outdoor bar and lounge. 777 S. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach
Maxwell’s Plum bar and lounge
MAXWELL’S PLUM
Wellington is even more delicious with the addition of Maxwell’s Plum, a vibey epicenter of entertainment, decadent bites and carefully curated cocktails. Inspired by its original New York City location, Maxwell’s Plum Wellington fuses NYC and Palm Beach in an art nouveau-decorated hotspot for weekly drag nights, polo afterparties and fan-favorite small plates such as truffle chips, steak tartare and an extensive raw bar. Owner Jenny Oz LeRoy shares, “I grew up in the original Maxwell’s Plum and loved what the restaurant meant to so many. In day-to-day travels, we always hear the most incredible stories from those who visited. It became a dream of mine to open a new Maxwell’s Plum, and what better place than Wellington?” Leroy’s stellar vision prioritizes encapsulating the ambiance of the original Maxwell’s Plum, showcasing original brass fixtures, hand-painted tile work and Lalique crystal features. 12300 South Shore Blvd., Wellington, 561.793.2110
Blue Dog Cookhouse & Bar interior
BLUE DOG COOKHOUSE & BAR
No matter what flavor you’re searching for, you can’t go wrong with any of Blue Dog Cookhouse & Bar in Boca Raton’s delectable dishes. Beginning with its iconic flagship location in New York City, Blue Dog became a staple for its high-end comfort food and elaborate cocktail list. Owner Elizabeth Slavutsky shares, “Much has happened since the original Blue Dog Cafe opened in 2006, and even more so in the past two years since we became a full-service, high-end restaurant beyond the seven-day brunch we were historically known for.” The never-ending menu, curated by chef Yanna Slavutsky, spotlights a diverse array of mouthwatering options such as oysters, bar bites to share, delicious pasta dishes and hearty dinner options like steak and lobster. This warm, welcoming locale is a comfortable spot for any occasion. 6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561.961.3330
AquaGrille’s tuna ceviche tostaditos
AQUAGRILLE
Top Chef All-Stars’ Stephen Asprinio launches his latest in modern cuisine: AquaGrille in Juno Beach. With a dynamic menu drawing inspiration from Latin America, Asia and the tropics (alongside a vibrant array of classic cocktails), locals have the remarkable opportunity to be pampered with Asprinio’s expertly curated carte du jour. “South Florida is a cornucopia of culinary cultures,” says Asprinio. “The cuisine at AquaGrille was created to reflect and honor these influences. AquaGrille is an experience, albeit a unique one, where what we do and how we do it culminates in something very special for our guests.” This summer, patrons can enjoy fresh shareable specials such as tuna ceviche tostaditos, a plant-based pea-and-carrot dish with cashew yogurt and a decadent array of shareable dessert options. “We want guests to be transported while dining with us, with all the details that you would expect from this level of an experience—from tableside service to petit fours at the end of the meal,” the chef adds. 14121 U.S. Highway 1, Juno Beach, 561.355.0438
Lewis Steakhouse’s beef flight for two.
LEWIS STEAKHOUSE
Lewis Steakhouse brings South Florida everything you love about a high-end steakhouse: the high-back booths, elegant decor and a mouthwatering selection of prime steaks and beef. Executive chef Jamie Steinbrecher takes center stage with a menu spotlighting signature items such as Japanese A5 Kobe wagyu striploin with togarashi spice, pickled mustard “caviar” and a beef flight for two. Chef Steinbrecher says, “Our goal is always to provide a dining ‘experience’ and focus on big, bold flavors, and I’m really excited about our steak flight, which does exactly that.” Lewis Steakhouse is the latest addition to the Okeechobee Steakhouse enterprise, bringing Steinbrecher’s culinary genius and wine director Christina Wishart’s indulgent vision to life. 6390 W. Indiantown Road, Jupiter, 561.277.9188
Photography by: From top: PHOTO COURTESY OF LETT UCE ENTERTAIN YOU; RPM ITALIAN PHOTO BY LINDSAY EBERLY; RPM ITALIAN PHOTO BY LINDSAY EBERLY; MAXWELL’S PLUM PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND; BLUEDOG COOKHOUSE & BAR PHOTO BY LIBBY VOLGYES; AQUAGRILLE PHOTO BY LIBBY VISION; LEWIS STEAKHOUSE PHOTO BY ALISSA DRAGUN PHOTOGRAPHY