This past week, the Dine Club made a trip to The Omphoy in Palm Beach. It had been a year since our last club visit, and we were happy to discover that The Omphoy still doesn’t skip a beat when it comes to providing guests with a stellar experience — a sophisticated atmosphere, friendly service and an exciting menu all added to this first-class experience.
Upon arrival, guests were treated to an AÜM-FOY cocktail (Lillet Blanc, Ruby Grapefruit & Sparkling Moscato D’Asti) — a refreshing twist from what they usually order — and many were quite surprised how smoothly these balanced cocktails went down.
With a cocktail in hand, guests were happy to see trays of delectable hors d’oeuvres being passed around like tuna tartare with chilies, soy, ginger and house made chips; Florida shore ceviche; mini rustic Greek salad; Deviled Eggs and more. Each one being better than the previous.
Throughout the evening, guests were raving about the venue and were happy to have met some new friends during the week.
You can see the photos that we took at the event.
O Bar at The Omphoy is located at 2842 S Ocean Blvd, Palm Beach.
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Red Velvet Cake at Philippe Chow
Love is in the air and this year, you want to treat your sweetie right. We have put together a list of Valentine’s Day options for 2012 that are sure to add a spark to anything that would be considered ordinary. Here are some of your options available in Palm Beach County.
Buddha Sky Bar, 217 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach; 561-266-9898
Head to Atlantic Avenue for Valentine’s Day this year, and enjoy a 5-course prix-fixe dinner for two at Buddha Sky Bar. For $60 per couple, guests will enjoy Edamame with truffle oil; a heart shaped spicy tuna roll with red tobiko; “Pink” Har Gao Dim Sum with shrimp and bamboo shoots; Surf & Turf for two complete with lobster mashed potatoes and Buddha’s Signature Bento Box that will satisfy any sweet tooth. A list of discounted Champagne offerings will be available, and for those who prefer a cocktail — Buddha will be serving a special Valentine’s Day cocktail, Ancient Love Potion. This special dinner will be available from 5:00 pm until close
Burger Bar by Chef Allen, Palm Beach Gardens; 561.630.4545
Burger Bar is offering a special treat during the week of Valentine’s Day (2/11-2/18), as they present the Truffle Burger for just $14. This decadent treat is made from the Chef Allen’s Great Burger and is topped with a home-made red wine deem gloss. It comes with house-made pickled sweet beets with champagne vinegar and addicting Truffle chips. Pair this up with a spike milkshake. Think — Nutella Bourbon made with Wild Turkey Bourbon, Nutella and Vanilla Ice Cream.
Cabo Flats, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave, suite 5101, Palm Beach Gardens; 561.624.0024
Cabo Flats is the place to go for a fun-filled night out that appeals to singles and couples alike and you’ll earn yourself some freebies if you just wear red. Couples who wear the holiday color will receive a Cabo Flats’ Margarita (one per person) and singles who wear red, will enjoy a tequila shot. During the evening, guests can also take advantage of happy hour from 4-7 pm, meaning $5 appetizers, margaritas, wines & cocktails and $3 beers.
Cantina Laredo, 4635 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens; 561.622.1223
Cantina will be striking your fancy with a prix-fixe dinner menu, available from February 10-14 for just $30/person or $15 more if you’d like to add tequila cocktail pairings, and is perfect if you’d like to add some spice to your life. Begin with a salad of mango and jicama with a honey vinaigrette or a creamy roasted red pepper soup; continue on with your choice of main entree — Crab & poblano pepper enchiladas topped with chile de arbor cream sauce; Pork Tenderloin with cascabel pineapple sauce, or a 7oz filet mignon topped with pasilla pepper sauce. Finish off with Strawberry Bunuelos or a moist seven layer chocolate cake.
51 Supper Club, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave, Palm Beach Gardens’ 561.622.3500
Spoil yourself with culinary delights at 51 Supper Club for Valentine’s Day. For $139.95 per couple (plus tax and gratuity), guests will enjoy a complimentary glas of Champagne or wine and a 4-course dinner. Highlights on the menu include your choice of appetizer like Oysters Rockefeller or Beef Carpaccio; Lobster Bisque or House Salad; choice of entree like the Herb Crusted Roasted Rack of Lamb or Shrimp and Lobster Pasta; and a dessert sampler for two.
Pangea Bistro, 10140 W Forrest Hill Blvd, Wellington (next to the Wellington Green Mall); 561.793.9394
Make it an evening of decadence with a trip to Pangea Bistro in Wellington for Valentine’s Day. Chef Ryan Vargas has created a 3-course prix-fixe menu that will be hard to resist. Start off with your choice of appetizer like a Lobster Hearts of Palm Salad with avocado, mango boba “caviar” pearls and passion fruit vinaigrette or Honey Balsamic Glazed Figs with arugula and French feta and sugar cane vinaigrette. For a main entree, enjoy an order of the Open Faced Seafood Ravioli with oyster mushrooms and Thai basil vodka sauce; Stuffed Chicken Breast with Jalapeno Corn Risotto and Mole Sauce; or Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Mojo Chili Prawns with Boniato Mash, Maui Sweet Pepper Escabeche and Salsa Verde. Satisfy your sweet tooth at your meal’s end with one of the three dessert options like the Grand Marnier Cremesicle Frozen “Soufflé” with Strawberry Boba Pearls. Cost is $65++ per person and includes a glass of sparkling wine. See the full menu on Pangea’s facebook page.
Philippe Chow, 200 E Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton; 561.393.4666
Order your favorite a la carte dish for Valentine’s Day at Philippe Chow, while celebrating with your sweetie. Don’t forget to add some sweetness to the night by ordering the special heart-shaped red velvet cake for just $9.
PRIME Steak Sushi Seafood, 110 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach; 561.865.5845
Executive Chef Peter Masiello presents a luscious 3-course, prix-fixe menu for $75++/person. this includes dinner and live entertainment.
Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, 100 S Ocean Blvd, Manalapan; 561.540.4924
Press your luck this Valentine’s Day with a visit to Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach. Angle will be hosting a game of “spin” the bottle to celebrate. Guests can choose to partake in a $65 spin and in doing so, will select a random 750 ml bottle of wine to enjoy with dinner. The wines range in value from $65 to $225. If you are looking for romance under the stars, the Ritz-Carlton will have eight oceanfront cabanas available for the evening. For $600/couple (plus tax & gratuity), guests will dine by candlelight, sip on Champagne and enjoy a lavish dinner complete with aphrodisiac specialties like Wianno Oysters & American Caviar; a salad of heirloom beets and Loxahatchee Goat Cheese; a duo of Chateaubriand and Lobster with buttered asparagus and sweet potato mash; and a decadent trio of chocolate. If simplicity and elegance are more your style, Temple Orange will also be serving dinner for $130++/couple or $220/couple if you’d like a bottle of Yellow Label Veuve Clicquot included. Beet salad, Beef Wellington and a luscious chocolate buffet will all be on the menu for the evening.
III Forks, 4645 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens; 561.630.3660
III Forks will be serving up an a la carte menu for the holiday. Enjoy a variety of fresh seafood and steak dishes, paired with a glass of your favorite sparkling wine. Shrimp cocktail, Lobster Bisque, USDA Prime Filet Mignon, Cold Water Lobster Tail and a variety of indulgent side dishes will all be calling your name.
Verdea Restaurant & Wine Bar, 4350 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens
Ignite your senses with a romantic dinner at Verdea where Chef David Welch has created a tantalizing menu. Available from 6:30-10:00 pm, this 4-course prix-fixe includes a variety of creative offerings that will please any palate. Highlights include a Shellfish Bouquet; Pistacchio Crusted Lamb Lollipops with Japanese Eggplant Caviar & Spiced Papaya Relish; Root Vegetable Crusted Black Grouper with Florida Lobster, Fried Yucca, Cilantro & Mango Gastrique; and Banana Ravioli with Mascarpone Cheese, 20 year Old Tawny Port Reduction and Marcona Almonds. Cost is $85/person or $95/person with wine pairings.
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This week, Smith & Wollensky is kicking off the “Year of the Steak” and their 35th Anniversary with an offer that I know you’re going to like. Stop by for dinner on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week (1/24 or 1/25) and enjoy a complimentary glass of Smith & Wollensky “Private Reserve” Meritage on the house. While you’re there, you might want to check out one of their new preparations of their tender filet mignon — served with Foie gras wild mushroom ragout, with brie and crispy Prosciutto with a fig demi-glace or with roasted garlic and Cippolini onions.
In order to take advantage of this deal, just tell your server that you received this offer in a Smith & Wollensky email. We sure do love surprises that end up in our inbox. Happy Dining! This offer cannot be combined with any other promotions or offers and you must purchase a dinner entree in order to get your free glass of wine.
As Smith & Wollensky kicks off the “Year of the Steak” and our 35th anniversary, we want to thank our valued guests.
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It’s that time of year again when the American Fine Wine Competition comes town. This competition — presented by Patriot Risk Management — brings together the top wines produced in the United States and is now in it’s 5th year. It has moved beyond a local competition and is now regarded as one of the most influential wine events in the country. The AFWC kicked off with a media/VIP celebration held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club with local wine aficionados, judges, sponsors and members of the media. President and c0-Founder Gherman took the honor of introducing the panel of judges, just before the crowd in attendance were “wowed” with a sabering of Champagne.
The kick-off party was just the beginning of the stellar line-up of events that go along with the AFWC. On January 15 & 16, a panel of judges — some of the top names in the industry sipped and swirled their way through over 600 wines before naming the winners — Best of Show and Best of Class. As always, the results were not what you would expect.
Best of Show Medals were awarded to 2009 Il Passito, a late harvest dessert wine from Castello di Amorosa from the North Coast and a 2009 Manchester Ridge Pinot Noir from La Follette Wines in Mendocino County. Additional medals (Best of Class) were given to the following:
- 2009 Daou Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2008 Rocca Family Vineyard Merlot
- Prager Companion & Port Works Noble Companion 10 Year Old Tawny Port
- 2007 Merriam Vineyards
- 2009 Jada Vineyard & Winery Hell’s Kitchen
- 2010 Ledson Winery & Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
- 2005 Mumm Napa 2005 DVX Rosé
- 2010 Ferrante Winery Golden Bunches Riesling
- 2009 Michael David Winery Gluttony Zinfandel
- 2008 Sol Rouge Syrah
- 2007 Peju Province Winery Cabernet Franc
- 2009 Mumm Napa Chardonnay
The festivities continue throughout March and April with VIP parties, a consumer challenge, and will end with the AFWC Gala Dinner on April 19, 2012 that will include a signature sparkling reception, a silent auction, world class entertainment and a decadent dinner prepared onstage by Chef Emeril Lagasse. To see the full line-up of events and to purchase tickets to the gala dinner (benefitting the Diabetes Research Institute and the Golden Bell Education Foundation), visit American Fine Wine Competition online.
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When the weather is right, I can’t think of a better place to go to enjoy a few drinks and a bite to eat than Sea Level in Fort Lauderdale. Located at Harbor Beach Marriott, Sea Level features the cuisine of Chef Jason Connelly and every time I visit, my palate thanks me for the extraordinary bites. I shared my love for Sea Level — at our last Broward County Happy Hour event — with the Dine crew, and the restaurant received rave reviews from all who were in attendance.
While the restaurant was a bit of a challenge for some to find, once guests discover this gem, they won’t soon forget it. Upon arrival, guests ventured out onto the patio area that was set aside for our group. While some guests mingled with one another, others found a spot on the plush lounge chairs.
They quickly ordered a cocktail from the attentive staff — and took a liking to the Pisco Porton drinks. Piscojitos were a welcome diversion from the more familiar mojitos and I think we converted some tried and true mojito fans in the process. With a glass in hand, guests were thrilled with the array of hors d’oeuvres that were brought before the group – Rock Shrimp and Avocado Cocktail; Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho with Grilled Shrimp; Hummus & Pita and more. We were spoiled from beginning to end.
In the end, we all agreed, Sea Level is a great venue for happy hour any night of the week and is a perfect escape from our fast paced lives. We took photos at the event and you can find them here.
Sea Level is located at 3030 Holiday Drive, Fort Lauderdale
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