Café Boulud - Palm Beach, FL

Welcome to my first, and hopefully only, pandemic-era blog post (we're all ready for this to be over, am I right)! There's something out of place about a waiter in a fine dining restaurant wearing blue gloves, a mask & face covering. It's about as off as seeing a character from Mad Max skipping through a Lavender field, but here we are, all dealing with this together - not literally, please keep a social distance (SD)! My advice to those wanting to enjoy dining out during "Covid times" is to call the restaurant and ask about their SD practices and consider a weeknight outing where there's likely to be less patrons. One restaurant I had plans to dine at claimed they were implementing SD practices, but upon arrival I wasn't comfortable with what I saw, so I left immediately. Café Boulud (CB) on the other hand was very thorough, requiring guests to wear personal protective equipment when not at their tables, restricted the dining room to 50% capacity, offered outdoor seating and even inside, on a week night, the closest guests were at least 15 feet away.

The small, upscale island of Palm Beach is a place like no other. With beautiful ocean & intracoastal coastlines, discerning tourists & ritzy locals, it's surprising that no other celebrity Chef has claimed a stake here. Foodies may recognize the name Café Boulud (CB) from the well known Chef Daniel Boulud, and long time Dined There, Sipped That readers will remember my post on the Chef's flagship restaurant, Daniel in NYC, published some years ago. Or, if you've visited Palm Beach, you may have seen, or been to, the restaurant, housed in the historic Brazilian Court hotel; a Leading Hotel of the World and Condé Nast gold list member. The hotel itself is of beautiful Spanish colonial architecture with rich tropical greenery throughout the common grounds and open air courtyard. CB, resident since 2003, fits in to the property harmoniously with an understated elegant decor. The French-American cuisine offered on the menu takes some direction from CB New York City, infused with a South Florida twist. Graduate of the New England Culinary Institute and Executive Chef since 2013, Rick Mace takes advantage of the coastal region and puts seafood at center stage. Dishes such as the classic Dover Sole Meunière are perfect illustration of classic French style. No regrets here, leaning heavily towards the turf side of the menu. 

 Garganelli Pasta, Boar Ragout, Chanterelle Mushroom, Corn & Creme Fraiche

Pearfume - Grey Goose Pear, St-Germain, Italicus, Bubble infused with citrus essence

 Bison Strip Loin, Fava Succotash & Crispy Grits

Warm Guanaja Chocolate Cake with Pistachio Ice Cream

Café Boulud epitomizes Palm Beach swank and whether it's for a night cap at the dramatic bar or brunch at the outdoor terrace, it is a highlight of the town's posh scene. For more information visit Café Boulud's website here.

Travel through time with Dined There, Sipped That, to a life in the not so distant past. An era of dining out in pre-covid New York City.