Just a few years ago, downtown West Palm Beach was on the verge of becoming a culinary wasteland.
Prominent eateries in the Clematis Street district and CityPlace were closing. And few restaurateurs appeared willing to fill the vacancies, perhaps discouraged by ongoing construction projects that turned city streets into traffic nightmares. The real action was to the north and south — in the suburban hotbed of Palm Beach Gardens and the vibrant cityscape of downtown Delray Beach.
But in the past 12 months, all that has changed.
Suddenly, downtown West Palm Beach is poised to become one of the most dynamic dining scenes in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, with a winning formula of restaurants that offer a degree of culinary daring (and a degree of value) or just a rollicking good time.
Along Clematis, independent restaurants with particular points of view — a hipster burger joint, an American reinterpretation of a European gastropub — are setting up shop. Meanwhile, at CityPlace, a new wave of chain or large-scale restaurants that combine food and fun — the “eater-tainment” concept — are taking root.
The change is hardly accidental. With the opening this past March of a $154 million City Center municipal and library complex and the slated opening early next year of a $30 million waterfront complex, replete with piers, a pavilion and even a beach, restaurateurs see the downtown as becoming a vital hub once again for business folks and fun-seekers alike. Plus, with the development of so many condos over the past decade, there are simply more locals who call downtown home.
With that in mind, we surveyed the downtown scene, focusing on key new restaurants that have opened in the past year or are set to open in the coming weeks and months. We also made note of restaurants that have undergone significant renovations or menu and management changes in the same time frame.
See you downtown!
CLEMATIS DISTRICT
Arepera: Directions, more info
Info: 330 Clematis Street, (561) 820-8011, arepera.com
Status: Opened in July 2009
The concept: A small restaurant built around arepas, the popular South American cornmeal bread that’s stuffed with everything from cheese to meat. “I wanted to bring something different to the area,” says proprietor and chef Richard Klein, a New York City culinary veteran. A $7.95 lunch special includes your choice of arepa, plus a side order and soda. The restaurant is open for breakfast as well, serving (you guessed it) breakfast arepas.
Cabana West Palm: Directions, more info
Info: 533 Clematis Street, (561) 833-4773, cabanarestaurant.com
Status: Opening this month
The concept: This is the same contemporary Cuban restaurant that patrons have known and loved for years from its previous location at 118 S. Clematis. But now it’s moving to this new spot at the western edge of Clematis. Proprietor Glenn Frechter aspires to take advantage of the 500 block’s reputation as a hip and happening nightspot. At the same time, Frechter plans to continue offering lunch — and he hopes to draw patrons from the nearby City Center.
Don Ramon: Directions, more
Info: 300 Clematis Street
Status: Opening this month
The concept: Traditional (and reasonably priced) Cuban fare in the style of other Don Ramon restaurants throughout Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. But the father-and-son team behind the Don Ramon mini chain — Ramon and Jose Villarino — plan a few different things on Clematis, including a 24-hour walk-up window and a happy hour (with free buffet).
Forte Clematis: Directions, more
Info: 225 Clematis Street, (561) 833-3330
Status: New menu introduced in 2009
The concept: The once splashy (and pricey) modern Italian restaurant now aims for a more casual, affordable vibe. Owners Bob and Gudrun Cuillo have partnered with Maurizio Ciminella, proprietor of Amici in Palm Beach, on the revamped Forte. The bar, however, maintains Forte’s previous emphasis on offering inventive cocktails.
Gratify
Info: 125 S. Datura Street, gratifypub.com
Status: Opening in early 2010
The concept: An American take on the European gastropub — that is, a bar that serves quality food. Proprietor Gene Playter, formerly of the Samba Room, plans on offering such intriguing and hearty fare as house-made potato chips complemented with three dips, an upscale version of grilled cheese (with English cheddar) and pork-asparagus risotto. But he aims on keeping prices low — with dinner entrées topping out at $22 — and maintaining a friendly, neighborhood vibe. “You can come here on a Tuesday with a date and know you’re not going to have to spend 100 bucks for a great meal,” he says.
Grease Burger Bar: Directions, more
Info: 213 Clematis Street, (561) 651-1071, bigtimerestaurants.com
Status: Opened in early 2009
The concept: The burger joint as hipster haven — much in the spirit of the trendy places you might find in New York’s Meatpacking District. But you’ll probably not run across a better burger in all of West Palm Beach, if not the entire planet. Great selection of craft beers, too. The concept is courtesy of the Big Time Restaurant Group, which is behind such other downtown restaurants as Rocco’s Tacos and CityPlace’s City Cellar.
Hot Pie Pizza: Directions, more
Info: 123 S. Olive Avenue, (561) 655-2511, hotpiepizza.comStatus: Opened in 2009
The concept: Coal-fire pizza, courtesy of John Ries, who previously was behind the now-closed Fire Rock Pizza Kitchen, situated in downtown West Palm. The menu also features sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes.
Leila: Directions, more
Info: 120 S. Dixie Highway, (561) 659-7373, leilawpb.com
Status: Underwent significant renovations in 2009
The concept: Leila was the first restaurant to bring a Middle Eastern flair to downtown West Palm. Now, under the executive team of owner Ed Costa and chef Alex Awad, it’s aiming to up the ante: The restaurant recently unveiled an enhanced outdoor seating area (with deck and canopy). Plus, it now has a liquor license. Costa promises that Leila offers “an Arabic dining experience that is unmatched in the area.”
Mambo Italiano’s: Directions, more
Info: 308 Clematis Street, (561) 659-1414
Status: Opened November 2009
The concept: Think your neighborhood bar gone Italian. “It’s a restaurant by day and a party by night,” explains proprietor Joe DeRosa, a culinary veteran who attended the prestigious Johnson & Wales cooking school. Look for such fun menu items as Italian nachos (“with little meatballs on it,” DeRosa explains) and a “no cannoli” cannoli (it’s just the cream — with “cannoli chips” for dipping). Prices are relatively low, with entrees running under $20.
Mangia Bevi
Info: 118 S. Clematis
Status: Opening in early 2010
The concept: “An homage to those old Italian restaurants in New York,” says proprietor Glenn Frechter, who’s developing the eatery in the space that was formerly home to Cabana (see above re Cabana’s new location). Look for brick-oven pizza, plus an array of pastas and veal and chicken dishes, all at “modest prices,” says Frechter.
Off the Hookah
Info: 314 Clematis Street, (561) 837-8577, offthehookahfl.com
Status: Opening winter 2009-2010
The concept: The Middle Eastern restaurant as party spot. There are two menus — one for food, the other for the hookah (a water-pipe used for fruit-flavored “smokes” in flavors ranging from apricot to tropical melon). Belly dancers and “flair” bartenders add to the lively mix. This is the restaurant and club’s second location — the first is in Fort Lauderdale.
Phat Sandwiches: Directions, more
Info: 106 N. Olive Avenue, (561) 650-8011, phatsandwiches.com
Status: Moved to its present location in 2009
The concept: Great soups (everything from loaded baked potato to curried chicken) and sandwiches (try the chicken parm panini), now in a convenient downtown setting (the restaurant originally opened farther west on Clematis).
Pistache Waterfront French Bistro: Directions, more
Info: 101 N. Clematis Street, (561) 833-5090, pistachewpb.com
Status: Introduced new chef and menu in 2009
The concept: A French bistro with panache — and now with a waterfront view (when the restaurant first opened, work on the waterfront hadn’t started — hence, the recent name change, too). Since chef Julien Gremaud took over, the eatery has really started to click — go for such classics as a charcuterie platter or a dish of coq au vin.
Reef Rd. Rum Bar: Directions, more
Info: 223 Clematis St., (561) 838-9099, bigtimerestaurants.com
Status: Opened October 2009
The concept: Another addition from the Big Time Restaurant Group — in this case, a casual eatery with Caribbean accents. Look for a Bahama burger (conch fritters on Hawaiian bread), Jamaican coconut rice and island-style mahi-mahi. But the eclectic menu also incorporates New England favorites (try a lobster roll), Asian fare (there’s Beijing Twist Tuna) and more. And, yes, there are plenty of rum drinks, too.
Sky 309: Directions, more
Info: 309 Clematis Street, (561) 296-7699,Sky 309
Status: Opened November 2009
The concept: The latest addition to the Roxy’s multi-floor complex. As the name implies, it’s a rooftop bar — in this case, with an island feel and teak dance floor. But food is slated to be part of the mix in the coming weeks (right now, just drinks are being served). Look for a lunchtime self-serve sandwich and salad bar (Monday to Friday), a happy hour with appetizer specials and a dinner menu with everything from double-cut pork chops to pita pizzas.
Uncle Louie G’s: Directions, more
Info: 330 Clematis Street, (561) 429-6925, unclelouiegee.com
Status: Opened November 2009
The concept: Italian ices and ice cream, inspired by a New York legend — the original Louie G’s opened in Brooklyn a half-century ago. Today, there are several Louie G’s parlors throughout the Big Apple, but this marks the chain’s first one in South Florida.
CITYPLACE
B.B. King’s Blues Club: Directions, more
Info: 550 S. Rosemary Avenue, (561) 420-8600, bbkingclubs.com
Status: Just opened this month
The concept: The blues paired with Southern food, courtesy of a musical legend. No, you won’t find B.B. King there every night (though he’s slated to make a couple of appearances annually), but you will find a 10-piece house band four nights a week, plus the occasional national headliner (look for soul artist Tony Powers on Jan. 14). As for the food, the chain, which has other locations in such places as Memphis and Las Vegas, plays up its down-home roots: “We’re known for our barbecued ribs and collard greens,” says club spokeswoman Kierra Howard. Food is served until 2 a.m., but you can also come for lunch. In the evening, there’s a $5 cover charge. And there’s plenty of room, too: The club holds almost up to 700.
Carousel Can Can Café: Directions, more
Info: 700 S. Rosemary Avenue, (561) 833-6001, carouselfl.com
Status: Opened August 2009
The concept: French food and French entertainment — the latter in the form of can can girls who kick up a storm nightly. The large eatery, with capacity up to 300, is courtesy of restaurateur Karim El Sherif, who previously ran the French bistro Metronome in Palm Beach Gardens.
Improv Comedy Club: Directions, more
Info: 550 S. Rosemary Avenue, (561) 833-1812, palmbeachimprov.com
Status: Remodeled club opened in early 2009
The concept: Call it The Improv deluxe — this is a much larger version of the comedy club that had already successfully established itself at CityPlace. The new club apparently doesn’t treat its food as a joke, either: The extensive menu includes burgers, flat bread pizzas and such entrees as Ahi tuna and a “Flamingo Sirloin.”
McCormick and Schmick’s
Info: 651 Okeechobee Boulevard, mccormickandschmicks.com
Status: Opening in 2010
The concept: The popular seafood chain, which is also known for its value-priced bar menu and lineup of classic cocktails, is taking over the CityPlace spot formerly belonging to the Spanish restaurant Columbia.
Taco Vida: Directions, more
Info: 477 S. Rosemary Avenue
Status: Opening this month
The concept: CityPlace restaurant proprietor Lirim Jacobi (Taverna Opa, City Pizza) is moving into the old La Salsa space, but keeping the Mexican theme. He’ll offer table service — something that La Salsa didn’t — but he pledges to keep prices low ($5 to $10).
Thai Jo: Directions, more
Info: 700 S. Rosemary Avenue, (561) 832-3545, thaijo.comStatus: Opened March 2009
The concept: Thai cooking with a contemporary attitude, courtesy of the same team behind the popular local Sushi Jo restaurants. Thai soups, salads, curries and noodle dishes are all on the menu, but so is sushi. And there’s even a sashimi “pizza” to be had.
Wild Ginger Asian Bistro: Directions, more
Info: 632 Hibiscus Street, (561) 832-8883, wildgingerbistro.com
Status: Opened April 2009
The concept: Another restaurant from Lirim Jacobi — this one with a Hong Kong-meets-Bangkok theme, literally. One half of the menu is devoted to Honk Kong specialties (orange chicken, pepper steak, etc.), the other half to Bangkok ones (Singapore noodles, Thai fried rice).
Wild Olives
Info: 477 S. Rosemary Avenue
Status: Opening this month
The concept: Perhaps the most significant culinary addition to CityPlace, this is a partnership between celebrity chef Todd English and, yes, Lirim Jacobi. The restaurant will play to English’s Mediterranean and Italian strengths, with an emphasis on thin-crust flatbreads, homemade pastas and sandwiches and salads. Situated in the space formerly belonging to Italian Oven Café, Wild Olives is expected to be a sophisticated but casual affair — not unlike Todd English’s Figs at the Macy’s at The Gardens mall. As far as the pricing, Jacobi says, “It will be fairly reasonable.”
What’s happened down here is amazing. I hit Clematis Starbucks every morning and I see changes every day, from the restaurants now open or coming soon, and the type of people who are calling this neighborhood their home turf. Well educated, hip downtown types who are building a pretty good scene here.
I am pessimistic in that downtown needs to recognize what caused it to fail before and take steps to prevent it. Adding mediocre restos will not bring people downtown except for the people headed downtown for the nightclubs. I can’t say there is currently one resto which I would drive down for alone. Rocco’s is mediocre at best, Grease bar is pure bar food, and Forte is too high end for average people to visit regularly.
City Place is mainly chain restos which only the tourists will patronize and not the locals. I have lived here for 3 years and have no desire to visit City Place. With the recent addition of BB Kings, I might visit it a few times.
The best thing about downtown is Dr. Feelgood’s and that’s about it currently.
I also enjoy seeing a sort of rebirth of our downtown area, but I honestly agree with Freakerdude. I feel downtown is Mediocre at best and only wish that most of these places could maintain consistency. I do appreciate what the boys of Pistache have done to hang on during the rebuild, but dont feel a need to drive downtown to get good food. Although I would travel outside of the downtown to cross the railroad track to eat at Dolce De Palma. As for City Place, forget it! Charles thanks for all your efforts in keeping food alive in West Palm Beach.
Interesting responses. I’ve not tried enough of the places to make an overall statement about the quality. But what I do like in what I see along Clematis is fun, casual restaurants at the right price — I wish there were more ethnic (why hasn’t someone put a semi-decent Chinese place on the street?), the Rocco’s/Grease Bar/Reef Rd. stuff works for me, especially when coupled with decent pizza at a couple of spots, Phat Sandwiches and that new arepa place (yet to try). It’s a good solid start — and I’m not sure downtown needs a Dolce or what you see on Northwood; the cutting-edge or fringe neighborhoods may be the very best places for highly creative food.
Re CityPlace — yeah, that’s a big problem. Nobody has great food — at best, you can settle for okay to good food. But maybe we can’t expect more in a tourist-driven destination. I mourn the loss of La Salsa, the best of the casual Mex chains I ever tried. Hopefully, the place replacing it will maintain the quality. It would be nice to see at least one high-end REAL (as opposed to chain) restaurant with interesting food establish itself there. But maybe that’s asking too much.
All I can say is this (because mom said if you have nothing nice to say shut up) West Palm is trying.It will never be Delray on Atlantic who knows why since it is also a former tough neighborhood.That is still surrounded by the underprivileged. Which means people need to travel there. The demographics also are so different it seems Delray seems so well healed and West Palm is a bunch heals. It’s like all the grown ups go to Delray and leave West Palm for the kids. The best thing to
happen to WPB is BB KINGS by far. Good food,great staff and a beautiful venue showcasing first class talent.If this places fails I’m moving out of WPB. Because we don’t deserve places like this if we don’t support them.
Well, my husband and I are downtown residents, having moved here from Palm Beach a few years ago. We eat at a Clematis restaurant at least three nights a week. We love the variety, the locals, the diversity and the vibrancy and the food is delicious and reasonably priced. The new Forte? Amici entrees at half the price! What a pleasure to have Maurizio greeting us on Clematis. And it is great to be able to drink a pitcher of margarita’s at Rocco’s and be able to walk home!
Thank you, Charles, for your review.
I’ve lived in downtown WPB for 15 years and this is the best I’ve seen the Clematis district. Keep up the positive vibes!
Joey Lee nailed it. West Palm is for kids and Delray is for adults. Adults want more than just restaurants, music and bars; it’s a larger atmosphere they crave. Delray has all sorts of quirky, interesting, unique niche stores selling everything from jewelry to art to pet supplies to rocks/minerals and a whole host of other neat things that attract a better clientelle. And those stores stay open late to take advantage of the restaurant crowd. There are also many places for the younger generations too.
All we ever hear about downtown West palm regards restaurants but you cannot build a destination on restaurants alone; the competition is too stiff from areas with much better parking. Everyone keeps focusing on the restaurants as if that’s the key but it isn’t. A boatload of very good restaurants have come and gone from downtown over the past 15 years as diners tired of the area offering little other than food. REALLY good bistros and coffee houses have left us that could have thrived in a more diverse environment.
I like downtown and agree that there are many individually good things there but the right mix has never been achieved to invite an enduring stream of money-spending patrons. Maybe the new waterfront will invite a more varied collection of retail businesses.
Are you people kidding me? Delray better than West Palm?! Delray is ONE FRIGGIN ROAD! One street with a few restaurants, some nice coffee houses and a handful of boutiques. THAT’S IT. Otherwise it’s a complete cultural wasteland.
While not perfect, West Palm is at the very least getting better. Yes, more is required, especially in the area of cultural venues, independent coffee houses and such establishments, but at least it feels more urban than the ridiculous village for retirees that Delray is. Plus, Clematis is better than it has been in a long time.
I am SICK of hearing people bigging up Delray — it’s a road. A nice, fun, vibrant road it may be, but get over yourselves and discover the world.
Just moved from downtown to Los Angeles after 35 years there.
Charles, if you rewrite this article in 2 years, you will see an
entirely new list of restaurants. People with money want parking,
and there is none as you know. And it will never be any different.
The reason Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica is so successful
is that there are numerous free or nearly free parking structures.
And that’s why the silly and very expensive new waterfront will
be a squalid mess within a very short period of time. One day, I predict,
some developer will get the city’s permission to tear down the entire
area and do it right…like the Grove area of LA.
I do not patronize downtown establishments. Why? Parking. Or rather the lack of it. I’d rather go 10 minutes south to Lake Worth
where you are not penalized for owning a vehicle. I am surprised the downtown “authority” does not focus on that. To have to mess with a meter is punitive. The elimination of parking fees would result in a dramatic upswing in Clematis business.
Downtown West Palm Beach: an emerging world class international destination for shopping, dining, arts and entertainment.
Go West Palm Beach ~
Willie A. Miller, Jr.
I miss the ambiance of the mid-1980′s…the machine gun shootings on Iris street every Friday night lending a special 3-D stereo effect to Miami Vice on TV. Who can forget the empty eyes and canker sore faces belonging to the crack wh&@$s on South Dixie Hwy. I especially miss those long quiet walks to the library in the evening hours, wondering if I’d make it back without beating off a mugger with a bag of books. I sure did enjoy living downtown back in the day…..These kids today don’t know what they missed.
Awesome Doug! Yes, the good ole days of braving Respectables!