Who he is: A gifted pianist, entrepreneur, recording artist, business man, broadcaster and music personality, Bob Lappin is as much at home with the music of Jerome Kern and Andrew Lloyd Webber as he is with Stevie Wonder.

Lappin earned his music degree from Ithaca College, then signed with MCA (Music Corporation of America) and toured throughout North America with his trio and orchestra. He moved to Palm Beach County in 1982, determined to build a world-class pops orchestra. The Palm Beach Pops’ debut concert came in 1992 at the Palm Beach Auditorium. Lappin brought big name talents to town, including Mel Torme, Kenny Rogers, Patti Austin, The Count Basie Orchestra, Diahann Carroll, Vic Damone, Lena Horne, and The Mills Brothers.

See Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops perform Home for the Holidays, with guests Tony DeSare and Tamyra Gray, at 8 p.m. today and Tuesday at the Kravis Center, Thursday and Friday at FAU in Boca Raton, and Sunday at the PBSC Eissey Campus Theatre. $29-$89. Tickets/info: 561-832-7677.

A few of his favorites

Favorite lunch spot:

In the Gardens, Chuck for great burgers and a root beer. In Palm Beach, I am missing Hamburger Heaven. I started going there with my father many, many years ago. For a business luncheon, the Palm Beach Yacht Club. You can’t beat the view. In Boca, Houston’s for a fine burger and the best cole slaw ever!

Chuck Burger Joint. 4665 PGA Boulevard Palm Beach Gardens. Info: 561-629-5191.

Palm Beach Yacht Club, 800 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach. Info: 561- 655-8711.

Houston’s, 1900 NW Executive Center Circle, Boca Raton. Info: 561-998-0550

Favorite fine-dining restaurant:

Tramonti in Delray Beach. This family restaurant has its origins in NYC’s Little Italy – Angelo’s of Mulberry Street which was established in the early 1900’s and where we have been enjoying their meatballs for decades. Same traditional recipes served in Delray Beach.

Tramonti Italian Ristorante, 119 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Info: (561) 272-1944

Favorite restaurant to take out-of-town guests:

I love the intimacy and beauty of Club Colette in Palm Beach.

Club Colette, 215 Peruvian Ave., Palm Beach. Info: (561) 659-0537.

Favorite tourist-y place to take guests:

It’s not really tourist-y, but our favorite luncheon spot for a taste of old Florida is Dune Dog in Jupiter! Great foot long hot dogs with amazing waffle fries.

The Dune Dog Café, 775 N. Alt. A1A, Jupiter. Info: 561-744-6667; Dunedog.com

Favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon:

Reading the Sunday newspapers and listening to music followed by lunch at Pizza al fresco in Palm Beach.

Pizza Al Fresco, 14 Via Mizner, Palm Beach. Info: (561) 832-0032

Favorite family outing:

If all the stars align (calm seas, week-end off, grandkids available), I love to take the kids on our boat for some king crab legs at the Two Georges in Boynton Beach.

Two Georges, 728 Casa Loma Blvd, Boynton Beach. Info: 561-736-2717.