Just returned from three days in beautiful Palm Beach, Florida. I had never been before, but had always salivated over the photos of the beautiful people and even more beautiful homes I’d seen in books and especially the work of the late photographer Slim Aarons, who captured the glamour of Palm Beach better than anyone.
It’s every bit as fabulous as I thought it would be. I must say, the drive along Ocean Boulevard is astounding. Several miles of the most beautiful mansions with unobstructed views of the Atlantic. One home more beautiful than the next. If you are a fan of Mediterranean inspired homes, this place is for you. Many of the homes were designed by the famed architect, Addison Meizner in the 1920’s.
Although the vintage shopping was a bit disappointing (everyone has 1st Dibs prices now), we did have some amazing food. Most notable, was dinner Friday at Café Boulud, acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud’s Palm Beach outpost. An elegant dining room tucked inside the Brazilian Court Hotel, the food and service proved memorable. By the way, how refreshing it is that everyone actually dresses for dinner. I miss that terribly in L.A.
Shopping along Worth Avenue, it appears Palm Beach has caught the Great Gatsby bug. Fashions feature lots of flapper inspired bling and the Brooks Brothers window just made you want to go out and watch a polo match or play a rousing game of cricket.
photos via New York Times & Luxury Travel Magazine
I had the lovely heirloom tomato salad with fresh burrata and a basil vinaigrette to start. Picture perfect, the tomatoes tasted like what a tomato should taste like. The second course was a beautifully pan seared local salmon on a bed of summer creamed corn and a composition of haricot vert green beans, summer squash and cherry tomatoes.
photos by Patrice Wyndham-Smith