Southern Hospitality: Top Dining Destinations & Beauty Experts in South Florida

One of the most popular restaurants in Palm Beach Gardens, Stage, has opened a sister location in Boca’s midtown. James Beard nominated chef, Pushkar Marathe, and partner Andy Dugard have brought to the new space a wood-burning oven and such popular dishes as Korean BBQ ribs with gochujang, garlic and pineapple slaw; Bang Bang cauliflower with mushrooms, paneer, mint and cilantro; and shrimp with tomato, turmeric, okra, coconut curry and basmati rice grits. There will be daily cuts of meat featured daily, as well as vegetarian dishes.

There are plenty of great servers in Palm Beach, but every now and then you get a few who are extremely knowledgeable, truly love what they do, and make your dining experience special. Richard Biely, who works at Swifty’s, has been doing this for over three decades and he not only knows every detail of the menu, he is joyful and personable. Whether you choose the signature jumbo lump crab cakes; roast pork tenderloin with caramelized apple; or tagliatelle Bolognese, with braised wagyu short rib ragu, he will make your evening better. And to top off the good time, order Swifty’key lime pie – it’s as good as it gets.

“I’m your friendly waiter,” says Chuck Lloyd, as he approaches his tables at City Fishmarket in Boca. And he certainly is, without being in the least bit intrusive.  He can guide you through the list of daily catch, such as halibut, or local black grouper which you can order grilled, broiled, blackened, or Hong Kong style, with a sauce of sherry, soy and ginger. Each fish comes with two sides, and the whipped sweet potato is not to be missed. Live lobsters and king crab legs are also specialties of the house.

If you love Laurent Tourondel’s restaurants in New York and Sag Harbor, you should take a drive to Dune in Ft. Lauderdale.  The chopped salad is a work of art – bright colors and a variety of textures, and it’s as delicious as it looks. Dune also serves the most spectacular dessert – a huge Baked Alaska that is flamed at your table and almost the size of Alaska. The large marshmallows and toasted meringue are the stuff drams are made of.

It’s hard to imagine that in the middle of hectic Delray, there could be a romantic, cozy spot like La Cigale, with delicious food and a  sophisticated atmosphere presided over by dapper owner Francis Touboul. You can actually hear the conversation, as you enjoy classics like escargots and coq au vin, or simply seared wild salmon, or specials such as a massive veal chop with mushrooms. There is a wonderful wine selection to accompany your choices.

Another French spot not to be missed is Pistache, in booming West Palm, where you can sit outside on the open square, and feel like you are at a Parisian bistro. Among the favorites are a cauliflower tagine made with coconut milk, lentils, chickpeas, spicy cashews and minted yogurt; a goat cheese terrine with tomato, fennel, arugula and cherry molasses; artisan cheese and charcuterie selections; lamb shank with polenta and gremolata; and crispy duck confit, with coconut braised beans, black rice and an orange miso glaze.

On the beauty front, two of New York’s top dermatologists are coming to Palm Beach in March and April. Dr. Howard Sobel is doing a guest stint at the Brazilian Court, where he will lecture and give consultations to his patients from up north, as well as new ones from Florida. Dr. Anetta Reszko will see patients at 1411 North Flagler Drive. Call their New York offices to schedule appointments.

If you want to maintain clean and beautiful skin after the doctors head back to New York, there is an esthetician at the Palm Beach Gardens office of facial plastic surgeon Marc Murphy, who is outstanding and definitely worth visiting.