Palm Beach County, Florida’s restuarant scene always is hopping. No more so than in February. From the Super Bowl to Valentine’s Day, there’s something for every occasion in Palm Beach County’s hot restaurant scene. Here’s a Fab Four four of my February favorites: Merdi Terra, City Cellar, The Stage Kitchen and Blackbird Asian.
Medi Terra (Boca Raton)
Located in Boca’s Royal Palm Plaza, Medi Terra serves a variety of dishes from the coastal areas of the Western Mediterranean — Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Co-owners and father-and-son team, Chef Michael Velicu and Daniel Velicu, are sourcing the best seasonal ingredients from around globe.
From February 13-15, the duo will serve their regular a la carte menu, along with Valentine’s Day, dinner specials. All diners will also receive a complimentary glass of sparkling rose wine, during dinner, and complimentary chocolate-covered strawberries for dessert.
The dinner specials will be Paella Valencia for Two (assorted shellfish, marinated grilled chicken, Spanish chorizo, and saffron-infused Bomba rice) and Grilled Branzino for Two (whole fish, de-boned tableside, served with roasted potatoes and haricots verts).
The restaurant’s tapas include garlic shrimp; filet mignon carpaccio (served with arugula and shaved Parmesan); ahi tuna tartare (served with cornichons, cucumbers, and julienne fries); truffle burrata (served with kumata tomatoes and pomegranate glaze); grilled octopus (served with house-made hummus, cucumbers, and arugula); steamed mussels (with fennel, chorizo, white wine, and cream broth).
While diners can easily make a meal from the tapas section of the menu, there are also many entrees at Medi Terra, such as the Loup de Mer Fillet with Crispy Skin (served with squid ink risotto and confit of wild mushrooms); Chicken Tajine (served with olives, preserved lemons, and Ras el Hanout — a blend of a dozen fragrant spices); Skirt Steak (served with Greek lemon potatoes and arugula); and the Roasted Duck (half-duck with sauce a l’orange, frisee, and duck fat-roasted fingerling potatoes).
Each dessert dish, such as the Tiramisu and Lemon Sorbet Flute, are imported from Italy.
Blackbird Modern Asian (Jupiter)
On Valentine’s Day, Blackbird Modern Asian will transport guests back to 1940’s Shanghai via a Paris of the Orient backdrop and interpretive Pan-Asian delicacies.
For one night only (February 14), chef-partner Tim Nickey and pastry chef Denise Elrod will be replacing the restaurant’s regular menu with a four-course prix fixe menu ($75 per person) written for romantic gourmandizing. A separate bar-only menu will showcase individually priced small and large plates and desserts.
Highlights include Tamarind glazed Faroe Island salmon with Chinese broccoli, Hawaiian ginger, and yuzu as well as banana-pineapple foster with yuzu lemon cake, gold leaf, and a white chocolate shell flambéed with Japanese whiskey.
The four-course prix fixe menu includes complimentary glass of champagne.
Amuse Bouche
· Lobster pancake stir-fried with wild mushrooms, scallions, red chili, and coconut milk
Course 1
· Wok-charred edamame with soy sauce, chili, and garlic
Course 2 (Choice of one)
· Tuna crispy rice with scallions and wasabi tobiko
· Thai beef satay with smoked chili sauce, black pepper, and sweet soy sauce
· Vegetable spring roll with orange-black bean dragon sauce
· Spicy pork wontons with cilantro and Sichuan chili sauce
· Mongolian brisket buns with green apple, pickled fresno, and hoisin sauce
Course 3 (Choice of one)
· New York strip steak and broccoli with gai lan and sweet soy sauce
· Tamarind glazed Faroe Island salmon with Chinese broccoli, Hawaiian ginger, and yuzu
· King crab fried rice with five vegetables, Thai basil, egg, chili paste, and lime
· Orange chicken with orange peel, sweet chili, and bok choy
· Chow fun with shiitake, wild Cantonese rice noodle, mushroom soy sauce, garlic chive, and truffle
Course 4 (Choice of one)
· Ginger-raspberry s’more with toasted ginger marshmallow, raspberry-blood orange sorbet, dark chocolate ganache, ginger spiced graham cracker, viola flower, and gold leaf
· Banana-pineapple foster with yuzu lemon cake, caramelized banana-pineapple compote, vanilla bean ice cream, white chocolate shell flambéed with Japanese whiskey, micro cilantro, and gold leaf
Champagne special: $75 Taittinger Brut La Française (750ml)
The evening also will feature nationally renowned tenor saxophonist Bizmarck Morgan and DJ Nick Flash perform independently and together from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Reservations will be accepted based on availability. Walk-ins and seating commence at 4 p.m.
Blackbird also hosts a daily happy hour menu with half-priced cocktails, wine, and beer from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Stage Kitchen & Bar (Palm Beach Gardens)
The popular Palm Beach Gardens restaurant and bar by James Beard Foundation Award nominee Chef Pushkar Marathe, on Feb. 12 will mark its Third Anniversary with a celebratory brunch. Chef Marathe will serve his flavor-forward menu incorporating breakfast items and classic menu favorites, highlighted by activations by these beverage partners:
Champagne Pommery
Aperol and Cinzano Prosecco
Award-winning Chainbridge Distillery
Munyon’s Paw-Paw Premium Florida Liqueur
White Claw Hard Seltzer
Glendalough Distillery
Noxx & Dunn Florida Rum
The party continues as the big screen comes out with sound on for the Super Bowl LVII Watch Party. In addition to the regular menu, Chef Marathe will serve a special Super Bowl menu featuring:
Butter Chicken Mac N’ Cheese
Grilled Tandoori Chicken Wings and Crispy Chicken Wings with house made Buffalo Sauce and Buttermilk Ranch
Stage Burger with French Fries
Twisted Trunk is the official beer beverage partner for the event and happy hour specials will be available at the bar beginning at 4:00pm until end of game.
On Feb. 14, 2023, guests can get the Valentine’s Day Seafood Platter for two ($69) featuring: Oysters; Shrimp Cocktail; Ceviche; and Stone Crab Claws served with accompaniments.
City Cellar (Downtown West Palm Beach)
On Valentine’s Day, February 14, Executive Chef Farrin Kolpan will present an eight once Filet and oven baked Lobster Tail with cheesy potato purée and asparagus ($78 for one; $150 for two). Beverage Manager Danielle Wineburg will serve Blackberry Smash cocktail, loaded with Woodford Reserve bourbon, blackberry, mint, and fresh lime.
Don’t pass on Kolpan’s Breakable Chocolate Shell with chocolate sponge cake, white chocolate mousse, fresh raspberries, and raspberry sauce.
Feature Photo: Blackberry Smash at City Cellar (inHouse Creative)