Café Boulud Palm Beach
A Midsummer Night’s Dream—Legendary Chef Daniel Boulud’s Haute Cuisine at The Brazilian Court Hotel
It was a sultry evening in late May, the aroma of Jasmine and salt spray from the nearby Atlantic Ocean in the 80-degree air—summer enough for us Floridians—we were looking for an experience in our backyard that would take us places that might otherwise require a passport. We thought of none other than Café Boulud at The Brazilian Court Hotel, the staple in worldly, upscale dining for over twenty years in tony Palm Beach.
Originally from Lyon, Chef Daniel Boulud is widely celebrated as one of America’s leading culinary authorities. Since arriving in New York City in 1982, he has continually evolved his cuisine and expanded his reach to properties across the U.S., as well as Palm Beach, Toronto, Montreal, Dubai, Singapore, and The Bahamas. His culinary empire has brought him many accolades, yet his inspiration remains grounded in the rhythm of the seasons. From his flagship, DANIEL, to his properties across the globe, Boulud’s signature remains the contemporary appeal he brings to soulful dishes rooted in the French tradition. The tall, majestic coconut palms for which Palm Beach Island was are always swaying in a gentle, balmy breeze off the nearby Atlantic Ocean—Palm Beach is legendary—yet real. We were invited to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Café Boulud in Palm Beach in 2023, a stunning affair that seamlessly combined whimsical with tangible under the swaying palms. Café Boulud Palm Beach opened in 2003 at The Brazilian Court Hotel, after owner Richard Schlesinger convinced Chef Boulud to bring his cuisine to Palm Beach after his first visit to the area. Boulud fell in love with Palm Beach (what’s not to love), and Café Boulud became a natural fit as it is the winter home of many of his sophisticated New York clientele, and The Brazilian Court, as Chef Boulud says is the “Jewel in the gem that is Palm Beach.” Boulud’s Palm Beach location has remained a sparkling jewel in his empire of restaurants. Since his fateful first visit and decision to open a restaurant, Palm Beach has been an instrumental part of Chef Boulud’s life; it’s also where Daniel met his wife, Katherine, who he married in 2013!
The Franco-American menu, created by Chef Daniel Boulud and his culinary team, parallels that of Café Boulud New York with a touch of South Florida flavor. With a spotlight on the incredible seafood and produce of the region, the menu showcases classic French dishes synonymous with Boulud himself, modernized to suit the cosmopolitan palate of Palm beach, such as Local Spiced Mahi with Key West Shrimp and Curry Leaf, Pan Seared Scallops with Brussels sprouts and miso jus and the beloved Dover Sole Meunière, filleted tableside. The place to see and be seen, the dramatically backlit bar is a must for guests looking to enjoy inventive cocktails and craft beers served throughout the day, or to enjoy the crowd and scenery. The Bar menu, served throughout the day, features dishes perfect for sharing. The Courtyard Terrace at the Brazilian Court and the restaurant’s elegant Dining Rooms, with a shimmery ceiling made from sea shells and Pecky Cypress, have long been the place for Palm Beach locals to be entertained in style, to throw a lavish event or host a memorable wedding day. The wine cellar is filled with vintages from every continent and led by Sommelier David Sauer. The impressive array of selections is arranged by grape variety.
Café Boulud Palm Beach opened in 2003 as the first outpost for the famed restaurant outside of the original location in New York City. It has since given birth to a string of top chefs who have helped put Palm Beach County on the culinary map, including Chefs Zach Bell and Rick Mace. Today, the kitchen is in the capable hands of Executive Chef Dieter Samjin, Executive Sous Chef Byron Velasquez, and Chef Pâtissière Julie Francheschini. For our evening, we began with a welcome toast of Champagne Tribaut Schloesser ‘Brut Origine’ (2022) paired with Buckley Bay Oyster Ossetra Caviar—Magnifique! Next we enjoyed Wahoo Tataki with eggplant, pepper, and citrus, paired with Florent Garaudet, Vieilles Vignes Meursault (2022). Our pasta course featured homemade Radiatori Pasta with asparagus, morel mushrooms, and parmesan, paired with Arnaud Baillot Pinot Noir (2022) from Burgundy. The Pan Seared Scallops with white asparagus, lomo, almonds, and Vidalia onion soubise was the perfect marriage of land and sea’s finest in late spring-early summer. The journey continued with Roasted Duck Breast with corn, tomatoes, chanterelles, and stone fruits, paired with J. Denuziere ‘Les Sérines’ Côtes du Rhône (2019). To conclude the soirée, we ended on Mandarine & Noisette with meringue, hazelnut financier, and chocolate sorbet, paired with Luigi Ferrando, ‘Cariola’ Passito di Caluso, Piedmont (2009). Dining at Café Boulud Palm Beach is like an ‘out of body experience which may require that one pinch him or herself to be sure they are not having an out-of-body’ experience. Imported linens, Bone China, glistening stemware with water and wine glass are always full—the staff is telepathic—anticipating your needs before you even thought of them. Add in a glowing dining room replete with paintings by renowned artist Jordi Molla the envelop each guest and also beckon them to stroll and see, Café Boulud Palm Beach is an ode to the art of fine dining, world-class service, hospitality, and ambience in a location that is second to none.
Café Boulud is situated in the luxurious Brazilian Court Hotel which features an elegant collection of studios, one, two and three-bedroom suites, arranged among lush fountain courtyards and the tropically-landscaped pool. Majestic coconut palms swaying in the balmy breeze from the nearby Atlantic, you could easily imagine yourself in the Caribbean or South Pacific. Designed in classic Spanish Colonial style, The Brazilian Court’s accommodations offer warm, residential touches and luxurious amenities. Palm Beach’s most exclusive salon and spa is nestled inside the legendary Brazilian Court Hotel. Experience relaxation and rejuvenation of mind, body and soul. Beautify yourself in style in the main studio, relax in the private nail salon, or book a massage or facial in the private poolside treatment room. With an expert team of stylists, estheticians, massage therapists, makeup artists, and nail technicians.
The Brazilian Court is thrilled to welcome hotel guests aboard BC One, the new 44-foot Brunello Acampora designed Italian Solaris Power Yacht. This sleek and stylish nautical addition is exclusive to hotel guests only and is seamlessly integrated into the guest experience for your Palm Beach adventure. A yachting concierge will assist guests to reserve their complimentary seats aboard the yacht’s multiple daily voyages. Just two blocks from main town beach, arrive to your own luxurious set up, featuring custom Business & Pleasure beach chairs, umbrellas and stocked beach bags and preorder your very own Café Boulud to-go for a beachside picnic. The hotel offers complimentary transportation to and from the beach in the hotel car. Dining here can be truly guilt-free—pedal off the next morning on a two-wheeled trek through Palm Beach on the hotel’s exclusive fleet of standard and electric Linus bicycles. Enjoy the ride through the beautiful streets of one of the world’s most elegant towns—down to the beach, fashionable Worth Avenue, or exploring Palm Beach’s historic Lake Trail along the Intracoastal. There is no place like Palm Beach.
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not dined well” -Virginia Woolf
www.cafebouludpalmbeach.com
www.thebraziliancourt.com
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