Credit: Hilton West Palm Beach (Press Release) WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Hilton West Palm Beach invites theatergoers to enjoy a deliciously theatrical dining experience at Galley with exclusive Beetlejuice-inspired specials available June 2–7, 2026, in celebration of the Broadway musical’s run at the Kravis Center. Galley’s popular three-course prix fixe “Dinner And A Show” menu, priced at $59 per person, is paced for guests attending performances, making it the ideal pre-show dinner or post-show late-night bite. Adding to the fun, Galley’s culinary and beverage team has created limited-time specials inspired by the quirky cuisine featured in Beetlejuice. Mini Butter Cake Flight (Press Release) WELLINGTON, FL – This Father’s Day, make a culinary b-line for The Mall at Wellington Green and treat superhero Dad to a memorable meal at Lemongrass Asian Bistro and California Pizza Kitchen. Elevated eats hotspot, Lemongrass Asian Bistro is perfect for paternal revelry. Enjoy pan-Asian delights like the Braised Short Ribs Panang Curry ($32), Bangkok Basil Beef ($25) with stir-fried Thai basil and vegetables, and the Lobster Monster Roll ($34) with crispy lobster, cucumber, and asparagus topped with sesame seeds and masago. Pair it with the Tropical Typhoon ($15), loaded with mango vodka, lime, and pineapple juice. Comfort food classics shine at California Pizza Kitchen. Try the heavenly BBQ Chicken Pizza ($19.49) with rich BBQ sauce, smoked gouda, red onions, and cilantro, and the crowd-favorite Avocado Club Egg Rolls ($15.29) filled with chicken, bacon, avocado, and Monterey Jack cheese. Sweet endings include the Mini Butter Cake Flight ($14.79) or Build-Your-Own Sundae ($9.99) with two giant scoops of Haagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, hot fudge, tangy raspberry coulis, and candied walnuts. The Mall at Wellington Green is located at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington. For more information, call (561) 227-6900 or visit shopwellingtongreen.com. Credit: LILA By GERRY BARKER North Palm Beach Life St. Barts, in the French West indies, is well known as a playground for the rich and famous, with its high-end shopping, gourmet restaurants and fabulous beaches. The only downside? It's not easy to get there. That served as part of the impetus for restauranteurs Vance and Sunday Campbell to open LĪLA Coastal Mediterranean, located in Tequesta. Frequent visitors to the French island, they want guests "to feel like they're transported to St. Barts," said Vance, "except they don't have to get on an airplane -- no passport needed." Named after Vance's grandmother, the restaurant debuted in late 2024, offering a diverse menu of fresh seafood, steaks, crudos and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, served in an atmosphere that's like relaxing on an island coast with your best friends. "That's the whole idea of it," said Vance. On a recent visit, Pam and I were able to experience that firsthand, starting off with an order of the Tzatziki Chips -- eggplant and zucchini chips with drizzled honey and tzatziki. When it arrived, the large portion practically implied "take-home box." But it wasn't long before they all disappeared, and we could have eaten more. Lightly battered and perfectly cooked, the drizzled honey was the pièce de résistance. L-R; Tzatziki Chips, Caesar Salad tableside and the Caesar Salad (Photos: NPBL Executive Chef Sunny Oh (LILA) Next up was Caesar salad, prepared tableside, "with the warm feel of a family experience," said Vance. Featuring "baby gem lettuce, homemade croutons and parmesan snow," you can customize the ingredients anyway you like. Prepared for two guests, it could have easily served four. For our entrees, I had the Roasted Chicken -- a "Bell & Evans airline breast, cipollini onions, chicken jus, roasted baby carrots, Brussels sprouts leaves and garlic mashed potatoes." It's a premium chicken breast with a wing and drumette attached, tender and flavorful, accompanied by a symphony garden vegetables. Pam chose the Calamarata Alla Vodka pasta, with "tomato, garlic, onion, crushed hot pepper and, vodka cream sauce." It was everything you want in a pasta dish, and this time the large portions caught up with us. Two to-go boxes, please. The culinary magic comes from Korean-born Executive Chef Sunny Oh, who formerly helmed Nobu in Miami, and more recently, the Miami rooftop hotspot, Juvia. Vance said he was attracted to LILA for the area's surfing and golf lifestyle, both of which he enjoys. Among other menu favorites are the Sea Scallops, the Faroe Island Salmon, Branzino (Vance raved about it) and a whole Maine lobster served with linguine pasta, as well as Lamb Chops and a Rosemary Tenderloin. "His crudos and raw fish are amazing," said Vance. On a recent Thursday, the restaurant hosted "Sip and Shop," where guests were invited to enjoy a glass of wine and then peruse merchandise from 12 different vendors, while a DJ spins music on Saturdays. Vance noted they are planning to bring back music on Thursday nights as well. "It's the off-season," he said. "Time to get creative." Off-season isn't something the Campbells experienced when they ran restaurants in New York. While living in Westchester County, they owned and managed restaurants and nightclubs in Manhattan and Westchester County for many years. During that time, they would take long weekend trips to Florida. Then Covid came along. Tired of the hazmat suits and social restrictions, "we jumped on a plane and went to Florida," said Vance. This time, they stayed. "You've got the palm trees, the sun and a pool outside," he said. "You wake up, it's like vacation every day." Both Vance and Sunday are people persons, and take a "hands on" approach to running the restaurant. "We are here every night," he said, "touching the tables and talking to customers. I give out my business card with my cell phone on it. If you want to come, just give me a call -- you don't have to use an app." Vance and Sunday Campbell "Both my wife and I are very old school," he continued, "and want customers to know us." He talked about one couple who comes to dine every Friday since the restaurant opened, sitting at the same table. They also place a premium on service. "People may forget the food," he said, "but they never forget how they are treated." While LILA has all the feel of a welcoming island retreat, you'll still find all the tables have white tablecloths. That stems from the restaurant's namesake, Vance's grandmother. "She was a big foodie, and loved going to high-end restaurants," Vance said. "And if it didn't have a tablecloth, she wasn't going." A former model and world traveler, Vance is sure she's looking down, giving her approval. The bottom line? "We enjoy seeing people enjoying our food, our cocktails and our service," said Vance. "it's like an extension of our home -- it makes us feel good." LĪLA Coastal Mediterranean, is located at 187 Tequesta Dr, in Jupiter, FL. Find out more at their website. Credit: Levis JCC BOCA RATON, FL (May 26, 2026) — The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center (Levis JCC) has donated two Japanese kimonos and accompanying artifacts to Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, transforming an anonymous donation into the start of a new cultural partnership focused on preservation, education and community connection. What began as a donation to the Levis JCC Resale Boutique in East Boca has evolved into a meaningful act of cultural stewardship. The items, left in a cardboard box at the Boutique’s donation drop-off door, arrived with no identifying information about their origin or ownership. Eric Goldman, vice president of retail services, recognized the craftsmanship and potential historical value of the garments and later proposed donating the pieces to the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens to ensure proper preservation and interpretation. Music Camp (Morikami Museum and Gardens) (Press Release) Delray Beach, FL – Step into a world of culture and discovery at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, where a curated lineup of monthly programming brings the richness of Japanese traditions to life through immersive tea ceremonies, hands-on workshops, expert lectures, and more. June workshops, classes, and demonstrations: Thursdays, June 4, 18 Sado: Tea Ceremony Time: Beginners - 10:15am – 12:15pm Intermediate - 1pm – 3pm Cost: $60 (Morikami Members $55) Advance Registration Required Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and from season to season. Intermediate course requires approval by the instructor before registering. Credit: Armory Art Center (Press Release) May 28, 2026 (West Palm Beach, Fla.) — The Armory Art Center is growing new partnerships—starting with a first-ever garden project on its own West Palm Beach property in historic Flamingo Park. Recently, the Armory partnered with the Oleander Garden Club of the Palm Beaches and nearby Flamingo Park residents to revitalize the Armory’s gardens, filling them with native Florida plants. Related Review: "Colosseum: The Legendary Arena" By GERRY BARKER North Palm Beach Life You've read about him in history books and seen him portrayed in over 200 movies, including Ridley Scott's "Napoleon" featuring Joaquin Phoenix, but you've never known him or his exploits as you do in "Napoleon: The Immersive Saga," now showing at South Florida PBS in Boynton Beach. Rooted in historical accuracy, Napoleon and his times come alive in a presentation that includes an introductory film, historical artifacts and a 30-minute, 360-degree VR experience that puts you in Paris and on the battlefield at Austerlitz, considered his greatest victory and praised for its tactical brilliance Pam prepares to enter the VR experience (NPBL) After viewing a film that summarizes key moments in his life, you can learn more in the exhibits, including an opportunity to "chat" with the man himself via AI before entering the VR arena. The arena itself is a big, open room with colorful "Kandinsky-like" graphics painted on grids across the floor. Here you are issued a VR headset and instructed on how to use it, including what to do if you start to feel dizzy or unsteady. With the headset on, fellow guests appear as white-outlined avatars. To get started, just follow the white footsteps, walk through a door and voila! -- you are in 19th Century France as seen through the eyes and commentary of Napoleon himself. You'll learn about his triumphs, accomplishments and ultimate downfall through the various chapters in his life. Among the highlights: -- Observing his generals plotting strategy for the battle at Austerlitz, then watch as cannons fire and soldiers march all around -- and sometimes through -- you, as do the horses when the thunderous cavalry arrives. -- The building of the Vendôme Column, commemorating his victory at Austerlitz. Constructed of bronze plates from 1,200 captured enemy cannons, it erupts from the ground before your eyes to a height of almost 1,000 feet, topped by a statue of Napoleon himself. Hang on as you rise to the top and get a bird eye's view of Paris. -- Feel the pain of his defeated army on their retreat from Napoleon's disastrous 1812 Russian campaign, and then go along on his final journey across the ocean in exile. During the experience you'll also have an opportunity to interact with certain objects, such as reaching your virtual hand down to spin a globe. It's historically accurate and entertaining at the same time, which begs the question: Why couldn't my history classes be this way? "Napoleon: The Immersive Saga" is running concurrently with "Colosseum: The Legendary Arena" through Sept. 30 at the at South Florida PBS Studios in Boynton Beach. Tickets and more information at www.southfloridapbs.org/immersive Image Courtesy of South Florida PBS Slideshow (Photos: NPBL) (Press Release) GREENVILLE, S.C., MAY 28, 2026 — Today the MICHELIN Guide revealed the 2026 restaurant selection for Florida and for the first time the selection covers the entire state. Notably, this year’s selection features two new One MICHELIN Star restaurants. Emelina in West Palm Beach and Mutra in Miami both joined the selection for the first time with One MICHELIN Star. Additionally, Fat Beet Farm Kitchen and Bakery in Tampa was awarded a Green Star for leading the way in mindful gastronomy. The full selection, including Bib Gourmands and recommended restaurants totals 200 eateries spanning 41 cuisine types. “What began just a few years ago has grown into something truly remarkable,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director for the MICHELIN Guide. “Florida’s culinary landscape continues to evolve, which led our anonymous Inspectors on a journey from the Panhandle to Key West to uncover the best dining experiences and hidden gems to make up this year’s selection. As we welcome two new restaurants into the MICHELIN Star family for the first time, we celebrate the depth of talent across all of Florida. Congratulations to all the chefs and restaurant teams represented in this year’s selection!” Restaurant plaques will be provided by our Destination Partners to each restaurant in the coming months. Cha Gio_Crispy Shrimp & Pork Roll (© Neil Burger) (Press Release) Delray Beach FL, MAY 27, 2026 – Le Colonial, the acclaimed French-Vietnamese restaurant located at 601 East Atlantic Avenue in downtown Delray Beach, has introduced its new Summer Evenings prix fixe menu alongside its daily Saigon Social offerings. Available Monday through Friday before 6 p.m., the seasonal dining experience highlights Le Colonial’s signature blend of vibrant Vietnamese flavors and refined French influence. Cornell Cafe Roast Duck (Press Release) DELRAY BEACH, FL – On Father's Day, take chichi (”father” in Japanese) on a delicious trip to the Land of the Rising Sun by way of Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Overlooking a private lake and zen gardens, the museum's celebrated Pan-Asian restaurant, Cornell Café, will feature a tender, slow-roasted duck ($29) glazed with a citrus-orange sauce and served with fluffy cilantro-infused rice and a handpicked vegetable medley. Feeling festive? Raise a toast to Dad with cold Sapporo beer specials, available two for $10. After lunch, families can stroll through Morikami’s six distinct Japanese gardens, explore the museum's cultural exhibits, and enjoy spending quality time with dad. Cornell Café hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Museum admission is required to visit the restaurant. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. For more information, call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org. |
ABOUTExploring what to see and do in North Palm Beach and the South Florida area. Your hosts are Pam and Gerry Barker. GERRY PRONOUNCED GARYArchives
September 2026
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