LILA: Caribbean Charm and No Passport Required

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."

---

LILA dining room (LILA)

​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.

---