New Menu and Drink Options Will Get You in the Spirit of the Season
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By GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life Published December, 2019. WEST PALM BEACH_What better way to showcase new food and drink selections than throwing a party? That's what the Hilton Garden Inn did, and we got an invite. Located just off I-95 at 1675 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., near the Outlets, hotel executives were on hand to talk about the new locally-sourced menu that incorporates regional flavors at the hotel's Garden Grille restaurant and bar, including local craft beers from Boca's Barrel of Monks brewery. Join us as we sip, dip and indulge our senses on a perfect Florida night: |
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Sean McLoughlin, territory manager for Barrel of Monks, was on hand to offer samples of the craft beer available at the Hilton -- the Wizard Witbier and the Belgian-style Three Fates, We had a hard time deciding which
one we liked better -- how about another glass of each? |
There were lots of munchies on hand as waiters circulated barbeque chicken flatbread bites, crab cakes and cerviche shots, along with special drinks like a key lime margarita.
Photos by North Palm Beach Life |
Hilton Garden Inn General Manager Mike Kelly, left, shares a moment with Katelyn Kwiatkowski, from Coyne Public Relations, and Gerry.
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The Garden Grille reflects an upscale design that's bright, airy and inviting.
For starters, we had the Astros Garden Salad, left, featuring dried cranberries, walnuts, grape tomatoes and goat cheese with an orange cognac vinaigrette, along with a Southern Caprese Salad -- mozzarella on a fried green tomato with a balsamic glaze. You can't go wrong with either, and we loved the fried tomato variation.
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The accent is on shareable plates, and above are two examples: Korean-style steak, on the left, and Blackened Mahi-Mahi. We also sampled Grilled Portobello Mushrooms with roasted vegetables, all perfectly prepared.
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We had two outstanding desserts. On the left is Salted Caramel Vanilla Crunch Cake -- all the flavors we love in every bite, along with the Mason Jar Chocolate Fudge Cake. Pam was in chocolate heaven.
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Kris Beck, director of brand, food and beverage for Hilton Garden Inns nationwide.
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General Manager Mike Kelly
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Barrel of Monks Territory Manager
Sean McLoughlin |
The hard-working Hilton staff takes a bow
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The Hilton Garden Inn lobby area
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Frequent Hilton Garden Inn guests may notice the lobby cushions are orange instead of red. That's a nod to the Houston Astros baseball team. The West Palm Garden Inn is operated by an ownship group headed by Astros owner and chairman, Jim Crane. The Astros spring training home, FITTEAM Ballpark, is only five miles from the hotel, so expect to see baseball players and Astros personnel to be regular visitors here.
A word of advice: Forget the ballpark hotdogs and nachos -- the Garden Grille's got you covered.
A word of advice: Forget the ballpark hotdogs and nachos -- the Garden Grille's got you covered.
