DINING/PARTY: INTRODUCING THE BEVERLY HILLS PALM

0

INTRODUCING THE BEVERLY HILLS PALM

After attending this fun reception to introduce us to The Palms new location, and speaking with the owner, Bruce Bozzi, Jr., I did some research on The Palm, in general. I was floored to discover that the first one, (in New York,) opened in the 1920s!!! And it’s been here in Los Angeles since the ’70s! I then realized that I may always erroneously think that everything begins when I discover it.

The ambiance in the main room. (The photos are dark because I didn't want to  disturb the patrons by using a flash. But I'm sure you get the idea.) Photo by Karen Salkin.

The ambiance in the main room. (The photos are dark because I didn’t want to disturb the patrons by using a flash. But I’m sure you get the idea.) Photo by Karen Salkin.

So, I’m more than happy to be in on the ground floor of The Palm’s move from its iconic West Hollywood spot to the more tony Beverly Hills. It’s been a few weeks, and appears to be really working out for all concerned.

I really did love the original location, though. A big reason I was attached to it is that it was the inspiration for one of the fun, private sayings that Mr. X and I have. When I was new-ish to LA, a gal pal and I went to The Palm for something. (We were poor, so you know it was not dinner!) As we were leaving, the host stopped us and offered to buy us drinks. Mr. X was my friend at the time, and loved my stories. I hadn’t realized that he had gotten such a kick out of it when I triumphantly told him about the experience by saying, “They bought us drinks!!!” When he later let me in on his reaction to that, it became a thing between the two of us. Ever since then, I love telling him when someone buys drinks for my group of femme fatales.

A couple of The Palm's  iconic charicatures that made the move from the original location, enhanced by beautiful holiday decorations.  Photo by Karen Salkin.

A couple of The Palm’s iconic charicatures that made the move from the original location, enhanced by beautiful holiday decorations. Photo by Karen Salkin.

So, it was with great warmth that I attended this opening reception last week. It was an intimate one, to introduce some us foodies to Bruce and company. We were in a private area at the back of the restaurant, but we had the doors open, so we also got to soak-up the evening action.

While we mingled and chatted, we were treated to a number of The Palm’s signature appetizers. I tried only the bruschetta, with big chunks of mozzarella on top, (because their famous treats in that category are basically all foods that I don’t eat, crazy eater that I am,) and really enjoyed it. But Alice, my partner-in-crime, dug into all the morsels with gusto. She said, “The carpaccio of beef tenderloin was very tasty and flavorful, with a hint of lemon and black pepper.” She enjoyed the “generous” crab cakes, and said the “tartar sauce with chipotle added a great kick,” and the crust on them was “baked just right.”

The over-flowing crab cakes, shot in too-low lights. Photo by Karen Salkin.

The tray of over-flowing crab cakes, shot in too-low light. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Her two favorites were the calamari, which she said was “excellently cooked” and “crunchy,” and the two-piece shrimp cocktail, which featured giant shrimp and horseradish cocktail sauce.

We sat at a table with Bruce himself, and when he noticed that I hadn’t had much to eat, he very generously offered me my choice of the menu. (He then made the same gesture to the rest of our table.) And everything outside of those too-classy-for-me appetizers was totally up my alley! I would have been happy with any meat, poultry, salad, or side on there!

The beautiful blackened Atlantic salmon. Photo by Karen Salkin.

The beautiful blackened Atlantic salmon. Photo by Karen Salkin.

I chose the blackened swordfish steak, and was absolutely thrilled with my decision! It was one of the most downright delicious portions of seafood I’ve ever had. And even without my usual exact instructions, it was cooked to perfection.

Alice went with the Atlantic salmon filet, which she deemed to be “a decent-size, ultra-thick piece,” and added that it was “very meaty,” with a “great taste.” We shared family-style portions (designed for two or more) of the really yummy leaf spinach and creamy mashed potatoes. What perfect dinners those were!

By the time we left, at about 9PM, the entire place was one hundred percent packed! I hope to be filling one of those popular tables very soon with my review crew, to do a full critique of The Palm for you. I have a strong feeling it will be a glowing one.

And, by the way—yes, they did, indeed, once again buy us drinks!

Share.

Leave A Reply