West Palm Beach, Florida

I made my first trip to Florida during the first week of June. Everyone at work voiced their jealousy that I got to go to West Palm Beach. I don’t think I was appropriately excited as I had never been to Florida and had very low expectations. Overall I enjoyed my time in Florida, although I found the humidity to be very oppressive (I am sure this is not big surprise as I hate the heat and humidity).

When I arrived in West Palm Beach I was so excited to see palm trees again. I am always surprised at how much I miss palm trees. Those blasted trees made me miss California even more than I already do. I just found myself staring at the palm trees and hoping to go home and visit sometime soon. The palms are all strategically placed, especially in Palm Beach. Palm Beach differs from West Palm Beach in that Palm Beach is on a slip of sand separated from the Florida mainland by a waterway called the Intercoastal. Palm Beach is also home to huge homes and country clubs (see Mar-a-Lago which is now owned by Donald Trump and cost around $125,000 for the yearly dues). They work very hard to keep people like you and me out of town as it was founded by Old Money. Aristocratic mentality aside, they do know how to create a community that is lovely and meticulously maintained – palm trees and all.

Luckily I was working with the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office and they told me what parts of town to avoid. Apparently the Crowne Plaza I stayed at was not in a good neighborhood. I think the phrase, “Don’t walk outside at night,” came up several times. I love working with the police I always feel like I have a great insight into the community.

I was very excited to have authentic Cuban food. The way I see it is that the best place to get Cuban food outside of Cuba (which I don’t think I will be visiting anytime soon) is south Florida. I went to a restaurant called Havana that was listed as one of the best Cuban places in West Palm Beach. I had tostones and a skirt steak that had been marinated and seared. I love a tender steak and this one was so flavorful and tender.

I ate at another local restaurant called E.R. Bradley’s. This restaurant/bar has a lovely outdoor and covered eating area. I sat right on the edge of the covered porch and overlooked the Intercostal as I ate blackened Mahi-Mahi. The food was okay, mostly forgettable, but the combination of outdoor dining and a lovely water view made the night worthwhile.

On Thursday nights in downtown West Palm Beach they have a street festival called Clematis by Night. They have bands, food, and vendors that you can enjoy for free. They also have this giant fountain that kids, and only kids, can play in. My students suggested I make a night of it, so I headed downtown.

I really enjoyed the band as they played a lot of Motown hits that I enjoy. It was also a people watching hotspot: watching the public dancing, kids playing in the fountain, etc. I found a French bistro called Pistache. I had a wonderful table that overlooked all the activity at Clematis by Night, it was perfect. I had the best prime rib I have ever had. The steak must have been cooked in some red wine reduction because it was so flavorful. While I was eating my dinner I saw someone walk by my table that looked familiar. I realized that it was Pretentious Stephen from the first season of Top Chef. Remember the jerky sommelier with the double Windsor knots in his ties. I didn’t say anything to him, I just had the sense of satisfaction that he is just as pretentious in real life as he appeared on TV.

I feel like it would have been insulting to my co-workers, Florida and the Atlantic Ocean if I didn’t go to the beach while in Palm Beach. Now I didn’t go swimming in the water for a number of reasons, but I did enjoy walking on the sand and getting my feet wet. I cannot get over how warm the Atlantic is compared to the Pacific. It was like a bathtub…am I used to West Coast beaches where you suck it up because you are at the ocean and the ocean is awesome regardless of how cold it may be. I can also see why there are no great East Coast surf legends. The waves were practically nonexistent. You definitively need to hit the Pacific if you are going to surf like a pro.

Overall I really enjoyed my time in Florida. I spent my last night driving down the island from Palm Beach to Boca Raton. Some of the architecture is so distinctive of south Florida; I think I could live well with a house that had a beautiful terrace overlooking the Atlantic. One interesting aspect of the island is that it is obvious when you cross city lines. The second you drive over the city line the whole dynamic of a town changes. It goes from being ritzy and old money to a much more lower or middle class lifestyle.

Next Trip - San Antonio, TX