Lime Ginger Crème Brûlée
Avocado Grill
I went to Avocado Grill just a couple of weeks after it opened. Usually, this is a very challenging time for a new restaurant but in this case the food was fabulous and our service was pretty good.
I left knowing that this would be the perfect place to have a Saturday night Road Trips For Food. I had been to the location many times when other restaurants occupied this West Palm Beach spot. I remembered it having a very dark, tunnel like feeling. Avocado Grill chef/owner Chef Julien Gremaud turned it into a delightful, light and airy space that is inviting for all who enter.
That is not where the distinctions end. Avocado Grill is a wonderful farm to table restaurant headed by a chef/owner who has a history in our community at Pistache and Fresh Catch as well as personal chef to many people here in South Florida.
The menu is divided into eight sections, not including the most important one…desserts. The sections are: avocado, salads, veggies, land, sea, pasta, specialty sushi rolls and large plates.
Cinnamon White Chocolate Bread Pudding with a Pina Colada Sauce
I was, initially, concerned that 12 of us sitting at the community table might be challenging for our server, Khalid. Fortunately, our service was exceptional. We ordered quite a few dishes from the various sections of the menu and were not disappointed. The standouts were the ginger guacamole, brussel sprouts with caramelized onions/garlic confit/parmesan, the hanger steak and the duck tacos. There were several other items ordered and enjoyed and the only one that was disappointing was the paella, which is presented in a very small dish and did not come out as described on the menu.
Desserts were an easy choice…one of each, all five of them. There were two clear-cut favorites. The Lime Ginger Crème Brûlée was one of the best crème brûlées I have ever tasted. The blend of these two flavors was incredible and original. For me there are very few things that top a perfectly constructed crème brûlée. Major kudos to Chef Julien.
Passion Fruit Tiramisu
The second favorite was the Passion Fruit Tiramisu. Served in a martini glass, this was a delightful twist from the standard tiramisu and the refreshing flavors worked, beautifully.
Nutella Avocado Mousse
The Nutella Avocado Mousse was a tad too gimmicky for our preferences. Some felt the nutella overpowered the avocado. Others felt the opposite. The overall consensus was that a delicious chocolate mousse would have been preferred.
The Chocolate Peanut Butter Sundae was quite good. The only suggestion was to incorporate something homemade to bring in the peanut butter cup component rather than store bought cups. However, it is worth noting that we did order a second one of these.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Sundae
Last to try was the Cinnamon White Chocolate Bread Pudding with a Pina Colada Sauce. Even though the consistency was a tad doughy, the flavors were spot on. Certainly, a dessert I would want to give another try.
Many thanks to Leslie, Jodi, Tracey, Bruce, Richard, Andrea, Saul, Jessica, Julie, Gregg and Debra for a fun night!
The bottom line is that Avocado Grill is a restaurant you have to try. Not just want to but rather, must. It is so refreshing to find a restaurant in a great location that is conscientious about where the food comes from and delivers a memorable meal worthy of return visits.
AVOCADO GRILL 125 Datura Street West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 561.623.0822 http://www.avocadogrillwpb.com
