For those of you who aren’t aware of the Rapoport Restaurant Group, clear you schedule for tomorrow night, as they will be hosting their official grand opening. From 6:30 – 9:00 on Wednesday, December 17th, 20% of all sales will go directly to the Junior League of the Palm Beaches. Clematis Social is aiming to be the new hotspot bringing an upbeat, relaxed atmosphere to  a vibrant crowd. You need to check out the main wall in the restaurant as it sports candid photos of past guest and they will be changing these photos randomly. They will be focusing on internationally-inspired small plate dishes. Small plate sliders, flatbreads, Beer Battered Fish and Chips, Southern Fried Chicken and Classic Eggs Benedict highlight the menu. They are even bringing some of his other restaurants favorite dishes including the Wasabi Seared Tuna appetizer (my favorite).

If you can’t make it to the grand opening or make it to the West Palm Beach area often, be sure to check out his other restaurants including Opus 5 or Bogart’s (located in Boca Raton) or Henry’s located in Delray Beach, as they are all fantastic.

Photo Credit: Joe Woolf

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Northwood Village is located 1 mile north of Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. in West Palm Beach between North Dixie Highway and Broadway. It resembles a small town community where gated communities are extinct (somewhere finally!), neighbors gather for block parties, and familiar faces frequent the local establishments. It’s also a nice place for the Palm Beach crowd to escape from the island.

If you haven’t made your way over to this area, this weekend is an ideal time to do so as they are hosting their monthly art and wine promenade on Friday night (ok so you already missed this, but they do it every month). They are also hosting a few grand openings this month.

• Tonight, the grand opening of Jade Kitchen. At the helm of chef/owner Wayne Devers, this hip New American restaurant offers inventive menu options without an expensive pricetag. Even better, they offer a great selection of wines by the glass. Come join in the fun at 6-8 pm tonight at 422 Northwood Road (561) 366-1185. They will be serving wine and hors d’oeuvres. Ribbon cutting at 6:30 pm.
• On Sunday, December 14th, just down the street from Jade at 404 Northwood Rd, Cafe Centro will be unveiling their piano bar. The grand opening will take place from 7:30 – 9:00 pm and will include cocktails, tapas, delightful sounds of the baby grand and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 8:30 pm. For dinner reservations, call Terry at 561-514-4070.

If you can’t make it out there this weekend, no worries as these are sure to be mainstays in Northwood.

Photo credit: WTL photos @ flickr

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

This musical follows five friends as they relive their memories of the past, celebrate what they have today and look ahead to the future – think a wild & outrageous night out at a karaoke bar.

When: Tonight at 7:00 pm

Price: $38

Where: Marshall E Rinker, Sr. Playhouse

Even better, each guest will have the opportunity to win a $500 shopping spree to CityPlace and a $50 gift certificate to the following shops: Sephora, Ann Taylor, BCBG, Quiksilver and Cache

Check out the Kravis Center for more information.

Also, the Kravis Center just launched their 2008-2009 line up.

Some highlights include:

• November 25-30: Avenue Q
• January 6-11: The Drowsy Chaperone
• March 17-22: Legally Blonde, The Musical
• April 14-19: Fiddler on the Roof
• May 12-17: The Wizard of Oz

The whole season can be found online including the Adults at Leisure Series, Movies by Moonlight, Family Fare and Continuing Arts Education.

Photo Credit: Wallyg @ flickr

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

This not-for-profit organization is dedicated to providing children from the age of 3 to 17, and their families who have experienced the death of a loved one, a place to receive and share support while going through this difficult grieving process. Hearts and Hope is centered around the house where children and their families come in to attend group sessions to help in the grieving process.These groups are split up into different age groups so the issues are dealt with accordingly. Music, art, movement, writing and peer interaction are all part of the mix.  Along with the groups, when each child enters the home they are given a teddy bear to call their own. They focus on this being something for children to hug during happy times and to hold during the sad times.

Hearts and Hope is supported by grants and through private donations. For more information, visit Hearts and Hope online. Hearts and Hope is one of many non-profits around that is looking for people to help out. If you have had that feel-good bug attach on to you lately, and are looking for a way to help out in the community, a good place to go is to Volunteer Match. This site pairs up non-profits with people who are looking for opportunities making for a perfect match.

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

This evening the Morton’s in West Palm Beach hosted a special event celebrating the grand opening of Bar 12 21. Filled with plush chairs, plasma tvs and a lively crowd, this is a great place to be come 5:00 on any night of the week. The name 12- 21 is in remembrance of the 1st Morton’s that opened up on December 21, 1978. If I’m not mistaken, Bar 12 21 offers their “bar bites” from 5:00 – 6:30 and from 8:30 – 10:00 pm. During this time, guests can purchase select appetizers for only $5. These aren’t tiny appetizers either. We’re talking you could easily make a meal out of this. They offer: 

•  Miniature Prime Cheeseburger Trio
• 4 Petite Filet Mignon Sandwiches served with mustard mayonnaise sauce
• Chicken Gouionettes (or simply chicken strips basically)
• Jumbo Lump Crab, Spinach & Artichoke Dip
• Blue Cheese French Fries

Photo [Courtesy of flickr Koponut]

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

The Armory Art Center is West Palm Beach’s only community-based art center. Founded in 1986, the Armory offers arts education, exhibition, lectures and other programs. It also brings together a diverse group of people to share in their love of artistic expression.

This Thursday, June 12th from 6-8 pm free-lance photographer, Jacek Gancarz will present his exhibit La Milagrosa: The Face of Hope in the Colaciello Gallery. In doing this project, Gancarz visited Cuba several times over a 5-year span to capture images of ordinary Cubans with Ordinary Faith. Through these black and white portraits and the first-person quotes, the observer will form a connection with these Cubans living in Cuba who hold such high hope and intimate devotion.

La Milagrosa: The Face of Hope will be on display until July 3rd. For more information on the exhibit, call 561-832-1776 x821.

Photo [Palm Beach Post]

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

For anyone who knows me, they know that I am an ice cream fanatic. From Banana Split to Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough to Glace de Vino (Yes, it’s what it sound like – wine flavored ice cream – Think, Raspberry Merlot Cheesecake – This is to die for.), I know where to go for the good stuff.

So you wouldn’t be surprised to find out the one place I must bring family or friends when they visit West Palm Beach for the first time, and this place is called Sloan’s. No it’s not the best beach around or the place to sit and have a margarita, but it’s often regarded as one of, if not the best ice cream shoppe in Palm Beach County. Decorated in pinks and purples and adorned with clowns, this quirky little place serves up the best ice cream in town with flavors such as Luscious Sloan, vanilla ice cream with brownie, caramel and toffee, Circus, a cotton candy ice cream with gummy bears, Coffee and Doughnuts, and Black and White Malt. Whether you want to sample a collection of flavors or stick with a familiar favorite, you will be in ice cream heaven.

Although, Sloan’s is known for their ice cream, they also have people talking about the unexpected — the bathroom. Yep, you heard it, the bathroom. Owner Sloan Kamenstein, created a unique marketing tactic when building this Clematis Street landmark and that is the bathrooms. The toilets are surrounded by see through walls. However, when you enter, close the door and lock it, the walls fog up offering you total privacy.

What’s the trick? The bathrooms use electricity to charge particles in the glass that make the walls fog up from their original clear state. This tactic has taken many visitors by surprise when they forget to lock the door, as it is located right next to Bradley’s – a popular bar.

So next time you come to WPB, Sloan’s is a must. Grab yourself a frozen treat on the way.

Photo Credit [Cindy Morales, Crappers Quarterly ]

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Photo Credit [Visit Florida]

The Norton Museum of Art, located in West Palm Beach, is home to over 5,000 works of art consisting of European, American, Chinese, Contemporary Art and Photography. It was founded by Ralph Hubbard Norton and his wife Elizabeth Calhoun Norton in 1941. Norton, who before moving to West Palm Beach, was the head of the ACME Steel Company wanted to preserve and share his large collection. The Norton has grown over the years and strives to share the permanent collection with the public while educating and promoting arts education throughout the community.

Currently, they are running some special exhibitions that you should not miss including:

In the Hands of African American Collectors: The Personal Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey (April 19 – July 20)

This exhibition offers a look into the journey experienced by the Kinseys. It includes slave owner’s documents, brilliant paintings and other important works of art by important African American artists.

Alexander Calder Jewelry (February 19 – June 15)

Photo Credit [flickr]

According to Norton Museum of Art Director, Christina Orr-Cahall, “For Alexander Calder, each piece of jewelry was a work of sculptural art. His inventive jewelry techniques echoed those used for his world-famous sculptures.” His jewelry has the same feel as his mobiles and continues to have a 3-D aspect and each piece is hammered and chiseled precisely.

Rubens to Corot (from March 19th)

This new collection at the Norton was a gift from Mrs. George T. Delacorte and is made up of 65 objects including Old Master, 19th and 20th Century paintings and sculptures from artists such as Rembrandt, Adriaen Hanneman and Joaquin Sorolla. This addition of Old Master works has increased the Norton’s collection making it the largest of Old Master paintings in the state of Florida.

In addition, the Norton has a full service cafe called Cafe 1451 and a beautiful gift store.

If you live in West Palm Beach, the Norton offers free admission on Saturdays. Residents of Palm Beach County receive free admission on the first Saturday of every month with proof of residency.

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Popularly known for its pristine beaches, beautiful weather and glamourous shops, Palm Beach County is also known for the first drive-thru safari park in the country. Lion Country Safari has been around since 1967 and is conveniently located in western Palm Beach County. This popular tourist attraction is great for children, animal lovers or anyone who “wants to take a walk on the wild side.”

This park was originally developed by a group of South African and British entrepreneurs who wanted to bring the at home feeling of an African game park to South Florida. The concept quickly caught on and has become a mainstay in the South Florida area. The location is ideal because of the warm climate and the large population of tourists who travel to the area every year.

As you drive through the park, you will enter the home of over 900 animals. Throughout your safari, you may come face to face with lions, white rhino, chimpanzees, or giraffe. Lion Country Safari contains more than just the drive through preserve, but it is also home to over 200 campsites, a restaurant, a gift shop, a ferris wheel, a petting zoo and bird, reptile, and alligator exhibits.

If you’ve been craving that exhilarating feel of an African safari, but just have an afternoon to kill, drop on by Lion Country Safari for a memorable escape. Lion Country Safari is located at 2003 Lion Country Safari Road, just 20 miles west of downtown West Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 793-1084.

Photo credit: flickr

Post from: The South Florida Traveler