Opening restaurants in coastal towns is routine for David Silva, a New England restaurateur who brought his latest concept, Maven, to Palm Beach earlier this year. With Nantucket winners like Galley Beach and Afterhouse, Maven opened with a team that includes chef Scott Osif and general manager Terry Cullinan. The trio opened their American brasserie in the former Nick and Johnnie’s location on Palm Beach Island.
GRAB A SEAT
As if Palm Beach’s idyllic views aren’t enough, Maven’s front patio seating offers a scene straight from a European cafe with Parisian tables and chairs overlooking Royal Poinciana Way. Opt to sit outside for breakfast or lunch while biting into banana-rum pancakes or the tuna tartare sandwich with avocado puree and togarashi aioli.
After passing through the 50-seat bar inside, featuring art deco wallpaper and lighting (a nod to Old Florida charm and the restaurant’s landmark location), guests will find what Silva envisioned from the start: an indoor garden oasis with greenery mingled with tables and chairs. Tall candle lanterns lead the way to an airy dining space with a new retractable roof for dining under the stars.
SEAFOOD-DRIVEN MENU
If it’s not obvious at first glance, Maven’s menu has some serious seafood vibes. Choose from raw bar assortments like the Grand Plateau, perfect to split on date night with 12 oysters, six shrimp and a half Maine lobster. Silva also recommends the lobster spring rolls filled with daikon, carrot and togarashi soy sauce.
The jumbo lump crab cake, a signature from Silva’s Nantucket restaurant, has made its way south and is a favorite. But it’s not just seafood that takes the spotlight at this brasserie. Grilled Berkshire pork chop with braised red cabbage, wild rice salad and a chimichurri sauce, to Bell & Evans bone-in chicken with roasted tomatoes, baby turnip and spinach in a romesco sauce are other worthy contenders.
STAY A WHILE
Stop by for brunch on the weekends when vintage bubbly comes aplenty for sipping alongside tasty bites. Our recommendation? Head over for happy hour, offered from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., when the entire bar menu is 50-percent off. Order an Aeroplano di Carta, a play on the classic Paper Plane cocktail. This one is made with Aquafaba, Evan Williams bourbon, Aperol, Italicus and fresh lemon. If it’s Friday, you’ll enjoy the drink with live music playing in the background.
Maven, 207 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach / 561.220.9641 / mavenpalmbeach.com
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