Living in paradise can be tough. With so much sunshine and beauty all around – there are so many decisions to make about things to do. For instance: ‘Will we spend the day shopping or going to a local festival?’; ‘If we decide to go shopping, will it be at an indoor mall or outdoor mall?’; ‘Do we go boating or relax on the beach?’.
I took an unexpected trip to southern Italy the other night without a passport or luggage. In fact, I wandered the Amalfi Coast and took in its flavors without leaving Palm Beach Gardens. La Masseria, the 4-month-old restaurant on the PGA dining corridor, has this effect on an unassuming diner. It brings a sliver of an Italian vacation, a glimpse of the authentic, to the table.
La Masseria got its start in New York and Rhode Island before heading south to Palm Beach Gardens. To find nuanced flavors that remain true (to Italy, not New York) is a lovely thing. During the years, clientele who lived up north and vacationed in South Florida requested a La Masseria near their summer homes; and to their relief, it has arrived.
The restaurant offers upmarket style without fussiness, from the crisply suited hosts to the rustic bread basket and the welcome saucer of lentils in olive oil (for spooning atop the bread). The place is stylish yet understatedly set. It’s a good spot for a dressy lunch or a special-occasion dinner. But should you amble up to the door, casually dressed for a weeknight bite, you’ll be welcome just the same.
South Florida is filled with some of the best places to eat in the world. From seafood restaurants on the water to the best steakhouses inland – the Palm Beaches have got you covered.
Photo Credit: www.jupitermag.com
