Eat Your Way to Happiness with Dishes From Local Chefs That Redefine ‘Delicious’ in the Jupiter Area
Article By Jan Norris
The Jupiter dining scene continues to up its game with restaurants putting out creative dishes and chefs trying to find that magic spot of traditional crowd pleasers along with new food combinations.
So how do diners choose? Usually it’s what they’re in the mood for, or cravings, as it were.
At Little Moir's Fish Shack, a unique 'surf and turf' combines Wagyu bone marrow and charred shrimp, with corn, peppers and an aji verde sauce. Photo by Frank Murgio
Say if you wanted a creative fish dish, you’d want to get to Little Moir’s Food Shack.
Chef Frank Murgio and his staff kick around ideas daily to come up with lunch and dinner specials. A recent one caught our eye: the “surf and turf” treatment of a Wagyu bone marrow and shrimp. The chef explained they have been leaning toward Peruvian flavors. The marrow is paired with charred shrimp, corn, peppers and an aji verde sauce. The flavors of the lime and garlic cuts the fat of the marrow. Plantains and pita chips finish the plate.
Dining out with friends? Get social with The Beacon's shareable dishes, which include a fluke ceviche, with avocado, coconut milk and pistachios. Photo by Jessica Bordner
At The Beacon, in sight of the lighthouse, we go as a group for shareable dishes. They include a fluke ceviche, with avocado, coconut milk and pistachios. Their chef also uses restraint, presenting their fresh catch of the day, resisting an overkill sauce and keeping the plate simple for the fish to star.
At Ona on Singer Island, don't miss the coconut conch and corn chowder with a subtle hint of curry. Photo by Michael Albanese
As an outing, the new Ona in the Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa is gaining attention. Chef Velmary Irizarry is putting out a menu at the oceanfront restaurant defined by Mediterranean coastal cuisine and packed with flavor. Along with a stuffed calamari, or Peekytoe crab Louie, find a coconut conch and corn chowder with a subtle hint of curry. And what a view!
For something a bit more traditional and meatier, we go for grilled lamb chops at The Woods. Their wine selections mean we can find a great pinot noir to pair with them – a deal at Happy Hour.
For a casual bite, in a laid-back setting, it’s usually Tiki 52 in Tequesta. Even my vegetarian friend enjoys the captain’s caviar – a medley of black beans, black-eyed peas, tomato, corn, and relish ingredients, served with tortilla chips for dipping. Perfect with a cold beer. Conch fritters, cracked conch and conch chowder are what you order when bringing out-of-towners to the waterside restaurant to get them up to speed on Florida-tropics time. Check out their live music schedule.
Looking for a taco and ’rita? PapiChulo’s is in the thick of things on U.S. 1. Now that the bridge has reopened, it’s back to packed, so plan accordingly (we dine early for this reason in season). Our hidden find: the coconut-caramel-mint flan. Unusually good and get this – vegetarian and gluten-free.
The Old Florida Bar and Grill in Jupiter is sometimes overlooked. Don’t pass it up. Sandwiches are superb here. The Cayman Island dressing on the dolphin Rachel is worth noting. So are the grilled pork chops with the maple-mustard sauce. A note: This is one of our BYOF restaurants: Bring up to a pound per person of a cleaned, fresh catch, and they’ll cook it for you. Another dish here: Saffron Parm grits.
Sidle up to the Ke’e Grill in Juno for the sunset menu, where the food is moderately portioned and traditional cocktails made by experts. For as long as they’ve been open, their pork chops and spinach Maria have won raves, for good reason. Don’t mess with tradition; it’s sometimes a good thing.
When we go for Greek, we hit Mana Greek Fusion in Harborside, Jupiter. For drinks and small plates, the zucchini fritters and the grilled octopus are the go-tos. The lemon chicken breast is another favorite, as is their version of paella, which you can make gluten-free by subbing out rice for the orzo. Service reigns supreme.
Hospitality is front and center at Lila in Tequesta as well. Traditional favorites such as a tableside Caesar and beef tartar are all but gone from most restaurants. Here, in a flower-bedecked, modern setting, find these poised alongside creative cocktails and clever presentations of Mediterranean coastal dishes, including buttery scallops and a Faroe Island salmon dish that flakes under the fork.
For a glass of champagne or a cognac to end the night, stop by the Parisian in Jupiter, the tiny cafe with a big personality. There may be jazz playing, but certainly conversation among the late-night guests and the owner.
