I was intrigued when a friend suggested I check out a golf course’s restaurant. The Park, West Palm Beach’s public golf course, reopened in 2023 after a major overhaul that included its clubhouse culinary concept, The House.
A far cry from a stuffy boys’ club, The House has a bright contemporary aesthetic with massive floor-to-ceiling windows that spotlight the course’s natural beauty. Its vaulted ceiling is adorned with glowing oversized paper lanterns that illuminate the quaint terracotta-hued banquettes and lively wood-paneled bar.
Chef Jason Van Bomel, a Palm Beach local whose previous stints include the Four Seasons Palm Beach and, most recently, 1000 North, is at the helm. He’s serving dishes that embrace our local Florida ingredients and tropical flavors. The menu is approachable and has something for everyone—like a satisfying burger for a starving post-18-hole golfer or delicate briny oysters paired with a glass of bubbles for a romantic date night. It also features unique, interesting takes on dishes like the spiny lobster corn dogs and the trio of Florida snapper—both selections we tried.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with the corn dogs ($24), but when the dish arrived, it was exactly what you’d expect a corn dog to look like—cylindrical-shaped fried batter with a wood skewer sticking out. But the magic happened when I took a nostalgic bite of this childhood treat that was now elevated by the presence of tender, juicy lobster instead of processed meat. The batter was also quite airy but still crunchy, and drizzled with a tangy Creole mustard aioli. We also tried the mushroom pizza ($14) that was recommended. While I’ve had mushrooms on a red sauce pie, these days I’m more used to seeing them paired with a white sauce, so I was happily surprised to see this pizza with a tomato base. However, I wish it were a little saucier and more liberal with the goat cheese. I do appreciate that Van Bomel is working with local farms, and he’s sourcing the pizza’s mushrooms from Gratitude Farms.
The House Burger ($18) was everything a burger should be: juicy, perfectly cooked, and served on a toasted bun. But Van Bomel also beefed it up (pun intended) with caramelized onions, gruyère, arugula and a savory truffle aioli. Living in Florida, those of us who enjoy fish have had snapper. So Van Bomel surprised me with his Florida Snapper Trio ($38). Small filets that are wonderfully seared are placed over three different preparations, including a tropical fruit mélange, ginger-garlic sautéed spinach and the creamiest lobster red potato mash. I’d go back for this.
We had trouble choosing the house-made dessert, but ultimately, we decided on the tres leches ($8). It was moist, not overly sweet, and topped with real whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon. I’d also go back for this.
After such a meal, we looked out onto the verdant course and were tempted to play a cheeky nine holes.
IF YOU GO
7301 Georgia Ave., West Palm Beach; 561/530-3791
PARKING: Lot parking
HOURS: Wednesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
PRICES: $6 – $38
WEBSITE: thehousewestpalm.com
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