Winning chef Jimmy Strine (Cafe Boulud) at 2015 Chef vs Chef series at Max’s Harvest. (Contributed)
Maybe it’s the general ease in restaurant traffic that’s to blame for the displays of creativity by local chefs during summer. It’s the season when chefs tend to indulge their artistic whims more freely, when multicourse dinners can extend into double digits.
This creative spark is evidenced by local throw-downs, such as the late-night Chef vs. Chef battles that recur weekly (Wednesday nights) during summer months at Max’s Harvest. (Max’s Harvest: 169 NE 2nd Ave., Delray Beach; 561-381-9970; MaxsHarvest.com)
The chefs-having-fun motif can be detected on Wednesday late-nights at Grato in West Palm Beach, where chef/co-owner Clay Conley fires up a selection of rock-themed pizzas. At 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays, he cranks up the classic rock and serves up pies with titles like Wavy Gravy (Sunday gravy meat sauce, creamy buffalo cheese, basil), Rocket Man (fontina, Parmesan, tomato, caramelized onion, rocket greens), and L-O-L-A Lola (an oddly shaped, pepperoni-topped pizza). The special pizzas are served only Wednesday nights during Grato Rocks. (Grato: 1901 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; 561-404-1334; GratoWPB.com)
Rocker in chief: Grato’s chef/co-owner Clay Conley. (LibbyVision.com)
Elsewhere, there are some notable multicourse feasts. At Jardin, the new-ish, chef-driven eatery on Clematis Street, chef duo Jordan Lerman and Stephanie Cohen (husband/wife) have kicked off Monday night “Chefs’ Grand Tasting” dinners.
And by “grand” they mean 15 courses. The dinners, which run through Aug. 29, are intimate affairs, limited to the first eight guests who reserve each week. The special dinners showcase an imaginative tasting menu (it changes week to week) that’s inspired by local ingredients. Monday grand tastings start at 7 p.m. and cost $100 per person. Add $40 for wine or cocktail pairings. (Jardin: 330 Clematis St., West Palm Beach; 561-440-5273; JardinRestaurant.com)
Alfresco dining at TwentyTwenty Grille, Boca Raton. (Contributed)
Meanwhile at Twenty Twenty Grille in Boca Raton, Chef Ron Weisheit’s 15-course summer dinners – offered for 20 guests – are so popular, they’re selling out. Grand tasting dinners at the small eatery are scheduled for June 30, July 1 and July 2. The feast costs $150 per person. (TwentyTwenty Grille: 141 Via Naranja #45, Boca Raton; 561-990-7969; TwentyTwentyGrille.com)
