If it feels like celebrities are suddenly everywhere, you’re not imagining things.
From Oscar winners slipping into beachfront favorites to Food Network royalty landing at the Kravis and Bravo stars sipping wine at music festivals, Palm Beach County is having a moment.
This week’s dining and events roundup leans into star sightings, buzzy appearances and the places drawing famous faces, plus a few luxe wine dinners and comfort‑food fixes worth bookmarking.
Consider it your cheat sheet to who’s in town, where they’re eating and what’s worth a reservation before everyone else catches on.
Celebrity sightings
Benny’s on the Beach is quietly turning into a celebrity canteen. Jon Bon Jovi notched repeat visits, Gordon Ramsay has pulled up a chair, George Hamilton held court last year during a “Fox & Friends” segment, and now Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman has joined the guest list, spotted enjoying dinner at the beachfront classic last night. Eager to know why Hoffman’s in town. If you know, email me dbiederman@pbpost.com.
Spotted at Palm Tree Music Festival founded by DJ‑producer Kygo: Matua wine stealing the scene as the official pour. Festivalgoers flocked to the Sauvy Social lounge for New Zealand sauvignon blanc and coolers, while “Real Housewives of Miami” star Kiki Barth added Bravo buzz, glass in hand, between sets.
Food Network icon at Kravis
“An Evening of Alton Brown” heads to the Kravis Center on April 23 at 7:30 p.m., stripping away the spectacle for a more intimate mix of humor, food science and storytelling. Expect twists on the “Good Eats” guru’s greatest hits, “scaled‑down mayhem” and surprise demonstrations. Tickets go on sale Feb. 20; show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $46; visit kravis.org to purchase.
Soup’s on
A terrific lunch at Felice last week featured the deeply comforting Zuppa Contadina, packed with farm vegetables, chickpeas, white beans and lacinato kale. Just in time for another cold front, the restaurant’s SVP of Operations Miyeon Kim says soup sales are doubling summer numbers and running 20% ahead of December and January. As someone who tries to eat her water, this is a delicious and healthy way to do it. There was also a celeb sighting while there: legendary photographer Harry Benson who caught my eye when soup was delivered to his table.
Details: 366 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach; 561-421-6036; felicerestaurants.com
Speaking of healthy eating
Bolay marks its 10th anniversary with a month‑long celebration featuring giveaways, in‑store rewards and the return of the original Baja Bol. Starting Feb. 23, guests can scan a QR code while dining in to enter to win Free Bolay for a Year, with winners announced Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. Diners also receive scratch‑off Bolay Rewards offering dollar‑off discounts and free menu items, in‑store only. The Wellington‑born brand now has 20+ Florida locations, with more growth ahead.
Multiple locations; bolay.com
Where’s the beef?
Red Meat Lovers Club hosts its biggest “meating” yet on March 2 at 7 p.m. at Boca Raton Innovation Campus, celebrating founder Evan Darnell’s 50th birthday. Expect premium steaks, curated bites, open bar, auctions and a raffle benefiting multiple charities. Participating restaurants include 3 G’s Gourmet Deli, Cafe Seville, EaThai, Easy Meats, Glazed & Fueled, Matteo’s, Papa’s Raw Bar, Pig Sty BBQ, Prezzo, Tacocraft and Windy City, with cooking led by SexzChef and drinks by Potions In Motion. Tickets start at $135. To purchase, visit eventbrite.com. To date, the Club has raised $2.5 million for nonprofit organizations.
Location: 5000 T-Rex Ave., Boca Raton, rmlclub.com
Wine dinners
The Breakers hosts two rare, chef‑driven wine dinners led by Master Sommelier Virginia Philip, one of the world’s most respected wine directors. Château Lafite Rothschild headlines a five‑course dinner on March 3 for $2,000, followed by Opus One on March 24 with four courses at $1,150 per person. Expect highly allocated bottles, intimate settings and serious cellar prestige. Seating is limited. To reserve your place at either event, call 561-655‑3740.
The Clubhouse at North Palm Beach Country Club hosts a five‑course Orin Swift Wine Dinner on March 11 at 6:30 p.m. Expect thoughtfully paired wines and dishes, from lobster ravioli to espresso‑crusted venison, closing with dessert and Orin Swift’s “8 Years in the Desert.” Priced per person at $150 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made online by emailing Caroline Fountain at cfountain@lessings.com. For more information, visit northpalmbeachcc.com/the-clubhouse/.
Details: 951 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach; 561-691-3430; lessings.com
Happy Fire Horse
P.F. Chang’s celebrates Lunar New Year through Feb. 24 at The Gardens Mall with festive cocktails, special dishes and its Red Envelope tradition where dine-in patrons receive a randomized envelope with a surprise offer redeemable on a future visit. Sip a Midnight Gallop or Frosted Cranberry Cosmo for $9 per then dig into Longlife Noodles & Prawns ($27), Black Pepper Filet ($30), Butternut Squash Dumplings ($14.29) and more. Select items are dine‑in only.
Details: 3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens pfchangs.com
Diana Biederman is the Palm Beach Post’s food & restaurant writer. Care to share news tips about the local dining scene? Please send them to dbiederman@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dustin Hoffman stops at beachside hot spot in Palm Beach County
Reporting by Diana Biederman, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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