(Credit: Ironwood Grille)
- Address:
- 400 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, 33418
- Phone:
- 561-627-4852
- Overall User Rating:
-
(0 ratings)
- Hours:
- 5-10 p.m. Sunday - Thursday. 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. ibar 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday - Sunday
- Official Web Site:
- http://www.ironwoodgrille.com
Insider tips: Calling for information or reservations is challenging. My first two attempts went to voice mail, but I did reach a friendly voice on my third call. Reservations were strongly recommended, and I was also informed that, in contrast to the business hours posted on the Web site, they may stop seating after 9 p.m., depending on the volume of business. Valet parking is almost a prerequisite; self-parking at the resort is less than obvious and would involve an uphill stroll to the front door.
The choices: The menu is an intriguing mélange of American fare with international influences. The Lobster Chopsticks appetizer ($16) is a tempura-fried, skewered split lobster tail. It is served with a light and tangy Asian-inspired dipping sauce and a garnish of jicama and green papaya slaw that is light and refreshing with a little bite of chili pepper.
The Ironwood Duckaroni and Cheese appetizer (also available as an entree for $24) includes shredded duck, fusilli and Portobello mushrooms tossed in a sauce of soft cheese and demi-glace.
The Wedge Salad ($9) is an eye-catching presentation of a classic iceberg wedge. A hollowed-out head of baby iceberg lettuce is stuffed with excellent blue cheese crumbles, dressing, diced tomato and bacon bits.
Veal is offered as a flank steak; pork is listed as a Delmonico cut; the salmon is Wild Alaskan. Quite reasonably priced, Unending Memphis BBQ Ribs with sweet potato fries is listed for $21.
Pleasant surprise: Common items are made uncommon with the chef's selection of accompaniment or treatment such as Fennel Roasted Red Snapper and Mahi With Smoked Yellow Tomato Coulis. "Butcher block" entrees are served with a choice of either a vegetable or starch from the side order list.
The Pork Delmonico ($24) is an excellent bone-in, inch-thick steak, served on a sweet potato cake and topped with five-spice apple chutney. The grilled pork was juicy and the combination of flavors on the plate balanced.
Filet, strip and ribeye steaks are featured in the $30-$40 price range. The petite filet mignon topped with bacon and smoked Gruyere cheese ($32) was perfect. But the side of creamed spinach was lackluster.
The Garlic Herbed Scallops ($26) is served on a cast iron skillet, nestled in a cloud of duchess potatoes. The sea scallops are large and plentiful; the garlic, herbs and crumb topping understated enough to be complimentary rather than dominant.
Delight: Desserts are worth the indulgence. Especially noteworthy are the Bananas Foster Tiramisu ($6) and the Ironwood Mortal Sin ($8), which our server described as a Ghiradelli chocolate brownie a la mode with lots of toppings. The toppings are brought out in side dishes and included marshmallow and chocolate sauces, walnuts, strawberries, whipped cream and caramel.
The service is excellent. This restaurant adds a gratuity of 18 percent, regardless of party size; it's highlighted on the check.
Donald Kim is a freelance writer for the Sun-Sentinel.
Cuisine: American
PGA National Resort & Spa
Address: 400 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens; 561-627-2000
ironwoodgrille.com
Cost: expensive
Credit cards: all major
Hours: dinner nightly
Reservations: recommended
Bar: full service
Smoking: prohibited
Sound level: low
Wheelchair accessible: yes
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