Manero's

Manero's was for many years an institution on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd in West Palm Beach.  These days, when you mention it to locals who've been around awhile, their faces brighten at the memory.  It was a particular favorite of the director I worked/volunteered for while on the media crew at the local First Baptist Church.  Several of us would convene on Sunday afternoons for post sermon chow.  It was a favorite of all of ours, actually.  This would be the late '80s/early '90s, but the place was there for many years prior.  I recently learned that a location in Hallandale (just south of Ft. Lauderdale) existed even earlier.   The family business dates back to the 1940s, with additional establishments in North Carolina and Connecticut.  Donna Mahoney, a third generation family member, even wrote a book about Manero's eighty year history.

For the last twenty five years or so years they've been in Palm City, a sleepy suburb about thirty miles north of West Palm.  Until last week, I never thought to revisit this old fave.  Maybe because I predicted that things just wouldn't be the same.  Tough to recreate the magic, something that isn't always tangible. 

Talk to a longtime fan and they'll fondly recall the prime rib and soups and especially the famous gorgonzola salad.  Manero's still has it, and you can get chicken, steak, or salmon atop the crisp lettuce and generous cheese portion.  My wife and I took her mother and a family friend for a birthday dinner last weekend and I can happily report it was a very pleasant experience.  The newly remodeled dining room isn't as warm and intriguing as the wood-paneled one of yesteryear, but everything felt fresh and clean.  While the atmosphere of the old place was more intimate, this Manero's is decidedly more open, bright, and airy, perfect for families.  There were a few there that day, and even a "kids' table".   There is also a separate bar area. 

I had the pork chops, boneless and glazed with a bourbon sauce that had just the right amount of sweetness to counter the salt.   My wife had the (jumbo) shrimp scampi with linguine.  Both were very good.   No gorgonzola greens for either of us on this visit, though our guests did indulge.  To conclude we all split a complimentary huge slice of rich chocolate cake to celebrate the annums.  None of us said much about our meals afterward, perhaps in some implied agreement that everything was just right.  A quiet satisfaction was the vibe I got among the four of us as we drove back south down I-95.   Well worth the trip.  If you go, please note that on weekends they have only have dinner hours: 4 - 8:45 (Saturdays), 4 - 8 (Sundays).

Manero's Restaurant

2851 SW High Meadow Ave

Palm City, FL  34990

(770)  220-3011

maneros.com