COOL FLA. HOT SPOTS

The Brazilian Court, Palm Beach’s most posh hotel ends the season with the return of Consuming Passion, A Celebration of Food & Wine--three days of epicurean extravagance (April 13-16), benefiting Palm Beach’s Community Chest/United Way. It offers gastronomic thrills of international superstar chefs and vinification skills of world-class winemakers. Highlights embody a Taste of Palm Beach by lionized local chefs, a Grand Tasting of over 300 wines by 50 vintners, a Salute to the Nation’s Newest Restaurants, a Gala Evening of French Cuisine, a Champagne Brunch, Hi-tea, a wine tasting luncheon and Cooking Classes. The package: Preferred seating at all events, three nights of sumptuous accommodations at the Brazilian Court for $1575 double occupancy. Single rate $1195. There’s also two night packages. For more data contact the hotline, (561) 626-8448, or visit www.brizaliancourt.com. Another prominent Palm Beach boutique hotel and memorable dining experience is the charm-drenched Chesterfield. Their Leopard Lounge, Restaurant and Dine and Dance Supper-Club offers kitchen skills by Chef Doug Barg, who prizes flavor above all else. So for a taste of American/Continental cuisine embracing everything from steaks and chops to bouillabaisse, it’s hard to do better than the Chesterfield’s Leopard. The best of the best in Palm Beach’s area is the Ritz Carlton’s dining room 100 South Ocean. Waiters present the food and simultaneously remove the domed lids from each dish with much ceremony. The menu reveals some of the best fare Florida has to offer. Be forewarned that sampling one of the rare wines, brandies or liqueurs will add greatly to the bill, their merit notwithstanding. The millions Delray Beach Marriott Hotel poured into renovations and refurbishment really shows, now exuding class, upscale accommodations, attractions, recreation activities, and myriad guest services. Not having partaken of its restaurants, we peaked into the dining room serving Sunday brunch. Quality cloths drapes the tables as well as the mammoth buffet set with expensive silver, china and culinary choices to die for. Like most major hotels the Delray Beach Marriott realizes their kitchen cannot live by conventions alone, so they work hard to woo local patrons. Delray’s Dakotah Restaurant is wildly trendy. While the menu nods in the direction of spicy ingredients, preparations can be fanciful and complicated, with unceremonious but friendly service, making the restaurant a truly pleasant experience. For Delray romance there is nothing like the Sunday House for its bucolic surroundings. Paradoxically the kitchen is weak and the servers can be intrusively neighborly.