Palm Beach Island is a strip of land known for many things. One of those is fine dining. In the location previously occupied by the Palm Beach Steakhouse, Meat Market now makes its home, adding to the already enticing fine dining scene.
Meat Market is a concept founded by David Tornek and Chef Sean Brasel. Their Miami location has already been a wild success, having kept crowds coming in droves for over six years.
The 3,000-square-foot Palm Beach location opened for business in late September 2014, and it's been equally if not more impressive.
Delectable steak at Meat Market — Photo courtesy of Meat Market Palm Beach
Upon entering the space, one is awestruck at the '70s-themed interior, complete with brass chain link spacer screens and bleach oak paneling. There are vaulted ceilings, pendant lights and gold/amber color tones throughout.
The restaurant is definitely upscale, but not as haughty as you'd expect from a Palm Beach steakhouse. The proprietors are aware that attracting younger crowds is just as important as bringing in the established money, so their creation fittingly caters to both.
The menu is a mix of aged beef, seafood and raw bar items. Starting with the red meat, the highlights are clearly the aged 32-ounce Porterhouse and the Australian Kobe tomahawk rib-eye. Both will run you over $80, but they're the kind of cuts you will tell your grandchildren about.
Top these with one of the four steak butters available (Try the lobster butter.) or one of the 10 house blend steak sauces.
For seafood, the seabass is a definite must-order. Lobster tails and cedar paper salmon are also available. These can be paired with the over 12 sides, including gouda tater-tots, crispy Brussels sprouts with bacon and seared kale. Oysters, octopus and ceviche are some of the raw bar highlights.
After the main course, be sure to look into dessert. The Key lime cheesecake is a hit.
The bar at Meat Market is almost as renowned as the restaurant itself. The handcrafted Negronis and Manhattans have guests swooning. The Classic Rye Manhattan, featuring Old Overholt rye, is delectable. Pimm's Cup, Old Fashioneds and some creative house blends fill out the rest of the drink menu.
Reservations are recommended for Meat Market, which some are already anointing as the top steakhouse in Palm Beach/West Palm Beach. There's a free valet for guests, which is a nice touch. They currently serve just dinner but will offer lunch in the near future.
If you fashion yourself as someone with a refined palate who needs to experience the best of the best, Meat Market on Palm Beach needs to be on your list.