La Serena

Had a fabulous meal with my husband at this amazing little restaurant in West Palm Beach. Great atmosphere, super wine list, attentive staff make this our favorite in the Wellington area. We've promised ourselves at least one more dinner ther before returning to New York.

Started with out wine order: a 2000 Ornalaia. Anyone who know me, knows my adoration of Super Tuscans. Along with Bordeaux, this is always the wine of choice when the budget permits. Beautiful nose with a bouquet that jumped out of the bottle as soon as our lovely waitress, Diane, decanted it. This wine is more elegant than some of the more earthier Tuscans and went very well with my  delicate lobster ravioli {stuffed with big pieces of luscious meat} appetizer and my husband's more robust escargots which came in a crock with a mustard and sherry sauce that I kept raiding. The wine stood up to both dishes very well.

Carmine ordered the Scampi Marcello and I went with a stuffed chicken breast filled with veal, cheese and other wonderful goodies. I can't remember the last time I had such a tender pice of chicken.

We skipped all the wonderful desserts offered. But did have some wonderful, delicate, crisp biscotti with our port. Hubby ordered Croft's which neither of us had ever tried before and I went the safe route with a 20 year old Fladgate. We sipped each other's. The Croft's is a very dark, plummy colored port...veyr thick and nearly treacle like. But very enjoyable. Something I think I'd like on a very cold day in winter. While the Fladgate was lighter and very fragrant, the Croft had almost no perfume to it at all.I liked both very much but have to say that like my wines, I like a port that is wonderful to inhale! So, if pressed to choose, I still like the Fladgate Tawny.

This is not a cheap restaurant! But for a special date, this is worth obtaining an advance reservation. And it certainly didn't hurt that the chef/owner came out to converse with us about our meal. Wonderful.....