David T.
Yelp
As a frequent traveler due to the demands of my profession, I often find myself journeying across South America, Europe, and within my home country. While locating a restaurant is a relatively straightforward task, discovering an exceptional one proves to be a challenge. Recently, I encountered Cafe Flora in West Palm Beach. Given my status as a Floridian residing in close proximity, I opted to visit this establishment for a Valentine's Day dining experience. I secured an 18:45 reservation, albeit with the unexpected requirement to prepay for the booking online, totaling an exact sum of $317.50 at the insistence of my wife.
This amount covered a three-course meal, excluding cocktails, spirits, or wine, and notably encompassed a mandatory 20% gratuity. Upon our arrival, we were captivated by the remarkable ambiance of the outdoor seating area, evoking a distinctly European atmosphere. Regrettably, the culinary offerings did not measure up to the setting. In comparison to the service and cuisine provided by Chops, Kalutz, Okeechobee Steakhouse, and Aglio Italian Restaurant, Cafe Flora fell short in terms of quality. I strongly advise against investing time and money in this exorbitantly priced establishment.
I sampled the lamb, which left me with a lukewarm impression, while my wife opted for the chicken. For appetizers, I selected the spicy tuna, and she chose a type of salad. As for dessert, we both indulged in an Italian doughnut, the name of which escapes me. In hindsight, I estimate that our meal should have amounted to approximately $200, exclusive of gratuity. Regrettably, we overpaid for an experience that ultimately delivered only mediocre service and cuisine, lacking the anticipated "wow" factor.
It appears that the requirement to prepay for reservations may have been implemented to ensure guest attendance. However, I have resolved never to repeat this experience, and I would have adjusted the tip to 10% to reflect the level of service received.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that the items listed on the online menu at the time of our reservation were not available at the restaurant. It appeared that certain menu items had been omitted. Specifically, I had intended to order the 10-ounce filet, which, to my disappointment, was not an option according to the server. When I pointed out that it was listed on the online menu, he simply apologized. Additionally, the key lime pie, which had been advertised on the online Valentine's Day menu, was also absent upon our arrival. In light of these discrepancies, it seems that my initial expectations were not met. As the saying goes, "fool me once, shame on you."
FYI parking is a mess including valet (we did valet and waited 35 minutes before our car was brought to us) find parking and walk it.