Marcelo L.
Google
I went to The Blue Door tonight in West Palm Beach on Dixie Highway for dinner. I’ve been here about five or six times now. Almost every time I’ve sat at the bar; only once did I eat inside. The majority of the seating is outdoors, both at tables and at the bar, and there is only a very small indoor area.
Tonight the weather was very nice, so sitting outside or at the bar was perfect. That said, for patrons thinking of coming on a very hot evening, it’s worth knowing that indoor seating is limited. If you really want to sit inside, it’s probably a good idea to call ahead and request indoor seating.
The bar is fairly large and probably seats around 16 people. There are plenty of bartenders, so service is consistently good. I didn’t catch the name of my bartender tonight, but he was attentive and did a very good job. It’s important to note that every time I have been here I have found the waiters to be on the ball and knowledgeable about the menu items.
Tonight, I ordered the heirloom tomato salad and the spaghetti with clams. The salad had chunks of flavorful heirloom tomatoes, a bit of avocado, some herbs, hearts of palm, and a few Kalamata olives. It was a nicely sized portion and very tasty. It would have been even better with a tiny bit more avocado and olives.
The spaghetti with clams was good, though the pasta was not as al dente as I would have preferred. They gave me exactly 21 small clams, which I think is generous. The issue wasn’t the clams, but the pasta portion itself, which is not large. I’m fine with that because I don’t usually take food home, but many people like to have leftovers, and pasta is one of those dishes that often tastes even better the next day. The clam sauce was good—maybe even very good—but not exceptional. It felt like it was missing something, perhaps a bit more garlic for better balance. To be specific my food rating for Blue Door is 4.7. That’s the average for all the times I’ve dined here.
I usually order the tuna carpaccio, which is excellent, and I often get the flat iron chicken, which is a generous portion, tasty, and very healthy.
The vibe at this mostly outdoor restaurant is hip. Even when it’s packed, you can still talk comfortably with the bartenders and hear the conversations next to you. Despite being full, it’s still easy to carry on a conversation with the people you’re with.
Bottom line: I always enjoy coming here, and I have no hesitation in recommending it. Please note that the picture of the heirloom tomato salad was taken after I had already devoured a bit of it.