Manhattan-based La Goulue Scores in Palm Beach

The exodus of well-heeled New Yorkers moving to South Florida has not only heated up the real estate market, but it also fired up some rarefied kitchens—such as La Goulue. The French restaurant debuted in Palm Beach in October 2020 as a near-clone to Antoine Camin’s popular eastside Manhattan bistro.

Wanting to see how this hotspot can thrive among Palm Beach’s trendy restaurant scene, I drive up for some Paris-by-way-of-New York gastronomy. Upon arriving, we find a welcoming and vibrant venue with romantic lighting that beckons passersby with its glow. The eatery has space for 138 guests and an open kitchen that features a wood-fired oven visible from the dining room, which is made inviting by soft leather seats and the expected white linen tablecloths. The street at the corner of Royal Palm Way and South County Road might lack cobblestones, but the French doors and the café tables that spill out under an awning and onto the sidewalk evoke the feeling of a neighborhood restaurant in the middle of Montmartre.

What La Goulue delivers is a convivial scene and refined preparations invigorated by a contemporary twist on cocktail service. With South Florida not exactly an epicenter of French cuisine, our waiter charmingly explains various offerings, including off-menu treats such as caviar. After his endorsement of Rhode Island oysters imported with a side of pickle sauce toppings, I give them a spin; they are notably fresh, with just the right amount of brininess.

When a restaurant features an item recognized as among the best in the industry, it’s hard to say no. Le souffle au fromage, an award-winning signature dish baked with gruyere and Parmesan and finished with white truffle oil, certainly lives up to my lofty expectations.

Moving on to the main course, the recommendations again are spot-on: We tuck into pan-seared jumbo scallops with crispy potatoes and a Meyer lemon hollandaise sauce, and sole in a sweet-savory sauce. The latter produces an unexpected reaction from the fish aficionado opposite me, who calls it “the best fish I’ve ever had.” She gives me a forkful. I have to agree.

In an age where practically every new restaurant tries to cater to the latest trends, it’s refreshing—and comforting—to experience a French restaurant offering a classic French menu while using its drink menu to provide patrons with a modern twist. A recently hired mixologist has added a fashionable flair with cocktails crafted with considerable artistry. With my dining companion’s preference for less-sweet drinks, the bartender efficiently produces a batch perfectly suited to her liking.

As an espresso martini enthusiast, it’s de rigueur to cap the night with the bar’s house blend of vodka, espresso and coffee liqueur. The martinis I proudly concoct at home will never again live up to the crafted blends of a skilled and inventive mixologist. Barely having room for dessert, we manage to share the crépes suzette—set aflame for presentation purposes—and profiteroles indulgently covered in chocolate sauce, which perfectly complement the espresso martini.

After a relaxing and fulfilling evening with top-notch service, it’s clear why La Goulue is seducing foodies with its scrupulously prepared Parisian cuisine in a lively—and, dare I say it?—transporting setting.

You May Also Like
Runway 84: Where Classic Cuisine Meets Sultry Sounds

Acclaimed restaurant now home to one of the most electric live music scenes in Fort Lauderdale.

Read More
Tap into Something New at 26° Brewery & Kitchen

26° Brewing Co. evolves into 26° Brewery & Kitchen in mid-April, pairing bold craft brews with a craveable new menu by chef Daniel Serfer.

Read More
Beauty and the Eats: Take a Scenic Electric Boat Ride While You Dine, Courtesy of Casa Sensei 

Guests of the restaurant can reserve a private dinner cruise on one of Riverfront Gondola Tours’ eco-friendly boats during Earth Month.

Read More
Feed Your Soul and Help Support “Food Your Soul” this Earth Month

This April, Torno Subito teams up with Illy to support Food for Soul, donating proceeds from each Espresso Martini to fight food waste.

Read More
Other Posts
All Aboard: Chefs Making Waves Returns with All-Star Lineup for 2025

Setting sail from the Port of Miami on May 5–9, 2025, aboard Norwegian’s Gem, Chefs Making Waves heads to Cozumel, Mexico.

Read More
A Century by the Sea: Celebrate Hollywood’s 100th in Style at The Diplomat

The Diplomat invites local residents to mark Hollywood’s centennial with refined coastal luxury and exclusive resident offers.

Read More
If Chocolate’s Your Bag, Designer Easter Sweets Await From Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton and Maxime Frédéric are debuting a new collection of Easter treats designed specifically for the occasion. For the first time, the “Chocolate Egg Bag,” inspired by the iconic 2019 design by Nicolas Ghesquière, has been transformed into chocolate. The bag’s shells are made from 70 percent dark chocolate, its zipper pulls and handles are made from 40

Read More
A Visual Feast

It’s a vibe — Fort Lauderdale’s burgeoning restaurant scene is rife with over-the-top interior designs worthy of a dine.

Read More