Taste of the
Palm Beaches 2008 @ PGA Commons
Pictures from the 2008 Taste of the Palm
Beaches charity event held at PGA Commons in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
 PGA Commons Sign |
 Tree Lined Courtyard |
 Stained Glass Fish Artwork |
| The 5th
annual Taste of the Palm Beaches was held on November 12th 2008 from
5:30 PM to 9:00 PM at PGA Commons in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. All the proceeds from this decadent event benefit the Big Heart Brigade charity. The Big Heart Brigade is a 100% volunteer organization. Every dollar raised goes towards their goal of 40,000 Thanksgiving meals for needy families in the South Florida area. Tickets were available for advance purchase online, by phone or in person from the Maltz Jupiter Theater. The adult ticket prices were $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Tickets for children 6 to 12 years of age were $20 and free for children under the age of 6. The PGA Commons "Live, Work, & Play" development is a mile long collection of shops, restaurants, offices and residences. It is situated on the south side of PGA Boulevard between Military Trail and "Ave of PGA". |
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 Brazilian Barbequed Meat |
 Sushi Jo Restaurant |
 Smoked Salmon |
| PGA Commons is split up into four different zones named PGA Commons West, PGA Commons Central, PGA Commons East At Hickory, and PGA Commons East At Military. We were given an event map at the "Will Call" table that listed all of the restaurants, beverage companies, and entertainment that could be found in each section. | ||
 Gourmet Desserts |
 South Florida Dines |
 Hungry People Lined Up |
| The eateries serving up samples of their tastiest menu items at the 2008 Taste of the Palm Beaches included Seasons 52, Annie's Italian Ices, Quizno's, Rocco's Tacos, Cod & Capers Seafood, Forte Di Asprinio, Ironwood Grille, PF Chang's China Bistro, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Nordstrom Cafe Bistro, Starbucks Coffee, Zuccarelli's In The Gardens, Pistache French Bistro, Bagel Boyz, Amazonia Brazilian Steakhouse, Metronome Parisian Bistro, Moe's Southwest Grill, Aqua Marine Grill, and the Publix Greenwise Market. | ||
 Pineapple Drinks |
 Flowers Sculpture |
 East Side Deli Sign |
| Did you think that was it? Not even close! The rest of the restaurants were Sal's Italian Ristorante, Sushi Jo, Thai Jo, The Capital Grille, Tossed Fashion of Salads, Zia, Toojay's Gourmet Deli, Solu, Rosa Mexicano, Pizza Fusion, Oakwood Grill, My Thyme Out, Kilwin's Chocolates, David's East Side Deli, Cafe Boulud, Cantina Laredo, Charley's Forzen Custard, Morton's The Steakhouse, Paddy Mac's Irish Pub, Panera Bread, Sal's Express, Spoto's Oyster Bar, Talay Thai Cuisine, Vic & Angelo's Coal Oven Enoteca, and Whole Foods Market. | ||
 PGA Commons Central |
 Vodka Samples |
 Fire Rescue Truck |
| To wash down all that delicious food there were a variety of beverage sampling tables from companies such as Pepsi, Flame Liquors, Sobieski Vodka, Patron Spirits, A1A Fine Wine & Spirits of PGA, Total Wine & More, Inlet Liquors, Jupiter Brewing serving Monk In The Trunk beer, and Sierra Nevada Brewing. | ||
 Classic Police Car |
 Antique Police Car Interior |
 Mac & Cheese, Roast Beef |
| As if the seemingly unlimited food and drink samples weren't enough, there were also live entertainers in each of the courtyards. The performers included the Caribbean Island One Man Band, Adam Fine (guitarist & vocalist), DJ Ryan Hernandez on the bongos, a Latin guitarist, a Jimmy Buffet style singer and George Galfo's Mystics Performance. | ||
 Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. |
 Porter, Pale Ale, Harvest Beer |
 Mount Veeder Winery |
| Also mixed in were displays from the local fire department, the police, PGA Commons Townhomes, Seaview 960 AM, RBC Bank, Sunny 104.3, The Palm Beach Post, South Florida Dines, Dining Out, and "Store" Self Storage. | ||
 Serving Food |
 Guacamole & Tortilla Chips |
 Swing Set Metal Sculpture |
| Now that I'm done typing all of those lists, I can finally get around to telling you about the actual experience. Our night at the 2008 Taste of the Palm Beaches seemed like a blur of culinary treats, an eclectic selection of drinks, and lively music. It was well worth the $35 or $40 per person especially when you consider that 100% of the money benefits the Big Heart Brigade. If you live in South Florida or plan on being in the area around mid November, I highly recommend a visit to the 2009 Taste of the Palm Beaches. Your taste buds will thank me later. | ||
 Fine Chocolates |
 Bottles of Wine |
 Rocco's Tacos Table |
| Once we were unable to eat or drink anything else we started walking towards the parking lot. We arrived early enough to park our own car but the lot was switched to "valet only" status shortly afterwards. On the way there, we were offered a "goody bag" by an event staff member near the Will Call table. The bag contained a copy of Jupiter magazine, a bottle of "Twist Organics West Indies Lime Flavored Ultra Premium Water", a few golf tees, a dog biscuit, and a variety of discount coupons for local businesses. | ||
 Guacamole, Salsa, Chips |
 Seasons 52 Restaurant |
 Chocolate & Cannoli Desserts |
| For more fun things to do in South Florida take a look at some of my other photo galleries such as Sun Fest, the International Mango Festival, the Vizcaya Gardens, the American Orchid Society, the Delray Beach Garlic Festival, the South Florida International Auto Show, the Fairchild Chocolate Festival, the Mounts Botanical Garden, the Bonnet House Gardens, the Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens, the Florida Renaissance Festival, Fantasy Fest, and Moonfest. | ||