Seaside Spectacular

Any restaurant that has a fresh Chef's Seafood Bar has me at hello.

But that's only the beginning of a spectacular afternoon or evening at Latitudes at Delray Sands Resort in Highland Beach. If you sit outside at this popular restaurant, you're dining right on the beach. The views inside are lovely as well, in a beautifully appointed dining room dotted with whimsical bubble accents. Whichever you choose, you'll be in the midst of a seafood and seaside lover's nirvana.

Your first stop should be the Chef's Seafood Bar: This stunning marble-swathed shrine to fresh seafood features an inspired menu that's perfect for appetizers or sharing. We shared Latitudes' luscious version of Mini Ahi Tuna Tacos, made with tuna tartare, citrus soy vinaigrette, wasabi aioliand ginger-scallion salad. The Latitudes Iced Shellfish Tower is a seafood dream come true, with Maine lobster, oysters, Gulf shrimp, lump crab,Alaskan king crab, cocktail sauce, grated horseradish,citrus mignonette and charred lemon.

For starters, we enjoyed the refreshing Compressed Watermelon and Arugula Salad, with heirloom tomatoes, honey roasted beets, goat's milk feta,toasted pistachios and balsamic reduction, and the hearty Lobster Bisque.

The Tuna Poke made of mango, macadamia nuts and scallions and served with crispy wonton chips is excellent. The House Cured Skuna Salmon Gravlax is a delicacy with pickled jicama pepita seed butter, Fresno chili and micro cilantro, served with toasted rye.

The menu at Latitudes is strong on seafood but offers high-quality farm-to-table options as well, including the All-Natural Beef Tenderloin, with red onion marmalade, garlic spinach, buttermilk mash and porcini mushroomtruffle demi, and the Double Cut Berkshire Pork Chop, with roasted butternut squash, cider braised collard greens and mango chutney.

The Bronzino in Paper is exceptional, with toasted fregola, baby artichokes, ratatouille vegetables, caramelized fennel and imported olives, and the Crab Crusted Florida Grouper was a tender, smoky joy, with white polenta, smoked bacon, sweet corn, braised baby spinach, thumbelina carrots and Florida citrus butter.

For dessert, try the Trio of Crme Brulee and the decadent Chocolate Cake for the perfect finish, complemented by a fabulous coffee concoction from the Barista Bar.

Latitudes is truly the place for seafood lovers to sea and be seen. O

Latitudes is located at Delray Sands Resort, 2809 S. Ocean Blvd., Highland Beach. For more information, call 561-278-2008 or visit latitudesdelray.com.