Travel back in time and dine amid Delray Beach history at Taru, the Sundy House’s new signature restaurant, showcasing New Florida cuisine from award-winning Executive Chef James Strine.
Located in the restored house and inn, built in 1902 by Delray Beach pioneer John Shaw Sundy, Taru offers a gracious, refined ambiance and the option of dining inside or out in the lush Taru Garden, boasting more than 5,000 plants as well as burbling ponds, streams and waterfalls. Clearly, choosing the garden is a no-brainer, if the weather permits.
Strine works his magic throughout a novel menu replete with fresh, local ingredients and unusual spices and flavors. The impressive variety of dishes pays homage to Florida’s diverse culinary influences, from the Caribbean to South America.
With an assortment of salads, appetizers, seafood and comfort food in both large and small plates, you’ll be tempted to try something from every menu category. But, first, drink every divine drop of the Yuzu Drop cocktail, made with fresh yuzu juice (an Asian citrus fruit), vodka and hibiscus syrup.
When you see Poutine on the menu, you may wonder at its description: “ho-hums, burrata and foie gravy.” Those “ho-hums” – so named by Strine years ago in response to a food reviewer who apparently didn’t appreciate them – are succulent hand-cut steak fries, richly dusted with garlic and Parmesan cheese. They deserve a name change to “so-yums,” in my opinion.
The Dynamite Rice is aptly titled both for its uniqueness and excellence. Light rice is tossed with generous amounts of crab and pork belly, then topped with furikake (a dry Japanese seasoning of dried fish, sesame seeds, chopped seaweed, sugar and salt). Sushi lovers will be familiar with this tasty accent, which adds a nutty, crunchy, umami-filled element to the dish.
Strine’s Swordfish entrée is unlike any other: Each piece is lightly enveloped in a brioche crust and topped with dark beer jus. Those who enjoy the fish’s almost steak-like texture will swoon over this preparation. It’s perfectly complemented by a flavorful garlic potato puree, peas and carrots.
Just as the Sundy House is perfectly complemented by Taru.
Taru is located in Sundy House, 106 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. For more information, call 561-272-5678 or visit sundyhouse.com.
