Florida native Chef Tim Lipman opened Coolinary and The Parched Pig in 2012 with his wife, Jenny, and together they have created a spot known for creative, contemporary cooking. The Palm Beach Gardens restaurant sports a menu that truly has something for everyone.
Chef Lipman is well known for his support of the local community. It's just one of the reasons we checked in with him to ask him for his favorite spots in and around the Palm Beaches.
Where do you like to go for a classic meal?
Many early iconic Palm Beach restaurants have faded into the past – think Ta-boo, Charley’s Crab, Testa’s - but the Palm Beach Grill stands strong and is my go-to for a classic meal. The hospitality, warm ambience and consistently good food are what bring me back, and it never disappoints. Their iceberg wedge, and filet with pomme puree are as classic as it comes in my book.
Where do you recommend to first-timers?
Selfishly, I’d have to say Coolinary and The Parched Pig, of course! Go for an experience you can’t get elsewhere, so if not my restaurant, then definitely būccan. There is a reason Clay Conley and his team have received so many accolades, all well deserved. Each plate is a surprise and memorable. Pair that with the people-watching and you’ve got a perfect first-time Palm Beach experience.Where would you ago for a big celebration?
My idea of a celebration is settling in at Oceano Kitchen with friends and family and ordering everything on Jeremy and Cindy Bearman’s ever-changing menu. That’s the easy part; the difficult part is deciding which dish was the best. Their approach to seasonal ingredients, beautiful presentations and delicious flavors define celebration.
Where is a good spot to dine solo?
It’s not often I have a reason to dine without the family but when I do, Schooners in Jupiter is my spot. The casual Florida vibe, consistently good food and friendly service – 40+ years and counting – give me a moment to pause and satiate.On the flip side, where would you take the family?
Our crowd pleaser is always Adrienne’s Pizzabar in West Palm Beach. Nothing makes the little guy happier than a slice of their Americano, and house specialties like the shrimp & clams or wings scarpariello, or their classic take on lasagna keep us coming back. A stroll around CityPlace afterwards both aids the digestion and makes for a nice family outing.What is a good place for simple comfort food?
I have to give a shout out to La Esquina Guatemalteca in Jupiter. It's a non-descript spot on Hibiscus Street, easy to pass by but don’t! Very authentic Guatemalan food, fresh salsas, and the birria tacos keep me coming back, but I never order before checking out their daily specials, like a recent churrasco surf ‘n turf and home-style hen soup. Delicious.Are there any hidden gems?
There is a great little spot called Tequesta Table run by owner/operator Victoria that serves up creative salads and sandwiches, and dishes classic to Victoria’s Ukrainian heritage. It has an honest neighborhood vibe with a constant flow of regulars coming and going, a sign they are doing something well. Gotta respect hard working people doing what they love and dishing really good food along the way.What's your favorite hotel in the area?
The way history comes together with luxury and hospitality at The Boca Raton create a unique experience in my opinion. The amenities are endless. It shouts “Florida” but also transports you to another place, paradise for sure. Between the Yacht Club, Beach Club and Cloister, there are so many stay options, and you can go again and again and enjoy a different experience every time.
Where would we find you on a day off?
Coral Cove Park in Tequesta is a magical place with its limestone rock formations and often quiet, pristine beach. It is a great place to take the family, or family and friends when visiting, to soak in what makes our area so special. It gives that far-away feel yet it's close enough to home to make it a spontaneous outing.What do people not know about Palm Beach that they should?
When people think of Palm Beach and the surrounding communities, they often think of glitz and glamour, yachts and golf communities. Those amazing things aside, our area is an important and thriving agricultural mecca, sometimes called the “Winter Vegetable Capital of the United States” due to our long winter growing season. Big agriculture – sugar cane, corn, peppers – have been here for decades but it’s the smaller, mom-and-pop growers who are redefining what agriculture means to our area. Coolinary, along with other chef-driven restaurants, is inspired by and fortunate to have great local resources for product we serve our guests.What's something that is a can't-miss in Palm Beach?
I’d have to say the Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival, which happens every December, going on 18 years. Yes, the festival brings in some of the best chefs in the country, but it primarily puts a bright spotlight on the thriving culinary scene in Palm Beach County. And as a chef, it gives me a once-a-year opportunity to work alongside my fellow area chefs who care passionately about what we do within our communities. And it’s always a great party!
Hero image: Coolinary and the Parched Pig / Tim Lipman
