Michelle Bernstein to Leave the Omphoy

The end of January marks the closing of chef Michelle Bernstein's tenure at her namesake restaurant, Michelle Bernstein's at the Omphoy Ocean Resort in Palm Beach. Bernstein and husband partner David Martinez will continue to own and operate Sra. Martinez, Michy's, and Crumb on Parchment in Miami. The couple is...

By Melissa McCart

January 23, 2012

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The end of January marks the closing of chef Michelle Bernstein's tenure at her namesake restaurant, Michelle Bernstein's at the Omphoy Ocean Resort in Palm Beach. Bernstein and husband partner David Martinez will continue to own and operate Sra. Martinez, Michy's, and Crumb on Parchment in Miami. The couple is also parenting a 4-month-old son.

The Omphoy has been no stranger to the news. Last summer, the hotel was rescued from bankruptcy by U.S. Senate

candidate Jeff Greene, who bought the hotel for $42 million,

after spending $23 million on his campaign for the Democratic nomination.

The

source of Greene's wealth stirred controversy in that he bet against the

real estate market and won an $800 million windfall in 18 months.The 57-year old has been named one of Forbes' 400 richest Americans.

Is the departure the result of differences between the hotel and Bernstein? Are Jeff Greene's "big plans" for the hotel not coming to fruition? Or is the culinary power couple consolidating their focus to Miami to allow time for parenting?

Clean Plate Charlie has calls in to Bernstein as well as to the GM at the restaurant to learn what is to become

of Michelle Bernstein's as of next month. We will keep you updated as

the story unfolds.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.