In the Biz: Interview With Opal Ruthardt, Bartender at IBar in Palm Beach Gardens

The Ironwood Grille's lounge, IBar at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, is known for its sophisticated ambiance, delicious cocktails, and friendly service. Server and bartender Opal Ruthardt spent a few minutes chatting with us and sharing a recipe for her favorite cocktail. Clean Plate Charlie: How many...

By Laine Doss

January 10, 2011

[
        {
          "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 Ironwood Grille's lounge, IBar at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, is known for its sophisticated ambiance, delicious cocktails, and friendly service.

Server and bartender Opal Ruthardt spent a few minutes chatting with us and sharing a recipe for her favorite cocktail.

Clean Plate Charlie: How many years have you been serving?

Opal Ruthardt: I've been serving for ten and a half years, and in April, it will be my second anniversary at Ironwood. I've recently been promoted to bartender at IBar.

What's your favorite part of the job?

I love working for PGA. All the managers are personable, and it feels like a family. I enjoy going to work every day. That's important!

What's your least favorite part of the job?

We're very tourist-season-oriented, so in the middle of the summer, it's super slow. We kinda stand around, trying to keep busy. We try to clean, but the place doesn't even need to be cleaned!

What's your favorite dish on the menu?

The skirt-steak sandwich is great. I also love the tomato and basil flatbread.

Have you served any celebrities?

Baseball all-star Darryl Strawberry just came in for lunch a few weeks ago.

What do you drink?

IBar has a wine that I love. It's Federalist Red zinfandel. I also love to sip chilled 1800 Tequila.

What's your favorite drink to make?

I love making martini drinks. Cosmopolitians, chocolate martinis, and lemon drops are my favorites.

Lemon Drops! I love them! Can you give us the recipe?

A. Sure!

Opal's IBar Lemon Drop

Pour 2 oz. Grey Goose Le Citron in a martini shaker filled with ice.

Add the juice of two lemon wedges and simple syrup to taste.

Shake until chilled and pour into a martini glass that's been rimmed with sugar.

Follow Clean Plate Charlie on Twitter: @CleanPlateBPB.

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.

Laine Doss is the food and spirits editor for Miami New Times, covering the restaurant and bar scene in South Florida. She has been featured on Cooking Channel’s Eat Street and Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race. Doss won an Alternative Weekly award for her feature on what it’s like to wait tables. In a previous life, she appeared off-Broadway and shook many a cocktail as a bartender at venues in South Florida and New York City. When she’s not writing, you can find Doss running some marathon then celebrating at the nearest watering hole.

Contact: Laine Doss

Follow:

Facebook: laine.doss

Twitter: @lainedoss