Longboards Restaurant and Bar, which will be celebrating its grand opening with complimentary food and drink Saturday, July 2, from 5 p.m. to midnight.
Join them for a free block party featuring live music by the original Surfaris from California, who will be playing their 1962 hits "Wipe Out" and "Surfer Joe" alongside special guest act, the Jacuzzi Boys.
Starting at 5 p.m., a professional skateboarding exhibition featuring a 40-foot half-pipe will also be on site, hosted by the Grind for Life Organization. During the event, Longboards will be raffling off two longboard surfboards, signed by the Surfaris, with the proceeds benefiting Surfers for Autism and Grind for Life.
The latest venture for South Florida restauranteur Rodney Mayo -- of nearby establishments including Feelgood's Rock Bar, Respectables and Monarchy Night Club to name a few -- Longboards brings New England-style, fresh seafood with a casual, laid-back ambiance to West Palm Beach's downtown scene.
It's so laid-back that, according to Assistant Manager Drew Brown, a trip to Longboards is like a walk on the beach. Servers will be outfitted in board shorts (baggies to us local surfers) and Vans -- service with a sun-kissed smile.
The menu specializes in organic and local produce, with seafood delicacies such as live Maine lobster and a decked-out raw bar. The restaurant will, of course, be offering a veritable plethora of local-caught fresh fish entrees, as well.
Don't be surprised to find your typical seafood favorites done up top-notch. Appetizers like "Trio of Cakes," a pairing of lobster tarragon, shrimp and chorizo, and jumbo lump crab cakes served alongside pepper butter, key lime aioli and lemon caper aioli ($14). Or the sumac-dusted fried calamari with cornmeal-encrusted vinegar peppers and chipotle aioli ($10).
Entrees offer everything from your classic catch of the day, chicken, pork and steak, to more off-beat items like the beef brisket tacos and a Wagyu beef hot dog.
But a new twist on oysters makes for an intriguing dish with Longboard's specialty carpetbagger oysters, served cornmeal-crusted with truffle whipped potatoes, duck proscuitto and a truffle ailoli ($12).
A must try on our minds: anything lobster! Especially the "authentic" New England-style lobster roll ($15), or lobster tacos topped off with avocado mousse and served with corn and radish salsa.
At the bar you'll find equally enticing creativity with a menu of house made mixes and fresh juice-infused cocktails. There will also be an extensive craft and specialty beer selection.
Sounds far out, dude. We're stoked to give it a try!
Longboards Grand Opening Celebration
When: 5 p.m. to midnight
Where: The 500 block of Clematis St.
What: Grand opening and charity event benefiting Grind for Life and Surfers for Autism
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