If The Breakers Palm Beach wasn’t the first place you thought of when it came to defining classic Palm Beach luxury, it will be now with the opening of HMF, the resort’s new drinking-and-dining spot.
Though the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star is known for its polish and grandeur, the hotel’s goal of converting its historic Florentine Room into a vibrant, high-style haven of cocktail culture wasn’t an easy one. Those behind HMF — named after The Breakers’ founder, Henry Morrison Flagler — knew they needed a person with vision to oversee the transformation, and that’s why renowned designer and Forbes Travel Guide Tastemaker Adam Tihany took the creative reins. Tihany conjures a bygone time in the space with rich green hues, a bold diamond carpet pattern and oversized floor lamps. A ’50s-inspired cigarette girl only enhances the mood, as she walks around the dining area, hawking desserts and taking keepsake pictures.
The attention to detail given on the breathtaking space is transferred to the food as well. From the theater-style kitchen, HMF chef Joey Tuazon and resort executive chef Anthony Sicignano orchestrate a spirited menu of shared plates, ranging from lamb meatballs with mole sauce to wild boar empanaditas. Meals are accompanied by an equally robust roster of craft beers (Orange Blossom Pilsner) and specialty cocktails (the vodka- and pineapple juice-enhanced Chanel No. 6).
Still, it’s the oenophile in your party who may come out the biggest winner at HMF. The 40-plus page wine list that’s overseen by master sommelier Virginia Philip speaks for itself; the stunning wine wall of 7,000 bottles just echoes the sentiment.
The fun HMF opens at 7 a.m. and doesn’t close until 2 a.m., meaning the beachside soiree initially envisioned can be experienced almost any time of day.
Photos Courtesy of LILA Photo and The Breakers Palm Beach
