When I was a child I went on holiday with my Mum and Dad to Las Vegas, and two of my most endearing memories are firstly, nearly being thrown out of one casino as my brother and I (at the tender age of 14 and 16) were caught telling Mum and Dad what buttons to hit on the slot machines, and secondly, that there were restaurants offering all the food you could eat for just a $1! It was ‘pile it high’ and of dubious quality, but at a $1 what was there to complain about?
Casinos, I am sure, have changed considerably in the interim years, but I only realised how much they have changed when I left the hustle and bustle of Berkeley Square and entered the Palm Beach Casino in Mayfair. First impressions to me are always a good indicator of what to expect, and here the de´cor and ambiance oozes class, and the welcome was friendly, warm and ultra-efficient.
We were guided to the Cocktail Lounge that wouldn’t be out of place in a plush hotel, with its low leather tables surrounded by luxurious red plush seating, and started the difficult choice of what to drink from their extensive cocktail menu which is reasonably priced (unfortunately inflation had clearly increased the price up from the $1!). My wife chose for the first time ever, the wonderfully named Porn Star Martini, which was served with the champagne on the side, so she had the choice of mixing it or drinking the ingredients separately. She tried both versions and personally preferred them separately, and I have a feeling it won’t be the first time she chooses this tipple! What I didn’t realise is a Porn Star Martini doesn’t follow the usual Gin and Vermouth ingredients but instead has a wonderfully fresh and fruity passion fruit and vodka combination which almost make the drink feel non-alcoholic!!
The Palm Beach Casino has two wonderful choices for diners - one an informal Bar and Grill, and the other a more formal (but not too formal) restaurant. The relaxed Bar & Grill offers, all-day dining and coverage of the world’s major sporting events on the large TV screens overlooking the bar, and its menu reflects that less formal environment just next to the gaming area. Dishes are designed to appeal to the casino’s international clientele and traverses the globe, including as well as Zaman’s signature Asian dishes, choices such as the Palm Beach Burger with gherkins, onion rings and fries or the succulent 10oz grilled ribeye with peppercorn sauce and saute´ed potatoes. The restaurant is a little more formal and is an eclectic mix of styles. Art deco mixes with modern and old school style and if I hadn’t been there and seen it with my own eyes, I would have said these styles wouldn’t mix, but they do, and make a perfect place to enjoy the delights that come out of the kitchen.
As I am sure you are realising the Palm Beach is a wonderful mixture of styles and its main restaurant is now exception and is opulent and elegant. Diners are transported back to a bygone era and are treated to dishes from around the world by award winning executive chef Mahmud Zaman’s extensive menu, which offers dishes from the Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean menus. Choices are so difficult to make we actually selected 3 starters! A beetroot and goats cheese salad quickly disappeared as the sweetness of the beetroot complimented the rich and gooey cheese. The other choices (we really couldn’t decide between them) were Chinese chilli prawns and squid. The batter on the meaty prawn was so light it melted in your mouth and resembled one of the best prawn dishes we have had in a Chinese Michelin stared restaurant, and the squid was accompanied by a chilli sauce giving off just enough heat to complement the fresh squid. The quality of all three dishes was of the highest standard, as was the mains we chose. My wife chose from the Indian menu and enjoyed a mild king prawn curry with rice and a delicious paratha, whilst I opted for a perfectly cooked steak with chips that were crisp and chunky. For dessert we were offered a selection of dishes that were all beautifully presented and we can highly recommend the apple tarte tatin.
Although Palm Beach Casino is a casino, the restaurant is outstanding, and worthy of a visit for the cuisine alone. The service was also outstanding, with several diners being warmly greeted by staff who almost seemed like family to the guests, and I can understand why they would have so many regular clients in the restaurant.
Following our fantastic dining experience we did head to the gaming tables and enjoyed a few rounds of roulette, but luckily left before we lost too much money!
Palm Beach Casino is a fun night out, and even if you don’t enjoy gambling, you will enjoy the Cocktail Bar and restaurant.