Maybe it is because of the freezing weather in Baltimore, but I keep wanting to write about my trip to Palm Beach. I used to be one of those people who said they could never live somewhere it's warm year-round because they like seasons, but I'm starting realize that some seasons are terrible. Don't get me wrong, I love the snow, but snow seems to hate me; it's avoiding me like I’m a stage 5 clinger. I don’t understand why, all I want to do is love it and collect it and put it in my freezer so I can use it to make snowballs to throw at my brothers even after its melted away. That’s normal, right?
While we were in Florida we went to a restaurant called Echo. It was actually completely by accident. When I used to stay at the Breakers, we would always go to the seafood bar in the hotel. So when I dragged my boyfriend to Saks Fifth Avenue to go shopping for a new dress for the party, I asked if he wanted to call “that Breakers’ seafood place” and make a reservation for tonight. The woman who was helping me mentioned that she had just called to do the same and could give us the number. She had actually called Echo, also owned by the Breakers, leading to us making a reservation there instead of the place I had originally intended. I am so happy we made this mistake because Echo was one of the best experiences we had in Florida.
What we ordered...
-LOBSTER TEMPURA Tempura Caribbean Lobster Tail, Inside-Out with Masago, Lettuce, Asparagus, Japanese Mayonnaise, Wasabi Thai Chili Sauce
-THAI ROAST DUCK Asian Vegetables, Lychee, Red Curry Sauce
-ECHO FRIED RICE Diced Barbecue Pork, Shrimp, Egg
-SEARED SEA SCALLOPS Jasmine Plum Sake Glaze, Warm Thai Salad
My stomach is growling just writing this. I'm pretty sure I don't need to go into detail about how amazing the food is, the descriptions do a pretty good job of that. What made the restaurant so amazing were the details. First, instead of bringing out bread, they gave us edamame, which really helped set the tone of the meal. I hate starting a meal with bread because it makes me feel full and heavy before I even get my appetizer. Then I can't even enjoy the food I actually came to try. Edamame kept my stomach from growling while waiting for our food, but didn't fill me up. It also stayed in the theme of the Asian-fusion menu. After dinner we got coffee which was just as satisfying as the rest of the meal. I always think it shows how great a restaurant is when the go above and beyond on an aspect that isn't their specialty or even necessary. After getting used to the burnt coffee at Starbucks, the coffee at Echo was an especially pleasant surprise.
I was originally going to try and come up with my own, simplified, versions of these dishes but I can't even. They were that good. Plus, my most recent cooking adventure was grilled cheese, delicious grilled cheese, I might add, but not exactly the most difficult thing to make. There is one thing on the menu that I can make though. The lychee martini. Obviously, these were incredible. I remember watching Top Chef or Chopped or one of the many other cooking competitions I watch, and the judges said using lychee is basically cheating because anything you put it in will taste fantastic. I shouldn’t have to say anything else to make you want to try this drink. Try it. Go.
Ingredients (makes 1) -2 shots vodka -1.5 shots lychee juice (sold in Asian groceries or here and here) -splash of vermouth -1 or 2 lychees for garnish (sold in Asian groceries or sold here or here)
Pour vodka, lychee juice, and vermouth in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with 1 or 2 lychees.
Whether you enjoy these on a girl’s night, at a party, or sitting on your couch watching The Bachelor, I hope you enjoy your little taste of Echo Palm Beach!
