Pistache French Bistro, West Palm Beach

Pistache, as unusual as the name is, THE place to go seeking French bistro favourites with a twist: I had a carrot ginger soup that was stellar, seat with a view, the waterfront fountains of West Palm Beach, and business power lunch crowd can't be beat. It is the brainchild of Thierry Beaud with Chef de Cuisine Julien Gremaud. There are perennial favourites like the Coq Au Vin, braised in red wine, with lardons, mushrooms, pearl onions, carrots & potatoes; Moules Frites (served up 3 ways: Mariniere, Espagnole, or Au Curry); for meat lovers there's the Steak Frites grilled hangar steak with Maitre d'butter. If you're more daring, I'd try anything from the Bistro Plates, 7 of your choices like Duck Prosciutto, Duck Mousse, Terrine of Foie Gras (Hudson Valley Duck Liver made fresh on site), Prosciutto Napoleone, paired with cheeses such as Forme d'Ambert Bleu, Aged Cheddar (Fiscalini Farms, Modesto CA), and Bucherondin Chevre. To start, try a Caramelized Bay Scallops with foie gras, truffle potato mousseline, green apple & citrus jus. I had the sweet potato and coconut Mahi Mahi over mixed baby greens, pine nuts and coconut ginger dressing: sweet, crunchy coconut lime dressing bitter anisette, petit haricot vert, cool crisp. Pair that with a Riesling from Alsace Kuentz-Bas Tradition : sweet, perfectly chilled, refreshing. The special hot carrot ginger soup was a puree that had just the right amount spice from the fresh ginger, helping you sweat in the summer, just like a swedish sauna (detoxifying and spectacular, unexpected). The Tarte Tatin was petit, unusual presentation, warm with Haagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream and Nespresso to finish. Veuve Cliquot is the champagne of choice, so you know you're in good hands.