Review: No name restaurant known only by address is best kept secret on Treasure Coast
It says a lot when a restaurant manages to consistently fill tables to capacity based only on word-of-mouth and, of course, the longstanding reputation of its chef-owner.
The restaurant at 48 Royal Palm Pointe has managed to do just that. Without a website, social media or advertising, Chef Kitty Wagner’s eatery is in demand. Many will remember Kitty’s former restaurant, the Blue Star on 14th Avenue in Vero Beach, was a very popular spot before it closed with the onset of COVID-19.
I imagine Kitty spending COVID downtime hard at work envisioning, planning and preparing for her beautiful new restaurant, which after more than a year in business, remains nameless. Yes, you read that correctly — nameless.
So there's not even a sign, save the 8-by-20-inch pink light-up cat in the window. Known by its address alone, it remains the best-kept secret in Vero Beach.
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The lack of a name certainly does not reflect any lack of creativity on the part of Chef Kitty, as a reading of her menu will attest. Featured on Kitty’s menu are entrees such as braised Virginia rabbit fricassee and seared duck leg confit. Kitty changes up and adds to the menu often in response to the availability of fresh and interesting ingredients.
We were certainly happy to take advantage of watermelon season by ordering the delicious and refreshing watermelon, feta and Kalamata olive salad ($14), with pickled red onion and cucumber, dressed in a lemon mint vinaigrette.
When we learned Kitty had dedicated the better part of the afternoon removing fresh, sweet lobster from the shells, we felt it only right to jump on the special of the day. Before we knew it, we were devouring over a pound of lobster in a potato roll ($34). A fellow diner a table or two away spied the huge helping and called over that she hoped the kitchen had saved some lobster for her! The accompanying potato salad — a Kitty Wagner specialty — was quite luscious as well.
Appearing frequently on the menu is a very delicious entrée of sauteed chicken breast with apricot, shallot and olive ($34). This is complimented with lemon dill couscous. The sweet, sour and salty flavors come together to satisfy brilliantly.
As we dined, we admired the lovely space around us. Splashes of color, blue walls and tastefully subdued lighting makes it all just so comfortable and appealing. I especially love the floral colors of the wall sconces and the use of lamps instead of overhead lighting. Wrought iron and wooden tables are arranged around the perimeter of the room with chairs and brightly colored pillows on bench seating.
With the addition of seating for six at the bar that hugs the open kitchen, this restaurant seats about 40 people. No phone number is published and no reservations are accepted, so my advice is to get there early for a seat. There is a finished outdoor deck overlooking the canal that promises to be lovely when weather allows.
We finished with dessert of the day, berry crisp with vanilla ice cream ($12), the perfect ending to a very nice meal.
Note to self: Next time, attempt to score a ringside seat at the bar to watch Kitty perform her magic!
48 Royal Palm Pointe
Cuisine: Eclectic
Address: 48 Royal Palm Pointe, Vero Beach
Hours: 5-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; closed Sunday
Alcohol: Wine and beer
Online: No website or Facebook
Maribeth Renne dines anonymously at the expense of TCPalm for #WhatToDoIn772. Contact her at maribeth.d.renne@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Review: Kitty Wagner's restaurant, 48 Royal Palm Pointe, Vero Beach
