The dining choices in Palm Beach County, Florida just got better. Palm Beach Gardens, the town just north of swanky Palm Beach is known for its luxurious private golf clubs, PGA National Resort & Spa, the Honda Golf Classic and the home of the Professional Golfers Association of America. A few years ago the city fathers decided to redo their dated public course and rename it Sand Hill Crane Golf Club, a Palm Beach Gardens Signature Facility. In 2018 they made an even geater investment and opened a beautiful clubhouse for the pro shop, a very nice restaurant called the Dancing Crane and large beautifully appointed 200 seat event space.

The Dancing Crane restaurant is a great complement to the Sand Hill Crane golf course serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. There is very comfortable outside seating on the patio with views of the practice putting surface and the golf course, particularly after your round to settle the wager and enjoy a cold one with a bite to eat. Inside, the restaurant has a very contemporary interior design, with a full service liquor bar and seating for over 50 diners. The staff is the key to the inviting casual and soothing atmosphere. They make you feel welcome and are pleased to have you enjoying their delectable menu choices. Managing Director James Gelfand and his experienced staff have no pretense, and in fact, are as friendly as they can possibly be.

I had an opportunity to take a swing at The Dancing Crane with my knife and fork. With Executive Chef Sean McKee, former Chef at PGA National Resort, creating new exciting culinary selections with locally sourced ingredients, unbelievable inexpensive nightly specials and the everpresent warm and fuzzy staff, the restaurant is attracting locals from all walks of life. We dined on a Friday evening, the all-you-can-eat Prime Rib Night Buffet, and had a delightful filling dinner with great service. James was doing the carving and making sure the customers were getting their favorite cut and doneness. Besides Friday, they have Italian all-you-can-eat Buffet Night on Wednesday, all-you-can-eat BBQ Buffet Night on Thursday and Date night on Saturday with 25% off the second entrée and deals on wine. About once a month they have a LOBSTER-all-you-can-eat Special. Kids eat free Sunday thru Tuesday with an adult entrée purchase of $18 or more. They got my 5 stars for sure.

The upstairs ballroom has become the hottest ticket in town for weddings and family functions. Chef McKee and Director Gelfand can cater and produce almost any event up to 200 attendees and the calendar is getting full with so many happy couples raving about their weddings. No hidden fees-just straight accommodating party assistance!

Whether you are a resident or just visiting the Palm Beaches check it out at 11401 Northlake Boulevard, visit DancingCrane.com or call 561-630-1172. Reservations are preferred for parties of six or more and during season.

SAND HILL CRANE GOLF CLUB

The Sand Hill Crane Golf course winds its way through an all natural wilderness, the 140 acre Loxahatchee Preserve. It affords  the golfing public an opportunity to play a pristine layout where the only sounds you hear are the rustling of the trees by the ocean breezes, and the wildlife chuckling at your mishits. With wide landing areas and a plentitude of scenic holes, the par 72 course plays to over 6500 yards with a slope from the back tees at 130. Mere mortals or mature golfers have 5 tees to choose from to make their round enjoyable, but water will challenge everyone on 12 of the holes. Amazingly, the course only has 27 bunkers to deal with one usually near the landing area from the tees, and the others protecting the quick and undulating TifEagle greens. There is ProTrack GPS in the carts so you don’t have to break out your rangefinder for every shot and slow play. Practice facilities include an aqua range, practice bunker and putting surface. Director of Golf Casey Mitchell and her two distinguished PGA Professionals, William Decker and William Reilly, both Pennsylvania legends, can provide the best instruction in the new fully equipped Sand Hill Golf Learning Center. In addition for the best tournament assistance in the Palm Beaches and an unmatched  true “Golf Walk in the Gardens” contact 561-630-1160 or visit PBGFL.com/228/Course-information.