Honey
16 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561-270-7187, HoneyDelray.com
The owners of 13-year-old Delux have spent $400,000 to transform it from a nightclub with Moroccan day beds and white drapes to a sophisticated New York-style speakeasy lounge for an earlier and broader draw instead of just the later young set.
Honey lacks a kitchen, so acclaimed chef Nick Morfogen at 32 East, the next-door, 18-year-old pioneer restaurant of this premier street, is sending his light fare through a new connecting door.
“The trends we felt were shifting away from the dance clubs with the loud pumping music in a standing-room environment and becoming more of a social club, a gathering place to lounge, drink, taste a few bites and have conversation in an alluring, stimulating ambiance,” says co-owner Scott Frielich, who also owns Tryst a few doors down, along with Dada, Kapow Noodle Bar and The Dubliner.
A wavy gold lattice divides the bar with boardroom-like walls from a wood step-up room lined with orange couches and classical paintings with irreverent touches, such as Napoleon sporting sunglasses and pink spiked hair. A back patio features more wood elements, such as an overhead lattice and stark tree branches holding birdcage lighting.
Specialty cocktails ($12) include Agridulce with tequila, blackberry ginger shrub, citrus, orange bitters, honey and lava salt and the G&T with house-made gin and tonic.
Morfogen’s selections feature seasonal daily plates and a few staples, such as whole leaf Caesar ($8), wood-fired margherita pizza ($13), oak-fired prosciutto with garlic croutons ($16) and a cheese plate ($16).
Honey opens at 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with happy hour and a DJ who reigns from a central wooden throne. Sunday day parties are expected to launch mid-December.
