Darbster
Reviews
Name: Miss Finesse
Occupation: Actress/Singer/Celebrity Interviewer
Lives in: Ft. Lauderdale
Review Pick: Darbster
Reviewed Darbster: 08/25/11 at 1:21 p.m.
Darbster is a sweet little Vegan restaurant with a lovely waterfront view. It was a rainy day, so I was thrilled to find convenient parking, which allowed for a quick dash into the restaurant. Upon entering Darbster, I was immediately greeted, seated and offered a menu. My waitress, Kate, was very sweet and friendly. We chatted about the specials, and Kate patiently answered all of my “non-vegan” questions. I started with the hot curry butternut squash soup which was divine. The curry did not overwhelm the butternut squash and made for a perfect soup. My empty soup bowl was cleared and replaced rather quickly with another appetizer of my choice, the Sliders. Yum! I don’t know how they manage to make a vegan slider taste like an exotic yummy mini-burger.
While waiting for the entrée, my water was filled and my amazing Honeybush tea was replenished. The tea is an experience unto itself. Loose tea is served in a cute little bamboo tea infuser and adds to the vegan experience. I highly recommend adding the agave nectar sweetener to their teas. While sipping on my tea and enjoying the waterfront (and Dixie Highway) view, I chilled out to the eclectic island-like music softly playing in the background. For a moment, I thought I was on vacation. Next course up was the Palm Cake Sandwich. This unique sandwich was to die for. A heart of palm patty in a fresh bun really hit the spot. The aioli and organic lettuce topped off the sandwich perfectly. I was feeling adventurous, so I tried the Oreo Cheesecake which was one of the special desserts of the day. It was, shall I say, interesting. It was good, but clearly different by comparison to conventional Oreo Cheesecake. I had to remind myself that vegan food needs to be appreciated for exactly what it is.
Overall, the experience was a lovely dining experience. The service was impeccable, the vibe very relaxing, the portions generous and the pricing fair for the high quality of food. If you’re looking for an unpretentious place to get your vegan on…Darbster is the place!
Name: Harris Fried
Occupation: Financial Advisor
Lives in: Palm Beach
Restaurant Pick: Bistro Chez Jean-Pierre
Reviewed Darbster:
This was not an overall good experience. First of all, at night, parking could be a problem, especially for ladies. The greeting was very friendly. Laid back, sort of just sit anywhere. I ordered a glass of wine; very good.
I had asked my waitress if they had veggie burgers, she replied” yes”. Nothing on the menu jumped out, so I ordered a veggie burger. It tasted like a thin slice of rubber, smoky, like a whopper. Fries were good. Garnish on burger was non-existent, surprising for a vegetarian place. The bill came, and I was charged for a stand alone “Steak” Burger $10.95. It comes a la carte, so fries were $4.50. It made no sense. Brownie was very good for dessert. To be fair, I might try something else if I go back, but there is something wrong with their concept to an extent.
Name: Michelle Stern
Occupation: Yoga Instructor
Lives in: Cooper City
Restaurant Pick: Geronimo’s Bar & Grill
Reviewed Darbster: 08/27/11 at 1:45 p.m.
Pulling into Dabster gets your mind working to try to figure out what this location used to be. They had a small private parking lot that had one space left, just for us. I noticed the outdoor restrooms as we walked up. We waited in the doorway for a few moments and then were greeted and escorted to a table. It was very hot, inside and outside, but we decided inside because of the fans. Our server brought us water, and we began to peruse the menu trying to decide what to order. Our sliders appetizer came to the table with a bottle of brewed root beer. The glass of ice it came with melted right away because of the heat, so my dining companion drank it warm, right out of the bottle. I ordered the passion fruit infused wheat beer. After tasting it, I requested lemons, but, by the time I got it fixed up, it too had gone warm. The palm sandwich was like a crab cake, with hearts of palm in place of crab. The seasoning was flavorful and it was cooked perfectly. The bread was bulky so I removed it and ate it on its own. I also tried the grilled cheese which had delicious multi grain bread, but it was a bit greasy, likely due to the non-dairy cheese. I spotted the raw/vegan brownie but just didn’t have room to try it. The outdoor restroom was very tastefully decorated and clean, just hot. I noticed that they had freshly baked dog treats up at the counter, so pooches can enjoy a snack while their owners stuff their faces with delicious, organic, vegan culinary delights. I would love to return here in the cooler months with my dogs to enjoy another great meal.
Restaurant Information
Location: 8020 S. Dixie Highway, WPB, FL 33405
Parking: yes
Phone: 561-586-2622
Website:http://darbster.com/
Restaurant Owners: Alan Gould
Executive Chef: Seth Kirschbaum
Pastry Chef: N/A
Type of Cuisine: Vegan American
Signature Dishes: Heart of Palm cakes
Vegetarian Options: Everything
Alcohol Served: wine & beer
Corkage Fee: $10
Bottle Limit: none
Restaurant Hours:
Monday – closed
Tuesday – closed
Wednesday – 11:30 – 2:30; 5pm – 10pm
Thursday – 11:30 – 2:30; 5pm – 10pm
Friday – 11:30 – 2:30; 5pm – 10pm
Saturday – 11:30 – 2:30; 5pm – 10pm
Sunday – Brunch: 11am – 3pm; 5pm – 9pm
Meals Served: Lunch, Dinner, Sunday brunch
Prix Fix Menu: No
Take-Out: Yes
Delivery: Lunch
Average Dinner Price Range (per person, full meal, tax, 15% gratuity, w/o alcohol): $30
Average Lunch Price Range (per person, full meal, tax, 15% gratuity, w/o alcohol): $9.00 – specialty items $13.00
Payment Options: All major credit cards
Accept Reservations: yes
Need Reservations: no
Accommodations for Children: yes
Dining Style: casual – outdoor, waterside
Disabled Access: yes
Restaurant Size: 20 tables and service at bar
Accommodate Groups: yes
Private Dining Room: no
Tables with Scenic Views: 6
Outdoor Dining: yes
Entertainment: Wed. night and Sunday brunch