More changes are happening at the Grateful Palate in Ft. Lauderdale. In addition to a new manager -- Adam Irvine came on last August while the restaurant was in renovation -- the restaurant and yacht provisioner has added specialty events to attract more local customers.

Recurring events include Pinot and Picasso, an afternoon of painting and wine tasting, and Pooches and Pinot, where dogs are boarded next door while the humans sample wine.

“We started doing events to attract locals looking for something different,” Irvine said. “So far they have been wildly popular. Our most recent, Bastille Day celebration, was completely booked.” 

Since Irvine joined the company, the restaurant installed a cruvinet wine system to keep wines by the glass fresher, longer. It also has hired an in-house sommelier, Grace Abell. About nine months ago, the restaurant began offering a full lunch menu and a seasonal menu that changes frequently. 

“These changes have attracted a large business crowd, including many brokers and yacht owners,” Irvine said.

Not everything has changed. Grateful Palate’s lunch staples such as Thai Beef Salad and Charred Wagyu Burger are still on the menu.The Grateful Palate still offers its provisioning service, and Executive Chef David Learmonth, a former yacht chef, is still director of yacht provisioning.

Although the in-store selection of unique and international items is gone, the company still offers those items to its yacht clients.

For more information visit www.thegratfeulpalate.net.