What are the safest restaurants and hotels in Broward or Palm Beach? Here’s where hospitality experts recommend.
There’s a pineapple-clad decal on the facades of a few Broward and Palm Beach County hotels and restaurants that could make you feel safer to be there.
The Seal of Commitment is a designation by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association that means hotels and restaurants are meeting the association’s highest standards of safety and sanitization.
“The SOC is a demonstration to guests and associates that the operator prioritizes their health and safety,” said association spokesperson Ashley Chambers.
Before a hotel or restaurant is awarded a Seal of Commitment, the association verifies that all managers have a current food manager certificate; all employees have a current food handler certificate; all employees complete a COVID-19 Sanitation & Safety Course and the establishments meet higher sanitation standards, including employees acknowledging if they are sick.
Here are the Palm Beach and Broward County locations that have applied for and earned the Seal of Commitment:
Palm Beach County
Berry Fresh, Jupiter","type":"text
The Breakers Palm Beach, Palm Beach","type":"text
Cucina Palm Beach, Palm Beach","type":"text
Meat Market Steakhouse, Palm Beach","type":"text
Palm Beach Country Club, Palm Beach","type":"text
Café Chardonnay, Palm Beach Gardens","type":"text
Marriott Singer Island, Riveria Beach","type":"text
Cafe L’Europe, West Palm Beach","type":"text
La Quinta Inn & Suites, West Palm Beach","type":"text
Okeechobee Steakhouse, West Palm Beach","type":"text
Okeechobee Prime Meat Market, West Palm Beach","type":"text
Palm Beach Yacht Club, West Palm Beach","type":"text
Broward County
Broward County
Pelican Grand Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale","type":"text
Riverside Hotel, Fort Lauderdale","type":"text
Tower Club, Fort Lauderdale","type":"text
Village Tavern, Pembroke Pines","type":"text
Ralph Lewis, third generation co-owner of Okeechobee Steakhouse in West Palm Beach, is also on the FRLA board of directors. He says his family-owned restaurant, meat market and seafood location were the first in Southeast Florida to earn the SOC designations last year.
Ralph Lewis, third generation co-owner of Okeechobee Steakhouse in West Palm Beach, is also on the FRLA board of directors. He says his family-owned restaurant, meat market and seafood location were the first in Southeast Florida to earn the SOC designations last year.
“We looked at everything we could do. We wanted to set the example and do the things that could be done,” Lewis said. “During the shutdown, we added an air filtration system like the ones hospitals use.”
Restaurants and hotels receive a decal and a sign to show guests their designation.
“We have a lot of guests comment on it. It made them feel comfortable. They were glad to know that there were business owners going above and beyond,” Lewis said.
The Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale also landed on the SOC’s Broward County list.
“I told my team right away we will go with the Seal of Commitment. Let them inspect us and train us,” said longtime General Manager Heiko Dobrikow.
A company that works with the association held several training sessions with the hotel’s staff, Dobrikow said. The process took three weeks from start to finish.
“The inspection for the guest rooms and all of our food and beverage were accepted by the SOC,” he said.
Both the Riverside Hotel and the Okeechobee Steakhouse are members of the Restaurant and Lodging Association. The organization supports about 10,000 restaurants and hotels across Florida, but membership isn’t required to apply for the program.
“It’s not difficult. You can reach out to the FRLA and they’ll get you in touch with a local representative. We work with anybody and we want to encourage every hotel and restaurant to get involved,” said Lewis.
The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s website is frla.org.
