Where to eat in Palm Beach, Sports Illustrated model, Food Network star Martha Stewart says

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WEST PALM BEACH — This week, Martha Stewart became Sports Illustrated's oldest cover model at 81. Martha was one of four cover models in Sports Illustrated's 2023 Swimsuit issue, which also includes the magazine's second transgender swimsuit model ever, pop star Kim Petras. Brooks Nader and actress Megan Fox ("Transformers" and "Jennifer's Body") also graced the magazine cover.

Although Martha has posed alongside pop stars and entered a level of fame worlds away from every day life in Palm Beach County, the tastemaker is no stranger to the dining rooms of Palm Beach's restaurants. Sports Illustrated's latest cover model has spent years vacationing in and around Palm Beach County. The globally famous hostess and homemaker is a big fan of the South Beach Wine and Food Festival and has helped in hosting events at the annual fest in the past. She's a Food Network queen and lifestyles legend.

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During the pandemic, Stewart was stranded in Palm Beach County for a few days. She made the most of it by eating and shopping her way around the Palm Beach area. Here are five local restaurants Martha has written about in the Palm Beach trip recaps on her website.

Martha Stewart loves the fancy French vibes at Le Bilboquet on Worth Avenue

A courtyard view of Le Bilboquet restaurant in Palm Beach.
A courtyard view of Le Bilboquet restaurant in Palm Beach.

"One of nine restaurants worldwide, this excellent fancy bistro serves classic French cuisine of high quality," Stewart wrote in an Instagram post last year. "I have known the proprietor for many years. Philippe Delgrange is the undisputed king of his group of restaurants."

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Stewart praised the ambience of Le Bilboquet's outdoor space as well as the food. While dining outside under the stars and palm trees, she claimed to have had the best sole meunière, a classic fish dish, she'd had "in a long time."

Le Bilboquet: 245 Worth Ave., Palm Beach, 561-812-2363

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This West Palm Beach taco spot ranks in Martha Stewart's top 5 places to eat while traveling throughout the country.

Tacos al finesse: Cholo Soy chef/owner Clay Carnes dresses up a "pescadito frito" (fried fish) taco.
Tacos al finesse: Cholo Soy chef/owner Clay Carnes dresses up a "pescadito frito" (fried fish) taco.

In Chicago, Stewart has to have a pierogi. In Nantucket, she has waffles with strawberries and whipped cream. In West Palm Beach, she gets tacos at Cholo Soy Cocina.

There is no lack of taco spots in West Palm, but only Cholo Soy is Stewart-approved. According to her, it's the only taco shop in town that offers gourmet Latin street food. If Stewart is passing through Palm Beach County, she'll most likely stop for a taco at Cholo Soy.

In this, she has something in common with Food Network's Guy Fieri, who featured Cholo Soy on his "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" series in 2021.

Cholo Soy: 3715 S. Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, 561-619-7018

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Martha opted for the all-beef hot dog with all of the fixings at The Butcher Shop in downtown West Palm

"This charming eatery is owned by father and son duo Igor and Fred Niznik," Stewart wrote in a 2020 blog post about The Butcher Shop, which permanently closed in November 2022. "The setting incorporates an old-school butcher shop with antibiotic- and hormone-free custom cuts, an Eastern European-inspired restaurant, and a German-style covered beer garden."

At The Butcher Shop, Stewart ate an all-beef hot dog on a potato bun, loaded down with toppings and paired with a side of potato fries. She also tried the pierogis.

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Martha Stewart raves about the small plates with big flavors at Buccan in Palm Beach

Buzzy Buccan restaurant, shown here during the 2022 Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival, has been a Palm Beach dining destination since its debut in 2011.
Buzzy Buccan restaurant, shown here during the 2022 Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival, has been a Palm Beach dining destination since its debut in 2011.

In 2020, at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, Stewart kicked off her event appearances by hosting a dinner with renowned chef and owner of Buccan, Clay Conley.

"Chef Clay is a James Beard Award semi-finalist," Stewart wrote in a blog post. "He is best known for his small plates and big flavors."

She dubbed Buccan "much-loved" and praised the expertise of its owner.

Buccan: 350 S. County Rd., Palm Beach, 561-833-3450

Another taste of France in Palm Beach at La Goulue

At La Goulue restaurant in Palm Beach, prime rib is carved, plated and served tableside on Wednesdays and Sundays.
At La Goulue restaurant in Palm Beach, prime rib is carved, plated and served tableside on Wednesdays and Sundays.

At La Goulue, Stewart praised just the desserts. In the photos she posted on her blog following a family meal she had at La Goulue, the only savory food item was a salad. The rest of her meal was made up of crème brulée topped with mint and strawberry and profiteroles — vanilla puffs served with warm chocolate sauce and toasted almonds.

"Everything was so delicious," Stewart wrote.

La Goulue: 288 S. County Rd., Palm Beach, 561-284-6292

Lianna Norman covers trending news in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at lnorman@pbpost.com. You can follow her reporting on social media @LiannaNorman on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Food Network star Martha Stewart recommends 5 Palm Beach restaurants