You might not expect to find a Napa-style wine tasting room and restaurant offering the perfect pairings being served up at a mall, but that’s why Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant has attracted such a cult following.
The Chicago-based restaurant group started the concept in 2005 and has since expanded nationwide to now include several locations in Florida, including one on the upper-level east wing of The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens.
Several unique components were the initial focal point when creating the Cooper’s Hawk concept: offering an upscale casual dining restaurant, full-service bar, private barrel-aging room, a tasting room and retail gift store all under one roof.
Each of the curated dishes here was designed to pair up perfectly with their signature Cooper’s Hawk wines made in their own private winery. Whether you are looking for a bold red or fruity white, knowledgeable servers will gladly walk you through the approachable wine menu to help you find the perfect pour.
While wine is certainly the focus here, with happy hour offerings and wine club memberships introducing new wines monthly, they also have a nice craft cocktail menu that features creative drinks with a twist like the Tajín-Spiced Paloma, a PBJ Old Fashioned, Island Mojito, and Strawberry Mule.
Our server told us one of their most popular appetizers is Drunken Shrimp - and for good reason. Four large shrimp arrived wrapped in crispy bacon swimming in a flavorful tequila lime butter sauce complemented with fresh guacamole.
Thai lettuce wraps accompanied by sesame peanut, cashew, and sweet chili sauces were just as good. An enormous plate of deconstructed offerings, featuring sweet chili glazed chicken, Asian cabbage slaw, crunchy wontons, and pineapple were waiting to be filled atop the fresh pieces of lettuce.
If you aren’t sure which wine would pair up with each dish, the restaurant has done all of leg work for you and placed suggested offerings next to each item on the menu.
Other intriguing starters include Over the Border eggrolls; a candied bacon and artisan cheese plate; and roasted vegetable and goat cheese flatbread. Speaking of bread, their warm pretzel bread is so addicting and almost impossible to not polish off, but you will want to save some room for their main events.
Signature entrees include a standout Country Rigatoni made with Italian sausage, mushroom, and chicken served in a tasty tomato garlic cream sauce; and Shrimp and Scallop Risotto with sweet corn, asparagus, peas, and spinach topped with a decadent white truffle oil.
If you saved room, pair up a dessert wine with one of their signature sweet treats that include Cooper’s Hawk chocolate cake, house made truffles, and salted caramel crème brulee.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant is located at 3101 PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
