Chef Dean James Max Opens 3800 Ocean on Singer Island

Chefs Dean James Max (l) and Larry LaValley

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Telling stories of how he grew up catching snook, you can’t help but be charmed by the down-to-earth style of Chef Dean James Max. He’s known for his talents in the kitchen at 3030 Ocean at the Marriott Harbor Beach in Fort Lauderdale, among other ventures that have taken him both out of state and to the islands. Now he's migrated north to Singer Island. Yeah! Max joins quite a few hotshot chefs, including Clay Conley, formerly of Azul at the Mandarin Oriental, who now owns Buccan in Palm Beach. The notoriety chefs the likes of Max bring to the area have upped the travel-worthy value of the foodie scene north of Miami. The new restaurant — 3800 Ocean — is at the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa. This is the lux property once heralded as the Resort at Singer Island. It was a favorite of mine back then, thanks in part to Chef Carlos George and the restaurant Solu. Now, with the arrival of Chef Max, it's a new beginning.

3800 Ocean is Max’s fare brought to the table by both Max and Executive Chef Larry LaValley, formerly of Mark’s South Beach and DeVito’s. Fresh, all-natural artisan ingredients that are sourced from the best purveyors are in keeping with the Dean James Max credo of land-to-sea and farm-to-table. It's a mainstay that sings throughout the menu. And while there is an abundance of fish, it’s not all that Max does well. His Colorado rack of lamb is stellar, served with a potato-bacon salad, mustard greens and mint chimichurri worth licking the plate for. Ingrid’s pan roasted plump diver scallops are also delicious; paired with textural wild mushrooms that are so full of flavor you'll be left wanting more. But the real scene-stealer is from the raw bar. Served in a small coconut shell, ahi coconut tuna ceviche co-mingles with a coconut milk sauce that’s rich with Serrano peppers, green onions and assorted spices and topped with fried yucca. As a dining companion noted, “This is ridiculous!” Kudos to Chefs Max and LaValley. We'll all be back (you can count on it).

Tags: 3800 Ocean | Chef Dean James Max | Chef Larry LaValley | fort lauderdale | Palm Beach | Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa | Singer Island