|
LITTLE PALM ISLANDBy Paris Permenter and John BigleyPartially excerpted from GOURMET GETAWAYS (Callawind Publishing)
Scenes from Gilligan's Island, Robinson Crusoe and Swiss Family Robinson were flying through our minds as well pulled up to the dock of Little Palm Island aboard the Truman, a replica of an historic vessel named for one of Little Palm Island's most famous visitors: President Harry S. Truman. But Harry, a house guest on the island when it was a private retreat, never had it so easy either. Neither did John F. Kennedy, who came to the island to watch the filming of PT-109, the story of his war adventures.
Imagine your own tropical island. A hideaway where you forget your cares beneath the thatched roof of your own private bungalow. You spend your days lazing about in a hammock or strolling beneath towering palms. A special treat is the sighting of a Key deer, small, wild deer that swim across from neighboring islands and freely roam across the resort grounds.
Here's a sample of the elegant cuisine served during our stay: Tropical Fruit
Granité of Mango, Passion Fruit, Guava, and Champagne Open the passion fruit, spoon out the seeds and flesh in a bowl, reserve the shell. Peel and clean the mango, guava, cut and purée, mix with passion fruit, strain. Mix with champagne and pour in a shallow pan, place in the freezer. Freeze 4 Marguarita glasses, check after two hours if the fruit mixture is frozen. If frozen, break with a strong whisk and keep frozen. Before serving fill the glasses with crushed ice, spoon the granité into the passion fruit shells, garnish with some passion fruit seeds and a mint sprig and garnish with an orchid. Yields: four servings. For more information on this special resort, contact Little Palm Island, (800) 3-GET-LOST or (800)343-8567, email getlost@littlepalmisland.com , or check out the website: http://www.littlepalmisland.com. Images by Paris Permenter and John Bigley and Little Palm Island http://www.parisandjohn.com |
|
TM
Gilligan never
had it this good.
Today's
visitors to this exclusive getaway, located in the Lower Keys about 28 miles
east of Key West, are greeted by ultra-elegance tucked on a quiet, palm shaded
island. Here nature and luxury join hand in hand to create a truly
one-of-a-kind experience. Every convenience of a world-class hotel is available, all in a setting filled
with tropical flora and fauna. The island still
manages to hang onto its rustic ambiance (one of the island's few telephones is
located in a former outhouse!) and unspoiled beauty. 
We were
prepared for an elegant getaway as we approached Little Palm Island, located
three miles offshore. What we weren't prepared for was the quiet. Except for
the slap of a shallow wave or the call of a distant heron, the island was
silent. Blissfully silent.
After a day of
activities ranging from a seaplane excursion to Key West to deep sea fishing to a
relaxing spa treatment (or just doing nothing at all!), guests enjoy the
highlight of a stay at Little Palm Island: dining. Lauded in Gourmet, Travel
and Leisure, Condé Nast and Bon Appetit, dining at Little Palm Island is reason
enough for a stay. Chef Adam Votaw serves
up delicacies such as yellow tailed snapper filet with fire-roasted bell
pepper, pan fried-cornmeal crusted grouper with sweet pickle Chardonnay sauce
or rack of lamb. Two meal plans are available for guests.