When I first heard that Delray was getting a new restaurant called The Hampton Social earlier this year, I must admit its “rosé all day” lifestyle conjured a trendy bar with mediocre food that one would ingest for the sake of not getting terribly tipsy on the blush wine. I get it: Rosé is cherished for being a crisp, fresh, easy-drinking sip. And we’ve all heard the catchy sayings (“you had me at rosé,” anyone?) that have joined its rise in popularity. But let me tell you, The Hampton Social doesn’t just slay its rosé; its food is equally as tempting.
Exuding major casual-coastal vibes, The Hampton Social does a standout job of incorporating its aesthetic into not just its décor but also its menu, from its seafood-centric dishes to its droll cocktail names like the vodka-forward I Like It a Yacht and spicy Sunburnt Margarita. Its seafaring design is more Insta-worthy than tired nautical, with bright floral walls and chic herringbone ceilings sharing the space with rope detailing and glowing shell chandeliers. The rosé menu boasts about 10 options (including The Hampton Social’s own namesake wine) alongside other wines by the glass and bottle, cocktails, zero-proof drinks (pro tip: you can add alcohol to any of these too) and beer.
We ordered two appetizers, a handheld and an entrée to share. I was impressed by how quickly the food came out but was taken aback when it all hit the table at the same time. The waiter recommended the grilled octopus ($24) that he assured us would not be chewy or slimy, and it certainly was not. It was tender, herbaceous, and accompanied by a mixture of capers, pistachios and oven-roasted potatoes. It’s topped with greens tossed in a vinaigrette, adding a nice acidity to the dish.
The second appetizer, the crispy quesadilla ($16), was a unique take on a dish I’ve seen hundreds of times on menus. It was a welcome surprise. Creamy goat cheese is slathered on one crispy tortilla and topped with honey and balsamic vinegar for that balance of sweet and zingy before it’s topped with another crispy tortilla and a bit of tart arugula.
I couldn’t go to a New England-inspired restaurant without trying the lobster roll ($34), offered in both Manhattan (I always called it Connecticut, but nonetheless, it’s warm and buttery) or Maine (chilled and creamy) styles. I opted for the cool lobster. It’s served on a buttery brioche that could not have been more perfect—toasted but not too hard, and warm but not too hot. The tender meat is tossed in a juicy mayo-and-parsley mix and hits it out of the park.
As we were enjoying the spicy pipette pasta ($24), which delivered on its name, the manager came by to check on us—a noteworthy and appreciated touch. The Calabrian peppers certainly offer an after-kick to the dish, but the creaminess of the vodka sauce doesn’t let it linger or destroy your palate.
We cooled down with a fruit-forward and refreshing blueberry bread pudding ($15) that provided a minty and citrusy finale to an overall relaxed and enjoyable meal that made me wish it was a rosé kind of day every day.
IF YOU GO
PARKING: Parking lot
HOURS: Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri., 11 a.m.–1 a.m., Sat., 10 a.m.–1 a.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
PRICES: $9–$39
WEBSITE: thehamptonsocial.com
This article is from the November/December issue of Boca magazine. For more like this, click here to subscribe to the magazine.
