|
By
George Medovoy, Editor From the looks of things, the lovely two-story inn we peered at from our car could have been somewhere in Tuscany. Everything seemed to fit that picture - the warmth of its sunny exterior, the picturesque gardens…all suggesting a somewhat mysterious sense of the far-away. Except for one thing: the setting was the historic Northwood district of West Palm Beach, and the wonderful hosts who greeted us at the door, Frank and Elaine Calendrillo, are two New Jersey transplants who have made the Sunshine State their home for over 30 years.
(Casa de Rosa's wonderful hosts, Frank and Elaine Calendrillo) Casa de Rosa, planted on a quiet residential street a short drive from the upscale shopping, eateries and entertainment of CityPlace and the "classy chic" of Worth Avenue on Palm Beach Island, is as perfect a bed-and-breakfast inn as you can ever hope to find. A Real, Lived-In Home For starters, this is a real, lived-in home, with all of the personal attention and comforts to be expected. We got our first taste of this "personal touch" when walked up to the intricately-carved front door and rang the bell. Frank Calendrillo opened the door and warmly greeted us, followed soon by his wife Elaine. Our two hosts inquired about our trip to Florida and then began showing us around their exquisitely designed house, where the living room, with fireplace at its center, holds many of the antique furniture pieces the couple has collected over the years.
(The Casa de Rosa living room with its fireplace and antique furnishings) But the most important room in terms of one's "experience" at the inn would have to be the dining room, where guests enjoy Elaine's magnificent breakfasts together around a big table. Shortly it was back to the living room, where a door led to a well-tended, palm-studded garden with a swimming pool decorated with Italianate tiles was nestled in the middle of tropical plants and trees. The eye was also drawn to a gazebo decorated with climbing flowers stood at one end of this setting. The next day, Frank, a commercial photographer by profession, took our picture in front of a lion's head fountain in the center of the garden, which is his domain in terms of who does what at the inn. Named for Its Roses Casa de Rosa's name derives from the 30 or so rose plants which adorned the surroundings before the latest hurricane hit this area of Florida. The storm's impact exacted its toll on most of the rose plants, though Frank assured us that he intends to replant. Intimate in design, the inn offers three uniquely designed rooms upstairs and a Beach Rose Cottage near the pool.
(The White Rose Room, the inn's most luxurious) The White Rose Room, the inn's most luxurious, comes with a king-size poster bed, TV, two paddle fans, and red oak floors. There is a bathroom with two vanities and a large tub with separate shower.
(The White Rose Room bath) Three French doors lead out to a private veranda with a striking view of the pool and the surrounding gardens. Then there's a suite called the Tuscany Rose Room, which comes with a queen-size bed, paddle fans, wood floors, two TV's, and tub and shower. The suite has a separate sitting area with a French door that leads to the veranda, again with a breathtaking view of the pool and gardens.
(The Tuscany Rose Room, all done up like...a red rose) Finally,
there's the Tropicana Rose Room, cozy accommodations with a queen-size bed, paddle
fan, TV and a bathroom with shower.
(The Beach Rose Cottage has the unmistakable feel of Florida) The Beach Rose Cottage is something else - a self-contained little "cottage" perfect for extended stays. Inside is the unmistakable feel of Florida -- aqua walls with a beach-and-nautical décor. There's a full-size sleigh bed, a paddle fan, TV, tile floors, a large bathroom with stall shower and a small kitchen. An Intimate B&B I think Elaine described Casa de Rosa succinctly when she said it was "very warm" with a "homey feeling to it." "This is kind of an intimate b&b," were her words. Guests
understand this, of course, which helps to explain why one Japanese couple honeymooned
here for seven days not long ago.
(The bright and airy kitchen, with its large island) And speaking of guests, you can bet they come to know its bright and airy kitchen, with its big central island. "Obviously," said Elaine, "in a lot of b&b's you never get to see the kitchen. "But we're out in the open. You can't miss us. People…like that." Elaine's Signature Breakfasts Of course, being out in the open means that you can wander into the kitchen and see what's going on…that is if you can wake up early enough to catch Elaine cooking up one of her signature breakfasts. "I try to make something different every day," she said, "and try not to repeat. "I'm not afraid to try things." As for planning, it's not as complicated as one might think -- and quite adventurous. The reason is very simple: when she gets up in the morning, Elaine makes whatever her fancy desires. One of her favorites - and of course, a favorite among guests - is her Italian frittatas, served with crusty Italian bread.
(Guests enjoy breakfast around a large table in the dining room) Breakfasts are a grand affair at Casa de Rosa, with guests seated at the big dining room table set with lovely cups and saucers and Frank and Elaine making intermittent visits not only to attend to their guests, but to schmooze a bit about last night's outings or plans for the new day…along with some recommendations for what to do and see. As for the memorable menu, well, there's orange juice, then always some kind of fruit, including mango. Then there's homemade pumpkin or zucchini bread, plus, lest we forget, the main course, and coffee and tea. Enjoying the Dutch Apple Pancakes Among Elaine's many signature dishes are incredible Dutch Apple Pancakes, which Frank aptly calls "a work of art," and which we enjoyed during our stay. "When she goes into the kitchen," said Frank admiringly, "everything she prepares is made from scratch." The apple pancakes were unlike any pancakes we have ever eaten, both in flavor and consistency. They were puffy and moist and filled in the center with apples caramelized with maple syrup. (See recipe below). Of course, part of the charm of the Casa de Rosa breakfast, is the fun of meeting other guests. During our visit, we met three other couples - a couple from London in the Chinese antiquities business who had come to West Palm Beach to participate in an antiques show; another two couples from the U.S. who were on vacation. The Historic Northwood District Like the others which dot West Palm Beach, the Northwood district was established back in 1921. Casa de Rosa itself was constructed in 1924; a marker on the front of the house attests to its historic lineage.
(Casa de Rosa's swimming pool as seen from one of the upstairs rooms) Within a mile or so, one can see what has been happening to this part of West Palm Beach over the past eight years. Not only are there trendy new commercial developments, but high-end condos are being added to the skyline along the Intracoastal Waterway, a 1,200-mile inland waterway extending from Virginia all the way to the southern tip of Florida at Key West. It took Elaine and Frank three years, searching from Florida to Georgia, to find Casa de Rosa, though they hadn't always worked in the hospitality business. Frank, at one time a musician who sang and played bass, most recently worked as a commercial photographer. Elaine's background is in real estate and the medical industry. But you can tell that the couple has found their real niche at Casa de Rosa -- Elaine working her wonders in the kitchen and Frank lovingly maintaining the well-manicured garden, whose magic is ever more so under evening's illumination. "This is a special house," said Elaine. "It really is." HOW TO REACH CASA DE ROSA… (888)
665-8666 or (561) 833-1920 Address:
520 27th Street, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407
(The sun parlor with its piano, just off the living room, is where wine is put out in the afternoon) Casa de Rosa is within minutes of pristine beaches, CityPlace, Worth Avenue, Clematis Street and the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The South Dixie Antique Row is also located in West Palm Beach and offers 45 antique shops offering 17th to 20th century antiques, fine and decorative arts, period deco and modern furnishings. Casa de Rosa provides maps of the area and will also suggest many fine restaurants and make reservations for its guests. Recipe for Elaine's Dutch Apple Pancakes Ingredients 6
large eggs 1
2/3 cups all-purpose flour Directions Heat oven to 425 degrees 1.
Remove top oven rack. Position other rack in lower third of oven. Combine eggs,
milk, 2 tbsp sugar, vanilla, salt and lemon peel in large mixer bowl. Add flour
and beat 1 min.
| ||
READ
MORE
| ||
 |
