Wellington, Fla. – Jan. 11, 2018 – Every winter, equestrians descend on Wellington, Florida, the aptly named “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.” With each passing season, Wellington continues to evolve, boasting new shops, events and restaurants; however, none stand out quite as much as Wellington’s newest restaurant, Polo Bar & Grill. The recently renovated restaurant, located at Polo West Golf and Equestrian, Wellington’s finest public golf course, fuses small-town comforts with the excitement of world-class horse sport events. It is ideal for the eclectic diner or the local foodie, featuring farm-fresh cuisine, locally sourced produce, special events, natural surroundings and it pays a nostalgic nod to Wellington’s equestrian roots.
Owned by husband-and-wife duo Gary Fellers and Jeanette Sassoon, two veteran equestrians who are well known for their iconic polo apparel and tack store, PoloGear, also located in the heart of Wellington, Polo Bar & Grill is a relaxed, approachable dining destination like Wellington has never seen. Serving Farm Fresh Cuisine, the menu is a compilation of farm-to-table lunch, dinner, and brunch plates with a California West Coast twist. Ingredients are sourced locally-most vegetables and organic products are brought over from Swank Farms, which is less than 10 miles away-and vendors are chosen based on their quality and proximity to the restaurant.
Fellers and Sassoon tapped General Manager and Executive Chef Victor Irizarry for Wellington’s newest standout restaurant. Irizarry comes to Polo Bar & Grill from BJ’s Brewhouse, Seasons 52, Hard Rock Cafe and Walt Disney World, one of the country’s top culinary institutes where he was Sous Chef for 10 years. He also earned his sommelier certification from The Court of Master Sommeliers. His experience working on the west coast, including positions in California and Alaska combined with his vast international and Caribbean background are the perfect blend for the restaurant’s fusion flare. Irizarry brings a melting pot of flavors that represent the diverse and international community of Wellington.
“Everything you see is a la carte, it’s prepared daily, and it’s fresh,” says Chef Irizarry. “We don’t even have a microwave in the kitchen. There are no preservatives, no antibiotics, and everything we cook is the way it’s supposed to be eaten. We are cooking from the heart.”
Under Irizarry’s helm, the menu at Polo Bar & Grill focuses on locally-sourced, wholesome flavorful food at reasonable prices. The result is an extensive collaboration between Chef Irizarry and his talented sous chef, who has also lived and worked all over the world. With a focus on what’s fresh, the menu is driven by what is local, available, and at its peak season. Dishes run between $10 and $28, and the menu features such spectacular items as Wild Caught Yellowtail Snapper, Lump Crab Cakes, New York Strip Steak, and a Guava BBQ Pork Chop, that is to die for. The restaurant also hosts an array of special events, from “Sunday Polo Patio Brunch” featuring an impressive brunch spread with special priced unlimited mimosas accompanied by live performances from local talented musicians to weekly events that balance philanthropy and equestrian ties.”We want Polo Bar & Grill to be a welcoming space for the community by offering an exciting, approachable menu, hosting weekly events opens to the public and giving back to the community though our partnerships with local charities,” explains Irizarry.
“We want Polo Bar & Grill to be a welcoming space for the community by offering an exciting, approachable menu, hosting weekly events opens to the public and giving back to the community though our partnerships with local charities,” explains Irizarry.
Inside, Polo Bar & Grill boasts modern fusion decor. Adorned in soft grays and lavender with touches of purple and gold, it has three dining areas: The Grill Room, the Bar and the Polo Patio. The Grill Room is the most formal option, and overlooks the 12-acre polo field and driving range through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. In the Bar, there are plenty of high-top tables and a unique double-horseshoe-shaped bar that extends the whole length of the room, ending with a stone fireplace. The Polo Patio offers sweeping views of the expansive polo field, driving range and fully lit equestrian arena, making guests feel like they are actually part of the scenery, and features a pass-through outside bar. No matter what room you’re in, however, the idea is that you can eat and drink while watching whatever activities are taking place on the field or in the arena or just pick a comfortable sofa/fire pit setting and have a quiet, relaxing visit. The restaurant also includes two banquet rooms available for private events, and special events during season.
“We aim to create a neighborly, fun, and welcoming atmosphere for the residents of Wellington to come together” says Fellers, who played in the very first polo match in Wellington. “You can come in and watch the equestrian events at no charge, all while eating wonderful food, receiving great service, and overlooking 150 acres of Wellington’s open golf and polo fields flanked by towering oaks. There’s just no place like it.”
Polo Bar & Grill isn’t just about food; it’s about community. Fellers and Sassoon want to use the city’s equestrian roots to both entertain and educate Wellington residents by hosting weekly events for the community. In addition to the weekly events, there are countless opportunities for local patrons to host their own activities including charity events, golf tournament, or even kids birthday parties.
“We want the new Polo Bar & Grill to be a taste of the past; a throwback to the original Wellington, which was fun and filled with good camaraderie,” says Sassoon. “We want our restaurant to be a place for jumpers, polo players, and dressage people, as well as non-equestrians to decompress and enjoy a relaxing night out. It’s a place where they can come and have a great meal, a couple of cocktails, have fun, and just mingle with people in and out of the equestrian and polo world.”
Polo Bar & Grill is located at 2470 Greenview Cove Drive. It is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday through Sunday. For more information about Polo Bar & Grill, visit www.polobarandgrill.com or call (561) 429-2049. Follow us on social media at www.facebook.com/polobarandgri
