Ritz-Carltonz
» 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, 904/277-1100
» 100 S Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, 561/533-600
» ritzcarlton.com

Temple Orange in Manalapan

“Putting on the Ritz” has been so successful for the Florida links in the golden chain that the company is putting on more across the state. The first Florida Ritz-Carlton, which made its glorious debut 16 years ago on Amelia Island, recently completed a thorough updating in its signature space, giving the Grill Room a new name, Salt, which was dramatically designed with wavy metal walls, woven screens, cherry wood and outsize vases with stalks of the tallest exotic flowers. The makeover provides a dignified yet inviting staging area for the parade of excellence streaming from the kitchen, where chef Richard Gras is in charge of the menus, changed daily to reflect seasonal freshness.

Gras organizes a $90 Chef’s Adventure, defined as six surprise servings depending on that freshness and the season, happily featuring such delights as salt-cured foie gras with fresh brioche and rutabaga crisps saluted with white wine caramel. If you want to get closer to the championship culinary skills, book “The Seat in the Kitchen,” where

The Grill Room at the Amelia Island location has been remade. It’s now called Salt.