Best Reinvention
The verdict is in: EmKo was worth the wait. Artist Leo Koel purchased the former home of Ragtops Antique Motorcar Museum in 2012 and gradually transformed it into an artistic haven housing a gallery and a dining concept. Today, EmKo blooms with eye candy galore and elevates food into culinary works of art. At restaurant Jereve (a play on, “Je rêve,” French for, “I dream,”), executive chef Nick Martinkovic presents seasonal, whimsical dishes that—despite uncommon ingredients and haute-cuisine techniques—don’t convey pretention. Standouts on the evolving menu include grilled corn chowder soup, made with bacon, fingerling potatoes, and pimento relish, as well as the tropical fruit soup (below). A juice and coffee bar, an artisan market, and the Back Alley Bakery round out EmKo’s food offerings, but you can also stop by to view an exhibition or bask in the beautiful sculpture garden. However you spend your visit to EmKo, it’s bound to be inspiring.
Tropical fruit soup with hibiscus consommé, coconut sorbet, passion fruit sauce, fresh fruit, and lavender paper
Photo by Andrew Meade
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