| Ta-boo was opened in 1941 by Ted Stone shortly before the U.S. entered
World War II. Stone owned the restaurant for 14 years before selling it
to Jim Peterson in 1955. Peterson held on to Ta-boo until 1975, after
which it underwent several ownership changes until Franklyn deMarco and
Nancy Simmons (formerly Nancy Sharigan) reopened the doors in October
of 1990.
From the beginning, Ta-boo quickly became a haven for it's wealthy and
well known patrons. Sporting an intimate bar and roll-away roof that allowed
dinning under the stars, the restaurant drew the likes of John F. Kennedy,
Frank Sinatra, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and other celebrities.
The bistro became the center for a trove of tales and anecdotes, ranging
from one about the German submarine commander who came ashore for a couple
of drinks during World War II, to gossip about Joseph P. Kennedy barricading
himself and Gloria Swanson in the ladies room for an entire evening.
One story, possibly apocryphal, claims that the Bloody Mary was concocted
one morning by a bartender at Ta-boo, at the request of Barbara Hutton
for a soothing drink after a night of partying.
Over the years, the restaurant has been a winner of a host of awards.
Society tabloids and food and wine publications crowned Ta-boo for it's
understated elegance and influential gatherings. Ta-boo has been hailed
as the best night spot in the country to "drink, laugh, and meet women."
Ta-boo's fame and following has grown over the years and has quicky become
"a must" on every travelers list when visiting Palm Beach. It is said,
"If you were not seen at Ta-boo, you were not seen in town."
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