Jupiter’s Evolving Dining Scene - Sim’s House Restaurant
STORY BY JAN NORRIS
PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH PALACE
The Sims House may be Jupiter’s best-kept secret among diners who’ve stumbled on it.
There’s no sign on the tiny corner house on Center Street that houses the restaurant. That’s fine with the owner, who manages the reservations carefully, seating only 30 or so people at a time in a dining room that holds 69.
Ernie Fidanza rescued the property in 2016, saving it from the wrecking ball to share its 100-year-old history with the public, and he wants them to appreciate it as he does.
“I wanted to preserve the history of the property,” he said. “Too much of Jupiter has been demolished. Only a few original houses from the town remain.”
His pursuit of the preservation of the town’s buildings led him to form the Jupiter Historical Society in 2016, which he leads today.
In 2021, he completed the Sims House renovation to make it a public restaurant. He shares its story with everyone who dines.
The original owners were Eli and Essie Sims. Essie was the daughter of the town’s first postmistress, Ethel Sims, and Charlie Pierce, a South Florida pioneer.
Stories surrounding the house include prominent society tales of the day, including some of the Barefoot Mailman.
There are “spirits” mentioned, too, who haunted the previous owners
There are “spirits” mentioned, too, who haunted the previous owners, so Fidanza had the house “cleansed” before renovating it. The spirits are said to still be active in the dining room at times, though not in a disturbing capacity, he said. “I feel perfectly safe here.”
Because of Fidanza’s preservation work, the house has an historic landmark designation.
He has bought other properties around the little house, with aim to have an event space to accommodate groups. Currently, a large outdoor patio is used for parties and overflow events.
An American menu that changes daily is served, with ingredients sourced locally whenever possible. “We get all our produce from Hibiscus Food Market, Fidanza said. Seafood providers also are from the area.
The chef is Francisco Lantin, the longtime chef of the former Jupiter favorite, Tabica Grill.
Along with dishes such as churrasco steak, and local fresh fish, he’ll occasionally pull out a Tabica recipe, Fidanza said.
There’s entertainment a few times a month, with a comedy night on the last Friday of the month, followed Saturday night by a supper club.
The restaurant is dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday, by reservation only. Prices range from moderate to expensive. No walk-ins accepted. There’s a wait list in season, Fidenza said.
Sims House Restaurant
322 Center St., Jupiter, FL 33458
Phone 561-431-4336
Online www.facebook.com/simshouse1924
