Herky Pollock opening Palm Palm in Shadyside

A restaurant is coming to Pittsburgh with a Palm Springs and Palm Beach flavor.

Palm Palm is planning a spring opening in Shadyside.

Located in the former Asian restaurant Plum, which closed years ago, the establishment will serve small plates of light and fresh international coastal cuisine complemented with a South American flair inspired by the owners’ global travels.

“It will be a tropical fun space with an easygoing vibe and a welcoming atmosphere,” said real estate broker Herky Pollock, who with his wife, Lisa Pollock, is partnering with executive chef Ed Smith and wife Amanda Smith to bring what they call a space for “blending leisure and luxury in all aspects of design.”

Ed Smith is also executive chef and his wife is general manager at Ritual House restaurant in Downtown Pittsburgh, which is owned by the Pollocks and opened in February 2023.

“Ed and Amanda are both extremely talented and passionate about the dining experience,” Herky Pollock said. “They will keep both restaurants cutting edge. They will create a unique experience for guests at Palm Palm from food to drinks to atmosphere.”

According to the owners, the decor will feature a blend of mid-century modern furniture, warm woods and accents of gold and brass. Vintage photographs from the late famed photographer Slim Aarons, who captured the high-society life of the rich and famous in the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s, will be featured, Pollock said.

“Guests will feel like they have walked into one of Slim Aarons’ iconic photographs,” Pollock said. “He had an incredible eye. When you walk into Palm Palm, you will feel like you are taking a trip back in time with the nostalgia of yesteryear.”

Pollock has been in the real estate business for 40 years. He owns several restaurants, including Ritual House, Shorty’s Pins x Pints on the North Shore, Shorty’s Tap x Taco in The Waterfront in Homestead, and several Burgatory restaurants.

After nearly 30 years, Pollack and his team were let go in August by CBRE, Inc., where he was a co-founding partner of the Pittsburgh location. Pollock told TribLive at that time he planned to stay with his team but is not ready yet to discuss specifics of a new venture called Legacy Realty Partners.

Palm Palm plans to hire 80 to 110 employees, Pollock said. There will be a patio, a full bar offering craft cocktails and homemade sodas, as well as classic drinks; and two private dining rooms inside the kitchen that will be true chef’s tables, where diners can get a view of the food being prepared.

“Palm Palm is going to be a treat for eyes while offering something truly unique to the East End dining scene,” Pollock said. “We hope it will be a place to celebrate those special occasions in your life. It’s about creating an entire dining experience. That’s the goal. There is nothing like this in Pittsburgh.”

Palm Palm will be located at 5996 Centre Ave., in the Eastside shopping complex in Shadyside, on the border with East Liberty.