50 Best Restaurants

>
FEATURE // BEST RESTAURANTS
BE ST SE AFOO D
3030 OC E AN
If Chef Dean James Max has learned one thing from
living in Florida and fishing in the Bahamas, it’s how to
cook fish. And cook it well. 3030 Ocean is the premier
seafood restaurant for the gastronomically inclined.
Clean flavors reign supreme.
www.3030ocean.com / 3030 Holiday Drive,
Fort Lauderdale
BEST PAN-ASIAN CUISINE
BUD D H A SK Y BAR
Take it from us. We have an Asian on staff, and even
she loves the food at Buddha Sky Bar. With the restaurant’s huge sushi selection, dim sum and delectable
cocktails, you’ll be in good hands. Not to ignore is
Buddha Sky Bar’s outdoor dining on the rooftop terrace
with the best view of Atlantic Avenue.
www.buddhaskybar.com / 217 E. Atlantic Ave.,
Delray Beach
BEST MEAT-LOVER’S PARADISE
C H I MA BRAZILIAN ST EAKHOUSE
With gauchos roaming around the dining hall carrying
skewers of perfectly seasoned meat, Chima is easily a
meat-lover’s paradise. But what makes it the best is the
quality of meat and perfectly seasoned cuts that are
presented.
www.chima.cc / 2400 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
BEST RESTAURANT TO SPOT CELEBRITIES
PH I LI PPE BY PHILIPPE CHOW
When you have sports and movie stars backing a
restaurant like Philippe Chow, you know you’re doing
something right. And chances are that you’ll spot a
few of these celebs dining there, eating the delectable
chicken satay or watching the always-entertaining
noodle show.
www.philippechow.com / 200 E. Palmetto Park Road,
Boca Raton
50
THE
BEST BURGERS
ROK :BRGR BURGER BAR + GAST ROPUB
If we knew what made ROK:BRGR’s burgers so good,
we’d bottle it up and sell it ourselves. But alas, we’re
clueless on the how, but just know the burgers taste phenomenal. All burgers are served as 10-ounce mammothsized portions with French fries.
www.rokbrgr.com / 208 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale
BEST RESTAURANTS
IN SOUTH FLORIDA
BEST RESTAURANT ON THE INTRACOASTAL
15 TH STRE E T FISHERIES
& D OC K SI D E CAFÉ
Do you want a casual spot that’s perfect for informal
occasions? Or do you want a posh setting in a refined
atmosphere? Either way, you have both at 15th Street
Fisheries. With two floors serving great food, 15th
Street Fisheries’ setting on the Intracoastal is ideal for
any formal (or informal) occasion.
www.15streetfisheries.com / 1900 SE 15th St.,
Fort Lauderdale
W
HERE DO YOU WANT TO EAT TONIGHT? That’s the question we ask
each other all the time. So if you’re going to eat out, why not dine at
the area’s best restaurants? Here are the 50 best*, as selected by our team
of hungry, famished and insatiable editors.
Photography by Justin S. Mein
Chima
*The list is in no particular order – other than what came to our minds first.
40
APRIL 2012
gulfstreammediagroup.com
gulfstreammediagroup.com
APRIL 2012
41
>
FEATURE // BEST RESTAURANTS
BEST CONTEMPORARY
AMERICAN MENU
3 2 E A ST
Rich flavors explode with every bite while at
32 East. And beyond the fantastic fare, the
staff goes to extreme measures to make your
dining experience personal. If you call ahead
to request it for a special occasion, they’ll
even personalize your menu with your names
and wish you happiness.
www.32east.com / 32 E. Atlantic Ave.,
Delray Beach
BEST PIZZA
A NTH ONY’S COAL F IR ED PIZZA
Pizzas are not made equal, and we’ve found
the ones at Anthony’s are a notch higher than
the rest. The coal-fire oven gives the crust a
perfect crisp, and the ingredient combinations
(like roasted cauliflower over Romano and
mozzarella) are innovative.
www.anthonyscoalfiredpizza.com / various
locations
BEST CONTEMPORARY LATIN CUISINE
CA BA NA EL REY
Cabana El Rey is exactly the lively, energetic
restaurant you’d expect it to be. With its vivacious ambience, Cabana El Rey does its Latin
roots proud by serving upscale versions of
traditional cuisines like arroz con pollo, ropa
vieja and pollo asado. Not to be missed is the
signature mojito.
www.cabanarestaurant.com / 105 E. Atlantic
Ave., Delray Beach
BEST POWER LUNCH SPOT
BI G CI TY TAV ERN
For the ultimate get-down-to-work spot where
you can simultaneously nosh on great American cuisine, Big City Tavern is your place.
During lunch you’ll find the casual restaurant
filled to the brim with executives, all looking
to get a little business done while at a great
restaurant.
www.bigtimerestaurants.com / 609 E. Las Olas
Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
BEST SOUTHWESTERN CUISINE
CA NY ON SOUTHW EST C A FÉ
If you think Southwestern food is comprised of
just chips and salsa, then you’re in for a treat
at Canyon. Packing bold flavors in each dish,
Canyon looks to serve a bit of the Southwest
here in the Southeast. The intimate restaurant
doesn’t take reservations, so be sure to get
What’s
the
best
thing
you’ve
ever eaten?
42
APRIL 2012
Buddha Sky Bar
there early for your best seat.
www.canyonfl.com / 1818 E. Sunrise Blvd.,
Fort Lauderdale
BEST TASTE OF OLD FLORIDA
C A P’ S PL A C E I S L A N D
R ES TA U RA N T
What restaurant makes you take a ferry to
get to it, you ask? A darn good one, we say.
Cap’s Place is one of South Florida’s oldest
restaurants and has long served one of the
best seafood menus in the area. Step back in
time at this restaurant, and leave your stresses
back on the mainland.
www.capsplace.com / 2765 NE 28th Court,
Lighthouse Point
BEST ITALIAN
C A S A D ’ AN G E L O R I S T O R A N T E
With an Italian restaurant on every corner of
South Florida, it’s good to know there’s one
that’s the best. Casa D’Angelo stands out for
not only the quality of its food, but the heart
and soul put into each dish. With Chef/
Owner Angelo Elia fresh off cooking a James
Beard Foundation dinner, it’s no surprise this
restaurant has become one of the area’s most
prestigious.
www.casa-d-angelo.com / 1201 N. Federal
Highway, Fort Lauderdale
BEST GOURMET SANDWICHES
C HEES E C U LT U R E
One part market, one part restaurant, the
Cheese Culture is a new whey, er, way of
dining. During lunch, the Cheese Culture will
serve gourmet cheeses and meats, sliced fresh
and sandwiched in between artisan-baked
breads. Dine either on the outside terrace or
inside at the large banquet table.
www.cheese-culture.com / 813 E. Las Olas
Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
BEST FARM-TO-TABLE CONCEPT
MA R K ET 1 7
Committed to serving fresh, organic foods,
Market 17 has quietly become the area’s
foremost leader in farm-to-table cuisine. The
owners have created an environment that
places emphasis on flavorful foods and wines.
Be sure to try the dining in the dark.
www.market17.net / 1850 SE 17th St.,
Fort Lauderdale
BEST NEW AMERICAN CUISINE
JOHN N Y V
The chardonnay risotto
with wild mushrooms and
crispy prosciutto made by
Signature Grand Executive
Chef David DeLeon. It was
rich, creamy and perfectly
cooked. – Kelly Alvarez
Vitale, CEO of Strategic
Philanthropy
recognized Italian dining experience, and is most notable for its
meatballs, which are made of pork, veal, beef, day-old Italian bread
and garlic salt.
www.cafemartorano.com / 3343 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Sometimes you want a good meal, a meal you
know you probably could never do in your
own kitchen. For those times, there’s Johnny
V. One of Las Olas Boulevard’s most popular
restaurants, Johnny V presents New American
cuisine with precision and innovation.
www.johnnyvlasolas.com / 625 E. Las Olas
Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
BEST MEATBALLS
CAFÉ MARTORANO
If it were possible for a restaurant to have
its own personality, then it would come in
the form of Café Martorano. Under the helm
of the effervescent Steve Martorano, this
restaurant has become South Florida’s most
A seafood fra diavolo that I had in
beautiful Positano, Italy ... The ambience of the seaside restaurant only
added to the meal of freshly caught
shrimp, lobster tails, scallops and
onions in a spicy red sauce served over
homemade pasta and topped with a
salty, freshly grated pecorino Romano.
– Cheryl Budd, chief communications
officer at NCCI Holdings, Inc.
gulfstreammediagroup.com
BEST RESTAURANT WORTH ALL THE HYPE
MAX’S GRI LLE
Ask anybody what they think of Max’s Grille, and you’ll find
overwhelmingly favorable reviews. And everyone would be right.
This American bistro has been open for more than 20 years not just
based on the hype, but because time and time again it serves spoton dishes and gives outstanding service.
www.maxsgrille.com / 404 Plaza Real, Boca Raton
BEST SMALL-PLATE RESTAURANT
PL8 K I TC H E N
If necessity is the mother of invention, then PL8’s remodeling concept
must be the mother of re-invention. When the owners of Himmarshee
decided to reinvent its menu and open up under PL8 last year, the
dining world was apprehensive. They proved us all wrong. PL8 still
offers the high-quality, bistro-style food Himmarshee did, but this time
on a smaller scale with the same bold flavors.
www.pl8kitchen.com / 210 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale
I had my best meal just outside of Florence in
Tuscany at Trattoria Le Cave di Maiano. We
dined under the stars and ate the cured meats,
local cheeses and olives along with a wonderful pecorino wine to start, followed by fried
zucchini flowers and white beans, homemade
gnocchi, and finally the porchetta, a Tuscan
tradition of grilled pork, put me over the top.
– Paul Castronovo, co-host of the Paul and
Young Ron Morning Show
gulfstreammediagroup.com
BEST CLUB TURNED RESTAURANT (AND RESTAURANT
TURNED CLUB)
ROC C O’S TAC OS
Rare is it that a club can be taken seriously as a restaurant and a restaurant is taken seriously as a club. But Rocco’s Tacos has debunked
that theory. The Mexican-style restaurant has placed serious emphasis
on quality food (be sure to try the guacamole prepared tableside) and
service, while loosening up its tie after-hours for a fun night out.
www.roccostacos.com / locations in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale
BEST RESTAURANT-ULTRALOUNGE COMBO
SOLI TA I TALI AN
SoLita Italian grew out of an idea to serve home-style Italian meals
in a vibrant and sexy atmosphere. And what success it has found.
Whether you come for the drinks or the food (or both), there’s no
way you’ll leave disappointed.
www.solitaitalian.com / locations in Delray Beach and
Fort Lauderdale
The best thing I ever ate was the white asparagus bisque served with a warm salad of
langoustines at a restaurant called Da Vinci
in Holland. The soup was just so refined,
the seafood cooked perfectly and the meal
featured amazing local greens and preserved
lemons. – Chef Paula DaSilva, executive chef
at 1500° at Eden Roc Renaissance
APRIL 2012
43
>
FEATURE // BEST RESTAURANTS
time and time again.
www.zonafresca.com / various locations in Fort Lauderdale
BEST SUSHI
Z I RE E TH AI AND SUSH I
There are “sushi people” and then there are non-sushi people.
Whatever you might be, Ziree Thai and Sushi is where you’ll find
the area’s best sushi. Set in a sleek and modern environment, Ziree
offers a large sushi selection as well as a stylish presentation.
www.zireethai.com / 401 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach
BEST DINNER AND SHOW
MAI - K AI
It’s a tourist trap in the best sense of the phrase. Mai-Kai’s fantastic
Polynesian show includes flaming fireballs, half-naked performers
and lots of dancing – what more could you ask for? But alas there is
the food. One bite of its food – from the Roast Duck Mai-Kai to the
Panang Curry Shrimp – is enough to know the restaurant puts serious emphasis on quality and standards.
www.maikai.com / 3599 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale
BEST WINE BAR
TH E RUSTI C C E LLAR
The Rustic Cellar is what all wine bars should be: sophisticated,
warm and full of fantastic wine. There’s 300-some bottles of wine, of
which 50 can be open at one time. In addition, the staff’s knowledge of each bottle is mind-blowing.
www.rusticcellar.com / 409 SE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton
3030 Ocean
BEST DIVE BAR
S O U TH PORT RAW BA R
Sometimes you guys want a good meal without
the pretenses. And for those times (and all
other times in between), Southport Raw Bar is
the place for you. One of the locals’ favorites,
this restaurant serves up fresh seafood and
bar food in a casual environment right on the
Intracoastal.
www.southportrawbar.com / 1536 Cordova
Road, Fort Lauderdale
BEST DESSERT MENU
S TE A K 954
Impressive seems like a huge understatement
when describing Steak 954’s dessert menu. Everything from the chocolate soufflé to the sticky
carrot cake is, well, impressive. The dishes are
meticulously prepared and expertly crafted,
and one bite is like a taste of heaven.
www.steak954.com / 401 N. Fort Lauderdale
Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
BEST BRUNCH
S U ND Y HOUSE
For a taste of old Florida, come to the Sundy
House, where you are bound to never leave
hungry. Brunch is served in a romantic atmosphere, and guests are welcomed in either the
dining room or outside in the garden.
www.sundyhouse.com / 106 S. Swinton Ave.,
Delray Beach
BEST CRAFT BEER SELECTION
TA P 4 2
With an extensive list of beers on tap (with,
yep, you guessed it, 42 beers), Tap 42 has
quickly become one of South Florida’s most
popular restaurants and after-work destinations. Set inside the same building that once
housed the historic Brownie’s Bar, Tap 42 now
looks to add its own history to the area with its
fun atmosphere and drink selections.
www.tap42.com / 1411 S. Andrews Ave.,
Fort Lauderdale
BEST EASTERN CUISINE
THA I S PIC E
Tucked in the corner of a nondescript strip
mall, Thai Spice has been a favorite among
locals for years. The restaurant pumps daring
Thai flavors into every dish, and staples like
Coq au vin at La Rôtisserie du Beaujolais in the fifth arrondissement. At La
Rôtisserie du Beaujolais, it is prepared
authentically and presented in its own
little Le Creuset pot – pure bourgeois
cuisine. – Joyce DeVita, chef instructor
at the JOYce of COOKING school
and former caterer
44
APRIL 2012
the pad thai will never tire dinner guests.
www.thaispicefla.com / 1514 E. Commercial
Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
BEST SURF-AND-TURF OPTIONS
T R U L U C K’ S
If you’re a fan of both seafood and steak,
then Truluck’s is the right spot for you. With
the highest emphasis on quality for both, the
restaurant and its staff meticulously prepare
each dish, making every bite more and more
savory. And the cherry on top? Every Monday
Truluck’s offers an all-you-can-eat fresh Florida
stone crab dinner.
www.trulucks.com / locations in Boca Raton and
Fort Lauderdale
BEST RESTAURANT YOU
CAN EAT AT EVERY DAY
ZONA FRESCA
Whether you’re on a budget or not, Zona
Fresca is friendly on any type of wallet. With
fresh salsa that’s literally chopped seconds
before it’s served and delicious Mexican food
prepared for those on the go, it’s easy to see
why Zona Fresca has been a local favorite
The one dining experience that stands
out is Casa D’Angelo. My favorite item is
the cannellini tiepidi all’olio d’oliva (traditional white beans with olive oil and
cherry tomatoes). – Dr. Dana Markham,
president of Pine Crest School
gulfstreammediagroup.com
BEST BARBECUE
MI SSI SSI PPI SWE E TS BBQ C O.
Sometimes there’s nothing better than getting down and dirty with
some barbecue. And at Mississippi Sweets, that’s exactly what the
owners want you to do. With a down-home feel, the restaurant
serves some of the best baby back ribs this side of the Delta.
www.mississippisweetsbbq.com / 2399 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton
BEST OFF-THE-BEATEN PATH RESTAURANT
D A C AMPO OSTE RI A
Think all the best restaurants are located on Las Olas Boulevard or
Atlantic Avenue? Think again. Da Campo Osteria, with its authentic
Italian cuisine, debunks the myth that you need to be on a popular
street to serve good food. Located inside il Lugano Suite Hotel, da
Campo Osteria’s made-from-scratch pasta and hearty dishes will
easily persuade you to take the road less traveled.
www.dacampoosteria.com / 3333 NE 32nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale
BEST AIRLINE DINING OUTSIDE THE AIRPORT
ANTH ONY’S RUNWAY 84
Just a short drive from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International
Airport, the inside of this family-style Italian restaurant is designed to
make guests feel they are inside a plane. Entrees come with a complimentary salad, and a soup or – get this – massive plate of mussels.
www.runway-84.com / 330 State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale
BEST CUPCAKE STORE
C UPC AK E C OUTURE SWE E T BOUTI QUE
Each menu item is a fashion show in a dessert with cakes like
Foie gras custard with duck magret, purple
cauliflower and hon shimeji in a duck consommé at The Grill at The Setai South Beach
... This dish was pure food ecstasy, with the
combination of ingredients and textures playing out like a magnificent symphony. – Christine Najac, food critic from South Florida
Food and Wine and author of The Food Lovers’ Guide to Miami & Fort Lauderdale
gulfstreammediagroup.com
THE FOOD BUCKET LIST
You only live once, right? Because of that,
here are 10 local dishes you must add to
your bucket list.
The Pitts-Burger cheese steak at Primanti Bros.
Every wonder what it’s like to eat like a trucker on the go? Then
stop by here, where everything is put between two pieces of bread –
including the fries.
Wings at Tucci’s Fire n Coal Pizza
If only everyone knew to coal fire their wings ... The wings here are
juicy, tasty and just finger-lickin’ good.
Stone Crab Claws at Truluck’s
There’s just something utterly divine about eating stone crab claws,
and Truluck’s does a fabulous job of making it a special experience.
Sirloinburger from Le Tub Saloon
Thirteen ounces of meat. What else do we need to say?
Prickly Pear Margarita from Canyon Southwest Cafe
With just the right amount of sweetness and tequila, this drink goes
down easy and quickly.
Three Berry Creme Brulee “Pot Pie” at Johnny V
With an outer crusts that’s delicious enough on its own, the crème
brulee perfect custard filling is just icing on the cake – er, pie.
Croissant at Croissan’Time
One bite into the flaky, light croissant is like being transported to
Paris.
Pulled Mozzarella at da Campo Osteria
You can get fresh mozzarella at almost any good Italian restaurant,
but where can you get it pulled and assembled right in front of you?
Da Campo Osteria offers the freshest, most innovative take on mozzarella in the area.
Gryo at Greek Islands Taverna
Opa! The Greeks know how to make a good sandwich, and it
comes in no better form than the perfectly seasoned one at Greek
Islands Taverna.
Ice Cream Sandwich at YOLO
This ain’t no paper-wrapped ice cream sandwich you find at the grocery store. Instead, YOLO’s version has espresso-infused chocolate
and is rolled in nuts.
One of the best and most memorable foods
I’ve ever had was a freshly caught wild
silver salmon, grilled simply over a wood
fire, and eaten outdoors with fellow food
editors in Portland, Ore. No salmon since
has come close. – Jan Norris, publisher and
food writer of www.JanNorris.com
APRIL 2012
45
>
FEATURE // BEST RESTAURANTS
Christian Louboutinilla, Limey Pulitzer and Yves Saint Lemon.
These desserts aren’t just made; they’re designed – with no
preservatives or mixes. Kosher, gluten-free, vegan and sugarfree products are available.
www.cupcakecoutureusa.com / 328 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach
comes in varieties like mango papaya-habanero or crab-chipotle, and beer can be served on
the rocks with hot sauce, lime and Maggi.
www.doscaminos.com / 1140 Seabreeze Blvd.,
Fort Lauderdale
Cupcake Couture
BEST BAR BITES
E NGLI SH TAP & BE E R GARD E N
Here’s one of the best places in Boca for a
beer and apps, especially outside in the beer
garden. Beer selection includes 30 beers on
tap and more than 60 international bottled
beers. Pair your beer with the toasted soft pretzels with a homemade cheese dipping sauce,
lobster mac and cheese or crispy calamari.
www.theenglishtap.com / 5050 Town Center
Circle, Boca Raton
BEST TRADITIONAL FRENCH CUISINE
CA R PE DIEM BY CAFÉ D E FR A N C E
It’s part quaint restaurant, part cozy bakery, and 100 percent
authentic French, from the servers to the baguettes and escargot. Seize the day (or night) at one of the best restaurants in
Delray Beach. Watch for frequent $1 mimosa specials.
www.110carpediem.com / 110 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach
BEST VARIETY ON A MENU
CA F É MAXX
This restaurant has been in the area since the ’80s and has
won award after award after award. The menu is massive
and ever-changing, with a huge variety of options from caviar
pie to elk rack to duck breast. Try the chocolate soufflé cake.
www.cafemaxx.com / 2601 E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach
BEST RESTAURANT TO TREAT YOURSELF
NE W YORK PRI ME
With an award-winning wine list and perfect
USDA Prime steaks, there’s no better place
than New York Prime when you feel you’ve
earned a grand night out.
www.primesteakhouses.com / 2350 NW Executive Center Drive, Boca Raton
BEST ROMANTIC BEACHSIDE DINING
CA F F E L UNA ROSA
Located right across the street from the ocean, this Italian
restaurant is one of the most popular spots in Delray Beach
– with good reason. Try a homemade pasta or come in the
morning for breakfast. Reservations are recommended.
www.caffelunarosa.com / 34 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach
BEST MEAL WITH A SIDE OF ART
DADA
This 1920s house-turned-restaurant is a staple in the Delray
art scene, attracting art and fashion shows, poetry readings,
film showings and live music. Don’t leave without trying a
blueberry mojito or Dada Smores.
www.sub-culture.org/dada/home-dada / 52 N. Swinton Ave.,
Delray Beach
BEST OLD-SCHOOL ITALIAN
PE LLE GRI NO’S RI STORANTE
The former hole-in-the-wall Deerfield restaurant
has moved to Boca Raton. With origins traced
to New York City’s famous Rao’s, the restaurant provides exceptional old-school Italian
fare and a white-tablecloth dining experience.
www.pellegrinosofboca.com / 3360 N. Federal
Highway, Boca Raton
BEST MARGHERITA PIZZA
SC UOLA V E C C H I A
This restaurant offers something different from
all the others on Atlantic Avenue: simplicity.
Come here for a perfect Neapolitan–style
pizza: fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil
on coal-fired dough. Don’t skip dessert –
there’s a Nutella pizza on the menu.
www.scuolavecchiapizzeria.com / 522 E.
Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach
Philippe
BEST BUILD-YOUR-OWN BLOODY MARY BAR
D E CK 84
Live like a bartender at Deck 84’s brunch. It starts with a
glass half-full of vodka, and then you decide how to finish it,
choosing from 20 ingredients at the bar (like bacon, olives
and okra). Watch the boats roll by on the Intracoastal from
the pet-friendly patio.
www.deck84.com / 840 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach
BEST COCKTAILS
SPI N ULTRA LOUNGE
Eat your cocktails at this ultra lounge. The drink
menu packs “drunken” melon and pineapple
infused with premium vodka and electric blue
margaritas with the consistency of a Jello shot.
The bar bites aren’t bad either, with dishes like
crab brie quesadillas and almond-crusted brie.
www.spinboca.com / 346 Plaza Real, Boca Raton
BEST MEXICAN WITH A TWIST
D OS CAMINOS
The popular New York restaurant’s only home outside the
Northeast is tucked away in the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale
Beach Hotel. The fare is Mexican creatively done – guac
I’m not a seafood lover, but
the black Florida grouper at
Canyon is the best thing I’ve
ever eaten! The pan-seared
grouper tears like the perfect
filet, and the fresh tomato
sauce, crab and little crunchy
pieces of ham are like heaven
in one bite. – Dr. April Patterson, cosmetic dentist
46
APRIL 2012
While in South Italy, I
had the best meal: a baccalà cod fish roasted in
a wood oven with spicy
peppers, roasted garlic
and baby eggplant is
certainly the best thing
I ever ate. – Chef Rickie
Piper, executive chef at
D’Angelo Trattoria
The charcuterie plate
at Bar Boulud in Manhattan ... The flavors
were so pure and
clean. Nothing else
has matched it. – Chef
Jason Smith, chef de
cuisine at Steak 954
gulfstreammediagroup.com
ROK:BRGR
BEST AMERICAN GASTROPUB
TH E OFFI C E
While it’s known for burgers and craft beer,
this restaurant is nothing like a sports bar. The
vibe is high-end and trendy, and the cuisine
is comfort food with a touch of delicacy, from
black truffle popcorn to fancy fried green
tomatoes with shrimp.
www.theofficedelray.com / 201 E. Atlantic
Ave., Delray Beach
BEST BREAKFAST
TOM SAWYE R RE STAURANT &
PASTRY
It’s said that people drive for miles for the croissant French toast. Patrons can also enjoy an entire
breakfast experience in a bowl with “breakfast
in a pot” – two biscuits topped with gravy, eggs,
meat and toppings of your choice.
www.tomsawyerrestaurant.com / 1759 NW
Boca Raton Blvd., Boca Raton
BEST ITALIAN ON THE AVENUE
TRAMONTI RI STORANTE
There’s almost nothing on the menu you could
go wrong with – Tramonti is that good. The
sister restaurant to Little Italy’s Angelo’s of
Mulberry St., Tramonti is like a New York
restaurant transplanted to Atlantic Avenue. Try
the homemade gnocchi or pasta carbonera.
www.tramontidelray.com / 119 E. Atlantic
Ave., Delray Beach
BEST PLACE FOR A COZY MEAL
V I C & ANGE LO’S
One of the prettiest restaurants on Atlantic
The best dish I ever ate was the
chargrilled lamb burger with feta,
cumin, mayo and thrice-cooked
chips at the The Breslin Bar &
Dining Room in New York City. A
must-have when visiting the city!
– Pablo Urquilla, associate event
services manager for the Broward
Center for the Performing Arts
gulfstreammediagroup.com
Avenue with its red and blue décor, Vic & Angelo’s offers indoor booth seating with massive
leather seats and feels very private. All dishes
are made with ingredients imported from Italy,
and the water used to make the pizza dough
is imported from New York City. Try the pear
and four-cheese tortellini with truffle cream.
www.vicandangelos.com / 290 E. Atlantic
Ave., Delray Beach
Still hungry for more? Watch our dine-and-drive
video produced by C&I Studios by downloading
our magazine app on your iPad.
Ode to Bacon
I think I shall never see,
A poem as lovely as bacon.
Bacon whose smell so entices,
A smell I long when I’ve awaken.
Canadian, Irish or bits,
What form it comes could not matter,
Served at home, Denny’s or The Ritz.
A slice of heaven cut in strips,
“Bacon-wrapped” food’s my
favorite dish.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But I wish bacon grew on trees.
– N.D.
The Bon Chon chicken wings at Mad
For Chicken in New York City are Korean-style wings and absolutely the best
chicken wings you will ever have. They
are so crispy even after they are doused
in the most delicious Asian garlic-soy
marinade. Bon Chon is like chicken
wing candy. – Chef Steve Zobel, executive chef at East End Brasserie
APRIL 2012
47