The ResTauRanT YeaR In Review

Ceviche
Butcher Block Grill
Jazziz Nightlife
The
Restaurant
Year in
Review
By Kenny Spahn
Butcher Block Grill
Jazziz Nightlife
D’Angelo Pizza • Wine Bar • Tapas
Shake Shack
Cabo Flats Cantina
Happy New Year! We all look forward to an exciting year full of new culinary adventures — but first, lets’ take a quick recap on where
2013 left us. The national big guns shied away from the Boca/Delray market last year, evidencing the lack of corporate confidence in
this still-struggling economy. But some major local players, along with a new batch of out-of- towners entered the fray, giving us a
whole new smorgasbord of dining options. We got our usual taste of Italian, a smattering of other ethnic cuisines, and some cool new
trendy foodie ventures — but there was also a marked return back to good ol’ American comfort food, with the likes of Fork & Knife,
13 American Table, Flashback Diner, and the forthcoming Madison’s. And of course, we inevitably lost many restaurants as well, from
long-time friends to fresh newcomers. And so, my fellow foodies, here again is your annual guide to The Restaurant Year In Review.
“Now Open”
Downtown Boca Raton got off to a swingin’ start in
2013, with the launch of Mizner Park’s highly anticipated
Jazziz Nightlife. Taking the already-stunning prime
endcap space of the former ZED 451, Jazziz adds a
whole new dimension to Mizner Park — and to Boca
in general, with its enticing roster of jazz legends, killer
cocktails, lively bar scene, and top-notch cuisine. Royal
Palm Place welcomed 101 Cantina (filling the TexMex void left by The Mexican), along with Segreto in
January (followed by two subsequent openings under
new management), the (new) Estia (which was also
reborn after being closed), and the short-lived Artizan
Flatbread Company. In nearby Palmetto Place, Fork
& Knife brought its genuine Midwestern hospitality
and innovative take on familiar American food to the
former Russia House space, while neighboring L’
Etoile replaced The Spaniard next door, giving us a
contemporary taste of gourmet French cuisine. Meanwhile, East
Palmetto Park Road saw the entry of Asian eateries Ninja Spinning
Sushi, Kao Tong Modern Thai, and its replacement Nori. Spadini’s
Mizner Pizzeria, 13 American Table (taking the former Lilly’s spot),
Sushigo, and True also now sport a fancy new downtown Boca
address.
Heading north a bit, Dorsia presented its fantastic Italian fare to N.
Federal Highway, along with fellow paisanos Italio and Pasta Fever.
Fried chicken king Fran’s Chicken Haven also (re-)opened on N.
Federal, thankfully reincarnating Boca’s long-standing icon, which
had recently folded. We can now experience a modernized taste of
“Indian fast food,” with the launch of Kasi on Yamato Road; while
the new Darbster on N. Federal brings vegan cuisine to new heights
(and check out its cool outdoor patio), to the delight of vegans and
ardent carnivores alike. Flashback Diner then transformed the
once-glorious Vivo/Bova emporium on N. Federal into an upbeat
rendition of a classic Greek diner. Other new north-of-downtown
entries include Firehouse Subs and Players Sports Lounge on N.
Federal, The Night Owl on 20th Street, Rock N Angels on Dixie, and
Sonoma House, a serene new private event venue featuring the
cuisine of The (Dennis) Max Group.
Central Boca also got in on the action, especially with the launch
of Butcher Block Grill in the Fountains plaza on W. Camino Real,
presenting the area’s only all-natural, upscale steak & seafood
house; while Farmer’s Table added a fresh, healthful menu to the
Butcher Block Grill
Wyndham Hotel’s former Rosso Italia space. And burger fans no
longer have to schlep down to Miami or up to NYC (and wait in
line 2 hours!) to experience the cult-like following of Shake Shack,
now that its University Commons locale on Glades Road is up &
running. Café 5150 came to the Boca Marriott, replacing the often
overlooked Absinthe, Tijuana Flats opened shop in Palms Plaza on
Powerline, and Smoothie King blended its fresh, healthful creations
into the newly renovated Town Square on St. Andrews. Other new
neighbors in the ‘hood include Paulo’s Pizza on West Palmetto, 18th
Street Deli in The Boardwalk on SW 18th Street, and some new
tenants in Town Center Mall’s recently refurbished “The Cafes” food
court, including Butcher & The Burger, Dandelion, Yogen Fruz,
and Pummarola Pastificio. On the western front, Meatball Room
opened in Regency Court, converting the former Damiano/Assaggio
del Forno space into a sexy new hot spot featuring a variety of
fresh-made meatballs amongst its other Italian specialties. Fans of
craft beer, homemade sausage, and all things porcine are digging
Sybarite Pig, the very cool craft beer haven and gastropub (can
you say housemade Lamb Sausage with homemade chutney and
yogurt sauce on a fresh-baked pretzel bun?) in Shadowood Square,
while Pizza Chef Bistro and daytime delight First Watch Daytime
Café also opened on S.R. 7 (US 441).
Of course Delray’s ever-evolving Atlantic Avenue held its own
as well. Ceviche took over the former Falcon House, bringing an
upbeat taste of authentic Spanish cuisine to the historic site, while
restaurateur Gary Rack opened his new Rack’s Fish House &
Oyster Bar. But the big news was farther west along the Ave, with
the launch of Delray Marketplace. The new multi-use complex now
hosts a slew of new eateries, including Burt & Max’s (Burt Rapoport’s
and Dennis Max’s latest venture), Cabo Flats Cantina, Red Rock
Grill, Terra Fiamma, Japango, Shula Burger, Cinebowl & Grille,
Bella Amici, The Grind Coffee Café, Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt,
and The Olive Tap. And after a 10-year hiatus, south Florida’s
favorite Dane, Out of Denmark was reincarnated on S. Federal Hwy,
under the same loving ownership of chef/owner Jorgen Moeller.
Famed chef Angelo Elia of Ft. Lauderdale’s landmark Casa D’Angelo
introduced his latest creation, D’Angelo Pizza • Wine Bar • Tapas in
Addison Place on Jog Road, taking the space formerly occupied by
the lovely LOLA. Other new Delray dining destinations include Chef
Bobby Orfano’s Greek sensation, Zorba’s Taverna on Linton Blvd.,
chef-driven foodie havens 3rd & 3rd and Eclectic Eats, Le Macaron,
The Ancient Olive, Magnolia Café, Zona Fresca, and N2 Wine Bar.
Ceviche
Cabo Flats Cantina
D’Angelo Pizza • Wine Bar • Tapas
Jazziz Nightlife
“Sorry, We’re Closed”
But as the Restaurant gods giveth, they also taketh away
— as witnessed by the demise of many valiant contenders,
from hopeful newcomers to beloved institutions. Most
notably, Legal Sea Foods stood strong in Town Center
Mall for over 14 years (long before the big national chains
ever set foot), but unfortunately served up its last fresh
lobster and famous clam chowder in October. Another
seafood icon, Jake’s Stone Crab, had to finally fold its
hand after staying in the game for many years. I’ll definitely
miss Ovenella, with its fantastic wood-fired Italian cuisine
(from the area’s only authentic Italian wood-burning brick
oven!), which closed its beleaguered Federal Hwy site that
formerly housed Saba (and Chin Chin, Tanzabar, Zara’s,
Oceans 11, Campagnola, Cavalino’s, Catch 22, etc.). And
speaking of Italian, we also lost Rosso Italia on N. Military
Trail, a wonderful Italian that just never got a chance to
build the local following it deserved. The Spaniard in
nearby Palmetto Place was another unique gem that likewise
fell victim to the Obama economy, and Boca Raton lost its only
authentic Spanish venue.
In addition to the aforementioned Jake’s Stone Crab,
downtown Boca also lost Caruso Ristorante, The Mexican,
Fusionarie, Estia (which then reopened), Segreto (which also
reopened, and then closed again, but subsequently reopened (#3)
under new management), Artizan Flatbread Company, Cyprus
Mediterranean, and Earth Café, all in Royal Palm Place; along with
Russia House and The Spaniard in next door Palmetto Place, Café
Auribeau and Apropo Kafe on SE 1st Ave., Mizner Plaza Pizza
(on NE 2nd), and Sultan Express and Kao Tong on E. Palmetto
Meatball Room
Park Road. Greek estiatorio Milos, Bruegger’s Bagels and Jersey
Mike’s (both in the Fifth Avenue Shoppes), long-timer Gary Woo’s
Asian Bistro, newcomers Players Sports Lounge and Spicy
Ginger, and one of Boca’s longest-standing establishments, fried
chicken king Fran’s Chicken Haven (which was also reincarnated
under new owners) join Ovenella in the “Federal Highway Closings”
club.
Central Boca bid a fond farewell to Nestor’s at Bageland, another
long-lived institution, which was once the area’s best known (and
perennially busy) NY-style bagel-deli. Gelatoheads like me will truly
miss the frozen delights of the area’s most authentic gelateria,
Gelato Shop Petrini on Glades Road. Other area closings (in
addition to Legal Sea Foods and Rosso) include Stephan’s on
Glades, Hurricane Grill and Boardwalk Burgers on Powerline,
18th Street Deli (which lasted only a few short months), Authentic
Brooklyn Pizza and Arty’s Café on W. Palmetto, and Damiano in
Regency Court. Meanwhile, Delray Beach bid adieu to GOL! The
Taste of Brazil, 75 Main, Rotelli, and My Yogurt Café, all on E.
Atlantic Ave, along with nearby Casa Di Pepe in Pineapple Grove,
and Magnolia Café; plus long-time Italian favorite Cucina Mio, and
its neighbor Kontiki Too in Addison Place. It’s truly disheartening to
see so many long-time friends close shop. But at least they got
to stick around a while— many hopeful newcomers never even
got to celebrate their first birthday. Among the fallen infants: The
Mexican, Rosso Italia, Stephan’s, Russia House, Segreto (the first
and second versions), Artizan Flatbread Co, Cyprus, Earth Café,
18th Street Deli, Café Auribeau, Sultan Express, Kao Tong, Spicy
Ginger, Players Sports Lounge, Boardwalk Burgers, Magnolia
Café, Kontiki Too, 75 Main, and Damiano. (Whew!) {stb}
Yes, 2013 was certainly an eventful restaurant year. And 2014 looks even more promising, with a host of anticipated new
openings already on the books. We can’t reveal too many details yet, but keep an eye out for some exciting new ventures
with names like Madison, Jefe, Luigi, Opa, Camino, Molly, Apeiro, Havana, Montadito, TAP, and Brooklyn, to name a few.
And so, my fellow foodies, here’s wishing you all a great New Year full of health and happiness — and of course, Good Eatin’!