Boca Raton magazine April 2017

SPECIAL REPORT: Flo r

BOCAMAG.COM

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azine Ass oci Mag a ida

CONSTRUCTION TO START SPRING 2017

Delray Beach. It isn’t just for the beach-centric. Walk down Atlantic Avenue any day or night and you’ll find boutiques for the fashion-centric, cafés for the brew-centric, celebrity chefs for the gastro-centric. You’ll also find 111 First Delray, with luxurious resort-style living, steps off Atlantic, and central to everything you love about Delray. Including the beach.

Oral representations cannot be relied upon as correctly stating representations of the developer. For correct representations, make reference to the documents required by Section 718.503, Florida Statutes, to be furnished by the developer to a buyer or lessee. Obtain the property report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising

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New, Contemporary Condominiums starting in the $400k’s SALES OFFICE 12 SE 1st Avenue #102 Delray Beach 561-926-9017

LOCATION 111 SE 1st Avenue Delray Beach 111First Delray.com

L I V E D E L R AY- C E N T R I C

and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, sex, religion, handicap, familial status or national origin. This ad does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy a unit in the condominium. No solicitation, offer or sale of a unit in the condominium will be made in any jurisdiction in which such activity would be unlawful prior to any required registration therein. Artist conceptual renderings.

Miami Advertising & Interactive by

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1000 South Ocean Boulevard, 101, Boca Raton $5,995,000 | Web# RX-10301384 Senada Adzem 917.913.6680

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WE ARE EVERYWHERE YOU WANT TO BE With 19 South Florida offices and an international network of over 19,000 agents across 59 countries, we are committed to connecting buyers and sellers of luxur y proper ties in South Florida and throughout the World.

MIAMI BEACH

1111 Lincoln Road, 805 Miami Beach, FL 33139 305.695.6300 1000 S. Pointe Drive, 100 Miami Beach, FL 33139 305.695.6007 1451 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139 305.695.6075

18305 Biscayne Boulevard, 205 North Miami Beach, FL 33160 305.695.6030

BAY HARBOR ISLAND

1021 Kane Concourse Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154 305.866.4566

AVENTURA

900 East Atlantic Avenue Delray Beach, FL 33483 561.278.5570

WELLINGTON

11199 Polo Club Road Wellington, FL 33414 561.653.6195

18851 NE 29 Avenue Miami, FL 33180 305.728.2420

10680 W. Forest Hill Blvd, 220 Wellington, FL 33414 561.653.6195

801 Brickell Avenue, 210 & Lobby, Miami, FL 33131 305.728.2444

FORT LAUDERDALE

PALM BEACH

450 East Las Olas Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 954.874.0740

340 Royal Poinciana Way Palm Beach, FL 33480 561.655.8600

35 NE 40th Street Miami, FL 33137 305.677.5000

2100 North Ocean Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305 954.828.1858

JUPITER

COCONUT GROVE 2950 SW 27th Avenue Miami, FL 33133 305.695.6070

1 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 954.522.3339

MIAMI

NORTH MIAMI

12000 Biscayne Boulevard, 100 North Miami, FL 33181 305.400.9507

400 S. US Highway 1, C1 Jupiter, FL 33477 561.653.6100

For more locations, visit: elliman.com/offices

BOCA RATON

444 East Palmetto Park Road Boca Raton, FL 33432 561.245.2635

1111 LINCOLN ROAD, 805, MIAMI BEACH FL, 33139. 305.695.6300 © 2017 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE.

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DELRAY BEACH

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

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Delray Beach, Florida 7 bedrooms, 7 full and 2 half baths $7,195,000 Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Search RX-10282469 on ColdwellBankerHomes.com

OUR EXPERTISE IS

LEGENDARY

For more than 110 years, Coldwell Banker has represented the world’s finest homes, including some of the most iconic properties in America. Market your distinctive residence with a name that stands the test of time. Contact us today. Ž

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Boca Beach 561.395.2233 | Boca Central 561.994.8886 | Boca Downtown 561.391.9400 Boca Resort 561.447.3229 | Delray Beach 561.278.0300

COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, North America, South America

The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Š2017 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 13397FL-2/17

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Authorized Dealer A. Lange & Söhne • De Bethune • FP Journe • Harry Winston • IWC • Jaeger LeCoultre • Van Cleef & Arpels Mizner Park, Boca Raton • 561.361.2311 • Town Center, Boca Raton • 561.362.9660 • lesbijoux.com

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B E C O M E A M E M B E R O F F L O R I D A’ S P R E M I E R R E S O R T C L U B .

A modernized Mediterranean Resort Village spanning over 300 acres, Boca Raton Resort & Club and Boca Beach Club have every imaginable amenity. The stories begin here with the addition of the FLOWRIDER wave simulator, the award-winning Waldorf Astoria Spa, and the private half mile beach.

In your Premier playground, there’s plenty of time for after-hours and weekend socializing, deal-making on the golf courses or tennis courts, or working on your mind and body in one of two health clubs.

Whether it’s business or pleasure, you’ll only find it all at these two world class resorts.

TO SCH E D U LE YO U R PR IVATE TO U R , PLE A S E CO NTAC T PR E M I E R CLU B M E M B E R S H I P SALE S AT 5 61 - 4 47-3 1 0 0 .

5 0 1 E A S T C A M I N O R E A L , B O C A R ATO N , F LO R I DA 3 3 4 3 2 | T E L 5 61 . 4 47. 3 0 0 0 | B O C A R E S O RT. CO M

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NOW OPEN IN BOCA!

FLO RIDA’S LA R GEST COLLECTI ON OF CONT EMPOR ARY FUR NI TUR E BOCA RATON

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•

7750 NORTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY

•

561.990.2521

3/6/17 2:08 PM

BOCA ADDRESS Must Haves At Palmetto Promenade, you’ll find a Boca Raton apartment with all the must-haves. An expansive choice of floor plans. Designer finishes. Indulgent amenities.

And a location just steps from everywhere you want to be.

The only must-have we don’t have…is you.

BOCASMUSTHAVE.COM

THE MORE YOU HAVE, THE BETTER LIFE IS. BECAUSE MORE IS ALWAYS BETTER.

1-, 2- and 3-bedroom residences available from three distinctly unique apartment home collections: DOWNTOWN COLLECTION Featuring superb finishes and floor-to-ceiling windows* PENTHOUSE COLLECTION Featuring top-floor location, concierge services and 52-bottle wine refrigerator* ESTATE COLLECTION Spacious tri-level townhomes with private garages

Featuring luxury living must-haves: Chef-caliber kitchens with top-of-the-line finishes and luxury appliances Resort-style swimming pool and cutting-edge fitness studio Summer kitchen pavilion with grills, pizza oven and refrigeration Coveted East Boca location surrounded by shopping, dining, nightlife and the beach *In most residences

THE NEW

Must Have

ADDRESS

844.836.8120 333 EAST PALMETTO PARK ROAD SUITE 100 BOCA RATON, FL 33432

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© 2017 · finejewelr y@ t amaracomolli.com

TAMARA COMOLLI BOUTIQUES PALM BEACH · 150 Worth Avenue · 1 561 659 3700 SOUTHAMPTON · 27 Main Street · 1 631 283 7600 SOUTHAMPTON · LAKE TEGERNSEE · SYLT · PALM BEACH · MUNICH · MARBELLA

Selected

stores

Town Center at Boca Raton · 5860 Glades Road, FL 33431 · 1 561 417 5151

DROP bracelet · MIK ADO pendant s · BOUTON rings · 18 K

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THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING AND SO ARE WE!

AKOYA, the most anticipated new luxury condominium in Boca Raton, is now under construction. Set behind the gates of the Nation’s #1 Private Residential Country Club, Akoya’s modern, elegant design is the striking addition to Boca West that will set a new gold standard in luxury condo living. Residents will enjoy spectacular golf and lake views, as well as an unrivaled, highly serviced, maintenance-free lifestyle. But simply being #1 was not enough. That’s why Boca West recently completed a $50 million renovation to its stunning slate of word-class amenities with no assessments. AT AKOYA, THE POSSIBILITIES ARE LIMITLESS.

C A L L TO DAY TO L E A R N M O R E 5 6 1 - 5 7 1 - 5 9 9 5

AKOYABOCAWEST.COM | Four Championship Golf Courses • Award-Winning Clubhouse • Sports & Aquatics Center • World-Class Spa • Tennis • Fitness & Aerobics • Six Dining Venues SALES GALLERY & DESIGN CENTER LOCATED IN THE SPORTS CENTER AT BOCA WEST | 20583 BOCA WEST DRIVE | FROM THE $800’s ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. ALL DIMENSIONS ARE APPROXIMATE. PLANS, MATERIALS AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO ARCHITECTURAL, STRUCTURAL AND OTHER REVISIONS AS THEY ARE DEEMED ADVISABLE BY THE DEVELOPER, BUILDER OR ARCHITECT, OR AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW. BOCA WEST COUNTRY CLUB, INC. IS A PRIVATE CLUB. ALL PARTIES WHO INTEND TO PURCHASE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN BOCA WEST MUST APPLY TO AND BE APPROVED BY THE CLUB TO OBTAIN A CLUB MEMBERSHIP. ALL PARTIES APPROVED AS AND WHO BECOME CLUB MEMBERS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO AND MUST COMPLY WITH THE CLUB’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, BYLAWS AND RULES AND REGULATIONS.

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LUXURY ESTATE HOMES IN PARKLAND’S TOP-RATED PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT PRE-CONSTRUCTION PRICING FROM THE $670'S & UP

SEMI-CUSTOM HOMES. LARGE LAKE LOTS.

THE WORLD’S FINEST MODERN FINISHES INCLUDED. COME IN FOR A VIRTUAL TOUR.

Sales Office Open Daily: 7375 N. State Rd. 7, Parkland, Florida 33073 next to Japango restaurant on US 441

954.744.1090

ChateauxParkland.com

Pictures and photographs are solely for illustrative purposes and should never be relied upon when making a decision to purchase a home. Prices, included features, elevations, floor plans and available locations are subject to change without notice.

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CONTENTS APRIL 2017

›

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Puppy Love

America is head over heels in love with its pets, and South Florida is no exception. Here’s everything you need to know (and fun doggie stats) before adding a four-legged love pod to your family.

By LISA OCKER

94

The Downtown Divide Boca Raton’s rapid high-rise growth has brewed consternation among many residents and pitted civic groups against one another. Take a look at where we were, how the development (good and bad) started and the options we have to create a downtown everyone likes.

By RANDY SCHULTZ

102

Light Bites

Three chefs offer up their takes on flavorful, lighter dishes for springtime in South Florida.

Written and photographed by LIBBY VOLGYES

110

Peru: Traveling Well in the Sacred Valley A journey to Cusco and Machu Picchu doesn’t have to be grueling—temper the trip with a touch of pampering.

By ERIC BARTON

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April 2017

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CONTENTS APRIL 2017

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Departments 30 Editor’s Note

We know our world has gone to the dogs, and there is one in particular who rules the roost.

59 #LoveBoca

By MARIE SPEED

Boca magazine teamed up with its partners to showcase their brands through a series of chic events.

33 The Local

63 The Biz

T.S. Elliot may have said “April is the cruelest month,” but he wasn’t talking about Boca.

This dazzling month has Passover and Easter, world-class polo, sumptuous foodie stops in Naples, native wildflowers and much, much more.

42: Dress Code: The boys take it up a notch with these on-trend spring accessories.

56: City Watch: Allowing ample time for public debate is critical to robust civic dialogue— but how much is too much?

By PAMELA FISHER, ALLISON LEWIS, RANDY SCHULTZ, MARIE SPEED, SHAYNA TANEN and THOMAS YAIR

One man helps incubate great ideas, a mother-daughter team makes granola their breakfast of champions and a successful retired entrepreneur is rebuilding Haiti.

129 Dining Guide

71 Feel Good

The spin on Frisbee that began in the Summer of Love, making a splash for fitness and some bold news about springtime haircare.

Our comprehensive guide to the best restaurants in South Florida offers reviews of Lindsay Autry’s The Regional Kitchen & Public House and Roots Italian Kitchen, plus a one-on-one with Chef James King and a long look at who’s dishing up the best wings.

By LISETTE HILTON

Reviews by LYNN KALBER

80 Boca Interview

161 The Scene

By GARY GREENBERG

James Patterson never stops working— or working for childhood literacy.

By GARY GREENBERG

119 Backstage Pass

Why the South Florida Science Center’s Kate Arrizza loves her job and our picks for the top do-not-miss events this month.

By THOMAS YAIR

42

80

There were big nights every weekend this winter, but one of the biggest was the golden anniversary of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Ball.

By SHAYNA TANEN

176 My Turn

The recent divisive city election makes the author nostalgic for earlier times—and earlier activists—who made Boca Raton what it is today.

By JOHN SHUFF

71 bocamag.com

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April 2017

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BOCAMAG COM

Web Extras

MEDIA

RON ELKMAN

Bon Jovi

CITY WATCH: Want to know what’s happening in your community? Randy Schultz provides the raw truth about what’s going on in Boca. His columns run on the website Tuesdays and Thursdays under the “Community/City Watch”tab.

the glatt kosher kitchen at The Addison. Click the “In the Magazine” tab on bocamag.com for the full recipe and a video with stepby-step instructions.

FRONT ROW SEAT: Talk about having a cool job. Ron Elkman takes photos at dozens of concerts in South Florida each year.

Find concert galleries, including Bon Jovi at the BB&T Center, under the“Arts & Entertainment” tab on bocamag.com.

AARON BRISTOL

BARK ABOUT IT: Do you really need an excuse to watch cute dog videos? Photographer Aaron Bristol’s behind-the-scenes video from a photo shoot at Delray’s Barkingham Palace is absolutely adorable. Watch it online under the “In the Magazine”tab.

cutline

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SOCIAL

Don’t miss Boca on everything from FACEBOOK (facebook.com/bocamag) to INSTAGRAM (instagram.com/bocamag) and TWITTER (@bocamag) for community news, retail trends, foodie updates and much more.

recipe for Passover and Easter: a pomegranate lamb shank from Executive Chef Patrick Duffy of

••••

US ON

Check out these bonus items unique to bocamag.com, stories in our April issue of Boca and events in our area this season:

DECONSTRUCTING THE DISH: Re-create our special

bocamag.com

FIND

Barney with Tony at Barkingham Palace getting ready for his close up

FATHER JOSEPH: We profiled David Hoffman, a retired, parttime Boca resident and executive director of Raising Haiti this month.

To see a trailer of his documentary, “Father Joseph,”a story about a priest in the town of Fondwa, Haiti, click the“In the Magazine”tab and search the April issue.

#bocamag winner Boca mag’s social media platforms are the place to be when it comes to special giveaways this season. Check our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for alerts and instructions, and you could be #WinningWithBoca.

Sheri and husband Lou Solomon out to dinner at Trattoria Romana. Lou won a $100 gift card to the restaurant for our Valentine’s Day Giveaway.

It turns out, the couple held their rehearsal dinner at the restaurant! It’s great to be a #BocaMagWinner.

April 2017

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Follow the Leader...

Bocamag.com is a leader in digital content with 99,428 average unique visitors per month* and over 25,000 followers on social channels. It’s no wonder why we have been honored the past three years by the Florida Magazine Association in the category of “Best Overall Online Presence.”

magazine *Source: The Media Audit, Greater West Palm Beach Metro Market, 2016

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GO SILK

GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marie Speed

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Allison Lewis WEB EDITOR

Shayna Tanen SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Lori Pierino

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR

Valentine S. Fracassi PHOTOGRAPHERS

Aaron Bristol Eduardo Schneider PRODUCTION MANAGER

ULLA JOHNSON

Mandy Wynne

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

MARSELL

Shari Brown

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

TSUMORI CHISATO

Pam Fisher, Gary Greenberg, Lisette Hilton, Lisa Ocker, Randy Schultz, John Shuff, Libby Volgyes, Thomas Yair

RICK OWENS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ron Elkman

GOLDEN GOOSE

CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

Russ Tudor

R13 VIDEO PRODUCTION/CUSTOMER SERVICE

David Shuff

MES DEMOISELLES

FOOD EDITOR

Lynn Kalber DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING AND MARKETING

Rebecca Valenza

ROYAL PALM PLACE

NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

BOCA RATON 561-367-9600

Contactsales@bocamag.com CORPORATE ACCOUNT MANAGER

Bruce Klein

LAS OLAS

SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER

FT. LAUDERDALE 954-524-2585

Gail Eagle

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Lorraine Manfre Lorey Reed

DeborahJames.com

MARKETING MANAGER

Portia Smith

EVENTS MANAGER

Julia Jendrucszek

Boca Raton magazine is published nine times a year by JES Publishing.

The contents of Boca Raton magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Boca Raton magazine accepts no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts and/or photographs and assumes no liability for products or services advertised herein. Boca Raton magazine reserves the right to edit, rewrite or refuse material and is not responsible for products. Please refer to corporate masthead.

bocamag.com

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April 2017

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Elevate your experience. Play your favorite Las Vegas style slots, enjoy the thrill of live Blackjack, indulge at the world-class NYY Steak and live it up at Legends Lounge.

LIVE THE GOOD LIFE. casinococo.com Must be at least 21 years old to play Slots and Table Games or to receive Player’s Club benefits. Must be 18 or older to play Live Poker. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1.888.ADMIT.IT.

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1000 CLINT MOORE ROAD, #103, BOCA RATON, FL 33487 561/997-8683 (PHONE) • 561/997-8909 (FAX) BOCAMAG.COM MAGAZINE@BOCAMAG.COM (GENERAL QUERIES) PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER

Margaret Mary Shuff GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marie Speed

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING AND MARKETING

Rebecca Valenza CONTROLLER

Jeanne Greenberg CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

George Agoglia

SUBSCRIPTION COORDINATOR

Kat Algeo

JES MEDIA PRODUCES:

Boca Raton magazine Delray Beach magazine Mizner’s Dream Worth Avenue Boca Raton Chamber Annual Salt Lake magazine Utah Bride and Groom Utah Style & Design Salt Lake Visitors’ Guide

FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION 2016 CHARLIE AWARDS CHARLIE AWARD (FIRST PLACE) best overall magazine best editorial/commentary (City Watch) best custom magazine (Worth Avenue) best overall use of photography SILVER AWARD best department (The Boca Interview) best in-depth reporting best feature design best overall design best overall writing BRONZE AWARD best department (Backstage Pass) best illustration

FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION 2015 CHARLIE AWARDS

WILD AND WONDERFUL WOMENSWEAR

GARDEN SHOPS 7050 W PALMETTO PARK RD (AT POWERLINE) BOCA RATON FL 33433 (561) 447 4117

CHARLIE AWARD (FIRST PLACE) best department (Backstage Pass) best column (City Watch) best feature best feature design best overall use of photography best custom publication (Worth Avenue) SILVER AWARD best feature best public service coverage best overall design BRONZE AWARD best overall online presence best editorial/commentary

bocamag.com

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April 2017

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DIRECTORY

Plan for tomorrow

by Preparing today.

Helping To Create & Manage Wealth

K

eith Heller understands that honesty, integrity and strong personal relationships with clients form the foundation of his

successful financial services business.

With more than 20 years of experience in comprehensive investment planning, asset allocation strategies, and investment management for qualified retirement plans, companies, professionals, and high net worth families, Heller has honed his experience while continuing to provide his clients with a high level of customized service.

“Our clients know that we’re always there for them,” he says. “We focus on whatever needs they may have and we have the resources available to meet those needs.”

Services provided by the Heller Financial Group include: Retirement Planning, institutional money management, private managed accounts, comprehensive investment planning, investments, estate-wealth preservation analysis, insurance, educational funding, concierge service, as well as liability management and corporate services through affiliates.

Keith A. Heller, MBA

The Heller Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors Senior Vice President - Investments

Wells FargoAdvisors, LLC

5355 Town Center Road, Suite 600 Boca Raton, FL 33486 561-347-3880

Toll Free: 844-791-6109

Keith.Heller@wfadvisors.com

bocamag.com

••••

NO Bank Guarantee

Subscription, copy purchasing and distribution

For any changes or questions regarding your subscription, to purchase back issues, or to inquire about distribution points, call circulation at 877/553-5363.

Advertising and event resources

Take advantage of Boca Raton magazine’s prime advertising space—put your ad dollars to work in the premier publication of South Florida. For more information, or to partner with Boca Raton on a community event, contact Rebecca Valenza at rebecca@bocamag.com.

Custom publishing

Create a magazine tailored to fit the needs and character of your business/organization. Ideal for promotions, special events, introduction of new services, etc. Contact Marie Speed (editor@bocamag.com).

Story queries

Boca Raton magazine values the concerns, interests and knowledge of our readers about the community. Please submit story and profile ideas by email to Marie Speed (editor@bocamag.com). Due to the large volume of pitches, the editor may not respond to all queries. Boca Raton does not accept unsolicited, ready-for-print stories.

Web queries

Submit information regarding our website and online calendar to Shayna Tanen (shayna@bocamag.com).

Letters

Your thoughts and comments are important to us. All letters to the editor may be edited for style, grammar and length. Send letters to the address listed below or to Marie Speed (editor@bocamag.com).

Letter to the Editor Boca Raton magazine 1000 Clint Moore Road, #103 Boca Raton, FL 33487

Arts & entertainment

Where to go, what to do and see throughout South Florida. Please submit information regarding galas, art openings, plays, readings, concerts, dance or other performances to Allison Lewis (allison@bocamag.com).

Deadline for entries in an upcoming A&E section is three months before publication.

Dining guide

Our independent reviews of restaurants in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. A fine, reliable resource for residents and tourists. For more information, contact Lynn Kalber (lynn@bocamag.com).

280 Park Avenue, 29W New York, NY 10017 212-338-4859

People

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. Trust services available through banking and trust affiliates inaddition to non-affi liated companies of Wells Fargo Advisors. Wells Fargo Advisors and its affiliates do not provide legal or tax advice. Any estate plan should be reviewed by an attorney who specializes in estate planning and is licensed to practice law in your state.

NOT FDIC-Insured

Boca Raton magazine is published nine times a year, with January, February, March, April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November and December issues.

If you have any questions or comments regarding our magazine, call us at 561/997-8683. We’d love to hear from you.

MAY Lose Value

A photo collage of social gatherings and events in Boca Raton and South Florida. All photos submitted should be identified and accompanied by a brief description of the event (who, what, where, when). Email images to people@bocamag.com.

April 2017

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SUBSCRIBERS

Thank You

for bringing Boca home!

REFINISH YOUR OLD PATIO FURNITURE T R ANSFORM YOUR OUTDOORS POWDER COATING • SANDBLASTING • LARGE SELECTION OF METAL FINISHES CUSTOM FABRIC CUSHIONS • SLINGING • STRAPPING

We appreciate your business, and we want you to get the most from your subscription. This customer guide will help you contact us for all your subscription needs.

First issue

Your first issue will be mailed four to six weeks after receipt of your order. Subsequent issues will arrive every other month and monthly from November to February.

Missing or late issues

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BEFORE

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April 2017

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SHOP

SERVICES

• Barbara Katz • Closet Full of Linens • Drawer Full of Lingerie • Kaye Louise • Lisa Todd • Plato’s Closet • Relax the Back • Serendipity Boutique

• Kiddie Academy • Mathnasium • OXXO Care Cleaners • Party S’More of Boca • Woolbright Development • AT&T Wireless • Florida Eye Care

DINE

• Abe & Louie’s • Brewzzi • CR Chicks • Corner Bakery Cafe Visit One of Boca Raton’s Leading Shopping and Dining Destinations • Five Guy’s Burgers • Hooters As Always, Free and Accessible Parking Available • Raw Juce • Moe’s Southwest Grill • La Spada’s Original Hoagies GLADES PLAZA THE COMMONS AT GLADES PLAZA • Nick’s New Haven-style Pizzeria & Bar 2200 Glades Road 2240 NW 19th Street • Sushi Masa Boca Raton, FL 33431 Boca Raton, Fl 33431 • Shane’s Rib Shack • Primer Cigar & Wine Bar • Starbucks gladesplaza.com • TooJay’s Gourmet Deli

BLOOM INTO SPRING

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PA M P E R

• A Suite Salon • The Barkan Method Hot Yoga • Salon Chenzo • Man Cave for Men • Ideal Image of Boca Raton • FlyWheel • Care Diagnostics for Women • Orange Theory Fitness • Splendor Nail Spa • The Peter Coppola Salon • Waxing The City • Skin Vitality

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FROM THE EDITOR

Downtown and Dog Days Our spring issue ranges from the serious to the seriously smitten among us

By MARIE SPEED

his issue we take a look at Boca’s downtown, one of the most divisive issues in the city since the development of Mizner Park. Randy Schultz deconstructs where we were, what happened, what the issues are and some ideas on how we can move forward (page 94). It is one of the most important stories in Boca Raton right now, and it deserves careful and reasoned attention.

Less reasoned and entirely more lighthearted is our homage to life with our pets (page 84)—especially our dogs, arguably the most important family members in some cases.

Having said that, there are dogs and then there are dogs. There are famous dogs who earn awards for heroism—like Brutus, the golden retriever who rescued a child from a coral snake, or the Dog of the Year—Moti—a German shepherd who took an intruder’s bullet for his family (he lived.) And nothing beats the Samaritan award given to a beagle, Belle, who managed to bite 9-1-1 into her owner’s phone when he had a seizure. These are the dogs of legend, but they are nothing like the dogs of real life, at least my real life.

I have had some great dogs but my current four-legged pal, Barney, is less heroic than hysterical—the dog equivalent of Woody Allen on a bad day. He gets spooked by his own dog bowl, holds a grudge forever, will randomly try to herd my friends into a corner and cannot be left alone without ingesting a doggie Xanax. He sees invisible people in the trees, will not go up or down stairs and thinks the vacuum cleaner is Godzilla with a 30-foot cord.

In short, he’s a little crazy. But he’s my crazy.

He is the warm little snore at 3 a.m. when a nighttime storm howls outside. He is the head on my lap on TV nights and the shadow under my beach chair. He is happier to see me than any person I have ever known (aside from maybe my mother), and he always wakes up in a good mood.

He likes to take long walks, watches me work and he thinks touchy-feely is a fine way to be. He is, as they say, my best friend.

We know that there are a lot of you out there who share that kind of relationship with your pets. Some of you are probably thinking about taking the plunge and bringing home a new furry friend. This story is for pet owners (and soon-to-be owners), and it’s a service to our four-legged friends—something we can all agree on.

So dive into our latest issue and we’ll see you next time.

Barney

bocamag.com

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••••

April 2017

3/2/17 4:53 PM

So Boca.

So Brilliant.

Discover Boca’s Most Stylish Waterfront Resort The award-winning Waterstone Resort & Marina is the place to be in the City for All Seasons. Featuring two incredible restaurants – Boca Landing Prime Seafood & Crafted Cocktails and the always fun Waterstone Rum Bar & Grill – this stylish boutique hotel offers dockside access and spectacular waterfront views. Experience Boca at it’s best at Waterstone Resort & Marina.

999 EAST CAMINO REAL

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B O C A R AT O N

W AT E R S T O N E B O C A . C O M

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FLORIDA 33432

#BEINTRIGUED # W AT E R S T O N E B O C A

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F L O R I D A AT L A N T I C U N I V E R S I T Y

Caleb S., ‘17 Political Science Men’s Golf

course .

A BETTER It’s time to transform yourself. Being successful is more than just a stroke of luck.

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BY T H E N U M B E R S B O C A C H AT T E R H OT L I S T WO RT H T H E T R I P D R E S S CO D E M Y FAVO R I T E D I S H DRINK M E E T T H E E X P E RT C I T Y WATC H

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Gregory Popovich of the Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, coming to the Crest Theatre this month

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BY THE NUMBERS

HOPPY APRIL HOLIDAYS Let there be chocolate and Seder, egg hunts and vacations.

Here are the numbers to put everything in perspective.

76

The percentage of Americans who eat the ears first off their chocolate Easter bunnies.

850 8,000

The number of eggs hidden in the Flagler Museum’s annual Easter egg hunt.

The number of Passover meals that Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services provided for Boca area residents last April.

$5,825 The price of a

10-night stay in a one-bedroom suite at the Boca Raton Resort & Club for its Passover Getaway.

80

Home-baked hams made at the The Meating Place of Boca Raton for Easter.

6

The number of items on a Seder plate— matzah, shankbone, egg, bitter herbs, charoset (a sweet mixture of fruits and nuts)—and a vegetable.

50

The percentage increase of rabbits surrendered to Luv-A-Bun Rabbit Rescue after Easter each year.

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INTEGRIT Y

Decades of community, leadership and loyalty.

Real Life. Real People. Bringing Boca to Boca for 37 years.

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BOCA CHATTER

SPRING RITUALS Easter egg hunt on the grounds of the Flagler Museum

70% Percentage of chocolate Easter candy purchased.

90 million

Barrett-Jackson Automobile Auction

WHEN: Saturday, April 15, gates open at 9 a.m.; egg hunt starts at 10 a.m.

WHERE: Flagler Museum, 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach WHAT: Children (divided into age-appropriate groups) hunt for 8,000 eggs on the museum’s sweeping lawn. Children should bring their own baskets.

COST: $15 children, $18 adults CONTACT: flaglermuseum.us, 561/655-2833

WHEN: Thursday, April 6 to Saturday, April 8. Open 8 a.m. until auction close WHERE: South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach WHAT: This massive car show includes a world-famous classic automobile auction, seminars on car care and collector symposiums.

COST: Weekly passes $70 in advance, $80 at the gate; daily, $25 in advance, $30 at the gate; VIP tickets available CONTACT: barrett-jackson.com, 844/528-3598

Number of chocolate bunnies made for Easter each year.

Locals sound off on issues affecting our community.

Q: What do you most associate with this time of year? With the advent of spring?

“Springtime is my time to find one new ‘cleansing’ ritual. Getting rid of the clutter in home, spirit and life. It can be true cleaning like one drawer a week, or getting rid of ONE bad habit such as turning off [the] phone at 9 p.m. to ‘cleanse’ myself from social media and learn to meditate for a few moments instead.

I think spring is all about new growth … for the bloom to grow, you must ‘plow the old stuff out!'”

—TONI ARPAIA MAY, PRESIDENT, MAY/MEDIA

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••••

“Spring detox mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It involves three days (the weekend) of eating raw fruits and vegetables and a gallon of spring water per day, no TV, no phone, no social media. Meditation twice a day, morning yoga, evening power run, re-reading inspiration by Dr. Wayne Dyer, and lots of journaling.

Then I'm refreshed and ready for the season to attract fresh creative ideas and people to me.”

—QUADEERA TEART, LIFE COACH

“This time of year on the farm marks the beginnings of new life and being thankful for the survival of last year’s efforts.

With the onset of longer days, we see all the hens starting to lay more eggs, and the anticipation of hatching new baby chicks all over the farm begins to swell.

To me the advent of spring says we survived another winter or another hurricane season and a sweltering hot summer so we can see life begin anew again.”

—MARK HARRISON, CO-OWNER, THE FANCY CHICKEN

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Toppers We know the notion of an Easter bonnet is quaint, but headwear was all over the runways for spring and summer fashion. Whether it’s Sunday Easter service or a Kentucky Derby party next month, here’s what you’ll see, according to fashionisers.com.

• THE COWBOY HAT rides again with new colors and decorations, but our favorite is the noble white hat by Blugirl.

• GO RETRO with a tight swim cap inspired number.

• BERETS go glam, floral and bejeweled.

• Look for THE VEILED LADY and her gothic, film noir vibe.

• BASEBALL CAPS are a grand slam with an ‘80s nod or an urban influence facing sideways, backward or forward.

• MILITARY CAPS, complete with serious brims, marched down the runways; a few less authoritarian sailor’s caps lightened things up.

• Yes, VISORS are back. Look for thick rims, floral and suede versions.

• HEAD WRAPS are one of spring’s most beautiful trends. At Giorgio Armani, they had a 1920s look, but scarves and wraps adopted everything from a ‘50s feel to an Alicia Keys imitation.

• THE GOLDEN STRAW HAT is a South Florida classic, whether Panama-style or farmer chic. And big is big.

• FASCINATORS are still fascinating.

EASTER TRADITIONS

1. The tradition of giving eggs at Easter has been traced back to Egyptians, Persians, Gauls, Greeks and Romans who saw the egg as a symbol of life.

2. In England, crowds still gather to watch egg rolling on Easter Sunday. This tradition dates back hundreds of years, and the objective is to see which egg can go farthest without breaking.

The world’s most famous egg rolling takes place on the White House lawn on Easter Monday.

3. Belgian chocolate producer Guyilan made the world’s largest Easter egg in 2005.

The egg measured 8.3m high and took 26 craftsmen 525 hours to build.

120 million Pounds of Easter candy is purchased annually.

16 billion Number of jelly beans made for Easter.

—Brainstatistic.com

—Lovefood.com

• We loved THE FISHERMAN’S HAT trend when we were five and still love it now. Longer brims, prints and satins are a luxury cast.

Boca Nice We know what people say: Boca is rude, Boca is shallow, Boca is uppity. Local resident and Olympic Heights High School teacher Laura Zerbo decided she had heard enough. Zerbo launched a movement, she said,“to raise awareness of the good in the people, businesses and organizations of Boca— selflessness, philanthropy, kindness—and dispel the stereotypes associated with our community.”

Local inventor and entrepreneur Mike Miller and others created a Facebook page, and now Zerbo hands out Boca Nice buttons to people she spots doing acts of kindness.

“Boca Nice pins have spread like wildfire. We’ve even used the phrase,‘you've been niced’ when passing

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along a pin to someone,”she said.

Boca Nice began as a rebuttal to a moniker by Foursquare in 2011 that recognized the people of Boca as rude, which Zerbo said could not be further from the truth.

She cited Olympic Heights' Thanksgiving Box Brigade that provides meals for the hungry, as well as the nonprofits, philanthropists and business leaders who define Boca’s largesse.

"Boca Raton is truly one of the nicest communities,” Zerbo said.

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LOCAL

Tortuga Music Festival

WHERE: Fort Lauderdale Beach WHEN: April 7-9 COST: $229-$999 CONTACT: tortugamusicfestival.com Cowboy hats and pedal-steel guitars continue to dominate the headlining slots of this beachy festival. Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Alan Jackson, Darius Rucker and countless more country music standard bearers will set the tone, while scattered purveyors of R&B, alternative and bluesy hip-hop add a pinch of sonic seasoning.

HOTLIST

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater WHERE: Crest Theatre, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach WHEN: April 18 COST: $15-$25 CONTACT: 561/243-7922, oldschoolsquare.org I have trouble preventing my shih tzu from watering my neighbor’s lawn décor. Gregory Popovich, the son of Moscow circus performers and the impresario of Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, has no such problems controlling his pets. The Spielberg of fauna, he herds cats, among other animals, for a living. His zoo of a cast, which includes canines, felines, geese and goats, has performed in 25 countries and on countless talk shows. They walk tightropes, ride scooters, jump rope, play football and save fellow animals from a“burning” building. Lest you call PETA, these rescue animals have been given a second chance at life; in fact, they’re pretty much divas.

David Sedaris WHERE: Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami WHEN: April 20 COST: $45-$75 CONTACT: 305/949-6722, arshtcenter.org With five New York Times bestsellers to his credit, David Sedaris is one of the country’s foremost humorists and the reigning champion of the short-form essay. Deftly illuminating the absurdities and vagaries of modern life, Sedaris’ latest collection, Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls, includes memoirs and fiction pieces on topics ranging from his first colonoscopy to his father’s unorthodox dinner attire to the weird inner sanctum of a European taxidermy shop. His 2017 tour will feature a brand-new selection of spoken-word narratives, offering fans a preview of his forthcoming writings and a spirited Q&A.

“Waiting for Godot”

WHERE: Evening Star Productions, 3333 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton WHEN: April 20May 7 COST: $15 students, $30 adults CONTACT: 561/447-8829, eveningstarproductions.org Samuel Beckett’s existential tragicomedy remains as durable as ever; a paean to patience and plotlessness, Beckett’s classic continues to puzzle and enrich us in equal measure.

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••••

Panic! at the Disco WHERE: BB&T Center, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise WHEN: April 15 COST: $35 and up CONTACT: 954/835-8000, thebbtcenter.com Panic! at the Disco, the Las Vegas outfit fronted by charismatic vocalist Brandon Urie, has come a long way since its high school days, when it cut its teeth as a Blink-182 cover band. Influenced by future mentors Fall Out Boy, Panic! has successfully married that band’s arena bombast and cheeky lyrics with a restless attitude toward genre and a cinematic vision all its own—it’s one of the few modern bands that conjures vaudeville theatricality. The quartet’s 13-year career is besot with tumultuous hiatuses and lineup changes. But Urie and company have emerged at the peak of their prowess: Their fifth album, 2016’s

“Death of a Bachelor,”has bridged the gap between electro rock, top 40 earworms and self-effacing croonerism, earning the group a well-deserved 2017 Grammy nomination. Arrive early for performances by alternative hit-makers Saint Motel (“My Type”) and Misterwives (“Reflections”).

April 2017

3/1/17 2:13 PM

Thank you!

The following individuals have graciously provided sponsorship toward the renovation of the Care Center in Boca Raton through their naming gifts. Such gifts provide funding for the many services offered by Trustbridge.

“not life centered on care, but care centered on life.�

Carole Cohen Barbara C. Gutin Christine E. Lynn Billi & Bernie Marcus Dick & Barbara Schmidt Debbie Lindstrom & Bob Sheetz

For more information on Naming Opportunities as well as other ways to support your local not-for-profit hospice, please contact:

Jennifer Thomason 561-416-5037 jthomason@hpbcf.org www.hpbcf.org

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WORTH THE TRIP

A Foodie Weekend in Naples Exit the East Coast fast lane and plan a delicious getaway to the West Coast.

MICHAEL A CARONCHI

Written by PAMELA FISHER

Sea Salt

A

s off-season begins, foodie travelers can finally score a table at the best restaurants in this Florida town with a gentle Gulf Coast vibe. Hot new dining spots are plentiful in a place with the second-highest concentration of millionaires per capita in the U.S.—some 300 restaurants have opened in Naples in the last five years. Here’s our take on a brand-new French restaurant and great Mediterranean and Sicilian spots to round out your weekend, plus a new downtown waterfront hotel and our favorite beach thrown in for good measure.

VANESSA ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHY

Top, The French exterior, mussels and fries from The French, short rib tortellini from Osteria Tulia; bottom right, octopus in crustacean sauce from Sea Salt

The French is a classic country French brasserie and latest venture by hipster chef Vincent Betulia, who opened the ever-crowded Osteria Tulia in 2012. Blink and you’re on the boho Left Bank: bistro chairs and red banquettes flank marble-topped iron pedestal tables as 1920s vintage jazz plays. A rich, buttery onion soup served in a Gruyere-blanketed crock proved hearty and thick. My Scottish salmon resting on a bed of Swiss chard was dripping in Champagne beurre blanc, punctuated by the sweet tang of pink grapefruit. Steak frites boasted a nice char and crisply slender frites. Don’t think of missing the 13-inch éclair, with a moist, nicely browned choux, creamy custard and dusted with pecans. 239/315-4019, thefrenchnaples.com

Sea Salt features a granite waterscape, lush with potted succulents. Tropical foliage frames a patio and is a sweet spot for dining under the stars. A wall of nearly 130 salts—Hawaiian, smoky El Dorado, fleur de sel, black truffle salt—line the exhibition kitchen where Venetian chef Fabrizio Aielli seasons the Mediterranean-focused dishes. Try the lobster and burrata appetizer and a hefty, two-inch cut of swordfish puttanesca for an entrée. The crunch of a caramel créme brulée provided a perfect, custardy finish. 239/4347258, seasaltnaples.com WHERE TO STAY Try the new Hyatt House on Fifth Avenue. Sleek, angular rooms range from studios with kitchenettes to one and two bedroom apartments with kitchens— plus kayaks are parked outside your front door on the bayside. From $109 off-season. Visit naples. house.hyatt.com BEACH DAY A good beach is hard to pass up. My favorite is Clam Pass. Shaded parking is plentiful ($8 day), and a boardwalk tram ride through a strangler fig grove delivers you to powdery sand ringed by sea grape groves and the gently lapping gulf. Bonus: Rhode’s End, a great Greek restaurant. Double bonus: I saw my first gator sunbathing in a pond.

A taste of Betulia’s Sicilian childhood can be found a few doors down at Osteria Tulia. Pan-fried baby artichokes in a lemony aioli were the prelude to exquisitely chewy tortellini drizzled in a Marsala reduction, which lent sweetness to their salty short rib stuffing. 239/213-2073, osteriatulia.com

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April 2017

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DRESS CODE

MILITARY OXFORD DOUBLE COLLAR JACKET in dune, $360, Cole Haan, 6000 Glades Road, 561/347-1211

TREND WATCH: Menswear Spring 2017 Update his wardrobe with these five style tips: › Monochrome prints › Short shorts › Statement jackets

SEA GLASS POPOVER, $110, OASIS BLOOMS BLAZER, $325, Tommy Bahama, 418 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, 561/394-9060

King of Spring He’s royally turned out in these colorful patterns and prints

› Whites from head to toe › Vermillion red

Written by ALLISON LEWIS

SHORT SLEEVE GARDEN LINEN FLORAL SHIRT, $98.50, BAXTER BOTANICAL FLORAL SHORTS, $89.50, Club Monaco, 6000 Glades Road, 561/394-0265

COURAGE STRAIGHT LEG JEANS, $175, STRIPED TEE in blue/navy/white, $40, Allen Edmonds, 5250 Town Center Circle, Suite 119, 561/417-3704

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April 2017

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TM

RO AL PALM PLACE TM

Your Style For Life

TM

Fun, Fashionable and Fabulous!

International Restaurants Fashion Boutiques Fine Jewelry Fine Art Salons & Spas Specialty Shops Financial & Legal Services Class A Offices Luxury Rental Residences PETS WELCOME!

Federal Highway, South of Palmetto Park Road, Downtown Boca Raton www.royalpalmplace.com

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DRESS CODE

“MIDNIGHT IN PARIS” 41mm Poetic Complication timepiece set in 18-karat white gold, $75,000, Van Cleef & Arpels, 308 Plaza Real, 561/955-8802

DID YOU KNOW? Men did not start wearing wrist watches until World War I, as they allowed soldiers to move around freely.

Before that, the pocket watch was the popular choice for a gentleman to keep track of time.

On Island Time This season’s timepieces are glamorous and easygoing Written by ALLISON LEWIS

ROLEX YACHT MASTER II 18-karat yellow gold watch, $32,995, Diamonds by Raymond Lee, 2801 N. Federal Highway, 561/750-6744 “MIDNIGHT POETIC WISH“ 43mm Poetic Complication timepiece set in 18-karat white gold with diamond bezel, price upon request, Van Cleef & Arpels, 308 Plaza Real, 561/955-8802

KYBOE ROSE GOLD JUNGLE, $240, saksfifthave.com

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DRESS CODE

A Notch Above SALVATORE FERRAGAMO large buckle belt, $495, BLUE MCM reversible buckle belt, $295, GUCCI SNAKE PRINT leather belt, $420, all from Neiman Marcus, Town Center, Boca Raton; WIDE SUEDE dress belt in navy, $98, SUMMIT AVE belt (paisley), $140, HAMPTON AVE belt, $105, Allen Edmonds, Town Center, Boca Raton

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Belt it out this spring with a few of these designer looks Written by ALLISON LEWIS

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DRESS CODE

Sneak Attack He’ll want a pair for work, home and play Written by ALLISON LEWIS

GRANDPRO TENNIS in Cornwall Blue Nubuck, $130, Cole Haan at Town Center, 6000 Glades Road, 561/3471211

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

According to Business Insider, sneakers were the favorite footwear choice for men in 2016, and thankfully, predictions suggest that won’t be changing any time soon.

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TIMELESS TENNIS SHOE, $345, BOSS at Town Center, 6000 Glades Road, 561/322-0008

GAVINO, $225, Donald J. Pliner, 7535 N. Kendall Drive, Miami, 305/774-5880

COSIMO, $595, Donald J. Pliner, 7535 N. Kendall Drive, Miami, 305/774-5880

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MY FAVORITE DISH

Bison & Cranberry Meatloaf and marketing agency, Stewart-Franczak stumbled upon her life’s passion: event production.

She is currently the executive director of Festival Management Group, which produces events such as the Delray Affair, the South Florida Garlic Fest and the Bacon & Bourbon Fest. These events have received more than 40 international awards combined. Stewart-Franczak attributes her success to resourcefulness, a taskmaster personality and a gift for problem solving.

ABOUT THE RESTAURANT: Farmer’s Table, 1901 N. Military Trail, 561/417-5836, farmerstableboca.com

AARON BRISTOL

SAYS WHO: Nancy Stewart-Franczak WHERE TO FIND IT: Farmer’s Table WHY IT’S HER FAVORITE: “My favorite Boca Raton restaurant hands down is Farmer’s Table … there’s nothing like the … bison and cranberry meatloaf,”she said. She noted that Farmer's Table and its commitment to fresh ingredients, creativity and focus on taste is the secret.“It’s hard to believe that everything they serve is healthy and nutritious and without the use of fat, lard, butter or cream (all of my favorite things).”

ABOUT NANCY: After a short career with IBM and 30 years owning and operating a graphic design

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••••

April 2017

3/1/17 2:33 PM

Life is best enjoyed with the freshest foods in town.

We are food lovers. We are tastemakers.

We are your home for all the fresh and delicious foods you love.

From seasonal produce picked at its flavorful peak to perfectly aged premium meats and quality seafood, The Fresh Market prides itself on serving you the freshest foods in town.

With our convenient meal solutions and home essentials, everything your family needs is waiting for you at your local Boca area stores.

TheFreshMarket.com 100 West Camino Real | 20409 State Road 7 | 5540 North Military Trail FreshMarket_brm0417.indd 1

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DRINK

Perfect Pair Pinot noirs that complement Easter and Passover menus Written by ALLISON LEWIS

SERVING TIP: Chill red wine at 55 or 56 degrees Fahrenheit and pull it out of the fridge 1015 minutes before serving.

A

few weeks back, I ventured into a local wine bar. I was searching for the perfect pinot noir to complement lamb (see page 144), which will likely appear on holiday tables this April.

I found my niche at N2 Wine Bar in Delray. Owner and level one sommelier Ron Voss III carries 20+ wines on tap. Self-guided tastings range from $1.40 to $6, for one, three and six-ounce pours.

I zeroed in on a few pinot noirs, starting with the Meiomi. This coastal California wine is bright and balanced with a deep violet aroma.

Layers of fruit coat the palate: strawberry and cherry for me. A hint of vanilla and chocolate are present, too, along with a silky mouth feel.

Voss said this wine is available in

mass quantities, unlike other pinots that N2 offers.

Next I sipped on the Lyric pinot from Santa Barbara, California. The bouquet is noticeably softer than the Meiomi—it doesn’t have that “in-your-face”factor, as Voss pointed out. Hints of baking spice and earthy tones stand out on the palate. The wine is slightly astringent, ,and the finish doesn’t linger.

The third pinot I tried was the Alchemist pinot noir from Willamette Valley, Oregon. It is extremely fruit forward; Voss called it a “cherry bomb.”Raspberry and herb notes balance the cherry.

Drinkers experience a smooth mouth feel and lasting finish. Of the three pinots, the Alchemist is definitely the fruitiest. Its sweet-

ness makes it a good choice for new red wine aficionados.

On a whim, I tasted the Locations E wine from Spain. Dave Phinney’s latest red blend is full of berries and herbs, which I enjoyed.

Plum, raspberry and dark cherry are notable on the palate, while tobacco is found in the aroma. This blend includes several varietals: Carignan, Grenache, Monastrell, Tempranillo. It is a great alternative for wine lovers who aren’t big fans of pinot noir.

All in all, it was a successful search for springtime pinot noirs, with a surprising red blend to boot. Pair any of these wines with fork-tender lamb (see page 144) for a truly delicious Easter or Passover meal. Cheers!

WINE LIST: Alchemist 2013 Pinot Noir, $32 Locations E Red Wine, $20 Lyric 2014 Pinot Noir, $28 Meiomi 2015 Pinot Noir, $28

N2 WINE BAR 104 NE 2nd Ave Delray Beach 33444 561/278-6802

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Native wildflowers to stare at all spring long:

Naturally Wild One Lake Worth nursery man goes native Written by SHAYNA TANEN

C BLANKET FLOWER Bloom: March-July Color-soaked flowers burst out of 18-inch stalks.

CAT TONGUE Bloom: Year-round Small white flowers rise from this lowlying wildflower.

BEACH VERBENA Bloom: February-June Sweet clusters of light purple flowers spring from delicate leaves.

Makes a good ground cover.

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MEET THE EXPERT

Photography by AARON BRISTOL

arl Terwilliger despises traditional Florida landscaping.

When he mentions popular hedges like green island ficus and clusia rosea, his face twists into a grimace.

“I don’t grow what everybody else grows,” he said, lips curling into a smile.

Terwilliger is the co-owner of Meadow Beauty Nursery in Lake Worth, and he is an expert on native Florida plants and wildflowers. He offers landscape design services to the Palm Beaches and specializes in making homes look like an image straight from The Yearling, South Florida style.

His interest in Florida native plants began in 1981 when he worked at a research center in Homestead. His mentor/neighbor was George Avery, a botanist who wrote books about natives. Terwilliger joined the Native Plant Society and befriended Roger Hammer, an award-winning naturalist, author and botanist.

“They took me by the hand and explained what I was looking at during our field trips through the Everglades,”Terwilliger said, “and it really caught on.”

In 1988, he opened his own nursery.

Terwilliger’s customers are homeowners who are sick of the same landscape design elements. People want to attract wildlife, he said. They want birds and butterflies, bugs and bees, which come from planting what grows here naturally. Meadow Beauty is brimming with lush growth, zooming birds, delicate butterflies and vibrant flowers.

“Exotics look great when you put them in because they’ve been fertilized… and then they look like garbage,”he said.“Mine look a little rough going in, and then they look better and better!”

For the black thumbs out there, Terwilliger suggests starting simple: plant colorful wildflowers to brighten things up. His website, meadowbeautynursery.com, offers more information and ideas.

The nursery is open to the public on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Bring a blueprint of your yard and Terwilliger will fill it in with a design at no charge. You can do the plantings yourself, or he’ll do it for you for a small fee. He only accepts cash and checks.

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CITY WATCH

Equal Time: truth or myth?

Boca citizens share the same rights to be heard as the pitchmen—but that five minutes can seem like an eternity.

Written by RANDY SCHULTZ

MORE CITY WATCH

RUSS TUDOR

Randy Schultz, former editorial page editor at the Palm Beach Post and a Boca resident, reports on city, county and statewide issues twice a week at bocamag.com. Catch his popular “City Watch” blog every Tuesday and Thursday for the latest buzz about Boca and beyond.

O

ne persistent myth about Boca Raton government is that the city council doesn’t allow enough community input and comment.

In January, the BocaBeautiful group took out an ad in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel suggesting New Year’s resolutions for the supposedly “beleaguered” council. One proposal asked council members to “change the format of government meetings to afford residents equal time.

Developers get to make lengthy PowerPoint presentations. Con-

cerned citizens get five minutes each.”

Since it was an ad, BocaBeautiful had no obligation to be truthful. So here’s the real story: The council considers major development applications during “quasi-judicial”portions of meetings, when speakers take an oath to be truthful and proceedings are conducted similar to court trials. For downtown projects, which the ad targeted, those are meetings when the council acts as the Community Redevelopment Agency, which oversees downtown development.

Under city rules, those “lengthy” presentations by developers last 20 minutes, though if the issue is unusually complex the presentation can last up to an hour. But those speaking for groups that oppose a project—the city defines them as “representatives of organized opposing entities”—also get 20 minutes. More than one such entity can present in opposition.

In addition, quasi-judicial hearings allow both sides rebuttal and cross-examination.

BocaBeautiful President John Gore might argue that developers meet with the mayor and council members individually before meetings to explain and pitch their projects. Neighborhood groups and other opponents, however,

have the same access in person or through email. Before quasi-judicial proceedings begin, council members reveal with whom they have had“ex parte”—only one side—communication about a project. Council members often have heard from both sides.

After both sides present their cases—sometimes there is no organized opposition—those “concerned citizens” get their five minutes. There is no limit on the number of speakers. Opponents of some projects regularly get more cumulative time behind the microphone than the applicant.

For prepared speakers, five minutes should be plenty. Abraham Lincoln took less than three minutes to deliver the greatest political speech in American history. Edward Everett Hale, whose oration preceded Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, wrote the president to say,“I should be glad if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes.”

Unfortunately, too many speakers before the Boca council come unprepared and waste their time, thus wasting the time of everyone in the chambers. They talk about how they’ve lived in the city for 20, 30, or 40 years, as if longevity elevated their comments over those from a newcomer. They say,“I don’t want to repeat what others have said,” and then do just that.

If every swallow of beer tastes the same after a couple of bottles, every public comment on a development project sounds the same after the first dozen. It probably serves a purpose for the council CONTINUED ON PAGE 174

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April 2017

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A special thank you to our participating sponsors!

In partnership with:

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magazine

th

A portion of proceeds benefit the Delray Beach Public Library.

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Special Spring Offer Get two free gifts! (an insulated tote bag and Delray magazine when you subscribe to Boca magazine)

ONLY $21.95

To subscribe and receive future copies, please visit us online at bocamag.com or call 877/553-5363, ext. 233.

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#love B The FSO Ferrari at Boca Basel from Excell Auto Group

B O C A BA S E L > 60 C I T Y WA L K > 61 S H I N E > 61

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ere at Boca magazine, we love Boca. We love being active in our community, and we especially love making positive contributions to it.

Our events department gives us the opportunity to offer our partners innovative parties and events designed to showcase their businesses—and benefit our readers and customers in the process. Here are a few of them.

BOCA BASEL What: Boca Basel showcased some of the best artists in Boca and their work at this 2nd annual event.

Excell Auto Group provided a selection of luxury cars, Saks Fifth Avenue contributed fashion, Matteo’s prepared food, and Diamonds

by Raymond Lee offered dazzling jewelry. Proceeds from raffle items benefited Boca Ration Regional Hospital.

Where: Excell Auto Group

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3 5

7 1 Pejman Ghadimi, Yris Demartini 2 Kelly Gannon, Lilia Babcock 3 Caroline Pavoit, Samuel Barnagaud 4 Charlotte Stribling 5 The "guest book" Ferrari signed by attendees 6 Jayson Robbins, Bernie Korn 7 Laura Rincon, Marcus Seth, Alyce Billeter

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BOCA CITY WALK GRAND OPENING What: Boca magazine partnered with Boca City Walk luxury apartment homes for its grand opening. Max’s Grille provided light bites, and Joya Sangria was featured as the sponsored drink. The Boca City Walk community offers an irreplaceable location in the middle of downtown Boca Raton and is near fine dining and shopping, including Royal Palm Place and more.

Where: Boca City Walk 4

3

2

5

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1 Chris Cassidy, Simon Andrew 2 Henry Solomon, Shirley Solomon, Sean O’Brien 3 Olga Iarossevitch, Tobias Lawrence 4 Darryl Kingman, Brianna Benton 5 Lori Webb, Jenniffer Spara 6 Harold Penaloza, Rodolfo Jaramillo, Eddie Martinez

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3

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4 1 Co Banh, Daniella Capodilupo 2 Michaella Koehnke, Doriana Korda 3 Barrel of Monks brewski team 4 Joseph Gulucci, Rosario Barragan 5 Brandy Senn, Donna Keller, Tatiana Sestayo, Jackie Molina 6 Victoria Sachs, Joyce Pincus, Cathy Hudson, Jeannette Pitts

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SHINE What: This 2nd annual fundraising event was a vibrant mix of music and live art through a partnership with Diamonds

by Raymond Lee. N2 Wine Bar and Tito’s Vodka provided speciality cocktails, Bolay and Vic & Angelo’s offered gourmet food and Excell Auto Group featured exotic cars. All proceeds benefited the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County.

Where: Diamonds by Raymond Lee

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PRIME MOVER

Hi-Tech Success FAU Research Park is no longer Boca’s best-kept secret.

Written by GARY GREENBERG

We were a mystery project on the north side of campus. My board and I decided we had to change that."

— Andrew Duffel

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AARON BRISTOL

W

hen Andrew Duffell took the reins of the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University six years ago, the business development group was still reeling from the Great Recession.

“A lot of companies had left or downsized, so there was a lot of turnover, a lot of vacancies,”recalled British-born Duffell.

“The university was also undergoing some changes, and my predecessor, who had been here a long time, passed away.

So we had to find our own way a little bit.”

At that point, the Research Park had already been around for 25 years. Designated by the state as a special government district, it was created to attract high-tech businesses to the area, then foster their growth and synergy with the university.

“The foundation was good, but nobody knew about us,”said Duffell.“We were a mystery project on the north side of campus. My board and I decided we had to change that.”

Since Duffell became the president and CEO of the Research Park in 2011, its economic impact to the region has skyrocketed 365 percent—from $265 million to $849 million—and the number of high-paying jobs has more than doubled.

Success stories at the 80-acre Research Park include Mobile Help, a company that produces personal emergency response systems for the elderly and disabled. Its workforce has grown from 10 to 150. Modernizing Medicine, which developed an iPad application to improve doctor-patient interactions, has seen its Research Park staff leap from 12 to 250. Along with 19“mature”businesses occupying 12 buildings and some 350,000-square feet of space are 19 fledgling companies gestating in the Research Park’s technology business incubator.

“These companies have a product that is already in-market or about to go to market, and we help to accelerate their ››

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THE BIZ

BEHIND THE BIZ

›› growth,”said Duffell.

His job is to promote and manage the Research Park and nurture relationships between the state, which owns the land; the private enterprises that own the buildings; the high-tech companies that lease them; and the university, which supplies interns, employee candidates and other resources.

“It is quite varied,”Duffell said of his responsibilities.“The other day I was talking with the CEO of Modernizing Medicine about where their technology was going, and the rest of the time I was dealing with landlord issues, in part talking about sewage.”

Duffell’s versatility and bridge-building skills no doubt developed during his formative

62 thousand Number of loans the Fonkoze bank has made to the rural poor in Haiti.

1% of Haitians receive college degrees.

30

$

Average monthly income in Haiti.

Nearly

80% of Haitians live in rural communities.

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years. His father, a banker, moved the family from southeastern England to Italy, then Spain before Duffell settled into boarding school in England. He graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a degree in European studies.

While in Spain working for the Hewitt-Packard spinoff Agilent, a Boston-based co-worker named Lizi changed the course of his life.

“We got to know each other by talking about work, then we started talking during off-hours, and the next thing I know, she came to visit me in Spain. Soon after that, I was told I needed to move to America.”

Now, they’re married, have two children, and live west of Boynton Beach.

“I’m a real homebody,”con-

fessed Duffell.“I always want to be with my wife and kids. But I’m still trying to learn how to not work and just relax.”

That seems a tough task, especially considering the strategic plan he recently presented to the Research Park’s board of directors. It outlines an expansion into Broward and North Palm Beach County.

“Both of them are multi-year projects,” he said.“They’re big commitments and a big change to the way this organization has operated for the last 30 years. It will go much further toward fulfilling our mission to be more impactful across the two counties.

“I think it will also be a great deal of fun.”

Raising Haiti Giving back may be this man’s greatest success story.

Written by GARY GREENBERG

D

avid Hoffman retired at age 50 after making a fortune developing oceanfront properties in South Carolina. But the part-time Boca Raton resident is hardly living a life of leisure.

Hoffman, 62, puts in long hours volunteering as the executive director of Raising Haiti. The charitable foundation funds work and provides tools to rural Haitians so they can build better lives for themselves.

In 2010, an earthquake destroyed much of the Haitian town of Fondwa; last October Hurricane Matthew battered it. Hoffman, who studied film at the University of Southern California in the 1970s, produced the 2016 documentary“Father Joseph,” profiling a priest’s work to restore Fondwa.

“One of the things that attracted me to his work is that, for 30 years, he’s been engaged in a grassroots movement of lifting up the rural poor,”said Hoffman.

Father Joseph chose the town of Fondwa to use as a model for empowering 570 other impoverished Haitian communities. The first task was building a road to get there. A primary school followed, along with a radio station, orphanage, health clinic and community center. There’s even an accredited university for agronomy, veterinary science and business management.

He also founded Fonkoze (Shoulder-to-Shoulder), a bank specializing in micro-loans that now has 45

AARON BRISTOL

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David Hoffman

branches and 1,000 Haitian employees.

“I was very impressed with Father Joseph when I met him,” said Hoffman.“His vision is impressive.

His accomplishments are impressive. And his tenacity is impressive.”

To watch the“Father Joseph” documentary, visit: Netflix.com/title/80113805.

April 2017

3/2/17 4:37 PM

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Upfront Foods One woman’s career takes a twist with a great granola recipe.

Written by GARY GREENBERG

W

AARON BRISTOL

They'd say 'allnatural' and then I'd turn over the package and see they had a lot of ingredients with names I couldn't pronounce."

—Gigi Twist

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hen retired schoolteacher Gigi Twist was suffering from health issues a few years back, her doctor told her to try eating foods without preservatives and artificial ingredients.

She went to the market and looked for healthy snacks.

“They’d say ‘all natural,’ and then I’d turn over the package and see they had a lot of ingredients with names I couldn’t pronounce,” said Twist, 66.“So I started making my own granola.”

In 2010, she started selling it. Twist called the company Upfront Foods because she put all seven non-GMO, minimally-processed ingredients—whole grain oats, sea salt, orange peel powder, maple syrup, brown sugar, canola oil and golden flaxseed—right on the front of the snack-sized bags.

“I wanted a brand that people could trust,” said Twist. She spent a year doing research and development, cooking up granola in the kitchen of her Boca Raton home, then another two years hitting local farmer’s markets. A big break followed when Twist got her granola into Whole Foods markets.

“By that time, she had full packaging, a website, marketing plan, business cards—it was a finished product,”noted Twist’s daughter, Kaki Twist Burgess, who came aboard to help her mom at the tail end of 2012.

The company soon outgrew its Boca facility and now employs several contractors who help produce, package, distribute and market three variations of the product.

Their strategy seems to be working, slowly but steadily. Along with Whole Foods stores in Florida, Upfront granola is sold in places on the West Coast, some supermarkets in the Northeast and on Amazon.com.

“I can’t tell you how scary it is to be of retirement age and starting a business,” said the intrepid entrepreneur.“But this journey has been the most exciting thing I’ve ever done.”

Gigi Twist and her daughter Kaki Tiwst Burgess of Upfront Foods

April 2017

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BENJAMIN RUSNAK

Olympian Talisa Lanoe

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EXTREME SPORTS

AARON BRISTOL

Chris Teixeira

GET THE GEAR, FIND A TEAM

For more about ultimate Frisbee, visit USAUltimate.org.

The website offers merchandise and more information about where to play in the U.S.

175

(grams, that is) The weight of the official disc for ultimate Frisbee

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Hippy-dippy Ultimate Frisbee Boca Raton resident Chris Teixeira, 31, believes ultimate Frisbee is a blast.

Written by LISETTE HILTON

W

hat is it? The local internet marketer and “de facto”leader of an ultimate Frisbee meet-up group in Boca Raton said the sport was invented by hippies back in the ‘60s as a way to get exercise.

“It is essentially very similar to a football-soccer kind of mix,” Teixeira said.

Two teams square off on a field with two end zones. In a similar fashion to football, with an offense and defense, the team in possession of the disc works to score a goal in the opposing team’s end zone.

“You do that by throwing the disc to other players on your team until someone throws a disc to a player inside of the end zone,” Teixeira said.

But there’s a caveat. Although players can run when they don’t have the disc, if they catch and are in possession of the disc, they can’t move.

The disc for ultimate Frisbee isn’t your typical flimsy Frisbee. It’s a bit heavier. But you throw it just like you would a Frisbee.

The hippies made ultimate Frisbee a little more body friendly than football. There’s technically no contact in the sport, Teixeira explained. Local leagues and groups self-police when it comes to calling fouls; the infractions are called by the players, not referees.

If this sounds like something you’d like to try, make sure you’re in decent cardiovascular shape.

“I play racquetball, and I thought racquetball was pretty cardio-intensive,” said Teixeira.

“Frisbee is like ridiculous cardio.”

Sometimes he runs 9 to 12 miles when playing.

Professional games might last an hour and a half. Teixeira’s meet-up group, which has been playing locally for about two years, is more casual and can last up to three hours.

The group ranges from college students to men and women in their thirties, but Teixeira said there are players in their forties to sixties.

Teixeira advises just finding a group, noting there are several in Boca, including at FAU. His group is listed on meetup.com.

April 2017

3/2/17 4:53 PM

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EXERCISE

You might think snorkels are only for, well, snorkeling. But Prindle said bringing a snorkel to your pool workout can help you work on proper technique.

Wearing a snorkel allows you to keep your head in a downward position and get a nice reach out of your stroke, because you don’t have to lift your head and breathe every few seconds.

37%

of American adults can’t swim a pool length, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

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••••

BENJAMIN RUSNAK

This gadget can help

Kathleen Klein Prindle

Take the Plunge April is Adult Learn-To-Swim Month at U.S. Masters Swimming, a membership-based nonprofit organization.

M

asters adult swimming clubs are year-round here. They attract adults of all ages who are just beginning the sport and competitive swimmers too, according to Kathleen Klein Prindle. The Boca Raton resident is founder and head coach of the Performance Aquatics swim club. The club offers swim programs and training for elite athletes, even Olympic swimmers. In fact, Prindle’s team is the only in Palm Beach County to qualify a swimmer for 2016 Olympic Games: Florida Atlantic University alum Talisa Lanoe, who represented her native Kenya in Rio last year.

Prindle, whose program is at Grandview Preparatory School in Boca Raton, noted the many health benefits of swimming.

“Studies have proven that children (who) swim competitively have lower (risks) of heart disease and stroke as they age,” she said.

And for adults, lap swimming with oversight by a coach offers immediate benefits to the heart, muscles and mental well being, according to Prindle.

“Swimming keeps you flexible and strong, and participation in formal training builds friendships,” she said.

PRINDLE’S TOP THREE TIPS DON’T BE AFRAID TO TRY A TEAM. Masters programs, for adults 19 and older, are designed to make swimmers of any level better. “What’s beautiful about Masters swimming is there is something for every single person,” she said.

DON’T HOLD YOUR HEAD UP HIGH. “It’s human instinct to keep the head above the water. But when you keep your head up high, the rest of your body drops down,” she said. “In swimming, in general, we look at the body position first. So, keep your head down—in a neutral, relaxed position."

REACH! Prindle said swim coaches teach swimmers to use their core, including the abdominal and lower back muscles to get better reach with your stroke. The better the reach, the less effort.

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Heavenly Hair

Roberta Gomes

Avoiding green hair Chlorine can strip hair.

Mint Beauty's Sarah Jennings recommends that swimmers use a clarifying shampoo and a deep conditioner after their workouts. She’ll apply sunscreen, SPF 20 and higher, to the ends of her hair before getting into the pool. Another tip: use coconut oil on the hair for protection when swimming.

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H E A LT H Y H A I R

••••

Local hair stylist experts offer their favorite tips for healthy hair.

JENNINGS' TIPS:

Written by LISETTE HILTON

• Comb only wet hair.

Never brush unless it’s with a “wet brush” that untangles.

H

air Concept by Roberta Gomes, in Coconut Creek, Florida, focuses on customizable hair treatment, according to founder Roberta Gomes. The salon analyzes clients’ hair and formulates individualized products onsite at the lab.

Gomes said good ingredients for hair care products include proteins, amino acids, vitamins and oil blends.

Hair Concept uses Brazil nut, which provides vegetable protein to the hair strand; collagen to restore hair elasticity; avocado oil, which is rich in vitamins to nourish hair; Pracaxi oil to fight frizz and a natural silicone; quinoa, a vegetable protein that creates a coat over the hair strand to protect it against ultraviolet rays; and honey, which is rich in vitamins and antioxidants that restore damaged hair.

On the naughty list: chemicals such as: bleach, formaldehyde, peroxide, guanidine and ammonia.

These chemicals damage the hair she explained.“It’s very important to look for the composition of the chemicals, like in dyes or colors. Look out for the ammonia percentage [and] see if it contains lead [that’s really bad for the hair.] Even products that people think are ‘natural,’ like henna, can actually be bad for your hair.”

Too much of a good thing can also wreak havoc on hair health. Overdoing vitamins or oils on hair can leave it heavy and dense.

GOOD AND BAD HAIR PRODUCT INGREDIENTS

Sarah Jennings of Mint Beauty in Boca Raton said don’t cheap out.

Cheaper shampoos and conditioners might contain sulfates, which make the products lather well. Other bad ingredients, according to Jennings: ammonium lauryl sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate.“They agitate scalps to itch and become red and irritated,” Jennings said.“Isopropyl alcohol is used in shampoo a lot, derived from petroleum–it can cause hair loss or thinning.”

Jennings said there are good sulfates that include glycerin, which help hair maintain moisture.

“Jojoba, shea and avocado oils remove the buildup in the hair [and] give shine and moisture,”she said.

“Panthenol is a form of vitamin B, which retains moisture and creates thickness and volume to hair. Acidic ingredients, such as citric acid, balance the pH of the hair, allowing the cuticle of the hair to lie flat, helping with frizz and smoothness.”

• When using a blow dryer, use the nozzle on the end. It helps protect hair from damage and controls and smooths the ends.

• If you use a flat iron, protect hair with a thermal spray.

Make sure your iron isn’t ancient and has titanium plates, which help smooth more effectively and with less damage.

• A good hair mask or treatment every week helps maintain hair health.

• Good nutrition helps scalp health. Jennings recommends eating fish oil capsules, B complex supplements, avocados, salmon, walnuts, legumes, nuts and chia seeds.

• Get a haircut every six to eight weeks.

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On behalf of the entire community, we thank

Elaine J. Wold,

whose caring and compassion created

The Gloria Drummond Physical Rehabilitation Institute in loving memory of her dear friend, Gloria Drummond, the founder of Boca Raton Regional Hospital The newly opened Institute is dedicated to helping thousands of patients and families each year with the promise of recovery and renewal

“My wish is to establish a first-class facility where people with injuries or illnesses will receive the best care and assistance to return to their daily life.”

- Elaine J. Wold

For information about the programs and services now available at the Gloria Drummond Physical Rehabilitation Institute, please call 561-955-2100.

650 Glades Road • Boca Raton, FL 33431

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80

THE BOCA INTERVIEW:

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JAMES PATTERSON This best-selling author is about more than writing— he wants us to keep reading, too.

Written by GARY GREENBERG

J

ust cracking the New York Times bestseller list would be a milestone accomplishment for most writers. A handful of them visit it regularly. Then there’s James Patterson, who pretty much lives there.

Patterson holds the Guinness World Record for most hard-cover novels on the celebrated list and was the first author to sell a million e-books. Though best known for his hard-hitting thrillers, the Palm Beach resident dabbles in virtually every genre and has also topped the best-seller list in the children’s picture book category.

Although Patterson employs a small stable of co-authors to help him pump out an upwards of 10 titles a year, he’s said to vet every word that winds up

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in print. A former New York adman, he’s also handson in every aspect of the publishing process, from cover designs to marketing strategies. In fact, his idea to air TV commercials to publicize Along Came A Spider, the first in his blockbuster Alex Cross series, was instrumental in propelling him to fame—and fortune.

According to Forbes magazine, Patterson earned $95 million in 2016 alone.

The 69-year-old author (who lives with his wife Sue and teen son Jack in a 20,000 square-foot oceanfront mansion, just down the road from Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago) told us what he had to say about his runaway success, his crusade to get kids reading and more in an exclusive interview.

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THE BOCA INTERVIEW

With more than 355 million books sold worldwide and a Guinness World Record for most New York Times bestsellers, you may be the most successful writer ever in terms of readership and sales. What sets you apart?

Writing never feels like work to me. I think the best part of my job is that I get to tell stories for a living, and I love doing it. I hope that comes across in my books.

You write children’s books to crime thrillers to romances to a true-life medical mystery.

What’s your favorite genre?

It’s impossible to choose. Right now, children’s books are probably my favorite genre—I just worked with Bill O’Reilly on a picture book, Give Please a Chance, which was a lot of fun. But I’ve always loved writing thrillers, and the challenge to hook readers on page one.

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How did you get together with O’Reilly?

I had an idea for a picture book and thought Bill would be the perfect person to work with on it.

So I gave him a call to see if he would be interested. I think people underestimate the benefit of picking up the phone these days—sometimes, all you have to do is ask, or say “please!” The collaboration has turned out so well that we’re working on another one together this year.

What advice would you give someone with ambitions to be a writer?

Don’t give up. My first book was rejected by 31 editors before it was published, and I’m not the only successful writer with that kind of story. We writers love what we do, so my advice would be to not lose sight of that, and persevere. Oh, and never underestimate the power of a good outline.

So you know the ending of a book when you start writing it?

I do have an idea of how it will end, but sometimes it changes as I go.

Of all the characters you’ve created, who is your favorite?

It’s an old saying, but it’s true: parents don’t have favorites.

Character Alex Cross is a black detective/ psychologist from a tough part of town. How challenging was it to write about a person who is seemingly so different from yourself?

I grew up in Newburgh, New York, a town that actually isn’t so different from the area of Washington, D.C., where Alex Cross is from. Though I’ll admit, there are quite a few things that Alex and I don’t share—I could never carry a tune on the piano, for one.

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Getting kids reading should be a number one priority, not just for parents, but for all adults. Reading helps children in school, and more importantly, it feeds their imaginations.”

What do you enjoy reading and who are your favorite authors?

James Joyce’s writing is some of my favorite—I really appreciate the range of his work— from the clarity of his early writing, in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and his short story collection Dubliners, to the extreme complexity of Ulysses. It is truly an amazing contrast that demonstrates such an impressive venture into language.

But I read whatever sounds interesting to me—which is a lot. I don’t like to stick to one genre, which is probably why I find myself writing in so many of them.

Of all your accomplishments and awards, what makes you most proud?

I think anything that I’ve done to encourage children to pick up a book, whether it’s one of mine or any other that gets them excited, will be among my greatest accomplishments.

What can people do to support literacy?

Getting kids reading should be a number one priority,

not just for parents, but for all adults. Reading helps children in school, and more importantly, it feeds their imaginations. You can help by encouraging the kids you know to get reading, whether that’s reading with them, buying them a book, or taking them to a library. If they don’t like one book, hand them another. There is no such thing as a kid who doesn’t like to read, only a kid who hasn’t found the right book.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

My family would probably say that I’m never not working, but most mornings I like to go out on the golf course for an hour or so. I go to the movies all the time, and I of course love to read.

What do you like most about living in South Florida?

Being able to see the ocean every day. I’m incredibly lucky to have that view outside my window every morning.

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84 So you’re considering an addition to the family of the furry four-legged kind—now what? Boca’s love affair with dogs (and cats) reaches new heights— here’s how you can adopt your best friend.

Written by LISA OCKER

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86

hey say you can’t choose your family, but what if you could? You’d be very careful. You’d think about all the stories you’d hear over and over at all those shared Thanksgiving dinners. Or you might think about the cost for orthodontia, college, and surprise charges on your credit cards.

Choosing a pet is similar, except Spot won’t be going off to college. In fact, he’s more likely to stay home with you when your daughter, his “owner,” goes away to school.

“A pet should be a family commitment, and we love it when the entire family comes in,”said Susan Goldsmith, founder and executive director of Tri-County Animal Rescue in Boca Raton.

“When you think about it,” pet expert Arden Moore said,“your dogs and cats are going to probably outlive one or two of your cars, the job you’re in, maybe even the [human] relationship you’re in. Many can be with us up to 20 years, depending.”

Having a dog or cat can be “very similar to having a child,” said Rich Anderson, executive director and CEO of Peggy Adams Rescue League.“You have to be cognizant of your surroundings to make sure your pet is safe, and you need to make sure they’re getting regular checkups, nutritious food, plenty of exercise.”

There is one thing you don’t have to worry about with a pet, thanks to spaying and neutering: annoying in-laws.

Choose the Right Pet

Start with a realistic self-assessment. Then, rescue organizations and good breeders can help you pick the best pet. Consider these tips: “Patience is a virtue,” said Moore, author of more than two dozen pet books, “Paws Up” columnist for The Coastal Star, and host of “Oh Behave!” on petliferadio.com.

Goldsmith agreed: “When in doubt, don’t adopt.”

Sandra Dezelan

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Keep an open mind.

Don’t fixate on a specific breed, size or color.

Instead, think about compatibility based on your lifestyle and energy level, said Sandra Dezelan of Dezzy’s Second Chance.

Consider your budget.

Puppies and kittens are not free. Costs range from

hundreds to thousands of dollars per year for quality food, toys, veterinarian bills, flea, tick and heartworm preventatives; grooming, etc.

Research the rules.

Do you live in a community that restricts size or breed? Is property insurance more expensive if you

pick a breed that statistically is more inclined to bite?

Consider the hours you work, the time your family spends away from home, and the time available for training and playing with an animal.

Be careful about your

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87 Baby, Adult or Senior Pet?

Age can be more than a number when selecting a pet How much time do you have to spend with your new pet? It’s probably the biggest consideration when deciding whether to get a puppy or kitten, an adult or a senior pet.

Puppies and kittens need more of your time and patience in training, staying alert (to make sure they aren’t destroying anything) and cleaning up.“I call the first year with a puppy or kitten ‘the wonder year,’” Moore said.“That’s because I wonder where my sanity went.”

Kittens tend to figure out the litter box pretty easily.

Comparatively, house training a puppy is time-consuming. Aside from teaching puppies where to “go,” leash and obedience training are essential.

Adult cats and dogs require less time and effort.

They’re litter box and house trained, respectively, with rare exceptions. They’re past the stage of teething with canines that can slice through a pair of Jimmy Choos faster than a chew toy. Adult animals can be left alone or crated for longer periods than puppies and kittens (Tri-County’s Goldsmith suggests no more than four hours for adult dogs; consider a cat instead if you’re away from home much longer.)

Adult pets also need exercise and play time. Although little ones can wear themselves out making their own fun, adult dogs need to be walked or given exercise and cats may need “enrichment”activities to keep them healthy and out of trouble.

children’s safety. Children who are about eye-level to a dog are probably too young; dogs find eye contact threatening.

Be realistic about pet responsibilities and who will bear them. If a child will be the primary caregiver, check out volunteer

activities at rescue organizations or have the child spend time caring for a relative’s or friend’s pet to get a better idea of what is involved.

Think about your home environment. Do you like things quiet and well organized? What’s your

Senior dogs and cats require less training and exercise, but they’ll need more attention and vet care as they age. But don’t pass up the chance to adopt a senior pet. They offer incomparable companionship and gratitude.

Remember that dogs and cats of all ages can develop bad habits. Positive reinforcement of good behavior should be ongoing. If your dog or cat is already ill-mannered, it might be harder to train than a puppy or kitten.

Even with her experience with pets, Moore always takes a positive-reinforcement training course when she gets a new dog.“It’s an opportunity for bonding,” she said. After all, dogs gain satisfaction in pleasing us.

Cats also can be trained, said Moore, who used treats to train her cat, Casey, to sit.“But with cats it’s really more of a negotiation.”

tolerance for chaos and “accidents?”

What’s your ideal pettime like? Jogging together, playing fetch or lying on the couch together watching movies?

Check out the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match self-as-

Arden Moore

sessment quiz used by Peggy Adams Rescue League at peggyadams. org/meet-your-match.

Shelter staffers assess and categorize animals based on personality, habits, energy level and other traits to help you meet your match.

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88 Purebred or Mixed Breed?

There’s an ongoing debate about whether the mighty mutt is a better choice than its pedigreed cousin “Every dog is the perfect dog,” said Goldsmith. But not every dog is perfect for every human. Whether to choose a purebred or mixed-breed dog is really a matter of your preference. Consider these arguments and counter-arguments:

POINT

COUNTERPOINT

PUREBRED: With known ancestry and many traits specific to its breed, you’re more likely to get the personality, size when full grown, grooming needs and energy level you’re seeking.

MIXED-BREED: Rescue organizations work hard to determine each dog’s characteristics to make the best match for you. If the dog has been fostered, there’s also information about how it gets along with children and other pets.

MIXED-BREED: Coming from a more diverse gene pool, dogs are less likely to inherit undesirable traits or defects.

PUREBRED: They’re no more or less likely than a purebred that comes from a reputable breeder.

PUREBRED: Dog shows, trophies, titles!

MIXED-BREED: Competitions, trophies, titles! Various organizations including the American Kennel Club’s Canine Partners offer all dogs the opportunity to compete in things like agility, tracking and obedience.

MIXED-BREED: Adoption fees are much less than the cost for a purebred.

PUREBRED: Yes, but average annual costs may be similar; they all need quality food, vet care, toys, grooming, etc.

PUREBRED: It’s easier to find coffee mugs and bumper stickers emblazoned with your dog’s face.

MIXED-BREED: Yes, but who wants to look like every other dog?

Mutts are unique.

MIXED BREED: “Every adoption saves two lives,” says Rich Anderson of Peggy Adams Rescue League. You save the dog you adopt and, by taking it out of the shelter, you make room for another dog that will be spared from euthanasia.

PUREBRED: No counter-argument here!

Susan Goldsmith

Rescues and Charities We Love The life you save may be your own TRI-COUNTY ANIMAL RESCUE, LULLIS RITTER ANIMAL SHELTER 21287 Boca Rio Road, Boca Raton 561/482-8110 Nonprofit shelter founded by Susan Goldsmith about 20 years ago, providing adoptions of cats and dogs of all ages, mixed breeds and purebreds. Facility includes big play area for dogs and free-roaming cat area so humans can get to know prospective pets (and bring existing pet dogs to meet shelter dogs).

New ancillary building will provide space for

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low-cost spaying, neutering and vaccinations for people with lower incomes. A behaviorist/ trainer evaluates each animal to help make the best match.

PEGGY ADAMS ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF THE PALM BEACHES 3100/3200 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach 561/686-3663 Nonprofit shelter offers adoptions of cats and dogs of all ages, and spaying, neutering and medical services for companion animals. Services include the Meet

Your Match program to make it easier to find the perfect pet; referrals for low-cost vet care and spaying and neutering; Peggy’s Pantry, which assists struggling families in feeding their pets; various programs like Senior to Senior and Pets for Patriots to make adoption of older or special-needs animals more affordable; and training courses and a behavior helpline (561/472-8815).

DEZZY’S SECOND CHANCE 954/588-7045 A five-acre nonprofit

dog sanctuary in the Delray Beach area founded by Sandra Dezelan. Regular adoption events are held at Boca Raton Town Center, Delray Beach Green Market and other locations, and fundraisers include a giant estate/garage/bake sale in July.

BIG DOG RANCH RESCUE 1930 D Road, Loxahatchee 561/791-6465 The largest no-kill rescue in the Southeast started more than 10 years ago as Florida

Weimaraner Rescue.

It expanded in 2008 to rescue dogs of all sizes.

Large network of foster parents. Regular adoption events are held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesdays through Fridays at Petco, 920 State Road 7, Wellington.

PAWS2HELP 4139 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach 561/712-1911 Privately run charity since 1987 at vet clinics in West Palm and Jupiter.

Finds foster families and helps find homes for abandoned pets.

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89 Reputable Sources for Purebreds Here’s how to avoid the dreaded puppy mill purchase Go to the American Kennel Club’s website and search for local clubs and breeders. If you’re seeking a specific breed, type it in to find the breeder closest to you.

Search online for rescue organizations that specialize in specific breeds or contact area shelters to see if they have the breed you’re seeking.

Check out dog shows. Sometimes, breeders will have puppies for sale that aren’t quite show-quality, but would make fine pets.

Good breeders will ask you as many questions as you ask them because they want the best for their pooches. Be wary of any breeder who isn’t as cautious.

Top Dogs

The American Kennel Club’s most popular breeds BULLDOG: Calm, courageous, friendly; medium-sized with medium energy.

LABRADOR RETRIEVER: Friendly, active, outgoing; medium-sized with high energy.

BOXER: Fun-loving, bright, active; medium-sized with high energy.

BEAGLE: Merry, friendly, curious; small-sized with medium energy.

FRENCH BULLDOG: Playful, smart, adaptable; small-sized with medium energy.

GOLDEN RETRIEVER: Intelligent, friendly, devoted; large with medium energy.

YORKSHIRE TERRIER: Sprightly, tomboyish, affectionate; small-sized with medium energy.

ROTTWEILER: Confident guardian, loving, loyal; medium-sized with medium energy.

GERMAN SHEPHERD: Smart, confident, courageous; large with medium-level energy.

POODLE: Proud, active, very smart; medium-sized with medium energy.

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90 Leash-Free & Loving Life Make a play date at one of these dog-friendly parks

Dog parks offer space for romping, separate fenced areas for big and small canines, benches and/or gazebos for humans, wash stations, water fountains, waste bags and trash cans. Here are some favorites: MIZNER BARK: THE BOCA RATON DOG PARK 751 Banyan Trail 561/393-7821 Open 7:30 a.m. to dusk daily except noon to dusk on Wednesdays.

Permits required: free to residents, $25 per month or $265 per year for non-residents.

BARK BEACH Spanish River Park (between lifeguard towers 18 and 20) 3001 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays: 7-9 a.m., 3 p.m. to sunset November to March, 5 p.m. to sunset March to November.

Park at Spanish River Park with valid parking permit or at daily parking rate.

Permits required: $30 per dog for residents of Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District or city of Boca; $165 per dog for non-residents; $10 for single weekend passes, regardless of residency, available at Spanish River Park gatehouse.

CANINE COVE Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park 12551 Glades Road, west of Boca Raton 561/966-6600 Open sunrise to sunset daily except from noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesdays.

DOG PARK AT LAKE IDA Lake Ida West Park 1455 Lake Ida Road, Delray Beach 561/966-6611 Open sunrise to sunset daily except noon to 3 p.m. Thursdays.

POOCH PINES Okeeheelee Park 7715 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach 561/966-6600 Open sunrise to sunset except from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesdays.

DR. STEVEN J. PAUL DOG PARK Coral Springs Sportsplex 2575 Sportsplex Drive, Coral Springs 954/346-4428 It features agility training equipment.

JUPITER BEACH 2188 Marcinski Road, Jupiter 561/741-2400 Worth the drive for free, off-leash beach fun. Free parking at Ocean Boulevard and Marcinski Road.

Clockwise from top, Mizner Bark, Bark Beach, daycare at Delray’s Barkingham Palace

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91 Famous Dogs

These four-legged stars became household names LASSIE Many of us grew up with this beloved fictional collie who starred in the TV series of the same name and movies from the 1940s to the 1970s. Lassie was forever rescuing her boy and other humans from dangers.

The real-life Lassie was a laddie named Pal. He was succeeded by 10 generations of his offspring. (Male collies have thicker coats in summer and are larger than females, so child actors could work with them for longer periods before outgrowing them.)

she died due to overheating. A statue erected near her training facility honors Laika’s service.

RIN TIN TIN American soldier Lee Duncan rescued this German shepherd from a French battlefield during World War I, brought him home, trained him and a star was born.

After small movie roles, Rin Tin Tin’s big break was in the 1920s silent film,“Where the North Begins.” He went on to star in 27 films.

TOTO If it weren’t for this little terrier’s run-in with a nasty neighbor, Dorothy might never have left Kansas. We have Toto to thank for “The Wizard of Oz.” Toto was played by Terry, a female, and reportedly paid $125 a week, which was more than what some human actors made back in the day.

LAIKA A stray dog from Moscow, this mutt became a canine cosmonaut and the first Earthling into space. Launched into orbit in 1957 aboard the Soviet Sputnik 2, Laika helped scientists with critical life-support research before

SNOOPY As Charlie Brown’s beagle in the Peanuts comic strip, Snoopy was self-confident and self-absorbed. He fantasized about being a World War I flying ace, a famous author and a college student named Joe Cool.

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MARLEY Who says being bad can’t be good? This unruly yellow lab owned by former Boca Raton residents John and Jenny Grogan was always in trouble. But John, Jenny and their kids loved that dog, and so do millions of others thanks to John’s New York Times bestselling novel, Marley & Me, which was made into a movie.

Left, top, Lassie and “Timmy,” Rin Tin Tin, Laika, the dog Brownie who played Marley in the movie (with his coach, Ray Beal) Dorothy and Toto, and Snoopy with Woodstock

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92 Presidents & their Pets

Clockwise, from top: Gerald and Betty Ford with Liberty, Julie and Tricia Nixon with Checkers, George W. Bush with Spot, the Obamas with Bo and Sunny, Bill Clinton with Buddy, the Reagans with Rex

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EVERETT COLLECTION/NEWSCOM

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EVERETT COLLECTION/NEWSCOM

Meet the first dogs of our time The White House is known as“The People’s House.”

But “Animal House”might be more appropriate due to the number and variety of pets that have lived there.

Dogs, cats, fish, birds, guinea pigs, opossums, tiger cubs, alligators, silkworms, lion cubs, horses, donkeys, goats, chickens, snakes, rabbits, bears, a pygmy hippopotamus and mice have made up these menageries.

President Donald J. Trump has no pets. The only other commander in chief who had no pets was James K. Polk, the 11th president, unless you count Andrew Johnson, who reportedly befriended and fed some white mice he found in his bedroom.

President Theodore Roosevelt and his family had the biggest assortment of critters, including a garter snake named Emily Spinach; guinea pigs Adm. Dewey, Bishop Doane, Dr. Johnson, Father O’Grady and Fighting Bob Evans; Peter rabbit; a small bear called Jonathan Edwards; and a hyena, barn owl and one-legged rooster, among many others.

In recent years, dogs (and one cat) have been first family favorites. They included the Obamas’ Portuguese water dogs Bo and Sunny; the George W. Bushes’ Scottish terriers Barney and Miss Beazley, Chelsea Clinton’s cat, Socks, Bill Clinton’s chocolate lab, Buddy, and the George H.W. Bushes’ springer spaniel, Millie. Savvy politicians have recognized their canines’ uncanny ability to win hearts and minds.

“You can criticize me, my wife and my family, but you can’t criticize my little dog,” President Franklin D. Roosevelt said in response to rumors that he had squandered thousands of taxpayer dollars by sending a ship to Alaska’s Aleutian Islands to retrieve his beloved Scottish terrier, Fala, who was accidentally left behind on a presidential trip. Roosevelt went on to say of Fala,“He’s Scotch and all these allegations about spending all this money have just made his little soul furious.”

Richard M. Nixon, then Dwight D. Eisenhower’s vice presidential running mate, was also unabashed in using his children’s black and white cocker spaniel to deflect suspicion about improprieties involving political contributions. In his 30-minute televised“Checkers speech,”paid for by the Republican National Committee, Nixon denied having a slush fund but admitted receiving one gift,“… a little cocker spaniel dog …and you know, the kids, like all kids, loved the dog, and I want to say this, right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we are going to keep it.”

The“Checkers speech”reportedly moved Eisenhower’s wife, Mamie, to tears. Well-wishers sent Checkers enough food to last a year. Nixon remained on the Eisenhower ticket, and the rest is history.

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93 Pet Peeves

What they are really thinking If dogs and cats could talk, they’d have a few things to tell humans, like: CAT: “If you think it stinks, then imagine how bad I think it smells.”

Cats’ sense of smell is 14 times greater than humans’ so clean the litter box(es) at least daily, and make sure they aren’t close to where you feed them.

DOG: “I love attention, but I don’t love being patted on the head.”An ear massage or gentle strokes down the back are nice, but pats on the head may seem threatening, pet expert Moore said.

CAT: “Don’t box me in.” Give cats escape routes, places to get away for a quiet nap. Of course, if they find a nice box—in a closet, under a bed—and it’s their decision to settle down there, then that’s another story.

DOG: “I’m not a clothes hound.”Dogs are such pleasers that it’s hard to say whether they enjoy dressing up or they put up with it for our enjoyment. But if you were covered in fur and living in the tropics, would you want extra layers of fabric rubbing you the wrong way?

Pet Etiquette

Dos and Don’ts of dog ownership Pick up Rover’s waste. In addition to the mess for other humans, dog droppings contribute to the spread of disease to other dogs. And even if you pick it up, keep Fido from going on private property.

Keep Fido leashed when out in public, unless you’re inside a dog park.

It’s safer for everybody.

Give Fifi a walk before taking her to a sidewalk café so she’s pleasantly tired and calm. Bring her own water, and don’t feed her from the table.

Remember: Aggressive or loud dogs are never welcome in public.

Designer Dogs

Mixing it up for a brave world of dogs

The goal is to breed two different purebreds to get the most desirable characteristics of both. But there’s no guarantee you won’t get less desirable traits. And then you have a very expensive (often more expensive than a purebred) mutt with a cute name. Here’s a sampling from the International Designer Canine Registry: Affenhuahua (Effin’ wha? No, Affenpinscher-Chihuahua) Bugg (Boston Terrier-Pug) Silky Coton (Coton de Tulear-Silky Terrier) Daug (We aren’t making this up. Dachshund-Pug) Pooahoula (Poodle-Catahoula Leopard Dog)

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The Downtown

Divide Boca’s rapid high-rise growth was always part of the plan—but its citizens are second-guessing the results these days.

By Randy Schultz

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f

orty years ago, Boca Raton set out as much to create a downtown as to revive one.

Unlike Delray Beach, which grew up around a main street called Atlantic Avenue, Boca Raton grew up around the Boca Raton Resort & Club. As the decades passed, even the major employment centers—Florida Atlantic University, IBM—were outside of downtown.

So it’s not surprising that the downtown revival, which began with Mizner Park, is both unfinished and imperfect. Fortunately, there seems general agreement among city leaders and the credible critics that Boca Raton can still have a great downtown. Getting one, however, will require more assertiveness, especially from the city council.

Before discussing what’s wrong with downtown, let’s start with what’s right.

Defying projections that economic and real estate experts made in the late 1980s, Boca Raton has attracted thousands of new downtown residents. The city has approved nearly 3,500 units that are finished or under construction. Whether full-time or part-time, many people want to live in downtown Boca. Commerce has developed around—and in anticipation of—this urban market.

Finally, the city has a distinctive project on the southeast corner of Palmetto Park Road and Federal Highway: the gateway to downtown. The Hyatt Place hotel will complement the resort farther east and the Mandarin Oriental farther south on Federal Highway, bringing more people downtown.

The Hyatt Place’s Louie Bossi’s restaurant that fronts Palmetto Park Road could become a popular gathering spot. Not so long ago, the site was a vacant lot across the street from a gas station. Dating back even longer, the land was supposed to be the start of downtown redevelopment with the Barbar project, which voters killed in 1984.

From that low point, resolve built. Change followed. Jamie Snyder became chairwoman of the Community Redevelopment Agency, (CRA) which oversees downtown. Former CRA Director Jorge Camejo calls Snyder “a phenomenal lady.” (Snyder famously would use chocolate chip cookies to sweet talk Mizner Park skeptics.)

The late Miami architect William Cox, who designed Sanborn Square, created the beautification plan that essentially became the downtown plan. An assessment on downtown property owners financed the Visions 90 plan for public works improvements. Mizner Park opened. The city council became the CRA, for greater accountability. The CRA approved the rules for downtown development in 1992. The voters gave their blessing a year later. Everyone waited for the terrific results.

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Wish list

Results have been less than terrific. In other cities, they might be.

Boca being Boca, though, the aim is higher. Even those who promote and/or make much of their living from development believe that Boca Raton doesn’t yet have the distinctive, walkable downtown that the city envisioned.“Downtown is evolving,” said City Manager Leif Ahnell, who also functions as CRA director, “and the city and the CRA have tried to make adjustments.”

Mary Csar is director of the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum. She has also chaired the Boca Raton Downtown Advisory Committee. The two roles give her a unique perspective.

Of downtown, Csar said,“We have quirky alleys and walkways and old businesses and new businesses. These are the human and ‘organic’ characteristics that give a city an identity and sense of place. Our challenge now is to celebrate this uniqueness and blend the new developments with the old by providing pedestrian-oriented streets, lighting, signage, public transportation and parking solutions.”

That wish list is familiar. Fulfilling it, however, can run into the contradictory politics of downtown Boca Raton.

Everyone wants downtown to be “pedestrian-friendly.” The best way to make that happen would be to slow down the traffic and widen the sidewalks, most notably on Palmetto Park Road. To imagine the intended effect, picture Mizner Park and morning coffee outside Starbucks or lunch outside Max’s Grille.

But slower traffic could mean a longer trip to Interstate 95 for those who live in the east part of downtown or on the beach near Palmetto Park Road. Within those neighborhoods live many of the speakers who appear regularly before the city council and complain about downtown traffic.

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Opposite page, aerial of downown Boca 2012, as the building boom was getting underway; this page, renderings of aerial and retail shopping area of 101 Via Mizner

Not being Fort Lauderdale is not good enough. Too many ideas circle like airplanes in a holding pattern.

Complicating matters is that the city’s traffic consultant blames longer trips from the beach to I-95 not on new downtown development but on red lights and delays at the Florida East Coast Railroad crossing. This year, the Brightline passenger service will start running 16 trains each day in both directions through downtown.

The trains will pass quickly, but there will be delays. Again, new downtown development won’t be the problem.

Tall orders and a “spine-less” city

In speaking with numerous people outside the city leadership for this article, a consistent theme is that the administration should give someone day-to-day authority over downtown. Many cited this case: In April 2015, the city held a daylong session to determine why the Mark at Cityscape generally disappointed after being the first project under Ordinance 5052 rules that grant 40 extra feet of height in exchange for adherence to downtown architectural guidelines. Yet the city’s design consultant, whom the city paid roughly $1 million before cutting ties, signed off on the Mark. City staff could have monitored the project during construction and flagged problems.

It became clear from the session that one person, supervising others, should have been monitoring the Mark. The city council sets policy, but the staff carries it out. Yet even after that unpleasant review, the council didn’t call for any significant changes. People do seem happier with the look of the Hyatt Place and Via Mizner Phase 1, which gained approval under Ordinance 5052.

Those who fume that downtown Boca Raton is a failure, however, might want to speak with Audra Durham. She’s the Hyatt Place marketing director. When guests arrive, Durham said, the staff emphasizes how close the hotel is to Mizner Park, the amphitheater,

the Boca Raton Museum of Art, Royal Palm Place and the beach.

Durham said they stress the“walkability.”

So the goal must be to have everyone think that way about downtown. To that end, it might help to realize that —despite what some critics say—downtown Boca Raton is not turning into “another Fort Lauderdale.”

Boca Raton’s tallest downtown buildings top out at 160 feet. The 16th-tallest building in Fort Lauderdale rises to 204 feet.

Three years ago, a Broward County developer asked Boca Raton to allow four condo towers that would have averaged more than 300 feet in a neighborhood where the limit is 100 feet. The city council never even considered the project. In contrast, Fort Lauderdale seems ready to approve five new projects that range from 25 stories in height to 45 stories—in just one area.

Not being Fort Lauderdale, however, is not good enough. Too many ideas circle like airplanes in a holding pattern. Discussion at an April 2006 CRA meeting typifies the promise and frustration of downtown.

Speaking at the meeting was real estate broker/civic activist Keith O’Donnell, who then was chairman of the Downtown Visions Committee, the precursor of the Downtown Advisory Committee.

O’Donnell reported that most of the committee’s projects had been completed. The last remaining item was completion of the “spine,” to connect Mizner Park with Royal Palm Place and thus achieve that elusive“connectivity.”

As the speakers noted, Boca Raton had discussed the spine for 15 years already. The city had hoped to have the spine run along First Avenue, but the Florida Department of Transportation said the route would interfere with westbound traffic on Palmetto Park Road. More discussion ensued about the need to make Palmetto Park more inviting to pedestrians. Sound familiar?

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“We have learned a lot more since the late 1980s, when the city started on downtown development. As issues have come up, some have been easier to address than others. Others take a lot more work.

There’s some truth to the idea that downtown doesn’t

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“Like a teenager, downtown Boca’s growth spurt can cause some pains in the short term but result in long-term benefits. The presence of the Hyatt Place hotel in the center of downtown is an improvement over a “main-andmain” intersection that featured a gas station and parking lot for many years. The addition of a signature brand of the Mandarin Oriental reflects the attractiveness of Boca Raton. Rents and occupancy rates in residential buildings are higher than expected, another good sign.

Downtown Boca would be improved with greater parking and a municipal garage, an issue I’ve advocated since I joined the council. The council is exploring modes of shuttles and circulators, which would enhance a garage.

Both measures would help in addressing traffic.

For the longer term, I’ve been exploring funding for improvements along Federal Highway that will tie into the current and future investment in our downtown. The long-sought pedestrian and retail corridor will likely shift to Federal Highway, running from the Hyatt Place to a future redesign of Royal Palm Place and continuing through the Mandarin residences and hotel to Mizner 101. A “complete streets” approach would enhance the retail presence, make it more walkable, and help create a mainstreet feeling. This would be most successful if we can divert passthrough traffic onto an expanded Dixie Highway as a greater reliever road, another large undertaking.”

—Scott Singer, city council member, Community Redevelopment Agency chairman, March 2014-March 2017.

“Downtown may well turn out OK in spite of itself. We were without a positive direction for so many years. That we don’t have a separate Community Redevelopment Agency director is beyond understanding.

Downtown started out so simple, but we made it more difficult.

No one has had a real good grasp of the whole picture. (City Manager) Leif Ahnell is not an advocate for downtown. (Council members) don’t listen to their advisory board (the Downtown Advisory Committee.) Some buildings are OK, but, generally speaking, not in accordance with downtown guidelines. The challenge is going to be

to fill in the gaps and still have that connection between Mizner Park and Royal Palm Place.”

—Derek Vander Ploeg, architect of downtown projects Via Mizner, Tower 155, 327 Royal Palm and 200 East.

“There hasn’t been a very creative vision that came out of the original plan. What we have is not in the greatest spirit of the plan. What happened at Palmetto Park Road and Fifth Avenue was a complete overreaction. (The city added a turn lane, and then removed the turn lane.) It made it less urban.

Downtown lacks walkability and lacks connectivity. It needs ambient lighting and decorative lighting.

It lacks wayfinding (a planning term for guiding people through, and enhancing their appreciation of, a space.) We could achieve that through decorative signs.

There needs to be a more fun atmosphere. We need an Art in Public Places program. We’re the only city in the county that doesn’t do that. That would help with placemaking. Let’s put the ribbon on the package.”

—Andrea O’Rourke, a former editor of BocaWatch and city council candidate in March 2017. (This article went to press before the election.)

MICHAEL B. LLOYD

have enough connectivity and walkability. One problem has been that there is very little rightof-way in the downtown and especially on Palmetto Park Road.

Another is that there isn’t a very good street grid.

Mizner Park was supposed to be the cornerstone. It’s a very large property, so it was easier to work with. We thought we could use Mizner Park to bring (downtown) all together, parcel by parcel. We did the Sanborn (Square) District and have talked to multiple property owners about extending that district south. We are exploring ways to improve all elements of downtown.

—Leif Ahnell, city manager since 1999 and director of the Community Redevelopment Agency since 2008.

DOWNTOWN PHOTO

“From the Boca Raton History Museum in Town Hall, we have a front row seat for the rapid growth taking place in downtown, undoubtedly the largest growth spurt in its history. There are many things that will have to be done by the city to accommodate our new residents and visitors.

However, one important element not being addressed is protecting our historic properties. These landmarks provide a tangible link to Boca Raton’s past, and there should be a plan for retaining and using them.

The original downtown was not large, and there are only a few surviving historic properties.

Historic buildings do not have to be museums; there are ways to adapt them into modern, commercial establishments for countless uses. These properties offer a welcome variation from the high-rises of the modern era, and they give our downtown texture and a sense of place. Let us embrace what makes us unique.

History offers us this opportunity.”

—Mary Csar, director of the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum, and a former chairman of the Downtown Advisory Committee.

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Exterior of Hyatt Place, rendering of Palmetto Promenade

Boca Raton will likely never change to a strong-mayor form of government, but the city’s failure to resolve key downtown issues shows the weakness of the manager-council form of government.

West Palm Beach never could have pulled off the complex transactions to assemble the site for CityPlace without a strong-mayor system and the right mayor—Nancy Graham—with the right team at the right time. Interestingly, voters adopted the system in 1991 as a means of speeding up downtown redevelopment.

So if the city council doesn’t want that system for Boca Raton,

Csar pointed out,“Our downtown has special qualities that newer communities do not: a variety of architecture, retail, office, residential, arts and entertainment and history.”

Csar added,“We are fortunate that downtown has developed with buildings built in the 1920s to the present.” For all the controversy over Archstone/Palmetto Promenade, Csar believes that the project’s design will “enhance”the nearby structures from the 1950s.

“We can only hope,”Csar said,“that the decisions we make today will enable Boca Raton to continue to grow as a city that embraces both its heritage and its potential.”

Downtown Basics

Here are the essential elements of downtown development in Boca Raton. u Community Redevelopment Agency: The city created it in 1980 to combat blight. Hard as it is to believe, downtown Boca nearly 40 years ago was blighted.

If the city council doesn’t want a [strong mayor] system for Boca, council members will have to show more, ahem, spine on downtown. They will have to push administration harder for results.

They will have to reject unreasonable demands by residents. They will have to embrace new ideas. They will have to get things right the frst time, not wonder why things went wrong. council members will have to show more, ahem, spine, on downtown. They will have to push administrators harder for results. They will have to reject unreasonable demands by residents. They will have to embrace new ideas. They will have to get things right the first time, not wonder why things went wrong.

All of this must happen soon. More residents will be moving into the downtown. The council has big plans to incorporate a new city “campus” into the downtown. Plans are for Tri-Rail to begin service on the downtown Florida East Coast Railway tracks, possibly in 2020.

Ahnell said the city has asked consultants for ideas on downtown lighting and signs. Utility easements might keep light poles out of the middle of sidewalks. The city is examining what Ahnell called “parking options”such as automated garages, which require less space.“We don’t have all the kinks worked out yet.”

The best final thought is to acknowledge that Boca Raton’s downtown problems are the kind many cities would like to have. As

All increased property tax revenue from within the CRA stays in the area to be reinvested. Delray Beach has a separate CRA board, whose members the city commission appoints. In Boca Raton, the mayor and city council also function as the CRA board. One member—usually not the mayor—acts as CRA chairman and runs the meetings. All downtown development projects go through the CRA. u Ordinance 4035: This ordinance governs downtown development.

The ordinance is the city’s plan for implementing the 1988 Downtown Development of Regional Impact, which the state had to approve.

Among many other things, the ordinance sets the limit for how much development will go in the downtown—8 million office-equivalent square feet. Projects approved under Ordinance 4035 can be no taller than 100 feet.

Though the voters blessed Ordinance 4035 in 1993 after the city had adopted it the year before, the city council can amend it. That

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THE ARCHSTONE EFFECT

A

rchstone/Palmetto Promenade may not have been the most important project in downtown Boca Raton, but it surely was the most controversial since Mizner Park.

Stretching for two-and-ahalf blocks on East Palmetto Park Road, that mixed-use complex of 378 apartments and 13,000 square feet of retail space led not just to a lawsuit— that’s nothing new for Boca development—but to the Golden Triangle neighborhood that lies behind the project becoming the noisiest political block in the city.

The BocaWatch Political Action Committee, which emerged from the website of the same name, was formed to oppose what was then Archstone. The current owner, Greystar, restored the Palmetto Promenade name from the 1990s, when the late Greg Talbott got approval to build.

Palmetto Promenade reverberated through the March election. The collective challenge to the city council incumbents came from the Golden Triangle and BocaWatch. Out of Palmetto Promenade came the cry that the council has consigned downtown to gridlock by selling out to developers.

Yet other projects that also would have had to create collective traffic problems drew almost no public criticism when the city approved them.

In December 2011, the city

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council—acting as the community redevelopment agency—voted unanimously for the 261-unit Camden rental complex on Federal Highway south of Palmetto Park Road. No one spoke in opposition. In December 2013, the CRA approved the 229-unit Boca City Walk apartments across from Trader Joe’s. Almost no one spoke against it, just as almost no one during city reviews in 2012 and 2014 opposed the Mark at Cityscape— 208 units—and the accompanying Hyatt Place hotel.

Even Via Mizner, which will have 366 apartments, 104 condos and a Mandarin Oriental hotel, didn’t irritate the usual downtown critics. Earlier projects had received approval without serious controversy.

Of course, none of those projects adjoins the Golden Triangle, which is bounded by Palmetto Park Road, Northeast Fifth Avenue and Mizner Boulevard-Federal Highway. When the city was reviewing Archstone, Golden Triangle resident Anthony Majhess was on the council. In the 2012 election, all four of Majhess’ council colleagues publicly opposed his re-election, which surely fed the us-against-them sentiment within the Golden Triangle.

Colorado-based Archstone, which Equity Residential of Chicago has since acquired, was the majority partner. Boca Raton’s Mark Guzzetta was the minority owner and local presence.

Critics complained that

the project was fast-tracked.

It went to the community appearance board on Jan. 12, 2012, and got CRA approval on Feb. 13. Majhess was the only dissenter. Guzzetta did not meet with residents until after that vote. They proposed eight conditions, to which Guzzetta agreed. Archstone got final approval on Feb. 27.

Six residents sued, seeking a public referendum on the project. The city and Archstone argued that state law prohibited referendums on development orders. The residents won at trial, but lost at the 4th District Court of Appeal.

Interestingly, the Golden Triangle was fighting a project that could be less intrusive than what the community had agreed to as part of an earlier lawsuit.

Talbott got approval for the first Palmetto Promenade more than a decade earlier.

That version included just 134 condos, twice the retail space and 47,000 square feet of office space. Neighbors sued. Talbott won at trial, but then a settlement resulted. Most of the project would front onto Palmetto Park Road. Nothing on the other side, Royal Palm Road, would be taller than 35 feet—to not exceed the existing row of townhouses. Talbott never built it.

Though this Palmetto Promenade will have 140,000 more square feet of floor area, the overall effect should be less intense. Office generates the most traffic, with retail second.

Residential generates the least.

Guzzetta agreed to abide by the Interim Design Guidelines, which the city hopes will give downtown Boca Raton an updated Addison Mizner look. By agreeing, Guzzetta and Archstone could have received extra height.

They declined.

Andrea O’Rourke is a former president of the Golden Triangle Homeowners Association. She ran for city council in March as a critic of downtown development. O’Rourke said the Talbott project was “more in the spirit” of Boca’s downtown plan. It didn’t have rentals, and the units were larger. “It was a different ballgame. Archstone should have been better. That’s what the lawsuit was all about.”

As for Guzzetta, who sold his interest in late 2014, he said the critics “have been proven wrong on all counts.” The project, he said, has raised property values within the Golden Triangle. He shrunk the retail portion—after the city wanted more—because Palmetto Park Road is not retail-friendly. He blames that on Golden Triangle residents who opposed wider sidewalks.

Finally, he notes that for all the controversy, Archstone needed just three technical variations, two of which the city and the neighbors wanted.

No one can tell yet what effect, good or bad, Palmetto Promenade will have on downtown Boca Raton. Its effect on the city’s politics, however, is apparent.

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From left, Camden and the entrance to Boca City Walk

has happened several times, with the city updating the ordinance as downtown takes shape. The next change likely will be to rules for open space, which the city requires of all downtown projects. u Ordinance 5052: A key—and still elusive—goal of downtown development has been to achieve a distinctive appearance. To encourage developers, in 2008 the city passed this ordinance, which grants an extra 40 feet of height in some areas of a project in return for adherence to design guidelines. They seek to create“a continuous, interconnected network of congenial, pedestrian-oriented streets and public spaces” in downtown Boca.

Projects approved under Ordinance 5052 include the mixed-use Mark at Cityscape, the Hyatt Place Hotel, the Tower 155 condo and Via Mizner, which will feature an apartment building, a condo and a Mandarin Oriental hotel. Reviews of the Mark were not favorable.

Reviews of the Hyatt Place and the Via Mizner apartments have been kinder. The other projects are not complete. u The Pattern Book: This is supposed to be Boca Raton’s guide for downtown design, although it is separate from the Interim Design Guidelines. The supposed goal of the Pattern Book is to provide “tools that will allow developers, architects, and residents to convert a collective vision into our new reality”and to“redefine the character of Downtown Boca Raton as a timeless and progressive city.”After a decade, like downtown itself, the Pattern remains a work in progress.

The Scoreboard Just how much of downtown Boca Raton remains to be developed?

That’s hard to pin down.

According to the city, only about 17 percent of the roughly 350 acres that make up downtown has yet to be built on or approved for development. Most of that unallocated space is in three places: u Along Mizner Boulevard south of Palmetto Park Road. On the east side, Elad National Properties wants to replace the rental Mizner on the Green with the luxury condo Mizner 200. That 384unit project is undergoing city review. Investments Limited might seek to build a residential project in Royal Palm Place on the west side of the street, across from Mizner on the Green. u The shopping plaza north of Camino Real and west of the Florida East Coast Railway tracks. A Winn-Dixie, now closed,

once anchored the plaza. Kimco, which owns the site, would like to build 350 apartments and a new supermarket with a drivethrough pharmacy. That project, called Camino Square, is under city review. u City Hall and the other city-owned properties along Northwest Second Avenue and north of Palmetto Park Road. The city council has rejected the idea of including residential in a makeover of Boca Raton’s“campus,” but some officials envision a “signature” complex on those roughly 30 acres, including a new city hall, community center and police station, and possibly a parking garage and a performing arts center.

Ordinance 4035, which governs downtown, caps development at 8 million “office-equivalent”square feet. The city calculates each project based on how much traffic it would generate with only office use. Retail generates more traffic than residential. When that number hits 8 million, downtown is done.

But. . .

Developers could replace existing projects with new ones.“If you knock down retail and replace it with residential, you get more credit,”said City Manager Leif Ahnell, who also functions as director of the Community Redevelopment Agency.

According to the city, as of mid-2016 Boca Raton had approved 125 downtown projects since 1988, when the state approved the downtown development order. Those projects range from large— Mizner Park—to small, such as a restaurant.

Each one, however, goes through that calculation. However technical the details, Boca Raton is getting closer to that 8 million figure.

What happens then? No one knows.

Ideas moving forward

There are many ideas about how to give downtown Boca Raton urban harmony. Here are some of them, in no particular order, with their potential benefits and problems. u Hire a full-time Community Redevelopment Agency director.

City Manager Leif Ahnell took on this role in 2008, forcing out CRA Director Jorge Camejo. Ahnell, however, has many other duties besides downtown. The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce has argued that the city needs someone with more authority and a CONTINUED ON PAGE 175

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Spring is when everything lightens up—even our menus

Written & photographed by Libby Volgyes

Super grain salad at Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar

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Even in South Florida, winter

is its own excuse for comfort foods and heavier dining. But the rest of the year—the other nine months—we have the luxury of homegrown fruits and vegetables, spanking fresh seafood and a world of diverse cuisines. Mix in perennial bathing suit weather, and there’s no wonder people are gravitating toward simpler, natural foods with more flavor, less fat and fewer calories. Here are three places—and their fresh-is-better converts— who share a few tips on how to keep things light.

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A Bolay bowl with smoky cauliflower, mint tomatoes, ahi tuna, paleo brussel sprouts, forbidden black rice, marinated kale and currant salad and other goodies

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Chris Gannon, Bolay Chris Gannon, owner and founder of Bolay, created the concept of chef-inspired bowls with nutrient-rich ingredients when he saw his friends discussing simple things like removing high-fructose corn syrup from their kitchens. Something clicked.“There’s a trend there,”he said.

The gluten-free casual restaurant opened its third location—in Boca—in January. Gannon said Bolay relies on “fresh, bold flavors” and nutrient-rich superfoods: quinoa, broccoli, kale, butternut squash, Caribbean-spiced steak, miso-glazed tofu. There is no butter in the restaurant at all.

Gannon’s four tips for healthy eating: 1. Avoid carbohydrates. Avoid wraps and sandwiches.

2. Avoid fried food.

3. If you don’t know what the word on the label is, it’s not good for you. If you can’t pronounce the word, it’s not good for you.

4. If it’s packaged or bottled with anything longer than a five-day shelf life, there’s something unnatural to stabilize it.

Favorite vegetable?“Artichoke.”

The influence of his father’s restaurant (Outback) on his business model: “I grew up on the couches of Outbacks before dad could afford a babysitter. I grew up in the restaurant industry.

I learned the art of hospitality in my house. You greet them at the door, you watch them walk away, you always make sure their glass is full. We translate that to 700 to 800 guests a day. At Bolay, we think we’re having a party every day.”

How he stays fit:“If you have a competitive nature, sign up for a triathlon. Once you have goals, they’re easy to hit.”

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106 When people come through this door, there’s a type of love that people feel.”

The New Vegan’s portabello burger and falafel salad

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Patricia and Rahein Jones, The New Vegan Patricia and Rahein Jones are the owners of The New Vegan in Delray Beach. Their entire family turned vegan overnight more than four years ago.

“Our son was traumatized,”Rahein said.“He was 10 years old and standing in front of the fridge crying, saying,‘What are we going to do, just eat salad?’ I said ‘I don’t know. But I know what we’re not going to do.’”

With that, a new era was born: a family that learned how to eat vegan and serve the vegan (and non-vegan) community together.

Today, the Jones family runs a small, bustling, warm restaurant with an official motto: “You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy vegan.”

“When people come through this door, there’s a type of love that people feel,” Patricia said. “Plus, vegan is easier on your body to process. You’ll leave here feeling content and satisfied, with more energy.”

The Joneses cook with fresh vegetables but also make familiar favorites, just modified for vegans: Burgers, grilled no-cheese sandwiches, cinnamon French toast.

Patricia and Rahein’s tips for healthier eating: 1. Always read the ingredients listed on foods when you’re grocery shopping. Know what’s in your food. Once you know, it’s easier to be more disciplined.

2. Try a new recipe, try a new ingredient, try a new almond milk, try a different company. We didn’t know the variety that’s out there when we started.

We’ve expanded our diets.

3. Planning and prepping is key. Plan your meal, plan your day out in advance—what you’re going to eat and where you’re going to eat.

4. Keep fresh veggies on hand.

5. Know what to do with your veggies.

6. Have fun with the veggies. If you don’t have fun with your food, nothing is going to work. It has to be fun.

Favorite vegetables: “Chick peas”(Rahein); “Mushrooms.” (Patricia).

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108 William Ring, executive chef, Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar Over at Boca’s newly opened Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar, guests will find chef-inspired dishes under 500 calories (PR-speak for healthy but tasty). This might sound like a cliche until you see many of your favorite local farms listed at the top of the menu. Once you start talking to Executive Chef William Ring, you realize he’s been cultivating these farm relationships for years.

“One of the most important things for healthier eating is knowing where your food is coming from,”Ring said.“We’re blessed down here because we have farmers markets and other markets. Being in Florida, we have that beautiful blue thing we can fish out of—getting the freshest possible fish.”

Chef Ring is a Florida boy. Before opening Harvest he was there helping open another Harvest— Max’s Harvest in Delray. He cultivated relationships with farmers that he carries with him from restaurant to restaurant. Those farmers are part of what makes Harvest so delicious.

“Know your farmer, know your food,” Ring said.

“We’re chef-driven. We have executive chefs and executive sous-chefs.”

Ring’s three tips for healthier eating 1. Try to eliminate fats.

2. Don’t get caught up in buying spice mixtures.

Read the labels on the spice mixtures or make your own spice mix.

3. I don’t eat any fast food. Become your own chef at home. There’s one thing about this job I’ll tell you: Not one day is ever easy. Learn to assess every situation.

Favorite vegetable: “Carrots. Since I was a little kid I have always loved carrots.”

Least favorite vegetable: “Beets.”

Being in Florida, we have that beautiful blue thing we can fish out of—getting the freshest possible fish.”

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Harvest’s super grain salad

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Actually,

nowadays in Peru’s historic highland destination, it’s possible to travel in style.

Written by ERIC BARTON

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112 The chef in a crisp white jacket takes slices of fruit from a market vendor and holds them out in her palm.

“Whatever you do, don’t eat the seeds,”she warned.

Around her in the Peruvian market is a group of tourists from America. They reach in and grab slices.

The skin looks like drab green dragon scales. Inside is a pulpy, stringy fruit the color of spoiled cream. Poisonous black seeds float within, and the flesh smells a bit like French cheese.

“Trust me,”said the chef with a dimply smile. Her name is Thais Rodriguez, the relatively new and wildly talented chef at the JW Marriott in Cusco, a mountainside city in Peru’s historic Sacred Valley.“It’s so good.”

She’s right. As the chirimoya melts on the tourists’ tongues, it tastes a bit like pear and orange. The fruit is nearly as smooth as custard. It’s tree-grown ice cream.

This chef-led exploration of Cusco’s San Pedro Market is one of many novel options for Peruvian tourists these days. Once a destination only for the backpacker and adventure traveler, the Sacred Valley has gone decidedly upscale. Celebrity chefs have opened restaurants here, tasting menus have arrived, and luxury hotels have

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opened their doors. Tour groups in cushy Mercedes vans now dot the unpaved Andean backroads, and train lunches are more likely to feature tablecloths and bar carts than paper bags. And instead of tourists wandering around the market wondering what they’re seeing, now they can go with Rodriguez, a classically trained chef who happens to make an excellent tour guide.

This revitalization actually returns Cusco to the role it once served centuries ago. In the mid-14th century, emperor Pachacuti built Cusco into the capital of a vast Incan kingdom, fed in part by fertile farmland of what his people called the Sacred Valley. When the Spanish arrived a century later, Cusco became a capital of their conquered South American lands.

The settlers built grand cathedrals from the stones of Incan temples and wide European-style squares.

But it wasn’t long ago that a trip here was an arduous test of wills. Back in 1986, The New York Times sent writer Nicholas D. Kristof to Cusco. He wrote that the city’s“grandeur is flecked with wizened peasants and malnourished children that recall the African shantytowns surrounding Lagos or Abidjan.” Now, the city’s

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113 Clockwise from above: Chef Thais Rodriguez serves a trio of ceviches, Chef Thais Rodriguez at Cusco's San Pedro Market.

Opposite page: Spanish settlers built Cusco's Plaza de Armas in part with stones from Incan temples. Inset, the chirimoya fruit.

WHERE TO STAY:

ERIC BARTON

JW Marriott El Convento Cusco

main square is more akin to southern Spain. Locals and tourists gather on benches that look out on fountains, as diners crowd second-story cafes nestled into arched brick alcoves built by conquistadores.

That said, it’s still implausibly difficult to get to Peru’s most famous tourist attractions, like the salt ponds of Maras and Machu Picchu. The journey begins from South Florida with a six-hour flight to Lima, another hour in a plane to Cusco, and then at least an afternoon there to acclimate to the 11,152foot altitude, before making it to the place everyone comes for—Machu Picchu.

Acclimation is made easier at places like the JW Marriott. New arrivals are whisked to pillow-covered couches surrounding a wide fireplace, which was part of a 16th-century convent that the Marriott incorporated into its modern structure. A dramatic two-story entrance, stone floors, archways and a sunny interior courtyard all are part of the original religious structure. Next to the fire, newbies to the altitude drink a buzz-inducing tea made of coca leaves and then are urged to avoid altitude

Massive carved wooden doors open up to a dazzling lobby with a light fixture that looks made of thousands of strands of gold rock candy. It’s the first of many design elements that will catch your eye in a building that, opened in 2012, combines pre-Incan architecture with parts of a 16th-century monastery that once stood in this spot, along with a modern building that springs up in between. There’s a spa, an underground swimming pool and a restaurant with an up-and-coming chef cooking some of the best food in town—and that’s saying a lot for a city that has come in to its own. This is a spot well-suited for the traveler afraid of the high altitude, as the hotel pipes extra oxygen into rooms ($229-$699) and offers portable tanks for those still working to adjust. 888/236-2427, marriott.com

sickness with a nap and a light lunch of chicken soup and local trout, and to start their vacation as teetotalers.

The next morning begins early, but Machu Picchu awaits. A bus trip takes you through the shantytown hills of Cusco to the train station, where it’s a three-hour journey to the base of Machu Picchu, a sacred city that clings to a steep mountaintop. Although the only option on this journey used to be a bumpy train with wood bench seats, tourists now can travel far more comfortably. At the top end is the Hiram Bingham, named for the American who rediscovered Machu Picchu in 1911 with help from a local farmer. The Bingham train, at $800 round trip, boasts white linen supper service and a caboose with an open gallery to watch the snow-capped Andes slide by. A better value is PeruRail’s Vistadome, about $200 round trip, with comfortable reclining captain’s chairs and skylight windows to watch the dramatic countryside slowly change from Arizona-like desert highland to lush mountain rainforest.

Once the train arrives, there are still limited options, unfortunately, on how to get up to the sacred

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city. Buses zoom up roads that seem unbelievably cut into the mountain, edges drifting off into blue sky below. At the top, the buses drop tourists off at a parking lot that’s always overflowing with Patagonia-clad Americans and tour guides with varying degrees of knowledge. Pass by the entrance, take a jog to the left, and suddenly you’re at the vista, the one you’ve seen in a million photos on Facebook from friends who have taken this journey. The stunning and somehow spiritual Machu Picchu clings to a plateau, just below a cover of clouds, laid out just as it was six centuries ago, inviting questions about whether it was merely a city or a place to become closer to the gods.

Below, the Sumaq Machu Picchu hotel; right, its chocolate egg dessert

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pool tubs, but downstairs is a dining room that offers hikers an impressive multicourse tasting menu. It begins with a creative salmon ceviche, topped with a sauce from the creamy chirimoya fruit, dollops of fish eggs, crispy Andean corn and colorful edible flowers.

The meal ends with a chocolate egg that bursts open as the server pours a dark chocolate sauce over the top. It’s a meal that would feel at home in Midtown Manhattan, and here it is, served up in Peru’s remote Sacred Valley.

After exploring, it’s back into the daredevil buses, which take tourists back down the mountain to the town of Aguas Calientes. The city gets its name from sulfurous hot springs that bubble out of the sheer cliffs that surround the town, and no doubt things have been blazing here in recent years. As tourism to Machu Picchu has exploded, a town that didn’t exist a generation ago has the feel of a modern gold rush.

Just a couple years ago, tour books would have advised skipping the city altogether. But now the luxury Sumaq Machu Picchu hotel has opened across from a river of rapids bouncing over a field of boulders.

Not only does the Sumaq feature suites with whirl-

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115 Machu Picchu

A llama grazing on the grounds of Machu Picchu, at right

Back in Cusco, the dining scene has gone through a revolution in recent years. Chefs, including Peru’s often-lauded Gastón Acurio, have opened outposts, and mini chains feature multiple locations around town serving multicourse meals with modern takes on local dishes. Among them is MAP Café, in a snow globelike glass enclosure inside the courtyard of the historic Museo de Arte Precolombino. The chef, Manuel Cordova, started cooking in Cusco in 1999, back when tourists wanted burgers and pizzas as they backpacked their way through town. Now, Cordova takes the traditional dishes his mother cooked for his seven siblings and adds international ingredients to give them a modern flair. His menu includes a carpaccio made with Andean cheese and local mushrooms, and there’s a cannelloni stuffed with quinoa and truffle. It’s possible to offer such challenging dishes, he said, because his clientele is high-end tourists and locals with more money in their pockets.

“People are demanding something better,”Cordova said.“Now we try to rescue local recipes and elevate them. We want to serve dishes that could be served in any city in the world.”

That’s also true for the city’s boutiques. Once, Cusco was known more for hemp hoodies, cheap t-shirts and alpaca clothing that was quite likely made from inferior wool. Tour books once warned that Cusco salespeople promising fabric made from“baby alpaca” were probably slurring the phrase“maybe alpaca.”

Now, stores like the local chain Kuna sell scarves and throws and sweaters woven from alpacas that produce fabric softer than cashmere. Monica Muñoz has worked for Kuna for 18 years and is now man-

Where to Stay: Sumaq Machu Picchu

The Sumaq looks more like a California spa than the hotels that dominate the base of Machu Picchu. A lobby full of modern couches beckons those who have just finished a hike to the top, and the comfy, pillow-strewn look continues into the rooms, which include Jacuzzi suites. The hotel’s restaurant boasts a multicourse tasting menu that would go well anywhere, but it’s something special in a town dominated mostly by backpackers. Rates run from $478 to $1,650 and include escorted transport from the train station, breakfast and a cooking class. 866/682-0645, machupicchuhotels-sumaq.com

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116 ager of the Cusco stores and oversees online sales.

“The standards of Cusco have increased in hotels and shops and restaurants and homes,”Muñoz said.

That means the alpaca her stores sell is woven from animals sheared only every two years, and not too much at one time, meaning the animals can still survive the harsh colds of the high altitude. This kind of environmentally friendly approach is common now in Cusco.

In fact, many of the tourist buses that jockey in the crowded cobblestone Cusco streets boast of their environmental credentials. It makes sense considering Cusco is a home base for outdoorsy travelers looking to explore the Sacred Valley. Among the destinations for those explorers is the salt mines of Maras, a spot that gets far less attention than Machu Picchu but is perhaps equally as striking.

d

During a trip to the salt mines, tour guide Francis Casapino explained that the Sacred Valley’s new crop of high-end tourists wants to see environmental responsibility and sustainability, something that’s only going to help locals.“Tourists now care about the environment and the local people,”Casapino said.

“They come here wanting to see the area protected, and that is a good thing for Peru.”

Still, Casapino warns that this influx of tourists with more money has had a cost to the local population.

Now, Cusco’s tourist hotels and main squares all have Incan descendants who dress in colorful clothing that used to be reserved for festivals. They cradle fluffy alpacas and baby sheep and ask for the equivalent of about 30 cents to pose in a traveler’s selfie.“ Tourists have been very good to Cusco,”Casapino said.“But we

also have to be cautious of how the indigenous population is coming into the city just to pose for photos.”

At the salt mines, there is no sign of the effects from tourist money. Little has changed at the mines for 6,000 years—nearly a millennia before the Egyptians. The mines are dazzling, a series of hundreds of shallow, car-sized pools cut into a hillside. They catch water flowing out of a salt deposit in the mountain.

As the water evaporates in the pools, workers use wooden rakes to collect the crystalized salt that’s left behind. Just like at Machu Picchu, where visitors can freely explore the sacred buildings, visitors to the salt mines have free rein to walk along the precarious edges of the ponds, imagining what it was like for natives to become rich trading salts with other tribes.

Like so much of the Sacred Valley, there’s an otherworldly aspect to the salt mines. Chef Rodriguez, a native of New York City, says that’s what she found

Getting Around

It isn’t easy reaching the historic sites in Peru’s highland, especially if you want to travel to the remote and dazzling concentric circles of Moray, the salt mines of Maras or Machu Picchu. For even the most adventurous among us, you’ll want a guide. Among the best is Explorandes (explorandes.com), which puts together all types of travel, from multiday hikes on the Inca trail with personal chefs and comfy sleeping quarters to guided treks into historic sites. Prices vary widely but generally include transportation and entrance fees.

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April 2017

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117 The Sacred Valley By the Numbers 3,287

Number of visitors to Machu Picchu per day

300-1,000

Number of residents of Machu Picchu at its height

3

Number of farmers who worked the land at Machu Picchu when it was rediscovered in 1911

11,152

Elevation of the historic Incan capital of Cusco almost everywhere when she relocated to Cusco in late 2015 to take over the kitchen at the Marriott.

“As soon as I came here, I noticed that it’s very spiritual, that people do everything for a reason,” she said during the trip to the market. Many of the local foods are credited with curing an ailment, getting a traveler ready for a journey or prepping a worker for a task, and Rodriguez tried to work some of those ideas into her menu.“Having these new types of travelers here, they’re not just backpackers to Machu Picchu.

They’re interested in architecture and Incan art and traditional dishes. They’re here for the culture.”

Among the local dishes Rodriguez added to her menu is the pachamanca. The dish has a connection to the religion of the Incas, who divided everything into spheres, or pachas, including the world we live in and the heavens above.

Traditionally the pachamanca is cooked wrapped in leaves inserted under blazing-hot stones and covered in dirt, so it came from the pacha below. Rodriguez cooks hers in the Marriott kitchen, but it still incorporates an herby sauce made from a spice similar to mint, called chincho. It includes large-kernel Andean corn, lima beans still in the pod, goat, beef, chicken and pork belly so soft it nearly melts away on a fork.

At the Marriott, it’s served in a traditional large clay chalice that adorns tables in the modern dining room.

It’s another sign how a centuries-old tradition has been preserved for the high-end traveler.

And even with the addition of whirlpool baths and linen tablecloth restaurants and trains with cocktail service, the Sacred Valley remains largely the same place that brought backpackers and explorers. It remains an undoubtedly spiritual destination—albeit now with amenities.

1533

The year Spanish conquistadores arrived in Cusco, marveling at its stone temples and streets

55

Average percentage of humidity in Cusco

5,000

Number of cliff-side pools at the salt mines of Maras

OPPOSITE PAGE: The ruins of Machu Picchu; A woman in traditonal Peruvian clothes heads home after working in the salt mines of Maras.

BELOW: Sacred Valley locals are known for their colorful clothes and friendly smiles.

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501 PLAZA REAL IN MIZNER PARK | BOCAMUSEUM.ORG Glasstress Boca Raton is presented in conjunction with Fondazione Berengo and made possible by the Museum’s Exhibition Leadership Fund with major support generously provided by the Estate of Ardele L. Garrod, the Estate of Ruth Feigl, Jody H. & Martin Grass, Dalia & Duane Stiller, Steinberg Global Asset Management, Ltd., Art Alliance of Contemporary Glass, and the Museum’s Friends Auxiliary.

Image: Koen Vanmechelen, Black Medusa, 2015. Fondazione Berengo, Venice, Italy.

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BACKSTAGE PASS TA K E 5 › 120 C A L E N DA R › 122 “Kinky Boots“ performs at the Kravis Center April 18-23.

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B AC K S TAG E PA S S

TAKE 5

Kate Arrizza Chief operating officer, South Florida Science Center and Aquarium Written by THOMAS YAIR

W

hen asked about her strangest day at work, Kate Arrizza chuckles. The ebullient chief operating officer (COO) of the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium has a quick answer, because it happened recently.

“We have this ‘Our Body’ exhibit, and a piece of one of the bodies”—a part of a foot—“fell off. We had to anatomically put it back together. The bodies are preserved with a process called polymer impregnation, where you replace the fluid with reactive plastic. We had to stitch it back together, and our facilities team did that, with the help of the exhibit company. I would say that that was pretty interesting.”

Arrizza, 36, is no stranger to unexpected adventures. A competitive ocean swimmer, she’s accustomed to battling woolly winds and wild waves, fearlessly paddling atop great white sharks and stingrays. As a commissioned officer in the U.S. Naval Academy—where she earned a swimming scholarship—she visited 42 countries and aided in humanitarian efforts: the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the 2006 mudslide in the Philippines.

“We represent the informal education aspect, and that’s why a lot of our staff would rather be here than in the school district. We don’t have that red tape. We can see a cool experiment on the internet, and the next day buy the materials and do it here.”

By the end of her nearly seven-year commission, Arrizza had graduated to training and education director. It positioned her well for her first job in civilian life: education director at the South Florida Science Center. After two years, she was promoted to chief operating officer, thanks in part to her naval experience. “I knew how to deal with so many types of people,” she recalled. “Not many people my age knew how to do that.”

The science center is a bit of a homecoming for Arrizza. At age 14, the Palm Beach County native started volunteering at the Center, hoping one day to work full time. Now Arrizza is the second in command, a position she approaches with humility. (Her office is a former broom closet.) “We don’t make a lot of money here,” she said. “We are in it because we have a passion.”

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As COO, you must be involved in many aspects of the center.

I am. Anything from the budgeting—we have almost a $5 million budget—to overseeing all the directors, the facilities, broken pipes, school groups. I also do the fundraising; I write a lot of grants.

What’s the most fun part of the job?

I love the kids. I sit in on a lot of the classes when our educators are teaching, and I love hearing the excitement the kids have. A kid will come in here hesitant and not wanting to touch anything, and he’ll leave a totally different person.

What’s something that would surprise people about how the center is run?

We are a very small staff. We’re 40,000 square feet, and comparatively, an organization of that size would have 50 to 60 full-time employees. We have 22. What people don’t know is that most of us wear three or four different hats. Our events director is our membership director. I’m the COO; I also write grants. Our director of education does 10 other things. Every-

one knows how to do everything, and we like it that way.

What consumes most of your budget?

Operations—keeping the lights on, overhead.

But a huge portion of our budget goes to our blockbuster exhibits.

That’s because we like to keep things fresh and new; we rotate exhibits. “Our Body,” “Titanic,” “Dinosaurs Around the World”— those cost $50,000 a month, not counting installation.

What accounts for your passion for education?

I’ve always felt that education is the key to opening doors.

We focus on STEM because we know that to be competitive in the global market, you need to teach kids to get hooked on STEM. Eighty percent of the fastest-growing jobs in the country focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Statistically, if you don’t hook them into science by fourth grade it becomes exponentially difficult. We try to make the penny drop by the fourth grade, because that’s when it clicks for them.

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The latest addition to the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, the Conservation Course, premiered in 2016. It’s a miniature golf course modeled on the Everglades, with each hole representing native flora and fauna. Arrizza’s favorite part?

“We built it inside a butterfly garden. They flock to you, they’ll land on you … it’s so beautiful and tranquil.”

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Now - April 9

Now - April 23

Now - May 21

April 1

“SPENCER FINCH: BACK TO KANSAS” at Norton

“FABRICATED” at Cornell

“DECO JAPAN: SHAPING ART AND CULTURE” at

AFROMAN at The Kelsey Theater, 700 Park Ave., Lake Park; 7 p.m.; $13-$15; 561/328-7481; thekelseytheater.com. Most

Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach; free; 561/832-5196; norton.org. Repeated view-

Calendar: April 2017 bocamag.com

CALENDAR

ings of “The Wizard of Oz” led American artist Finch to create “Back to Kansas,” a large print comprising 70 blocks of brilliant and subtle color. The work will be complemented by related pieces exploring Finch’s passion for time-based experiences.

Museum at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; suggested $5 donation; 561/2437922; oldschoolsquare. org. Conventional fiber art, with its reputation for pillows and yarn balls, can get a bad rap. That’s not the case with the extraordinarily detailed, thoughtful and witty artists selected for “Fabricated,” the museum’s showcase for all things stitched, sewn, cut and glued.

Morikami Museum, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach; $9-$15 museum admission; 561/495-0233; morikami. org. The Japanese Art Deco

movement, which flourished in the war and postwar years of 1920 to 1945, honored the nation’s history while ushering in a new cosmopolitanism. More than 200 works in this exhibition summarize the Art Deco style, ranging from metalwork and ceramics to glass and printmaking.

famous for his Grammy-nominated 2002 hit “Because I Got High,” this homegrown hip-hop artist has released more than 15 albums.

Sewn art from “Fabricated” Afroman

Billy Porter

David Doubilet

“Deco Japan”

April 2

April 3-4

April 6

April 6

SOUTH FLORIDA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at

BILLY PORTER at Crest Theatre at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; $57-$72; 561/243-7922; oldschoolsquare.org. Porter

DAVID DOUBILET at Crest Theatre at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; $25-$67; 561/243-7922; oldschoolsquare.org. The

“MARILYN IN FRAGMENTS” at Kravis Center,

Kaye Auditorium at FAU, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton; 5:30 p.m.; $30-$60; 800/745-3000; fauevents.com. Titled “Untamed

Spirit,” the final program in the Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks series features Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture” and the brilliant fortissimos from Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. Arrive early for a pre-concert chat at 5 p.m.

earned a Tony Award for his performance as Lola in “Kinky Boots,” and his eclectic stage credits include roles from “Angels in America” to “Five Guys Named Moe.” He closes out the Crest’s cabaret season.

producer of books including Light in the Sea and Fish Face, Doubilet is considered one of the world’s leading underwater photographers. He reports on historic shipwrecks, coral reefs, exotic marine life and more in dozens of National Geographic stories. He will speak with humor and poetry about the aquatic life.

701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $35; 561/832-7469; kravis.org.

Cabaret superstar Marissa Mulder created and stars in this singular tribute to Marilyn Monroe. The spoken-word portions are repeated verbatim from Monroe’s varied writings, while the songs, written by everyone from George Gershwin to Alanis Morissette, illuminate her essence.

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123 April 7

April 7-9

April 7-8

April 7-8

April 7-9

COCO MONTOYA at Funky Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton; 9 p.m.; $20-$40; 561/395-2929; funkybiscuit.com. This

DELRAY AFFAIR in Downtown Delray Beach; free; 561/279-0907; delrayaffair.com. The largest

“ARTRAGEOUS” at

STUART PIMSLER DANCE & THEATER at Kravis

“THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE” at Kravis

self-taught, award-winning mentee to legendary bluesman Albert Collins is celebrated for his unique left-handed, upside-down guitar wizardry. Montoya recorded his “icy hot” blues sound with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers before striking out on his own with 1995’s “Gotta Mind to Travel.”

arts and crafts festival in the Southeastern United States celebrates its 55th anniversary. Artists and crafters from more than 30 states and 12 countries are expected to line 12 city blocks of tents, from the Intracoastal to Northwest Second Avenue.

Pavilion at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 7 p.m.; $15-$25; 561/2437922; oldschoolsquare. org. In this interactive art and

music hybrid complementing the Delray Affair, painters will work on masterpieces live onstage, at electrifying speed, alongside vocalists, high-energy choreography and audience interaction.

“Artrageous”

Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $30; 561/8327469; kravis.org. This

provocative contemporary dance production, with its statuesque movements and animal imagery, takes thematic inspiration from Bohemian Grove, the secretive campground confab in which the aristocracy gathers annually.

Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $30; 561/8327469; kravis.org. One of

Gilbert & Sullivan’s most treasured creations, boasting an infectious score, rapier wit and classic mistaken-identity narrative, arrives at the Kravis for the first time, courtesy of Palm Beach Opera.

Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater

The Four Tops and the Temptations Dailey & Vincent

Jake Johannsen

April 8

April 8-9

April 11

April 12-15

April 13-15

DAILEY & VINCENT at Flagler Museum, 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach; 3 p.m.; $35; 561/6552833; flaglermuseum. us. Jamie Dailey and Darrin

JAKE JOHANNSEN at Boca Black Box, 8221 Glades Road, Suite 10, Boca Raton; 7 and 9 p.m.; $30-$40; 561/4839036; bocablackbox. com. Comedian Johannsen’s

THE FOUR TOPS AND THE TEMPTATIONS at Kravis

“SEX TIPS FOR STRAIGHT WOMEN FROM A GAY MAN” at Kravis Center,

JIM FLORENTINE at Boca Black Box, 8221 Glades Road, Suite 10, Boca Raton; 8 p.m.; $25-$35; 561/483-9036; bocablackbox.com. A comedian

Vincent’s three-time Grammy-nominated bluegrass act performed more than 100 times at the Grand Ole Opry before attaining membership in the venue’s ranks. They return to the Flagler for the museum’s annual Bluegrass in the Pavilion fundraiser.

1986 victory in the San Francisco International Comedy Competition has launched a 30-year-career as a road-tested funnyman, during which time he appeared an astonishing 45 times on “Late Night With David Letterman.”

Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 8 p.m.; $29-$120; 561/8327469; kravis.org. These

Motown legends—featuring original Four Tops tenor Abdul “Duke” Fakir and founding Temptation baritone Otis Williams—will play the hits you know and love, including “Baby, I Need Your Loving” and “My Girl.”

701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; $35$45; 561/832-7469; kravis.org. Dan Anderson’s

humorous self-help book of the same name inspired this unorthodox romantic comedy, in which a studious meet-the-author event at a university auditorium transforms into an interactive seminar in which no taboo subject is off limits.

with a heavy-metal niche, Florentine hosted VHI’s “That Metal Show” and has opened for acts such as Metallica and Slayer. A skilled improviser and character actor, he contributed his edgy wit to two of the most iconic prank callers on the cult series “Crank Yankers.”

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CALENDAR

April 13-30

April 14

April 14

April 14-23

April 18-23

“THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG” at Lake Worth

MARK NADLER: A CELEBRATION OF COLE PORTER at Crest Theatre

“RAMS” at Society of the Four Arts, 2 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach; 2:30, 5:15 and 8 p.m.; $5; 561/655-7226; fourarts. org. The Society of the Four

“THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT” at Studio

“KINKY BOOTS” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; $27-$102; 561/8327469; kravis.org. Pop and

Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth; $29-$60; 561/586-6410; lakeworthplayhouse.org. Play-

wright Neil Simon, composer Marvin Hamlish and lyricist Carole Bayer Sager joined forces for this semi-autobiographical musical comedy about the bumpy relationship between Hamlish and Sager—outside the studio as well as in it.

at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; $29-$39; 561/2437922; oldschoolsquare. org. Considered a virtuoso of

classical piano, New York cabaret performer Nadler will pay tribute to Cole Porter’s monumental oeuvre, exploring the songwriter’s wit, romance and life with timeless hits from “Let’s Do It” to “Night and Day.”

Arts hosts three screenings of this rarely shown, deadpan Icelandic drama, in which a pair of sheep-farmer brothers who haven’t spoken in 40 years must try to mend fences when a mysterious disease threatens their herds.

One Theatre at FAU, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton; $20; 800/745-3000; fauevents.com. FAU’s spring student production is this bold, stylized play by Stephen Adly Guirgis. It is centered on a court case that will decide the fate of Judas Iscariot—with witness testimony from the likes of Mother Teresa, Sigmund Freud, Satan and more.

musical-theater royalty Cyndi Lauper, Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Mitchell collaborated on this Tony-winning, gender-bending Broadway hit, in which the scion of a struggling shoe factory receives some unlikely help in the form of a drag queen in need of new stilettos.

“Rams”

Letter from the Smithsonian’s Archives

LYNN GOLDSMITH/ZUMA PRESS

“Kinky Boots”

Ben Bailey

April 18-July 2

April 20

April 20-May 14

April 22-23

April 26

“PEN TO PAPER—ARTISTS’ HANDWRITTEN LETTERS FROM THE SMITHSONIAN’S ARCHIVES OF AMERICAN ART” at Norton Museum

“SAY GOODNIGHT GRACIE” at The Fieldhouse

“BEEHIVE: THE ‘60S MUSICAL” at The Wick, 7901

PHILHARMONIA NO. 5 at Lynn University, 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton; various show times; $35$50; 561/237-9000; lynn. edu. Jon Robertson conducts

“YOU’RE GETTING TO BE A HABIT WITH ME: THE SONGS OF HARRY WARREN” at Lynn University,

of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach; free; 561/832-5196; norton.org.

Exploring the penmanship of artists from Mary Cassatt to Isamu Noguchi, the exhibition reveals much about world-famous artists through their handwriting—from casually jotted notes to decorative calligraphy.

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at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $38; 561/243-7922; oldschoolsquare.org. Actor

and impersonator Alan Safier portrays legendary comedian George Burns in this solo play, a tribute to Burns’ 90 years of contributions to popular culture, supplemented by vintage photographs and video clips of his extensive career.

N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; $75-$80; 561/9952333; thewick.org. This

durable musical revue honors the female singers and songwriters who electrified the pop music charts, from Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin to Lesley Gore and The Shirelles.

Lynn’s world-renowned Philharmonia through Wagner’s Prelude to “Die Meistersinger,” Bartok’s “Violin Concerto No. 2” (with guest violinist Guillermo Figueroa) and Elgar’s “Enigma Variations,” Op. 36.

3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m.; $50; 561/237-9000; lynn. edu. Warren’s eclectic career

as a composer resulted in some 800 songs and three Academy Awards, including “At Last,” “I Only Have Eyes for You” and Broadway’s “42nd Street.” New York City cabaret artist Kristoffer Lowe honors Warren with an evening of his music.

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REDISCOVER SOMETHING NEW April 28

April 28-May 7

POPA CHUBBY at Funky Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton; 9 p.m.; $15-$30; 561/395-2929; funkybiscuit.com. This

“SHORT CUTS 7” at

renegade blues rocker cut his musical teeth in the New York City punk scene, emerging alongside artists like the Ramones and Richard Hell.

Their anarchic sound continues to inspire his tempestuous, high-energy output as a solo artist whose oeuvre has been described as “The Stooges meets Buddy Guy.”

CREST THEATRE

Willow Theatre at Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton; $25; 561/347-3948; willowtheatre.org. In

this seventh-annual event organized by The Playgroup, South Florida’s best playwrights will premiere original works—including comedies, dramas and surprises—that clock in at 10 minutes or less.

BRAVO AMICI

Sat, April 1 | 8 pm

These acclaimed, international artists perform an uplifting selection of well-known classical and contemporary arias -combining elements of pop, Broadway, opera and classical.

Robert D. Chapin Lecture Series

DAVID DOUBILET

Thurs, April 6 | 2 & 7 pm

Considered the world’s leading underwater photographer, Doubilet has introduced a generation to the mystery and wonder of the deep and has photographed more than 70 stories for National Geographic.

MARK NADLER Let’s Misbehave Fri, April 14 | 8 pm

This internationally acclaimed, award-winning entertainer explores the wit, the romance and the life of American songwriter, Cole Porter with guest soloist, Spider Saloff.

Popa Chubby

April 29

April 29

BEN BAILEY at Crest

“POKEMON: SYMPHONIC EVOLUTIONS”

Theatre at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $47-$67; 561/2437922; oldschoolsquare. org. The Emmy-nominated comedian and actor is most known as the host of Discovery Channel’s “Cash Cab,” and is a veteran of “Star Search” and Montreal’s storied Just for Laughs comedy festival.

at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7 p.m.; $20$100; 561/832-7469; kravis.org. We won’t

pretend to understand the Pokemon thing, but fans of the addictive video game franchise will want to “catch” this symphonic concert. Enthusiasts can battle and trade Pokemon with like-minded players while enjoying orchestral compositions from nearly 20 years of Pokemon titles.

POPOVICH COMEDY PET THEATER Tues, April 18 | 7 pm

Former Moscow Circus veteran, Gregory Popovich brings his entourage of world-class jugglers and over 30 performing pets, including house cats and dogs (all shelters rescues). It’s an extraordinary show for the entire family!

Catch A Rising Star Comedy presents

BEN BAILEY

Sat, April 29 | 8 pm

This acclaimed, stand-up comedian is the most desired cabbie in New York! He’s the host of the popular shows, Cash Cab and Cash Cab: After Dark on the Discovery Channel.

OldSchoolSquare.org

561.243.7922 | Box Office, ext. 1 51 N. Swinton Ave. | Delray Beach 33444 April 2017 OldSchoolSquare_brm0417.indd 1

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La Sylphide Boca Ballet Theatre Premier

A Story Ballet in Two Acts

Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 8:00pm Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 2:00pm In La Sylphide, one of the oldest ballets still commonly performed, an otherworldly creature, the Sylph, bewitches the Scotsman James causing him to abandon his fiancée Effie and all that he once held dear.

Featuring New York City Ballet’s

Megan Fairchild and Gonzalo Garcia guest artists subject to change

Artistic Directors: Dan Guin & Jane Tyree

Photos: New York City Ballet, La Sylphide, Paul Kolnik

Also included in the program the “Enchanted Garden” section from the ballet Le Corsaire.

Guest Emcee – Steven Caras Former New York City Ballet Dancer & Subject of Emmy Award-Winning Documentary Steven Caras: See Them Dance

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THAT’S THEM WAVING

GOODBYE. FOR TEN YEARS, TRULUCK’S HAS BEEN PROUD TO OFFER BOCA RATON THE FRESHEST FLORIDA STONE CRAB, DIRECT FROM OUR FISHERIES AT THE ISLE OF CAPRI. BETTER MOVE FAST: STONE CRAB SEASON ENDS IN JUST A FEW DAYS!

Here’s to hos pitality.

IN MIZNER PARK 351 Plaza Real 561 391 0755

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Clockwise from top: pickled shrimp, tomato pie, fried chicken thighs, crispy Brussel sprouts, all from The Regional Kitchen & Public House

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The Regional Kitchen & Public House 651 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, 561/557-6460 Written by LYNN KALBER

Photography by AARON BRISTOL

Right, Thierry Beaud and Lindsay Autry; above, crispy Brussel sprouts and tomato pie

I PARKING: Valet; CityPlace parking garages HOURS: Dinner daily, starting at 5 p.m.; lunch daily; brunch Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

PRICES: $12-$34 WEBSITE: eatregional.com

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n a space on east Okeechobee Boulevard that’s long been a revolving door for big-and-smallname restaurants sits The Regional Kitchen & Public House—a mouthful in all sorts of ways. It’s become a destination for fans of Chef Lindsay Autry, who at 29 was a finalist on Bravo’s “Top Chef.”

She has worked with Michelle Bernstein and Delray’s Sundy House and now has her own establishment. She teamed with co-owner/restaurateur Thierry Beaud, who also co-owns local favorites PB Catch, Pistache and Paneterie Café. Beaud knows his business.

It’s become a destination for fans of the Parker House rolls, a six-bun set of soft, pillowy, nottoo-doughy goodness that means a few more orders could constitute

dinner. Or the pimento cheese, with a choice of fixings such as jalapeños, bacon and crab meat.

It’s good with everything added or nothing. It’s addictive.

The Regional Kitchen has become a destination for fans of a nicely designed seating area that cuts an enormous space into cozy areas with modest but tasteful embellishments, just like the food.

Take Autry’s fried chicken thighs. This chicken is braised in sweet tea, then fried with a light, flavorful coating. The crispy Brussel sprouts and hot sauce are a musthave side. The pickled shrimp starter, with shrimp cooked in a house Old Bay sauce with sweet onions, roasted tomatoes, avocado and radish are on my“Wait, was that as good as I think it was?”list.

Most dishes on the menu are

like that: they sneak up on your palate with a surprising combination of flavors that meld well and are memorable. Like the tomato pie, a compact little dish like a chicken pot pie, except with roasted tomatoes, caramelized onions, cheddar and herbs. Autry describes her dishes as Southern with a Mediterranean twist. I describe it as“You’re going to like everything you try here.”

The Public House part of the name is the large bar area, with bartenders who put tasty new concoctions on the cocktail menu at regular intervals. Luckily, it’s easily reached just across from the Palm Beach County Convention Center and next door to the Kravis Center. That means you’ll need a reservation. But after eating here, you won’t have any reservations about returning to this destination.

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Roots Italian Kitchen 212 S. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 561/757-6581 Written by LYNN KALBER

Above, truffled risotto topped with jumbo shrimp; fried calamari; linguine with white clam sauce; right, trio of fresh burrata; coowner Yuri Kouzenkov and Chef Mike Latimore

PARKING: Street parking HOURS: Tuesday-Thursday, Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

PRICES: $16-$40 WEBSITE: rootsitaliankitchen.com

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Photography by AARON BRISTOL

oes Boca, or for that matter South Florida, need another Italian restaurant?

There’s Northern Italian, Southern Italian, checkered-tablecloth Italian, minimalist Italian. Is one more necessary?

Well, maybe.

Certainly an Italian restaurant named Roots gives one pause. An homage to heredity? A vegetarian place? Close, but it’s a bit more.

Although tomatoes loom large as the Italian veggie of choice, Roots (named for root vegetables) has a lot of vegetables in the recipes and two eggplant dishes, which is one more than I usually see. Not a bad thing. Healthful is OK, as long as it’s yummy, too.

Roots is an open, airy white space, with lots of plants and tables suggesting a family dining room. No pretentiousness allowed.

The beautiful platings didn’t slide

into too-pretty-to-eat, especially not the truffled burrata cream on sliced Roma tomatoes. It was a Call of the Ripe: yellow and red tomatoes were sweet, the homemade burrata cream an airy, smother-me-now mess of smoothness.

This gnocchi queen went for the plump cushions made from organic Yukon gold potatoes, and they were the biggest gnocchi ever.

At least 2 inches long apiece. They were not too doughy, which was a relief, and found in an extremely tasty Bolognese sauce—not a sauce usually connected with gnocchi, but this one works. It’s an appetizer that could be an entrée.

All the sauces and desserts are house-made. Chef Mike Latimore, who re-opened this venue (after a short-lived stint under original owners) with co-owner Yuri Kouzenkov, came by in person to work

out an order snafu.

The linguine vongole was piled high with clams in a light white wine, parsley and garlic sauce that let the shellfish take center stage.

The truffled risotto and jumbo shrimp was cooked to just-right and not too-mushy creaminess.

Creaminess seemed to be a theme, from the burrata to the risotto to the ricotta cheesecake, which was moist and earned every minute of the hours-long baking process. It’s a cheesecake-majority dessert tray, along with Sicilian cheesecake and sour cream and cream cheese cheesecake. Plus mini cannolis, tiramisu and a Belgian waffle with sweet toppings.

No pretentiousness, just delicate–, sweet endings to not-too-heavy dishes.

Do we need another Italian restaurant? Maybe. In this case, Roots is worth a try.

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W O N

P O

!

N E

FAMOUS ATLANTIC AVE | 4 E. ATLANTIC AVE | DELRAY BEACH 33444

ROKBRGR.COM

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DINING GUIDE Palm Beach County BOCA RATON

Red curry ginger shrimp at 13 American Table

DINING KEY $: Under $17 $$: $18–$35 $$$: $36–$50 $$$$: $50 and up

13 American Table —451 E. Palmetto Park Road. Contemporary American. This cozy, artfully rustic spot is one of the few restaurants in the U.S. that has a Josper oven, a pricey, charcoal-fired grill-oven hybrid that cooks foods quickly at high heat to retain maximum flavor and texture. It works like a charm on chicken, resulting in remarkably crisp skin and tender meat, as well as on fist-sized shrimp you can customize with one of several sauces. Don’t miss feather-light profiteroles filled with caramel and pumpkin mousse. • Dinner nightly.

561/409-2061. $$

Boca Landing—999 E. Camino Real. Contemporary American. The Waterstone Resort & Marina’s signature restaurant, Boca Landing, offers the city’s only waterside dining and shows off its prime location and views. The mostly small-plates menu features Asian-inflected tuna tartare, green curry mussels and fried calamari. Probably the best dish, though, is the thoroughly continental filet mignon with crab and béarnaise, with wickedly luscious house-made hazelnut gelato coming in a very close second. • Dinner nightly. 561/368-9500. $$

Abe & Louie’s—2200 Glades Road. Steak-

Seafood. Market-fresh seafood is the cornerstone, like Chilean sea bass prepared over a wood-burning grill and served with sweet Rhea’s topping (crabmeat, sautéed spinach and a signature lime, tomato and garlic sauce.) • Dinner nightly. Lunch on Saturdays. 561/483-4949. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 1880 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, 561/732-9142; 9897 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, 561/965-2663; 11658 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, 561/799-2965) $$

house. All Americans are endowed with certain inalienable rights, among them the right to a thick, juicy, perfectly cooked steak. At this posh, comfortable (and expensive) meatery, the USDA Prime steaks are indeed thick, juicy and perfectly cooked, also massively flavorful and served in enormous portions. Don’t miss the New York sirloin or prime rib, paired in classic steakhouse fashion with buttery hash browns and uber-creamy creamed spinach. Chased with an ice-cold martini or glass of red wine from the truly impressive list, it’s happiness pursued and captured. • Lunch/brunch Sun.-Fri., dinner nightly. 561/447-0024 $$$

Arturo’s Ristorante —6750 N. Federal Highway. Italian. Arturo’s quiet, comfortable dining room, slightly formal, rigorously professional service and carefully crafted Italian dishes never go out of style.

You’ll be tempted to make a meal of the array of delectable antipasti from the antipasti cart, but try to leave room for main courses like fresh jumbo shrimp grilled in hot marinara sauce. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly.

561/997-7373. $$$ Biergarten—309 Via De Palmas, #90. German/ Pub. Part vaguely German beer garden, part all-American sports bar, this rustic eatery offers menus that channel

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both, as well as an excellent selection of two-dozen beers on tap and the same number by the bottle. The food is basic and designed to go well with suds, like the giant pretzel with a trio of dipping sauces and the popular “Biergarten burger.” • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/395-7462. $

Bonefish Grill—21069 Powerline Road.

Brio Tuscan Grille —5050 Town Center Circle, #239. Italian. The Boca outpost of this national chain does what it set out to do—dish up big portions of well-made, easily accessible Italian-esque fare at a reasonable price. If you’re looking for bruschetta piled with fresh cheeses and vegetables or house-made fettuccine with tender shrimp and lobster in a spicy lobster butter sauce, you’ll be one happy diner. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/392-3777. (Other Palm Beach County locations: The Gardens Mall, 3101 PGA Blvd., 561/622-0491; CityPlace, 550 S. Rosemary Ave., 561/835-1511) $$

Butcher Block Grill—7000 W. Camino Real, #100. Steakhouse/Contemporary American. This casual steakhouse with a Mediterranean twist and a local, seasonal, sustainable ethos gives the stuffy old-fashioned

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“IF YOU M A K E GR E AT i ta l i a n FOOD T H E Y W IL L COM E ” Offering Complimentary Transportation To & From Area Hotels Open For Dinner Nightly Private Rooms Available for Parties of 6–45 499 East Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton • 561-393-6715 www.trattoriaromanabocaraton.com TrattoriaRomana_brm1216.indd 1

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Seafood King

James King is making waves at Delray Sands’ Latitudes Restaurant

I

t was the poke (Poh-kay) dish that gave him a poke to the top. Executive Chef James King put a yellowfin spin on a popular Hawaiian dish and made it a South Florida favorite. He continues to lead the trendy pack at the Delray Sands Resort, where his bronzino in a bag draws fans from as far away as Miami. “We have a restaurant with a hotel,” he said, not the other way around. His background includes working for East and West Coast hotel restaurants and country club cooking.

The difference between cooking for country club folks and the resort crowd: “You don’t know who you get (in the dining room) each day at the hotel. It’s eclectic. With a country club, you get to know the same people day in, day out. So there’s the repetition of making standard favorites. At the hotel, you’re able to be more trendy, showcase your talents a bit more.”

Favorite comfort food meal? “I’m a big Bolognese fan. I put it on the menu here. After working with the Four Seasons, I learned an appreciation of why you do things well in a certain way. The comfort food feeling that a good Bolognese and pasta dish gives is difficult to replace.”

Favorite surprise ingredient: “Definitely sea urchin. I love it. I love the umami flavor. You can make it into a sauce, a terrine; there are so many textures: a foam, a soup. I mostly worked with it in California.”

If you had your own show on the Food Network: “I’m a big fan of Julia Child, so it would be called Child’s Play. I’d focus on things she did on her show, but with a modern twist. An homage to Julia Child.”

DELRAY SANDS RESORT 2809 S. Ocean Blvd.

Delray Beach 561/278-6241

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AARON BRISTOL

—LYNN KALBER

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Join us for Paella Sundays!

Authentic Spanish-style seafood paella.

Loaded with fresh seafood and spiced with authentic Spanish saffron.

Come visit us on Wine Down Mondays!

Half-price on select bottles of some of our best wines.

Open 7 days a week from 3:30-10ish Happy Hour from 3:30-7:00 pm

6299 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL, 33487 | 561.617.5965

www.friestocaviar.com

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/friestocaviar

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meatery a swift kick in the sirloin. Beef here is all-natural and grass-fed, delivering big, rich, earthy flavor; the New York strip is 12 ounces of carnivorous pleasure. Seafood, whether raw (tuna crudo) or simply grilled (wild-caught salmon), is palate-pleasing as well. Don’t miss the fresh mozzarella, made and assembled into a salad at your table.

• Lunch and dinner daily. 561/409-3035. $$$

The Capital Grille—6000 Glades Road. Steaks.

This is one of more than three dozen restaurants in a national chain, but the Boca Grille treats you like a regular at your neighborhood restaurant. Steaks, dry-aged if not Prime, are flavorful and cooked with precision, while starters from Wagyu beef carpaccio to a lighter version of the hardy chopped salad are nicely done too. Parmesan truffle fries are crispy sticks of potato heaven; chocolate-espresso cake a study in shameless, and luscious, decadence. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/368-1077. $$$

Casa D’Angelo —171 E. Palmetto Park Road.

Italian. Angelo Elia’s impeccable Italian restaurant is a delight, from the stylish room to the suave service to the expansive wine list, not to mention food that’s by turn elegant, hearty, bold, subtle and always delicious. Dishes off the regular menu make excellent choices, like chargrilled jumbo prawns with artichoke, arugula, lemon and olive oil. But pay attention to specials like pan-seared snapper and scallops in a spicy, garlicky cherry tomato sauce. • Dinner nightly. 561/338-1703. $$$ The Cheesecake Factory —5530 Glades

Dinner at Domus

Road. American. Oh, the choices! The chain has a Sunday brunch menu in addition to its main menu, which includes Chinese chicken salad and Cajun jambalaya.

Don’t forget about the cheesecakes, from white chocolate and raspberry truffle offerings. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/393-0344. (Other Palm Beach County locations: CityPlace, West Palm Beach, 561/802-3838; Downtown at the Gardens, Palm Beach Gardens, 561/776-3711) $$

Chez Marie French Bistro —5030

Chez BOGO

Get your second glass of wine free on Monday nights at Chez Marie with an entrée.

Champion Blvd., Boca Raton. French. Marie will greet you at the door of this nicely decorated, intimate, classic French restaurant tucked in the corner of a strip shopping area. From escargot encased in garlic butter, parsley and breadcrumbs to a tender duck a l’orange to an unforgettable crepe Suzette, you’ll be in Paris all evGlassg. Voila!

Also on the menu: calf’s liver, homemade veal sausage, tasty onion soup, seabass Bouillabaisse, moules frites, rack of lamb, salads and more desserts. Dinner nightly.

561/997-0027 $$

Chops Lobster Bar —101 Plaza Real S., Royal Palm Place. Steak, seafood. Steaks are aged USDA Prime—tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked under a 1,700-degree broiler. There’s all manner of fish and shellfish, but you’re here for the lobster, whether giant Australian tails flash-fried and served with drawn butter or sizable Maine specimens stuffed with lobster. • Dinner nightly. 561/395-2675. $$$$ bocamag.com

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Buzz Bites I Post-season specials

With the onslaught of the hot weather (if you thought April was warm, wait until you see August!) comes a chance to cool off inside local restaurants with dining specials that don’t fry your wallet.

Now, you can drive to a restaurant in a decent amount of time and start the meal off on the right foot by actually finding a parking space.

Impress the visitors (and their kids, because nobody else travels here this time of year), and check out some of the best restaurants in Palm Beach County for their prix-fixe specials. Some start in May, others June, but a lot continue through August. Or November. Clearly, the definition of “summer special” is different for everyone.

Start with Palm Beach—be real, that’s where everyone wants to go—with prixfixe lunches for $20.17. The list of participating restaurants changes each year and is available at the Worth Avenue Association website. Dinner prix-fixe meals are usually three courses and run from $28-$55. All of these meals mean eating great food at a respectable discount, so try those places you’ve been drooling about for months. No, the serving staff is not snobby, so get moving.

Cuban Café —3350 N.W. Boca Raton Blvd. Cuban.

Diners pack this traditional Cuban restaurant for lunch specials that start at $7.95, including slow-roasted pork served with white rice and black beans. Other highlights include the Cuban sandwich and (on the dinner menu only) lechón asado. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/750-8860. $

Davinci’s of Boca—6000 Glades Road.

Italian. Expect carefully prepared Italian fare that will satisfy both traditionalists and the more adventurous.

The former will like crisp, greaseless fried calamari and hearty lasagna made with fresh pasta. The latter will enjoy creamy burrata with prosciutto, tomato jam and arugula and a branzino served with spinach, clams and shrimp. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/362-8466. $$

Domus Italian Restaurant—187 S.E .Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton. Italian. The “Best Spaghetti & Meatballs Ever” dish is pretty darn close to being just that.

The burrata with tomato carpaccio, melt-in-your-mouth Dover sole almondine, orecchiette con sausage and linguine vongole are part of a very good menu. From Sicilian

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Parlez-vous Franรงais?

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Wings

T

hanks be to the gods of chicken wing sauces. They have elevated the traditional crunchy, blandor-burn, tiny TV-football-watching morsels to an anytime appetizer or entrée with sauces aplenty, something for every picky eater. OK, maybe not vegetarians; I will not try non-meat “wings.” It defeats the purpose. Give me plump teeny wings and legs with sauces paired to whatever mood I’m in.

We tested wings in a fairly traditional BBQ sauce, an Asian-inspired honey ginger glaze and then the Coco Loco wings.

That’s right. Way out on a (wing) limb with tastes and textures. A great chicken wing should be portable, cooked so the meat is still moist (not burned to a crisp), and the sauce should be evenly spread and make you beg for more for dipping. And we appreciate cool, crunchy celery with a tangy bleu cheese or ranch dip on the side.

You can thank me later.

TASTE

SAUCE

SIDES

—LYNN KALBER

VALUE

TOTAL THE DISH: The medium sauce on these moist, tender wings is mild, but the regular BBQ sauce is zesty.

We’d go back and kick it up to the spicy BBQ sauce. $9.99/10 Lucille’s wings

LUCILLE’S BAD TO THE BONES BBQ Lucille’s Bad to the Bones BBQ

3011 Yamato Road Boca Raton 561/997-9557

THE DISH: The honey ginger glaze on the 10 wood-roasted wings was on the sweeter side, but not especially memorable. $12/wood-roasted wings

BURT & MAX’S

Burt & Max’s

9089 West Atlantic Ave. Delray Beach 561/638-6380

Hurricane Grill & Wings

Mission Bay Plaza 10125 Glades Road Boca Raton 561/218-8848

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THE DISH: These plump wings have a light coating of sauce and are cooked to tender bites. Coco Loco was our favorite sauce—creamy, with slight habanero heat, coconut and lime. $6.49/5 wings, one sauce

HURRICANE GRILL & WINGS

RATINGS: fair

good

very good

excellent

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A Brunch with Greatness.

DELRAY’S PREMIER SEAFOOD DESTINATION | OPEN FOR DINNER DAILY HAPPY HOUR 4:00 – 7:00 PM | LIVE ENTERTAINMENT TUESDAY – SUNDAY

Discover Delray’s Best Brunch Saturday & Sunday 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM Offering sweet, savory, or seafood selections, our decadent brunch is sure to please every appetite. Dine alfresco in tropical tranquility amidst the breeze, or indoors surrounded by our stunning aquariums and live acoustic guitar stylings each Sunday.

For reservations, visit TheAtlanticGrille.com or call 561-790-8568.

Gift cards are available at TheAtlanticGrille.com/GiftCards Located at The Seagate Hotel | 1000 East Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach

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fish salad to veal picante, a light calamari fritti to chicken Parmesan, you can find something for all appetites. Save room for the tartufo. Dinner nightly. 561/419-8787 $$$

Dorsia—5837 N. Federal Highway. Continental.

The simple pleasures of the table—good food, personable service, comfortable ambience—are what this modestly stylish restaurant is all about. The menu has a strong Italian bent, evidenced by dishes like a trio of fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with an airy three-cheese mousse, and a cookbook-perfect rendition of veal scaloppine lavished with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and a tangy lemon-white wine sauce. • Dinner nightly.

561/961-4156. $$

Farmer’s Table —1901 N. Military Trail.

American. Fresh, natural, sustainable, organic and local is the mantra at this both tasty and health-conscious offering from Mitchell Robbins and Joey Giannuzzi. Menu highlights include flatbreads, slow-braised USDA Prime short rib and the popular Buddha Bowl, with veggies, udon noodles and shrimp.

• Breakfast Mon.–Fri. Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly.

Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/417-5836. $

EDUARDO SCHNEIDER

Grand Lux Cafe —Town Center at Boca Raton.

Veal scallopine from Dorsia

American. The Cheesecake Factory’s sister brand is an upscale take on the original formula, with an atmosphere inspired by the great cafes of Europe. The menu offers a range of international flavors, and the specialty baked-to-order desserts are always a big hit. • Lunch and dinner daily; breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.

561/392-2141. $$

The Grille On Congress—5101 Congress Ave. American. Dishes at this longtime favorite range from tasty chicken entrees and main-plate salads to seafood options like Asian-glazed salmon or pan-seared yellowtail snapper. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/912-9800. $$

Buzz Bites II New island bites

Palm Beach continues to attract new restaurant life, from those who grew up on her shores to those with established, well-respected ventures in other states.

Costa Palm Beach is on the second floor at 150 Worth Avenue, started

by Sascha and Danielle Bennemann.

Sascha grew up on the island. She was part of the management team at island favorite PB Catch and West Palm Beach favorite Pistache French Bistro.

One of the big foodie trends now is Mediterranean, which can encompass everything from Italian to Greek, French, Spanish and more. The Bennemanns chose the Spanish-Moroccan influence but with a luxe Worth Avenue upgrade.

Also joining the new-on-the-isle list is Milanese restaurant Sant Ambroeus, the first location outside New York for the chain, which has multiple venues in the Big Apple. When the Royal Poinciana Plaza underwent extensive renovation in late 2016, Sant Ambroeus moved into an east-side slot (340 Royal Poinciana) and serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner in a modern atmosphere designed to recall Italian 1950 “Gran Caffe” style. The name comes from the patron saint of Milan, where the original Sant Ambroeus opened in 1936.

Houston’s—1900 N.W. Executive Center Circle.

Contemporary American. Convenient location, stylish ambience and impeccable service are all hallmarks of this local outpost of the Hillstone restaurant chain. There are plenty of reasons why this is one of the most popular business lunch spots in all of Boca, including menu items like crab cakes, the mammoth salad offerings and the tasty baby back ribs.

• Lunch and dinner daily. 561/998-0550. $$$

Eggs-elent choice

Jimmy’s Fries to Caviar has our new favorite app: caviar eggs on deviled eggs.

bocamag.com

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Jimmy’s Fries to Caviar —6299 N. Federal Highway. Contemporary American. Going one better than soup to nuts is Jimmy Mills’ latest endeavor, an easygoing, affordable bistro in the old Darbster space that really does offer fries, caviar and more. Four varieties of fish eggs are shown off nicely crowning a quartet of deviled eggs, while the thick-cut fries complement a massively flavorful, almost fork-tender hanger steak in the classic steak frites. Lobster bisque is indecently rich and luxurious, ditto the Grand Marnier-infused chocolate mousse. Dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/617-5965 $$

Josef’s Table —5030 Champion Blvd. Continental. Though the kitchen does have a timid hand with sauces and seasonings, there’s no quibbling about the execution, whether a light, refreshing “tower” of lump crabmeat with mango, cucumber and tomato; rosy-rare double-cut lamb chops with port wine-mint sauce; pan-seared hogfish with orange beurre blanc; or the richly decadent half-moon chocolate tart. • Dinner nightly. Lunch Mon.–Fri. 561/3532700. $$$ Josephine’s —5751 N. Federal Highway. Italian.

Tradition trumps trendy, and comfort outweighs chic at this Boca favorite. The ambience is quiet and stately but not stuffy, and the menu is full of hearty dishes to soothe the savage appetite, like three-cheese eggplant rollatini and chicken scarpariello. • Dinner nightly.

561/988-0668. $$

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R I S TO R A N T E

For 33 years the family tradition continues...

DISTINGUISHED RESTAURANT OF NORTH AMERICA

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE NEW ELEGANT OUTDOOR PATIO AVAILABLE PERFECT FOR AFTER DINNER DRINKS + CIGARS

Open daily for dinner and lunch (M-F) and special events for parties of 6-150. Live music nightly.

6750 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton | 561-997-7373 | www.ArturosRestaurant.com

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Pomegranate Lamb Shank

Keep kosher—and delicious—this Passover

T

his April is the time for Jews and Christians to celebrate history and words, with Passover and Easter overlapping during the same dates. History determines the dates, while one word that crops up in both holidays is “challenges.” The challenges overcome by different peoples, and the challenges of properly honoring the days.

With that in mind, we thought it proper to give a challenge to Executive Chef Patrick Duffy, who oversees the strict glatt kosher kitchen at The Addison in Boca Raton.

(Note: Glatt kosher involves meat that has no lesions in the lungs or more colloquially, meat that is unquestionably kosher.) In 2015, he received the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences’ Five-Star Diamond award for glatt kosher cuisine—the first time that award was given. His kitchen is certified by the Orthodox Rabbinical Board and is overseen by a mashgiach, who supervises the kashrut status of a kosher establishment.

Because the chef loves a challenge, we asked him for a lamb recipe for Passover. Usually lamb is associated with Easter, so we are shaking things up. Chef Patrick came through, of course, with his Pomegranate Lamb Shank that he would serve as an appetizer. “Kosher cooking is exciting, because the standards are very high,” said Duffy. “It’s a different type of experience.

Executive Chef Patrick Duffy

—LYNN KALBER

CHEF’S TIPS WEB EXTRA: Get the recipe and watch the step-by-step video.

Visit BOCAMAG.COM, under “In the Magazine.”

bocamag.com

••••

Be sure of the kosher quality of your lamb shanks. “The quality when you get true glatt kosher meat is superior, as opposed to just getting the kosher product.

We go out of state for our glatt kosher meat, and that’s been a big success in the freshness of our meals.”

The pomegranate juice and the pernils (also called pompoms) are available at grocery stores, and add a good flavor to the “wonder jus,” as Duffy calls it.

“Definitely take the time to make the jus, because it helps make the shanks moist.”

If you’ve never made lamb for Passover, why this recipe? “I think once people try it, it will become a favorite. It tastes great, and is easy to prepare. It just needs to get the recognition as a possible Passover dish.”

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DISCOVER ART, CULTURE & LEARNING ISRAELI FILM SERIES DAWN (2014)

A psychological drama set in British Mandate Palestine, 1947.

Adapted from the novel by Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel.

April 2

ADULT UNIVERSITY: LECTURES LITERATURE: AUTHORS & THEIR BOOKS FILM • CONCERTS ART • THEATER TRAVEL

ADULT UNIVERSITY

A Documentary film about Rabbi Joachim Prinz, a German-American who was outspoken against Nazism and became a powerful voice for justice during the US Civil Rights Movement. Film will be followed by a discussion with Dr. Irving Berkowitz, Dean of Academic Affairs, Palm Beach State College.

In partnership with the Boca Raton Symphonia

April 20

TRAVEL WITH THE LEVIS JCC SIGHTS, SOUNDS & FLAVORS OF SPAIN & PORTUGAL

3 nights in Madrid, 7-night Douro Cruise, 3 nights in Lisbon

July 1-14

ARTS & LEARNING MEMBERSHIP SEPTEMBER 1 - AUGUST 31

Buy a new membership now and get the summer free. Join us for year-round high quality stimulating and enriching cultural and educational programs.

ADOLPH & ROSE LEVIS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER PHYLLIS & HARVEY SANDLER CENTER 21050 95th Avenue • Boca Raton

Off Glades Rd. Between Lyons Rd. & U.S. 441

For more information, visit levisjcc.org/ sandlercenter or call 561-558-2520

THESE PROGRAMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS: Bobbi & Michael Druckman, Phyllis & Gerald Golden, Charna Larkin, Marlene & Herb Levin, Myrna Lippman Literary Fund, Marilyn Rothstein, Judi & Allan Schuman, Lenore Tagerman, Nina & Marty Rosenzweig, Susan & Seymour Applebaum

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Junior’s —409 Plaza Real, Mizner Park, Boca Raton. Deli Restaurant/Bakery. A meal starts with a crunch of garlic-tangy pickles, with excellent coleslaw and pickled beets. That’s before you order. Try the corned beef (of course!), the potato pancakes and go from there. You must, however, not miss the “World’s Most Fabulous” cheesecake. Because it is. • Open daily from breakfast through dinner. 561/672-7301. $$

Handmade Joy

Junior’s cheesecake is hand-blended in small batches and mixed for more than 40 minutes.

Kapow Noodle Bar —431 Plaza Real.

Pan-Asian. This wickedly stylish Asian-inspired gastropub delivers a delicious and inventive punch to the taste buds. Among the hardest hitters is tuna poke with sesame citrus soy-marinated ahi tuna, crispy wontons and habanero cucumber cream—not to mention cheesecake springrolls with a banana caramel dipping sauce. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/347-7322. $ Kathy’s Gazebo Café —4199 N. Federal Highway. Continental. This local stalwart smoothly rolls along with its signature blend of French and Continental dishes. The ornate, formal dining room and equally formal service are anomalies these days but are comforting nonetheless. Classic dishes like creamy lobster bisque, house-made duck paté, broiled salmon with sauce béarnaise and dreamy chocolate mousse are as satisfying as ever. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/395-6033. $$$

Ke’e Grill—17940 N. Military Trail. American.

AARON BRISTOL

The attraction here is carefully prepared food that is satisfying, flavorful and reasonably priced. The fist-sized crab cake is a good place to start, followed by sea bass with a soy-ginger-sesame glaze. • Dinner nightly.

561/995-5044. $$$

La Ferme’s Chad Ford with his French onion soup

La Ferme —9101 Lakeridge Blvd. French/ Mediterranean. Classic style and classically oriented French cuisine come together at this elegant yet comfortable restaurant in a west Boca shopping mall.

Though there are a few Asian and Italian-inflected dishes on the menu, at its heart Le Ferme (“the farm”) is as French as the Eiffel Tower. Start with gougères, cheesy pastry puffs filled with béchamel; don’t miss the unconscionably savory cassoulet; and finish with a tux-n-tails version of pineapple upside-down cake that takes a classic one better. • Dinner nightly. 561/6546600. $$$ La Nouvelle Maison—455 E. Palmetto Park Blvd. French. Elegant, sophisticated French cuisine, white-glove service and a trio of (differently) stylish dining rooms make Arturo Gismondi’s homage to Boca’s storied La Vieille Maison the home away from home to anyone who appreciates the finer points of elegant dining. The cuisine showcases both first-rate ingredients and precise execution, whether a generous slab of silken foie gras with plum gastrique, posh lobster salad, cookbook-perfect rendition of steak frites and an as-

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Buzz Bites III Good Habits

It appears Palm Beach County is burger-land, at least to the folks at The Habit restaurants, which have opened four Habit Burger Grills here, and that’s four out of six in the state. Others are in Miami and Orlando. Habit Burger, one of the fast-casual chains that are so popular now, prepares made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, and salads.

The menu is on the smaller side, which is a relief. Decisions are easily made, with six burgers, six sandwiches and salads; three kid menu items, and desserts (shakes, cones, malts and sundaes).

Keeping it simple has worked. Although the latest Habit opened at 5560 N. Military Trail, the original opened in 1969 in Santa Barbara, California. There are now about 160 locations in the U.S., some company-operated, others franchised. The burgers are a habit in Dubai, the first international location that opened in late 2016. A beneficiary of The Habit’s charitable efforts has been the No Kid Hungry campaign, a cause near and dear to the local restaurant scene.

sortment of desserts that range from homey apple tart to bananas Foster with chocolate and Grand Marnier. • Dinner nightly. 561/338-3003. $$$

La Rosa Nautica—515 N.E. 20th St. Peruvian. Expect no ambience, no pretensions, low prices and food that satisfies on a very high level. Good starters include antichuchos, chunks of grilled beef heart, and causa, a terrine-like layering of mashed potatoes and chicken salad. Ceviche and the lomo saltado are among the best in South Florida. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/296-1413. $$

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HOMEMADE ITALIAN BAKERY

Cosa Duci

La Tre —249 E. Palmetto Park Road. Vietnamese.

For almost two decades, this elegant little spot has been celebrating the delicate, sophisticated flavors and textures of traditional and contemporary Vietnamese cuisine. A house signature, shrimp tossed with coriander curry pesto, is an inspired riff on Vietnamese classics. Service and wines match the refinement of the cuisine. • Dinner nightly. 561/392-4568. $$

TM

Life’s Short...Eat Cookies!

Italian Artisan Bakery & Café

La Villetta—4351 N. Federal Highway. Italian.

This is a well-edited version of a traditional Italian menu, complete with homemade pastas and other classic dishes. Try the signature whole yellowtail snapper encrusted in sea salt; it’s de-boned right at tableside. Shrimp diavolo is perfectly scrumptious. • Dinner nightly. (closed Mon. during summer). 561/362-8403. $$ Le Rivage —450 N.E. 20th St. French. Don’t overlook this small, unassuming bastion of traditional French cookery. That would be a mistake, because the dishes that virtually scream “creativity” can’t compare to the quiet pleasures served here—like cool, soothing vichyssoise, delicate fillet of sole with nutty brown butter sauce or perfectly executed crème brûlee. Good food presented without artifice at a fair price never goes out of fashion. • Dinner nightly.

561/620-0033. $$ The Little Chalet—485 S. Federal Hightway.

Continental/Steakhouse. This clubby faux chalet touts both its pricy pedigreed beef and that once-hip culinary staple of the 1950s and ’60s fondue. The latter offers a unique taste experience, especially if you go for the three-course prix fixe fondue dinner for two. It starts off with a choice of cheese fondues; we suggest trying the Parmesan, cherry tomato and fresh basil. Entrée fondues feature beef, chicken and shrimp cooked in a burbling consommé, to be dabbed with any of seven different sauces. Dessert fondues are all about the chocolate; try the decadent chocolate-peanut butter. • Dinner nightly. 561/325-8000. $$$

Madison’s —2006 N.W. Executive Center Circle.

American. This location is something of a Bermuda Triangle for restaurants, with at least four eateries preceding this local outpost of a Canadian chain that styles itself a “New York grill and bar.” What Madison’s has going for it is an exceedingly handsome and capacious space, as well as service that is as professional as it is personable. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/994-0808. $$

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Maggiano’s —21090 St. Andrews Blvd. Italian.

Do as the Italians do and order family-style, sit back and watch the endless amounts of gorgeous foods grace your table. In this manner, you receive two appetizers, two salads, two pastas, two entrées, two vegetables and two desserts. The menu also includes lighter takes on staples like chicken parm, fettuccine alfredo and chicken piccata. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/361-8244. $$

141 NW 20th Street B-21 Boca Raton • 561.393.1201 Baking for a good cause: A portion of our proceeds will benefit research for Multiple Sclerosis.

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Mario’s Osteria—1400 Glades Road. Italian.

This popular spot is swanky in its reincarnation, but the rustic Italian and Italian-American fare keeps with an osteria’s humbler pretensions. Signature dishes like the garlic rolls, lasagna and eggplant “pancakes” are on the new menu, as are butternut squash ravioli and thick, juicy rib-eye served “arrabiata” style. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/239-7000. $$ Matteo’s —233 S. Federal Highway. Italian.

EDUARDO SCHNEIDER

Hearty Italian and Italian-American food, served in giant “family style” portions, needs no reinventing. Though there is no shortage of local restaurants cooking in that genre, it’s the details of preparation and service that make Matteo’s stand out. Baked clams are a good place to start, as is the reliable chopped salad. Linguini frutti di mare is one of the best in town. • Dinner nightly.

561/392-0773. $$

White clam pizza at Nick’s New Haven Style Pizza

Max’s Grille —404 Plaza Real. Contemporary American. After 24 years in Mizner Park, Dennis Max’s modern American bistro is a true local classic.

The food and decor are both timeless and up to date, the ambience is that of a smooth-running big city bistro. Service is personable and proficient. The menu is composed of dishes you really want to eat, from grilled artichokes with rémoulade to wild Alaskan salmon with citrus beurre blanc to the wickedly indulgent crème brûlèe pie. It’s a classic. Just like Max’s Grille. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/368-0080. $$ Morton’s The Steakhouse —5050 Town Center Circle. Steakhouse. There’s seemingly no end to diners’ love of huge slabs of high-quality aged beef, nor to the carnivores who pack the clubby-swanky dining room of this meatery. While the star of the beef show is the giant bone-in filet mignon, seasonally featured is the American Wagyu New York strip. Finish off your meal with the blueberry white chocolate bread pudding. • Dinner nightly. 561/392-7724. $$$

Buzz Bites IV Grove Kosher Marketplace 22191 Powerline Road, Boca Raton, 561/620-7999 There are miles of aisles crammed into a smallish grocery store, and everything seems to work. Grove Kosher Marketplace is everything kosher, as its name suggests.

But it is so much more.

You can actually run in and out in a decent amount of time, thanks to many cashiers and a highly efficient operation.

Finding a place to park will take the longest time on a trip to this amazing world of flavors. (Hint: Park as far away as possible, then take the short hike to work off the rugelach you’ll buy.)

The tall, narrow aisles are a challenge to the shorter customer’s ability to reach that can of matzo ball soup. Doll-like shopping carts fly through them full of various foodie treasures.

The prepared foods are within easier reach, and well labeled, so sparring over the last corned beef on rye takes place at waist level. These are the secrets of Grove— you can take home a cooked brisket, or an egg salad sandwich, or General Tso’s Chicken. Yes, Chinese dishes, too. I could visit this store every day for a month and come home with yet another great prepared meal. It’s my idea of cooking: picking up a plastic box with the food ready to go.

Zip in for a loaf of challah. Zoom out with enough for a brunch. Mazel tov!

New York Prime—2350 N.W. Executive Center

Changtail

P.F. Chang’s garden-toglass cocktail menu includes the Anejo Buzz and the Twisted Whiskey Sour.

bocamag.com

••••

Drive. Steakhouse. This wildly popular Boca meatery packs them in with swift, professional service, classy supper club ambience and an extensive wine list. And, of course, the beef—all USDA Prime, cooked to tender and juicy lusciousness over ferocious heat. The bone-in rib-eye is especially succulent, but don’t neglect the New York strip or steakhouse classics like oysters Rockefeller, garlicky spinach and crusty hash browns. • Dinner nightly. 561/998-3881. $$$$

Nick’s New Haven-Style Pizzeria —2240 N.W. 19th St., #904. Italian. Cross Naples (thin, blistered crust, judicious toppings) with Connecticut (fresh clams and no tomato sauce), and you’ve got a pretty good idea of the pies coming out of Nick Laudano’s custom-made ovens. The “white clam” pizza with garlic and bacon is killer-good; Caesar salad and tiramisu are much better than the usual pizzeria fare. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/368-2900. $

Ninja Spinning Sushi Bar —41 E. Palmetto Park Road. Japanese/sushi. “Whatever floats your boat” isn’t just a saying at this hipster sushi bar. Your sushi really does float on a boat, one of many bouncing along a channel cut into the top of the restaurant’s large, square sushi bar. High notes are the Mexican roll with tempura shrimp and avocado, and the sneakily fiery jalapeño-laced tuna tartare. If sushi doesn’t float your boat, gingery gyoza and crispy fried shrimp with a drizzle of spicy mayo probably will. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/361-8688. $$

P.F. Chang’s —1400 Glades Road. Chinese.

There may have been no revolution if Mao had simply eaten at the Boca outpost of P.F. Chang’s—the portions are large enough to feed the masses—and

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the exquisite tastes in each dish could soothe any tyrant. We particularly like the steamed fish of the day, as well as the Szechuan-style asparagus. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/393-3722. (Other Palm Beach County location: 3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561/691-1610) $$

Piñon Grill —6000 Glades Road. Contemporary American. The menu seemingly lists every recent trendy dish to come out of modern American restaurant kitchens, but Piñon succeeds with spot-on execution, mammoth portions and reasonable prices.

Try the lobster and crab ceviche, the chicken paillard or the chocolate and “cherried” waffle with ice cream, which is the irresistible definition of lusciousness. • Lunch and dinner daily. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/3917770. $$ Racks Downtown Eatery + Tavern—

AARON BRISTOL

402 Plaza Real. Contemporary American. Though the menu generally falls under the heading of modern American comfort food, that can mean anything from elegant presentations like the jaw-dropping lobster cobb salad to homier offerings like burgers and pizza, fiery Buffalo-style calamari, succulent chicken roasted in the wood-fired oven and an uptown version of everyone’s campfire favorite, s’mores.

• Lunch and dinner daily. 561/395-1662. $$

Pinon Grill’s chicken paillard and lobster penne pasta

Ladies Night

Hit Racks’ Ladies Nights on Thursdays through April 16 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Rafina —6877 S.W. 18th St. Greek. If you find the ambience of most Greek restaurants to be like a frat party with flaming cheese and ouzo, this contemporary, casually elegant spot will be welcome relief.

Food and decor favor refinement over rusticity, even in such hearty and ubiquitous dishes as pastitsio and spanakopita. Standout dishes include the moussaka, the creamy and mildly citrusy avgolemono soup and the precisely grilled, simply adorned (with olive oil, lemon and capers) branzino. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/409-3673. $$ Ristorante Sapori —301 Via de Palmas, Royal Palm Place. Italian. Sapori features fresh fish, veal and chicken dishes imbued with subtle flavors. The grilled Italian branzino, the veal chop Milanese and the zuppa di pesce served over linguine are especially tasty, and the pasta (all 17 kinds!) is available in full and half orders, with your choice of 15 zesty sauces. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/367-9779. $$

Ruth’s Chris —225 N.E. Mizner Blvd. Steakhouse. Not only does this steakhouse favorite emphasize its New Orleans roots, it also distinguishes itself from many of its competitors by just serving better food.

The signature chopped salad has a list of ingredients as long as a hose but they all work together. And how can you not like a salad topped with crispy fried onion strings. Steaks are USDA Prime and immensely flavorful, like a perfectly seared New York strip. The white chocolate bread pudding is simply wicked. • Dinner nightly. 561/392-6746. $$$$ bocamag.com

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Sapphire Indian Cuisine —500 Via de Palmas. Indian. Raju Brahmbhatt’s modern, sophisticated restaurant will smash any negative stereotypes of Indian cuisine or the restaurants that serve it. It’s sleek and stylish, with a well-chosen wine list and a staff that’s eager to please. The food is elegant and refined and alive with the complex blend of spices that makes Indian cuisine so intriguing. Try Bagarey Baigan, plush-textured, thumb-sized baby eggplants in a lush coconut-curry sauce. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/362-2299. $$

Seasons 52—2300 Executive Center Drive.

Contemporary American. The food—seasonal ingredients, simply and healthfully prepared, accompanied by interesting wines—is first-rate, from salmon roasted on a cedar plank to desserts served in oversized shot glasses. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/998-9952. (Other Palm Beach County location: 11611 Ellison Wilson Road, Palm Beach Gardens, 561/625-5852) $$ Sushi Ray —5250 Town Center Circle. Japanese/ Sushi. Impeccably fresh and exactingly prepared sushi and other Japanese specialties are on display. The Nobu-esque miso sea bass gives a taste of this modern classic at a fraction of the price of the original, while the chef’s sushi assortment offers a generous arrangement of nigiri and maki for a reasonable $20. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/394-9506. $$

Tanzy —301 Plaza Real. Italian. Part of the swanky iPic Theater complex (though it does not service the theater), this handsome spot relies on quality ingredients and careful preparation instead of culinary special effects and car chases. The Parma Bar, a sort of sushi bar for meat and cheese fanatics, also does terrific quattro formaggio fiocchi and spiced pear. Savory grilled skirt steak and massive bone-in veal chops are excellent, as are the braised Angus beef short ribs with toasted pearl barley and collard greens. For dessert, try the Almond Basket, which includes fresh berries and your choice of a trio of sorbets. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/922-6699. $$$ Tap 42 —5050 Town Center Circle. Gastropub.

This hugely popular nouveau-Industrial gastropub is not for the faint of eardrums when packed, but don’t let that discourage you. The kitchen here executes the hell out of a short, simple all-day menu. Grilled salmon chopped salad with tomatillo ranch dressing is delightful, as is guacamole studded with fat chunks of bacon and charred corn. Same goes for decadent shrimp mac-n-cheese. The wicked-good chocolate bread pudding with salted caramel sauce would be the envy of any Big Easy eatery. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat.–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/235-5819. $

Taverna Kyma—6298 N. Federal Highway.

Greek/Mediterranean. Few present Greek cuisine better. Expertly prepared dishes cover the spectrum of Mediterranean cuisine, from cold appetizers (dol-

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151 mades—grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs) to hot starters (spanakopita, baked phyllo with spinach and feta cheese) to mouthwatering entrées like lamb shank (slowcooked in a tomato sauce and served on a bed of orzo), massive stuffed peppers or kebobs. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/994-2828. $$

Trattoria Romana—499 E. Palmetto Park Road. Italian. This local mainstay does Italian classics and its own lengthy list of ambitious specials with unusual skill and aplomb. The service is at a level not always seen in local eateries. Pay attention to the daily specials, especially if it includes impeccably done langostini oreganata and the restaurant’s signature jumbo shrimp saltimbocca. • Dinner nightly. 561/393-6715. $$$ Truluck’s—351 Plaza Real. Seafood. This stylish and sophisticated Mizner Park restaurant applies the steak house formula of classy, clubby ambience, formal service and an extensive wine list to seafood from across the nation, with great and consistent success. Crab is the specialty here and there are myriad versions—stone, Dungeness, Alaskan, soft-shell and more. Crispy softshells stuffed with crab and andouille are very good, if served without a drizzle of ketchup-y sauce on top. • Dinner nightly. 561/391-0755. $$$

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Twenty Twenty Grille —141 Via Naranjas.

Contemporary American. You’ve probably licked postage stamps that are larger than Ron and Rhonda Weisheit’s tiny jewel box of a restaurant, but what it lacks in space it more than makes up for in charm, sophistication and imaginative, expertly crafted food. Virtually everything is made in-house, from the trio of breads that first grace your table to the pasta in a suave dish of tagliatelle with duck and chicken confit. Don’t miss the jerk pork belly and grilled veal strip loin. • Dinner nightly.

561/990-7969. $$ Uncle Julio’s —449 Plaza Real, Mizner Park.

Mexican. Taking Tex-Mex cuisine gently upscale with better-quality ingredients and more skillful preparation, this colorful restaurant offers more than the usual suspects. You can get honey chipotle chicken fajitas, as well as beef fajitas, and one of the only palatable tamales around. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/300-3530. $

Uncle Tai’s —5250 Town Center Circle.

Chinese. In an area with more cookie-cutter Chinese restaurants than cookies, Uncle Tai’s stands out for the elegance of its decor, the professionalism of its service and its careful preparation of familiar and

less-familiar dishes. The “specialties” section of the menu has exciting dishes, like the Hunan vegetable pie, finely minced veggies sandwiched between sheets of crispy bean curd skin, and Hunan-style lamb, whose seared and succulent meat shows off the kitchen’s skill in the use of wok qi. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/368-8806. $$$

Villagio Italian Eatery —344 Plaza Real. Italian. The classic Italian comfort food at this Mizner Park establishment is served with flair and great attention to detail. The reasonably priced menu—with generous portions—includes all your favorites (veal Parmesan, Caesar salad) and some outstanding seafood dishes (Maine lobster with shrimp, mussels and clams on linguine). There is a full wine list and ample people-watching given the prime outdoor seating. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561-447-2257. $$ Vino —114 N.E. Second St. Wine Bar/Italian. An impressive wine list of some 200 bottles (all available by the glass) offers a multitude of choices, especially among Italian and California reds. The menu of “Italian tapas” includes roasted red peppers with Provolone, as well as ricotta gnocchi with San Marzano tomatoes. • Dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/869-0030. $

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WEST BOCA City Fish Market—7940 Glades Road. Seafood. A multimillion-dollar remodel of the old Pete’s has turned it into an elegant seafood house with a lengthy seafood-friendly wine list, impeccably fresh fish and shellfish cooked with care and little artifice. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/487-1600. $$

Sybarite Pig —20642 State Road 7. Contemporary American. A labor of love, pork and beer, everything at the Pig but the coarse-grain mustard is made in-house, from the bread for sandwiches to the eclectic sauces to the variety of terrific sausages.

Roasted bone marrow and wagyu duck fat burgers, along with subtly spicy “Hellswine,” are among the standouts. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. Brunch Sun. 561/8833200. $ Tempura House —9858 Clint Moore Road, #C112. Japanese/Asian. Dark wood, rice paper and tiles fill the space. An appetizer portion of Age Natsu, fried eggplant, is a consummate Japanese delicacy. Don’t miss the ITET roll with shrimp tempura and avocado, topped with spicy mayo, tempura flakes and eel sauce. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/883-6088. $$

CRISTINA MORGADO

Villa Rosano —9858 Clint Moore Road. Italian.

The pasta fagioli at Villa Rosano

You can be forgiven for imagining yourself in some rustic Italian hill town as the smells of garlic and tomato sauce waft through the air. Start by sopping up the house olive oil with slices of crusty bread, then move on to a stellar version of clams Guazzetto and delicate fillets of sole done a la Francese. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/470-0112. $$

BOYNTON BEACH Still rocking

Don’t miss the live music scene at 3rd and 3rd Thursday through Saturday nights.

Bar Louie —1500 Gateway Blvd., #100. Eclectic.

Attempting to split the difference between happening bar and American café, Bar Louie in the sprawling Renaissance Commons complex mostly succeeds, offering burgers, pizzas, fish tacos and a variety of salads, all at moderate prices and in truly daunting portions. In South Florida’s world of trendy and expensive bistros, this is a welcome relief. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/8530090. $ Josie’s Italian Ristorante—1602 S. Federal Highway. Italian. Famed chef and South Florida culinary godfather Mark Militello has been working his mouthwatering magic in the kitchen of this cozy, oldschool Italian restaurant. His influence is mostly felt in the lengthy roster of daily specials, but old favorites like beefy short rib meatballs, an upmarket version of the classic San Francisco cioppino, and Josie’s signature veal Bersaglieri (veal medallions with artichokes, olives and roasted peppers in lemon-white wine sauce) don’t fail to satisfy either.

• Lunch Mon.-Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/364-9601. $$

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Prime Catch —700 E. Woolbright Road. Seafood. Waterfront restaurants are few and far between in our neck of the woods, and those with good food are even more rare. Prime Catch, at the foot of the Woolbright bridge on the Intracoastal, is a best-kept secret. The simple pleasures here soar—a perfectly grilled piece of mahi or bouillabaisse overflowing with tender fish. Don’t miss one of the best Key lime pies around. • Lunch and dinner daily, Sunday brunch. 561/737-8822. $$

Sushi Simon—1614 S. Federal Highway. Japanese. It’s been called “Nobu North” by some aficionados, and for good reason. Local sushi-philes jam the narrow dining room for such impeccable nigirizushi as hamachi and uni (Thursdays), as well as more elaborate dishes like snapper Morimoto and tuna tartare. Creative, elaborate rolls are a specialty. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/731-1819. $$

DELRAY BEACH 3rd and 3rd—301 N.E. Third Ave. Gastropub.

This quirky, individualistic, obscurely located little place is one of the most important restaurants in Delray. The menu changes frequently, but hope the evening’s fare includes plump scallops with caramelized mango sauce, stunning delicious roasted cauliflower with Parmesan mousse and bacon, and wicked-good espresso panna cotta on it at your visit. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/303-1939. $$

32 East—32 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. There are trendier, flashier, more celebrated restaurants than this beacon of vibrant modern American cuisine in downtown Delray, but there are no better restaurants anywhere in South Florida. The menu changes daily, but still look for items like the sublime black truffle-Gruyère pizza and the venison-wild boar sausage duo, which is the stuff of carnivorous fantasies. For dessert, the chocolate-peanut butter semifreddo is truly wicked in its unabashed lusciousness. • Dinner daily.

561/276-7868. $$$

50 Ocean —50 S. Ocean Blvd. Seafood. The former Upper Deck at Boston’s on the Beach is now the more upscale, seafood-oriented spot. The menu ranges from familiar to slightly more inventive, from a classic lobster bisque and crisp-tender fried clam bellies to rock shrimp pot pie and baked grouper topped with blue crab. The cinnamon-dusted beignets are puffs of amazingly delicate deep-fried air and should not under any circumstances be missed. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. Brunch Sun. 561/278-3364. $$ Angelo Elia Pizza • Bar • Tapas— 16950 Jog Road. Italian. Nothing on the menu of Angelo Elia’s modern, small plates-oriented osteria disappoints, but particularly notable are the meaty fried baby artichokes stuffed with breadcrumbs and speck, delicate chicken-turkey meatballs in Parmesan-enhanced broth,

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and Cremona pizza with a sweet-salty-earthy-pungent mélange of pears, pancetta, Gorgonzola, sun-dried figs and mozzarella. • Lunch Tues.–Sun. Dinner nightly.

561/381-0037. $

Established 1981

French Continental

Apeiro Kitchen & Bar —14917 Lyons Road.

Mediterranean. West Delray diners have another reason to stay in their neighborhood with this stylish, contemporary Mediterranean eatery. Apeiro’s menu spans the entire Mediterranean, with dishes like Moroccan-spiced lamb ribs, 14-ounce double-cut pork chops, and fluffy meatballs adorned with tomato sauce, ricotta and pesto. The apple crostata, baked in a wood-burning oven, is one of the best desserts in town. • Dinner nightly. 561/501-4443. $$ Atlantic Grille —1000 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood/Contemporary American. This posh restaurant in the luxurious Seagate Hotel & Spa is home to a 450-gallon aquarium of tranquil moon jellyfish and a 2,500-gallon shark tank. Savor inventive cuisine that takes the contemporary to the extraordinary. Bold flavors, inspired techniques and the freshest ingredients make every meal a culinary adventure. • Lunch and dinner daily. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/665-4900. $$

Buddha Sky Bar —217 E. Atlantic Ave. #3. Pan Asian. Don’t miss a meal at this stylish Asia-meets-industrial chic spot with a view of the Delray skyline. Chinese-influenced dim sum is inspired, while rock shrimp tempura and Tokyo beef skewers with twin chimichurri sauces touch the heart and the taste buds. Veggie fried rice is exemplary thanks to the kitchen’s application of wok chi. • Dinner nightly.

561/450-7557. $$

Rediscover the classic

4199 N. FEDERAL HWY. s BOCA RATON s 561.395.6033 s KATHYSGAZEBO.COM KathysGazebo-interior_brm0116.indd 1

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South Florida’s Top Seaside Italian Restaurant

Burt & Max’s —9089 W. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Burt Rapoport and Dennis Max have struck gold with their first collaboration in years, bringing an accessible and affordable brand of contemporary comfort food to west Delray. A few dishes from Max’s other eatery, Max’s Grille, have made the trek, like the hearty chopped salad and bacon-wrapped meatloaf. Other dishes are variations on the comfort food theme, including a stellar truffle-scented wild mushroom pizza. • Dinner nightly.

Sunday brunch. 561/638-6380. $$$ Cabana El Rey —105 E. Atlantic Ave. Cuban tropical. Little Havana is alive and well in Delray. The menu is a palette-pleasing travelogue, including starters like mariquitas (fried banana chips) and main courses such as seafood paella (think mussels, shrimp, clams, conch, scallops and octopus). • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/274-9090. $$ Cabo Flats—Delray Marketplace, 14851 Lyons Road. Mexican. Mexican cuisine often has more personas than Madonna. This highly stylized cantina adds another—that of California’s Chicano culture. All your favorite Mexican dishes are there, as well as enormous

34 S. Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach • 561-274-9404 caffelunarosa.com • facebook.com/caffelunarosa Serving Our Brunch & Dinner Menu 7 Days Valet Parking Available

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margaritas, but also niftier items like the crispy tuna tacos.

Try the restaurant’s famous avocado fries with garlic and cilantro, and finish off with Captain Crunch deep-fried ice cream. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/499-0378. $

Caffe Luna Rosa—34 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray

CRISTINA MORGADO

Beach. Italian. This multiple Delray Beach-award winning restaurant has sparkling service, comfort food taken to a higher level, and a setting just steps from the Atlantic. Open since 1993, and a success since then, they dish up big flavors in a tiny space, so call for reservations. Try the calamari fritto misto, then the rigatoni pomodoro and leave room for dessert. Or come back for breakfast. • Open daily from breakfast through dinner. $$ 561-274-9404

Georgia peach salad at The Grove

Cena—9 S.E. Seventh Ave. Italian. Like death and taxes, heat and humidity, Italian restaurants are a certainty in these parts. Most prize comfort and satisfaction over feats of culinary derring-do, as does this small but stylish restaurant in a space once occupied by one of Angelo Elia’s stable of eateries. Tender artichoke bottoms bathed in garlicky olive oil are a worthy starter, as is a salad of peppery arugula with figs and mild, creamy goat cheese. Sun-dried tomato-crusted halibut with Chianti sauce is a break from the familiar. Tiramisu, though as familiar as apple pie, is exceptionally well-done. • Dinner Tues.-Sat. 561/330-1237 $$ City Oyster —213 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This stylish mainstay of Big Time Restaurant Group serves up reasonably priced seafood that never disappoints, such as shrimp and grits with jumbo crab cake and jalapeño cheddar grits. • Lunch Mon.–Sun. Dinner nightly. Outdoor dining. 561/272-0220. $$

Cut 432 —432 E. Atlantic Ave. Steakhouse. Hipper decor, a more casual vibe and an inventive take on steak-house favorites make this sleek restaurant just different enough to be interesting. Starters such as ceviche (prepared Peruvian style) and ultrarich oysters Rockefeller are first-rate, while the wet-aged beef is appropriately tender and tasty. • Dinner nightly.

561/272-9898. $$$

Dada—52 N. Swinton Ave. Contemporary AmerCubano fun

Sundy House hosts Havana Nights the last Thursday of each month with mojitos, Latin music, Cuban food and more. (see page 155)

ican. The same provocative, whimsical creativity that spawned Dada the art movement infuses Dada the restaurant, giving it a quirky charm all its own. The comfort food with a moustache menu has its quirky charms, too, like shake-n-bake pork chops with sweet-savory butterscotch onions, and a brownie-vanilla ice cream sundae with strips of five-spice powdered bacon. The wittily decorated 1920s-vintage house-turned-restaurant is, as they say, a trip. • Dinner nightly. 561/330-3232 $$

Deck 84—840 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Burt Rapoport’s ode to laid-back tropical dining is like a day at the beach without getting sand between your toes. Though the restaurant is casual, the kitchen bocamag.com

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takes its food seriously, whether the stellar flatbreads, the thick and juicy 10-ounce special blend burger or homey seasonal cobbler. And the waterfront location just seems to make everything taste better. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat.–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/665-8484. $

El Camino —15 N.E. Second Ave. Mexican. This sexy, bustling downtown spot is from the trio behind nearby Cut 432 and Park Tavern. Fresh, quality ingredients go into everything from the tangy tomatillo salsas to the world-class tacos of fish clad in crisp, delicate fried skin and set off by tart pineapple salsa. Cinnamon and sugar-dusted churros are the perfect dessert. And do check out the margaritas, especially the half-and-half blend of smoky mezcal and blanco tequila. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/865-5350. $$

Fifth Avenue Grill—821 S. Federal Highway.

American. Since 1989, this upscale tavern has been a Delray favorite. The straightforward menu focuses on entrées like lamb osso buco and tenderloin brochette teriyaki. Add a lobster tail for good measure. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/265-0122. $$

The Grove —187 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. Chef-partner Michael Haycook and chef Meghan O’Neal change their menu biweekly, turning out dishes exhilarating in their freshness, creativity and elegant simplicity. An appetizer of octopus with olive oil, crushed potato aioli and lemon is outstanding. • Dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/266-3750. $$ Henry’s—16850 Jog Road. American. This casual, unpretentious restaurant from Burt Rapoport in the west part of town never fails to delight diners. Expect attentive service and crisp execution of everything— from meat loaf, burgers and fried chicken to flatbreads and hefty composed salads. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/638-1949. $$

House of Siam —25 N.E. Second Ave., #116. Thai. The normally riotous flavors of Thai cuisine are muted at this family-friendly downtown spot, but that seems to suit diners just fine. Dishes, well-prepared and generously portioned, include steamed chicken and shrimp dumplings with sweet soy dipping sauce and crisp-fried duck breast in a very mild red curry sauce. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/330-9191. $$ Il Girasole —2275 S. Federal Highway. Northern Italian. This South Florida classic is not trendy, but it offers a level of comfort and consistency that has been bringing people back for more than three decades. The food is fine hearty Italian, with excellent service. Try the veal Kristy or the calves brains. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/272-3566. $$

J&J Seafood Bar & Grill—634 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This local favorite on Atlantic Avenue— owned by John Hutchinson (who is also the chef) and

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155 wife Tina—serves up everything from burgers and wraps to a menu brimming with seafood options. Don’t forget to inquire about the stunning array of 10 specials—every night. • Lunch and dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/272-3390. $$

Jimmy’s Bistro —9 S. Swinton Ave. Eclectic.

Best bets are a lovely salad of ripe tomatoes and fresh, milky house-made mozzarella; a rich, elegant version of lusty Cajun etouffee; and caramelized bananas in puff pastry with silken vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.

• Dinner nightly. 561/865-5774. $$

La Cigale —253 S.E. Fifth Ave. Mediterranean.

True culinary professionals turn out gently updated and classically oriented dishes notable for the quality of their ingredients and careful preparation. Sweetbreads in chanterelle cream sauce are glorious; a barely grilled artichoke with mustardy remoulade is gloriously simple.

Watching your server skillfully debone an impeccably fresh Dover sole is almost as satisfying as eating it. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/265-0600. $$

Lemongrass Bistro—420 E. Atlantic Ave. PanAsian. Casually hip ambience, friendly service, moderate prices and a blend of sushi and nouveau pan-Asian fare make this a popular destination. The quality of its seafood and care in its preparation are what gives Lemongrass its edge. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-5050. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 101 Plaza Real S., Boca Raton, 561/544-8181; 1880 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, 561/733-1344). $

Max’s Harvest—169 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. Dennis Max, instrumental in bringing the chef and ingredient-driven ethos of California cuisine to South Florida in the 1980s, is again at the forefront of the fresh, local, seasonal culinary movement.

Max’s Harvest soars with dishes like savory bourbon-maple glazed pork belly. • Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/381-9970. $$ The Office —201 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Your office is nothing like this eclectic gastropub, unless your office sports more than two dozen craft beers on tap and a menu that flits from burgers and fries to mussels. Don’t miss the restaurant’s winning take on the thick, juicy Prime beef burger and simply wicked maple-frosted donuts with bacon bits and two dipping sauces. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/276-3600. $$

Park Tavern—32 S.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. The guys from Cut 432 have done it again with this hip, casual modern American tavern. The menu is tightly focused and tightly executed, whether Maryland crab cakes featuring fat chunks of succulent crab or the behemoth slab of tender, juicy prime rib for a near-saintly $29. Don’t miss the decadent soft pretzel bites. • Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/265-5093. $$

Prime—29 S.E Second Ave. Steak/Seafood. Prime is aptly named for its heart of the action location, classy

neo-supper club decor, extensive wine list and roster of designer steaks. Starters and desserts fare better than entrées, especially plump, crabby Maryland-style crab cakes and indecently luscious chocolate bread pudding. Service is a strong suit too, so with a bit of work this good-looking restaurant will fully live up to its name. • Dinner nightly.

561/865-5845. $$$

Racks Fish House + Oyster Bar —5 S.E. Second Ave. Seafood. Gary Rack, who also has scored with his spot in Mizner Park, certainly seems to have the restaurant Midas touch, as evidenced by this updated throwback to classic fish houses. Design, ambience and service hit all the right notes. Oysters are terrific any way you get them; grilled fish and daily specials are excellent. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/4506718. $$$ Smoke —8 E. Atlantic Ave. Barbecue. With famed pit master Bryan Tyrell manning the smoker, this joint smokes every other barbecue spot in South Florida. Pretty much everything that comes out of Tyrell’s three-wood smoker is good, but his competition-style ribs are porky-smoky-spicy heaven, the Sistine Chapel of rib-dom. Crisp-greaseless housemade potato chips, meaty baked beans and plush-textured banana-coconut pudding are also excellent. The ambience is an inviting blend of Southern hospitality, urban chic and sports bar. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/330-4236. $$ Sundy House —106 S. Swinton Ave. Contemporary American. It’s fine dining served in arguably the most beautiful restaurant and gardens in Delray. Menus are seasonal and imaginative. Try any of the fresh local fish dishes. • Lunch Tues.–Sat. Brunch Sun. Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/272-5678. $$

Taverna Opa —270 E. Atlantic Ave. Greek.

Yes, you can order a side of belly dancing and napkin tossing with your moussaka and baklava at this chain.

But the moussaka and baklava are very good; so is the rest of the food at the downtown Delray outpost.

Also worth your while (and appetite) are appetizers like melitzanosalata, whipped eggplant with orange zest and roasted red pepper, and tarama, a creamy emulsion of bread, olive oil and salmon roe. Whole grilled bronzino is finished with lemon and orange juices for a citrusy flavor boost, while tongue-tying galaktoboureko goes baklava one better by adding vanilla-scented custard to golden, flaky phyllo. • Dinner nightly. 561/303-3602. $$

Terra Fiamma—9169 W. Atlantic Ave. Italian. The pleasures of simple, hearty, well-prepared Italian-American cuisine are front and center at Wendy Rosano’s latest venture. Among the pleasures you should enjoy are delicate, pillow-y veal meatballs in Marsala sauce; lusty chicken Allessandro with mushrooms, spinach and artichoke hearts; and a finely crafted tiramisu

that’s as satisfying as it is familiar. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/495-5570. $$

Tramonti—119 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. In a world where restaurants chase trends with the relentlessness of Casanova in full Viagra heat, Tramonti stands out as a classic outpost of authentic Italian cookery. Not trendy hardly means stodgy, however, as evidenced by expertly crafted, robustly flavorful dishes like the signature spiedini di mozzarella Romana, spaghetti al cartoccio and braciole Napoletana. Torta della nonna is a triumph of the highly refined simplicity that lies at the heart of true Italian cuisine. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly.

561/272-1944. $$$

Vic & Angelo’s—290 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. Giving old-school Italian eateries a modest jolt of more contemporary cuisine and more youthful ambience has proved a winning formula for V&A. Best bets include succulent little baked clams, lusty and hugely portioned rigatoni with “Sunday gravy,” and lemon and caper-scented chicken cooked under a brick. Tiramisu is delicious, as is the Italian version of doughnut holes, zeppole. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat.–Sun. Dinner nightly. 844/842-2632. $$

LAKE WORTH Couco Pazzo—915-917 Lake Ave. Italian. Despite the name, there’s nothing crazy about the cooking at this homey eatery. It’s the hearty, soul-satisfying Italian cuisine we’ve all come to know and love. Spaghetti Bolognese is a fine version of a Northern Italian classic. • Dinner nightly.

(Tues.–Sun. during summer). 561/585-0320. $$ Paradiso Ristorante —625 Lucerne Ave. Italian. A Tomasz Rut mural dominates the main dining room, and there is also a pasticceria and bar for gelato and espresso. Chef Angelo Romano offers a modern Italian menu. The Mediterranean salt-crusted branzino is definitely a must-try. Plus, the wine list is a veritable tome. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/547-2500. $$$

Safire Asian Fusion—817 Lake Ave. PanAsian. This stylish little restaurant offers food that gently marries East and West, plus a roster of more traditional Thai dishes and inventive sushi rolls. Menu standouts include tempura-fried rock shrimp or calamari cloaked with a lush-fiery “spicy cream sauce.” Among the newer items are panang curry and duck noodle soup.

Expect neighborly service and reasonable prices. • Lunch Tues.–Fri. Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/588-7768. $

LANTANA The Station House —233 Lantana Road. Seafood. If you’re hungry for Maine lobster, plucked live out of giant tanks and cooked to order, this modest replica of a 1920s train station is the place to go. Lobsters come April 2016

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in all sizes (up to 6 pounds) and are so reasonably priced that getting a taste of one without reservations is highly unlikely. • Dinner nightly. 561/547-9487. $$$

PALM BEACH Bice —313 Worth Ave. Italian. Bice continues to hold the title of favorite spot on the island. The venerable restaurant offers a marvelous array of risottos and fresh pastas and classic dishes like veal chop Milanese, pounded chicken breast and roasted rack of lamb. The wine list features great vintages. • Lunch and dinner daily. Outdoor dining. 561/835-1600. $$$ Conley rocks

Buccan, Imoto and Grato’s Chef Clay Conley has been named a 2017 James Beard award semifinalist. Winners are named May 1.

Buccan —350 S. County Road. Contemporary American. Casual elegance of Palm Beach meets modern culinary sensibilities of Miami at the first independent restaurant by chef Clay Conley. The design offers both intimate and energetic dining areas, while the menu is by turn familiar (wood-grilled burgers) and more adventurous (truffled steak tartare with crispy egg yolk, squid ink orrechiette). • Dinner nightly. 561/833-3450. $$

Café Boulud—The Brazilian Court, 301 Australian Ave. French with American flair. This hotel restaurant gives Palm Beach a taste of Daniel Boulud’s world-class cuisine inspired by his four muses. The chef oversees a menu encompassing classics, simple fare, seasonal offerings and dishes from around the world.

Dining is in the courtyard (not available during summer), the elegant lounge or the sophisticated dining room. • Dinner nightly. 561/655-6060. $$$ Café L’europe —331 S. County Road. Current

Buccan offers diners an intimate view with its open-kitchen concept

international. A Palm Beach standard, the café has long been known for its peerless beauty, the piano player, the chilled martinis and the delicious Champagne and caviar bar. Try one of its sophisticated classics like Wiener schnitzel with herbed spaetzle, grilled veal chop and flavorful pastas. • Lunch Tues.–Fri. Dinner nightly (closed Mon. during summer).

561/655-4020. $$$

Chez Jean-Pierre —132 N. County Road.

French. Sumptuous cuisine, attentive servers and a seeand-be-seen crowd are hallmarks of one of the island’s premier restaurants. Indulgences include scrambled eggs with caviar and the Dover sole meunière filleted tableside. When your waiter suggests profiterolles au chocolat or hazelnut soufflé, say, mais oui! • Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/833-1171. $$$ Cucina Dell’ Arte —257 Royal Poinciana Way. Italian. The wide range of items on the menu and the great quality of Cucina’s cuisine, combined with its fine service, ensures a fun place for a casual yet delectable meal—not to mention being a vantage point for spotting local celebs. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Outdoor dining. 561/655-0770. $$ bocamag.com

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Echo—230A Sunrise Ave. Asian. The cuisine reverberates with the tastes of China, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam.

The Chinese hot and sour soup is unlike any other, and the sake list is tops. This offsite property of The Breakers is managed with the same flawlessness as the resort. • Dinner nightly (during season). 561/802-4222. $$$ HMF—1 S. County Road. Contemporary American. Beneath the staid, elegant setting of The Breakers, HMF is the Clark Kent of restaurants, dishing an extensive array of exciting, inventive, oh-so-contemporary small plates. Don’t depart without sampling the dreamy warm onion-Parmesan dip with house-made fingerling potato chips, the sexy wild boar empanaditas, chicken albondigas tacos and Korean-style short ribs. The wine list is encyclopedic. • Dinner nightly. 561/290-0104. $$ Imoto —350 S. County Road. Asian Fusion/Tapas.

Clay Conley’s “little sister” (the translation of Imoto from Japanese) is next to his always-bustling Buccan. Imoto turns out Japanese-inspired small plates with big-city sophistication, like witty Peking duck tacos and decadent tuna and foie gras sliders. Sushi selection is limited but immaculately fresh. • Dinner nightly. 561/833-5522. $$ Jové Kitchen & Bar —2800 S. Ocean Blvd.

Contemporary Italian. Jové is named for the Italian god of the sky, and when the folks at the tony Four Seasons decided to remake their premier restaurant, they reached high to offer the kind of food, service and ambience that would appeal to both their affluent older clientele and a younger, hipper, foodie-oriented crowd.

Mission accomplished with dishes like the inventive take on octopus marinated and grilled with baby fennel, red pepper sauce, artichoke and olives. Desserts sparkle too.

• Dinner nightly. 561/533-3750. $$

Leopard Lounge and Restaurant—The Chesterfield Palm Beach, 363 Cocoanut Row. American. The restaurant offers excellent food in a glamorous and intimate club-like atmosphere. In fact, it’s advisable to make early reservations if a quiet dinner is the objective; the place becomes a late-night cocktail spot after 9. The menu is equally decadent. • Breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner daily. 561/659-5800. $$

Meat Market—191 Bradley Place. Steakhouse.

“Meat Market” may be an inelegant name for a very elegant and inventive steakhouse but there’s no dissonance in its food, service or ambience. Multiple cuts of designer beef from multiple sources can be gilded with a surprising array of sauces, butters and upscale add-ons. Whole roasted cauliflower is an intriguing starter, while a meaty Niman Ranch short rib atop lobster risotto takes surf-n-turf to a new level. Cast your diet to the winds and order the dessert sampler. • Dinner nightly. 561/354-9800. $$$$

Nick & Johnnie’s—207 Royal Poinciana Way. Contemporary American. Expect flavorful, moderately priced California-esque cuisine in a casual setting with

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affordable wines and young, energetic servers. Keep your wallet happy with five-dollar dessert specials. • Lunch and dinner Mon.–Sat. Breakfast Sun. 561/655-3319. $$

“Before you and your staff from Boca Nursing Services started taking care of Helen and I, we existed; now we are living again! Thank you, Rose.”

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Renato’s —87 Via Mizner. Italian with continental flair. This most romantic hideaway is buzzing in season and quietly charming all year long with Italian classics and a Floridian twist—like the sautéed black grouper in a fresh tomato and pernod broth with fennel and black olives and the wildflower-honey-glazed salmon fillet with crab and corn flan. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/655-9752. $$$

scribed “American bistro” is less typical “American” restaurant or classical French “bistro” than it is posh-casual refuge for the see-and-be-seen crowd in and around Palm Beach. The eclectic menu offers everything from roasted duck with orange blossom honey-ginger sauce to dry-aged steaks and an assortment of pizzas. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/835-3500. $$

Trevini Ristorante —290 Sunset Ave. Italian. Expect a warm experience, complemented by a stately but comfortable room and excellent food. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/833-3883. $$$

WEST PALM BEACH Banko Cantina -- 114 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach. Northern Mexican. Start with the Adelita cocktail and don’t look back. The bacon-wrapped shrimp, the Al Carbon steak tacos, and the house guacamole add up to a full-flavor dinner. The West-facing rooftop bar is a nice sunset option, and the Pan de Elote (homemade sweet cornbread with vanilla ice cream and berries) a delightful end to the evening. Dinner daily. $$ 561/355-1399

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There are many things to like about this modest little osteria—the unpretentious ambiance, piano Thursday through Saturday during season, the fine service, the robust portions and relatively modest prices. And, of course, the simple, satisfying Italian cuisine. The kitchen breathes new life into hoary old fried calamari, gives fettucine con pollo a surprisingly delicate herbed cream sauce, gilds snowy fillets of grouper with a soulful Livornese. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/514-4070. $$

Grato —1901 S. Dixie Highway. Italian. “Grato” is Italian for “grateful,” and there is much to be grateful for about Clay Conley’s sophisticated yet unpretentious take on Italian cookery. Anyone would be grateful to find such delicate, crispy and greaseless fritto misto as Grato’s, ditto for lusty beef tartare piled onto a quartet of crostini. Spinach gnocchi in porcini mushroom sauce are a revelation, so light and airy they make other versions taste like green library paste. Don’t miss the porchetta either, or the silken panna cotta with coffee ice cream

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Ta-boo —2221 Worth Ave. American. This self-de-

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DINING GUIDE RESTAURANT DIRECTORY and crunchy hazelnut tuille. • Dinner nightly, Sunday brunch. 561/404-1334. $$

T H E T ALK O F

Leila—120 S. Dixie Highway. Mediterranean. Flowing drapes and industrial lighting complete the exotic decor in this Middle Eastern hit. Sensational hummus is a must-try. Lamb kebab with parsley, onion and spices makes up the delicious Lebanese lamb kefta. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sun. 561/659-7373. $$

TWO TOWNS p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p Home Design Issue p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p Natural p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p Beauties p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p n ppppp ✦ KEEPING ✦ CRISIS THE FAITH NOWS IN FUN CITY? S THE AG RESERVE DEBATE Q&A: GOLDIE HAWN FIVE LOCAL SOULWARS MATES DEVELOPMENT

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Marcello’s La Sirena—6316 S. Dixie Highway. Italian. You’re in for a treat if the pasta of the day is prepared with what might be the best Bolognese sauce ever. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. (closed Memorial Day– Labor Day). 561/585-3128. $$

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Pistache doesn’t just look like a French bistro, it cooks like one. The menu includes such bistro specialties as coq au vin and steak tartare. All that, plus guests dining al fresco have views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Centennial Park. • Brunch Sat.–Sun. Lunch and dinner daily. 561/833-5090. $$

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Pistache—1010 N. Clematis St., #115. French.

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Rhythm Café —3800 S. Dixie Highway. Casual

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American. Once a diner, the interior is eclectic with plenty of kitsch. The crab cakes are famous here, and the tapas are equally delightful. Homemade ice cream and the chocolate chip cookies defy comparison. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/833-3406. $$

Rocco’s Tacos—224 Clematis St. Mexican. Big /BOCAMAG

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Time Restaurant Group has crafted a handsome spot that dishes Mexican favorites, as well as upscale variations on the theme and more than 200 tequilas. Tacos feature house-made tortillas and a variety of proteins. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/650-1001. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 5250 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, 561/416-2131; 110 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561/808-1100; 5090 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561/623-0127) $

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Table 26°—1700 S. Dixie Highway. Contemporary American. Take a quarter-cup of Palm Beach, a tablespoon of Nantucket, a pinch of modern American cookery and a couple gallons of the owners’ savoir faire, and you have Eddie Schmidt’s and Ozzie Medeiros’s spot. The menu roams the culinary globe for modest contemporary tweaks on classically oriented dishes. Try the fried calamari “Pad Thai.” • Dinner nightly. 561/855-2660. $$$

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Chanson—45 N.E. 21st Ave. Contemporary American/French. A little bit of Palm Beach, a little bit of France come to Deerfield Beach in the form of this elegant, sophisticated restaurant in the oceanfront Royal Blues Hotel. Service is as stellar as the views from the cozy,

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modestly opulent dining room, notable for the 1,500-gallon aquarium embedded in the ceiling. Consistency can be an issue with the food, but when it is good it is very good.

Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Tues.-Sat., brunch Sun. 954/857-2929 $$$

Oceans 234—234 N. Ocean Blvd., Deerfield Beach. Contemporary American. One of the only oceanfront (as in, on the beach) options in South Florida, this familiar-with-a-twist venue is fun to both visit and eat. Try the Infamous Lollipop Chicken Wings, a starter that could be an entrée. Seafood is definitely top-shelf, as are the desserts. A true Florida experience. $$ 954/428-2539

Established 1991

Tamarind Asian Grill & Sushi Bar —949 S. Federal Highway. Asian. Quiet and soothing, this multicultural venue serves sushi, sashimi, yakitori and wide-ranging Japanese appetizers. • Lunch and dinner daily. 954/428-8009. $$

LIGHTHOUSE POINT Le Bistro—4626 N. Federal Highway. Modern French. The menu is modern and healthy—98 percent glutin-free, according to chef/owner Andy Trousdale. Check out the prix-fixe menu, which includes pan-roasted duck to beef Wellington. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. 954/946-9240. $$$ Seafood World—4602 N. Federal Highway.

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Seafood. This seafood market and restaurant offers some of the freshest seafood in the county. Its unpretentious atmosphere is the perfect setting for the superb king crab, Maine lobster, Florida lobster tails and much more. Tangy Key lime pie is a classic finish. • Lunch and dinner daily. 954/942-0740. $$$

POMPANO BEACH Calypso Restaurant—460 S. Cypress Road.

Caribbean. This bright little dining room and bar (beer and wine only) has a Caribbean menu that is flavorful, imaginative—and much more. Calypso offers a spin on island food that includes sumptuous conch dishes, Stamp & Go Jamaican fish cakes and tasty rotis stuffed with curried chicken, lamb or seafood. • Lunch and dinner Mon.–Fri. 954/942-1633. $

Darrel & Oliver’s Café Maxx—2601 E. Atlantic Blvd. American. The longstanding institution from chef Oliver Saucy is as good now as when it opened in the mid-1980s. Main courses offer complex flavor profiles, such as the sweet-onion-crusted yellowtail snapper on Madeira sauce over mashed potatoes.

Parts of the menu change daily. • Dinner nightly. Brunch Sunday. 954/782-0606. $$$ WEB EXTRA: check out our complete tricounty dining guide only at BOCAMAG.COM. GourmetPhile_brm0317.indd 1

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THE SCENE B O C A RATO N R EG I O N A L H O S P I TA L BA L L S PA B U B B L E S & B I T E S S U N S E T S O I R E É W I T H S I G GY WA L K I N T H E WO O D S

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JOAN WARGO This year’s Boca Raton Regional Hospital gala was dedicated to Joan Wargo, (above, with son Michael) who has attended every gala—even before the hospital opened in July 1967. Wargo, a former nurse, came to Boca Raton in 1958 with her late husband, Don, who started the town’s first OB/GYN practice. She immersed herself in the city’s mission to build its own hospital and was one of the driving forces behind its fundraising arm, the Debbie-Rand Memorial Service League, for more than 50 years. She has worked tirelessly as a volunteer for this organization and is a treasure in the Boca Raton community.

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BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY BALL WHAT: Nearly 1,200 guests attended the annual ball, which raised more than $1.5 million toward the enhancement of patient care initiatives at one of the only independent, notfor-profit hospitals in South Florida. The band Earth, Wind & Fire played for the sparkling crowd at the black-tie gala.

WHERE: Boca Raton Resort & Club

Jo Ann & Philip Procacci

Sue Katz, Amy Ross, David Ross, Phyllis Sandler, Robin Rubin, Larry & Andrea Schnurmacher

Greg Babij, Jennifer Kessler, Tami Babij, Brian Kessler

DOWNTOWN PHOTO

Michael & Amy Kazma

Michael & Allison Gross, Alisa Musa, Greg Stuart

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Dr. Barry & Becky Davis, Cecilia & Carl Green

Larry Burker, Jean Blechman, Sherri Ganz, Brian Blechman

BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY BALL

John Gallo, Christine Lynn, Mark Larkin

Jim & Marta Batmasian

Bonnie & John Miskel

Elaine J. Wold, Dr. Randy Scheen April 2017

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John Wargo, Stephanie Miller, Joan Wargo, Michael Wargo

BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY BALL

Dr. Anthony Dardano, Warren Orlando

Terry & Jerry Fedele

Cindy and Dr. Michael Krebsbach

DOWNTOWN PHOTO

Richard & Barbara Schmidt Phyllis Sandler with, left to right: Gary & Robin Rubin, Cheryl Hanley, Amy & David Ross, Harvey Sandler, Andrea & Larry Schnurmacher

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Marilyn & Stan Barry

Shauna & Jeff Hollander

BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY BALL

Kathy & Paul Adkins

Peter & Carmel Baronoff

Cecilia Green, Annie Green

Diane & Larry Feldman

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Lou Green, Bill & Dolores Woolley, Sidra Gruss, Annie Green

BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY BALL

Skip & Laura Stoltz

Diane Paez, Kieth O'Donnell

Dr. Randy Scheen, Elaine J. Wold, Deanna & Chris Wheeler

DOWNTOWN PHOTO

Brenda & Jeffrey Bleustein

Debbie Lindstrom, Bob Sheetz

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April 2017

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THE SCENE

Janet Little, Patricia Maguire, Ellen Elam

SPA BUBBLES & BITES Kathi Kermes Dixon, Janean Mileusnic

WHAT: Impact 100 Palm Beach County held a private reception for women in Palm Beach County interested in joining the women’s charitable organization, which awards grants to local nonprofits. Guests were treated to hors d’oeuvres, Champagne and goody bags.

WHERE: The Self-Centered Garden at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa

Raven Cline, Suzanne Lanone

SHERRY FERRANTE PHOTOGRAPHY

Mary Ellen Vitrano, Dr. Kathryn Jones

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Lauren LeBus, Katherine Kress

Kae Jonsons, Chiara Clark

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Mayor Susan Haynie, Siggy Flicker, Becky Davis, Robert Weinroth Debra Schrils, Kim Rankin

SUNSET SOIREE WITH SIGGY WHAT: Boca blogger and TV/radio host Becky Davis hosted “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Siggy Flicker on the Hyatt rooftop for a poolside cocktail party and soiree. More than 300 people attended to see Flicker, who talked about relationships and signed copies of her book Write Your Own Fairytale.

WHERE: Hyatt Hotel in downtown Boca

JANIS BUTCHER AND DAVID WARREN PHOTOGRAPHY.

Sally Ollarvide, Stacy Candia, Frances D’Almeida, Irene DeLuca

Siggy Flicker

Annie Green, Cecilia Green, David Rosenberg, Jamie Rosenberg

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Organizers of Walk in the Woods Arthur Adler, Joel Macher, Howard Liebman, Howard Boilen

Ronnie Nadel, Ronald Nadel, Jane Engelman, Dick Engelman, Sivya Romisher

WALK IN THE WOODS WHAT: The Boca West Charitable Foundation hosted its inaugural Walk in the Woods with the Lynn Conservatory of Music. Guests walked the golf course, where trios, string quartets and musicians performed.

All donations benefited the foundation, which helps at-risk families in South Palm Beach County.

WHERE: Boca West Country Club Laura Stoltz, Denise Alman, Lisa Mulhall, Helen Ballerano

JASON JACKMAN

Morrie Oldham and his pup Bogey

Emily & Nathan Brown, Kellen, Avery

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adv e r t is e m e n t

PREMIER PROFESSIONALS ENJOY PRIMETIME

WITH THE JACOBSON JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION The dynamic local attorneys, CPAs, financial consultants, life insurance professionals and estate planners of the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s Jacobson Jewish Community Foundation enjoyed mixing and mingling at their season’s first PrimeTime. They gathered with warmth and camaraderie on January 26 at Salt7 on the Avenue in Delray Beach. PAC members develop permanent resources to ensure the continuity of Jewish life, programs and services locally, in Israel and worldwide, through permanent endowment funds, lifetime gifts, bequests in wills, trusts and planned giving programs.

Another PrimeTime is coming up on May 18 at Tap42. Contact Lisbeth Rock Cauff at 561.852.3188 or lisbethc@bocafed.org.

{1}

{2}

{3}

{4}

{5}

{6} {1} from left: David M. Friedman; Larry Blair, Greenspoon Marder; Andrew Shamp

{2} from left: Howard Silverstein, Silverstein HR; Gail Eagle, Boca magazine

{3} from left: Robert Pick, Cliff Gelber {4} from left: Larry Blair, Brian Singer {5} from left: Steve Lessne, Fred Weinstein, Michael Shapiro, Josh Calisti

{6} from left: Ken Pritzker, Matt Kutcher, Larry Blair, Michael Shapiro

{7}

{8}

{7} from left: Jeremy Horelick, Karen Gee, Dan Levine {8} from left: Devra Gerber, Joe Stein

Photography by Jeffrey Tholl Photography

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174

THE LOCAL

CITY WATCH

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 56

to hear how many people favor or oppose a project, but few speakers make a new point or offer a new perspective.

Though public debate wouldn’t suffer if Boca adopted Delray Beach’s three-minute limit, the city is unlikely to change. Boca established the five-minute limit for “public requests”—when anyone can address the council on any topic— in 1965 as part of the procedures for council meetings. Boca set the five-minute rule for public hearings in 1976.

Delray Beach expands the limit to six minutes for a “group representative”if other members of the group agree to yield their time. That’s another idea Boca should consider. Delray allows 10-minute presentations for development applications and 10 minutes for any other entity granted party status.

To get a sense of how the five-minute limit actually can hinder public debate, consider an item that drew 25 speakers. If they all maxed out their time, debate would take almost an hour longer than with a three-minute limit.

With 50 speakers, the difference would be

nearly an hour and a half, pushing the meeting later and making everyone more tired—with no improvement in the quality of debate.

Now consider that before big projects in Boca Raton get to the city council they face review by the community appearance board and the planning and zoning board, where opponents get five minutes to speak. Residents can use the public request period to criticize a project several times before it even gets to the council.

There’s a big world outside the council chambers. Those who speak regularly—and repetitively—don’t necessarily speak for a city of 90,000 people, most of whom don’t attend council meetings. Some of the regulars don’t understand that those who comment on everything can find themselves commenting on nothing.

The person running the meeting—the chairman at CRA meetings, the mayor at council meetings—has discretion about that five-minute limit. He or she can enforce the limit strictly, let speakers run over or even get involved. Opponents of the Archstone project probably still believe that former Councilwom-

an Constance Scott wrongly interrupted critics of the project’s second version during a CRA meeting over which Scott presided.

Ultimately, however, Boca Raton has rules for downtown development and property owners have rights. The council must balance those rights with regard for the rules or risk a lawsuit. That’s the key point, and it doesn’t take five minutes to explain.

April 2017 issue. Vol. 37, No. 4. The following are trademarks in the state of Florida of JES Publishing Corp., and any use of these trademarks without the express written consent of JES Publishing Corp. is strictly prohibited: Savor the Avenue; Tastemakers of Delray; Tastemakers at Mizner; Florida Style and Design; Delray Beach magazine; Boca Raton, South Florida At Its Best; bocamag.com; Florida Table; Boca Raton magazine. Boca (ISSN0740-2856) is published nine times a year (September/October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May/June and July/August)

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175 The Downtown Divide CONTINUED FROM PAGE 101

broader role than Ruby Childers, the current downtown manager.

Ideally, a full-time CRA director would have a strong planning background and some creative flair. The city council could re-create the position and have the person report to Ahnell. Or—given the importance of getting downtown right—the person could report directly to the council, like Ahnell and City Attorney Diana Grub Frieser.

Perhaps with a full-time director, the downtown Interim Design Guidelines would not be interim. Perhaps the city would have its Pattern Book.

“I am not opposed”to the idea, Ahnell said. If the council wishes,“We can accommodate that.” u Narrow Federal Highway. For years, Boca Raton’s leaders have presumed that Palmetto Park Road would be the pedestrian/retail center of downtown. But a four-lane road with comparatively narrow sidewalks doesn’t lend itself to strolling and shopping.

New projects, however, might make Federal Highway the alternative.

At Camino Real, Via Mizner will bring apartments, a condo and a Mandarin Oriental hotel. Across Federal Highway from Via Mizner is Trader Joe’s. North of Trader Joe’s is the new Boca City Walk apartments. Farther north are Royal Palm Place and the new Hyatt Place hotel.

Narrowing Federal Highway through downtown would slow traffic. Dixie Highway is already the downtown bypass. Mizner Boulevard, which the city created to avoid widening Federal Highway to six lanes, is underused.

Councilman Scott Singer favors this approach. Mayor Susan Haynie wants to study making Federal Highway and Dixie Highway each one-way. (The article went to press before the March 14 election. Haynie and Singer were on the ballot.) u Narrow Palmetto Park Road. Delray Beach’s new downtown invites strolling and outdoor dining because Atlantic Avenue remains just two lanes. Traffic can’t go fast in the morning, let alone on Friday and Saturday nights. The same is true for Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.

Boca Raton could try to do the same, after fits and starts. The city took out turn lanes on Palmetto Park Road and then put them back. But the new Louie Bossi’s restaurant at the Hyatt Place could become a gathering spot with a spillover effect east on Palmetto Park Road. Retail will remain problematic without some change. The developers of Palmetto Promenade shrunk the retail portion of their project because the road isn’t very walkable.

Taking out two lanes and widening the sidewalks, however, would mean losing on-street parking. Also, Palmetto Park Road is the main access to Interstate 95. Downtown residents who complain about traffic might find their trip even slower. u Add a great shuttle. Boca Raton recently lost the Downtowner, an on-demand service whose revenue came from advertising on its vehicles.

The company had hoped to get a city subsidy, but council members weren’t interested.

Now, the council has asked staff to research all options, including bicycle rental or sharing. There is probably wider support for a shuttle than for all other downtown ideas. As with the Downtowner, the service might extend past downtown to, say, the expected student district on 20th Street near Florida Atlantic University.

Aerial of Via Mizner with a view of the Mandarin Oriental

Each new residential project brings another potential stop and more potential riders. Then there’s the possibility of a commuter rail station near the downtown library. The council may determine that a shuttle is so important that it deserves a subsidy. u Take land for “the spine” by eminent domain. Even before Mizner Park was complete, the goal was to link it to Royal Palm Beach by creating what planners called “the spine”—a link between the projects. Despite much effort, the city has been unable to achieve that three-block connection from Northeast Second Street to Southeast First Street.

According to City Manager/CRA Director Leif Ahnell, property owners have been unwilling to sell. Across from Mizner Park’s south end, for example, is a strip shopping center.

When a government needs property for a public purpose, eminent domain can be an option. It would be tricky if the city tried it. The Supreme Court has ruled that governments can’t use eminent domain for private development, so Boca Raton would need a strictly public use for the property. Landowners get fair market value, so the move could be expensive. Still, the city might have to have some spine to get the “spine.” u Add better lighting and signs. Members of the city’s downtown advisory committee have complained for years about poor lighting downtown. Distinctive signs would give a special feel to the area and help visitors get around. The city is looking at both options. Property tax revenue from new projects could help pay for these improvements. u Update the open space rule. Forty percent of downtown projects must be open space. The goal is to make projects more pleasing to the eye and more accessible to the public. Example: covered public walkways.

Although a city review in late 2015 found that staffers had applied the rule properly in all but one instance, there is concern that Boca Raton isn’t achieving the overall desired effect. So the city council—as the CRA—asked the Downtown Advisory Committee for suggestions to make open space more“meaningful,” as Downtown Director Ruby Childers described it. The CRA was due to hear more from the committee in March, after deadline for this article.

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176

MY TURN

Old Friends

The spirit of community lives on in two old friends who helped put Boca on the map.

Written by JOHN SHUFF

“A friend is someone who knows/the song in your heart, and can/sing it back to you when you have/forgotten the words.”—Donna Roberts

L

ast week Marg and I had dinner with Jamie and Steve Snyder, two old friends we rarely see. They’re the kind of friends you’ve had forever: People you enjoy for conversation that inevitably meanders into the good old days. We met at Boca’s legendary Gazebo, known for its delicious cuisine. It’s the perfect place to catch up on family, politics and solve world problems.

As I left dinner I found myself wondering where the next Jamie Snyder was. Where are the thinkers, the leaders, the visionary people who can rev up the civic engine?”

Jamie is a creative, gracious woman from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who came up with the idea for Mizner Park in the mid-eighties. Little did we know then the firestorm of public opinion that would result from her idea to resurrect downtown Boca from the ashes of a decrepit shopping mall. Nor did we expect the impact of Town Center, a 1.3 million-square foot shopping mecca that was draining customers from downtown. She devised a plan for the city to buy the old Boca Mall and turn it into a cultural venue. She and the late architect Bill Cox envisioned a pedestrian-friendly mixed-use promenade. It became known as

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••••

Mizner Park, and it reshaped the face of Boca Raton.

Between 1981 and 1989, only 72,000 square feet of space had been developed in Boca Raton.

There were shuttered stores, graffiti on buildings along Palmetto Park Road and no life in 344 acres of the Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) jurisdiction.

Jamie Snyder was determined to change that.

But there was one big catch.

The original site concept was a public/cultural/retail venture with an emphasis on culture: an art park. However, it became evident that Boca’s cultural entities had no money to fund this endeavor. With the financial viability of the project in question, the focus changed to a mixed-use complex focused on retail, dining and residential spaces with culture anchoring both ends of the complex.

A special election was held to determine the fate of this project in January 1989. It passed, 62 percent to 38 percent, and Mizner Park was born on January 26, 1989, when the city council certified the election. The city issued bonds (which will be paid off in 2018) to buy the Boca Mall. Local developer Tom Crocker stepped up and assumed the financial risk. Then he built Mizner Park, which would become the centerpiece of downtown Boca.

Mizner Park began as one woman’s dream and her gumption to see it through. She was helped

by Joyce Costomiris Wilson, Anne

Jamie and Steve Snyder

Merrill Hazel and land planner Charles Siemon, plus a phalanx of volunteers. She engendered a can-do spirit of community that brought together citizens from every part of town.

Today, in the wake of a contentious election, it is clear that Boca Raton has not retained the same sense of community it once enjoyed. Residents in walled developments have more loyalty to their clubs than their city, and they do not appear to know the issues.

A historically low percentage of registered voters turn out, which demonstrates a lethargic constituency at best.

As we left dinner, I found myself wondering where the next Jamie Snyder was. Where are the thinkers, the leaders, the visionary people who can rev up the civic engine and bring the city together again? The divisions here are deep and without a shared laser-focused vision, the goal of making Boca Raton America’s best city remains in question.

April 2017

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