Boca Mag December 2018 by JES Media

BOCAMAG.COM

HOLIDAY FUN, FACES & FASHION

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$5.95

DECEMBER 2018

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WHY SOUTH FLORIDA TASTES SO GOOD

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LO O K I N G F O R A N E XC E PT I O N A L E STAT E ?

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ROCHELLE LECAVALIER Broker Associate M: 561.866.0811 rochelle.lecavalier@elliman.com 1111 LINCOLN RD, MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139. 305.695.6300 Â© 2018 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. IF YOUR PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY LISTED WITH ANOTHER REAL ESTATE BROKER, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS OFFER. IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO SOLICIT THE OFFERINGS OF OTHER REAL ESTATE BROKERS. WE COOPERATE WITH THEM FULLY. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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Experience Boca At Its Best

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APPLE INSURANCE IS ON THE JOB Rick Jultak started his career as a certified court Mediator but moved into insurance to work with family who needed help expanding their business into South Florida. Jultak ran their South Florida agencies for seven years before forming Apple Insurance with partner Marc Fine in 2010. TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS The Leading South Florida Agency for Florida Blue, Apple Insurance and Financial Services is a full-service agency providing a complete range of insurance products, from major medical insurance and Medicare supplemental insurance to long-term care coverage, dental plans, accident plans and pet insurance. Apple now also provides property and casualty insurance.

With insurance, you really need people who are masters of their products. We specialize in understanding our clients’ needs and in providing face-to-face consulting. CLAIM TO FAME Apple Insurance and Financial Services provides a one-stop shop for insurance and eliminates the need for multiple agencies. It is the largest Florida Blue provider in South Florida and focuses on matching clients with skillful agents who then find the best policies for their needs at the best prices. Apple Insurance recently moved their Headquarters to Boca Raton purchasing over 7000 square feet of magnificent office space to accommodate all of the current and potential clients in a comfortable atmosphere. Apple also has expanded its services into home, auto and liability insurance as the result of an acquisition of one of South Florida’s largest independent firms. Apple’s property and casualty agents have more than 60 years of combined industry knowledge. Bringing over 100 highly trained agents in all areas of insurance under one Apple Family Tree.

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T EC H N I C A L

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features DECEMBER 2018

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Eat, Drink & Be Merry

A Boca catering company dishes up yuletide drinks and apps satisfying enough to warm the cockles of the grumpiest grinch. BY CHRISTIANA LILLY

Lone Survivors

The owners of five longtime businesses— from a darkroom to a shell shop—explain how they’ve managed to outlive their competition. BY JOHN THOMASON

The Gourmet 50

We take the temperature of South Florida’s foodie scene at the dawn of a new year, spotlighting more than four dozen chefs, dishes, restaurants, trends and“Dudes”who keep our bellies full. BY CHRISTIANA LILLY, MARIE SPEED AND JOHN THOMASON

100

Discover Telluride

It’s all downhill from here: This whitecapped Colorado town is heaven for skiers and snowboarders. BY ALLISON LEWIS

106

Savor the Avenue Randy Mitchel of Miami Darkroom and Digital

This beloved dining tradition celebrates its 11th anniversary in March. These are the restaurants that will serve al fresco dinners in downtown Delray. Month 2000

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departments DECEMBER 2018

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22 Editor’s Letter

59 Feel Good

121 Dining Guide

In this season of celebratory feasting, the editor reflects on childhood favorites that are as important for the memories they conjure as the ingredients they contain.

Keep off holiday pounds with healthy desserts (no, that’s not an oxymoron!), discover the intoxicating world of shamanic healing, and get a jump-start on your New Year’s resolution by joining one of Boca’s many fitness centers.

Our review-driven guide to the finest dining in South Florida spotlights Frank & Dino’s, Salt7 and Tapeo. Plus, The Regional Kitchen’s pastry chef on how to sweeten up your Christmas table.

By MARIE SPEED

25 The Local A beloved Christmas pageant celebrates 35 years of showmanship, a power couple’s luminous party spared no expense, and the season’s top gift ideas range from the fluffy to the tech-y. Plus, we catch up with Lynn Conservatory’s gracious dean, bring the far-off world of Jupiter down to earth, and much more. By EMILY CHAIET, JAN ENGOREN, CHRISTIANA LILLY, MARIE SPEED AND JOHN THOMASON

42 Dress Code Wintertime fashion jingles with holiday cheer. Photography by AARON BRISTOL ON THE COVER

Cream of broccoli and cauliflower soup with caviar. For recipe go to BOCAMAG.COM/ DECEMBER-2018. PHOTO: ©StockFood/Winkelmann

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By LYNN KALBER

By LISETTE HILTON

67 Home When it comes to extravagant menorahs, accessorized Christmas trees and decoratingon-demand, there is no place like home for the holidays.

153 The Scene Recent soirees involved disco and diamonds, sweetness and laughter—and a few nonprofessional dancers who hoofed it for charity. By CHRISTIANA LILLY

By ROBIN HODES

113 Backstage Pass A wandering theatre company plants its roots in Boca Raton and readies another provocative season of intimate dramas and comedies. Plus, these 30-plus events will keep you entertained through a busy holiday calendar.

160 My Turn Angels aren’t just the stuff of “It’s a Wonderful Life”— they’re also fleshand-blood helpers like Boca Raton’s own Susie Doyle. By JOHN SHUFF

By JOHN THOMASON

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Find out more about our complimentary design services at ROBBSTUCKY.COM BOCA RATON SHOWROOM | 1353 North Federal Hwy., Boca Raton FL 33432 | (561) 931-2700 NAPLES • FORT MYERS • SARASOTA • CORAL GABLES • BOCA RATON

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BOCAMAG COM

14 Web Extras

Visit bocamag.com for bonus items you won’t see anywhere else—extended stories, recipes, news and more.

MEDIA

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

MAKE IT AT HOME

OUR WISH LIST Need ideas for gifts? We went around the office to find out what staff members are hoping to receive for the holidays—see it all at bocamag.com/ december-2018.

CHEAP EATS After you devour our Gourmet 50 guide on page 86, head over to bocamag.com/december-2018 to get a free guide to our favorite restaurants that are easy on the wallet.

City Watch

Boca Raton is anything but sleepy, and Randy Schultz is the go-to for all the city politics, development and business news you need to know. For updates delivered straight to your email every Tuesday and Thursday, visit the City Watch tab on our website.

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US ON SOCIAL

E&M Catering put together a mouth-watering food and drink spread for the holidays on page 72—and now you can bring the magic to your own dinner table! Visit bocamag.com/december-2018 for recipes straight from the pages of Boca magazine.

bocamag.com

FIND

Best Bites Think our dining guide is long? You haven’t seen anything until you’ve visited our digital version. We’ve got critic-reviewed restaurants from Jupiter to Miami on the web. Visit the food tab to view the guide.

Join the Club: Be a Member

We’ve curated a brandnew membership program tailored just for our loyal readers! We’re redefining what it means to be a subscriber by introducing experiences that go beyond the pages of our magazine. Register at bocamag.com to join this exclusive group, and start enjoying a wide array of special discounts, events, giveaways and more throughout South Florida.

Decmeber 2018

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WILL OUR WEALTH BE A CURSE OR A GIFT? GenSpring exists to be a collaborative community of individuals, families and committed professionals focused on growing wealth in support of the family’s enduring values. Our purpose is to objectively manage the issues that keep members awake at night so they can enjoy the moments in life that matter.

WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU? Victoria Rixon, Florida Division Executive 561.362.3553 or Victoria.M.Rixon@SunTrust.com 5350 Town Center Road, Boca Raton, Florida

Victoria Rixon, Registered Representative, SunTrust Investment Services, Inc. Investment Adviser Representative, SunTrust Advisory Services, Inc.

Investment and Insurance Products: Are not FDIC or any other Government Agency Insured • Are not Bank Guaranteed • May Lose Value SunTrust Private Wealth Management is a marketing name used by SunTrust Bank, SunTrust Banks Trust Company (Cayman) Limited, SunTrust Delaware Trust Company, SunTrust Investment Services, Inc., SunTrust Advisory Services, Inc., and GFO Advisory Services, LLC which are each affiliates of SunTrust Banks, Inc. Banking and trust products and services, including investment management products and services, are provided by SunTrust Bank and SunTrust Delaware Trust Company. Securities and insurance (including annuities) are offered by SunTrust Investment Services, Inc., a SEC registered broker-dealer, member FINRA, SIPC, and a licensed insurance agency. Investment advisory services are offered by SunTrust Advisory Services, Inc., a SEC registered investment adviser. GFO Advisory Services, LLC is a SEC registered investment adviser that provides investment advisory services to a group of private investment funds and other non-investment advisory services to affiliates. ©2018 SunTrust Banks, Inc. All rights reserved.

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A SEASON OF GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marie Speed MANAGING EDITOR

John Thomason WEB EDITOR

Christiana Lilly EDITORIAL INTERN

Emily Chaiet

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SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Lori Pierino GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Alecsander Morrison PHOTOGRAPHER

Aaron Bristol PRODUCTION MANAGER

George Otto

David Kapp: Crossing the Grid Oct 3 - Dec 9, 2018

Murano Mosaics Persistence and Evolution Dec 19 - Feb 3, 2019

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jan Engoren, Gary Greenberg, Lisette Hilton, Robin Hodes, Allison Lewis, David Shuff, John Shuff VIDEO PRODUCTION/CUSTOMER SERVICE

David Shuff FOOD EDITOR

Lynn Kalber

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DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING

Suzanne Norton Davis

n La Photo by Harley

DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RESEARCH AND SALES SUPPORT

Bruce Klein ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

An Evening with Iris Apfel: Celebrating A Geriatric Starlet Dec 14, 2018 * Sculptures by Gino Miles Jan 10 - May 12, 2019 Gardens Conservancy Private Opening, Jan 9*

Elise Benson Tanya Plath Marc Ruehle SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER

Gail Eagle

An Eye for Nature: Paintings and Prints by Morton Kaish Feb 16 - May 5, 2019

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Portia Smith DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Olivia Hollaus

G ALLERY T ALKS W EDNESDAYS

AM AND

S UNDAYS

Historic Home, Artist Studio and Rare Palm Gardens of Ann Weaver Norton 253 Barcelona Road • West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 561-832-5328 • www.ansg.org Non-member admissions: $15 adults, $10 seniors, $7 students *Special admissions apply

Boca Raton magazine is published eight times a year by JES Media. 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.

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December 2018

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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

Give a touch of holiday spirit

Margaret Mary Shuff GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marie Speed CONTROLLER

Jeanne Greenberg SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER

Shawntia Jones

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 2018 CHARLIE AWARDS CHARLIE AWARD (FIRST PLACE) best commentary (Editor’s Letter) SILVER AWARD best department (Backstage Pass) BRONZE AWARD best overall writing best in-depth reporting (Slimed!)

FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION 2017 CHARLIE AWARDS CHARLIE AWARD (FIRST PLACE) best column (City Watch) best department (Backstage Pass) best overall online presence SILVER AWARD best overall design best overall writing best use of photography best redesign best in-depth reporting (South Florida Rocks!)

FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION 2016 CHARLIE AWARDS CHARLIE AWARD (FIRST PLACE) best overall magazine best editorial/commentary (City Watch) best overall use of photography SILVER AWARD best feature design best overall design best overall writing

Purchase $300 or more in Spa gift cards and receive a complimentary Votivo® holiday-scented candle* (a $45 value).

Booking any of our decadent massages, facials, or body treatments grants you all-day access to an array of complimentary hotel amenities, including the hotel pool and poolside bar, fitness center, tranquility room, and steam room.

To book your appointment, call 561-510-2842. Gift cards may be purchased at The Seagate Spa, or online by visiting TheSeagateHotel.com/giftcards. Open daily 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. At The Seagate Hotel & Spa, 1000 E. Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards “Top 75 Hotel Spas in the U.S.” State of Florida, Department of Health, Massage Establishment. License # MM 23691 *Offer available for a limited time while supplies last. Valid only on gift card purchases made in person at The Seagate Spa.

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December 2018

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bocamag.com

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DIRECTORY

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.

Trés chic gifts

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, call 561/997-8683 ext. 300, or email sales@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 christiana@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 John Thomason (john.thomason@ bocamag.com). Deadline for entries in an upcoming A&E section is three months before publication.

coton frais

Dining guide

™

French inspired blanc resort wear, accessories, home and gifts Boca: Boca Center • 5150 Town Center Circle • 561-620-5888 Jupiter: Fresh Market Village • 287 East Indiantown Road 561-406-5522 bocamag.com

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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).

People

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.

December 2018

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SUBSCRIBERS

First issue

Boca Raton magazine is published eight times a year, with in-season single issues and off-season combined issues. If you have any questions or comments regarding our magazine, call us at 561/997-8683. We’d love to hear from you.

Missing or late issues

Once in a while, production, transportation or the postal service may delay delivery. If you don’t get an issue, or if your magazine is repeatedly late, please call and report your problem to our subscription department at 877/553-5363 or send an email to subscriptions@bocamag.com.

Questions about your invoice

If you have already paid your bill and then receive a new bill, here’s what you should do: 1. If you have paid your bill within the past four weeks, ignore the new invoice. (The computer simply has not given your account credit quickly enough.) 2. It’s most likely that your payment and our notice just crossed in the mail. Check the date on the notice to see when we mailed it. 3. If you get another bill or renewal notice, call our subscription department at 877/553-5363, or send an email to subscriptions@bocamag.com, and we will straighten out the problem.

Change of address

PERMANENT: If you are changing your address, send us your complete old address, complete new address, including ZIP code, and the effective date of the change. You can also leave us a message with your old and new address by calling 877/553-5363. TEMPORARY OR SEASONAL: Please send us your complete permanent address, your complete temporary address and the dates that you want your issues forwarded.

Back issues

If you are interested in purchasing any back issues, please call 877/553-5363, ext. 233, indicating the issue date you would like. The cost of each issue including shipping and handling is $9.95.

Gift subscriptions

You’ll find a subscription to Boca Raton magazine makes a thoughtful and useful gift that lasts throughout the year. If you’d like more information about giving a gift subscription, please call our subscription department at 877/553-5363.

WILD AND WONDERFUL WOMENSWEAR

Online subscriptions

Receive additional savings by subscribing online. Visit bocamag.com for more information.

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

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December 2018

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[ For any of the above services, please contact our subscriptions services department. ] CALL TOLL FREE: 877/553-5363 EMAIL: subscriptions@bocamag.com WRITE: Boca Raton magazine Subscription Department 1000 Clint Moore Road, #103 Boca Raton, FL 33487

11/1/18 1:26 PM

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FROM THE EDITOR

Food, Fun & Holiday Magic Cataloguing culinary treasures brings memories alive Written by MARIE SPEED

n this issue we enlisted food critics and longtime gourmands from Miami to Palm Beach to rhapsodize about what they considered the best in South Florida’s culinary landscape. We tried to go beyond Key Lime pie and Honeybells and stone crabs into a world of great dishes, restaurants, chefs and more. So many of these people and places are intertwined with memories, which is, I think, what food is ultimately all about. And there’s a reason this story is in the holiday issue—the holidays are all about special dinners and customary dishes and baking and tradition. In fact, my notion of how life should be this time of year is frozen like a fly in amber from my way-too-distant childhood. Many of those memories are invariably around food—the ribbon candy that stuck to the insides of our Christmas stockings (a tangerine was always lodged in the toe), my Aunt Ann’s cheese straws, the elaborate Christmas table my mother always produced, with linens and a centerpiece usually involving velveteen reindeer and candelabra, the turkey with rice and gravy, winter salad, her holiday parties with an aged Ozark country ham and homemade biscuits. Ours was always a family that celebrated food; my mother led the charge on a fondue phase, a curry phase, a California wine cooking phase among many more. Which is why I think I learned to revel in new foods and international foods and ethnic dishes and indigenous foods—all of which describe what it means to live in South Florida. I do not think I could ever live again in a place that did not have a walk-up Cuban coffee window within a 10-mile radius. I never want to live in a place without a wildly expensive night at home eating stone crabs with mustard sauce. I am ruined when it comes to pizza after living here. And medianoches and matzo ball soup and Venezuelan arepas and Proper ice cream and hog snapper and Canaveral shrimp. We live in a place where worlds collide in the best way, making memories with flavor, a legend from a simple dinner. What better time to celebrate that than now, in this holiday season. All of us here at Boca magazine wish you all that wonder and more— and a happy new year.

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December 2018

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Call 561-394-7888 or visit us at cliverosenbuschdds.com to learn more about Fotona Smoothlase Facial Rejuvenation and Smile Makeover. 2499 Glades Rd, Ste 307, Boca Raton, FL 33431

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Wane Rider “One-Of-A-Kind” Limited Edition Jacket (Men’s)

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Delray Beach (561) 330-8501 West Palm Beach (561) 622-7940 Ft. Lauderdale (954) 484-3606

North Miami (305) 622-6440 Miami (305) 254-3309 Toll Free (800) 818-0946

11/1/18 9:26 AM

THE LOCAL

Annual Christmas pageant at the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale

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THE LOCAL

BOCA CHATTER

DON’T-MISS EVENTS

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.’’

—EBENEZER SCROOGE ••••

“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.”

—ANDY ROONEY

• HOLIDAY EVENTS: The 48th-annual Holiday Street Parade on Wednesday, Dec. 5, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., begins at Federal Highway and Southeast Fifth Street, traveling north to the Mizner Park Amphitheater. The popular Holiday Boat Parade down the Intracoastal Waterway on December 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. starts at the C-15 canal. Call 561/367-7073 for information on either event. • The Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival always attracts an impressive roster of rock-star chefs at imaginative events in and around Palm Beach. This year, the festival is from Dec. 13 to 16. Locations and ticket prices vary, and prime events are sold out quickly. Visit pbfoodwinefest.com • The Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 18 at FAU is always a fun football event. Ticket prices and teams were not available at press time, but visit cheribundibocaratonbowl.com for all the details. And whether you go or not, how about its new cookbook??!! That is correct: The 2018 Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl has served up the perfect “go-to”online cookbook of 25 fan-tastic tailgate-inspired recipes originated by some of our top chefs

The Boat Parade

and mixologists. You can download the whole thing at the bowl’s official website. • Breakfast with Emmett: Start off your day with one of our favorite Gators—NFL’s all-time leading rusher, three-time Super Bowl Champion, NFL Hall of Famer, Season 3 “Dancing with the Stars” winner and former Dallas Cowboy, Emmitt Smith. Smith will keynote the YMCA of the Palm Beaches’ 10th-annual Prayer Breakfast at 7:45 a.m. Dec. 11 at The Breakers. For reservations, call 561/968-9622 ext. 237.

Locals sound off on issues affecting our community.

What is your favorite annual holiday season tradition? “My favorite thing to do on Christmas morning is I wake up before everybody else, and I get the Christmas breakfast ready and put out all our favorite Christmas cookies and treats. I turn on the Christmas music and all the Christmas lights, then everyone wakes up and we start a wonderful morning of opening gifts and feeling so blessed that we are all together.”

“I organized an annual Christmas caroling party in my neighborhood. It started with a few families singing to my neighbors and has now turned into a huge event with 50 adults and children on a decorated trailer riding down Atlantic Avenue singing Christmas carols.”

“I love the hype of the season and buildup to the special day. And the culmination of family, food and gifts is just the best! Then I get sad when it’s all over.” —TROY MCLELLAN, CCE, FCCP, PRESIDENT AND CEO, BOCA CHAMBER

—SUZANNE BOYD, MORNING ANCHOR, WPEC-CBS 12

—NANCY DOCKERTY, DIRECTOR AND DANCING QUEEN, DOCKERTY ROMER & CO

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December 2018

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27 Style Watch Winter is coming. Well, sort of. Although winter never really comes to South Florida, we still find fashionable ways to embrace the season. These are looks right off the fall/winter 2018 runways during New York Fashion Week, and they serve as inspiration when you start shopping for that winter wardrobe.

5 WAYS TO INDULGE IN THE

—Lindsey Swing, LLScene Rutu Bhonsle

HOLIDAYS

House of Byfield

Don’t be shy (even when you’re at the office) to elevate business casual with light layering, highlow dimensions and sleek silk. These styles will have you making a statement in the workplace this season, and transition nicely for holiday mixers and happy hours.

ARUN NEVADER/GETTY IMAGES FOR ART HEARTS FASHION

Day to Night

Off Balance Asymmetrical designs are bold and flattering. Be on the lookout for shapes, stripes and polka dots emerging this winter. Maria Elena Couture

Charles and Ron

JP YIM/GETTY IMAGES FOR ART HEARTS FASHION

ARUN NEVADER/GETTY IMAGES FOR ART HEARTS FASHION

Rutu Bhonsle

Cold is the new hot when it comes to wintry colors. Shades of silver, sheer cutouts and tulle fabric choices will have you ready to take on this style.

Hot as Fire Fierce shades of red, burnt orange and yellow will transition from the fall into winter, especially as the holidays approach.

ARUN NEVADER/GETTY IMAGES FOR ART HEARTS FASHION

Cold as Ice

The Fringe Element It’s all about fringe this year, at least the luxury variation. Forget that music-festival look, and think more Gatsbyesque with fringe refined by texture, beads and a bit of shimmer. We love this look for New Year’s Eve.

1 Watching the requisite holiday movies is central to getting all mushy and starry-eyed over Christmas. Some of our must-sees: “A Charlie Brown Christmas,“ A Christmas Carol” (with Alastair Sims), ”It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Love Actually,” “Elf,” “The Holiday,” “White Christmas,” “The Family Stone,” “The Polar Express.” You can fill in the rest. 2 Having the Best Christmas Shopping Experience lunch at Town Center’s Neiman’s Mariposa Café with your best friend and Champagne, followed by shopping for yourself only. And buying that extra ornament or two at Pottery Barn and/ or Crate & Barrel, with a little Williams-Sonoma peppermint bark thrown in. 3 Watching the boat parade from a beach chair next to the Intracoastal sea wall. 4 Booking a seat or two at the Seraphic Fire Christmas concert Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Boca. (You will get chill bumps.) 5 Adopting a family for Christmas (call Caridad Center), and buying everything on their lists.

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THE LOCAL

HOT LIST

Brian Wilson “Legally Blonde: The Musical” WHEN: Dec. 13-30 WHERE: Broward Center, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale COST: $47-$60 CONTACT: 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org Come for the live bejeweled Chihuahua scampering across the stage; stay for the upbeat tunes, delightful choreography and feel-good message of women’s empowerment in a man’s world. Critics praised the 2007 Broadway premiere of “Legally Blonde” in spite of themselves, conceding the copious charms buried under reams of silliness and implausibility. It’s taken the show 11 years to make it to South Florida regional theatre, courtesy of the Broward Center’s resident troupe, Slow Burn.

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••••

WHEN: Dec. 12 WHERE: Hard Rock Event Center, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood COST: $45-$105 CONTACT: 800/745-3000, myhrl.com

Most Christmas music, having been pumped into the ambient soundscapes of life since roughly the first of November, has usually outstayed its welcome by the time of the holiday itself. That’s never been the case with the Beach Boys’ classic Christmas Album, though. On the contrary, I find excuses to drop the needle on it throughout the year, because the four-part harmonies are so rich, the music so lushly layered, the bells so jingly. Released in 1964, it contains its share of standards, but it’s the whimsical originals—like“Little Saint Nick”and“The Man With All the Toys”—that bring the most joy to the world. For the first time, the Beach Boys’ bandleader Brian Wilson will perform the album in its entirety, along with selections from What I Really Want for Christmas, his solo album of 2005.

Iris DeMent WHEN: Dec. 7 WHERE: Miniaci Performing Arts Center,

3100 Ray Ferraro Jr. Blvd., Davie COST: $39.50 CONTACT: 954/462-0222, nova.edu/miniaci Born into a Pentecostal household in Arkansas, Iris DeMent grew up with gospel music. Worship songs still inform her impressive archive, along with Appalachian country ballads and protest rockers, their author treating genre like putty. DeMent has released just five albums since her 1992 debut. Her early hit“Our Town”played in the final episode of “Northern Exposure,”and“Let the Mystery Be,”was the opener for HBO’s“The Leftovers.”Robert Christgau, dean of American rock critics, says: “Her writing defines the directness sophisticates prize in traditional folk songs; she has something she wants to say, and so she proceeds from Point A to Point B in the straightest line she can draw without a ruler.”

“The Art of Seating” WHEN: Dec. 8-Jan. 20 WHERE: Society of the Four Arts, 2 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach COST: $5 CONTACT: 561/655-7226, fourarts.org

“Synergistic Synthesis XVII” by Kenneth Smythe

Chairs—they’re not just for sitting anymore. An exhibition that truly has legs (sorry), this touring showcase originated by Jacksonville’s Museum of Contemporary Art offers 43 examples of artists’ wildly differing visions of seats combining style and functionality. Examples range from a spartan Shaker ladderback rocking chair circa 1840 to the modernist Vivian Beer designs of the 2000s such as“Current,”with its undulating waves. There are chairs by familiar names like Charles Eames and Frank Gehry, and fantastical contraptions like Kenneth Smythe’s“Synergistic Synthesis XVII,”which, if given a pair of eyes, could become a Pixar character. The most illustrious seat may be the Chamber Arm Chair, designed by an architect of the Capitol Building, which welcomed a number of presidential derrieres.

December 2018

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THE LOCAL

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT

Delivering Hope AVDA’s programming aims to prevent domestic abuse relationships Written by EMILY CHAIET

Every day there’s something new. We’re always dealing with unexpected situations, but to see how happy the survivors are is just very rewarding.” — Pam O’Brien

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ne in four women has experienced domestic violence in her lifetime. As a mother of three girls, this fact sends chills down Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA) President and CEO Pam O’Brien’s spine. “I cannot say that statistic without being affected by it personally,”O’Brien says, as she wipes the goosebumps off her arms.“If we haven’t been through it ourselves, we know someone who’s been through it.” O’Brien’s Delray Beachbased organization wants to change this statistic by changing the way people think about abuse and relationships. AVDA’s mission is to provide violence-free relationships and social change by offering alternative choices to end violence and domestic abuse. The organization supports both female and male victims. Since its creation in 1985, AVDA’s mission has expanded. While still helping domestic abuse victims, AVDA also focuses on preventive measures by educating the community about gender equity and mutual respect. Its programming has a strong presence in high schools throughout Palm Beach County. AVDA also educates doctors and human service workers about warning signs. Additionally, its representatives talk to busi-

nesses and employers, because perpetrators may seek out their victims at work. “One question we always get is, ‘why didn’t she just leave?’ We prefer to rephrase that: ‘Why on Earth did he harm her?’That’s the point,” O’Brien says.“It’s not our place to judge why she didn’t go. We’re here to help, and let’s hold the perpetrator accountable for his actions and shift that mindset.” Abuse can range from physical to emotional to financial. AVDA provides shelter, counseling and legal support to all victims who call its 24-hour hotline or visit its center asking for help. Its annual Heart of a Woman event in February helps raise money for these services. On. Feb. 28, #MeToo founder and social justice activist Tarana Burke will be the keynote speaker at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club. “In her community, she found that it was empowering to speak up and say ‘Yes, I was raped. It was horrible. I’m dealing with it,’” O’Brien says.“By starting a #MeToo in her community, it made other women in her community feel like they could speak up and feel like they were not alone.” AVDA, too, wants women to know they are not alone

in their struggle. While there is no proof, O’Brien says she believes the #MeToo movement has caused more people to support AVDA and recognize abuse. She says more people have come to the shelter and outreach center. In the future, AVDA hopes to create a community life enrichment center, where it can carry out its mission of prevention through education.“I’m committed to the mission— and certainly, having been a mom raising my three daughters pretty successfully and pretty much on my own, I have a lot of compassion for these people,” she says.“Every day there’s something new. We’re always dealing with unexpected situations, but to see how happy the survivors are is just very rewarding.”

Pam O’Brien

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THE LOCAL

STEWARD

Orchestrating the Future Dr. Jon Robertson’s Lynn Conservatory continues to inspire Written by JOHN THOMASON

“You just don’t teach music. You teach human and efficacious values to your students. That’s part of what college is all about. It’s not just learning your craft. You’re a human being. There’s a higher standard that you should be held to.” —Dr. Jon Robertson

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••••

t was in Costa Rica in 2012, during one of his periodic master classes abroad, that Lynn Conservatory horn professor Gregory Miller discovered the kind of raw, virtuosic ability that sets recruiters’ hearts aflutter. “This kid comes up, and wants to play for [professor Miller],” recalls Dr. Jon Robertson, the conservatory’s dean. “He’s playing on a borrowed horn that should have been dumped many years ago. But [Miller] saw, and heard, that the kid had talent. So we made arrangements, and we accepted him on full scholarship.” Five years later, that prodigy, Hugo A. Valverde, became second horn for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Robertson likens acceptance into the Met to “a piece of Skylab falling on your head. Those are the odds, to even get to audition—much less to win it.” Stories like these are a testament, Robertson says, to the character and intuition of Lynn’s music faculty.“It’s no magic of administration,” he says. “I get credit sometimes for all the wonderful things that have happened here, and I don’t

mind. But the real truth is, young people come to study with these people. We’re not in a major city, we don’t have 100-some years of reputation like a Juilliard or Eastman or Curtis. So I think I recognized when I came here that if we were going to be world-class, we had to attract world-class faculty. That was the secret.” Robertson joined

example, with the orchestra, occasionally when I conduct the group, we’ll do something of a more pops nature or a jazz nature. [Because] if you can’t come out of here and play this jazz rhythm, you’re not a musician, for crying out loud!” Robertson’s passion for fostering the next generation of multifaceted musicians remains

There’s a big hole in my life, but that’s life. I’ve got to deal with it. I’m trying.” He seemed grateful to return to a gratifying job that continues to reward his university, his community and the listening public. On Dec. 9, at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, the conservatory will return for one of the city’s most beloved seasonal events, the

“You can’t teach ‘get it’.” —Dr. Jon Robertson

Lynn as dean in 2005, the capstone to a career in classical music that began with his first concert piano performance at age 9. In his more than 13 years at Lynn, he’s watched as his conservatory’s graduates have ascended to powerful perches in world-class symphonies from Chicago to Hanoi. Most recently, a violin graduate went on tour with baroque rock band Vampire Weekend, a crossover success story that Robertson can appreciate. “Music is music,”he says.“I’ve never been a purist. My only concern is the quality. That is something we foster here. For

undimmed, and infectious, despite a mournful turn in his personal life. He sat down for this interview less than two weeks after the funeral service for Florence Bellande-Robertson, his wife of 51 years. “My daughter said to me, ‘my ma invested so heavily in you. You can’t let her down. You’ve got to keep going,’” Robertson recalls.“Every day, she was an inspiration to me—brilliant, kind. I’ve had students write me that after a concert she came and encouraged them, and it was life-changing.” As for coping with the loss, Robertson says, “I didn’t get that memo.

Gingerbread Holiday Concert, a festive afternoon of yuletide cheer, Santa visitations, and perhaps a cameo from Lynn’s musically inclined president, Kevin Ross. The concert raises $100,000 to provide room-and-board scholarships for conservatory students. “Hearing the orchestra, which plays all of the classical literature at a high level, play ‘Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer’ equally as well, goes back to my point that ‘Rudolph’ may not be the greatest composition written,” Robertson says.“However, you can play it magnificently.”

December 2018

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Jon Robertson

December 2017

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••••

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10/31/18 4:34 PM

THE LOCAL

H O L I DAYS

Winter Wonderland

A beloved Christmas pageant celebrates 35 years of Broadway-level theatrics Written by JAN ENGOREN

ith all the verve and vitality of a Broadway musical, the 35th-annual Emmy-award winning Christmas pageant at the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale returns Nov. 30-Dec. 16, for a total of 14 performances spanning three weekends. With the theme“Wonder of It All,” the show features a cast of 300 performers singing and dancing to traditional Christmas favorites. Complete with a Rockettes kick line, Santa on a horsedrawn sleigh, and the whole stage transformed into a living snow globe, the 2,500-seat auditorium becomes a winter wonderland. Unfolding in two acts, the first features fan-favorite Christmas carols such as“White Christmas” and“We Wish You a Merry Christmas,”while the second act retells the story of Jesus Christ and the first Christmas in Bethlehem, complete with live animals. “We have a lot of return visitors

and new people each year,” says Deanna Wielhouwer, Boca Raton resident and member of the church, along with her husband Daniel Wielhouwer.“It’s a wonderful way to start the holidays. It’s very uplifting.” Wielhouwer says the pageant has sold more than a million tickets over the past 23 years. Along with flying angels, ice-skaters, a live choir and orchestra, the show advocates messages of peace and goodwill. David Gross, church member and creative arts director, produces the show. Gross comes with musical theatre bona fides, including credits in“Phantom of the Opera,”“Les Miz,”and the lead in“Dirty Dancing” in London’s West End. His wife, Kelly Gross, also a musical theatre performer (“Mamma Mia!”and “Sweet Charity”) choreographs the adults, while member Alexandra Grant choreographs the children. “It’s a work of God to pull this show off,”says Gross, noting that

the writing for the following year’s show begins in January. By August, the music has been selected, auditions have been held and rehearsals are underway. “The show is a service to God,” Gross says, adding,“We blow away any preconceived ideas of a church pageant.” Gross estimates it takes 600 volunteers to mount the show.“It’s a real miracle that so many amateurs donate their time to make this an Emmy Award-winning, one-of-akind experience,” he says. Each year the church donates the first night’s tickets to a local 501(c)(3) charity. This year tickets benefit Tri-County Animal Rescue, the no-kill shelter in Boca Raton. The show is filmed by the local PBS station and broadcast nationally and to the American Armed Services overseas. The First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale is at 301 E. Broward Blvd. For information, call 954/8311123.

This legendary pageant from Daniel and Deanna Wielhouwer, pictured at top, offers something for everyone, from song and dance to the baby Jesus

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December 2018

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Find a little holiday magic close to home at Boca Center. Enjoy the heart of the holidays in the heart of Boca. SHOP Allen Edmonds Boutique A La Mode Chico’s Coton Frais En Vogue Grove Opticians Guy La Ferrera

DINE Hoﬀman’s Chocolates Joseph’s Classic Market Jos. A. Bank Scout & Molly’s Silver’s Fine Jewelry Total Wine & More Vertu Fine Art

Brio Tuscan Grille Café 5150 Giano Gelato McDonald’s Morton’s Panera Bread

Starbucks Sushi Ray Tap 42

Rocco’s Tacos

5 1 5 0 T OW N CE N T E R CI RCL E MILITARY TRAIL • JUST NORTH OF PALMETTO PARK

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THE LOCAL

EXPERT

Toy Story

A West Palm Beach man realizes his dream of collecting his every childhood treasure—and then some Written by JOHN THOMASON

Everybody says, ‘You’ve probably seen everything.’ No—every toy-buying event I do, there’s still toys I’ve never seen before.”

very day feels like Christmas morning at Joel Magee’s home office in West Palm Beach. Dozens, if not hundreds, of mint-in-box toys are stacked tidily on shelves, forming a sacred shrine of vintage pop-culture ephemera: A “Brady Bunch” board game, a “Man From U.N.C.L.E.” rifle set, a “Bonanza” thermos, a “Get Smart” pen radio with working AM receiver. Magee, a 58-yearold entrepreneur who made his fortune in the restaurant and real estate businesses, is today one of the nation’s foremost experts in collectible toys. He’s a resident toy appraiser on“Pawn

tary in Sioux City, in the lunchroom. ... I bought it for $30. “This one is near-mint, from a toy dealer,”he adds.“I paid $1,100 for it, based on the condition.” Magee made it his quest to find every toy he appreciated as a kid, and his passion mushroomed into a full-blown business. He shares insights about his playful area of expertise with Boca.  These were the days when you put more money into the box than you did the toy. This Batman play set is a $15,000 toy, but it’s because of the box. If you took all the toys out, it would be a little pile of plastic.

 How in the world do you have a toy that was never played with, from 40 or 50 years ago? The No. 1 reason is because parents bought them ahead of time, and hid them from the kids. And they forgot about them. Thirty years later, there it is sitting in the closet.  Today’s toys are a sticky wicket. Anything that has the word “collectible” or“limited edition” attached to it is usually the kiss of death, because that means everybody bought it. But there are exceptions to that: The first editions of Harry Potter [figures] instantly sold out. Whoever got the first ones made the most money.

AARON BRISTOL

—Joel Magee

Stars,” and he travels the country attending toy conventions. As of this writing, he’s pitching a series to Netflix and cable networks in which he’ll reunite celebrities with long-lost toys. Magee deals on eBay, but the cherished items in his own collection aren’t leaving his office anytime soon. “This is the lunchbox that started my whole career,” he says, gesturing to a metal “G.I. Joe” lunchbox.“I had this lunchbox and thermos as a child. Years go by, and I was at a flea market in Sioux City. All of a sudden, across the room, I saw this lunchbox. I was instantly transported to Crescent Park Elemen-

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10/31/18 4:45 PM

SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY GARAVELLI IN STORE TRUNK SHOW ON DECEMBER 7,8 & 9TH

Jewelers * Designers * Gemologists Mizner Park 421 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432 * 561-210-5222 * www.cristinojewelers.com

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11/2/18 5:58 PM

THE LOCAL

DREAMER

Seaworthy Style A young fashion entrepreneur helps pay for college by serving her country Written by CHRISTIANA LILLY

The way I looked at fashion is kind of like walking art. I think it’s a way for people to express themselves every day.” — Ashley Deptula

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wo years ago, Ashley Deptula traded in her combat boots for the fashion world. After serving in the U.S. Navy for four years, she’s now a fashion student in Miami, helped launched PalmBeachBoutique. com, and spends her days in classes and working behind-thescenes at runway shows. “The way I look at fashion is kind of like walking art,” Deptula says.“I think it’s a way for people to express themselves every day.” Reared in West Hartford, Connecticut, she was groomed from an early age to go into the medical field. She attended school at Central Connecticut State University, one town over, then interned at hospitals and clinics to find her niche. But, she says,“it just … wasn’t the right fit.” What was the right fit was fashion.“In the back of my head, I kept wanting to go into the fashion world,”she says. Deptula’s family figured it was just a passing phase, but Deptula’s passion for the whirlwind fashion scene only deepened. She made a plan on how she would pay for school, and in December 2012, she went to the Navy recruiting office in Norfolk, Virginia, and became a sailor. She knew that after four years of service she would be eligible for the GI Bill and could pay for more schooling. Plus, she wanted to follow in her two grandfathers’ footsteps, both Navy World War II veterans. “When I told [my family] I was joining the Navy, they were all taken aback,”Deptula recalls.“My mother went down to the recruiting office and yelled at them.” During her four years of service, she traveled to Bahrain,

Dubai; Marseilles, France; and Palma, Spain—all cities with wildly different fashions that dazzled her. Her fellow-sailors thought her dream was frivolous, but she was undeterred. She even turned down an opportunity to be a submariner, a role only offered to the most committed sailors. After her deployment, her hours were less demanding stateside, so she took a second job at the now-shuttered Cache and then Michael Kors to beef up her résumé before enrolling in fashion school.“I enjoyed going to work every day,”she says.“I loved making women feel beautiful.” In December 2016, she was honorably discharged from the Navy and became an inactive reservist for four years. After visiting her family in Boca Raton, she loved the city and decided to stay. She then applied for and was accepted at the Miami International University of Art & Design, where she studies fashion merchandising.“I was so excited,”she recalls, “My mom said she could see me smiling through the phone.” Deptula helped launch PalmBeachBoutique.com, an online women’s fashion boutique; after graduation, she wants to open a store of her own. In the meantime, the 30-year-old designer continues working behind the scenes, including at a Louis Vuitton show at the Aventura Mall and with a fellow MIU alumni, Julian Chang, who has his own Miami boutique. “I’m just enjoying every moment. I love what I’m learning,” she says.“It brings me one step closer to providing another great boutique around here with highend fashion.”

December 2018

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10/31/18 11:31 AM

THE LOCAL

GIFTS

From High-Tech to Hatchimals

Fluffy creatures, rowdy reptiles and virtual reality are the rage this Christmas Written by EMILY CHAIET & DAVID SHUFF

hen you think of the holidays, you think of grandiose meals with family, drinking hot chocolate with friends, and scouring the crowded mall to get your kids the hottest toy of the season. But finding the perfect present for little ones can lead to unnecessary stress. Take a deep breath, because we’re giving you the inside scoop on the top kids’ gifts this holiday season.

1. WATCH WHERE YOU STEP $19.99

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The concept of Don’t Step On It!, Hasbro’s newest family-friendly game, is simple: Avoid the number twos to be number one. You read that right—the hottest game of the season involves dog poop, and lots of it (not real poop, of course). Put on a blindfold, spin the spinner, and take that many steps across the game mat without landing on Fido’s dinner. Your kids will love the silliness of the game, and you’ll appreciate an excuse to get the family together. For ages 4 and up.

2. PINKY FUN $19.99

Fingerlings are THE toy that your kid will be asking for, and they won’t stop till all 10 of their fingers are covered with these cute little critters. There are a variety of different animals that come in different sizes and colors, ranging from a sparkly blue dragon to a shimmery pink unicorn to wild dinosaur raptors. The toys are interactive and respond to being touched. They’re programmed with more than 40 different

sounds and animations, including singing, blinking and even burping. Order these ASAP; they’ve been known to fly off the shelves. Ages 5 and up.

3. POKE THE BEAST $19.99

Think of your inner feelings when your kids don’t do their chores or your toddler won’t stop crying. Now imagine that frustration embodied into one of the most popular plush toys of the season. Introducing Grumblies: fluffy little monsters that go into “meltdown mode” when they are poked or hassled. The goal is to make them as angry as possible, but a loving touch will calm them down. The Grumblies include characters such as Hydro, who loves water, and Scorch, who is hotheaded and full of lava. The cuddle-free plush toys make over 40 different reactions and custom sounds. Now your kids will know the struggle of ending a tantrum. Ages 3 and up.

4. A PET YOU DON’T NEED TO FEED $14.99 The makers of Grum-

blies have also created an interactive toy that wants to cuddle. Pomsies are pom-pom pets that react when they are touched. Their eyes change color to show what they’re feeling. They also sing as you dance with them. The best part: They are wearable. There are eight different Pomsies, and your kid will want to collect them all. Ages 3 and up.

5. BREAK AN EGG $49.99

Hatchimals are back and better than ever! With Hatchimals Mystery, you don’t know what animal will hatch from the colorfully spotted egg. No matter what animal your kid gets, it is guaranteed to be even fluffier than any original Hatchimal. A cool (but also creepy) new feature is that these Hatchimals can learn to say your name. Once they learn your name, they will use it in everyday chat. Ages 5 to 8.

6. DINO MIGHT $99.99

After the success of the latest “Jurassic World” movie, it’s no surprise that the Imaginext Jurassic

10/29/18 6:07 PM

World Jurassic Rex would be a must-have. Kids can control the actions of this T. Rex as it munches on racecars and speeds across the room. This rowdy reptile has color-changing eyes and a mouth that glows red when it’s angry. Ages 3 to 8.

7. HUNGER GAMES $19.79

Chow Crown is for all of the foodies out there. All we know is that silly sells, and this game is utterly ridiculous. Players wear a crown on their head with special clips where they can attach their favorite foods to the rotating wheel. The goal is to eat as many snacks as possible before the music stops. It’s certainly a fun way to give your kids their afternoon snack! Ages 8 and up.

8. DRONE ON $399 ($59 additional with insurance program)

So your kid wants a drone for the holidays, but how can you be sure of its quality? If it crashes on the first day, is all that money down the tubes? Not if you buy a quality drone from a professional (or non-toy) manufacturer. DJI, one of the best consumer drone companies, has recently released its Line Friends variant of the Spark RC drone. Line is a popular chat app in Japan that most

LOCAL Toys DEC18.indd 41

in the U.S. won’t be familiar with, but hey, it’s got a cute bear on it! The real benefit here is that for a fee, DJI provides insurance for its drones that covers water damage, collisions and other unfortunate adventures, so that catastrophic crash doesn’t mean the end of your kid’s drone pilot career.

9. BUNDLE UP $399

Virtual reality is the most anticipated future technology on the video game market, and experiencing quality VR gaming is now cheaper than ever. Sony has put everything you need (besides a PlayStation console) in one bundled package—goggles, controllers, camera, etc.— for a discounted price. The PlayStation VR Bundle includes a copy of the VR version of the legendary award-winning fantasy game Skyrim.

10. AS TIME GOES BY $399 ($499 for cellular

functionality.) The star of Apple’s most recent product reveal is the Apple Watch Series 4. The watch has been redesigned with a 30-percent larger face, a less bulky case, a heartbeat sensor that can connect to health and athletic apps, and a walkie-talkie function for faster communication.

10/31/18 4:54 PM

THE LOCAL

DRESS CODE

n i p p e St u

ta Ge

ko kic

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a ep es

KURT GEIGER pumps, $175, Lord & Taylor Imagine by VINCE CAMUTO, $88, Lord & Taylor CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, Mira Bella, $895, Neiman Marcus JIMMY CHOO lancer, $850, Neiman Marcus

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December 2018

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Boca Raton

CEMETERY & MAUSOLEUM Dignity That Lasts Forever

Construction Continues Construction continues on the 4 new mausoleum buildings, with a completion date of April 2019.

The Grace, Heritage, Dignity and Repose buildings will be a wonderful addition to the existing 26 buildings the Mausoleum offers as a final resting place for the community. Pre-Construction Pricing Now Available This is your chance to own at exceptional pre-construction prices, with 0% financing available.

Call today to schedule a tour I look forward to the opportunity to serve you.

Fritz Miner – Manager

561-391-5717 • bocaratonmausoleum.com 451 SW 4th Avenue • Boca Raton

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THE LOCAL

DRESS CODE

CHANEL No. 5 Red bottle, $160, Lord & Taylor LANCOME La Vie Est Belle x Lady Pink Eau de Parfum, $94, Lord & Taylor PERFUME DE MARLEY, $295, Rene Ruiz YVES SAINT LAURENT Y Eau de Toilette, $75, Lord & Taylor GALIMARD, $125, Coton Frais

Scent-illating

This season’s perfumes are fresh and fun holiday indulgences.

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December 2018

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TOGETHER, WE CREATE REAL IMPACT. The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County connects our Jewish community. Together, we take care of those in need. We advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to live a life with dignity and respect. We work together to build a dynamic Jewish future at home, in Israel and around the world. We inspire a passion for learning, responsibility and community. Together, we innovate, we ideate, and we celebrate.

Get involved at jewishboca.org or call 561-852-3100 for more information JewishFedofBoca_BRM1218.indd 1

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THE LOCAL

DRESS CODE

SONDRA ROBERTS two-tone clutch, $98, Lord & Taylor Mother of pearl clutch, $375, Rene Ruiz LEA BLACK clutch, $325, Rene Ruiz Clutch with tassle, $325, Rene Ruiz

Clutch Time

Shiny, shimmery beaded bags add that little sparkle to a holiday dress

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December 2018

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THE STORY OF FLORIDA THROUGH THE EYES OF ARTISTS

In Mizner Park 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432 BOCAMUSEUM.ORG

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These exhibitions have been made possible by the Museum’s Leadership Fund with major support generously provided by: the Estate of Ardele L. Garrod, Isadore & Kelly Friedman Foundation, Jody H. & Martin Grass, PNC Bank, Anne & Scott P. Schlesinger, Jennifer & Marc Bell, Dalia & Duane Stiller, Susan & Eric Kane and the Laurence W. Levine Foundation, Angela & John DesPrez III, El Ad National Properties, Lisette Model Foundation, Trish Savides, Schmidt Family Foundation, the Museum’s Friends Auxiliary, and those who wish to remain anonymous. IMAGE: Marion Post Wolcott, Winter Visitors from Nearby Trailer Park, Picnicking Beside Car on Beach, Near Sarasota, Florida [detail], 1941, Gelatin silver print. Acquired 2018. Museum purchase with funds provided by the Isadore and Kelly Friedman Collection Fund.

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THE LOCAL

DRESS CODE

Buttons ’n Bow Ties The well-dressed man attends to the details

GIORGIO ARMANI shoes, $895; ERMENEGILDO Black and blue bow tie, $155; JOHN HARDY cuff links, $450; Neiman Marcus Lapel pins, $45 each, bow ties, $75 each, Ike Behar Bracelet and ring, $100 each, Lord & Taylor

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December 2018

11/1/18 9:27 AM

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THE LOCAL

UNO pearl rings, $160 & $125, Lord & Taylor ROBERT LEE MORRIS abalone ring, $38, Lord & Taylor DEVON LEIGH green ring, $489, clear stone ring, $395, Neiman Marcus

DRESS CODE

Bubbles & Bling

Make a little statement with that big cocktail ring

DEVON LEIGH chrysocolla ring, $495, Neiman Marcus

DRESS CODE RETAILERS: NEIMAN MARCUS Town Center, 5860 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561/417-5151 LORD & TAYLOR 200 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, 561/394-5656 COTON FRAIS 5250 Town Center Circle, Suite 115, Boca Raton, 561/620-5888 RENE RUIZ 2200 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561/931-3065 IKE BEHAR BOCA RATON 2200 Glades Road, Suite 504, Boca Raton, 561/931-3066

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December 2018

10/30/18 9:12 AM

South Florida’s Premier AC Service Provider When Was The Last time an A/C Company Sent You Their Technician’s Name and Information Before He Arrived at Your House?

Serving Broward, Palm Beach, Martin & Southern St. Lucie Counties

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9/24/18 9:00 AM

THE LOCAL

PARTY TIME

THE MENU COCKTAIL HOUR: Yellowtail snapper tacos, red quinoa and lentil cakes, Southwest chicken spring rolls, short rib pies, grilled duck and lemongrass pot stickers, loin of tuna mash, grilled Key West shrimp, Belgian endive and smoked goat cheese, buffalo mozzarella with arugula and tomato. DINNER MENU: Norwegian salmon or Prime tenderloin, baby tricolor rosemary potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, baby stemmed carrots, roasted cauliflower grilled asparagus; dessert sampler of Key lime shooter, three-chocolate mousse shooter, orangesicle shooter, raspberry mousse chocolate cup, berry waffles with espresso Chantilly, s’mores spoons and assorted miniature ice cream cones filled with sorbet and ice cream

Judi and John Temple (left) threw a white party for their 10th wedding anniversary with event firm Famous Firsts, which transformed their home into an ethereal setting, complete with elegant florals, playful place settings and a band that serenaded guests.

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December 2018

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53 Party in White

One Boca couple goes all out to celebrate anniversary Number 10 Written by MARIE SPEED

udi and former Arvida executive John Temple decided to celebrate their 10th anniversary with a “white party” at their Boca Raton home. “The challenge was to create a comfortable party space for 160 guests,” says Richard Magid, who owns Famous Firsts, a well-known event planning company in Boca. “The cocktail party kicked off the evening of festivities under an all-white tent positioned over the entire front yard and large driveway. The guests entered the party tent from the valet and proceeded to have their souvenir photo taken in front of a wedding chapel vignette—complete with a ceremonial arched window background, floral columns, top hat for the man and wedding bouquet and three-inch diamond ring for

the woman to wear.” Magid describes the overall decor as“elegantly simple yet high tech,”from the 12-foot white canvas royal palm trees highlighted with cool white up-lighting to the white Lucite bar fronts. The Magids transformed what was originally a patio deck and pool into an enchanted white wonderland. Several clear tents were erected, and a custom deck was constructed over the pool to increase party space. All of the backyard surfaces were covered with plush white carpet. Magid says,“Every decor element was white...the linens, the serving trays, the china, the Lucite chairs, the stylized floral arrangements.” The space was lit softly by white glowing candles, LED perimeter up-lighting and pattern light-

ing projected onto the clear tent ceiling. Even the exposed outside walls of the home were draped with flowing white sheer material, giving the illusion that the entire all-white backyard was simply an elegant extension of the Temples’ home. The five-piece band, London Essentials, who flew in from England, serenaded individual tables with their own musical repertoire as well as requests. After dessert, the band led all of the guests back to the front yard cocktail tent that had been transformed with a white stage for the disco after-party. There were white supper club sofas, tulip-shaped cocktail tables, white ghost chairs and more.“A high-energy DJ kept the dancing and excitement going until around 2 a.m.,” Magid says.

Party planners extraordinaire Judy and Richard Magid

ABOUT FAMOUS FIRSTS For more than 50 years, Famous Firsts, Ltd., owned by Judy and Richard Magid, has been an award-winning full service special events production company specializing in unusual party decor. Locally, Famous Firsts created the grand openings for the International Museum of Cartoon Art, the Boca Raton Museum of Art and the Broward County Convention Center opening luncheon. It has also created charity galas and balls for Boca Raton Regional Hospital, the American Heart Association, Tri-County Humane Society, Lynn University and many, many more.

December 2018

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THE LOCAL

PARTY TIME

Clockwise from top: a London band entertains dinner guests; special paddles with caricatures of the host and hostess served as place cards; Judi Temple celebrates; from left, Margaret Shuff, Terry Baker Kennedy, Pam Skenian, Norma Morrison and Sharon Shubin; Judi and John with the band

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December 2018

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Holiday Offer Buy One, Give One for Only $24.95 Celebrate this holiday season with a Boca Magazine at a great price, and give one additional subscription as a gift! To receive this offer, visit bocamag.com/subscribe and type in: Holiday18 or call 877/553-5363, ext. 233. Includes membership for you and recipient • Get Both Print & Digital • Get Exclusive Giveaways • Get Exclusive Members’ Deals (discounts on shopping, fitness, dining, museums & items for kids)

Sales tax included. Outside of U.S., add $45 USD postage per year. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of first issue.

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THE LOCAL

WORTH THE TRIP

Put your feet in the sand during an al fresco dinner at U-Tiki

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December 2018

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57 Northern Exposure Enjoy fun, frivolity and fastballs at the tip of Palm Beach County Written by CHRISTIANA LILLY

JOSE MORE/VW PICS VIA ZUMA WIRE/PALM BEACH POST VIA ZUMA WIRE

upiter has a well-suited name—for many South Floridians, it may as well be in another galaxy. Yet every time we go, we wonder, why don’t we come more often? With almost 65,000 residents, the northernmost town in Palm Beach County isn’t close to being a tiny hamlet, but when driving up U.S. 1 with a view of the Loxahatchee River, it’s what I imagine Old Florida was like. You know, the kind of Florida where the ebb and flow of the tide keeps time, the beer is cold, the music is vibing, and the light breeze on your sun-kissed face is just right. For your staycation, the Jupiter Beach Resort offers a secluded getaway overlooking the ocean. The best part is swaying in a hammock nestled inside a tangle of sea grape trees on the water. At the resort’s Sandbar, guests can enjoy a drink or meal al fresco right on the edge of the beach. During baseball season (especially Spring Training!) the resort is conveniently 15 minutes from Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Home to the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals, the stadium received a $500,000 Sunset over 1000 North

facelift this year. But for the ultimate cold cocktail, there’s no question: Visitors must hit up the Square Grouper. In fact, the open-air tiki bar fit with towering palm trees captured island living so well that it was the scene for the “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” music video with Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett. Another local favorite is the Jumby Bay Island Grill, the quintessential Florida dive bar with pool tables, fishing nets, pineapples, mounted fish, and of course, beach cocktails. Visitors to Jupiter are also enamored by its natural beauty—many a photo session has been staged at Blowing Rocks Preserve, where sea water shoots through gaps in the limestone that lines the beach for a riveting water show. However, be sure to go during high tide, or you’re basically visiting any other beach in town (visit tidesandcurrents. noaa.gov to track the tides). Hands-down the most stunning view you will have in Jupiter is from the top of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse—from here, you can see where the Loxahatchee River meets

the Atlantic Ocean. During the lighthouse’s 1860s origins, keepers were responsible for guiding ships through treacherous reefs along the coast. On the property, visitors can explore the lighthouse keepers’ workshop and the Tindall Pioneer House, the oldest home in Jupiter that’s still standing. To wind down, head to U-Tiki, where outdoor tables let you literally have your feet in the sand while noshing on grouper cheeks, cracked conch and a cocktail. While we’re on the wrong side of the coast for pristine sunsets, watching the sky’s colors change from blue to pink to purple is just as magical over the Loxahatchee River. To end the evening, walk just west to 1000 North, a fine-dining restaurant owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan. The restaurant offers four different dining areas to enjoy its extensive drinks menu, including beers from area breweries Tequesta Brewing, Twisted Trunk, Inlet Brewing and more. After a day—or even a staycation—in Jupiter’s orbit, you’ll be sure to keep it in your itinerary for another trip soon.

From top: Jupiter Beach Resort, a view of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, and Maryland blue crab cakes at 1000 North

DID YOU KNOW?

Jupiter’s original name by the Spaniards was Jobe, named for the Indian village nearby (hello, Hobe Sound!). When the English came, the name was mistaken for the Roman god Jove, another name for the god Jupiter. His wife is Juno, giving rise to the neighboring town of Juno Beach.

December 2018

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••••

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FEEL GOOD

WELLNESS

Healing Holiday Stress

Otherwordly Latin American healing modalities tap nature’s power to cleanse and rejuvenate the spirit, mind and body Written by LISETTE HILTON

here’s nothing wrong with stress in small doses; it’s meant to sound the body’s alarm to react, defend and protect. But too much stress—that’s a different matter. The holidays tend to fuel chronic stress, leaving even healthy people feeling anxious or sick. The goal isn’t to remove the stress entirely. That’s impossible. What is possible is to use spiritual and earthly sources to purify the spirit, mind and body, paving the way for healing, according to Agustina Caminos, spa director of the Tierra Santa Healing House at the Faena Hotel in Miami Beach. Ancient Latin American cultures are among those that heal the spirit, mind and body with the earth’s plants, trees, sound, vibrations and scents. Caminos, who directed Faena’s spa in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before coming

to Miami Beach last year, says temazcal, a centuries-old healing ritual using medicinal herbs, heat and steam (and purifying mantras) is undergoing a modern-day revival. By splashing herb-infused water on red-hot stones in a small chamber in the earth, practitioners create a healing steam that helps to clear the lungs, diminishes inflammation, stimulates detoxification through sweat and more.

ENTER THE SHAMAN

The Tierra Santa Healing House is home to many ancient healing rituals, including those led by shamans.“Basically, shamans invoke the spirits of nature, ancestors and higher beings to help further healing,”Caminos says. Shamans at the Faena will burn sage and Palo Santo, a mystical tree in the frankincense and myrrh family, to harness the scents of

nature’s healing powers. Shamans also are intermediaries charged with helping people access spiritual ancestors for guidance and healing, according to Caminos.

PRANIC HEALING

Pranic Healing is an energy medicine created by a Philippine scientist, Master Choa Kok Sui, that restores the body’s energy centers, or chakras, to accelerate the healing process. Pranic Healing therapists use their hands and crystals to cleanse and energize the body’s energy, without actually touching the physical body. The“Pranic Healing, Palo Santo and Sound Bowls” treatment at the Faena Hotel is a purification ritual that starts with chakra cleansing and balancing. The healer then uses Palo Santo aroma to purify the body, followed by vibration and harmonics from sound bowls to quiet the mind and synchronize brainwave frequencies.

The Healing House

TIERRA SANTA HEALING HOUSE Third Floor, 3201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach 786/655-5570 faena.com/ miami-beach/ the-tierrasanta-spa

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••••

December 2018

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FEEL GOOD

H E A LT H Y E AT I N G

Desserts from Jodi’s Bites

All the Cookies, Less Guilt

CARBO HACKS

These are Lisa Dorfman’s favorite substitutes for making holiday sweets healthier: • 3/4 cup applesauce for 1 cup of oil. Reduce oven temperature by 25 degrees, and reduce cooking time by 5-10 minutes to prevent drying out/burning. • Aquafaba (garbanzo bean liquid) for eggs: 1 egg yolk = 1 tablespoon aquafaba; 1 egg white = 2 tablespoons aquafaba; 1 whole egg = 3 tablespoons aquafaba • 1 cup of beans for 1 cup of flour in baked goods like brownies • 10 ounces of pureed papaya for 2 tablespoons of sugar in a recipe • Half a cup of mashed banana for 1 cup of oil

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••••

Get your just desserts this holiday season—without loosening your belt Written by LISETTE HILTON

ookies, cakes and candies help to make the holidays sweeter. But sinful holiday treats also might pave the way for sugar highs, food comas, packed-on pounds and even emergency department visits. We asked experts who have cracked the code for making delicious but guilt-free treats to share their secrets.

BRING YOUR OWN

Chef nutritionist and culinary medicine specialist Lisa Dorfman (foodfitness.com) says it’s totally worth making healthy sweets for the holidays. Made right, they can be just as scrumptious, while reducing portion size, calories, sugar and fat. “Most of the holidays are busting at the seams with excess everything, so why not BYO to a family orcutline friendly celebration? Then you can have your

‘own’ cake and eat it too,” Dorfman says. And don’t poo-poo fruit! Dorfman recommends to mix and match fruit for exotic holiday treats. “I love fresh, pureed, grilled, dried, frozen, dehydrated, foamed, powdered and marinated fruit with your favorite liquor!”she says.“Go for vibrant colors like mamey, guava, papaya, jackfruit. Buy fresh and freeze or dehydrate, and [it’s] still delish when out of season.

LOCO FOR COCONUT

Boca Raton resident Jodi Dubrow, owner of the vegan gourmet dessert company Jodi’s Bites (jodisbites.com), says her search for an alternative to cane sugar took her to the sweet superfood known as coconut nectar. Coconut nectar adds a light caramel-like

sweetness to Dubrow’s desserts, and it’s low-glycemic, she says. Coconut appears in her chocolate chip cookie dough, almond and peanut butter cups, truffles and more.

OH, HONEY

Matthew Williams, creator and founder of Boca Raton-based FROPRO (gofropro.com), says the delicious sweet in his company’s handcrafted snack bars comes from good old honey. “Honey is a natural source of sugar. It comes from the earth. If you get raw honey, it’s incredibly good for you,”Williams says. A trendy honey is manuka, a honey type that’s native to New Zealand. Manuka is said to have nine times the germ-killing clout of regular honey, and it’s FDA-approved to use in wound dressings.

SWEET REVENGE ON SUGAR SWINGS

Dietary restrictions and health conditions, like diabetes, don’t have to put a damper on holiday sweets. But enjoying sweets does take a little navigating, says Susan Shapiro, a registered dietician and licensed nutritionist at Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s Diabetes and Nutrition Center. Shapiro recommends that people with sugar issues eat fewer carbohydrates during the main meal, leaving room for carbs at dessert. Another tip: cut half the sugar in recipes and replace it with a substitute, like Stevia, Splenda or Equal. Sugar substitutes have information on their boxes detailing how much of the product equals the portion of sugar being replaced. Finally, remember the holidays are about giving. Share desserts. That’s the spirit!

December 2018

10/31/18 12:33 PM

SHOP Let fashion industry stylist Peggy Pashayan, former VP at DKNY, create your wardrobe . . .

CLOSET 911 . . . and transform your closet into your personal boutique.

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10/29/18 2:55 PM

FEEL GOOD

FITNESS

Gym Scene Scoop Which fitness destination carries the most weight for your needs? Written by LISETTE HILTON

in 2015, offers not only a wide array of classes for all ages, but also a full gym with personal training and small group training.

WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME Michael Papamichael, co-owner of Michael’s Body Scenes in Boca Raton, says he describes his local landmark as a scene out of the sitcom “Cheers.”“We’re a neighborhood gym,” he says. Michael’s Body Scenes opened in Boca Raton in 1988 as an aerobics studio. Today, the 15,000-square-foot facility, which underwent a $250,000 renovation

GADGET GURUS Orangetheory Fitness, with studios in central, west and east Boca Raton, bases its workouts on a theory known as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. Exercisers wear an Orangetheory-provided heart-rate monitor, which helps them examine their output for Orangetheory’s ﬁvezone interval training sessions. The 60-minute workout, with multiple intervals, is intended to train exercisers at 84 percent or more of their maximum heart rates for at least 12 minutes. The session works the whole body and stimulates metabolism, resulting in excess post-exercise

ocal gyms offer something for everyone—from the middle-aged procrastinator who dreads a visit to the over-achiever who can’t get enough sweat on. Here we profile a handful of gym options that might appeal to people who want that special something in the gym they choose.

oxygen consumption, where the body’s higher need for oxygen continues after the workout. The fitness chain claims the after-burn results in a metabolic boost of 200 to 400 calories for 24 to 36 hours post-workout. FITNESS PARADISE Even the exercise-phobic can find what they like in the massive Boca Life Time facility.“We’re very family-friendly,”says sales manager Erick Montiel. Life Time features a steam room, sauna and jacuzzi, two pools and a weekly menu of about 108 classes, including yoga, kickboxing, cycling and Pilates.“We have a full-service restaurant. We have chiropractic, physical therapy, a full-service spa and salon,”Montiel says.“We have it all.” For more 2019 workout options, visit bocamag.com/december-2018

MICHAEL’S BODY SCENES 5994 S.W. 18th St., Boca Raton 561/750-7945 bodyscenes.com ORANGETHEORY FITNESS orangetheoryfitness .com LIFE TIME 1499 Yamato Road, Boca Raton 561/208-5900 lifetime.life

Life Time

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••••

December 2018

10/31/18 12:33 PM

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67 H

WIDE OPEN

ROBIN HILL

Clean linear design is trending in new homes now; architecture for this Boca Harbour house by Stephanie Halfen, SDH Studio, sdhstudio.com

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HOME

ACCESSORIES

The Holidays in the Tropics

The absence of snowfall never dashes our spirits here in South Florida. Cooler temperatures fill the air, and so does the spirit of the season. Here you’ll find design inspiration and information guaranteed to make your holidays merrier, brighter and more beautiful than ever. Written by ROBIN HODES

Average height of a Christmas tree

225

Ornaments needed to adorn the tree

75 ft Of tinsel, garland or ribbon to adequately wrap it

700 lights are the right amount to make it glow

BEHIND THE LINES

The use of clean lines is a key element in the contemporary home design so prevalent today. Lines bring a feeling of continuity and create a dynamic of movement, or a sense of calm, depending on how they’re used.“Lines play a fascinating role in architecture,”says architect Stephanie Halfen of SDH Studio.“We understand architecture as a sequence of experiences, and as we move through spaces, lines help to strengthen this concept and guide us through a journey of discovery.” For this stunning residence in Boca Harbour, Halfen designed a linear front exterior where a cantilevered balcony marks the entry, which is further emphasized by a tongue and groove Brazilian Ipe wood ceiling. The interior boasts a floating bridge to delineate the two stories; horizontally lined floating steps wrapped in white wood, contrasted with a diagonally lined cable handrail, connect the floors to one another. A series of cantilevered balconies at the rear exterior, as well as a geometric swimming pool and spa, demonstrate how lines, regardless of which direction they run, result in a gorgeous modern aesthetic. Architecture by Stephanie Halfen, SDH Studio, sdhstudio.com

ROBIN HILL

7 ft

Hand-painted glass flamingo Christmas ornament, made in Poland. $58, neimanmarcus.com

A floating bridge delineates two stories in this contemporary house

LIGHT AS A FEATHER

$80 Purported cost of a real Christmas tree in 2018

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On Hanukkah, the “Festival of Lights,” it is traditional to light the menorah, which commemorates a miracle that happened in ancient times. With just one day’s supply of oil, the menorah in the rededicated Temple of Jerusalem remained lit for eight whole days. As a beautiful remembrance, Jonathan Adler, the master of flawless chic, has created the Brass Bird Menorah, his avian-inspired, modern take on a classic symbol. Over time, the polished brass develops a rich, natural patina, thereby acquiring the appearance of a family heirloom. $350, jonathanadler.com.

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69 HOSTESS GIFTS SHE WILL LOVE IT’S PARTY TIME, and you know you don’t want to show up empty-handed. While a bottle of wine is always appropriate, it’s not very imaginative. Instead, why not present your hostess with a gift that she can enjoy after the party by adding some pizazz to her décor? We picked out a few attractive knickknacks from Uncommon Goods, a company that offers creative designs by independent makers, and has the commendable goal of preserving the planet. Pick them up at uncommongoods.com.

Cactus Bloom throw pillows, $28-$40

Giant wooden 4-in-aRow game, $44.99

FAST FACT: Red and green are not just the colors of Christmas; they’re also the colors of Kwanzaa. They represent the Bendera ya Taifa, the flag of black nationalism that symbolizes the struggle for liberation, which is hung proudly during the holiday celebration.

Tiki cocktail glasses (set of four), $144

Peanut snack bowl, $18

Branded Luxury Living An enviable emerging trend for those who can afford it is five-star living at luxury branded residences, known in the trade as “branded luxury living.”Star architects, celebrity interior designers, first-class service and luxury amenities are all part of the package. If you’ve stayed at premier hotels with revered names like Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental and W, you’re already familiar with the concept. And the trend of posh hotels crossing over into the ultra-luxury residential market shows no signs of stopping.“The demand for branded residences exceeds the current supply,” says Jay Parker, CEO of Florida Brokerage, Douglas Elliman. And it’s here in Boca now, with Via Mizner—and the soon-to-be Mandarin Oriental Hotel. This billion-dollar project is comprised of 92 private-entry residences, a world-class Mandarin Oriental Hotel, a half-mile stretch of high-end retail, five-star Michelin dining and a prestigious Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course.“The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Boca Raton will provide an elite lifestyle by combining the comforts of a private home with the unsurpassed amenities and legendary services of Mandarin Oriental,” says Frank Weed, vice president of Penn-Florida, the developer of the project. Construction is underway and sales have already exceeded expectations.

SILVER AND GOLD

HASSLE-FREE DECORATING

Dedicated do-it-yourselfers relish the opportunity to untangle string lights and climb ladders to electrify their houses all in the name of Christmas. For the rest of us, there’s a more convenient alternative: Hire someone to do it for you! JM Holiday Lighting, Inc., owned and operated by John Thompson and his best friend Marc Gotta (hence the “J” and “M”), has been serving customers throughout Palm Beach County for seven years. Thompson and Gotta consult with you at your home to determine your needs. If you have a vision in mind, they can literally bring it to light. If not, they will inspire you with their innovative ideas. Aside from dazzling holiday décor, JM’s service includes installation, maintenance and removal at the end of the season. 954/482-6800, jmholidaylighting.com

Metallics are never out of style, but during the decadent holiday season, and particularly New Year’s Eve, they’re perfection. Spotted at El Dorado Furniture: the Lynden silver wall mirror, $299.

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Tournament Sponsor

Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation

Our deepest appreciation to our Sponsors Loretta & Barry Amsdell

The Geo Group, Inc.

Saxon Business Systems

Ron & Kathy Assaf

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SEI Investments Company

Marilyn & Stan Barry

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Debbie Lindstrom & Bob Sheetz

Billing, Cochran, Lyles, Mauro & Ramsey, P.A.

Jim MacCutcheon

Stoops Family Foundation, Inc.

Marcus & Levine, CPAs

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Harcourt M. & Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation

Florida Peninsula Insurance/ Edison Insurance Company

E.M. Lynn Foundation

TEAM Health

Penn-Florida Companies

Tiffany & Co.

Proskauer

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Chris & Deanna Wheeler

Sandra & Marvin Rubin

Whelchel Partners Real Estate Services

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Sandler Family Foundation

Jayne and Chris Malfitano - Honorary Chairs Terry Fedele and Amy Ross - Co-Chairs Thank You to our Golf Committee Robert Alrod Matt Baker Stan Barry Nate Brown Arnold Cohen Melissa Durbin Terry Fedele

Steve Forman Luke Freeman Rob Godbout Laurie Leon Matt Linderman Jayne & Chris Malfitano

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HORS Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;OEUVRES 1 Braised beef and Stilton puffs drizzled with blackberry sweet and sour 2 Torched brie tartlets with cranberry orange compote 3 Mini beef Wellingtons with green peppercorn sauce

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Eat, Drink & Be Merry Boca caterers E&M spruce up a traditional holiday table Written by CHRISTIANA LILLY • Photography by AARON BRISTOL

ith the holiday season in full swing, we invited E&M Culinary, Events & Creative back to design a delectable Christmas spread fit with colorful cocktails and inventive variations on traditional bites. “Our chefs love the culinary arts,” says Andy Cohen, managing partner at E&M.“We can put some fun spins on it.” The company is busy with everything from large corporate events to intimate, chef-prepared meals at home.

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With more than 200 items on its menu, it can cater to all sorts of tastes and preferences, including vegan and vegetarian dishes. For Boca magazine’s Christmas spread, the E&M team created braised short rib and Stilton puffs, beef Wellingtons and torched brie tartlets. For dessert, a whimsical yule log stole the show. This setup is ideal for home holiday parties, Cohen notes, as it provides food that is small in size but filling. By serving it cocktail style, it keeps the social

atmosphere of the party alive. A fun twist at the bar for parties? Make a signature cocktail, Cohen suggests, which can be attained by reimagining an already popular drink. For our shoot, E&M’s bartender made an orange rosemary Champagne cocktail, a white Russian, a grasshopper and a cranberry mule. We’re definitely ready for our next soirée!

Rachel Vondell and Andy Cohen

11/1/18 9:53 AM

WEB EXTRA: Like what you see? Visit BOCAMAG.COM/ DECEMBER-2018 for food and drink recipes!

CHEERS! 1 Orange rosemary champagne cocktail garnished with a torched rosemary and orange peel 2 White Russian on the rocks with Kahlua and cream 3 Grasshopper served in a chocolate-rimmed martini glass 4 Cranberry mule garnished with cyrstallized cranberries

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E&M CULINARY, EVENTS & CREATIVE 1703 Avenida Del Sol, Boca Raton; emcaters.com; 561/403-2088

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Lone Survivors Their brick-and-mortar competitors have closed up shop, but they’re still thriving. Meet five South Florida businesses that are the last of their kind. Written by JOHN THOMASON • Photography by AARON BRISTOL

Business:

Sports Collectibles ALL STAR SPORTS CARDS & COLLECTIBLES 4290 S. University Drive, Davie 954/577-0247

eff Sacks, owner of All Star Cards & Collectibles, remembers when there were more than 200 sports-card stores in the tri-county area. This was in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, a golden age of card collecting. A quarter century later, he’s virtually the only remaining dealer with a brick-and-mortar enterprise, and his small shop in a Davie strip mall seems to have swallowed up his competition’s stock. It’s a veritable museum of sports-fan ephemera past and present, from the towers of autographed mini football helmets stacked on the highest shelves to the signed baseball bats that lean on the carpet

everywhere that space permits. The randomness is part of its charm, because you never know what you’ll stumble across—literally—on a given day. Whether you pine for a graded Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card, a Justin Turner Chia Pet or a Pittsburgh Steelers fidget spinner, this is the place that carries it. There are also flashbacks to the time of baseball cards’ market dominance: On the day of my visit, Sacks had just acquired boxes of sealed wax packs of 1990 Topps cards, complete with—yes—bubble gum. “I get things all the time,”Sacks says.“I just picked up some vintage autographs of Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. I turn over my products very quickly.” Sacks’ business has endured, in part, because he’s been willing to experiment with a diverse inventory; he also offers auto-

graphed vinyl records and other entertainment memorabilia. And, inevitably, he sells on the Web: Like most niche products, the majority of his sales are conducted online. Sometimes, the industry’s fortunes can rise with an athlete’s success—and fall with his decline.“It was good earlier this year when [Angels pitcher Shohei] Ohtani was a hot player. We couldn’t get enough stock to fill all the needs. But when he got hurt, it just died quickly.” One thing that has remained consistent through the years: South Florida teams barely move the needle.“The Marlins and Panthers are pretty much nonexistent,” he says.“I have a pretty good fan base with the Dolphins, but it’s all out of the area. The Dolphins hurt themselves—they haven’t been in the playoffs in, what, 17 years?”

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78 Business:

Darkroom MIAMI DARKROOM AND DIGITAL 331 N.E. 59th Terrace, Miami 305/532-2185

andy Mitchel describes his 30-year-old business, Miami Darkroom and Digital, as “possibly the last lab in South Florida that does both color and black-and-white film processing and printing.” Google agrees, which is why I schlepped down to see his studio in a pedestrian-unfriendly warehouse cluster near Little Haiti. Examples of his work are immediately visible in a mini gallery: a tight close-up of a jovial man, a cheesecake portrait of a busty woman on a beach, a fashion model posing next to an elephant. Just past the computers and the mammoth digital printers—to survive, Mitchel has been forced to add digital services to his business—is the tri-county area’s lone public darkroom.

red lighting, its monastic slowness in an age of hyperspeed—has surged in popularity in recent years, which is why Mitchel’s customer base extends all the way to West Palm Beach.“It’s becoming a trend,”he says.“It started out with hipsters, but when the hipsters pick something up, then other people start taking notice too. I would never downplay digital, but … with film, the transition from one tonality to another is a little subtler, a little softer. It’s akin to what we term ‘warm’ when we listen to vinyl.” Mitchel’s passion for photography dates to an a-ha moment at age 7 or 8 on a trip to D.C., when he lay on the Washington Mall and stared up at the Monument: “I was like, ‘wow, look how interesting that looks from that

The negative sits in the developer for 20 seconds or so, and then you start seeing a ghostly image coming up until you get to a minute or so and it’s fully developed. It’s still magical.” —Randy Mitchel In the light of day, with its troughlike chemical“stock bath”unfilled, and the custom-made trays in its developer sitting empty, the room could be mistaken for an industrial kitchen on the chef’s day off. But Mitchel continues to get a thrill watching images develop the old-fashioned way, where something emerges from nothing. The negative “sits in the developer for 20 seconds or so,” he says, “and then you start seeing a ghostly image start coming up, until you get to a minute or so and it’s fully developed. It’s still magical.” In fact, the romance of the darkroom—with its analog charms, its dim

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perspective.’” He became the photo editor of his college newspaper, toiled as a freelance fashion photographer, and gravitated to printing as a more lucrative career, opening up initially on Lincoln Road and capturing the burgeoning fashion-model market in the ‘90s. His clients have included Bunny Yeager and Vogue’s Helmut Newton, who bestowed Mitchel with the informal title of “master printer.” Though clients requesting digital services outnumber film processing 20to-1, he sees himself as one of the few custodians of a sacred tradition.“I’m entrusted with this process,”he says. “It’s not so much about making money with it; it’s about keeping it alive.”

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80 Business:

Antiquarian books

RAPTIS RARE BOOKS 226 Worth Ave., Palm Beach 561/508-3479

ookstores used to come and go. Now they just go, felled by the big box stores and Amazon and the shift to digital. But Raptis Rare Books is doing just fine. The shop has been catering to a deep-pocketed niche for 16 years. Dedicated to first-edition printings of prized works of literature, many of them signed, Raptis’ inventory is so specialized that it’s immune from market whims. “We sell every day,” says owner Matthew Raptis, 39.“We have to, to keep the engine going. It’s a multimillion-dollar business. We have clients

inscribed by the author with a rare drawing of Mickey Mouse ($19,500). Literati of all stripes can find their dream book on Raptis’ shelves. There are texts autographed by Albert Einstein, Marlon Brando, Martin Luther King Jr. and Ayn Rand. I was most in awe of the first edition of Tom Wolfe’s The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, signed by Wolfe, Hunter S. Thompson, Ken Kesey and many of his Merry Pranksters. “[Collecting books] is a lot different than the art world,”Raptis says.“With the art world, you look at something on the wall, and it’s obvious. With a book, you have to grapple with text, and look

With the art world, you look at something on the wall, and it’s obvious. With a book, you have to grapple with text, and look at what the written word says. It’s more personal, and when you buy a first edition, it’s about a longing to see when the book first appeared to the world.” —Matthew Raptis globally. We’ve sold to presidents, world leaders.” The atmosphere in the small, narrow store resembles a Victorian library more than a book nook, from the antique globe resting on a foyer table to the stone busts of antiquity thinkers at the back of the room.“When people walk in, I always hear, ‘wow, something like this exists?’” Raptis says. Along the walls, hundreds of priceless tomes rest under glass in mahogany cabinets, from an inscribed first edition of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath ($20,000) to a complete set of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter deluxe editions, each signed by the author ($35,000). It’s the only place in the region, if not the entire Southeast, that you’ll find Shakespeare’s mammoth First Folio ($100,000) and Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are,

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at what the written word says. It’s more personal, and when you buy a first edition, it’s about a longing to see when the book first appeared to the world.” Raptis, a native New Yorker who moved to Palm Beach to open the shop, is a voracious reader himself. He purchased his first antiquarian book at age 9—the memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant. Since opening the business, he’s been to 77 countries buying and selling rare books. Customers discover his latest stock through a quarterly, glossy catalog mailed to national and international clients, a model Raptis describes as anachronistic, but it works. “It’s a fun business,” Raptis says.“It never gets old to have someone come in with an inscribed Ernest Hemingway, and I learn the history behind it. You learn about new rare books every day. It’s an ongoing research project.”

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82 Business:

Typewriter repair ALAN BUSINESS MACHINES 1481 S. Military Trail, Suite 6, West Palm Beach 561/439-7766

s measured by the predawn queues that accompany every iPhone release, there’s a strong demographic of early adopters who must have their hands on the latest smart-widget before their neighbors do. Alan Business Machines (ABS) survives on the exact opposite customer. The showroom of the West Palm Beach store is an island of bulky, offwhite dinosaurs: earlier-model printers, scanners and shredders that are still sought-after by a small but dedicated consumer base. But it’s one particular

built into its case; another features Arabic characters. The most popular model, he says, remains the IBM Selectric, the gold standard of typewriters.“People who have the Selectrics won’t have anything else,”Hinson says. In addition to sales, Hinson’s customers come to ABS to repair their broken ribbon vibrators, or type bars, or carriage levers. On the day of my visit, three typewriters rested on a worktable in the back, their guts exposed, awaiting surgery. Hinson, who named the business

Most people who buy these typewriters are free-thinking, free-spirited...almost like hippies.” (on the consumers who prize the warmth, the nostalgia, the novelty of the 19th century word prcesssor.) —Robert A. Hinson example of outmoded technology that has made the shop a must-visit for a certain clientele: typewriters. Like Polaroid cameras and vinyl records, the typewriter—loud, cumbersome, functionally limited—has enjoyed a revival among writers who prize the warmth, the nostalgia, the novelty of the 19th century word processor. “Most people who buy these typewriters are free-thinking, free-spirited … almost like hippies,”says Robert A. Hinson, owner of ABS.“I just delivered repairs to some young guys from Port St. Lucie. They found these typewriters online. I fixed them all up, and got them back in business. They were pretty thrilled about that.” To browse ABS is to appreciate the surprising depth of typewriters that still exist. Hinson carries manuals and electrics, Remingtons and Smith-Coronas, green ones and black ones and brown ones. One unit has a working AM radio

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after his middle name so that it would appear at the top of the Yellow Pages,

has studied machine repair since his time in the military, in the late ‘60s. If not for his tech know-how, he says, “I would have been going to the front lines in the Army”in Vietnam. He opened ABS in 1982, at first specializing in calculators and typewriters, then expanding into other devices. Today, he says, his business model is diversified, but the typewriter revolution continues to draw patrons from Miami to Melbourne. “I had a guy call me up, asking if we sell manual typewriters,”he recalls. “He comes flying in, a young guy. He’s all pumped up. He says, ‘I was in California, living in the mountains with Buddhist monks. I was writing up there with my laptop, and I get these brainstorms.’ He’s in a creative flow, and all of a sudden he sees his battery going— and then it’s dead. There’s no electricity, so he has to go all the way down to civilization, charge his battery back up, and now he’s lost the flow. He said it was the most upsetting thing; ‘with a manual typewriter, I can let it flow.’”

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Robert Hinson, left, with technician Alfonso Cardenas December 2018

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85 Business:

Shell shop SEA SHORE GIFTS 508 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 1, Lantana 561/588-6966

antana’s Sea Shore Gifts is a breath of fresh, salty air with an inventory that is almost overwhelming. Though totaling less than 1,100 square feet, the store is comfortably packed with 1,000 unique items for purchase. Some of its stock is the sort of kitschy Florida souvenirs beloved by tourists and guiltily embraced by locals: turtle key chains, flamingo napkin rings, manatee shot glasses. But the bulk of its supply is the 500 varieties of shells, both local and imported, lining bins like gummies in a candy shop. And almost as inexpensive: A“straw-

in the parking lot. We’d get ice cream and go in and talk to [the owners]. We got to be friends, and my wife made a comment one day that if they ever wanted to sell it, she’d like to have it, because it’s just the right size for her.” The Hamlins have expanded the store over the years, and it continues to sell Marjorie’s work—mirror and photo frames consisting of artfully arranged shells—as well as a shell chandelier designed by the shop’s cheerful employee, Suvi Lamping. The store outlasted at least two shell shops in Boca; they were too high-end to survive, Hamlin says.

“If you are from Florida or if you’re not, if you go to the beach, you’re going to pick a shell up. And you’re going to be enthused with it. It’s part of nature. It makes us all feel better.” —Paul Hamlin

berry top,” named for its resemblance to the juicy fruit, is 79 cents, a snakehead cowrie is 20 cents, a sea urchin spine is 15 cents. “We try to keep our prices low so they keep coming back,”says Paul Hamlin, who owns the business with his wife, Marjorie.“We’re not a tourist trap.” Sea Shore Gifts had already been a robust business when the Hamlins purchased it in 1993. It has been open to the public since 1952.“My wife and I used to go in there and get stuff—she did arts and crafts,”Hamlin recalls.“At that time, they had a little Dairy Queen

Unlike some of the businesses in this feature, Sea Shore Gifts has not needed to adapt to a digitally driven business model. Its Facebook page is inactive, it doesn’t have a website, and Hamlin does not use email. It’s in a nondescript strip mall on Dixie Highway that you need to seek out. Yet new customers continue to discover the store. On the day of my visit, a couple said they’d lived here 17 years and had never been inside. That happens often, Lamping says.“We get people who have driven by so many times, and then when they finally come in, it’s like, wow!”

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THE

NOAH FECKS

GOURMET

Café Boulud—and its delectable menu— is one the region's culinary treasures.

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As South Florida enters its peak dining season, we celebrate the people, places, food trends and odds ‘n’ ends that make our region so delicious. It’s not a “best of,” per se, just a curated selection of what we’re eating, and who we’re toasting, right now, from South Dade to North Palm Beach. Hungry yet?

Written by CHRISTIANA LILLY, MARIE SPEED & JOHN THOMASON

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The Dish

PEACHES 'N COBBLER ICE CREAM AT PROPER ICE CREAM

Its location is weird—a strip mall in the West Delray hinterlands that wouldn’t get foot traffic from Forrest Gump— and its hours are wonky: Thursday to Sunday only, at a maximum of five hours, and varying each day. But this tucked-away storefront from ice cream artisan Rick Felberbaum has developed a cult audience that would travel to Timbuktu for a pint of his Peaches n Cream

Cobbler—or, for that matter, his Blueberry Muffin, which is lovingly served up with freshbaked muffins inside the mixture. Felberbaum creates every batch from scratch, with fruits and spices coming from Turkey, Israel, Yugoslavia and local Florida farms. The authentic texture and buoyant mouth feel manage to reinvent a dessert wheel that we thought had lost most of its tread. It is, quite simply, the best ice cream on the planet. Period. 1445 N. Congress Ave., Suite 4, Delray Beach

Two scoops of Proper Ice Cream is a short cut to heaven

A MILKSHAKE AT ROBERT IS HERE

Maple Bacon Coffee Porter

The story goes that Robert Moehling was so small when he started selling the family produce by the side of the road in the tall grass in Homestead that his dad put a big sign with an arrow pointing at him that said “Robert Is Here.”Well, Robert is still here but in a huge open-air market at the corner of the road that leads to Everglades National Park. These days, the 60-year-old business includes a barnyard full of giant tortoises, emus, goats and more and a “fruit stand” with every kind of exotic tropical fruit you can imagine, from mamey sapote to guavas and mangos and tamarind and more— most of which Robert grows himself. Whatever you buy, you must not miss a homemade milkshake here, which can be made from any wacko fruit combo you choose. The shake itself is made with hand-cut fresh fruit, milk and ice. It tastes like ice cream, but that’s just because it’s the best pure milkshake ever made by the hand of man. Try the Key lime strawberry. 19200 S.W. 344th St., Homestead

AARON BRISTOL

MAPLE BACON COFFEE PORTER

The offspring of the former Boca Raton

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lounge, the Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park has been cranking out unique suds since 2013. Arguably the best brew on the menu, the Maple Bacon Coffee Porter, is a small-batch creation released once a year. Likened to pouring breakfast into a glass, each sip is an explosion of maple syrup, coffee and cream. Sound delicious? The judges at the World Beer Cup thought so too, awarding this libation the gold medal for specialty beer in 2016. 1201 N.E. 38th St., Oakland Park

MANGO FROM THE MANGO MEN

The Mango Men of Homestead (MMH)— not to be confused with South Florida’s Mango Gang—cultivate at least 50 different strands on their half-acre ranch. As the man who runs it, tropical fruit expert Richard Campbell, said,

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89 Neiman’s, where dreams come true and everyone is a size zero.

HOUSE-MADE CHARCUTERIE AT CAFE BOULUD

Chef Rick Mace’s version of this carnivorous catchall is an over-the-top delight. The large, dinner version of this appetizer includes no less than seven flavor-rich meats in all—like salami, a delicate chicken liver mousse, smooth Serrano ham and pork shoulder pate, surrounded by frisee, ramps, spicy pickles and artistic dollops of Dijon, served on a long wooden slab. But that’s not all, folks: Soon came the second charcuterie course, with its so-thinly-sliced-it-was-almostinvisible coppa, duck and foie gras pate and, yes, head cheese. At the Brazilian Court Hotel, 301 Australian Ave., Palm Beach

Café Boulud’s charcuterie

mangos come “in every color, shape, size, texture and flavor that you could ever imagine.”A visit to the MMH can help you square the difference between each of them. Campbell sells mangos both fresh and dried, as well as honey that bees forage from the orchard, and it’s all produced without herbicides or pesticides. The bad news? As you read this, mango season is over. The magic begins again in May. 15300 S.W. 268th St., Homestead

NEIMAN-MARCUS POPOVERS

Very little makes you feel more like a Lady Who Lunches than a leisurely lunch at the Mariposa Café at Neiman-Marcus at Town Center. This is a lunch that requires champagne, of course, and a

The Niemans popover

little covey of shopping bags nesting at your feet. The Neimans’ lunch begins with a demitasse of warm bullion, followed by the very famous popovers served with strawberry butter. It is these popovers we salute here. Defying gravity, they are the Truman Capote swans of baked goods, the ballerinas of bread, the whispers of wheat.

ROCK SHRIMP AT THE WHALE’S RIB

Rock shrimp is a dish synonymous with the Whale’s Rib, like its famous whale fries or conch chowder (below). You never see rock shrimp on menus around here, which may be because they have notoriously hard-topeel shells (there is a trick—just crack them in the middle first, then peel off the shell) or maybe because people do not know these are the best little Florida treats that exist, deepwater shrimp from Cape San Blas or off Port Canaveral that taste like sweet, itty-bitty lobsters. Add drawn butter and you will happily peel and eat your way through this basket of bliss. Add a cold beer, and you are in heaven. 2031 N.E. Second St., Deerfield Beach

They should never be attempted at home; they belong here, at

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The Icons and the highly anticipated Grand Tasting Tents on Ocean Avenue. Schrager has also produced Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival Cookbook, Fried & True and America’s Best Breakfasts. All hail Lee.

Chef Clay Conley

Lee Schrager

Chef Jeremiah

LEE BRIAN SCHRAGER

CLAY CONLEY

Palm Beach’s boyishly handsome chef begins his days in the water— rising for a 5 a.m. swim in West Palm Beach— and usually ends it in the heat of one of his many kitchens. The multiple James Beard Award nominee, whose cuisine marries Asian, South American and Caribbean influences in novel and harmonious ways, has a Midas touch when it

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The founder of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Schrager turned what used to be known as the Florida Extravaganza into the culinary juggernaut the festival is today. It was 2002 when he took the reins and turned the one-day soiree benefiting the Florida International University hospitality program into a three-day foodie party. Today, it’s morphed into a weeklong event drawing more than 60,000 guests, including stars from the Food Network and Cooking Channel. The Festival offers dinners, seminars, panels, demos

Jeremiah’s skills—honed at staples like the Michelin-starred elBulli, Noma and Restaurant Aquavit—earned the attention of rapper Rick Ross, who enlisted Jeremiah as his personal chef, as well as the cooking-show establishment: He has competed on“Chopped,” “Beat Bobby Flay”and “Cutthroat Kitchen: The Truck Stops Here.”His latest project,“Jeremiah Bullfrog Forks It,”is a TV series in which he travels and eats, a la the late Anthony Bourdain.

CHEF JEREMIAH

Chef Jeremiah doesn’t need no stinkin’ surname. As far as Miami cuisine goes, there is only one Jeremiah. One of his pioneering ventures, the legendary gastroPod, is credited with launching the South Florida foodtruck movement, opening in 2009 and raising the bar for mobile cuisine with Vietnamese tacos.

Norman Van Aken

NORMAN VAN AKEN

Norman Van Aken has been elevating Florida

comes to food: His every whim tastes golden. If he only cooked at Buccan, which opened in 2011 to instant acclaim, he would probably still have made this list, but his equally innovative Imoto and Grato, not to mention his grab-andgo Sandwich Shop, have only heightened his national profile.

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91 of produce, from fancy lettuces (their specialty) to elegant veggies and wildflowers. As other small farmers start nipping at their heels, they come up with the Next Big Thing. That was the farm dinner eight years ago, and now it’s growing hops for a home-based brewery. “But we’ll always grow food,”Jodi says.

BRAD KILGORE

Darrin and Jodi Swank

food to the realm of poetry for more than 20 years. Van Aken formed the Mango Gang, a kind of Rat Pack of renegade chefs, fusing flavors and perfecting New American cuisine alongside colleagues like Allen Susser and Mark Militello. He’s written five cookbooks

and a memoir, he has been a James Beard semifinalist for“Best Chef in America,”and his namesake Coral Gables restaurant is still missed. Van Aken now runs three restaurants—Norman’s in Grande Lakes, 1921 in Mount Dora and, as of late last year, Three at

the Wynwood Arcade, further solidifying the trendy cred of this hip neighborhood.

THE SWANKS

They are now at the epicenter of the county’s “slow food”or“farmto-table”movement, two people who started a small farm in Loxahatchee 18 years ago and now supply some of the area’s best restaurants with their produce—and host lavish, star chef-studded farm dinners during season at a massive pole barn on their property. Darrin and Jodi Swank didn’t grow up on the lower 40; he was a landscaper and she was a travel agent when they plowed into farming. Today they own 20 acres in Loxahatchee; about seven are cultivated with 350 varieties

This Miami chef, 31, started washing pots and pans in the kitchen when he was 6, but that was then. Now he is a rock-star chef in South Florida, having worked at Alinea and L20 in Chicago and Azul and J&G Grill in Miami. By 2015, Kilgore opened his first South Florida venue, Alter, in the Wynwood District. Brava by Brad Kilgore, his second restaurant, soon followed. In 2016 Food & Wine named him “Best New Chef in America,”and the hits keep coming. Kilgore will soon add two restaurant concepts to Miami’s Design District: Ember and Kaido. Watch him know; the contrail is already forming. Brad Kilgore

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Local Classics EL PALACIO DE LOS JUGOS

THE CAFECITO

The walk-up Cuban coffee window was social networking before that term was even invented, with a camaraderie born of high-octane sugary coffee poured into tiny cups (this is a cafecito) or the larger colada size. This is how people in Miami (and now all of us in South Florida by osmosis) keep going in the afternoons. In fact, The City of Miami has declared 3:05 (also the city’s area code) each afternoon cafecito time, making it the only place we know with an official coffee break time.

El Palacio is your family-owned go-to for Cuban and Latin-American fruits, freshly made juices and a vivifying chopped fruit salad. The owners have 10 Dade County locations now, serving readymade Cuban food dispensed via warming tables and deep fryers. The chicharron is the best.

SAUSAGES AT EMIL’S

in 1954. The core of the business is its dizzying array of homemade sausages, all preservative-free with no nitrates or MSG. Any sausage you can dream up is made here, by hand, from beer brats to Italian, apple, merguez, chicken, turkey, Cajun, chorizo, andouille, and on and on—not to overlook homemade bologna of all kinds, even the lowly American hot dog. And the list of specialty foods

is endless, including sauerkraut, pierogi, duck liver mousse, cheese straws, German potato salad, salami and more. 124 N. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach

SAVOR THE AVENUE

This is everyone’s favorite dining event and for good reason. Where else do you see a small town’s main street closed, and a dining table stretching for five city blocks down

the middle of it? Savor the Avenue is Delray’s elegant al fresco fourcourse dinner, hosted by 18-20 local restaurants with free-flowing wines, piped-in music, lavish table decorations and the sense that you aren’t in Delray Beach anymore— you are somewhere in Europe, or California’s wine country, or some other magical place with sophisticated communal dining, gourmet food and the ambience of a

Walter and Jutta Voos bought Emil’s in 1999, but the business started

Vintner Dinner

DEBRA SOMERVILLE

Savor the Avenue

Pancakes from Darbster

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EDUARDO SCHNEIDER

Joey Sclafani from Captain Frank‘s

THE NEIGHBORHOOD FISH MARKET

charming seaside town. The event, hosted every March (and sponsored by this magazine and the Delray Development Authority), sells out every year within days, and is attended by 1,000 people.

VINTNER DINNERS

The annual vintner dinners may be the fanciest foodie events in Boca, held at private residences or at upscale venues like the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Star chefs from across the country who are invited to the Boca Bacchanal weekend are paired with participating vintners, and each duo prepares a multicourse dinner and wine pairing for a select few at a lovely

home in Boca. These elegant events are expensive ($325 per person last year), with an exclusive vibe that is catnip to Boca foodies.

DARBSTER BISTRO

It’s worth the schlep to West Palm Beach to dine at Darbster, a woke bistro that welcomes carnivores as well. If your concept of vegan food is cardboard patties of mysterious provenance, gummy knockoff cheddar slices and uncooked falafel, you owe it to yourself to experience Darbster’s flavor-forward creations. The “beef”Wellington tastes like the real deal, and the fried hearts of palm would satisfy any comfort-food craving. 800 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach

The grass may be greener in the summertime in Maine or Colorado or North Carolina, but when it comes to seafood, no one’s got anything on South Florida. Wherever you live, you have a great neighborhood fish market sporting wild-caught local fish and shrimp and a wide range of other offerings, from oysters (in season) to imported fish and clams and just about anything you’ve got a hankering for. Here are three that spring to mind: Pop’s (131 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach) is a fairly large market with a wide range of shellfish and fish, and it does something the other markets do not do: It cooks your pick for you at lunchtime. You can order whatever looks good to you with a side and a drink in a sandwich or taco, or go for a whole basket o’ wonderful. Pop’s has both fresh and frozen fish, all kinds of salads and specialty items like frog legs, Fin-N-Haddie and crawfish tails. You could do open-heart surgery at Old Dixie (7000 N. Dixie Highway, Boca Raton), where all the fish is wrapped in Saran, and the frozen cases are as pristine as the driven snow. Larry and Kerry Siemsen opened this bright little market in 1996 and have enjoyed a steadily growing fan base ever since. The smoked wahoo fish dip is arguably the best sold in South Florida, and the market also has wines, delish homemade salads, caviar, truffle oil, alligator meat, pate and a secret stone crab source patrons swear by. Captain Frank’s Fish Market (435 W. Boynton Beach Blvd.) can trace its bloodline back three generations, when Joey Sclafani’s great-grandfather was selling fish in New York at the turn of the century. And now it has a cult following. For starters, Joey buys only fresh fish (“never frozen”), only wild-caught, and he’ll tell you how to cook it while he’s wrapping it up. The market has it all, and then some, with a wall of Italian sauces and pastas, homemade soups, the occasional box of fresh local produce, bread, steaks and Key lime pie.

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Local Classics cont.

MONKITAIL AT THE DIPLOMAT

The first Florida concept by Philadelphia-based culinary magnate Michael Schulson is nestled in Hollywood’s chic Diplomat Hotel, but

it’s open to everybody. It’s quickly eclipsing the other restaurants on the recently re-imagined resort, even attracting national food critics: last year, USA Today awarded it Best Hotel

Restaurant in the country. You can make dinner an extravagant feast by ordering the Chef’s Tasting, an 11-course meal of eclectic Asian favorites, including robatayaki, small-plate apps

of vegetables, seafood and meats brought to the table the moment they’re cooked. Visitors can conclude their experience at Nokku, the lounge within Monkitail, which offers private karaoke rooms for the vocally abashed. 3555 S. Ocean Drive, Hollywood

JOE’S STONE CRAB

In a weird way, we can thank Joe Weiss’s asthma back in 1913 for this legendary South-ofFifth outpost in Miami Beach. Suffering from breathing problems, the Weiss family moved to Florida from New York and opened a lunch counter. A few years later, locals learned that those stone crabs they

Monkitail

found in the bay were actually edible, and the rest is history. It’s no secret: The Miami Beach outpost is the place to go during stone crab season for its melt-inyour-mouth sweet meat, and its Key lime pie is just as legendary. Joe’s staff also ships claws to anywhere in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. 11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach

CAFÉ BOULUD

Daniel Boulud’s longtime Palm Beach outpost is the kind of restaurant that still offers you a choice of newspapers when you sit down for lunch. Drinks, from the perfectly balanced sweetand-sour strawberry

Dinner at Joe's

Yellow Green Farmers Market

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95 WHITE GLOVE DINING

South Florida’s dining scene has a fast-paced life of its own and is defined sometimes by the Next, The Newest, the Most Trendy—which makes that quaint notion of old-fashioned white-glove dining especially attractive now and then. Thankfully, we’ve got a few places that will indulge us:

Amuse your bouche at Café Boulud

mint lemonade to the harder stuff, are just as carefully prepared as the main courses, which are just as elegantly plated as the desserts, like the signature Key lime pie. Café Boulud is not without its Old Guard Palm Beach pretensions— shorts and beachwear are not permitted—and if a party of two makes it out of the building for under $100, it’s pulled off some sort of economic miracle. But unlike many a restaurant with prices higher than an airplane’s cruising altitude, Café Boulud is worth every penny. 301 Australian Ave., Palm Beach

YELLOW GREEN FARMERS MARKET

Open since 2010, the weekend market has become the ultimate

farmers market, with more than 300 vendors selling quite possibly anything you could ever want. Check out the farm stalls for seasonal fruits and vegetables, or wander the aisles for honey, spices and loose teas. Kitchens also set up shop in booths to serve international cuisine from all over South America, the Caribbean, Morocco, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand and more. Countless vendors have handmade jewelry, bags, artwork, clothing from around the world, crystals, essential oils, candles and soaps. For a drink, head to the Happitizer Bar, an al fresco, albeit covered, bar with international beers and chilly frozen sangria. 1940 N. 30th Road, Hollywood

NOAH FECKS

Arturo’s (6750 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton) is fine and formal Italian (with the occasional opera singer, if you please), exquisite desserts, a legendary wine cellar and a garden room. Renato’s (87 Via Mizner, Palm Beach) is all French doors, soft piano music, romantic terrace views and a refined and exquisite Continental menu. This is Palm Beach, after all, and this is simply how things are done. Kathy’s Gazebo Cafe (4199 N. Federal Highway, Boca) offers classic French dining (there are two kinds of pâté), impeccable manners and charming details, like vichyssoise served daily in a chilled silver tureen.

Renato’s outdoor terrace

Roast chicken from Kathy’s Gazebo

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The Trends

WINE BARS AND BREWERIES

AARON BRISTOL

There’s no shortage of breweries in South Florida, from SaltWater Brewery in Delray Beach to Funky Buddha in Oakland Park and Wynwood Brewing Company down in Miami. Florida flavors are infused into each brew, with tropical notes you won’t find anywhere else. For oenophiles, the wine bar scene is having a moment. Delray has N2 Wine Bar, where with a token in hand you can serve yourself from wine dispensers. Down in Broward, the cozy Wine Watch in Fort Lauderdale hosts wine dinners and elaborate tastings, and further south in Dade, the Vine Vault

at the St. Regis Bal Harbour is an impressive modern sit-down with 2,500 bottles of wine in clear, temperature-controlled cases.

FOOD HALLS

Chris and Kristen Vila opened Grandview Public Market to much ado in West Palm Beach earlier this year, where guests imbibe drinks at The Bar at Clare’s, grab a sandwich at Grace’s Fine Foods, experience the poke trend at the Poke Lab Eatery, or satisfy their sweet tooth with Thai rolled ice cream at Crema—just to name a few. Meanwhile, Delray Beach is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 30,000-square-foot Delray City Market, set to open next fall off

Atlantic Avenue. Down in Miami-Dade, they’re popping up like mushrooms: La Centrale at Brickell City Centre offers three floors of Italian fare (including a Negroni fountain), 1-800-LUCKY is an Asian cuisine destination, The Wharf brings the food hall experience to the water, and Central Fare just opened at MiamiCentral—which is a Brightline stop, by the way!

BASQUE AT HOTEL BIBA

In its debut season last year, Basque was a very, very big hit, even for South Floridians who have the culinary attention span of gnats. Delectable tapas and paella and all kinds of

The Vilas and Grandview Public Market

From top, Funky Buddha and N2 Wine Bar

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Designer donuts from Doughboy

LIBBY VOLGYES

Pierogi from Mazie’s

Chef Blake Malatesta’s beef heart tartare

AARON BRISTOL

food he has spun into a whole new genre that is packing them in at this stylish Dixie corridor gastrohit. 3815 S. Dixie Blvd., West Palm Beach

GOURMET DOUGHNUTS

cutline

delights emerged from a decked-out food truck that went to college, with a well-appointed kitchen and chef Miguel Rebolledo, who once worked with—are you ready?—elBulli’s three-Michelin-star maestro and gastronomy king, Ferran Adrià. Even the bread is flown over from Spain. Rumor has it this is just the beginning, with an new concept in the works. 320 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach

TIP TO TAIL

The movement to be the ultimate chef recycler— using the whole animal for food rather than choice bits and pieces— is nothing new. (Native Americans did it, and other cultures have been doing it for years.) But now the practice is going mainstream, and our local chefs are all about it. Delray chef Blake Malatesta has been known to make beef heart tartare. We’ve got sweetbreads and

pate, tripe and tongue. “Waste not” never tasted so good.

HOME IS WHERE THE SPÄTZLE IS

And they say you can’t go home again. That 1990s shift toward comfort food appears to be here to stay, especially if those tried and true dishes are reimagined. Case in point: Mazie’s in West Palm Beach, an homage by star chef Eric Baker to his bubbe, Mazie, whose comfort

Ask anyone where to get the best doughnuts in town and you’re begging for a rumble. The pastries have truly captured the taste buds of South Florida foodies, and it’s no longer just a breakfast treat. Nani’s made-from-scratch doughnuts in Delray have a cult following, and the

shop even hosts doughnut making classes. Doughnut Works, also in Delray Beach, has a menu of more than 30 flavors. Want something just a little smaller? Doughboy’s mini doughnuts have names like Winter is Coming, Ninja’s Pick and I’m a Boss. It’s a thing: Dougnuts are BIG.

Nani’s designer doughnuts

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98 What Else We Are Eating Up DELIVERY DUDES

Picture this: It’s raining in plague-like proportions, and your refrigerator is empty save for a few wrinkled grape tomatoes and that $12 artisanal mustard from Fresh Market.You want nothing more than to eat out, but the last thing you want to do is go out. That’s where Delivery Dudes come in—braving the elements to hand-deliver dishes from among the company’s dozens of local participating restaurants, and taking only a $7 fee for their trouble. Just call in the order, and it can be yours within the hour. The drivers will even pick up your groceries or dry cleaning. These dudes abide.

GO WEST FOR THE BEST

For shame to those who say there’s no good Chinese food in South Florida. Behold the promised land of international cuisine, also known as Central Broward:

Head to Toa Toa in Sunrise (4145 N.W. 88th Ave.) and order the house pan-fried noodles, sweet barbeque pork buns and shrimp dumplings for your dim sum fix. For a taste of Seoul, cook your slices of meat

Jayson Koss, founder, Delivery Dudes

over the charcoal grill at your table at Gabose (4991 N. University Drive, Lauderhill), and douse it in Korean sauces. Be sure to get a side of Tteok-bokki and kimchi (obviously).

RIVERSIDE MARKET

Opened in 2008 in a secluded residential pocket, this locals’ destination carries 550 bottled/canned beers at one time, from common brands to exotics to rare small-batch series from Funky Buddha. New choices are cycled in each week, and there’s a handful of rotating taps, including best-selling options from the owner’s own brewery, Tarpon River, served in

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an atmosphere of coastal whimsy. The place serves food, too, and it’s better than it needs to be: The “Hot Chicks” appetizer is an overflowing mini mason jar of deep-fried chickpeas that you munch like popcorn. 608 S.W. 12th Ave., Fort Lauderdale

BLUE VIEW: TOP OF THE TOWER

It’s not Everest, but The Blue is, for Boca anyway, the top of the world. Slide into a horseshoe-shaped banquette near a window, and take in the view.“All you can see is blue,” says Roberto Colombi, its general manager.“And you can forget about the world for a minute.”

That forgetting is aided by the restaurant’s approachable, seasonally changing cuisine, with pastas, breads and desserts made from scratch daily. Boca Resort, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton

CIBO WINE BAR

The Cibo Wine Bar’s theatrical trappings are as much a draw as the pastas and brick-oven pizzas. Cibo houses 3,500 bottles of vino in its two-story, glass-enclosed wine cellar, some of which nearly scrape the industrial-chic ceiling. The solution for these hard-toreach Veuve Clicquots? Harness-equipped servers—aka “wine angels”— suspended on hydraulic lifts to retrieve

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99 Chef Christie Tenaud of The Blue and left, her scallops

GREAT FRENCH FOOD WITHOUT THE AIRFARE

From here to Miami, the French are back … with a beautiful vengeance. Here are a few contenders: Tradition in Deerfield has calf’s liver with caramelized onions that is epic. Jean-Louis and Gloria Quellier have operated Monet Café since 1990, and we like everything here, but the pâté, which is perhaps the best we’ve tasted around here, keeps calling us back. Kathy’s Gazebo is a landmark in Boca, with fine dining and wildly attentive waiters. them. It may be a mad scientist’s idea of a wine bar, but it’s also a haven for serious grape connoisseurs, whether it’s an $810 1957 Chateau

Simard vintage or a $1,200 1990 Cuvee Dom Perignon. 200 S. Pointe Drive, Miami Beach

Chez Marie in the Polo Shoppes is a small familyGloria and Jean-Louis Quellier of Café Monet owned restaurant with big talent and classic French dishes. We say coq au vin to start, but it’s all swoon-worthy. La Nouvelle Maison in Boca offers a glam but authentic spin on fine French fare. Casimir in Royal Palm Place is a highly popular French bistro, and may have the best French bread we’ve had since Paris.

Cibo Wine Bar

Escargot from Casimir

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DISCOVER TELLURIDE Telluride, Colorado has rugged mountains, scenic slopes and a vibrant culinary scene, making it nirvana for skiers and snowboarders of all ages. Written by ALLISON LEWIS

Machu Picchu sits just below the clouds with wide views of the surrounding Andes.

elluride, is, in simple terms, a skier’s heaven. On a bluebird sky kind of day, the view from the top of the Gold Hill Express is almost a cliché. Four of Colorado’s tallest 13,000- and 14,000-foot mountain peaks rise around glittering white slopes. One of these is Wilson Peak, famously illustrated on the Coors Light beer can. A light breeze moves through the aspens and evergreens, while skiers and snowboarders whir effortlessly over the sun-warmed snow. Telluride is in its own magical snow globe—once the snowflakes settle, there’s a world of winter beauty begging to be explored. But chances are good that few will see these Instagram-worthy views. Compared to other ski resorts, and unless you’re visiting on a holiday, Telluride is known for its lower crowd volume. Case in point: Aside from the Chondula (part chairlift, part gondola), nearly every other lift line is less

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than a five-minute wait all day long. I didn’t see as many skiers or snowboarders tearing up the slopes as I have at other ski destinations, nor were the chairlifts full. It made for an exceptionally wonderful skiing experience—one that helps explain Telluride’s many laurels. Ski magazine named Telluride Ski Resort the“No. 1 Ski Resort for Scenery”in its 2016 Resort Guide, while Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards called it the“No. 1 Ski Resort in North America.”Forbes and National Geographic Traveler put Telluride among the“Top 10 Ski Towns in America”and“World’s Top 25 Ski Towns,”respectively. The mountain offers 2,000 acres of ski-friendly slopes, two terrain parks, 127 trails for varying experience levels, and 309 inches of snow on average. Telluride is about skiing—and snowboarding—at every age, at any experience level. It’s what makes Telluride, as the awards suggest, one of the best ski destinations in North America.

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Skiing at Telluride

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102 WHERE TO STAY THE HOTEL TELLURIDE

199 N. Cornet Street 970/369-1188, thehoteltelluride.com This 59-room boutique luxury hotel in downtown Telluride offers chic European interiors surrounded by breathtaking views of the San Juan Mountains. A complimentary shuttle transports guests to and from the gondola in Telluride. After a long day on the slopes, a soak in one of the outdoor hot tubs is the perfect remedy before heading out for the evening.

MADELINE HOTEL & RESIDENCES

568 Mountain Village Blvd. 855/923-7640, madeline.aubergeresorts.com The Madeline Hotel and Residences is Telluride’s only four-diamond, full-service hotel complete with valet ski, ski-in and ski-out accommodations, a premium spa and fitness center, and even an ice skating rink on resort grounds. Guests and locals should take advantage of the Bath Bar amenity: Bath baristas draw a custom bath in your room. It’s the perfect ending to a day on the slopes.

THE PEAKS RESORT & SPA

136 Country Club Drive 970/728-6800, thepeaksresort.com This 164-unit resort in Telluride’s Mountain Village provides rooms, suites, penthouses and vacation rentals with ski-in, ski-out convenience. Luxurious amenities, including a fitness center, outdoor pools, full-service spa and first-class restaurant, made it the winner of the “Top Hotels in Colorado” award by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards.

GETTING HERE

There’s a misconception that Telluride is difficult to get to. Formerly a silver mining camp, the town is softly nestled in a box canyon in the tree-covered snow-capped San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. A short flight from Denver to Montrose Regional Airport, then a two-hour picturesque drive around and behind the mountains, makes travel easy. Denver also offers direct flights to Telluride Regional Airport. Telluride is also literally a cinematic place; Quentin Tarantino filmed “The Hateful Eight” just outside Telluride, and Butch Cassidy began his infamous bank-robbing career at the San Miguel Valley Bank in town. Grammy maker John Billings keeps his shop on Cora Street in Ridgeway, a few miles away. Telluride is only eight blocks wide and 12 blocks long, making a stroll down Main Street more like a neighborhood block party. There is plenty of great dining, from 221 South Oak’s creative, eclectic farm-to-table fare served within a cozy refurbished home to the rustic-meets-elegant contemporary American menu at Allred’s. Victorian-era homes, art galleries, laid-back bars, quirky shops, historic hotels and buildings keep visitors busy off the slopes. At the edge of downtown, America’s first and only free, 13-minute gondola takes passengers up and over a short peak to access chairlifts, ski slopes and fresh powder at Telluride’s Mountain Village.

MOUNTAIN HIGHS

Above: expert ski runs abound; above right: Hotel Telluride; right: aerial view of Old Town Telluride

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Telluride Ski Resort features storied slopes and terrain for all types of skiers (and snowboarders), says Tom Watkinson, director of communications for Visit Telluride, and my ski guide for the weekend. Although other ski resorts often reserve the breathtaking mountaintop views for advanced intermediates and experts, he says, Telluride gives everyone a chance to see the rugged, towering peaks of Mount Wilson, Wilson Peak, El Diente and Mount Sneffels, collectively known as the Wilson Group. And Palmyra Peak, a 13,000-foot mountain that stands proudly above Ute Park, offers wide, gentle runs perfect for new skiers. The ultimate ski day starts with fresh, soft powder followed by a gondola ride up to the second stop. From here, beginners can cautiously make their way to the Chondula lift, and spend the day practicing the “French fry”(skis pointing straight forward) and the “pizza” stop (skis turned into each other, forming a triangle) down the genial, forgiving slopes. For the still-new-to-skiing-but-definitely-comfortable types, the Sunshine Pass gives access to more challenging green slopes and even a couple blues.

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For intermediate skiers and above, Telluride is a skier’s playground. The lifts make it easy to go from skiing a shimmering, steep blue run to a mogul-covered black or even a terrain park. Favorites among experts include Revelation Bowl, Gold Hill and The Plunge, which all provide postcard-perfect snapshots of the mountains and town below. Utah is visible from up here, as well. See Forever was my personal favorite—great for a morning warmup or to end the day. It starts with an easygoing ride up the Gold Hill Express lift. Looking below and behind, the slopes are powdery white and pristine, some spots practically untouched. We are at 12,500 feet, a high altitude for those who aren’t used to it. I ski down a long curve along the mountain ridge, noting the short width between me and the edge. Alpino Vino, one of Telluride’s acclaimed mountain restaurants, slides in and out of sight. Eventually, the snowy path widens, then doglegs left and straight down, melding into another blue run. If you stay on course, you’ll eventually get to the base of the mountain. Woozley’s Way and Polar Queen are two other slopes notable for their challenging topography.

CULINARY ADVENTURES

A culinary garden has sprung up in Telluride over the past few years. For breakfast, do as the locals and walk to The Butcher & Baker Café on East Colorado Avenue in downtown Telluride. Load up on handmade artisan pastries: a light and flaky chocolate croissant, muffins, decadent coffee cake, or a scone and fresh coffee (they have protein-packed options too). Enjoy a mountain lunch at Bon Vivant, Telluride’s premier dining spot at the top of Polar Queen Express Lift (lift 5). The French country cuisine under “Top Chef” star Jared Campbell is both luxurious and authentic, while views of Palmyra Peak and the Wilson mountain range are second to none. If you’re up for après ski, try a“Flatliner”(espresso, vodka, Baileys and more!) at the parlor bar in the historic New Sheridan Hotel. Dinner is by far the toughest choice, as Telluride is home to a host of talented chefs. For a multicourse meal that highlights Colorado’s local cuisine, try 221 South Oak, owned by Chef Eliza Gavin of“Top Chef”fame. The culinary presentations are like artwork; the flavors are bold and authentic. Try grilled boar tenderloin for something exotic, or look over the extensive vegetarian menu. Allred’s Restaurant is a one-of-a-kind dining experience at the first stop off the gondola. Enjoy views of the surrounding San Juan Mountains in contemporary rustic ambience at over 10,000 feet. An extensive, award-winning wine list pairs well with lamb, elk, salmon and other American fare.

Left, gondola views of the San Juans; fat tire biking with Mt. Ajax in the background

WHAT TO DO TELLURIDE SLEIGHS & WAGONS

220 E. Colorado Ave., Suite 214, Telluride telluridesleighs.com Spend an evening on the historic Aldasoro Ranch, which has been a part of Telluride since the 1920s. After your dreamy sleigh ride through part of the property, host and owner Ashley Story offers guests a decadent three-course meal and shares her family’s history. Prices start at $110 for kids under 12 and $145 for adults.

WAGNER CUSTOM SKIS

620 Mountain Village Blvd., Unit 1B, Mountain Village 970/728-0107, wagnerskis.com Twelve years ago, Pete Wagner says he was writing software to enhance golf club performance in San Diego. On a whim, he applied the same logic to skiing, one of his passions. Wagner says it worked so well that he moved to Telluride and opened Wagner Custom Skis. Today, he and his staff build custom skis based on a skier’s measurements, skill level and terrain preference—in three weeks.

BIKES & BEVIES TOUR

Bootdoctors & Paragon Outdoors 213 W. Colorado Ave., Telluride 970/728-4525, bootdoctors.com Take a scenic, three-mile bike ride from downtown to the Telluride Distilling Co. and Telluride Brewing Co. Along the way, you’ll enjoy snowy landscapes and see the valley floor up close. Each stop includes a facility tour and beverage samples created and nuanced right here. Ask for the Chairlift Warmer Peppermint Schnapps at the distillery and the Tripel Cork at the brewery.

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SAVOR the

AVENUE I

It’s time to make plans for a very special dinner

DEBRA SOMERVILLE

t’s time to start planning for South Florida’s most innovative culinary event—Savor the Avenue—when Delray restaurants take center stage down the middle of Atlantic Avenue for five glorious blocks. Tables are lavishly decorated, candlelight shimmers, there is music and laughter and the sound of ice tinkling in glasses. The event has become a regional favorite for over a decade now, and a signature event for Boca and Delray magazines and the Downtown Development Authority of Delray Beach. This year’s Savor the Avenue will be March 26, and proceeds will benefit the Delray Beach Public Library. The following are participating restaurants. For more information, visit downtowndelraybeach.com/savortheave.

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50 S. Ocean Blvd., 561/278-3364 Imagination becomes reality at 50 Ocean, the only second-floor restaurant and bar on Delray’s beachfront, where meals are served overlooking the Atlantic. Before taking a seat, stop by the Hemingway Lounge, where the American author’s story lives on through vintage pictures mounted on the walls. As the name suggests, 50 Ocean has plenty of seafood options to please any palate, organized under offbeat menu categories such as “This and That,”“Why Not”and “Maybe.”The mussels, octopus or lobster bisque is a good place to start. Follow up with a wedge salad or anchovy-topped Caesar, then decide on an entrée. The swordfish, salmon and filet mignon are all winners.

for crowds because, yes, the brunch options really are that amazing, from a breakfast pizza topped with sunny-side-up eggs to coconut-crusted French toast. Dinner is noticeably different— the extensive menu covers veal, chicken, fish and vegetarian plates. The wine list exceeds 200 options, and the staff is trained in wine presentation and service. No matter when the craving for a homemade, generously portioned Italian meal strikes, Caffé Luna Rosa will be ready and waiting.

Che!!!

105 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/274-9090 Cabana El Rey is authentic Cuban food at its finest, with Zagat praising its“305 flavors without the drive.”Choose from crispy plantains, jerk chicken wings, fried shrimp and more to begin a meal. Or jump into the extensive menu with originals such as the Coco Cabana, which combines yucca, yautia and vegetables with a signature coconut milk and habanero curry reduction seasoned to perfection. Cabana is lauded for its authentic cocktails, too, especially the sangrias and mojitos. With its spicy Latin ambience and friendly atmosphere, it encourages patrons to relax and have a good time.

900 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/562-5200 The name of this Argentinean steakhouse has little to do with the Marxist revolutionary favored by college hipsters. Rather, “Che!!!”translates colloquially to “friend”in Argentina, and you’ll feel like one when you visit the flagship U.S. location of this venerable Spanish restaurant chain. Opening in 2016 in the former Hudson at Waterway East site, Che!!! boasts a primo waterfront location and abundant outdoor seating ideal for sunset-gazing. The voluminous menu straddles Spain, Argentina and even the Southern U.S., from chicken ‘n’ waffles and a farm-fresh salad to Galician-style octopus, Buenos Aries-style chorizo, and Argentinean veal Parmigiana, which is served with ham. A tapas bar and“12 for 10”lunch menu will satisfy the budget-conscious, helping this recent participant in Savor the Avenue earn its exclamation marks.

34 S. Ocean Blvd., 561/274-9404 Directly across from the Atlantic Ocean, Caffé Luna Rosa is undeniably a local favorite—all day long. Chef Ernie DiBlasi and his staff prepare each dish with precision and prestige, and guests are treated with utmost respect and care. Mornings at Caffé Luna Rosa are notorious

213 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/272-0220 City Oyster is a local see-andbe-seen hangout, and if there’s room at the bar, find a spot near one of the bartenders, who are practically as famous as Sam Malone. They’re happy to serve up their best Old Fashioned or the perfect Rob Roy alongside

Cabana El Rey

Caffé Luna Rosa

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City Oyster & Sushi Bar

The theme at this table was a white party

excellent service and conversation. City Oyster is an ideal spot for a power lunch or dinner, too, with a menu that is creative and diverse. For example, you can start with items ranging from soppressata flatbread to rock shrimp and blood orange ceviche to a frutti de mare or steaks and chops. City Oyster has sushi to soup and everything in between.

Cut 432

432 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/272-9898 Brian Albe, Brandon Belluscio and Anthony Pizzo are part of Delray’s infamous restaurant owner troika. Together, they own and operate three cherished eateries, the oldest of which is Cut 432 (Park Tavern and El Camino are the others). Cut 432 is a brilliant steakhouse with arguably the best happy hour in town, maybe even along A1A. The happy hour menu includes $5 snack and cocktail selections, $4 house spirits and $3 house wines, all available at the long white modern bar. Delve a little deeper for a selection of dry-aged steaks, classic seafood (can you say oysters Rockefeller?) and favorites such

as Mom’s meatball and a mac ‘n’ cheese people swear by. This has all the attributes of a fine steakhouse with a much hipper spin. And do not forget the vino—Cut 432 has more than 300 options.

Death or Glory

116 N.E. Sixth Ave., 561/808-8814 This is the bar/restaurant that is always shaking things up, from special “pop-up” bars at Christmas (complete with snow machine) to a summer tiki menu and other special events. Nestled inside the historic Falcon House, Death or Glory is only two years old but has already carved a name for itself in Delray with its innovative menu and its quirky vibe. You can dine indoors or along the front patio or out back at the cozy tiki bar with its casual South Florida motif. We love the food, too (this never happens at cool bars), especially the rosemary fries, the crispy chick peas dusted with “Cheetos” (trust us on this one) and more substantial dishes like the house-made tagliatelle or the Tagareshi seared tuna. Death or Glory is a solid Delray hit, and a great place for a night out.

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204 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/266-3642 Owned and operated by South Florida restaurateur Gary Rack, Farmhouse Kitchen offers diners a cozy, rustic vibe—with a healthy menu. The indoor-outdoor bar provides a great view of the Ave, and focuses on the “clean” eating trend that eschews culinary staples like fat, butter or cream in favor of ancient grains, vegan alternatives and plant-based proteins. But that’s not to say it doesn’t serve up a lot of flavor and popular signature dishes like the Buffalo cauliflower and a battery of delish flatbreads. Farmhouse Kitchen relies on seasonally fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Look for twists on classics, such as sweet pea and avocado guacamole and bison meatloaf, and standard favorites including seared scallops and skirt steak.

Lemongrass Asian Bistro

420 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/278-5050 We love Lemongrass, as it’s one of the only places in Delray that can offer a wide variety of Asian cuisine under one roof. Lemongrass is a modern, contemporary bistro where Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese influences flourish. It’s popular with locals and visitors alike, and the menu spans sushi wraps to curries, small plates to nigiri. Seating options include indoor and outdoor tables presided by a friendly, reliable staff. Stop by for appetizers and sake or stay for the evening.

Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar

110 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/808-1100 Start off with guacamole prepared tableside and warm tortilla chips. It’s a necessary staple alongside a refreshing margarita or mojito (there’s 425 tequila options) or an ice-cold cerveza. Find a chair at one of the tables under the neon sign and red awnings, or dine indoors. The casual, relaxed atmosphere is great for groups big and small. Rocco’s Tacos prepares all orders from

Last year’s hosts and table decor winners: From left, emcee Channel 5’s Steve Weagle, Lauren Lyall, DDA, Jennifer Hesser, 50 Ocean, Peter Stampone, Max’s Harvest, Kyle Gonzalez, Salt7, DDA head Laura Simon and Peter Arts, DDA Board Chair

scratch, including the addictive chips. Try a few tacos or enchiladas and add a side of queso—the menu is affordable. If it’s after midnight, stop by for the late-night menu, which offers $2 tacos, $3 beers and $5 specialty drinks until 3 a.m. Salt7 32 S.E. Second Ave., 561/274-7258 “Brunch” and “Salt7” are famous for being inseparable—mention one, mention both, and for good reason. After 2 p.m., Salt7 turns into a nightclub, with blackout curtains, DJs and performers. As beloved as brunch is, there’s also a dinner menu that deserves notice. The tuna poke appetizer is on trend, and the raw bar selections are plentiful. But steak is what Salt7 does so confidently and deliciously. Try the 22-ounce bone-in cowboy rib-eye, the filet mignon or New York strip. Accessorize with Salt7’s signature steak sauce or savor every delicious unadulterated bite. The sides are endless: creamed spinach, duck fat fries and marinated beets. With its sleek atmosphere and menu offerings, Salt7 is on the cutting edge of culinary innovation.

Vic & Angelo’s

290 E. Atlantic Ave., 844/842-2632 Classic Italian meets American cuisine at Vic & Angelo’s corner location near Delray’s railroad tracks. Surrounded by exposed brick, colorful accents and an aroma of baked bread, guests will feel like they’re lost in Italy. Using San Marzano tomatoes and the freshest ingredients, traditional favorites like V&A’s lasagna, rigatoni Bolognese and fettuccini alfredo are absolutely delicious. Don’t forget to try the coal-fired pizza—we recommend the original or the margherita. Stop by for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Office

201 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/276-3600 The Office, with its sleek sidewalk bar, is a great hangout spot after work or on the weekend. The outdoor bar and seating area is perfect for casual conversation with friends or family. When the menu arrives, take note of its whimsy: angry cauliflower, chipotle deviled eggs and bacon, charred Spanish octopus.

Arguably, The Office has the best burgers in Delray—splurge on a veggie burger, CEO burger or turkey burger. No meal is complete without a beverage, and The Office’s drink menu won’t disappoint. Try one of its handcrafted cocktails or draft beers. Check out the late-night menu, which runs daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Even Dwight K. Schrute would approve.

Rack’s Fish House + Oyster Bar

5 S.E. Second Ave., 561/450-6718 One of Gary Rack’s well-known establishments, Rack’s Fish House + Oyster Bar is a staple on the Ave. Besides its $1 oysters during happy hour, Rack’s is known for its delicious raw bar selections, signature seafood entrees and nouveau-nautical decor. Start with a shellfish platter, then dive into the Skuna Bay salmon, stuffed shrimp or seared scallops. The day boat platter is good for those who want a little bit of everything: cod, shrimp, scallops and crab. Try a Prohibition-esque cocktail or stick to a draft beer. No matter what you order, you’ll be reeling in a great catch.

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now open! Newly added to Mizner Park lies Loch Bar, a classic seafood house. Centered around one of the region’s largest raw bars, it complements Boca Raton’s largest whiskey menu and a wide selection of local craft beers and hand-crafted cocktails. Loch Bar serves both lunch & dinner and hosts live music 7 days a week!

Mizner Park 346 Plaza Real | Boca Raton, FL LochBar.com

reserve a seat on the

mediterranean Ouzo Bay offers contemporary Mediterranean cuisine with a strong Greek influence. The menu includes fresh whole fish flown in from around the world, fine-quality cuts of grass-fed lamb, prime beef, and cage free chicken. The signature blue lighting decor throughout the restaurant creates an upscale atmosphere for the perfect dining experience. Ouzo Bay is open for dinner Sunday–Saturday, lunch Monday–Friday, and brunch on Sundays.

Mizner Park 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 561.757.0082 | OuzoBay.com

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TAKE 5

Keith Garsson & Genie Croft With their first season at Boca’s Sol Theatre, Primal Forces’ vagabond directors are finally hoping to settle down Written by JOHN THOMASON

o paraphrase Johnny Cash, it’s been everywhere, man. In its five years of existence, nomadic theatre company Primal Forces has endured four moves. It has operated from two Fort Lauderdale blackbox theaters, from Arts Garage in Delray Beach, and now, with its fourth season, from Boca Raton’s Sol Theatre. Knock on wood, Sol is the new permanent home of Primal Forces, but Artistic Directors Keith Garsson and Genie Croft have heard that song before, only to be unceremoniously removed from the premises for situations outside of their control. As Garsson joked at his company’s first play reading at Sol Theatre,“When we’ve been at a venue for more than 10 days, the statute of limitations is up.” It won’t be Garsson or Croft’s first rodeo in Boca. For years, Garsson ran the now-defunct Boca Raton Theatre Guild. Croft directed some of his productions at the Willow Theatre, and also migrated her own labor of love, the Women’s Theatre Project, to the Willow.

“Boca has limited theatre. Right now, it’s the Wick for the musicals, and Theatre Lab, which is predominantly an educational institution, [with] its own corporate structure. We’re giving … an alternative, and you can’t beat the ticket price— $100 for four professional shows.” —Keith Garsson Primal Forces took flight in 2014 as what Garsson describes as the“rebel wing”of Boca Raton Theatre Guild, specializing in more radical work that has dabbled in science fiction, the paranormal and the grotesque. Many of its productions, including the scorching counterculture drama“Sunset Baby,”the Bessie Smith bio-musical“The Devil’s Music”and the erotic two-character drama“Sex With Strangers”have earned universal acclaim. Back in Boca for its 2018/2019 season, Garsson admits to“softening”some of Primal Forces’ edges but not the hard truths or provocative politics his productions explore.“Breadcrumbs”(Nov. 30-Dec. 23) is a time-traveling meditation on loneliness and identity;“Having Our Say”(Jan. 11-Feb. 3) chronicles the pioneering civil-rights work of real-life slave descendents Bessie and Sadie Delany;“Blonde Poison”(Feb. 15-March 10) is a harrowing solo show about a Jewish woman’s complicated role in Nazi Germany; and“The Gingerbread Lady”(March 22-April 14) is one of Neil Simon’s rarely produced dramedies. “If there is a theme for next season, every play is a longing for the past,”Garsson says.

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How challenging has it been to build an audience without a consistent space? Garsson: It’s impossible. [But] because we don’t report to a board or a corporation or anything else, this is a personal venture. I’m producing plays I love—not for any other reason am I doing these shows. Did you ever consider discontinuing Primal Forces? Garsson: No. We could do fewer shows, but I was not going to lose the brand. Croft: I’ve been through several moves; that’s what theatre life is like in South Florida. Unless you’re in an actual playhouse with a full-time production staff, it’s really a difficult thing. This season feels like the rebirth of the Women’s Theatre Project; was that by design? Garsson: No.“Having Our Say”and“Gingerbread Lady”had been on the bucket list for a while. “Breadcrumbs”was left over from last season. I thought, to balance out the material, I would love to do a Holocaust play, but I don’t want to do one that took place then. ... I never like doing plays where the victims have a huge voice. I’m more interested

in, what’s the side of it we don’t see? I spent weeks trying to find a play where you’d have mixed feelings about the protagonist. It just happened to be a woman. How does it feel to be doing perhaps the first Neil Simon play in South Florida since his recent passing? Croft: They’re popular shows, and for a good reason. “The Gingerbread Lady”is a show I’ve been wanting to do, because it’s his darkest piece. It deals with falling off the wagon, and a person who can’t keep her head on straight. It’s such a good piece of dynamic writing for this main character.

ental.

How do you delegate, and how do you complement one another? Croft: We drink a lot. (Laughing) Garsson: It starts with me picking a slew of shows, and then Genie will probably nix some of them. I’m on the treadmill every day. I probably read 10 to 12 plays a week, on a 15-percent incline, holding on for dear life, with my iPad in front of me. I don’t finish most of them, because they’re so bad. But I have the luxury of picking really good scripts. I don’t have to settle. And if I can’t find four good plays, I’ll do three.

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CALENDAR

Now-Feb. 17

Now-March 24

Nov. 29-Dec. 23

“TECH EFFECT” at Cornell Art Museum at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; $5; 561/2437922, oldschoolsquare.org. This group exhibition surveys 22 artists reflecting on the way technology affects our lives and their art, from Matthew LaPenta’s oversized bronze emojis to Antoine Geiger’s dark photographs of smartphone users being sucked into their devices.

“IMAGINING FLORIDA: HISTORY AND MYTH IN THE SUNSHINE STATE” at Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; $10-$12 museum admission; 561/392-2500, bocamuseum.org. “Imagining Florida” captures images from the Sunshine State’s rich past, showcasing more than 200 works from John James Audubon, Winslow Homer and Louis Comfort Tiffany all the way to Garry Winogrand’s 1969 photograph of the Apollo 11 Moon Launch at Cape Kennedy.

“DANIEL FAUST: FLORIDA PHOTOS FROM THE 1980S” at Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; $10-$12 museum admission; 561/392-2500, bocamuseum.org. This companion piece to “Imagining Florida” showcases Faust’s insightful photographs of Florida museums and tourist attractions, from Coral Castle to Parrot Jungle to Weeki Wachee Springs, and includes a single, mural-sized installation of 658 images.

“ANNIE” at The Wick Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; $75-$95; 561/995-2333, thewick.org. Sally Struthers makes her Wick Theatre debut as Miss Hannigan, the mean orphanage headmistress, in the company’s production of the Tony-winning musical that gave us Daddy Warbucks, a live Golden Retriever, and songs like “A Hard Knock Life” and “Tomorrow.”

“Tech Effect”

“Imagining Florida”

“House on Fire”

Sally Struthers in “Annie”

Dec. 7-9

Dec. 7-30

Dec. 8

“THE GOODBYE GIRL” at Willow Theatre at Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton; $30; 561/3473948, willowtheatre.org. Composer Marvin Hamlisch and book writer Neil Simon lent their effortless skills to this musical adaptation of the 1977 film—an opposites-attract comedy about an egotistical actor who sublets an apartment that happens to be occupied by his friend’s bitterly single ex-girlfriend.

“HOUSE ON FIRE” at Palm Beach Dramaworks, 201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach; $75; 561/514-4042, palmbeachdramaworks.org. In this dark comedy about a dysfunctional American family, the prodigal son, Coleman, has returned home to a viper’s nest of lies told by his brother and baseball-obsessed father. Complicating matters is the pair of cunning thieves that followed Coleman home: a one-armed grifter and his empathically “gifted” sister.

CHRIS MACDONALD’S MEMORIES OF ELVIS at Mizner Park Cultural Center, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m.; $45; 844/672-2849, miznerparkculturalcenter. com. This indefatigable Elvis tribute artist—the only Elvis impersonator to be invited to perform at Graceland’s Heartbreak Hotel—presents a special Christmas edition of his popular production, featuring holiday favorites popularized by the King.

DIANE MARINO QUARTET at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $35-$45; 561/4506357, artsgarage.org. Marino, a triple-threat vocalist, pianist and arranger, has mastered classical and jazz piano at the nation’s top cabaret clubs over a distinguished 35-year career. Her current tour supports Soul Serenade, her 2018 release, which features refreshing covers of classics by soul/ jazz singer Gloria Lynne.

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Nov. 29-Dec. 16

Dec. 2

Dec. 5

“AT HOME” AT BEIFELD AUDITORIUM at Levis JCC, 21050 95th Ave. S., Boca Raton; $30-$40; 561/5582520, levisjcc.org. This world-premiere drama from Dan Clancy explores the joys and travails of an average American nuclear family over the course of 50 years—a time fraught with love, laughter, infidelity, childbirth, bereavement and much more.

“TAR BEACH” at Theatre Lab at FAU, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton; $35; 800/564-9539, fauevents. com. Theatre Lab presents the Southeastern premiere of this play by Tammy Ryan, about the nocturnal adventurous of a pair of bold 16-year-old girls in New York City in July 1977, played out against a citywide blackout and the ambient threat of the Son of Sam.

EMPTY BOWLS at Old School Square Pavilion, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $25 in advance, $30 at gate; 561/243-7922; oldschoolsquare.org. The tagline of this charity lunch is “eat simply so others can simply eat.” Local potters will create original bowls to be filled with chef-donated soups, and bakers from Old School Bakery will provide rustic breads. Guests can take home their bowls as a souvenir, with proceeds benefiting the Palm Beach County Food Bank.

“MESSAGES IN HARMONY: THE STORY OF PETER, PAUL AND MARY” at Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 N.W. Ninth St., Delray Beach; 2 p.m.; $15-$25; 561/272-1281 ext. 5, delraybeachplayhouse.com. The PinkSlip Duo will perform a live tribute to this classic folk trio, interspersing hits such as “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “Puff the Magic Dragon” with a slideshow exploring the band’s history and legacy.

Danielle Nicole

Empty Bowls

Jake Ehrenreich

Dec. 7-8 KUNG FU at Funky Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton; 9 p.m.; $25-$40; 561/395-2929, funkybiscuit.com. Influenced by Weather Report and Headhunters, these new-funk trailblazers aim to make fusion music cool again by marrying its complex rhythms to a 21st century EDM sensibility. At this two-night stand, the band will play its own music Dec. 7, and a Steely Dan tribute Dec. 8.

Kung Fu

Dec. 9

Dec. 14

Dec. 15

GINGERBREAD HOLIDAY CONCERT at Boca Raton Resort & Club, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 2 p.m.; $35; 561/237-9000, lynn. edu. In this cherished annual fundraiser, Lynn University’s first-rate conservatory performs seasonal favorites in a cabaret-style setting bedecked in holiday cheer. Pictures with Santa begin at 2 p.m., with the concert following at 3.

FAU TUBA CHRISTMAS at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 5 p.m.; free; 561/393-7890, mizneramp.com. Boca Raton is one of 250 cities throughout the world participating in this holiday tradition started by an Indiana University professor. Conductor Mark Decker leads a brassy Christmas music program performed by tuba and euphonium players.

“A TREASURY OF JEWISH CHRISTMAS SONGS” at Mizner Park Cultural Center, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 3 p.m.; $36-$48; 844/6722849, miznerparkculturalcenter.com. Award-winning performer Jake Ehrenreich presents this celebration of the Jewish songwriters who penned Christmas songs from the shadows. Behind-the-scenes stories and multimedia celebrity interviews supplement cool jazz versions of “Silver Bells,” “Winter Wonderland” and many more.

DANIELLE NICOLE at Funky Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton; 9 p.m.; $15-$35; 561/395-2929, funkybiscuit.com. Onethird of the blues-rocking family band Trampled Under Foot, singer-songwriter Nicole struck out on her own with her propulsive 2015 debut Wolf Den, which quickly reached No. 2 on the Billboard blues charts. She’s touring Boca in support of her 2018 sophomore release, Cry No More.

“MARIAH CHRISTMAS” at Mizner Park Cultural Center, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m.; $35; 844/6722849, miznerparkculturalcenter.com. Singer Jass Meagher, one of the few Mariah Carey sound-a-likes to mimic the vocalist’s multi-octave range, brings her tribute concert to Boca for a holiday-centered program that is bound to include Carey’s yuletide earworm “All I Want for Christmas is You.”

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Dec. 15

SETH WALKER at Funky Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton; 9 p.m.; $15-$35; 561/395-2929, funkybiscuit.com. Reared on a North Carolina commune by two classically trained musicians, Walker eventually traded in his cello for a sixstring, and has become a much-admired force in the roots-music genre. His nine albums blend blues, gospel, pop, R&B, rock and country.

YAKOV SMIRNOFF at Boca Black Box, 8221 Glades Road, Suite 10, Boca Raton; 7 p.m.; $40-$60; 561/4839036, bocablackbox.com. This Soviet-born American comedian was a household name in the Cold War ‘80s, thawing tensions with his culture-clashing mirth. He has since reinvented his act, performing clean, relatable comedy at his former residency in Branson and beyond.

Seth Walker

Dec. 29

“THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND: THE LIFE AND SONG OF WOODY GUTHRIE” at Mizner Park Cultural Center, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m.; $35; 844/672-2849, miznerparkculturalcenter.com. Combining live music and cultural history, the PinkSlip Duo honors the legacy of the Dust Bowl populist who rode the rails to folk-music notoriety, interspersing hits like the title song and “Union Maid” with a slideshow presentation about Guthrie.

“CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE: ABBEY ROAD” at Old School Square Pavilion, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $20-$75; 561/2437922, oldschoolsquare.org. For its year-end program, Classic Albums Live will re-create the Beatles’ final recorded album, a melodious yet musically challenging swan song that ranges from the playfulness of “Octopus’s Garden” to the sweetness of “Here Comes the Sun” to the heavy bluesrock of “I Want You.”

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Dec. 15

PUPPET THE PSYCHO DWARF at Boca Black Box, 8221 Glades Road, Suite 10, Boca Raton; 10 p.m.; $20; 561/483-9036, bocablackbox.com. Yes, folks, even Boca can get weird after hours. The name of this diminutive entertainer pretty much says it all, but if you’re not sold yet, Mr. “Puppet” has been seen everywhere from the “Jackass” movies to “American Horror Story,” and his act combines comedy, stunts and audience participation.

FOREVER STYX at Old School Square Pavilion, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $20-$75; 561/2437922, oldschoolsquare.org. South Florida vocalist John D’Agostino channels iconic singers Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw as the frontman of this tribute band, whose ace musicians mimic Styx’s progressive rock mix of electric and acoustic guitars, piano and synthesizer.

AVERY SOMMERS at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $35-$45; 561/4506357, artsgarage.org. This South Florida powerhouse vocalist and Broadway veteran brings her popular production “For Sentimental Reasons” to Delray Beach. The show specializes in songs about love lost and found, culled from musical theatre, 1960s pop and the American Songbook.

Yakov Smirnoff

Dec. 22

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Forever Styx

Dec. 29-30 “AN UNFORGETTABLE NAT KING COLE CHRISTMAS” at Mizner Park Cultural Center, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 4 and 8 p.m. Dec. 29, 2 p.m. Dec. 30; $60; 844/6722849, miznerparkculturalcenter.com. One of the leading lights of Chicago’s musical-theatre scene, Evan Tyrone Martin, leads this performance of Nat King Cole’s holiday music, lending his velvety croon to “The Christmas Song,” “Mona Lisa” and many more.

Dec. 29-30 “SIMPLY STREISAND” at Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 N.W. Ninth St., Delray Beach; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; $60; 561/272-1281 ext. 5, delraybeachplayhouse. com. Carla DelVillaggio, an opera-trained Barbra Streisand tribute artist, has netted numerous awards for her multimedia shows, in which the dynamic vocalist—complete with Babsstyle concert gowns, hair and nails—performs the soaring up-tempo numbers and delicate ballads alike.

Avery Sommers

Dec. 30 DOORS ALIVE at Boca Black Box, 8221 Glades Road, Suite 10, Boca Raton; 7 p.m.; $25-$35; 561/4839036, bocablackbox. com. South Florida’s preeminent Doors tribute act aims to capture the eclectic essence of the Jim Morrison-led rockers, from their most theatrical to their eeriest, and from their scalding rockers to their atmospheric jazz influences.

December 2018

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Spanish octopus from Tapeo

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Tapeo’s Portuguese “sawdust” pudding is a fave here, as is a whole roster of seafood including the vieiras rellenas, above, and the clams and shrimp and paella, among others, all produced by Chef Juan Carlos Mendez (inset)

I F YO U G O PARKING: street with meters or parking garage HOURS: Sun.-Thurs., 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11:30 a.m. to midnight PRICES: Entrees $18.95-$30.95, tapas $7.95-$15.95 WEBSITE: tapeotapas.com

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Tapeo

118 S. Clematis St., West Palm Beach, 561/514-0811 Written by LYNN KALBER

ome years back, the building housing Tapeo held Cabana Las Palmas, a five-year-old Nuevo Latin venue that closed in 2014. Since then, a variety of restaurants passed through, most memorably the casual Tin Fish. Now, Tapeo—riding the wave of Spanish restaurants coming into the area—fills this two-story spot on the east end of Clematis Street. The three owners have covered the walls with Spanish paintings and put colorful tiles behind the bar. Juan Carlos Mendez, a New Jersey restaurateur, with co-owners Giovanni and Leila Savinovich, gave control of the kitchen to Executive Chef Javier Gutierrez, a Bilbao native. Mendez is originally from Galicia, and his vision includes live music among the weekly offerings. If you want more formal dining, head upstairs to the white

tablecloths. Downstairs is casual, though the same menu applies on both levels. The dozens of hot and cold tapas dishes include traditionals, such as pulpo a la Gallega (Spanish octopus with rock salt, olive oil, paprika; $15.95) and camarones al Ajillo (shrimp in garlic with white wine; $14.95); and moderns, such as vieiras rellenas (stuffed scallops with shrimp, crabmeat and melted manchego; $13.95), or blackened ahi tuna with seaweed salad and soy reduction ($14.95). Start out with the red sangria made with red wine, brandy, OJ, triple sec, Sprite and sliced fruit. The paella Valenciana ($29.95) was a large cremoso dish with moist Spanish bomba rice and chicken, chorizo, peas, clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari and scallops. It’s an American-Spanish paella, and was mushier that you get in Barcelona, but delicious nevertheless.

Standout tapas included the home-smoked, cured salmon plate alongside red onion, Spanish capers, egg and toast points. The tortilla Espanola (Spanish omelette) was surprisingly light despite the layered eggs, potatoes and onion. The almejas en salsa verde—clams in garlic, parsley and white wine— consisted of a dozen clams in a nicely spiced broth that helped take care of the crusty bread. Our vote for the best dessert was seradura, called the Portuguese sawdust pudding because of the crushed Maria cookies throughout. But looks are deceiving, because the crumbs, whipped cream and custard dish were a delightful combination down to the last crumb. On the other hand, the bland flan didn’t hold up, and the tiramisu was forgettable. Tapeo opened at the start of the summer, and I predict it will be busy long into the season.

December 2018

11/2/18 5:25 PM

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A notorious bourbon peach cobbler and New York strip; above right, a Salt7 crab cake and the maestro, Chef Paul Niedermann

I F YO U G O PARKING: Valet, street side, parking garage HOURS: Mon.-Tues., 3 to 11 p.m.; Wed.-Sat., 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. PRICES: $18 to $58 WEBSITE: salt7.com

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REVIEW

SALT7

32 S.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach, 561/274-7258 Written by LYNN KALBER

hen “Hell’s Kitchen” winner Paul Niedermann stepped back briefly in front of the TV cameras to give advice in 2016 to two finalists before they battled, he was succinct: “You need to look at the big picture.” He knew what he was talking about, and he’s following his own advice. Niedermann has been the executive chef of SALT7 for about a year now. The restaurant, opened in 2012, is a fixture on its busy Atlantic Avenue corner. It was known in the biz as a chaotic bar/party place/nightlife scene. The food was an afterthought. No more. Now it has a serious, chef-driven intent on the bigger picture. Now, you should go to SALT7 for the food. Seriously. All the pieces needed to create a top-notch restaurant are here: talented chef, great food, excellent service. Stride past the replica of a Jeff Koons Popeye sculpture at the

front door. It’s big, brassy, and the original sold for $28 million in Las Vegas. It heralds the enormous bar, busy with women servers in garter belts. Keep going and grab a table in the quieter dining room or outside. The techno music in these areas is a few decibels lower, so you can concentrate on a crab cake ($16) stuffed with crab meat, topped with greens and grapefruit pearls (imitating caviar, but light-pink and sweet) with a creamy lemon aioli topper. Also creamy is the pea risotto ($13) with a hint of mint. A 12-ounce New York strip ($49) and an 8-ounce filet mignon ($42), silky meat cooked to a medium-rare perfection, are worth every penny. Seasoned with seven sea salts (hence SALT7) and finished with maître d’ butter, they are mouthwatering by themselves. But it’s worth dipping into the four house-made sauces: SALT7 BBQ (soy ginger sriracha), creamy horseradish, chimichurri and green peppercorn.

The meal is not cheap, but you get what you pay for, and that’s the point. Veggies are a la carte, so we added the roasted carrots (orange, basil, candied pecans) and creamed corn with jalapeño and coriander ($10 each). These will win over anyone who thinks they don’t do vegetables. And remember to try the bourbon peach cobbler. Served with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream on top, with steam rising when it arrives, it’s a crispy, sweet end with layered tastes. Brunch is close to an all-day affair, and serves up dishes like fried chicken and red velvet waffles ($19), Chef’s Southern Cajun shrimp & grits ($18), croque monsieur ($18) and a boozy French toast casserole that includes bourbon caramel sauce, Grand Marnier, Kahlúa and Godiva white chocolate ($15). Whoa. This is serious food made by a serious chef. Here’s hoping serious diners can see past the garter belts.

AARON BRISTOL

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Frank & Dino’s 39 S.E. First Ave., Boca Raton, 561/218-4636

Top, fried meatballs, Frank & Dino’s salad, Dentice oreganata

I F YO U G O PARKING: Side streets or valet HOURS: Mon.-Fri. lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Happy hours, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with midday food at the bar only; Dinner 4 to 11 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. dinner only, 4 to 11 p.m. PRICES: Entrees $21 to $46 WEBSITE: frankanddinos.com

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“When the stars make you drool Just like a pasta e fazul, that’s amore…” —Dean Martin

hen Frank & Dino’s moved from Deerfield Beach to Boca Raton in 2017, customers followed and found a clean, bright, contemporary space they loved, along with their favorite Italian dishes. But it was noisy, and the populi let its vox be heard. Frank and Dean would expect no less. Co-owners Carlo Vaccarezza and John Williams acted, installing noise-reduction equipment so the crooning Rat Pack soundtrack doesn’t overshadow martini sipping amid low conversations. With a happy hour that runs from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays, Frank & Dino’s bar is one of the few places you can find Damiano meatballs ($8), filet

mignon sliders ($8) or antipasto misto ($8) between lunch and dinner. You may also find some signs of a horseracing interest; Vaccarezza was a Breeders’ Cup winner and trainer in a past life. For dinner, one of the specials was fried meatballs ($15), five nice-sized, albeit a bit bland, spheres of veal, beef and pork, with San Marzano sauce for dipping. But don’t miss the crusty bread with flavorful dipping sauce made from olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. The Frank & Dino’s salad with Bufala mozzarella, tomato, basil, arugula, endive and radicchio was an extremely well-executed salad thanks to Executive Chef Peter Masiello, whose résumé includes Italian restaurants in both South Florida (Ristorante Bova, Corsair, PRIME) and New York (San Domenico). His handling of the Dentice oreganata is sublime. The yellowtail snapper filet baked with

herbs, garlic, olive oil, white wine, lemon and Italian bread crumbs was a delicate dish. It was light and mouthwatering, with a side of true al dente penne pasta in San Marzano tomato sauce. The capellini pomodoro e basilica entrée is a basic Italian dish, and Frank and Dino’s rendition was fresh, with tangy sauce—a complete comfort dish. The standards are performed well here, which includes a version of tiramisu that’s creamy and richer than most. A house special, the banana cream pie, wasn’t traditional but piled in a dish like pudding. It was as sweet and creamy as a pudding, with whipped cream and berries on top. There’s live music to go with your zuppa di pasta e fagioli Tuesday through Saturday nights. I prefer hearing Ol’ Blue Eyes crooning tunes as smooth as the cream pie.

AARON BRISTOL

Written by LYNN KALBER

December 2018

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RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

DINING GUIDE Palm Beach County BOCA RATON Abe & Louie’s—2200 Glades Road. Steakhouse. 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

A rustic starter at Casa D’Angelo

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 the veal shank served on a bed of risotto. • 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 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. $$

DINING KEY $: Under $17 $$: $18–$35 $$$: $36–$50 $$$$: $50 and up

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Bluefin Sushi and Thai—861 N.W. 51st St., Suite 1. Sushi/Thai. Arrive early for a table at this Asian hot spot—it’s popular with no reservations for parties fewer than six. Don’t skip the tempura lobster bomb, big in both size and taste. The ginger snapper will impress both Instagram and your stomach. Try the chicken satay and pad Thai. Bluefin offers a variety of dishes from multiple cultures, all well done. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/981-8986. $$

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. Heavy on small plates, the menu features tuna crudo, fried calamari and a killer cheese and charcuterie board. Probably the best dish, though, is the charred filet mignon with a red wine bone marrow reduction, with wickedly luscious house-made hazelnut gelato coming in a very close second. • Dinner nightly. 561/226-3022. $$$ Bonefish Grill—21065 Powerline Road. Seafood. Market-fresh seafood is the cornerstone, like Chilean sea bass prepared over a wood-burning grill and served with sweet Rhea’s topping (crabmeat, sautéed spinach and a signature lime, tomato and garlic sauce.) • Dinner nightly. Lunch on Saturdays. Brunch on Sundays. 561/483-4949. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 1880 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, 561/732-1310; 9897 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, 561/965-2663; 11658 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, 561/799-2965) $$

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) $$

Burtons Grill & Bar —5580 N. Military Trail. New American. Known for its reliable food as well as its non-gluten, Paleo and “B Choosy” kids menu, the first Florida location for this restaurant is deservedly crowded, so make reservations. Don’t miss the General Tso’s cauliflower, the pan-seared salmon (Paleo), the crab cakes or the Key lime pie. Popular half-portions are available, too. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/465-2036. $$

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129 Butcher Block Grill—7000 W. Camino Real. Steakhouse/Contemporary American. This casual steakhouse with a Mediterranean twist, an all-kosher menu, and a local, seasonal, sustainable ethos gives the stuffy old-fashioned meatery a swift kick in the sirloin. Beef here is all-natural and grass-fed, delivering big, rich, earthy flavor. Seafood, whether raw (tuna tartare) 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 the pan-fried calamari to the restaurant’s signature spin on the Cobb 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. 561/996-1234. $$$

Casimir French Bistro —416 Via De Palmas, Suite 81. French. Take a trip overseas without leaving the city and enjoy excellently prepared traditional French dishes, such as duck l’orange or beef bourguignon, or go with Cajun chicken and veal Milanese. The comfortable dining room is a Parisian experience, as is the apple tarte tatin. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/955-6001. $$$

The Cheesecake Factory —5530 Glades 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 Champion Blvd. 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 evening. Voila! Also on the menu: pan-seared foie gras, tasty onion soup, seabass Bouillabaisse, coq au vin, 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 Nova Scotian tails flash-fried and served with drawn butter or sizable Maine specimens stuffed with lobster. • Dinner nightly. 561/395-2675. $$$$

Cuban Café —3350 N.W. Boca Raton Blvd., Suite B-30. 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. $

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Sarah Sipe The Regional Kitchen’s experienced pastry chef gives customers their just desserts Written by LYNN KALBER

“So many want Key lime pie, but what I’ve done is taken the flavors and turned it into a parfait. I use ladyfingers with a Key lime mousse, and then as a crumble on the plate.” —Sarah Sipe

lorida native Sarah Sipe has a pelican’s bill full of experience in her home state: The Ritz-Carlton on Key Biscayne, Michy’s in Miami, The Omphoy Ocean Resort on Manalapan, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Miami, the Sundy House in Delray Beach, and now The Regional Kitchen & Public House in West Palm Beach. She lives close by and can ride her bike to work as pastry chef for her friend, Regional’s executive chef/co-owner, Lindsay Autry. An internship to Vienna, Austria, as part of attending Johnson & Wales University, put the icing on her baking passion. Her time in the famed sachertorte city helped guide a talent that now creates memorable dishes, such as her famed panna cottas with flavors like passion coconut. What are some hints for baking in Florida’s humidity? Reduce the water because of the humidity in the air. Be sure to keep whatever you’ve baked airtight, so it doesn’t get soggy.

THE REGIONAL KITCHEN & PUBLIC HOUSE CityPlace 651 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach 561/557-6460

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What’s your favorite kitchen baking hack? For juicing lemons, I just use a fork. You don’t need a lemon juicer or any other special equipment.

It works for any citrus, even orange. You get as much juice out of it as a juicer, and it’s faster. Your fave baking invention? I’m happy with the Key lime dessert we do. So many want Key lime pie, but what I’ve done is taken the flavors and turned it into a parfait. I use ladyfingers with a Key lime mousse, and then as a crumble on the plate. What are some holiday cookie baking tips for home cooks? Cookie dough freezes really well. Make it a couple weeks in advance and pop it in the freezer. Then you’ve got your dough done, and put it in the oven. Pie dough freezes well, too. You can even roll it out into a sheet and freeze it, or freeze it in a block, then thaw and roll it out. What do you have planned for holiday desserts? I have some new cakes planned, and some different hand pies with holiday flavors. I love pumpkin, and love to put that in hand pies and roast those. I like mixing pear and pumpkin. We get a lot of great local pumpkins from local farms. It’s totally different from canned pumpkin.

December 2018

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DINING GUIDE

RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

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, bacon 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. 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 fish salad to veal piccata, a light calamari fritti to chicken Parmesan, you can find something for all appetites. Save room for the tartufo. • Dinner nightly. 561/419-8787. $$$

Happiest Hour

Jimmy’s starts his at 3:30 every day, and keeps it happy till 7 p.m. Order a short rib empanada and blue cheese deviled eggs for an even happier one.

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. $$

AARON BRISTOL

Farmer’s Table —1901 N. Military Trail.

Shepherd’s pie at Farmer’s Table

Contemporary American. Convenient location, stylish ambience and impeccable service are 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 Cajun trout, the mammoth salad offerings and the tasty baby back ribs. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/998-0550. $$$

Jimmy’s Fries to Caviar —6299 N. Federal Highway. Contemporary American. Going one better than soup to nuts defines Jimmy Mills’ Boca restaurant, 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. Try the seasonal soups as well. • Dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/617-5965. $$

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. $$ Kapow! Noodle Bar—431 Plaza Real. Pan-

Gary Rack’s Farmhouse Kitchen—399 S.E. Mizner Blvd. American. Natural, seasonal, sustainable. You’ll enjoy the varied menu, and won’t believe it’s made without butters or creams. Try the too-good-to-be-true buffalo-style cauliflower appetizer, the seared salmon or buffalo burger, and have apple skillet for dessert. Healthy never tasted so good. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/826-2625. $$

Highway. Continental. This local stalwart smoothly rolls along with its signature blend of French and Continental dishes. The Gazebo is classic and formal, with equally 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. $$$

Grand Lux Cafe —6000 Glades Road, inside

Ke’e Grill—17940 N. Military Trail, Suite 700. Amer-

Town Center at Boca Raton. 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; brunch on Saturday and Sunday. 561/392-2141. $$

ican. 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. $$$

Ave. American. Dishes at this longtime favorite range from tasty chicken entrees and main-plate salads to ••••

Houston’s—1900 N.W. Executive Center Circle.

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 Choice short rib and the popular Buddha Bowl, with veggies, udon noodles and shrimp. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/417-5836. $$

The Grille On Congress —5101 Congress

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seafood options like Asian-glazed salmon or pan-seared yellowtail snapper. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/912-9800. $$

Asian. This Asian-inspired gastropub delivers an inventive punch to the taste buds. Among the hardest hitters is its angry shrimp dumplings and the char sui pork belly bao bun. The Saigon duck pho is yet one more reason to go. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/347-7322. $$

Kathy’s Gazebo Café —4199 N. Federal

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

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133 Buzz Bites I One Gingerbread Flip and A Partridge In A Pear Tree, Please

ow that one turkey-laden holiday is behind us, let’s get a drink to celebrate. That would involve the Miracle Pop-Up Bar at Death or Glory in Delray Beach. And a second location in CityPlace, too! The Miracle on Rosemary’s will be right below the Palm Beach Improv. Both will be running through New Year’s Eve, with themed cocktails in a festive décor. This pop-up idea was started in New York City in 2014, and has expanded to 80 locations worldwide. Yes, the creative glasses and mugs will return with some new designs. But don’t forget what’s in those vessels: Christmopolitan, Snowball Old Fashioned, Bad Santa, Christmas Carol Barrel, Run Run Rudolph, Gingerbread Flip, Jingle Balls Nog, and A Partridge in A Pear Tree are just some of the cocktails. If you are captivated by the custom glassware, you can buy it, and 10 percent of the sale will be donated to Action Against Hunger. Call it an early Christmas gift. The Death or Glory Miracle Pop-Up bar will be open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Miracle on Rosemary’s hours will be noon to 1 a.m. Death Or Glory, 116 N.E. Sixth Ave., Delray Beach; 561/808-8814; deathorglorybar.com, miraclepopup.com The Miracle on Rosemary CityPlace, 550 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach —Lynn Kalber

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 assortment of desserts that range from homey apple tart to bananas Foster with chocolate and Grand Marnier. • Dinner nightly. 561/338-3003. $$$

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. $$

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, a salad, two pastas, two entrées 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. $$

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). 561/3628403. $$$

Mario’s Osteria —1400 Glades Road, Suite 210. Italian. This popular spot is swanky, but the rustic Italian 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. $$

Le Rivage —450 N.E. 20th St., Suite 103. French.

Matteo’s—233 S. Federal Highway, Suite 108.

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. $$

Italian. 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. $$

Louie Bossi’s —100 E. Palmetto Park Road. Italian. This jumping joint serves terrific Neapolitan pizza (thin crust), but don’t miss the other entrées. Start with a charcuterie/cheese plate and grab the amazing breadsticks. All breads and pastas are made on the premises. Other faves include the carbonara and the calamari, and save room for house-made gelato. Unusual features: Try the bocce ball court included with the retro Italian décor. • Lunch and dinner daily, weekend brunch. 561/336-6699. $$$

Luff’s Fish House —390 E. Palmetto Park Road. Seafood. A renovated 1920s bungalow houses this shipshape restaurant, in addition to two large, outdoor deck and patio areas. It’s known for familiar dish names with new tweaks: smoked fish-hummus dip, falafel fish fritters, crab guacamole, mussels in coconut curry broth, plus the paella on Sundays only. Don’t leave without the enormous slice of the Key lime pie, topped with meringue on a graham cracker crust. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/609-2660. $$

Madison’s —2006 N.W. Executive Center Circle. American. This location is something of a Bermuda Triangle for restaurants, with at least four restaurants 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, and service that is as professional as it is personable. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/9940808. $$$

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, and 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 the applewood bacon-wrapped meatloaf to the wickedly indulgent crème brûlèe pie. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/368-0080. $$ Morton’s The Steakhouse—5050 Town Center Circle, Suite 219. Steakhouse. There’s seemingly no end to diners’ love of huge slabs of high-quality aged beef, nor to the carnivores who pack the clubby-swanky dining room of this meatery. While the star of the beef show is the giant bone-in filet mignon, seasonally featured is the American Wagyu New York strip. Finish off your meal with one of the decadent desserts.• Dinner nightly. 561/392-7724. $$$$

New York Prime —2350 N.W. Executive Center Drive. Steakhouse. This wildly popular Boca meatery Monday, Monday 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 steak-house classics like oysters Rockefeller, garlicky spinach and crusty hash browns. • Dinner nightly. 561/998-3881. $$$$ December 2018

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Nick’s New Haven-Style Pizzeria —2240 N.W. 19th St., Suite 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. $$

Ouzo Bay Greek Kouzina—201 Plaza Real. Greek-American. This sleek Mizner Park destination combines Maryland and Greek dishes, reflecting the flagship Ouzo Bay in Baltimore. You’ll find classic Greek dishes done right here: the spanakopita, dolmades and baklava are excellent. A large variety of fish are flown in daily and served whole or deboned, but always well prepared. Try the crab cakes with your ouzo. Opa! • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/757-0082. $$$

Holiday Bonus

For every $500 you spend booking an event or having one catered by Ruth’s Chris, you’ll earn a $50 bonus card.

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 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) $$

AARON BRISTOL

Prezzo —5560 N. Military Trail. Italian. A reincarnation of a popular 1990s Boca venue, this version has updated the dining room, kept the yummy oven-baked focaccia bread slices, and added a 21st-century taste to the menu. Don’t miss the tender bone-in pork chop, risotto croquettes, thin-crust pizza and seafood specials. Vegetarian and gluten-free choices are on the menu, too. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/314-6840. $$

Kapow’s sesame tuna udon

Rack’s Downtown Eatery + Tavern— 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 homey 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. $$

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 bocamag.com

••••

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., Suite 100. Steakhouse. Not only does this steakhouse favorite emphasize its New Orleans roots, it also distinguishes itself from 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. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 651 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, 561/514-3544; 661 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, 561/863-0660.) $$$$ Seasons 52 —2300 Executive Center Drive. Contemporary American. The food—seasonal ingredients, simply and healthfully prepared, accompanied by interesting wines—is first-rate, from salmon roasted on a cedar plank to desserts served in oversized shot glasses. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/998-9952. (Other Palm Beach County location: 11611 Ellison Wilson Road, Palm Beach Gardens, 561/625-5852.) $$

Six Tables a Restaurant—112 N.E. Second St., Boca Raton. American. Chef/owner Jonathan Fyhrie has a unique, elegant, one-seating, prix-fixe dinner and only six tables. The decor reflects the food, which is innovative in unexpected but attractive ways. Open since 2004, this restaurant’s staying power proves the pull of a beautiful space, amazing food and special attention from a talented staff. The velvety lobster bisque is a signature dish. The night’s options can include rack of lamb, filet au poivre, wild Scottish king salmon, crispy duck and more, all done beautifully. Plan on a two-to-three-hour dinner. It’s worth it. • Dinner nightly. 561/347-6260. $$$$ Sushi Ray —5250 Town Center Circle, Suite 111. Japanese/Sushi. Impeccably fresh and exactingly prepared sushi and other Japanese specialties are on display. The Nobu-esque miso sea bass gives a taste of this modern classic at a fraction of the price of the original, while the chef’s sushi assortment offers a generous arrangement of nigiri and maki for a reasonable $22. • Lunch Mon.–Fri., dinner nightly. 561/394-9506. $$

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135 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. The scarletta pepper steak and bone-in pork chops are excellent, as are the braised Angus beef short ribs with toasted pearl barley and collard greens. For dessert, try the red velvet bread pudding 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, Suite 247. 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 (dolmades—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 Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/994-2828. $$

Temper Grille —9858 Clint Moore Road. American tapas. Even though it’s a tapas place, the portions are large, so plan to share your dishes or take home leftovers. Try the Temper Yakisoba noodles spicy or hot, lamb pops, shrimp bites and steak chimmis. • Dinner Tues.-Sat. 561/717-8081. $$

True Food Kitchen—6000 Glades Road. Eco-chic health food. This chain was co-founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the health food guru, so dishes here reflect the “anti-inflammatory” diet he prescribes. You’ll find some delicious items that won’t require a loosening of the belt. The menu is seasonal and changes regularly, so if the terrific edamame dumplings are available, grab them. Same for the burger, herb hummus and desserts. There’s bound to be something for all tastes.• Lunch and dinner daily. Brunch Sat.-Sun. 561/419-8105. $$

Twenty Twenty Grille —141 Via Naranjas, Suite 45. 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. $$$

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. $$ Vino —114 N.E. Second St. Wine Bar/Italian. An impressive wine list of some 200 bottles (all available by the glass) offers a multitude of choices, especially among Italian and California reds. The menu of “Italian tapas” includes roasted red peppers with Provolone, as well as ricotta gnocchi with San Marzano tomatoes. • Dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/869-0030. $$

WEST BOCA

Trattoria Romana—499 E. Palmetto Park

Boon’s Asian Bistro —19605 N. State

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 restaurants. Pay attention to the daily specials, especially if they include impeccably done langostini oreganata and the restaurant’s signature jumbo shrimp saltimbocca. • Dinner nightly. 561/393-6715. $$$

Road 7. Japanese/Thai. This is one of two Boon’s (the other is in Delray Beach), and it’s where the rush to eat excellent sushi started. The fast-moving staff is choreographed to deliver dishes such as shrimp pad Thai that’s light, delicate and happily filled with shrimp. The Thai fried rice is unusually delicate too, with lots of egg, and is some of the best around. The sushi rolls are as fresh and inventive (try the Daimyo roll) as they are beautifully presented. Go early or call for a reservation. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/883-0202. $$

True —147 S.E. First Ave. American. True is the only place in South Florida to eat authentic Baltimore crab cakes. This small, unpretentious venue reminds us of a Key West food shack. The food is fabulous. Try anything with crab (crab dip, crab soup, crab sliders), but don’t miss the bacon-wrapped dates, beef brisket sliders and Fetacomply salad.• Dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/417-5100. $$

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

Buzz Bites II Dust Off Your Appetites for the 2018-2019 Swank Farms Events

hat if you could attend an amazing dinner that included touring a working farm and then being served by a large number of noted chefs? Lucky you! The Swank Farms 20182019 dinners would fit that description to a T. But, of course, it’s not as simple or as understated as that—there’s much, much more included. Those who found this locally famous hydroponic farm in Loxahatchee Groves in 2011 have known about these unforgettable meals for a while. These dinners—and a brunch series, Chefs Reunion dinners, a Master Chefs series and more—are scheduled through May, but they sell out fast, so plan accordingly. The family-style events are created from all-local products from partner farms, including brews, wine and justpicked Swank Farms veggies. Tours of the farm are conducted at each event, and there is plenty of room for kids to run around. This year, Swank Farms is adding two Chefs Reunion events, which means chefs who worked at 32 East will prepare a dinner together on April 13 (we are talking about 24 chefs!), and chefs who worked at 3030 Ocean are also serving a dinner together, on March 31. Then there’s the Master Chef series, this year highlighting different cities, with chefs coming down from each one: Jan. 12, Milwaukee; Feb. 2, Martha’s Vineyard; March 16, Louisville; March 23, Boston; May 4, Palm Beach and Miami. Brunch tickets run $99 per person, dinner tickets are $160 per person; you can save money if you purchase a season package. Find more information and order tickets at swankspecialtyproduce.com. —Lynn Kalber

seafood-friendly wine list, impeccably fresh fish and shellfish cooked with care and little artifice. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/487-1600. $$ December 2018

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BOCA CHALLENGE

Pâté

t’s not pretty, but it’s good. And filling. Meaning “pie” in French, pâté automatically kicks up a holiday spread to a sophisticated level. Usually made from ground duck, pork, fish or beef and cooked in a loaf, pâté most commonly comes as a cold slice that has liver, wine, herbs, spices, vegetables and some kind of fat, with wine or brandy added occasionally. It’s extremely tasty, quite rich and goes well with either sparkling or red wines. It’s not as spreadable as chicken liver

APPEARANCE

mousse but should be served with crackers or baguette slices, cornichons and maybe some savory chutney. The undisputed local kings of pâté are Café Monet and Kathy’s Gazebo, but we branched out this time to a few other places. We sacrificed ourselves and tried pâté de Campagne, a pork pâté, some with black pepper added. We bought one slice of each: One was made in-house, three were pre-packaged brands. All are made in the U.S. —LYNN KALBER

CONSISTENCY

TASTE TOTAL From Brooklyn, Trois Petits Cochons has been making pate since 1975. This organic slice was rich, with a solid taste of all components. It was also smooth and was my favorite packaged product. $7.99 for 4 ounces.

WHOLE FOODS

Available by itself or as part of a hearty charcuterie plate, the pâté is made in-house at this wonderful French bistro and is rich and filling. It has a bite of pepper in it, and manages to be both crunchy and smooth, with a wonderfully earthy taste. Fresh is always my first choice, and this is fresh. $5.95 for 5 ounces.

BISTRO BISTRO Whole Foods

1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton; 561/447-0000

Bistro Bistro

506 Northwood Road, West Palm Beach; 561/228-1081

GOURMET MARKET

Made by Fabrique Delices in California, this pâté de Campagne has a black pepper crust and is lighter than the others. It’s an attractive light pink-andwhite pâté, which is unusual. $5.67 (for about 5 ounces; cost depends on the weight).

THE BOYS MARKET

This pâté de Campagne was made by Alexian, which started in 1982 and is in New Jersey. The slice was bland and light on taste. It had an overly dense structure and was the least attractive of the pâtés tasted. At least it doesn’t have preservatives or fillers, and uses hormone- and antibiotic-free ingredients. $5.99 for 5 ounces.

Gourmet Market

2800 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; 561/609-2686

The Boys Farmers Market

14378 S. Military Trail, Delray Beach; 561/496-0810

RATINGS: fair

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Ralston Crawford, St. Petersburg to Tampa, 1938, Oil on canvas, 30.25 x 36.25 inches. Gift of Joseph H. Hirshhorn, 1966; Photography by Lee Stalsworth; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution; Art © Estate of Ralston Crawford/Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY.

ANNUAL GALA DINNER & DANCE Saturday, February 9, 2019 Royal Palm Yacht Club, Boca Raton 6:30 pm Cocktails | 8:00 pm Dinner Honorary Chairs Åsa & Per–Olof Lööf | Co-Chairs Paola & Markus Jakobson and Trish Savides St. Petersburg to Tampa is featured in Imagining Florida: History and Myth in the Sunshine State (Nov. 13, 2018 - Mar. 24, 2019), a major exhibition organized by the Boca Raton Museum of Art and the inspiration for this year’s Annual Gala Dinner & Dance.

BOCAMUSEUM.ORG/GALA

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DINING GUIDE RESTAURANT DIRECTORY Ditmas Kitchen—21077 Powerline Road. Contemporary kosher. This west Boca restaurant is named after a Brooklyn avenue in a district known for its food. Here you’ll find very good casual food, and no dairy products are used. Try the Hibachi salmon, all-kale Caesar salad, the shnitzel sandwich. • Dinner Sun.-Thurs. 561/826-8875. $$$

Voted Delray Beach Restaurant of the Year in 2014 and 2015 Trip Advisor Award of Excellence 2012-2018 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2003-2017

South Florida’s Top Seaside Italian Restaurant

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 the foie gras terrine and proceed to lamb rack or pan-seared salmon with braised baby artichokes. C’est délicieux. • Dinner nightly. 561/654-6600. $$$ Oliv Pit Athenian Grille—6006 S.W. 18th St. Modern Greek. The owners’ goal of bringing together the best of Greek cooking under one roof, much like the melting pot that is Athens, is covered here in an extensive menu. The best way to enjoy the food is to share it: the Pikilia trio with tzatziki, spicy feta and eggplant spread is a starting place. Try the mix grill platter and the hearty red Greek wine. End the night with a unique, velvety frappe cappuccino. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/409-2049. $$

34 S. Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach • 561-274-9404 facebook.com/caffelunarosa caffelunarosa.com • Serving Our Brunch & Dinner Menu 7 Days Valet Parking Available

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T H E B R OWA R D C E N T E R P R E S E N T S

The Cosmic Perspective

Horsehead Nebula Photo Credit: NASA | @jodisolomonspeakersinc

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson JANUARY 22 Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium @ FAU Campus Boca Raton

TICKETS at ticketmaster.com or 866.730.1006 STUDENT TICKETS AVAILABLE bocamag.com

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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. $$

Villa Rosano—9858 Clint Moore Road. Italian. 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 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. 561/853-0090. $ Josie’s Italian Ristorante—1602 S. Federal Highway. Italian. Famed chef and South Florida culinary godfather Mark Militello is back at Josie’s

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after a brief stint at Boca’s Prezzo, and his magic in the kitchen of this cozy, old-school Italian restaurant is duly noted. His influence is evident in the 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. $$

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. $$

Salmon from the Atlantic Grille

Up, Up & Away

Try the “Balloon” at Apeiro for a family-style app: house-baked pita, hummus, eggplant caponata, pistachio yogurt, tzatziki, extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic. Serves 2 to 4.

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Buzz Bites III These Venues Served Their Last Desserts in 2018

estaurants open and close here more quickly than free appetizers disappear during Happy Hour. Here are some of the dining rooms shuttered in 2018, which includes some longstanding favorites. Of course, this always makes room for some new, mouth-watering newbies. The restaurant scene is never dull! CLOSINGS INCLUDE: In Boca Raton: Sybarite Pig, Boca Brewzzi (now Square One), Junior’s, Uncle Tai’s, Truluck’s, Uncle Julio’s, Pinon Grille, The Little Chalet (now The Locale), Park Place Deli (now Prezzo), Wishing Well Irish Pub (now Wish) In Delray Beach: Caffe Martier (The Wine Room is supposed to open here), 32 East, Max’s Harvest In Palm Beach: Nick & Johnnie’s, Testa’s, Charley’s Crab, Costa In West Palm Beach: Jardin —Lynn Kalber

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. $$

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. $$

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, 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. $

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. $$

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The Banyan—189 N.E. Second Ave. American. Snuggled under its namesake banyan tree in Pineapple Grove, this modern restaurant boasts a bright pink neon bar with bright cocktails, too. Try the purple Aviation gin cocktail paired with the Maryland crab bites or the Yum Yum Shrimp with spicy-sweet sriracha aioli. Sliders, tacos, mac trios and flatbreads do not disappoint. Order the crème brûlée cheesecake if it’s available. • 561/563-8871. $$

Batch Gastropub —14813 Lyons Road. Gastropub. Definitely try the homemade batches of cocktails on tap, which give this west Delray gastropub its name. The artisanal mixes boast ingredients such as H.M. Tonic No. 22—the crisp, tangy part of a very good gin and tonic. The heirloom tomato and feta salad is a highlight with Champagne vinaigrette dressing. Also popular are the brisket and short rib burgers, the avocado toast and the chicken Caesar. But the drinks are what you’ll remember. • Brunch Sat.-Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/877-0000. $$

Beg for More Izakaya —19 S.E. Fifth Ave. Japanese Small Plates. The large sake, whisky and beer menu here pairs beautifully with the small plates full of everything except sushi. No sushi. And that’s fine. Try the takoyaki (octopus balls), the crispy salmon tacos and anything with the addictive kimchi, such as the kimchi fried rice. There are pasta, teriyaki and simmered duck with bok choy dishes—or 16 varieties of yakitori (food on skewers). You’ll be back to beg for more. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/563-8849. $$ Brulé Bistro —200 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. The menu changes daily but some faves here include filet mignon carpaccio, seared tuna poke, seared diver scallops, slow-cooked lamb pappardelle, and more. Oh, and the Meyer lemon tart? ‘Nuff said. Outside tables offer the best option for conversation. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/274-2046. $$

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. $$

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. $$ Cosa Duci _BRM1218.indd 1

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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. $$

your toes. Though the restaurant is casual, the kitchen 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. $

Cabo Flats—Delray Marketplace, 14851 Lyons

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 fish tacos clad in delicate fried skin, set off by tart pineapple salsa. Cinnamon and sugar-dusted churros are the perfect dessert. And check out the margaritas, especially the smoky blend of mezcal and blanco tequila. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/865-5350. $$

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 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 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. $$

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 a jumbo crab cake. This is the place to see and be seen in Delray, and the food lives up to its profile. • Lunch Mon.–Sun. Dinner nightly. Outdoor dining. 561/272-0220. $$

Diver scallops at The Grove

Cut 432—432 E. Atlantic Ave. Steakhouse. Hipper decor, a more casual vibe and an inventive take on steakhouse 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 AmerDada Statement

It’s that time of year: Winter is perfect for Dada’s wildly popular butternut squash ricotta ravioli.

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 bocamag.com

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El Camino —15 N.E. Second Ave. Mexican. This

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. $$ The Grove—187 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. Chef and sommelier Michael Haycook and Dining Room Manager Paul Strike change their menu biweekly, turning out dishes exhilarating in their freshness, creativity and elegant simplicity. An appetizer of octopus with olive oil, crushed potato aioli and lemon is outstanding. • Dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/266-3750. $$ Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar— 1841 S. Federal Highway. American. You don’t have to worry about calories (most dishes are under 500), you don’t have to worry about finding something you haven’t tried before (new items are added every three months) and freshness is the silent ingredient throughout. Try the pesto Caprese flatbread, the supergrain salad and the steak or salmon or chicken. Desserts offer big tastes in small jars. • Lunch and dinner daily; brunch on weekends. 561/266-3239. $$ Henry’s—16850 Jog Road. American. This casual, unpretentious restaurant in the west part of town never fails to delight diners. Expect attentive service and crisp execution of everything—from meat loaf, burgers and fried chicken to flatbreads and hefty composed salads. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/638-1949. $$

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 wife Tina—serves up everything from burgers and

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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.

Chef Paul Collange offers a selection of timeless French classics in a warm and friendly environment, which is sure to delight your senses and your palate.

Contemporary American. This small gem off noisy Atlantic Avenue is big on taste and ambience, and has been busy since 2009. You can travel the world with dumplings, conch fritters, pork schnitzel, rigatoni Bolognese, étouffée and more. Reservations are recommended at this laid-back, comfortable venue. • Dinner nightly. 561/865-5774. $$

Joseph’s Wine Bar —200 N.E. Second Ave. Mediterranean-American. Joseph’s is an elegant, comfortable, intimate nook in Delray’s Pineapple Grove, and an ideal place for a lazy evening. This family affair—owner Joseph Boueri, wife Margaret in the kitchen, and son Elie and daughter Romy working the front of the house— has all tastes covered. Try the special cheese platter, the duck a l’orange or the rack of lamb. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/272-6100. $$

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. $$

Latitudes —2809 S. Ocean Blvd. Modern American. You should come for both the sunset and the food. This oceanfront restaurant is a gem tucked inside the Delray Sands resort. From the airy, bubbly interior to the raw bar, the décor is soothing and fun. Try the lobster and crab stuffed shrimp, the miso-glazed Skuna Bay salmon, the branzino or the veal Bolognese. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-6241. $$$

Open for Dinner 7 Days: 5:00pm-9:00pm

450 NE 20 St • Shore Centre • Boca Raton • 561-620-0033 Reservations by text message: 561-715-1227

www.restaurantlerivage.com

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Established 1991

Lemongrass Bistro—420 E. Atlantic Ave. Pan-Asian. Casually hip ambience, friendly service, moderate prices and a blend of sushi and nouveau panAsian 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. 561/2785050. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 101 Plaza Real S., Boca Raton, 561/544-8181; 1880 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, 561/733-1344). $

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

Monday–Saturday: 7am to 10pm Sunday: 7am to 3pm

BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER 80 S. Federal Highway • Deerfield Beach, FL • (954) 480-8402

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Good Lineage

Gino and Anna Silvestri, who launched Tramonti in 2004, first owned the famous Angelo’s of Mulberry Street in Little Italy, New York—still a family-owned classic.

RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

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. $$

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. $$

Park Tavern—32 S.E. Second Ave. Contempo-

Terra Fiamma—9169 W. Atlantic Ave. Italian. The pleasures of simple, hearty, well-prepared Italian-American cuisine are front and center here. 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. $$

rary 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. $$$ Racks Fish House + Oyster Bar—5 S.E. Second Ave. Seafood. Gary Rack, who also has scored with his spot in Mizner Park, certainly seems to have the restaurant Midas touch, as evidenced by this updated throwback to classic fish houses. Design, ambience and service hit all the right notes. Oysters are terrific any way you get them; grilled fish and daily specials are excellent. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/450-6718. $$$ Sardinia Enoteca—3035 S. Federal Highway. Italian. Dinner can be pricey at this sister property to the Miami Beach Sardinia, but that problem is solved by ordering half-portions of the paellas and pastas, plus the option for a quartino of wine (always a plus). The light goat cheese ravioli is lip-smaking. The arancini appetizer’s five balls of Sardinian couscous with ground meat and spices pop with flavor, and two orders could serve as dinner. Try the mozzarella bar or the chef’s tasting menu with paired wines. Loyal diners have found Sardinian sweetness here. • Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.-Sun. 561/332-3406. $$$ Sundy House—106 S. Swinton Ave. Contemporary American. It’s fine dining served in arguably the most beautiful restaurant and gardens in Delray. Menus are seasonal and imaginative. Try any of the fresh local fish dishes. • Lunch Tues.–Sat. Brunch Sun. Dinner Tues.– Sun. 561/272-5678. $$

Lobster tempura from Prime

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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

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. $$$

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. $$$

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 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,

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The

Center of it All

for Arts, Culture & Learning in Boca Raton Literature, Professional Theater, Concerts, Comedy, Film, Art, Pottery, Adult University Lectures and more!

Nathan D. Rosen Museum Gallery: January Exhibition - Florida Highwaymen Enjoy works by these celebrated, self-taught, acclaimed African American artists known for their idyllic Florida landscapes. OPENING RECEPTION AND MEET & GREET ARTISTS: Sunday, January 6, 6:30 - 8:30 pm 7:00 pm Talk by Speaker Gary Monroe

Florida Fresh: The Speaker Series

A series of fascinating lectures by local experts: Sunday, January 6 - The Florida Highwaymen Monday, January 14 - Florida Soul Monday, April 8 - Florida Stories Thursday, April 11 - The Jews of Key West

LEVIS JCC SANDLER CENTER, BOCA RATON levisjcc.org/sandleracl • 561-235-7418

Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center • Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center 21050 95th Avenue S., Boca Raton, FL 33428 Adolph&RoseLevis CtrForAll_BRM1218.indd 1

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146 pounded chicken breast and roasted rack of lamb. The wine list features great vintages. • Lunch and dinner daily. Outdoor dining. 561/835-1600. $$$

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 international. A Palm Beach standard, the café has long been known for its peerless beauty, the

t i eep

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 see-and-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. $$$ Echo—230A Sunrise Ave. Asian. The cuisine reverberates with the tastes of China, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam. The Chinese hot and sour soup is unlike any other, and the sake list is tops. This offsite property of The Breakers is managed with the same flawlessness as the resort. • Dinner nightly (during season). 561/802-4222. $$$

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. $$ Leopard Lounge and Restaurant—The Chesterfield Palm Beach, 363 Cocoanut Row. American. The restaurant offers excellent food in a glamorous and intimate club-like atmosphere. In fact, it’s advisable to make early reservations if a quiet dinner is the objective; the place becomes a late-night cocktail spot after 9. The menu is equally decadent. • Breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner daily. 561/659-5800. $$

HMF—1 S. County Road. Contemporary American.

Meat Market—191 Bradley Place. Steakhouse.

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

“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

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DINING GUIDE RESTAURANT DIRECTORY “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.” -Dr. K.D.

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. $$$$

Renato’s —87 Via Mizner. Italian with conti-

Rose Glamoclija, R.N. Founder and Administrator

nental 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. $$$

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Ta-boo—2221 Worth Ave. American. This self-described “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) is a delightful end to the evening. • Dinner daily. 561/355-1399. $$ Café Centro—2409 N. Dixie Highway. Italian. There are many things to like about this modest little osteria—the unpretentious ambiance, piano Thursday through Saturday during season, the fine service, the robust portions and relatively modest prices. And, of course, the simple, satisfying Italian cuisine. The kitchen breathes new life into hoary old fried calamari, gives fettucine con pollo a surprisingly delicate herbed cream sauce, gilds snowy fillets of grouper with a soulful Livornese. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/514-4070. $$

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 bocamag.com

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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. $$ Marcello’s La Sirena—6316 S. Dixie Highway. Italian. You’re in for a treat if the pasta of the day is prepared with what might be the best Bolognese sauce ever. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. (closed Memorial Day– Labor Day). 561/585-3128. $$ Pistache —1010 N. Clematis St., #115. French. 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. $$

The Regional Kitchen & Public House —651 Okeechobee Blvd. Southern with Mediterranean twist. Across from the PBC Convention Center and next to Kravis Center for the Performing Arts means it’s a shoe-in for an excellent pre-theater meal. Or a post-theater drink and nosh. Executive Chef/ Co-owner Lindsay Autry’s version of pimento cheese (prepared tableside), fried chicken, pickled shrimp and tomato pie are dishes you thought you knew, until you try these. Memorable, delectable comfort food, and bartenders who know what they’re doing. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/557-6460. $$

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French Continental

Rhythm Café —3800 S. Dixie Highway. Casual 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 Time Restaurant Group has crafted a handsome spot that dishes Mexican favorites, as well as upscale variations on the theme and more than 425 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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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. $$$

Broward County

DEERFIELD BEACH 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, 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. 954/8572929. $$$

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RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

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. • Lunch and dinner daily. 954/428-2539. $$

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Tamarind Asian Grill & Sushi Bar —949 S. Federal Highway. Asian. Quiet and

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. $$$

soothing, this multicultural venue serves sushi, sashimi, yakitori and wide-ranging Japanese appetizers. • Lunch and dinner daily. 954/428-8009. $$

Tradition—626 S. Federal Highway. French. This is a petite place with a large following, for good reason. Owners Eric and Anais Heintz start meals with an amusebouche and a menu that spans the length of France. Order a creamy Caesar salad with a light anchovy-based dressing. Try the coq au vin (sauce cooked for two days), and if you like calves’ liver, this is the best you’ll find in the area. End with a Grand Marnier soufflé (worth the 15-minute wait), and make your next reservation there before going home. • Dinner Mon.-Sat. 954/480-6464. $$

Le Bistro—4626 N. Federal Highway. Modern French. The menu is modern and healthy—98-percent gluten-free, according to chef Andy Trousdale and co-owner Elin 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.

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. $

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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. $$$

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COCONUT CREEK NYY Steak—Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, 5550 N.W. 40th St. Steakhouse. The second incarnation of this Yankees-themed restaurant swings for the fences—and connects—with monstrous portions, chic decor and decadent desserts. The signature steaks are a meat lover’s dream; seafood specialties include Maine lobster and Alaskan king crab. • Dinner nightly. Brunch Sun. 954/935-6699. $$$$

FORT LAUDERDALE 15th Street Fisheries—1900 S.E. 15th St. Seafood. Surrounded by views of the Intracoastal, this Old Florida-style restaurant features seafood and selections for land lovers. We love the prime rib. • Lunch and dinner daily. 954/763-2777. $$

BEFORE

AFTER

3030 Ocean—Harbor Beach Marriott Resort, 3030 Holiday Drive. American. Now led in the kitchen by Adrienne Grenier of “Chopped” fame, the new-look 3030 has a farm-to-table focus, along with an emphasis, as always, on locally sourced seafood. • Dinner nightly. 954/765-3030. $$$

Bistro 17—Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Hotel, 1617 S.E. 17th St. Contemporary American. This small, sophisticated restaurant continues to impress with competently presented food. The menu is surprisingly diverse. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 954/626-1748. $$ Bistro Mezzaluna—1821 S.E. 10th Ave. Italian. The bistro is all Euro-chic decor—mod lighting, abstract paintings. It also has good food, from pastas to steaks and chops and a wide range of fresh seasonal fish and seafood. Don’t forget the phenomenal wine list. • Lunch and dinner daily. 954/522-9191. $$

Bongusto Ristorante—5640 N. Federal Highway. Italian. This is a well-kept secret, featuring dishes that will meet the standards of those who savor authentic Italian. Involtini capricciosi—tender-rolled veal stuffed with spinach, prosciutto and fontina cheese—is satiating, while the whole yellowtail snapper is an equal delight. • Dinner nightly. 954/771-9635. $$

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SCOTS KNOW RIGOR WITH HEART

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Scots achieve academic excellence, inspired by peers and faculty who encourage safe risk-taking. They flourish not because they are pressured to, but because they learn to self-motivate in a community that fosters healthy relationships. In a positive school culture where students grow in mind, body, and spirit, they feel inspired to set lofty personal goals and reach them. Teachers maintain a rigorous curriculum, and they do so with heart. Recognized as a leading independent school in the Episcopal tradition, Saint Andrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School is a day and boarding school for students in grades Pre-K through 12 3900 Jog Road

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153 THE SCENE BOCA BALLROOM BATTLE DISCO & DIAMONDS GALA SWEETNESS & LAUGHTER GALA PALM BEACH TASTE OF THE NATION BETHESDA BALL BATTLE FOR THE KIDS

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Jamie Rosemurgy and James Brann

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BOCA BALLROOM BATTLE WHAT: Co-chaired by Terry Fedele and John C. Tolbert, this highly anticipated event modeled after “Dancing With the Stars” drew a crowd of more than 775 supporters. The community dancers at the 11th-annual battle were Samir Changela, Nancy Dockerty, Matthew H. Maschler, Dr. Cristina Mata, Jamie M. Rosemurgy, Tracy Tilson, Joseph W. Veccia and Christopher B. Warren. The Mirror Ball Trophy was awarded to the top female and male fundraisers—Nancy Dockerty, who raised $101,853, and Christopher B. Warren, who raised $103,470. All proceeds benefited the George Snow Scholarship Fund, and this year’s event broke last year’s record by more than $20,000. WHERE: Boca Raton Resort & Club

Tim Snow, Terry Fedele and John C. Tolbert

Aleksandr Skarlato and Dr. Cristina Mata

Aleksandr Skarlato and Tracy Tilson

The Boca Ballroom Battle dancers celebrate a night of fun and another year of fundraising.

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James Brann and Nancy Dockerty

Sayra Vazquez Brann and Joseph Veccia

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MITCHELL ZACHS

GINA FONTANA

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Jeannette Stark, Valeria Rosenbloom, Michelle Yellin, Teri Wolofsky, Lori Cabrera, Gail Wasserman, Noreen Hassan, Melissa Hassan, Sarah Hassan, Silvana Halperin

Sharon Alexander, Steven Shatkin, Tracie Shatkin, Neil Saffer, Trisha Saffer

DISCO & DIAMONDS GALA WHAT: The Unicorn Children’s Foundation hosted a ‘70s-themed soiree followed by a “Studio 54” after-party. Melissa Hassan, Michael Simpson and Dominique Rivera were recognized for their work for the nonprofit, and the Unicorn Foundation revealed the Special Percs Cafe to strengthen the bridge from childhood to the workplace. WHERE: Boca West Country Club

Ann and Gregory Fried

SWEETNESS & LAUGHTER GALA WHAT: The Mathew Forbes Romer Foundation celebrated the 20th anniversary of its gala. During the gala’s “See the Light” awards ceremony, the charity honored leaders who have been instrumental in testing and education, nursing education, and research of children’s genetic diseases of the brain for the past two decades. The nonprofit is named for Mathew Romer, who lost his eight-year battle with Tay-Sachs disease. WHERE: Kravis Center Nursing education program winners

Robert Green, Bobbie Green, Carole Romer and Lisa Romer-Math

Kevin and Lisajane Romer

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Judy Blizzard, Andy Blizzard and Keely Gideon-Taylor

Laura Plutowski, Krystjana Plutowski and Ryan Roach

PALM BEACH TASTE OF THE NATION WHAT: Knowing that one in five children in Florida struggles with hunger, Palm Beach Taste of the Nation works every year to raise money for No Kid Hungry. Chefs Lindsay Autry, Zach Bell, Clay Conley, Tim Lipman and Julien Gremaud co-chaired the event with Event Chairwoman Denise Mariani. Wine was curated by Master Sommelier Virginia Philip, and more than 50 chefs from Palm Beach County doled out delicious bites, craft beer and desserts. More than 600 people attended the sold-out event, and more than $213,000 was raised for No Kid Hungry, a nonprofit working to end childhood hunger. Local nonprofits that benefited include Florida Impact, FLIPANY and Feeding South Florida. WHERE: Kravis Center

Virginia Philip, Julien Gremaud, Clay Conley, Denise Mariani, ,Tim Lipman, Zach Bell and Lindsay Autry

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Manuel and Elizabeth Bornia

LIBBYVISION.COM

Macarons and other treats

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Kyle and Jessica McAfee, Honorary Chair Dr. Carol Adami and Dr. Robert Adami

Bethesda Health President and CEO Roger L. Kirk and wife Dale, Ball Chairmen Marti LaTour and George Elmore

BETHESDA BALL WHAT: More than 400 people entered a magical garden to celebrate the 63rd-annual Bethesda Ball in the Venetian Ballroom of The Breakers Palm Beach. “Living statues” and gazebos transformed the ballroom, adding to the whimsy. During the event, more than $681,000 was raised, including more than $500,000 worth of pledges. With the money raised, the hospital will be able to purchase a 3D mammogram machine to serve women in the hospital’s Women’s Health Center.

DOWNTOWN PHOTO

Brian Keeley, Barbara James and George Elmore

Nicole and Dr. John Pasqual, Annie and Bryn Byers

WHERE: The Breakers Palm Beach

Seran Glanfield, Lianne Cavell and Christina White

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BATTLE FOR THE KIDS FOUNDATION DAYS WHAT: The Boca West Children’s Foundation hosted a golf tournament, golf gala and concert to raise money for the 25 children’s charities it supports in Palm Beach County. The “Battle of the Bands: Chicago vs. Billy Joel” concert pitted two tribute bands against each other in a friendly competition. At the end of the event, more than $1 million was raised. WHERE: Boca West Country Club

Sarah Franco, Sandy Boilen and Bill Revman

cutline Band members meet William Kaiser

Zach Finkel, Elise Branciforti and Bryan Gershkowitz

Joel Macher and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw Artists perform at Boca West’s Concert for the Children December 2018 issue. Vol. 38, No. 8. The following are trademarks in the state of Florida of JES Media, and any use of these trademarks without the express written consent of JES Media 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 eight times a year (September/October, November, December, January, February, March/April, May/June and July/August) by JES Media. Editorial, advertising and administrative offices: 1000 Clint Moore Road, Suite 103, Boca Raton, FL, 33487. Telephone: 561/997-8683. Please address all editorial and advertising correspondence to the above address. Periodicals postage paid at Boca Raton, Fla., and additional mailing offices. Subscriptions: $19.95/9 issues, $29.95/18 issues (shipping fee included for one- and two-year rates). Single copy $5.95. No whole or part of the content may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of Boca magazine, excepting individually copyrighted articles and photographs. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Boca magazine, P.O. Box 820, Boca Raton, FL 33429-9943.

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Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center

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Angels Among Us

A painting class made from lost memories is one woman’s calling Written by JOHN SHUFF

hen Lou and Annie Green opened the Memory and Wellness Center on the campus of Florida Atlantic University 17 years ago, I had no idea the impact it would have on anyone affected by memory issues like Alzheimer’s. As I compose this column for our December issue, I realize that I can count five close friends who have been diagnosed with this monstrous and disabling brain disease; one is a brilliant 58-year-old money manager, while the others are older and were diagnosed at various times in the past few years. These are all interesting and successful people who are now relegated to a life of anger, blank stares, confusion and, ultimately, no recognition of family, friends or spouses. One called me last night three times and asked what time we were going to get together when we had just seen him the night before. Another, who lives out of state, often calls to ask my wife why we never see one another. One person, who most consider a tough, brilliant businessman, tends to sit alone with a vacant stare, only responding, if addressed, in one-word answers. I cannot begin to understand the tragic personality change which reduces people

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to someone friends and caregivers no longer know. But it is these people that Boca resident Susie Doyle reaches every day, patiently working with them at the Memory and Wellness Center. For more years than she can remember, Doyle has worked with people suffering with mental handicaps. She began as a social worker in her 20s in Milwaukee; today she volunteers at the center, conducting painting classes for those with memory issues, early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s. In her indefatigable way, she describes her students as “sweet, child-like, interesting people,” whom she enjoys being around. I got the impression from her that what she does, with the center’s other volunteers, is not a babysitter’s role nor a labor of love as much as a challenge to get the best out of her students. She says her work centers around giving images to the students, and asking them to paint what they see.“As I review their work with them, I see their pride, and I realize that the program is a confidence-builder for them,” she says. When I saw Susie at the Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club’s art exhibition last year, she stood proudly in front of

Susie Doyle with her students’ artwork

several abstract, rather strange paintings that she proudly said were all painted by her students at the center. They weren’t Rembrandts, but they showed how people’s brains were functioning and interpreting the images they saw. Susie Doyle reminds me that God’s angels are always with us—gently at our shoulders—protecting, leading and guiding each of us along life’s journey. Along with all volunteers, Susie is an angel in her steadfast devotion to Alzheimer’s patients. For countless years at the Green Center she has been at the side of her students, past and present, offering support and building confidence. Like any angel would, she says,“I love doing this. I can’t emphasize that enough.” Celebrate the angels in your life this blessed holiday season, and have a happy and healthy new year.

December 2018

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