FOOD & DRINK

Boca and surrounding areas have no shortage of up-your-game date-night spots. Here are a few that always delight:

• Trattoria Romana: Great Italian in a lively atmosphere in the heart of Palmetto Park Road’s action-central restaurant district

• La Nouvelle Maison: Romantic white-linen-table French restaurant on Palmetto Park Road

• Latitudes: Twinkly, contemporary oceanfront room— with a dazzling view—just a few minutes north of Boca on A1A at the Delray Sands resort

• Chops: Down- town steakhouse that does it right— and has all your favorites

• Arturo’s: Classic Italian on Federal Highway in north Boca with a dressfor-dinner vibe and tinkly piano in the background

West Boca and West Delray have come into their own when it comes to great dining in recent years. Warren, in Delray on West Atlantic, is still the big dog (with its own whiskey concierge), but Boca has easy favorites like D’Vash (Mediterranean with lots of vegan options) on Glades

Road, and Rafina in the Wharfside shops for Greek cuisine. Uptown

Boca is a mecca for new quality casual dining and even has Lynora’s, an Italian restaurant that originated in West Palm and has a dedicated following.

✔ Restaurant Row at Town Center Road, which will include El Camino, Filomena and Pubbelly

✔ Gallagher’s steak house in the old Madison’s location

✔ Vicky Bakery at Lyons Road and Kimberly Boulevard

✔ Maggie McFly's at Town Center

• Having lunch at the Tin Muffin on Palmetto Park Road has been the peoples’ choice for decades. No brunch, no bottomless bloodies, just sandwiches, soups and salads (the chicken salad is legendary), seasonal muffins and treats (peppermint bark ice cream cake springs to mind) and the best decorated bathroom in Boca.

• You don’t have to go to the 305 to get an afternoon pickme-up; for more than 21 years we’ve been stopping right in and ordering a cafecito at Cuban Café on Second Avenue—along with croquetas, empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, picadillo, ropa vieja and all the other Cuban dishes that are part of our lives now.

• The Irishman on Second Avenue has been a home away from home for some people we know, and that’s been the case for years and years. It may be the shepherd’s pie or the bangers and mash, or perhaps the fact that it has Happy Hour virtually all day, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Fran’s Chicken Haven on Federal Highway just north of Glades has been making takeout fried chicken and sides since 1964 (the batter is a secret recipe), and we are hoping for 50 more years.

• Las Fajitas on Dixie has been around for many years, but it still feels like a secret gem; great Mexican food with all the usual suspects at highly affordable prices (and a full bar). The mole verde burrito is a fan favorite, and don’t pass up the sangria.

Eric Baker’s popular

Wagyu dumplings from AlleyCat

Rebel House made way for an expansion of his highly regarded AlleyCat, formerly at Royal Palm Place. AlleyCat serves innovative izakaya—Japanese bar food—as well as main plates and sushi. If our beloved Rebel House had to go, we know AlleyCat is a sound replacement.

Summer is here, and the lure of the pool, patio and waterfront is irresistible. Go ahead, dive right in.