Costa By OK&M

This stylish farm-to-table restaurant is a new Delray fave

If you’re familiar with Boynton Beach’s OK&M café, then you’ll be pleased to know that the team has expanded into Delray Beach with Costa by OK&M. The original Organic Kitchen & Mercantile, just a few blocks from the beach, is a casual breakfast and lunch spot popular with locals for its fresh, organic salads, juices and deli. Its sister concept, Costa, takes chef/owner Coton Stine’s dedication to farmto-table fare to an elevated level with its seasonal menu.

Working closely with local farms and vendors, Stine curates deliciously healthy dishes that tempt your palate while fueling your body. The corner space is comfortable and embraces natural elements from its wicker chairs, lanterns and placemats to its greenery and expansive sliding doors that lead out to Fifth Ave. Keeping true to its DNA, Costa is open for breakfast every day and brunch on the weekends in addition to its lunch and dinner service.

The first part of the menu, designed to be shared, is divided into small starters, salads and boards (think cheese, flatbreads and spreads). Most, if not all, the selections looked interesting and called to me, so it was difficult to narrow down my order. For those with dietary restrictions, the dishes are clearly labeled gluten-free or vegan, which adds a sense of ease to the experience. Entrees and shareable sides include a variety of options like steak, pasta, seafood and vegetables.

I usually prefer to dip my bread in olive oil, but I couldn’t get enough of the whipped butter (made with avocado oil) that kicked off our dinner. It was followed by the beets and burrata ($24), a beautifully presented dish highlighting tangy beets resting on pesto that begged to be slathered on both the beets and creamy cheese. The beets were drizzled with housemade granola and a hint of honey that gave this appetizer layers of flavor. I would happily eat this every day.

I also tried the crab boulet ($24), which were aesthetically reminiscent of hush puppies or conch fritters. I could taste the fresh crabmeat in the lightly fried balls that sat on an enjoyable sweet corn husk puree. The heritage pork belly ($22) was small pieces of the premium pork coated in a turmeric caramel glaze. Each slightly seared, tender morsel that I popped into my mouth hit my palate with an addictive balance of sweet and savory.

The waitress touted the chef’s affinity for the freshest seafood, so I ordered the fresh catch ($44). The hearty potion of several yellowtail filets reflected Latin and Caribbean influences with the savory coconut lemongrass broth and crispy tostones.

The grass-fed petite filet ($56) was recommended, and for steak lovers it won’t disappoint. The classic cut is veiled in a burgundy demi-glace and shares the plate with a smoked gouda fonduta for an extra indulgence. The a la carte dishes can be paired with one or more sides like the asparagus or truffle air fries ($14). I didn’t really taste any truffle, unfortunately, and wished they were slightly crispier, but I did appreciate that they were air-fried.

The best way to tackle the menu next time will be to curate an evening of shareable dishes. The variety of intriguing small plates and boards would make a fun evening of tapas. And if you’re still hungry, opt for sharing an entrée and dessert.