Boca magazine May/June 2021

MURDER! 3 CASES THAT STILL HAUNT US

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Spring Fashion SOUTH FLORIDA STYLE 2021

5 HOT LOCAL BANDS GREAT MUSIC FROM MIAMI TO BOCA

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Lynn Cancer Institute is the largest provider of cancer care in Palm Beach County and one of the largest in Florida. Whether it’s our cutting-edge cancer center or one of our satellite locations in Delray Beach, our focus is on personalized care and an unsurpassed patient experience. Our multidisciplinary approach — based on physicians’ clinical expertise, the most advanced technology and access to innovative clinical trials — is designed to achieve the best outcome for you. And now, by teaming with Miami Cancer Institute, Florida’s only next-generation cancer center, Lynn Cancer Institute has deepened its expertise, enabling you to focus on one thing: your recovery.

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Leadership Team

Louise E. Morrell, M.D. Medical Director Breast Cancer, Genetics

Michael E. Kasper, M.D. FACRO, Medical Director of Radiation Oncology Genitourinary, Skin, Head and Neck

Stephen A. Grabelsky, M.D., Medical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancer, Gynecological Malignancies, Hematology

Maureen Mann, MS, MBA, FACHE, Assistant Vice President

Albert Begas, M.D. Breast Cancer, Lung

Lloyd D. Berkowitz, M.D. Genitourinary Cancer, Gynecological Malignancies, Melanoma

Medical Oncology

Howard A. Adler, M.D. Hematology, Hematologic Malignancies

Spencer H. Bachow, M.D. Hematology, Hematologic Malignancies, Genitourinary Cancer, Gynecological Malignancies

Warren S. Brenner, M.D. Gastrointestinal Oncology, Multiple Myeloma

Edgar Castillo D’Andreis, M.D. Lung Cancer, Genitourinary Cancer, Hematology

Liat Dagan, M.D. Hematology, Hematologic Malignancies

Teresa G. Decesare, M.D. Breast Cancer, Hematology

Neuro-Oncology

Hilary I. Gomolin, M.D. Hematology, Hematologic Malignancies, Head and Neck, Melanoma

Alan J. Koletsky, M.D. Genitourinary Cancer

Matthen Mathew, M.D. Lung Cancer, Head and Neck, Hematology

Gregg H. Goldin, M.D. Central Nervous System Cancers, Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary

Alka Sawhney, M.D. Hematology, Hematologic Malignancies

Jane D. Skelton, M.D. Breast Cancer

Angelina S. The, M.D. Breast Cancer, Hematology, Lymphoma, Chronic Leukemia

Sajeel A. Chowdhary, M.D. Neurology

Joseph A. Colletta, M.D. Breast Surgery

S. Forrest Dodson, M.D. Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery

Kerry-Ann McDonald, M.D. Breast Surgery

Supportive and Palliative Medicine Surgical Oncology

Radiation Oncology

Rashmi K. Benda, M.D. Breast, Lung Cancer

Harold Richter, M.D. Lung Cancer, Hematology, Hematologic Malignancies

Samuel Richter, M.D. Lung Cancer, Breast, Central Nervous System Cancers

Patricia W. Jacobs, M.D.

Bruce M. Brenner, M.D. Melanoma

Learn more at BRRH.com/LCI or by calling 561-955-LYNN (5966).

Thomas P. Morrissey, M.D., FACOG, FACS Director of Gynecologic Oncology

John Roberts, M.D. Lung Cancer Surgery

Hilary Shapiro-Wright, D.O. Breast Surgery

Ari Silverstein, M.D. Urological Oncology/ Urological Surgery

David A. Taub, M.D. Urological Oncology/ Urological Surgery

Our 35th Year Boca Raton - The Shops at Boca Center - 561 394 5551

M AY/ J U N E 2 0 2 1 ›

VOL. 41, ISSUE 5

48

58

66

Tours may have ground to a halt over the past 14 months, but five South Florida musical artists—from an iconic jam band to an all-female garage-rock trio— continue to innovate.

After a long year of quiet time, fashion bursts forth in color, with bright florals, prints and classic feminine silhouettes.

The coastal Palm Beaches may be an enclave for the powerful and the privileged, but three “crimes of the century” punctured paradise—and captivated the nation.

Noise Makers

By JAMES BIAGIOTTI and JOHN THOMASON

On the Avenue Style Photography by BILLY COLEMAN

Murder Most Foul

By ELIOT KLEINBERG

Russell Mofsky of Gold Dust Lounge, one of the local bands profiled in “Noise Makers”

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95 120

16 Editor’s Letter

95 Eat & Drink

This year, the old summer gripes of sizzling afternoons and monster hurricanes sound like small potatoes.

In her final issue for Boca magazine, our outgoing food critic reviews Chloe’s Bistro in Boca Raton and Tropical Smokehouse in West Palm Beach. Plus, why New York restaurateurs are flocking to Palm Beach, and SOBEWFF returns after last year’s forced hiatus.

By MARIE SPEED

19 The Local Meet a Delray headhunter with a worldly Web series, and the YMCA director developing a special “Lab” for local teens.

Plus, why interest is spiking in an FAU volleyball coach, why unwieldy heels are so pre-COVID, and inside Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s plans for the future.

By JAMES BIAGIOTTI, MARIE SPEED and JOHN THOMASON

28 The Look Welcome summer with pastel-colored mini bags, upscale athletic wear, spunky sunglasses and new take on platforms.

Photography by AARON BRISTOL

92 Backstage Pass Palm Beacher Paul Gervais has brought beauty and rigor to his varied endeavors, from literature to horticulture. His exhibit of portraits at the Boca Raton Museum of Art is no exception.

VOL. 41, ISSUE 5

By CHRISTIE GALEANO and LYNN KALBER

114 Social

ON THE COVER: FASHION: Dress by Valentino from Saks Fifth Avenue; jewelry from Betteridge; sunglasses from Edward Beiner PHOTOGRAPHER: Billy Coleman STYLIST: Danny Santiago/Artist Management MODEL: Mackenzie Lawrence/ The Source Models HAIR & MAKEUP: Davide Calcinai/ Artist Management

This past winter, women-owned businesses shared the spotlight at Boca Center and Sundy House, while H.A.N.D.Y. and Alina Residences showed off their artistic sides.

By JAMES BIAGIOTTI

120 Hometown Hero Eschewing a lucrative legal career to “save the world,” B’Nai Torah’s Summer Faerman has devoted her vocation to feeding the hungry and so much more.

28

By JOHN THOMAS

By JOHN THOMASON

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May/June 2021

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Web Extras

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

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

SLIGHTLY SKEWED PHOTO/PRIME CLASS 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.

Heavy Pets at Funky Biscuit’s seven-year anniversary

Best Bites

WITH YOUR OWN EARS What’s a story on great bands worth without a soundtrack? Visit bocamag.com/may-june-2021 to listen to a curated playlist of the five local musical artists we highlight on page 48.

City Watch

Joe Mullings, right, and friends

MULLING(S) IT OVER

Delray entrepreneur Joe Mullings had much more to say than we could fit into our profile on page 26. Discover his thoughts on artificial intelligence and more at bocamag.com/may-june-2021.

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Boca Raton is anything but sleepy, and Randy Schultz is the goto 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.

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.

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GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marie Speed

We Help You Stay Youthful

MANAGING EDITOR

John Thomason WEB EDITOR

James Biagiotti DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Dia DonFrancesco SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Lori Pierino GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Oscar Saavedra PHOTOGRAPHER

Aaron Bristol PRODUCTION MANAGER

Joanna Gazzaneo CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Christie Galeano-DeMott, Margie Kaye (promotional writing), Eliot Kleinberg VIDEO PRODUCTION/CUSTOMER SERVICE

David Shuff FOOD EDITOR

Lynn Kalber DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING

Nicole G. Ruth DIRECTOR OF HOME & DESIGN

• FILLERS & BOTOX • MICRONEEDLING • PRP FOR HAIR LOSS • LASER HAIR REMOVAL • CHEMICAL PEELS ®

• IPL • SKIN TIGHTENING • DERMABRASION • SCAR REMOVAL • STRETCH MARK REMOVAL

Sherry Goodman-Ash DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RESEARCH AND SALES SUPPORT

Bruce Klein SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER

Gail Eagle ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Karen S. Kintner Reba Larney Tanya Plath DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Olivia Hollaus

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

638 E Atlantic Ave Delray Beach, FL 33483

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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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May/June 2021

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

Margaret Mary Shuff GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marie Speed CONTROLLER

Jeanne Greenberg JES MEDIA PRODUCES:

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

FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION 2020 CHARLIE AWARDS CHARLIE AWARD (FIRST PLACE) best overall writing best in-depth reporting best public service feature SILVER AWARD best commentary best overall design best overall magazine best website BRONZE AWARD best use of photography best custom magazine (Mizner’s Dream)

2019 CHARLIE AWARDS SILVER AWARD best overall design BRONZE AWARD best overall magazine best in-depth reporting best feature writing

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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).

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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 james@bocamag.com.

GLADSTONE & WEISSMAN, P.A. WELCOMES NEW ASSOCIATE

SYDNEY A. TOWNE

Sydney A. Towne is a graduate of the University of Miami Law and brings 5 years of experience practicing Family Law to the Gladstone & Weissman, P.A. firm.

Gladstone & Weissman, P.A. focuses on complex Marital and Family Law cases.

The firm exclusively and discreetly provides counsel on sophisticated divorce and related Family Law matters. Ms. Towne makes the 7th attorney at Gladstone & Weissman, P.A, which was established in 1999 by South Florida Board Certified Marital and Family Law attorneys Peter L. Gladstone and Jeffrey A. Weissman.

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.

Dining guide

Our independent reviews of restaurants in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. A reliable resource for residents and tourists. For more information, contact Christie Galeano-DeMott (christie@bocamag.com).

People 101 Renaissance Centre 101 N. Federal Highway, Suite 702 Boca Raton, Florida 33432 (561) 447-2274 | www.gwpa.com bocamag.com

••••

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.

May/June 2021

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SUBSCRIBERS

First issue

Boca Raton magazine is published eight times a year.

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

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If you have already paid your bill and then receive a new bill, here’s what you should do: 1. I f 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.)

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FROM THE EDITOR

Time Change

Coming into summer 2021 marks a whole new season Written by MARIE SPEED

t’s early summer now, and already the past year feels like it happened a lifetime ago. The long days spent at home alone, the disinfectant wipes and sanitizer bottles and paper face masks from Walgreens stacked on the kitchen counter, like a first-aid station. The odd delivery orders from Publix. The random cough that sent chills down your spine. The signs on Old Ocean that said beaches were closed, pedestrians walk on the right, social distancing enforced.

I know I was there, but I have yet to see the long-term effects of isolation and fear and uncertainty all of us shared day in and day out as the days turned into weeks and then the weeks turned into months and then more months. How I changed. What I learned about myself.

I did learn this: I am OK in a crisis, but I am not a champion. I never cleaned out the closet or started a novel or lost 25 pounds or bought a Peloton. I didn’t paint the front porch or learn Spanish or do anything whatsoever to improve myself. I was a complete pandemic slug. A slave to Netflix and dog walking. And although I never stopped working, it was mostly from home, and I even avoided Zoom meetings when possible so I wouldn’t have to put eyeliner on.

This is easy, I thought. Until it wasn’t.

I learned, again, that we aren’t meant to live in solitary confinement, and that people, even strangers, are necessary to the human spirit. I keep learning, like right now, that being out and about is a gift. That having a place to call home is a blessing, no matter how simple it might be. That my little street, Douglas Drive, is full of neighbors who care about each other, and show it. That the very small things are the best things.

It’s May, so Vidalia onions will be back at Publix, and sea turtles are starting to come in to nest. We are dusting off our hurricane supplies list. Steve Weagle is starting to talk about the heat index, and the last car trailers are pulling away and heading north.

We are headed into summer, a warm and slow return to a season full of cones of uncertainty, afternoon storms, blistering beaches.

Only this year, that feels really good.

bocamag.com

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May/June 2021

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THE LOCAL B O C A C H AT T E R H OT L I S T NEXT BIG THING ENTREPRENEUR T H E LO O K BEAUTY AT H L E T E F U N D RA I S E R DRINK

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20 22 24 26 28 38 40 42 44

“Lightning” by artist Iwasaki Tsuneo (see page 22)

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THE LOCAL

2020 JUNE WEDDINGS

11%

Increase in outdoor ceremonies

33% Weddings where guests socially distanced

43%

Couples who added a streaming option to their weddings

BOCA CHATTER

Days to Note: May 1: May Day celebrations

(maypole optional) go back centuries, and generally mark the change from winter to spring. In the 19th century, however, the holiday assumed another dimension that applauded workers’ rights—a distinction that was dropped when President Grover Cleveland moved that particular holiday to the first Monday in September, now known as Labor Day.

May 5: Cinco de Mayo on May 5 commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, but evolved over the decades to more broadly celebrate all things Mexican, most notably margaritas.

May 31: Memorial Day can

be traced back to the late 1860s after the Civil War, when springtime tributes were held to honor fallen soldiers. Today it is a federal holiday that commemorates those who have died in military service to their country—and is seen as the unofficial start of summer.

June 2: Who knew that this

was National Leave the Office Early Day? We did not make this up. But it’s a very good idea.

June 19: Juneteenth is also called Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day—and celebrates the emancipation of slaves in this country. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it is now celebrated annually on the 19th of June throughout the United States.

—wedinsights.com

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GOOD NEWS DEPARTMENT

Instyle reported that sales of dress shoes, including heels, dropped 71 percent in 2020. “Uncomfortable footwear was losing popularity before the pandemic,” says Beth Goldstein, a footwear analyst for New York’s NPD Group. “Millennial and Gen Z professionals revolutionized work culture by rotating Golden Goose high-tops and No. 6 clogs into their wardrobes, completely redefining the term ‘business casual.’” Bloomberg News reported a drop of 21 percent internationally for “designer shoes.” But will it stick in Boca, the beating heart of the world of Jimmy Choos? We doubt it. Cue up first gala next season.

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Locals sound off on issues affecting our community.

This month, we decided to ask three locals to describe the first trip they would like to take when COVID is over ... There was no hesitation.

“I have really missed seeing people, traveling and going out for dinner, so I intend to do all three by taking a cruise.”

—LAUREN EISSEY, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

“The first trip I’m taking once COVID is over is to the Turks & Caicos to get some rest and relaxation!”

—MICHELLE SOUDRY, FOUNDER/CEO, THE GAB GROUP

AARON BRISTOL

—DR. ROBERT WATSON, DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF AMERICAN HISTORY, DIRECTOR, PROJECT CIVITAS, COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, LYNN UNIVERSITY

“I plan on going to the heart of the Tuscany region to visit Florence, Italy! My family and I will also be traveling to ancient Rome to celebrate my mom’s retirement after 30-plus years of dedicated teaching.”

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21 Gearing Up For Summer: Must-haves Tumi International carry-on, tumi.com

HURRICANE CHECKLIST Get organized now so you won’t be fighting crowds when the first cone pops up.

Eugenia Kim Cassidy wide-brim straw fedora from Neiman Marcus

• One gallon of water a day per person per day for at least three days • Three days’ supply of nonperishable food • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert

Anastasia Beverly Hills lip stain, sephora.com

Staud Frankie beaded sandal, Saks Fifth Avenue

• Flashlight

Laguna Beach Textile Company plush cabana beach towel, amazon.com

• First aid kit • Extra batteries

The Heat is on.

EDITH GEUPPERT/DPA VIA ZUMA PRESS

TNS VIA ZUMA WIRE

PHILLIP KIM/EFE VIA ZUMA PRESS

• Whistle (to signal for help)

The Fish are swimming now.

Let the games begin.

• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air) • Plastic sheeting and duct tape • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties • Manual can opener • Local maps • Cell phone with chargers, backup battery • Cloth face coverings for everyone, soap, hand sanitizer, etc.

Giving Summer a Sporting Chance

• Medications

Whether socially distanced in person or on TV, you can still look forward to being part of the sports world this summer.

• Prescription glasses and contact lens solution

After a year’s delay, the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games are slated for July 23 to August 8, if all holds. New events are sport climbing, surfing, skateboarding and karate. Athletes to watch? UK’s skateboarding prodigy Sky Brown, US gymnast Morgan Hurd, sport climber Janja Garnbret, American street skater Nyjah Huston, sprinter Noah Lyles and Australian surf star Stephanie Gilmore.

• Infant formula, bottles, diapers, etc.

The NBA playoffs are underway, and are tentatively scheduled to run with the standard 16-team playoff between May 22 and July 22. A total of 72 games are planned. Let’s see if the hometown Heat can repeat playoff success from the NBA bubble. Or if anyone can stop the Nets or the Lakers.

The Miami Marlins started on April 1 and will play through the summer and early fall. Fans are back in the ballpark and we may even enjoy a few open-roof games.

Of the club’s final 36 games, 21 will take place at home at Marlins Park. Keep an eye on young phenom pitcher Sixto Sánchez.

• Pet food and extra water for your pet • Cash, traveler’s checks • Copies of insurance policies, ID and bank account records • Fire extinguisher • Matches

May/June 2021

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HOT LIST

KEVIN SMITH

WHEN: May 7, 8 p.m.

WHERE: Old School Square Pavilion, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach COST: $150-$300 for four-person pod seats CONTACT: 561/243-7922, oldschoolsquare.org

“RAGTIME: THE MUSICAL”

WHEN: June 11-27 WHERE: Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale COST: $49-$70 CONTACT: 954/4620222, browardcenter. org After 15 months of COVID delays, Slow Burn Theatre returns to the stage this summer with “Ragtime,” an epic exploration of the melting pot of early 20th century New York. With a book by the late Terrence McNally, “Ragtime” features a handful of familiar supporting players—among them Harry Houdini, Booker T. Washington, Henry Ford and J.P. Morgan—orbiting three protagonists: Harlem musician Coalhouse Walker Jr., the white suburban matriarch known as Mother, and Latvian Jewish immigrant Tateh. The music is its own eclectic global songbook, veering from ragtime to klezmer, marches, waltzes and more.

NOTE:

Some of these events may end up being canceled or postponed due to COVID-19.

Please confirm before purchasing tickets and/or attending.

—Ed.

bocamag.com

••••

The voice of a slack generation, writer-director Kevin Smith gained a cult following on the strength of his low-budget, black-and-white 1994 debut “Clerks,”an iconic comedy that would hatch an empire of incestuously connected feature films, TV series, comic books and podcasts. The irony that Smith’s on-screen avatar, Silent Bob, is famously tight-lipped is not lost on Smith or his multitude of fans. This man can talk, as evidenced by the six themed podcasts he records—in which he waxes poetic on various pop- and nerd-culture topics—and by appearances like these: fan-friendly, open-book Q&As in which the loquacious filmmaker has been known to field every question thrown his way, pushing the events’ running times to the limit.

Kevin Smith

JOYWAVE

WHEN: May 20, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Culture Room, 3045 N. Federal Highway, Fort

Lauderdale COST: $20

Sui

Iwasaki Tsuneo’s “Candle Light”

“PAINTING ENLIGHTENMENT” WHEN: May 8-Sept. 19 WHERE: Morikami Museum and Japanese Gar-

dens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach COST: $9-$15 CONTACT: 561/495-0233, morikami.org An artist and thinker ahead of his time, Iwasaki Tsuneo (1917-2002) understood that science and spirituality were not, as old dogmas suggested, parallel paths that would never meet. A practicing Buddhist, Iwasaki began creating art after retiring from his career as a research biologist, and his images—magisterial works of ink and paint on paper—were inspired by his meditations on the interconnectedness of the universe. On display in the Morikami’s“Painting Enlightenment,”his practice involved transcribing sacred Buddhist text into forms such as lightning bolts, bubbles, ants and a double helix of DNA, effectively marrying the sacred to the scientific.

CONTACT: 954/564-1074, cultureroom.net By the time Rochester quartet Joywave released their first album, in 2015, they had already achieved mainstream alt-radio airplay and inclusion on all the big festivals. It was testament to their aesthetic—a sleek, bombastic, arena-tailored sound, with echoes of Arcade Fire and Walk the Moon, that’s clued into the zeitgeist.

Equally ensconced in the Joywave mythos, though, is a sense of self-deprecation and satirical humor that led the band to title its second album Content, and to doctor dozens of old B-movie clips into fictional film trailers for its recent music video for“Obsession.”Cleverest of all may be the band’s website, a nearly perfect parody of CNN.com called JNN (Joywave News Network) filled with flattering fake news about the band (“Joywave biopic starring Jared Leto gets release date”).

Joywave

May/June 2021

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4/6/21 4:21 PM

“Doing the right thing for future generations matters to us.

First Republic shares that same commitment.”

FRISBIE GROUP

Dave Frisbie, Senior Director, Investments ( far right); Pictured with two generations of the Frisbie Family

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3/20/21 11:45 AM

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THE LOCAL

NEXT BIG THING

Lab Work

The YMCA launches an innovative place for kids to grow Written by MARIE SPEED

W

Our goal is to give them the tools, the space and the encouragement to experience and grow and succeed on their own. Hopefully, we stay out of their way as much as we possibly can.”

—Jason Hagensick

AARON BRISTOL

Jason Hagensick at The Lab

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••••

hat used to be large retail space in the outdoor wing of Town Center mall behind Joseph’s Classic Market has assumed a life of its own. Instead of selling clothes or iPhones or Yeezys, this space is hawking opportunity. Engagement. A room of one’s own.

The Lab, an outgrowth of the South County YMCA, under the leadership of President and CEO Jason Hagensick, opened in February to provide a place for teens to meet and experience any number of programs, from college and career readiness to volunteerism or workforce development. There may be video production or an arts studio session or a visit from local civic leaders to talk about government or marine biology or climate change.

But it’s not about what Hagensick thinks is important; it’s a balance, he says, between youth development programs—and what the kids want.

“The big thing here is that if this is going to be successful, it’s going to have to depend and rely on the teens themselves taking ownership of the space. Our goal is not for the staff to tell them how to do things. Our goal is to give them the tools, the space and the encouragement to experience and grow and succeed on their own. Hopefully, we stay out of their way as much as we possibly can.”

The space is intended for teens aged 12 to 17, and is focused on delivering programs that appeal to their interests, some with a long connection to the YMCA culture, like the Blue Ridge Assembly or the International Y Service Club.

Hagensick also envisions creative writing, fashion, public speaking through teen TED talks—whatever the teens themselves gravitate to.

And there’s a reason The Lab is at the mall; as Hagensick says,“Where do kids enjoy spending their free time?”

In addition to the Town Center partnership, The Lab will also rely on the involvement of local corporate partners.

Chick-fil-A wants to align its established leadership program with the YMCA; Baptist Health is a natural when it comes to teen stress and mental heath issues. And the Chamber has its successful YEA! program for young entrepreneurs.

“This will only be successful if the community supports this,” Hagensick says.“We cannot do this alone. We need the teenagers, we need the parents, we need the corporate community—we need as much support as we can get if this is going to work.”

The Lab started its first programs in March and April; it will expand its initial hours (3 to 8 p.m.) to longer hours this spring and summer.“YMCA people—and I am a ‘Y guy’—are youth developers at our core,”Hagensick says.

“Throughout my 30-year career at the YMCA I have always strived to give kids and teens opportunities to learn, grow and succeed in life. Personally, I get tremendous satisfaction out of that.”

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THE LOCAL

ENTREPRENEUR

Not Your Average Joe Medtech CEO and docuseries host Joe Mullings has beat the odds in more ways than one Written by JOHN THOMASON

Our goal was to tell amazing stories about the industry, and share them with the 150,000 people throughout the industry.

We shined a light on things that people weren’t even aware of.”

—Joe Mullings

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••••

LOCAL entre Mullings MJ21.indd 26

T

o our knowledge, Joe Mullings has not exactly marketed himself as “the Anthony Bourdain of the medical device world,” but the shoe fits.

Mullings admits he took some inspiration from the late gastro-traveler’s “Parts Unknown” when he developed his own web series,“TrueFuture,”in 2019.

In the series, which has spanned four seasons so far, Mullings travels to locations as near as Wynwood and as far-flung as Israel and Flagstaff, Arizona.

Instead of sampling global cuisine, Mullings seeks out entrepreneurs specializing in disruptive technologies in science and medicine.

Like Bourdain, Mullings is a personality-driven narrator who looks the part of a tattooed bad boy, and he leaves time in each episode for the local color behind the tech.

“You could say Bourdain was a food show, but I don’t think anybody who followed Bourdain cared about what food was on the table,” says Mullings, from his production studio in Delray Beach.“They cared about, what was Anthony going to do next? … We took notes from that.

“It catapulted our business even further into the industry, because we did it for free. It was self-funded.

Each of those seasons cost me somewhere between $250,000 and $350,000 cash out of my own pocket.

But our goal was to tell the amazing stories about the industry, and share them with the 150,000 people throughout the U.S. who are in that industry. We shined a light on things that people weren’t aware of.”

Mullings can afford to produce his show on YouTube on the strength of his lucrative day job as CEO of The Mullings Group, touted as the world’s largest search firm in the medtech industry. He’s a headhunter, matching job seekers at major companies with their ideal personnel. He started the business in a two-desk office in Coral Gables in 1992, and has operated in Delray Beach for the past 20 years.

Today, Mullings does business on six continents and is soon to outgrow his 10,300-square-foot office.

He credits part of his firm’s success to his ability, three decades ago, to forecast game-changing trends in the growing field of medtech. He recalls thinking, “People are going to want to live longer and healthier lives. … And I’m fascinated with the human body.

You’ve got so many disease states to manage, and so many different technologies to manage them. Nobody will be able to keep up to us in regards to teaching it.”

In addition to running The Mullings Group, Mullings produces his own and custom video content, including “TrueFuture” and similarly themed video pod-

casts and interview series.

Yet every day is something of a blessing for Mullings, who at one point was told he might not live to his current age, 59. A former competitive time trial cyclist, he suffered an injury during a training session in Spain in 2014. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure soon after, which has a 50 percent mortality rate within five years. For the lifelong athlete, the diagnosis was a shocker.

“Usually it’s caused by drugs, alcohol, genetics,” he says.“But the idiopathic part was likely caused by a virus I caught in Brazil. I had gotten deathly ill in Brazil a year and a half beforehand, while training five days a week. ... Through a series of diet changes, pharmaceuticals and an energy healer, I have returned, much to the surprise of all my cardiology docs, to normal heart function again. I still have a piece of hardware in me, but that’s coming out, hopefully.”

If Mullings’ global profile continues to grow, the athletics is perhaps the one element of his life that has had to take a backseat.“I’m a hyper-competitor,” he says.“I either go 100 miles an hour or nothing. I still exercise six days a week, but sitting at a heart rate of 170 for two and a half hours every day probably is not the best subscription. ... I view myself as being in the bonus round, because I really ought to be dead.”

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May/June 2021

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Joe Mullings

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THE LOCAL

THE LOOK

BACIAMI dusty rose hoodie, $350, and jogger, $250, Baciami Moda, baciamimoda.com SPLENDID tye dye sweat shirt, $148 and jogger, $148, Saks Boca Raton

A relaxed take on the old tracksuit is making a run this summer

LOCAL LOOK MJ21.indd 28

AARON BRISTOL

Soft Touch

4/6/21 5:08 PM

30

THE LOCAL

THE LOOK

FROM LEFT: VALENTINO forest green mini bag, $1,445, Saks Boca Raton Python green mini bag, $595, Wish and Shoes Delray Beach CHLOE blush mini backpack, $850, Saks Boca Raton MARGE SHERWOOD pink croc mini bag, $315, Saks Boca Raton GIVENCHY yellow mini bag, $590, Saks Boca Raton

Small Wonders

These pretty mini bags show that less may be more

bocamag.com

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••••

May/June 2021

4/6/21 5:08 PM

32

THE LOCAL

THE LOOK

Shady Ladies

Fun tropical sunnies are a must-have this summer

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••••

May/June 2021

4/6/21 5:09 PM

LEFT TO RIGHT: JIMMY CHOO cat-eye crystal gold sunglasses, $360, Eye Catchers Optique, Boca Raton OSCAR & FRANK acrylic sunglasses, $180, Eye Catchers Optique, Boca Raton MARC JACOBS daisy sunglasses, $175, Eye Catchers Optique, Boca Raton AARON BRISTOL

SOSPIRI pink with crystal sunglasses, $700, Grove Opticians, Boca Raton ÉTÉ LUNETTES acrylic with blue flowers, $550, Grove Opticians, Boca Raton

May/June 2021

LOCAL LOOK MJ21.indd 33

••••

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THE LOCAL

THE LOOK

Sole Mates

The new platform shoe is young—and edgy CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: White and silver sandals, $155, Wish & Shoes, Delray Beach

AARON BRISTOL

STELLA MCCARTNEY platform wedge sandals, $745, Saks Boca Raton

STELLA MCCARTNEY gladiator sandals, $895, Saks Boca Raton Tan sandals, $145, Wish & Shoes, Delray Beach

bocamag.com

LOCAL LOOK MJ21.indd 34

••••

May/June 2021

4/6/21 5:09 PM

36

THE LOCAL

FORK: LAGOS pave diamond ball-chain necklace, $995, LAGOS pave diamond & black caviar ring, $3,500, neimanmarcus.com

THE LOOK

Serving Up Sparkle

These delicious pieces bring a shine to summer dressing

Pink crystalline ring, $199, Elizabeth ring, $199, white crystalline cuff bracelet, $495, all from Anna Zuckerman Luxury BOWL: Gold with black diamond necklace, $565, Wish & Shoes, Delray Beach

LAGOS caviar cuff, $580, LAGOS caviar & pave diamond cuff, $1,320, neimanmarcus.com

LOCAL LOOK MJ21.indd 36

AARON BRISTOL

Cuban chain necklace, $995, yellow stone ring, $199, butterfly ring, $199, all from Anna Zuckerman Luxury

4/6/21 5:09 PM

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38

BEAUTY

THE LOCAL

Starting Fresh Springtime beauty trends are all about natural faces and bold lips Written By STAFF

M

aybe it’s a year of going without makeup, a return to the simpler, more natural approach to putting your best face forward, but this spring, we’re seeing a lessis-more feel to makeup, a fresh-faced dewy look with no layers, no powders, no fuss. Only the lips are bold this spring, but with color that won’t transfer to your mask.

Here are a few products we love that do the job.

CLEAN, EXFOLIATE AND LET THAT SKIN SHINE

The delicious French pink clay in the Herbivore Botanicals Pink Clay Exfoliating mask has rosehips—with anti-aging benefits—and is a great way to begin a facial regimen aimed at starting with a clean and glowing slate. Available at safeandchic.com, $22.

ILLUMINATE

The idea is to shimmer this spring, not mask the face with layers of makeup and color. The LXM Nilotica Goddess Glow will hydrate and light up your skin tones, and add that dewy finish you want. Available at Sephora, $42.

PRIME TIME

A good primer—which can even out skin tones—can mean using less makeup—and that’s the name of the game this spring. We like the pretty Seraphine Botanicals Camelina + Strobe Luminizing Primer, which also adds a glow to your face.

Amazon.com, $18.

LIP SERVICE

Here are three lip colors that have a seasonal berry finish or a pop of deep pink; leave the reds to wintertime.

MAC Versicolor Varnish Cream Lip Stain/Moon Masterpiece, available at maccosmetics.com, $12.

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LOCAL beauty MJ21.indd 38

••••

Nars Powermatte Lip Pigment, a berry pink in Warm Leatherette, available at Sephora, $26.

Fenty Beauty Stunner Lip Paint in Uncensored, $25, available at Sephora.

May/June 2021

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40

THE LOCAL

ATHLETE

Set the Stage

From playing for the Brazilian National Team to coaching the FAU Owls, volleyball is Fernanda Nelson’s lifestyle and livelihood Written by JAMES BIAGIOTTI

F

We like having other accents on our team. The reality is that the international players bring lots of tools to our team in terms of work ethic, and they appreciate the opportunity so much.”

The 2019 FAU volleyball team against Boston College

bocamag.com

••••

FAU ATHLETICS

—Fernanda Nelson

ernanda Nelson has been playing and coaching volleyball for nearly her entire life, and she won’t let anything— whether it’s an international move, the dissolution of a program or even the COVID-19 pandemic—slow her down.

Born in Brazil, Nelson began playing volleyball when she was 6, and quickly established herself as a prodigal talent. Within a few years, she was playing for both the Brazilian National Team and a prestigious state program in São Paulo. In 1997, Nelson was named the best setter in the country. Despite success in her native country, Nelson was enticed to move to the United States in search of a livelihood that would allow her to pursue academics without abandoning her passion for the game.

“If you play volleyball in Brazil, you practice nine hours a day,” she says.“My mom did a great job supporting me with being able to do homeschool and finish high school, but I did not have the opportunity to go to college and play volleyball.”

Nelson’s move to the States in 2000 brought her to North Dakota’s National American University, where she enjoyed eight years of monumental success as both a player and a coach before her life was uprooted when NAU unexpectedly discontinued its program. Undeterred, she relocated yet again for a coaching position at then-burgeoning Florida Gulf Coast University.

After four successful years as an assistant coach at the Fort Myers school, she got the call from Florida Atlantic University

offering her first head-coaching opportunity. In her first season as the program’s head coach, Nelson more than doubled the Owls’ win total from the previous year.

“It was definitely a big transition,” she says.“I came in with wonderful support, thinking that I would be able to turn the program around very quickly.

And it took a lot of work, a lot of recruiting, and I had to … implement everything I learned from every coach I had … You have to grow and make yourself better every year.”

Perhaps emboldened by her own story, Nelson places a particular emphasis on international recruiting.“We like having other accents on our team,” she says.

“The reality is that the international players bring lots of tools to our team in terms of work ethic, and they appreciate the opportunity so much.”

Coming into the 2020 season,

which was canceled entirely due to COVID-19, Nelson had coached the Owls Women’s Volleyball team to six consecutive winning seasons, a first for the program. Nelson firmly believed that the team would return to its winning ways as the conference resumed play.

Off the court, one of Nelson’s challenges has been to bolster awareness and support within the community for a sport that doesn’t traditionally get much attention in the U.S. One of the ways she’s doing this is by reaching out directly to the young players participating in high school and club-level volleyball.

“We want to grow the volleyball community,”she says.“We take time to go meet local coaches, or give them a call and say,‘Hey, can you bring Boca High over, or Addison Mizner, or Henderson, you name it... Hopefully next fall, we’ll be able to start bringing everybody back to our arena.”

May/June 2021

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THE LOCAL

FUNDRAISER

The Miracle Continues Boca Raton Regional Hospital is closing in on its ambitious expansion Written by MARIE SPEED

AARON BRISTOL

M

Two things were really motivating us. Boca Raton as a community is growing dramatically; second, our hospital has not fundamentally changed its surroundings since the ‘70s.”

—Mark Larkin

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••••

ark Larkin has a story to tell.

And it’s one that has been told over and over again since 1962, when two children—Debra Ann Drummond, 9, and her brother James Randall Drummond, 3— died when an 11-year-old neighbor poisoned their milk. A 2012 Palm Beach Post account continued: “It was 1962 and Boca Raton had only about 10,000 residents. The nearest hospital was Bethesda Memorial, 15 miles away in Boynton Beach. The children’s parents—their father was developer Robert Drummond— said having a hospital closer probably wouldn’t have made a difference, but the deaths spotlighted the need for one in Boca Raton. … The town rallied—a history of the hospital says one of every three city residents donated—and within five years, on July 17, 1967, Boca Raton Community Hospital opened its doors. Fiercely possessive residents call it ‘the miracle on Meadows Road.’”

Larkin, president of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, says it’s a“remarkable story”and is counting on the town to rally again as the hospital is entering the home stretch of its capital campaign officially launched in 2019 to raise $250 million for a significant expansion; money raised to date is $195 million.

Larkin says the merger with Baptist only accelerated the campaign, which is designed to bring the hospital into modern standards for patient care.

“Two things were really motivating us [to launch the campaign]. Boca Raton as a community is growing dramatically; second, our hospital has not fundamentally changed its physical surroundings since the ‘70s. There were additions in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but the core hospital itself was built as a four-story building in ‘67, grew to a nine-story building in the ‘70s, and then it’s pretty much stayed the same.”

He points out the patient care since those days has changed dramatically, as hospitals once organized in wards of six or eight people have moved now to private rooms, which he describes as a more“humane” option for people in terms of privacy and family interactions.

“There is actually data out that shows in private rooms there is a shorter length of stay, fewer medical errors and there is more interaction from the family which supports the patient, which they are speculating really helps you recover faster,”he says.

Surgery suites will also be upgraded to reflect technological advances. Equipment has gotten larger and requires more personnel.

There are two or three doctors and nurses at most in what are now 325-square-foot operating rooms with “modest equipment.”

The new ORs will more than double that size, with higher ceilings that connect equipment to boom technology, rather than consuming valuable floor space. Larkin says the expansion will also allow a larger number of patients and visitors as well as clinical follow-up spaces, and says the hospital’s official role now as a teaching hospital for FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine also requires more room.

And so far, so good when it comes to the fundraising; Larkin expects to hit the $200 million mark by the end of May, and to reach the entire goal by end of season 2022. An added sweetener this year is the “Bob Sheetz challenge.”Sheetz, a Boca resident and retired convenience store magnate, usually donates a hefty amount to the annual hospital ball to cover its first-rate entertainment (last year it was Rod Stewart). In lieu of this year’s ball cancellation, Sheetz is offering to match, dollar for dollar, any donations raised—up to $1 million—by June.

Larkin says that’s Boca—a city known for its philanthropy and, in this case, its love of the miracle it built so many years ago.

“It’s been extraordinary,”he says.“People are really stepping forward and doing and supporting us in a big, big way. I am optimistic.”

May/June 2021

3/31/21 3:22 PM

43 New renderings of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital expansion: From left, the hospital’s bistro, its chapel and below, the exterior

May/June 2021

LOCAL larkin BRRH.indd 43

••••

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44

THE LOCAL

DRINK

Green Tea Mojito

Leave those heavy brown drinks back in your winter repertoire and try this refreshing take on a new spring-summer favorite.

INGREDIENTS 1/2 lime cut in wedges 10 mint leaves (better with yerba buena or spearmint) 2 tablespoons caster sugar 1/8 to 1/4 cup white rum (to taste) 1/2 cup green tea 1 cup ice cubes More mint leaves and 1 slice of lime for decoration INSTRUCTIONS Brew the green tea, mix in the 2 tablespoons of caster sugar and let it cool down.

Put the mint leaves and the lime wedges in a glass (or if your muddler does not fit the glass, like mine, do this in a separate bowl). Crush the mint and lime together to release their juices.

Fill the glass with the ice cubes.

Add the rum and fill the glass with the cold and sweetened green tea. Mix. Decorate with a slice of lime and more mint leaves.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

—Manuala Zangara, manusmenu.com

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••••

May/June 2021

3/31/21 4:15 PM

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ASO

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OSCAR SAAVEDRA!

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51 GOING PUBLIC

At the closing weekend of this year’s Mini South Florida Fair, amid the aromas of chocolate-dipped bacon and red velvet funnel cake, the West Palm Beach jazz-funk collective Public Sounds set up for its first concert in nearly 12 months.

Typical Fair entertainment slants toward washed-up ‘70s rockers and mid-tier country acts, so it was an incongruent venue for this sextet of sonic sophisticates known for its complex time signatures, classical training and influences like Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. But this is just peachy for the band, which relishes any opportunity to expand its audiences’ tastes.

“I like playing for audiences that aren’t ready for us or aren’t expecting us,” says trombonist/percussionist Kevin Cripanuk.“Even though they might not know the tunes, we want to keep it palatable and draw people in. Even if, yeah, we do try to push the limits of our audiences’ ears a little bit, we also want to serve them, and play stuff that will surprise them and they can relate to, at least in some way.”

Public Sounds formed around 2011, when co-founder Markis Hernandez, saxophonist for South Florida’s institutional reggae act Spred the Dub, sought a project to explore different musical avenues.

Hernandez formed a jazz duo with electric bassist Chris Patsis and soon recruited Cripanuk to form a trio. They solicited other musicians through Craigslist. It would take a good six years of rigorous vetting for the present lineup to come together.

“It was tough sculpting the sound for this band, and what that meant,” Hernandez recalls.“We realized very quickly how important it was to have people with very specific skill sets, and also people with pretty strong self-discipline, that are going to work on their own.

Public Sounds

“Whatever we do, it needs to sound palatable to some degree, and not too heady. When we play a show, it’s not for ourselves; it’s for everybody that’s there.”

—Markis Hernandez

“You can’t just play rock ‘n’ roll and be in this band,” he adds.

“There’s got to be a lot of foundational things that are important.

The most important thing is the immense study of jazz music. In a weird way, if you can’t play swing music, it’s hard to be in this band, even if we don’t necessarily swing.

That feel, or that cadence, underneath it all, is what enables us to be on the same page.”

The group’s newest member, Harley Galeano, can attest to the band’s exacting work ethic.“Rehearsals with Public Sounds are harder than actual performances with Public Sounds,” he says.“Rehearsals are very serious.

Everyone’s so smart, I feel like I’m in a classroom. Everyone’s a teacher, too, and this is the most challenging material I play. … I try my best to keep my ears really open.”

Their efforts paid off in 2019, Public Sounds’ most important year to date, which saw the release of its debut album Irregular Prime and an expansion of its YouTube output. The pandemic put that momentum on pause, but the comeback performance at the 2021 Fair was anything but rusty. Theirs is a tight, fulsome sound, played with breathless speed and improvisatory innovation, as danceable as it is intellectual.

They even spiced up the set with unexpected covers that belied the group’s uber-serious bona fides— particularly an elevated take on Britney Spears’“Toxic.”“It’s Find music from almost a humorous choice,” Public Sounds at says Cripanuk.“Because publicsounds.bandwhen you see 30-something dudes playing jazz camp.com or on your instrumental, you think streaming service Britney Spears right away.”

of choice.

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52 CHASING THE DREAM

In January 2021, Boca-based singer-songwriter JD Danner released her first new recording in five years. Titled “Nothing But Faith,”it captured the essence of the past 14 months.

“There’s a fear in the air tonight/ It keeps us apart,”Danner sings, on the alternately plaintive and hooky four-minute track, solo piano building toward a crescendo of guitar, bass and drums.“We’re a world interrupted/ Our lives are disrupted/Believe that we’ll see better days,”goes the chorus, colored by a hint of twang.

“I was inspired to write it from seeing the way the world was, the quiet

original material, Danner hopscotches between country, folk and blues.

“Earlier in my career, that was an issue,” she says.“People didn’t know where to put me. I would meet with a manager or an agent, and they’d be like, ‘Are you country?

Are you rock? Are you blues?’ And my answer is always, I’m a little of all of that.

“The way the music business is now, especially if artists can promote themselves online, you can do your own thing. When I recorded my [debut] CD House Blend, [I decided] I’m not worried about fitting in a genre.

“There’s a magic in music, because it can be healing. It can move you emotionally in ways that you can’t explain."

Find music from JD Danner at reverbnation.com/jddanner or on your streaming service of choice. bocamag.com

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JD Danner

streets, signs of things being closed ... and I thought people needed a song of hope,”she says.“Music brings that.

There’s a magic in music, because it can be healing. It can move you emotionally in ways that you can’t explain.”

Danner has been chasing this brand of magic professionally since 1992, when she quit her workaday career as an accountant to pursue music more seriously.“I didn’t want to be just waiting for Friday every week,” she says.“I missed family occasions, dinners and things because I needed to make deadline for papers that end up in boxes in a room that no one cares about a month later. … I needed to feed my soul.”

So she enrolled in music and guitar lessons, formed her first band at 28 and hasn’t stopped since. Her punky bangs and shoulder-length black hair instantly conjure one of her major influences, Joan Jett, but crunchy rock anthems are only part of her diverse oeuvre. Across four albums of

I’m not worried about a record label thinking these songs go well together.

I’m just going to write what I like.”

Though she mostly tours around Florida, Danner has amassed a national audience playing on military bases and on USO tours. She performed at an NFL halftime show in Indianapolis, and earned rave reviews for her sets at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Café.

There have been setbacks, too— carrots dangled, only to be yanked at the last minute. One of her swampy country songs, complete with a preliminary contract, nearly made it onto the soundtrack of HBO’s“True Blood.”

She was also in talks to have her music sold in Cracker Barrel stores, which would have instantly elevated her profile.“That was a set thing until it wasn’t,”she recalls.

But if her songs teach us anything, it’s that hope is always around the corner.“It has not stopped me from continuing to dream, and to try for the next opportunity.”

AARON BRISTOL

—JD Danner

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53 FUZZ WORTHY

With a story that begins as a solo bedroom project and leads to backing up Iggy Pop just a few years later, the ascent of Miami rock trio Las Nubes has been rapid to say the least.

Formed in 2015 as the solo project of singer-songwriter-guitarist Ale Campos under the name“Smvt”(pronounced“smut”), over time the project evolved into Las Nubes, a three-piece that now includes Nina Carolina on bass and Emile Milgrim on drums.

The group’s Bandcamp page succinctly describes its sound as a“Miami fuzz-worshipping power trio churning out undeniably catchy garage pop hits in English & Spanish.”

The trio is held together by the glue of Little Haiti’s Sweat Records, where Milgrim is a co-owner and Campos works.“One day a friend of ours came into Sweat,”Campos says of the band’s beginnings,“and mentioned to me that he was booking a show for [Japanese indie-pop act] Shonen Knife and he needed an opening band. He asked me if I wanted to play, because I had shown him some of the songs I had been working on, but I was like,‘eh, I don't really want to play by myself, that would be kind of weird.’And Emily was there and she said she would play drums, and that's basically how the band started.”

The venerable record store, which shares a wall with legendary Churchill’s Pub, also put out the group’s first full length—titled SMVT, after its original moniker—on its own imprint, the cheekily named Sweat Records Records.

Since that impromptu first gig, the band has strung together a run of successes that included releasing SMVT, making a split EP with fellow Miami rockers Palomino Blond, and the aforementioned gig backing Iggy Pop as the Stooges—the first all-female group to perform as the seminal proto-punk outfit—at a Miami Art Week event.

While the group’s brief stint as

Las Nubes

Pop’s backing band may have been surprising to those outside of Miami’s music scene, it wasn’t a shock to the band. The group is familiar with the renowned rocker through his visits to Sweat Records, and Campos even had a starring role in one of his music videos.“We know Iggy, but we didn’t expect him to ask us to play with him,” Milgrim shares.

Also, she says,“he hadn't played any Stooges songs in a bunch of years. … So it was extra pressure to live up to this legacy artist and this legacy band he’s so famous for.”

One of the defining characteristics of Las Nubes’ songs is that they are bilingual—some sung in English, others in Spanish. The language of one of the group’s songs is usually determined by “rhythm and cheese factor,”as Milgrim puts it, with Campos adding that“there were actually a couple of songs that I had written the lyrics originally in English, and I just thought,‘Wow, they sound really stupid in English.’”

Find music from Las Nubes at lasnubes.bandcamp. com or on your streaming service of choice.

The group is now branching out to become even more multilingual. Bassist Nina Carolina, whose family has roots in Brazil, is working on a song in Portuguese.

The group, like so many others, had plenty of plans sidelined by COVID-19. The pandemic nixed a European tour that was slated for late 2020 and may impact a set of dates planned in Mexico late this year. But Campos harnessed the early weeks of lockdown as a creative flourish, pumping out songs the group hopes to bring into the studio soon.

For now, the group encourages listeners to do what they can to support the local music scene until the pandemic subsides.

“Bands like us rely on shows and merch and touring and all this stuff to keep the band going,”Milgrim says.“If fans are able to support the bands in their community, they really help them grow.”

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We always liked headlining our own shows from the start, because we had a lot of material. ... We wanted that two-hour slot where we can get up there and do everything we want to do.”

—Mike Garulli

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55 PET PROJECT

The Heavy Pets

What happens when a handful of kids from Upstate New York make their way to South Florida to start a band? In the case of the Heavy Pets, it marks the beginning of a 15-yearsand-counting jam-band odyssey.

And yes, that is“jam band”as in the Grateful Dead, Phish and other polyphonic improvisational outfits known for their marathon live sets and dedicated followings. The Heavy Pets’ unique fusion of rock, funk, reggae and performative spontaneity fits the bill perfectly.

Formed in late 2005 by Mike Garulli and Jeff Lloyd, who had been playing music together for nearly 10 years before relocating to Fort Lauderdale for work, the band found early success when its music fell into daily rotation on the XM satellite radio station Jam On, and won a fan vote contest to play on the bill at Central Florida’s dearly departed Langerado Music Festival. As Garulli puts it,“once we had those two things going for us, we just branched out and started booking gigs all over the country, and kind of chose to put the band first in our lives.”

And the members of the Heavy Pets never stopped putting the band first. Following that early spark that ignited the group’s rise, near-constant touring over the next 15 years elevated its notoriety within the jam-band scene at large. During that time, the group played an untold number of shows around the country and released eight critically acclaimed studio albums.

Though the group did occasionally support larger acts in the earlier stages of its career, as Garulli puts it, “we always liked headlining our own shows from the start, because we had a lot of material, and we just felt like we had a lot to say musically. We wanted that two-hour slot where we

can get up there and do everything we want to do.”

A particular favorite of the group’s is a regular multi-gig stint at the Green Parrot in Key West, in which the band plays nearly 12 hours of music over three nights without repeating any songs.“Throughout the years that has been just an epic showcase for us, and an epic experience for our fans,”Garulli shares.

The Heavy Pets currently consist of Lloyd (guitar/vocals), Garulli (guitar/ vocals), Jim Wuest (keyboards/vocals), Jamie Newitt (drums/vocals) and Tony D’Amato (bass), and each of its members brings compositions to the table.

This unorthodox structure has led to the group operating as something of a creative collective that doesn’t seem to have (or need) a sole bandleader.

“We’ve always been a fan of music like that, where we can support each other and put multiple harmonies on a song, and switch off on lead vocals or lead guitar,” Garulli says.“It’s a great way to grow together, and support each other, and figure out our strengths.”

These days, the pandemic and its accompanying effects have separated the band’s members by distance, but they intend to get back together as soon as it’s safe to tour again.

In the meantime, its members have remained musically active. Garulli plans to release his first solo record under his own name in 2021, and plays frequently in and around Boca Raton.

Find music from He assures the Heavy Pets at that the group theheavypets.bandisn’t going away. camp.com or on your “We really never streaming service stopped putting of choice. the band first. We’ve been working all these years on it. … It’s definitely become our lives.”

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56 10 Essential South Florida Albums

SOUL MEN, SAM & DAVE (1967) Miami-based duo Sam & Dave took the burgeoning R&B world by storm in the 1960s, and the singers reached their commercial peak with sophomore effort Soul Men, from which the title track reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts and went on to inspire generations when it was covered by the Blues Brothers.

A WHITE SPORT COAT AND A PINK CRUSTACEAN, JIMMY BUFFETT (1973) Though Jimmy Buffett is known to Parrotheads the world over as an artist who got his start on the Gulf shores, this sophomore studio effort was his first following a move to Key West that preceded his superstardom and had a profound impact on his sound.

KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND, KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND (1975) This seminal disco outfit got its start in Hialeah, and this self-titled sophomore effort was the highest-charting effort of the group’s career, peaking at no. 4 on the Billboard 200 and receiving a Platinum certification from the RIAA. It boasts the group’s two biggest hits: “Get Down Tonight” and “That’s the Way (I Like It)”.

HOTEL CALIFORNIA, THE EAGLES (1976) Yes, we’re fully aware of the irony here, but much of this mega-smash hit by the venerable ‘70s soft-rockers was recorded not in its namesake state, but in North Miami’s distinguished Criteria Studios, where the group also recorded One of These Nights.

LET IT LOOSE, GLORIA ESTEFAN & MIAMI SOUND MACHINE (1987) Though this record would end up being the last to bear the Miami Sound Machine name before Gloria Estefan launched her successful solo career, it was the influential group’s most successful.

The record went triple Platinum and contained the band’s biggest hit, “Anything for You.”

AS NASTY AS THEY WANNA BE, 2 LIVE CREW (1993) The record that put Miami music on the map for all the wrong reasons, this third effort from Miami Bass hip-hop group 2 Live Crew went double Platinum, but it was also the first record in history to be deemed legally obscene. It featured the cringe-worthy lead single and opening track “Me So Horny,” and things only got more salacious from there.

A MARK, A MISSION, A BRAND, A SCAR, DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL (2003) Boca Raton’s own emo heroes Dashboard Confessional recorded this record, its third, in Miami, and it proved to be an unlikely success that catapulted the group to stardom. The record peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, and lead single “Hands Down” remains the group’s biggest hit.

ASTRO COAST, SURFER BLOOD (2010) The debut from West Palm Beach indie rockers Surfer Blood took the blogosphere by storm upon its 2010 release, and more than a decade later its sunny, infectious hooks still resonate with the same gritty beachside charm.

PLANET PIT, PITBULL (2011) For a time, Pitbull was on top of the world, and the Miami-born rapper was the unofficial ambassador for the Magic City. This record boasts two top-10 Billboard hits and went double Platinum, helping Pitbull complete his transformation from “Mr. 305” to “Mr. Worldwide.”

ZUU, DENZEL CURRY (2019) This fourth full-length from Miami Gardens-born rapper Denzel Curry takes its title from a nickname for Carol City, the neighborhood where he was raised. It makes up for a lack of commercial success with heaps of critical praise, and Curry poses on the cover in an old-school Marlins jersey. Does it get any more Florida than that?

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57 LOUNGE ACT

Guitarist and composer Russell Mofsky’s formal training began at age 11, but even before that, he was making music—or something akin to it—in ways that still resonate.“As a kid there was a piano in the house, and I used to bang away at it, not knowing what I was doing,”he says.“I would step on the sustain pedal, and it sounded like I was in a cave, and when I hit the low notes, it sounded like thunder. It was a sort of primal, formal relationship with making sound.”

Since 2010, Miami’s Mofsky has recorded under the moniker Gold Dust Lounge, an instrumental collective with a rotating cast of players and a peripatetic approach to genre. Like his earliest experiments in sound, Gold Dust Lounge’s music is prized for its evocative ambience, and the memories, textures and places it suggests.

Inspired by primitive surf rock, tiki music and vintage cinema, Mofsky has produced four albums of unclassifiable gems, ranging from the immersive Polynesian shimmer of“Lost Sunset”to the nocturnal drone of“No Doze”and the gutter blues of“Barfly.”The sleeve of its 2014 breakthrough LP Lost Sunset depicts an Old West gunslinger—carrying a guitar instead of a pistol—confronting a four-eyed alien on a red planet. It’s no wonder Mofsky coined the term“soundtracks for imaginary films”to describe his project.

For Mofsky, the road to Gold Dust Lounge was as winding as his repertory. In 1988, while in high school, he co-founded Quit, a Kendall punk band that would influence a generation of followers. But Mofsky, who had begun studying music at the University of Miami, left the group after two years to dive deeply into jazz.

“I was meeting other kids at UM, in the jazz program, and they were showing me things,”he recalls.“I was always really driven to learn, and to be able to play what I heard in my mind’s ear.”

Mofsky describes his 20s as“like I

Russell Mofsky

went to seminary. I was hyper-focused, I had no social life, and I was determined to make the best use of the time and really practice. … Andre, the drummer from Quit, says I went on a 10-year jazz odyssey.”

The improvisatory spirit of jazz would inform Gold Dust Lounge years later. But the roots of GDL really germinated in Boston, when Mofsky attended graduate school at the New England Conservatory of Music. Frequenting the city’s vibrant live music scene, he would hear sounds outside the commercial rock and jazz paradigms—like the surf group the Fathoms, the rockabilly trio the Crank-Tones and the western swing band the Spurs.“I thought, I relate to this more than jazz. … It was something you could move to.”

Mofsky wove these musical threads, and others, into Gold Dust Lounge, founded after he moved back to Miami around 2007, and he soon cultivated an unorthodox touring schedule. While most local bands

Find music from played late-night gigs in clubs, Mofsky, who was raising an Gold Dust Lounge infant, sought out opportunities at soundcloud.com/ to“maintain dad hours.” golddustlounge or Gold Dust Lounge became on your streaming the resident band at the Harold service of choice.

Golen Gallery in Wynwood, playing at the Second Saturday Art Walks from 7 to 10. Eventually, GDL became the house band at the idyllic Standard Hotel on Miami Beach.

These days, though Mofsky expects to release more GDL material post-COVID, Gold Dust Lounge concerts are less frequent. The composer, who recently turned 50, lost his mother to lung cancer following the release of Lost Sunset, an event WEB EXTRA that changed him.

To listen to “You lose a parent, and it reshapes a curated your world,”he says.“You’re not truly Spotify playlist an adult until you’re the adult. So it of these five wasn’t anybody’s fault, but it changed bands/artists, what I wanted. I wanted to be with my visit bocamag. family, and I wanted to keep making com/maymusic on my terms. That’s really what I june-2021. continue to do now.”

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This year’s answer to a long 2020 is a return to bright splashes of color in florals and prints, with playful details and classic silhouettes.

Photography by Billy Coleman

On The

Dress by Carolina Herrera from Saks Fifth Avenue; jewelry from Betteridge

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Dress by Carolina Herrera and bag from Saks Fifth Avenue; earrings from Mariko All clothing and accessories from stores on Worth Avenue, Palm Beach

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Dress from Marina St. Barth; necklace from Mariko; bag from Rangoni Firenze; shoes from Saks Fifth Avenue

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Giambattista Valli blouse and skirt and Poolside bag from Saks Fifth Avenue; necklace from Mariko

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Jacket and pant from Akris; necklace from Mariko; hat from Saks; shoes from Rangoni Firenze shoes

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Blouse and pant from Marley’s Palm Beach; earrings from Mariko; sunglasses from Edward Beiner

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PHOTOGRAPHER: Billy Coleman STYLIST: Danny Santiago/Artist Management MODELS: Mackenzie Lawrence/ The Source Models ART DIRECTOR: Lori Pierino HAIR & MAKEUP: Davide Calcinai/ Artist Management

Clothes and accessories from Gucci

STYLIST ASSISTANT: Sue Salzano, Sindia Pérez PHOTO ASSISTANT: Miguel Mori

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Dress from Ala Von Auersperg; earrings and bracelet from Mariko; shoes from Rangoni Firenze shoes

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67 These thr haunt Palee historic homi cide cases m Beach C o will unty fore Written b y Eliot Kl v e r einberg

A couple is gunned down in their living room. Another couple vanishes. And a man is shot answering his door.

Three particular Palm Beach County murders are notable for the unusual circumstances, but also because the victims already were notables. All three cases inspired books. And all three are juicy tales.

But they also were tragedies for the families and friends of the victims, as well as relatives of the alleged killers.

Leno and Louise Lazzari, 1948. Curtis Eugene and Marjorie Chillingworth, 1955. And Richard Kreusler, 1976.

Their whodunits are part of Florida’s tapestry.

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68 Leno and Louise

Leno Lazzari had been a Grand Prix racer, a professional boxer and a soldier for his native Italy in World War I. He became a sculptor and, like many, came to Palm Beach for its lucrative customer base. He set up a studio right on the island’s tony Worth Avenue.

The distraction of World War II had ended, and Palm Beach society was back in full swing. Lazzari’s clients included the wife of former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge as well as essayist H.L. Mencken and the Duke of Windsor.

In this era before the interstates, Leno would wind his way home down U.S. 1 to Boca Raton, then a settlement of only about 900 people, where he lived with Louise, his second wife.

That’s where a family friend who’d come for lunch on Nov. 14, 1948, found the screen door pried open and discovered the couple on the floor. She ran, screaming, out to U.S. 1 and flagged down a state trooper.

Leno was 48, Louise, 40.

The previous evening, the couple had visited friends in West Palm Beach for dinner and some bridge. Police said they got home just after midnight.

As Louise switched on the bedroom light, she was shot three times. Leno grabbed his 12-gauge shotgun, firing a wild blast that tore into the refrigerator, before he was shot twice.

The killer stole Louise’s purse and rifled the dead Leno’s pants pockets before fleeing north in the couple’s Jeep. He stopped in Delray Beach, long enough to throw five .38-caliber cartridges onto the shoulder of the highway. His gun never was recovered.

Authorities began a national manhunt. They had plenty of potential motives with which to work, some

more believable than others.

Lazzari had fled Italy in 1927 amid death threats by Mussolini fascists.

Had they killed him in revenge?

Perhaps the Lazzaris were drug dealers and this had been a hit.

Lazzari was a notorious womanizer. Perhaps a boyfriend or husband of one of his lovers had ended his streak of good luck.

Perhaps the couple were just victims of a random robbery and murder. If so, why were so many items, including Louise’s jewelry, left behind?

Franco Lazzari, Leno’s son from a previous marriage, who himself briefly was a suspect, argued his father was murdered for potentially valuable land he owned near the Boca Raton Hotel and Club.

Franco Lazzari later complained the estate’s appointed curator, the husband of the neighbor who’d found the bodies, had removed several items from the house.

Leno grabbed his 12-gauge shotgun, firing a wild blast that tore into the refrigerator, before he was shot twice.

Leno and Louise Lazzari (left) and friends with an anchor he designed at the beach pavilion at the end of Palmetto Park Road

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69 Renowned Judge Curtis Eugene Chillingworth and his wife Marjorie lay at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Their murders would later be called Palm Beach County´s crime of the century.

Boca Raton police remained convinced the motive was money. Suspicion fell on Edmund Duane Phillips, a petty thief from the coal mining town of Washington, Pa., who carried a fight scar on his left cheek and had a criminal record dating to 1935.

In May 1949, police charged Phillips with stealing a Buick, $375 and some luggage down in Key West the day before the slayings.

Phillips told police he’d come to Key West and obtained a construction job but had been fired. He said he’d decided to head back north and stole the Buick and cash, but ditched the car in Boca Raton after it got stuck in sand. He denied killing the Lazzaris.

Phillips was sentenced to one year in prison on the car theft.

Fourteen years later, Boca Raton Police Detective Charles McCutcheon reviewed the case and concluded Phillips was the killer. Police hooked up the convict to a lie detector. It was inconclusive, and Phillips never was charged. He’d die in 1981.

In 2015, Sally Ling, a local author and an alumnus of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, penned Who Killed Leno and Louise? Her book, described as a mix of fact and fiction, points to the husband of the neighbor who said she’d found the bodies. Detectives had suspected she and Leno had been in an affair.

In the book, a letter is discovered in 2013 that’s from a Boca Raton police officer in which he admits to killing the Lazzaris. He says he’d lost big in gambling and was heavily in debt to mobsters, and the neighbor husband gave him $3,000—more than $32,000 in 2021 dollars—to perform the hit.

Ling doesn’t say in her book how

much of that is fact or fiction. She didn’t respond to inquiries for this article.

The Motor is Fixed

Sometime in the early hours of June 15, 1955, Joe Peel’s phone rang. A man said,“The motor is fixed.”

Renowned judge Curtis Eugene Chillingworth and his wife Marjorie lay at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Their murders later would be called Palm Beach County’s crime of the century.

Peel relaxed, confident his criminal enterprise now was safe. And it was, for several years. Until someone ratted him out.

Chillingworth first was elected a county judge in 1920; at just 24, he was Florida’s youngest judge ever. Three years later, he became a circuit judge.

The judge and his wife bought a small getaway cottage down the coast from Palm Beach in a village called Manalapan that had all of 27 registered voters. The bungalow was steps from the beach.

In June 1955, Chillingworth had held the post for three decades. He had written the governor, saying he planned to retire. Chillingworth was 59, his wife 47.

At the time, Palm Beach County also had a municipal judge who handled small cases. He was Joseph Peel, Jr. Peel’s primary job was as a lawyer.

But he had his fingers in other enterprises, not so lawful. And as a judge, he had a sweet gig going.

Peel was being paid $500 by people who ran Bolita, an illegal lottery, as well as moonshine. Police would

Judge Curtis Chillingworth and his wife Marjorie

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70 take warrants to Peel to sign so they could raid gambling dens. As soon as they’d left, Peel would call the crooks and tip them off.

It was Peel’s legal work that got him in trouble. In 1953, he represented both sides in a divorce and drew a warning from Chillingworth: two strikes and you’re out. Two years later, he handled a woman’s divorce, and told her it was final when it wasn’t. She remarried and had a baby, then learned Peel’s misconduct made her a bigamist.

Judge Chillingworth was about to drop the hammer on Joe Peel. He had to do something.

On the evening of June 14, the Chillingworths had dinner with friends in Palm Beach. They left about 10 p.m. for Manalapan.

At 8 the next morning, a carpenter the judge had engaged to build a playground for the Chillingworths’ grandchildren arrived at the Manalapan cottage. He found the front door open and the home empty.

At the courthouse in West Palm Beach, the judge, a paragon of punctuality, failed to take the bench for a 10 a.m. hearing. By noon, police were swarming the cottage.

They found a shattered porch light, drops of blood on the walkway

Joe Peel

Historic FL Murder feature MJ21.indd 70

to the beach, and two empty adhesive tape spools.

Also found: dry swimsuits, indicating no one had taken a morning swim. The judge had left the keys to his Plymouth in the ignition. His wallet contained money, and Marjorie’s pocketbook had $40 inside. This wasn’t a robbery. What was missing was a pair of men’s pajamas, a nightgown and two pairs of slippers.

The sea keeps her secrets, and exhaustive searches by boat, divers and even a helicopter proved fruitless. So did numerous rewards, including a state-legislated one for $100,000— nearly $1 million in 2021 dollars.

The case remained a mystery.

Until, suddenly, it didn’t.

Floyd Holzapfel was a bookmaker’s son who’d served time for armed robbery in Oklahoma, then came to West Palm Beach. His nickname: Lucky.

In 1959, Lucky told a friend, a local insurance agent, he knew who had killed the Chillingworths. He said, “Man, there’s a hole out there in that ocean nobody’s found the bottom of.”

The agent also was a pal of Peel, and alerted him that Lucky might be preparing to rat him out. Peel gave the man more than $8,000 to kill Lucky. Instead, the insurance agent went to the cops.

Floyd “Lucky” Holzapfel

In September 1960, the agent and a friend lured Lucky to a Holiday Inn in Melbourne. Inside the room: a hidden microphone. Over three days in the hotel, the three men emptied five bottles of liquor. Lucky’s lips got more and more loose. In an adjacent room, an officer got it all down on 30 reels of tape.

Peel later quit the Florida Bar and fled South Florida, but a friend betrayed him, and he was nabbed in Tennessee a month after Lucky’s arrest.

In the Melbourne hotel room, Lucky had mentioned Bobby Lincoln, a Riviera Beach moonshiner who ran two poolrooms, two taxicabs, and a numbers operation.

Lincoln already was in prison on a 1958 moonshine-related federal conviction. The state attorney came to him with an immunity deal.

In 1960, offering up a Black man as a star witness in the middle of the South still was a dicey thing. But while prosecutors had a strong circumstantial case, they had no bodies.

Bobby Lincoln would have to do.

The trial was moved some 60 miles up the road to Fort Pierce in an effort to seat a jury that hadn’t heard all about the case. It could have been held in Mars. The murders had become a national sensation.

Bobby Lincoln

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71

When Lucky got word Bobby would be ratting him out, he buckled.

And told all.

Peel had paid him and Bobby $2,500 and given them their assignment. He’d figured that, with no body, he’d never be convicted.

But to give himself an alibi, he’d stay home and watch the TV game show “The $64,000 Question.”Afterward, the henchmen would call him with a code phrase to let him know the deed was done.

Lucky and Bobby shoved off from a marina in Riviera Beach. When they knocked on the door of the bungalow at about 1 a.m., Lucky told the judge it was a stickup. But there was one thing they hadn’t counted on: The judge wasn’t alone. His wife was there.

Bobby smashed the porch light.

The men bound the Chillingworths’ hands with tape and walked them to the beach. On the way, Marjorie screamed, and Lucky opened a gash in her head with the butt of his pistol.

The men rowed two miles out. The judge offered them $200,000 to call off the murder. But they were determined. They strapped lead weights to the two.

“Ladies first,”Lucky said, pushing Marjorie overboard.

“Honey, remember, I love you,” the judge told his wife. She said,“I love you too.”

In the water, Chillingworth struggled to stay afloat, even after he was hit in the head with a shotgun butt.

Finally, the men pulled him back aboard, tied a 25-pound anchor to his neck, and tried again. This time they watched him vanish into the dark water.

Joe Peel would claim Lucky and Bobby had acted alone. But on March 30, 1961, jurors took just five and a half hours to convict the former judge.

COURTESY OF PALM BEACH POST COLLECTION, HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

The sea keeps her secrets, and exhaustive searches by boats, divers and even a helicopter proved fruitless. ...

The case remained a mystery. Until, suddenly, it wasn't.

Crowds line up for the Chillingworth murder trial.

The Chillingworth case inspired two books: The Murder Trial of Judge Peel, by national columnist Jim Bishop, and The Chillingworth Murder Case, by former Palm Beach Post staffer Ernie Hutter.

Lucky went to death row, but his sentence was commuted. He would be up for parole in 2009. But he had a stroke in 1992 and died four years later.

Bobby Lincoln finished his federal

sentence and moved to Chicago, and converted to Islam. He later returned to Palm Beach County. He died in 2004 at age 80.

Joe Peel would spend 21 years in prison. He would say to the end that he didn’t plan the murders and was guilty only of knowing about them and not stopping them. In 1982, riddled with cancer, he was paroled.

He died nine days later.

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COURTESY OF PALM BEACH POST COLLECTION, HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

72

Richard Kreusler

SOURCES: “New book details unsolved 1948 double-murder,” Palm Beach Post, Nov. 12, 2015 “Who killed Leno and Louise Lazzari,” Palm Beach Post, Jan. 19, 1992 “Death in the Sculptor’s Studio,” South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Dec. 7, 2014 “Chillingworth murders our Crime of the Century”, Palm Beach Post, June 15, 2005 “Palm Beach murder victim’s children back clemency effort,” Palm Beach Post, February 16, 2020 “Novel revisits the 1976 Kreusler murder,” Palm Beach Post, March 16, 2015 “Mark Herman to be Freed,” Palm Beach Post, Feb. 1, 1992 Murder in Palm Beach: The Homicide that Never Died, by Bob Brink. 2014, Pegasus Books Who Killed Leno and Louise, by Sally Ling. 2014, CreateSpace Publishing

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Death in Palm Beach

For nine days in 1978, in what was the first trial in Palm Beach County history to be televised gavel-to-gavel, jurors and the public heard scandalous details surrounding the death of a wealthy and influential Palm Beacher.

But each day, more and more people came to believe the law was prosecuting the wrong guy.

At 47, oil executive Richard Kreusler was on top of the world. He was involved in President Gerald Ford’s reelection campaign. He hobnobbed with business leaders such as U.S. Sugar chief Alfonso Fanjul.

And, with election day a month away, he was unopposed for a seat

on the Palm Beach Town Council.

On Jan. 16, 1976, Kreusler had attended an evening reception for Gov. Reubin Askew. Later, back home, he heard his doorbell, walked to the front door, and asked who it was.

Three shotgun blasts ripped through the door and a nearby window.

Kreusler lingered in a hospital for two weeks before he died.

An informant steered authorities to Mark Herman, a West Palm Beach karate instructor and a low-level drug dealer with a reputation as a street tough. His rap sheet had no fewer than 48 felony charges and 14 convictions. He would be indicted in 1977, 16 months after the slaying.

Herman insisted on his innocence. He came to one 1977 court appearance holding a sign reading, “I Am Being Framed. Perjury, Politics, Forgery.”

The prosecution had four key witnesses who said Herman had confessed in jail. But they had a credibility problem. They’d been in jail as well.

One of the four was Dexter Coffin III, whose family had grown wealthy by, among other things, inventing the flow-through tea bag. Coffin had what he said was a handwritten confession from Herman. He claimed Herman had been ripped off in a drug deal by a man whose parents lived next door to the Kreuslers. He said Herman was high and went to the wrong house.

Coffin and two other cellmates later would admit Coffin authored the “confession.”They said they’d lied in a bid for leniency.

One of the four cellmates was Gerry Denono, a self-proclaimed hit man who’d been convicted in two South Florida slayings and a third in Nevada. He later turned federal snitch and would vanish into the witness protection program.

Jurors, after nine hours of deliberation, convicted Herman. The judge,

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THE PALM BEACH POST VIA ZUMA WIRE

73

Mark Herman, the day he was released from prison; right, Robert Kreusler and family (pictured here) were furious when Herman’s sentence was commuted in 1992, but the six, one of them a lawyer, wrote Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying they’d since become convinced Herman, now 74, was in no way responsible for their father’s death.

openly skeptical of the prosecution witnesses, refused to send him to death row, instead sentencing him to life in prison.

Prosecutor Jack Scarola, who went on to become a big-time West Palm Beach area lawyer, was accused of fabricating evidence. He’s vehemently denied the charge over the years, and said he and his team had a strong case against Herman that had convinced not just a jury, but several appeals judges.

Defense attorney Alfonso Sepe also was criticized for his work, which included calling not one witness. He later became a Miami-Dade County circuit judge but left after he was charged with bribery.

In 1985, it was revealed that, in 1979, as questions about Herman’s guilt had grown, then-Palm Beach County State Attorney David Bludworth had set up a new investigation that had concluded Herman didn’t do it.

Instead, it named another man, John Crotty, also known as Richard Cooper. Witnesses said Crotty borrowed shotgun shells on the night of Kreusler’s murder and had a lot of money the next day.

Bludworth never charged Crotty, or

the cellmates who admitted fabricating Herman’s confession. Crotty later vanished. He never publicly said why.

A lawyer who later worked to exonerate Herman said he believed hit men had silenced Kreusler because he’d learned dirt about people in the local oil business. Another theory was that Kreusler had been murdered by the mobster boyfriend of a stripper with whom Kreusler was having an affair.

In 1992, a state clemency board commuted Herman’s sentence. He had spent 15 of his 46 years—a third of his life—in prison.

Herman moved in with relatives in Arizona. He married his high school sweetheart. The two built a life with their combined five children and several grandchildren. He worked for his brother’s computer business, then later was a bookkeeper.

He didn’t want to go through the heartache of seeking a pardon. But in early 2020, an unlikely group did it for him. They were the six grown children of Kreusler.

The six, one of them a lawyer, wrote Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying they’d become convinced Herman, now 74, was in no way responsible for their father’s death.

“We have spent a great deal of time analyzing the case against Mr. Herman,”prominent West Palm Beach appellate lawyer Jane Kreusler-Walsh wrote in the letter, also signed by her brother and four sisters, that was cited in the Palm Beach Post. “We do not believe he was responsible in any way. It is time we addressed the injustice visited on Mr. Herman.”

In 2015, former Palm Beach Post staffer Bob Brink wrote Murder in Palm Beach, described as a novelized version of the Kreusler murder case.

Brink said a fellow reporter at the Post had uncovered information that could have exonerated Herman but didn’t have enough to publish.

Brink said the findings were turned over to investigators, but nothing ever happened.

Eliot Kleinberg retired in December 2020 after nearly a half-century in journalism, including more than three decades at the Palm Beach Post. Parts of this article originally appeared in the Post.—Ed.

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M EN AT W O RK

Men Who Make It Happen We spoke with a select group of dynamic Men at Work to learn about their varied professions and what keeps clients coming back for more of their products and services.

While the way they do business may have changed in the past year, their passion has not. Find out what’s new, what’s back and why these men choose to “work it” the way they do, day to day.

“My role is not just about delivering financial results, which is what Fifth Third Private Bank does, it is about delivering exceptional client service in a personal way.”

Jonathan B. Soto

Fifth Third Private Bank, South Florida

G

rowing up with modest means in an upper middle-class family gave Fifth Third Private Bank’s managing Director Jonathan Soto an appreciation for wealth and working with high net worth families. He recognized that wealth was a very powerful tool and found that if you could make it a productive force, as opposed to a destructive one, it could make a significant difference in creating a family legacy.

“I pride myself by building relationships with my clients that last through generations and market cycles. That involves not only managing investments but looking at their entire financial picture and how it interconnects throughout their lifecycles,” he says.

“My role is not just about delivering financial results, which is what Fifth Third Private Bank does, it is about delivering exceptional client service in a personal way.”

“My team and I believe in delivering concierge service.

We are experienced advisors who have developed relationships with our clients so they can enjoy their lives and trust their financial interests are being taken care of for generations to come.”

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MICHELE EVE SANDBERG

Soto is active in the community and spends most of his time with clients living in the area’s country club communities. “Most days you’ll find me right next door to my office in Boca enjoying lunch with clients at my favorite spot, Louie Bossi,” Soto says.

Fifth Third Private Bank, South Florida • 120 E. Palmetto Park Road • Boca Raton • 954-514-3034 • 53.com/privatebank

“I think of myself as an old-time physician, not a corporate practitioner”

RobertBader

RSB Dermatology, Inc.

R

obert S. Bader, MD. is described by his patients as “thorough,” “knowledgeable,” and “friendly.”

Specializing in dermatology, Mohs surgery, and cosmetic surgery, he goes to great lengths to ensure a positive experience and outcome.

“I encourage patients to come in for complete skin screenings—and treat the whole patient,” says Dr. Bader, a board-certified, Ivy League-trained physician and surgeon. “Most cancers (about 70%) are actually found during those screenings, so they’re important to have.”

He tries to create a comfortable office environment and takes the time to listen to his patients’ concerns, no matter how long it takes.

AARON BRISTOL

“I think of myself as an old-time physician, not a corporate practitioner,” Dr. Bader adds. “My patients can message me directly any time or speak to my staff.”

He completed a fellowship in Mohs Surgery (the removal of skin cancer) and in dermatologic plastic surgery, so his focus is not only on medical dermatology, but on surgery. He also performs cosmetic procedures like Botox, chemical peels, dermabrasion, Fractional Laser Resurfacing, and even fat removal!

Dr. Bader and his professional staff at RSB Dermatology have been caring for South Floridians since March 2000 and make it their business to treat patients the way they would want to be treated.

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“Our ultimate goal is that our customers will never forget the way we make them feel, every time they walk through our doors.

That is our mission”

Ronnie Gilboa Eli Kadosh

Revival Boutique

A

ligned in mind, body and spirit, Israeli-born “brothers from another mother” Revival Boutique owners Eli Kadosh and Ronnie Gilboa are health fanatics and fashion forces joined at the hip, sharing the same work ethic and gratitude for good health and hard earned good fortune.

“It’s not only the strong that survive, it’s the flexible ones,” says Eli, reflecting on the impact of the pandemic. This idea dovetails with their passion for providing chic, contemporary and versatile ladies’ comfort couture—and their belief that challenges bring out the best in them and their business.

What they do best is evident from the moment you step into any of their five Revival Boutiques from Boca to Delray, where a curated selection of top fashion brands adorns the racks, each personally cherry picked by Eli and Ronnie to suit that store’s unique demographic.

“Three generations from teens to grandmothers find their favorite accessories, outfits and separates at Revival, and enjoy the overall shopping experience with personalized attention. Our ultimate goal is that our customers will never forget the way we make them feel, every time they walk through our doors.

That is our mission,” Eli and Ronnie say.

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“People are not going out to restaurants and clubs like they used to, but they still want to feel good in our clothes and come in for much needed retail therapy, choosing from the latest trends from Flying Monkey, Just Black, Bella Dahl, Pete, Wooden Ship, Veronica M, Chaser, Generation Love and Blank NYC to name a few,” Ronnie says.

Woodfield Plaza • Delray Marketplace • Delray Place • Promenade at Coconut Creek • 561-563-8989 • Revivalboutiques.com

“If you treat everyone with compassion and respect, you’ll be better off in the world.”

Marius J. Ged Ged Lawyers, LLP

L

ong before Marius “Marty” Ged became co-founder and managing partner of GED Lawyers, LLP, he worked as an underwriter for insurance giant AIG on Wall Street, providing him with the foundation to give his clients a better perspective from a strategic standpoint.

“I operate from a business mind first, followed by my legal perspective,” Marty explains. “This helps clients better understand the financial implications of their cases.”

A graduate of Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, Marty has garnered a deep understanding of all the practice areas his firm represents, from personal injury and wrongful death, PIP insurance recovery, disaster recovery, estate planning, asset protection and real estate; each operating with skilled division heads handling the high volume of cases throughout Florida.

FDP STUDIOS / FUZZY DOG PHOTOGRAPHY, INC.

The multimillion dollar, record-breaking recoveries the firm often achieves on behalf of its clients are a testament to the team Marty and his cousin and co-founder, C. Glen Ged have put in place over many years with more than 20 attorneys and 100 support staff.

Whether dealing with the aftermath of a hurricane; a scenario Marty personally encountered losing his home to Hurricane Sandy, or fighting for an accident victim whose bills far exceed the medical provider’s limits, he puts his heart into every case to achieve the maximum recovery his clients rightly deserve.

Marty not only takes a personal interest in his every client, he operates from a place of integrity as common practice, explaining, “If you treat everyone with compassion and respect, you’ll be better off in the world.”.

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Ged Lawyers, LLP • 7171 North Federal Highway • Boca Raton • 561-995-1966 • Gedlawyers.com

While he and his family continue to grow their business, their clients remain number one—and always will!

ScottZankl

Excell Auto Group/Karma Broward and Karma Palm Beach

E

xcell Auto Group, a well known and respected Boca Raton leader in the luxury and exotic car industry, was founded more than 20 years ago by Scott and Kristen Zankl, and is thrilled to welcome a new member to its family.

Karma Automotive, the California-based manufacturer of luxury electric vehicles, introduces two new franchises, Karma Palm Beach and Karma Broward. Karma Palm Beach shares Excell Auto Group’s spacious showroom in Boca Raton, and Karma Broward is coming soon to a Fort Lauderdale venue.

Both franchises will offer Karma’s luxury electric vehicles, including the new luxury electric Revero GT, named Green Car Journal’s 2020 Luxury Green Car of the YearTM, and will join the current top-rated pre-owned luxury and exotic inventory.

According to Scott, this dealership is one-ofa-kind in the country, and will bring Karma customers all of the perks available to Excell Auto family members. These include invitations to exclusive private events, complimentary flatbed pick-up and drop off, and complimentary concierge services.

And if that’s not keeping him busy enough, Scott’s also writing a book, Varoom, launching soon, in which he shares with readers the ins and outs of buying and selling cars!

While he and his family continue to grow their business, their clients remain number one—and always will!

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Excell Auto Group and Karma Palm Beach • 1001 Clint Moore Road, Ste. 101 • Boca Raton • 561-998-5557 • Excellauto.com

Jack Dell’Accio

Essentia Natural Memory Foam Mattresses

“The only mattress to offer all six key elements needed for the body to truly kick into recovery mode”

J

ack Dell’Accio is the Founder and CEO of Essentia, the world’s only natural memory foam mattress. He developed his brand in response to his own personal experience of having seemingly healthy family members suddenly begin a battle with cancer. Of the many elements in our home environment that could make us sick, Jack explored the one that he knew he could help make better; the mattress.

Knowing that you spend a third of your life sleeping on what can be the most toxic item in your home is why Jack stepped in to develop Essentia’s patented natural memory foam which is made using only the highest quality natural and organic ingredients to ensure that you are not being exposed to the toxic chemicals.

“I ensure that Essentia mattresses also perform better than any mattress on the market, being the only mattress to offer all six key elements needed for the body to truly kick into recovery mode. These include sleeping cool, enhanced pressure relief, increased blood circulation, and now our latest has a grounding and barrier formula protecting from the effects that EMF (Electronic Smog) and data signals (5G) and their effects on blood oxygen flow” Jack explains.

The credibility of the quality and performance of the our mattresses is unmatched, with Essentia being a founding member of the Mayo Clinic’s Well Living Lab and receiving many accolades from the leaders in the wellness space.

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Essentia Natural Memory Foam • 110 E. Boca Raton Rd. • Boca Raton, FL • 561-571-9300 • Myessentia.com

TOGETHER,

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South Palm Beach County and a

brighter future for the next generation.

Join us at jewishboca.org

or call 561-852-3100 for more information.

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Brian Pearl & Vini Antonacci 561.245.1541 • 561.714.8464

The Pearl Antonacci Group PearlAntonacci.com • Info@PearlAntonacci.com Follow us @PearlAntonacci 101 N Federal Hwy, 5th Floor, Boca Raton, FL 33432

The Pearl Antonacci Group is a team of Real Estate agents affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed Real Estate broker with a principal office in Chicago, IL and abides by all applicable Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only, is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, and changes without notice. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of Real Estate brokerage.

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TAKE 5

Paul Gervais

A longtime artist, author and horticulturist faces up to a new challenge Written by JOHN THOMASON

“I usually don’t ask [subjects for their permission to paint them]. I just find their images on Instagram or Facebook. … No one’s complained.”

—Paul Gervais that his body of work is his autobiography, because he painted the people in his life, the women he married, his children, his famous artist friends, neighbors down the road. So I was thinking about that, and went downstairs one morning. Gil [Gervais’ husband and partner of 46 years] was there, and I took a picture of him and went to my studio, and I painted the first one of the series.”

Though new to portraits, Gervais’ artistic practice is a lifelong devotion, albeit with sizable hiatuses.

He received his Master of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute but later shifted his focus to literature, penning memoirs as well as the PEN/ Faulkner Award-nominated 1991 novel Extraordinary People, an episodic saga of a dysfunctional family. Gervais and Gil also poured their creativity into Villa Massei, a 60-acre estate near the ancient walled city of Lucca, Italy, where they cultivated one of the most famous gardens in the country, with its lush echoes of Renaissance horticulture.

The couple sold the estate in 2014, and today Paul and Gil winter in West Palm Beach, an easy drive from the“Faces and Forms”gazing from a second-floor gallery at the Boca Museum. The people Gervais paints all have backstories and a connection to the artist; one is a mentee of Gil’s from Dreyfoos School of the Arts, another is the cosmopolitan daughter of an owner of NASCAR, still another is the heavily tattooed former head of digital operations for Conde Nast.

Gervais discusses his process, and what goes into a successful portrait.

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Should a portrait necessarily be flattering to the subject?

Definitely not. I don’t seek to flatter the subject, and I get responses all the time from people, especially about Gil, that, ‘oh, that’s not the Gil I know. He’s a smiling person.’ Well, we’re all smiling people at some point, but real portraiture—serious portraiture—does not show a smile. The artist is looking for a deeper take on a personality. A smile is very nice, but it’s usually fake for a camera. Serious portraiture requires that the subject look almost meditative, as if no one’s watching.

What element of the face was the most difficult to master?

There’s a great line attributed to John Singer Sargent that a portrait is the artist’s representation of a person in which something is not quite right about the mouth. … The mouth and eyes are the most difficult features. You can sometimes just make one little brush stroke, and it’s all changed, and you’ve lost that person.

Why do you work from photographs instead of live models?

I think it would be hard to get someone to come

and sit for you. To do a portrait well, [you need] a minimum of eight hours over a couple of days. It requires a lot of patience, not only on their part but on my part.

I don’t want to have to talk to them for eight hours, or worry about them, or think, oh dear, they’re so bored, I better hurry. It would make me nervous.

Could you paint pretty much anybody, or does the face have to spark inspiration for you?

I choose who I paint because I’m in some way taken with them. I paint people who physically, and also in terms of their character, intrigue me.

It’s not always beauty; it can be other qualities.

Is there a similar mindset when it comes to working a garden and working on a painting?

I think all the arts are linked. They are different disciplines, but these are various disciplines of art, and they all come from the same source. I know there was a lot of myself in that garden, just as there’s a lot of myself in these paintings.

AARON BRISTOL

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rtist Paul Gervais never painted portraits before 2020, but you wouldn’t know it from the clear command the septuagenarian painter displays across “Faces and Forms,” his current solo exhibition at Boca Raton Museum of Art. Picked up as neither a lark nor a quarantine project, Gervais began the practice of painting the visages of friends and family after a transformative deep dive into the work of Lucian Freud, one of the art world’s preeminent portraitists.

“I was reading the newly published Life of Lucian Freud,”recalls Gervais.“It’s a wonderful book—two volumes, 600 pages each. And what impressed me is

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WHAT: Paul Gervais: “Faces and Forms” WHERE: Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton WHEN: Through May 30 COST: $10-$12 admission CONTACT: 561/392-2500, bocamuseum.org

Paul Gervais

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AARON BRISTOL

C H LO E ’ S B I S T R O TROPICAL SMOKEHOUSE D I S COV E R I E S TA B L E TA L

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Seafood linguine from Chloe’s Bistro

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Hearts of palm salad, grilled salmon (right) and crème brûlée

Chloe’s Bistro

6885 S.W. 18th St., Boca Raton, 561/334-2088, chloesbistro.com

S IF YOU GO PARKING: Parking lot HOURS: Sun.–Thurs., 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

PRICES: Entrees $22-$32 WEBSITE: chloesbistro.com

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andwiched between two larger restaurants, Chloe’s Bistro could be overlooked, although that would be an injustice to your taste buds.

Owners Vivian and Eric He (Eric is also the chef) recently refined their former L’Chloe’s Café and Ice Cream, and the result is a very good Italian spot on the lakefront. Named after the owners’ daughter, Chloe’s Bistro serves salads, tartare, carpacci, chicken, veal, pasta, risotto, seafood, desserts and everything in between—plus an extensive wine list for such a small venue.

There is Italian music playing and right now, even though it’s warm, you’ll still feel a nice breeze off the water. Plus there’s the hearts of palm salad ($14), with a bounty of shrimp, avocado, onion, cherry tomatoes and many strands of the titular vegetable in a nice, light citrus dressing.

The seafood linguine ($29) sported tender calamari rings, mussels, clams and shrimp in a white wine sauce (marinara is the other option). House-made pasta puts the dish in the very good category. That was the same for the sauteed snapper entrée ($29), with shrimp and clams in Marechiara sauce (red and slighty spicy) over linguine. The snapper filets were large, and there was no skimping with the shrimp or clams.

In fact, that sums up Chloe’s Bistro: There’s no skimping on anything. Our meal was finished with a homemade crème brûlée ($10) that served just the right balance of sweetness and cream, and an affogato al caffe ($9) with three generously sized scoops of vanilla ice cream, plus a rich espresso shot poured over the lot.

It was a delicious meal in a fine setting—imagine sitting next to the water in Florida!—and calls for a return trip to taste the risotto.

AARON BRISTOL

Written by LYNN KALBER

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Tropical Smokehouse

Rick Mace

3815 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, 561/323-2573

T From top, sour orange wings, brisket and hushpuppies

IF YOU GO PARKING: Parking lot HOURS: 11:30 a.m.10 p.m. daily; closed Mondays PRICES: Entrees $9.75-$25 WEBSITE: eattropical. com

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ropical Smokehouse is full of surprises.

It’s so casual that you order food and drinks at the bar, pay for them and get a number to put on your table (you can also order by phone from the table). It’s so casual that there are large coolers of sweet tea and water to grab refills. It’s so casual that ashes from the smoker out back might land on your clothing in the outside dining area—but that just adds to the flavor of the experience.

There’s a well-known chef behind the smoky goodness: Rick Mace, who worked for years at Café Boulud and is now co-owner here because of his love of SoFla flavors and barbecue.

The food is top-notch, which shouldn’t be a surprise, but this restaurant location hasn’t had much luck before. That’s changed now, and it happened during a pandemic. The other half here is Jason Lakow, who was co-owner of the spot’s previous incarnation, Mazie’s, as well as former general manager of Café Boulud.

Surprises at our table appeared all night, with almost each dish served. Mace’s efforts to meld tropical flavor with barbecue standards were evident and worked well. The hot and sweet hushpuppies ($7) were light, airy, crunchy balls of tangy goodness that went “poof!”in your mouth, with or without the delicious honey butter served alongside. The sour orange wings ($8) were moist and tender with a great flavor.

The tender brisket ($16) landed with a Cuban

espresso sauce that was both smoky and dark with coffee flavor. It melded with the brisket perfectly, turning it from just good to great in the “totally unexpected” slot. All dishes were served in a partial family style—all the meats were on one platter with the sides, for instance. It was a great setup for sharing.

Even the music was a perfect BBQ background: Post-WWII country with Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Jerry Reed, Waylon Jennings. Take a homemade corn tortilla chip, scoop the homemade chorizo queso ($10) and sing along, on the way to the baby-back ribs (half-rack was the special, $25) with Carolina sweet sauce and mustard sauce.

A return visit is mandatory, and happy hour—when all “snacks”(starters) are half off—is a perfect time to try the BBQ meatloaf; the pulled pork, guac and crispy onions sandwich; or the hot dog “medianoche.” No reservations are taken here.

Leave a bit of room for the orange-white chocolate chip bar ($3), the mango cheesecake ($5) and the pineapple carrot cake ($6), just some of the homemade desserts that hit all the right combos of sweet and tangy.

There isn’t another restaurant like this. That’s the point, and Rick Mace should be rewarded with a faithful following for his unique brand of Florida/ Caribbean/Cuban-influenced barbecue dishes. If this is a trend, we are hopping on the train with our ribs covered in both sweet and mustard sauces.

AARON BRISTOL

Written by LYNN KALBER

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C R E A T I N G

C U S T O M

A R T

G L A S S

S I N C E

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We i n v i t e y o u t o v i s i t o u r s h o w r o o m f o r a f r e e c o n s u l t a t i o n 701 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460 • (561) 585-9011 • www.mcmow.com

Come enjoy our delicious cuisine!

We believe that good times deserve great food!

8221 Glades Rd #5&6 Boca Raton, FL 33434

561-556-1688

Located in Piccadilly Square, just west of the Turnpike s k yfin as ian bis tro. co m

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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. $$$

Abe & Louie’s —2200 Glades Road. Steakhouse.

Burtons Grill & Bar —5580 N. Military Trail.

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 ubercreamy 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. $$$$

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. $

Arturo’s Ristorante —6750 N. Federal Highway.

AARON BRISTOL

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. $$$

Dentice (yellowtail snapper) oreganata from Frank and Dino’s

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

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Basilic Vietnamese Grill—200 S. Federal Highway. Vietnamese. This popular restaurant offers satisfying food and reasonable prices. Plus, there’s bubble tea. Opened in 2014, it has a wide range of Vietnamese favorites, such as cha gio tom heo, fried shrimp and pork Imperial rolls, all kinds of pho, noodle bowls, chicken curry and more. • Lunch and dinner six days a week; closed Tuesdays. 561/409-4964. $$

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

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. Chef Rickie Piper, who has mastered the menu and cuisine of this fine-dining staple for more than a decade, knows when to say when with both plating and ingredients.

His dishes, including the sides and accompaniments, are visually appetizing and aromatic. A grilled veal chop easily 3 inches thick proved tender and juicy, and the wild mushrooms served alongside in a marsala added earthiness. • 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. This is a local favorite, and may we add they have what is as close to real French bread as anyplace in Boca? • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/955-6001. $$$

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. This feels like an intimate neighborhood bistro and is a welcome discovery. From

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101 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: panseared 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. At this upscale downtown restaurant, 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. Let’s face it: Trendy menus come and go, but a great steakhouse is a win-win on all occasions. • Dinner nightly.

561/395-2675. $$$$ Cuban Café—3350 N.W. Boca Raton Blvd., Suite B-30.

Cuban. One thing Boca needs more of is coffee windows—and real Cuban restaurants. Which is undoubtedly why 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. $

Dorsia—5837 N. Federal Highway. Continental. The simple pleasures of the table—good food, personable service, comfortable ambience—are what this modestly stylish restaurant is all about. The menu has a strong Italian bent, evidenced by dishes like a trio of fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with an airy three-cheese mousse, and a cookbook-perfect rendition of veal scaloppine lavished with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and a tangy lemon-white wine sauce. • Dinner nightly.

561/961-4156. $$

Farmer’s Table—1901 N. Military Trail. American.

Fresh, natural, sustainable, organic and local is the mantra at this both tasty and health-conscious offering from Mitchell Robbins and Joey Giannuzzi. Menu highlights include flatbreads, slow-braised USDA Choice short rib and the popular Buddha Bowl, with veggies, udon noodles and shrimp. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

561/417-5836. $$

Frank & Dino’s —39 S.E. First Ave. Italian. The Rat Pack is alive and well here in both décor and soundtrack.

So, too, are traditional Italian dishes such as Dentice oreganata, capellini Pomodoro and tiramisu. But you may want to get there early for one of the longest happy hours around (11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays) for Damiano meatballs, filet mignon sliders or antipasto misto between lunch and dinner. • Lunch Mon.-Fri.; dinner nightly. 561/218-4636. $$$

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. $$

Grand Lux Cafe —6000 Glades Road, inside 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. $$

Everyday Favorites For an affordable bite at any time, consider these durable chains and homegrown Boca favorites—where the attire is understated and reservations are rarely necessary.

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. $$

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) $$ 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). $$ Nick’s New Haven-Style Pizzeria—2240 N.W. 19th St., Suite 904. Italian. Cross Naples (thin, blistered crust, judicious toppings) with Connecticut (fresh clams and no tomato sauce), and you’ve got a pretty good idea of the pies coming out of Nick Laudano’s custom-made ovens. The “white clam” pizza with garlic and bacon is killer-good; Caesar salad and tiramisu are much better than the usual pizzeria fare. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/368-2900. $$ 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) $$

The Sandwich Shop at Buccan—350 S. County Road, Palm Beach. Takeout stop. Like big sister Buccan Italian restaurant, the Sandwich Shop is full of flavor and builds your favorite sandwich with just a touch of delicious creativity you won’t find elsewhere. Owned by celeb chef Clay Conley and partners, the menu has hot or cold sandwiches, salads, sides and drinks (both alcoholic and non). Good-sized portions mean the Italian and prosciutto subs include leftovers if you have some willpower.• Lunch daily. 561/833-6295. $$

Shake Shack—1400 Glades Road. American. We’re not sure there is really any such thing as a bad burger joint and when you have a really good one—like Shake Shack— there’s a little piece of heaven just a short order away. Shake Shack in University Commons has great all-Angus burgers, non-GMO buns, and a frozen custard that makes grown men weep. Throw in some crinkle-cut fries and life is the way it should be. And the outdoor patio is a definite bonus in these times. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/932-0847. $ Steve’s Wood Fired Pizza—9180 Glades Road. Italian. With an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and rigorous preparation—the hand-rolled dough rises for three days before use—this reliable purveyor offers varieties of ‘za that are both familiar and novel, from BBQ chicken and veggie primavera to Mom’s White Roasted Garlic and the Mupsa (mushroom, pepperoni and sausage) . • Lunch and dinner Tues.-Sat., dinner Sun. 561/483-5665. $$

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 allday 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. $

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. $$

The Grille On Congress—5101 Congress

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

Ave. American. Dishes at this longtime favorite range from tasty chicken entrees and main-plate salads to seafood options like Asian-glazed salmon or pan-seared yellowtail snapper. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/912-9800. $$

temporary 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 May/June 2021

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LE BILBOQUET

245 Worth Ave. Palm Beach 561/812-2363 lebilboquetpb.com

BICE

Sweet potato gnocchi from Cafe Boulud

Palm Beach has emerged as a second home for Big Apple restaurants Written by LYNN KALBER

ALMOND

207 Royal Poinciana Way Palm Beach 561/355-5080 almondrestaurant. com

CAFÉ BOULUD

301 Australian Ave. Palm Beach 561/655-6060 cafeboulud.com/ palmbeach

SWIFTY’S AT THE COLONY

155 Hammon Ave. Palm Beach 561/655-5430 thecolonypalmbeach. com

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Sant Ambroeus branzino

New York State of Mind

313 Worth Ave. Palm Beach 561/835-1600 bice-palmbeach. com/lunch

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NOAH FECKS

SANT AMBROEUS

340 Royal Poinciana Way Palm Beach 561/285-7990 santambroeus.com

AARON BRISTOL

LA GOULUE

288 S. County Road Palm Beach 561/284-6292 lagouluepalmbeach. com

I

t’s always been a Food March from one island to another.

The fact that Manhattan and Palm Beach are 1,200 miles apart wasn’t an issue. But during pandemic year 2020, odds were good that the march would slow or stop. Instead, in the time it takes to open a tin of caviar, more New York restaurants opened local offshoots than ever before.

It was first noticeable in 1992, when Bice opened on Palm Beach as an upscale, offshoot little sister beckoning to the seasonal Palm Beach crowd. That was when population throughout the county decreased dramatically off-season, not just on the island. Still, Bice prospered, even opening a second SoFla location in Delray that didn’t last (Orlando and Naples are still operating).

But in just the past year alone, New York stalwarts Almond, La Goulue and Le Bilboquet have thrown Southern doors open to The Island sun and fun, with desperate NYC customers fleeing bad weather and virus vacancies.

They join Café Boulud (opened in 2003), Sant Ambroeus (2016) and Swifty’s at the Colony (2019) in making Worth Avenue feel a lot like Park Avenue. For most, it’s the only location outside the Big Apple as they follow the Big Money.

The prices certainly have a New York tag. A Salade Nicoise at La Goulue or Le Bilboquet is $34. Le Wagyu Burger ($37) at Bilboquet goes up against Le Cheeseburger Maison A Cheval ($23) at Goulue, and at Swifty’s the cheeseburger is $26.

That said, the menus have a SoFla flavor with lots of citrus accents, Florida seafood, plus greens and veggies purchased from local farmers.

People-watching is just as lively as it is in the New York locations. This year, the dining room and bar scenes seem to be a bit noisier, a bit more boisterous, as social butterflies flutter around their NY-homeaway-from-home venues. Non-snowbird residents will have better luck trying Tartine a l’Avocat (avocado toast) this summer, if the restaurants stay open yearround, too.

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E AT & D R I N K RESTAURANT DIRECTORY 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

Established 1991

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-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 Highway.

Traditional French. Elegance, civility and very good food meet here for dinners that last at least two hours, and it’s worth it.

Try the Dover sole (pricey, but it won’t disappoint), the escargot, coq au vin if it’s a nightly special, gazpacho, duck, veal, lobster and more. Don’t forget the rich, well-crafted desserts. Classical dining at a longtime standard; jackets recommended. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner Mon.-Sat. 561/395-6033. $$$

Ke’e Grill —17940 N. Military Trail, Suite 700. Traditional American. In this busy dining scene for more than 30 years, you will find a lot of seafood (fried calamari, blue crab cakes, yellowtail snapper Francaise and lots more), a few steak, chicken, lamb and pork options, and a quality house-made apple crisp. Your traditional choices are baked, fried, breaded, grilled, broiled, sauteed. With Provencal, Francaise, maple mustard glaze, toasted macadamia nut pesto and piccata twists. A consistent crowd for a consistent menu. • Dinner nightly. 561/995-5044. $$$ La Nouvelle Maison—455 E. Palmetto Park Blvd.

French. Elegant, sophisticated French cuisine, white-glove service and a trio of stylish dining rooms make Arturo Gismondi’s homage to Boca’s storied La Vieille Maison the home away from home to anyone who appreciates the finer points of elegant dining. The cuisine showcases both first-rate ingredients and precise execution, whether a generous slab of silken foie gras with plum gastrique, posh lobster salad, cookbook-perfect rendition of steak frites and an assortment of desserts that range from homey apple tart to bananas Foster with chocolate and Grand Marnier. • Dinner nightly. 561/338-3003. $$$ La Villetta—4351 N. Federal Highway. Italian. This is a

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Il Mulino New York Boca Raton —451 E. Palmetto Park Road. Italian. From the four pre-menu bites to the after-dinner coffee from freshly ground beans, this is a white-tablecloth venue that delivers on its upscale promises.

Try the langostino, the red snapper, the risotto, the pasta, or go for the ceviches, caviars and seafood tower. Save room for dessert and complimentary lemoncello. Make a night of it. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/338-8606. $$$

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well-edited version of a traditional Italian menu, complete with bocanursing_brm Feb20.indd 1

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South Beach Wine & Food Festival

Returning to the sands of Miami Beach, the festival is back to celebrate its 20-year anniversary of showcasing talented chefs and delicious meals – but on a smaller scale that’s priding itself on safety.

Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

diligently to create an event that makes our well-being a top priority while still maintaining the festival’s essence. COVID safety protocols will be followed at all events, and that includes mandatory masks, antibacterial stations and social distancing. All events will be reduced to 50 percent or less of the venue’s capacity, per current Miami-Dade County guidelines.

On-site check-in will be contactless, and staff will be subject to health screenings at each event. Most events (with the exception of the Wine Seminar Series) will be outside with plenty of space for social distancing.

Larger events will host

two separate sessions to regulate attendance numbers and allow for proper sanitation between sittings.

The Grand Tasting Village tents on the powdery sands of South Beach are back, as is the juicy Burger Bash hosted

by Bobby Flay and the Tribute Dinner, which will honor Giada De Laurentiis (host of Italian Bites on the Beach).

Thomas Keller and Manuel Echeverri will treat guests to an unforgettable dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, while Aarón Sánchez and Cindy Hutson host a dinner at Cervecería La Tropical. The festival is also bringing a beloved vintage event out of retirement, the effervescent Champagne

Scenes from South Beach Wine & Food, from left, Food 34 at Clambake; David Burtka, Neil Patrick Harris and Masaharu Morimoto at Heineken Light’s Burger Bash; Desserts 18 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach

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BubbleQ, hosted by Guy Fieri this year.

Festival events will be held in Miami, with the exception of Rocco DiSpirito and Fabio Viviani’s dinner at Riviera by Fabio Viviani in Fort Lauderdale and the Hallandale Beach Event Series. Hallandale Beach events include a dinner hosted by Jet Tila and Davide D’Agostino at ETARU Hallandale, the Hallandale Beach Food & Groove: A Wine, Food and Art Experience at Village at Gulfstream Pegasus Park, and the JW Marriott Miami Resort & Spa dinner hosted

by Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, Michael Mina and Gabriel Fenton.

For the full schedule and pricing, visit sobewff.org.

SETH BROWARNIK/WORLDREDEYE.COM

C

hefs whom we idolize—either from our couch or from a nearby table—are teaming up with wineries, branded spirits and celebrities to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival on May 20-23. What has made the festival such an iconic South Florida event is its ability to bring us all together on a mouthwatering journey with its slew of unique events. So whether you’re looking forward to the wine tastings, celebrity chef sightings or signature events, they’re all back this year along with a refreshed retro experience.

Thoroughly addressing the pandemic was essential to organizers who have worked

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105 homemade pastas and other classic dishes. Try the signature whole yellowtail snapper encrusted in sea salt; it’s de-boned right at tableside. Shrimp diavolo is perfectly scrumptious. • Dinner nightly. (closed Mon. during summer). 561/362-8403. $$$

Le Rivage —450 N.E. 20th St., Suite 103. French. Don’t overlook this small, unassuming bastion of traditional French cookery. That would be a mistake, because the dishes that virtually scream “creativity” can’t compare to the quiet pleasures served here—like cool, soothing vichyssoise, delicate fillet of sole with nutty brown butter sauce or perfectly executed crème brûlee. Good food presented without artifice at a fair price never goes out of fashion. • Dinner nightly. 561/620-0033. $$

Loch Bar —346 Plaza Real. Seafood. This sister restaurant to Ouzo Bay includes fried oysters, moules frites and Maryland crab cakes. The bar offers literally hundreds of whiskeys, a noisy happy hour crowd and live music most nights. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/939-6600. $$ Louie Bossi’s—100 E. Palmetto Park Road. Italian. This jumping joint serves terrific Neapolitan pizza (thin crust), but don’t miss the other entrées. Start with a charcuterie/cheese plate and grab the amazing breadsticks. All breads and pastas are made on the premises. Other faves include the carbonara and the calamari, and save room for house-made gelato. Unusual features: Try the bocce ball court included with the retro Italian décor. • Lunch and dinner daily, weekend brunch. 561/336-6699. $$$

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. 561/994-0808. $$$ Maggiano’s —21090 St. Andrews Blvd. Italian. Do as the Italians do, and order family-style: Sit back and watch the endless amounts of gorgeous foods grace your table. In this manner, you receive two appetizers, a salad, two pastas, two entrées and two desserts. The menu also includes lighter takes on staples like chicken parm, fettuccine alfredo and chicken piccata. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/361-8244. $$ 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. $$

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

Buzz Bite I American Fine Wine Competition and New “All Americas” competition

I

n its 14th year, the American Fine Wine Competition judging will be held May 29-31 at the wine labs in the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Miami’s Florida International University. While the judges will be socially distanced, they will manage to taste hundreds of wines and usher in a new competition this year, too.

The two-day, blind-tasting “All Americas”Wine Competition includes wines from all the Americas. Look for some interesting wines submitted from Canada, Mexico and Latin America, in addition to the U.S. The main competition, the American Fine Wine Competition, is an invitation-only contest. Medals are awarded for bronze, silver, gold, double gold, Best of Class and Best of Show. A separate competition for roses is waged at a different time of year.

The May competitions will be followed by “One Thousand Bottles,” a wine and food event with more than 1,000 wines to taste, along with food from local restaurants, an auction, the Cork Pull and live music. A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Chip Cassidy Endowment Fund.

—Lynn Kalber

Max’s Grille—404 Plaza Real. Contemporary American.

After 24 years in Mizner Park, This 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. $$$$

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, thin-crust pizza and seafood specials. Vegetarian and gluten-free choices are on the menu, too. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/314-6840. $$ Rafina—6877 S.W. 18th St. Greek. If you find the ambience of most Greek restaurants to be like a frat party with flaming cheese and ouzo, this contemporary, casually elegant spot will be welcome relief. Food and decor favor refinement over rusticity, even in such hearty and ubiquitous dishes as pastitsio and spanakopita. Standout dishes include the moussaka, the creamy and mildly citrusy avgolemono soup and the precisely grilled, simply adorned (with olive oil, lemon and capers) branzino. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/409-3673. $$

Rebel House —297 E. Palmetto Park Road. American Eclectic. As wild visually as it is in the kitchen, this place rocks on all points. Start with the popcorn flavor of the day (instead of bread) and don’t miss the cauliflower Caesar salad, Uncle Pinkie’s Fried Rice, the lobster meatballs or whatever duck option is on the menu. You can’t miss with these dishes. • Dinner nightly, brunch Sat.-Sun. 561/353-5888. $$ Ristorante Sapori —301 Via de Palmas, Royal Palm Place. Italian. Sapori features fresh fish, veal and chicken dishes imbued with subtle flavors. The grilled Italian branzino, the veal chop Milanese and the zuppa di pesce served over linguine are especially tasty, and the pasta (all 17 kinds!) is available in full and half orders, with your choice of 15 zesty sauces. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/367-9779. $$ 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 firstrate, 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 May/June 2021

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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. $$

Brunch Heaven

Tanzy makes Sunday Funday with a dreamy brunch including Italian donuts (Nutella anyone?), thick brioche French toast, gravlax, smoked salmon popovers and more.

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. $$

AARON BRISTOL

City Fish Market—7940 Glades Road. Seafood. A multimillion-dollar remodel of the old Pete’s has turned it into an elegant seafood house with a lengthy seafood-friendly wine list, impeccably fresh fish and shellfish cooked with care and little artifice. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/487-1600. $$

Trattoria Romana —499 E. Palmetto Park Road.

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. $$$

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 250 plus 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. $$

Warike Peruvian Bistro —2399 N. Federal Highway. Peruvian. Classic dishes, such as aji de gallina, and classic drinks—Warike Sour—make this small restau••••

Boon’s Asian Bistro—19605 N. State 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. $$

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. $$$

Twenty Twenty Grille—141 Via Naranjas, Suite

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Taverna Kyma—6298 N. Federal Highway. Greek/ Mediterranean. Hankering for a traditional Greek meal, and a menu that offers just about everything? This is where you want to try the meze plates (cold, hot, seafood, veggie), saganaki, grilled entrees and kebobs. From the taramosalata to the branzino and pastitsio, servings are generous and good. Don’t forget dessert.

• Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/994-2828. $$ Italian. This local mainstay does Italian classics and its own lengthy list of ambitious specials with unusual skill and aplomb. The service is at a level not always seen in local restaurants. Pay attention to the daily specials, especially if they include impeccably done langostini oreganata and the restaurant’s signature jumbo shrimp saltimbocca. • Dinner nightly. 561/393-6715. $$$

Sorana Sunrise martini from Trattoria Romana

rant a place to remember. Modern, clean décor and a menu that includes well-prepared seafood, meat or vegetarian meals means it’s a busy venue, so reservations are recommended. • Lunch and dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/465-5922. $$

La Ferme—9101 Lakeridge Blvd. French/Mediterranean.

Oli’s Fashion Cuisine —6897 S.W. 18th St. Modern American. With the unusual name comes a menu sporting lobster risotto to tuna tacos, grilled mahi and more. There are Italian, vegetarian, steak, flatbreads, salads and desserts, all pleasing to the eye and palate. Inside is a bit noisy, so try the outdoor, lakeside patio for a quieter meal. • Lunch and dinner daily, breakfast weekends. 561/571-6920. $$

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. $$

Tempura House—9858 Clint Moore Road, #C-112.

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. $$

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107 BOYNTON BEACH Driftwood —2005 S. Federal Highway. Modern American. Take food combos that sound unusual (popcorn sauce, avocado chocolate ice cream) but that taste wonderful and you’ve got Chef Jimmy Everett’s ideas on the table. They don’t last long, because they taste terrific. Try the smoked swordfish, the lobster with pickled okra, ricotta dumplings, the burger with gouda, the grilled octopus and pastrami’d chicken breast with roasted cabbage. • Brunch Sun. Dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/733-4782. $$

Josie’s Italian Ristorante—1602 S. Federal Highway. Italian. Famed chef and South Florida culinary godfather Mark Militello is back at Josie’s 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 —1628 S. Federal Highway. Japa-

nese. 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. $$ 50 Ocean—50 S. Ocean Blvd. Seafood. The former Upper Deck at Boston’s on the Beach is now the more upscale, seafood-oriented spot. The menu ranges from familiar to slightly more inventive, from a classic lobster bisque and crisp-tender fried clam bellies to rock shrimp pot pie and baked grouper topped with blue crab. The cinnamon-dusted beignets are puffs of amazingly delicate deep-fried air and should not under any circumstances be missed. • Lunch Mon.-Sat. Dinner nightly. Brunch Sun. 561/278-3364. $$

Angelo Elia Pizza • Bar • Tapas— 16950 Jog Road. Italian. Nothing on the menu of Angelo Elia’s modern, small plates-oriented osteria disappoints, but particularly notable are the meaty fried baby artichokes stuffed with breadcrumbs and speck, delicate chicken-turkey meatballs in Parmesan-enhanced broth, 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. $

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Buzz Bite II Chef Adrianne Opens Third Restaurant During Pandemic

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n any year, opening three restaurants is a heroic feat. Opening them during 2020 and 2021 seems as likely as balancing a lobster on the head of a pin.

Yet Chef Adrianne Calvo of Miami has done just that.

Her newest venue, Forte, an Italian restaurant with origins from the chef’s Sicilian relatives, is in Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile. Calvo is known in SoFla for her Maximum Flavor culinary idea (and 2005 cookbook of the same name), and her first restaurant debuted in 2007. Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar was relocated in its 13th year, and reopened in Adrianne Calvo August 2020.

The Redfish by Chef Adrianne also opened after renovation in 2020, and is Coral Gables’ only waterfront restaurant with views of Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami, situated inside Matheson Hammock Park. Plus, the chef’s popular food truck, Cracked by Chef Adrianne, moved into a building in 2019.

While completing a second year at Harvard Business School, she’s opening Forte, plus continuing an NBC segment and supporting her Make It Count Foundation, which supports children who are fighting cancer. Did we mention she has now written multiple cookbooks?

There doesn’t seem to be a limit to what this chef can accomplish. Those of us who appreciate good food are glad of that.

FORTE 45 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables fortemiami.com

REDFISH BY CHEF ADRIANNE 9610 Old Cutler Road, Miami redfishmiami.com

CHEF ADRIANNE’S VINEYARD RESTAURANT AND WINE BAR 11715 Sherri Lane, Miami chefadriannes.com

CRACKED BY CHEF ADRIANNE 7400 S.W. 57th Court, South Miami igotcracked.com —Lynn Kalber

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. $$

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 regular menu of this Pineapple Grove favorite always has satisfying dishes. Its specialties include crab tortellini with black truffles, chicken meatballs with coconut broth and cashews, plus signature dessert pistachio crème brùlée. Spirits and house cocktails steeped in speakeast style are paired with an ever-changing menu. Outside tables offer the best option for conversation. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/274-2046. $$ Burt & Max’s —9089 W. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. This bastion of contemporary comfort food in west Delray is approaching local landmark status, forging its own menu while borrowing a few dishes from Max’s Grille, 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. $$

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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. $$

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. $$

Casa L’Acqua—9 S.E. Seventh Ave. Italian. You’ll get what you pay for here: very good Italian food in an upscale, modern, cool gray and white restaurant that is a refreshing change from busy Atlantic Avenue. The antipasti (bread, balsamic/honey dipping sauce, Parmesan chunks, bruschetta) are so good, they could be dinner. But save room for the pollo Parmigiana, the scallopine piccate al limone, the four kinds of risotto, and dessert.

• Lunch and dinner daily. 561/563-7492. $$$

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. $$

Cut 432—432 E. Atlantic Ave. Steakhouse. Hipper decor, Wasabi seared tuna from Deck 84

a more casual vibe and an inventive take on steak-house favorites make this sleek restaurant just different enough to be interesting. Starters such as ceviche (prepared Peruvian style) and ultrarich oysters Rockefeller are first-rate, while the wetaged beef is appropriately tender and tasty. • Dinner nightly.

561/272-9898. $$$

Dada—52 N. Swinton Ave. Contemporary American. The

Shellfish Ranking

At Rack’s Happy Hour you can get a “good” oyster for $1 (Peachtree, VA), a “great”oyster for $2 (Malpeque, P.E.I.) or an ”amazing” oyster for $3 (Kumamoto, CA).

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-turnedrestaurant is, as they say, a trip. • Dinner nightly. 561/330-3232. $$

Deck 84—840 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American.

Burt Rapoport’s ode to laid-back tropical dining is like a day at the beach without getting sand between your toes. Though the restaurant is casual, the kitchen takes its food seriously, whether the stellar flatbreads, the thick and juicy 10-ounce special blend burger or homey seasonal cobbler. And the waterfront location just seems to make everything taste better. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat.–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/665-8484. $ El Camino —15 N.E. Second Ave. Mexican. This sexy, bustling downtown spot is from the trio behind nearby Cut 432 and Park Tavern. Fresh, quality ingredients go into everything from the tangy tomatillo salsas to the world-class 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. $$

Elisabetta’s—32 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. An ornate Italian spot, with classically prepared dishes including spiedini bocamag.com

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shrimp, burrata de prosciutto bruschetta, costoletta di vitello (veal), a guanciale pizza, cacio e pepe pasta, malfadine Amatriciana and gemelli puttanesca. Portions are large and that, thankfully, goes for the homemade gelati, too. The best seating outdoors is the second-floor balcony overlooking Atlantic Avenue. • Lunch and dinner daily; weekend brunch. 561/650-6699. $$

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. 561/2663750. $$ 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.

If you want Northern Italian in a low-key atmosphere, and nobody rushing you out the door, this is your spot. Start with something from the very good wine list. Try the yellowtail snapper, the penne Caprese and the capellini Gamberi, and leave room for the desserts. Reservations recommended. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/272-3566. $$ J&J Seafood Bar & Grill—634 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This local favorite on Atlantic Avenue—owned by John Hutchinson (who is also the chef) and wife Tina—serves up everything from burgers and wraps to a menu brimming with seafood options. Don’t forget to inquire about the stunning array of 10 specials—every night. • Lunch and dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/272-3390. $$

Jimmy’s Bistro —9 S. Swinton Ave. 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. Popular venue since 2001, with Greek and Italian dishes and more. Highlights are seafood paella, roasted half duck and grilled jumbo artichoke appetizer. Lots of favorites on the menu: calf’s liver, veal osso buco, branzino, seafood crepes. Nice outdoor seating if weather permits. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/265-0600. $$

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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. $$$ Lemongrass Bistro —420 E. Atlantic Ave. PanAsian. Casually hip ambience, friendly service, moderate prices and a blend of sushi and nouveau pan-Asian fare make this a popular destination. The quality of its seafood and care in its preparation are what gives Lemongrass its edge. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-5050. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 101 Plaza Real S., Boca Raton, 561/544-8181; 1880 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, 561/733-1344). $

The Office —201 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Your office is nothing like this eclectic gastropub, unless your office sports more than two dozen craft beers on tap and a menu that flits from burgers and fries to mussels.

Don’t miss the restaurant’s winning take on the thick, juicy Prime beef burger and simply wicked maple-frosted donuts with bacon bits and two dipping sauces. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/276-3600. $$

Park Tavern—32 S.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. Check out the high-top seating or bar stools during an excellent happy hour menu that includes deviled eggs, pork sliders, chicken wings and a happy crowd. Entrees are generous and well executed. Try the fish and chips, one of six burgers, fish tacos and more. • Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.-Sun. 561/265-5093. $$

RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

Buzz Bite III New in South PBC

A

worldly cuisine tour has always been possible in South Florida, where the melting pot of hundreds of countries means a new taste is possible every day.

Even during hard times, thankfully, restaurateurs and chefs are opening our culinary senses to new dishes. Here are some to put in your food plans:

BOCA RATON

M.E.A.T. EATERY AND TAPROOM, 2831 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; 561/419-2600; meateatery.com/boca-raton. This is a spinoff for Chef George Patti, and boasts a pimento cheese and bacon-stuffed inside-out burger, among other unusual (and tasty) dishes. Yummy with a side of creativeness.

DELRAY BEACH

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. $$$

AMAR MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO, 522 E. Atlantic Ave. , Delray Beach; 561/865.5653; amardelray.com. Order classic cold and hot mezze like hummus, labneh, fattoush, kibbeh, falafel, spinach fatayer, a variety of grilled meats, kebabs, fresh fish and signature dishes like stuffed eggplant and homemade desserts at this new restaurant featuring Lebanese dishes.

OCEAN ONE BAR AND GRILLE, 14851 Lyons Road, Delray Marketplace, Delray Beach; 561/565-5501; oceanonefl.com.

With four locations (also Las Vegas, Dania and Kendall), this new restaurant features a large menu with starters, salads, meats, seafood and more.

Rose’s Daughter—169 N.E. Second Ave. Italian.

While not your traditional Italian trattoria, it is a place to find new favorites and revisit old standards updated with delicious ingredients and high standards. Try the Monet-colored lobster risotto, or house-made pasta, pizza, bread and desserts. From the mushroom arancini to the tiramisu, you will be glad Owner/Chef Suzanne Perrotto is in the kitchen. Indoor and outdoor seating. • Dinner Wed.-Sun. 561/271-9423. $$

PIO PIO, 510 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach; 561/336-4457; piopioocean.com. A mix of Peruvian and Colombian foods is on the menu here, including arepas, ceviches, lomo saltado, empanadas and more.

—Lynn Kalber

Prime—29 S.E Second Ave. Steak/Seafood. Prime is aptly named for its heart of the action location, neo-supper club decor, extensive wine list and roster of designer steaks. Starters and desserts fare better than entrées, especially the Maryland-style crab cakes and luscious chocolate bread pudding. Service is strong so with a bit of work this restaurant will fully live up to its name.

• Dinner nightly. 561/865-5845. $$$

Salt7—32 S.E. Second Ave. Modern American. All the pieces needed to create a top-notch restaurant are here: talented chef, great food, excellent service. From the pea risotto to the crab cake to the signature steaks and a lot more, this is a venue worth the money.

Thanks goes to Executive Chef Paul Niedermann, who won TV’s notorious “Hell’s Kitchen” show, and his talent is displayed here on the plate. • Dinner Mon.-Sat. Brunch Sunday. 561/274-7258. $$$ Sazio —131 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. This long-lived venue on crowded Atlantic Avenue is a reason to sit down and take a breath. Then take up a fork and try the linguine with white

BOYNTON BEACH

clam sauce or the ravioli Sazio or grilled skirt steak or pretty much anything on the menu. Prices are reasonable; leftovers are popular. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/272-5540. $$

Sundy House —106 S. Swinton Ave. Contemporary American. Set in a lush, tropical garden, the outside tables here are the most coveted, second only to the tastes and combinations in the shrimp and grits, or the eggs Benedict, Taru burger,

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Nutella French toast and prime rib roast. This is a place to sit and savor your meal and the surroundings. • Brunch Sat.-Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/272-5678. $$$

Taverna Opa—270 E. Atlantic Ave. Greek. Yes, you can order a side of belly dancing and napkin tossing with your moussaka and baklava at this chain. But the moussaka and baklava are very good; so is the rest of the food at the downtown Delray outpost. Also worth your while (and appetite) are appetizers like melitzanosalata, whipped eggplant with orange zest and roasted red pepper, and tarama, a creamy emulsion of bread, olive oil and salmon roe. Whole grilled bronzino is finished with lemon and orange juices for a citrusy flavor boost, while tongue-tying galaktoboureko goes baklava one better by adding vanilla-scented custard to golden, flaky phyllo. • Dinner nightly. 561/303-3602. $$

Terra Fiamma—9169 W. Atlantic Ave. Italian. The pleasures of simple, well-prepared Italian-American cuisine are front and center here. Enjoy the delicate, pillow-y veal meatballs in Marsala sauce; lusty chicken Allessandro with mushrooms, spinach and artichoke hearts; and a finely crafted tiramisu that’s as satisfying as it is familiar. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/495-5570. $$ Tramonti —119 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. In a world where restaurants chase trends with the relentlessness of Casanova in full Viagra heat, Tramonti stands out as a classic outpost of authentic Italian cookery. Not trendy hardly means stodgy, however, as evidenced by expertly crafted, robustly flavorful dishes like the signature spiedini di mozzarella Romana, spaghetti al cartoccio and braciole Napoletana. Torta della nonna is a triumph of the highly refined simplicity that lies at the heart of true Italian cuisine. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/272-1944. $$$ Veg Eats Foods —334 E. Linton Blvd. Creative Vegan.

This is comfort food for everyone; the dishes will impress carnivores, too. Smell the fresh coconut vegetable curry soup, which tastes as good as it sounds. Try the grilled brawt sausage, the Ranch chixn, the banh mi and a Ruben—all from plant-based ingredients that will fool your taste buds. You’ll want to take home some of the prepared meals after you’ve visited, too. • Lunch daily. 561/562-6673. $

LAKE WORTH BEACH 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 musttry. 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 reasonably priced. • Dinner nightly.

561/547-9487. $$$ May/June 2021

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PALM BEACH Bice—313 Worth Ave. Italian. Bice continues to hold the title of favorite spot on the island. The venerable restaurant offers a marvelous array of risottos and fresh pastas and classic dishes like veal chop Milanese, pounded chicken breast and roasted rack of lamb. The wine list features great vintages. • Lunch and dinner daily. Outdoor dining. 561/835-1600. $$$ 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, 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 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. $$$

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. $$$

Henry’s Palm Beach—229 Royal Poinciana Way. Tuna and foie gras sliders from Imoto

American Bistro. Part of The Breakers’ restaurant properties, this venue opened in 2020 and is an elegant addition to The Island. Try the pigs in a pretzel dough blanket, beer can corn, the lobster roll, butter crumb Dover sole and chicken pot pie. All comfort food with a Palm Beach twist, and it’s all delicious. • Lunch and dinner daily.

877/724-3188. $$$

HMF—1 S. County Road. Contemporary American.

Happiest Hour

Table 26 has Happy Hour seven days a week, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. throughout the whole restaurant. $4 beers, half price wine, $10 cocktails and a Happy Hour menu that is BIG.

Beneath the staid, elegant setting of The Breakers, HMF is the Clark Kent of restaurants, dishing an extensive array of exciting, inventive, oh-so-contemporary small plates. Don’t depart without sampling the dreamy warm onion-Parmesan dip with house-made fingerling potato chips, the sexy wild boar empanaditas, chicken albondigas tacos and Korean-style short ribs. The wine list is encyclopedic. • Dinner nightly. 561/2900104. $$

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

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becomes a late-night cocktail spot after 9. The menu is equally decadent. • Breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner daily.

561/659-5800. $$

Meat Market—191 Bradley Place. Steakhouse.

“Meat Market” may be an inelegant name for a very elegant and inventive steakhouse but there’s no dissonance in its food, service or ambience. Multiple cuts of designer beef from multiple sources can be gilded with a surprising array of sauces, butters and upscale add-ons. Whole roasted cauliflower is an intriguing starter, while a meaty Niman Ranch short rib atop lobster risotto takes surf-n-turf to a new level. Cast your diet to the winds and order the dessert sampler. • Dinner nightly.

561/354-9800. $$$$

Renato’s—87 Via Mizner. Italian with continental flair.

This most romantic hideaway is buzzing in season and quietly charming all year long with Italian classics and a Floridian twist— like the sautéed black grouper in a fresh tomato and pernod broth with fennel and black olives and the wildflower-honey-glazed salmon fillet with crab and corn flan. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/655-9752. $$$

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. $$

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. $$ Café Centro —2409 N. Dixie Highway. Modern American. A cornerstone in the Northwood neighborhood, this venue draws because of a complete package: food, drinks and great nightlife and music. Take some char-grilled oysters, add shrimp pesto capellini or a marinated pork chop with polenta, plus local singing fave Tessie Porter, and you have a fun and delicious night out. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/514-4070. $$ French Corner Bistro & Rotissorie —4595 Okeechobee Blvd. Classic French. It’s France in a tiny venue, with big-taste dishes that include all the faves: beef bourguignon, rack of lamb, duck à l’orange, frog legs Provencale, veal kidneys, tender branzino and simple desserts to end the meal. Reservations are mandatory for dinner. • Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. 561/689-1700. $$

Grato —1901 S. Dixie Highway. Italian. “Grato” is Italian for “grateful,” and there is much to be grateful for about Clay Conley’s sophisticated yet unpretentious take on Italian cookery. Anyone would be grateful to find such delicate, crispy and greaseless fritto misto as Grato’s, ditto for lusty beef tartare piled onto a quartet of crostini. Spinach gnocchi in porcini mushroom sauce are a revelation, so light and airy they make other versions taste like green library paste. Don’t miss the porchetta either, or the silken panna cotta with coffee ice cream and crunchy hazelnut tuille. • Dinner nightly.

Sunday brunch. 561/404-1334. $$

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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. $$

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. $$ Rocco’s Tacos —224 Clematis St. Mexican. Big Time Restaurant Group has crafted a handsome spot that dishes Mexican favorites, as well as upscale variations on the theme and more than 425 tequilas. Tacos feature housemade tortillas and a variety of proteins. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/650-1001. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 5250 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, 561/4162131; 110 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561/808-1100; 5090 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561/623-0127) $ Table 26°—1700 S. Dixie Highway. Contemporary American. Take a quarter-cup of Palm Beach, a tablespoon of Nantucket, a pinch of modern American cookery and a couple gallons of the owners’ savoir faire, and you have Eddie Schmidt’s and Ozzie Medeiros’s spot. The menu roams the culinary globe for modest contemporary tweaks on classically oriented dishes. Try the fried calamari “Pad Thai.” • Dinner nightly. 561/855-2660. $$$ Todd’s by Todd English—2119 S. Dixie Highway. Modern American. Celeb chef/owner Todd English does pop in to WPB from time to time, and the happy hour here is popular, and rightly so, for both the drinks and the bar bites. Don’t miss the mini salmon cakes with sweet chili sauce, the beet root tartare or the oyster raw bar specials. Décor is a mix of old building/new colors, such as the bright purple couches. Set in the EmKo compound, with abundant artwork inside and outside. • Dinner nightly, brunch weekends. 561/227-3511. $$ May/June 2021

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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. 954/857-2929. $$$

Oceans 234—234 N. Ocean Blvd., Deerfield Beach. Contemporary American. One of the only oceanfront (as in, on the beach) options in South Florida, this familiar-with-a-twist venue is fun to both visit and eat. Try the Infamous Lollipop Chicken Wings, a starter that could be an entrée. Seafood is definitely top-shelf, as are the desserts. A true Florida experience. • Lunch and dinner daily. 954/428-2539. $$

Tomahawk steak from NYY Steak

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 amuse-bouche 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. $$

LIGHTHOUSE POINT Cap’s Place—2765 N.E. 28th Court. Seafood. Eating here requires a boat ride, which is very SoFla and terrific for visitors. This is one of—if not the only—family-run, old-Florida seafood restaurants you’ve never heard of, open since the 1920s. The heart of palm salad is the best and purest version around. Seafood abounds; fish can be prepared nine ways and much more. (There are non-seafood dishes that are done well, too.) Go for the short boating thrill and for the food. • Dinner Tues.-Sun. 954/941-0418. $$

Classic Italian

After 27 years, Steve Martorano is still killing it. Not to mention Fri. and Sat. nights when hip-hop and disco (you heard us) take off after 10. “Dancing is strongly encouraged.”

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

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. $$ Café Martorano —3343 E. Oakland Park Blvd. Italian.

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. $$$

Standouts include crispy calamari in marinara sauce and flavorful veal osso buco. Our conclusion: explosive flavor, attention to all the details and fresh, high-quality ingredients. Waiters whisper the night’s specials as if they’re family secrets. • Dinner nightly.

954/561-2554. $$

Seafood World—4602 N. Federal Highway. 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. $$$

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. $ ••••

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. $$$

Le Bistro —4626 N. Federal Highway. Modern French.

POMPANO BEACH

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Darrel & Oliver’s Café Maxx—2601 E. Atlantic

Canyon—620 S. Federal Hwy. Southwestern. Billed as a Southwestern café, this twist on regional American cuisine offers great meat, poultry and fish dishes with distinctive mixes of lime, cactus and chili peppers in a subtle blend of spices. The adobe ambience is warm and welcoming, with a candlelit glow.

• Dinner nightly. 954/765-1950. $$

Casablanca Café —3049 Alhambra St. American, Mediterranean. The restaurant has an “Arabian Nights” feel, with strong Mediterranean influences. Try the peppercorn-dusted filet mignon with potato croquette, Gorgonzola sauce and roasted pepper and Granny Smith relish. • Lunch and dinner daily. 954/764-3500. $$

Casa D’Angelo—1210 N. Federal Highway, #5A. Italian.

Many dishes are specials—gnocchi, risotto and scaloppine. The

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marinated grilled veal chop is sautéed with wild mushrooms in a fresh rosemary sauce. A delightful pasta entrée is the pappardelle con porcini: thick strips of fresh pasta coated in a light red sauce and bursting with slices of porcini mushrooms. • Dinner nightly.

954/564-1234. $$

Chima—2400 E. Las Olas Blvd. Steaks. The Latin American rodizio-churrascaria concept—all the meat you can eat, brought to your table—is done with high style, fine wines and excellent service. The sausages, filet mignon, pork ribs and lamb chops are very good. • Dinner nightly. 954/712-0580. $$$ Il Mulino—1800 E. Sunrise Blvd. Italian. This modest, unpretentious Italian restaurant doesn’t attempt to reinvent the culinary wheel. Instead, it dishes up big portions of simple, hearty, flavorful food at extremely reasonable prices. Zuppa de pesce is a wealth of perfectly cooked seafood over linguini in a light tomato-based sauce. • Lunch and dinner daily. 954/524-1800. $

Sea Watch—6002 N. Ocean Blvd. Seafood. For a righton-the-beach, welcome-to-Florida dining experience, there’s Sea Watch. Decked out in a pervasive nautical theme, this is definitely tourist country, but it’s pretty and on the beach. The perfect entrée for the indecisive: The broiled seafood medley brochette, with lobster tail, jumbo shrimp and scallops, yellow squash, zucchini, mushrooms and pineapple. • Lunch and dinner daily. 954/781-2200. $$

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roster of USDA Prime Angus, Wagyu and Kobe steaks. • Dinner nightly. 786/279-6600. $$$$

HOLLYWOOD Taverna Opa—410 N. Ocean Drive. Greek. Bring all your friends here and order a million mezes (Greek appetizers). Try the keftedes, Greek meatballs, and the lamb chops or snapper, which is filleted at the table. Don’t be surprised when your waiter pulls you up on the table to dance. • Dinner nightly. 954/929-4010.

(Also: 270 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561/303-3602). $$

LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA Blue Moon Fish Company —4405 W. Tradewinds Ave. Seafood. This is one of the best spots in Broward County for waterside dining. Choose from a raw bar and fish nearly every which way, as well as daily, seasonal fish specials. • Lunch and dinner daily. Brunch Sun. 954/267-9888. $$$

Miami-Dade County AVENTURA Bourbon Steak—19999 W. Country Club Drive.

Steaks. Michael Mina’s elegant steak house in tony Turnberry Isle features impeccable service, an encyclopedic wine list and a

BAL HARBOUR The Palm— 9650 E. Bay Harbor Drive. Steaks. The portions are giant, but you’ll surely clear your plate of 3- to 7-pound jumbo Nova Scotia lobster or a tender filet mignon. S&S cheesecake shipped from the Bronx is pure heaven. • Dinner nightly. 305/868-7256. $$$

CORAL GABLES Caffe Abbracci—318 Aragon Ave. Italian. The dining room is handsome and understated, a fitting ambience for Miami’s movers and shakers. That’s just part of the draw of Abbracci, though the regional Italian fare has achieved its own status as some of the best in the Gables. You can’t go wrong with the porcini risotto or the pounded veal chop “tricolore.” • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 305/441-0700. $$

WEB EXTRA: check out our complete tri-county dining guide only at BOCAMAG.COM.

Executive Chef / Owner Suzanne Perrotto

561-271-9423 • rosesdaughterdelray.com 169 NE 2nd Ave. Delray Beach, FL 33444 in Pineapple Grove

561-274-2046 • brulebistro.com 200 NE 2 Ave. Delray Beach, FL 33444 in Pineapple Grove nd

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GALENTINE’S DAY SIP & SHOP WHAT: In February, En Vogue Boutique in Boca Center hosted a Galentine’s Sip & Shop, a curated pop-up of local women-owned brands. Participating vendors included Beautycounter, Akoya, Scentsability, Protect My Shoes, Arts Concept by Ren, Red Hibiscus Photo and Namaste Nail Sanctuary. Raffle prizes were available from Diamonds Direct, Waxing the City and Namaste Nail Sanctuary, and a portion of proceeds benefited the Junior League of Boca Raton.

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1. Carla Azzata 2. Gabriel Suarez, Owen Hinds, Angelo Liquori and Melissa Flores 3. A bouquet from Flowers by Owen 4. Erika DuBarry and Portia Smith 5. Leah Salzman Jacobson 6. Olivia Hollaus 7. Dana Skaf, Tara Patton, Karol Elera, Jordan Lombard, Nicole Thomas, Maria Fife and Cheryl Marcus 8. Aimee Hooper and Theresa Booker 9. Staci Markowitz-Dial 10. Angie Myers

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FEMCITY BOCA DELRAY’S CONNECTION LUNCHEON WHAT: FemCity Boca Delray is a local networking group comprised of female business owners and executives, with a mission to support each other both personally and professionally. In late January, the organization hosted a Connection Luncheon, its first event of 2021, welcoming new President Melanie De Vito and offering an opportunity for local professional women to network.

Becky Lightman, Founder of Lightman Capital, led a discussion on the “Wealth Mindset,” and sponsors included Jen Blossom Events, Bodvár House of Rosés, Halle Alessia Photography and Float8 Wellness Lounge.

WHERE: Sundy House

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6. Melanie De Vito, Michelle Olson-Rogers, Leslie Excell, Christina Karas, Reba Larney, Tracie Swanson, Claudia Rodney, Michelle Balaun 7. Melanie De Vito, Jessica King, Michele Bellisari, Michelle Olson-Rogers, Shaina Wizov 8. Christina Karas 9. Becky Lightman 10. Katia Rudnick, Destiny Beck 11. Dawn Land-Burke, Sandy Seiler, Desiree Land

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WHAT: In early 2021, HANDY (Helping Abused Neglected Disadvantaged Youth), Broward College and Twenty6North Productions unveiled a new mural by local artist Nate Dee at HANDY’s headquarters in Fort Lauderdale. The HANDY mural is the first of six murals planned in Broward County with the goal of engaging, exciting and inspiring the residents of Broward County communities.

WHERE: HANDY Fort Lauderdale 2

3 1. Nate Dee, Kathleen Thomsen, Lina Nageondelestang, Melissa Shiff and Kirk Brown

2. HANDY Mural Unveiling 3. Kirk Brown, Kanecia and Kametrius 4. Maxence Doytier

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PUBLIC ART UNVEILING WHAT: El-Ad National Properties and ALINA Residences have teamed up with Boca Raton Museum of Art to begin a program that will place works of art outside the ALINA Residences on Mizner Boulevard on a rotating basis. In February, the first two pieces of the exhibition were unveiled: “cXc XXII,” 1984, by Larry Mohr, and “Key Angel,” 2005, by Guy Dill.

WHERE: ALINA Residences in Boca Raton 2

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1. City Councilmember Yvette Drucker, Deputy Mayor Andrea Levine O’Rourke, City Councilmember Monica Mayotte, Noam Ziv 2. Marisela Cotilla and Noam Ziv 3. Sculpture by Larry Mohr 4. Andrew McAllister, Irvin Lippman, Rick Howard, Noam Ziv

4 May/June 2021 issue. Vol. 41, No. 5. 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 8 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: $24.95/6 issues, $34.95/12 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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HOMETOWN HERO

SUMMER FAERMAN

Food for the Soul

For B’Nai Torah’s Summer Faerman, feeding the hungry during a pandemic is her latest community-centered passion Written by JOHN THOMASON

“You see every age [at the pantries], from little to 94. Food insecurity doesn’t discriminate by age, race, color. … if you’re hungry, you’re hungry.”

—Summer Faerman

S

ummer Faerman could have been on a fast track to a high-powered legal career.

The Miami Beach native graduated from the University of Florida at 19, triple majoring in Business, English and Religion. She was accepted into Harvard Law School. That’s about when everything changed.

“I’m the Jewish parent’s nightmare,” she says. “I’m the kid who got into an Ivy League law school, and said, ‘eh, I want to go save the world.”

Faerman took a deferment to

Faerman at the Little Free Pantry outside Salvation Army, Boca Raton

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work for a law firm but hated the rat race.“I don’t want to be worried about billable hours,”she recalls.

“How am I going to work for 90 hours doing something I don’t love to do? … Giving back is my medicine. It fuels me to keep going.”

These days, Faerman finds this fuel both inside and outside her 9-to-5, as director of the Tzedakah, Learning and Chesed (TLC) Program at Boca’s B’nai Torah Congregation. Last August, under the TLC aegis, she built the first Little Free Pantry, a public food cabinet, outside the Salvation Army on Southwest Second Avenue. She would install more than a dozen more, from Coral Springs to Lake Worth Beach, by the end of 2020; by March of this year, the number ballooned to 30.

The pantries are stocked eight to 12 times a day.“You’ll never see it bare,”she says.

Fighting food insecurity is one way Faerman gives back. The mother of two Boca High students volunteers for more than 15 local and national organizations, cooks for the homeless as part of Love Outreach Boca, and is a director of Kindness Matters 365, a nonprofit that aims to instill virtues of kindness and compassion to young people.

ON THE LEAD-UP TO THE LITTLE FREE PANTRY IDEA: Before the pandemic, there was an emergency pantry at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church [that fed] from 12 to 15 people to all of a sudden

60 people [during the pandemic.]

I built a sandwich program first.

I quickly made 50 sandwiches.

The worst that can happen is, if you don’t have canned goods, just give them a turkey sandwich and a banana and a drink, and that’s going to get them through at least a few hours. By way of social media, I put it out there, and I booked out sandwiches for six months.

We had someone six days a week, making sandwiches.

ON THE GENESIS OF LITTLE FREE PANTRY: During this pandemic, for somebody who’s on the front line all the time, and then being told, ‘stay in the house,’ I did not like that. I went on a walk with a girlfriend to these Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood. I filled a backpack up with books, and when we got to the last one, I said to my friend, I need one of these for food.

ON SOLICITING CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE PANTRIES: We created an Amazon Wish List. Somebody sent a 94-cent package of tuna fish with the most beautiful note ever.

It’s the most valuable tin of tuna fish; I wanted to frame it, because she took the time, and it mattered to her.

ON HER PHILOSOPHY OF GIVING: You can’t move forward unless you give back. I’m lucky to always have had a job where I can give back, and that I like. I always tell everyone, I don’t have a job; I have a purpose. I was put on Earth to do this.

This page is a tribute to community citizens who have demonstrated exemplary service and leadership to the city of Boca Raton and is in memory of John E. Shuff.

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