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13 FEBRUARY 2020 ›
VOL. 40, ISSUE 2
64
Love is Blooming
Take a shine to your valentine with glittering gems from Boca retailers, showcased amid succulents, tulips and other local flora. Photography By AARON BRISTOL
70
Against All Odds
How five Floridians transcended disability, poverty, extreme weather and even near-death to share their stories of overcoming adversity. By JAMES BIAGIOTTI, MARIE SPEED and JOHN THOMASON
80
When Coconut Grove Was Groovy
In its 1960s heyday, a Miami neighborhood was a folkrock mecca—and a jasmine-scented, counter-cultural utopia with a personality all its own. By JOHN THOMASON
86
The Galapagos
Home to exotic wildlife clustered feet away from human visitors, the exotic islands where Charles Darwin researched his pioneering theory continue to evolve. By CHRISTIANA LILLY
106 AARON BRISTOL
Festival of the Arts
The 2020 iteration of Boca’s cultural bonanza kicks off at the end of this month, offering light sabers, genre-mashing musicians, movie-mad circus performers, literary award winners and more.
67 November/Decmber 2019
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FEBRUARY 2020 ›
VOL. 40, ISSUE 2
99
70 145 22 Editor’s Letter
55 #LoveBoca
169 Social
It’s time we celebrated love, in all its forms, all year long—and not just on the day that keeps Hallmark in the black.
Boca magazine highlights its brand and partners with a series of fun events—including a roaring good time at Palm Beach Zoo, and The Addison’s annual night of costumed decadence.
This past season, the Junior League toasted its Woman Volunteer of the Year, an admired treatment center hosted a STAR-studded fundraiser, and mayors and Boca power players celebrated the Rotary Club’s event of the year.
By MARIE SPEED
25 The Local Locals share their most romantic memories, a fine artist looks to the cosmos, and a Boca-bred singer continues her chart-topping success. Plus, we unpeel our favorite citrus libation, explore the best alternative date night ideas (axe throwing, anyone?), visit the subdued luxury of St. Barths and much more.
By JAMES BIAGIOTTI
99 Backstage Pass
CHRISTIANA LILLY, MARIE SPEED and
Two-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward brings the trials and tribulations of her Mississippi hometown to the broader literary world—and patrons of Festival of the Arts Boca. Plus, our extensive calendar spotlights nearly 40 A&E events in February, from shadow dancers to operatic barbers to a 21st century reboot of a vintage traveling show.
JOHN THOMASON
By JOHN THOMASON
34 The Look
145 Dining Guide
Think pink this Valentine’s month, rediscover the style and comfort of designer denim, and step into haute boots made for walking.
Our review-driven guide to the finest dining in South Florida spotlights Casa D’Angelo and the Wine Room. Plus, meet the chef who is ready to“Dive”into a new West Palm Beach restaurant, and discover the best local retailers for V-Day sweets.
By JAMES BIAGIOTTI, GARY GREENBERG,
Photography by AARON BRISTOL
By JAMES BIAGIOTTI
176 My Turn This Valentine’s Day, the author cuts through the noise of a divided country to give thanks—and love—to the people who really matter. By JOHN SHUFF
By LYNN KALBER and JAN NORRIS
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February 2020
34 12/31/19 2:24 PM
FEBRUARY 13-18
2020
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Visit bocamag.com for bonus items you won’t see anywhere else—extended stories, recipes, news and more.
FIND US ON SOCIAL 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.
David Crosby and Joni Mitchell back in the day
LOCO FOR COCONUT GROVE David Crosby’s years living in Coconut Grove helped elevate its once-bustling music scene (page 80.) For more excerpts of the rock legend’s time in the Grove, visit bocamag.com/february-2020.
WILLIAMS’ TEN TIPS Alzheimer’s expert Dr. Christine Williams shared more tips with us than we could squeeze onto page 30. Visit bocamag.com/february-2020 for more ways to improve communication with your spouse.
City Watch
Dr. Christine Williams
bocamag.com
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••••
Boca Raton is anything but sleepy, and Randy Schultz is the go-to for all the city politics, development and business news you need to know. For updates delivered straight to your email every Tuesday and Thursday, visit the City Watch tab on our website.
Best Bites Think our dining guide is long? You haven’t seen anything until you’ve visited our digital version. We’ve got critic-reviewed restaurants from Jupiter to Miami on the web. Visit the food tab to view the guide.
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February 2020
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Weather changes.
John F. Kennedy said, “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.�
plan.
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People
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February 2020
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CONTEMPORARY BOUTIQUE COLLECTION GOLD HAWK
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February 2020
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FROM THE EDITOR
Love Actually
Valentine’s Day is 24 hours long; think bigger this year Written by MARIE SPEED
t’s easy to get suckered into holidays like Valentine’s Day—either because you wonder if he’ll send you flowers, or everyone on Facebook is toasting each other in Paris with Veuve Clicquot, or you are alone with the Hallmark Channel and cannot watch one more Kay Jewelers commercial without blasting through a half-gallon of Rocky Road. But love is about more than all that, of course. It is something you see every day—not just on February 14—and it involves far more than reservations for two at a place that gives you a rose when you sit down. In my lifetime, it has come in moments. The time my father, who had no use for dogs, hid two Yorkie puppies in his bathrobe pockets on a Christmas morning as a surprise for my mother. The day schoolteachers Connie Berry and Caridad Asensio saw a farmworker’s child come to school with a broken arm that had never been set right and started what would become the Caridad Center, a free clinic for the working poor. (That was 30 years ago; it now has 32,000 patient visits a year.) There was the story of my grown nephew who left the Catholic Church to become baptized in an evangelical church, much to the dismay of his parents. There were words—and a rift. But the day of his baptism, before it was his turn to be dunked, he looked up for some reason and spotted his father—my brother—in the way back who had appeared with his camera, ready to record the event. Love was the time our friends smuggled my terminally ill father out of the local medical center and into our house in Colorado on a snowy Christmas morning. Love is my former husband secretly making a book for me of my old editor’s columns. It is the friends who took my mother shopping for lipstick (Revlon’s Love That Red) when she no longer drove, and the ones who have opened their homes to me during hurricane season. It is the ones who drop everything and meet me for lunch because I am having a meltdown, and the ones who bring me Mayport shrimp when they come back from a trip to North Florida. It is what I see every day between John and Margaret Shuff, whom I work for, and between the old German couple I have seen walking every day on Old Ocean, hand in hand, for 30 years now. When you are growing up, they never tell you much about this kind of love, the one that infuses your life with small moments of grace. We were too busy ingesting Disney’s Cinderella and everything else, from Gidget to “The Notebook” to endless “Bachelor” episodes, to notice something bigger was working all around us, all the time, like magic. That kind of love is what I will be saluting this month—and all year long.
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WE are a South Florida tradition. Boca Raton Regional Hospital is committed to providing our community with compassionate, high-quality care. We are a recognized leader in oncology, cardiovascular disease, orthopedics, women’s health, emergency medicine, minimally invasive surgery, neuroscience and stroke care. We are proud to be recognized as a Best Regional Hospital for the fifth consecutive year on U.S. News & World Report’s 2019-2020 Best Hospitals list and be the highest ranked hospital in Palm Beach County. As part of Baptist Health South Florida, we are healthcare that cares.
To learn more, visit BRRH.com
25 THE LOCAL B O C A C H AT T E R H OT L I S T E X P E RT A RT I S T T H E LO O K VA L E N T I N E ' S DAY R I S I N G S TA R WO RT H T H E T R I P DRINK
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26 28 30 32 34 44 46 48 50
Carol Prusa works on a piece of silverpoint art (for more, turn to page 32)
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THE LOCAL
BOCA CHATTER
DON’T-MISS EVENTS WHAT: At the annual Honda Classic, defending champion Keith Mitchell will vie to retain his crown against the world’s best golfers on the PGA Tour. As usual, the challenging Champion Course at PGA National is the setting for a $6.8 million purse, with event proceeds benefiting South Florida charities. Catch it on the Golf Channel or NBC—or better yet, cheer on the action in person. WHEN: Feb. 24-March 1 WHERE: Champion Course at PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens. 561/799-2747 (tournament information office)
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
—WINNIE THE POOH
135
million Americans who will spend money on Valentine’s Day
30
$
billion
How much Americans spend on Valentine’s Day
WHAT: The 21st-annual South Florida Garlic Fest is a garlic-themed foodie and music event that includes a large children’s amusement area, hundreds of art and craft vendors and full liquor bars. The event is known for its great live music, and this year’s acts include headliners G. Love & Special Sauce and the Wailers. WHEN: Feb. 8-9 WHERE: John Prince Park, 2700 Sixth Ave. S., Lake Worth, 561/2790907 WHAT: Festival of the Arts Boca presents 10 days celebrating the Mr. Garlic at the South Florida Garlic Fest arts, from classical music to great dance and contemporary music. Its writers’ track is always compelling and relevant. This year, the Festival will include author Jesmyn Ward and journalist Amy Walter, among others, and Nu Deco Ensemble, Cirque du Cinema, a Beethoven Birthday Bash, the Moth Story Hour and the Star Wars film “The Empire Strikes Back,” accompanied by full orchestra, among other offerings. WHEN: Feb. 28-Mar. 8 WHERE: Various locations, but primarily at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real. Call the Festival box office at 561/300-4138 or visit festivalboca.org for more information.
43
million Americans who get an unwanted gift on Valentine’s Day
Festival of the Arts Boca
bocamag.com
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February 2020
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Style Watch THE LOOK OF LOVE
When it comes to romantic dressing, there’s something sentimental about an understated look; now, more than ever, designers are focusing more on lighter, neutral tones like blush, mauve and muted hues rather than the bold reds we’ve been seeing. Accent pieces are playing a big part in how these looks are being styled, with soft embellishments that bring a rose-like quality to the design. A MODO MIO
AFFAIR
AFFAIR
TWO GEORGES, ONE HEART
EliteSingles.com apparently thinks six cities in South Florida are Most Romantic—out of 25. Here they are: No. 1
Boynton Beach (who knew?) No. 6
Boca Raton No. 7
Pembroke Pines No. 10
Wilton Manors
GETTY IMAGES
IMAXTREE & GETTY IMAGES
No. 17
West Palm Beach No. 23
Sunrise
10 MOST ROMANTIC MOVIES EVER
Locals sound off on issues affecting our community.
What is the most romantic thing you have ever done? “Spending New Year’s Eve in 1990 with my husband on the beaches of Bora Bora—heaven!” —INGRID A. FULMER, SENIOR LEASING ADVISOR, COLDWELL BANKER COMMERCIAL NRT
“Romance to me is a daily occurrence. I would have to say that spending countless hours finding that perfect card with the perfect heartfelt note left in her car so she can read it and own the words forever—knowing that I’m thinking of her—would be the most romantic.” —DANIEL DICRISTOFARO, DOCTOR, ENTREPRENEUR
“It was our fifth anniversary; we had an 8-month-old child and had just bought our first house. My wife really wanted a nice watch—her choice was a Raymond Weil. I was hoping to get matching watches, but that was not in the budget. I saved for about six months or so and presented it to her at our anniversary dinner at a very expensive restaurant. It was a very special evening, and she still wears that watch to this day.”
10. Splendor In The Grass 9. The Bodyguard 8. Notting Hill 7. Ghost 6. Heaven Can Wait 5. Sleepless in Seattle 4. Moonstruck 3. Titanic 2. Casablanca 1. The Notebook
—BILL BATHURST, DELRAY BEACH CITY COMMISSIONER AND REALTOR
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THE LOCAL
HOT LIST
Miami City Ballet Program III: “Firebird”
on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York City” WHEN: Feb. 7-March 1 WHERE: Sol Theatre, 3333 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton COST: $40 CONTACT: 866/811-411, primalforces.com This cumbersomely titled play may riff on the title of a farcical Broadway musical, but its content is anything but. Penned by actress/playwright Halley Feiffer, daughter of legendary cartoonist Jules, “A Funny Thing” is as dark, raw, neurotic and uncomfortable as a romantic comedy can be. The leads don’t exactly meet cute: The story’s setting is a surgical recovery suite whose walls are painted the excruciating pink of antacid medication. It’s here that Karla, a narcissistic standup comedian, encounters Don, a dressed-down middle-aged millionaire. Their mothers lie comatose in beds, separated by a curtain, but it’s their own frailties that dominate Feiffer’s scabrous script.
bocamag.com
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WHEN: Feb. 21-23 WHERE: Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach COST: $30-$110 CONTACT: 561/832-7469, kravis.org
The ballet“Firebird”is so rich in fantasy archetypes that it seems sprung from the mind of a Grimm, or a Disney, or a Hans Christian Andersen. But the fantastical narrative was hatched in Russia circa 1910, and the overnight success of the work put its composer, Igor Stravinsky, on the map. Centering on a hunting MCB Program III: trip, it follows heroic prince Ivan, who stumbles upon a magical forest realm ruled by “Nine Sinatra Songs” a villain who has mesmerized 13 princesses to do his bidding. To thwart him, Ivan will need to summon the mythical Firebird for a grandiose intervention. Working from George Balanchine’s 1949 choreography, Miami City Ballet’s exciting“Firebird”promises spectacular effects. It will be preceded by Twyla Tharp’s“Nine Sinatra Songs”and Justin Peck’s jaunty“Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes.”
“Robert Rauschenberg: Five Decades from the Whitney’s Collection” WHEN: Feb. 21-June 28 WHERE: Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie
Lucinda Williams
Lucinda Williams & Buick 6 WHERE: Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale WHEN: Feb. 6 COST: $32.50-$72.50 CONTACT: 954/462-0222, parkerplayhouse.com Clearly, the queen of Americana loves South Florida, and the feeling is mutual: On Feb. 3, she’ll have completed another Outlaw Country Cruise sailing from Miami to Jamaica with birds of a similar altcountry feather. She’s extending her stay with another full set at the Parker, the region’s most acoustically gobsmacking venue, backed by her band, Buick 6. A three-time Grammy winner who has been bearing her soul to rapt audiences for more than a quarter-century, Williams recently toasted the 20th anniversary of her landmark 1998 album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road by playing it straight through, coast to coast. Now, we assume, she’ll play a generous smattering from her impressive discography of 14 dud-free albums of plaintive folk, ragged blues and feral country-rock.
February 2020
Highway, West Palm Beach COST: $15-$18; free on Fridays and Saturdays CONTACT: 561/832-5196, norton.org The godfather of Pop Art, Robert Rauschenberg refused to be pigeonholed. For years, beginning in the early 1950s, he was the preeminent reductionist, challenging the art world with monochromatic, isthis-really-art“White Paintings”and“Black Paintings.” By the next decade, he was favoring a kitchen-sink approach to artistic maximalism, creating what he called“combines”—crazy abstract collages of paint, graphite, wood, newspaper, found objects and trash recovered from the streets of New York. He went on to design sets and costumes for major dance companies, create an iconic album cover for Talking Heads, and paint a car for BMW until his death, in 2000, on Captiva Island. W magazine called him“the most influential artist of the last 50 years.”This concise and accessible retrospective organized by the Whitney Museum traces his voluminous career, decade by decade, from the ‘50s to the ‘90s. Art by Robert Rauschenberg
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30
THE LOCAL
MEET THE EXPERT
The Caregiver’s Translator One FAU researcher says spousal communication is central to managing Alzheimer’s
Over
18.5 D
Written by JAMES BIAGIOTTI
Billion
hours of informal care were provided by Alzheimer’s and other dementia caregivers in 2018, financially valued at nearly $234 billion.
5.8 million
Number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2019.
290
$
Billion
The estimated amount Alzheimer’s and other dementias will have cost in health care, longterm care and hospice in 2019.
r. Christine Williams of FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing has an unconventional approach to helping patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia: She treats their relationships with their spousal caregivers. Inspired by her own parents’ struggle after her mother developed dementia, she believed that she could improve communication in the caregiver/spouse relationships. Her intervention is called “CARE: Communicating About Relationships and Emotions,”and she works with couples for 10 weeks and records their conversations for analysis. Having found more improvement than she ever imagined possible, Williams shares some of the techniques she recommends to improve communication in dementia caregivers’ marriages. EXPECTANT WAITING “You don’t have to drown the person out with your one-sided conversation. Silences are good. Allowing a silence with someone with dementia is really important to give them a chance to have a thought. There will be delayed processing. If you say something, they’re still thinking about it when you want to go on to the next thing.”
Dr. Christine Williams
CONNECT “Communicating is more than talking or exchanging information. There’s something going on nonverbally, especially between a couple. Many people with dementia were very affectionate, they wanted to hold hands or kiss… Continue to have hope, and continue to engage with that person.”
WEB EXTRA: For more on Williams’ tips, visit BOCAMAG. COM/FEBRUARY-2020.
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SEARCH FOR WAYS TO COMMUNICATE “One of the couples communicated by singing. She had a hard time expressing herself, but when he would start with one of the popular songs—and they were good, they could both sing—immediately her face lit up, and she knew all the words. People can remember music even when they’re having difficulty with speech. [It’s a] different part of the brain.”
ACCEPT THEIR STORY “Give this person the respect of not challenging their story, because it’s more important for their self-esteem and for the relationship than getting it right. … We all want to be right. It doesn’t matter most of the time.” SHARE MEMORIES “Rather than ask ‘do you remember?,’ just share the memory. Offer it like a gift. Tell the story with no expectations, and the other person may get involved in the conversation, and that may jog their memory.” DELIGHT IN UNEXPECTED RESPONSES “There will be unexpected breakthroughs. Most people talk about that. ... So treasure those moments and appreciate them as a gift.”
February 2020
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THE LOCAL
ARTIST
Down to a Science
Silverpoint artist Carol Prusa looks to the stars and beyond Written by JOHN THOMASON
I think my work will give a sense that there’s this bigger thing outside of ourselves, and we’re all connected to it. If you think on these more astronomical scales, you don’t get too upset about much of anything.” — Carol Prusa
Carol Prusa’s “Quintessence”
LOCAL ARTIST_CPrusa.indd 32
C
arol Prusa is the first to admit that her works can be a hard sell in the art market. “One, they don’t look like anything else, so they don’t fit in with what [the patron has] been buying,” she says. “And if you hang my work next to other work, it looks like a misfit. It likes being with itself.” Indeed, the art from this Boca Raton resident and FAU professor is not direct, as in a landscape or a balloon dog. It thrives on nuance, on the prolonged gaze, on absence as much as presence. Prusa’s art projects beauty and unease in equal measure, inviting visceral responses that we can’t quite explain, because we may not possess the language to do so. This is art on an astral plane, as if channeled from somewhere else. Prusa works with a variety of materials, including graphite, acrylic, metal leaf, video and LED lights. Her most prominent, and time-consuming, material is silverpoint, a drawing method dating back to ancient times, and which appears as ultra-fine silver markings. With silverpoint, a single one of Prusa’s canvases can take thousands of hours to complete. “The reason I like silverpoint is it’s a slowing down of time,”she says.“It really is time to meditate and consider things and take a while to make something, so things are also percolating, so that I can solve other problems while I’m going tick tick tick.”
The resulting works, completed on wood or fiberglass or sculpted resin spheres, conjure the unknowable vastness of deep space, complete with its celestial bodies, its wormholes, its dark energy. A lay student of astrophysics, Prusa has visited the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva, witnessed life-changing solar eclipses in Chile and Nebraska, and devoted a suite of recent works to pioneering women astronomers of the 18th century. A poster of a Carl Sagan quote hangs near the front door of her house/studio, a reminder of our infinitesimal place in the universe. “I think my work will give a sense that there’s this bigger thing outside of ourselves, and we’re all connected to it,” she says.“If you think on these more astronomical scales, you don’t get too upset about much of anything.” Remarkably, Prusa grew up with little knowledge of art or science. A church elder’s daughter, she came from an iconoclastic tradition, and it wasn’t until she discovered the big bang theory in a sixth-grade science class that she distanced herself from her religious upbringing.“My whole worldview was shattered,”she remembers.“And I decided not to join the church; it sent me on another trajectory, which was a hard road to take in my family.” That trajectory can be seen today in her cosmic oeuvre, which has only gained in stature as quantum theory, the multiple-universes theory, and the proliferation of life-supporting exoplanets have gained purchase in the public consciousness. What may have been ahead of its time 10 years ago feels headline-ripped today, and she’s in the midst of a prolific career boost: Last year, her solo exhibition at the Boca Raton Museum of Art,“Dark Light,” was among the museum’s recent highlights, and a show in Taipei soon followed. In June of this year, she is one of six artists selected to work alongside six scientists in a residency called “Science Delirium Madness” at Djerassi Foundation in San Francisco. Another solo show, “Night Vision,”will open locally in October at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. What will emerge from these residencies and exhibitions? Prusa isn’t sure yet, which makes them all the more exciting. Of the future, she says, “I’m going to work in a way that’s so contrary to how I know how to solve anything,” she says. “That’s the whole point. It might be a total disaster, but I’ll learn something.”
1/3/20 8:46 AM
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THE LOCAL
THE LOOK
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THE LOCAL
THE LOOK
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THE LOCAL
THE LOOK
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THE LOCAL
THE LOOK
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Designers are elevating basic denim with unexpected ruffles and color flourishes
Ruched sleeved denim jacket, $896, Deborah James Boca Raton Tie-dyed denim jacket, $252, Deborah James Boca Raton
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THE LOCAL
THE LOOK
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44
THE LOCAL
V-DAY
Dating Outside the Box
This Valentine’s Day, jettison the ordinary for a special day with your sweetie Written By CHRISTIANA LILLY
D
inner and a movie? No thanks. If you’re looking to do something different with your special someone, here’s our pick of date ideas to add to your calendar.
AXE THROWING Tap into your inner lumberjack and throw a dang axe at a wall! If you’re like most people, you’ve never thrown an axe before—an axe master will walk you through the basics. (And the more the merrier!) Order
Axe-ing for trouble
a round of beer—or mead—for the whole gang. Game of Axes, 12550 S. Military Trail, Boynton Beach; 561/617-0120; gameofaxes.com
TAKE A COOKING CLASS Looking to give your dinner menu some pizazz? Sign up for a class at Sur La Table, from classic Italian dishes to American comfort food, seasonal favorites and desserts. You might just find your new go-to recipe. Afterward, hop over to your favorite bar in Mizner Park for a nightcap. Sur La Table Mizner Park, 438 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 561/953-7638; surlatable.com BOWLING This may have been your date of choice in middle school, and that’s exactly the point. Whether you’re known for bowling strike after strike or throwing gutter balls like it’s your job, enjoy the friendly competition over a beer and corn dog nuggets—all without the supervision of a parent this time around. Strikes@Boca, 21046 Commercial Trail, Boca Raton; 561/368-2177; strikesbocaraton.com
Cooking something up together
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Generating some heat
BLACKSMITHING The most fun things to do as a couple include ones you’ve both never done before, so hear us out. Once a month, The Guild hosts forging nights for couples to create items like bottle openers, heart key chains and other keepsakes that’ll store the memories of the evening in your own home. The Guild, 205 N.W. 16th St., Pompano Beach; 954/998-3473; guildfl.com CATCH LIVE MUSIC At Voltaire, nix the big arenas and explore new music from acts in your own neighborhood. Discover local bands in digs inspired by a speakeasy while imbibing drinks from the bar and sushi from a pop-up in the back. 526 Clematis St., West Palm Beach; 561/408-5603; sub-culture.org/voltaire WATCH THE SUN RISE Set your alarm, pack a towel and head over to the beach with your sweetie at dawn. Heck, fill a tumbler with mimosas while you’re at it. It doesn’t get more romantic than that. South Beach Park, 400 N. A1A, Boca Raton; 561/393-7810
February 2020
1/3/20 3:51 PM
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THE LOCAL
RISING STAR
Hitting the Right Notes
Inside Kendra Erika’s ascent from tone-deaf child to top-charting singer Written by GARY GREENBERG
K
endra Erika has a message for her generation. “Believe in yourself for what you are,”says the 26-year-old singer.“With social media such a big influence in our lives, sometimes we project images of ourselves because we want to be accepted. But that’s not who we really are, and life is more fulfilling when you live it in your own skin.”
prettier girl,’”she says with a laugh.“But I don’t think that is conducive to anybody’s mental health, especially mine.” The Saint Andrews School graduate admits she was no prodigy.“I was born tone-deaf,”she confesses.“But I had confidence and just blurted out songs. It was hilariously painful for my parents—and whoever else was in the room.” Her folks, Ingrid and Fred Fulmer,
I can’t bask in anything, because I have an ambitious side. I can be sensitive, vulnerable, happy-go-lucky and quirky, but deep down there’s a lion in me.”
The Boca Raton native tries to get that message across through her music, most recently in the single “Deeper Love.” Meanwhile, she’s had four Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs Chart in the past two-and-a-half years. But she’s hardly let that success go to her auburn-haired head. “It’s just some traction,”Erika says.“I can’t bask in anything, because I have an ambitious side. I can be sensitive, vulnerable, happy-go-lucky and quirky, but deep down there’s a lion in me.” That inner strength helps her navigate her own path in the music industry, though she has help from longtime L.A. record producer Damon Sharpe. Together, they write the songs, produce videos and do everything else a record label would do—except try to pigeonhole her into a commercial stereotype. “I literally had someone tell me, ‘You need to be an Adele-type person and sing songs about how a man left you for a
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hired a classical vocal coach when Erika was 8 years old, and before long she was performing in school productions and community theatre. Although she had her eye set on a music career, she studied communications and international business at Lynn University. “My mom encouraged me to get a four-year degree,”Erika recalls.“She said, ‘We support your music career, but you need a good education so when you’re interviewed you don’t sound like your IQ is lower than your shoe size.’” Erika now splits her time between Boca and L.A., and has big plans for the future. “Next year I’ll be touring,”she says.“I’m putting together an amazing group of dancers to accompany me, and we’ll tour in the U.S. and Europe, playing nightclubs and main stage venues. “I love traveling, constantly being on the move and seeing other perspectives. I want to amplify what I am as an artist and make a positive impact in the world.”
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THE LOCAL
WORTH THE TRIP
A French Twist
A beachfront cottage at Les îlets de la Plage in St. Barth is the stuff of dreams Written by MARIE SPEED
T
hose of us who live in South Florida are no stranger to the enduring allure of turquoise waters, white beaches, rustling palms and extravagant rum drinks. But beyond our own islands in the stream is a whole different version of island magic. And St. Barth may top that list. St. Barth has long had the reputation of an exclusive luxury playground for the high-end European tourist, wintertime province of rock stars and mega moguls, a place of designer shops, aquamarine waters, quaint villages and five-star hotels—all in the context of an understated and elegant island a few hours’ plane ride from Florida to the French West Indies. The island—with mountains rising from the sea—looks almost Polynesian from the air; and its main city, Gustavia on its west
coast, overlooks a sparkling harbor full of sailboats and, farther out, super yachts in the wintertime. The main street, Quai de la République, is lined with designer shops and small restaurants (Le Select is the neighborhood hang) and businesses, and the town also has one or two historical attractions like the Wall House, whose exhibits highlight the island’s Swedish colonial era and 17th-century Fort Karl, perched high above Shell Beach. There are other towns dotting the island, and at only 9 square miles, you can see them all in a couple of hours by car. There are 30 hotels on St. Barth (10 are five-star!)—over-the-top hotels like the Eden Rock and Le Serena, Hotel Christopher and Hotel Le Toiny. But we opted for a more understated and relaxed experience at Les îlets de la Plage,
a longtime family-owned hotel (managed by an all-woman team) directly on St. Jean Bay, a dazzling topaz bay with a crescent-shaped beach and a long view to the ocean. Les îlets has 12 villas (four on the beach) and one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments in the flowery hillside directly behind them. The Dutch Colonial charm of this “cottage colony” is tempered by contemporary amenities; each beach villa has a terrace overlooking the bay, a hammock drifting in the breeze, sunning chaises at the water’s edge. A lush swimming pool is just across the pathway, and a box of fresh pastries is delivered to your door every morning (along with an international newsletter). The advantage of this island spot for me was that it felt like it belonged here; there was a Your private beach at Les îlets
Small towns dot the rugged coastline, and bottom, the main city and harbor of Gustavia
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comfortable (albeit luxurious) authenticity in its simplicity, as opposed to the overbearing glitz of larger resorts. You could breathe. You could walk along the beach. You could watch the rain coming across the bay from your little terrace, a glass of very good French wine in your hand and the book you are reading face-down on your lap. And that’s the other thing about St. Barth. Food. Very, very fine food. We’re all used to getting a great fish sandwich or conch fritter just about anywhere in the Bahamas, but St. Barth ups that game
to the French Olympics, with excellent cuisine (there are 80 restaurants!)—and a little Creole thrown in. Even a modest beachfront café has fine wine and exquisite entrees. The island has its food staples either sourced locally from nearby islands or flown in directly from France five times a week. So, yes, this is an island, and a pretty one. But it is something else, too, worlds away from our sun-soaked Margaritavilles to a place with an exotic geography, a European lineage, and very French aesthetic. Sigh. Tu vas adorer cet endroit.
Clockwise from top: The resort’s private pool, a beach villa deck and the seascape at St. Barth
TRAVEL NOTES GO:
It’s easy to get to St. Barth from Fort Lauderdale (with a short stop in St. Martin before your 15-minute hop to St. Barth). We took JetBlue to St. Martin and hopped a small Winair flight to St. Barth.
STAY:
LES ÎLETS DE LA PLAGE Plage de St Jean F91733, St Barthélemy, French West Indies To book your stay at Les îlets,
or simply to make an inquiry, contact: +59/ 0590 27 88 57 or visit info@lesilets.com
DINE:
MAYA’S Dreamy waterfront French and Creole specialties from a longstanding favorite. Plage de Public, Gustavia 97133, St. Barth, +590 590 27-7573 BLACK GINGER Authentic refined Thai cuisine in the heart of Gustavia. Rue
Samuel Fahlberg, Gustavia, +590 590 29-2103 LIL ROCK Fun, casual beachfront spot a short walk from Les îlets. Baie de Saint Jean, Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy, 97133 +590 690 40-56, lilrockbeach.com LA LANGOUSTE Caribbean and seafood dishes with a French influence, Main Road, Anse des Flamands, 97133 St. Barthélemy, +590 590 27-6361
LE REPAIRE Open-air downtown café specializing in seafood and people-watching, Quai de la Republique, Gustavia, St. Barthélemy, +590 590 27-7248 MAYAS-TO-GO Exquisite French takeout fare by Maya Henry, founder of Maya’s (above), is great for a night in or a picnic. Les Galeries du Commerce, St. Jean, St. Barthélemy, +590 590 29-8370
February 2020
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••••
bocamag.com
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Brand new contemporary home with expansive floor plan including a library, game room, and loft. 5 Beds | 7 Baths | 5,808 SF | 3 Car Garage $1,699,900 | Boca Raton
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Breathtaking new construction, one-story home in Boca Bridges with modern design. 3 Beds | 3.1 Baths | 3,074 SF | 3 Car Garage $1,092,900 | Boca Raton
© 2020 EDGE USA LLC d/b/a Engel & Völkers Boca Raton. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. EDGE USA LLC licensee of Engel & Völkers, LLC. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.
MICHAEL WENDY LEDWITZ Real Estate Advisors
Michael & Wendy Ledwitz specialize in selling country club communities, waterfront estate homes, gated communities & luxury condos. Over $59+ MILLION sold in the past 12 months. Recognized among the TOP 10 REALTORS in Boca Raton By REAL Trends in their annual list of America’s Best Real Estate Professionals for 2018. Over 55 years of collective real estate experience.
MICHAEL LEDWITZ BROKER/OWNER | WENDY LEDWITZ REALTOR | 561.235.3900 ENGEL & VÖLKERS BOCA RATON
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CA ArtNest took to the trees within the grounds of the zoo at Boca Basel.
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56 Boca Basel 2019 A night to remember
Celebrating its fifth year, Boca Basel 2019 was a night to remember under the trees, and proved to be one of the biggest and best Boca magazine events yet. The theme was “Art Unleashed,” and a curated lineup of artists showcased their work around the zoo, while automotive selections from Excell Auto Group decorated the grounds. Hundreds of guests gathered to enjoy selections from vendors including Republic National Distributing Company and restaurants such as NYY Steak, Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar, Caesar’s Famous Ribs and Proper Ice Cream. Proceeds benefited the nonprofit Palm Beach Zoo.
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2. Larger-than-life neon robots strolled through the party and danced with attendees. 3. Guests were treated to live musuc as they enjoyed the festivities.
7. The Palm Beach Zoo was the perfect setting for guests to unleash their inner artist and revel in the wild scenery. 8. Guests mingled among the trees. 9. Tony Diagonale, Lori Pierino and George Otto 10. Olivia Hollaus and Lara Goodwin
4. Nancy and Kari Kumpulainen
11. Francis Jawhari, Hank Jawhari
5. Luxury cars from Excell Auto Group and stunning lights transformed the zoo.
12. NYY Steak served up delectable surf and turf sliders.
6. Cosmo Scianna with artNest
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AARON BRISTOL
1. Strolling Tables MIA greeted guests as they stepped into the world of Boca Basel.
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58 Halloween at The Addison
Although The Addison is known as one of Boca’s most dignified and historic venues, it’s also renowned for its extravagant parties. The fourth-annual Halloween at the Addison was no exception, and pulled no punches in its transformation from wedding venue to nightmarish locale. The 2019 theme was“Neon Nights,”and featured spaces based on New Orleans voodoo, Day of the Dead and Candyland. 2
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2. County Commissioner Robert Weinroth and Pamela Weinroth 3. City Commissioner Jeremy Rodgers and Mandy Rodgers
4. Andy Rogers and Michelle Olson-Rogers 5. Cindy Pierce, Sheila Harman, Zoe Lanham, Ben Harman, Lourdes Harman 6. Marleen Forkas and a Bruce Willis Look-a-Like 7. Orin Kennedy, Francesca Daniels, Bernardo Puccio
8. Rainbow Circus Performer 9. Angela DiGiorgio, Lilly Robbins, Lindsey Swing, Jess Zelaya 10. Frances Herrera, David Diaz, Monique Mickiewicz 11. The Addison Team
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AARON BRISTOL
1. Daniel DiCristofaro, Nathalie Tremblay, Olivia Hollaus, Pattie Goldenberg
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Private Family Rooms
(only 3 rooms left out of 8) Our private family rooms offer dignity and honor to the family, and are reserved for private remembrance and reflection. Each room has six side-by-side crypts (space for 12, caskets or urns) and private, gated entrances.
Call today to schedule a tour
Serving All Faiths since 1971
I look forward to the opportunity to serve you.
Fritz Miner – Manager
Boca Raton
CEMETERY & MAUSOLEUM Dignity That Lasts Forever
561-391-5717 • bocaratonmausoleum.com 451 SW 4th Avenue • Boca Raton
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TRAVEL WELL WITH THE REID ADVANTAGE Experts in luxury cruising for over 45 years
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FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities FREE Unlimited WiFi FREE Specialty Restaurants FREE Unlimited Beverages including Fine Wines and Premium Spirits
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Keeping the Promise More than fifty years ago, Gloria Drummond made a promise to bring a hospital — the “Miracle on Meadows Road” — to Boca Raton. Today, that promise has been kept. Through the transformational gifts from philanthropists like Billi and Bernie Marcus, Boca Raton Regional Hospital is a premier tertiary academic medical center in Florida. Their recent largesse and commitment of $15 million to our Hospital will further advance capabilities and clinical services at the Marcus Neuroscience Institute. In Keeping the Promise, we continue to ensure the finest in compassionate care at Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
“We hope that our giving will inspire others to do whatever they can – because we know from experience that every gift counts – every gift will make a difference to someone.” - Billi and Bernie Marcus
Bernie and Billi Marcus
To learn more about the campaign for Boca Raton Regional Hospital, please visit www.brrh.com/KeepingThePromise
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18k yellow gold bracelet set with emeralds (21.30 carats), multicolor tourmalines (211.91 carats) and white diamonds (1.82 carats); golden Indonesian saltwater pearl necklace set with green tourmaline (58.39 carats), 18k white gold ring with south sea baroque pearl, white diamonds (.85 carats), blue sapphires (2.85 carats) and tsavorite (3.03 carats); 18k yellow gold ring with green tourmaline (48.89 carats) and white diamonds (3.64 carats)—all from Yvel USA bocamag.com
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Love is Blooming
These diamonds from local retailers are perennial favorites Photography by AARON BRISTOL
18k white gold and black rhodium leaf design diamond (6.28 carats) and ruby (23.79 carats) neckpiece; 18k white gold and black rhodium leaf design ruby (14.77 carats), opal (8 carats), pink sapphires (2.95 carats), and diamond earrings (1.34 carats); 18k rose gold opal (4.72 carats), pink sapphire (3.76 carats) and diamond (2.11 carats) leaf design ring, all Designer Sutra jewels from Jay Feder Jewelers
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18k white gold necklace with yellow and white diamonds; 18k white gold cuff with yellow, orange and white diamonds; 18k yellow gold orange, citrine and diamond ring; 18k yellow gold green peridot and diamond ring; 18k white gold aquamarine and diamond ring—all from Jewels In Time
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Radiant cut deep pink and pear-shaped diamond flower ring in 18k white gold; pear-shaped white diamond and purplish-pink flower ring; pear-shaped yellow and pink oval diamond flower ring; mixed color diamond and pavé diamond butterfly pendant in platinum and 18k white gold—all from Rosenberg Diamonds & Co.
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18k yellow gold pendant with quartz and diamonds; 18k white gold ring with cushion-cut 10-carat pink spinel surrounded by diamonds (1.5 carats); 18k white gold ring with pavé diamonds (3 carats) and pink pavé sapphires (4.5 carats)—all from Cristino Fine Jewelry
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18k yellow and white gold cuff with diamonds (1 carat); 18k white gold and black South Sea pearl necklace; 18k white gold diamond broach (13.79 carats) with South Sea pearls; pearl and diamond earrings with South Sea pearls and 86 diamonds (6.16 carats)—all from Harold’s Jewelers
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Zack Gottsagen, left, with Shia LaBeouf in “The Peanut Butter Falcon”
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Beating the odds Meet five people who overcame trauma, circumstances—and even death—to live and thrive another day
Defying Disability
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One of Hollywood’s rising stars shows us how it’s done
ack Gottsagen
has followed a trajectory familiar to many an aspiring actor in the Palm Beaches: a passion for the craft kindled from the age of 3, roles in children’s theatre, middle school enrollment at BAK School of the Arts, a high school diploma from Dreyfoos School of the Arts. Then came live theatre at companies like the now-defunct Royal Palm Playhouse, standout performances in instructional and short films and, this past summer, a co-leading role in a major motion picture. And he’s accomplished it all despite living with Down syndrome. Gottsagen, 34, rose to national prominence with the release of 2019’s “The Peanut Butter Falcon,”an earnest film in which he played Zak, an escapee from a state facility who becomes an unlikely companion for Tyler, a delinquent shrimp boat captain played by Shia LaBeouf. On the lam from Tyler’s rivals, they traipse through Old Virginia’s inhospitable terrain, through cornfields, forests and gator-infested waters, subsisting on peanut butter (hence the title, or part of it) and moonshine. But it’s the chemistry between Gottsagen and LaBeouf, not the twisty plot, that carries the picture. Watching them interact, distinctions between character and performer—between acting and being—melt away into the brackish waters, and we want to be there with them, sharing in a bit of the kismet. Much of this relationship can be credited to Gottsagen, who has invariably been described as a beam of joy by everyone he’s come into contact with, not least LaBeouf, who was arrested for disorderly conduct and public drunkenness during the filming of the movie, and was inspired by Gottsagen to clean up his act.“There’s no lead time to his love,”LaBeouf said, on “Good Morning America.”“It’s just instant.” In late 2019, I met Gottsagen and his mother, Shelley, at Zack’s modest apartment in Boynton Beach, where he lives independently. Both were exhausted. Since the release of“The February 2020
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72 Peanut Butter Falcon,”in August, their lives had become a whirlwind of publicity, awards and opportunities. They were leaving the next day for Los Angeles so Zack could be a presenter at the Media Access Awards. Gottsagen has appeared everywhere from“Ellen”to “Entertainment Tonight”to MTV, and he has accepted speaking engagements in Georgia, Texas and Connecticut, where he addresses the importance of inclusion for people with disabilities into wider society. Gottsagen lives by what he preaches; he was the first Down syndrome student to be fully integrated in Palm Beach County schools. “I don’t think Zack would have had these opportunities if he wasn’t fully included in school,” Shelley says. “Don’t cut them any slack. They need to assume the same responsibilities, chores—and it’s hard, because there’s a lot of discouragement from the systems.” That includes the entertainment industry. There are 54 million people with disabilities in the U.S., making it the largest minority group in the country. Yet according to the Ruderman Foundation, 95 percent of TV show characters with disabilities are played by non-disabled actors. Shelley and Zack are hoping to reverse that statistic.“We
hope it’ll start being looked at the same way blackface is looked at for white people acting.” Gottsagen is an ideal spokesperson for this movement, because he’s a case study in talent and perseverance overcoming adversity. When he was cast in “Artie”at the Royal Palm Playhouse, in 2005, producers were initially skeptical he’d be able to remember his lines.“When the show came up, not only did Zack have his own lines memorized, but when other actors forgot their lines, he was able to cue them,”Shelley says.“He memorized every single person’s lines.” Gottsagen is also a triple-threat talent. He’s been a part of a local dance company for 15 years. He also plays the guitar and raps. In “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” he insisted on doing his own stunts, from jumping out the window of his character’s care facility to taking a 40-foot plunge into a body of water—because otherwise, he said, the authenticity would suffer. And that’s something Zack Gottsagen has in spades. —John Thomason
Zack Gottsagen
To the Stars
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Bill Taylor
or , it started with a fever of 105. It was March 1979, and Taylor, a 37-year-old data analyst living in Maryland, visited his doctor, who prescribed a fever reducer. It didn’t work. A couple of days later, Taylor attempted to rise from his bed, and fainted. His wife and brother-in-law drove him to Johns Hopkins as he slipped in and out of consciousness.“The heart was doing all kinds of irregular stuff,”he recalls, from his home in Lake Worth Beach.“They were trying to get a pulse, and they were getting 50 over 40. They didn’t know if I was bleeding internally, or was I on drugs, or what was causing this.” The cause of Taylor’s collapse was cardiac arrest—possibly triggered by undiagnosed Lyme Disease—and he would spend the next two weeks in the hospital’s cardiac intensive care unit, at death’s door. During this time, he suffered a seizure, and his heart stopped three times. “The first week, I hardly remember anything,” he says. “They couldn’t get the heart to beat regularly. My blood pressure was low. My liver was failing, my kidneys were failing, breathing was hard. They said people who come in who are that sick usually don’t leave.” Taylor might have been one of those typical patients— were it not for some divine intervention he encountered on the Other Side.
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He would later write that “when my heart would stop I could feel my energy rapidly leaving my body. During one of these episodes my energy became weaker and weaker. It was like I was on a sliding board trying to hold on before I let go and disappeared into darkness. … As I became weaker and let go, I remembered thinking, I don’t know where I’m going, but it’s out of my hands now.” The next thing he knew, he found himself removed from his physical body. Instantly, he had become an energy force floating in the cosmos, blanketed by celestial bodies.“It was mind-boggling,”he says.“It was still me. I had my memories. I was just amazed that I’m still here. “Soon, it was like a flood coming in of this love. It’s indescribable. It just pours into you. I knew I was loved, beyond any love here on Earth. Whatever you were, whatever you’ve done, is all OK. … I instantly felt, I’m home. This is where I came from.” At some point in his astral travel—Taylor can’t venture a guess as to how long he was out—he encountered a being: a headless torso of energy that didn’t identify itself, but that he likens to Jesus.“It said, ‘You can choose whether to stay or to go back. But before you make up your mind, put your hand on your mother’s heart.’ [She was still alive.] As I did that, I could feel the pain that she would feel if I died. Then the being said, ‘Put your hand on my heart.’
AARON BRISTOL
A Lake Worth Beach man makes a cosmic escape from the brink of death
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73 “To me, there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Magically I was out in space looking down at everything—poof.” —Bill Taylor
“Then I began to see why we’re here. We’re not here by accident. Our job is to put love into every instance we can—to fill the voids wherever it doesn’t exist. “From then on, it was better,”Taylor says of his health. He would spend another two weeks in the hospital and six months convalescing at home. He had never heard of NDEs, but during his recovery, he read the literature on this spiritual phenomenon—which, according to one peer-reviewed study, affects 12 percent of cardiac arrest patients—and found commonalities among experiencers that helped verify his own. To call Taylor’s encounter life-changing is to understate his future involvement with near-death research. After sharing his stories with media outlets including Art Bell’s Coast to Coast AM radio show, Taylor became involved with the International Association of Near-Death Studies (IANDS), the world’s largest educational nonprofit dedicated to the subject, joining its board and assuming its presidency from 2000 to 2003. Taylor retired to Lake Worth Beach in 2013, but he still speaks about his NDE, and its spiritual impact, at conferences. He remains 100-percent convinced that his experience was not the result of hypoxia—lack of oxygen to the brain, which could account for hallucinations—or other prosaic solutions. “To me, death is a fallacy,” he says.“Our physical form may die, but whoever we are—our spirit, our soul—is inextinguishable. You can’t put it out.” —John Thomason Bill Taylor February 2020
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75 Man vs. Boar
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Wildlife trapper James Dean traps a pig and almost loses his life
ames Dean has been bitten by
snakes, attacked by dogs, and wrestled a 4-foot bull shark out of an inland pond (it was a prank). But it was a wild boar that almost did him in, and he’s still fighting to recover. It was October 21 last fall when Dean got a call from a homeowner near Melbourne, where he lives, that a wild pig was chasing his daughters on their way to a school bus stop. Dean, a Florida wildlife trapper for the past 20 years, headed out with his traps on his truck to the property. “It was a private gated community that had had issues with wild pigs before—I had taken many pigs out of there,” Dean says.“I’ve done this over 20 years, and I’ve never heard of something like that happening where the pig was so aggressive. What really ticks me off was that it was only a 200-pound pig—a male boar hog with cutters [like the one pictured here, but with longer tusks—ed.].”Cutters are what Dean calls a boar’s tusks, which can grow to three to five inches on wild boars, and are razor sharp. “I pulled up to the truck when the homeowner called and said the hog was in the trap. I went ahead and dropped the transport trap. I get up on both the traps and open both doors and get the pig to go into the transport trap. Once he’s in the transport trap I can shut the door and go ahead and lock it and winch him into the back of my truck.” But this time, the routine went bust. “What actually happened when I [opened the door to the trap] was he hit the side of the trap and started to come out. I jumped down to kick him back in and he grabs my inner calf and tore it with his cutters, and I used my left leg and he cut me on the outside of my leg and on the inside of my left knee underneath the knee. Cut it wide open. When he grabbed me from inside my right calf, I fell backwards against the side of the trap, and my head
opened up above my right eye. “I really don’t remember how long it took, because I was going in and out of consciousness, but I was able to get the pig back in the trap and at least lock him in.” He had secured the animal, but Dean was already fading in and out, bleeding heavily from both legs and his head.“I knew I was bleeding out. At that point my son was on his way out to bring the gun and shoot it, because I thought it was just going to be the regular pick-up-thepig-out-of-the-trap kind of thing. That wasn’t the case on this one. “All I really remember was when I went to get into the truck and had started to drive myself to the hospital I apparently passed out. When my son showed up, he pulled me out of the truck and laid me on the ground and applied pressure to my right leg because there was just so much blood. The ambulance took forever, and my son kept calling them, saying ‘you need to get out here—I am losing my dad.’ It was unbelievable. I’m lucky to be alive.” The hospital’s trauma team gave him 125 staples and stitches. “They said if it wouldn’t have been for my son Christian Dean administering a tourniquet to my right leg I would have died.” The pig was shot that day seven times with a Blackout assault rifle. One of Dean’s wounds was so deep it cannot be stitched up and must heal “from the inside out.” His son has started a GoFundMe page for his dad, as they are unsure when he will be healed enough to return to work. “I’ve been doing this for over 20 years,” Dean says.“And I’ve never had a pig like this. I think I have finally found the Super Pig.” —Marie Speed
It was unbelievable. I’m lucky to be alive. February 2020
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76 Storm Victims
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Surviving Hurricane Dorian was a triumph of human will
D’Shan Maycock
his was nothing new for and her family. As native Bahamians and homeowners on the Abaco islands, they had been through hurricanes time and again. The family heeded warnings and prepared, as they usually did, by stocking up on food and water, filling bathtubs and putting up their shutters. “We thought that we were fully prepared,” she says of the storm,“but that was no ordinary hurricane.” What began as routine preparation and procedure for riding out yet another storm ended with Maycock and her family surviving one of the worst natural disasters to ever strike the Bahamas. “It wasn’t so bad in the first part of the storm. It was bad, but not horrible,”Maycock recounts.“But when I looked up, I could see the ceiling just trembling, and I realized that ceiling was going to go off.” Early in the storm’s onslaught, Maycock and her husband knew parts of the roof had been compromised. After moving all of their furniture into one of the few remaining secure rooms in the house, the winds began to abate. The eye of the storm had arrived, and so had a period of precious reprieve—but that reprieve was short lived. “My husband and one of my sons were trying to fix one of the shutters that had come off, and they had to immediately come back inside, because they realized it was just not safe.” It wasn’t until after the eye had passed over that things began to change. The winds began to roar; there was a
tried, you would hear something being thrown about.” As the world watched the massive storm stall over the Abacos, Maycock and her family were trapped in a tiny bathroom, praying for the ordeal to finally end. Their prayers must have worked, because the bathroom in which the family took shelter was the only room that survived.“I never felt that close to death in my life,” Maycock says.“I just felt like, if I’m going to die, then I just have to go. But thankfully, that bathroom became like our ark, our safety net. It was the only place in the house that the roof actually stayed on.” When the storm finally subsided, Maycock and her family emerged from the bathroom after two days to find the island they called home completely leveled. “Everything we did to prepare ourselves for the storm, it didn’t even matter anymore. It was like everybody now was at a point where we had to figure out how we were going to survive.”With no communication to the outside world, Maycock said it felt “like being trapped inside a bubble.”It took the family days to make its way first to Nassau, then eventually out of the Bahamas altogether. Even after a life lived in the shadow of hurricane alley, the shock inflicted by Dorian’s destructive visit has proved hard to shake.“It took two days to change our life. [In] two days … we basically lost everything.” Maycock and her family are now in Florida, staying in an apartment funded by donations from benefactors and what remains of their life savings. While they’re thankful to be safe and in a more stable environment than their ravaged home island, Maycock and her family have issues
Our roof was ripped off; it sounded like a big fight inside the house. profound shaking. D’shan, her husband, their five children and her mother, brother and three nephews huddled in the house as it began to tear apart around them. “We had to basically run for cover inside our bathroom. With two mattresses we were able to just sit there, and we were stuck in that bathroom for the next two days.” As her family took cover in the bathroom, there was nothing they could do but listen as the storm laid waste to their home.“You could just hear things crashing, the roof lifting. We were scared to come out, because every time we
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to contend with now that they never could have foreseen. “The U.S. government has not given us any type of protected status, so we don’t have any way to really work legally here in the U.S.,”she says, of how they intend to move forward.“My husband and I both applied to get work permits. ... You can plan all your life, you can strategize, and in just a moment, it can just change overnight. Right now we basically just have to live very humbly and try to make the best out of the situation.” —James Biagiotti
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79 Sainthood: Tre’Quan Smith
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A Delray kid goes from the projects to the Big Time
ré Quan Smith remembers the moment, in April
2018, when his life changed. He was watching the NFL Draft, with friends and family, in the house of his mentor, Mark Sauer. A call came in to Sauer’s cell phone with a 504 area code—New Orleans. Sauer knew before picking up the phone that Smith, a Delray native and a star wide receiver for the University of Central Florida, would soon become a Saint. Sauer, not wishing to spoil the surprise, said nothing to Smith before handing him the phone.“It was [Saints Head Coach] Sean Payton,”Smith recalls. “He says,‘we think you’ll be a great asset, and we’ll pick you with our next pick.’They called my name, and it was all so surreal.” As Sauer remembers it,“[Smith] handled it professionally. A few minutes later we saw it on television. It was pandemonium. His buddies all jumped on him.” Smith’s ascent to the ranks of professional football has been especially life-affirming considering the obstacles he’s had to overcome. His father, who died when Smith was 12, spent the boy’s formative years in and out of prison. Smith had a transient childhood, bouncing between temporary homes in Boynton Beach, Deerfield Beach and Delray Beach, many of them in public housing. Gunshots and wailing sirens were the soundtrack of his nights, and he overheard fights every day. “You didn’t know if you would live to the next day,”he says, adding,“there was little to no hope you’d make it out of Delray.” As a result, Smith’s high-school grades, at Village Academy Center, suffered. He needed a father figure, and he found it in
With invaluable assistance from fellow-instructors at Village Academy, Smith raised his GPA and his SAT/ACT scores, and he made it into UCF on a football scholarship. In his freshman year, the school’s Fighting Knights endured a winless season; two years later, the Knights soared through a 12-0 season, and Smith played a significant role in the turnaround. In his first year with the Saints, Smith scored five touchdowns from 28 receptions.“He’s tall [and] lean, so he looks like a receiver, kind of like a gazelle that can just get out there and run,”says Saints quarterback Drew Brees.“Talking about just picking up the offense, for a rookie receiver, [is] not easy. … He has playmaking ability to go up and get the ball on those challenged catches, and we just keep opening up the offense for a guy like him.” For Smith, the pressure of performing in a professional sport was worlds away from his time at Village Academy, or even UCF.“As a rookie, I had to constantly remind myself that it’s a business,”he says.“Even though I’m having fun and the season we had was amazing … every time at the end of the year it’s their job to go out and recruit new people.” But, he adds,“As a young player, I don’t try to live up to the hype. If you play off of everybody’s expectations, it’s not going to end well. You have to know yourself and build confidence in the type of player you are.” Smith now has the financial security to move his family into better residences, and to finally live out of plenty instead of scarcity. He says he couldn’t have made it where he is today were it not for the community support he received in Delray, and he hopes to pay it forward by hosting a back-to-school bash and a youth football camp before he rejoins the Saints
AARON BRISTOL
You didn’t know if you would live to the next day. Sauer, a former baseball executive and then-athletic director of Village Academy, who now runs the tutoring nonprofit Bound for College. Sauer saw the potential in Smith straightaway. “He impressed me with how smart he was, and how kind he was,”Sauer says.“To this day, I’ve never seen him make fun of anyone or be mean-spirited. I took those elements plus the athletic ability, and said ‘Let’s really get involved with this kid.’” At the time, Smith’s sport of choice was basketball; football was never a career track until Sauer steered him in that direction. In fact, he left Village Academy’s varsity football team after his freshman year. To keep Smith invested in the sport, Sauer hired him to keep stats for the football team during his sophomore year, paying him $20 a game plus a meal at Longhorn Steakhouse. Smith has been playing football ever since.
for his second season.“When I was growing up, I didn’t have that kind of support,”he says. I don’t know when my time is going to end. I’m going to do as much as I can while I’m at this platform.” Strangers have already taken inspiration from his success. As an NFL player, you know you’ve made it when replica jerseys with your name on them are sold in sports shops. Smith remembers a video from the NFL’s Instagram page of a girl receiving a Tre’Quan Smith jersey for Christmas. “She went crazy,”he says.“That just filled up my heart with joy. It was such an amazing feeling, knowing that my name could bring so much joy to someone.” — John Thomason
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David Crosby and Joni Mitchell back in the day
When Coconut Grove was
A look back at the Miami neighborhood’s rich musical lineage Written by JOHN THOMASON
s legend has it, David Crosby was smitten with Joni Mitchell the moment he saw her onstage, in Coconut Grove, in the fall of 1967. All of 18 years old, Mitchell was a largely unknown art-folk troubadour at the time. She had recently visited London’s fashionable Carnaby Street, and came to the Grove tricked out in false eyelashes and sequined belts. At the Gaslight, she’d play three sets a night, culminating in 1 a.m. concerts—the equivalent of 10 p.m. in sleepier towns. At the time, Crosby was in a career transition. He had been kicked out of the Byrds, and he moved to the Grove, in part, to purchase a sailboat. As Margaret Gallagher, a music producer and promoter who lived in the Grove for 12 years, and now resides in Delray Beach, remembers it,“Crosby had a huge sailing boat, a 60-foot ketch anchored in the
Coconut Grove Marina. He immediately met Bobby [Ingram, another Grove folkie], and Bobby took him to the Gaslight. He said, ‘I want you to meet this girl, Joni Mitchell, she’s really special.’ Crosby was gaga over her, both professionally and as a man. He fell in love with her immediately, and took her to California.” These days, Crosby reflects on that time with the lucidity of hindsight: “I fell for her, which was like falling into a cement mixer—very turbulent girl,” he told Miami New Times in 2019. Their relationship might not have lasted, but Coconut Grove’s influence as a petri dish for musical creatives—the sort of bohemian enclave where folkies, jazzbos and rockers would hang, smoke each other out and germinate ideas—persisted for a decade. Tom Rush, Buffy Saint-Marie, Cass Elliot, Neil Young and Jefferson Airplane toured the Grove regularly, while an influential handful of other musicians established residences. So many nascent beatnik bars, coffeehouses and nightclubs opened in the historic neighborhood that it drew comparisons to New York City’s Greenwich Village and the storied Haight-Ashbury district
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82 in San Francisco.“I had always heard about Miami as a place everybody goes to die,”recalls Joe Donato, a jazz saxophonist who moved near the Grove for work in 1970, and now resides in Miami Springs. “But the Grove had this sense of youth and freedom. The architecture, the way they let things grow… it’s like a jungle. That was intriguing to me. Coming from New Jersey, you don’t have this jungle of tropical and subtropical plants.” Donato remembers driving his artist wife, their dog and a Volkswagen full of paintings the 1,187 miles from Houston, where he was studying music, to the University of Miami, where the musical director invited him to be lead alto saxophonist in the university orchestra. Having arrived with no knowledge of the area, Donato asked the dean’s secretary for a primer.“She said, ‘one place you don’t want to go is Coconut Grove. It’s filled with hippies, and they’re all hopped up.’ I said, ‘Thank you.’The next thing—vroom—right to the Grove. “The opposite of the Grove would be Moral Gables, where everything was in line, was perfect, was very orderly. The Grove wasn’t.”
L
ONG BEFORE IT BECAME THE
neighborhood where folk rockers wintered, Coconut Grove was a uniquely cultural place in South Florida. “Before the musicians started rolling through, it was an artists’ colony,” Gallagher says. “This was before hippies, even—it was the beatniks, which is always what I aspired to be, to have a beret and Gauloises. It had a vibe about it. It was beyond beautiful.” Established in 1825 and incorporated in 1919, Coconut Grove is the oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood of Miami. In 1926, a movie house called The Grove opened, and with its Spanish rococo style—and boasting air conditioning before it was a thing—it quickly became one of the most opulent cinemas in the country, attracting A-list talent to its gala premieres. Joe Donato
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and countless other stars performed there. It even housed an esteemed venue within a venue, the Widow McCoy’s, a posh supper club where Donato and his band would hold court. Others played at venues like the Gold Dust Lounge, Drum Beater’s Lounge, Scotty’s, Monty’s and the Taurus—only a few of which still exist, under new ownership and with different vibes.“By the time I got to the Grove, in 1970, the Gaslight was closed,” Gallagher recalls.“But it was a really healthy, cool music scene then. That’s what I loved about that time: You could hear every kind of music everywhere you went. The genres weren’t so unwilling to mix. We had a lot of good R&B bands that would come through, and a lot of jazz. Me being a girl from Ohio, I thought pretty much I’d died and gone to heaven.” The Grove’s status as a folkie haven arguably was established when singer-songwriter Vince Martin came to Miami to start a charter boat business, and discovered the hip village while exploring the city’s byways. It was a full moon, and he was hooked by the scent of jasmine in the air. He went John Sebastian on to introduce fellow folksinger Fred Neil to the Grove, and their classic collaborative LP If the Jasmine Don’t Get You … the Bay Breeze Will (1969)
PICTORIAL PRESS LTD / ALAMY
In the ‘30s and ‘40s, drawn by the affordable rents, artists and writers began to settle in the Grove. Tennessee Williams, Robert Frost and William Jennings Bryan all alighted there. But Coconut Grove’s artistic legitimacy in the modern era is most credited to two institutions: the Coconut Grove Playhouse, which financier George Engle redesigned in the mid-1950s on the site of the old Grove movie theater; and the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, which theatre promoter Charlie Cinnamon and artist Tony Scornavacca hatched as a “little clothesline arts fair,” per the festival’s own verbiage, in 1963, and which has grown to a three-day festival attracting audiences of 120,000 over Presidents’ Day weekend. The theater, in particular, brought national and international celebrities to the Grove. The grand opening of the Playhouse was attended by the likes of Joan Fontaine, Walter Winchell, Marjory Stoneman Douglas and Arthur Vining Davis. During its 50-year run, Liza Minnelli, Jessica Tandy, Bea Arthur, George C. Scott
was inspired by their time there. The Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastian, another Grove regular, captured the scene’s laid-back vibe in his own ambling tribute, “Coconut Grove” (1966): “The ocean breeze has cooled my mind/ the salty days are hers and mine/just to do what we wanna.” Bobby Ingram would go on to spend decades in the Grove, remaining the area’s steadfast champion until his death last year. “Bobby Ingram was a gifted raconteur,” Gallagher recalls. “He could mesmerize a group just sitting and talking over a bottle of wine.” Ingram’s 2015 album Postcards from Coconut Grove, which featured backup vocals from his longtime friend Crosby, is the Grove music culture’s definitive document. Indeed, no Grove resident was as famous as Crosby, who discovered the scene in 1962, when he was still an emerging talent. Coasting all night on Dexedrine, Crosby and his musician friends would play anywhere that offered them a stage, when they weren’t cruising around Biscayne Bay on sailboats—or skinny-dipping in the local waters.
“That’s what I loved about that time: You could hear every kind of music everywhere you went. I thought pretty much I’d died and gone to heaven.” —Margaret Gallagher
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84 Below, Mayfair at Coconut Grove
THE GROVE TODAY
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Bobby Ingram
“This was Coconut Grove before anybody but the gay people discovered it,” Crosby wrote in his oral history, Long Time Gone. “We were the prototype hippies before anybody knew there were hippies. On a typical day, we would get up late, goof off, amble or ride our bikes down to the Grove Pharmacy. … It was us on bikes, whizzing through this beautiful jasmine-scented night in love with life, smoking pot, happier than clams.” Crosby would
move to California to seek fame with the Byrds, but after his time with the west coast rockers dissolved, he drifted back to the Grove where, in 1967, he not only met Joni Mitchell but achieved his dream of buying his own sailboat, the Mayan—a beauty made from Honduran mahogany, yellow pine planking and teak decks. Crosby spent time leading up to and including the formation of Crosby, Stills and Nash triangulating between Los Angeles, San Francisco and the Grove, where the Mayan became a party boat for his industry friends. He co-wrote the CSN hit “Wooden Ships” onboard the Mayan, with Paul Kantner and Stephen Stills onboard. Grace Slick Grace Slick, quoted in Long Time Gone, remembers her time on the Mayan as a groupie bacchanalia, of which she did not participate: “It was a sort of Hollywood Hippie thing, having these long blondhaired lovely young
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These days, Coconut Grove is a magnet for tourism, attracting 2.1 million visitors a year, with prices reflecting this market. But thankfully, funky local institutions like Lucky’s head shop, a two-story Books & Books and the hippie emporium Maya Hatcha—a Grove staple since the ‘60s— still outnumber the national chains. Jungly vestiges of the old Coconut Grove are still present in the neighborhood’s many living walls and carefully overgrown balcony gardens, and mosaic tile exteriors and vibrant murals depicting trees and peacocks capture a vibe that is historic and hip—even when infiltrated by the inevitable glass-walled high-rises endemic to urban progress. The locals have had to get used to them, because they are certainly not going away: The Arquitectonica firm’s forthcoming, six-story Mr. C. Coconut Grove hotel looks as sleek as anything out of Paris or Dubai, and Cocowalk, the neighborhood’s former tourist-trap eyesore, is planning a 2020 reboot. That said, the Grove’s Business Improvement District has been reestablishing the area as a locals’ hangout, thanks to events like twice-weekly yoga, weekly culinary tours, and frequent outdoor concerts, movie nights, art walks and pet-friendly yappy hours. Still going strong, the Coconut Grove Art Festival returns Feb. 15-17. And rest assured, the smell of pot still hangs thickly in the Grove air—one thing that hasn’t changed since the time of Crosby and friends.
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85 “I know a couple of things. I know I’m not going to hell. And I also think that I’ve already been to heaven, here in South Florida.“ —Bobby Ingram Morrison’s mug shot
ALAMY
Coconut Grove Playhouse concert with Bobby Ingram, Eric Anderson, Rick Danko, Jimmy Buffett, Vince Martin and Fred Neil
human beings running around, sometimes with no clothes. … It was very pleasant and unreal and you can’t keep that way of life going forever. We were naïve enough to think we could.”
C
OCONUT GROVE DID NOT REMAIN
a counter-cultural utopia. You might say the March 1969 incident, when a plastered Jim Morrison exposed himself at the now-infamous, sweaty, oversold Doors concert at the Grove’s Dinner Key Auditorium—which would later lead to misdemeanor convictions for indecent exposure and“open profanity”—was the beginning of the end.
As the hippie-rejecting disco of the ‘70s transitioned into the booming capitalism of the ‘80s, the coffeehouses started to disappear, and the mom-and-pop shops became high-rises. In 1988, Crosby wrote, “It’s all commercial now: T-shirt shops and boutiques and bars.” On a visit to the Grove late last year, I heard one long-timer bemoan, “there’s no place to get a drink that’s affordable.” Donato, still a vigorous player at 76, finds work for his jazz quintet or sextet around Miami—though less often in the Grove. “I think it’s something that happens in many places,” he says. “It’s not gentrification—I think it’s corporation. There never was anything higher than a one-story building in the Grove … and then there’s a backroom deal. Why? Because somebody is profiting against what the tradition is. They can call it progress,
and I guess that’s what it is. But I go there now, and I don’t even know where I am.” Bobby Ingram was one of the few Grovers who lived through all of its transformations. He liked to say he came to Miami “literally by accident,” in 1952: He came here to convalesce after he was struck by a car in his native New York. After he died last September, approximately 600 people turned out for a memorial at the Grove’s Plymouth Congregational Church. Donato performed at the tribute, and for a day, at least, the old Grove scene resurfaced. Wherever Ingram is now, it probably feels a lot like Coconut Grove. As he once shared to an interviewer with HistoryMiami Museum,“I know a couple of things. I know I’m not going to hell. And I also think that I’ve already been to heaven, here in South Florida.”
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A voyage through this archipelago is a glimpse into an ancient magical world Written by CHRISTIANA LILLY lmost 200 years ago, a curious 22-year-old English scientist set foot upon San Cristobal Island, several hundred miles off the shores of Ecuador. Over the next five weeks, he spent his days in awe, studying hordes of black Komodo dragons, giant ambling tortoises and tiny finches feasting on prickly pear cactus. His name was Charles Darwin, and he bounced from island to island aboard the HMS Beagle, filling his notebook with sketches and notes that would eventually become the foundation of his claim to fame, the theory of evolution, The Origin of the Species. He had no idea
of his impact on what is now the Galapagos Islands. Almost two centuries later, the locals haven’t forgotten the importance of their tiny town—shops are named after the Beagle, a metal bust of Darwin sits atop a plaque by the ocean, and more than 220,000 tourists make their way to the islands every year. I was one of them, my head filled with romantic ideas of the Enchanted Isles, eager to see the giant land tortoises, blue-footed boobies and Darwin finches renowned the world over. Over the next week, my husband and I joined an international group of 14 travelers to explore the largely uninhabited islands.
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89 Opposite and below, sea lions; the 6 Origin vessel
two to three times a day, leaving Ecuadorian chocolates on our bed. Each time, the sweets were accompanied by a notecard with a quote—like this one: “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Looking out the window that first day, we watched the docks at San Cristobal give way to the deep blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean.
Modern Day Explorers
Enchanted Islands Most people agree that there are 13 main islands in the Galapagos (named for Spanish royalty and explorers), with five larger ones open to thousands of human inhabitants. The archipelago is about 700 miles off the coast of Ecuador in a different time zone—and another world away. After flying into Quito, we made our way to San Cristobal to meet our tour hosts from Ecoventura to begin our journey through the islands. Bed-andbreakfasts were at every street corner, and backpackers strolled the sidewalks. The murals in schoolyards touted messages of conservation, and signs warned visitors not to touch the sea lions who waddled their way onto the pier. In a playground, there were no bouncy horses but metal turtles balanced on a spring. Donning life vests, we stepped into a blue panga, or dinghy, to take us from the shore to the aptly named Theory, where we would be living for a week. Ecoventura, under the Relais & Chateaux umbrella, offered a luxurious way to experience the Galapagos, from the proffered Cham-
pagne upon boarding, to the sundeck with a hot tub and day beds. Below, the 10 seaside cabins were outfitted with twin- and king-sized beds, flat-screen televisions and full bathrooms. Over the next week, housekeeping tidied our room
Every evening our guides reviewed the next day’s itinerary, showing us photographs on TV of the upcoming island, and the kinds of wildlife we’d be sure to see. As we slept, the captain motored from island to island; at daybreak, we’d gaze through our floor-to-ceiling windows and find ourselves in another world—painted graffiti from sailors 100 years ago on the black rocks of Genovesa, the red sand beaches of Rabia, or the lush landscape of Santa Cruz. On Genovesa Island, we climbed the Prince Philip Steps (named for the British royal for his support of the islands) and
Iguana
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90 View of Pinnacle Rock, Bartolome Island; diver with whale shark off Darwin Island
hiked the jagged lava fields. Tendrils of cactus seeped through the cracks, and we kept a lookout for brown owls as they begin their evening hunt. During a hike through Santa Cruz’s Dragon Hill, bright yellow and orange land iguanas meandered through the sand, and on the red island of Rabia, three flamingos sashayed across a lake in search of crustaceans. We watched baby seals lounging in the tidal pools on the beaches of Santiago as their mothers hunted for their next meal, splashing about in the water, craning their little heads to the sky before plopping onto their sides for another nap. During one of our many snorkeling excursions we were mesmerized watching sea lions dive in above us, trailing a ribbon of bubbles as they circled us again and again. While riding in the panga through the mangroves of Black Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz, we tracked sea turtles swimming nonchalantly past stingrays and four dozen whitetip reef sharks. On our way back to the yacht, legendary blue-footed boobies bounced from rock to rock, scratching their heads with webbed turquoise feet. Then someone called out, “penguins!” And there they were, a raft of tuxedoed birds bobbing their black heads in the water—just miles from the Equator. I leaned over the panga as far as I could, only a few feet away from wild penguins. Below us, sea turtles skimmed the ocean floor and black marine iguanas clung to jagged rocks as they feasted on a rug of algae. If Noah’s Ark landed anywhere, it was undoubtedly the Galapagos.
Overcoming the Human Factor Over the centuries we humans have wreaked havoc on the Galapagos ecosystem. There are stories of sailors, including Darwin, riding on giant land tortoises, then bringing them aboard for what seemed like an endless supply of meat (they can go a year without food or wa-
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ter). An estimated 100,000-plus tortoises were killed over the 300 years of exploration in the islands. Other settlers brought goats to the islands, who trampled and ripped up the grass that fed tortoises and land iguanas. Domesticated cats ate baby sea turtles. The islands were devolving into a land destroyed. But we humans have redeemed ourselves of late. The Ecuadorian government has implemented strict rules on how visitors can experience the Galapagos—
every tour boat has to have its itinerary approved, and the amount of time and activities are strictly enforced. On land, guests must stay on makeshift trails through beaches and hillsides, staying six feet away from every animal. When a lazing sea lion decides to take a nap in the middle of the pathway, guides tell you how to gently bypass them. On Santa Cruz, we passed farmland with cows grazing in the fields, and everywhere you looked, there was the shiny
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MV Theory
ALL ABOARD
Rather than staying at a bedand-breakfast and making arduous day trips to different islands in the Galapagos, there’s the option to live aboard a luxurious mega yacht during your adventure. Ecoventura has a fleet of three ships—MV Theory, Origin and the smaller Letty, all fit with a full staff, dining room, sun deck, comfortable two-person staterooms with large windows, gift shop and even a gym. Each boat follows an itinerary (some are themed to focus on photography or wellness) approved by the Ecuadorian government to assure that visitors get the most of their voyage through the Enchanted Isles while still respecting local wildlife and the landscape. Snorkeling, hiking and swimming excursions are just minutes away by dinghy, leaving plenty of time between activities for a siesta on a daybed or snacks and a cocktail or two at the bar. Ecoventura.com
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93 Galapagos giant land tortoise
black shell of a giant land tortoise grazing alongside. They’re so protected, in fact, that farmers must make sure the lowest rungs of their barbed wire fences are tall enough to allow tortoises to pass under. At the nearby Charles Darwin Research Station, there’s the stuffed carcass of one of the most famous tortoises, Lonesome George. He was discovered on Pinta Island in 1971, the last of his kind, and mating attempts to try to create a hybrid breed were unsuccessful. On the other hand, there’s the aptly named Super Diego, who resides at the station—it’s believed that he has fathered more than 800 tortoises, after he was one of just 14 living on Española. Also on Santa Cruz is the El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve, where you can see the ancient animals in their natural habitat and appreciate their size; when they eat, their long necks extend over a foot from their shells to reach prized fruits and leaves. In the main building of the park, visitors take photos inside empty tortoise shells, and the tallest man in our group easily fit inside. The result of these efforts? Not only are animal populations thriving, but the visitor experience is that much better. The animals don’t fear us. Iguanas ambled past in the brush, tortoises were unbothered by a group walking past, sea lions danced around swimmers and their GoPros, and cormorants flew alongside our boat. Toward the end of the trip, during a siesta, I lounged in bed and looked out the window at Rabia island as Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” softly played through the boat’s speakers. While the vessel gently rocked from side to side, I noticed a new quote provided with the afternoon’s chocolates: “The gladdest moment in human life is a departure into unknown lands.”
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David Zappitell is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and a National Trial Lawyer Top 100 in the State of Florida who restricts his practice to serious injuries or death. Mr. Zappitell feels privileged to have represented families throughout Florida for almost 30 years and provides personal attention to every client. He does the same for local charities. Zappitell Law Firm 200 NE 2nd Avenue, Suite 103 Delray Beach, Florida 33445 561-330-6330 florida.law
TWENTY TWENTY GRILLE
This Is Twenty Twenty Grille's Year! Join Us As We Celebrate Our 6th Year In Business! Come Join Us In Our Cozy Courtyard To Experience Chef Ron's Forever Changing Eclectic & Innovative Style. This Hidden Gem Has Become The Go To Restaurant For Many Locals & Travelers. Our Menu Is Contemporary American With A Creative Flair. Our Most Well Known Dish Is Our New Zealand Rack Of Lamb. 141 Via Naranjas, Boca Raton, FL. 33432 561-990-7969 twentytwentygrille.com
CRISTINO CHOCOLATES Worth Their Weight in Gold Chocolatier Gloria Hosh is as renowned for her signature gold foil box with the Cristino name on it as she is for what's inside. From Artisan Chocolate Truffles and Himalayan Sea Salted Caramels to Gourmet Chocolate Covered Pretzels, she has made a name for herself with the name of her two sons combined, Cristopher + Constantine = Cristino. For an elegant favor at a gala event, corporate gifts, and every Valentine's guilty pleasure, Cristino Chocolates delivers the gold standard of fine chocolate decadence. Delray Beach, FL 33446 561-306-1569 cristinochocolates.com
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Resort membership grants you access to the best of The Seagate 18-hole championship course and practice facilities Legendary golf instructor, Craig Harmon Kids’ golf and tennis programs Har-Tru tennis courts Seagate Beach Club access for Resort Members Selection of world-class dining venues 4,200 sq. ft. fitness center, classes, and pools
Now offering a limited number of Annual Resort, Golf, and Associate* memberships at the world-class Seagate Country Club. Contact Membership Director, Rosalie Blood at 561-510-2843 or rblood@seagatedelray.com, or visit SeagateGolfMembership.com. *Associate memberships are for those 45 years old and under.
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T H E S E A G AT E H O T E L & S PA • B E A C H C L U B • C O U N T R Y C L U B • YA C H T C L U B
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Jesmyn Ward A history-making novelist brings stories of disenfranchised Americans to Festival of the Arts Written by JOHN THOMASON
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esmyn Ward is not an autobiographical novelist, but she nonetheless writes about what she knows: African-American families living on the margins in Mississippi. Born in Berkeley, California, Ward moved with her family to DeLisle, Mississippi—the state where she still resides—at age 3, and was bullied as a child by both black and white students. She became the first in her family to graduate college when she earned a media studies and communications degree from Stanford, in 2000. It would take another 11 years, and the success of her sophomore novel Salvage the Bones, for the literary world to take notice of Ward’s writing, with its raw poetry, and its unsentimental and often brutal clarity of vision. The novel impressed critics for its evocations of Medea and William Faulkner, and it went on to win the National Book Award for Fiction. Her next novel, 2017’s Sing, Unburied Sing would win the National Book Award, with Ward becoming the first woman in history to earn the honor twice. One of the literary world’s bona fide rock stars, Ward is one of the most anticipated speakers at Festival of the Arts Boca, where she’ll address her writing process, her humble background and the stories that have always enriched her life.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: An Evening With Jesmyn Ward WHERE: Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton WHEN: March 2 COST: $35 general admission, $45 VIP and copy of Sing, Unburied, Sing CONTACT: 561/300-4138, festivalboca.org
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Salvage the Bones and Sing, Unburied, Sing both open with actions happening to or by the animals in the lives of your characters. Do you see a mirroring between these opening chapters, and the shadow they cast over the rest of the novels? Yes, because I think the beginning of a short story or a novel is important, because it focuses the reader’s attention on what is important about what’s to come. One of the thematic concerns in Sing,
Unburied, Sing is death. So it makes sense to begin in this moment, where [a goat] is being slaughtered. In Salvage the Bones, it begins with a birth [of a litter of puppies]. Much of Salvage the Bones is concerned with how people and animals fight to survive. I know some writers who wait to write the beginning until they’re done writing a rough draft, because beginnings are so difficult. I actually don’t do that. I write from the very beginning, because writing the correct beginning is almost my way of setting my intention for what comes next.
Do you feel your novels have been an education for white readers? Maybe. … After Hurricane Katrina, I remember that there was a lot of conversation about poor people who were from this region, who did not evacuate. … They thought that a lack of intellect is what caused us not to evacuate. When I heard those conversations, I realized that people just didn’t realize what it means to be poor...to have limited bad choices. I think that’s part of what inspired me to write Salvage the Bones. It’s still part of what inspired me to write Sing, Unburied, Sing—to write about a mom like Leonie, who is also poor, but who is dealing with the illness of addiction, and who is not a perfect person. She’s the kind of person who people have lots of conversations about, but ...is never allowed to tell their own story. … I hope that my fiction is enabling white people...to feel some sort of empathy. Are you working on anything new? I’m working on a novel that’s very different from anything I’ve written before. It is a novel set in and around New Orleans during the height of the domestic slave trade.
You’re a two-time National Book Award winner and NYT best-selling author. How has your life changed with fame? ...Unless I’m at an event that is particularly dedicated to books, people don’t recognize me... In my everyday life, it’s something that I forget about, because people don’t know who I am... I don’t live in New York City, the literary center of America. I live in my hometown, around the people I grew up with, who I’ve known my entire life. To them, I’m still me—the little girl, the person they’ve known forever. Why is it important to still live in your hometown? Because I write about people who could be members of my family or my community, I want to remain honest about their lives. Either I have to maintain an emotional closeness to my family and my community, and/ or a physical one. … I have young kids, too, and I wanted to give them that experience of growing up in a large extended family. ... Sometimes I really struggle with living here in Mississippi. As a black woman, it can be tough. Now I’m here, and I feel like I’m making the right decision.
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Jan. 30-Feb. 16:
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Now-March 1:
“Good Fortune to All: A Chinese Lantern Festival in Nanjing” at Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; $15-$18 museum admission; 561/832-5196, norton. org. In celebration of the Chinese New Year, this brief exhibition of a rare group of hanging scrolls depicts a celebration on the Aoshan Lantern Mountain, an artificial landscape lit up by 100 colorful lanterns.
“Evita” at The Wick Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; various show times; $75-$95; 561/9952333, thewick.org. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s enduring musical about the life, loves and tragic demise of Argentine political leader Eva Perón won seven Tony Awards upon its 1980 Broadway debut, and remains a powerhouse title role for any actress lucky enough to snag it.
Clifford Ross: “Waves” at Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; $10-$12 admission; 561/3922500, bocamuseum.org. This intrepid photographer spent 12 seasons wading directly into the surf during Atlantic coast hurricanes. “Waves” focuses on the forecious yet beautiful images he shot from the breach, while also featuring some of Ross’ newest work—a site-specific installation of wood panels depicting wave-like abstractions.
Maren Hassinger: “Tree of Knowledge” at Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; $10-$12 admission; 561/392-2500, bocamuseum.org. Acclaimed New York artist Hassinger, who works regularly with found materials, created this homage to Boca Raton’s own Tree of Knowledge, the historic landmark of the nearby African-American enclave of Pearl City. The aerial “roots” of her version of the banyan tree are comprised of rolled-up newspapers donated and shaped by volunteers.
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Jon Boogz & Lil Buck
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“Skylight”
Phil Vassar
“Anime Architecture”
Feb. 6-7:
Feb. 6-March 1:
Feb. 7-March 1:
Feb. 8:
Jon Boogz & Lil Buck: “Love Heals All Wounds” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $42; 561/8327469, kravis.org. These two masters of hip-hop and contemporary movement present a dance meditation on subjects such as environmental justice, mass incarceration and immigration, while cutting through the divisive noise of the 24-hour news cycle.
“The Glass Piano” at Theatre Lab at FAU, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m. Thurs.Sat., 3 p.m. Sun.; $30; 561/297-6124, fauevents.com. Fresh off its world premiere, this humanist gothic fantasy from playwright Alix Sobler centers on a princess who believes she has swallowed a giant glass piano—a delusion rooted in the story of a real 19th century Bavarian princess—and the failed-poet father and wise maid with whom she lives.
“Skylight” at Palm Beach Dramaworks, 201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach; various show times; $77; 561/5144042, palmbeachdramaworks.org. David Hare’s 1996 Olivier Award-winning play is an astute dissection of a crumbled relationship. It follows a London schoolteacher who revisits the former flame who contributed to the destruction of his marriage—and whose altruistic values are now worlds away from his own.
Phil Vassar at Funky Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton; 8 p.m.; $40$60; 561/395-2929, funkybiscuit.com. The piano-pounding country-music hitmaker, whose 26 Top 40 hits include “Carlene,” “SixPack Summer” and “Just Another Day in Paradise,” re-imagines his tunes acoustically on this intimate “Stripped Down” tour, in which he’ll take a deep dive into the stories behind his most personal songs.
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Now-April 25:
Feb. 5:
Feb. 5-7:
Feb. 6:
“Anime Architecture” at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach; $11-$15 museum admission; 561/495-0233, morikami.org. This exhibition celebrates the animators responsible for the iconic cityscapes in features like “Akira” and “Ghost in the Shell.” Curator Stefan Riekeles spent years compiling the more than 100 works comprising the show, which include location photographs, concept sketches and full-color animation cells.
“Art Couture: The Intersection of Fashion and Art” at Cornell Art Museum, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; $5-$8; 561/243-7922, oldschoolsquare.org. The Cornell’s winter/spring exhibition explores the inextricable link between contemporary art and fashion design, considering the way each practice influences the other. It includes illustrations and clothing from revered fashion designers, including Delray Beach’s own Amanda Perna.
Gary West: “For the Love of Cash” at Boca Black Box, 8221 Glades Road, Suite 10, Boca Raton; 8 p.m.; $35-$45; 561/483-9036, bocablackbox.com. A veteran performer on the Grand Ole Opry and a backup musician for major country music stars, West distills his passion for the genre’s forbears in this tribute, which honors not just Johnny Cash but Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and many more of country music’s pioneering outlaws.
“Crimes of the Heart” at Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University, 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m.; $15; 561/2379000, lynn.edu. Student production of Beth Hanley’s enduring Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, in which three sisters—a spinster-in-training, an unsuccessful singer and a convict out on bail— return to their Mississippi hometown during their father’s last hours.
Lewis Black at Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs; 8 p.m.; $54.15 and up; 954/344-5990, thecentercs.com. The perpetually upset comedian brings his “It Gets Better Every Day” tour to South Florida, belying its title with agitated forays into current events, social media, politics and anything else that rattles his cage.
“Art Couture: The Intersection of Fashion and Art”
South Florida Garlic Fest
Lewis Black
The Great Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium
Feb. 8-9:
Feb. 8-9:
Feb. 9:
Feb. 12:
Feb. 12-16:
Spring Art on the Square at Cornell Art Museum Front Lawn, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; free; 561/243-7922, oldschoolsquare.org. The Cornell’s annual outdoor juried art fair showcases original works in all media by more than 120 local and national artists and crafters. Live acoustic music and gourmet food and beverages complement the experience.
South Florida Garlic Fest at John Prince Park, 2700 Sixth Ave. A., Lake Worth Beach; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun.; $12.84; 561/279-0907, garlicfestfl.com. Entering its 21st year of promoting the favorite aromatic bulb of many a culinary wizard, the former Delray Beach Garlic Fest will welcome the legendary Wailers, still performing the potent sing-alongs of their late frontman, Bob Marley; the Expendables; and G. Love & the Special Sauce.
Connoisseur Concert 3 at Roberts Theatre, 3900 Jog Road, Boca Raton; 3 p.m.; $50-$84; 561/376-3848, thesymphonia.org. Violin soloist Elissa Lee Koljonen and cello soloist Yumi Kendall join the Symphonia Boca Raton to tackle one of the cornerstones of western music—Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony—along with the same composer’s King Stephen Overture and two works by living Miami-born composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich.
Doris Kearns Goodwin at Kaye Auditorium at FAU, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton; 3:30 p.m.; $35; 561/297-6124, fauevents.com. The renowned presidential historian and best-selling author keynotes FAU’s annual Symposium on the American Presidency. She’ll discuss her seventh book, Leadership in Turbulent Times, focusing on how presidents Lincoln, L.B. Johnson and the two Roosevelts handled crises.
The Great Mr. Swindle’s Traveling Peculiarium at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; various show times; tickets TBA; 941/445-7309, mrswindles.com. This cheeky throwback to turn-of-the-century traveling shows features characters such as Dr. Elixir, Lady Elastic, Misses Synthetic and other acrobats, comedians and aerialists—with food, drink and “potions” available in the DrinkOry Garden.
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Occidental Gypsy at Boca Black Box, 8221 Glades Road, Suite 10, Boca Raton; 8 p.m.; $35$45; 561/483-9036, bocablackbox.com. Channeling Django Reinhardt and the originators of gypsy swing music, this acoustic quartet includes violinist Eli Bishop— who happens to be the Guinness Record holder for the world’s fastest clapper! Expect gypsy sounds blended with western genres such as blues, jazz, klezmer and Latin.
Al Stewart at Crest Theatre at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $57-$87; 561/2437922, oldschoolsquare. org. This Glasgow-born singer-songwriter specializes in historical folk rock, penning clever melodies around subjects like World War I pilots, Henry VIII, the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat and more.
Dan Naturman at Mizner Park Cultural Center, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m.; 844/6722849, miznerparkculturalcenter.com. With two decades of touring under his belt, this law student-turned-comic has appeared nationally on “America’s Got Talent,” “Last Comic Standing” and all the late-night TV staples, performing a combination of Dangerfield-style grouchiness and Seinfeldian observations.
Palm Beach International Jazz Festival at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 2 and 7:30 p.m.; starting at $60; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. Two separate and distinct programs— in the afternoon and evening—showcase jazz at its most eclectic, from Songbook standards to bebop, Brazilian and Latin jazz. Performers include Tito Puente Jr., Yvette Norwood and Nicole Yarling.
Occidental Gypsy
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Palm Beach International Jazz Festival—Tito Puente
Al Stewart
Gilbert Gottfried
Feb. 21:
Feb. 21-23:
Feb. 22:
Feb. 22:
The Beach Boys at Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs; 7:30 p.m.; $63.67$95.77; 954/344-5990, thecentercs.com. Still operated by co-founder Mike Love, the pioneers of surf rock and psychpop continue to perform the iconic cuts beloved by generations, from “Fun Fun Fun” to “God Only Knows.” Each ticket purchase includes a digital download of Love’s new album, 12 Sides of Summer.
Miami City Ballet: “Firebird” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; various show times; $30$110; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. An all-new rendition of George Balanchine’s “Firebird”—a mystical fairy tale brought to life with original costumes and sets, video projection and Stravinsky’s music—is the spectacular headliner of MCB’s third program of the season. It also includes Twyla Tharp’s “Nine Sinatra Songs” and Justin Peck’s “Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes.”
Catapult at Pavilion at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $20$75; 561/243-7922, oldschoolsquare.org. Having headlined everywhere from the Vegas Strip to the palaces of the Saudi Royal Family, the dancers of this shadow-play company contort their bodies into butterflies and dragons, helicopters and mountains and desert vistas. Founder Adam Battelstein describes the project as “an art form somewhere between dance and theatre and sculpture.”
Gilbert Gottfried at the Kelsey Theater, 700 Park Ave., Lake Park; 8 p.m.; $30-$50; thekelseytheater.com. The screechyvoiced comic legend— and unceremoniously fired former AFLAC spokes-duck—enjoys wading into controversial topics, and continues to perform routines that are as absurd as they are blue, burnishing his reputation as a “comedian’s comedian.” Earplugs not included, though perhaps recommend.
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Lenore Raphael at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $35-$45; 561/4506357, artsgarage.org. World-renowned Steinway piano artist Raphael and vibraphonist Steve Hobbs will perform a tribute to the Oscar Peterson/Milt Jackson trio, whose five albums together redefined standards, show tunes and rock songs from “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” to “Mack the Knife.”
REZA: “Edge of Illusion” at Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University, 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m.; $50-$70; 561/2379000, lynn.edu. Appearing everywhere from “Duck Dynasty” to “Penn & Teller—Fool Us,” this prodigious illusionist specializes in large-scale tricks, interactive elements and skillful comedic timing.
Vinicius Cantuaria Sings Antonio Carlos Jobim at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $45; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. Revered singer, songwriter and guitarist Cantuaria pays tribute to Jobim, the godfather of bossa nova (he’s responsible for “The Girl From Ipanema”) with lyrical adaptations that fuse samba, jazz and pop.
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields with Joshua Bell at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 8 p.m.; $39-$110; 561/832-7469, kravis. org. Violin virtuoso Bell performs and conducts a trio of powerhouse symphonic compositions: Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture,” Paganini’s “Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major” and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4 in E minor.”
The Subdudes at Funky Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton; 8 p.m. Thursday, 9 p.m. Friday; $40-$60; 561/3952929, funkybiscuit. com. This eclectic New Orleans cult band has released 11 albums of sundry sounds since 1989, blending folk, swamp pop, R&B, Louisiana blues, zydeco, soul, jazz and gospel—all with only a tambourine player on percussion.
Vinicius Cantuaria
REZA
Jim Messina
Tesla Quartet
Feb. 23:
Feb. 26:
Feb. 28:
Feb. 28-March 1:
Feb. 29:
Jim Messina at Funky Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton; 7 p.m.; $55-$85; 561/3952929, funkybiscuit.com. This singer, songwriter, guitarist and five-decade hitmaker has held influential roles in three supergroups: folk rockers Buffalo Springfield, country rockers Poco and soft rock duo Loggins and Messina, which evolved from an “accidental” sit-in with Kenny Loggins into an eight-album career.
Tesla Quartet at Duncan Theatre, 4200 Congress Ave., Lake Worth; 2 p.m.; $35; 561/967-7222, duncantheatre.org. This Juilliard-formed string quartet, hailing from the U.S., South Korea and Russia, consider their music the inseparable force binding them together with their audiences. They perform with charm, wit and verve, whether it’s quartets from Hayden, Beethoven or Mozart, or new works from modern composers.
Delray String Quartet “In the Round” at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 188 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $40-$50; maspconcerts. org. Playing “in the round,” with audience seating on all sides, the Quartet will perform a “Trio of Quartet Giants,” featuring Haydn’s “Quartet in F major,” Shostakovich’s “Quartet No. 7 in F# minor” and Beethoven’s “String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat.”
Palm Beach Opera: “Il Barbiere Di Siviglia” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.; $20-$155; 561/8327469, kravis.org. NPR once lauded “The Barber of Seville” as “maybe the perfect comic opera.” Rossini’s sprightly score, full of earworms that burrow as infectiously as today’s pop songs, propels a farcical story about a count, his beloved, her grumpy keeper and the clever barber who orchestrates their madcap rendezvous.
Classic Albums Live: Creedance Clearwater Revival, “Chronicle Vol. 1” at Pavilion at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $20$75; 561/243-7922, oldschoolsquare.org. Hear live, note-for-note renditions of 20 CCR hits from the legendary swamp rockers’ essential best-of compilation, including “Bad Moon Rising,” “Fortunate Son,” “Proud Mary” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?”
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NU DECO ENSEMBLE Based in Miami, Nu Deco Ensemble is a virtuosic and eclectic chamber orchestra designed for the 21st century. Through exciting and adventurous classical music performances, Nu Deco Ensemble presents various styles of music, art and media collaborations in both traditional and alternative venues. Working in conjunction with local musicians, composers, DJs, dancers, visual and media artists, Nu Deco Ensemble creates a new hybrid of compelling musical and multimedia experiences. Blending masterful musicianship with a wide range of repertoire from classical to pop, Nu Deco Ensemble strives to be South Florida’s leader in genre-bending musical exploration.
Nu Deco Ensemble cultivates the education and development of tomorrow’s artists through digital and interactive educational performances, young composer readings and musician workshops, as well as master classes and competitions for youth. Through outreach, Nu Deco Ensemble aims to engage the community and present concerts for free to Miami’s multicultural neighborhoods where exposure to live classical performance may be limited. With goals of creating and reaching new and diverse audiences, as well as providing inspiration to young people, Nu Deco Ensemble strives to enrich the arts scene of Miami in a dramatic and sophisticated fashion. February 2020
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108 Schedule FEB 28 FRIDAY, 7:30 PM Concert: Troupe Vertigo: Fusing elements of cirque acrobatics, classical dance and contemporary theater, Troupe Vertigo retells spellbinding tales of heroism—all accompanied by a live orchestra. Mizner Park Amphitheater
MARCH 2 MONDAY, 7 PM Authors & Ideas: Novelist Jesmyn Ward is the first woman and the first person of color to win two National Book Awards for fiction, for her books Salvage the Bones and Sing, Unburied, Sing. Cultural Arts Center
FEB 29 SATURDAY, 3 PM Authors & Ideas: The Moth Story Slam: This is an open-mic storytelling competition open to anyone with a five-minute story to share on the day’s theme. Come tell a story, or just enjoy the show! Cultural Arts Center
MARCH 3 TUESDAY, 7 PM Authors & Ideas: Roz Chast: “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?” The famed New Yorker cartoonist and esteemed chronicler of anxieties brings her dry wit, humor and cartoons to Boca. Cultural Arts Center
FEB 29 SATURDAY, 7:30 PM Concert: Beethoven Birthday Bash: Constantine Kitsopoulos conducts The Symphonia and guest artists The Eroica Trio as soloists in the composer’s “Triple” Concerto. Mizner Park Amphitheater
MARCH 4 WEDNESDAY, 7 PM Authors & Ideas - Psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos: “Psychology and the Good Life.” Santos will present a set of scientifically validated strategies for living a more satisfying life. Cultural Arts Center
MARCH 1 SUNDAY, 7 PM Concert: Milos: Voice of the Guitar: Milos Karadaglic will be joined, in this performance, by a string quintet from the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University Mizner Park Amphitheater
MARCH 5 THURSDAY, 7 PM Authors & Ideas: Political analyst Amy Walter will be speaking with us two days after Super Tuesday. Mizner Park Amphitheater
MARCH 6 FRIDAY, 7:30 PM Film with Live Orchestra: The Empire Strikes Back is a deeper take than “A New Hope,” and has one of the most iconic moments (and scores) in cinema history. Constantine Kitsopoulos conducts The Symphonia. Mizner Park Amphitheater MARCH 7 SATURDAY, 7:30 PM Concert: Nu Deco Ensemble returns to the Festival after its electrifying debut last year. Mizner Park Amphitheater MARCH 8 SUNDAY, 7 PM Concert: Postmodern Jukebox plays today’s hits in vintage style. If you enjoyed Pink Martini, you will be delighted by Postmodern Jukebox! Mizner Park Amphitheater
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Live Performers Constantine Kitsopoulos Constantine Kitsopoulos, Festival Boca’s music director, has made a name for himself as a conductor whose musical experiences comfortably span the worlds of opera and symphony, where he conducts in such venues as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall and Royal Albert Hall, and musical theater, where he can be found leading orchestras on Broadway. Kitsopoulos is also general director of Chatham Opera and general director of the New York Grand Opera, and is working with the company to bring opera, free and open to the public, back to New York’s Central Park. During the 2019-20 season Maestro Kitsopoulos will conduct return engagements with the Dallas Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Toronto Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, Hartford Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and Indiana University. Highlights of the 2018-19 season included return engagements with the Dallas Symphony, Detroit Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Houston Symphony, Toronto Symphony, New York Philharmonic and Louisiana Philharmonic. Kitsopoulos also conducted Leonard Bernstein’s Mass at Indiana University Opera Theatre. Debuts included engagements with the Seattle Symphony and Phoenix Symphony.
Troupe Vertigo Fusing elements of cirque acrobatics, classical dance and contemporary theatre, Troupe Vertigo brings audiences on a spellbinding journey through the world of artistic movement. Consisting of worldclass aerial artists, contortionists and ballet dancers, the Los Angeles-based company was founded in 2009 by Artistic Director Aloysia Gavre, formerly of the internationally renowned Cirque du Soleil, and Technical Director Rex Camphuis, whose background is with the fabled Pickle Family Circus. Troupe Vertigo, whose“dizzying acts defy gravity and leave its lucky audiences in awe”(Los Angeles Times) has performed with major orchestras across North America. Troupe Vertigo’s 2019-2020 season includes performances with the Evansville Philharmonic, the Rochester Philharmonic, the Naples Philharmonic, the Baltimore Symphony, the Oregon Symphony, the Des Moines Symphony, the Phoenix Symphony, the Winnipeg Symphony and the Minnesota Orchestra. The ensemble premiered its first offering,“Big Top for a New Generation,”in 2010 at the Ford Amphitheater and has gone on to present“Nighthawks: A Film Noir Circus,”inspired by American jazz, Edward Hopper paintings and crime novels. In 2016, it premiered“Tableaux,”featuring five women grappling with the constrictions of society, at the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles. Husband-and-wife team Aloysia and Rex frequently bring their gifts and knowledge to the film and television industry, most notably with Rebel Wilson’s aerial performance in “Pitch Perfect 2” and with Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz in“Water for Elephants.”
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110 Star Wars: the Empire Strikes Back “The Empire Strikes Back” is the most critically acclaimed film in the Star Wars franchise. It is also widely regarded as one of the most important films ever: It ranked number 3 on Empire’s 2008 list of the 500 greatest movies of all time. The action picks up three years after the first film,“A New Hope,”as Darth Vader and the Emperor pursue Luke Skywalker’s friends—Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa and others— across the galaxy. Luke, meanwhile, is studying the Force under Jedi Master Yoda. When Vader captures Luke’s friends, Luke must decide whether to complete his training and become a Jedi Knight, or to confront Vader and save them. A film that literally defines the words heroic and epic,“The Empire Strikes Back” could not be more enjoyable than when viewed outdoors, on a warm spring evening, with The Symphonia (conducted by Constantine Kitsopoulos) playing out the score live before a massive 130-LCD screen. It promises to be a magical evening filled with light sabers, Jedi, Jabba the Hut and, of course, Yoda.
Miloš Karadaglić “Love at first listen”is how Miloš describes the moment when, as a child in Montenegro, he first picked up the old guitar that was lying around his childhood home gathering dust. Montenegro in the early 1990s was not an obvious gateway to future classical success when the 14-year-old decided to go to a specialist music school in London rather than a grammar school. Fast forward to 2010, when Miloš signed his first record deal with the classical label Deutsche Grammophon, and before long, he was performing sell-out concerts as a soloist with international orchestras and in recitals. He appeared in some of the most important concert halls and at major festivals around the world, while continuously topping music charts with his best-selling recordings. One of the highlights of that period was his solo guitar recital at the Royal Albert Hall to a full house, which was much lauded by the critics. Miloš’ early albums were hugely successful, while his 2014 recording of Rodrigo’s concertos with the London Philharmonic and Yannick Nezet-Seguin had the Sunday Times calling him “The King of Aranjuez.”However, his career was almost dramatically cut short when, at his peak, he was struck down by a hand injury which left him unable to play. Thankfully, in August 2018, fully recovered and mentally as well as physically stronger, Miloš made a triumphant return to the stage. In autumn 2019, he released his fifth album, Sound of Silence.
Postmodern Jukebox Postmodern Jukebox, also widely known by the acronym PMJ, is a rotating musical collective founded by arranger and pianist Scott Bradlee in 2011, when he began shooting videos with friends from college in his basement apartment in Astoria. PMJ is known for reworking popular modern music into different vintage genres, especially early 20th century forms such as swing and jazz. Postmodern Jukebox has amassed over 1.2 billion YouTube views and 4 million subscribers. Each week, Postmodern Jukebox releases a new video on YouTube. Although originally, most were filmed casually in Bradlee’s living room, sets became more elaborate over time. The band has covered songs by artists ranging from Lady Gaga and the Strokes to Katy Perry and the White Stripes. Since their beginnings as a small group of friends making music in a basement in Queens, New York, Postmodern Jukebox has gone on to feature 70 different performers and tour six continents.
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111 Eroica Trio Erika Nickrenz, piano | Sara Parkins, violin | Sara Sant’Ambrogio, cello The most sought-after trio in the world, the Grammy-nominated Eroica Trio enraptures audiences with flawless technical virtuosity, irresistible enthusiasm and sensual elegance. The three women who make up this celebrated ensemble electrify the concert stage with their passionate performances. The New York Times writes,“There is an edge-of-the-seat intensity to every note they produce.” The Trio won the prestigious Naumburg Award, resulting in a highly successful Lincoln Center debut, and has since toured the United States, Europe, the Middle East, South America and Asia. While maintaining their demanding concert schedule, the Eroica Trio has released eight critically lauded recordings for Angel/EMI Classics Records, garnering them multiple Grammy nominations. The first all-female chamber ensemble to reach the top echelon of the field, the women of the Eroica Trio have shattered the age-old gender barrier, leading the vanguard and inspiring many to follow. Whether the Eroica Trio is interpreting the Baroque masters, the power and strength of Beethoven, the jazzy tunes of Schoenfield or the bluegrass toe-tapping rhythms of Mark O’Connor, their performances are deeply personal and continue to thrill audiences around the world. To quote the San Francisco Examiner, “It has been decades since this country has produced a chamber music organization with this much passion...”
The Moth The Moth is dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. It was founded in 1997 by poet and novelist George Dawes Green, who wanted to re-create the feeling of sultry summer evenings in his native Georgia, when moths were attracted to the light on the porch where he and his friends would gather to spin spellbinding tales. Green and his original group of storytellers called themselves“The Moths,”and Green took the name with him to New York. The nonprofit organization now runs over 500 different storytelling programs a year in more than 25 U.S. cities and four international cities, offering the unique perspectives of both average, everyday people, and literary or cultural personalities. The Moth offers a weekly podcast, and in 2009 launched a national public radio show, The Moth Radio Hour. The organization also hosts Moth StorySLAM events—open-mic storytelling competitions open to everyone in the audience. Ten participants are chosen at random from a pool of volunteer storytellers to tell a true story (without notes) in the five-to-six-minute range. Storytellers are scored based on the content of their stories, and their storytelling abilities, by three teams of judges—selected from audience members—on a scale from one to ten. The storyteller with the highest score wins the StorySLAM.
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Authors & Ideas Amy Walter
Laurie Santos
For more than 20 years, Amy Walter has built a reputation as an accurate, objective and insightful political analyst with unparalleled access to campaign insiders and decision-makers. Known as one of the best political journalists covering Washington, she is national editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report and a frequent on-air analyst. In addition to her weekly appearance on the popular “Politics Monday”segment on the PBS NewsHour, Amy also hosts WNYC’s nationally syndicated public radio news program,“Politics with Amy Walter”on The Takeaway. She is also a regular Sunday panelist on NBC’s“Meet the Press “and CBS’s “Face The Nation,” and appears frequently on“Special Report with Bret Baier “on FOX. She is the former political director of ABC News. In her presentations, Walter expertly breaks down the electoral process, congressional culture and the Washington political scene, creating a witty and ccccompelling presentation. Her reliable and accurate analysis has earned her numerous accolades.
Psychologist Dr. Laurie Santos is an expert on human cognition, its origins and the evolutionary biases that influence our all-too-imperfect life choices. She is also knowledgeable in how behavioral change through positive psychology can lead to a happy and fulfilling life. Currently the big project of Dr. Santos is to positively influence the culture of Yale University by teaching happiness and well-being. In her course, Psychology and the Good Life, Santos teaches her 1,200 students about behavioral change through positive psychology. Dr. Santos wants her students to be more grateful, procrastinate less and increase social connections. She believes that those positive habits will decrease mental health issues on campus and create happier and more motivated students. Dr. Santos obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology from Harvard University. Her numerous awards for science, teaching and mentorship include the Stanton Prize from the Society for Philosophy and Psychology for outstanding contributions to interdisciplinary research.
Jesmyn Ward
Roz Chast
MacArthur Genius and two-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward has been hailed as the standout writer of her generation, proving her “fearless and toughly lyrical” voice in novels, memoir and nonfiction. Betsy Burton of the American Booksellers Association has called her “the new Toni Morrison.” In 2017, she became the first woman and the first person of color to win two National Book Awards for Fiction—joining the ranks of William Faulkner, Saul Bellow, John Cheever, Philip Roth and John Updike. Ward’s stories are largely set on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, where she grew up and still lives. When Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, Ward was forced to evacuate her rapidly flooding home. Her writing is deeply informed by the trauma of Katrina, not to mention its unimaginable social and economic repercussions. Her novel Salvage the Bones won the 2011 National Book Award, as did her third novel, Sing, Unburied, Sing.
Since joining The New Yorker in 1978, Roz Chast has established herself as one of our greatest artistic chroniclers of the anxieties, superstitions, furies, insecurities and surreal imaginings of modern life. Her works are typically populated by hapless but relatively cheerful“everyfolk,”and she addresses the universal topics of guilt, aging, families, money, real estate and more. David Remnick, the editor of The New Yorker, has called her“the magazine’s only certifiable genius.” Chast is the author of more than a dozen books for adults, including Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant? (2014), a work that chronicles her relationship with her aging parents as they shift from independence to dependence. Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant? is a New York Times 2014 Best Book of the Year, 2014 National Book Award Finalist, winner of the 2014 Kirkus Prize, and a winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for the best books of 2014. Roz Chast is also the author of numerous books for children.
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February 2020
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Ask The Experts 2020 Seventeen stand-out professionals took the time to answer our questions about the expertise, offerings and the inspiration behind their success. Learn about these distinguished experts and you may just want to add them to your list of contacts!
The Expert in South Florida Real Estate Susan Demerer, Realtor BEX REALTY Susan Demerer has a distinguished track record matching buyers with sellers, and is one of the nation’s premier specialists in luxury and country club real estate. She ranks in the top one tenth of one percent of all Realtors nationwide, had the highest number of transactions by an individual in Boca Raton in 2018 with 102 closed transactions, and successfully closed 86 transactions in 2019. Susan continually ranks in the top three of over 288 agents for BEX Realty, is ranked #1 in Home Sales in Central Boca Raton (area 4560) and #1 agent in Broken Sound Country Club.
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What sets you apart in the competitive real estate market?
I eat, sleep and breathe real estate. I work 24/7, and my main goal is to make my clients happy. My expertise is in my negotiating skills and quick response time. Returning phone calls and keeping my clients informed is always a priority. I specialize in country clubs and high-end luxury properties. I don’t just list your house; I sell your house.
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When is the best time to sell a home and what marketing tools do you use?
PHOTO: PAULETTE MARTIN
Since Florida is a tourist state, now is the ideal time to connect with potential buyers. I use many marketing tools including weekly email newsletters, monthly newspaper ads, property flyers, and my own magazine. The key to my marketing strategy is consistency and the use of high-quality professional photographs. BEX Realty has one of the best real estate websites, and our properties are syndicated to over 200 sites globally. Our website generates customized reports based on your property and community, which target interested parties and brings buyers directly to me. With more than 675,000 registered users on our website, our database for potential buyers is easily accessible.
561-213-6347 susan@bexrealty.com
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The Expert in Psychic & Spiritual Healing Stephanie Miller PSYCHIC STEPHANIE
Stephanie Miller is a psychic medium, spiritual healer and love expert, offering clients insight about the past, present and future through clairvoyant visual representations of information. As an empath and spiritual healer, Miller is attuned to her clients’ feelings, opening their energies and lifting them to a higher consciousness. With an ancestry of healers and psychic mediums behind her, Miller helps her clients connect to their spirituality and provides them with the information most important to them, whether it be clarity, confirmation, answers or spiritual healing.
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What does a psychic do?
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How did you discover your gift?
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What part of being a Psychic inspires you most?
A psychic can connect with the past, present, and future to answer questions and provide clarity. Using my gifts, I can help a person see what is needed or missing in their lives, sense their feelings and offer guidance to help others help themselves.
I first experienced visions and dreams when I was five years old. Coming from several generations of clairvoyants and spiritual healers, I was familiar with these gifts from a young age.
It is incredibly rewarding to provide unique understanding to my clients. I help them to see their lives in a new light and approach things differently. It’s inspiring to see a lightbulb turn on and hear them respond, “That’s what’s wrong. That is what I need to do.”
(561) 757-5899 psychicmedium.net
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The Expert in Uninsured Motorist Coverage David Zappitell ZAPPITELL LAW FIRM Attorney David Zappitell limits and restricts the number of cases that he takes on at his personal injury law firm in Delray Beach, so that every client is treated like a “big fish in a small sea.” Zappitell considers his firm to be an Old School law practice, achieving great results for people by treating them the way they deserve to be treated. Often times, uninsured motorists are the cause of catastrophic injuries and death. For that reason, Zappitell counsels his clients on how to protect themselves before tragedy strikes.
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What is uninsured motorist coverage?
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Won’t that coverage make my premiums go higher?
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How do I know if I have this coverage?
This is the most important insurance coverage for your automobile as it steps into the shoes of an at fault driver and protects you, your family members and your passengers. If you are hit as a pedestrian, bicyclist or in your car by another vehicle they likely have no bodily injury coverage which is currently not required in Florida. Seventy eight percent of the time you will be in an accident with somebody that has no insurance to compensate you. Uninsured motorist coverage fills that void.
Underinsured motorist coverage is mandated to be offered by insurance companies to an equal or lesser limit as your Bodily Injury Coverage. These rates are regulated and considering the coverage provided, it is not expensive.
PHOTO: MICHELE EVE PHOTOGRAPHY
Insurance companies frequently recommend individuals reject this coverage and you have to make sure if you’re purchasing insurance online that you accept the same limits as your bodily injury coverage. Make sure you have Uninsured Motorist Coverage to the same policy limits as your bodily injury coverage, of which I recommend a minimum of $100,000 per person policy limits. Call for a free insurance consultation.
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The Expert in Hair Transplantation & Restoration Kanwal Bawa, D.O. BAWA MEDICAL Dr. Bawa attended medical school at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine and then completed an internship and residency in Emergency Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.Dr. Bawa underwent specialized training for hair transplantation and restoration, as well as laser surgery and cutting edge treatments for exceptional skin, hair and intimate rejuvenation. While she is a trained surgeon, she prefers to start with restorative therapies first if the patient comes to her early enough in the hair loss process. Often called “Rejuvenation Queen,” she focuses on making her patients better from the inside out.
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You treat both men and women with hair loss but you are very passionate about hair loss in women. Why is that?
Hair loss is a very intimate issue to women and while 40 percent of women have visible hair loss by the age of 40, they seldom seek help. I underwent a hair transplant at age 38 myself and understand their pain. I can truly change lives, not just physically but emotionally.
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What therapies do you use for hair loss in addition to hair transplant surgery?
I formulate a customized treatment plan after a discussion with my patients about their individual needs, and it usually includes a combination of Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix treatments with scalp microneedling, oral and topical medications, as well as low level laser therapy. It is a multifaceted approach to a complex problem.
What other services do you offer at your medspa?
Bawa Medical is more than just a medspa. It is a state-of-the-art rejuvenation center where I provide world class hair restoration as well as skin and intimate rejuvenation using patented laser technology, the Profound® Non-Surgical Facelift, growth factor and stem cell therapy, Silhouette InstaLift®, Hydrafacial®, and more. I am also certified in the Vampire Facial®, Vampire Facelift®, Vampire Breast Lift®, P-Shot®, O-Shot® and Wing Lift®.
561-453-2020 bawamedical.com SPONSORED CONTENT
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The Expert in Joint Replacement and Sports Medicine Jonathan B. Courtney, MD ORTHOPAEDIC SURGICAL ASSOCIATES Dr. Jonathan B. Courtney is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, fellowship trained in joint reconstruction and arthroscopic surgery. His practice consists of lower extremity fracture care and surgery, total knee and hip replacement surgeries, revision knee and hip replacement surgeries and arthroscopic knee and hip surgery. Dr. Courtney has traveled the world presenting his research ranging from basic science to clinical techniques in joint reconstruction.
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How does your surgical expertise/ training aid in a patient’s renewed functionality?
I have merged the two specialties of sports medicine and joint reconstruction to provide my patients a unique perspective to “get them back in the game,” whether they are a weekend warrior or an elite athlete. As a surgeon, and as an athlete myself, I realize the importance of lifestyle expectations that people have. I utilize the latest technology, advanced metals, plastics, ceramics, and techniques available so that many of my patients are returning to playing sports after joint replacements and enjoying the active lifestyles that were hindered by their conditions.
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As a practicing hip and knee surgeon, are you involved in any academic acitivities?
For the last several years I have taught other surgeons on minimally invasive hip and knee replacements as well as revision surgery. I also author many articles on the subject and recently published a chapter for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons surgical insights course entitled “Knee Anatomy and Bio-mechanics in Total Knee Arthroplasty.”
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What is the appropriate age to consider joint replacement?
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Being told “you are too young for joint replacement” is no longer true. Today’s technology is spectacular, and for most people a joint replacement is a life-long prosthesis.
561-395-5733 jonathancourtneymd.com
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The Expert in Buying & Borrowing Against Jewelry Mia Chalik DIAMOND BANC HOLDINGS, LLC Mia Chalik is the Market Director of the Diamond Banc in Boca Raton. With more than 25 years of expertise dealing in fine jewelry, designer pieces and luxury watches, combined with her vast knowledge of the jewelry industry, GIA certification and loan expertise, Mia and the expert staff at Diamond Banc provide clients the opportunity of selling their jewelry or obtaining a jewelry equity loan. Offering clients the ability to turn to their jewelry for their liquidity needs, while providing the same professionalism and confidentiality of a traditional bank has proven to be a successful and innovative business model.
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What is a jewelry equity loan?
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What is involved in the process?
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What items does Diamond Banc accept?
A jewelry equity loan allows a person to borrow funds against the liquid value of their fine jewelry. The items are kept at a nondisclosed, secure location until the loan has been paid back, then the jewelry is returned to the customer. Diamond Banc is unique in the flexibility that structures a loan based on our clients’ personal needs.
Diamond Banc accepts diamonds of at least .75 carats, and fine diamond jewelry; designer jewelry (Cartier, Graff, Harry Winston, etc.); luxury watches (Rolex, Patek Philippe, etc.); precious metals (gold and platinum coins/bullion and sterling silver flatware). In addition, coveted designer handbags such as Hermès, Chanel and Louis Vuitton are very desirable.
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PHOTO: AARON BRISTOL
Whether a client wants to sell a piece of jewelry or obtain a loan, the process is easy. Clients start by filling out a no-obligation online form and after review of the information, we contact them with an initial offer. Or, they can call and set up an appointment at their convenience. After reviewing the items, we will provide the funds to the customer immediately.
The Expert in Eclecticism Joslin Kryjcir VINTAGE TESS BOUTIQUE When Joslin Kryjcir was 12 years old, her mother took her out of school for six months to travel together through Europe. The “home schooling” she received at that time transpired in the halls of the Louvre, getting lost between the maze-like sidewalks of Venice, and scouring the streets of London in search of antiques. After returning from Europe, they moved from a small town in upstate New York to Manhattan where Joslin went on to graduate from The New School with an art history degree, and then worked in the art field on and off for years. As excited as she was to be accepted into the Industrial Design graduate program at Pratt, she dropped out, instead pursuing her own colorful journey, collecting treasures from around the world, steeped in heartfelt memories.
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What exactly is eclecticism?
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What gave you the idea for your boutique, Vintage Tess?
Eclecticism is the practice of mixing different cultures, styles, eras and price points. You can be eclectic in all aspects of your life to showcase your unique creativity. For example, for home interior design you can pair a brand new sofa with an antique rug, or modern Target end tables with mid-century designer lamps. Eclectic fashion might mix a simple chic dress from Marshall’s with an Hermès scarf and vintage jewelry. For an eclectic dinner, you might serve a Mexican lasagne. It’s all about blending and mixing, and knowing what works.
PHOTO: AARON BRISTOL
Growing up, my mother and grandmother each had strong personal styles. My mother was about simplicity and elegance. My grandmother, Tess, had taste that ran the gamut from traditional to “out there,” and she loved shopping at discount and second-hand stores just as much as she adored Neiman Marcus. I learned my love of design from them both, but my grandma had a unique creative vision which she passed down to me. So when I decided to open an eclectic home furnishings boutique, it seemed like a wonderful way to honor her by naming the shop after her. I think Vintage Tess embodies the idea of Eclecticism in all its forms from stationary to hand-made home décor, refurbished vintage furniture and an artisan line of precious and semi-precious jewelry from India, some of which I designed myself.
646-498-8867 vintagetess.com
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The Expert in Custom Home Building Marc Julien MARC JULIEN HOMES, LLC Marc Julien Homes, LLC is a luxury home builder with a unique ability to transform a client’s vision into a magnificent selfexpression of architecture and interior design. Marc Julien has built more than 65 homes totaling $90 million in construction with a market value of $200 million. “Being busy is important but the most important thing is maintaining our level of quality workmanship and service as our company expands into real estate development, project management and general contracting,” explains Marc.
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How is the best way to pick a contractor?
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Why are some contractors less expensive?
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How do you justify Cost vs Quality?
When searching for a contractor, references are imperative. Going to see their workmanship and discussing with previous clients if they completed the work on-time are crucial questions to ask. Lastly, knowing whether the contractor was able to complete the project for the agreed upon amount is something you should know. Financial surprises add a lot of stress to the construction.
Some contractors will bid low, knowing they will get the contract and once the work starts, they hit you with change order after change order. A huge cost for a general contractor is insurance liability and workers comp. Always make sure your contractor is fully insured and that the contractors they use are insured. Most smaller contractors will say they are exempt from worker’s compensation insurance. Ask to see the certificate and make sure that everyone on-site is exempt.
There is always a reason that someone is less expensive. For example, if a pool contractor is less expensive than another, it is most likely because his labor costs are less. The more qualified a person is or the more work experience someone has, they typically charge more. Quality and experience are directly related to how much things cost. Remember, the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten. PHOTO: AARON BRISTOL
954-200-7758 marcjulienhomes.com
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The Expert in Insurance Claims C. Glen Ged, Esquire and CEO GED LAWYERS, LLP A graduate of New England School Of Law, Mr. Ged has been admitted to practice law in the states of Florida, New Jersey and Massachusetts. An active member of several trade organizations, Mr. Ged is an Eagle member of the Florida Justice Association. For more information please come visit our Boca Raton, FL office or visit our website at www.gedlawyers.com
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How does your firm help clients with insurance claims?
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What other kinds of cases does your firm handle?
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How does your firm benefit a client?
One of the many areas our firm concentrates on is claims for property damage for both commercial and residential properties against insurance companies. We are consumer advocates when insurance companies don’t pay the appropriate amount, delay or deny a claim. We inspect the property and look for damage to the structure from fire, flood or hurricanes and we will fight to substantially increase the value of the claim based upon the evidence that we find, through our experts and attorneys.
Our other areas of concentration include personal injury and wrongful death claims, as well as personal injury protection claims for healthcare professionals and estate planning for individuals and families. Not only do we have the financial ability, expertise and skills to fight these cases against the insurance companies, but with the tragedies we see in people’s homes and lives there’s also a level of compassion needed, and we are there for our clients as a counselor and friend to guide them through the entire legal process.
Our mission is to right a wrong and find a solution. We have done so for 25 years and we will continue to do so anyway we can, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We work on a contingency fee basis. Our goal is to add massive value to the community we serve.
PHOTO: AARON BRISTOL
561-995-1966 gedlawyers.com
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The Expert in Coastal Interior Design Olga Adler OLGA ADLER INTERIORS Olga Adler is president and principal designer of Olga Adler Interiors, a boutique studio offering full service decorating expertise to clients in Palm Beach County. Since establishing her namesake studio in 2003, Adler has worked with the best and most innovative suppliers and service providers. Born and educated in Europe, she began her career in marketing and public relations, and she brings her extensive project management experience to each of her design jobs, allowing her busy clients to truly enjoy the design process with peace of mind and delight in the results.
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What inspired your coastal home decorating niche and passion?
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Why do clients seek your services?
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What is your favorite kind of project to take on?
There is something truly special about coastal living, the energy of the ocean and the creativity it inspires. I find coastal towns to be more cosmopolitan and vibrant with their mix of people, influences and cultures. My designs are organic and inspired by nature and global travels.
Building or renovating a home is a complex process that can be very overwhelming. There are hundreds of decisions that have to be made in an organized and timely manner. My clients look to me to guide them through this experience in a collaborative and fun way.
I love working with clients who understand that luxury and comfort have to go hand in hand. I enjoy getting inspired by my clients - their life, interests and passions. I like mixing their heirlooms with new and custom furnishings to create an expertly edited look that seems natural, as if it evolved over time.
PHOTO: AARON BRISTOL
561-617-0725 olgaadlerinteriors.com
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The Expert in Healthy Sleep Jack Dell’Accio, Founder & CEO ESSENTIA NATURAL MEMORY FOAM MATTRESSES Jack 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 drilled down on one that he knew he could help make better: the mattress.
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Is it true that you spend a third of your life sleeping on what can be the most toxic item in your home?
Yes, this is where I 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. Traditionally found in synthetic mattresses, these harmful agents can affect your body at its most vulnerable time, during sleep when it should be recovering from the day.
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How do Essentia mattresses promote healthy sleep?
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How has Essentia been received in the mattress industry?
Beyond creating a high-quality healthy foam, I ensure that Essentia mattresses also perform better than any mattress on the market, with the distinction of 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 and increased blood circulation. This is why 25 percent of professional hockey players, including multiple Stanley Cup Champions, sleep on Essentia mattresses.
The credibility of the quality and performance of 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, such as Deepak Chopra and Brian Clement of the Hippocrates Health Institute.
561- 571-9300 myessentia.com
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The Expert in Protecting Earth’s Animals Robin R. Ganzert, PhD, President and CEO AMERICAN HUMANE From saving abandoned animals in disasters to protecting endangered species, rescuing emaciated dogs from puppy mills, and protecting animals on farms, in zoos, and in Hollywood, Dr. Robin Ganzert has found her calling, serving animals in need of rescue, shelter or protection. Since her appointment as President and CEO of American Humane in 2010, Dr. Ganzert has spearheaded unprecedented growth at the historic 142-year-old nonprofit, the country’s most effective humane organization. A highly sought-after public speaker, author, filmmaker and passionate activist, Dr. Ganzert is regularly featured in the nation’s leading media outlets as an authoritative voice on animal welfare.
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What inspires you most about your work for animal welfare?
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How have you helped the food animal population?
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What is your greatest concern facing animals today?
I want to have the opportunity to make the largest impact for the greatest number of animals. That we are able to help one billion creatures worldwide each and every year fills me with gratitude for how much we have done and fuels my ambition to do even more.
Helping improve the welfare of the 9 billion animals in U.S. food production is one of my biggest priorities. We’ve already helped 4.5 billion farm animals live better lives and now certify 90 percent of all cage-free eggs. Please help by choosing foods with the American Humane Certified seal.
PHOTO: MICHAEL PRICE
I am especially concerned about one million species in danger of disappearing forever. American Humane is working with zoological organizations to preserve Earth’s animals and I’m producing a documentary, “Escape from Extinction,” on efforts to save them. I hope people follow this project and all our work to help animals at AmericanHumane.org.
561-537-5887 americanhumane.org
SPONSORED CONTENT
The Expert in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Rafael C. Cabrera, MD, FACS PLASTIC SURGERY SPECIALISTS OF BOCA RATON Dr. Rafael C. Cabrera is board certified in general surgery and plastic surgery. He has been practicing plastic and reconstructive surgery in Boca Raton for more than two decades and is on staff exclusively at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Dr. Cabrera received his BA with Distinction from Cornell University in 1985 before graduating from New York University School of Medicine in 1989. He completed his Surgery Residency and Plastic Surgery Fellowship at the New York University Medical Center Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and the prestigious Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital.
Q A
What defines a good facelift?
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How do you achieve natural looking results?
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What procedures are popular for men?
A good facelift means you look beautifully natural without anyone knowing you’ve had work done. Tightening the muscle layer and ligaments is often necessary to get a more youthful contour. Adding volume with natural tissue, like your own fat and stem cells, will augment and rejuvenate your face by replacing facial deflation associated with aging.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF CARLOS ARISTIZABAL
Using the correct technique ensures natural looking results.A multitude of tools are used to regain a more youthful appearance. Over-lasering the face or over-filling the cheeks and lips to hide every last wrinkle is not flattering. Ultimately, patients rely on my expertise, aesthetic judgement, and integrity.
Since men now work longer, play harder, and can maintain muscle mass by exercising, it is important to have their faces match their bodies. An eye and neck lift can greatly improve their appearance by simply erasing the physical manifestations of aging. Success is achieved when your friends and family can’t quite figure out why you look so good!
561-393-6400 pssbocaraton.com SPONSORED CONTENT
The Expert in Medical Malpractice Cases Gary M. Cohen, Partner GROSSMAN ROTH YAFFA COHEN TRIAL LAWYERS Attorney Gary M. Cohen is one of the few, if not the only, attorney in South Florida to solely practice medical malpractice for the past 40 years. Mr. Cohen’s dedication and expertise have earned him membership in the exclusive American Board of Trial Advocates, as well as the presidency of the Broward County Trial Lawyers Association. “I’m fascinated by the medicine, the challenge and mostly by the ability to help families survive after they become victims of malpractice,” he explains.
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What types of medical malpractice cases are becoming more prevalent?
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How can these tragedies be avoided?
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How can patients protect themselves from surgical nightmares?
A recent USA Today article states that we are the worst country in the industrialized world when it comes to women having injuries or dying while giving birth. Sadly, 90 percent of these cases are a result of malpractice. Many of these women bleed to death or go into a coma or vegetative state.
PHOTO: MICHELE EVE PHOTOGRAPHY
Patients must do their due diligence and ask the doctor how they handle complications, long before signing away their rights or going into surgery. If a doctor does not carry medical malpractice insurance, my advice to the patient is to run out of the office and find a physician who is willing to stand behind their expertise by providing the security of financial compensation should something go wrong.
They should think long and hard if the risk of the surgery is worth the reward, especially for elective cosmetic procedures. Infections, blood clots, strokes and heart attacks often occur in understaffed outpatient facilities that are not geared to handle medical emergencies that often lead to incapacitation or death. Never be lured into a nonhospital facility for discounted or multiple procedures with hours under anesthesia.
561-367-8666 grossmanroth.com
SPONSORED CONTENT
The Expert in Architectural Design Stacy Levine STACY LEVINE DESIGNS Designer Stacy Levine was born in New York and studied sports communications, working in what most would consider a dream job with the NFL. She soon learned that the “man’s world” she was immersed in did not fulfill her creative aspirations. While in college, her parents in Florida were hurt by an interior designer’s work. She wasn’t there to help and began thinking about pursuing a career in the business and went on to study architectural design. Now in her 30th year, Stacy is a seasoned residential and commercial interior design professional, working with home owners, residential home builders, nonprofit organizations and corporations.
Q A
What makes you unique in your industry?
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What makes you connect with your clients?
I don’t have a cookie-cutter style. The first thing I do is listen to clients. Then I educate them on what style they really want based on what they tell me about how they live. I always tell them, “Today you’re going to question everything I say to you.” And somewhere along the way they end up saying to me, “Stacy tell me what I need to know.” I don’t push that. Trust has to come over time. Clients realize they hired me for a reason and I show them why every time.
561-702-5128 stacylevinedesigns.com
SPONSORED CONTENT
PHOTO: AARON BRISTOL
I’m a pleaser. I look at what people want and what makes people happy. I’m not about the bottom line. My calling card is spacial planning. I go to all the major art and design shows and work diligently to find something different that nobody else has or I present it in such a way that makes a new exciting statement. I work in New York City, Long Island, Colorado and of course, Florida. I go where I have personal connections.
The Expert in Finding Love Connections Maureen Tara Nelson, Executive Level Certified Matchmaker MTN MATCHMAKING INC. Maureen Tara Nelson was a successful pharmaceutical rep in New York. After years spent learning about human behavior, a dating service opened on Long Island. She instantly made a career change to the dating industry, knowing this was her calling. She has now been in the dating industry for more than 18 years as a matchmaker, and has more than 1,000 success stories to her credit. MTN now has offices on Long Island, New York City and in Mizner Park in Boca.
Q A
What makes MTN Matchmaking different than other matchmaking services?
We feel at MTN Matchmaking that our method of matchmaking is the safest way of meeting singles. We offer a free consultation, and we do not accept everyone. All clients must pass our thorough screening process to see that they are emotionally and financially stable, looking for a committed relationship and that they have no felony criminal record.
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How do you attract qualified candidates?
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What is the secret to your success?
Both men and women pay, which keeps out the “gold diggers.� It also allows us to have a high-end database of quality singles. We offer five different programs, which begin at only $995 up to our highest program for celebrities for only $6,500. This is a fraction of the cost of other matchmaking services, yet we offer so much more.
We personally match all of our clients using my private, hand-selected method based upon three parts of compatibility. The secret to our success is matching our clients by compatibility and chemistry (and yes, we show photos.)
561-334-6773 mtnmatchmakingboca.com
SPONSORED CONTENT
The Expert in Luxury Living Marisela Cotilla Executive Director of Sales ALINA RESIDENCES BOCA RATON Marisela Cotilla has over thirty five years of experience in luxury residential, commercial real estate and mortgage lending. Marisela’s experience has allowed her to service prominent clients such as GE Capital, Tribune Media, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Barnett Bank, and Kenworth Truck Company, just to name a few. While working as an investment broker she closed more than $220M in commercial properties. As Director of Sales with the Douglas Elliman Development Marketing team, she is involved in launching some of the most luxurious residences in Boca Raton and Palm Beach, including ALINA Residences Boca Raton and The Bristol.
Q A
How do you know when it is time to transition from a home to a condominium?
As residents transition to a new phase of life, whether their children are off to school or they are making changes to their professional lives, it’s usually a good time to consider transitioning from a home to a condominium. Less space to maintain, convenient locations in town and more service at your fingertips are all things to consider. All the things that add up to more free time and more me time!
Q A
What should buyers be looking for if they are looking to transition out of a singlefamily home? Lifestyle is the number one thing to keep in mind when transitioning to a new type of property. Residences that offer a walkable lifestyle with unparalleled service and amenities allow people to have an exceptional quality of life with less hassle. Many buyers are looking for “lock and leave” properties. This appeals to both traditional “snowbirds” who are transitioning from Northern areas and full-time residents who choose to travel freely without worrying about taking care of their properties.
What type of products on the market are a fit for transitional living?
When it comes to transitional living, residents are looking for walkability and a convenient lifestyle. For example, with ALINA Residences, owners have access to an incredible location adjacent to the iconic Boca Raton Resort’s golf course and within walking distance of shops, entertainment, restaurants and nightlife– not to mention the beach. The amenities are top-notch and provide our residents with a lifestyle of luxury and relaxation!
561.717.7900 www.alinabocaraton.com
SPONSORED CONTENT
PHOTO: AARON BRISTOL
Q A
SEE OUR VIEW THROUGH YOUR OWN EYES
The true artistry of ALINA is coming into view in 2020. This private oasis of impeccably designed residences, villas, and penthouses adjacent to the iconic Boca Raton Resort & Club golf course is taking shape more quickly than ever. Now is the time to see how ALINA is reshaping the definition of Boca luxury. 1 to 4 Bedroom Residences Priced from under $1M to over $6M ON-SITE TOURS BEGINNING THIS SPRING U N D E R C O N S T R U C T I O N | A N T I C I PAT E D O C C U PA N C Y L AT E 2 0 2 0
Sales and Model Gallery | 300 SE Mizner Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432 561.990.2979 | alinabocaraton.com ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. THIS OFFERING IS MADE ONLY BY THE OFFERING DOCUMENTS FOR THE CONDOMINIUM AND NO STATEMENT SHOULD BE RELIED UPON IF NOT MADE IN THE OFFERING DOCUMENTS. THIS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL, OR SOLICITATION OF OFFERS TO BUY, THE CONDOMINIUM UNITS IN STATES WHERE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION CANNOT BE MADE. PRICES, PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PRICING IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. EL-AD GROUP, LTD. (“EL AD”) IS NOT THE PROJECT DEVELOPER. THIS CONDOMINIUM IS BEING DEVELOPED BY ALINA BOCA RATON LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (“DEVELOPER”). ANY AND ALL STATEMENTS, DISCLOSURES AND/OR REPRESENTATIONS SHALL BE DEEMED MADE BY DEVELOPER AND NOT BY EL AD AND YOU AGREE TO LOOK SOLELY TO DEVELOPER (AND NOT TO EL AD AND/OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES) WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE MARKETING AND/OR DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONDOMINIUM AND WITH RESPECT TO THE SALES OF UNITS IN THE CONDOMINIUM. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, INCLUDING PRICING, IS SOLELY FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES, AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. IMAGE IS ARTIST’S CONCEPTUAL RENDERING. FOR NEW YORK PURCHASERS ONLY, THE CPS-12 APPLICATION FOR THE CONDOMINIUM HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE STATE OF NEW YORK, DEPARTMENT OF LAW (FILE NO. CP18-0136). WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THIS OFFERING. THIS ADVERTISEMENT IS A SOLICITATION FOR THE SALE OF UNITS IN ALINA BOCA RATON: N.J. REG. NO. 19-04-0004. THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND SALESMEN F-1266-01-01
WHAT’S YOUR PASSION? EXP
L O R E AT G P S
While providing a safe and nurturing environment, Grandview emphasizes: - School-life balance by supporting the student’s passions, both inside and out of school - Student-centered learning - Timeless ethics with modern thought
NEW West Boca campus opening in Fall 2020! Now enrolling! 336 Spanish River Blvd. NW | Boca Raton, FL 33431 | 561.416.9737 | www.grandviewprep.net Grandview Preparatory School admits students of any race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
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DEVOTED TO HEALING. DEFINED BY RESULTS. Depression Anxiety Addiction Eating Disorders DBT PTSD 403 SE 1st ST • Delray Beach FL 33483 • 561.921.8860 • DelrayCenter.com
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Raul J. Rodriguez, MD Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology Diplomate, American Board of Addiction Medicine
12/2/19 11:32 AM
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AVDA’s® 13th Annual
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 10:30am-1:30pm Royal Palm Yacht Club, Boca Raton Co-Chairs
Anne Vegso and Rosemary Krieger SPEAKER: Audrey-May Prosper Sur-Thriver of domestic and sexual violence
COMMUNITY SERVICE HONOREE: Kol, Therapy Dog, and his owner
Jane Eisenberg
Visit avdaonline.org/heart-woman for tickets
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12th Annual
THE MENUS ARE IN! March 23, 2020
Rain Date: March 24, 2020 Make your reservations for a memorable evening of dining under the stars—and down the double yellow line of famed Atlantic Avenue—at the food and wine event of the year. Join hundreds of guests—and 14 of Downtown Delray’s finest restaurants—at Florida’s longest dining table, one that runs more than five blocks. This is the event you don’t want to miss.
Reservations open February 1, 2020 at all participating restaurants.
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P RE SE N T E D B Y
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To learn more about Savor the Avenue, visit Bocamag.com/Savor-The-Avenue-2020 or DowntownDelrayBeach.com/SavorTheAvenue
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EVENT DE TAILS WHAT: This 12-year-old tradition of dining under the stars on East Atlantic Avenue is a four-course sit-down dining experience in downtown Delray Beach that you won’t want to miss. Each restaurant will be serving a specially designed four-course dinner with beverage pairings. WHERE: Downtown Delray Beach on East Atlantic Avenue from Swinton Avenue to East Fifth Avenue (U.S. 1) outside on the street.
WHEN: Mon., March 23 Rain Date: Tues., March 24 Time: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
CHARITY: Community Greening is a Delray Beach-based nonprofit dedicated to planting trees and protecting green spaces. Matt Shipley and Mark Cassini are behind the charity, which is patterned on a host of other grassroots urban forestry organizations around the country that are working to increase the local tree canopy and educate people on the critical role trees can play in the urban infrastructure. It provides native trees and certain fruit trees to eligible groups and neighborhoods at no cost, taking on the site and species selection, making sure any necessary permits are in place, and providing the tools needed for planting. The silver palms, red maples, avocados and other trees Community Greening is planting help clean the air and water, increase property values, improve health and well-being and reduce energy bills. RESERVE YOUR SEAT: (no ticket to be purchased—reservations only) Reservations are to be made directly with the restaurant of your choice. Review the restaurant listings and menu offerings within this section. Menus are available
online at Bocamag.com/Savor-TheAvenue-2020 or DowntownDelrayBeach. com/SavorTheAvenue or at the restaurant. Contact the restaurant of your choice to make a reservation. Seating is limited. Reservations reserved with a credit card depend on each restaurant’s policy.
6:15 p.m.: Seating begins. Welcome comments and grand toast to kick off the dinner feast.
HOW TO CHECK IN AT THE EVENT: Arrive on the evening of March 23 and make your way to the restaurant location on East Atlantic Avenue. Each restaurant’s tables will be near its physical location. Check in with the host/hostess to receive your Savor the Avenue lanyard. Show the lanyard to receive complimentary cocktails at beverage stations within the event. A Savor restaurant map will be listed on DowntownDelrayBeach.com/ SavorTheAvenue
7:30 p.m.: Table décor contest winner announced. Attire: Downtown Delray Beach evening casual or themed depending on the restaurant motif.
TABLE DÉCOR CONTEST: For the eighth year, Savor the Avenue restaurants will be competing for the “Best in Show” table. From elegant to eclectic, each restaurant stages a unique theme through its table settings to showcase its special style or cuisine. Arrive early and walk the Avenue to view the beautifully decorated tables. Don’t forget to vote for the People’s Choice Award by voting for your favorite Savor the Avenue tablescape by uploading a picture of it to Facebook or Instagram, using #SavorPeoplesChoice and checking into or tagging the restaurant name. A judging panel will also be scoring the tables to award three top prizes to the restaurant with the best table décor.
GREET, TOAST & DINE: 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.: After checking in, enjoy a complimentary drink during the welcome reception provided by each participating restaurant. Locate your seats at Florida’s longest dining table, and prepare to enjoy a beautiful night.
6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Four-course dinner served with custom adult beverage pairings.
PARKING: Public parking lots and garage parking are available, as well as some valet locations. Atlantic Avenue will be closed during the event. Side streets will remain open for vehicle access. (East Atlantic Avenue is closed to vehicle traffic from Swinton to Federal Highway.)
PARKING GARAGES: Old School Square Parking Garage: Northeast First Street and Northeast First Avenue Robert Federspiel Garage: Southeast First Avenue between Atlantic and Southeast First Street 4th & 5th Delray Garage: Southeast Fourth Avenue between Atlantic and Southeast First Street Visit DowntownDelrayBeach.com/Parking for more information. Share your photos from the evening! #DowntownDelray #BocaMag #SavorTheAvenue We ask that you please Savor responsibly. Produced by Downtown Development Authority of Delray Beach, FL, Delray Beach magazine and Boca magazine.
BENEFITING
S PONS OR ED BY
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Above the iconic sports bar, Boston’s on the Beach, 50 Ocean features a sophisticated Old Florida atmosphere, panoramic ocean views and exquisite cuisine with exciting local influences presented by a knowledgeable and seasoned staff. 50 Ocean’s award-winning chef, Thomas Opt Holt, is a master talent at creating unique dishes, offsetting different textures and custom sauces in his signature seafood and meat dishes. 50 S. Ocean Blvd. | 561/278-3364 | 50ocean.com
ARABIAN NIGHTS
Zagat: “Delicious” Nuevo Latin food is the draw at this colorful and vibrant Delray Beach cantina well served by an excellent staff offering festive drinks, including authentic mojitos and sangria. Join Cabana for a fun evening including people-watching from the sidewalk seats. 105 E. Atlantic Ave. | 561/274-9090 | Cabanaelrey.com Welcome Drink: Coconut Pisco Sour
FIRST COURSE
“SINBAD AND THE SEVEN SEAS” Mezza Board
Fire Roasted Eggplant, Hummus, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Falafel, Tabbouleh, Artisanal Olives, Seasonal Local Vegetables Fleur de Meur, Cotes de Provence, Rose, France
“SHARAZADE” Moroccan Lentil Soup
Ceviche Fresh shrimp, octopus, scallops and calamari marinated in aji amarillo, hot rocoto peppers, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, viandas and maiz tostado Paired with 13 Celsius Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
SECOND COURSE Ensalada Cabana
Red Lentils, Khobz
Field greens, hearts of palm, queso blanco, tomatoes, red onions, olives, black bean vinaigrette
“OASIS” Fattoush
Cucumber, Heirloom Tomato, Herb Salad, Za'atar, Pita, Feta Cakebread Cellars, Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
“DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH” Kepta Kebab Harrisa Leben Sauce, Tabbouleh Siduri, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
Paired with J Lohr, Monterey, California
THIRD COURSE Pernil Latin American-style braised pork shank, rioja garlic demi-glace, maduros and arroz con gandules Paired with Cabernet, Trivento Mendoza, Argentina
“THE SULTAN” Lamb Shawarma
DESSERT
Herbed Cous Cous, Pomegranate Relish, Grilled Local Vegetables Paraduxx by Duckhorn
“ARABIAN NIGHTS” Muhallabia & Legimat
Milk Pudding & Saffron Cardamom Fritters Baklava Cocktail
Flan Traditional Caramel Custard Paired with "Cafe Cubano" con Licor 43
$120 per guest plus tax and gratuity
$150 per guest plus tax and gratuity
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APPETIZER Jumbo Lump Crab “Cocktail” Jumbo blue crab meat, Florida organic corn, fire roasted peppers and micro herbs Chamisal Chardonnay, Monterey, California
SALAD Local Watermelon Salad
Che!!! is a new concept that brings authentic Argentinian specialties to Delray Beach. This family company has more than 30 years of experience originating in Argentina and then in Spain. At Che!!! guests can enjoy the best Intracoastal views in Delray while having a cocktail in its patio bar and finishing with its delicious steaks. Everything is served in an inviting and friendly atmosphere. See you soon! 900 E. Atlantic Ave. | 561/562-5200 | cherestaurant.com
Imported Feta cheese, pumpkin seeds & Pontano Farms arugula with Meyer lemon vinaigrette Portlandia Pinot Noir, Williamette Valley, Oregon
ENJOY!!! Thank you for sharing this special night with us!!!
FIRST COURSE ARGENTINIAN EMPANADA
ENTRÉE Filetto con Tartufi e Funghi
Sausage, cheese triangle and chicken brochette
Certified Black Angus Filet with roasted mushrooms, white truffle demi glaze and whipped potatoes Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California
SECOND COURSE SPANISH GAZPACHO WITH SHRIMPS Two shrimps in traditional cold tomato soup garnished with cucumber and red peppers
THIRD COURSE FILET MIGNON
DESSERT Cappucino Inglese Cake Homemade sponge cake with espresso, Italian liquors and imported Marscapone mousse Corvo Moscato, Italy
Served in port sauce with potato gratin and vegetables
FOR RESERVATIONS: 561/274-8898 EX. 102
Served with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce
$140 per guest plus tax and gratuity
DESSERT APPLE CREPE OPEN BAR ALL NIGHT!!! House Spanish Wines, House Liquor Mixers, Beers & Soft Drinks Included
$120 per guest plus tax and gratuity
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Featuring fresh seafood delivered and prepared daily in our kitchen, City Oyster has a full sushi bar and a rotating selection of fresh oysters from both coasts. Our bakery above the restaurant provides all of our house made desserts, pies, bread, crackers and pasta.
Join us for “90 Miles” by Death or Glory! A world away from the historic Falcon House, step into Old Havana with craft cocktails and food inspired by owner Ayme’s family traditions. Vamanos!
FIRST COURSE
GRAND TOAST
Jackfruit ‘Coquetas’ With cilantro dipping sauce
Tattinger Brut, Reims, NV
FIRST COURSE Selected signature Rolls From our Sushi Bar Rose, Fleur de Prairie, Cotes de Provence
SECOND COURSE Shrimp Stuffed Aguacate
SECOND COURSE Classic Lobster Bisque Chardonnay, Cave de Lugny, Burgundy France
THIRD COURSE
Lechon Asado Traditional Pig Roast with Moro Rice / Tostones /Mojo
THIRD COURSE Chilean Sea Bass with Sweet Potato Puree and Hazelnut Chimichurri Sancerre, Sauvion, France
FOURTH COURSE
Cascos de Guayaba con Queso
FOURTH COURSE Flourless Chocolate cake with Whipped Cream, Candied Pistachios and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Petite Sirah, Girard, Napa Valley
$145 per guest plus tax and gratuity
$150 per guest plus tax and gratuity
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Elisabetta’s Ristorante Bar and Pizzeria’s menu features house made pasta, bread, gelato, pastries and cookies made daily, as well as dry-aged steaks, pizza, seafood, chicken and a variety of seasonal salads.
FIRST COURSE
This year for Savor the Avenue, Gary Rack combined his two Delray Beach locations to offer a one-of-a-kind duo menu to experience both concepts. Gary Rack’s Farmhouse Kitchen is the second location to its flagship store in Boca Raton. This restaurant model is crafted on a philosophy in which the management team takes pride: respecting the guests, honoring the environment and supporting local purveyors.
Salumi e Formaggio / house cured and imported cheese and meats / truffle honey / pickled vegetables / fruits / raisin walnut bread / Grissini
RACKS Fish House + Oyster Bar is a New England seafood house featuring fresh, high-quality seafood paired with Prohibition-style cocktails.
SECOND COURSE
WHITE CHEDDAR BISCUITS
APPETIZER
Wood grilled octopus panzanella/ sourdough focaccia / Swank farms heirloom tomato / arugula / aged balsamic vinegar / micro herbs
CHARRED ONION ASH, HONEY BUTTER
FIRST COURSE
LOBSTER CEVICHE THIRD COURSE
Handmade ricotta gnocchi / braised beef short rib bolognese Sauce / with red wine, herbs , and aged parmigiano Reggiano cheese
AJI AMARILLO, CELERY ROOT, FRESNO PEPPER, MICRO CILANTRO, AVOCADO BOAT, LOTUS ROOT
SECOND COURSE
SEARED SCALLOP AVOCADO HUMMUS, SMOKED TOMATILLO SALSA, SWEET PLANTAIN, CHORIZO CHIPS
FOURTH COURSE
Tiramisu / espresso soaked ladyfingers / layered with mascarpone cream / topped with dark cocoa
THIRD COURSE
WOOD GRILLED FILET OF BEEF $135 per guest plus tax and gratuity
CURRIED CAULIFLOWER PUREE, OXTAIL MARMALADE, APPLE GLAZED BRUSSELS
DESSERT
ELVIS BREAD PUDDING SMOKED BACON, GOLDEN RAISINS, SALTED MAPLE, PEANUTS
$140 per guest plus tax and gratuity
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L’Acqua is a fine dining Italian restaurant with an excellent menu accompanied with exceptional service and impeccable hospitality. One-of-a-kind appetizers, traditional Italian pastas and prime meats and fresh fish dishes. Our daily specials and large variety of wines will be accompanied by our one-of-a-kind service. 110 E Atlantic Ave. | 561/563-7492 | lacquaristoranteitaliano.com
Lemongrass Delray Beach has been the place to go for Thai, Japanese, sushi and Vietnamese since opening. With all rolls and dishes made to order, the chefs can create just about anything to your liking. The notable wine and sake list provides the perfect pairing to any entrée. Zagat 2004–2008: “Excellent”; Sun-Sentinel: Top 10 Asian Restaurants in Florida; Florida Trend: Best 20 New Restaurants in South Florida. 420 E. Atlantic Ave. | 561/278-5050 | lemongrassasianbistro.com
ANTIPASTI
WELCOME COCKTAILS
Burrata Or House Salad (Paired with a glass of Gavi di Gavi)
Moët champaigne for toasting white and red wines
APPETIZER
Vegan Japanese edamame dumpling in truffle dashi broth
PASTA
SALAD
Penne Pomodoro Or Ravioli Truffle (Paired with a glass of Livid Felluga)
Baked lobster salad, micro mixed green, tempura micro organic flower
MAIN COURSE
Grilled jumbo prawn, with our signature pad thai noodle
ENTREES
Pollo Mattia Or Snapper Livornesse (Paired with a glass of Chianti Classico Riserva)
OR Grilled organnic chicken with thai marinated, black foridden fried rice, thai mango and papaya coleslaw OR
DOLCI
Ricotta Cheesecake or Chocolate Cake & Coffee (Finished with a glass of Limoncello)
7 premium Omakase Sushi
SWEET
Homemade macha tiramisu
$145 per guest plus tax and gratuity
$95 per guest plus tax and gratuity
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Get hooked on Lionfish Delray, Atlantic Avenue’s new hotspot for sustainable, locally sourced seafood and fresh, organic fare. An award-winning James Beard-recognized restaurant hailing from San Diego. Lionfish’s robust sea-to-table offerings, fresh catches and grass-fed meats are further complemented by an array of shareable plates and a daily selection of oysters.
Rocco’s Tacos offers a true taste of Mexico within a fun casual environment. When you first step through the door you become part of the atmosphere, joining a diverse crowd enjoying flavors picked directly from Mexico.
FIRST COURSE
YUCATAN SEAFOOD CEVICHE
An enticing beverage menu consisting of time-honored classic cocktails, cutting-edge new mixology, and a vast offering of craft beers and specialty wines pairs perfectly with Lionfish’s contemporary coastal menu.
Rock Shrimp and Bay Scallops with Jicama, Red Onion, Cucumber and Sour Orange-Habanero Aguachile
Signatures include the bourbon-based Blackberry Bliss, the shareable Champagne Supernova and the Smokin' In The Silent Dessert made with espresso-infused Mezcal.
Herradura Reposado Tequila, Orange, Agave, Habanero Lime Bitters & Smoked Paprika-Sea Salt Rim
Savor the Avenue guests will get hooked on Lionfish with a three-course tasting of our most delicious menu items.
Florida Orange Paloma
SECOND COURSE
BIRRIA DE RES TACOS
FIRST COURSE
Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs in Chile-Tomato Sauce, Mexican Crema, Molcajete Salsa, Picked Cilantro and Hand Ground Blue Corn Tortillas
SECOND COURSE
Herradura Añejo Tequila, Bourbon, Chocolate Bitters & Narang
LIONFISH CEVICHE Cucumber, Cherry Tomato, Avocado, Orange, Yuzu
SPICY GRILLED OCTOPUS Fermented Chile, Crispy Garlic, Crispy Potatoes, Cilantro Aioli (Gluten-Free)
THIRD COURSE
Rocco’s Old Fashioned THIRD COURSE
PESCADO CON MOLE OAXAQUENO
Locally Caught Fish with Classic Oaxaca Aji Amarillo Mole, Toasted Almonds, Seasonal Vegetables & Micro Greens Salad
COAL-GRILLED LOCAL MAHI MAHI Butter Confit Wild Mushrooms, Daikon, Savoy Cabbage, Tozazu Sauce
Ice Cold Cerveza Victoria or Beringer Bros. Tequila Barrel Aged Sauvignon Blanc
DESSERT
DELRAY BEACH LEMON PIE
DESSERT
CHURRO ICE CREAM SANDWICH White Chocolate Crumble, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce With sustainability at top of mind, menu items may be subject to change based on availability. Visit Lionfishdelray.com for reservations.
Saltine Cracker Crust, Fresh Whipped Cream & Sea Salt
Spiked Iced Mexican Horchata Latte Herradura Silver Tequila, Cinnamon-Almond Rice Latte and Mexican Coffee
$100 per guest plus tax and gratuity
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Rose’s Daughter is an American Trattoria and the latest creation by Chef/Owner Suzanne Perrotto. The restaurant vibe is energized and vibrant, and a homage to Perrotto’s mother Linda Rose, with authentic craft cocktails and Napolitano pizza, artfully prepared family recipes and creative offerings. In downtown Delray Beach in The Pineapple Grove neighborhood. Cin Cin!
Vic & Angelo’s Delray team is entirely dedicated to providing our guests with the very finest quality of Italian-American cuisine, accompanied with exceptional service and genuine hospitality. Our number one goal is to share our vision of a premium class restaurant and serve amazing food with excellent service. This Savor the Ave, we are excited to showcase Chef Miguel Emmanuelli's love, passion and skill for cooking. It’s going to be an amazing night, so save the date and join us at our table.
WELCOME COCKTAIL:
290 E. Atlantic Ave. | 561/278-9570 | vicandangelos.com
AMUSE BOUCHE
Welcome cocktail by Redemption Bourbon
Negroni Bianco
Lobster & Pickled Morel Crostini
HORS D'OEUVRES
FIRST COURSE:
Cedar River Eye Round Carpaccio Tonnato Sauce, Fennel, Radish, Parsley, Crisp Caper
Scallop & Salmon Carpaccio Pink Graphfruit, Toasted Hazelnuts, Micro Greens Paired with Amelia Brut Rose, Crémant De Bordeaux, France
VieVite Rosé, Saint Marie Côtes de Provence, France 2018
SECOND COURSE
ANTIPASTI Zucchini Risotto Zucchini, Smoked Burrata, Truffle Oil Paired with Kim Crawford, Marlborough, NZ
Nantucket Scallop
Black Truffle, Corn Risotto, Asparagus Mousse
Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, California 2016
THIRD COURSE
ENTRÉE Beef Short Ribs Braised Short Ribs, Eggplant Caponata, Crispy Polenta Paired with Rufina, Dreolino, Chianti, Tuscandy, Italy
Charcoal Squab & Parsnip Ravioli Fig, Escarole, English Peas
DOLCE
Biscardo Amerone, Veneto 2013
Pinolata Grand Mother Cake Biscuit Base, Liquour Flavored Ice Cream, Roasted Pine Nuts House Made Limoncello
FOURTH COURSE Espresso Torta
Toffee Caramel, Almond Gelato
$135 per guest plus tax and gratuity
French Connection Cognac, Amaretto, Orange Twist
$150 per person plus tax & gratuity Menu subject to change
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EAT. DRINK. ENJOY. REPEAT.
March 6 & 7, 2020
Boca Bacchanal 2020 is just around the corner! Support the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum, by attending South Florida's premier celebration of wine and food, featuring world-renowned chefs, vintners, dinner-by-the-bite, and distinctive Champagnes and wines. Enjoy a host of experiences, luxury vendors, a silent auction, and a painting demonstration by nationally known wine artist Thomas Arvid in his pop-up gallery.
BACCHUS BECKONS hosted by Bloomingdale's Tuesday, January 21, 2020, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The kick-off wine tasting is where the Boca Bacchanal chef and vintner pairings, and the locations of the Vintner Dinners, are announced. Guests will savor a selection of delicious hors d’oeuvres along with a sampling of fine wines from the presenting wineries. Bloomingdale’s at Town Center at Boca Raton $75.00 per person BUBBLES & BURGERS hosted by ALINA Residences Thursday, February 20, 2020, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM This casual beachfront gathering will serve as a preview of Boca Bacchanal’s wines, Champagnes, and beer, along with a variety of gourmet sliders. Boca Beach Club $100.00 per person
VINTNER DINNERS Friday, March 6, 2020, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Guests will feast on sumptuous multi-course dinners, crafted by acclaimed chefs in tandem with renowned vintners, for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Elegant private homes and historic Boca Raton venues $350.00 per person
GRAND TASTING March 7, 2020 • Great Hall at the Boca Raton Resort & Club
Delight your senses by sampling delectable bites from 25 South Florida restaurants, and sample wine and Champagne selections from over 130 world renowned vintners. This evening also includes a craft beer station, a top-shelf bar, an exclusive lifestyle and wine silent auction, luxury vendors, the Bloomingdale’s Red-Carpet Cosmetic Touch-Up Station, and a pop-up art gallery with a live painting demonstration by Thomas Arvid, America's pre-eminent painter of wine. The Great Hall at the Boca Raton Resort & Club $125.00 per person
To purchase tickets, please go to www.bocabacchanal.com or phone the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum at 561.395.6766, Ext. 101. The proceeds, from Boca Bacchanal, are used to fund the heritage education programs of the Boca Raton Historical Society and Museum.
Parlez-vous Franรงais?
located in the 5 Palms Building | 455 E. Palmetto Park Rd., Boca Raton (561) 338-3003 | LNMbocaraton.com offerING Complimentary Transportation To & From Area Hotels
private parties up to 50 People top 100 Restaurants for foodies in america es
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Beef carpaccio from Casa d’Angelo
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Clockwise from bottom: crispy zucchini blossoms, grilled branzino and grilled veal chop; inset, Chef Rickie Piper
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REVIEW
Casa d’Angelo 171 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, 561/996-1234
I I F YO U G O PARKING: Street, or small lot behind the restaurant HOURS: 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 5:30 to 11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. PRICES: $31-$50 WEBSITE: casa-d-angelo.com
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f we eat with our eyes first, I’m already stuffed by the time the sampler of bites set out for a media tasting is presented at Casa d’Angelo. Chef Rickie Piper, who has mastered this menu and cuisine for more than a decade, knows when to say when with both plating and ingredients. His dishes are visually appetizing and aromatic. Even more important: He’s consistent. It’s been a couple years since I’ve eaten here, but the foods were as memorable as before. In a world where chefs try to put as many trendy ingredients as possible on a plate or into a dish, Chef Piper expertly coaxes maximum flavor from combinations of simple, fresh foods. The diner gets to taste what’s intended instead of being confused by a plate of chef’s ego. A perfect example is off the antipasti menu—fior di zucca. These are so traditional: crispy zucchini
blossoms stuffed with house-made ricotta and prosciutto ($12). A tempura-style batter coats the fresh flower trumpets that enfold the creamy filling. You get the slightly sweet cheese against the salty prosciutto, along with the crispy crunch that leads off. It’s not oily, even with a lemony aioli on the side—just simple and delicious. Paper-thin slices of fresh beef in the manzo (beef carpaccio, $16), topped with crisp, peppery arugula and thin flakes of Reggiano Parmesano, all drizzed with a bright lemony truffle oil, was a highlight. Again, the chef let the ingredients do all the talking. It spoke volumes about how he handles the simple foods. Piper continued to show technique with fish and meat dishes. A grilled veal chop easily 3 inches thick ($48)—a gourmand serving—proved tender and juicy, and the wild mushrooms served along-
side in a marsala added earthiness. The artichokes, lemon and capers set around the branzino were a light balance. The fish starred, and the skin had a char-grilled flavor we loved. The best part: It wasn’t smothered in a sauce. Desserts: Welcome back, 1980s. Lava cake, fresh cannoli, cheesecake and an apple tart were all on the menu for $12 each. The servers are amicable and crisply efficient, as well as knowledgeable. This is especially helpful on the large, by-the-glass wines from an Italy-forward list. They guide toward lesser-known selections such as a Domaines Ott Rose blend from Côtes de Provence. It was a great match to the zucchini blossoms, specifically. The gentlemen were pros—attentive but old school and, by some measures, brusque. We prefer that to cloyingly chummy. Now if only we could clone them.
AARON BRISTOL
Written by JAN NORRIS
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Celebrating 25 Years!
“ I F YOU M A K E GR E AT i ta l i a n FOOD T H E Y W I L L COM E ”
Offering Complimentary Transportation To & From Area Hotels Open For Dinner Nightly Private Rooms Available for Parties of 6–45 499 East Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton • 561-393-6715 www.trattoriaromanabocaraton.com
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The Wine Room Kitchen and Bar
Cheese and charcuterie flight
411 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561/243-9463 Written by JAN NORRIS
I I F YO U G O PARKING: Street, nearby garages HOURS: 11 a.m.-midnight Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-midnight Sun. PRICES: Entrees $17-$59 WEBSITE: thewineroomonline.com
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f you’ve been to Napa Valley, you’ll find an element of familiarity about Delray’s Wine Room Kitchen and Bar. First, there’s the vibe—upscale-casual and wine-centric, like a wine tasting room in the Valley with a restaurant attached. Stone, wood and a wine barrel-themed ceiling evoke a cellar experience. The space was rebuilt from the historic Arcade Tap Room—at one time a speakeasy. In the main area, wine is dispensed to order from the Enomatic system: Insert a card preloaded with cash, and pour what you choose, in the amount you choose, from more than 200 dispensers. Each is labeled with tasting notes and price. Not a wine lover? You still have a place here. Craft beers and
classic cocktails are served at both bars—one of which is circled by tables. If you like, start out front, and taste till you find something agreeable. Bring it with you to your table, or to the bar: You can dine at either. A third choice is the back room, filled with tables. It’s slightly less loud here; when the crowd and music come together, the acoustics magnify the clash. Bartenders were friendly, bantering with guests. The server was attentive and knowledgeable, explaining how the tastings worked. Experience at fine wine service was evident throughout. That triggered more familiarity: If you’ve been to 32 East, you know the training that produces pro service. Here it’s directed by John Bates, general manager, who oversaw the front of the house at
the acclaimed 32 East for 19 years. With all the wine and bar action, food could have been an oversight. On the contrary, it’s wine-friendly, and there are myriad choices for pairing from the list. The Rare Room is said to have more than 2,000 bottles of both Old World and New World styles. Along with the usual Grand Cru Burgundies and Bordeaux are the so-called “cult” labels. If you’re adventurous, ask your server for suggestions and pairings. Ours readily talked vintage, vineyard and winemaker, and offered a few tastes. You can’t have wine without cheese, and Wine Room houses a fromage cave with 70 cheeses. All are available on the charcuterie board with dry, cured meats and fowl—a terrific table appetizer.
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CHEF SPOTLIGHT
Jeremy Bearman
Big ideas, small plates: Oceano’s diverse chef ‘Dives’ into a new restaurant Written by JAN NORRIS
— Jeremy Bearman
Are you nervous about opening a much bigger restaurant? “I’d be remiss to say we’re not worried about being in such a big space. I think whenever you do these things, no matter who you are, whether you’re a successful restaurateur that’s opened 50, 60 restaurants, you should always be a little bit nervous about what you’re about to do. Because if you’re not, you’re probably a little bit too confident that things are just going to work. “There’s always that part of us that says, I hope we made the right decision, but you can’t look back. You have to be optimistic.”
OCEANO KITCHEN 201 E. Ocean Ave. Lantana 561/400-7418 oceanokitchen.com
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J
eremy Bearman is tough to catch up with, running between his established Oceano Kitchen in Lantana and the restaurant he’s building in West Palm Beach’s Rosemary Place, High Dive. The French-trained chef who has worked in large, upscale New York, Las Vegas and Florida restaurants has been at Oceano Kitchen for close to three years, and his diners are comfortable with the small, blackboard menu that changes nightly. But Bearman’s new concept is a 180-degree spin from the little pizza and farm-fresh eatery that is Oceano. At this writing, the 5,000-square-foot High Dive, in part of the old B.B. King’s Blues Club on the second level, is nearly built out, and may be open by the time you’re reading this. High Dive has more than 150 seats and a menu entirely of small plates, mostly seafood, and all globally inspired. It’s a place for sharing, where he envisions people coming in for a drink and noshing together off several plates of raw oysters or crudos.
AARON BRISTOL
There aren’t any entrees on the [High Dive] menu. It’s a different way to go.”
Oceano is so tiny. Any plans to expand it or open another? “No, there’s not. One of the things I know from doing this from a long time, [when] you take something that’s wonderful and that people really like, and you try to make it bigger, or move to a different location, there’s something that’s usually lost. Unfortunately, restaurants are one of those things that it’s almost an unknown equation of why it works. There are so many different components that go together. Do you listen to music in the kitchen? “Oh yeah, all the time. Depending on the day, we listen to everything—it’s all over the place. It
depends on the mood we’re in and who’s controlling the Spotify. Everything from reggae to Post Malone, Stevie Ray Vaughn. We’ll listen to classic country, sometimes we’ll listen to more hip-hop, classic rock. At night we do a lot of funk, reggae and beach vibes kind of stuff, Rebelution.” What’s your food crack? “That’s a tough one. But you know what? I’m a big sandwich guy. All kinds of sandwiches. I find myself eating a lot of sandwiches in a week. So many awesome different types of sandwiches you can make. Different breads. “I also have too much of a sweet tooth. But that’s OK: I have a wife who’s a pastry chef.”
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RESTAURANT DIRECTORY
DINING GUIDE Palm Beach County BOCA RATON Abe & Louie’s —2200 Glades Road. Steakhouse. All Americans are endowed with certain inalienable rights, among them the right to a thick, juicy, perfectly cooked steak. At this posh, comfortable (and expensive) meatery, the USDA Prime steaks are indeed thick, juicy and perfectly cooked, also massively flavorful and served in enormous portions. Don’t miss the New York sirloin or prime rib, paired in classic steakhouse fashion with buttery hash browns and 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. $$$$
Arturo’s Ristorante—6750 N. Federal Highway.
EDUARDO SCHNEIDER
Italian. Arturo’s quiet, comfortable dining room; slightly formal, rigorously professional service; and carefully crafted Italian dishes never go out of style. You’ll be tempted to make a meal of the array of delectable antipasti from the antipasti cart, but try to leave room for main courses like the veal shank served on a bed of risotto. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/997-7373. $$$
Filet mignon from Boca Landing
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. $$ Boca Landing —999 E. Camino Real. Contemporary
DINING KEY $: Under $17 $$: $18–$35 $$$: $36–$50 $$$$: $50 and up
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American. The Waterstone Resort & Marina’s signature restaurant, Boca Landing, offers the city’s only waterside dining and shows off its prime location and views. Heavy on small plates, the menu features tuna crudo, fried calamari and a killer cheese and charcuterie board. Probably the best dish, though, is the charred filet mignon with a red wine bone marrow reduction, with wickedly luscious house-made hazelnut gelato coming in a very close second. • Dinner nightly. 561/226-3022. $$$
Burtons Grill & Bar —5580 N. Military Trail. New American. Known for its reliable food as well as its non-gluten, Paleo and “B Choosy” kids menu, the first Florida location for this restaurant is deservedly crowded, so make reservations. Don’t miss the General Tso’s cauliflower, the pan-seared salmon (Paleo), the crab cakes or the Key lime pie. Popular half-portions are available, too. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/465-2036. $$
Butcher Block Grill—7000 W. Camino Real. Steakhouse/Contemporary American. This casual steakhouse with a Mediterranean twist, an all-kosher menu, and a local, seasonal, sustainable ethos gives the stuffy old-fashioned meatery a swift kick in the sirloin. Beef here is all-natural and grass-fed, delivering big, rich, earthy flavor. Seafood, whether raw (tuna tartare) or simply grilled (wild-caught salmon), is palate-pleasing as well. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/409-3035. $$$
The Capital Grille —6000 Glades Road. Steaks. This is one of more than three dozen restaurants in a national chain, but the Boca Grille treats you like a regular at your neighborhood restaurant. Steaks, dry-aged if not Prime, are flavorful and cooked with precision, while starters from the pan-fried calamari to the restaurant’s signature spin on the Cobb salad are nicely done too. Parmesan truffle fries are crispy sticks of potato heaven; chocolate-espresso cake a study in shameless, and luscious, decadence. • Lunch Mon.– Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/368-1077. $$$
Casa D’Angelo —171 E. Palmetto Park Road. Italian. Angelo Elia’s impeccable Italian restaurant is a delight, from the stylish room to the suave service to the expansive wine list, not to mention food that’s by turn elegant, hearty, bold, subtle and always delicious. Dishes off the regular menu make excellent choices, like char-grilled jumbo prawns with artichoke, arugula, lemon and olive oil. But pay attention to specials like pan-seared snapper and scallops in a spicy, garlicky cherry tomato sauce. • Dinner nightly. 561/996-1234. $$$ Casimir French Bistro —416 Via De Palmas, Suite 81. French. Take a trip overseas without leaving the city and enjoy excellently prepared traditional French dishes, such as duck l’orange or beef bourguignon, or go with Cajun chicken and veal Milanese. The comfortable dining room is a Parisian experience, as is the apple tarte tatin. 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. $$$
Chez Marie French Bistro—5030 Champion Blvd. French. Marie will greet you at the door of this nicely decorated, intimate, classic French restaurant tucked in the corner of a strip shopping area. This feels like an intimate neighborhood bistro and is a welcome discovery. From escargot encased in garlic butter, parsley and breadcrumbs to a tender duck a l’orange to an unforgettable crepe Suzette, you’ll be in Paris all evening. Voila! Also on the menu: pan-seared foie gras, tasty onion soup, seabass Bouillabaisse, coq au vin, rack of lamb, salads and more desserts. • Dinner nightly. 561/997-0027. $$
Chops Lobster Bar—101 Plaza Real S., Royal Palm Place. Steak, seafood. At this upscale downtown restaurant, steaks are aged USDA Prime—tender, flavorful
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Vintage Tess
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. $$$$
An eclectic and carefully curated collection of vintage furniture, textiles, home décor and jewelry from around the globe. Visit us at 154 NE 5th Ave, Delray Beach. 646-498-8867 • Tuesday thru Saturday 11:30 – 6:00
Cuban Café—3350 N.W. Boca Raton Blvd., Suite B-30. Cuban. One thing Boca needs more of is coffee windows—and real Cuban restaurants. Which is undoubtedly why diners pack this traditional Cuban restaurant for lunch specials that start at $7.95, including slow-roasted pork served with white rice and black beans. Other highlights include the Cuban sandwich and (on the dinner menu only) lechón asado. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/750-8860. $
Domus Italian Restaurant—187 S.E. Mizner Blvd. Italian. The “Best Spaghetti & Meatballs Ever” dish is pretty darn close to being just that. Who says we have too many Italian restaurants? The burrata with tomato carpaccio, melt-in-yourmouth Dover sole almondine, orecchiette con sausage and linguine vongole are part of a very good menu. From Sicilian fish salad to veal piccata, a light calamari fritti to chicken Parmesan, you can find something for all appetites. Save room for the tartufo. • Dinner nightly. 561/419-8787. $$$
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. $$
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Farmer’s Table—1901 N. Military Trail. American. Fresh, natural, sustainable, organic and local is the mantra at this both tasty and health-conscious offering from Mitchell Robbins and Joey Giannuzzi. Menu highlights include flatbreads, slow-braised USDA Choice short rib and the popular Buddha Bowl, with veggies, udon noodles and shrimp. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/417-5836. $$
French Continental
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. $$$
Gary Rack’s Farmhouse Kitchen—399 S.E. Mizner Blvd. American. Natural, seasonal, sustainable. You’ll enjoy the varied menu, and won’t believe it’s made without butters or creams. Try the too-good-to-be-true buffalo-style cauliflower appetizer, the seared salmon or buffalo burger, and have apple skillet for dessert. Healthy never tasted so good. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/8262625. $$
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. $$
Established 1981
Rediscover the classic
4199 N. FEDERAL HWY. s BOCA RATON s 561.395.6033 s KATHYSGAZEBO.COM KathysGazeboBRM_JAN20.indd 1
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TABLE TALK
Take the Leap
This year has 366 days; spend the extra one in culinary style Written by LYNN KALBER
W
e have a Leap Day this year on Feb. 29, which means 24 hours not in your usual schedule. Take a break and make this day count, since it only comes along once every four years. We’ve put together four memorable places to experience, eat and drink, because why not? From ultra-glitzy to beachside relaxed, you can find something to suit your mood and wallet.
OCEANS 234, 234 N. Ocean Blvd., Deerfield Beach; 954/428-2539; oceans234.com Owner Danielle Russo knows what she’s doing with this contemporary oceanfront restaurant. She renovated the space to feature the best water views, the best seating and very good food from Executive Chef William Middleton. You can go for a stroll by the Deerfield Beach pier, then kick the sand off and settle in for some seafood dishes, which include the seared scallops ($39) and blackened mahi mahi ($35). The bar/lounge area features wines that are the reason Wine Spectator gave this venue the Award of Excellence for 2018 and 2019. There’s an extensive gluten-free menu, and carnivores will go for the filet mignon ($42) and more. Serves lunch, brunch and dinner.
Macadamia mahi mahi from Oceans 234
Cantonese black cod from The Breakers Seafood Bar
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THE BREAKERS SEAFOOD BAR, 1 S. County Road, Palm Beach; 844/775-2768; thebreakers.com Although The Breakers historical hotel you see today opened in 1926, it is the third iteration, having originally been built in the 1890s. It was modeled after the Villa Medici in Rome, and just walking to the Seafood Bar is an experience to be savored. The restaurant has been recently renovated and reminds us of a luxurious cruise ship, with excellent food to match and a long aquarium forming
the bar counter. With its view of the Atlantic coast, you are immersed in the ocean, and that includes the menu. It’s understandably seafood-leaning, but steak and burger diners will find excellent dishes, too. Prepare to linger a bit with grouper ($49), a seafood club sandwich ($39), burger ($25), scallops ($52) and a lot more. Leave room for the Key lime pie ($16). DUNE DECK CAFÉ, 100 N. Ocean Blvd., Lantana; 561/582-0472; dunedeckcafe.com This ultra-casual, oceanside, family-owned restaurant has been a favorite since 1991. Serving breakfast, lunch (till 4:30 p.m.) and brunch, it’s surrounded by a boardwalk that looks over the ocean while providing a place to wait for a table. The café boasts that it serves“seafood, chicken and salad dishes,” but it’s a bit more than that. Try the eggs Benedict, the omelets, French toast, smoked salmon platter and more. There’s a full bar for mimosas and other libations in the open-air, covered restaurant (no A/C here). Everything tastes better with the sea air. No reservations, no credit cards, only cash accepted. THE VILLA CASA CASUARINA, 1116 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; 786/485-2200; vmmiamibeach.com Gianni’s at The Villa Casa Casuarina has enough glitz to last you four years, until the next Leap Day rolls around. Originally designed by Addison Mizner in 1930, it has now become a 19,000-square-foot venue. Designer Gianni Versace bought it in 1992, added the property next door and spent millions to create his personal home. After he died in 1997, it went through a series of owners, eventually becoming the lavish suites and restaurant there today. Executive Chef Valter Mancini serves an Italian Mediterranean lunch, bar bite and dinner menu with everything from Kobe beef carpaccio ($28) to branzino ($39), Dover sole meunière ($64), risotto ($35), filet mignon ($59), chicken scaloppini ($32) and more. The setting is unforgettable, whether in the historical dining room or at poolside with 24-karat tiles winking at you.
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E AT & D R I N K RESTAURANT DIRECTORY The Grille On Congress—5101 Congress Ave. American. Dishes at this longtime favorite range from tasty chicken entrees and main-plate salads to seafood options like Asian-glazed salmon or pan-seared yellowtail snapper. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/912-9800. $$
Houston’s—1900 N.W. Executive Center Circle. Contemporary American. Convenient location, stylish ambience and impeccable service are hallmarks of this local outpost of the Hillstone restaurant chain. There are plenty of reasons why this is one of the most popular business lunch spots in all of Boca, including menu items like Cajun trout, the mammoth salad offerings and the tasty baby back ribs. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/998-0550. $$$
Jimmy’s Fries to Caviar —6299 N. Federal Highway. Contemporary American. Going one better than soup to nuts defines Jimmy Mills’ Boca restaurant, an easygoing, affordable bistro in the old Darbster space that really does offer fries, caviar and more. Four varieties of fish eggs are shown off nicely crowning a quartet of deviled eggs, while the thick-cut fries complement a massively flavorful, almost fork-tender hanger steak in the classic steak frites.Try the seasonal soups as well. • Dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/617-5965. $$
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. $$
Kathy’s Gazebo CafÊ —4199 N. Federal Highway. Traditional French. Elegance, civility and very good food meet here for dinners that last at least two hours, and it’s worth it. Try the Dover sole (pricey, but it won’t disappoint), the escargot, coq au vin if it’s a nightly special, gazpacho, duck, veal, lobster and more. Don’t forget the rich, well-crafted desserts. Classical dining at a longtime standard; jackets recommended. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner Mon.-Sat. 561/395-6033. $$$
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. $$$ La Nouvelle Maison—455 E. Palmetto Park Blvd. French. Elegant, sophisticated French cuisine, white-glove service and a trio of stylish dining rooms make Arturo Gismondi’s homage to Boca’s storied La Vieille Maison the home away from home to anyone who appreciates the finer points of elegant dining. The cuisine showcases both first-rate ingredients and precise execution, whether a generous slab of silken foie gras with plum gastrique, posh lobster salad, cookbook-perfect rendition of steak frites and an assortment of desserts that range from homey apple tart to bananas Foster with chocolate and Grand Marnier. • Dinner nightly. 561/338-3003. $$$
PLASTIC REEF: SCULPTURE BY FEDERICO URIBE January 9 - May 31, 2020
Kapow! Noodle Bar —431 Plaza Real. Pan-Asian.
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 threecheese eggplant rollatini and chicken scarpariello. • Dinner nightly. 561/988-0668. $$
Josephine’s—5751 N. Federal Highway. Italian. Tradition
WITH THESE HANDS: SCULPTURE BY JIM RENNERT January 9 - May 31, 2020
February 6 - March 22, 2020
MASTER GARDENER TOURS WEDNESDAYS AT 10 AM GALLERY TALKS WEDNESDAYS AT 11 AM AND SUNDAYS AT
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HISTORIC HOME, ARTIST STUDIO, EXHIBITION GALLERIES AND RARE PALM AND CYCAD GARDENS OF ANN WEAVER NORTON Â Â? Â? Â?Â?Â? Â? Â
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INSPIRED BEAUTY CERAMICS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SHERRIE GALLERIE
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La Villetta—4351 N. Federal Highway. Italian. This is a well-edited version of a traditional Italian menu, complete with homemade pastas and other classic dishes. Try the signature whole yellowtail snapper encrusted in sea salt; it’s de-boned right at tableside. Shrimp diavolo is perfectly scrumptious. • Dinner nightly. (closed Mon. during summer). 561/362-8403. $$$ Le Rivage —450 N.E. 20th St., 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. $$
AARON BRISTOL
Happy Weekends
Happy hour is extended to all seven days at Mario’s Osteria, with 50-percent off beer, wine, liquor and appetizers from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the bar.
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Morton’s The Steakhouse—5050 Town Center
rant to Ouzo Bay includes fried oysters, moules frites and Maryland crab cakes. The bar offers literally hundreds of whiskeys, a noisy happy hour crowd and live music most nights. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/939-6600. $$
Louie Bossi’s—100 E. Palmetto Park Road. Italian. This
New York Prime —2350 N.W. Executive Center
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. $$$
Drive. Steakhouse. This wildly popular Boca meatery Monday, Monday packs them in with swift, professional service, classy supper club ambience and an extensive wine list. And, of course, the beef—all USDA Prime, cooked to tender and juicy lusciousness over ferocious heat. The bone-in rib-eye is especially succulent, but don’t neglect the New York strip or steak-house classics like oysters Rockefeller, garlicky spinach and crusty hash browns. • Dinner nightly. 561/998-3881. $$$$
Luff’s Fish House—390 E. Palmetto Park Road. Seafood. A renovated 1920s bungalow houses this shipshape restaurant, in addition to two large, outdoor deck and patio areas. It’s known for familiar dish names with new tweaks: smoked fish-hummus dip, falafel fish fritters, crab guacamole, mussels in coconut curry broth, plus the paella on Sundays only. Don’t leave without the enormous slice of the Key lime pie, topped with meringue on a graham cracker crust. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/609-2660. $$ 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. $$
Matteo’s —233 S. Federal Highway, Suite 108. Italian. Hearty Italian and Italian-American food, served in giant “family style” portions, needs no reinventing. Though there is no shortage of local restaurants cooking in that genre, it’s the details of preparation and service that make Matteo’s stand out. bocamag.com
Max’s Grille —404 Plaza Real. Contemporary American. After 24 years in Mizner Park, This modern American bistro is a true local classic. The food and decor are both timeless and up to date, and the ambience is that of a smooth-running big-city bistro. Service is personable and proficient. The menu is composed of dishes you really want to eat, from the applewood bacon-wrapped meatloaf to the wickedly indulgent crème brûlèe pie. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/368-0080. $$ 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. $$$$
Loch Bar —346 Plaza Real. Seafood. This sister restau-
Grilled Atlantic swordfish entree from Loch Bar
Baked clams are a good place to start, as is the reliable chopped salad. Linguini frutti di mare is one of the best in town. • Dinner nightly. 561/392-0773. $$
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. $$ Rafina—6877 S.W. 18th St. Greek. If you find the ambience of most Greek restaurants to be like a frat party with flaming cheese and ouzo, this contemporary, casually elegant spot will be welcome relief. Food and decor favor refinement over rusticity, even in such hearty and ubiquitous dishes as pastitsio and spanakopita. Standout dishes include the moussaka, the creamy and mildly citrusy avgolemono soup and the precisely grilled, simply adorned (with olive oil, lemon and capers) branzino. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/409-3673. $$
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. $$ Ruth’s Chris —225 N.E. Mizner Blvd., Suite 100. Steakhouse. Not only does this steakhouse favorite emphasize its New Orleans roots, it also distinguishes itself from its competitors by just serving better food. The signature chopped salad has a list of ingredients as long as a hose but they all work together. And how can you not like a salad topped with crispy fried onion strings? Steaks are USDA Prime and immensely flavorful, like a perfectly seared New York strip. The white chocolate bread pudding is simply wicked. • Dinner nightly. 561/392-6746. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 651 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, 561/514-3544; 661 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, 561/863-0660.) $$$$
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Buzz Bites I Discover a Lush Champagne Brunch at the Reimagined Biltmore
S
ometimes, the true treasures in life lie right under our noses. That’s the case for discovering most of Florida, which is about four different states in one. I’ve lived here most of my life, but had never visited the historical Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables until recently. Most often compared to The Breakers hotel, it was built in the same time period, in 1926. That means the Mediterranean architecture is prevalent, with colorful tiles, beautiful stonework on the floors and walls, period lighting fixtures and grand gardens. The Biltmore is a first-class luxury hotel, with a Sunday Champagne brunch buffet to match. Both are worth a trip to Coral Gables. The Palme d’Or restaurant’s dining room is all glass, mirrors, gold fixtures, crystal lights and columns. White tablecloths and spotless glasses set the spot for pacing yourself at brunch. The buffets are set up on either side of a lush courtyard, with a big fountain and live music as entertainment. On one side are breakfast buffets (all kinds of egg dishes, sides, fresh pastries) and the dessert buffet. On the other side sits the open bar, raw bar, carving stations (pork, lamb, beef), sushi bar, caviar bar, pasta bar, tapas bar, smoked fish bar and deli bar. Did I mention the unlimited Champagne, Bellinis, mimosas and Bloody Marys? The dessert bar plate we assembled included cheesecake, tiramisu, crème brulee and a fruit tart. There were a dozen more choices; everyone needs a macaron for the road. Expect to spend a couple of hours here, just sampling a bit of this and a bunch of that. There are two seatings: 10-10:30 a.m., and then 1-1:30 p.m. Cost is $90 per person for adults (gratuity is added to the bill) and $45 for children ages 5-11. —Lynn Kalber
Seasons 52 —2300 Executive Center Drive. Contemporary American. The food—seasonal ingredients, simply and healthfully prepared, accompanied by interesting wines—is first-rate, from salmon roasted on a cedar plank to desserts served in oversized shot glasses. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/998-9952. (Other Palm Beach County location: 11611 Ellison Wilson Road, Palm Beach Gardens, 561/625-5852.) $$
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Outside the Chocolate Box
Unusual gifts for your sweet-toothed valentine
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f you need a Valentine’s Day gift for someone who likes chocolate, then sure, a regular candy bar may be OK. But what if buying something really special wasn’t hard at all? We found a few options that only take a phone call, a short drive or online shopping. Your pick. Ordering will be easier than trying to decide which truffle, chocolate pretzel, toffee, chocolate-dipped Oreo or hand-painted chocolate seashells you want. We guarantee you will need to order some for yourself after drooling over the possibilities. The candies listed here are just part of lengthy lists for each retailer. HOFFMAN’S CHOCOLATES, locations in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Palm Beach Gardens and more; hoffmanschocolateblog.com With eight store locations and a food truck, Hoffman’s is a sweet South Florida success story that started in 1975, when Paul Hoffman bought a small candy shop in Lake Worth. Now the main candy factory is in Greenacres (5190 Lake
Worth Road), and the site is also known for its elaborate Christmas holiday attraction that’s free to the public, and chocolate classes for kids and adults. Candy includes chocolate pretzels, fudge, brittle, toffee, truffles/bars and more. Custom chocolates with 10 Florida university logos are available. A 3-pound assortment of dark chocolate is $89.95; nine gourmet truffles are $26.95. Chocolates are kosher. PETERBROOKE CONFECTIONS, 298 S. County Road, Palm Beach; 561/557-8286; peterbrookepalmbeach.com On Palm Beach for the past five years, the chain was founded in Jacksonville, and all but two of its 22 stores are in Florida. It’s known for offering kids a summer chocolatier day camp that involves making all sorts of wonders, as well as the handy 6-ounce bag of dark or milk chocolate popcorn ($9.50) that satisfies the crunchy/sweet craving. Custom candies include hand-dipped Oreos, Nutter Butters, Peanut Butter Ritz, graham crackers and more. A 16-piece assortment of handmade chocolates is $26; 24 pieces are $37; 32 pieces are $48.
BON CHOCOLATIER/PARIS, 1001 Kane Concourse, Bay Harbor Islands; 305/397-8159; bonchocolatier.com The flavors and luxe Belgian chocolate here are key, but the big attraction is the personalized boxes of truffles as colorful as they are welcome. Parisian couple Yoann and Deborah Andreu create flavors such as organic basil lemon, crunchy salted peanut butter, raspberry organic ginger, mango organic cayenne pepper, blackcurrant organic French lavender and more. Each color is a flavor, and presented in elegant long boxes; messages are spelled out on the tops of the truffles. All are vegan and kosher. Boxes are in 16 ($33.95), 30 ($59.95) and 52 pieces ($99.95). JAN’S HOMEMADE CANDIES, 4327 N. Ocean Drive, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea; 954/202-9495; janscandies.com Since 2001, Jan Lendi has made chocolates, truffles, fudge and sugar-free chocolates. Florida chocolates include hand-painted chocolate seashells, alligators in milk, dark or white chocolate, palm trees, manatees, dolphins, sand dollars and saltwater taffy; a hot and spicy chocolate bar and chocolate peppers; and tropical truffles (Key lime, lemon, orange, piña colada, toasted coconut). There are many combinations. Boxes come in 12 ($18) or 24 assorted chocolates ($36), as well as individual pieces. The shop was listed in Paula Deen’s magazine as one of the Top 10 chocolate shops in the U.S. (2015). —Lynn Kalber
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Six Tables a Restaurant—112 N.E. Second St., Boca Raton. American. Chef/owner Jonathan Fyhrie has a unique, elegant, one-seating, prix-fixe dinner and only six tables. The decor reflects the food, which is innovative in unexpected but attractive ways. Open since 2004, this restaurant’s staying power proves the pull of a beautiful space, amazing food and special attention from a talented staff. The velvety lobster bisque is a signature dish. The night’s options can include rack of lamb, filet au poivre, wild Scottish king salmon, crispy duck and more, all done beautifully. Plan on a two-to-three-hour dinner. It’s worth it. • Dinner nightly. 561/347-6260. $$$$
Everyday Favorites
Sushi Ray —5250 Town Center Circle, Suite 111.
Bonefish Grill—21065 Powerline Road. Seafood. Market-fresh seafood is the cornerstone, like Chilean sea bass prepared over a wood-burning grill and served with sweet Rhea’s topping (crabmeat, sautéed spinach and a signature lime, tomato and garlic sauce.) • Dinner nightly. Lunch on Saturdays. Brunch on Sundays. 561/483-4949. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 1880 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, 561/732-1310; 9897 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, 561/965-2663; 11658 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, 561/799-2965) $$
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. $$
Tanjore Indian—500 Via de Palmas. Indian. Six different kinds of naan bread let you know this isn’t your usual Indian menu, and the naan itself is a light bite of heaven. House-roasted and ground spices help make the seafood, chicken, lamb and vegetarian dishes memorable. Try the Angarey tandoori chicken and the side dish of aromatic white rice with cumin seeds. Smooth rice pudding with candied almonds and raisins let you end the meal with a sweet light bite. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/288-5800. $$ 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. $$
Taverna Kyma—6298 N. Federal Highway. Greek/Mediterranean. Few present Greek cuisine better. Expertly prepared dishes cover the spectrum of Mediterranean cuisine, from cold appetizers (dolmades—grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs) to hot starters (spanakopita, baked phyllo with spinach and feta cheese) to mouthwatering entrées like lamb shank (slow-cooked in a tomato sauce and served on a bed of orzo), massive stuffed peppers or kebobs. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/994-2828. $$
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. $$
Brio Tuscan Grille—5050 Town Center Circle, #239. Italian. The Boca outpost of this national chain does what it set out to do—dish up big portions of well-made, easily accessible Italian-esque fare at a reasonable price. If you’re looking for bruschetta piled with fresh cheeses and vegetables or house-made fettuccine with tender shrimp and lobster in a spicy lobster butter sauce, you’ll be one happy diner. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/392-3777. $$
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) $$
Steve’s Wood Fired Pizza—9180 Glades Road. Italian. With an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and rigorous preparation—the hand-rolled dough rises for three days before use—this reliable purveyor offers varieties of ‘za that are both familiar and novel, from BBQ chicken and veggie primavera to Mom’s White Roasted Garlic and the Mupsa (mushroom, pepperoni and sausage) . • Lunch and dinner Tues.-Sat., dinner Sun. 561/483-5665. $$
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 all-day menu. Grilled salmon chopped salad with tomatillo ranch dressing is delightful, as is guacamole studded with fat chunks of bacon and charred corn. Same goes for decadent shrimp mac-n-cheese. The wicked-good chocolate bread pudding with salted caramel sauce would be the envy of any Big Easy eatery. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Brunch Sat.-Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/235-5819. $
Trattoria Romana—499 E. Palmetto Park Road.
True—147 S.E. First Ave. American. True is the only place in South Florida to eat authentic Baltimore crab cakes. This
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. $$$
small, unpretentious venue reminds us of a Key West food shack. The food is fabulous. Try anything with crab (crab dip, crab soup, crab sliders), but don’t miss the bacon-wrapped dates, beef brisket sliders and Fetacomply salad.• Dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/417-5100. $$
Twenty Twenty Grille —141 Via Naranjas, Suite 45. Contemporary American. You’ve probably licked postage stamps that are larger than Ron and Rhonda Weisheit’s tiny jewel box of a restaurant, but what it lacks in space it more than makes up for in charm, sophistication and imaginative, expertly crafted food. Virtually everything is made in-house, from the trio of breads that first grace your table to the pasta in a suave dish of tagliatelle with duck and chicken confit. Don’t miss the jerk pork belly and grilled veal strip loin. • Dinner nightly. 561/9907969. $$$
Villagio Italian Eatery—344 Plaza Real. Italian.
Vino —114 N.E. Second St. Wine Bar/Italian. An impres-
The classic Italian comfort food at this Mizner Park establishment is served with flair and great attention to detail. The reasonably priced menu—with generous portions—includes all your favorites (veal Parmesan, Caesar salad) and some outstanding seafood dishes (Maine lobster with shrimp, mussels and clams on linguine). There is a full wine list and ample people-watching given the prime outdoor seating. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561-447-2257. $$
sive wine list of some 200 bottles (all available by the glass) offers a multitude of choices, especially among Italian and California reds. The menu of “Italian tapas” includes roasted red peppers with Provolone, as well as ricotta gnocchi with San Marzano tomatoes. • Dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/869-0030. $$
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WEST BOCA Boon’s Asian Bistro —19605 N. State Road 7. Japanese/Thai. This is one of two Boon’s (the other is in Delray Beach), and it’s where the rush to eat excellent sushi started. The fast-moving staff is choreographed to deliver dishes such as shrimp pad Thai that’s light, delicate and happily filled with shrimp. The Thai fried rice is unusually delicate too, with lots of egg, and is some of the best around. The sushi rolls are as fresh and inventive (try the Daimyo roll) as they are beautifully presented. Go early or call for a reservation. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/883-0202. $$
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. $$
Ditmas Kitchen—21077 Powerline Road. Contemporary kosher. This west Boca restaurant is named after a Brooklyn avenue in a district known for its food. Here you’ll find very good casual food, and no dairy products are used. Try the Hibachi salmon, all-kale Caesar salad, the shnitzel sandwich. • Dinner Sun.-Thurs. 561/826-8875. $$$
La Ferme—9101 Lakeridge Blvd. French/Mediterranean. Classic style and classically oriented French cuisine come together at this elegant yet comfortable restaurant in a west Boca shopping mall. Though there are a few Asian and Italian-inflected dishes on the menu, at its heart Le Ferme (“the farm”) is as French as the Eiffel Tower. Start with the foie gras terrine and proceed to lamb rack or pan-seared salmon with braised baby artichokes. C’est délicieux. • Dinner nightly. 561/654-6600. $$$
AARON BRISTOL
Oliv Pit Athenian Grille—6006 S.W. 18th St. Mod-
Tony Fries from Ditmas Kitchen
ern Greek. The owners’ goal of bringing together the best of Greek cooking under one roof, much like the melting pot that is Athens, is covered here in an extensive menu. The best way to enjoy the food is to share it: the Pikilia trio with tzatziki, spicy feta and eggplant spread is a starting place. Try the mix grill platter and the hearty red Greek wine. End the night with a unique, velvety frappe cappuccino. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/409-2049. $$
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. $$
Villa Rosano—9858 Clint Moore Road. Italian. You can
Lunch Break
As of January 2020, 3rd and 3rd has reopened for lunch service, starting at 11:30 a.m.— because who wants to wait until 5 p.m. for short rib hash or a carne asada bowl?
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be forgiven for imagining yourself in some rustic Italian hill town as the smells of garlic and tomato sauce waft through the air. Start by sopping up the house olive oil with slices of crusty bread, then move on to a stellar version of clams Guazzetto and delicate fillets of sole done a la Francese. • Lunch Mon.-Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/4700112. $$
BOYNTON BEACH Bar Louie —1500 Gateway Blvd., #100. Eclectic. Attempting to split the difference between happening bar and American café, Bar Louie in the sprawling Renaissance Commons complex mostly succeeds, offering burgers, pizzas, fish tacos and a variety of salads, all at moderate prices and in truly daunting portions. In South Florida’s world of trendy and expensive bistros, this is a welcome relief. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/853-0090. $
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. $$
Sushi Simon —1628 S. Federal Highway. Japanese. It’s been called “Nobu North” by some aficionados, and for good reason. Local sushi-philes jam the narrow dining room for such impeccable nigirizushi as hamachi and uni (Thursdays), as well as more elaborate dishes like snapper Morimoto and tuna tartare. Creative, elaborate rolls are a specialty. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/731-1819. $$ The Venu —8794 Boynton Beach Blvd. Modern European/American. A comfortable supper club vibe with better-than-average food. Live entertainment supplements large portions, with dishes such as braised wild boar pappardelle, grilled salmon and arancini. Happy hour portions are large, too; desserts are decadent. Worth a trip to west Boynton Beach. • Dinner Mon.-Sat. 561/200-0222. $$
DELRAY BEACH 3rd and 3rd—301 N.E. Third Ave. Gastropub. This quirky, individualistic, obscurely located little place is one of the most important restaurants in Delray. The menu changes frequently, but hope the evening’s fare includes plump scallops with caramelized mango sauce, stunning delicious roasted cauliflower with Parmesan mousse and bacon, and wicked-good espresso panna cotta on it at your visit. • Dinner Mon.-Sat. 561/303-1939. $$ 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. $$
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Buzz Bites II Three New Restaurants Open in Central & North Palm
T
hese new restaurants recently opened north of us. Time to start exploring!
FIREFIN GRILL, 2401 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. In the former Carmine’s Ocean Grill location, this restaurant offers seafood, steaks, tacos, burgers, sushi and more, including a lionfish fillet. Open for dinner, with outdoor seating, live music and proximity to the adjacent Carmine’s market. SCUSI TRATTORIA, 4520 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. This coastal Italian restaurant, helmed by Owner/Executive Chef Laurent Tourondel, is in the PGA Commons location. Open for lunch and dinner. Menu includes wood-baked branzino, skirt steak, wood-fired pizzas, veal and pork ricotta meatballs, salumis, bigeye tuna crudo antipasti, gelato, sorbet and more. Offering beer, wine, cocktails (this is in the former Vic & Angelo’s spot). Known for his BLT brand (BLT Prime, BLT Burger, BLT Steak), in 2018 Tourondel opened restaurants in London and Sag Harbor. He is chef/partner at Brasserie Ruhlmann in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center. SASSAFRAS, 105 S. Narcissus Ave., West Palm Beach. Part of the Sub-Culture restaurant group, this venue employs a number of former Delray Beach’s 32 East staff in the kitchen, which is good news. The focus is on local, fresh food with components from Swank Farm and KaiKai Farm. —Lynn Kalber
Even an earth angel’s wings get sore. Make Valentine’s Day heavenly with decadent treatments and gift cards from the Seagate Spa.
Cupid’s Crush Package Includes a Complimentary Champagne & Strawberry Cocktail* $402 for 4 hours (a $503 value) Pink Himalayan Salt Glow 25 minutes
ESPA Personalized Facial 50 minutes
Pink Himalayan Salt Stone Swedish Massage 50 minutes
Champagne & Strawberries Manicure/Pedicure 80 minutes
To book your appointment, call 561-510-2842. Gift cards may be purchased at The Seagate Spa, or online by visiting TheSeagateHotel.com/giftcards.
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. $
Open daily 8:00 a.m.– 8:00 p.m. At The Seagate Hotel & Spa, 1000 E. Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards “Top 75 Hotel Spas in the U.S.” State of Florida, Department of Health, Massage Establishment. License # MM 23691 *Must be 21 and over to consume alcohol.
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Apeiro Kitchen & Bar—14917 Lyons Road. Mediterranean. West Delray diners have another reason to stay in their neighborhood with this stylish, contemporary Mediterranean eatery. Apeiro’s menu spans the entire Mediterranean, with dishes like Moroccan-spiced lamb ribs, 14-ounce double-cut pork chops, and fluffy meatballs adorned with tomato sauce, ricotta and pesto. The apple crostata, baked in a wood-burning oven, is one of the best desserts in town. • Dinner nightly. 561/501-4443. $$ Atlantic Grille—1000 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood/ Contemporary American. This posh restaurant in the luxurious Seagate Hotel & Spa is home to a 450-gallon aquarium of tranquil moon jellyfish and a 2,500-gallon shark tank. Savor inventive cuisine that takes the contemporary to the extraordinary. Bold flavors, inspired techniques and the freshest ingredients make every meal a culinary adventure. • Lunch and dinner daily. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/665-4900. $$
The Banyan—189 N.E. Second Ave. American. Snuggled under its namesake banyan tree in Pineapple Grove, this modern restaurant boasts a bright pink neon bar with bright cocktails, too. Try the purple Aviation gin cocktail paired with the Maryland crab bites or the Yum Yum Shrimp with spicy-sweet sriracha aioli. Sliders, tacos, mac trios and flatbreads do not disappoint. Order the crème brûlée cheesecake if it’s available. • 561/563-8871. $$
Batch Gastropub —14813 Lyons Road. Gastropub. Definitely try the homemade batches of cocktails on tap, which give this west Delray gastropub its name. The artisanal mixes boast ingredients such as H.M. Tonic No. 22—the crisp, tangy part of a very good gin and tonic. The heirloom tomato and feta salad is a highlight with Champagne vinaigrette dressing. Also popular are the brisket and short rib burgers, the avocado toast and the chicken Caesar. But the drinks are what you’ll remember. • Brunch Sat.-Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/877-0000. $$ Beg for More Izakaya —19 S.E. Fifth Ave. Japa-
Truffled mac and cheese from Cut 432
nese Small Plates. The large sake, whisky and beer menu here pairs beautifully with the small plates full of everything except sushi. No sushi. And that’s fine. Try the takoyaki (octopus balls), the crispy salmon tacos and anything with the addictive kimchi, such as the kimchi fried rice. There are pasta, teriyaki and simmered duck with bok choy dishes—or 16 varieties of yakitori (food on skewers). You’ll be back to beg for more. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/563-8849. $$
Brulé Bistro —200 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary
Dessert For 21 & Up
We love all the house-made pastries at Brule Bistro, but if cornered, we have to go with the spiked option: cinnamon beignets with Kahlua caramel.
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. $$
Buddha Sky Bar —217 E. Atlantic Ave. #3. Pan Asian. Don’t miss a meal at this stylish Asia-meets-industrial chic spot with a view of the Delray skyline. Chinese-influenced dim sum is inspired, while rock shrimp tempura and Tokyo beef skewers with twin chimichurri sauces touch the heart and the taste buds. Veggie fried rice is exemplary thanks to the kitchen’s application of wok chi. • Dinner nightly. 561/450-7557. $$
Burt & Max’s —9089 W. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. 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, bocamag.com
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including a stellar truffle-scented wild mushroom pizza. • Dinner nightly. Sunday brunch. 561/638-6380. $$
Cabana El Rey —105 E. Atlantic Ave. Cuban tropical. Little Havana is alive and well in Delray. The menu is a palette-pleasing travelogue, including starters like mariquitas (fried banana chips) and main courses such as seafood paella (think mussels, shrimp, clams, conch, scallops and octopus). • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/274-9090. $$
Caffe Luna Rosa—34 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach. Italian. This multiple Delray Beach-award winning restaurant has sparkling service, comfort food taken to a higher level, and a setting just steps from the Atlantic. Open since 1993, and a success since then, they dish up big flavors in a tiny space, so call for reservations. Try the calamari fritto misto, then the rigatoni pomodoro and leave room for dessert. Or come back for breakfast. • Open daily from breakfast through dinner. 561-274-9404. $$
City Oyster —213 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This stylish mainstay of Big Time Restaurant Group serves up reasonably priced seafood that never disappoints, such as shrimp and grits with a jumbo crab cake. This is the place to see and be seen in Delray, and the food lives up to its profile. • Lunch Mon.–Sun. Dinner nightly. Outdoor dining. 561/272-0220. $$ Cut 432—432 E. Atlantic Ave. Steakhouse. Hipper decor, a more casual vibe and an inventive take on steak-house favorites make this sleek restaurant just different enough to be interesting. Starters such as ceviche (prepared Peruvian style) and ultrarich oysters Rockefeller are first-rate, while the wet-aged beef is appropriately tender and tasty. • Dinner nightly. 561/272-9898. $$$
Dada—52 N. Swinton Ave. Contemporary American. The same provocative, whimsical creativity that spawned Dada the art movement infuses Dada the restaurant, giving it a quirky charm all its own. The comfort food with a moustache menu has its quirky charms, too, like shake-n-bake pork chops with sweet-savory butterscotch onions, and a brownie-vanilla ice cream sundae with strips of five-spice powdered bacon. The wittily decorated 1920s-vintage house-turned-restaurant is, as they say, a trip. • Dinner nightly. 561/330-3232. $$
Deck 84—840 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Burt Rapoport’s ode to laid-back tropical dining is like a day at the beach without getting sand between your toes. Though the restaurant is casual, the kitchen 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. $$
Elisabetta’s —32 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. An ornate Italian spot, with classically prepared dishes including spiedini shrimp, burrata de prosciutto bruschetta, costoletta di vitello (veal), a guanciale pizza, cacio e pepe pasta, malfadine Amatriciana and gemelli puttanesca. Portions are large and that, thankfully, goes for the homemade gelati, too. The best seating outdoors is the second-floor balcony overlooking Atlantic Avenue. • Lunch and dinner daily; weekend brunch. 561/650-6699. $$
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BENEFITING THE GEORGE SNOW SCHOLARSHIP FUND
SAVE THE DATE FEBRUARY 29, 2020
6:30 - 11 PM . THE BOCA RATON RESORT & CLUB Corporate Community Service Award Recipient WHELCHEL PARTNERS
Community Service Award Recipient MATTHEW MASCHLER
Honorary Chairs PAIGE KORNBLUE HUNTER AND ANDREW HUNTER
Event Chair VICTORIA MATTHEWS
Tickets starting at $250. Call for more information on sponsorship opportunities. (561) 347-6799 • www.scholarship.org THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! ROBIN & CHARLES DEYO
JIM AND MARTA BATMASIAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
A copy of the official registration #CH1215 and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free (800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state.
E AT & D R I N K RESTAURANT DIRECTORY
Come Join Us For Lunch & Dinner!
The Grove —187 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. Chef and sommelier Michael Haycook and Dining Room Manager Paul Strike change their menu biweekly, turning out dishes exhilarating in their freshness, creativity and elegant simplicity. An appetizer of octopus with olive oil, crushed potato aioli and lemon is outstanding. • Dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/266-3750. $$ Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar—1841 S. Federal Highway. American. You don’t have to worry about calories (most dishes are under 500), you don’t have to worry about finding something you haven’t tried before (new items are added every three months) and freshness is the silent ingredient throughout. Try the pesto Caprese flatbread, the supergrain salad and the steak or salmon or chicken. Desserts offer big tastes in small jars. • Lunch and dinner daily; brunch on weekends. 561/266-3239. $$
Henry’s—16850 Jog Road. American. This casual, unpretentious restaurant in the west part of town never fails to delight diners. Expect attentive service and crisp execution of everything—from meat loaf, burgers and fried chicken to flatbreads and hefty composed salads. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/638-1949. $$
Il Girasole—2275 S. Federal Highway. Northern Italian. If you want Northern Italian in a low-key atmosphere, and nobody rushing you out the door, this is your spot. Start with something from the very good wine list. Try the yellowtail snapper, the penne Caprese and the capellini Gamberi, and leave room for the desserts. Reservations recommended. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/272-3566. $$
GaliniGreekRestaurant.com
561-931-2752
Boca Valley Plaza 7491 N Federal Hwy #C-10 Boca Raton, FL
OPEN 7 DAYS 11am-10pm GaliniGreek_BRM Feb20.indd 1
J&J Seafood Bar & Grill—634 E. Atlantic Ave. 1/4/20 12:43 PM
“Before you and your staff from Boca Nursing Services started taking care of Helen and I, we existed; now we are living again! Thank you, Rose.” -Dr. K.D.
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. $$ Rose Glamoclija, R.N. Founder and Administrator
Joseph’s Wine Bar —200 N.E. Second Ave. Mediterranean-American. Joseph’s is an elegant, comfortable, intimate nook in Delray’s Pineapple Grove, and an ideal place for a lazy evening. This family affair—owner Joseph Boueri, wife Margaret in the kitchen, and son Elie and daughter Romy working the front of the house—has all tastes covered. Try the special cheese platter, the duck a l’orange or the rack of lamb. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/272-6100. $$
It’s The Personal Touch That Makes The Difference
Registered Nurses Licensed Practical Nurses Certified Nursing Assistants Home Health Aides Physical Therapy
• • • • •
Lic#HHA20196095
Offering Quality Private Duty Nursing Care and Care Management Services Since 1993 Available 24 Hours a Day • • • • •
Companions Live-Ins Homemakers Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy
Serving Broward, Palm Beach, Martin & St. Lucie Counties 342 E. Palmetto Park Rd., Suites 1 & 2 Boca Raton, FL 33432
255 Sunrise Avenue, Suite 200 Palm Beach, FL 33480
Fax (561) 347-7567
Fax (561) 833-3460
(561) 347-7566
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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. $$
(561) 833-3430
L’Acqua —110 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. You’ll get what you pay for here: very good Italian food in an upscale, modern, cool gray and white restaurant that is a refreshing change from busy Atlantic Avenue. The antipasti (bread, balsamic/honey dipping sauce, Parmesan chunks, bruschetta) are so good, they could be dinner. But save room for the pollo Parmigiana, the scallopine piccate al limone, the four kinds of risotto, and dessert. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/563-7492. $$$ 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. $$
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Latitudes —2809 S. Ocean Blvd. Modern American. You should come for both the sunset and the food. This oceanfront restaurant is a gem tucked inside the Delray Sands resort. From the airy, bubbly interior to the raw bar, the décor is soothing and fun. Try the lobster and crab stuffed shrimp, the miso-glazed Skuna Bay salmon, the branzino or the veal Bolognese. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-6241. $$$
Nurture Your Child’s
S-STEAm at St. Joe’s
Spirituality – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math
Lemongrass Bistro—420 E. Atlantic Ave. Pan-Asian. 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, 561/5448181; 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. $$ Park Tavern—32 S.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. Check out the high-top seating or bar stools during an excellent happy hour menu that includes deviled eggs, pork sliders, chicken wings and a happy crowd. Entrees are generous and well executed. Try the fish and chips, one of six burgers, fish tacos and more. • Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.-Sun. 561/2655093. $$ 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. $$$
Racks Fish House + Oyster Bar—5 S.E. Second Ave. Seafood. Gary Rack, who also has scored with his spot in Mizner Park, certainly seems to have the restaurant Midas touch, as evidenced by this updated throwback to classic fish houses. Design, ambience and service hit all the right notes. Oysters are terrific any way you get them; grilled fish and daily specials are excellent. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/450-6718. $$$ 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. $$$ Sazio —131 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. This long-lived venue on crowded Atlantic Avenue is a reason to sit down and take a breath. Then take up a fork and try the linguine with white clam sauce or the ravioli Sazio or grilled skirt steak or pretty much anything on the menu. Prices are reasonable; leftovers are popular. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/272-5540. $$
WEB EXTRA: check out our complete tri-county dining guide only at BOCAMAG.COM.
Visit www.sjsonline.org to learn more about St. Joe’s
Your School for Educational Excellence! Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School 3300-B South Seacrest Boulevard Boynton Beach, Florida 33435
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2019 Holiday Party BENEFITED THE CROHN’S & COLITIS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
Payton Cohen, David Cohen, Tracy Cohen, Kim & Lou Silver
Mark Stern, Jean Spencer, Peter Dosik
Peter Dosik, Marci Langley
Dr. Mark Saltzman, Nina Finkel, Leonard Effron, Jacky Saltzman
Joyce Wool, Carol Stamps, Billy Stamps, Howard Wool
Peter Dosik, Cheryl Kuba, Ron Kuba
Sue Lefferts, Peter Dosik, Gary Lefferts
Howard Dvorkin, Andy Weisman, Bart Weisman, Gwen Dvorkin, Debbie Weisman
Carolyn Sher, Ken Sher
Alyce Hartman, Erwin Hartman
Peter Dosik, Peter Gary
Mr. and Mrs. Marc Launer, Peter Dosik
David Cohen, David Cohen
Rocco Mangel, Peter Dosik
Owners Le Sorelle, Peter Dosik
Jay Weinberg, Marylin Weinberg
Dr. Martin, Dr. Lawrence Kobak, Anita Moorhead, Joyce Kobak, Toby Kobak
Ashley Katz, Peter Katz
Peter Dosik, Howard Koslow, Jane Koslow, Abbe Wolf, Michael Wolf
Chris Hudge, Larisa
Anthony Calagna, Nika Calanga, Peter Dosik
Sheila Leipsner, Dr. George Leipsner
Dr. Mark Goldstein, Peter Dosik
Larry Penti, Marie Penti
Matt Stevens, Sidney Gordon, Jackie Angle, Jessica Turner
Dr George Botelho, Ina Botelho, Svetlana Ottey, Anita Moorhead, Peter Dosik, Lora Fainzilber, Alex Falikov
Bruce Polansky, Dr. Alan Gittman
Dr. Isaac Dornacher, Petia Dornacher
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1/8/20 4:44 PM
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WOMEN LEARN "POWER OF THE PURSE" W I T H T H E j a c o b s o n J E W I S H c o m m u n i t y f o u n d at i o n
Caring, savvy women had a great opportunity to learn about how women’s financial and philanthropic activities, motivations and goals impact the world at “Power of the Purse: Intentional Investing.” Guest speaker Laura LaRosa, executive director of Glenmede, an independent and privately held trust company, spoke about intentional investing, and explained how aligning investments with companies that have certain values may bring better returns. The program was presented at Farmer's Table in Boca Raton by the Jacobson Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, and chaired by Shari Cohen and Renée Safier Harris. Learn more about leaving a Jewish legacy from Lottie Nilsen, Assoc.VP Foundation Development, at lottien@bocafed.org, 561.852.3109.
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{6} {1} L-R: Shari Cohen, Laura LaRosa, Renée Safier Harris
{2} L-R: Dale Filhaber, Cathrine Schwartz {3} L-R: Jill Poser, Elyssa Kupferberg {4} L-R: Sonni Simon, Gail Eagle, Lottie Nilsen {5} L-R: Carla Panzitta, Laura LaRosa, Jill Rose {6} L-R: Anne Jacobson, Marla Weiss Egers {7} L-R: April Leavy, Amy Dweck {7} Photography: Jeffrey Tholl Photography
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{8} L-R: Emily Grabelsky, Cindy Orbach Nimhauser
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JUNIOR LEAGUE WVOY > 170 BOCA RATON MAYOR’S BALL > 172 STAR LUNCHEON > 174
Fred Fulmer, Kendra Erika, and Ingrid Fulmer at the Mayor’s Ball February 2020
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bocamag.com
12/31/19 11:53 AM
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JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BOCA RATON WVOY LUNCHEON WHAT: The Junior League of Boca Raton named Michelle Stallone the Woman Volunteer of the Year at the 32nd-annual WVOY luncheon. Stallone was one of 37 nominees, and won for her work with the Pink Ball charity, which provides mammograms and other services to women without health insurance. The luncheon, which celebrates volunteerism by women in our community each year, was held at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, and featured a fashion show by A.L.C. and sponsorship by Saks Fifth Avenue. WHERE: Boca Raton Resort & Club Keely Ast, Steve Alman, Denise Alman
Danielle Trepeck, John Tolbert, Richelle Kuhsch
Kelly Heeg, Heather Hacket, Diana Cruz
bocamag.com
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Cristy Stewart-Harfmann, Nicole Mugavero, Michelle Stallone, Lisa Warren
Heather Shaw, Andrea Lieberman, Pamela Weinroth, Robert Weinroth
February 2020
1/2/20 3:48 PM
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Bruce Grossman, Kim Champion, Holli Rockwell, Joe Trubinsky
THE BOCA RATON MAYOR’S BALL WHAT: The Mayor’s Ball is the Rotary Club of Downtown Boca’s signature annual event, and this past season more than 450 attendees came together to dine and dance the night away. Each year, the event brings together members of the community for a black-tie event that benefits local health and wellness charities and celebrates the history of our city through a partnership with the Boca Raton Historical Society. Gale Wechsler, Jason Owen, Karyn Turk
WHERE: Rotary Club of Downtown Boca
Laura and Michael Walstrom
Liz and Jason Hagensick, Barbara Campbell, Jerry and Terry Fedele, Bobby Campbell (seated)
bocamag.com
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February 2020
12/31/19 11:53 AM
MAGICALPHOTOS.COM / MITCHELL ZACHS
173
Michael Fairs, Heather Shaw, Marilyn Weinberg, Jay Weinberg
Mayor Scott Singer, Bella Singer, Lori Ann Konis, Dr. Allen Konis
Robert Weinroth, Arlene Herson, Jonathan Whitney
Patti Carpenter, Mayor Bill T. Smith, Bonny Smith
Doug Paton, Linda Paton, Pat Howard, Rick Howard
February 2020 issue. Vol. 40, No. 2. 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.
February 2020
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bocamag.com
1/2/20 3:50 PM
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COURTESY OF BANYAN TREATMENT CENTER
174
Monika Tuttle, Cullen Seipp, Pat Novak Anthony Acampora and Bill Hood
STAR LUNCHEON WHAT: More than 200 people gathered at the STAR (Supporting Treatment Access and Resources) luncheon at the Boca Raton Marriott to hear inspirational stories of recovery from Former NBA player and wellness advocate Chris Herren, along with MTV celebrity and best-selling author Brandon Novak, poet Matt Ganem and mental health advocate Pamela Leal. All proceeds were given to the Roots to Recovery Scholarship of Banyan Treatment Center. WHERE: Boca Raton Marriott Chris Kaufteil and John Egan
Kevin Mikolazyk, Joe Tuttle, Matt Ganem, Brandon Novak, Darren Prince
bocamag.com
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Allison Rush and Paige Coleman
February 2020
12/31/19 11:54 AM
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MY TURN
Valentines That Matter
Giving thanks and reaching out are two ways to spread the love Written by JOHN SHUFF
I
t’s February, the month when we celebrate love on Valentine’s Day. I remember my mom buying mini heart cut-outs to take to school for each member of my second-grade class, each one with the same words: “Happy Valentine’s Day.” That sentiment wasn’t enough to spark a whirlwind romance for a second grader, but as Mom reminded me as I signed the back of each heart, “John, it’s the thought that counts.” The sights and sounds of the holidays and the New Year are behind us, and we are back again to face the dark political divide in this country that has catapulted people to a level of intolerance and lack of trust in America’s institutions. People are deluged with radio and television talk shows, podcasts and internet drivel about politics that’s enough to make you wish you lived under a rock. People seem to have forgotten how country comes first, how important it is to value the underpinnings of our republic. The political establishment in this country is on its own partisan tear, doing what it wants, giving its citizens the Rodney Dangerfield treatment of“no respect.” There is no better time than now to drill down to what matters, to put differences aside and take time to reflect on those who have made a difference in our lives—those we love and respect. It might be a teacher, a coach, a boss, a long-forgotten friend. Just jog your memory about those who took the time to give of themselves to help
you jump the hurdles, traverse the ups and downs of life’s journey. They may not be living, but you will remember them as people who gave a damn. The people who believed in you even though, at the time, you didn’t believe in yourself. It’s time to send them a Valentine, from a heart full of thanks. Will Bass, my high school basketball coach, pushed me hard. He was an inveterate disciplinarian who emphasized tough practice sessions.“If you practice hard you will be prepared,” he reminded us. His admonition to“be prepared” still rings in my ears. Will died years ago, but I thank him for the confidence and the mental toughness he instilled in me. Those who played for him would say the same thing. We were the lucky ones to have crossed his path. I have the most love and, at the same time, compassion, for my wife, Margaret Mary, who has devoted the last 45 years of our 56-year-old marriage to making my journey through life with multiple sclerosis (MS) as normal as possible. It’s been hard on her—always stressful—but I have never heard a complaint. Dealing with me is difficult enough. Add MS to the equation, with all its complications, and most spouses would have walked. Margaret Mary stayed. Gandhi said,“There is more to life than increasing its speed.”This month of love, start to downshift your engine, cool your jets and put life into perspective by mulling over those who have made a difference and have had an impact on you. Thank them by writing a note, calling them on the phone or making a personal visit. Just keep in touch; you’ll be glad you did, and it might be the nicest gift they will ever receive.
Be My Valentine
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February 2020
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