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R E A DY F O R L AV I S H L I V I N G I N B O CA R ATO N ?
I T ' S
T I M E
F O R
E L L I M A N
21573 El Bosque Way, Boca Raton | $6,975,000 | 7-BR, 9-BA and 3-HALF-BA | Web# A10419680
NICHOLAS DESANTIS Realtor Associate M: 561.670.5140 nicholas.desantis@elliman.com
1111 LINCOLN RD, MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139. 305.695.6300 © 2018 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. IF YOUR PROPERTY IS CURRENTLY LISTED WITH ANOTHER REAL ESTATE BROKER, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS OFFER. IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO SOLICIT THE OFFERINGS OF OTHER REAL ESTATE BROKERS. WE COOPERATE WITH THEM FULLY. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
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elliman.com/florida NEW YORK CITY | LONG ISLAND | THE HAMPTONS | WESTCHESTER | CONNECTICUT | NEW JERSEY | FLORIDA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO | MASSACHUSETTS | INTERNATIONAL
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TURNING MOMENTS INTO MEMORIES. DISCOVER BOCA.
RECEIVE UP TO A $500 RESORT CREDIT* A modernized Mediterranean Resort Village spanning over 300 acres, Boca Raton Resort & Club has every imaginable amenity to offer today’s luxury traveler. Enjoy the half-mile private beach, 13 bars and restaurants, award-winning Waldorf Astoria Spa and the FLOWRIDER wave simulator. For reservations visit BocaResort.com or call 561.447.3000.
@bocaresor t #bocaresor t B O C A R E S O R T.COM
© 201 8 Hilton Worldwide
*Earn a $100 resort credit per night stayed, up to 5 nights, with the Discover Boca offer. Two night minimum stay. Maximum credit earned $500 per stay. Visit bocaresort.com for complete terms and conditions.
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Keeping the Promise Fifty years ago, Gloria Drummond made a promise to bring a hospital — the “Miracle on Meadows Road” — to Boca Raton. Five decades later, that promise is being renewed. Through the transformational gifts of philanthropists like Richard and Barbara Schmidt and the Schmidt Family Foundation, Boca Raton Regional Hospital has evolved into one of the premier tertiary academic medical centers in Florida. Their recent largesse and commitment of 10 million dollars to our Hospital will foster an even greater evolution. One where the extraordinary has become the ordinary. Where miracles occur every day, in every place, throughout our organization. Now…and for the next 50 years.
Richard & Barbara Schmidt
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“ T H E N E W B O C A” ROOFTOP SUNDECK
With construction progressing, Compson Associates has announced a major milestone at its luxury condominium, Tower 155, in downtown Boca Raton. The high-rise project has risen above ground level with the completion of its third floor. Sales have already reached 80%, and the developer recently made news with a record-setting $2.35 million penthouse sale. “Tower 155 is the most in-demand new address in downtown Boca Raton. Every detail of this property is designed to create convenience, comfort and luxury,” said Compson Associates partner Robert D’Angelo. Residents of Tower 155 will be able to enjoy a multitude of luxuries found in Boca Raton due to its convenient downtown location. While overlooking the decorative walkways of Mizner Park, with its beautiful fountains, upscale retail and department stores, fine dining restaurants, cinemas and the Boca Raton Museum of Art, Tower 155 will also have a five-mile stretch of golden beaches located less than a mile away. The exclusive Boca Raton Resort and Club situated on 365 breathtaking acres is located nearby with fine jazz clubs, extravagant spas and golf courses to unwind. Concerts, farmer’s markets and family activities continue to make Downtown Boca Raton into the most sought after location for refined families. Nationally recognized for its “A” rated schools and prestigious universities, Boca Raton continues to expand its excellent selection of SALES GALLERY MON - FRI: 10AM - 5PM SAT 10AM - 4PM & SUN 11AM - 4PM
public, private and charter schools. It also offers unsurpassed healthcare at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, a top ranked South Florida hospital for the fourth year in a row. The highly anticipated development is part of “The New Boca”, a style consisting of fresh, contemporary architecture and upscale amenities that target a younger demographic. The building features opulent interiors designed by Steven G. and a modern Art Deco exterior from Vander Ploeg & Associates. Residents of the luxury tower will enjoy a stunning array of unique amenities including a rooftop sundeck with a pool, a hot tub, a bar, a fitness center and a yoga studio. Additional services include concierge and valet for dog walking, grocery shopping, reservations and more. Located in the exclusive Mizner Park area, the landmark property is situated in the center of one of America’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Residents will be steps away from Boca Raton’s world-class beaches, restaurants, shops, marinas and more. Tower 155 offers a floor plan for every lifestyle, and with units selling fast, it’s projected to be sold out before construction is complete. Compson Associates is an award-winning development company that has developed over $2 billion in luxury properties across South Florida and beyond. They look forward to continuing their reputation for quality and luxury with the completion of Tower 155.
561.396.2787 WWW.TOWER155.COM
This residential development TOWER 155 (“Project”) is being developed 155 Boca Raton Road, LLC ("Developer"), which has a limited right to use the trademarked names and logos of Compson. Any and all statements, disclosures and/or representations shall be deemed made by Developer and not by Compson, and you agree to look solely to Developer (and not to Compson 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. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS, MAKE REFERENCE TO THIS BROCHURE AND TO THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTION 718.503, FLORIDA STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY A DEVELOPER TO A BUYER OR LESSEE. These materials are not intended to be an offer to sell, or solicitation to buy a unit in the condominium. Such an offering shall only be made pursuant to the prospectus (offering circular) for the condominium and no statements should be relied upon unless made in the prospectus or in the applicable purchase agreement. In no event shall any solicitation, offer or sale of a unit in the condominium be made in, or to residents of, any state or country in which such activity would be unlawful. This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to buy real estate to residents of CT, ID, NJ, NY and OR, unless registered or exemptions are available, or in any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law, and your eligibility for purchase will depend upon your state of residency. 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. All images and designs depicted herein are artist’s conceptual renderings, which are based upon preliminary development plans and are subject to change without notice in the manner provided in the offering documents. All such materials are not to scale and are shown solely for illustrative purposes.
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CONTENTS J U N E / J U LY/ A U G U S T 2 0 1 8
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VO L . 38 , I S S U E 5
Features
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Best of Boca
The Parkland survivors inspired us, Bill Murray confused us, and Lane Kiffin had us cheering all the way to the cheap seats. All this and more in our Best of Boca annual roundup. By MARIE SPEED and JOHN THOMASON
88
Here Comes the Sun?
American rooftops continue to be hot spots for solar power—but why isn’t the Sunshine State a national leader in sun-powered energy? BY JOHN THOMASON
94
Wanderlust, Florida Style
Grab your crew, your spouse, your kids or your Kindle, and get out this summer. These 30 options from the Keys to St. Augustine are a gas tank away. By ALLISON LEWIS, CHRISTIANA LILLY, MARIE SPEED and JOHN THOMASON
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Special Section: Florida Style & Design Troy McLellan and Ethel Isaacs Williams
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Our special design section offers an Ocean Ridge dream house, tips on merging home and garden, and floral accessories that turn over a new leaf. By BRAD MEE and MARIE SPEED
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CONTENTS J U N E / J U LY/ A U G U S T 2 0 1 8
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34 30
48
Departments 18 Editor’s Letter
65 Feel Good
160 My Turn
It may be a little more shabby than chic, but the editor’s beachside home for nearly three decades has been a fount of indelible memories.
Buy a different kind of six-pack with a [solidcore] gym membership, protect your skin from summer rays, and escape from yourself with Transcendental Meditation.
Don and Helen Ross’ transformation of Lynn University serves as a model for risk-taking businesspeople everywhere.
By MARIE SPEED
By ALLISON LEWIS
21 The Local
119 Backstage Pass
We toast Fourth of July with frosting and fondant, celebrate tiki culture, and lay out the perfect summer picnic. Plus, we profile a playful artist for whom it’s a small world, a businesswoman who seeded a special “garden,” and more.
Cabaret stars/disc jockeys Jill and Rich Switzer play“legendary” music, on and off the radio. Plus our robust A&E calendar proves that in South Florida, there is no off-season.
BY GARY GREENBERG, ALLISON LEWIS, CHRISTIANA LILLY, MARIE SPEED AND JOHN THOMASON
34: Dress Code: Wide-brimmed and snapback
hats, fun beach totes, and comfort-forward platform shoes are on trend this season. 54: City Watch: Why Boca Raton’s “problem” of school overcrowding is a matter of politics, not policy. By RANDY SCHULTZ
59 #LoveBoca Boca magazine highlights its partners with a series of fun events—including Savor the Avenue and Mixology.
bocamag.com
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By JOHN SHUFF
By JOHN THOMASON
127 Dining Guide Our review-driven guide to the finest dining in South Florida spotlights Oceano, Prezzo and the Tin Muffin. Plus, we deconstruct a chilly açaí bowl, and everyone’s favorite comfort food is put to a gooey Challenge. Reviews by LYNN KALBER
153 The Scene The Boca Raton Regional Hospital brought irresistible Temptations to its annual ball, and the Junior League’s annual fundraiser burst with many Flavors. By CHRISTIANA LILLY
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Find out more about our complimentary design services at ROBBSTUCKY.COM BOCA RATON SHOWROOM | 1353 North Federal Hwy., Boca Raton FL 33432 NAPLES • FORT MYERS • SARASOTA • CORAL GABLES • BOCA RATON
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BOCAMAG COM
10 Web Extras
Visit bocamag.com for bonus items you won’t see anywhere else—extended stories, recipes, news and more.
MEDIA
Don’t miss Boca on everything from FACEBOOK (facebook.com/bocamag) to INSTAGRAM (@bocamag) and TWITTER (@bocamag) for community news, retail trends, foodie updates and much more.
When walking outside is nothing short of torture, we crave an açaí bowl—an artfully layered treat with Amazonian berries, crunchy granola, creamy peanut butter and fresh fruits topped with coconut flakes and honey. For the recipe to make 3 Natives’ top-selling Bird Bowl, visit bocamag. com/june-2018.
GO BEHIND THE SCENES After you’re through drooling over our delicious picnic on page 48, head online to bocamag. com/june-2018 to watch the behind-the-scenes video (and a couple of recipes!) of how it all came to be. Try not to lick the screen.
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US ON SOCIAL
DECONSTRUCTING THE DISH
bocamag.com
FIND
BEST OF BOCA Didn’t get enough Best of Boca this issue? Head online to bocamag.com/ june-2018 to see our collection of extra categories of things that are just so Boca.
CITY WATCH Boca Raton is anything but sleepy, and Randy Schultz is the go-to for all the city politics, development and business news you need to know. For updates delivered straight to your email every Tuesday and Thursday, visit the City Watch tab on our website.
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.
BOCA LIVE! Since we launched our podcast in February, we’ve hit the ground running in our interview with a private investigator, peeked behind the curtain at Palm Beach Dramaworks, and gotten personal with one of Boca’s favorite chefs. Never miss an episode by subscribing on Soundcloud and iTunes and visiting bocamag.com/podcasts.
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GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Marie Speed MANAGING EDITOR
John Thomason WEB EDITOR
Christiana Lilly
AGL SENIOR ART DIRECTOR
Lori Pierino
NILI LOTAN
PHOTOGRAPHER
Aaron Bristol
NORMA KAMALI
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Mandy Wynne
OFFICINE CREATIVE
GRAPHIC DESIGNER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Shari Brown
PAS DE CALAIS
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
RAQUEL ALLEGRA
Gary Greenberg, Robin Hodes, Allison Lewis, Brad Mee, Randy Schultz, John Shuff
RICK OWENS
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Jason Nuttle CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR
Russ Tudor VIDEO PRODUCTION/CUSTOMER SERVICE
David Shuff
ROYAL PALM PLACE BOCA RATON 561-367-9600
FOOD EDITOR
Lynn Kalber
LAS OLAS FT. LAUDERDALE 954-524-2585
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RESEARCH AND SALES SUPPORT
Bruce Klein SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER
Gail Eagle
DeborahJames.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Lindsay Koolis Tanya Plath Merrie Sesskin MARKETING MANAGER
Portia Smith DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
olivia hollaus
Boca Raton magazine is published eight times a year by JES Media. The contents of Boca Raton magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Boca Raton magazine accepts no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts and/or photographs and assumes no liability for products or services advertised herein. Boca Raton magazine reserves the right to edit, rewrite or refuse material and is not responsible for products. Please refer to corporate masthead.
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Specially priced at $50 when added to any 50 or 80-minute massage (a $65 value)*. Mango Mondays Tangerine Tuesdays Watermelon Wednesdays
Delray Beach magazine Mizner’s Dream Worth Avenue Boca Raton Chamber Annual Salt Lake magazine Utah Bride and Groom Utah Style & Design Salt Lake Visitors’ Guide
FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION 2017 CHARLIE AWARDS CHARLIE AWARD (FIRST PLACE) best column (City Watch) best department (Backstage Pass) best overall online presence SILVER AWARD best overall design best overall writing best use of photography best redesign best in-depth reporting (South Florida Rocks!) BRONZE AWARD best in-depth reporting (Mall Murders) best feature (Robert Did It!) best magazine website
FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION 2016 CHARLIE AWARDS CHARLIE AWARD (FIRST PLACE) best overall magazine best editorial/commentary (City Watch) best custom magazine (Worth Avenue) best overall use of photography SILVER AWARD best department (The Boca Interview) best in-depth reporting best feature design best overall design best overall writing
To book an appointment, call 561-510-2842 or visit TheSeagateSpa.com Open daily 8:00 a.m.– 8:00 p.m. At The Seagate Hotel & Spa 1000 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach
*While supplies last. Gratuity not included. Offer valid June 1-August 31, 2018. State of Florida, Department of Health, Massage Establishment. License # MM 23691
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DIRECTORY
Subscription, copy purchasing and distribution
For any changes or questions regarding your subscription, to purchase back issues, or to inquire about distribution points, call circulation at 877/553-5363.
Advertising and event resources
Take advantage of Boca Raton magazine’s prime advertising space—put your ad dollars to work in the premier publication of South Florida. For more information, or to partner with Boca Raton on a community event, call 561/997-8683 ext. 300, or email sales@bocamag.com.
Custom publishing
Create a magazine tailored to fit the needs and character of your business/organization. Ideal for promotions, special events, introduction of new services, etc. Contact Marie Speed (editor@bocamag.com).
Story queries
Boca Raton magazine values the concerns, interests and knowledge of our readers about the community. Please submit story and profile ideas by email to Marie Speed (editor@bocamag.com). Due to the large volume of pitches, the editor may not respond to all queries. Boca Raton does not accept unsolicited, ready-for-print stories.
Web queries
Submit information regarding our website and online calendar to christiana@bocamag.com.
Letters
Your thoughts and comments are important to us. All letters to the editor may be edited for style, grammar and length. Send letters to the address listed below or to Marie Speed (editor@bocamag.com). Letter to the Editor Boca Raton magazine 1000 Clint Moore Road, #103 Boca Raton, FL 33487
Arts & entertainment
Where to go, what to do and see throughout South Florida. Please submit information regarding galas, art openings, plays, readings, concerts, dance or other performances to John Thomason (john.thomason@ bocamag.com). Deadline for entries in an upcoming A&E section is three months before publication.
Dining guide
Our independent reviews of restaurants in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. A fine, reliable resource for residents and tourists. For more information, contact Lynn Kalber (lynn@bocamag.com).
People
A photo collage of social gatherings and events in Boca Raton and South Florida. All photos submitted should be identified and accompanied by a brief description of the event (who, what, where, when). Email images to people@bocamag.com.
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SUBSCRIBERS
Thank You
for bringing Boca home!
First issue
Boca Raton magazine is published eight times a year, with in-season single issues and off-season combined issues. If you have any questions or comments regarding our magazine, call us at 561/997-8683. We’d love to hear from you.
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Once in a while, production, transportation or the postal service may delay delivery. If you don’t get an issue, or if your magazine is repeatedly late, please call and report your problem to our subscription department at 877/553-5363 or send an email to subscriptions@bocamag.com.
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If you have already paid your bill and then receive a new bill, here’s what you should do: 1. If you have paid your bill within the past four weeks, ignore the new invoice. (The computer simply has not given your account credit quickly enough.) 2. It’s most likely that your payment and our notice just crossed in the mail. Check the date on the notice to see when we mailed it. 3. If you get another bill or renewal notice, call our subscription department at 877/553-5363, or send an email to subscriptions@bocamag.com, and we will straighten out the problem.
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PERMANENT: If you are changing your address, send us your complete old address, complete new address, including ZIP code, and the effective date of the change. You can also leave us a message with your old and new address by calling 877/553-5363. TEMPORARY OR SEASONAL: Please send us your complete permanent address, your complete temporary address and the dates that you want your issues forwarded.
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ON VIEW THROUGH OCTOBER 21, 2018
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Receive additional savings by subscribing online. Visit bocamag.com for more information. [ For any of the above services, please contact our subscriptions services department. ] CALL TOLL FREE: 877/553-5363 EMAIL: subscriptions@bocamag.com WRITE: Boca Raton magazine Subscription Department 1000 Clint Moore Road, #103 Boca Raton, FL 33487
Lisette Model, Café Metropole [detail], New York, 1946, Gelatin silver print. Gift of the Estate of Lisette Model, 1990, by direction of Joseph G. Blum, New York, through the American Friends of Canada. Lisette Model is organized in partnership with the Canadian Photography Institute of the National Gallery of Canada. Scotiabank® is a Founding Partner of the Canadian Photography Institute.
In Mizner Park 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton 561.392.2500 | BOCAMUSEUM.ORG
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16
LETTERS
“At night, we partied at the Playpen, the Elbo Room and every place on the strip. No cameras caught us pool-hopping or making out in parking lots. We were free, high on life and somewhat drunk, but it was worth it.” — Annie Turner
READERS WEIGH IN
Kudos to the Editor Dear Ms. Speed, I do not know you, although I feel that I do, and you are one of my favorite people. I look forward to your reflections, insights and recommendations on life in our very unique and diverse Florida world. As northerners living here for the past six years (never say never!), I’m amazed at what a truly special place we are privileged to live in. Your editor’s letter always reinforces that feeling. Thanks so much for your wonderful voice! Janet Corwin Boca Raton
I usually only read Boca magazine to see artists’ renderings of huge buildings littering the Boca skyline and to read the Dining Guide in the back. Lord knows I can’t afford anything in between. This time, your article on hidden treasures [March 2018] caught my eye. I too lament the loss of the kind of easygoing lifestyle we used to have in South Florida. Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, I experienced many of the same things you did. The beach was our life. Spring break was unbelievable then. You couldn’t see the sand because it was covered in sunburnt bodies. The smell of Hawaiian Tropic hung heavy in the air. Dirty Ernie’s was my first lunch date with my husband and
my first conch chowder, both of which I still love. At night, we partied at the Playpen, the Elbo Room and every place on the strip. No cameras caught us pool-hopping or making out in parking lots. We were free, high on life and somewhat drunk, but it was great. I was going to mention that you forgot the Jungle Queen in Fort Lauderdale. In Boca, you missed Tom’s barbecue and the Acapulco Grill by the railroad tracks, where Queen Bee and the Drones rocked our socks off every weekend. Then I reread your intro about narrowing down the choices, and I understood. While I never went to Worth Avenue to buy $200 slippers, I feel I still had the quintessential Florida
experience, only coach class. Thanks for the stroll down memory lane, and thanks for the exceptional job you’ve done putting out a high-quality product. Congratulations on your 27 years as editor. Annie Turner
Dear Marie, Wow—27 years at Boca magazine! Congratulations! The magazine would not be the same without your sage input. You have a great sense of Florida community and the reader’s interest. Thank you for helping us to understand our city and state so much better! You have done a fabulous job. Lisa Mulhall Boca Raton
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17 Healing Words I want to thank you so much for the very special recognition that you gave the College of Nursing [“Boca’s Hidden Jewel,” My Turn, March 2018]. It meant so much to me. I’m so grateful for your friendship and advocacy. Marlaine Smith Dean, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, FAU
I had the opportunity this morning to read your article “Boca’s Hidden Jewel,” and I wanted to reach out right away to thank you for sharing your experience and priceless thoughts on life. I appreciated you taking time and space in your publication to sing
the praises of the angels and unsung heroes among us—our nurses—and for highlighting the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at FAU. I, for one, am very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet so many visionary, kind, compassionate and caring people in the past decade while living in South Florida. My seven years at Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation is characterized in my life as a time when I was extremely blessed and lucky to meet so many individuals that continually work to make a difference in the lives of those around them. You and Margaret Mary are among those I think of often from that season of my life. You are someone who
has encouraged me personally because of your “dive in and live life to the fullest” attitude, regardless of the challenges I know you experience. This spirit comes through loud and clear in your life and in your article. You have been an inspiration to me. Your strength and courage through adversity reminds me of my mother, who had the same spirit throughout her life and through her experiences with MS. You will always be near and dear to my heart, John! Kristina Gregg FAU Foundation Inc.
Island Time I saw your article on your trip to Bimini [Worth the Trip, March 2018]. My family and I just went there last
week and absolutely loved it. We are very happy that we just missed the Spring Breakers! I’m curious if you took the FRS Ferry or the Seaplane to Bimini. We took the FRS but found out from a guest at the resort that the prices are almost the same. We had a decent experience on the FRS on the way there, but it took two hours to get through customs once we were back in Miami. So between getting to the boat an hour early, the trip and the customs, it took almost five hours to get to Miami. But we absolutely loved the hotel, and had fun meeting the locals and driving around in our golf cart. Elena Tayem Boca Raton
‘Truly like a little getaway.’ ‘To finally have a private, peaceful and positive space to unwind is a dream come true.’ Rated 5 Stars on Yelp, Facebook & SpaFinder TripAdvisor: Voted best spa retreat 2016 & 2017
Take time for yourself this summer
561-332-5883 thermaeretreat.com
205 ne 5th terrace, historic delray beach June/July/August 2018 ThermaeRetreat_brm0618.indd 1
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FROM THE EDITOR
Summers at Home
This is our version of winter, when many of us find solace in the comfort of our houses Written By MARIE SPEED
have lived in the same house since I first moved here (I rented it back then), and I remember feeling a little disconnected in terms of what I saw every day at work. For starters, I had trouble squaring my modest little beach place with its HardiePlank siding to the sumptuous mansions we routinely photographed in the magazine. Our gorgeous design section, which starts on page 113, is a point in fact. I knew my lifestyle, assuming I even had one, was night and day from that of people who had shoe elevators and wine cellars. But that was then. These days, I appreciate the luxury I see all around me, but I am not envious or troubled by comparisons. Twenty-seven years have passed, and passed in the blink of an eye, and I have an abiding and practically indecent love for my shabby little house. There are memories banked up here like sand drifts, images of New Year’s Eve stone crab dinners with too many people jammed around my magically expanding clown car of a dining table. Or Halloween fog machines spewing mist on the front porch, night-blooming jasmine under a window, the day my then-husband put up the white picket fence—backwards. There was the windy night half the tabebuia tree fell across the driveway and the times I watched a red fox trot across the street to my side yard. The year I won Garden of the Month from the Ocean Ridge Garden Club. There are tooth marks from a
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Shih Tzu puppy on the headboard spindles of my bed, and tiles in my shower from a Key West artist I found years ago. You can hear coconuts dropping in the dead of night, and the ocean at high tide. It is a place that wraps me in its old stucco every time I come home, and lulls me to sleep at night, the occasional shudder of the air conditioner compressor coming on, a palm frond whisking against a window. It is home, and I have learned that home has nothing to do with imported Italian kitchens or screening rooms or miles of marble floors—as gorgeous as these are. It is the place you can watch the light change in late afternoons reading a book, or track an incoming storm from your front porch, the place people know where to find you, and that is there, just where you left it, no matter what kind of day you have had. This summer, as the days get longer and the heat index soars, I will be here, as many of you will be, enjoying the slower pace, wondering if this will be the summer a storm heads this way, to my old house near the beach. Or, like every other year, it will hold its own again, in the heat and the wind and the afternoon monsoons, the place that gathers up my history, room by room, and reminds me who I am. That is the real wonder of all of our houses, the heart within the walls, the way they speak to a life well lived. So turn down the air, plan your next Netflix binge and enjoy this long and delicious summer. At home.
June/July/August 2018
5/3/18 9:30 AM
RAIS I NG
T H E
PAR
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THE LOCAL
Pablo Dona and his whimsical art (page 28)
LOCAL Lead JJA18.indd 21
BY T H E N U M B E R S B O C A C H AT T E R H OT L I S T A RT I S T DO-GOODER R I S I N G S TA R D R E S S CO D E S TA F F P I C K DRINKS SUMMER PICNIC SUMMER CHILL C I T Y WATC H
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THE LOCAL
BY THE NUMBERS
Some (Don’t) Like it Hot On June 21, we usher in the official arrival of summer— although in South Florida, it feels like it’s already been here for months.
231
Sunny days a year in Boca Raton. For those who plan to spend their summer on the beach, this is welcome news.
14
The percentage of men who report using sunscreen, compared to 30 percent of women. We can do better, people!
220
The number of stores at Town Center mall you can escape to for their glorious air conditioning (check out more ways to beat the heat on page 101).
112.4 MILLION
That’s how many people visited the Sunshine State in 2016! Most visitors arrive in the first half of the year, leaving the summer just for us.
1900
The year Thomas Edison built Florida’s first modern swimming pool, something most South Floridians can’t live without.
2
LYALL ASTON
The number of miles of beachfront in Boca Raton. Lifeguards protect swimmers there seven days a week.
Sources: City of Boca Raton, American Academy of Dermatology, Town Center mall, Visit Florida
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June/July/August 2018
5/1/18 11:17 AM
S IP K LEIN . COM L UXURY R EAL E STATE SUPERIOR REAL ESTATE MARKETING FOR FINE PROPERTIES AND LUXURY DEVELOPMENTS
Palm Beach Illustrated Magazine featured Isaac Klein as “The Face of Real Estate for Palm Beach County” Haute Residence features Isaac Klein as “The Go To Real Estate Agent for Coastal Palm Beach & Palm Beach Island” Boca Life Magazine featured Isaac Klein as “The Power Player for Real Estate in 2018!”
“It’s Time to Work with SipKlein to Buy & Sell Property”
EXTRAORDINARY MARKETING FOR EXCEPTIONAL PROPERTIES - Data-Driven Internet Marketing Techniques Target Buyers Online - Access to Global Network of Ultra-High Net-Worth Property Buyers - Powerful Internet Advertising with Social Media Buzz and Influencer Marketing - See Your Property Full-Page Featured In Major Lifestyle and Real Estate Magazines Dedicated | Knowledgeable | Data-Driven | Innovative
Isaac Klein is a Luxury Real Estate Agent, who works with private clients specializing in high end residential properties in Palm Beach County. Isaac is known for being dedicated, innovative and for having a large network of online influence. Whether a client is looking for the best investment value or simply to have the best, Isaac works tirelessly to get his clients what they want. The sale of your luxury home is serious business. The marketing performed by SipKlein Luxury Real Estate to sell your home is at the ‘next level.’ Don’t work with just anyone, work with a team that has the talent, knowledge, technology and connections; a team you can trust. Call or text 561-400-2085 or email Isaac@SipKlein.com
Search for local luxury listings at SipKlein.com
Call or text 561-400-2085 or email Isaac@SipKlein.com
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THE LOCAL
160+ Number of golf courses in Palm Beach County.
1,250 Miles of beaches in Florida.
BOCA CHATTER
Must-have beach essentials SUNSCREEN THAT WORKS Consumer Reports ranks these three sunscreens as tops: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Melt-in Sunscreen Milk, $27; Equate Sport Lotion SPF 50, $12; Pure Sun Defense Disney Frozen Lotion SPF 50, $6
A SEXY LID Mirabel straw hat by Eugenia Kim from Neiman Marcus, $495
BEACHHEAD BeachMall beach chair with five comfy positions plus a drink holder and storage pouch, $95.95, from NetStores USA
BEVERAGE CADDY AO Cooler (way lighter than a Yeti), 36-pack, keeps ice icy for 24 hours (and who needs longer than that?), $67.49, available at Amazon.com
82.7° Average summer temp in South Florida.
3 SUMMER
TIPS ON SURVIVING BATHING SUIT SEASON
We asked Morea Arbulu, co-founder of Poemä Swim, what to look for when choosing a bathing suit this summer. Here are her tips and takes on swimwear, 2018-style.
INDULGENCES WE LOVE
1. First and foremost, a girl can never have too many bikinis.
• The Florida watermelon salad from Burt & Max’s, 9089 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach: Florida melon, cherry tomato, aged feta cheese, mint, arugula, pickled onion vinaigrette
minimal or full coverage, because I do not think it looks bad for someone older to wear a moderate coverage bikini.) When choosing a bottom, never wear it baggy. A bottom should fit perfectly and hug your skin. 3. For women with wider hips, choose a wider band bottom. 4. Crossover pieces are very in right now! If you look at our collection, most suits can be worn at the beach, pool party or even a night out with the girls just by throwing on a pair of jeans and heels. 5. Trending: Animal prints are back, along with bright colors for the summer, off-the-shoulder styles, high-waisted swimwear, one-pieces, lace-ups, any suit that you can tie (knotting) and handcrafted pieces. As for resort wear, the trends are very raw with ripped pieces, distressed looks and earth tones for a combination of bohemian and elegant we call boho-chic. 6. Trends are geared with the aim of making a woman comfortable and in charge of her own body. 7. Also in are looks that can be mixed and matched at will, with items distinguished by lots of color, prints and practicality.
• Dragonfruit tuna tartare from Basque at Hotel Biba, 320 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach
• Cucumber Frizzante cocktail with cucumber vodka, lemon juice, rich syrup and soda water from Osteria Salina, 9 S.E. Seventh Ave., Delray Beach
LOCAL chatter JJA18.indd 24
Also, every girl needs a black bikini. Those are two musts.
2. Always look for age-appropriate styles. (This does not mean
Pamela and Morea Arbulu, co-founders of Poema Swim
Poemä Swim is an online store based in Boca Raton that opens its warehouse a few times a year for locals to come shop: 1723 Costa del Sol, Boca Raton. Here is a link to its 2018 lookbook: poemaswim.com/pages/lookbook2018
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Locals sound off on issues affecting our community.
Why is summer the best time of year in South Florida? “That’s easy: less traffic and shorter wait times at my favorite restaurants.” —WAYNE SCOTT, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER
“We truly live where others vacation; the local beaches, such as South Beach Park, are some of my favorite to visit on a warm summer day, where I can set up a chair close to the gorgeous, crystal-blue water and feel like I am on a vacation on a tropical island somewhere in the Caribbean.” —ANNE MARIE VAN CASTEREN, PR SPECIALIST, CITY OF BOCA RATON
“Summers play host to a plethora of gastronomic, entertaining and altruistic activities like Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s Run 4 The Sea, the Boca Burger Battle in Sanborn Square, and the illustrious Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival in Carlin Park.” —KERRY SHORR, CONTRIBUTING WRITER, BLOGGER AND EDITOR-AT-LARGE
“Short weekend getaways to either Miami or the Keys allow my wife and I to relax and enjoy the unlimited amounts of recreation and dining options the Florida Gold Coast has to offer. In addition, with flat and calm seas leading to the warm Atlantic Gulf Stream, offshore deep-sea fishing is truly amazing!” —GEORGE PETROCELLI, DIRECTOR OF CATERING, BOCA RATON RESORT & CLUB
Don’t-miss events July Fourth celebration, 4 to 9 p.m., A1A and Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach. An afternoon of food trucks, kids’ activities and a beer garden culminates in one of the region’s most impressive fireworks displays (synchronized with music!) at 9 p.m. Seventh-annual Burger Battle, July 14, 6 to
raise awareness and funds for the nonprofit members’ philanthropic efforts. Events can range from small receptions to the elaborate Wine & All That Jazz party held annually at the Resort.
SAVE THE DATE: September 14 is this year’s Boca Ballroom Battle, the much-anticipated “Dancing With the Stars”-inspired production starring local personalities raising money for the George Snow Scholarship Fund.
10 p.m., Sanborn Square, Boca Raton. This spirited competition to serve the best burger draws restaurateurs from Boca and beyond and features live music, craft beers, an onsite wine store and every kind Boca Ballroom Battle of burger and burger-alternative imaginable. A portion of the proceeds benefits PROPEL. For more information, visit bocaburgerbattle.com.
Boca Festival Days, all
throughout August. This monthlong series of events is a partnership between the Boca Chamber and the Boca nonprofit community to
THE MEAN SEASON: What you can do NOW for hurricane prep; get ahead of the game! • STOCK UP ON BATTERIES, flashlights and any kind of battery-powered extras you will need like fans and lanterns • MAKE SURE SHUTTERS are operative and/ or organized; do not wait until a hurricane is on the way to buy plywood • STORE ONE WEEK’S worth of nonperishable food items • HAVE PLENTY OF water stocked • HAVE PRESCRIPTIONS filled • HAVE CAR GASSED UP at all times and spare cash in safe place • MAKE SURE GENERATOR is working, and oil and gas are on hand
June/July/August 2018
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THE LOCAL
HOT LIST
“Woody Guthrie’s American Song”
Weezer and Pixies
WHEN: July 12Aug. 5 WHERE: Palm Beach Dramaworks, 201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach COST: $75 ($90 for opening night, with party) CONTACT: 561/5144042, palmbeachdramaworks.org If your knowledge of folksinger Woody Guthrie doesn’t extend beyond his most-recorded anthem, “This Land is Your Land,” you owe it to yourself to explore his life and legacy through this stage musical. Through storytelling and music, “Woody Guthrie’s American Song” follows the rambling Oklahoma balladeer from his hillbilly roots through the Dust Bowl to the promise of California, then back to the Bowery of New York, all the while honoring the travails of the workingman. An octet of singer-musicians will perform more than two dozen Guthrie classics, layering rich new harmonies atop the songwriter’s austere arrangements.
Few bands have had as much influence on alternative rock as Boston’s Pixies, whose contrast between bombast and ethereality, dream and nightmare, quiet and loud, laid the foundations for Nirvana, Radiohead, Arcade Fire and countless acolytes. Quintessential Los Angeles band Weezer, though favoring a sunnier sheen, has also cited its debt to the Pixies, stating in 2017 that “no other band had the impact they did on our early sound.”So it’s sensible that these alt-radio powerhouses will share a stage together on their first co-headlining tour, which begins right here in South Florida. The Pixies have promised 75 straight minutes of banter-free rock spanning their 31 years of innovation; Weezer, likewise, will pull from its seminal nerd-rock debut as well as its tropical middle period and the wry party anthems of recent years.
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WHEN: June 22, 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Coral Sky Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach COST: $14-$152.10 CONTACT: 561/795-8883, livenation.com
Pixies
The Hukilau
WHEN: June 6-10 WHERE: The Pier Sixty-Six, 2301 S.E. 17th St., Fort Lauderdale, and other
area locations COST: $175-$399 for weeklong passes; individual event tickets TBA CONTACT: thehukilau.com Iron your best aloha shirt, dust off your favorite hula skirt and prepare to sample the rum cocktail of your dreams at this poolside Polynesian party. For 16 years and running, the Hukilau has been one of the nation’s most enduring tiki festivals, attracting a worldwide clientele to Fort Lauderdale beach on the strength of its live performers, drink tastings, workshops and symposia. This year’s lineup includes Medusirena, the Wreck Bar’s resident fire-breathing mermaid; Los Straitjackets, a Luchador-masked instrumental trio; Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica Quintet, which reimagines jazz and classical compositions as groovy exotica songs; and up-and-coming surf rockers Black Flamingos, to name just a few. There’s also a “$1,000 Rum Tasting”for the bargain price of $40, among many cocktail-centered gatherings.
Norton Museum closing events
WHEN: July 12-15 WHERE: Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach COST: Free CONTACT : 561/832-5196, norton.org
It had to close eventually. The Norton Museum has managed to stay open, in truncated form, for most of its multiyear, gazillion-dollar transformation. But the time has come for the cranes and wrecking balls to reconstruct the current gallery space as well, which means the museum is going dark from July 16 all the way through Feb. 2. Toast the Norton’s final week of 2018 by enjoying its annual Bastille Day celebration from noon to 5 p.m. July 14, complete with French movies, live music, language lessons and art talks; and its final Art After Dark on July 12, which promises to be especially festive. July 15 marks your final day to stroll the Norton’s last exhibition of the year,“William Henry Fox Talbot and the Birth of Photography,” focusing on the British scientist’s revolutionary development of photographic negatives.
June/July/August 2018
5/1/18 12:15 PM
lynn.edu/Brett
If you follow your passion
Brett Podolsky ’11, founder of The Farmer’s Dog and Forbes’ “30 Under 30” entrepreneur, is out to disrupt the $60 billion pet food industry. Why are Lynn grads so passionate? Come see for yourself. lynn.edu/visit Lynn University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy or parenting status, veteran status or retirement status in its activities and programs. In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Lynn University does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Inquiries concerning the application of the non-discrimination policy may be directed to the University Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator at 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33431; via email at titleixcoordinator@lynn.edu; by phone at +1 561-237-7727 or to the U.S. Dept. of Education OCR. Lynn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call +1 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Lynn University. © 2018 Lynn University
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THE LOCAL
ARTIST
Child’s Play
Pablo Dona’s imaginative sculptures shrink us all down to size Written by JOHN THOMASON
I Pablo Dona’s “Yummy,” above, and “Storyteller”
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n the shrunken panoramas of Pablo Dona, everyday objects become portals to the imagination. Take “The Writer,”a resin assemblage of oversized pencils that becomes a playground for frolicking Lilliputians. Look closely—almost squint—at the sculpture, and you’ll see a tiny figure rappelling off the side of one of the pencils. Clowns cavort atop an eraser nearby. Motorcyclists approach a sharpened lead tip, accelerating toward oblivion while, obscured in the guts of the pencil tower, a wedding is commencing. In Dona’s appropriately titled “Everything is Possible,”a water-filled sink transforms into equal parts Coney Island tableau and Seurat painting. Termite-sized vacationers relax under umbrellas on the basin, and in the faux water, a normal-sized rubber ducky dwarfs the miniscule boaters paddling around it. Above the sink, a whale eraser has found itself marooned in a toothbrush glass, as divers position themselves on the rim. Next to the glass, a gardener on a stepladder trims a toothbrush’s bristles.
“All my work is related somehow to childhood,”says Dona, 39, from his immaculate Hallandale Beach studio.“When you’re a kid, you have the ability to see things not necessarily for what they are, but are more based on shape or color. A sink could be an ocean. When we start growing up, we mentally put up blocks—‘that’s a sink, that’s a teacup.’ So the idea is to create a bridge to those feelings of the inner child that are still inside of us.” Dona has been traversing that bridge most of his life. Reared in Argentina, he traces his artistic evolution to his grandmother’s tea service. For the young Dona, the teapot became a pool, the sugar cubes life rafts. By the time he moved to Miami, in 2000, he had begun translating these fantastical concepts into quirky private sculptures. The preoccupation became so consuming that peers compared him to Peter Pan. It wasn’t until about four years ago, at the urging of a friend, that Dona began to show his work. He’s since become a staple
at Basel Week, and at the time of this writing, solo shows in Houston and New York were on the horizon. Dona’s latest work has expanded his artistic vocabulary while reiterating his puckish innocence. The maximalist wall sculpture “Blooming” is a budding flower whose motley color derives from 12,000 Japanese animal erasers— porcupines, owls, bears, seals, koalas—jumbling in harmony. “The idea makes reference to when we all come together as human beings,” he says.“Leaving behind color, region and politics, we bloom as a species.” Like his earlier, global warming-themed “Migration,” which positions miniscule polar bears on a sea of melting marshmallows, it’s Dona’s way of making a statement on his own whimsical terms. “I don’t like when artwork is obvious, like if I’m talking about hunger in Africa, I’m going to show kids dying of starvation,” he says.“We can always find a more empowering, positive way of communicating.”
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29 “You’ll see people coming from their office life, like stressedout CEOs, and they look at the work, and all of a sudden, even if it’s for a fraction of a second, they leave who they are and go back. They lose themselves.” — Pablo Dona
December 2017
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DO-GOODER
Boca’s Garden of Good and Evil Marta Batmasian’s Royal Palm Place memorial cultivates humanity Written by GARY GREENBERG
“I know the Garden of Humanity is just a drop in the sea. But if it helps save one life or stop one evil deed, I’d be happy to have that as my legacy.” — Marta Batmasian
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T
he Garden of Humanity in Boca Raton is a testament to the horrors of genocide, but it is also a beacon of hope for a brighter future. Both of those elements came into play when people rallied there in the wake of the tragic Valentine’s Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. “What happened in Parkland was not genocide, but it was the same type of violence that reflects man’s inhumanity against man,” says philanthropist Marta Batmasian, who, with her husband James, commissioned the Garden of Humanity in the Royal Palm Place shopping center. “It is the same indignity, the same lack of love and compassion, the same evil.” There’s no shortage of barbarity in human history, but genocide lowers the bar to unfathomable depths. The most infamous is the Holocaust of World War II, where the Nazis systematically massacred six million Jews, and many others. “People talk about the Holocaust as if it were the only extermination of a race,” Batmasian says.“But according to the United Nations, some 150-plus races have been exterminated since 1915.” That year marked the start of the Armenian genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. It claimed 1.5 million lives and, although Marta hadn’t been born yet, it remains personal for her and others of Armenian descent. “I lost most of my ancestors,” says Marta, who grew up in Istanbul. “My grandmother Rose was the only one who survived. She was 15 years old at the time.”
Marta found a kindred spirit in James, who’d also lost ancestors in the Armenian genocide. They met in 1970 while “penniless”college students in Boston.“Back then, we said if we ever had the means, we wanted to dedicate ourselves to worthy causes,” recalls Marta. The two began buying and renovating dilapidated properties, creating a real estate empire now reputed to be worth $100 million, and they’ve shared their good fortune with many worthy causes, including the Garden of Humanity. “We wanted to do something because the genocides keep coming— in recent years Rwanda, Bosnia, Ukraine and now Syria,”she says. “Our message is,‘Never again.’” Their initial attempts to house the Garden on Boca city land, at Florida Atlantic University and at Nova Southeastern University, fell through. So they decided to do it on one of their own properties and chose Royal Palm Place, where they already had a Walk of Recognition to honor local activists who have enriched the community. The Batmasians commissioned artist Yaacov Heller, one of their Royal Palm Place tenants, to create the memorial. It’s a shaded walkway with a mix of Heller’s sculptures, plaques, a gazebo and white stone benches bearing relevant and inspiring quotations. For example, Mahatma Gandhi offers: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” The Batmasians are trying to do just that.“I know the Garden of Humanity is just a drop in the sea,” Marta says.“But if it helps save one life or stop one evil deed, I’d be happy to have that as my legacy.”
June/July/August 2018
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THE LOCAL
RISING STAR
Under the Microscope
This Boca student is changing science and cancer research one slide at a time Written by ALLISON LEWIS
F “I think SLIDEMAP could be used in every doctor’s office and increase the accuracy of cancer diagnosis, thus saving lives.” — Devin Willis
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••••
AU High School student Devin Willis, 15, is paving the road to cancer prevention with the help of a robot. Willis has been tinkering with robotics since he was 6 years old, when his father, a cancer researcher, introduced him to the FIRST robotics program. He was inspired to create SLIDEMAP after his grandfather died of lung cancer six years ago. “I hope SLIDEMAP will increase the accuracy of cancer diagnosis and possibly change the way current pathologists make diagnoses,” he says. SLIDEMAP does two things. First, it runs analysis on microscope slides that have a tumor sample, Willis says. The machine also builds a map of cell types and other information that can lead pathologists to the correct diagnosis. “The main purpose of SLIDEMAP is to provide a second opinion on a pathologist’s diagnosis, and in developing countries, [to] provide the primary diagnosis where they lack pathologists to make the primary diagnosis,” Willis says. “I think SLIDEMAP could be used in every doctor’s office and increase the accuracy of cancer diagnosis, thus saving lives.” Last summer, Willis competed as a finalist in the national Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, which offers winners $25,000 and the chance to work with cancer research scientists. “The 3M competition pushed me to develop my newest prototype and to make it better,” Willis says of the opportunity. “The competition also majorly improved my speaking skills, which will really help my presentation in a business setting.” Despite being in the early stages of development, Willis is reaching out to companies that have expressed interest in testing SLIDEMAP at their business or research facility, in hopes of future implementation. “My goal is to be done with the market-ready version of SLIDEMAP by the end of 2018,” he says. Outside of the STEM lab and FAU High, Willis enjoys running, baseball and track and field. He hopes to continue his education by studying neuroscience and engineering. “With artificial intelligence on the rise, understanding the human brain and the computer will be crucial,” he says.
June/July/August 2018
5/1/18 1:21 PM
At the Forefront of Senior Care
BROWARD HEALTH ENRICHES THE LIVES OF SOUTH FLORIDA’S SENIOR RESIDENTS WITH COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR YOU. • Care Assistance Program
• Orthopedic Care
• Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine
• Radiology Services
• Dizziness & Balance Program
• Rehabilitation
• Driving Assessment
• Screenings
• Geriatric Assessment Program
• Senior Supper Club & Senior Events
• Gold Coast Home Health & Hospice
• Senior Wellness & Fitness Programs
• Health Lectures
• Sleep Disorder Centers
• Interventional Pain Management
• Support Groups
• Massage Therapy
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Memory Disorder Center
• Women’s Diagnostic & Wellness Center
• Outpatient Rehabilitation
Memory loss can happen to anyone. For a memory risk assessment call 954.786.7392. To register for an upcoming lecture, visit BrowardHealth.org/Events or call 954.759.7400. Follow us:
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Celebrating 80 years of caring.
5/4/18 11:56 3:35 PM 5/3/18 AM
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DRESS CODE
Get Out the Tote
Transform your beach bag into a style statement ALAIA black and white tote, Saks Fifth Avenue, $5,882 ALEXANDER MCQUEEN printed tote, Saks Fifth Avenue, $1,490 LA PRESTIC OUISTON straw tote, Deborah James, $276
Dress Code Wardrobe Stylist JENNA DEBRINO/ HOT PINK STYLE Assistant Stylist AMANDA MILLER/ HOT PINK STYLE
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June/July/August 2018
5/1/18 2:33 PM
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Federal Highway, South of Palmetto Park Road, Downtown Boca Raton www.royalpalmplace.com
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DRESS CODE
Step Up Platform shoes combine height and comfort
PRADA blush platforms, Saks Fifth Avenue, $820 MIU MIU sparkle blue platforms, Saks Fifth Avenue, $690 SAINT LAURENT gold platforms, Saks Fifth Avenue, $995 SCHUTZ navy platforms, Elektrik Boutique, $198
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June/July/August 2018
5/1/18 2:33 PM
modern lifestyle concepts MODULAR WALL UNITS and BOOKCASES, available in different sizes, configurations and finishes. Call us for a free consultation with one of our designers.
CALLIGARIS BOCA STORE 6649 North Federal Highway Boca Raton, Florida 33487 t. 561.756.8463 f. 561.756.8471 info@shopcalligaris.com www.shopcalligaris.com SHOWROOM HOURS: MONDAY - SATURDAY 10am - 6 pm SUNDAY 12pm - 5 pm
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DRESS CODE
Denim Delights
This summer’s jackets are light, bright and colorful J BRAND white denim jacket, Saks Fifth Avenue, $218 COTTON CITIZEN pink denim jacket, Saks Fifth Avenue, $325 COTTON CITIZEN yellow denim jacket, Elektrik Boutique, $325
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5/3/18 3:55 PM
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ALOHA snapback, $32, COZY snapback, $33, and SMILE snapback, $45, all from Elektrik Boutique
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THE LOCAL
DRESS CODE
Fitting the Bill Beat the heat with adjustable snapback hats
5/1/18 2:33 PM
Radiation Therapy Should Be a Program…Not Just a Place Nowadays, it seems everywhere you turn there’s a physician-owned, freestanding radiation oncology center popping up. Convenient? Maybe. Comprehensive? Not likely. When it comes to radiation therapy, patients — and their families — should expect the latest and widest range of radiation technology. But they should also have access to innovative approaches to treatment and support that provides care in all aspects of the journey through a cancer diagnosis. At Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute, you’ll find it all…and all in one setting.
Such as a spectrum of radiation therapies that is among the most complete in the field, including the Accuray CyberKnife® M6TM System.
Such as Multimodality Cancer Care, where a patient meets with the entire medical team in one visit. Such as oncology social workers, nurse navigators, nutritional experts and a host of innovative support programs for both patients and loved ones.
All designed to be the most comprehensive and connected radiation therapy available in medicine today. Radiation therapy at the Lynn Cancer Institute. It’s a program, not just a place.
For more information, call 561.955.4000 or visit BRRH.com
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DRESS CODE
Midas Touch
Bold, gilded jewelry shines this summer Door knocker earrings, Elektrik Boutique, $69 Gold chunky bracelets, Filly & Colt, $180 each Gold charm bracelet, Deborah James, $138 Gold necklace, Deborah James, $350
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EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN. UNPARALLED LOCATION.
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STAFF PICK
Offerdahl’s “Hail to the Kale” Salad
K Lori Pierino
OFFERDAHL’S 17940 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton 561/995-7355 Hours: 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.
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ale is one of those trendy superfoods that many of us love, or love to hate. In Lori Pierino’s case, it’s love. Boca mag’s art director orders the“Hail to the Kale”salad from Offerdahl’s at least once—OK, more like two or three times—a week. It’s partially due to the restaurant’s proximity to the office, but mostly it’s because of the salad’s ingredients, flavors and textures. A“Hail to the Kale”salad starts with a blend of kale, purple cabbage, scallions and carrots, topped with quinoa, sunflower seeds, feta cheese, Craisins and garbanzo beans served with honey vinaigrette on the side. “I love the heartiness of the kale. It’s doesn’t get soggy before you finish the salad,”she says.“The quinoa makes a great compliment to the kale.”
The salad is both vegetarian and gluten-free, but Pierino adds marinated grilled chicken breast to hers. And she always orders extra dressing on the side. “Even though it’s called ‘honey’ vinaigrette, I don’t find it overly sweet,”Pierino says.“The dressing is light but flavorful.” The salad can be ordered in half or full servings, both with generous portion sizes.“Offerdahl’s doesn’t skimp on the ingredients,” she says.“There’s equal parts sunflower seeds, feta and Craisins, so you aren’t left with just lettuce at the end of your meal.” Offerdahl’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. To view the menu, place an order or find a location, visit offerdahls.com. —ALLISON LEWIS
5/1/18 2:40 PM
2018 PINE CREST SUMMER PROGRAMS Performing Arts | Academics | STEM | Enrichment | Pine Crest Day Camp | Athletics | Pre-Primary | Digital Media
Choose your program. Choose your campus. Create your schedule. Imagine the Possibilities!
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THE LOCAL
DRINKS
Talk Tiki to Me
Five exotic island cocktails to sip this summer Written by ALLISON LEWIS
T Death or Glory’s tiki bar menu is simple and whimsical. Bar Manager Ryan Gray and Demi Natoli, Death or Glory's general manager, moved from Chicago to oversee the concept. They make all syrups in-house, freshly squeeze all juices, and serve both classic and original tiki cocktails . Grab a seat, order a drink and let Gray and Natoli share their secrets with you over a little something from the South Seas.
iki culture has been America’s tropical sabbatical far longer than Margaritaville. Since the 1930s, patrons have flocked to lavishly thatched Polynesian tiki bars looking for a place to have a drink and withdraw from Real Life. “Tiki is a form of escapism,” Ryan Gray, bar
DEATH OR GLORY 116 N.E. Sixth Ave. Delray Beach 561/808-8814 deathorglorybar. com
A BRIDGE ACROSS AN ENDLESS SEA Gray and Natoli serve their twist on a Saturn, a gin-based tiki cocktail, with Plymouth gin, blackberry, lychee, house-made orgeat and falernum syrups, lemon and absinthe. “Lychee and blackberry complement each other,” Gray says. “The absinthe cuts through and gives balance.” Vodka can be substituted for gin, too.
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manager at Delray’s Death or Glory, explains. “It’s an experience in a glass.” Garnishes, ingredients and flavor combinations are deliberate. “A well-done tiki drink has complex layers and flavors,” Gray adds. “It's all about balance.”
ELUSIVE DREAMS Natoli’s Cuban heritage inspired the drink. Plantation 3 Star rum, its star ingredient, is a blend sourced from three Caribbean islands. Along with Plantation Pineapple rum, Bananae du Brasil liqueur, cinnamon, pineapple and lime, the cocktail has exotic flavors and a warm spice element. “It’s crisp, not sweet,” she says.
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PORT LIGHT News flash: “Tiki” is not synonymous with “rum.” Gray says this is “one of the few [tiki cocktails] that uses whiskey.” He combines passion fruit, pomegranate, Dog High West Bourbon and lemon to create complicated layers of flavor, then serves it up in a ceramic tiki mug resembling a bamboo log. “It’s bright, tropical and refreshing,” he adds.
CARIBBEAN COCKTAIL Elevate a rum and Coke with this tropical alternative. Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, a lauded tiki expert in L.A., discovered Bob Esmino’s 1960s recipe in an old notebook. Natoli has updated it, adjusting for flavors and proof: Bacardi 8 rum, Plantation O.F.T.D. overproof rum, ginger, lime, angostura bitters and Mexican Coke, which uses cane sugar. June/July/August 2018
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bocamag.com
AARON BRISTOL
SUN UP, SUN DOWN Don’t let the pink guise fool you. Using Espolon Reposado tequila, Ilegal Mezcal, homemade coconut cream, pineapple and blood orange, Death or Glory’s Painkiller spinoff comes close to the original Pusser’s Rum trademark drink. Gray says the smoky mezcal layer, which adds complexity and depth, is balanced by cream and pineapple.
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SEASONAL APPS
E&M CULINARY, EVENTS & CREATIVE 1703 Avenida Del Sol, Boca Raton; emcaters.com; 561/4032088
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5/7/18 9:31 AM
SCALE UP YOUR SUMMER PICNIC 1 Chilled carrot shooters with crème fraîche and dill 2 Lollipop-style bacon-wrapped shrimp with guava barbecue drizzle 3 Buttermilk biscuit and deep-fried marinated chicken thighs with maple chipotle glaze 4 Independence trifle 5 Feta-stuffed watermelon with jalapeño, mint and balsamic glaze 6 Tri-colored German potato salad 7 Guava barbecue ribs with tropical fruit slaw (slaw includes mango, pineapple, papaya, red bell pepper and pickled cilantro) 8 Mexican street corn with Cotija cheese and cilantro-lime vinaigrette 9 Blackberry sage cobbler 10 Heirloom tomato and watermelon salad with red onion, arugula, pistachios and lemon-cilantrojalapeño vinaigrette 11 Bacon apple pie with crumb topping
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Catering Rebels
E&M raises the flavor profile of a typical backyard barbecue
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Clockwise from above: Rachel Vondell and Andy Cohen, blackberry sage cobbler, chicken and biscuit bites, chilled carrot shooters, trifle
he initials in Boca-based E&M Culinary, Events & Creative stand for “Everything & More,” and that’s what it strives to offer clients. The two-year-old company caters weddings, bar mitzvahs, birthday parties, corporate gatherings—and, as the previous page’s delectable spread at Rebel House proves, holiday picnics. “We can help with anything from backyard barbecues and pool parties to Fourth of July parties and Memorial Day parties,” says Managing Partner Andy Cohen.“It can be quite overwhelming if you have 50 or 60 people in your backyard and you want to cook for them. So we can do something unique for your backyard barbecue, or we can bring you a simple burger bar featuring Charm City Burgers, one of our partner restaurants.” Created exclusively for Boca magazine, this display represents the former approach—innovative spins on summery comfort food concocted by Rachel Vondell, E&M’s director of catering operations.“When I think of barbecues, I think of fried chicken, watermelon, potato salad,” she says, all of which receive a gourmet spin from E&M.“Almost everything has a sweet and savory aspect to it,” she adds.“I used to be a pastry chef, and my biggest thing was morphing the two flavors.”
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AARON BRISTOL
WEB EXTRA: To make some of these dishes at home, find the recipes at BOCAMAG.COM/ JUNE-2018.
June/July/August 2018
5/7/18 9:32 AM
LIVE THE GOOD LIFE. Indulge in world-class dining, including the award-winning NYY Steak serving handselected dry-aged USDA Prime steaks, pristine seafood and expertly curated wine & spirits. Savor the moment.
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4/19/18 11:47 AM
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OPINION
Happy Birthday America This Independence Day, let’s try to live up to our forefathers’ ideals
O John Shuff
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
CAKE PROVIDED BY EAST BOCA CARVEL 255 N.E. Spanish River Blvd. Boca Raton 561/394-0411
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n July 4th we celebrate America’s 242nd birthday. However, many people in this country don’t seem to understand what America stands for or the intent of the framers who painstakingly wrote our Declaration of Independence—the greatest document ever written proclaiming that “all men are created equal.” People seem to be ignorant of what America represents. Look at our public schools. Civics classes—the study of government and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship—are virtually nonexistent. Many of our young people today are totally ignorant of American culture and history. Our Constitution has sent a message of freedom to the world. It’s a document that has served our republic for 242 years. If the words expressed in it are going to continue to have teeth—real meaning—we must live them daily. America today is torn and divided. Families don’t talk to one another. Good friends can’t engage in a civil discussion about politics without an argument, some so full of anger that even longstanding relationships are severed. But it doesn’t end there; rich and poor, black and white, English and non-English-speaking people are choosing sides, and it’s getting ugly. This is not what our forefathers envisioned when they crafted the foundation of our democracy, the Declaration of Independence. More importantly, this isn’t the legacy we want to leave to our children. If we truly are the model of freedom as manifested by our tolerance, love, compassion and understanding of peoples of all races, faiths and colors, then we better start living up to our press. If we don’t, we will make a sham out of our Constitution and its intentions. Our acts of indifference and discrimination toward our fellow Americans are appalling and unacceptable. To recite the words of the Declaration of Independence without living them labels us as hypocrites. I believe that if the men who framed our Constitution were to come back to America, they would bow their heads in sorrow and weep at the indifference of Americans toward the precept,“All men are created equal.”Our flag is a symbol of the document that captures the virtue and essence of human dignity and independence. It is America’s legacy to the world. Let’s show the world we can live up to its meaning by embracing all Americans. —JOHN SHUFF
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CITY WATCH
School Overcrowding: The Facts Taking the politics out of the issue highlights the real problems Written by RANDY SCHULTZ
M O R E C I TY WAT C H
Randy Schultz, former editorial page editor at the Palm Beach Post and a Boca resident, reports on city, county and statewide issues twice a week at bocamag.com. Catch his popular “City Watch” blog every Tuesday and Thursday for the latest buzz about Boca and beyond.
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RUSS TUDOR
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he debate over school crowding might seem to involve only parents and students in Boca Raton. In fact, it involves the whole city. The issue arose last fall, out of discussion over where to build the new Addison Mizner Elementary School. Then a Boca Raton High School parent complained to the city council about that crowded campus. Then the council delayed voting on a small development project because it would add students. That’s when the politics began. Anti-development demagogues blamed “overdevelopment”for school crowding. Council critics claimed—falsely— that Palm Beach County School Board Chairman Chuck Shaw had told the Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner Associations that council neglect had caused the problem. In fact, Shaw said only that the city and school district needed to work more closely. Crowding then became an issue in the March council elections. With development in general continuing from last year as a political theme, schools likely will resound in the scheduled special election for mayor next March. Scott Singer thinks so. He has been raising money since October for
that special election and has focused especially on education. His March newsletter noted that Singer introduced the resolution that led to Boca Raton donating 15 acres for an elementary school that the district had planned to build elsewhere until a similar land donation fell through. In the same newsletter, Singer highlighted his efforts on school safety. It’s good to see education get this renewed attention. The city is marketing itself to entrepreneurs, and aspiring tech moguls want to live where their children can attend good schools. Boca Raton can tell CEOs that of the city’s nine public schools, seven are rated A and the other two are rated
B. That rating system, which the state created when Jeb Bush was governor, is deceptive. The rating often reflects the affluence of the students’ families and the level of parental involvement, which is higher in high-income families. Nevertheless, the rating matters. Parents buy houses in Boca Raton based on school boundaries. Realtors tout the ratings. If the challenge in Boca Raton is high demand for school, it’s the opposite in Delray Beach, where no public school is rated higher than B. As everyone knows, when an issue gets too political, facts tend to get lost. The often-cited“overdevelopment” situation is the cause of school crowding only
in the sense that Boca Raton continues to grow. Given that baseline, let’s break it down from there. Some residents of Delray Beach also complain about“overdevelopment.” Between 2010 and 2016, the city’s population grew at almost the same rate as Boca Raton’s—11.3 percent compared to 13.8 percent. So why have Delray Beach schools become under-enrolled while Boca Raton schools have become more crowded? As elected officials in the city acknowledge, middle-class families in Delray Beach aren’t sending their children to public schools. The city’s education board is workCONTINUED ON PAGE 158
June/July/August 2018
5/3/18 4:25 PM
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Savor the Avenue
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It’s hard to think of something not to love about Boca. It has beautiful beaches, fabulous shopping, pioneering companies, and a lively nightlife that Boca mag knows all too well. Our events department gives us the opportunity to offer our partners innovative parties and celebrations to showcase their businesses and benefit our readers.
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Savor the Avenue What: Celebrating the event’s 10th anniversary, Boca magazine partnered with Delray Beach’s Downtown Development Authority to throw the city’s most highly anticipated dinner party. More than 1,100 people were seated at a dining table that ran down Atlantic Avenue, with more than a dozen area restaurants serving up delectable dishes. To amp up the fun, the restaurants—including Avant, Cut 432, Max’s Harvest, Salt7 and more—participated in a contest to decorate their section of the table. The fun all went to a good cause, with ticket sales benefiting Not One Homeless Hungry Student Delray Beach. Where: Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach 2
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1 Beth Simon and Chris Simon 2 Cut 432 team 3 Server at Rocco’s Taco’s 4 50 Ocean table 5 Caffe Luna Rosa table close-up 6 Former Delray Beach Mayor Cary Glickstein 7 From left, Sahar Wyant, Jaime Wyant, Chase Allen, Jennifer Allen 8 Attendees enjoy food at the Caffe Luna Rosa table 9 Attendees dining at Racks/Farmhouse table 10 Salt7 team 11 Ten-year participants, from left, Peter Talerico of Cut 432, John Bates of 32 East, Bonnie Beer of Caffe Luna Rosa and David Heid of City Oyster 12 Overhead shot 13 Showgirls for 50 Ocean’s Las Vegas theme 14 From left, Maura Plante of Living Hungry, Lauren Zuchman and Kirsten Sleeman of Healthier Delray Beach, and Shona Castillo of CROS Ministries 15 DDA staff members, from left, Richalyn Miller, Victoria DeSilvio, Laura Simon with Sarah Flynn 16 Lemongrass team 17 Salt7 table
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Mixology What: Boca magazine welcomed more than 300 guests for its annual Mixology event, where food and spirit vendors showcased their best dishes and sips. Ticket-holders wandered the tables and received mixed cocktails from companies like Don Ramon, Prescribed Spirits, Sagamore Spirits and Rock N Roll Tequila. Restaurants also took part, with Locale, Ouzo Bay, Harvest, Ruth’s Chris and others doling out samples of their culinary creations. As guests ate and drank, a DJ and electric-violin duo joined forces to meld classic and modern music into a singular sound that wafted over the crowd. Sponsors were Celebrity Cruises, TEN Spring Water and Fortunoff Backyard Store. A portion of proceeds benefited United Community Options of South Florida—formerly United Cerebral Palsy. Where: Mizner Park Amphitheater
1 Yolanda Sheppard, bottom right, and her Celebrity Cruises team enjoy the company’s lounge 2 The Don Ramon spirits table 3 Guests enjoy the Celebrity Cruise lounge 4 Francisco Moreno shows guests samples of his Pacari chocolates 5 More than 300 people attended Mixology 2018 at the Mizner Park Amphitheater 6 Violinist Dave Damage 7 Julia Jendruczek, left, and Boca magazine President/Publisher Margaret Mary Shuff 8 Celebrity Cruises representatives serve drinks in the lounge 9 Guests try samples of sangria from Lolea 10 Boca mag Senior Art Director Lori Pierino, left, and Graphic Designer/Production Assistant Shari Brown
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June/July/August 2018
5/3/18 4:36 PM
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Looking for a new podcast experience? Check out our brand-new podcast, Boca Live!, where you’ll hear about food, arts, culture, and wacky stories from Boca magazine’s editors and special guests. Visit Bocamag.com/podcasts to listen, and subscribe to Boca Live! on Apple podcasts or the iTunes store.
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*** Therapies and services are available by self-pay or external financing only and not covered by current medical insurance. Please ask one of our representatives about cost and availability of our current areas of therapy.
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[solidcore] workouts build beach-worthy abs with slow, controlled movements.
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FEEL GOOD
FITNESS
Chiseled to the Core Build a coveted six-pack with slow, controlled workouts just in time for summer Written by ALLISON LEWIS
"W
hat the heck did I get myself into??” I wonder about 10 minutes into a [solidcore] coach-in-training class. We are alternating holding a steady plank with army crawling and ab crunches—in extremely slow, controlled movements. My sore abs, sweat-drenched towel and shaky legs signal that class is, in fact, working. [Solidcore] is a national franchise (with gyms in Boca Raton and Miami) that helps class-goers attain those highly coveted, beach-ready abs, along with a fully toned body. My usually skeptical self is definitely a believer after attending a class. Slow, deliberate resistance training, based on lunges, planks and squats, is completed on a [sweatlana] machine. The
[sweatlana] has a moveable carriage with two stationary platforms on either side, plus customizable springs to add tension for training. Think of Pilates on steroids with way more intensity and heat. Each [solidcore] class is 50 minutes’ worth of intense, focused full-body movements, with special attention given to the core. After the plank sequence, we transition into lunges, with pulses and extensions on either side of the body. We target the oblique muscles and even have time to sculpt our arms. The biggest challenge (besides the workout, of course) is learning to quickly move from one end of the [sweatlana] to the other in a short amount of time. Before I know it, class
is over, and I look like I just exited the pool. “How do you feel?” Sue, the instructor, asks. I tell her I’m pretty sore, but I’d come back for another class. She smiles. It’s a common response for many first-timers. “The first class is the toughest, but it gets better,” a couple different trainers tell me afterwards. “I had the same reaction as you. But then I kept going, and my body adjusted.” Your body really does adjust: One client had been to [solidcore] six days in a row, and told me she already felt stronger. Summer is here, and the beach is calling. If you’ve always wanted a sizzling sixpack, you can make it happen. Just slow things down.
[solidcore] 2200 Glades Road, Suite 306 Boca Raton 561/342-1761 solidcore.co
[solidcore] participants using the [sweatlana] during a class
bocamag.com
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••••
June/July/August 2018
5/1/18 4:06 PM
Frank Vrionis, MD, MPH, PhD Neurosurgery
Portraits in Specialty Care When disease or medical conditions occur that require the care of a specialist, the referral your doctor recommends for you is one of the most important medical decisions you can make. At Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s Marcus Neuroscience Institute, you’ll find a host of the region’s most accomplished and skilled neurosurgeons and neurologists. Like Frank Vrionis, MD, MPH, PhD, Director of Boca Regional’s Marcus Neuroscience Institute. The former Chief of Neurosurgery at the renowned Moffitt Cancer Center, Dr. Vrionis is internationally recognized for his clinical capabilities in spine disease and brain tumors. It’s expertise like this that’s making us the leading network of specialists in the region. And all of these clinicians practice at Boca Raton Regional Hospital — designated as a Top Ranked Regional Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. If you’re in need of a specialist, talk to your doctor about BocaCare, our physician network. Visit BocaCare.com for more information or to schedule a consultation, call 1.844.BOCADOC.
Breast Surgery • Cancer Genetics • Colo-Rectal Surgery • Advanced Endoscopy • General & Laparoscopic Surgery, Varicose Veins & Melanoma • General Surgery • Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery • Neurosciences • Orthopedics • Pelvic Health • Radiation Oncology • Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery • Urgent Care • Urology • Vascular & Endovascular Surgery
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SKIN CARE
4 3
3 Dr. Leslie Baumann
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Good Day, Sunshine
Percent of teenagers admit they don’t wear sunscreen—ever.
Safeguard your skin with these solar defenses Written by ALLISON LEWIS
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15
The minimum SPF that will protect skin.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The hours when the sun’s rays are the strongest during the day.
Source: americanskin.org
bocamag.com
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6
ho doesn’t enjoy a warm summer day at the beach? We all love sunshine, but summers in South Florida are brutal— especially for skin. But preventing sunburn and skin damage is possible.“Studies show that if you wear an SPF of at least 5 every day, when you are 70, you'll have had half the amount of sun exposure,” says Dr. Leslie Baumann, of Baumann Cosmetic and Research Institute in Miami. For each hour you'll be in the sun, apply SPF—even on cloudy days. Baumann says it’s imperative as we age. “I prefer [an SPF of] 15 or higher,” Baumann says, noting to remember the face.“The key is to use half of a teaspoon on your face. Most people apply 25 percent of that—[it’s] not enough.” Here’s our skin-tested, doctor-approved sun creams to stock up on this summer:
1 ORGANIC Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Brightening SPF 15 Moisturizer, $39, contains zinc and organic fruit juices to reduce skin damage and prevent premature aging from daily sun exposure; juicebeauty. com
2 FACE The Skin Care Foundation recommends Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46, $32.50, for sensitive (and non-sensitive) skin. It uses zinc oxide to naturally block UVA and UVB rays; eltamd.com
3 LIPS Supergoop! protects that pucker up with Acai Fusion Lip Balm SPF 30, $9.50; Mint Condition Lip Shield SPF 30, $5; or Perfect Day 2-in-1 Everyday Sunscreen SPF 50, $19; supergoop.com
4 SERUM Stimulate collagen growth and defend skin from UVA and UVB radiation with Sesderma's moisturizing Ferulac Serum, $60; sesdermausa.com
5 BODY Baumann recommends PCA Skin Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45, $44. Its light, airy finish quickly absorbs into skin and goes well under makeup; pcaskin.com
6 KIDS Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen for Kids, $14.99, gently protects little hands, feet and faces without irritating skin. The lid changes color around UV rays; bluelizard.net.
June/July/August 2018
5/1/18 4:06 PM
Photography by Lemore Zausner
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FEEL GOOD
MEDITATION
Peace of Mind
This simple meditation technique is naturally effective for anyone at any age Written by ALLISON LEWIS
O Ondine and Kent Constable
For more information on introductory classes and courses, visit tm.org/bocaraton or call 561/994-6990.
ndine Constable began using the Transcendental Meditation technique® at 5 years old. Her mother, an artist and associate professor at UC Berkeley, passed it down and inspired Constable to become a certified TM instructor. The TM technique first arrived to Western culture through Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1959, and has continued to grow. Children can practice for 10 minutes twice a day, while teens and adults practice twice a day for 20 minutes, morning and evening. “I practice in the morning, because it makes my brain orderly; I have clarity,”Constable says.“At night, the stress and fatigue are gently washed away.” Unlike other meditation practices, the TM technique doesn’t require participants to focus on a specific thought or try to control their minds. The TM technique uses the mind’s natural tendency
to reach deeper, quieter levels of thought until finally reaching total inner peace and silence. Constable compares the practice to someone leaving a diving board and naturally diving into a pool. “You transcend; you’re going beyond the mind,” Constable says. “It’s like letting go in a subtle, specific way.” Transcendental Meditation’s many health advantages include improved clarity of mind, relief from stress and anxiety, improved sleeping habits and lower blood pressure. People who suffer from PTSD, depression, autism, addiction and even survivors of sexual assault have all experienced positive change and improved quality of life with the TM technique. “It has been about seven weeks since beginning the Transcendental Meditation technique,”writes G.F., a Boca resident, sexual-assault-and-substance abuse survivor and TM participant.“I am thrilled
with the changes in my life. A few of the changes I have noticed are my sleep feeling deeper, and I no longer wake up multiple times in the night. My OCD tendencies have decreased. My physical symptoms, like stress-induced psoriasis, are almost completely cleared. My mind feels clear and focused.” Today, Constable and her husband Kent operate the TM technique center in Boca Raton. They teach free introductory classes on Wednesdays and offer a four-day TM course for a fee. The first course day provides one-onone instruction with a certified teacher to learn the TM technique; the other days allow participants to practice the TM technique in small groups. “It’s been a valuable tool my whole life,”Constable says.“It’s great for rejuvenating and refreshing.”
TM group meditation session
bocamag.com
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June/July/August 2018
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MAGAZINES WORK! We’ve got you covered.
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2018
Best of Boca JJA18.indd 73
It was a crazy year, from hurricanes to Haynie’s mayoral blues. Here’s what we took away as the best of the best, the issues that defined us and our insider picks for don’t-miss people and places.
Written by MARIE SPEED, JOHN THOMASON and a select committee of people who do, indeed, know it all
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BEST OF BOCA 2018
Food & Drink
AARON BRISTOL
BOCA HOT SPOTS AND EMERGING PLAY ZONES
Louis Bossi at the new Hyatt is the official epicenter of Boca’s downtown on weekend nights. Or maybe all nights. The outdoor patio is always packed, the bar is three deep on Friday nights and the man himself is in the house most nights.
bocamag.com
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June/July/August 2018
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75 BOCA HOT SPOTS AND EMERGING PLAY ZONES
• Louis Bossi at the new Hyatt is the official hot spot downtown. • Little-known fact: The only adult entertainment zone in Boca is around Rogers Circle, where the new Barrel of Monks brewery has set up shop. • Most under-the radar fun zone: East Palmetto Park Road before the bridge has all kinds of diversions, including ice cream spots and The Beach House restaurant—a local fave steps from the shoreline. AND we might add the tiny— but mighty—M&M Thai.
Nouvelle Maison across the street. Now Gismondi has a trifecta of Boca gourmet restaurants, this one featuring a Keys-inspired menu with stellar seafood in a 1920s coquina bungalow.
Ara Kourgiantakis, manager, and Arturo Gismondi
COMFORT FOOD THAT NEVER DISAPPOINTS
TOP 10
FAVORITE THINGS TO ORDER
1 Butter chicken at Taj, Deerfield Beach 2 Eggplant pancake stack at Mario’s, Boca Raton
3 Yellowtail oreganata at Trattoria Romana, Boca Raton
IN MEMORIAM: RESTAURANTS WE LOST THIS YEAR
4 Pan-seared flounder at Kathy’s Gazebo 5 Matzo ball soup at Junior’s, Boca Raton 6 Singapore noodles at 5-Spice, Boca Raton 7 Fried chicken skins at Funky Buddha,
Little Chateau
8 Lobster mac and cheese at Charlie’s Fish
Sybarite Pig Uncle Julio’s Brewzzi
32 East in Delray
Chicken piccata and the pizza buffet at Augy’s, Tom Sawyer’s breakfast in a skillet
Oakland Park
9 10
Fry and Seafood, Deerfield Beach Cannellone at Arturo’s, Boca Raton Ramen noodles at Nori Thai, Boca Raton
Testa’s in Palm Beach Piñon Grill at Town Center
MOST CHARMING NEW RESTAURANT
The name of Luff’s Fish House derives from the original owner of the property—early Boca resident Ted Luff—but the rest comes straight from the vision (and hands!) of Arturo Gismondi, who also owns the wildly popular and critically revered Trattoria Romana and La
Howard Tai
AND ON HIS WAY OUT…
Uncle Tai announces he is on his way out of Boca
Center after 31 years. A city is in mourning. The Year of the Dog has turned into the year of the sad basset hound. The idea of no more Uncle Tai’s Chicken is almost too much to bear. Almost in-Hunan. Open letter to Howard Tai: Please open up somewhere else.
HANGOUT WE LOVE
Papa’s Raw Bar in Lighthouse Point almost always has a line, and is our pick for a casual Friday night hang with beach vibes, music and memorable binge-worthy wahoo bites. Closer to home, the bar at Frank and Dino’s in downtown Boca is packing them in (and has music).
GREAT FRENCH FOOD WITHOUT THE AIRFARE
Tradition in Deerfield has calf’s liver with caramelized onions that is epic. Jean-Louis and Gloria Quellier have operated Monet
Gloria and Jean-Louis Quellier
Café since 1990, and we like everything here, but the pâté does keep calling us back. Casimir in Royal Palm Place is a highly popular French bistro, and may have the best French bread we’ve had since Paris. Kathy’s Gazebo is a landmark in Boca, with fine dining, attentive waiters and vichyssoise every day, like this is normal. Chez Marie in the Polo Shoppes is a small family-owned restaurant with big talent and classic French dishes. We say coq au vin to start, but it’s all swoon-worthy.
buffalo chicken dip at Legends in Deerfield; breakfast in a skillet at Tom Sawyer’s; chicken Milanese at Jimmy’s Fries to Caviar; the Bolognese sauce at Trattoria Romana.
APPS WE LOVE— AND NOT THE DIGITAL KIND
Goat cheese croquettes at Max’s Harvest Fish dip at Seafood World Mussels with bleu cheese at J&J Raw Bar and Seafood Grill Seared tuna at Max’s Grille Grilled artichoke at Houston’s
Escargot from Casimir
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••••
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B E S T O F B O C A 2 0 1 8 • Food & Drink THINKING OUTSIDE THE BISCUIT BLUES
COCKTAIL OF THE YEAR Mixologists, as they are called now (we used to think of them as bartenders), have run amok the last couple of years crafting designer cocktails so precious it was blasphemy to order two in a row. Our pick for this year’s drink is more like a third-world marriage of convenience: the Piscojito at CVI.CHE 105 in Miami is the best summer drink invented by man.
Death or Glory chef Jesse Steele
Shout out to the Funky Biscuit, a no-frills bar/ club/restaurant with an unlikely home in upscale Royal Palm Place, and a commitment to great bands and blues jams. The Biscuit (named for its signature house biscuits) is your music ticket in Boca, with popular local and tribute bands (The Fabulous Fleetwoods, Turnstiles), the occasional national name (Vanilla Fudge) and classic rock on Wednesday nights.
BEST (ALMOST) COMEBACK
The James Beard award-winning chef and former Mango Gang star Mark Militello and restaurant king Burt Rapoport team up to launch a reincarnation of their much-beloved Prezzo, a Boca hit from the ‘90s known for its signature roasted garlic and focaccia sticks, its fusilli, its legendary pizza. But alas, a scant two months into the partnership, Militello leaves, and Rapoport is adrift with a name and a dream. The show will go on, Rapoport says. We hear the elusive Militello has returned to Josie’s.
BEST REASON TO GO TO FORT LAUDERDALE FOR DINNER
AARON BRISTOL
BEST NEW BAR
Death or Glory in Delray is already getting a rep for cool pop-up themed bars, a snow machine at Christmas and those devilish French fries with rosemary. And the tiki bar in the back is the Delray homage to the Keys—only closer.
bocamag.com
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••••
Everyone is swooning over Valentino’s (proper name: Valentino Cucina Italiana), a sumptuous Italian restaurant on Federal off the New River tunnel. Handsome chef Giovanni Rocchio has delivered a place one critic described as“oozing with luxury,”and the food is no different. And it’s pricey. Very pricey. Next door, the chef’s other restaurant is One Door East, specializing in Mediterranean cuisine. With a whole roasted lobster that deserves a fan club.
BEST PLACE TO CATCH A MOVIE
Living Room Theaters at FAU is one of Boca’s most civilized ways to experience art-house films in cushy chairs, complemented by an ambitious menu of
snacks and entrées.You can watch indie films in a luxury venue with everything from fried risotto bites to pan-seared mahi, braised pork, chicken piccata—the works. And a full bar to top it off.
COFFEE PLACE WE CAN’T RESIST
The Seed is Boca’s first specialty coffee and juice bar (all the coffee is locally roasted) and a mainstay in our caffeine universe. Our faves today are the cold brew nitro and the green matcha latte.
FOOD TRENDS WE LOVE
• Bowls, especially açaí and tuna poke • Small plates • Fried chickpeas with Frito dust (see Death or Glory) • Pizza for breakfast • Pickle pops • Communal tables • Open kitchens • Beer pairings
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77 HEALTHY FOOD THAT ACTUALLY TASTES GOOD
True Food Kitchen opens at the mall, with menu items like a tempeh sandwich and teriyaki quinoa bowl. The reviews are in, and they are very, very good. We know getting excited about charred cauliflower is a stretch, but this is real. Move over, Bloomin’ Onion—the clean eating craze is spreading. True Food’s poke bowl
• Pork belly • Avocado toast • Brussels sprouts • “Farm to table” everything • Gluten-free • Sushi at restaurants that are not Japanese (including the “kosher sushi” at West Boca’s Winn-Dixie) • The miniaturization of everything, including desserts. If we want pie, we want a big honking piece.
THE INSIDER: THREE AREA BESTKEPT SECRETS
The Seaside Grill at Lighthouse Cove Resort in Pompano has $5 beers. On the ocean. And WaveRunner rentals. And banana boat rides. Who knew? Toa Toa panfried noodles
Best of Boca JJA18.indd 77
Grill at the Boca Raton Plaza Hotel on Federal Highway in Boca would be the perfect place for Nick the Lounge Singer (aka Bill Murray) to belt out a few—if it weren’t the perfect secret local hangout. We suspect this is the universal catcher’s mitt of a bar for those nights you do not want to be seen, or maybe you had a fight with your spouse, or you just want a little anonymity—served with a side of karaoke.
MOST EXCITING NEW FOOD CONCEPT
The Grandview Public Market in West Palm’s emerging warehouse district near the Armory Arts Center introduces the food hall concept to our area (think Chelsea Market in New York), with 14 trendy vendors, ranging from a noodle bar to a spicy chicken stand to olive oils and cold-brewed coffee. Add in communal dining and gaming spaces, a sleek bar and a chic fitness studio, and we have a winner—our vote for the edgiest lunchtime hangout.
CRAFT BEER HEAVEN
South Florida is turning into a beer lover’s dream. For the ultimate laid-back casual beer throwdown, we like Beer Trade Co. (in the former Sonny’s Gelato location), which has 300 different bottled beers (35 to 40 new ones arrive every week), multiple TVs, and a menu that sports fans will love: wings, Boardwalk-style fries, grilled cheese and more.
Grandview Market owners Kristen and Chris Vila
AARON BRISTOL
FOOD TRENDS WE ARE SICK OF
So much for breaking the bank. We’ve got a vacation in paradise that actually might not threaten the college fund. Toa Toa should be your answer next time someone complains about no good Chinese food in South Florida. Our enlightened source (who is Chinese-American) swears by Toa Toa (4145 W. 88th Ave. in Sunrise) as authentic and delicious—and covers all the bases: Cantonese, Mandarin, Szechuan, Hunan. And the dim sum. Please. Chef Wong has had a devoted following since 1989, and we know it’s the real deal. The last four words we have for you: House special pan-fried noodles. Our Place Bar &
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BEST OF BOCA 2018
Retail & Business
POWER BROKERS
The Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce—the largest in the county—is still a major power base for Boca Raton, and a primary engine in bringing business to our already-robust city. Two of its hard-charging drivers are Troy McLellan, president and CEO of the chamber, and Ethel Isaacs Williams, chair of the chamber board.
bocamag.com
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••••
June/July/August 2018
5/2/18 11:56 AM
79 Clive and Daniel Lubner
YEAR OF THE HOME STORE
Restoration Hardware raises the roof (literally) in West Palm with a celebrity-studded grand opening and a spectacular rooftop garden … Robb & Stucky makes a brilliant comeback in Boca … Clive Daniel continues to redefine the luxury home furnishings market.
HOTTEST PLACE TO DECK YOURSELF OUT FOR A WHITE PARTY
Coton Frais is all white, all cool, all perfect for our subtropical climate.
BOON OR BOONDOGGLE?
The jury’s out on the sleek new Brightline. So far, the delay in building quiet zones, the empty train cars and the possible traffic disruption
Depot and for what we hear is an exciting and re-energized culture. • The new U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility at Boca Raton Airport is one more way the city can attract international visitors and business. Some 700 annual flights are expected to clear Customs at the new facility. • Magic Leap is called a “game changer for South Florida,”raising nearly $2 billion in funding since its launch in 2011. The company unveils its “Magic Leap One”headset, which blends digital The Magic Leap effect Dan Cane
• Boca-based medical records software company Modernizing Medicine continues its growth trajectory with the addition of 800 jobs have not helped its case. (But Boca still wants a station.) People are watching and waiting.
BEST BUSINESS NEWS
• The jury is still out, but Office Depot acquires IT services provider CompuCom Systems Inc. for nearly $1 billion in a deal that analysts say will either make or break the Boca-based Fortune 500 company. We’re rooting for Office
graphics with the user’s physical surroundings. The buzz is on. • The Boca Raton Regional Hospital announces a $260 million expansion and renovation that will more than double its current size. In related good news, CEO Jerry Fedele, slated to retire this year, has agreed to stay on for one more year.
via a $231 million investment from private equity firm Warburg Pincus.
THE BOCA CHAMBER TAKES A STANCE, OR BEST LOCAL MESSAGE FROM A BUSINESS THIS YEAR
Boca Chamber president and CEO Troy McLellan and his board issue a position after the Parkland shooting—saying the Chamber is in it “for the long haul.” It asks for improved mental health screening, a ban on assault rifles and bump stocks, better background checks, more secure schools and raising the minimum age for gun purchases to 21, for starters.
June/July/August 2018
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BEST OF BOCA 2018
People & Lifestyle SALARY WORTH EVERY PENNY
Controversial football coach Lane Kiffin receives a 10-year contract and a base salary of $950,000 from FAU. In his first season as head football coach, the Owls score the best season in the school’s history, 11-3, win their first bowl game since 2008, and tie or break 45 individual school records.
bocamag.com
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June/July/August 2018
5/2/18 11:57 AM
81 BEST FRIDAY NIGHT ALTERNATIVE TO NETFLIX
Game night at the Mizner Park Amphitheater this summer (June 22 and July 20) will feature grown-up games with LED ping-pong, mini golf, life-sized lawn games and food trucks, with a DJ spinning tunes from the ‘80s. Brandon Walker
BOCA HIGH UPS ITS GAME
Brandon Walker, formerly with Cooper City High, is hired as the new football coach at Boca High. Walker played college football at Elmhurst College as an offensive lineman. After graduating, he had coaching stints at Delaware, Fordham and North Florida Christian before returning to South Florida in 2006. Walker takes over for Eric Davis, who stepped down in January after four seasons with the school.
WORKOUT THE REALLY COOL PEOPLE DO
John Tolbert at Boca’s Ballroom Battle
Circuit training at Gravity + Oxygen with a personal trainer
UP-AND-COMING POWER COUPLE THAT DOES NOT WANT TO BE A POWER COUPLE
Mike and Amy Kazma are always behind the scenes because they like it that way, but the spotlight eventually finds everyone—especially those who deserve a community shout-out. The Kazmas have lived in Boca Raton since 1996 with their two children; Mike is CEO of Amzak Capital Management.
They have been involved with the Junior League of Boca Raton, the Boca Raton Historical Society, the Florence Fuller Child Development Centers,
Boca Raton Regional Hospital, the George Snow Scholarship Fund and Boca Helping Hands, among others. The family also runs the Kazma Family Foundation Board of Directors, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships and supports education initiatives and other charitable activities. The Kazmas donate money and time to Boca Raton, and we’d name them our prom king and queen this year, if the city had a prom.
NONPROFIT THAT IS KILLING IT
Mike and Amy Kazma
NEW STATUS SYMBOLS
• Gucci sneakers • A Moke fun “car” • Rescue dogs • Nike and Jimmy Choo Off-White brands; in fact, anything by the avant-garde Off-White brand founded by Virgil Abloh is BIG • Vacations to Iceland and/or Antarctica • Personal trainers • Sacred geometry tattoos • A total alt-diet: dairy alternatives, meat substitutes, gluten-free wheat
The George Snow Scholarship Fund gives $1.2 million in scholarships in 2017 to 147 kids who are now college-bound—its best year ever.
VIPS
Resort CEO John Tolbert raises $194,000 for the George Snow Scholarship Fund in Boca’s Ballroom Battle and a month later is helping deliver hurricane supplies to Puerto Rico. • Entrepreneur and philanthropist Bobby Campbell logs
in his 16th year of hosting a vintner dinner for Boca Bacchanal. • Longtime Boca volunteer and celebrated foodie Joyce DeVita is named Woman Volunteer of the Year by the Junior League of Boca Raton. • Lynn University’s Barbara Cambia, active in several organizations, is named this year’s Diamond Award winner by the Boca Chamber.
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Issues & News
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MICHAEL NIGRO/PACIFIC PRESS VIA ZUMA WIRE
HISTORY MAKERS
The children of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s movement aimed to enact “common-sense” gun laws and other measures after the Parkland shooting is catapulted onto the national stage, goes international, prompts a million-person march around the world and is still gaining steam.
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83 The first responders and employees of FPL, who got South Florida up and running in record time after Hurricane Irma.
EMERGING POLITICAL VOICE
The big faceless social-media chatter rising from platforms like Boca Watch, Old Boca, For Boca, Delray Raw and others is beginning to fuel public opinion— right or wrong.
ISSUES THAT DIVIDE US
Richard Corcoran
POLITICIAN WITH A DEATH WISH FOR SOUTH FLORIDA TOURISM
Florida Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran seeks to discredit the impact of the state’s premier tourism marketing arm, Visit Florida (and associated tourism agencies, like Discover the Palm Beaches) and slash its funding in response to Miami rapper Pitbull’s controversial $1 million contract with Visit Florida in 2015-16, amid criticism that the organization operated with a lack of transparency. Governor Rick Scott asked for a $100 million budget for Visit Florida, but Corcoran, Senate President Joe Negron and the governor ultimately agreed on a much-diminished $76 million budget. Postscript: Florida had the largest number of tourists yet last year.
Downtown development and the proposed Midtown development are the lightning rods for the burgeoning pro-development and anti-development factions in the city, reminiscent of the groups that once either supported or decried the proposed Mizner Park in the 1980s.
GO SOUTH
Rep. Bill Hager suggests that Florida’s capital be moved to a more central location in the state. The bill never sees the light of day, but good try, Bill. It is still easier to fly to L.A. than to Tallahassee.
THERE WILL BE BLOOD
Watch founder Al Zucaro has placed one—maybe two— surrogates on Boca’s city council; who's next in the sights of Boca Watch? Is Zucaro going to make a run for it again?
TROUBLE IN PARADISE
More than two dozen charities that had booked events at Mar-a-Lago cancel their contracts under donor pressure after Donald Trump’s remarks appear to excuse white supremacists engaged in a violent Charlottesville, Virginia rally. The unprecedented social dustup resulted in emergency bookings at The Breakers and the Boca Resort, among others, and was the talk of the island for weeks.
Mar-a-Lago
BAD BREAKUP
City Councilman Robert Weinroth abandons his Boca mayoral aspirations and decides to challenge his former ally (and alleged friend) on the city council, Mayor Susan Haynie, for the District 4 seat (held by Steve Abrams, who is term-limited) on the Palm Beach County Commission this November. If that weren’t bad enough, Haynie gets arrested for perjury, among other charges, and drops out of the race. Weinroth is charging full-tilt ahead, and the Boca Watch crowd is popping Champagne. Stay tuned, As the World Turns in Boca politics.
Failed mayoral candidate and Boca
Al Zucaro
MICHAEL PRICE
HEROES OF THE YEAR
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Arts & Entertainment
STRANGEST FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS PERFORMANCE (EVER!)
No matter what you expected from Bill Murray’s singular jumble of music, poetry and prose at Festival of the Arts, you were probably surprised. Somnambulistic readings of Whitman and James Fennimore Cooper left some heading for the exits early, which is too bad—the comic actor’s hilarious butchery of a Tom Waits bar anthem and his prancing medley of three “West Side Story” classics would have brought them back.
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85 BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL
Halloween at the Addison
BOCA EVENT OF THE YEAR
Halloween at the Addison once again transformed the romantic courtyard of this premier wedding venue into the over-the-top costume party of your dreams—or perhaps your nightmares. Borrowing its theme from the asylums, freak shows, covens and haunted hotels of “American Horror Story,” it featured a live-action walk-through, roving entertainment, DJs, spooky décor and more calorically dense gastronomic delights than a state fair. If you had to enjoy your spiked punch next to a severed limb or two, so be it.
TOP 10 CONCERTS OF 2017/2018 (Send all complaints and snubs to john.thomason@bocamag.com)
VIPS PLAY FOR VIPS
Lynn University President Kevin Ross’s band, Wolfhawk, entertains the VIPs at this year’s ESPN Boca Raton Bowl.
BEST MUSIC AT A BALL
We still do not, for the life of us, understand the appeal of the torturous techno of Miami’s Ultra Music Festival, which sells out faster than a politician with a briefcase of cash. But the past year saw plenty of top contenders, from the rootsy consistency of the Sunshine Music Festival in Boca, to the Okeechobee Music Festival’s winning combination of alt-rock swagger and Zen vibes. But the Riptide Music Festival takes the top prize, attracting a stellar
lineup and thousands of toes to the Fort Lauderdale sand.
BEST CONCERT VENUE NAMED AFTER A FRENCH ENLIGHTENMENT WRITER
Programming-wise, anything goes at Voltaire, a second-floor speakeasy above Lost Weekend on Clematis Street, the latest jewel in nightlife guru Rodney Mayo’s busy crown. It satisfies the Enlightenment spirit of its name with more varieties of absinthe than many bars have draft beers.
Voltaire
The mighty Temptations play for guests at the Boca Raton Hospital Ball. For one night, we were in Motown Heaven.
BEST NEW FOODIE EVENT OF THE YEAR
People loved the Seafood Festival at the Mizner Park Amphitheater. That no one knew about. Note to readers: Do not miss the next one!
10 Spoon at Revolution Live 9 Sam Hunt at Coral Sky Amphitheatre 8 Garbage at Hard Rock Event Center
CULTURE TREND: PUBLIC ART
The artsy enclave of Lake Worth became a central gathering place for public art last November, when the CANVAS Outdoor Museum Show migrated from its former home in West Palm Beach. Artists created eye-popping sculptures, which are still viewable downtown. West Palm received its own art infusion, transforming the former Macy’s in CityPlace into the experiential art space known as Culture Lab, featuring a wraparound mural by Irish artist Michael Craig-Martin.
The Temptations
7 They Might be Giants at Culture Room 6 The Killers at American Airlines Arena 5 Grizzly Bear at Fillmore Miami Beach
4 The Zombies at Parker Playhouse 3 LCD Soundsystem at James L. Knight Center 2 Paul McCartney at AmericanAirlines Arena
1 U2 at Hard Rock Stadium
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TOP THREE ART EXHIBITS, based on John Thomason’s reviews on bocamag.com:
“Frank Stella: Experiment and Change” at NSU Art Museum: “The museum’s ambitious retrospective reveals an artist brushing against decades of boundaries and obliterating them.” (1/12/18) “Earth Works: Mapping the Anthropocene” at Norton Museum: “Justin Brice Guariglia’s work conjures the terror and intensity of the early abstract expressionist painters more than anything in the traditional photographic realm. Their collective implication is of a clarion call unheeded, of the last desperate gasps of a dying planet unsentimentally presented for observation by its very killers.” (10/4/17) “Regarding George Ohr” at Boca Raton Museum of Art: “It’s both a succinct primer and a survey of Ohr’s vast and variegated influence on pottery and sculpture. It is easily the most thoughtful and provocative ceramics exhibition I’ve encountered.” (11/29/17)
THIS YEAR’S “SHOW MUST GO ON” AWARD
Mother Nature threw a wet blanket over the costumed revelers at Moonfest, West Palm Beach’s signature Halloween festival, showering the goblins and centaurs and sexy nurses from 8 p.m. until well past midnight. Many attendees took shelter under the awnings of local businesses, but the festival proceeded without a hitch. The wildest fans stuck it out until 2:30 in the morning to watch local favorites Surfer Blood, whose band members donned garb from “Harry Potter” and“Back to the Future.”
Where else can you edify yourself on lectures about Van Gogh or Gaugin one minute, make your own masterpiece at a workshop the next, and end the night
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BEST NEW CULTURAL CENTER
Anchoring the cultural renaissance of a city that’s on the upswing, the Pompano Beach Cultural Center’s angular, modern building is home to 11 arts organizations, from ballet and choral groups to professional theatre
Pompano Beach Cultural Center
BEST MAKEOVER
The South Florida Science Center brought back its beloved laser concerts, with a $200,000 grant covering new seating, curtains and wall coverings, plus a“hazer” and more integrative lighting. A far cry from the cheesy squiggles of early laser technology, the new concerts provide a 3D effect without the necessity of glasses, and simulate the feeling of being a little bit high— which, when you’re immersing yourself in Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, is perfectly appropriate.
STILL THE BEST BARGAIN IN TOWN
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with live music by a Beatles tribute band—all for the low, low cost of nothing? Starting next year, the weekly Thursday tradition of Art After Dark at the Norton Museum will revert to its normal museum admission price, but it’s still the best bang for your cultural buck.
Palm Beach Modern + Comtemporary
BEST ART FAIR
Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary in downtown West Palm was small but not too small, which made it both exciting and manageable at the same time. A mix of emerging and established artists across several mediums, from sculpture to textiles and painting to prints, featured a fresh (and somehow local!) vantage point on contemporary art.
companies and taiko drummers. Despite all of this, the space is often dark: Here’s hoping its second season will be busier than its first.
FIVE BEST PLAYS/ MUSICALS:
“The Camp” at West Boca Theatre Company: Local playwright Michael McKeever’s somber world premiere, about a Polish community receiving its penance for a crime
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87 of omission during the Holocaust, painted stark and sobering pictures with trenchant dialogue and probing performances. “The Drowsy Chaperone” at the Wick: A peerless lead performance, savvy source material, and direction that clicked on all cylinders elevated this cheeky musical-within-a-musical. “An Inspector Calls” at Maltz Jupiter Theatre: The Maltz dusted off this antique British mystery about the collective guilt of an aristocratic family with exemplary technique and a 21st century vision, deploying smoke, curtains and scenic obstructions to bring the play’s themes to vivid life. “Newsies” at Maltz Jupiter Theatre: The Maltz’s dazzling production of the Disney musical featured innovative choreography buttressed by the director’s novel introduction of female “newsies”in the chorus, along with performances that tugged at our heartstrings. “Wrongful Death and Other Circus Acts” at Zoetic Stage at the
Arsht Center: Miamian Chris Demos-Brown’s cynical legal comedy, written with the topical relevance and the rapier wit of an Aaron Sorkin script, received an exhilarating production from Zoetic, including an actual three-ring circus, acrobatic interludes and wry audience interaction.
of Janis Joplin in the Wick’s“Beehive”last spring, a role that netted her a Carbonell Award this year. She received a second nomination for her charming Belle in the Wick’s“Beauty and the Beast.”She continued to impress at MNM Productions’“Little Shop of Horrors,”injecting
own $1.5 million update with new lighting and signage, a fresh paint
job, exterior art installations and new outdoor gallery space.
Mallory Newbrough
Rendering, Boca Raton Museum of Art
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
A recent transplant to the South Florida theatre scene, Mallory Newbrough stunned audiences with her impassioned, transformative portrayal
“Wrongful Death and Other Circus Acts”
fresh pathos into the play’s ditzy but victimized Audrey. Here’s hoping for another busy year from this triple-threat chameleon.
MUSEUM MAKEOVERS
The cranes continue to be in the air at the Norton Museum for what has felt like an eternity, but it wasn’t the only area museum to lift its face this past year. The Cornell Art Museum solidified its growing reputation as a premier contemporary art space thanks to a $1 million redesign that included industry-standard lighting and movable walls. The Boca Raton Museum of Art kicked off its
CULTURE TREND: ROCKERS WHO PAINT
KISS’ Paul Stanley, The Cars’ Rick Ocasek and Metallica’s Jason Newsted, all of whom visited Boca or Palm Beach this past year, are just three classic rockers who, from time to time, exchange guitar picks for paintbrushes. None of them are Picasso, but could Pablo have rocked the rhythm axe on “Detroit Rock City?” I think not.
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Written by JOHN THOMASON
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90 hilip Stoddard, the mayor of South Miami, has fashioned a tropical hardwood hammock outside his unassuming residence. His back door opens to a lush garden of more than 100 species of trees and plants, along with a grotto and a swimming pond, where Stoddard and his wife paddle around koi, sunfish and loudmouth bass. An active birdfeeder welcomes 140 avian species, Stoddard estimates. The cherry on top of this greenest house in the neighborhood is the array of solar panels slanting westward on his roof. Stoddard had them installed in 2014. After a federal solar tax credit, which allows customers to deduct 30 percent of their installation costs, the array set him back $11,500, a hefty investment that will pay itself off, he says, in seven years. In the meantime, the panels have reduced his FPL bill to nine dollars and change—basically just a connection fee. His home and electric car are 100-percent solar-powered. “Lots of people have gotten solar because they’ve seen it on my house,”he says. Stoddard is foremost a biologist, and he
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satisfies the mental image of a man of science—wiry, with prominent frameless glasses. His first job was with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.“The guy I worked under was the first to study the effect of DDT on songbirds,”he says. But it’s his activism as a politician that has raised his profile nationally. Stoddard has been lauded everywhere from Politico to Rolling Stone to National Geographic for his environmental work, including combating sea level rise for the White House’s National Ocean Council, in 2015. Stoddard sees solar as an integral part of a larger crusade to shrink CO2 levels, and he’s done more than his part to promote its use. He helped secure fair countywide pricing on solar installation through an RFP to solar installers. Then he waived permitting fees for solar customers within South Miami. And in 2017, his city commission passed an ordinance requiring all new construction in South Miami to contain solar panels. Stoddard’s is the first city outside California to pass such a law. “We don’t build a lot of new houses in South Miami, so it’s more symbolic than it is really going to reduce carbon,”Stoddard admits. “My goal was to call attention to the possibilities, and to get builders just doing it. Once you’ve done solar once, it becomes part of
Philip Stoddard
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91 [Solar is] a net benefit to the building industry, but they’re governed by inertia. I wanted to help them overcome that inertia—get into the 21st century.” your skill set. … The builder makes money, the realtor makes money, and the homeowner makes money. Everybody makes money, except the utility. It’s a net benefit to the building industry to do it, but they’re governed by inertia. I wanted to help them overcome that inertia—get into the 21st century.” Stoddard, however, seems to be a solar-forward exception in a state whose investment in renewables has lagged relative to population, and which is routinely beset with potential impediments. The Solar Power Authority reports that 157,000 homes have switched to solar in Florida. According to the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, more than $2 million has been invested in solar energy statewide, resulting in 8,589 jobs. Yet solar makes up less than 0.5 percent of Florida’s total energy capacity, placing us 10th in the national rankings. Compare that to California, where 49.5 percent of the electric grid is powered by renewables, and where 4.7 million homes are solar-powered. Even smaller states like North Carolina, New Jersey, Utah and Georgia surpass Florida. Aren’t we supposed to be the Sunshine State?
What’s the hold up?
The amount of energy the sun provides is mind-boggling. According to Paul Hawken’s book Drawdown, the sunlight striking the Earth’s surface in just one hour delivers enough energy to power the world economy for one year. The development of photovoltaic (PV) energy, which converts sunlight into electricity, dates to 1954, when Bell Labs’ tiny panel of solar cells powered a Ferris wheel. At the time, panels had a production cost of $1,900 per watt. As technology increased, so did the proliferation of panels, initially on an industrial scale, with the first massive solar PV farms sprouting in the 1980s. Now they cost about 50 cents per watt. Amir Abtahi, an engineering professor at FAU, remembers his discovery of solar, at MIT in 1972, when his adviser asked him to monitor the university’s cutting-edge rooftop solar:“I went on the roof, and in the middle of minus-30 degrees, this thing was warm. I said, darn, this stuff works!” Abtahi has installed panels for a living, and he teaches a popular course on solar at FAU. He has witnessed both the escalation and stagnation of solar in Florida. The reasons for the latter are complicated,
Amir Abtahi with students from his summer solar class
beginning with solar’s initial growing pains.“The early solar scared people, because the [advocates] were these hippie-looking guys, and they didn’t want to have anything to do with society,”he says.“And then they sold these junky solar lights that worked for a week. Now they work, because the LED lights use so little energy. But if you were to go into Home Depot 10 years ago, you’d see a line of people returning solar lights that didn’t work.” He also believes that battery power needs improvement, and that our thunderous summer weather is not ideal for solar. But topping the list of culprits is, as he frames it, political will. “There are rebates in Massachusetts and Virginia and even in New Jersey,” he says.“We had rebates up to 2010, and then the money ran out. Florida used to give us $4 a watt to install solar. Businesses that would install 25 kilowatts of solar would get $100,000 back. Unfortunately that money ran out really fast. Once the money ran out, FPL had a lottery system, which was very hard to get. They would have lotteries at 8 in the morning, and everybody learned how to do it. I tried a couple of times, and it was like buying tickets for Elton John. After a second, there was nothing available. “It’s kind of embarrassing,”he adds.“We have twice
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Justin Hoysradt
as much solar irradiation available as Massachusetts or Germany. Yes, our semi-tropical weather in the summer is not the best, because when we really need the air conditioning loads, there are the thunderstorms. But when thunderstorms come, that’s when the air conditioning peak goes down. You could justify anything either way. I think we don’t have enough solar in Florida because of politics.” In the 2016 election, politics nearly cratered Florida’s already beleaguered solar industry. Amendment 1, which failed to pass with a required 60-percent majority, was roundly criticized by local media outlets and solar advocates alike. The amendment would have done away with net metering, which allows solar customers to sell back excess solar energy generation to their utility for credits.“The devil was in the details,”Stoddard says.“It said noncustomers should not be subsidizing solar. It meant no solar incentives, period. It meant no net metering, [which is] what makes solar economically competitive at this point.” Florida’s four largest power companies, including FPL, contributed more than $24 million in support of the amendment.“Florida’s utilities are granted a monopoly by the state, and they’ve used that monopoly to, among other things, thwart rooftop solar production,”Stoddard says. (FPL did not respond to multiple
requests for comment about its relationship with solar.) On an industrial scale, FPL’s parent company, Nextera, is the world’s largest owner of solar and wind power. In March, four new solar farms opened in Florida; the closest to us is the Loggerhead Solar Energy Center, in St. Lucie County. Four more solar plants are expected to begin powering customers by mid-2019, including the first in Miami-Dade County. Stoddard is not impressed.“Look at their total generation portfolio. Doubling a very small number still gives you a very small number.” Prior to the new solar farms, FPL’s solar generation was 0.6 percent of its portfolio, according to its own data. Unlike other states, Florida has no renewable portfolio standard mandating that a percentage of a utility’s power come from renewables. “Of course, every time they do this, they take out ads in the newspapers and public radio and talk about what great stewards they are of the environment,”Stoddard adds.“If you look at some of the solar installations they’ve done, they’ve taken what had been productive agricultural fields and turned them into silicon fields. Then they want to claim they’ve created a nature preserve. What, underneath a bunch of solar panels? What nature’s going to be living there? Soil microbes? The place where solar belongs is on the tops of buildings.”
WANT TO GO SOLAR? Although solar panels are inexpensive, the labor cost of installing them may produce some sticker shock. The average installation cost for rooftop solar is $25,000 to $35,000, but the federal tax credit will alleviate some of it. If you call Vinyasun with an inquiry, the company’s first step is a discussion about tax incentives, financing and property ownership. Then they’ll take an aerial view of your home to ensure there are no significant obstructions, such as large trees, that would shade the roofline.
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Next, Vinyasun will design a 3D map of the rooftop to organize the location of the panels for maximum efficiency. The actual installation can take 30 to 90 days, depending on the municipality. One way to ensure competitive pricing on solar panels is to join a solar co-op, an idea championed by Philip Stoddard. As few as 30 households with sunny roofs can join an area co-op, such as the Florida branch of Solar United Neighbors. The organization then
puts out an RFP to vetted installers, which present a competitive bid for the countywide co-cop. “We’re like a liaison,” says Jody Finver, Miami-Dade County coordinator for Solar United Neighbors. “We put a mechanism in place … and help to fight for people’s solar rights across the country.” Potentially better pricing requires patience, however; it can take four to eight months to go solar through a co-op. Those interested in joining can visit solarunitedneighbors.org/florida.
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93 But some things are happening Justin Hoysradt, CEO of West Palm Beach’s Vinyasun, which installs solar panels throughout the county, has a sunnier perspective on the state’s third-largest electric utility. FPL has a “pretty good track record,” he says.“We’re very supportive of utility scale development, especially if it’s at virtually no cost to the ratepayer. We’d always like to see more of it.” And rooftop solar? “Using their words, they’ll say they are supportive of customer-owned solar,” Hoysradt says.“But they are a regulated utility. … And when their customers make investments in power generation, that does take away potential investment from their shareholders.” Vinyasun is one of 27 Platinum Contractors in the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FSEIA), a trade organization which, among other things, educates legislators on the benefits of solar.“Solar polls with supermajorities in both parties,”he says.“More than 70 percent of policymakers in Tallahassee are supportive of solar energy. It is one of the most democratic, conservative things that people can do in the state of Florida and anywhere. It’s about making and generating your own power, on your own property, without the help of a big utility or government. Those are really strong messages, and it is up to us to show our state leaders how those messages play.” Hoysradt points to the more positive developments in Florida solar energy law, of which the FSEIA has been influential. Though overshadowed by the contentious Amendment 1, 2016’s Amendment 4, which eliminated a property tax on commercially owned solar systems, was approved by more than 73 percent of the electorate. Florida, like 42 other states, still has net metering. And state lawmakers passed the Florida Solar Rights Act, a statute that provides homeowners the right to install panels, regardless of HOA or community association bylaws. “It is one of the most important statutes we have
in the state of Florida,”Hoysradt says. “California’s solar rights laws were modeled after Florida’s. It’s a really strong rule, to the point where it’s been tested in court.” Moreover, Vinyasun’s own numbers reflect the continued upswing in rooftop solar interest.“We’ve doubled in revenue every year for the past four years, and we’ll probably triple this year,”Hoysradt says. He concedes that transforming Florida into the California of the east coast in terms of its total solar portfolio is a daunting task, and achieving it has everything to do with framing the advocacy in ways that are friendly to the state’s Republican lawmakers. “It is very challenging for an environmentally leaning group to persuade the Republican legislature in Florida to open up markets for solar energy when championing a message for climate change,” he says. “Change that message to job creation—in an industry that’s growing jobs multiple times faster than the economy—then those messages are heard. Which is fine—we’re all about creating more jobs in solar energy.” For Stoddard, however, our carbon footprint remains the problem most worth solving, and the sun one of its viable, underused solutions. The International Renewable Energy Agency already credits up to 330 million tons of annual carbon dioxide savings to solar photovoltaics, even at less than 2 percent of the global electricity mix. Solar generation is expected to climb from 7 percent of all U.S. renewable generation, circa 2015, to 36 percent in 2050. Florida would be wise to embrace the trend. Stoddard says switching 100-percent off of fossil fuels“could happen in a decade if we decided it was a national emergency. If the Martians came down to Earth, and they set up a death star up there in orbit, and they sent down a hose and began pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, basically to cook the earth and destroy us, we would mobilize all of our financial resources to fight them. Instead, we’re doing it to ourselves, and saying we can’t afford to deal with this. In reality, we can’t afford not to deal with it.”
“Solar polls with supermajorities in both parties. It is one of the most democratic, conservative things that people can do.”
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Wander l Florida Style What will you do on your summer vacation? From history to wellness, girls’ weekends to luxe escapes, this season’s top getaways are four wheels away. Written by MARIE SPEED, ALLISON LEWIS, JOHN THOMASON and CHRISTIANA LILLY
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Pool at the Vagabond Motel
History, Channeled History seeps through Florida’s old hotels—and you can be a part of its timeline. ST. FRANCIS INN To be truly immersed in Florida’s history, head to the oldest house in the nation’s oldest city. The inn was built in 1791 when the king of Spain gave the lot to Gaspar Garcia, a military man. Over the following centuries, it was bought and sold to different families and changed names until 1948, when it was dubbed the St. Francis Inn. In 1985, the Finnegan family took over as owners and innkeepers. They say that the ghost of Lily, a 19th century slave from Barbados who fell in love with the innkeeper’s nephew, haunts the home. 279 St George St., St. Augustine; 904/824-6068 THE LODGE AT WAKULLA SPRINGS The Lodge at Wakulla Springs is surrounded by 6,000 acres of cypress trees and springs for a quiet getaway—that was the intention bocamag.com
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of the lodge’s founder, Edward Ball, when he built it in 1937. (Ball, head of St. Joe Company back in the day, was a powerful Florida robber baron from the 1930s, who was once a member of the “Pork Chop Gang” which ruled state politics and business for decades.) The lobby ceiling is covered in a painting of a nature scene, the hotel’s iconic soda fountain has a 70-foot marble bar, and the views from every room can’t be beat. 550 Wakulla Park Drive, Wakulla Springs; 850/4212000 CASSADAGA HOTEL Nestled in the tiny metaphysical community of Cassadaga amid moss-strewn oaks and an abandoned orange grove, this 1927-vintage hotel offers communion with the spirit world along with room and board. The hotel hosts spiritual development
classes, meditation circles, goddess retreats, past-life regressions, seances, crystal healing, psychic readings and shamanic rituals. It’s supposedly haunted, but not to worry—the entities are said to be friendly! 355 Cassadaga Road, Cassadaga; 386/228-2323; cassadagahotel.net DON CESAR HOTEL “The Pink Palace” opened its doors in 1928, and celebrities like F. Scott Fitzgerald soon flocked to the beachfront resort for a getaway in the sun. Its heyday came to an end during World War II when it was converted into an Army hospital and then a regional office for the Veterans Administration. Locals banded together in 1971 and successfully resuscitated the hotel, leading to a $3.5 million renovation. Today, the resort holds a special place in Gulf Coast history as well as
in the hearts of guests near and far for its dining (including an ice cream parlor!), event space and beauty. 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Petersburg Beach; 727/360-1881; doncesar.com VAGABOND HOTEL MIAMI Art Deco gets most of the attention in Miami’s architectural history, but we love the MiMo (Miami Modern) memories from the rock ‘n’ roll 1950s. The Vagabond was built in 1953 and was a popular hangout for the Rat Pack and other performers staying in the Magic City. The property was recently renovated, but the retro glam heritage is embedded in the redesign, from the starry front sign to the houndstooth seating at the Vagabond Kitchen & Bar to the iconic Coppertone Girl sign nearby. 7301 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305/400-8420; thevagabondhotelmiami.com
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BACKYARD ELEGANCE
We South Floridians are spoiled. The benefit of living where the rest of the world vacations means that paradise is just an Uber away. Why not take advantage of this by splurging right here in the 561, and booking a couple of nights at the Boca Raton Resort & Club? The Waldorf Astoria property boasts more than 90 years of history, 10 culinary concepts and seven pools. Its water activities, long a hallmark of the resort, continue to make a splash with both skilled salt-lifers and hodads alike, thanks to its surf school and stationary FlowRider wave simulator. Join the SUP revolution by booking a stand-up paddleboard excursion from Paddle Diva, whose trips on Lake Boca aim to center mind and body. On select nights, after the sun sets, the resort becomes an upscale nightclub thanks to one of its newest collaborations. Jazziz, the late Mizner Park jazz club, hosts periodic “One Night Stand” concerts at the resort, where attendees are treated to intimate performances with musically diverse A-listers (OK, former A-listers, but still really cool), plus three-course dinners, a room at the resort and a cocktail reception, all for $320 for a couple. So far, the resort has welcomed Paula Cole, Spyro Gyra, Christopher Cross, Ambrosia and the dude from Toad the Wet Sprocket, among others. Visit “Jazziz One Night Stand” on Facebook for promo codes and more. 501 E. Camino Real; 561/447-3000, bocaresort.com
DON CESAR
Clockwise from below: exterior of the Don Cesar Hotel; pool at the Don Cesar and St. Francis Inn
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98 Keep Fit and Carry On Our top five picks to reach your summer health goals. FOR THE YOGI FOLLOWER The tranquil Zen Den Yoga School Wellness and Retreat Center, right here in Boca Raton, is surrounded by lush tropical foliage and calming waters. During a retreat, yoga instructors Ira Ohm and Valerie Leeds guide students in the art of ancient yoga teachings and spiritual practices through daily classes and meditation. Hatha Chakra flow yoga, Ashtanga-inspired Vinyasa flow yoga and Sadhana yoga are all practiced. This program also provides tai chi, yoga sutra and Shamanic breathwork classes throughout the retreat. Participants make breakfast and lunch smoothies daily in the full-service kitchen and partake in massage and acupuncture treatments. Private rooms start at $1,200 for
a seven-night stay. Three- and five-day retreats are offered, too. 954/461-4367, zendenyogaschool. com FOR THE SAUNA SEEKER Thermae Retreat, only minutes from downtown Delray Beach, offers guests a variety of healing treatments to restore body and mind in one, two or three days. Thermae’s shining gem is its saunas. A Finnish sauna session begins with a traditional “aufguss”: water and essential oils are poured over hot stones to begin an aromatic steam and release toxins from the body. Infrared saunas use chromotherapy (colored light) to repair the body’s balance and harmony. Choose a color that speaks to your spirit— red, blue, pink, orange, yellow.
Don’t forget to follow up sauna treatments with a custom massage, an organic facial or a quiet break in the meditation room. 205 N.E. Fifth Terrace, Delray Beach; 561/332-5883, thermaeretreat.com FOR THE WEIGHT WATCHER Dedicated to human improvement, the Pritikin Longevity Center helps individuals create a positive lifestyle through health, nutrition and fitness. Choose fun exercise classes, from Pilates to spinning, swimming to yoga, golf to tai chi. There’s a luxurious spa offering soothing massages and calming facials or a simple meditation post-workout. Meals are nutritious, delicious and balanced—it’s OK to have chicken or steak with vegetables for din-
ner and silky-smooth chocolate mousse for dessert. When the day is over, drift off to sleep in a newly renovated room or suite. Many attendees report great results— not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. Weekly rates start at $5,400 per person for a single room in June; rates decrease July 1 to October 13. Check pritikin.com to reserve a space. 8755 N.W. 36th St., Miami; 888/254-1462, pritikin.com FOR THE PAMPERED PRINCESS (OR PRINCE) The Carillion Miami Wellness Resort practically oozes “luxury wellness.” It’s a term that describes this health retreat, composed of spacious suites, an indoor rock wall, a massive spa, four property pools and
Clockwise from above: Thermae Retreat, Zen Den Yoga School and a king suite at Pritikin Longevity Center
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99 dining facilities, among other things. On site, an energy healer, acupuncturist, nutritionist and board-certified functional medicine physician help guests create healthy lifestyles. The Carillion offers many packages, classes and workshops all dedicated to health. More than 300 fitness classes take place each week, in addition to the myriad of spa treatments. The spa itself boasts the Thermal Experience, a circuit of hot and cold experiences designed to relieve pain and stress, increase circulation and reinvigorate the body. 6801 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 866/800-3858, carillonhotel.com FOR THE FITNESS BUFF Boutique retreat Vita Vie at the Seagate Hotel takes advantage of
land and sea by hosting classes on the beach, in local parks, at an outdoor patio and an indoor studio. Vita Vie Retreat trainers say they are committed to helping attendees achieve the ideal mindbody balance that meets their lifestyles, no matter their wellness goals or level of fitness. “I want people to gain a healthy outlook on life and understand … the goal is to be the best you can be. Each individual has a different goal, and my team and I respect that,” says Margot Rutigliano, founder of Vita Vie Retreat. Each day includes five hours of fitness classes, training sessions and mind/body techniques that range from sweat-heavy to meditative. Three healthy, balanced meals are provided daily, along
with nonalcoholic beverages, and individuals receive one 50-minute spa treatment at Seagate Spa. Lodging at the Seagate Hotel in downtown Delray is included. Retreats are limited to a maximum of 10 participants, which ensures an intimate experience for everyone. Retreats range from
three to six nights, and rates start at $1,650 for a single occupancy. 1000 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; 561/414-2464, bvretreat.com
Vita Vie Retreat and an aerial view of the Sunset Pool at Carillion Miami
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Mickey and Minnie at Animal Kingdom
“Toy Story 2”
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Florida Classics Live as the tourists do this summer, and hit the drivable destinations we take for granted. DISNEY Disney is still a mainstay of Florida summers. Here’s what’s new: ON JUNE 30, the all-new Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort (inspired by Disney/Pixar’s “Toy Story” films) opens—11 acres of it, in which guests in “Andy’s backyard” will feel as though they have shrunk to the size of the film’s toy stars, surrounded by giant building blocks, game board pieces and more. Count on a roller coaster,“flying saucers,” 3D games and more. It’s the largest expansion of Disney to date. ANIMAL KINGDOM marked its 20th anniversary on Earth Day, April 22, and this summer there will be plenty bocamag.com
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of celebrations marking this milestone. Animal Kingdom will debut its new show “Up! A Great Bird Adventure.” DISNEY SPRINGS is a relatively new diversion—a sweeping retail, dining and entertainment destination on Lake Buena Vista with four zones (The Landing, The Marketplace, The Westside and Town Center) featuring everything from games and a hyper-reality experience to fashion shopping (Kate Spade and Lilly and Anthropologie are just a few names you’ll love), jewelry, theaters, even Cirque du Soleil and water taxi tours. There is both casual and fine dining (think Morimoto and Bongo’s Cuban Café), which makes this Disney
attraction a much-needed alternative to all-parks, all-day. THE KEYS TO KEY WEST Locals always head to the Keys during the summertime. It may be too hot for mainstream America, but we love it; it’s cheaper, it’s less crowded and we know where to go. Plus, we cherish the drive down, starting at Robert is Here in Homestead for a fresh tropical shake, Key Fisheries in Marathon for lunch and our first cold one, and island after island to the end. This year, spend a little money along the way; the lower Keys are still suffering from Hurricane Irma and could use your support. IF YOU WANT to do Key West first class all the way, head over to
Sunset Key Cottages and rent a gorgeous house, dine at Latitudes on the beach and motor over to Key West on the resort’s launch if you want to see how the “other half” does the Duval Crawl. 245 Front St., sunsetkeycottages.com WE ALSO LOVE Key West’s oldest hotel, Eden House, which offers a wide range of accommodations, has the perfect island vibe and is near enough to the Old Town action (but not too near) to give you as much fun and privacy as you want. 1015 Fleming St., edenhouse.com YOU KNOW THE DRILL; go fishing if that’s what you do (who wouldn’t?), but save time for long morning bike rides
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101 COOL FOR SUMMER
The heat in Boca Raton can be brutal, but there’s plenty of ways to cool down right here in our neighborhood—or a short drive away. PONTIKI For a unique way to enjoy the water, rent out a bamboo party barge from Pontiki and drift down the Intracoastal. Whether you want to relax with a cocktail, jump on a paddleboard to explore the mangroves, or enjoy a sunset cruise, the party will move at your pace. Jupiter Town Dock, 200 US-1, Jupiter; 833/766-8454, pontiki.org IFLY Thrill-seekers will flock to this indoor skydiving center, where you can experience flight by jumping into a wind tunnel. Feel weightless for a minute—without the whole jumping out of an airplane thing. 11690 W. State Road 84, Davie; 954/280-4359, iflyworld.com
Duval Street in the Florida Keys
CHILL-N NITROGEN ICE CREAM There’s ice cream, and then there’s nitrogen ice cream. Little ones and kids at heart will enjoy watching ice cream makers mix ice cream with minus-320 degrees liquid nitrogen, sending a plume of smoke through the store. 3013 Yamato Road, Boca Raton; 561/826-7572, chillnicecream.com PALM BEACH SKATE ZONE Just because it (almost) never snows in Florida doesn’t mean we can’t indulge in winter sports. Give ice skating a try seven days a week, including skate parties under black lights and set to music on Fridays and Saturdays. 8125 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth; 561/963-5900, pbskatezone.com
around the island, Cuban cooking at Siboney, date-night dinner at Louie’s Backyard and some Duval bar time, which you have to do, no matter how many times you’ve been there. CRUISES People are still having a national love affair with cruising, and those of us in South Florida can hop on a short one from Fort Lauderdale just about anytime we want. We are talking about those short island hoppers offered by Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America and more. The affordable three-to-sixnighters go anywhere from the nearby Bahamas to eastern Caribbean ports like St. Thomas and St. Maarten in the Virgin
Islands—where we should ALL be going this summer to prop up storm-damaged tourism economies. Double that suggestion for the Turks & Caicos, Punta Cana and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Port Everglades is our gateway to a getaway that is affordable and relaxing and vacation-y all at once. We should all be doing this way more often. However, if luxury cruising is more your style, you can always start dreaming about names like Cunard or Seabourn or SilverSea. Our own Reid Travel, which has been the travel expert in Boca for 46 years, specializes in luxury cruising and can make that summer sail-away a dream vacation. Reid Travel, 326 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton; 800/248-8404
PUBLIC LIBRARIES One of Boca’s hidden gems is our public libraries, and they have much more to offer than books. A glance at their monthly schedules shows free movie nights, book clubs, social groups and endless classes like photo editing and family history research. Spanish River Library, 1501 Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton; and 400 N.W. Second Ave., Boca Raton; 561/393-7852, myboca.us/957/library RAPIDS WATER PARK Since 1979, this park has been a refuge from the heat. Lounge in the lazy river, or dare yourself to a venture on dozens of thrill rides. 6566 N. Military Trail, Riviera Beach; 561/848-6272, rapidswaterpark.com FIRE & ICE BAR The drive to Miami will be worth it for an experience in a literal ice bar. Set at 23 degrees, the bar is filled with 100,000 pounds of ice, and guests are given faux fur coats and gloves for their 45-minute experience. 1672 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305/534-2423; sobefireice.com PEANUT ISLAND Take a ferry over to Peanut Island for a day of sandy beaches, natural reefs, chickee huts, a pier and more. Lounge on the shore, or explore the crystal waters via kayak. Intracoastal waterway near the Lake Worth Inlet, Riviera Beach
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Skydive Sebastian
Girls’ Trips The tourists are gone, the work is slow. The conditions are ideal for corralling your group of ladies for a weekend excursion. THE OUTDOORSY CREW Sure, you can pitch a tent and camp the old fashioned way, but this is a girls’ weekend and a chance to switch things up. Head to the Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo on the south end of Lake Kissimmee. You could stay in the lodge, but we recommend renting a luxe cabin or teepee. During the day, tap into your inner frontierswoman with horseback riding, archery, swamp buggy rides, zip-lining and more. Close out the evening at the saloon or with a hayride dinner. 3200 River Ranch Blvd., River Ranch; 863/692-1321, westgateresorts.com THE INDULGENCE If a soothing weekend of relaxation is more your speed, your only problem is going to be bocamag.com
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choosing which spa to patronize. That’s why we’ve whittled it down: There’s nothing like a weekend at the Ocean Key Resort’s SpaTerre in Key West. Don your fluffy white robes and choose from a menu of massages, facials, scrubs, ritual baths and wraps—two of our favorites include Cleopatra’s Milk Bath and the Balinese Massage. Using tropical oils, herbs and volcanic clays from Java, Bali and Thailand, SpaTerre’s aromatic options will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed. 0 Duval St., Key West; 305/296-7701, oceankey.com THE ISLANDERS In the grand scheme of things on the globe, the Bahamas is a stone’s throw away. Take advantage of our proximity to the islands and get everyone aboard a
Resorts World Bimini two-hour cruise to the country’s westernmost island. Although planning a day trip is totally an option, why not dive in for a long weekend? Take a few days to fully indulge in beach bumming, water sports, dining, snorkel excursions to a shipwreck, golf cart rides through Alice Town, and lots and lots of Kalik beer. 888/930-8688, rwbimini.com THE WINE CONNOISSEURS It’s not a proper girl’s night without wine. The San Sebastian Winery is family-owned, housed in a 1920s-era Henry Flagler building, and the second-largest winery in the state. Go on a free tour and pick your favorite pour in the tasting room, peruse the gourmet gift shop for a bottle and accessories, then ascend with your
glass to The Cellar Upstairs, the winery’s rooftop jazz and blues bar. San Sebastian Winery, 157 King St., St. Augustine; 904/826-1594, sansebastianwinery.com THE THRILL SEEKERS If you and your group are adrenaline junkies, head to Skydive Sebastian for the ultimate heart-stopping adventure. Guests from beginners to expert jumpers are matched with a seasoned professional for a tandem experience—or they can opt for an accelerated free-fall. Descending from up to 15,000 feet, jumpers will be in awe of the view of the Atlantic Ocean. When you’ve made it safely to the ground, celebrate your courage at the tiki bar, set up for a happy hour. 400 Airport Drive West, Sebastian; 800/399-5867,skydiveseb.com
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The deck and pool at Resorts World Bimini, and Ocean Key Resort’s SpaTerre
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Florida Style & Design
ACC E S S O R I E S › 106 I N D O O R- O U T D O O R L I V I N G › 108 COA S TA L C H A R M › 112
This new contemporary Ocean Ridge house on the Intracoastal is all white and light. See more from this home on page 112. Glass table and white leather chairs; Holly Golightly painting; Torre & Tagus finches; FLOS lamps from Calligaris; Kartell Trays table by Piero Lissoni from Sklar; LED light by Stephen Blackman for Blackjack Lighting June/July/August 2018
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ACCESSORIES
HOME
Turning A New Leaf
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Floral patterns move from rigid to relaxed Written by BRAD MEE
WANING: Realistic and Precise
SEE YA, PREDICTABLE FLORAL PRINTS. This year, realistic renderings are losing ground to more abstract takes on garden-inspired designs. Think loose scattering of obscured leaves, brush-stroked silhouettes of shadowy blooms and overlapping forms of petal-shaped daubs. These perfectly imperfect patterns are naturals when paired with today's all-the-rage rich woods, veined stones and freeform ceramics. 2
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WINNING: Abstract and Artsy
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Wisteria Lampshade, from $99, bluebellgray, bluebellgray.com 2 Fabrics and wallpaper (clockwise from top): Delphiniums Grape by Sanderson; Mille-Feuille by Christopher Farr Cloth; Wisteria Falls Mineral by Zoffany; Rhodera Grape by Zoffany; Standing Ovation by Harlequin; Rose Mint by Zoffany 1
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Miro Table Vase, $343, Perigold, perigold.com 4 Linen Pillow, $125, ABC Carpet & Home, Delray Beach 5 AVA Mercury Pedestal, $65, Jayson Home, jaysonhome.com 6 Oyster Collection Salad Plate, $95, ABC Carpet & Home, Delray Beach 3
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107 Speak Volumes
Displayed on your table or stacked on your shelves, books say a lot about your personal style, interests and love for home and garden. We offer a few titles to inspire your collection. Written by BRAD MEE 1 “The creation of a garden has to transform not only the site but also the person who lives there; otherwise it serves no purpose.”
3 “When the world does not look the way it should to our hearts, we need to create one that does.”
Secret Gardens by Alain Le Toquin
Poetry in Place by Bobby McAlpine and Susan Sully
Abrams, $50
Rizzoli, $75
2 “Quality in what we live with affects the quality of our lives. And we all deserve to live beautifully.”
The Finer Things by Christiane Lemieux Clarkson Potter, $60
4 “...an object that has the thumbprint of the artisan has an expressiveness that cannot be replicated by machine-made products.”
The Artisanal Home by Jorge Almada and Anne-Maire Midy Rizzoli, $55
5 “The element of surprise is fantastic for your guests, but as the host with the most, you don’t want to be the one surprised.”
Veranda Entertaining by Clinton Smith Hearst, $40
6 “Truly connecting with our homes can have an extraordinary effect on our psyches. It can calm us, strengthen us, help us put our values in order.”
The Inspired Home by Karen Lehrman Bloch Harper Design, $35
EDITOR'S PICK Inspired design, gorgeous photos and engaging read
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HOME
INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING
Inside Out
The walls are disappearing between house and garden in South Florida Written by MARIE SPEED
Part of the joy of Florida living is its easy movement from indoors to outdoors, from kitchens to living rooms. Here are a few looks we love that
celebrate our natural gravitation to the tropical wonderland we call home.
This outdoor kitchen by MM Designs was highlighted by laser-cut panels custom-made by Chic Setter to differentiate the outdoor space and create drama in the shadow effect. The wall was clad in porcelain tile (and subtle built-in sconces), and the countertops were recycled sea glass from Haifa Limestone. The chaises were from Wayfair.
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109 The poured concrete sofa has custom cushions, the tables are hand-painted acrylic, and the stools are reupholstered Pottery Barn. MM Designs designed the tile mosaic near the pool to dovetail with the Art Deco theme of the showhouse.
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Designer Ellen Kavanaugh describes her eclectic foyer from the Kips Bay Show House as “Old Florida meets Emilio Pucci in the 1960s,” combining rustic Southern touches (unpainted bamboo, straw hats, a taxidermy deer head) with vibrant colors, midcentury lighting and a banquette inspired by Gio Ponti. The most notable element, though, is the tropical decoupage covering the walls, which Kavanaugh designed in collaboration with artist Phillip Estlund.
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HOME
INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING
111 This dining area designed by Erin Paige Pitts for a large extended active family opens to the pool and is as easy as it is casual. We love the farmhouse table and wash-and-wear chairs, but its most striking feature is its stunning Cubaninspired cement tile (made by Clé Tile), which harkens back to old Florida as well as Florida’s longstanding romance with Havana.
Above: Sometimes found objects or the simple geometry of sea creatures adds a touch of coastal architecture to a room. Right: This elegant indoor bath with an outdoor vibe submitted by Ferguson is distinguished by a Tisbury Collection Pfister faucet, stunning tile flooring and a clean and bright aesthetic.
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SECTION
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White Party Blending classic coastal charm with modern lines infuses this Ocean Ridge house with a fresh seaside vibe. Written by ROBIN HODES
THE QUIET INTRACOASTAL NEIGHBORHOOD IN OCEAN RIDGE might be described as sleepy, but there’s nothing tired about this 4,800-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath modern coastal home. On the contrary, no detail has been spared to craft a contemporary showplace incorporating thoughtful classic nods, just steps from the beach along the sparkling Intracoastal waterway. A modern aesthetic, though often spare in appearance, is more difficult to achieve than its traditional counterpart.“Modern is more refined and time-consuming,” says Josh Khoury, president of Ocean Blue Custom Homes in Delray Beach.“Everything needs to be precise, because you actually see more. There are no crown moldings or other applications to hide imperfections.” In short, omitting extraneous architectural detail in favor of painstaking simplicity is the formula for this house.
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CONTEMPORARY ELEMENTS such as a sleek glass front, a flat roof and a trio of backlit garage doors are juxtaposed with traditional, sloped gable rooftops. The expansive driveway is concrete with exposed shell. The windows are free of shutters or stone detailing that might otherwise detract from the clean lines. Even the measured array of tall palms in the landscape design has been placed for linear effect.
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115 AESTHETICALLY SIMILAR to the adjoining property (also built by Ocean Blue Homes), yet with its own distinct personality, the home’s access to the tranquil Intracoastal is a boater’s dream come true.
THE OUTDOOR AREAS of the house feature a geometric swimming pool and spa, with an inviting sun shelf designed for lounging. The deck is set with large-format textured porcelain, and the pool’s “Tahoe blue” Pebble Tec finish changes color depending on the time of day. This outdoor playground, complete with fireplace, is an extension of the home’s indoor spaces. The parapets are a modern spin on Dutch West Indies architecture, popular throughout the islands.
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116 ACCORDING TO OCEAN BLUE'S KHOURY, today’s homes are moving toward an open concept, shown here as kitchen, dining room and family room flow into one livable space. Tying the room together is soft white wood-themed porcelain tile, the only pop of color the artwork. Glass, chrome and neutral textures play well together throughout, with the overall modern feel softened by the shrewd placement of a faux fur throw here, and a shag rug there.
HIGH-GLOSS deep charcoal flat-panel cabinetry on a touch latch system makes almost all kitchen appliances virtually disappear. A backsplash of stacked glass tiles adds sheen in a lighter shade of gray. The floating island, built from white Caesarstone, cleverly houses a cooktop, and the hood above neatly recesses into the ceiling. A set of JAM swivel stools with gloss white, perforated seats and chrome bases on a gas-lift mechanism, designed by Archirivolto for Calligaris, welcome guests and family members to watch the culinary magic happen. The modular Miami sectional is from Sklar.
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GEOMETRY IS IN PLAY in the master bath, where the floor and steam-shower walls are treated with striated, hand-selected, custom-matched natural stone slabs. The resin and milky glass sink units and exposed plumbing imparts a trendy, modern vibe.
A LOW-SLUNG BED with sleek white upholstered headboard, tufted bench with smart nailhead trim from Calligaris, a curvaceous and stylized contemporary leather and chrome rocker, and a neutral-toned cowhide rug create a décor that’s as fresh as the breezes off the Intracoastal just outside the sliders.
THIS BALCONY off the upstairs guest bedroom features a trellis roof detail that casts intriguing shadows. Come nightfall, wall-mounted rectangular sconces illuminate downward to create mood and drama.
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SignatureEvents Boca Raton Regional Hospital 2018 – 2019
21st Annual Golf Tournament Monday, October 15, 2018 • Boca West Country Club Presented by JM Lexus Our fun and challenging tournament will be led by Honorary Chairs, Jayne and Chris Malfitano and Co-Chairs, Terry Fedele and Amy Ross. The tournament features the championship courses of Boca West along with a helicopter ball drop, a spectacular awards dinner, a chance to bid on a once in a lifetime golf experience at Pebble Beach, and a premium amenity package for every golfer. Last year’s tournament was a sell-out, so reserve your sponsorship today to support the Hospital’s Ron & Kathy Assaf Center for Excellence in Nursing. Information is available at donate.brrh.com/ golf
15th Annual Go Pink Luncheon Friday, October 26, 2018 • Boca Raton Resort & Club Join us at South Florida’s premier breast cancer awareness event! You will enjoy a nationally known celebrity speaker, a delectable luncheon, fabulous “pink” amenity, the amazing AutoNation Pink Daisy Pick Raffle and so much more! Community Philanthropist, Patti Carpenter serves as the luncheon Chair. All proceeds benefit cancer programs at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Reserve your sponsorship at donate.brrh.com/GoPink
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Annual Ball B O C A R AT O N R E G I O N A L H O S P I TA L
57th
Annual Ball B O C A R AT O N R E G I O N A L H O S P I TA L
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57th Annual Hospital Ball Saturday, January 12, 2019 • Boca Raton Resort & Club You won’t want to miss the most anticipated event of the season! The Annual Hospital Ball has become the premier event of the winter season in Boca Raton, so it’s not too early to start thinking about your tables and sponsorship! Planning is already underway, by the Ball Committee, led by Co-Chairs, Carrie Rubin and Judi and Allan Schuman. All proceeds from the annual event will be used to benefit the Hospital. More information, including the announcement of the Ball’s entertainment will be forthcoming.
Make sure you are in the know about Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation! Please like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BRRHFoundation/
Annual Ball B O C A R AT O N R E G I O N A L H O S P I TA L
745 Meadows Road Boca Raton, Florida
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561-955-4142 www.brrh.com
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Mindi Abair, who performs at Funky Biscuit June 11
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TAKE 5
Jill and Rich Switzer
These married music makers are keeping the Great American Songbook alive— on and off the airwaves Written by JOHN THOMASON
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n a February evening at Palm Beach Dramaworks’ second-story black box, jazz pianist Rich Switzer and his bassist and drummer were positioned between two ferns, performing to a rapt, sold-out audience. Developing a jogger’s sweat by the third song of the 90-minute set, Switzer played Herbie Hancock and George Benson,“Sunny” and “Summertime,” improvising so ecstatically that he seemed to surprise himself. One hand tinkled the ivories while the other commanded a catty-corner synthesizer. On a few numbers, he played piano and trumpet simultaneously. To someone who has trouble walking and chewing gum at the same time, Switzer’s dexterity looked superhuman. On a few numbers, Jill Switzer, his wife of more than two decades and an accomplished vocalist, emerged from the audience in glittery silver boots to croon standards like Dinah Washington’s“Destination Moon” and Nina Simone’s“Exactly Like You”in her joyful, expressive, infectious style. The show ended at 9, and by 6 the next morning, this cabaret couple would be awake, alert and beginning its day job: as co-hosts of“The Morning Lounge,”a four-hour broadcast on Legends Radio 100.3-FM.
“We’re a little oasis [on morning radio]; that’s my personal mission statement. I want it to be a place where if you happen to tune in, it’s going to hopefully give you a positive push.” Legends, launched as a passion project in 2014 by radio icon Dick Robinson, is the only station in South Florida dedicated to the Great American Songbook. Its evolving playlist encompasses Frank Sinatra to Michael Bublé, Ella Fitzgerald to Diana Krall. Because they’re live and local, the Switzers welcome special guests into the studio—Burt Reynolds, Marilyn Maye—but it boasts a global audience through the Legends Radio app. After hours, the Switzers gig all around town, from the Colony Palm Beach and the Wick Theatre to the Delray Beach Playhouse and the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center. Through their radio show and their concerts, they see themselves as custodians of a great American art form, lest it be lost to generations who think“oldies”means Michael Jackson and U2. Following their intimate show at Dramaworks, Jill Switzer sat down to discuss their roles as Songbook ambassadors.
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How is “The Morning Lounge” unique from other morning shows? It’s a little bit of NPR in that the station is very positive. We’re the antithesis of the morning zoo. We try to do higher-minded things. I do a word of the day; I do a wisdom of the day. I find a great quote; today, it was Longfellow’s birthday, so I read the last stanza of one of his poems. This is art, and I don’t want to dumb it down with silliness.
Who is the listenership of Legends Radio? Originally, everybody thought the demographic would be 55-plus. And we certainly have that. But we found that for younger people, it’s like heart music. The music seems to cross generations, because it is such beautifully crafted music. It is the greatest artistic contribution our country has ever made to the world. You could go to any country, almost, and find musicians and singers doing this music. Today we did a ticket giveaway; the callers ranged in age from 22 to 70.
Four hours a day is a long time to be on the radio. How do you plan out such a lengthy time slot?
All the jingles, all the specials, the features— Dick gave us total free rein. The first few months, it seemed like an eternity. Now we’ve got a system; I work on the show the day before. Four hours goes like that.
Are there particular vocal demands on your style of music that are different from say, a rock vocalist or an opera singer? As someone who’s made a living as a singer, I’ve done all that music. I probably sang“I Will Survive” 2,000 times. The difference for me is that in the Great American Songbook— Gershwin, Porter—the chord progressions and melodies are so much more difficult than your straight-ahead pop song. With swing, you have to be exposed to it, to start feeling it in the pocket, where you can understand the phrase. I think phrasing is probably the most important thing.
Do you allow yourself to reinterpret or reinvent when you cover a song? Absolutely. That’s been the joy—to find one of these nuggets you’ve heard a gazillion times, and put our own treatment on it, and figure out a way that makes it fun or exciting to play.
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IF YOU GO WHAT: “Music for the Mind” with Jill and Rich Switzer WHEN: Aug. 21, 7 p.m. WHERE: Harriet Himmel Theatre at CityPlace, 700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach COST: $10 adults, $5 students CONTACT: kretzerpiano.com/music-for-the-mind June/July/August 2018
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B AC K S TAG E PA S S
CALENDAR
Now-Aug. 26
Now- Oct. 21
“SEVEN SMILES: HUMOR IN JAPANESE PAINTINGS”
NICK CARONE: “SHADOW DANCE” at Boca Raton
at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach; $9-$15 admission; 561/495-0233, morikami.org. Through 48
witty paintings divided into seven subcategories—such as parody, wordplay, satire and fantasy—this exhibition reveals the impact of humor on Japanese art and culture during the otherwise repressive Edo period of 1600-1868.
Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; $10$12 museum admission; 561/392-2500, bocamuseum.org. A peer of pioneering
abstract expressionists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, this underrated artist toiled in the dark side of abstraction, founding a studio school and selling to major museums on the strength of his tempestuous, enigmatic paintings and drawings.
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June 2
June 5
PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT
FOUNDERS’ DAY at Flagler Museum, 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach; noon to 5 p.m.; free; 561/6552833, flaglermuseum.us.
at Respectable Street, 518 Clematis St., West Palm Beach; 8 p.m.; free; 561/832-9999, respectablestreet.com. Hook, the
In honor of its anniversary, the historic former home of Henry Flagler opens its doors to the public at no cost, allowing visitors to tour the museum’s first floor, view its permanent collection of Gilded Age art, and hop aboard Flagler’s private railcar.
former bassist of groundbreaking darkwave band Joy Division and its seminal follow-up, New Order, performs the greatest hits of each group, including “Love Will Tear us Apart,” “She’s Lost Control,” “Bizarre Love Triangle” and “Blue Monday.”
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June 14- July 15
June 16
“MR. PARKER” at Island City Stage, 2304 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors; show times vary; $35; 954/519-2533, islandcitystage.org. In
“LIVE IN CENTRAL PARK (REVISITED)—BOCELLI AND FRIENDS” at Crest
the latest world premiere from Carbonell-winning playwright Michael McKeever, a 52-year-gay man’s one-night-stand with a 27-year-old becomes a voyage of discovery for both men, whose conversations range from life and death to Internet literacy and other world changes.
Theatre, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $55-$65; 561/243-7922, oldschoolsquare.org. Three
opera singers—Jonathan Hawkins, Lee Lessack and Heather Lundstedt—will help fill the enormous shoes of Andrea Bocelli in this re-creation of the romantic tenor’s 2011 concert on the Great Lawn of Central Park. The show includes favorites “The Prayer” and “Time to Say Goodbye.”
June 16 SEAN CHAMBERS BAND
at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $30-$45; 561/4506357, artsgarage.org. Acclaimed by publications ranging from USA Today to Britain’s Guitarist magazine, this veteran axman has earned comparisons to the Rolling Stones on the strength of his eclectic mastery of blues, soul, country and rock. The Blues Music Award nominee will be supported by a bassist, drummer and Hammond organist on his 2018 tour.
June 16 “IT GETS BETTER”
at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $32; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. This stage pre-
sentation of columnist Dan Savage’s influential “It Gets Better” initiative, founded in 2010 to combat bullying of LGBTQ youth, concludes the Kravis’s “P.E.A.K.” season. The multimedia presentation features poems, skits, songs and more, performed by students from the local “It Gets Better” program in Lake Worth.
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June 9
STEVEN MICHAEL QUEZADA at Boca Black
THE HUNTS at Crest Theatre, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $35-$45; 561/243-7922, oldschoolsquare.org. Fans
Box, 8221 Glades Road, Suite 10, Boca Raton; 8 p.m.; $25-$35; 561/4839036, bocablackbox. com. As DEA agent Steven
Gomez on the hit drama “Breaking Bad,” Quezada literally went out with a bang. See his resurrection as a standup comedian—a trade he plied for 25 years before his “Breaking Bad” breakthrough.
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of the Lumineers and Of Monsters and Men should flock to this sonically similar indie-folk act formed by a seven-piece band of siblings with a few “J”s to spare: twin sisters Jenni and Jessi and their brothers Josh, Jonathan, Jordan, Justin and Jamison, who play everything from piano to mandolin to ukulele.
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June 11
June 14
June 14- July1
MINDI ABAIR AND THE MOD 27 at Arts Garage, “ROCK OF AGES” at BONESHAKERS at Funky 94 N.E. Second Ave., Broward Center, 201 S.W.
Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton; 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.; $45-$65; 561/395-2929, funkybiscuit.com. Abair’s career as
a saxophonist has spanned smooth jazz to blues rock to the eclectic demands of “American Idol,” where she performed in the house band for two years. She’s supporting her latest album The EastWest Sessions, recorded at the titular blues studio in Hollywood.
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Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $15; 561/450-6357, artsgarage.org. Named after
the portable classroom in which its founders initially rehearsed, Mod 27 is West Palm Beach’s longest-running improv comedy troupe, performing 100-percent, Chicago-style improvised theatre to audiences like this one for the past 16 years.
1 “Seven Smiles” 2 Sean Chambers 3 Peter Hook 4 “It Gets Better” 5 Shawn Wayans
Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays; $25-$60; 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org. A hairsprayed, tight-panted love letter to 1980s arena rock, this musical about a Sunset Strip romance between a small-town girl and a big-city rocker is conveyed through the era’s heaviest hits by Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Poison, REO Speedwagon and others.
6 The Hunts 7 “The Illusionists” 8 Mindi Abair 9 Thirty Seconds to Mars
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June 19-24
June 22-23
June 23
“THE ILLUSIONISTS” at Broward Center, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; show times vary; $30-$70; 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org. This Broadway
SHAWN WAYANS at Palm Beach Improv, 550 S. Rosemary Ave., Suite 250, West Palm Beach; various show times; $28-$38; 561/833-1812, palmbeachimprov.com. The ninth
ELIOT LEWIS at Funky Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton; 8 p.m.; $20-$35; 561/395-2929, funkybiscuit.com. The
box-office smash is a fast-paced marriage of the magical and the macabre, the harrowing and the hilarious, featuring a dream team of conjurers specializing in magic subgenres from levitation and mentalism to grand illusions.
of the 10 talented Wayans siblings, this writer-comedian joined his kin on the influential Fox sitcom “In Living Color” and has continued to parody pop culture on films such as “Dance Flick” and the “Scary Movie” franchise.
touring guitarist for Hall & Oates, Lewis is just as proficient in keyboard, bass and drums. He’s earned an international reputation as an impeccable sideman, from his long tenure with Average White Band to stages shared with Rob Thomas, Jewel, Train and more. He’ll be joined at this intimate gig by Hall & Oates drummer Brian Dunne.
June 29
July 4
THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS at Coral Sky
Amphitheatre at South Florida Fairgrounds, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; 6 p.m.; $18.50-$88.50; 561/7958883, westpalmbeachamphitheatre.com. The Los
Angeles rock band fronted by award-winning actor Jared Leto headlines a stellar alternative-rock bill. Arrive early for Walk the Moon (“Shut Up and Dance”), MisterWives (“Reflections”) and Joywave (“Dangerous”).
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION at Atlantic Ave-
nue and A1A in downtown Delray Beach; 5 to 9:30 p.m.; free; 561/278-0424, julyfourthdelraybeach. com. Enjoy four hours of
live music, a ceremony to raise the city’s brand-new 60-foot American flag, short-game challenges from Putt’n Around Mini Golf, a kids’ corner, a sand-sculpting contest and more. Fireworks conclude the festivities at 9 p.m.
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July 7
July 12-19
July 20
July 26-29
July 27-28
ERIC DARIUS at Funky Biscuit, 303 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton; 8 p.m.; $40-$60; 561/395-2929, funkybiscuit.com. This
PALM BEACH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL at
CHICAGO AND REO SPEEDWAGON at Coral Sky Am-
THE CAPITOL STEPS at Broward Center, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; show times vary; $39; 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org. Founded by
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND at Coral Sky Amphitheatre at South Florida Fairgrounds, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; 8 p.m.; $35.50-$195; 561/7958883, westpalmbeachamphitheatre.com. The
young jazz saxophonist’s fluid approach to genre— his sound traverses hip-hop, pop and R&B—has helped his seven albums make the Billboard charts, with his latest, 2017’s Breakin’ Thru, eclipsing the No. 1 spot.
Seabreeze Amphitheater, 400 Florida A1A, Jupiter; 8 p.m.; free; 561/762-8552, pbshakespeare.org. For
its free Shakespeare in the Park community production, the festival will mount an imaginative take on “Antony and Cleopatra,” the bard’s sequel to “Julius Caesar,” which charts the doomed romance between the Egyptian ruler and Mark Antony.
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phitheatre at South Florida Fairgrounds, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $18.50$138.50; 561/795-8883, westpalmbeachamphitheatre.com. Brassy classic
rockers Chicago will perform its sophomore album, Chicago II, in its entirety at this co-headlining tour. Midwestern rock band REO Speedwagon will play a smorgasbord of its greatest hits, including “Time For Me to Fly” and “Take It On the Run.” 3
a group of moonlighting Congressional staffers, this durable troupe of political satirists has been skewering presidents, senators and the news for more than three decades.
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best-selling college rockers embarked on a rare hiatus from touring last year, resulting in their first new studio album in six years. They’ll perform selections from it, along with jammed-out versions of earlier cuts, complete with dramatic lighting and video projections. 5
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Aug. 3 O.A.R. at Pompano Beach Amphitheater, 1806 N.E. Sixth St., Pompano Beach; 7 p.m.; $35.50-$65; theamppompano.org.
This Maryland rock quintet returned to its hometown roots for its seventh and most recent release, 2014’s chart-topping The Rockville LP. This artistically rejuvenating album has carried the group through four years of summer tours, where their studio cuts take new directions.
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Aug. 4
Aug. 5
MIRANDA LAMBERT at Coral Sky Amphitheatre at South Florida Fairgrounds, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; 7 p.m.; $24-$108; 561/7958883, westpalmbeachamphitheatre.com. The coun-
VANS WARPED TOUR at Coral Sky Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; 11 a.m.; $44; 561/795-8883, westpalmbeachamphitheatre.com. The longtime
try phenom behind outlaw hits like “Gunpowder and Lead” returned in 2016 with the Grammy-nominated double album The Weight of These Wings, which unpacks her divorce from Blake Shelton. Hear its most indelible cuts, and an opening set from Little Big Town.
roving festival of punk, emo, hardcore and alternative music embarks on its final cross-country tour. A stable of veteran and emerging bands, including Reel Big Fish, Simple Plan, Every Time I Die and Twizted, will celebrate the three-chord swan song.
Aug. 7 PENTATONIX at Coral Sky Amphitheatre at South Florida Fairgrounds, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; 8 p.m.; $14$118.50; 561/795-8883, westpalmbeachamphitheatre.com. With more than
14 million YouTube subscribers, Pentatonix is arguably the world’s biggest a cappella group. This quintet of multicultural Texans has mastered the spectrum of the pentatonic scale, from Kevin Olusola’s beatboxing percussion to Kristin Maldonado’s soprano lead.
Aug. 9 IMAGINE DRAGONS at Coral Sky Amphitheatre at South Florida Fairgrounds, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; 7 p.m.; $24-$79.50; 561/7958883, westpalmbeachamphitheatre.com. The
thunderous arena rockers are touring in support of their third album Evolve and its hit single “Believer,” about singer Dan Reynolds’ complicated relationship with religion. Expect pop hits going back to the band’s once-ubiquitous “Radioactive” and “Demons.”
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Aug. 3
“BITCH SESH” LIVE at
KEVIN HART at Coral Sky Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach; 7 p.m.; $35$204.69; 561/795-8883, westpalmbeachamphitheatre.com. This quintu-
Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale; 8 p.m.; $37.50-$75; 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org. Actor-co-
medians Casey Wilson and Danielle Schneider’s sometimes-genuine, sometimes-perverse fascination with Bravo’s “Real Housewives” franchise led to their podcast “Bitch Sesh,” which features parodies, re-creations and discussions of the notorious reality series. This live version includes musical numbers and audience interaction. 7
The mAe represents a diverse collection of emerging and mid-career fine and contemporary artists. Featured exhibitions every first Friday of each month.
Sips and nibbles served.
The Fine Art of Living with Art
ple-threat comedian, actor, author, athlete and mogul made comedy-tour history in the 2015/2016 season when he became the first comic to sell out an NFL stadium. Known for his confessional and self-deprecating humor, Hart returns with his worldwide “Irresponsible” tour.
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GEORGE DERN ”BOURBON STREET SUNDAY MORNING” 60” x 40” PHOTOGRAPHY
maefineart.com
ALEXA SNYDER “GRACEFUL RISING” ½” DIPTYCH 36”x36” ACRYLIC ON CANVAS
170 NE 2ND AVENUE, DELRAY BEACH, FL 33444 | 561.403.5549
GALLERY HOURS: WEDS/THURS 12-9 | FRI/SAT 12-10 | SUN 12-9 | MON/ TUES BY APPOINTMENT
Aug. 9-26 “CONSTELLATIONS” at The Vanguard, 1501 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; show times vary; $20-$35; 954/6505938, newcityplayers. org. Produced by New City
Players, this adventurous two-character play by Nick Payne chronicles a soon-tobe couple’s first meeting— then spirals into countless probabilities for their future life together, exploring the difference between choice and destiny in a quantum future.
Aug. 18 CHRIS MACDONALD’S “MEMORIES OF ELVIS”
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1 Imagine Dragons 2 Pentatonix 3 Eric Darius 4 Miranda Lambert 5 Dave Matthews Band 6 The Capitol Steps 7 Kevin Hart 8 Chris MacDonald’s “Memories of Elvis”
at Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale; 7:30 p.m.; $24.03-$54.59; 954/4620222, browardcenter. org. Elvis impersonator MacDonald, a dead ringer for the King, will pay tribute to Presley’s legacy with this theatrical production. He’ll perform songs from the many eras of Elvis’ career, supplemented with costume changes, backup singers, dancers and an eight-piece concert band.
Look Who’s Reading Boca Mag HEATHER MCMECHAN | FOUNDER, LOCALMOMSCOOP.COM
A popular “mom” blogger, Heather is also cohost of “SoFlo Moms on the Go,” a member of the Junior League of Boca Raton, Impact 100, the Parent’s Advisory Council for The Boca Raton Children’s Museum and the board of A.D. Henderson School. To advertise or subscribe, visit bocamag.com. June/July/August 2018 WhosReading_HeatherMcMechan_1/3.indd 1
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R I S TO R A N T E
For 34 years the family tradition continues...
DISTINGUISHED RESTAURANT OF NORTH AMERICA
AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE NEW ELEGANT OUTDOOR PATIO AVAILABLE PERFECT FOR AFTER DINNER DRINKS + CIGARS
Open daily for dinner and lunch (M-F) and special events for parties of 6-150. Live music nightly.
6750 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton | 561-997-7373 | www.ArturosRestaurant.com
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Wood-fired beet salad from Oceano Kitchen
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OCEANO REVIEW PREZZO REVIEW TIN MUFFIN CAFE REVIEW C H E F S P OT L I G H T D ECO N S T R U C T I N G T H E D I S H BOCA CHALLENGE
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Oceano Kitchen Written by LYNN KALBER
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Clockwise from above: lemon tart, spaghetti with local clams and “Straight Shooter” pizza
I F YO U G O PARKING: Small parking lot on side of restaurant, street parking HOURS: Wed.-Sun., 5:30 p.m. till close PRICES: $13-$52 WEBSITE: oceanokitchen.com
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eremy and Cindy Bearmans’ careers offer evidence of the talent that led them to open this unique boutique restaurant. He’s worked for Daniel Boulud and the Ritz-Carlton, and his Rouge Tomate restaurant in NYC received a Michelin star for six years in a row. She also worked for Boulud and was a recipe developer for various projects at “The Today Show.” The Oceano is their experiment in serving fresh, mostly local ingredients in a menu that’s changed every day according to what’s available. The entire menu. Except for the Straight Shooter Pie and the cookies, but more on that later. There are a lot of rules. The owners only accept cash. Reservations are for parties of six or larger, and those are limited due to space (about 10 tables). You have to reserve by email at least 24 hours in advance. There are no soft edges in this restaurant—the yellow-canopy-covered outside deck seating consists of wooden-slatted tables, chairs and benches. There are only eight seats inside, with six of those at the chef’s table overlooking the kitchen. The kitchen is small, so dishes arrive at staggered intervals, and you’re encouraged to share so one person isn’t eating before the others. Sharing is only tough if everyone loves a dish and you are left wanting more. It happens. Speaking of the food, the night we were there, the standouts were the thin-crusted Straight Shooter Pie ($18, pizza with tomato, basil, good olive oil); the local tomato soup ($13, bright yellow/orange with sesamo crouton, charred fennel & fronds); wood-fired beet salad ($18, stracciatella, cara cara orange, rhubarb, pistachio granola); tender, wood-fired Colorado
lamb chops ($31, sweet corn succotash, Sea Island blue grits, Cajun butter); and the chocolate chip cherry toffee cookie. Then there was the special lemon tart that wasn’t on the menu, but was accompanied by a sour cream sorbet that managed to taste of sour cream in a sweet, light, lingering way. All were beautifully composed for both plate and palate. There were two dishes that didn’t gel. A thin-crusted buffalo chicken pizza ($23), with wood-fired chicken, Calabrian hot sauce, Point Reyes blue cheese and green onion sounded good, but the flavors would have hit a high note without the dousing of hot sauce. The cheese was a bold move, kicking the pizza to the next flavor level if our mouths hadn’t been on fire. The spaghetti alla chitarra with St. Pete rock shrimp ($27), the only seafood dish that night, was made with toasted garlic, chili, parsley and Sicilian olive oil, and was underwhelming. It was too garlicky for some, too stingy with the shrimp for others, the spaghetti a tad overcooked. There’s a reason the one pizza and cookie stay on all menus: They are wonderful. The Straight Shooter melds the fresh, basic, simple ingredients in a mouthful that lets you taste each part separately, and yet it shines as a whole. The cookie is a large, lumpy disk full of choc-
Cindy and Jeremy Bearman
olate/ cherry/ toffee/butter that explodes in the mouth and easily serves two. Order extra; they’re cheap at $2 each. So, it’s quirky, chef-driven and fun. Lantana is lucky the Bearmans chose to serve their experiments here.
AARON BRISTOL
201 E. Ocean Ave., Lantana, 561/562-5055
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Prezzo
5560 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, 561/314-6840
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Clockwise from above: Spaghetti pomodoro, tomato risotto croquettes and pork chop scottadito
I F YO U G O PARKING: Parking lot HOURS: Lunch Mon.Fri., 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dinner Sun.-Thurs., 4:30-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat., 4:30-10 p.m. PRICES: Lunch $10$21, dinner $18-$38 WEBSITE: prezzoboca.com
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f you say “Prezzo” to me, I’m going to answer “pork chop.” Not because it’s alliterative, but because it’s an olfactory, gustatory and visual memory of probably the best pork chop I’ve ever eaten. I’m a pork chop person who grew up thinking hardened little hockey pucks were the only way to eat them (sorry, Mom). I studiously avoided that dish until I began to cook and realized how tender and flavorful they could be. And then I met Prezzo’s pork chop scottadito. This bone-in, steak-tender chop is as wide as a bread plate, about 2 inches thick, grilled until the outside rubbed crust of herbs is caramelized. Roasted peppers, onions and tomatoes with herbs were a tasty complement, and the little twirl of mashed potatoes was plenty. The concentration was on the chop. Yes, there was more to the
meal. The popular, thin, oven-baked focaccia bread slices had a hint of rosemary and arrived with a head of roasted garlic. Tomato risotto croquettes came four to a serving, with a gooey mozzarella cheese middle and a crunchy outer, drizzled with a well-chosen tomato-basil-cream sauce. A spaghetti pomodoro dish with meatballs, olive oil, garlic, Roma tomatoes and fresh basil provided perfect pasta. The large meatballs were good, not great, and could have used more spices. There’s a daily features menu, with mostly thin-crusted pizza; seafood dishes, including yellowtail snapper oreganata; salads that range from an Italian wedge to Caesar to a chopped antipasto; and a burrata bar. Happy hour deals are available at any table in the restaurant, which is a welcome plus.
Vegetarian and gluten-free choices are highlighted on the menu. Portions are sufficient, but not overwhelming, landing somewhere between too-large and a half-plate size, so you can finish your meal and not feel stuffed. That saves room for the tiramisu, which is creamy and large enough for two, with the concentrated espresso providing the proper kick to the tongue. This comfortable Italian restaurant, with its upholstered booths, nine-seat chef’s table, striking red-tiled pizza oven, large bar with inside and outside seating, and attentive, responsive employees brings back the best of the 1990s Prezzo venue made famous by the Burt Rapoport/Dennis Max restaurant duo. After I wrote this review, chef Mark Militello, who helped devise the menu, left the venture. Let’s hope those pork chops continue to meet his standards.
AARON BRISTOL
Written by LYNN KALBER
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Tin Muffin Café 364 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, 561/392-9446 Written by LYNN KALBER
T
I F YO U G O PARKING: On the street, small parking lot across from restaurant HOURS: Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. PRICES: $5.50-$14.95 WEBSITE: On Facebook: The Tin Muffin Café
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Above, shrimp salad sandwich; right, owners Brent Bartkow (left) and Philip Thomas (right) and minted lemonade.
he line of large chicken statues marching along a shelf above the front window of the Tin Muffin Café hints at the down-home feel of this tiny lunch restaurant. The fresh mint growing in small pots along the side windows overlooking outside tables surrounded by flora confirms that fresh ingredients are used. That mint is boiled in water, then used in the justifiably popular minted lemonade, with its half-raspberry tea, half-yellow beauty. Lemonade is only one of the attractions at this hole-in-thestrip-shops along southern Palmetto Park Road, a quick walk from the Intracoastal. Owners Brent Bartkow and Philip Thomas opened the café 23 years ago. It is a true hidden Boca gem. And you must use cash there, which seems to be the only downside anyone can find. Not bad for a longtime lunch venue specializing in dishes for which you were unconsciously pining: Try the stunningly good ham salad on fresh French bread, a slightly salty mixture (as it should be) with bits of dill relish that tastes like Grandma’s. The delectable shrimp salad sandwich is a big hit, with artichoke leaves, scallions, roasted red peppers and Old Bay seasoning. Other salads: salmon, albacore tuna, chicken, curried chicken and turkey. You can also order these salads to go—by the pound—but when they’re gone during the day, that’s it until the hardworking owners/chefs have a chance to make it again. The desserts are all made in-house: cakes, pies, brownies, muffins. The Key lime pie with a homemade crust is so light that it’s almost whipped. It’s not the usual texture, but it satisfies the urge for tart Key lime taste and comes with enough fresh whipped cream to swim in. One more suggestion: Don’t miss the bathroom. Unusual, yes, but so is this bigger-than-normal room, complete with a fireplace, music, blinking lights, flowers and exuberant decorations reflecting whatever holiday is close at hand. It’s enough of an attraction that it used to be the women’s bathroom, but because of all the customers peeking in, it’s now unisex. This is a quirky café with very good food. Stop in, and bring cash.
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DINING GUIDE Palm Beach County BOCA RATON
CRISTINA MORGADO
Abe & Louie’s—2200 Glades Road. Steakhouse. All Americans are endowed with certain inalienable rights, among them the right to a thick, juicy, perfectly cooked steak. At this posh, comfortable (and expensive) meatery, the USDA Prime steaks are indeed thick, juicy and perfectly cooked, also massively flavorful and served in enormous portions. Don’t miss the New York sirloin or prime rib, paired in classic steakhouse fashion with buttery hash browns and uber-creamy creamed spinach. Chased with an ice-cold martini or glass of red wine from the truly impressive list, it’s happiness pursued and captured. • Lunch/brunch Sun.-Fri., dinner nightly. 561/447-0024. $$$$
Biergarten burger
DINING KEY $: Under $17 $$: $18–$35 $$$: $36–$50 $$$$: $50 and up
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Arturo’s Ristorante —6750 N. Federal Highway. Italian. Arturo’s quiet, comfortable dining room; slightly formal, rigorously professional service; and carefully crafted Italian dishes never go out of style. You’ll be tempted to make a meal of the array of delectable antipasti from the antipasti cart, but try to leave room for main courses like the veal shank served on a bed of risotto. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/997-7373. $$$ Biergarten—309 Via De Palmas, #90. German/ Pub. Part vaguely German beer garden, part all-American sports bar, this rustic eatery offers menus that channel both, as well as an excellent selection of two-dozen beers on tap and the same number by the bottle. The food is basic and designed to go well with suds, like the giant pretzel with a trio of dipping sauces and the popular “Biergarten burger.” • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/395-7462. $$ Bluefin Sushi and Thai—861 N.W. 51st St., Suite 1. Sushi/Thai. Arrive early for a table at this Asian hot spot—it’s popular with no reservations for parties fewer than six. Don’t skip the tempura lobster bomb, big in both size and taste. The ginger snapper will impress both Instagram and your stomach. Try the chicken satay and pad Thai. Bluefin offers a variety of
dishes from multiple cultures, all well done. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/981-8986. $$
Boca Landing—999 E. Camino Real. Contemporary American. The Waterstone Resort & Marina’s signature restaurant, Boca Landing, offers the city’s only waterside dining and shows off its prime location and views. Heavy on small plates, the menu features tuna crudo, fried calamari and a killer cheese and charcuterie board. Probably the best dish, though, is the charred filet mignon with a red wine bone marrow reduction, with wickedly luscious house-made hazelnut gelato coming in a very close second. • Dinner nightly. 561/226-3022. $$$ Bonefish Grill—21065 Powerline Road. Seafood. Market-fresh seafood is the cornerstone, like Chilean sea bass prepared over a wood-burning grill and served with sweet Rhea’s topping (crabmeat, sautéed spinach and a signature lime, tomato and garlic sauce.) • Dinner nightly. Lunch on Saturdays. Brunch on Sundays. 561/483-4949. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 1880 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, 561/732-1310; 9897 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, 561/965-2663; 11658 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, 561/799-2965) $$
Brio Tuscan Grille —5050 Town Center Circle, #239. Italian. The Boca outpost of this national chain does what it set out to do—dish up big portions of well-made, easily accessible Italian-esque fare at a reasonable price. If you’re looking for bruschetta piled with fresh cheeses and vegetables or house-made fettuccine with tender shrimp and lobster in a spicy lobster butter sauce, you’ll be one happy diner. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/392-3777. (Other Palm Beach County locations: The Gardens Mall, 3101 PGA Blvd., 561/622-0491; CityPlace, 550 S. Rosemary Ave., 561/835-1511) $$
Burtons Grill & Bar —5580 N. Military Trail. New American. Known for its reliable food as well as its non-gluten, Paleo and “B Choosy” kids menu, the first Florida location for this restaurant is deservedly crowded, so make reservations. Don’t miss the General Tso’s cauliflower, the pan-seared salmon (Paleo), the crab cakes or the Key lime pie. Popular half-portions are available, too. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/465-2036. $$
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135 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 (wildcaught salmon), is palate-pleasing as well. Don’t miss the fresh mozzarella, made and assembled into a salad at your table. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/409-3035. $$$
Butcher Block Grill’s Chilean sea bass and Chef Gio
Casa D’Angelo —171 E. Palmetto Park Road. Italian. Angelo Elia’s impeccable Italian restaurant is a delight, from the stylish room to the suave service to the expansive wine list, not to mention food that’s by turn elegant, hearty, bold, subtle and always delicious. Dishes off the regular menu make excellent choices, like chargrilled jumbo prawns with artichoke, arugula, lemon and olive oil. But pay attention to specials like pan-seared snapper and scallops in a spicy, garlicky cherry tomato sauce. • Dinner nightly. 561/996-1234. $$$
CRISTINA MORGADO
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. $$$
EDUARDO SCHNEIDER
The Capital Grille—6000 Glades Road. Steaks.
Bouillabaisse, coq au vin, rack of lamb, salads and more desserts. • Dinner nightly. 561/997-0027. $$
Chops Lobster Bar—101 Plaza Real S., Royal Palm Place. Steak, seafood. Steaks are aged USDA Prime— tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked under a 1,700-degree broiler. There’s all manner of fish and shellfish, but you’re here for the lobster, whether giant Nova Scotian tails flash-fried and served with drawn butter or sizable Maine specimens stuffed with lobster. • Dinner nightly. 561/395-2675. $$$$
Casimir French Bistro —416 Via De
Cuban Café —3350 N.W. Boca Raton Blvd.,
Palmas, Suite 81. French. Take a trip overseas without leaving the city and enjoy excellently prepared traditional French dishes, such as duck l’orange, beef bourguignon and rack of lamb, or go with Cajun chicken and veal Milanese. The comfortable dining room is a Parisian experience, as is the apple tarte tatin. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/955-6001. $$$
Suite B-30. Cuban. Diners pack this traditional Cuban restaurant for lunch specials that start at $7.95, including slow-roasted pork served with white rice and black beans. Other highlights include the Cuban sandwich and (on the dinner menu only) lechón asado. • Lunch Mon.– Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/750-8860. $
The Cheesecake Factory —5530 Glades Road. American. Oh, the choices! The chain has a Sunday brunch menu in addition to its main menu, which includes Chinese chicken salad and Cajun jambalaya. Don’t forget about the cheesecakes, from white chocolate and raspberry truffle offerings. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/393-0344. (Other Palm Beach County locations: CityPlace, West Palm Beach, 561/802-3838; Downtown at the Gardens, Palm Beach Gardens, 561/776-3711). $$
Chez Marie French Bistro—5030 Champion Blvd. French. Marie will greet you at the door of this nicely decorated, intimate, classic French restaurant tucked in the corner of a strip shopping area. From escargot encased in garlic butter, parsley and breadcrumbs to a tender duck a l’orange to an unforgettable crepe Suzette, you’ll be in Paris all evening. Voila! Also on the menu: pan-seared foie gras, homemade veal sausage, tasty onion soup, seabass
DaVinci’s of Boca —6000 Glades Road. Italian. Expect carefully prepared Italian fare that will satisfy both traditionalists and the more adventurous. The former will like crisp, greaseless fried calamari and hearty lasagna made with fresh pasta. The latter will enjoy creamy burrata with prosciutto, bacon jam and arugula and a branzino served with spinach, clams and shrimp. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/362-8466. $$
Domus Italian Restaurant—187 S.E. Mizner Blvd. Italian. The “Best Spaghetti & Meatballs Ever” dish is pretty darn close to being just that. The burrata with tomato carpaccio, melt-in-your-mouth Dover sole almondine, orecchiette con sausage and linguine vongole are part of a very good menu. From Sicilian fish salad to veal piccata, a light calamari fritti to chicken Parmesan, you can find something for all appetites. Save room for the tartufo. • Dinner nightly. 561/419-8787. $$$
Dorsia—5837 N. Federal Highway. Continental. The simple pleasures of the table—good food, personable service, comfortable ambience—are what this modestly stylish restaurant is all about. The menu has a strong Italian bent, evidenced by dishes like a trio of fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with an airy three-cheese mousse, and a cookbook-perfect rendition of veal scaloppine lavished with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and a tangy lemon-white wine sauce. • Dinner nightly. 561/961-4156. $$
Farmer’s Table —1901 N. Military Trail. American. Fresh, natural, sustainable, organic and local is the mantra at this both tasty and health-conscious offering from Mitchell Robbins and Joey Giannuzzi. Menu highlights include flatbreads, slow-braised USDA Choice short rib and the popular Buddha Bowl, with veggies, udon noodles and shrimp. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/417-5836. $$
Gary Rack’s Farmhouse Kitchen—399 S.E. Mizner Blvd. American. Natural, seasonal, sustainable. You’ll enjoy the varied menu, and won’t believe it’s made without butters or creams. Try the too-good-to-be-true buffalo-style cauliflower appetizer, the seared salmon or buffalo burger, and have apple skillet for dessert. Healthy never tasted so good. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/826-2625. $$
Grand Lux Cafe —6000 Glades Road, inside Town Center at Boca Raton. American. The Cheesecake Factory’s sister brand is an upscale take on the original formula, with an atmosphere inspired by the great cafes of Europe. The menu offers a range of international flavors, and the specialty baked-to-order desserts are always a big hit. • Lunch and dinner daily; brunch on Saturday and Sunday. 561/392-2141. $$
The Grille On Congress —5101 Congress Ave. American. Dishes at this longtime favorite range June/July/August 2018
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CHEF SPOTLIGHT
Chef Adam Pile
— Adam Pile
BOCA RATON RESORT & CLUB 501 E. Camino Real Boca Raton 561/447-3000
The executive chef of Lucca casts about for the latest culinary trends Written by LYNN KALBER
C
hef Adam Pile’s career path to becoming executive chef of Lucca, Boca Raton Resort & Club’s Tuscan-style restaurant, was as straight as the fishing rods he loves to use in his spare time. He started as an extern at the resort after graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Academy of Culinary Arts in 2003. That meant working in the kitchens and helping with banquets (“We had a plate-up of 1,600 people!”), and moving up to sous chef at the resort’s 501 East and Lucca venues. Now he’s become a devoted fisherman, a passion he sometimes shares with his peers, such as one of the resort’s artists-in-residence, chef Graham Elliot Bowles.“We went deep-sea fishing and caught some fish,”he says.“I go out during snook
season or even for freshwater bass.” That so-fresh-it’s-flapping-onyour-plate idea carries forward in Pile’s menu at Lucca.“I started a program here sourcing fish, developing a relationship with the local guys, since we’re right on the Intracoastal. I go right out on the dock and pick up what’s local that day. Right off the Boca Inlet. It doesn’t get much more local than that; we know who caught it and where it was caught.” What’s your favorite ingredient? “We do ingredient-driven dishes. Now, I have an obsession with Calabrian chilies. They have great flavor [and] come packed in olive oil so you can use the oil to add some heat to the back end. I’m using them
instead of red pepper flakes.” Your favorite wine to drink without food? “I’m a big red wine fan. I’m big on pinot, and we have a Sardinian wine called Cannonau that’s amazing. It’s light enough that you won’t get tired of drinking it without food. And I like a rosé when I’m grilling.” What’s the latest Italian trend this side of the Atlantic? “There’s a big emphasis on doing everything yourself, so I’m really happy that we got our own pasta maker, and I really enjoy making our own pastas. In the past five years, we’ve become more refined, more regional—whether it’s Sicilian, Tuscan, Roman style.”
AARON BRISTOL
“I go right out on the dock and pick up what’s local that day. Right off the Boca Inlet. It doesn’t get much more local than that. We know who caught it and where it was caught.”
• • • • June/July/August • • • • June/July/August bocamag.com bocamag.com 2018 2018
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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 top 100 Restaurants for foodies in america es
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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. $$$
Jimmy’s Fries to Caviar —6299 N. Federal Highway. Contemporary American. Going one better than soup to nuts defines Jimmy Mills’ Boca restaurant, an easygoing, affordable bistro in the old Darbster space that really does offer fries, caviar and more. Four varieties of fish eggs are shown off nicely crowning a quartet of deviled eggs, while the thick-cut fries complement a massively flavorful, almost fork-tender hanger steak in the classic steak frites. Lobster bisque is indecently rich and luxurious, ditto the Grand Marnier-infused chocolate mousse. • Dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/617-5965. $$
Jimmy’s signature Fries to Caviar dish
A Brunch Punch
“Beats, Booze and Brunch,”every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kapow!, features a live DJ and bottomless mimosas.
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AARON BRISTOL
Josephine’s —5751 N. Federal Highway. Italian. Tradition trumps trendy, and comfort outweighs chic at this Boca favorite. The ambience is quiet and stately but not stuffy, and the menu is full of hearty dishes to soothe the savage appetite, like three-cheese eggplant rollatini and chicken scarpariello. • Dinner nightly. 561/988-0668. $$
Junior’s —409 Plaza Real. Deli Restaurant/Bakery. A meal starts with a crunch of garlic-tangy pickles, with excellent coleslaw and pickled beets. That’s before you order. Try the corned beef (of course!), the potato pancakes and go from there. You must, however, not miss the “World’s Most Fabulous” cheesecake. Because it is. • Open daily from breakfast through dinner. 561/672-7301. $$
Buzz Bites I Lemon Aid
N
ow with two West Palm Beach locations, breakfast-lunch place Aioli is known for its casual— but gourmet—salads, sandwiches and soups. And the breads (the sourdough is superb). It’s also a local treasure for lemonade fanatics. That’s because, depending on the day’s specials, along with traditional lemonade, you may find strawberry-basil or lemongrass-ginger. And in the past, we’ve found watermelon, lavender, Key lime-jalapeño, cucumber-mint, pineapple-basil and honeydew lemonade. Wow. If those don’t tingle your taste buds, then you’ve got a bigger problem than being thirsty. The soothing concoctions are made of fruit infusions, some simple sugar and some lemon juice (of course!). The south-end West Palm Beach shop (7434 S. Dixie Highway) is open Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with pickup to-go open till 5 p.m.); the downtown venue (206 S. Olive Ave.) is open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit aioliwpb.com.
Ke’e Grill—17940 N. Military Trail, Suite 700. American. The attraction here is carefully prepared food that is satisfying, flavorful and reasonably priced. The fist-sized crab cake is a good place to start, followed by sea bass with a soy-ginger-sesame glaze. • Dinner nightly. 561/995-5044. $$$
Kapow! Noodle Bar—431 Plaza Real. Pan-
La Nouvelle Maison—455 E. Palmetto Park
Asian. This Asian-inspired gastropub delivers an inventive punch to the taste buds. Among the hardest hitters is its angry shrimp dumplings and the char sui pork belly bao bun. The Saigon duck pho is yet one more reason to go. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/347-7322. $$
Blvd. French. Elegant, sophisticated French cuisine, white-glove service and a trio of (differently) stylish dining rooms make Arturo Gismondi’s homage to Boca’s storied La Vieille Maison the home away from home to anyone who appreciates the finer points of elegant dining. The cuisine 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. $$$
Kathy’s Gazebo Café —4199 N. Federal Highway. Continental. This local stalwart smoothly rolls along with its signature blend of French and Continental dishes. The Gazebo is classic and formal, with equally classic dishes like creamy lobster bisque, house-made duck paté, broiled salmon with sauce béarnaise and dreamy chocolate mousse are as satisfying as ever. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/395-6033. $$$
La Tre —249 E. Palmetto Park Road. Vietnamese. For almost two decades, this elegant little spot has
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139 been celebrating the delicate, sophisticated flavors and textures of traditional and contemporary Vietnamese cuisine. A house signature, shrimp tossed with coriander curry pesto, is an inspired riff on Vietnamese classics. Service and wines match the refinement of the cuisine. • Dinner nightly. 561/392-4568. $$
La Villetta —4351 N. Federal Highway. Italian. This is a well-edited version of a traditional Italian menu, complete with homemade pastas and other classic dishes. Try the signature whole yellowtail snapper encrusted in sea salt; it’s de-boned right at tableside. Shrimp diavolo is perfectly scrumptious. • Dinner nightly. (closed Mon. during summer). 561/3628403. $$$ 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. $$
Louie Bossi’s —100 E. Palmetto Park Road. Italian. This jumping joint serves terrific Neapolitan pizza (thin crust), but don’t miss the other entrées. Start with a charcuterie/cheese plate and grab the amazing breadsticks. All breads and pastas are made on the premises. Other faves include the carbonara and the calamari, and save room for house-made gelato. Unusual features: Try the bocce ball court included with the retro Italian décor. • Lunch and dinner daily, weekend brunch. 561/336-6699. $$$
Madison’s—2006 N.W. Executive Center Circle. American. This location is something of a Bermuda Triangle for restaurants, with at least four restaurants preceding this local outpost of a Canadian chain that styles itself a “New York grill and bar.” What Madison’s has going for it is an exceedingly handsome and capacious space, and service that is as professional as it is personable. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/994-0808. $$$
Maggiano’s—21090 St. Andrews Blvd. Italian. Do as the Italians do, and order family-style: Sit back and watch the endless amounts of gorgeous foods grace your table. In this manner, you receive two appetizers, a salad, two pastas, two entrées and two desserts. The menu also includes lighter takes on staples like chicken parm,
fettuccine alfredo and chicken piccata. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/361-8244. $$
Mario’s Osteria —1400 Glades Road, Suite 210. Italian. This popular spot is swanky, but the rustic Italian fare keeps with an osteria’s humbler pretensions. Signature dishes like the garlic rolls, lasagna and eggplant “pancakes” are on the new menu, as are butternut squash ravioli and thick, juicy rib-eye served “arrabiata” style. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/239-7000. $$ Matteo’s —233 S. Federal Highway, Suite 108. Italian. Hearty Italian and Italian-American food, served in giant “family style” portions, needs no reinventing. Though there is no shortage of local restaurants cooking in that genre, it’s the details of preparation and service that make Matteo’s stand out. Baked clams are a good place to start, as is the reliable chopped salad. Linguini frutti di mare is one of the best in town. • Dinner nightly. 561/392-0773. $$
Max’s Grille —404 Plaza Real. Contemporary American. After 24 years in Mizner Park, Dennis Max’s modern American bistro is a true local classic. The food and decor are both timeless and up to date,
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Oh Say Can You Açaí
Giving the moribund fruit bowl a much-needed revamp, açaí bowls seem to rule the culinary universe. Bird Bowl, from 3 Natives, 1200 Yamato Road, Suite C5, Boca Raton, 561/717-8121
“I “The Bird Bowl is the No. 1 seller, but people customize their bowls all the time. They’re all so good.”
t’s the sweet and savory, it’s the cold,” says Mike Christie, the owner of the Boca Raton and Jupiter 3 Natives lunch spots. “Everything is pretty much as fresh as it gets.” In June, his Boca Raton store celebrates two years of catering to families, time-crunched businesspeople and the college crowd. The Bird Bowl leads the pack as the clear favorite among customers. Made with an açaí base, the bowl is layered with French vanilla granola, peanut butter, chopped
bananas, kiwis, pineapples and strawberries, and then garnished with honey and coconut shavings. For Christie, freshness is the key to his store’s success. Every morning, he receives a shipment of fresh fruit from Peddler Produce in Juno Beach, which staff washes and chops up to be dished out. The honey is local as well, and the all-natural peanut butter is shipped from New York. Finally, it comes down to the açaí. The “super fruit” grown in the Amazon River basin, with
each berry packed with antioxidants, has captured the awe of health nuts. Sambazon, a California-based company that first brought the fruits into the country, supplies the açaí to 3 Natives. “The Bird Bowl is the No. 1 [seller], but people customize bowls all the time,”Christie says.“They’re all so good. Really, it comes down to personal preference.” Whatever the preference, we hope the refreshing bowls are here to stay.
—CHRISTIANA LILLY
— Mike Christie
WEB EXTRA: For 3 Natives’ Bird Bowl recipe, visit BOCAMAG. COM/JUNE-2018.
The bowl is topped off with a drizzle of local honey and sprinkled with coconut flakes for an added crunch.
3 Natives’ bowls are heaping with fresh fruit from a vendor in Juno Beach. Staff chops up juicy, ripe strawberries, kiwis and pineapples, cradled by chopped-up banana. The French vanilla granola clusters add a sweet yet savory crunch to the smooth fruit bowl.
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It’s all about simplicity—the peanut butter is just a salt and peanut concoction, nothing else. When it’s delivered to the store, staff mixes it to make it extra creamy.
The cold açaí base of the bowl comes from the Amazon basin. A super fruit, the berry is packed with antioxidants.
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DINING GUIDE RESTAURANT DIRECTORY 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 duck spring rolls to the applewood bacon-wrapped meatloaf to the wickedly indulgent crème brûlèe pie. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/368-0080. $$
Morton’s The Steakhouse—5050 Town Center Circle, Suite 219. Steakhouse. There’s seemingly no end to diners’ love of huge slabs of high-quality aged beef, nor to the carnivores who pack the clubby-swanky dining room of this meatery. While the star of the beef show is the giant bone-in filet mignon, seasonally featured is the American Wagyu New York strip. Finish off your meal with the blueberry white chocolate bread pudding. • Dinner nightly. 561/392-7724. $$$$
WINE AND DINE
38
$
PER PERSON
Three-course prix fixe dinner for two, plus a bottle of wine*. June 1 – September 30, 2018
New York Prime—2350 N.W. Executive Center Drive. Steakhouse. This wildly popular Boca meatery packs them in with swift, professional service, classy supper club ambience and an extensive wine list. And, of course, the beef—all USDA Prime, cooked to tender and juicy lusciousness over ferocious heat. The bone-in rib-eye is especially succulent, but don’t neglect the New York strip or steak-house classics like oysters Rockefeller, garlicky spinach and crusty hash browns. • Dinner nightly. 561/998-3881. $$$$
Nick’s New Haven-Style Pizzeria —2240 N.W. 19th St., Suite 904. Italian. Cross Naples (thin, blistered crust, judicious toppings) with Connecticut (fresh clams and no tomato sauce), and you’ve got a pretty good idea of the pies coming out of Nick Laudano’s custom-made ovens. The “white clam” pizza with garlic and bacon is killer-good; Caesar salad and tiramisu are much better than the usual pizzeria fare. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/368-2900. $$
Ninja Spinning Sushi Bar —41 E. Palmetto Park Road. Japanese/sushi. “Whatever floats your boat” isn’t just a saying at this hipster sushi bar. Your sushi really does float on a boat, one of many bouncing along a channel cut into the top of the restaurant’s large, square sushi bar. High notes are the Mexican roll with tempura shrimp and avocado, and the Seafood Volcano, with spicy kani and cream cheese. If sushi doesn’t float your boat, gingery gyoza and crispy fried shrimp with a drizzle of spicy mayo probably will. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/361-8688. $$
Ouzo Bay Greek Kouzina—201 Plaza Real. Greek-American. This sleek Mizner Park destination combines Maryland and Greek dishes, reflecting the flagship Ouzo Bay in Baltimore. You’ll find classic Greek dishes done right here: the spanakopita, dolmades and baklava are excellent. A large variety of fish are flown in daily and served whole or deboned, but always well prepared. Try the crab cakes with your ouzo. Opa! • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/757-0082. $$$
OPEN FOR DINNER DAILY | HAPPY HOUR 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT TUESDAY – SUNDAY
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Tuesday: 8:00 – 10:30 p.m. Doo Wop Wednesday: 8:00 – 11:30 p.m. Orson Whitfield Thursday: 8:00 – 11:30 p.m. Atlantic Blues Band Friday: 8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Orson Whitfield Saturday: 8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Orson Whitfield Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Acoustic Guitarist Sunday: 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. Sinatra Night For reservations, visit TheAtlanticGrille.com or call 561-790-8568. Gift cards are available at TheAtlanticGrille.com/GiftCards Located at The Seagate Hotel | 1000 East Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach *The prix fixe menu changes weekly and includes a bottle of house wine. Does not include tax and gratuity.
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Mac ‘n’ Cheese
I
t’s a heritage dish, because everyone has a mac ‘n’ cheese flavor memory. I do, and it was my grandmother who made it part of my favorite dinner each Thursday. After she died, I looked all over for a recipe but never found one. I embarked on this Challenge looking for it, and discovered a close cousin to my memory, along with other surprises. This is all Thomas Jefferson’s fault. He found macaroni in Paris and Italy and imported it, along with Parmesan cheese, when he later lived in Monticello. In 1802, it was recorded as“a pie called macaroni”at one of his state dinners. Since then, mac ‘n’ cheese has become a U.S. comfort food in its simpler incarnation, and can star as a fancy dish when mixed with lobster. We wanted simple and flavorful, so we tried the basic mac ‘n’ cheese at four restaurants. But“basic”sometimes included four ingredients besides the cheese. Wherever you find your mac ‘n’ cheese, savor it. —LYNN KALBER
APPEARANCE CHEESINESS MACARONI
VALUE TOTAL This is capanelle pasta, which is shaped like a small cone with a ruffled edge. It’s perfect for capturing the cheddar and Parmesan in this dish. Bacon adds crunch, while mushrooms and truffle oil add a bit of flavor, but more than that, they add depth to the dish. Small: $13.95.
YARD HOUSE
This is the new mac ‘n’ cheese mixed with your grandma’s. It’s elbow macaroni with a light cheese sauce that’s not cloying and has a slightly smoky tang because of the bacon, which is generously distributed in each forkful. Great value. $4 as a side dish.
TUCKER DUKE’S Yard House
201 Plaza Real Boca Raton 561/417-6124
The truffle oil overwhelms the elbow macaroni in spite of the triple cheeses: gruyere, fontina and Parmesan. It’s attractive in small cast iron pan, with parsley bits, cheese and breadcrumbs crisped on top. Starter: $12.
ROK: BRGR
Tucker Duke’s 1658 N. Federal Highway Boca Raton 561/717-8153
This is my childhood calling: Fresh elbow macaroni with a sharp/medium mix of cheddar that’s creamy, slightly tangy and was gone before I realized it. It’s Stouffer’s mac and cheese, a comfort food. Side dish: $3, or free as a side choice with a sandwich or plate of ribs.
ROK:BRGR
4 E. Atlantic Ave. Delray Beach 561/808-7220
Park Avenue BBQ Grille
4796 N. Congress Ave. Boynton Beach 561/357-7427
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PARK AVENUE BBQ GRILLE RATINGS:
fair
good
very good
excellent
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The
Center of it All
for Art, Culture & Learning in Boca Raton Literature, Professional Theater, Concerts, Comedy, Film, Art, Pottery, Adult University Lectures, Trips, Tours and more!
The Festival Continues LEVIS JCC SANDLER CENTER BOCA RATON levisjcc.org/sandleracl
• LONGING Drama, Israel (2017), 100 minutes, Hebrew with English Subtitles
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1:00 PM • RIGHTEOUS Drama, Poland (2016), 98 minutes, French, German, Romani with English Subtitles
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1:00 PM
Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center • Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center 21050 95th Avenue S., Boca Raton, FL 33428 • 561-558-2520 LevisJCC_brm0618.indd 1
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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) $$
Rack’s Downtown Eatery + Tavern— 402 Plaza Real. Contemporary American. Though the menu generally falls under the heading of modern American comfort food, that can mean anything from elegant presentations like the jaw-dropping lobster cobb salad to homey offerings like burgers and pizza, fiery Buffalo-style calamari, succulent chicken roasted in the wood-fired oven and an uptown version of everyone’s campfire favorite, s’mores. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/395-1662. $$
Rafina —6877 S.W. 18th St. Greek. If you find the ambience of most Greek restaurants to be like a frat party with flaming cheese and ouzo, this contemporary, casually elegant spot will be welcome relief. Food and decor favor refinement over rusticity, even in such hearty and ubiquitous dishes as pastitsio and spanakopita. Standout dishes include the moussaka, the creamy and mildly citrusy avgolemono soup and the precisely grilled, simply adorned (with olive oil, lemon and capers) branzino. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/409-3673. $$ Ristorante Sapori —301 Via de Palmas, Royal Palm Place. Italian. Sapori features fresh fish, veal and chicken dishes imbued with subtle flavors. The grilled Italian branzino, the veal chop Milanese and the zuppa di pesce served over linguine are especially tasty, and the pasta (all 17 kinds!) is available in full and half orders, with your choice of 15 zesty sauces. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/367-9779. $$
Roots Italian Kitchen—212 S. Federal Highway. Italian. No pretentiousness here, with truffled burrata cream on sliced Roma tomatoes. Or gnocchi, linguine vongole, or risotto. All done well. Sauces and desserts are made in-house. Speaking of the cheesecakes, there are many varieties, so save room. • Lunch Tues.–Sat. Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/757-6581. $$$
Ruth’s Chris —225 N.E. Mizner Blvd., Suite 100. Steakhouse. Not only does this steakhouse favorite emphasize its New Orleans roots, it also distinguishes itself from its competitors by just serving better food. The signature chopped salad has a list of ingredients as long as a hose but they all work together. And how can you not like a salad topped with crispy fried onion strings? Steaks are USDA Prime and immensely flavorful, like a perfectly seared New York strip. The white bocamag.com
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chocolate bread pudding is simply wicked. • Dinner nightly. 561/392-6746. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 651 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, 561/514-3544; 661 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, 561/863-0660.) $$$$
Sapphire Indian Cuisine —500 Via de Palmas, Suite 79. Indian. Raju Brahmbhatt’s modern, sophisticated restaurant will smash any negative stereotypes of Indian cuisine or the restaurants that serve it. It’s sleek and stylish, with a well-chosen wine list and a staff that’s eager to please. The food is elegant and refined and alive with the complex blend of spices that makes Indian cuisine so intriguing. Try Bagarey Baigan, plush-textured, thumb-sized baby eggplants in a lush coconut-curry sauce. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/362-2299. $$ Seasons 52 —2300 Executive Center Drive. Contemporary American. The food—seasonal ingredients, simply and healthfully prepared, accompanied by interesting wines—is first-rate, from salmon roasted on a cedar plank to desserts served in oversized shot glasses. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/998-9952. (Other Palm Beach County location: 11611 Ellison Wilson Road, Palm Beach Gardens, 561/625-5852.) $$
Six Tables a Restaurant—112 N.E. Second St., Boca Raton. American. Chef/owner Jonathan Fyhrie has a unique, elegant, one-seating, prix-fixe dinner and only six tables. The decor reflects the food, which is innovative in unexpected but attractive ways. This 13-year-old restaurant’s staying power proves the pull of a beautiful space, amazing food and special attention from a talented staff. The velvety lobster bisque is a signature dish. The night’s options can include rack of lamb, filet au poivre, wild Scottish king salmon, crispy duck and more, all done beautifully. Plan on a two-to-three-hour dinner. It’s worth it. • Dinner nightly. 561/347-6260. $$$$ Sushi Ray —5250 Town Center Circle, Suite 111. Japanese/Sushi. Impeccably fresh and exactingly prepared sushi and other Japanese specialties are on display. The Nobu-esque miso sea bass gives a taste of this modern classic at a fraction of the price of the original, while the chef’s sushi assortment offers a generous arrangement of nigiri and maki for a reasonable $22. • Lunch Mon.–Fri., dinner nightly. 561/394-9506. $$ 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 ex-
Buzz Bites II Annual Boca Burger Battle heats up
B
oca Raton’s Sanborn Square is going to be really hot on July 14. Hotter than a normal July day, which is saying a lot. For the seventh year, the Boca Burger Battle: A Grilling Affair! will pit area burger-meisters against each other in a finger-licking competition that gives someone big bragging rights for another year. In the 2017 contest, those rights for Best Grill Master went to Deck 84 (first place), Sybarite Pig (second place, now closed) and M.E.A.T. Eatery & Taproom (third place). The People’s Choice Award went to ROK:BRGR, kicking Tucker Duke’s Lunchbox off the pedestal it owned in 2014, 2015 and 2016. While meat burgers are the focus, there will be alternative burgers, as well as lots of craft beers and wines to enjoy. You can watch the Grill Master Judges devouring many burgers, and absorb their critiques. You can then vote for the People’s Choice Award burger. Entrants will include last year’s winners, such as M.E.A.T. Eatery & Taproom, as well as Tucker Duke’s Lunchbox. Part of the proceeds benefit the nonprofit PROPEL— People Reaching Out to Provide Education and Leadership—based in Boca Raton. Tickets for this hottest event are $50 each for general admission from 7 to 10 p.m., which includes unlimited food tastings and three drink tickets. Spring for VIP tickets at $125 each, and those allow you in to eat one hour earlier at 6 p.m., along with unlimited food and drink tastings. No pets allowed, and this battle rages rain or shine. Visit bocaburgerbattle.com.
cellent, as are the braised Angus beef short ribs with toasted pearl barley and collard greens. For dessert, try the red velvet bread pudding and your choice of a trio of sorbets. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/922-6699. $$
Tap 42 —5050 Town Center Circle, Suite 247. Gastropub. This hugely popular nouveau-Industrial
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HOMEMADE ITALIAN BAKE RY
gastropub is not for the faint of eardrums when packed, but don’t let that discourage you. The kitchen here executes the hell out of a short, simple all-day menu. Grilled salmon chopped salad with tomatillo ranch dressing is delightful, as is guacamole studded with fat chunks of bacon and charred corn. Same goes for decadent shrimp mac-n-cheese. The wicked-good chocolate bread pudding with salted caramel sauce would be the envy of any Big Easy eatery. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat.–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/2355819. $
Cosa Duci
TM
Life’s Short...Eat Cookies!
Italian Artisan Bakery & Café
Taverna Kyma—6298 N. Federal Highway. Greek/Mediterranean. Few present Greek cuisine better. Expertly prepared dishes cover the spectrum of Mediterranean cuisine, from cold appetizers (dolmades— grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs) to hot starters (spanakopita, baked phyllo with spinach and feta cheese) to mouthwatering entrées like lamb shank (slow-cooked in a tomato sauce and served on a bed of orzo), massive stuffed peppers or kebobs. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/994-2828. $$
Temper Grille —9858 Clint Moore Road. American tapas. Even though it’s a tapas place, the portions are large, so plan to share your dishes or take home leftovers. Try the Temper Yakisoba noodles spicy or hot, lamb pops, shrimp bites and steak chimmis. • Dinner Tues.-Sat. 561/717-8081. $$ Trattoria Romana —499 E. Palmetto Park Road. Italian. This local mainstay does Italian classics and its own lengthy list of ambitious specials with unusual skill and aplomb. The service is at a level not always seen in local restaurants. Pay attention to the daily specials, especially if they include impeccably done langostini oreganata and the restaurant’s signature jumbo shrimp saltimbocca. • Dinner nightly. 561/393-6715. $$$ True —147 S.E. First Ave. American. True is the only place in South Florida to eat authentic Baltimore crab cakes. This small, unpretentious venue reminds us of a Key West food shack. The food is fabulous. Try anything with crab (crab dip, crab soup, crab sliders), but don’t miss the bacon-wrapped dates, beef brisket sliders and Fetacomply salad. End with the desserts made by Chef/Owner Frank Hawkins’ wife. • Dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/417-5100. $$
Come discover a hidden gem filled with pastries, cookies, espresso, gelato, cappuccino, daily lunch menu, wine and an authentic Italian family! We change our menu daily!
Visit our site to see what mamma is cooking today: www.cosaduci.com
Truluck’s—351 Plaza Real. Seafood. This stylish and sophisticated Mizner Park restaurant applies the steak house formula of classy, clubby ambience, formal service and an extensive wine list to seafood from across the nation, with great and consistent success. Crab is the specialty here and there are myriad versions—stone, Dungeness, Alaskan, soft-shell and more. Crispy softshells stuffed with crab and andouille are very good, if served without a drizzle of ketchup-y sauce on top. • Dinner nightly. 561/391-0755. $$$$
141 NW 20th Street B-21 Boca Raton • 561.393.1201 Baking for a good cause: A portion of our proceeds will benefit research for Multiple Sclerosis. June/July/August 2018 CosaDuci_brm0618.indd 1
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Twenty Twenty Grille —141 Via Naranjas, Suite 45. Contemporary American. You’ve probably licked postage stamps that are larger than Ron and Rhonda Weisheit’s tiny jewel box of a restaurant, but what it lacks in space it more than makes up for in charm, sophistication and imaginative, expertly crafted food. Virtually everything is made in-house, from the trio of breads that first grace your table to the pasta in a suave dish of tagliatelle with duck and chicken confit. Don’t miss the jerk pork belly and grilled veal strip loin. • Dinner nightly. 561/990-7969. $$$ Uncle Tai’s —5250 Town Center Circle. Chinese. In an area with more cookie-cutter Chinese restaurants than cookies, Uncle Tai’s stands out for the elegance of its decor, the professionalism of its service and its careful preparation of familiar and less-familiar dishes. The “specialties” section of the menu has exciting dishes like the sliced duck with plum sauce and the Hunan-style lamb, whose seared and succulent meat shows off the kitchen’s skill in the use of wok qi. • Lunch Mon.-Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/368-8806. $$ Villagio Italian Eatery —344 Plaza Real. Italian. The classic Italian comfort food at this Mizner Park establishment is served with flair and great attention to detail. The reasonably priced menu—with generous portions—includes all your favorites (veal Parmesan, Caesar salad) and some outstanding seafood dishes (Maine lobster with shrimp, mussels and clams on linguine). There is a full wine list and ample people-watching given the prime outdoor seating. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561-447-2257. $$
Sunday gravy from Vino
Vino —114 N.E. Second St. Wine Bar/Italian. An impressive wine list of some 200 bottles (all available by the glass) offers a multitude of choices, especially among Italian and California reds. The menu of “Italian tapas” includes roasted red peppers with Provolone, as well as ricotta gnocchi with San Marzano tomatoes. • Dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/869-0030. $$
WEST BOCA Boon’s Asian Bistro —19605 N. State Farm Fresh
Bar Louie recently upped its seasonal game with a limited-time Farmers Market Flatbread with roasted asparagus, sauteed mushrooms, baby arugula, three cheeses and more.
Road 7. Japanese/Thai. This is one of two Boon’s (the other is in Delray Beach), and it’s where the rush to eat excellent sushi started. The fast-moving staff is choreographed to deliver dishes such as shrimp pad Thai that’s light, delicate and happily filled with shrimp. The Thai fried rice is unusually delicate too, with lots of egg, and is some of the best around. The sushi rolls are as fresh and inventive (try the Daimyo roll) as they are beautifully presented. Go early or call for a reservation. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/883-0202. $$
City Fish Market—7940 Glades Road. Seafood. A multimillion-dollar remodel of the old Pete’s has bocamag.com
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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. $$
Ditmas —21077 Powerline Road. Contemporary kosher. This west Boca restaurant is named after a Brooklyn avenue in a district known for its food. Here you’ll find very good food, and no dairy products are used. The menu is full of one-liners, so try the Not Stolen salmon with beat puree, The Butcher is Dead hangar steak, the Tony Fries (these are addictive) and the sangria. • Dinner Sun.-Thurs. 561/826-8875. $$$
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 gougères, cheesy pastry puffs filled with béchamel; don’t miss the unconscionably savory cassoulet; and finish with pineapple upside-down cake. • Dinner nightly. 561/654-6600. $$$
Tempura House —9858 Clint Moore Road, #C112. Japanese/Asian. Dark wood, rice paper and tiles fill the space. An appetizer portion of Age Natsu, fried eggplant, is a consummate Japanese delicacy. Don’t miss the ITET roll with shrimp tempura and avocado, topped with spicy mayo, tempura flakes and eel sauce. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/883-6088. $$
Villa Rosano—9858 Clint Moore Road. Italian. You can be forgiven for imagining yourself in some rustic Italian hill town as the smells of garlic and tomato sauce waft through the air. Start by sopping up the house olive oil with slices of crusty bread, then move on to a stellar version of clams Guazzetto and delicate fillets of sole done a la Francese. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/470-0112. $$
BOYNTON BEACH Bar Louie —1500 Gateway Blvd., #100. Eclectic. Attempting to split the difference between happening bar and American café, Bar Louie in the sprawling Renaissance Commons complex mostly succeeds, offering burgers, pizzas, fish tacos and a variety of salads, all at moderate prices and in truly daunting portions. In South Florida’s world of trendy and expensive bistros, this is a welcome relief. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/8530090. $ Josie’s Italian Ristorante—1602 S. Federal Highway. Italian. Famed chef and South Florida culinary godfather Mark Militello is back at Josie’s after a brief stint at Boca’s Prezzo, and his magic in the kitchen of this cozy, old-school Italian restaurant is duly noted. His influence is evident in the daily specials,
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but old favorites like beefy short rib meatballs, an upmarket version of the classic San Francisco cioppino, and Josie’s signature veal Bersaglieri (veal medallions with artichokes, olives and roasted peppers in lemon-white wine sauce) don’t fail to satisfy either. • Lunch Mon.-Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/364-9601. $$
Prime Catch—700 E. Woolbright Road. Seafood. Waterfront restaurants are few and far between in our neck of the woods, and those with good food are even more rare. Prime Catch, at the foot of the Woolbright bridge on the Intracoastal, is a best-kept secret. The simple pleasures here soar—a perfectly grilled piece of mahi or bouillabaisse overflowing with tender fish. Don’t miss one of the best Key lime pies around. • Lunch and dinner daily, Sunday brunch. 561/737-8822. $$
Sushi Simon—1614 S. Federal Highway. Japanese. It’s been called “Nobu North” by some aficionados, and for good reason. Local sushi-philes jam the narrow dining room for such impeccable nigirizushi as hamachi and uni (Thursdays), as well as more elaborate dishes like snapper Morimoto and tuna tartare. Creative, elaborate rolls are a specialty. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/731-1819. $$
DELRAY BEACH 3rd and 3rd—301 N.E. Third Ave. Gastropub. This quirky, individualistic, obscurely located little place is one of the most important restaurants in Delray. The menu changes frequently, but hope the evening’s fare includes plump scallops with caramelized mango sauce, stunning delicious roasted cauliflower with Parmesan mousse and bacon, and wicked-good espresso panna cotta on it at your visit. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/303-1939. $$
Established 1991
7 DAYS
7:00 am to 10:00 pm
BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER 80 S. Federal Highway • Deerfield Beach, FL • (954) 480-8402
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Established 1981
French Continental
50 Ocean—50 S. Ocean Blvd. Seafood. The former Upper Deck at Boston’s on the Beach is now the more upscale, seafood-oriented spot. The menu ranges from familiar to slightly more inventive, from a classic lobster bisque and crisp-tender fried clam bellies to rock shrimp pot pie and baked grouper topped with blue crab. The cinnamon-dusted beignets are puffs of amazingly delicate deep-fried air and should not under any circumstances be missed. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. Brunch Sun. 561/278-3364. $$ Angelo Elia Pizza • Bar • Tapas— 16950 Jog Road. Italian. Nothing on the menu of Angelo Elia’s modern, small plates-oriented osteria disappoints, but particularly notable are the meaty fried baby artichokes stuffed with breadcrumbs and speck, delicate chicken-turkey meatballs in Parmesan-enhanced broth, and Cremona pizza with a sweetsalty-earthy-pungent mélange of pears, pancetta, Gorgonzola, sun-dried figs and mozzarella. • Lunch Tues.–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/381-0037. $
Rediscover the classic
Summer Special 3-Course Dinner $39.95 Tuesday-Friday 4199 N. FEDERAL HWY. s BOCA RATON s 561.395.6033 s KATHYSGAZEBO.COM June/July/August 2018 KathysGazebo-interior_brm0618.indd 1
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Apeiro Kitchen & Bar—14917 Lyons Road.
Buddha Sky Bar —217 E. Atlantic Ave.
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. $$
#3. Pan Asian. Don’t miss a meal at this stylish Asia-meets-industrial chic spot with a view of the Delray skyline. Chinese-influenced dim sum is inspired, while rock shrimp tempura and Tokyo beef skewers with twin chimichurri sauces touch the heart and the taste buds. Veggie fried rice is exemplary thanks to the kitchen’s application of wok chi. • Dinner nightly. 561/450-7557. $$
Atlantic Grille—1000 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood/
Burt & Max’s —9089 W. Atlantic Ave. Contem-
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. $$
porary American. Burt Rapoport and Dennis Max have struck gold with their first collaboration in years, bringing an accessible and affordable brand of contemporary comfort food to west Delray. A few dishes from Max’s other eatery, Max’s Grille, have made the trek, like the hearty chopped salad and bacon-wrapped meatloaf. Other dishes are variations on the comfort food theme, including a stellar truffle-scented wild mushroom pizza. • Dinner nightly. Sunday brunch. 561/638-6380. $$
The Banyan—189 N.E. Second Ave. American. Snuggled under its namesake banyan tree in Pineapple Grove, this modern restaurant boasts a bright pink neon bar with bright cocktails, too. Try the purple Aviation gin cocktail paired with the Maryland crab bites or the Yum Yum Shrimp with spicy-sweet sriracha aioli. Sliders, tacos, mac trios and flatbreads do not disappoint. Order the crème brûlée cheesecake if it’s available. • 561/563-8871. $$
Batch Gastropub —14813 Lyons Road. Gastropub. Definitely try the homemade batches of cocktails on tap, which give this west Delray gastropub its name. The artisanal mixes boast ingredients such as H.M. Tonic No. 22—the crisp, tangy part of a very good gin and tonic. The heirloom tomato and feta salad is a highlight with Champagne vinaigrette dressing. Also popular are the brisket and short rib burgers, the avocado toast and the chicken Caesar. But the drinks are what you’ll remember. • Brunch Sat.-Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/877-0000. $$
Beg for More Izakaya—19 S.E. Fifth Ave. Japanese Small Plates. The large sake, whisky and beer menu here pairs beautifully with the small plates full of everything except sushi. No sushi. And that’s fine. Try the takoyaki (octopus balls), the crispy salmon tacos and anything with the addictive kimchi, such as the kimchi fried rice. There are pasta, teriyaki and simmered duck with bok choy dishes—or 16 varieties of yakitori (food on skewers). You’ll be back to beg for more. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/563-8849. $$ Brulé Bistro —200 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. While the regular menu of this Pineapple Grove hipster hangout always has satisfying dishes (filet mignon carpaccio, seared tuna poke, seared diver scallops, slow-cooked lamb pappardelle), the nightly specials will amaze: beef Oscar, Tangier crusted yellowfin tuna. Oh, and the Meyer lemon tart? ‘Nuff said. Outside tables offer the best option for conversation. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/274-2046. $$ bocamag.com
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Cabana El Rey —105 E. Atlantic Ave. Cuban tropical. Little Havana is alive and well in Delray. The menu is a palette-pleasing travelogue, including starters like mariquitas (fried banana chips) and main courses such as seafood paella (think mussels, shrimp, clams, conch, scallops and octopus). • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/274-9090. $$ Cabo Flats—Delray Marketplace, 14851 Lyons Road. Mexican. Mexican cuisine often has more personas than Madonna. This highly stylized cantina adds another—that of California’s Chicano culture. All your favorite Mexican dishes are there, as well as enormous margaritas, but also niftier items like the crispy tuna tacos. Try the restaurant’s famous avocado fries with garlic and cilantro, and finish off with Captain Crunch deep-fried ice cream. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/499-0378. $
Caffe Luna Rosa—34 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach. Italian. This multiple Delray Beach-award winning restaurant has sparkling service, comfort food taken to a higher level, and a setting just steps from the Atlantic. Open since 1993, and a success since then, they dish up big flavors in a tiny space, so call for reservations. Try the calamari fritto misto, then the rigatoni pomodoro and leave room for dessert. Or come back for breakfast. • Open daily from breakfast through dinner. 561-274-9404. $$
Buzz Bites III Aw, shucks: National Oyster Day
T
hose of us who love oysters don’t need a national day to enjoy the bivalve mollusks. There are lots of local raw bars with happy-hour specials that mean a delicious dinner at $1+ per oyster, along with a nice crisp white wine (half-price at happy hour; try Viognier, Vouvray) or beer (England makes Oyster Stout) can be had most days of the week. It is a joy to live in seafood heaven. But if you need a reason to slurp some half shells, then plan to celebrate National Oyster Day on Aug. 5. Buy an extra half-dozen. Or two. LITTLE-KNOWN OYSTER FACTS, courtesy of nationaloysterday.com: • There are more than 100 species of oysters. • Oyster farming has been traced back to Roman times in France and England. • Almost 2 billion pounds of oysters are consumed each year. • In the U.S., East Coast oysters are known to be smaller, milder and saltier. West Coast oysters are said to be creamy and sweeter. • Only 1 out of 10,000 oysters produces a pearl. Kind of like playing the lotto. • Are they an aphrodisiac? Botticelli’s Venus on a half shell seemed to imply just that. Oysters are rich in rare amino acids, say American and Italian researchers, that trigger increased levels of sex hormones.
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 jumbo crab cake and jalapeño cheddar grits. • Lunch Mon.–Sun. Dinner nightly. Outdoor dining. 561/272-0220. $$
Cut 432—432 E. Atlantic Ave. Steakhouse. Hipper decor, a more casual vibe and an inventive take on steak-
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Dada—52 N. Swinton Ave. Contemporary American. The same provocative, whimsical creativity that spawned Dada the art movement infuses Dada the restaurant, giving it a quirky charm all its own. The comfort food with a moustache menu has its quirky charms, too, like shake-n-bake pork chops with sweet-savory butterscotch onions, and a brownie-vanilla ice cream sundae with strips of five-spice powdered bacon. The wittily decorated 1920s-vintage house-turned-restaurant is, as they say, a trip. • Dinner nightly. 561/330-3232. $$
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. $
Rose Glamoclija, R.N. Founder and Administrator
It’s The Personal Touch That Makes The Difference
Offering Quality Private Duty Nursing Care and Care Management Services Since 1993 Available 24 Hours a Day • • • • •
Registered Nurses Licensed Practical Nurses Certified Nursing Assistants Home Health Aides Physical Therapy
• • • • •
Lic#HHA20196095
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. $$$
“Before you and your staff from Boca Nursing Services started taking care of Helen and I, we existed; now we are living again! Thank you, Rose.” -Dr. K.D.
Companions Live-Ins Homemakers Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy
Serving Broward, Palm Beach, Martin & St. Lucie Counties 342 E. Palmetto Park Rd., Suites 1 & 2 Boca Raton, FL 33432
255 Sunrise Avenue, Suite 200 Palm Beach, FL 33480
Fax (561) 347-7567
Fax (561) 833-3460
(561) 347-7566
(561) 833-3430
El Camino —15 N.E. Second Ave. Mexican. This sexy, bustling downtown spot is from the trio behind nearby Cut 432 and Park Tavern. Fresh, quality ingredients go into everything from the tangy tomatillo salsas to the world-class fish tacos clad in delicate fried skin, set off by tart pineapple salsa. Cinnamon and sugar-dusted churros are the perfect dessert. And check out the margaritas, especially the smoky blend of mezcal and blanco tequila. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/865-5350. $$
Fifth Avenue Grill—821 S. Federal Highway.
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The World’s Finest Man Made Gems
Diamond Quality Cubic Zirconia Set in Solid 14K Gold, 18K Gold & P LATINUM
American. Since 1989, this upscale tavern has been a Delray favorite. The straightforward menu focuses on entrées like lamb osso buco and tenderloin brochette teriyaki. Add a lobster tail for good measure. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/265-0122. $$
The Grove—187 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. Chef-partner Michael Haycook and chef Meghan O’Neal change their menu biweekly, turning out dishes exhilarating in their freshness, creativity and elegant simplicity. An appetizer of octopus with olive oil, crushed potato aioli and lemon is outstanding. • Dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/266-3750. $$ 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. $$
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Henry’s—16850 Jog Road. American. This casual, unpretentious restaurant from Burt Rapoport in the west part of town never fails to delight diners. Expect attentive service and crisp execution of everything—from meat loaf, burgers and fried chicken to flatbreads and hefty composed salads. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/638-1949. $$ Il Girasole—2275 S. Federal Highway. Northern Italian. This South Florida classic is not trendy, but it offers a level of comfort and consistency that has been bringing people back for more than three decades. The food is fine hearty Italian, with excellent service. Try the veal Kristy or the calves brains. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/272-3566. $$
J&J Seafood Bar & Grill—634 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This local favorite on Atlantic Avenue— owned by John Hutchinson (who is also the chef) and wife Tina—serves up everything from burgers and wraps to a menu brimming with seafood options. Don’t forget to inquire about the stunning array of 10 specials—every night. • Lunch and dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/272-3390. $$
Jimmy’s Bistro —9 S. Swinton Ave. Contemporary American. This small gem off noisy Atlantic Avenue is big on taste and ambience, and has been busy since 2009. You can travel the world with dumplings, conch fritters, pork schnitzel, rigatoni Bolognese, étouffée and more. Reservations are recommended at this laid-back, comfortable venue. • Dinner nightly. 561/865-5774. $$
Joseph’s Wine Bar —200 N.E. Second Ave.
Items from the Chef’s Seafood Bar at Latitudes
Mediterranean-American. Joseph’s is an elegant, comfortable, intimate nook in Delray’s Pineapple Grove, and an ideal place for a lazy evening. This family affair—owner Joseph Boueri, wife Margaret in the kitchen, and son Elie and daughter Romy working the front of the house—has all tastes covered. Try the special cheese platter, the duck a l’orange or the rack of lamb. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/272-6100. $$
La Cigale —253 S.E. Fifth Ave. Mediterranean.
Get Happy
Park Tavern’s new happy hour menu features specials such as crispy fish tacos, baked mac ‘n’ cheese and pulled barbecue pork sliders from 5 to 7 p.m. daily.
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True culinary professionals turn out gently updated and classically oriented dishes notable for the quality of their ingredients and careful preparation. Sweetbreads in chanterelle cream sauce are glorious; a barely grilled artichoke with mustardy remoulade is gloriously simple. Watching your server skillfully debone an impeccably fresh Dover sole is almost as satisfying as eating it. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/265-0600. $$
Latitudes —2809 S. Ocean Blvd. Modern American. You should come for both the sunset and the food. This oceanfront restaurant is a gem tucked inside the Delray Sands resort. From the airy, bubbly interior to the raw bar, the décor is soothing and fun. Try the lobster and crab stuffed shrimp, the miso-glazed Skuna Bay salmon, the branzino or the veal Bolognese (a specialty of Executive Chef James King). • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-6241. $$$
Lemongrass Bistro—420 E. Atlantic Ave. PanAsian. Casually hip ambience, friendly service, moderate prices and a blend of sushi and nouveau pan-Asian fare make this a popular destination. The quality of its seafood and care in its preparation are what gives Lemongrass its edge. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-5050. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 101 Plaza Real S., Boca Raton, 561/544-8181; 1880 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, 561/733-1344). $
Max’s Harvest—169 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. Always innovative, this popular mainstay doesn’t disappoint with highlights such as king crab wontons, sweet corn hushpuppies, St. Louis ribs, diver scallops, gnocchi and creative bartenders. Sit inside or watch the outside cruisers, but don’t forget the ricotta doughnuts before you roll out the door. • Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/381-9970. $$
MIA Kitchen & Bar—7901 W. Atlantic Ave. American. Well-known local Chef/Partner Blake Malatesta is famous for his locally sourced, inventive dishes—and for the most impressive Bloody Mary cart in the county. At his latest venture in Delray Marketplace, try the great, giant harissa lamb/sheep’s feta meatballs and the Maestro Del Mar (named after a competition Malatesta won with this recipe), a Florida seafood stew that can include gator, mofongo de yuca and a “fin to tail” broth. Good for what ails you, and worth the trip out west. Dinner nightly. 561/499-2200. $$
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. $$ Park Tavern—32 S.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. The guys from Cut 432 have done it again with this hip, casual modern American tavern. The menu is tightly focused and tightly executed, whether Maryland crab cakes featuring fat chunks of succulent crab or the behemoth slab of tender, juicy prime rib for a near-saintly $29. Don’t miss the decadent soft pretzel bites. • Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/265-5093. $$
Prime—29 S.E Second Ave. Steak/Seafood. Prime is aptly named for its heart of the action location, classy neo-supper club decor, extensive wine list and roster of designer steaks. Starters and desserts fare better than entrées, especially plump, crabby Maryland-style crab cakes and indecently luscious chocolate bread pudding. Service is a strong suit too, so with a bit of work this good-looking restaurant will fully live up to its name. • Dinner nightly. 561/865-5845. $$$ Racks Fish House + Oyster Bar—5 S.E. Second Ave. Seafood. Gary Rack, who also has scored with his spot in Mizner Park, certainly seems to have the
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restaurant Midas touch, as evidenced by this updated throwback to classic fish houses. Design, ambience and service hit all the right notes. Oysters are terrific any way you get them; grilled fish and daily specials are excellent. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/450-6718. $$$
Sundy House—106 S. Swinton Ave. Contemporary American. It’s fine dining served in arguably the most beautiful restaurant and gardens in Delray. Menus are seasonal and imaginative. Try any of the fresh local fish dishes. • Lunch Tues.–Sat. Brunch Sun. Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/272-5678. $$
Taverna Opa—270 E. Atlantic Ave. Greek. Yes, you can order a side of belly dancing and napkin tossing with your moussaka and baklava at this chain. But the moussaka and baklava are very good; so is the rest of the food at the downtown Delray outpost. Also worth your while (and appetite) are appetizers like melitzanosalata, whipped eggplant with orange zest and roasted red pepper, and tarama, a creamy emulsion of bread, olive oil and salmon roe. Whole grilled bronzino is finished with lemon and orange juices for a citrusy flavor boost, while tongue-tying galaktoboureko goes baklava one better by adding vanilla-scented custard to golden, flaky phyllo. • Dinner nightly. 561/303-3602. $$
Terra Fiamma—9169 W. Atlantic Ave. Italian. The pleasures of simple, hearty, well-prepared Italian-American cuisine are front and center at Wendy Rosano’s latest venture. Among the pleasures you should enjoy are delicate, pillow-y veal meatballs in Marsala sauce; lusty chicken Allessandro with mushrooms, spinach and artichoke hearts; and a finely crafted tiramisu that’s as satisfying as it is familiar. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/495-5570. $$ Tramonti —119 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. In a world where restaurants chase trends with the relentlessness of Casanova in full Viagra heat, Tramonti stands out as a classic outpost of authentic Italian cookery. Not trendy hardly means stodgy, however, as evidenced by expertly crafted, robustly flavorful dishes like the signature spiedini di mozzarella Romana, spaghetti al cartoccio and braciole Napoletana. Torta della nonna is a triumph of the highly refined simplicity that lies at the heart of true Italian cuisine. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/272-1944. $$$
Vic & Angelo’s—290 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. Giving old-school Italian eateries a modest jolt of more contemporary cuisine and more youthful ambience has proved a winning formula for V&A. Best bets include succulent little baked clams, lusty and hugely portioned rigatoni with
“Sunday gravy,” and lemon and caper-scented chicken cooked under a brick. Tiramisu is delicious, as is the Italian version of doughnut holes, zeppole. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat.–Sun. Dinner nightly. 844/842-2632. $$
LAKE WORTH Couco Pazzo—915-917 Lake Ave. Italian. Despite the name, there’s nothing crazy about the cooking at this homey eatery. It’s the hearty, soul-satisfying Italian cuisine we’ve all come to know and love. Spaghetti Bolognese is a fine version of a Northern Italian classic. • Dinner nightly. (Tues.–Sun. during summer). 561/585-0320. $$
Paradiso Ristorante —625 Lucerne Ave. Italian. A Tomasz Rut mural dominates the main dining room, and there is also a pasticceria and bar for gelato and espresso. Chef Angelo Romano offers a modern Italian menu. The Mediterranean salt-crusted branzino is definitely a must-try. Plus, the wine list is a veritable tome. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/5472500. $$$
WEB EXTRA: check out our complete tri-county dining guide only at BOCAMAG.COM.
Chef Paul Collange offers a selection of timeless French classics in a warm and friendly environment, which is sure to delight your senses and your palate. Open for Dinner 7 Days: 5:00pm-9:00pm 561-620-0033 Reservations by text message: 561-715-1227
restaurantlerivage.com 450 NE 20 St • Shore Centre • Boca Raton
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adv e r t is e m e n t
PHILANTHROPY IS BEAUTIFUL FOR VISIONARY WOMEN
JACOBSON JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CELEBRATES LIONS FOREVER Local Lions Forever were recently feted by the Jacobson Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. Through their Lion of Judah Endowments (LOJE), these committed women have ensured that their annual gifts will benefit the community and the Jewish people for generations to come. The elegant morning featured jewelry designer and philanthropist Joan Hornig, welcomed 19 new LOJEs and remembered those passed but whose Lion gifts live on. To learn more about leaving a Jewish legacy, call 561.852.3170 or email jeffkl@bocafed.org.
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{6} {1} from left: Dale Filhaber, Betty Kane, Joan Hornig, Barbara Werner, Marcia Beckerman
{2} from left: Judi Schuman, Anne Jacobson {3} from left: Dale Filhaber, April Leavy {4} from left: Meryl Gallatin, Roxane Lipton {5} from left: Lyna Zommick, Marcia Stone, Roxane Lipton {6} from left: Helene Paul, Phyllis Liss, Margaret Kottler {7} from left: Sophie Cozier, Jill Rose, Karen Dern, Rhoda Malamut, Emily Grabelsky, Shayna Chazin, Melinda Friedman
{7} Photography by Jeffrey Tholl Photography
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THE SCENE BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL BALL > 153 FLAVORS > 157
A little sax appeal at Flavors
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Kathy and Paul Adkins with Caroline Adkins
Dr. Harold and Donna Richter
Debbie Lindstrom and Bob Sheetz
DOWNTOWN PHOTO
BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL BALL WHAT: Boca Raton Regional Hospital hosted its black-tie gala for the 56th year. More than 1,200 attendees donned tuxedos and gowns and were treated to a performance by Motown legends The Temptations at one of the most revered charity events in the city. Honorary Chairs Marilyn and Stanley Barry, Christine E. Lynn and Barbara and Richard Schmidt were recognized for their years of philanthropy. Guests collectively raised more than $1.66 million, which will support patient-care initiatives at the hospital. Carrie Rubin and Judi and Allan Schuman served as cochairs of the ball’s planning committee. WHERE: Boca Raton Resort & Club
Brian and Jennifer Kessler Dr. Stewart Krug and Judy Levis Markhoff
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Lee and Toby Cooperman
The Temptations
Brenda and Jeffrey Bleustein
Dick Schmidt and Emily and Stephen Grabelsky
Freyda Burns, center, with Adele and Herman Lebersfeld
Graziela and Mason Slaine
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Judy and John Temple
Paulette Comparato, Carl Klepper
Barbara and Bobby Campbell
BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL BALL
Peg Anderson and Stacey Packer
Harvey and Teri Polly
Carmel and Peter Baronoff
Christine Lynn and Barbara Schmidt
Allan and Judi Schuman, seated, with Mark and Judi Larkin
Jean Blechman and Larry Burker
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Brittney Lovely, Meg Fielder and Jayme Weekly
Honorary Chairs Thom and Joyce Devita, Flavors Chairwoman Karli Vazquez-Mendez, Honorary Chairs Joni and Al Goldberg
FLAVORS WHAT: The historic Addison played host to the Junior League of Boca Raton’s ninth-annual Flavors, an evening of boutique food and wine. Guests were treated to delectable dishes from more than 30 local restaurants, a fashion show from Saks Fifth Avenue, colorful entertainment from speed painter Michael Israel and performances by dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Finally, attendees participated in a live auction offering a host of enviable dinners, wine tastings, sports tickets and jewelry. Karli Vazquez-Mendez served as chairwoman of Flavors; Thom and Joyce DeVita and Al and Joni Goldberg acted as honorary chairs. WHERE: The Addison Schuyler Thompson, Leslie Jackson, Kimberly Jurich, Margi Cross, Sherry Winter
Dana Peller, Lindsey Swing, Lilly Robbins, Marisa Gottesman, Heather McMechan
JLBR President Renata Sans de Negri, The Addison Executive Chef Patrick Duffy and Flavors 2018 Chairwoman Karli Vazquez-Mendez
Dancers from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio
Alli Lazarus, Amy Procacci, Dave Glasser, Chris Ruzika
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CITY WATCH
THE LOCAL
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ing with the school district on a makeover and rebranding in hopes of drawing those families. In Boca Raton, however, the schools have become almost too popular. U.S. News ranks Boca Raton and Spanish River high schools 44th and 67th, respectively, out of nearly 2,400 high schools in Florida. No private charter schools have set up to draw affluent children, as they have elsewhere in the county. As a result, many younger parents who have moved to Boca Raton in recent years send their children to public schools, choosing to save their money for college or graduate school. Kim Do, who ran unsuccessfully for the city council in March, illustrates the trend. Do said she considered several cities in Florida before deciding on Boca Raton a year ago— because of the schools. Her two children attend Boca Raton Middle. Her 35-year-old home in an established, single-family neighborhood added a pair of students to one of the most overcrowded middle schools in the county. Such turnovers have happened all over Boca Raton. Six years ago, Boca Raton High was at capacity. This trend, however, doesn’t present
itself during council debates about development projects. Yet school district planners confirm that it’s the main cause of crowding. Still, if cities are growing, shouldn’t school capacity keep up? Ideally, yes. But that’s where you get to the Legislature’s role in school crowding. Since Bush became governor almost two decades ago, the Legislature regularly has cut sources of money for traditional public schools. District officials told the city council that a Tallahassee-ordered reduction in the local property tax for school construction had cost the district $900 million over the last 10 years. That money would have built and/or expanded a lot of schools. So Palm Beach County has had to ask the voters. In 2004 and 2016, they approved salestax increases. In addition to the new Addison Mizner, the current, 10-year surcharge will pay for a new Verde Elementary that will add a sixth, seven and eighth grade and thus reduce crowding at Boca Raton Middle. The surcharge also will finance expansions at Spanish River and Olympic Heights high schools. Interestingly, some of the city council’s harshest critics on school crowding opposed
the sales tax plan. Fortunately, 59 percent of Boca Raton voters favored the tax. The council’s land donation will ease crowding at elementary schools. In addition, the council resurrected the education task force for a year, to fill that communication gap with the school district. Given the importance of public schools to Boca Raton, it probably helped that crowding became a political issue. It won’t help if politics crowds out a proper understanding of why schools are crowded.
June/July/August 2018 issue. Vol. 38, No. 5. The following are trademarks in the state of Florida of JES Media, and any use of these trademarks without the express written consent of JES Media is strictly prohibited: Savor the Avenue; Tastemakers of Delray; Tastemakers at Mizner; Florida Style and Design; Delray Beach magazine; Boca Raton, South Florida At Its Best; bocamag. com; Florida Table; Boca Raton magazine. Boca (ISSN0740-2856) is published eight times a year (September/October, November, December, January, February, March, April/May, June/July/August) by JES Media. Editorial, advertising and administrative offices: 1000 Clint Moore Road, Suite 103, Boca Raton, FL, 33487. Telephone: 561/997-8683. Please address all editorial and advertising correspondence to the above address. Periodicals postage paid at Boca Raton, Fla., and additional mailing offices. Subscriptions: $19.95/9 issues, $29.95/18 issues (shipping fee included for one- and twoyear 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.
INTEGRIT Y Decades of community, leadership and loyalty. Real Life. Real People. Bringing Boca to Boca for 37 years. bocamag.com
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MY TURN
Risky Business How one bold couple built a college on a dream Written by JOHN SHUFF
A Don Ross in 1979
“It is those who venture into the unknown alone, armed only with an obsession, who are the risk takers.”
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merica may be the land of the entrepreneur—not just the land of the free—but it’s also the land of the risk takers, the real risk takers. You have to give it to people who venture out on their own, who have skin in the game, people with a dream they want to play out until there is some resolution, one way or the other. The kind of risk taker who has built-in radar that seems to sense opportunity. The risk takers I’m talking about are not those showboaters with high-wire acts hundreds of feet in the air without safety nets, or guys like Evil Knievel jumping the Grand Canyon on a motorcycle. I’m referring to the ordinary, everyday kind of risk takers who trust their gut instincts and have a plan in place to implement their ideas. In Boca Raton there is an army of entrepreneurs who have taken big risks and reaped rewards beyond their wildest imaginations. The key to the success of these people is no secret; they cite hard work, dedication, luck and timing as the drivers of their good fortune. These are success stories, but they are not necessarily risk takers. It is those who venture into the unknown alone, armed only with an obsession, who are the risk takers, the people who visualize their paths and understand there will be obstacles to scale and setbacks along the route. But they go forward anyway; nothing is going to stop them. Such was the case when Don and Helen Ross relocated their young family from Wilmington,
Delaware to Boca Raton in 1971. Don was named president of Marymount College, a financially beleaguered woman’s college founded by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. In 1974 the name was changed to The College of Boca Raton and then became Lynn University (named after its benefactors Christine and Eugene Lynn) in 1991.
Don and Helen Ross
The family made risks and sacrifices in those early years, living in dorm rooms, eating in the school cafeteria, operating with a skeleton staff and relying on instinct to keep the struggling, two-year women’s school financially viable. Fast forward to 2018, with Lynn University a tech-savvy, liberal arts university offering undergraduate, master’s and doctorate degrees. The school has a $21 million
endowment and an enrollment of 3,000 students representing more than 100 countries. It’s a phoenix-from-the-ashes story that doesn’t end there. In 1998, Don Ross told me he had just taken over The Harid Conservatory’s music program. The Harid donor had no interest in music and was abandoning it. Don agreed to start a music program that would ensure that the Harid students would continue their musical pursuits at Lynn. What a gamble to assimilate this program and its costs into the university. (I know some members of his board did not agree.) But Don Ross doggedly pursued a first-class music program at Lynn, bringing aboard Dr. Jon Robertson, a renowned classical performer and teacher from UCLA, as dean of the program. This addition alone was the catalyst for what today is thought of as one of America’s finest music programs and the home of the Lynn Philharmonia. If you were at this year’s Festival of the Arts, you saw that its performance with opera legend Kathleen Battle was applauded by the star herself. When I hear its performances I’m always struck that such young people can attain such proficiency. In his own quiet way Don Ross has put Boca Raton on the map. He took big risks and has reaped big rewards for the institutions on which he placed a big bet. In Don’s case, his dreams did come true, because he never gave them up. And that, my dear readers, is the essence of a risk taker.
June/July/August 2018
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