BOCA Magazine January 2024

BOCAMAG.COM

FLORIDA STYLE & DESIGN: KITCHENS AND BATHS

SAVING FLORIDA EVE SAMPLES Executive Director Friends of the Everglades

PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINE

SURVIVING 2024

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JANUARY 2024

VOL. 44, ISSUE 1

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The Boca Interview From declining birthrates to generational trends and population shifts, speaker, author and Florida resident Ken Gronbach believes “demography is destiny.”

Written by JOHN THOMASON

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New Year’s Resolution Survival Guide Each year around this time, we go through the motions: lofty goals in January that are usually jettisoned by February. Experts on everything from money management to weight loss share insights on the best way to maintain your resolutions through December and beyond.

Written by TYLER CHILDRESS

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The Florida Keepers Between overdevelopment, climate change and invasive species, South Florida’s wild and teeming legacy is under existential threat. Meet a few of the activists and advocates, the deep-sea divers and python hunters, who are saving Florida from itself.

Written by MARIE SPEED

85 JESSICA GLYNN

Special Section: Florida Style & Design

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As the nexus of nourishment in any home, kitchens work best when they reflect the homeowner’s needs and personality. We explore six spaces that do just that. Plus, liven up your kitchens and bathrooms with stylish products.

Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

12/5/23 1:29 PM

JANUARY 2024

VOL. 44, ISSUE 1

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129 30 Editor’s Letter

It’s time to honor the intrepid stewards and preservationists of Florida’s beleaguered environment—and, in the clean slate of a new year, to celebrate the glimmers of hope.

Written by MARIE SPEED

33 The Local

160 Social

113 Backstage Pass

Age is just a Broadway number for the talented senior dancers of the New Florida Follies; we “Take 5” with the group’s artistic director and choreographer, Cheryl Steinthal. Plus, Jazz Fest,“Fiddler on the Roof,” an orchestral hip-hop extravaganza and much more in our January A&E calendar.

Meet the special-needs soccer coach who won her sport’s equivalent of an Academy Award, the Michelin-starred Miami chef who is expanding his empire in the Palm Beaches, and a designer and influencer who has turned a disorder into a social media movement. Plus, home décor, fashion and food trends for the New Year, and more.

Written by JOHN THOMASON

Written by TYLER CHILDRESS, MARIE SPEED and JOHN THOMASON

129 Florida Table: Eat & Drink

42 The Look

Winter in the Palm Beaches means dazzling totes, sequined clutches and glittery heels, in black, silver and gold tones perfect for gala season.

Photography by AARON BRISTOL

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Local celebs channeled their inner Fred and Ginger at Boca’s Ballroom Battle, a beloved Boca organization got the ball(s) rolling at a Bowlero fundraiser, HomeSafe hit the links for charity, and the Kravis Center toasted the past year’s top nonprofits.

Written by TYLER CHILDRESS

168 Hometown Hero

124 Savor the Avenue

Delray’s restaurants are preparing their five-block-long takeover of Atlantic Avenue for one magical night in March. Now’s the time to make your reservations for the best foodie event under the stars.

Boca Helping Hands, led by Greg Hazle, has been a literal lifeline for tens of thousands of jobless, uninsured and food-insecure people.

Written by MARIE SPEED

See what our food critic has to say about Gallaghers Steakhouse and Jimmy’s Bistro.

Plus, explore how caviar is no longer just a delicacy for the uber-rich, and discover a few comfort-food favorites from the discerning staff of Boca magazine.

Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

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bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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An Iconic Club, A New Perspective Tucked beneath the palms, discover a members club like no other. A private golden beach, world-class dining, a sublime spa – your home from sunrise to sunset and for generations to come.

To inquire about Membership call 561.447.3100 or visit TheBocaRatonClub.com

Web Extras

FIND US ON

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

SOCIAL MEDIA

GLADESWOMAN

Eve Samples of Friends of the Everglades, featured in our “Florida Keepers”story (page 70), shares more of her thoughts on the state’s most pressing environmental issues at bocamag.com/ january-2024. And a statement from the Florida Coalition for Preservation.

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.

PEOPLE PERSON

KUDOS TO US Bocamag.com was honored with the Charlie Award for best website at last year’s Florida Magazine Association awards! This is the organization’s top honor, given in recognition of the excellence of our site’s content, navigability and design. Visit bocamag. com and see why our site was voted the best!

Launched in early 2020, Boca Goes Live is still keeping you connected to the community through conversations streamed live on Facebook with a curated roster of some of South Florida’s leading officials, entertainers and innovators.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss new reels and visit bocamag.com/live to see the full library of videos and watch them on demand.

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Best Bites

AMANDA INSCORE WHITTAMORE

Demographer Ken Gronbach, who discusses population changes, artificial intelligence and more in this issue’s Boca Interview (page 60), expounds on issues including student debt and the rise in remote work at bocamag.com/january-2024.

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 Dining Guide tab to view the guide.

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.

bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marie Speed MANAGING EDITOR

John Thomason WEB EDITOR

Tyler Childress SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Lori Pierino PRODUCTION MANAGER

Rafael Quiñones GRAPHIC DESIGNER

James Karpinen PHOTOGRAPHER

Aaron Bristol CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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

David Shuff FOOD EDITOR

Christie Galeano-DeMott

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING AND MARKETING

Nicole G. Ruth DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION AND SALES SUPPORT

Bruce Klein SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER

Gail Eagle ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Daisy Abreu Karen S. Kintner Jenna Russo

204 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33444 • 561.272.6654 1185 Third Street South, Naples, FL 34102 • 239.643.8900 Mashpee Commons, Cape Cod, MA 02649 • 508.477.3900

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

U N I Q U E B O U T I Q U E J E W E L R Y. C O M

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

Margaret Mary Shuff GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marie Speed CONTROLLER

Jeanne Greenberg JES MEDIA PRODUCES:

Boca Raton magazine Delray Beach magazine 1926 Worth Avenue Boca Raton Chamber Annual Salt Lake magazine Utah Bride and Groom Utah Style & Design Salt Lake Visitors’ Guide

FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION BOCA MAGAZINE WINNERS 2023 CHARLIE AWARDS CHARLIE AWARD (FIRST PLACE) best website (bocamag.com) best custom publication (1926)

best custom publication (Worth Avenue) best advertorial story or section

SILVER AWARD best overall magazine best editorial, opinion, commentary best department design

BRONZE AWARD best in-depth reporting best advertorial story or section

2022 CHARLIE AWARDS GENERAL EXCELLENCE magazine of the year best overall magazine CHARLIE AWARD (FIRST PLACE) best overall writing best in-depth reporting best custom publication (1926) best advertising for a client

SILVER AWARD best feature best use of photography best advertising for a client BRONZE AWARD best custom publication (Worth Avenue)

2021 CHARLIE AWARDS CHARLIE AWARD (FIRST PLACE) best public service coverage best in-depth reporting best feature best service feature best humor writing best column best photo essay/series best advertorial best overall: digital innovator best special theme or show issue

SILVER AWARD best overall writing best public service coverage best department best use of photography best social media best custom publication (Worth Avenue) BRONZE AWARD best traditional illustration

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January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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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 nicole@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

Embark on a personalized journey to meet your unique beauty and wellness needs

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

massages • body wraps / scrubs • facials • botox filler • morpheus8 • lumecca • sauna • jacuzzi cold plunge • steam room • himalayan salt lounge reiki • acupuncture • fire cupping

Submit information regarding our website and online calendar to tyler@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

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

People

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.

bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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SUBSCRIBERS

First issue

Boca Raton magazine is published eight times a year.

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

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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.

Questions about your invoice

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.

Change of address

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.

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Back issues

If you are interested in purchasing any back issues, please call 877/553-5363, ext. 233, indicating the issue date you would like. The cost of each issue including shipping and handling is $9.95.

Gift subscriptions

You’ll find a subscription to Boca Raton magazine makes a thoughtful and useful gift that lasts throughout the year. If you’d like more information about giving a gift subscription, please call our subscription department at 877/553-5363.

Online subscriptions

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

January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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Frederic J. Norkin, DMD

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FROM THE EDITOR

State of the State The New Year brings new threats to—and new hopes for—saving Florida, one idea at a time Written by MARIE SPEED

s 2024 unfolds, we take stock of home sweet home—South Florida—in this issue. We see the craziness every day here as the floodgates that blew open during the pandemic continue to spew people into Florida. This population is driving housing prices into the stratosphere, clogging highways and roads and beaches, jamming restaurants and appointment calendars from the DMV to the doctor.

It’s a new world here now, and much of it is gravely troubling.

Friends of the Everglades Executive Director Eve Samples outlines the major threats facing Florida, from water to lack of development regulations to sea level rise and on and on (page 70). And although bigger groups like hers are all over Tallahassee working on environmental issues, there are also grassroots efforts that target specific problems; we explore a few of those in this issue.

Talking with these people brought me back to a time many years ago when I recognized how much I, too, had fallen in love with South Florida. I’d found the Everglades by then, and Homestead, and what it felt like to wade through dark water in cypress sloughs, hoping to spot wild orchids and guzmania and trees filled with white birds, like candles. I met characters like Totch Brown and Buffalo Tiger and made a campfire with Florida naturalist and photographer Oscar Thompson at an abandoned Miccosukee camp in the Big Cypress Swamp.

In the past two decades since then, that place of magic has become fraught with invasive species and threatened with encroaching development. It was—and is—the last best place here, the heart of Florida and its future.

That’s why these protectors of Florida—its keepers—are so important now. Amy Siewe, who rumbles in her truck along levees in the dark looking for pythons, or Mark Cassini planting trees on a scorched playground, or Shelby Thomas rescuing corals from certain death as ocean temperatures rise. And there are many more of them: small groups with big ambitions to save Florida from itself.

We’ve had a few small wins, like the vote to quash the GL deal to develop the Ag Reserve, for which I am eternally grateful. But the forces of development in Florida are powerful today. As Eve Samples says,“Florida used to be a leader in the country in terms of responsible growth; the Growth Management Act was passed decades ago by the Florida Legislature, and it really made Florida a leader in terms of sound development practices. Starting in 2011, however, a lot of those protections were unraveled at the state level [including former Governor Scott’s dismantling of the state’s growth management agency, the Department of Community Affairs]. So now we’re facing this really intense development pressure…”

Now is the time to get to work to save the state, and we salute the people on the front lines.

We need more of you.

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bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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eader in Financial Advice and Planning

Elizabeth Bennett, PRINCIPAL AND CEO

CHESAPEAKE FINANCIAL PLANNING & TAX SERVICES

“Women need to be involved in their financial plans and have an understanding of where all of their assets are, and what they are used for,” says Certified Financial Planner™ Elizabeth Bennett.

As a woman who has reared a child, been through a divorce and is working toward her own financial future, she forges a relationship with her clients from her own personal experiences.

“You need be in control of your finances and not leave that responsibility to someone else,” she cautions. “Knowing the types of investments that you have, the log-ins for your accounts, and sharing that information with your spouse is very important. Being involved in reviews with your financial advisor and understanding how to access those assets is imperative,” Bennett says.

“Taking responsibility for your financial wellbeing, starting at a young age, is probably one of the best things you can do for yourself. You should take advantage of your employer’s retirement plan, understand what your short-term savings need to look like and what your assets’ tax implications are. Be aware of your spending habits and where all of your money is going, whether you are single or married. As women, we know the value of delegating.

My advice is to take one thing off of your plate and reach out to an advisor to get your financial house in order with someone you can trust. I am here for you,” she says.

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A division of:

Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory, insurance, and tax services offered through Bay Financial Planning and Tax Services, LLC DBA Intercoastal Wealth Planning LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Cambridge and Bay Sponsored Content Financial Planning and Tax Services, LLC are not affiliated.

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THE LOCAL B O C A C H AT T E R H OT L I S T BEHIND THE BIZ CHEF T H E LO O K DO-GOODER A DVO C AT E

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Ferris wheel at South Florida Fair (turn to page 36)

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THE LOCAL

4.89 billion number of worldwide social media users

151 minutes Daily time spent by internet users on social media

70

Percentage of Americans who use Facebook —sproutsocial.com

BOCA CHATTER

Don’t-Miss Events

SUPERCAR WEEK, Jan. 6 to Jan. 14 at various locations in Palm Beach County, will be gearhead heaven this month—and even better if you buy VIP tickets. With everything from an opening VIP reception at Eau Spa to a “Horsepower”show at the National Polo Center to a VIP cocktail reception at Mizner Park and an event at The Breakers, car enthusiasts will be swooning over muscle cars, Corvettes, Rolls-Royces, Porsches, Jeeps, Vipers, the works. Visit supercarweekend. com/vip to get rolling.

Boca Strawberry Festival

THE BOCA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL, Jan. 20-21 at Mizner Park Amphitheater, celebrates all things strawberries—France’s greatest contribution to the world this side of pasteurization and Champagne. Adults can partake in strawberry cocktails, while visitors of all ages can enjoy a pop-up shopping village, live music, strawberry-infused treats, a magic show, face painting, a candle making station, an “America’s Got Talent” stunt dog show, carnival and pony rides, a petting zoo and a video game truck. Tickets are $15-$38; pick up yours at bocastrawberryfestival.com.

The revered BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL BALL on January 20 at The Boca Raton will be celebrating the successful fulfillment of its capital campaign in 2023 with another blow-out ball—this time featuring Darius Rucker (formerly with Hootie & the Blowfish and now a successful country singer) as the headline entertainment. The ball will be held at The Boca Raton and starts at 6 p.m. For more information, visit donate. brrh.com/ball.

Locals sound off on issues affecting our community.

By this time next year, what do you hope will have changed in your life?

“Hoping to have more “ME TIME/FREE TIME” by not overextending myself as much as I have this past year. As they say, work hard, relax harder later.”

—Wayne Edward Scott, Designer

“I’d like to see my photography business scaled up to operate without me at times and free me to ‘trip the planet’ once again with a caring companion who shares my curiosity for adventure.”

—Stuart Hoffman, Owner/President, Always Grace Company

AARON BRISTOL

—Nicole Flier, Vice President of Business Development, Miller Construction Company

“I would like to have more time for travel, and getting together with friends.”

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6 FASHION TRENDS

Another year, another scramble for relevance. Style. On point fashion. Admit it, we can’t be engaged in saving the world all the time; sometimes, you just want to splash around in the shallow end of the pool. And who better than Boca magazine to send you a life raft? Here are a few things we are seeing forecast for 2024 in terms of lifestyle trends: Feathery touches

Olympic metallics

Elongated silhouettes

Roses

“Serious black” dress

Mesh, eyelet, lace and other “openwork” techniques that suggest ventilation

FIVE FOOD FAVES FOR 2024

Plant-based food

Valentino Garavani Feather Pants $3,200

Elie Tahari Shirt & Skirt $345, $325

Home Decor Looks Nature-inspired interiors, including lush greenery, earth colors, living walls, bringing the outdoors in—with everything made of sustainable materials. (Microfiber, we are giving you the side eye.)

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The home office becomes permanent.

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Unique tiles and tile work

Elie Tahari Jumpsuit $525

Dolce & Gabbana Rose Print Gown $3,795

Rene Ruiz Collection Gown $995

Careste Macrame Dress $3,995

All available on Saks.com

Butter boards (we are not kidding). Like charcuterie boards but with different herbed butters and bread. Invite your cardiologist.

Specialty salts from Spirits and Spice in Boca

Pickles are still going strong—and showing up everywhere.

Natural lighting and“sunny ambience”through large windows and skylights

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Warm minimalism—whatever that means. Maybe one pillow on the couch.

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Canned, sustainably sourced seafood.

Seriously.

January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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THE LOCAL

HOT LIST

SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR

WHERE: Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami WHEN: Jan. 2-7 COST: $25-$130 CONTACT:

305/949-6722, arshtcenter.org The theatricality, the soaring pipes, those sequined Bob Mackie dresses—everything about Cher has for so long seemed tailored for Broadway that it was inevitable somebody would put two and two together. That somebody is Rick Elice, who wrote the books for Broadway’s “Jersey Boys” and “The Addams Family” and, in “The Cher Show,” celebrates another cultural touchstone.

Three actresses, referred to in the show as Babe, Lady and Star, portray different eras of Cher’s remarkable life, and occasionally interact with each other, temporal logic be damned (she did write “If I Could Turn Back Time,” after all).

The music, 35 songs deep, is nearly all Cher’s, and Mackie himself contributed the show’s dazzling costumes, which won “The Cher Show” a Tony in 2019. Other actors portray notable figures in Cher’s orbit, among them Lucille Ball, Robert Altman, Sonny Bono and Gregg Allman.

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West Palm Beach WHEN: Jan. 12-28 COST: $15-$45 CONTACT: 561/793-0333, southfloridafair.com There will be water, water everywhere at this year’s South Florida Fair, whose theme is“Dive Into the Fun.”New and exclusive events at the 2024 fair pertain to ocean conservation and marine life: Expect a live shark show, up-close sea lion encounters and immersive—the descriptor du jour in the entertainment world—“underwater experiences.”Local organizations will educate visitors on the best ways to maintain a healthy ocean ecosystem, and the fair’s resident paleontologist will stroll the grounds with baby sea animals in tow. This is all on top of the annual favorites at this now 112-year-old tradition: live music from national and local artists, daily Mardi Gras-style parades (with floats direct from New Orleans), an agricultural and livestock program with more than 1,000 exhibitors, and upwards of 200 rides, games and attractions. And don’t miss the funnel cake; any New Year’s resolution to eat healthier can wait until Jan. 29.

Fanoos Ensemble

THE FANOOS ENSEMBLE

WHERE: Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West

Palm Beach WHEN: Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m.

COST: $35 CONTACT: 561/832-7469, kravis.org The term“Afghanistan musician”is practically an oxymoron. Music is among many pleasures of the free world banned by the Taliban, so to perform his art, Afghan vocalist and harmonium player Ahmad Fanoos had to flee the country—specifically aboard a Fox News evacuation plane during the final weeks of the U.S. presence in the country, in the summer of 2021. Now he’s reunited in the States with his family-centered ensemble, including sons Elham Fanoos on piano and Mehran Fanoos on violin, and Sohail Karimi on tabla.

Despite the troubles in their native country, the Fanoos Ensemble considers itself a cultural ambassador to Afghanistan, performing material from the country’s pre-Islamic Buddhist period through contemporary compositions, and supplemented with poetry and visual art. The Fanoos Ensemble may not be able to perform in Kabul, but it has played Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center—and now the Kravis.

Miss South Florida Fair competition

SYMPHONIA CONCERT III

WHERE: Countess de Hoernle Theater at Spanish

River High School, 5100 Jog Road, Boca Raton WHEN: Jan. 21, 3 p.m.

COST: $55-$90, $10 students CONTACT: 561/376-3848, thesymphonia.org Principal Conductor Alastair Willis channels his longtime love for the theatre into the third program of the Symphonia’s season, all of whose selections have a connection to the dramaturgical arts. A piece from Joseph Bologne—the first known classical composer of African descent, and the subject of the 2023 biopic “Chevalier”—was written for an opera, for instance. But it’s a pair of connected compositions that most excites Willis: Haydn’s Symphony No. 60, whose six movements were written for the play “Il Distratto;” and Anna Clyne’s “Sound and Fury,” which is directly inspired by the same Haydn symphony as well as Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.”“Clyne is one of the most performed living composers of today,”Willis says.

“She borrows a chord progression from Haydn’s symphony and loops it. These repetitions mark out the passing of time. … It’s really cool.”

EDUARDO SCHNEIDER

“THE CHER SHOW”

WHERE: South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd.,

The Symphonia’s Alastair Willis

bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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THE LOCAL

BEHIND THE BIZ

Air Time

The Boca Raton Airport celebrates a landmark anniversary Written by JOHN THOMASON

—Scott Kohut

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F

Scott Kohut

covered platform with seating and some information about the airport, where people can come out and watch airplanes take off and land from a nice comfortable spot.”

The airport continues to be entrenched in the Boca Raton community, from organizing a team in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in October to administering an airport scholarship for the George Snow Scholarship Fund to hosting back-toschool supply drives.

Additionally, Kohut says,“we’re going to have a series of speakers throughout the community, updating everyone on the airport. We are sponsoring the Fabulous Fourth [of July], partnering with the City of Boca Raton. We’re also partnering with FAU’s athletic department. We’re looking to really get out there and spread the good word of the airport.”

With so much variety in his workday, it’s no wonder Kohut enjoys his job—especially now that he doesn’t have to explain it to everybody.“I really love how dynamic the operation is here,”he says.“It’s not coming in and sitting in an office and doing the same thing every day. There’s always something new going on. … There’s a lot of pride in the airport and the way it’s grown up with the community. So it’s great to work in an environment that has that sort of positive energy.”

CARLOS ARISTIZABAL

I really love how dynamic the operation is here.

It’s not coming in and sitting in an office and doing the same thing every day.”

or Scott Kohut, deputy director of the Boca Raton Airport since 2014, it used to be exasperating to tell people about his job.

“When I first started, when I was out in the community, I’d introduce myself and say where I worked, and people would be like, ‘oh, you mean the Palm Beach Airport?’ No, no no …

‘Oh, you mean, Fort Lauderdale?’ No, no, no, Boca Airport! You know when you’re sitting in Rocco’s Tacos, and those planes are really low?

That’s where they’re coming!”

While Boca Raton’s is not a commuter airport like Palm Beach International, its presence in the city’s economy has become so pronounced that it’s a well-known entity even among locals who have never availed themselves of its services. Part of that visibility is thanks to amiable spokespeople like Kohut.“One of the big pushes since I’ve been here has been community engagement—telling the story about the airport,” he says.

That story can begin in 1936 with the opening of what was then called the Boca Raton Army Airfield.

Or it can begin on the home front of the Second World War, when the airport became the training base for the U.S. Army’s pioneering use of radar technology. Even Boca’s largest university owes its existence to the airfield; FAU’s inception dates to the 1950s, after the state of Florida released 1,000 acres of airport land for educational use.

Just as important are the stories of the airport today.

It’s become a revenue-generating behemoth for the city, averaging 83,000 operations each year for an annual economic impact of nearly $700 million, according to the most recent numbers from the Florida Department of Transportation. It’s used for corporate travel, private aviation, air taxi operations and flight training. The 2018 opening of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility at the airport opened it up to the rest of the world, and it has seen a significant spike in operations from the Caribbean.

The airport enters 2024 on the immediate heels of its 75th anniversary—Dec. 28, 2023, to be exact—which it celebrated with a series of events and upgrades spearheaded by Kohut, Airport Director Clara Bennett and their staff of six.

“We have a new ambassador program, and also a mural wall that’s a part of that,”Kohut says.“And one of the big projects we’re looking forward to getting underway is in the design phase now; it’s an airport observation area, which will be a destination, with a

bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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THE LOCAL

CHEF

The Ford Effect

Celebrity chef Jeremy Ford continues expanding his empire, one decadent dish at a time Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

Even when your work is over, your training is not done. You should still put your head in some cookbooks.

Think about the day you just had.

It doesn’t just end after service is over.”

—Chef Jeremy Ford

Jeremy Ford

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t’s always been about the grind for Jeremy Ford.

The Jacksonville native cut his teeth at several local and nationally recognized restaurants, honing his skills alongside celebrated chefs like Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Dean Max. Ford got his big break as a“Top Chef” contestant, where he wowed America and the judges with his masterful creations. He spun his season 13 win into a partnership with Grove Bay Hospitality, a Miami-based restaurant group, to debut Stubborn Seed in 2017.

Ford’s Miami Beach flagship restaurant opened to rave reviews for showcasing locally sourced seasonal ingredients in elevated dishes that delivered a unique, palate-pleasing culinary journey unlike any other. It provided a fine dining experience in a casually cool ambiance where Ford, in his signature cap, was seen nightly, cooking behind the kitchen’s glass wall. And it held that formidable level of hospitality for years until the team finally achieved the industry’s holy grail, a Michelin star, in 2022 and again in 2023.

Expanding his culinary footprint into Palm Beach, Ford opened The Butcher’s Club as part of the PGA National Resort’s multimillion-dollar renovation in late 2021.

The sultry restaurant is his take on a steakhouse, where guests can find juicy cuts of Wagyu and prime steaks alongside original takes on typical chophouse dishes like escargot, beef tartare and potato gratin. He also teamed up with longtime collaborator and friend, the uber-talented Dallas Wynne, who is now the restaurant’s executive chef. The following year, Ford opened his third restaurant and second collaboration with

Grove Bay Hospitality, Beauty & the Butcher, in Coral Gables as a tribute to his eldest daughter, Madelynn (the beauty).

Ford is also cultivating his TV roots as the co-host of truTv’s“Fast Foodies.”Ford and lauded chefs Kristen Kish and Justin Sutherland welcome a celebrity on each light-hearted episode to learn about their favorite fast foods. In the first round, each chef replicates the dish; in the second round, they re-create it as they wish.

And if owning and running three restaurants across three counties and hosting a TV show weren’t enough, Ford announced late last year that he’s debuting a second Stubborn Seed in Las Vegas at the swanky Resorts World later this year. We sat down with the multihyphenate for a playful, rapid-fire Q&A to learn more about his likes and dislikes.

Favorite Palm Beach County restaurant

Most underrated ingredient

I’m a farmer now. I bought a 5-acre farm in Homestead with a 100-foot greenhouse. I’m also building a 7,000-square-foot air-conditioned event space to host farm-to-table events and dining experiences and hoping to be hosting them by this fall/winter season.

Celery root

Favorite vegetable Hakurei turnips. I love eating them roasted or shaved raw.

Perfect Valentine’s Day meal Something light—like sushi or tataki

At home, what can’t you live without?

My AG1 (Athletic Greens) shake that I have every morning. I couldn’t live and do what I do without AG1. That stuff is a miracle powder.

Don’t like eating Live seafood—anything that’s still moving

Stage

Played-out dish Tuna tartare

Advice for aspiring chefs Even when work is over, your training is not done. You should still put your head in some cookbooks. Think about the day you just had. It doesn’t just end after service is over.

After a long day, are you sipping on beer or wine?

A cold beer—anything I can squeeze a lime into—like Modelo

Dream guest (dead or alive) to cook for Jimi Hendrix. I’m a huge fan.

Something we don’t know about you

Three words to describe how you felt when Stubborn Seed received its first Michelin star Wake me up.

Tell us about Stubborn Seed in Las Vegas.

I’m excited about having access to West Coast ingredients. [Vegas aligns] with how we roll; we like to keep pushing and never stop. So it should be a great marriage.

bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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THE LOCAL

High Style

Start the New Year with fashion-forward accessories

AARON BRISTOL

Cuffs, $150 and $135, Sea Lily acrylic tote, $195 and acrylic clutch, $175, all from Nina Raynor; scarf, $465, from Wish & Shoes

LOOK

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THE LOCAL

LOOK

Earrings, $275, crystal clamshell clutch, $250, gold and black clutch, $220, all from Nina Raynor Dismero scarf, $190, from Evelyn Rolleder Boutique Pedro Anton slingback, $270, from Wish & Shoes

Glitterati

AARON BRISTOL

Add some sparkle to your party season

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LOOK

Leo & Ugo sweater, $265, from Evelyn Rolleder Boutique Pedro Anton boot, $325, from Wish & Shoes

AARON BRISTOL

Shari’s leather jacket, $1,495, Shari’s leather pants, $1,495, Oscar de la Renta crystal handbag, $4,990, all from Shari’s Palm Beach

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It’s All Black and White Classic black and white is sporty— with a chic twist

bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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THE LOCAL

Dismero scarf, $190, from Evelyn Rolleder Boutique Nina Raynor bag, $265, from Nina Raynor

LOOK

Golden Age Burnish yourself with a touch of gold this season

AARON BRISTOL

Rodo slingback pumps, $750, Shari’s leather pants, $1,495, both from Shari’s Palm Beach

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LOCAL look JAN24.indd 48

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THE LOCAL

LOOK

Demellier bag, $535, from Barbara Katz Plume Nova scarf, $175, from Unique Boutique Issey Miyake pants, $895, from Deborah James Xacus houndstooth blouse, $340, Papucei shoe, $219, XD Xenia Design vest, $225, all from Filly & Colt

AARON BRISTOL

All Bundled Up It’s cozy time—even in South Florida

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bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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DO-GOODER

Goal Scorer

Special-needs soccer coach Lin Hurley earns national recognition I have a lot of patience, always have—God gave me that. I have faults, but impatience isn’t one of them.”

—Lin Hurley

Lin Hurley

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n a bureau in the living room of Lin Hurley’s Delray Beach home sit the usual family mementos—a photo album, framed pictures of kids and grandkids and beloved pets. But over the past year and a half, new additions have joined this menagerie of memories, each more prestigious than the last.

There’s an award recognizing Hurley as the statewide winner of Coach of the Year for her contributions to TOPSoccer, which provides soccer facilities and instruction for children with special needs. There’s also a wood plaque honoring Hurley as the 2022 TOPSoccer coach for the entire Southeast region.

And there’s a glass statuette, as heavy as a free weight and topped by a frosted-glass soccer ball, representing her most recent award: National TOPSoccer Coach of the Year, which she received Oscars-style, complete with an acceptance speech, at a ceremony in Philadelphia. A month later, she received a formal proclamation for her achievements from the City of Boca Raton; that’s framed on the bureau too.

For Hurley, as humble a person as you’re likely to meet, the snowball effect has been surreal, and when asked why she received such accolades, she demurs.“I’ve been coaching for 24 years,”she says.“Never in a million years” did she expect to be showered with such admiration from her community, her colleagues and the TOPsoccer brass. But Vic Nocera, director of TOPSoccer Boca Raton, is happy to toot Hurley’s horn.

“She’s got a heart of gold, he says.“She loves the special-needs community. … All the kids she teaches love her. She’s easy to approach and makes everything fun. We’re honored to have her as our coach.

“She’s modest; she said, ‘it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.’ I said, ‘listen, you deserve it.

You earned it.’ … I couldn’t be more proud of her and her accomplishments. She a wonderful person inside and out.”

Hurley has been involved in the lives of special-needs youth since high school. At Boca Raton

High, through her Juniorettes service club, Hurley “adopted” a girl at a psychiatric institution in Miami.

She and a few fellow-club members would drive down monthly to spread some cheer in their adoptee’s life. This was in 1966, when terms like “mentally retarded” were still in vogue.

“I remember going into this huge room; it seemed like hundreds of beds, and these children, they all were institutionalized, and all with special needs,” Hurley recalls.“And I just fell in love. I knew that God had a plan for me.”

Hurley attended University of South Florida in Tampa, earning a degree in Special Education, and upon graduating she taught developmentally disabled students, mostly with Down syndrome, at J.C. Mitchell Elementary in Boca. Later, she started a program at the YMCA of South Palm Beach County that provided after-school field trips—from polo fields to swimming pools to a Publix warehouse—for special-needs kids.

After taking a break to raise her four children, Hurley discovered TOPSoccer Boca Raton at the organization’s 2000 inception, and has been an integral part of its seasons (from January through March at University Woodlands Park) ever since. (She also taught elementary school—instructing non-special-needs 3- and 4-year-olds—for 20 years, retiring in 2021.)

In the all-volunteer position, she works alongside fellow-coaches and “buddies”—local high schoolers who bond with and assist the players for community service hours. The program has blossomed to 150 players across 18 teams.

Hurley starts each game day with a group run, followed by obstacle courses, with ropes and cones, to engage the participants. Then come the modified soccer games, in which the sport’s typical rules do not apply.“They keep trying to score goals, and basically that’s it.” Hurley says.“They don’t know anything about winning or losing. They think they win all the games. They’ll say, ‘did we win?’ I’ll say, ‘of course you won!’Thanking the parents and the kids, I always make something special up about each one of them—maybe it’s ‘you’re a goal-scoring machine!’

A lot of it is being a cheerleader for them.”

A youthful 72, Lin shows no signs of slowing down her commitment to special-needs children.

When asked to reflect on her aptitude for teaching this population, she says,“I think love is really important, having that love for them. And patience.

I have a lot of patience, always have—God gave me that. I have faults, but impatience isn’t one of them.”

AARON BRISTOL

Written by JOHN THOMASON

bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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With Special Entertainment

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Ball Chairs Amy and Mike Kazma

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THE LOCAL

ADVOCATE

From Disability to Strength Lynn University alumna Cayetana Uranga has never let her condition define her Written by JOHN THOMASON

She had that attitude of, ‘just do it, never give up, and nothing’s standing in my way.’ ‘No’ was never in her vocabulary.”

—Lisa Benedict, who taught Uranga at Lynn University

Cayetana Uranga

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y any measure, Cayetana Uranga embodies an exceptional immigrant story.

She was born in Lima, Peru, in 1985, and was raised on her father’s dairy and cotton farm. Following her father’s passing, Uranga moved to South Florida with her family when she was 10. She learned English, adapted to American life, and was voted homecoming queen at her high school. She attended college at Lynn University, graduating with a degree in business administration with a specialization in fashion management. Today, she lives in Palm Beach and is a social media manager for a major Washington, D.C., real estate development firm.

And she’s accomplished all of it despite the diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) she acquired at birth, when her mother’s umbilical cord wrapped around her neck and she lost oxygen to her brain.

“I began physical therapy at 3 months, and it was three times daily, so my first years were all therapy-filled,”she recalls.“But I did interact with my sisters [she grew up with Alejandra, the elder, and Aránzazu, the youngest—Ed.] on the weekends, and at the end of the day when we all gathered in the family room and watched TV. I began noticing that I was different when I started kindergarten, and other kids would ask me why I walked and talked the way I did.”

At home, she says, her parents never treated Cayetana differently than their other children, which she believes is vital to the self-sufficiency she would exhibit as an adult.

“It kept me normal,”she says.“[There was] no distinction, and that helped me face my difficulties without the distraction of overprotection.”

But it took years for Uranga to fully “come out,” as it were, as a disabled person. She grew up hiding pictures or videos that revealed her condition. This all changed in March 2022 when she launched “JustCpNotSpecial” on her social pages. On the account, which has nearly 63,000 followers on TikTok and more than 77,000 on Instagram, Uranga addresses

life as a person with CP with insight and humor, revealing so much of what able-bodied people take for granted—carrying a glass of water across the room, walking on certain uneven surfaces, learning how to parallel-park a car (earning a driver’s license would prove to be a two-year ordeal). Her followers witness her horseback riding, exiting a pool, working out in the gym, vacationing in Italy, attending SunFest— things we all do, which is exactly the point. The support she has received from commenters has been overwhelming in its positivity.

“I started JustCpNotSpecial in part to help others while also helping myself,” she says.“Because CP is not that common, I feel it is especially important to create a space where we can come together as a community that understands our trials.”

While Uranga may not view herself as “special,” others are proud to herald her unique contributions as a communicator and advocate. In 2022, Discover The Palm Beaches, the destination marketing agency for the county, named her one of its Brand Ambassadors.

“Cayetana is passionate about sharing why she loves her home in The Palm Beaches and proudly posts about the most accessible spots throughout the county, helping other locals and visitors find the best attractions, restaurants and events to suit their needs,” says Erika Constantine, VP of marketing at Discover The Palm Beaches. “Her dedication to sharing her story and educating others makes her a great addition to our new social media Brand Ambassador Program.”

Dr. Lisa Benedict, who taught Uranga in five courses in Lynn’s Fashion and Retail Program, adds, “I would say she belonged in a Nike ad. She had that attitude of, ‘just do it, never give up, and nothing’s standing in my way.’‘No’ was never in her vocabulary.”

Uranga is currently putting her fashion management degree to use with her startup business the Green Bracelet Shop, where she designs and sells beaded jewelry in various shades of green, which is the color of cerebral palsy. It’s all of a piece with her broader efforts to raise awareness of, and normalize, CP. “Sharing my experience in life with CP has helped others like me in comparing notes, in dealing with situations which may be sensitive, in showing how to achieve goals and keep on trying new things and experiences which they may otherwise have not tried or even imagined,”she says.

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Pushing the Boundaries of Cancer Care

Lynn Cancer Institute and Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute

Advances in cancer care are being driven by rapid growth in technology — including genetic testing, artificial intelligence (AI) and more precise treatment. Experts at Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute and Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health, are embracing these tools to provide breakthrough care that offers patients hope.

“There has been a phenomenal investment in cancer care at this institution, allowing us to have the best technology,” says Michael Kasper, M.D., medical director of radiation oncology for Lynn Cancer Institute.

Groundbreaking on the Institute’s new proton therapy center is planned for October, bringing patients at Lynn Cancer Institute yet another option for highly effective treatment.

“There are so many therapies and technologies available now that are revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of cancer,” says Louise Morrell, M.D., medical director of Lynn Cancer Institute. “We’re proud to be at the forefront.”

Lauren Carcas, M.D.

One of their newest initiatives is an expanded cancer genetic screening program. Women who come to Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute for a mammogram are now asked if they want to give a saliva sample to learn if they or family members may be more susceptible to certain types of cancers.

Genetic testing looks for mutations in 48 genes that put individuals at a higher risk of cancer, including breast cancer. While most people are aware that mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can greatly affect risk, many don’t know that mutations in other genes, including ATM, BARD1, CHEK2, RAD51C, RAD51D and TP53, also increase the odds of developing cancer.

“If someone knows they have a mutation in one of these genes, they can take steps to reduce their risk or to detect cancer early,” Dr. Morrell says.

Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute has drawn international attention for its success in using AI to assist radiologists in reading 3D mammograms.

The AI software can draw attention to suspicious areas that are so tiny — down to individual pixels — that they are undetectable by the human eye.

Since implementing AI, Lynn’s cancer detection rate improved 23 percent.

“We were already outperforming the expected detection rate benchmarks from the American College of Radiology,” says Kathy Schilling, M.D., medical director of Lynn Women’s Health &

Wellness. “But with AI, we are finding cancers years before we would find them without AI.” Not only is the technology helping catch cancer when it is most treatable, but it can help predict who might be at higher risk for developing breast cancer in the future, prompting closer monitoring, Dr. Schilling says. “We have the opportunity to take our care to the next level.”

Dr. Morrell agrees. “Exciting breakthroughs have transformed outcomes for many patients. Looking ahead, continued advances in our ability to diagnose and treat many different types of cancer give us even more reasons to be hopeful.”

Lynn Cancer Institute is accredited as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons. To learn more, visit BRRH.com/LCI or call 561-955-5966.

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BOCA INTERVIEW

KEN GRONBACH

Despite myriad challenges ahead, this Florida-based demographer offers actionable data—and a healthy dose of optimism or Ken Gronbach, it all started with motorcycles.

As the co-owner, with his wife, of an advertising agency in New England in the 1980s, Gronbach repped 140 dealers of American Honda Motor Company, selling bikes “by the thousands.” Until, that is, 1986 rolled around, and sales started plummeting—not just for American Honda but for reliable brands like Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha.

It turns out, Gronbach recalls,“some weird brand that’s made in the United States, called Harley-Davidson, that leaks oil and can’t get out of its own way, is selling like crazy. What had happened was that the baby boomer had exited the demo of our bike, which was 16 to 24 years old. And once the baby boomers exited, the generation right behind them, that was born from 1965 to 1984, simply did not have the critical mass to sustain the dealers, and the market fell about 11 or 12 percent.

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BOCA INTERVIEW

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be the “center of the Earth.”“The United States will truly become a nation of Floridas as the baby boomers age into senior and elderly status,” he wrote in one of his e-newsletters last year.“State government officials would be wise to visit Florida to prepare for what’s next.” He discusses this and much more with Boca.

“So once I discovered that, we jumped into research on Generation X, people born between 1965 to 1984, and discovered that they shut down maternity wards, they shut down toys, they shut down 30 percent of the public schools, they shut down motorcycles and automobiles, and in 2008 they shut down housing.

“So this was a revelation. It consumed me. I started writing books. People thought I was smart, and they wanted me to speak, and off I went.”

These days, Gronbach is a popular and sought-after demographer, forecasting societal, generational and population trends on radio, television and podcasts, at corporate functions and conferences, and in books such as Upside: Profiting from the Profound Demographic Shifts. A graduate of California State University, Long Beach, with a B.A. in Speech/Communication, he founded the keynote speaking and consulting firm KGC Direct in 2001 after some 22 years in the advertising industry. At KGC, Gronbach studies demographic shifts to forecast economic and social trends as well as predict movements in commercial markets.

Since 2016, when he moved to Bonita Springs, in southwest Florida, Gronbach has been working in a state he believes will

You’ve said that demography is destiny. What do you mean by that?

Right now we have a very serious problem in the world: We’re not having enough babies. … Demography is destiny. If we don’t start having kids, all things being equal, the world that our kids are going to inherit in 30, 40 years is not going to be a good one. This will not sustain any economies.You need to have people to sustain an economy.

Studies have shown that the younger generations are not only not breeding as much as their forbears; they’re not even having as much sex as prior generations. Why is that?

Between you and me, the internet. One-third of the internet is based on pornography. And it’s a leader in technology; I can’t wait to see what AI does with it, or vice versa. But the number of people addicted to porn on the internet is beyond huge.

Our fertility has dropped 50 percent in 50 years. … If you’re in Japan, for instance, you can get a free house, because the houses are empty. Why? Because they don’t have families. Why? Because they didn’t have kids. Why? Because they didn’t date or marry. Why? Because they’re technologically ahead of us, and essentially pornography has been prevalent there, prior to the internet, for about 75 years.

Looking around South Florida, some might say we’re in fact overpopulated. Is there a certain dissonance when looking at today’s snapshots compared to long-term projections for the future?

You nailed it. It makes me crazy. My daughter and her husband took their 3-year-old son to a costume party. The invitation said,“bring your kids, or bring your dogs.”And 15 other couples showed up with dogs, and they were the only couple that had a kid. If you’re thinking about who is going to fill the labor gap between 25 and 54 years old—and that is the group that provides for the elderly and provides for the kids—if we don’t have them, then we’re cooked.

AMANDA INSCORE WHITTAMORE

You’ve predicted that a population tsunami is coming to Florida. Who is coming, and what are the implications of this tsunami?

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Florida is going to become the center of the Earth, for a lot of reasons.

Probably the biggest one is going to be money. The people that are going to come here were born 1957 to 1962. That’s the very peak of the baby boomers. That particular group is not here yet. How do I know? Because that’s what I do. And I’m a resident here, and I see it.

The generation that is currently here in force is the generation born from 1925 to 1944. They’re called the Silent Generation. There were only about 50 million live births in the United States during that period. We currently have a population of seniors, people 75-plus, that is tiny. And what’s going to happen? They’re going to be replaced by a group that literally outbirthed them by almost 50 percent, and the baby boomers are healthier and living longer.

Florida’s going to look out and see a wave coming and say, who is that? It’s going to be baby boomer seniors. Baby boomers con-

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trol about $100 trillion in assets. And they’re going to bring a large share of that to Florida, because Florida’s a wonderful place to live.

And you’re concerned there won’t be enough institutional support for this tsunami of people?

No, there currently isn’t. It’s not on the news; nobody’s warning us that a category 4 population shift is coming at us. What will happen is there will be lines for everything—especially health care, food, restaurants, housing. We bought our condo in 2015.

The value of the condo has doubled. If my wife and I had a concern, it would be, I hope we can afford to live here. Because it’s going to be a very interesting place. When you have mass money and motivation, health care, housing, recreation, boating, everything in Florida is going to flourish. It’s going to be huge.

Southern California has a similar climate, but Californians are moving here. What’s the difference— lower taxes and cost of living?

This is how you have to look at it. Politically, if you have a spectrum, and you have zero and 100 years old, where are your liberal progressives? They tend to be young. Where are your conserva-

tives? They tend to be old. And who are the people that balance the two, the moderates? They’re in the middle.

We have a population right now where we have a monster group of young people, and they’re becoming voters—one every eight seconds. At the other end of the spectrum, you have the conservatives, who are leaving us; [older people] are dying one every 16 seconds. So we are going to become a liberal nation, and we’re going to be a liberal nation for 15, 20 years easy, until the millennials start amassing wealth.

So that means that as a senior, because Florida is conservative, it’s attractive politically. My kids won’t visit us—they don’t want to come to Florida. But Florida is going to be a bastion of conservatives for a very long time because of the amount of senior people here who hold those views. That will attract them. The weather will attract them. The fact that there’s no state income tax will attract them. It’s just a wonderful place for seniors.

Last spring, the NAACP, Equality Florida, and United Latin American Citizens issued travel advisories warning that Florida is not a friendly state to certain segments of the population because of policies and rhetoric from the state legislature. Because of factors like this, do you see Florida, which has had a long history of diversity, becoming less diverse?

I don’t see it becoming less diverse, but for another reason. But the reasons you cited make Florida unfriendly. Based on the abortion issue, our daughter is expecting her second child [at the time of this interview] … she won’t come here. Because if she has a prob-

lem here, she’d be afraid of losing her life. So yes, there are going to be issues, but in terms of making us diverse, one of the things these boomers are going to need in spades is labor. So God bless the Latinos, especially Mexicans, and the Latinos from Central and South America.

Shifting gears a little, the negative stereotype about millennials and generation Z is that they don’t have the work ethic of previous generations. Does the data dispel or support that perception?

It supports it in a way, but it’s temporary. I grew up with hippies.

What happened to the hippies? Did they stay that way? No. As soon as they turned 30 years old, which was their fearful thing, they began to amass wealth, and [many] became Republicans.

So what’s the issue here? The issue is that generation Y and millennials, and I assume that Gen Z is going to be the same way, have taken adolescence from 20 years old to 30 years old. They’re marrying late, entering the labor force late, having their kids late.

But … they have to feed themselves. And they’re not going to live in their cars. So we’re going to be fine.

This seems to be the message I’m hearing the most from you: We’re going to be fine. That might surprise people who, say, watch the news on a regular basis.

Because what business is the news in? They’re not in the news business; they’re in the advertising business. And if you’re in the advertising business, you need eyeballs. And how do you get eyeballs? By making people feel comfortable or by scaring them?

You’re also a futurist. Where do you see the rise in artificial intelligence changing human relationships and the workplace?

The thing that concerns me about AI is just as it is with the internet; it’s going to need some degree of regulation. I don’t think AI is going to think for itself, and we’re going to have a rising up of the robots that are going to take over the world. I don’t see that happening, because they have to get their programming somewhere. So unless they’re programmed incorrectly, I think we’ll get the best out of AI, just like we’ve gotten the best out of the internet.

Can AI make us less educated? Can relying on ChatGPT stunt our growth as writers?

Yes. But … at one point there was a whole young culture that was going to live on communal farms. Did it happen? No. Do I think that something as complex as AI or as sophisticated as AI is going to change human beings? I have too much faith in mankind for that.

I think we’re going to be fine. And sorry to keep on saying we’re going to be fine. You could make that the title of this article!

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Experts weigh in on how to keep your New Year’s resolutions

New Year's Resolu t

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u tion Survival Guide WRITTEN BY

Tyler Childress

he odds are stacked against us when it comes to making New Year’s resolutions. Studies show that a mere 8 to 12 percent of resolutions survive the year, with upwards of 80 percent being abandoned by February. At least those of us who don’t make the two-week mark have Quitter’s Day to look forward to, the second Friday of January that serves as a soft reboot for the lofty ambitions with which we started the year. The reasons for our resolutions fizzling out so quickly vary—from setting the bar too high and hitting unforeseen challenges to simply losing interest.

Experts agree that going in with a plan is the most surefire way of staying committed to your goals.“There needs to be a plan, and you need to know how to execute it,”says Boca-based Life and Parenting Coach Elise Montgomerie,“and you also need to know what’s going to get in your way and what to do before that issue gets in your way.”

Studies suggest it takes 21 days for any new activity to become a habit, so getting over the hump of the first three weeks is of utmost importance. We chatted with experts in the fields of common New Year’s resolutions for more advice on keeping our promises, and how to cross the many roadblocks along the way.

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the ideal budget Master of Budgets

Gaining control of personal finances is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions, and with inflation sending the cost of living through the roof, it’s never been a better time to get your finances in order. But while forming a reasonable budget looks great on paper, there’s always some new ex-

pense that comes up, whether it’s an emergency car repair or subscribing to your 10th streaming service. Fortunately, Intercoastal Wealth Planning Certified Financial Planner Elizabeth Bennett has some tips for making a budget and sticking to it.

“Set clear financial goals,” says Bennett.“You want to assess or review your current financial standing and take a snapshot of where you are.”

Starting with getting a lock on the state of your finances is the crucial first step. Take inventory of every expense you make throughout the day, week and month. The next step is writing out your budget followed by the hard part, sticking to it.“If you

Elizabeth Bennett

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have somEone to help keep you accountable

can really do that and keep your spending contained, it’s a good way to help you manage your financial life,”says Bennett.

According to Bennett, an ideal budget spread should include 30 percent of gross monthly income going toward housing (including utilities, interest, homeowners insurance and property taxes), 25 percent going toward food and other necessities, 15 to 20 percent going to retirement and savings (preferably a highyield savings account) for your emergency fund, and the rest (25 percent) used for discretionary spending (shopping, entertainment, etc.). But in times of economic turbulence, discretionary should be the first thing you’re cutting, which can be difficult. Bennett says to ask yourself,“what are some of the less expensive or free activities

25% Necessities

30%

housing

discretionary 25% 20% savings

that you are able to do and take advantage of?”

Another way to cut expenses is to assess your monthly bills.

“Some of those bills that are a fixed number, such as your cell phone bill or car insurance, call them and see if you can get a lower rate,” says Bennett.“There may be a plan that’s more economical for you.”

Bennett also suggests having someone in your life to help keep you accountable to your budget.“Sometimes it’s easier to go through it with someone else,” says Bennett.“Whether it’s a friend or your parent or a financial advisor, find somebody that can help you hold yourself accountable.”

Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory, Insurance, and Tax Services offered through Bay Financial Planning and Tax Services, DBA Intercoastal Wealth Planning LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Cambridge and Bay Financial Planning and Tax Services, LLC are not affiliated.

Cleaning Out Your Closet

Everyone has at least one item that has outlived its usefulness that they just refuse to part ways with despite all appeals to reason. The result is emotionally charged clutter taking up space where other items—or better

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tips take on small doable actions Bracha Hurwitz

yet, nothing at all— could rest.

Whether it’s a pair of shoes with sentimental ties or that Rolodex full of numbers you’ve already programmed into your cellphone, local decluttering expert Bracha Hurwitz, owner of home organizing company Clear Co Florida, has some tips for getting rid of things around the house which are no longer serving you.

“The most important thing is taking on really small doable actions,”says Hurwitz.“Start with a single drawer or a single shelf or a single closet and give yourself a time limit of the maximum amount of time you’ll spend on it.”

As a professional organizer, Hurwitz understands the emotional value some items may have to their owners and urges would-be organizers to acknowledge that value but also appreciate an item in practical terms.“You loved it, it was amazing, you got good use out of it, and now it’s time to move on.

You’ll get better use out of this space,” says Hurwitz. As for pricier clutter, Hurwitz advises to think about these items mathematically.“If you spent $1,000 on an item and used it for five years, that’s

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$200 a year; that’s a pretty good deal.”

Once the decluttering is done, then comes the next step: maintenance. “People forget that with organizing, you need to maintain,” says Hurwitz. “You’re not going to wash your dishes once and expect them to be clean forever.” Fortunately, the maintenance is much easier than the decluttering. “If you came into a new house that was filthy, then you gotta deep-clean it,” says Hurwitz. “But once it’s clean, mopping it every week is pretty doable.”

Hurwitz is always able to tell a noticeable difference in her clients after a deep decluttering.“It makes your life easier, saves time, builds a sense of peace—there’s so many benefits,”says Hurwitz.

“You can spend your life focusing on what you love instead of focusing on organizing.”

Crunch Time

January 1 just might be the best day of the year for gyms. Mem-

berships soar as people looking to shed those holiday pounds resolve to be more active in the new year. Unfortunately, those convictions wear thin by the time February rolls around, with one study revealing that nearly 50 percent of gym memberships get canceled after the first month. For advice on how to combat fitness fatigue, we reached out to Johnny Olsen, owner of Johnny O’s Gymnasium in Boca.

According to Olsen, the first step in any fitness journey is selecting the right gym.“Don’t join a gym because it’s around the corner from you,” says Olsen.“Join a gym that’s going to motivate you.”From there, he says, getting in shape is about three things: “hard work, sacrifice and discipline.”

To maintain discipline, Olsen advises to create calendar appointments in your phone dedicated to workout sessions.

“When you have an appointment that’s in your calendar, you’re much more likely to follow up on that,”says Olsen. But

this discipline needs to extend to the kitchen as well, he adds.“You cannot out-train a bad diet.”

For both exercise and diet, Olsen says that preparation is key.“When you eat good, when you train properly and when you do proper fat burning is when you’re going to be at your best.”

That means meal prepping and

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going into the gym with a plan instead of just hopping on the first elliptical you see.

Because planning and executing an exercise regimen can be daunting, Olsen recommends using a personal trainer to get you started.“The trainer will talk to you about what you need to do and show you how to do it,” says Olsen. But the real work begins when it comes to maintaining your exercise routine, and for that, Olsen recommends vigilantly monitoring your progress.

“Progress is one calorie, it’s a half a mile an hour, it’s a half a pound more,”says Olsen.

“And when you have progress and you can visually see it, you’re going to stick with your resolution.”

Make the Connection

The world has never been more connected, and people have never felt more alone. A recent Gallup poll found that an estimated 44 million Americans experience “significant loneliness,” and the United States

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Put down the phone!

Department of Health and Human Services has declared the country in the midst of an ongoing “loneliness epidemic,”the consequences of which affect both our physical and mental well-being. Studies show that those suffering from loneliness are at a 29-percent increased risk of heart disease; a 32-percent increased risk of stroke; and a 50-percent increased risk of developing dementia. We spoke with Dr. Robin Vallacher, director of the Dynamical Social Psychology Lab at Florida Atlantic University, to get a better idea of why forming connections is so difficult and how to take the first step in doing it.

“In today’s world, especially young people, with all the time spent on social media looking at their screens, they lost the usual sort of synchronous, nonverbal behaviors that occur in faceto-face interactions,” says Dr. Vallacher.

Putting down the phone is step one, but doing so is easier

said than done.“What social media does, is it doesn’t always tell you what you want,” says Dr. Vallacher.“It gives you things you can’t look away from.”The addictiveness of social media isn’t a bug, either; it’s a feature.

“The people who make the algorithms understand psychology and what hooks people.”

To limit screen time, Dr. Vallacher suggests making a positive goal rather than a negative one.“Rather than trying to say ‘don’t do this,’ think what you can do in very detailed terms, and it’s easier to regulate and control yourself,” says Dr. Vallacher.“Spend 15 minutes in the morning or 20 minutes in the afternoon; make a very detail-specific plan.”

Once the phone is cast aside, however, the real work begins.

“Life is inherently awkward,” says Dr. Vallacher.“That fear of rejection is a very strong force,” one that requires a fair amount of courage to overcome.“You’ve got to take a risk and realize

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The History of New Year’s Resolutions The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions

everyone’s in the same boat you are. People learn from failures and setbacks. ... But until you get to that point where you’re willing to take a risk, you’re not going to improve.”

dates back to the Babylonians more than 4,000 years ago. The new year began on the vernal equinox with a 12-day festival called “Akitu” wherein crops were planted, kings were crowned and the Babylonians made promises to pay off their debts before year’s end. The practice was later picked up by the Romans and medieval knights renewing their chivalrous vows, and eventually made its way to America by the 17th century, by which time New Year’s resolutions were so common that it was an amusing exercise to make and break them.

Breaking the Habit

Despite the outpouring over the last half century of research indicating that smoking is just about the worst thing you can do to your body, many of us still fall victim to the siren call of cigarettes. According to a 2021 survey from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 22 percent (more than 60 million) Americans reported using nicotine products in the past 30 days. Quitting smoking may not be easy, but George Van Wie, tobacco cessation coordinator at Everglades Area Health Education Center, has some tips for ditching the cigarettes for your New Year’s resolution.

“The first thing they have to do is decide they want to help themselves,”says Van Wie, and that “they have to change their mindset in terms of what their irrational beliefs are.”This means accepting that cigarettes aren’t the stress relievers we make them out to be.“People believe it helps them relax—it doesn’t—it’s a stimulant, so it kind of has the opposite effect,” says Van Wie, who recommends the same approach of mindset management when it comes to navigating nicotine withdrawal.

“The biggest belief people have is that they will automatically gain weight when they quit smoking,”says Van Wie, and while it’s true that your metabolism does slow down after quitting smoking,“the problem isn’t so much that people quit smoking and their metabolism slows down; it’s that they

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accept that cigarettes aren't stress relievers they are stimulants

substitute [with food].”Van Wie suggests better management of caloric intake, as well as exercise, to avoid weight gain.

While there’s never been a better time to quit smoking due to a burgeoning field of therapeutics including acupuncture, hypnotism, prescription drugs and more, there’s no one-sizefits-all approach.“Really the one thing it comes down to is intent,” says Van Wie.“If somebody wants to quit smoking, then chances are they can do it.”

Keeping the Promise

The key to successfully keeping your New Year’s resolution ultimately relies on the willingness to change. While the concept of a“new year”is attached to ideas of rebirth and new beginnings, it’s still up to you to make it happen.“The people who it’s going to stick with are the people who, on just a random Wednesday, started to make a change in their life,” says Elise Montgomerie, who urges people to find their“why,”their reason for wanting to change in the first place. A New Year’s

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tips find your why! resolution is nothing if not a promise we make to ourselves, which Montgomerie believes should be held sacred.“We find it easier to break promises to ourselves, but in reality that is the worst person that you can do that to,” says Montgomerie.

“It shows the world how they can treat you.”

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As the state explodes with growth, there are still people fighting for its life and legacy Written by MARIE SPEED

S

outh Florida as we knew it is all but gone now. Miami is unrecognizable, Burmese pythons slither through our swamps, water is rising, reefs are bleaching, and traffic chokes I-95.

Glass towers rise along the coastline, vast communities sprout inland on what once was farmland. And there’s more, of course, most of it pointing to a grim future for the state.

But not so fast. What about the people and the groups who are trying to save South Florida? The ones who are springing into action to ward off more damage? Here are a few people we found who are committed to fighting back—the guardians and advocates and keepers of the dream.

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FRIENDS OF THE EVERGLADES

E

ve Samples traces the lineage of Friends of the Everglades directly to its founder, the legendary Marjory Stoneman Douglas, who launched it in Miami in 1969. Now based in Stuart, its mission is to “preserve, protect and restore the only Everglades in the world,”a region that pretty much consumes most of South Florida, from north of Orlando south to the Florida Keys. Samples, who is executive director of the group, says most of the work done these days takes place in the advocacy and legislative arena, where stakes

on what was once all swampland—the greater Everglades. We have drained and replumbed the system to allow for commercial, residential and agricultural development, and now we are artificially managing this system and trying to keep all these competing stakeholders happy. Unfortunately, in recent years, flawed water management has opened the floodgates to toxic algae moving into populated areas—and meanwhile, we are still starving the southern Everglades of needed clean water.”

Samples says climate change and sea

to be a lot more costly to overdevelop and pollute Florida’s waters than if we do the right things now and keep safeguards in our regulatory systems.”

Friends of the Everglades tracks legislation through Tallahassee, and beats back “bad bills”that dilute environmental protections. The group, like so many others, faces powerful and well-funded special interest groups and lobbyists representing developers, big agriculture, big corporations—with ready access to lawmakers.

“But we have people power,” Samples

IF WE ORGANIZE PEOPLE POWER PROPERLY, WE CAN REALLY CREATE CHANGE.

—EVE SAMPLES

JOHN WALTHER/TNS VIA ZUMA PRESS WIRE

have become increasingly high. We asked Samples to pinpoint the top five issues facing natural South Florida today.

“Overdevelopment,”she says.“Florida is the fastest-growing state in the country right now, and we unfortunately have seen an unraveling of our growth management laws that coincide with this huge population boom. … Number two would be water quality. Florida is really facing a crisis in terms of nutrient pollution of its waterways—mainly phosphorous and nitrogen. Number three would be water management—the way we move water in Florida. We have the fastest-growing state of the country built

Marjory Stoneman Douglas

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level rise are next on the list, as well as invasive species. She knows her work is cut out for her—and it often depends on the kindness of strangers.

“So many Floridians are really concerned about the disappearance of our last remaining green spaces, the pollution of our waterways, the loss of wildlife. So we are focused on mobilizing grassroots groups and people to make a positive impact—and hold back the worst of these impacts. We’re not naïve; it’s really an uphill battle in Florida. There is so much money in politics, there is so much intense development pressure. … But we know in the long term it’s going

says.“We know that if we organize that people power properly, that we can really create change and we can overcome that big obstacle. The other obstacle we face is apathy—the opposite of people power. Fortunately, I think a lot of Florida is tuned into what’s at stake right now because of climate change and sea level rise, because of the overdevelopment so many of us are seeing in our communities. I’m not sensing a lot of apathy at the moment. People just want to know how they can make a difference.”

Samples says people have to show up for local government meetings, learn about issues, sign up for alerts through the Friends of the Everglades newsletter (register at everglades.org). They need to hold elected officials accountable. They need to vote. And one more thing, she says:“Get out into nature. Bring others into nature. … Make time to enjoy natural Florida, because that can re-energize us for the many battles we are engaged in.”

As for those battles, she thinks she knows what Marjory Stoneman Douglas would say today: “Keep giving ‘em hell.”

WEB EXTRA: For more of Samples’ take on Florida’s looming environmental issues, and for a statement from the Coalition for Coastal Preservation, visit BOCAMAG.COM/ JANUARY-2024.

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LEAH VOSS

Eve Samples

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COMMUNITY GREENING

M

ark Cassini and Matt Shipley (who has since left the organization) launched Community Greening in Delray in 2016 on a mission to, like the Lorax, restore trees to the land, most notably communities across South Florida. Now executive director, Cassini says that between overdevelopment and hurricanes and planting the wrong trees, South Florida needs a lot more, well, greening.

“People were concerned about shade trees coming down and the loss of green spaces and more and more palm trees going up,” he says.“[That’s how] the community loses all the benefits that trees provide

reduces a lot of heat-related illness. They clean the air, they reduce stormwater and flooding, they provide food. … The list goes on and on …”

Cassini says Community Greening’s goal is“to increase the tree canopy and to educate the public on the benefits of trees and really to have a sustainable and resilient urban forest.”

In fact, Delray is behind the 8-ball when it comes to its tree canopy. Cassini says a healthy tree canopy should hover around 35 to 45 percent; Delray’s is at 23 percent.

(Boynton is at 16 percent, West Palm Beach is at 25 percent, and The Glades is at a very low 6 percent.) And like so much these

“There is something called tree equity, which means that trees aren’t equally distributed throughout the community,” Cassini says.“The distribution follows the story of race and income. There are parts of Delray Beach that have a 40-percent tree canopy and parts that have a 15-percent canopy. You can trace it back to redlining, where some communities were invested in, and some were not. ... We are trying to plant trees where they are needed most, and we’re focused on areas with a lower tree canopy.”

Cassini says things are improving as the program branches out. In its third year of its“10,000 Tree” campaign, Community

WHEN PEOPLE COME OUT TO A TREE PLANTING, THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE A PART OF SOMETHING, AND THEN THERE'S A BIGGER MEANING FOR WHERE THEY LIVE.

—MARK CASSINI

us. South Florida’s hot, and trees produce shade; they can reduce the temperature by 10 degrees. Having shaded areas also

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days, a healthy tree canopy can be correlated to the degree of community investment—and income.

Greening has planted 2,000 trees a year.

“This past year, we planted at Carver Middle School, Atlantic High School, Plumosa, Orchard View Elementary; at some of those places we planted 200 trees on campus. … Sometimes we’ll have 100 people come out, and they will plant all the trees, and then the Youth Tree Team [Community Greening’s growing squad of paid high school interns] will come out and stake the trees and water them. We’ll maintain those trees for a year to establish them.”

Community Greening, funded by cities, foundations, state government and private donations, maintains an office at the Social Impact Lab at Lynn University, where its Engagement and Communications Director Josh Weiner says the biggest challenge is “trying to fulfill the need for trees. … More and more people are getting interested in building sustainable communities and fighting against the changing climate.”

Cassini says simply,“We’ll be planting trees our whole careers in South Florida”as he sees the program growing throughout the county, fostering a sense of pride and place.

“People want to work side by side to improve the place they share as their home.

It’s building community.”

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TARA INC PHOTOGRAPHY

Right, Mark Cassini at a tree planting demonstration; below, a Community Greening tree giveaway event; bottom, a tree planting group

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WE ARE A BLUE PLANET; WITHOUT HEALTHY OCEANS, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO INHABIT EARTH.

—SHELBY THOMAS

Left and above, an artificial reef from Ocean Rescue Alliance; inset, a coral planting. Opposite page, the Ocean Rescue Alliance team at work.

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OCEAN RESCUE ALLIANCE of Ocean Rescue Alliance], which was an artistic artificial reef concept to use a symbol of the mermaid to create that personal connection to the ocean,”Thomas says.“I fell in love with the art. It brings a different perspective that’s more relatable and is also a way to invest in a customizable dive site.

In addition to coastal protection, you can bring added value to coastal destinations.”

The largest eco art project in Florida to date is the 1000 Mermaids Reef near Hollywood Beach, but there is another about five minutes from the inlet off Riviera Beach, and the group is helping build the large Reef Line project in South Beach, a seven-mile underwater snorkel park. Thomas says she hopes to bring a reef to Boca Raton as well.

Thomas says artificial reefs start working literally within hours, attracting fish, sponges and eventually coral. It’s a start, she says.

“Reefs are extremely important for our food sources, from fish to ecosystem services. The ocean helps produce more oxygen than even land plants. People don’t realize how our ability to live on this planet is reliant on healthy oceans. We are a blue planet; without healthy oceans we would not be able to inhabit Earth.”

For more information, please contact Info@ oceanrescuealliance.org.

MAKING WAVES PRODUCTIONS/ TIMOTHY SULLIVAN

W

hen Shelby Thomas watched a coral reef die within only three days on a college dive trip, she changed her major (which was microbiology and marine science) to restoration—a move that culminated in 2019 in the creation of the Ocean Rescue Alliance, which makes and installs artificial reefs.

“We specialize in designing artificial man-made structures to replicate natural reef geology and habitat,”she says.“On top of that, we outplant living species of corals, oysters and mangroves so we are able to do hybrid reefs that really serve the marine environment and expand regions where we can do restoration.”

If Thomas speaks like a scientist, it’s because she is one, with a background in marine ecology and a Ph.D. in fisheries and aquatic sciences specializing in marine biology. She says the dying off of coral reefs is largely through “climate change and stressors from people, from pollution, from ocean acidification. The big coral die-off that happened [last summer] was due to increased water temperatures. … We had a 101-degrees-Fahrenheit surface temperature in July, which is a record.”

And it goes beyond the reefs; Thomas says climate change is“impacting all ocean ecosystems—not just corals—but oyster reefs, fishery populations. You are seeing overfishing and other harmful practices that people do to the environment. … Another would be pollution and plastics; the Pacific Garbage Patch is bigger than some countries. … [But] we address more the localized community aspect through the restoration of corals, oysters and mangroves…”

Still, Thomas says reefs can be out of sight, out of mind—even for people living in Florida. That’s how she decided to endow her work with ways to “connect the public with the ocean.” Enter The 1000 Mermaids Artificial Reef Project, described as“a monumental public EcoArt project,” complete with an installation of mermaid statues to attract divers and snorkelers— drawing in the community through art as well as ecology.

“Initially I got engaged in 2019 with the Thousand Mermaids Project [now part

Shelby Thomas

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PYTHON HUNTING

F

Above, Amy Siewe; opposite page, snake hunter Dusty Crum catches a python, and a python slithers through the Everglades during the Python Challenge

our years ago, in what is arguably the weirdest career move ever made, Amy Siewe traded in her job selling real estate in Indianapolis to hunting Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades.

“I have had a passion and a fascination for snakes ever since I was little— my dad put me in a creek and taught me how to catch all kinds of different critters,” she recalls.“Snakes have always been a part of my world, but it’s always been more of a hobby. I learned about the python problem and came down here to see what it was all about. I caught a python, and I said,‘This is it; this is what I am supposed to be doing.

Finally, I can use this crazy passion that I have and make a difference and help Florida with this epic problem.’”

And it is, indeed, an epic problem. The United States Geological Survey cites the nonnative Burmese python breeding in South Florida “one of the most concerning invasive species in Everglades National Park.”A 2012 study says,“populations of raccoons had dropped 99.3 percent, opossums 98.9 percent, and bobcats 87.5 percent since 1997. Marsh rabbits, cottontail rabbits and foxes effectively disappeared.”

The situation has only grown more dire in the ensuing decade.

There are several theories on how the pythons got their start—people releasing pets, and Hurricane Andrew destroying a python breeding facility in 1992, releasing snakes into the nearby swamps. But they are here now—no one is sure how many—and people like Amy Siewe are out to get them.

“Where I live in Naples, we weren’t really finding any pythons along the U.S. 41 stretch four years ago. Every night when I would go hunting at dusk, I would see marsh rabbits all up and down the road.

Last year, I caught a ton of pythons right outside of where I live. This year I’ve only seen two marsh rabbits. There is an abso-

I CAUGHT A PYTHON, AND I SAID, ‘THIS IS IT. THIS IS WHAT I’M SUPPOSED TO BE DOING. 78

—AMY SIEWE

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MEDIA DRUM WORLD VIA ZUMA PRESS GREG LOVETT/THE PALM BEACH POST/ZUMAPRESS.COM

lute direct correlation between the pythons showing up and the animals disappearing.”

And worse, Siewe says, the snakes are very hard to spot.“They are so incredibly cryptic. Because you don’t really see them.

Unless you are out late at night on the roads at the right time and at the right place, you are not going to see them. Or in the winter, unless you know where they’re breeding it’s almost impossible to find them, even as a hunter. Our method of hunting in summer is to drive up and down the roads and levees with huge spotlights on our trucks, going slow, looking for the pythons that are on the move. That’s how we find them.

“We are looking for a pattern. They spend 85 percent of their time not moving. We have to get them during the 15 percent of the time that they are on the move. So we’ll see them coming up to the road, crossing the road, going parallel to the road—sometimes you can only see a couple of inches of them, but you can see their pattern.”

Siewe has a love/hate relationship with snakes. On one hand, she finds them fascinating, and they don’t scare her. On the other hand, she knows they don’t belong here; she knows they have to be euthanized, as much as she wishes that were not the case.

“Florida has more than 500 invasive species between plants, insects, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, all of it, but pythons are the biggest problem, because they have voracious appetites, because they have no predators aside from us,”Siewe says.“We are hunting them, and it’s not even that effective.

This is going to change the landscape of the entire ecosystem here in Florida. It already has. We might not even know the full ramifications of this for 20 years. Because whenever an animal in an ecosystem as intricate as the Everglades disappears, it has an effect on everything else …”

Siewe’s biggest snake so far was 17.3 feet and 110 pounds. Her count for this year at the time of this writing was 128. She owns a guide business now (Python Huntress) to complement her personal snake hunting vocation. She never knows if she’ll catch a snake when she ventures out. But the passion is there; she knows her work matters.

“To be able to do this keeps me going.

I’m in my element when I’m out there. This is what I do. This is what I’m good at. Every night I get to go out, and my office is the Everglades. It’s amazing. I get to go catch snakes, and I am doing something good for Florida.”

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FLORIDA STYLE & DESIGN › ›

Turn the page for more on this inviting and uncluttered Manalapan kitchen from designer Shannon Callahan

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JESSICA GLYNN

K I T C H E N A N D BAT H PRODUCTS

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FLORIDA STYLE & DESIGN

KITCHEN & BATH

Character Study Kitchens are the heart of a home and a beloved entertainment hub, so it’s essential for them also to reflect their owners’ styles. These six charismatic kitchens celebrate unique personalities thanks to the talented designers who infused the spaces with the look and feel their clients craved.

Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

Shannon Callahan

MARC-MICHAELS INTERIOR DESIGN, INC.

With serene ocean views flooding this Manalapan kitchen, Shannon Callahan delivered an equally calming kitchen space where her clients can entertain and cook large meals for their loved ones. She says the homeowners are captivating storytellers, so she envisioned this area where they’d share a few laughs among friends. The contemporary space’s heroes are the quartzite slabs the homeowners personally selected. The stunning waterfall island, with its soft grey-blue hue and white, inky blue and deep green veins, complements the countertop quartzite boasting a similar color but with crystallized sections. It was important to Callahan that their coloration contrasted with the cabinetry but didn’t deflect from the calming tone of the space. She continued that tranquil feel with wood that is bleached but still warm. High-gloss cabinets, acrylic refrigerator door pulls and the blown glass pendants add subtle reflectivity to the space without distracting from the 15,000-square-foot home’s ocean views.

Shannon Callahan

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JESSICA GLYNN

The clients requested a clean space devoid of countertop clutter, so designer Callahan provided plenty of storage.

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KITCHEN & BATH

BRANTLEY

FLORIDA STYLE & DESIGN

Armour’s careful use of color is seen in the blue-and-white porcelain and sterling silver accents alongside the two different backsplashes and fabric prints.

Jackie Armour ▲ JMA INTERIOR DESIGN

Embracing her clients’ Scandinavian heritage, Jackie Armour designed this new traditional kitchen with sleek lines, pops of color and stylish patterns—a bona fide mix of classic and fresh design elements. Armour’s clients were keen on color, so she went with bespoke soft blue-gray cabinetry and added to the space’s sophisticated feel with glass doors where her clients could showcase their Blue Danube china collection. The second island, perfect for hosting a relaxed meal or cocktails, features custom upholstered stools with a vibrant pattern that nods to traditional Scandinavian homespun prints. Ava WJ Mosaic tiles make the kitchen’s backsplash pop and are balanced with subtle Pompeii quartz countertops. The steely blue hue of the Hobe Sound 6,500-square-foot home interior elegantly melds the kitchen with the adjacent living and dining rooms.

Jim Dove

JIM DOVE DESIGN

After chatting with these first-time clients, Jim Dove clearly understood the entertainment style that drove this kitchen’s design. Their vision for this new space inspired Dove to curate an alluring and functional area for loved ones to come together— whether to cook, drink or hang out. The second island, dubbed the social island, offers seating and is steps away from the coffee bar, where guests can conveniently satisfy those morning caffeine cravings. The space’s custom gray cabinetry features shimmering metal banding on the custom hood and islands, creating a compelling contrast with the rustic brick flooring.“It reflects the glamour and sophistication that the clients possess,”he says. The subdued porcelain backsplash and countertops allow the cabinetry to truly shine in this 6,000-squarefoot Wellington residence.

Jim Dove

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Krista W. Alterman KRISTA + HOME

EVE GREENDALE

Taking inspiration from her client’s love for Bali and earthy tones, Krista Alterman designed a modern Balinese kitchen with a global vibe for this Palm Beach home. The client leaned more toward dimmer shades, so the designer focused on dark woods and finishes, balancing them with organic materials, including statement chandeliers crafted from organic banana bark.

Alterman explains the space she created for her clients reflects their personalities perfectly.“They wanted a space with a ‘cool’ factor—something a bit on the bohemian side but still luxurious.”They also craved something unexpected. Alterman delivered by showcasing Opustone slate gray porcelain with marbling throughout the space, from the countertops to the backsplash. She also chose custom cabinetry boasting a moody black finish. The designer sheathed the ceiling in shiplap to bring light into the kitchen, and painted it in Benjamin Moore Sheep’s Wool.

The space overlooks the luminous Intracoastal with floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a dynamic pairing of twilight interiors and spectacular views.

TROY CAMPBELL

With this yearlong project, Dove teamed statement pieces and daring details to create the personalized kitchen his clients desired.

January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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FLORIDA STYLE & DESIGN

KITCHEN & BATH

Daniel Kahan ▲

SMITH AND MOORE ARCHITECTS

Designer Daniel Kahan created this epic, mid-century modern kitchen with seamless, streamlined precision. His clients wanted the space to be as edited and clean as the rest of the home, so that meant hiding elements more than usual, including the oven and appliances integrated into the cabinets. Fostering the simple lines, Kahan used vertical grain rift-sawn oak boasting a strong consistency in the wood grain.“The space is understated and simple but specific,”he says.“It is exacting and quiet at the same time.”The kitchen doesn’t feel like a kitchen when the cabinetry is closed, because everything was integrated into it as much as possible. Special reveals between cabinets provide a simple graphic grid of panels that open as necessary for distinct functions. The 6,000-square-foot home’s kitchen overlooks the garden with floor-toceiling windows, so it was essential to the client that the space, even in the evening, resembles a vignette and looks just as stunning from the outside looking in.

MICHAEL STAVARIDIS

To support the wood cabinetry, Kahan chose simple elements, including a subdued concrete floor, a quiet quartzite countertop and petite oak cylinders that provide a soft light. The dining table and chairs are vintage.

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Ashley Warren

MCCANN DESIGN GROUP

For this spec home, designer Ashley Warren wanted to create a warm and inviting kitchen where its future homeowners could cook and entertain with ease. So, creating a functional chef’s and butler’s kitchen with a full grill became a priority. She also added lively pops of color while keeping the backdrop of the oceanfront Palm Beach house notably neutral. Warren designed a classic and clean-lined kitchen with glazed clear cypress cabinetry featuring a combination of shaker style and flat panel drawers. But she also added hints of glamour with the Mosaic House backsplash and walls. The leathered Taj Mahal quartzite countertops give the space texture while providing durability. The gorgeous banquette, upholstered in a Carolina Irving fabric and detailed with a Pintura Studio accent pillow, uses free space while opening the kitchen to the adjacent family room. It is bookended with warm rattan McGuire chairs.

SARGENT PHOTOGRAPHY

The pandemic caused the project to take about two and a half years to complete, but now that it’s finished, this 14,000-square-foot home is ready to welcome its new homeowners.

January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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FLORIDA STYLE & DESIGN

PRODUCTS

SET THE MOOD Transform

any bathroom into a spa-like oasis using organic textures, soothing colors and luxurious accessories.

1. Bisbee 48” freestanding double vanity set, $1,999, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Boca Raton, fergusonshowrooms.com.

2. Tamara burl wall cabinet, $698, Anthropologie, Palm Beach Gardens, anthropologie.com.

3. Williams Sonoma Beach House diffuser, large, $34.99, Williams Sonoma, Boca Raton, williams-sonoma. com. 4. Dolomiti vanity tray, $420, Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton, neimanmarcus.com.

5. Tura lattice teak bath mat, $49.95, Crate & Barrel, Boca Raton, crateandbarrel. com. 6. Triplo Bourdon bath sheets, $235, Frette, Bal Harbour, frette.com.

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Saturday, January 27, 2024 Party starts at 6 pm

COCK TAI L S , S I LE NT AUCTI O N , D I N N E R & CO N C E R T SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO - HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA

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Nicko McBrain’s Dodgy Enterprise (A Bad Company tribute) and

All-Star Jam Band

with classic rock performers Please join us in celebrating our HomeSafe Hero Bob Sheetz and Debbie Lindstrom CELEBRITY HOST Nicko McBrain, Iron Maiden Drummer PARTY CO-CHAIRS Rex Kirby & Kelly Smallridge | Larry & Gina Melby

For 44 years, HomeSafe has been a nationally accredited non-profit protecting South Florida’s most vulnerable residents – victims of child abuse and domestic violence. The organization is a leading provider of prevention and intervention services, helping more than 15,000 infants, children, young adults, and families each year.

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Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation wants to thank and honor our extraordinary donors who, throughout our history, have given gifts of $1 million or more to Boca Regional.† Your continued dedication has enabled our hospital to be the preeminent regional leader in healthcare delivery and the hospital of choice for patients, physicians, employees and volunteers. We are truly grateful for all that you do. † As of November 9. 2023

Beverly and Joel Altman Márton B. Anka Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Assaf Eleanor R. Baldwin Stanley & Marilyn Barry and the Barry Family Foundation James and Marta Batmasian Jonathan and Laura Beinner Sandra and Malcolm Berman Steven E. Bernstein Family Foundation Richard Blackman Hannah and Leonard Blank Jean Blechman Brenda and Jeffrey Bleustein Doris G. Bookmyer Edward and Freyda Burns Bobby Campbell Don L. Clymer Family Foundation Toby and Leon Cooperman Debra and Michael Coslov Gladys L. Davis Debbie-Rand Memorial Service League Peggy and Phillip DeZwirek Mrs. Elizabeth K. Dodson Jan Ellman Jack A. and Norma Erdle Harvey and Nadine Erdle Lee and Brenda E. Moss Barbara and Howard Farkas Diane and Lawrence Feldman Frances W. Ferrara Samuel M. Fineman Herbert and Ann D. Fisher Family Marla and Steve Garchik Jean and John Gerson Louis B. and Anne W. Green Martin F. and Tali Greenberg Jay and Azize Grunin

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Beverly and Robert Robb Ken and Maggie Rosenberg Matthew and Hilary Rosenthal Sandra and Marvin Rubin zDr. Gail Rubin-Kwal and Richard M. Kwal Phyllis and Harvey Sandler The Harvey and Phyllis Sandler Foundation, Inc. Constellation Brands - Sands Family Foundation SBA Communications Corporation Betty and Bill Scaggs Marla L. Schaefer and Steven Weishoff Barbara Schmidt SCHMIDT FAMILY FOUNDATION Richard Schmidt SCHMIDT FAMILY FOUNDATION Debbie Lindstrom & Bob Sheetz Cynthia and Bruce Sherman Myrna Gordon Skurnick Mason Slaine Martin and Toni Sosnoff Simone Stakolt Tolksdorf Fran and Stuart Steinberg Fern and Manfred Steinfeld Family Mary K. Stewart Thea and James M. Stoneman Sun Capital Partners Foundation, Inc. Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation Diane and Richard Templer Joseph Trubinsky and Holli Rockwell Trubinsky Tyco Industries Benjamin Volen Anita and Norton Waltuch Helene and Stephen Weicholz

Kessack D. White Elaine J. Wold and Family Madeline and Montague Wolfson zPhysician donor on staff at Boca Raton Regional Hospital

11/28/2023 4:10:16 PM

THIS IS NOT YOUR GRANDPARENT’S FEDERATION. Whether you’re from the area or a newcomer, 3049 is a whole new division with infinite possibilities. We are building a welcoming space for those looking to build friendships and make an impact on the local and global Jewish community. The Federation’s Premier Division Connecting Adults 30 to 49 to the Community – and Each Other!

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Performances • Events • Exhibitions

THE GREATER BOCA RATON CULTURAL CONSORTIUM, INC. Boca Ballet Theatre

Florida Atlantic University College of Arts & Letters

561-995-0709 mail@bocaballet.org

561-297-3810 theatre@fau.edu

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561-392-2500 info@bocamuseum.org

The Boca Raton Historical Society & The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum 561-395-6766 office@bocahistory.org

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Florida Intergenerational Orchestra of America 561-922-3134 info@fioa.org

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Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County

561-544-8605 info@gumbolimbo.org 561-997-2677 info@harid.edu

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ARTSINBOCA.ORG

B A C K S TA G E PA S S

Candace Bushnell, appearing Jan. 26-28 at Kravis Center

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B AC K S TAG E PA S S

TAKE 5

Cheryl Steinthal

The leader of the New Florida Follies still gets a kick out of her ageless ensemble Written by JOHN THOMASON

W

hen Cathy Dooley started the senior dance group the Florida Follies, in 2000, it was a modest enterprise: a dozen dancers, and a single annual performance.

Twenty-four years later, the New

Florida Follies—as the group was rechristened, in 2018, under the leadership of Artistic Director/ Choreographer Cheryl Steinthal—the corps comprises nearly 40 dancers, who perform an 11show season in three venues—in

I find the [over-80] dancers so inspiring. ... I’ve always said, I want to be them when I grow up.”

—Cheryl Steinthal

Boca Raton, Coconut Creek and Fort Lauderdale.

While the group’s youngest member is 57, she’s an outlier.

Nine of the dancers, known as the Follies’“Precious Gems,” range from 76 to 95; the oldest, Cindy Trinder, still performs a full split in the show.“And she gets up by herself,” adds Steinthal.

“She doesn’t dance in the show as much as she used to, because she’s lost her patience for learning the routines, but she’s still quite feisty. She’s really with it, and comes to every rehearsal.”

Steinthal, 69, has been dancing since the age of 4. She’s performed on the famous Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and she’s been a Radio City Rockette and a Ziegfeld Girl.

But much of her career has thrived outside the footlights, as a choreographer and dance instructor. It wasn’t until 2015, when she attended her first performance by the original Florida Follies, that she decided to “go back and complete the circle, and see what it’s like to be dancing onstage again. I thought, I can’t believe we’re getting to do this in our golden years.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The New Florida Follies: “The Broadway Beat!”

WHERE: Countess de Hoernle Theater at Spanish River High School, 5100 Jog Road, Boca Raton WHEN: 2 p.m. Feb. 4 and 18, and March 17 and 24 COST: $35 CONTACT: 561/619-6408, thenewfloridafollies.com

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The New Florida Follies

What’s unique or distinguishable about your productions?

What distinguishes us is we do Rockette-style tap numbers and lots of tap dancing; we have now incorporated jazz into the show, and I also do production numbers.

This year, our theme is Broadway, so there will be lots of musical theatre production numbers in addition to dance numbers. It’s not an adult dance recital.

It’s an extravaganza of song and dance, and we also have a featured couple that will be singing and dancing in between our dance numbers.

Why is it important that the Follies is largely a senior dance group?

I think the message we give to the young kids that are in dance class right now is, look what you can do. And to the people in our age range, we say, look what you can be doing. … Get up, exercise, move. …

We just stay vibrant and alive and young because we’re still dancing.

How important are the Follies in the creative and social lives of your performers?

I think it is tremendously important. … The Follies is like a family. … We take the month

of April off, and then we start up in May. They can’t wait to get started again, because they go out to lunch after rehearsal, and we just share so much of our lives together. It’s a very important part of everyone’s life.

What are the most impressive backgrounds that your dancers bring to the Follies?

One year, I was lucky enough that there were five former Rockettes all dancing together in the show. Then we have a lady who is going to turn 90, and she performed at the Latin Casino in New Jersey; she was a dancer and a showgirl.

Still at 90, she brings that air. Then we have three former NFL cheerleaders, and we have someone that was a June Taylor Dancer. We have had people on Broadway. And then we have somebody that danced as a child, took off to have children, and then found tap dancing again.

We had one person who had worked on Wall Street for 30 years. We have many schoolteachers. You put us all together, and it’s an amazing group of people.

We also have three men—and two of them were architects! We try to give something for everyone.

What is an inspiring story that has come out of your work with the New Florida Follies?

I find the whole thing inspiring. And sometimes it’s been the over-80s. When I saw the show the first time, and they said the ages, I found them so inspiring. I’ve always said, I want to be them when I grow up.

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January 2024

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Through Jan. 7:

Through March 10:

Through April 4:

“Tevye in New York!” at Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 N.W. Ninth St., Delray Beach; various show times; $44; 561/272-1281, delraybeachplayhouse.com. This one-man show by Tom Dugan (writer and performer of “Wiesenthal”) imagines a future for the dairyman protagonist of “Fiddler on the Roof,” conceiving a sequel in which Tevye and his family arrive on Ellis Island in 1914.

“Presence: The Photography Collection of Judy Glickman Lauder” at Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; $15-$18 museum admission; 561/832-5196, norton.org.

This exhibition of 20th century photography, divided into four themed sections, celebrates the art form’s unique ability to provide “presence” across styles ranging from landscapes and portraits to surrealism and street photography.

“Stories on the Planet: Jewelry of Asagi Maeda” at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach; $9-$15 museum admission; 561/995-0233, morikami.org. Maeda is a metalsmith whose creations often resemble Rube Goldberg structures, apartment interiors, even entire cityscapes, while doubling as rings, necklaces and earrings.

It’s worth bringing a magnifying glass to examine every detail of her wearable sculptures.

“Presence” exhibition

Selwyn Birchwood

Koto New Year Music Performance

Jan. 3-17:

Jan. 6:

Jan. 7:

“The Sunshine Boys” at West Boca Theatre Company at Levis JCC, 21050 95th Ave. S., Boca Raton; 2 p.m. Wed. and Sun., 7:30 p.m. Sat.; $40; 561/852-3200, levisjcc.org.

Neil Simon’s 1972 comedy, famously adapted for film in 1975 and 1996, follows a pair of estranged vaudevillians forced to reopen old wounds—and perhaps discover some new jokes—when asked to reunite for a “History of Comedy” TV special.

Selwyn Birchwood at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $35-$40; 561/450-6357, artsgarage. org. Boasting gravelly vocals, a trademark Afro and a barefoot exuberance, blues-rock singer-songwriter Birchwood is one of the genre’s brightest lights, continuing to build his funky, rootsy sound since winning the International Blues Challenge in 2013. The Orlando native’s latest release is 2021’s Living in a Burning House.

Koto New Year Music Performance at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach; noon and 2:30 p.m.; $9-$15 museum admission, plus $5; 561/995-0233, morikami.org. Yoshiko Carlton, a teacher of the traditional Japanese stringed instrument known as the koto, will lead her Morikami students through a delightful program of music to celebrate new beginnings in 2024.

bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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Through April 14:

Through April 21:

Through April 28:

Jan. 2-7:

“Smoke and Mirrors: Magical Thinking in Contemporary Art” at Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; $12$16 museum admission; 561/392-2500, bocamuseum.org. The museum’s high-season exhibition explores magical thinking in dual contexts—as the fodder for ostensibly innocent stage illusionists and as the pernicious calling card of professional charlatans—asking us, rightly, to question everything.

“Dorotha Grace Lemeh: Cycles” at Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; $12$16 museum admission; 561/392-2500, bocamuseum.org. Borrowing inspiration from historical, seasonal and environmental cycles, this solo exhibition from collagist/mixed-media artist Lemeh examines, with both urgency and humor, how our social and cultural choices affect the world around us.

“Flora Imaginaria: The Flower in Contemporary Photography” at Society of the Four Arts Sculpture Garden, 100 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach; free; 561/6557227, fourarts.org. “Flora Imaginaria” focuses on the flower’s impact on photography. Mounted in the Four Arts’ Hulitar Sculpture Garden—nestled among actual flowers—the exhibition features 71 photographs by 49 artists, among them Martin Schoeller and filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; various show times; $39-$109; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. Aaron Sorkin scripted this daringly free adaptation of Harper Lee’s novel about race and justice in the Deep South, which positions Atticus Finch (played

by Richard Thomas), the crusading defense attorney, as the protagonist, not his daughter Scout. The show’s Broadway premiere earned nine Tony nominations in 2019.

“Smoke and Mirrors”

Styx

“Flora Imaginaria”

“To Kill a Mockingbird”

Jan. 7:

Jan. 10:

Jan. 11-Feb. 11:

Jan. 12-21:

Styx at Pompano Beach Amphitheater, 1806 N.E. Sixth St., Pompano Beach; 7 p.m.; $74.50; pompanobeacharts. org. With founding members Chuck Panozzo and James Young still at the helm, Styx continues to build off the legacy of its influential first decade, performing megahits and deep cuts that cover its wide-ranging sonic palette, from progressive and hard rock to soft rock and power ballads. Arrive early for opening act Edwin McCain.

American Patchwork Quartet at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $35; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. This ace quartet reimagines treasures of early American roots music, weaving a “nation of immigrants” narrative into its entrancing takes on classics from “Wayfaring Stranger” to “Shenandoah,” for an uplifting sound that fits snugly into folk and jazz festivals alike.

“Fiddler on the Roof” at the Wick Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; various show times; $94; 561/995-2333, thewick. org. This Jerry Bock/Sheldon Harnick musical centers, of course, on Tevye, who toils as a milkman while raising three strong-willed daughters in a village in Imperial Russia. Its themes, including the preservation of religious tradition amid accelerating cultural change, have transcended the musical itself.

“Disenchanted” at the Studio at Mizner Park, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; various show times; $55-$65; 561/203-3742, thestudioatmiznerpark.com. Fans of “Into the Woods” may appreciate this similarly revisionist interpretation of the Grimm fairy tales-turned-Disneyproducts. A hit off-Broadway, the musical features heroines from stories such as “Snow White” and “Cinderella” as they shed their tiaras and share their truth.

January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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January 2024

B AC K S TAG E PA S S

CALENDAR

Jan. 14:

Jan. 16-April 14:

Jan. 17:

Choro Das 3 at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 7 p.m.; $40-$45; 561/450-6357, artsgarage. org. Masters of the Brazilian popular music genre known as choro, this trio of talented sisters—Corina Ferreira on flute, piccolo and percussion; Lia Ferreira on seven-string guitar; and Elisa Ferreira on mandolin, banjo, clarinet, accordion and piano; will perform a delightful set of the spirited, syncopated, improv-heavy music.

“Alphonse Mucha: Master of Art Nouveau” at Flagler Museum, 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach; $26 museum admission; 561/655-2833, flaglermuseum.us. Born in what is now the Czech Republic, artist Mucha moved to Paris in the late 1800s and quickly became a figurehead of the burgeoning art nouveau movement. This revealing exhibition showcases his mastery of the sinuous, harmonious style, as well as the heady milieu from which it sprung.

Luis Alas with Carlos Camilo & the Live Dimension at Boca Black Box, 8221 Glades Road, Suite 10, Boca Raton; 8 p.m.; $37.50-$42.50; 561/4839036, bocablackbox.com.

Influenced by John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, Miami-based saxophonist Alas has played with major names from Anita Baker to Jon Secada, while forging his own passionate path as a composer and arranger. He’ll perform with jazz-fusion favorites Carlos Camilo & the Live Dimension.

Hip-Hop Orchestra Experience

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“Alphonse Mucha”

“I Wish”

Luis Alas

Jan. 20:

Jan. 26:

Jan. 26-28:

Hip-Hop Orchestra Experience at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; $35 and up; 561/832-7469, kravis. org. Director and pianist JooWan Kim’s boundary-collapsing project fosters a vibe that is equal parts concert performance and club night, as talented MCs rap over a live orchestra, complete with woodwinds, French horns, strings and drums, breathing new life into works by Beethoven, Bach and Mozart.

Screening of “I Wish” at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach; 7 p.m.; $9-$15 museum admission, plus $5-$7; 561/995-0233, morikami.org. Another nuanced portrait of family dynamics from master Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda, “I Wish” centers on a 12-year-old boy who attempts to mend the relationship of his divorced parents through the uncertain logic of an urban legend.

Candace Bushnell at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; various show times; $50-$125; 561/832-7469, kravis.org.

Pioneering “Sex and the City” scribe Bushnell, who modeled Carrie Bradshaw on herself, spearheaded one of HBO’s most successful TV franchises of all-time. Now, she emerges from behind the curtain in this onstage memoir, which covers her whirlwind history of literature, fashion and sex in the Big Apple.

bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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Jan. 18-20:

Jan. 19:

Jan. 19-27:

Jan. 19-Feb. 4:

Jazz Fest at Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd., and Old Town Square, Pompano Beach; 7 p.m. Thurs., 5:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; free; pompanobeacharts.org. Saxophonist Branford Marsalis, whose soulful and luminous tone has brought depths of feeling to collaborations with the Grateful Dead and Sting and to works with his own quartet, will headline this free festival on Jan. 20, preceded by singer-songwriter Lisa Fischer.

Screening of “Dark Waters” at Society of the Four Arts, 102 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach; 5:30 p.m.; $10; 561/655-7226, fourarts.org.

Mark Ruffalo stars in director Todd Haynes’ fact-based, David-and-Goliath legal thriller about a corporate defense attorney who takes on a risky environmental lawsuit against the chemical giant DuPont in the late 1990s. A Q&A with Dr. Edie Widder, co-founder of the Vero Beach-based Ocean Research and Conservation Association, will follow.

“Boeing Boeing” at Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 N.W. Ninth St., Delray Beach; various show times; $39-69; 561/272-1281, delraybeachplayhouse.com. A Guinness World Record holder for the most-performed French play throughout the world, this English translation by Beverley Cross charts the farcical antics when a Parisian lothario, carrying on trysts with three flight attendants, discovers that all of his paramours are scheduled to “lay over” in his Paris apartment at the same time.

“To Life 4” at the Willow Theatre at Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton; various show times; $45; 561/347-3948, sugarsandpark.org. Director Shari Upbin presents her fourth iteration of this song-and-dance-filled toast to the contribution of Jewish composers to the Golden Age of Broadway, featuring anecdotes, fun facts and tunes by Mel Brooks, Marvin Hamlisch, Bette Midler, Jerry Herman, Neil Diamond and others.

“Tosca”

Branford Marsalis

“Dark Waters”

Klezmer Company Orchestra

Jan. 26-28:

Jan. 27:

Jan. 29:

Jan. 31-Feb. 18:

Palm Beach Opera: “Tosca” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.; $25-$180; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. Set during Napoleon’s invasion of Italy, Puccini’s masterpiece “Tosca” contains torture, murder and suicide—all before the final act even begins.

Another day at the operatic office, you might say, in a drama that is as thrilling as it is tragic.

Eddie Bruce: “The Magic and Music of Tony Bennett” at the Studio at Mizner Park, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m.; $35; 561/2033742, thestudioatmiznerpark.com. One of the most inspired interpreters of Tony Bennett’s beloved music makes his South Florida debut, backed by three of our region’s top jazz vocalists, in a celebration of the late crooner’s multigenerational legacy.

“Gershwin, Bernstein & Sondheim in Song: An American Legacy” at Levis JCC, 21050 95th Ave. S., Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m.; 561/8523200, levisjcc.org. Aaron Kula and the Klezmer Company Jazz Orchestra will perform hummable standards by these three titans of musical-theatre and the American songbook, among them “Summertime,” “I Got Rhythm,” “Send in the Clowns” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.”

“Rooted” at Theatre Lab at FAU, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m. Fri.Sat., 3 p.m. Sun.; $35-$45; 561/297-6124, fauevents. com. The Florida premiere of this new work by playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer follows two sisters, Emery and Hazel, longtime shut-ins from upstate New York, who become unexpected internet sensations when a local tree they’re studying begins to accrue a mystical significance.

January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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Dinner and a Show at Piccadilly!

ONE BLOCK WEST OF THE TURNPIKE ON GLADES ROAD NEXT TO THE INTERNATIONAL JEWELERS EXCHANGE

VIEW UPCOMING SHOWS

SKY INDULGE IN THE RICH AND AROMATIC FLAVORS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN.

Uzzo Mediterranean Restaurant 561-918-0605 myuzzo.com

F IN

ENJOY EXCEPTIONAL ENTERTAINMENT WITHIN THE INVITING EMBRACE OF A NEW YORK-STYLE SETTING.

SAVOR THE TASTE OF TRADITIONAL JAPANESE AND CHINESE FARE IN A CONTEMPORARY AMBIENCE.

Boca Black Box Center for the Arts 561-483-9036 bocablackbox.com

SkyFin Asian Bistro 561-556-1688 skyfinasianbistro.com

Keeping the Promise Through transformational gifts from philanthropists like Barbara C. Gutin, Irving & Barbara C. Gutin Charitable Foundation, Boca Raton Regional Hospital has become one of the premier tertiary academic medical centers in Florida.

Mrs. Gutin’s recent largesse of $6 million to the hospital will establish the Barbara C. and Irving Gutin Center for Proton Therapy, at the Eugene M. and Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute located in the Harvey & Phyllis Sandler Pavilion. In Keeping the Promise, we continue to ensure the finest in compassionate care in Boca Raton.

To learn more about the campaign for Boca Raton Regional Hospital, please visit BRRH.com/ KeepingThePromise Photo: Barbara C. Gutin

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DELRAY’S FAVORITE DINNER PARTY IS ON AGAIN—AND FIVE BLOCKS LONG! P R ES ENTED B Y P R ES ENTED B Y

magazine magazine

To learn more about Savor the Avenue, visit Bocamag.com/Savor-The-Avenue-2024 or DowntownDelrayBeach.com/SavorTheAvenue

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12/4/23 9:14 AM

EVENT DE TAILS

WHERE: Right on the street, outdoors on East Atlantic Avenue, at tables stretching from Swinton Avenue to East Fifth Avenue/U.S. 1. #OUTSIDEDINING WHEN: Monday, March 25, 2024, 5:30-9 p.m.

WHO IT BENEFITS: EAT BETTER LIVE BETTER. The mission of Eat Better Live Better is to prevent, reverse and reduce childhood obesity and other dietary-related illnesses by pro-

viding healthy foods and nutrition education to our food-insecure neighbors. The program offers grocery assistance for Palm Beach County families and seniors, and healthy snack packs for children in schools, camps and after-school programs. It provides a turkey to every teacher and support staff in our public schools. Eat Better Live Better’s vision is that all children, families and individuals have access to nutrition education and healthy foods regardless of background or life experiences.

HOW YOU CAN GO: This is a RESERVATION-ONLY style event!! Guests cannot buy tickets to the event; reservations must be made directly with the participating restaurants of your choice. Review the restaurant listings on the following page; menus are available online at bocamag. com/Savor-The-Avenue-2024 or DowntownDelrayBeach.com/SavorTheAvenue or at the restaurant.

But you have to act fast; when reservations open up Feb. 1, 2024, seats go quickly, and the event is usually sold out. Reservations reserved with a credit card depend on each restaurant’s policy. Each restaurant has a limited number of seats at its table on Atlantic Ave for the event. The total capacity for this event is between 900 and 1,000 people. **However, all the restaurants both participating in the event and along the street will be open for dinner service!! That is what makes this event so much FUN! HOW TO CHECK IN AT THE EVENT: REMEMBER: East Atlantic Ave is closed, because the actual event is in the street!! You’ll need to check in at the restaurant location on the Avenue the night of; you’ll get a wristband and a lanyard to identify you as a Savor participant, which you are required to wear. For more particulars, please visit DowntownDelrayBeach.com/SavorTheAvenue.

TABLE DÉCOR CONTEST: Savor the Avenue restaurants will be competing for the “Best in Show” table. From elegant to eclectic, each restaurant stages a unique theme through its table settings to showcase its special style or cuisine. Arrive early and walk the Avenue to view the beautifully decorated tables.

DEBRA SOMERVILLE

WHAT IT IS: This signature tradition of dining under the stars down the middle of Atlantic Avenue is here again—our 15th year!—featuring a multicourse legendary downtown Delray Beach dining experience you won’t want to miss.

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS FROM THE EVENING! #DowntownDelray • #BocaMag • #SavorTheAvenue • #OUTDOORDINING

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DINNERTIME! 5:30 P.M. TO 6:15 P.M.: After checking in, enjoy a welcome drink at a welcome reception provided by each participating restaurant. Locate your seats at Florida’s longest dining table, and prepare to enjoy a beautiful night.

6:15 P.M.: Seating begins, and your Delray hosts will welcome you.

6:30 P.M. TO 9 P.M.: Dinner begins, with four courses of sheer indulgence, served with custom adult beverage pairings.

7:30 P.M.: The table décor contest winner will be announced.

GOING GREAT LENGTHS This year, the layout of Savor will return to its traditional five-block-long dining table, an elegant yet communal experience that is the hallmark of this beloved event.

ATTIRE: Downtown Delray Beach evening casual or themed attire, depending on the restaurant motif.

PARKING: Public parking lots and garage parking are available, as well as some valet locations. Atlantic Avenue will be closed during the event.

Side streets will remain open for vehicle access. (East Atlantic Avenue is closed from Swinton to Federal Highway to vehicle traffic.)

AVAILABLE GARAGES: • Old School Square Parking Garage • Northeast First Street and Northeast First Avenue • Robert Federspiel Garage • Southeast First Avenue between Atlantic and Southeast First Street • 4th & 5th Delray Garage Southeast Fourth Avenue between Atlantic and Southeast First Street Visit DowntownDelrayBeach.com/ Parking for more information.

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS FROM THE EVENING! #DowntownDelray #BocaMag #SavorTheAvenue #OUTDOORDINING We ask that you please Savor responsibly.

Produced by Downtown Development Authority of Delray Beach, FL, Delray magazine and Boca magazine.

THE RESTAURANTS: AVALON STEAK AND SEAFOOD Delray’s sumptuous seafood and chophouse is a crowd pleaser.

CABANA EL REY Our beloved (and hip) Cuban restaurant has all the moves—and great Latin cuisine.

CAFFE LUNA ROSA This oceanside Italian bistro is a tradition for locals as well as tourists.

CITY OYSTER The heart of the Avenue, with its long friendly bar and diverse menu, is a seeand-be-seen dining spot.

COSTA BY OK&M This fresh farm-to-table restaurant features innovative dishes sourced from local vendors.

ELISABETTA’S From pastas to pizzas and a great outdoor porch, this is Delray’s Saturday night central.

LE COLONIAL The Avenue’s glamorous French-Vietnamese dining experience is both chic—and delicious.

LEMONGRASS This Asian restaurant is a tried-and-true Avenue benchmark, with a mean sake selection.

LIONFISH Delray’s buzzy and stylish seafood restaurant has been a hit from day one.

ROCCO’S TACOS Tableside guac, Taco Tuesdays and an epic Avenue hangout make this a Delray fave.

ROCK STEADY STEAKHOUSE This new Delray addition offers a modern spin on the traditional chophouse, with prime steaks and seafood.

ROSE’S DAUGHTER Mom’s Sunday Italian dinner—with a fresh new spin—is elevated comfort food.

SALT 7 An elaborate nightlife merges with creative and flavorful surf and turf at this trendy chophouse.

VIC AND ANGELO’S This longtime Avenue staple is great Italian on the right side of the tracks.

THE WINE ROOM Delray’s definitive wine tasting experience and restaurant has a loyal following.

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SPONSORS * : 4th and 5th Delray Sundy Village International Materials Grimes Events and Party Tents Avalon

*These sponsors reflect sponsors to date at magazine press deadline.

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Celebrating our 40th year serving Authentic Italian Cuisine 6 7 5 0 N o r t h F e d e r a l H i g h w a y, B o c a R a t o n

561-997-7373 w w w. a r t u r o s r e s tau r a n t. c o m

EAT & DRINK JIMMY’S BISTRO REVIEW G A L L AG H E R S S T E A K H O U S E R E V I E W D I S COV E R I E S TA B L E TA L K

› › › ›

130 132 136 142

AARON BRISTOL

Rigatoni Bolognese from Jimmy’s Bistro

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E AT & D R I N K

REVIEW

Jimmy’s Bistro

IF YOU GO PARKING: Street parking / lots nearby HOURS: Sun.–Thurs., 5–9 p.m.; Fri.–Sat., 5-10 p.m.

PRICES: $18–$48 WEBSITE:

jimmysbistrodelray.com

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9 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; 561/865-5774 Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

A

s we settled into our table by the window, I started to hum, “Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name.” At first, I thought it was one of those random tunes that sometimes pop into my thoughts, but then I realized it was just my mind catching up to what I was observing. The waitress warmly greeted guests as they entered (some even by name), and bar patrons chatted among themselves like friends instead of strangers sitting in a row. To say the energy at this quaint bistro is welcoming is an understatement.

Believe it or not, this was my first time dining at Jimmy’s, a Swinton Avenue staple for around 14 years. Perusing the colorful chalkboard menu hanging over the bar, I noticed that many cuisines inspire chef-owner James Mills, and I’m all for it. Jimmy’s Bistro is a casual neighborhood concept with a menu that has a broad appeal. If you’re craving Asian, Latin, Italian or good ol’ American comfort food, it’s all here and more. The waitress also proudly shared that the fish arrives daily from Delray’s Captain Clay and Sons Seafood Market.

We started with the local ceviche ($24), a sizable appetizer portion with homemade chips. True to a classic ceviche, it was citrusy but had a spicy undertone that woke up my palate in the best way possible.

And the red and green peppers gave it a wonderful crunch. We then traveled east with a sampling of the shao mai pork dumplings ($17). They were tender and delicate but also hearty, as they were stuffed—almost exploding—with savory pork and hints of ginger.

For entrées, we chose a voyage to Italy with the house-made rigatoni in a Bolognese sauce ($32). The two-meat pasta was the definition of comfort food. It felt like mom had made it at home, perfecting the art of al dente noodles over many years. The roasted half duck ($48) was more of a chef-driven dish that came out nicely presented on the plate, perfectly seared on the outside and juicy on the inside. It was topped with a sweet orange glaze that made the flavors pop, and I happily dunked my forkful of basmati rice into it as well.

There were only a few dessert options, but we didn’t need more after all that food. I appreciated that the sweet treats were simple; we chose the strawberry tart ($18). It was more of a deconstructed dessert with the berry compote topped with indulgent vanilla ice cream and a slim puff pastry. It was the perfect final flourish to our first dinner. Every neighborhood needs a welcoming restaurant serving consistently delightful dishes from a diverse menu, and downtown Delray is lucky to have just that at Jimmy’s Bistro.

AARON BRISTOL

Clockwise from bottom, shao mai pork dumplings, local ceviche and roasted half duck

bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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xecutive Chef / Restauranteur Steven Botta has added the former Kathy’s Gazebo to his portfolio of high end restaurants. The 40 year tradition of excellence continues in a newly reimagined and newly renovated space.

The name and decor may have changed but the menu has all the old menu favorites with some exciting new ones which will delight the palate. From the moment you arrive you will quickly realize that you have entered a restaurant where old world service is still the norm rather than the exception.

A throwback to the days when where guests become family and a place to make new memories while reminiscing about past ones. Come join us and see what all the excitement is about. We look forward to seeing you. Yevette, Steven and Anthony.

Yevette, Steven and Anthony MARTINI MONDAYS: 50% OFF YOUR FAVORITE MARTINIS & NO CORKAGE FEE 4199 NORTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOCA RATON, FLORIDA 33431

561-395-6033 | thefrenchgazebo.com

E AT & D R I N K

REVIEW

Gallaghers Steakhouse 2006 N.W. Executive Center Circle; 561/559-5800

IF YOU GO PARKING: Valet, parking lot HOURS: Every day from 5–10 p.m.

PRICES: $14–$74 WEBSITE: gallaghersnysteakhouse. com

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here’s a classic steakhouse recipe for success; perfecting it takes time. Gallaghers Steakhouse has had nearly 100 years of practice. At this chophouse, the staff is laser-focused on service, the bar pours stiffly spiritous drinks, and the kitchen dishes out perfectly cooked steaks—a pure embodiment of what you’d expect from a steakhouse. The brand started as a Manhattan theater district speakeasy in 1927, went through several iterations, and today is the standout NY chophouse that opened its only outpost here in our community last summer.

Gallaghers honors its roots and history with a variety of vintage photos of celebrities, athletes, politicians and socialites who have graced its plush banquettes.

The Brody family owned the restaurant for nearly 50 years before they sold it to Dean Poll, a restaurateur who is also the former operator of the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park. Guests will also find a collection of equestrian photography adorning the walls, perhaps a soft nod to the Brodys’ love for horses (the family has owned a horse farm in upstate New York for decades).

Similar to its Big Apple sister restaurant, Gallaghers in Boca has an impressive meat locker on display and a wraparound bar that was bursting with revelry when I visited on a Saturday evening. But I also have an inclination that the bar is busy regardless of the day.

Hoping to capitalize on our weather, this location has an outdoor patio, perfect for enjoying an al fresco meal.

We started with the jumbo lump crab cake ($27)

and the steak tartare ($18). While the crab cake is pricy for an appetizer, it delivered on everything I ever wanted from that dish. It was an abundance of crab with minimal breadcrumbs (unlike what I usually get when I order it around town). It left me extremely satisfied without feeling like I’d eaten a loaf of bread or extra filler. The steak tartare, unfortunately, was another story. It came shaped in a rectangle, dull in color and resembling a piece of spam more than the beefy dish I’ve learned to appreciate and enjoy.

The entrées rolled in on a retro service cart, a nice touch I haven’t seen much in recent years. Now, while this is a steakhouse and Gallaghers proved itself a master of its craft (the filet mignon, at $65, was perfectly cooked and seasoned), in my opinion, what should have been the supporting players outshone the dry-aged star. The stuffed shrimp ($53) were jumbo, crammed with decadent crab and floating in a rich mustard butter sauce. The veal chop parmigiana ($64), oozing with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, was enormous, and perfect for sharing.

Nothing is better than finishing off a decadent meal than a moist, mile-high layered chocolate cake ($12) and a few sips of limoncello ($15) paired with the rumble of your fellow diners all collectively rejoicing in dishes that have been perfected over decades of tweaks. And while they are pricy (not uncommon for steakhouses), the cohesive meal these dishes create is worth experiencing and savoring amongst friends.

AARON BRISTOL

Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

Clockwise from bottom, filet mignon, jumbo lump crab cake and stuffed shrimp

bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

E AT & D R I N K

FLORIDA TABLE

Dining Guide Palm Beach County BOCA RATON Abe & Louie’s —2200 Glades Road. Steakhouse.

All Americans are endowed with certain inalienable rights, among them the right to a thick, juicy, perfectly cooked steak.

At this posh, comfortable (and expensive) meatery, the USDA Prime steaks are indeed thick, juicy and perfectly cooked, also massively flavorful and served in enormous portions.

Don’t miss the New York sirloin or prime rib, paired in classic steakhouse fashion with buttery hash browns and ubercreamy creamed spinach. Chased with an ice-cold martini or glass of red wine from the truly impressive list, it’s happiness pursued and captured. • Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner nightly.

Brunch on Sat. and Sun. 561/447-0024. $$$$

AlleyCat—297 E.Palmetto Park Road. Japanese. Chef Eric Baker’s Japanese izakaya, or a casual spot for drinks and bites, is serving up dishes like sushi, dumplings and fried rice that have an unexpected whimsical element. Here you’ll find king crab tacos and hot fried chicken alongside the hamachi ponzu and spicy scallop roll. And to deliver the freshest sushi in town, he has partnered with celebrated sushi chef David Bouhadana of Sushi by Bou. • Dinner Tues.-Sat. 561/353-5888. $$

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. $$$

Casa D’Angelo

Basilic Vietnamese Grill—200 S. Federal

DINING KEY $: $$: $$$: $$$$:

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Under $17 $18–$35 $36–$50 $50 and up

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

Bluefin Sushi and Thai—861 N.W. 51st St., Suite 1. Sushi/Thai. Arrive early for a table at this Asian hot spot—it’s popular with no reservations for parties fewer than six. Don’t skip the tempura lobster bomb, big in both size and taste. The ginger snapper will impress both Instagram and your stomach. Try the chicken satay and pad Thai. Bluefin offers a variety of dishes from multiple cultures, all well done. • Dinner daily. Lunch Mon.-Fri. 561/981-8986. $$

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. $

The Capital Grille —6000 Glades Road. Steaks.

This is one of more than three dozen restaurants in a national chain, but the Boca Grille treats you like a regular at your neighborhood restaurant. Steaks, dry-aged if not Prime, are flavorful and cooked with precision, while starters from the pan-fried calamari to the restaurant’s signature spin on the Cobb salad (lunch only) are nicely done too. Parmesan truffle fries are crispy sticks of potato heaven; chocolate-espresso cake a study in shameless, and luscious, decadence.

• Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/368-1077. $$$

Casa D’Angelo —171 E. Palmetto Park Road.

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

His dishes, including the sides and accompaniments, are visually appetizing and aromatic. A grilled veal chop easily 3 inches thick proved tender and juicy, and the wild mushrooms served alongside in a marsala added earthiness. • Dinner nightly. 561/996-1234. $$$ Casimir French Bistro—416 Via De Palmas, Suite 81. French. Take a trip overseas without leaving the city and enjoy excellently prepared traditional French dishes, such as duck l’orange or beef bourguignon, or go with Cajun chicken and veal Milanese. The comfortable dining room is a Parisian experience, as is the apple tarte tatin. This is a local favorite, and may we add they have what is as close to real French bread as anyplace in Boca? • Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. 561/955-6001. $$$

Chez Marie French Bistro —5030 Champion Blvd. French. Marie will greet you at the door of this nicely decorated, intimate, classic French restaurant tucked in the corner of a strip shopping area. This feels like an intimate neighborhood bistro and is a welcome discovery. From escargot encased in garlic butter, parsley and breadcrumbs to a tender duck a l’orange to an unforgettable crepe Suzette, you’ll be in Paris all evening.

Voila! Also on the menu: pan-seared foie gras, tasty onion soup, coq au vin, rack of lamb, salads and more desserts. French food in an unassuming atmosphere.• Dinner Mon.-Sat. (closed on Mon. in summer) 561/997-0027. $$

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Chops Lobster Bar—101 Plaza Real S., Royal Palm Place. Steak, seafood. There is nothing like a classic chophouse every now and then for a special dinner. At this upscale downtown restaurant, steaks are aged USDA Prime— tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked under a 1,700-degree broiler. There’s all manner of fish and shellfish, but you’re here for the lobster, whether giant Nova Scotian tails flash-fried and served with drawn butter or sizable Maine specimens stuffed with lobster. Let’s face it: Trendy menus come and go, but a great steakhouse is a win-win on all occasions. • Dinner nightly. 561/395-2675. $$$$ Corvina Seafood Grill—110 Plaza Real S, Boca Raton. Seafood. The seafood-centric menu incorporates South Florida’s varied Latin and Caribbean culinary influences into it.

Peruvian and Honduran ceviches share the menu with Brazilian fish stew. You’ll also find plantain crusted corvina in a Creole curry sauce alongside Jamaican jerk chicken and island spiced pork ribs.

With a focus on sourcing local ingredients, the menu spotlights several daily specials so look out for those. Then there’s the indoor/outdoor bar that invites you to come in and stay a while, especially during its daily happy hour. • Dinner & Sunday Brunch.

561/206-0066. $$

Cuban Café —3350 N.W. Boca Raton Blvd., Suite B-30. Cuban. One thing Boca needs more of is coffee windows—and real Cuban restaurants. Part of the charm of South Florida is its melting pot of Latin cultures, and Cuba is the granddaddy of them all. Which is undoubtedly why diners pack this traditional Cuban restaurant for lunch specials that start at $10.95, including slow-roasted pork served with white rice and black beans. Other highlights include the Cuban sandwich, the media noche and (on the dinner menu only) lechón asado. Full bar. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/750-8860. $

Dorsia—5837 N. Federal Highway. Continental. The simple pleasures of the table—good food, personable service, comfortable ambience—are what this modestly stylish restaurant is all about.

The menu has a strong Italian bent, evidenced by dishes like a trio of fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with an airy three-cheese mousse, and a cookbook-perfect rendition of veal scaloppine lavished with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and a tangy lemon-white wine sauce. • Dinner nightly. 561/961-4156. $$ Farmer’s Table—1901 N. Military Trail. American.

In the pantheon of healthy dining, Farmer’s Table is a standout in Boca, one of the first restaurants to elevate natural foods to fine dining. 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 Ramen Bowl, with veggies, ramen 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. $$

The French Gazebo —4199 N. Federal Highway.

French. Formerly Kathy’s Gazebo, this space has been a staple in our community for 40 years, but its new owners updated the design while keeping the same French classics on the menu like escargots, crêpes, dover sole and duckling. Its vintage character still reigns but now with an airier, contemporary undertone.

Dinner Mon.-Sat. 561/395-6033. • $$$

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

Biergarten—309 Via De Palmas, #90. German/Pub. Part vaguely German beer garden, part all-American sports bar, this rustic eatery offers menus that channel both, as well as an excellent selection of two-dozen beers on tap and the same number by the bottle. The food is basic and designed to go well with suds, like the giant pretzel with a trio of dipping sauces and the popular “Biergarten burger.” • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/395-7462. $$

Bonefish Grill—9598 Glades 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, 561/9652663; 11658 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, 561/799-2965) $$ The Cheesecake Factory—5530 Glades Road. American. Oh, the choices! The chain has a Sunday brunch menu in addition to its main menu, which includes Chinese chicken salad and Cajun jambalaya.

Don’t forget about the cheesecakes, from white chocolate and raspberry truffle offerings. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/393-0344. (Other Palm Beach County locations: CityPlace, West Palm Beach, 561/802-3838; Downtown at the Gardens, Palm Beach Gardens, 561/776-3711). $$ Nick’s New Haven-Style Pizzeria—2240 N.W. 19th St., Suite 904. Italian. Cross Naples (thin, blistered crust, judicious toppings) with Connecticut (fresh clams and no tomato sauce), and you’ve got a pretty good idea of the pies coming out of Nick Laudano’s custom-made ovens. The “white clam” pizza with garlic and bacon is killer-good; Caesar salad and tiramisu are much better than the usual pizzeria fare. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/3682900. $$ P.F. Chang’s—1400 Glades Road. Chinese. There may have been no revolution if Mao had simply eaten at the Boca outpost of P.F. Chang’s—the portions are large enough to feed the masses—and the exquisite tastes in each dish could soothe any tyrant. We particularly like the steamed fish of the day, as well as the Szechuan-style asparagus.

• Lunch and dinner daily. 561/393-3722. (Other Palm Beach County location: 3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561/691-1610) $$

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

Shake Shack—1400 Glades Road. American. We’re not sure there is really any such thing as a bad burger joint and when you have a really good one—like Shake Shack— there’s a little piece of heaven just a short order away.

Shake Shack in University Commons has great all-Angus burgers, non-GMO buns, and a frozen custard that makes grown men weep. Throw in some crinkle-cut fries and life is the way it should be. And the outdoor patio is a definite bonus in these times. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/932-0847. $ Tap 42—5050 Town Center Circle, Suite 247. Gastropub. This hugely popular nouveau-Industrial gastropub is not for the faint of eardrums when packed, but don’t let that discourage you. The kitchen here executes the hell out of a short, simple all-day menu. Grilled salmon chopped salad with tomatillo ranch dressing is delightful, as is guacamole studded with fat chunks of bacon and charred corn. Same goes for decadent shrimp mac-n-cheese. The wicked-good chocolate bread pudding with salted caramel sauce would be the envy of any Big Easy eatery. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Brunch Sat.-Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/235-5819. $

Fries to Caviar —6299 N. Federal Highway. Contemporary American. Going one better than soup to nuts defines this Boca restaurant, an easygoing, affordable bistro that really does offer fries, caviar and more. Four varieties of fish eggs are

shown off nicely crowning a quartet of deviled eggs, while the thick-cut fries complement a massively flavorful, almost fork-tender hanger steak in the classic steak frites.Try the seasonal soups as well. • Dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/617-5965. $$ January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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E AT & D R I N K

DISCOVERIES

Ask the Staff

Comfort-food recommendations from our very own tastemakers Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

E

very month, the staff at Boca magazine works diligently behind the scenes to bring you the hottest trends, the latest local news, and captivating stories of the people in our community who make things happen. To kick off 2024, I thought bringing them to the foreground would be fun, so I asked them to share their favorite dishes they can’t wait to indulge in during the New Year.

Everyone has that comforting, restorative dish you crave when your soul needs a pickme-up. Think for a moment what yours is, and when your pulse begins to rise, and you start to salivate, you’ll instantly know what it is. And if you can’t think of one, perhaps this list can inspire you to start the year exploring our local dining scene.

Stone crabs

Bone broth from Farmer’s Table

Lamb chops from La Nouvelle Maison

Dessert from La Nouvelle Maison

Barstool oysters from Racks

Branzino from Casa D’Angelo

MARIE SPEED: Editor-In-Chief Stone crabs, of course. This needs no explanation. And I need to have lunch at Farmer’s Table and have a big cup of their bone broth; I swear it makes me feel like a cross between a sheep farmer in Cornwall and a superhero. It is so good and cozy.

MARGARET MARY SHUFF: President/Publisher La Nouvelle Maison’s lamb chops are delicious, and the beef short ribs melt in your mouth.

LORI PIERINO: Art Director A favorite of mine is the escarole and beans appetizer at Sazio in Delray Beach—and any dessert made by Stephanie Steliga at La Nouvelle Maison.

TYLER CHILDRESS: Web Editor Barstool oysters from Racks Fish House + Oyster Bar. It’s a taste of the cold, salty North Atlantic. And an Italian combo sandwich from V&S Italian Deli, because there’s no better sandwich in Boca.

KAREN KINTNER: Account Executive Gallaghers Steakhouse’s rib-eye, bone-in. I had it when the restaurant opened, and this was amazing for a person who does not eat much red meat. Casa D’Angelo’s branzino with a lemon sauce is as good as it gets. And the French Gazebo’s fresh Dover sole amandine is so light and flavorful.

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E AT & D R I N K RESTAURANT DIRECTORY The Grille On Congress —5101 Congress Ave. American. Dishes at this longtime favorite range from tasty chicken entrees and main-plate salads to seafood options like Asian-glazed salmon or pan-seared yellowtail snapper. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/912-9800. $$

MUSIC | ART GALLERY | COMEDY | THEATRE VOLUNTEERING | ARTS EDUCATION

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. $$$

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

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

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 threecheese eggplant rollatini and chicken scarpariello. • Dinner nightly. 561/988-0668. $$

Kapow Noodle Bar —402 Plaza Real. Asian.

Kapow delivers an effervescent ambiance that makes you want to relax and stay a while. Its varied menu has something for every craving, from crispy rice and tacos to rolls and even Peking duck. Up your dinner game by reserving a seat at the separate omakase bar serving chef-curated bites that aren’t on the regular menu. And if you’re looking for a memorable night out, book one of the three karaoke rooms.• Lunch and dinner daily. 561/567-8828. $ Ke’e Grill —17940 N. Military Trail, Suite 700. Traditional American. In this busy dining scene for more than 30 years, you will find a lot of seafood (fried calamari, blue crab cakes, yellowtail snapper Francaise and lots more), a few steak, chicken, lamb and pork options, and a quality house-made apple crisp. Your traditional choices are baked, fried, breaded, grilled, broiled, sauteed. With Provencal, Francaise, maple mustard glaze, toasted macadamia nut pesto and piccata twists. A consistent crowd for a consistent menu. • Dinner nightly. 561/995-5044. $$$ Kousine Peruvian Asian—1668 N. Federal Highway. Peruvian/Asian. Chef and owner Danny Kou shares his Peruvian heritage with a curated menu of dishes that accurately represent his country’s famous ceviche while introducing patrons to unique dishes that are just as tempting. Kousine’s space is bright and modern, with exposed industrial ceilings complemented with warm woods and greenery. Lunch and dinner daily.

561/430-3337. $$

ArtsGarage.org 94 NE 2nd Ave. Delray Beach, FL 561-450-6357

La Condesa—3320 Airport Road. Mexican. Mexico’s bold, colorful and lively culture is reflected in its cuisine, and it’s evident at La Condesa. This family-owned restaurant’s take on Mexican fare offers a sizable menu with a wide selection of popular drinks and dishes like margaritas, nachos, street tacos and burritos. You can also opt for less mainstream dishes like the mole cazuelitas, and you won’t be disappointed. Lunch and dinner daily. 561/931-4008. $ January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

E AT & D R I N K

La Nouvelle Maison—455 E. Palmetto Park Blvd.

French. Elegant, sophisticated French cuisine, white-glove service and a trio of stylish dining rooms make Arturo Gismondi’s homage to Boca’s storied La Vieille Maison the home away from home to anyone who appreciates the finer points of elegant dining. The cuisine showcases both first-rate ingredients and precise execution, whether a generous slab of silken foie gras with plum gastrique, posh lobster salad, cookbook-perfect rendition of steak frites and an assortment of desserts that range from homey apple tart to bananas Foster with chocolate and Grand Marnier. • Dinner nightly. 561/338-3003. $$$ La Villetta —4351 N. Federal Highway. Italian. This is a well-edited version of a traditional Italian menu, complete with homemade pastas and other classic dishes. Try the signature whole yellowtail snapper encrusted in sea salt; it’s de-boned right at tableside. Shrimp diavolo is perfectly scrumptious. • Dinner nightly. (closed Mon. during summer).

561/362-8403. $$$

CRISTINA MORGADO PHOTOGRAPHY

Le Rivage —450 N.E. 20th St., Suite 103. French.

Mussels from Mario’s Osteria

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

561/620-0033. $$

Loch Bar —346 Plaza Real. Seafood. This sister restaurant to Ouzo Bay includes fried oysters, moules frites and Maryland crab cakes. The bar offers literally hundreds of whiskeys, a noisy happy hour crowd and live music most nights. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/939-6600. $$ Los Olivos Bistro —5030 Champion Blvd. Argentine.

The family-owned bistro’s menu honors familial Argentine roots with typical crave-worthy dishes like empanadas and plenty of red meat. Still, it also honors the cuisine’s Spanish and Italian influences with its standout paellas and housemade pasta. • Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. 561/756-8928. $

Louie Bossi’s —100 E. Palmetto Park Road. Italian.

Reel Time

At Luff’s Fish House, angling diners can bring their own fresh catches for cooks to prepare and serve.

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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. $$$

Mario’s Osteria—1400 Glades Road, Suite 210.

Italian. This popular spot features rustic Italian fare in a sleek environment. 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. $$ Max’s Grille —404 Plaza Real. Contemporary American. After 24 years in Mizner Park, This modern American bistro is a true local classic. The food and decor are both timeless and up to date, and the ambience is that of a smooth-running big-city bistro. Service is personable and proficient. The menu is composed of dishes you really want to eat, from the applewood bacon-wrapped meatloaf to the wickedly indulgent crème brûlèe pie. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/368-0080. $$ Medi Terra —301 Via de Palmas #99. Mediterranean. Embracing western Mediterranean cuisine, the menu is seasonal and revolves around what the owners can freshly source, so make sure to wait for the specials before making any final decisions. The father-son duo bought Ristorante Sapori in Royal Palm Place and redesigned it to reflect their passion for Mediterranean cuisine. Lunch and Dinner Mon.-Sat. 561/367-9779. $$

Morton’s The Steakhouse—5050 Town Center Circle, Suite 219. Steakhouse. There’s seemingly no end to diners’ love of huge slabs of high-quality aged beef, nor to the carnivores who pack the clubby-swanky dining room of this meatery.

While the star of the beef show is the giant bone-in filet mignon, seasonally featured is the American Wagyu New York strip. Finish off your meal with one of the decadent desserts.• Dinner nightly.

561/392-7724. $$$$

New York Prime —2350 N.W. Executive Center Drive.

Steakhouse. This wildly popular Boca meatery Monday, Monday packs them in with swift, professional service, classy supper club ambience and an extensive wine list. And, of course, the beef—all USDA Prime, cooked to tender and juicy lusciousness over ferocious heat. The bone-in rib-eye is especially succulent, but don’t neglect the New York strip or steak-house classics like oysters Rockefeller, garlicky spinach and crusty hash browns. • Dinner nightly. 561/998-3881. $$$$

Luff’s Fish House—390 E. Palmetto Park Road.

Seafood. A renovated 1920s bungalow houses this shipshape restaurant, in addition to two large, outdoor deck and patio areas.

It’s known for familiar dish names with new tweaks: smoked fish-hummus dip, falafel fish fritters, crab guacamole, mussels in coconut curry broth, plus the paella on Sundays only. Don’t leave without the enormous slice of the Key lime pie, topped with meringue on a graham cracker crust. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/609-2660. $$

Patio Tapas & Beer —205 S.E. First Ave. Spanish. Be transported to the Iberian Peninsula with a variety of tapas. Chef Bryant Fajardo, who trained under celebrated chef José Andrés, specializes in one of Spain’s most traditional and iconic cuisines and delivers both classic selections like Manchego cheese and anchovies alongside premium nibbles like seared duck and foie gras. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/419-7239. $

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. $$

Prezzo —5560 N. Military Trail. Italian. A reincarnation of a popular 1990s Boca venue, this version has updated the dining room, kept the yummy oven-baked focaccia bread slices, and added a 21st-century taste to the menu. Don’t miss the tender bone-in pork chop, thin-crust pizza and seafood specials. Vegetarian and gluten-free choices are on the menu, too. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/314-6840. $$

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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. $$

Red Pine Restaurant & Lounge —1 Town Center Road. Chinese. The menu is designed to be enjoyed family-style, with substantial portions of classic dishes like house-made vegetable eggrolls, fried rice and General Tso’s chicken, to name a few. The space is bright and lively, with floorto-ceiling windows, an expansive bar, and several dining spaces accentuated with crimson banquettes. • Dinner Tues-Sun. 561/826-7595. $$ Ruth’s Chris—225 N.E. Mizner Blvd., Suite 100. Steakhouse. Not only does this steakhouse favorite emphasize its New Orleans roots, it also distinguishes itself from its competitors by just serving better food. The signature chopped salad has a list of ingredients as long as a hose but they all work together. And how can you not like a salad topped with crispy fried onion strings? Steaks are USDA Prime and immensely flavorful, like a perfectly seared New York strip. The white chocolate bread pudding is simply wicked. • Dinner nightly. 561/392-6746. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 651 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, 561/514-3544; 661 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, 561/863-0660.) $$$$

Buzz Bite I Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival

F

oodies rejoice: the Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival returns on Jan. 8-14. The weeklong culinary fest invites local and celebrity chefs to showcase their talents at various events. Regardless of what you’re craving—from barbecue to Asian—the festival is dishing it all out. Signature events include a cocktail competition on Jan. 10, a poolside barbecue battle on Jan. 12, and the grand tasting extravaganza on Jan. 13. It’s also debuting an Asian street food and music experience on Jan. 11 alongside a slew of seminars and classes like “The Art of Dumplings,” “The Basics of Baking” and “Southern Cooking with a Country Bling Twist.”

MasterChef judge and chef Aarón Sánchez and fellow Food Network stars Jason Smith and Nancy Fuller will take the stage at the grand tasting with a few entertaining cooking demonstrations. For the fifth year, chefs and festival guests will come together to raise money for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, with a portion of ticket proceeds to benefit its pediatric health care services and programs. For more information, visit vlfoodwine.com.

—Christie Galeano-DeMott

Grand Tasting at Visit Fort Lauderdale Food & Wine

wine country

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RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

Seasons 52—2300 Executive Center Drive. Contempo-

Yakitori—271 S.E. Mizner Blvd. Asian. This Japanese

rary American. The food—seasonal ingredients, simply and healthfully prepared, accompanied by interesting wines—is firstrate, from salmon roasted on a cedar plank to desserts served in oversized shot glasses. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/998-9952.

(Other Palm Beach County location: 11611 Ellison Wilson Road, Palm Beach Gardens, 561/625-5852.) $$

restaurant that has sat for nearly a decade in Royal Palm Place is still welcoming devoted diners and delivering consistent, premium dishes. Sip on one of its refreshing cocktails like the lychee martini or green tea mojito before perusing the vast menu that offers everything from sushi and sashimi to fried rice, ramen and entrées from the robata grill. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/544-0087. $$

SeaSpray Inlet Grill—999 E. Camino Real. Amer-

WEST BOCA

AARON BRISTOL

ican. Unobstructed views of Lake Boca Raton, soaring palm trees and coastal décor peppered with fringed umbrellas all set the mood for a relaxing experience that will make you feel as if you’re on vacation. The menu accommodates different dietary preferences with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.

Don’t sleep on the pear tortellini pasta starter; it’s a star item.

Portions are hearty and can be easily shared. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/226-3022. $$

Salmon from Ditmas Kitchen

Six Tables a Restaurant—112 N.E. Second St.,

Boon’s Asian Bistro—19605 N. State Road 7.

Japanese/Thai. This is one of two Boon’s (the other is in Delray Beach), and it’s where the rush to eat excellent sushi started. The fast-moving staff is choreographed to deliver dishes such as shrimp pad Thai that’s light, delicate and happily filled with shrimp. The Thai fried rice is unusually delicate too, with lots of egg, and is some of the best around. The sushi rolls are as fresh and inventive (try the Daimyo roll) as they are beautifully presented. Go early or call for a reservation. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/883-0202. $$

Boca Raton. American. The dimly lit chandeliers, burgundy velvet curtains and smooth Sinatra lyrics set the mood for a memorable evening that’s dedicated to fine dining without pretention. With a seasonal menu that’s ever changing, you can rest assured that whatever husband and wife chef-proprietors Tom and Jenny Finn prepare for you, it will truly be special and made with love. • Dinner Thurs.-Sat. 561/347-6260. $$$$

Chloe’s Bistro —6885 S.W. 18th St. Italian. One of the few venues that’s on the water, with food to match the view.

Try the seafood linguine, the large snapper filets in Marechiara sauce, and the desserts to end on a sweet note. House-made pasta and a good wine list ensure a pleasant, satisfying meal. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/334-2088. $$

Taverna Kyma—6298 N. Federal Highway. Greek/ Mediterranean. Hankering for a traditional Greek meal, and a menu that offers just about everything? This is where you want to try the meze plates (cold, hot, seafood, veggie), saganaki, grilled entrees and kebobs. From the taramosalata to the branzino and pastitsio, servings are generous and good. Don’t forget dessert. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/994-2828. $$ Trattoria Romana —499 E. Palmetto Park Road.

Did You Know?

Anabel and Justin Hochberg, who run DVASH, are also passionate art collectors, and operate Keshet Gallery in the same West Boca shopping plaza.

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. $$$

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. $$$

Villagio Italian Eatery —344 Plaza Real. Italian.

The classic Italian comfort food at this Mizner Park establishment is served with flair and great attention to detail. The reasonably priced menu—with generous portions—includes all your favorites (veal Parmesan, Caesar salad) and some outstanding seafood dishes (Maine lobster with shrimp, mussels and clams on linguine). There is a full wine list and ample people-watching given the prime outdoor seating. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/447-2257. $$

Vino —114 N.E. Second St. Wine Bar/Italian. An impressive wine list of some 250 plus bottles (all available by the glass) offers a multitude of choices, especially among Italian and California reds. The menu of “Italian tapas” includes roasted red peppers with Provolone, as well as ricotta gnocchi with San Marzano tomatoes. • Dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/869-0030. $$

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

Ditmas Kitchen—21077 Powerline Road. Contemporary kosher. This west Boca restaurant is named after a Brooklyn avenue in a district known for its food. Here you’ll find very good casual food, and no dairy products are used.

Try the Hibachi salmon, all-kale Caesar salad, the shnitzel sandwich. • Dinner Sun.-Thurs. 561/826-8875. $$$ DVASH—8208 Glades Road. Mediterranean. The menu, a collection of Mediterranean fusion dishes with a variety of daily specials, caters to an array of diets, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. The Cohen family, who previously owned Falafel Bistro & Wine Bar in Coral Springs for more than a decade, now welcomes diners to this West Boca restaurant that’s tucked away in the Publix Greenwise strip mall. • Lunch and dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/826-7784. $$ Oli’s Fashion Cuisine —6897 S.W. 18th St. Modern American. With the unusual name comes a menu sporting lobster risotto to tuna tacos, grilled mahi and more. There are Italian, vegetarian, steak, flatbreads, salads and desserts, all pleasing to the eye and palate. Inside is a bit noisy, so try the outdoor, lakeside patio for a quieter meal. • Lunch and dinner daily, breakfast weekends. 561/571-6920. $$

Oliv Pit Athenian Grille—6006 S.W. 18th St. Modern Greek. The owners’ goal of bringing together the best of Greek cooking under one roof, much like the melting pot that is Athens, is covered here in an extensive menu. The best way to enjoy the food is to share it: the Pikilia trio with tzatziki, spicy feta and eggplant spread is a starting place. Try the mix grill platter and the hearty red Greek wine. End the night with a unique, velvety frappe cappuccino.

• Lunch and dinner daily. 561/409-2049. $$

Skyfin Asian Bistro—8221 Glades Road. Asian. After nearly a decade of dishing out elevated Beijing cuisine at MR CHOW inside the posh W South Beach, chef Aden Lee left his sous chef position to venture out on his own. Here, you’ll find both playfully

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named sushi rolls and fresh sashimi alongside protein-rich house specials, fried rice and noodles. Don’t miss the Toro Roll and Tangerine Peel Beef. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/556-1688. $$

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

Josie’s Italian Ristorante—1602 S. Federal Highway. Italian. Famed chef and South Florida culinary godfather Mark Militello is back at Josie’s after a brief stint at Boca’s Prezzo, and his magic in the kitchen of this cozy, old-school Italian restaurant is duly noted. His influence is evident in the daily specials, but old favorites like beefy short rib meatballs, an upmarket version of the classic San Francisco cioppino, and Josie’s signature veal Bersaglieri (veal medallions with artichokes, olives and roasted peppers in lemon-white wine sauce) don’t fail to satisfy either. • Lunch Mon.-Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/364-9601. $$ Prime Catch—700 E. Woolbright Road. Seafood.

Waterfront restaurants are few and far between in our neck of the woods, and those with good food are even more rare. Prime Catch, at the foot of the Woolbright bridge on the Intracoastal, is a best-kept secret. The simple pleasures here soar—a perfectly grilled piece of mahi or bouillabaisse overflowing with tender fish. Don’t miss one of the best Key lime pies around. • Lunch and dinner daily, Sunday brunch. 561/737-8822. $$

Sushi Simon—1628 S. Federal Highway. Japanese.

It’s been called “Nobu North” by some aficionados, and for good reason. Local sushi-philes jam the narrow dining room for such impeccable nigirizushi as hamachi and uni (Thursdays), as well as more elaborate dishes like snapper Morimoto and tuna tartare.

Creative, elaborate rolls are a specialty. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/731-1819. $$

DELRAY BEACH 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. $$

800 Palm Trail Grill—800 Palm Trail. American. This contemporary space is serving up American fare and classic cocktails. The menu has a steak-and-seafood-house feel to it but without any stuffiness. Instead, you’ll find dishes that entice the palate, like the loaded baked potato eggrolls and Wagyu boneless short rib. • Lunch and dinner daily, with patio dining. 561/865-5235. $$$ January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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E AT & D R I N K

TABLE TALK

Caviar: A Delicacy for Everyone?

These succulent fish eggs aren’t just for the 1 percent anymore Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

C

aviar has long been associated with wealth, elegant soirées and an effervescent je ne sais quoi. But these days, do you have to be part of the well-heeled to relish one of the sea’s most sought-after tidbits?

Absolutely not. We sat down with two local caviar connoisseurs to find out their best tips for buying and enjoying caviar.

Alexandria Guerra

@caviarchronicles “I love it so much,”Alexandria Guerra exclaims.“It’s a celebration, it’s sexy, it’s luxurious.”As a South Florida-based culinary publicist and freelance food writer, Guerra’s knowledge of caviar is extensive. She’s been a fan for decades. Her first encounter with the salty treat was as a child at one of her parents’ fashionable parties, where she sneaked out of her room into the kitchen and found a large tin of the onyx eggs on the counter. From that first taste, she was enamored with its salty, buttery flavors and, since then, has always celebrated life’s milestones with a tin. So, what are her favorite pairings and tips for maximizing your caviar experience?

FOOD & DRINK PAIRINGS It might sound cliché, but caviar and Champagne are a perfect pairing thanks to the wine’s crispness and the caviar’s buttery and salty notes. She suggests a Blanc de Blancs. If you’re looking for non-bubbly options, choose a Chablis wine or a refreshing Hendricks cucumber martini. As for what to eat it with, Guerra jests that ideally, she’ll eat it out of the tin by itself but also suggests eggs—like deviled eggs or soft scrambled eggs or oysters, especially atop a fruity Kumamoto. Also, try it with any potato rendition, from potato chips to tater tots.

CHOOSING CAVIAR While caviar can be expensive (a few grams of beluga can run in the thousands), these days there are plenty of quality caviars at reasonable prices thanks to the uptick in sustainable farms.

Choose by look and smell: It must be bright in color, have salty aromas and not be mushy, and the beads should be consistent in size.

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Color and size vary depending on which fish it’s from. Beluga is larger with a sweet, nutty flavor, whereas Osetra is creamy, and Sevruga has a robust, crisp taste. There are also hybrid options when two species are crossbred.

FAVORITE BRANDS Splurge: Petrossian Intermediate: Marky’s Beginner: Sasanian CAVIAR TRENDS Caviar butter: It’s a delicious way to incorporate caviar into everyday dishes like pasta, for example.

We’ve heard of caviar bumps (where you lick off a dollop from your fist), but for a livelier social option, host a“flight party” and have everyone bring a different tin to try.

Maribel Alvarez

@altimacaviar “It’s such a delicate and sensual experience,”says Maribel Alvarez.

A veteran Palm Beach entrepreneur with decades of experience representing luxury companies, Alvarez launched her own brand, Altima Caviar, in 2022. She attributes caviar’s recent resurgence to the rise of sturgeon farms. At Altima Caviar, Alvarez prides herself on traveling from Italy to Israel to visit each farm she sources from. She then creates personal relationships with the owners, learning their practices and only choosing the best varieties from their production. There may be a ritual to eating caviar, but there’s also an art form to breeding sturgeons that take a minimum of seven years to reach maturity and can grow to be more than 20 feet long and up to 2,500 pounds.

The sturgeon has been around since before the dinosaurs, and its caviar earned prestige from Persian royalty and Russian czars. But when the Acipenser sturgeon population in the Caspian Sea and surrounding areas began to dwindle, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service banned the import of beluga caviar in the early aughts, and listed the Huso huso sturgeon (which produces the (in)famous beluga caviar)

as an endangered species. Miami-based Marky’s Gourmet deli founded Sturgeon AquaFarms in north Florida before the ban. Thus, it was exempt, making it the only company allowed to sell beluga in the country legally.

FAVORITE CAVIAR Splurge: Gold Reserve Oscietra or beluga hybrid Save: Kaluga hybrid

DOS & DON’TS

The experts shared the following tips: • Always serve cold.

• Traditionally eaten with a mother-ofpearl spoon, caviar can be served in a wooden or even a plastic one in a pinch.

Just make sure it’s not metal.

• Think quality over quantity. Aim for better quality caviar in a smaller tin.

• Don’t chew it. Use your tongue to feel it. Let it linger. Savor it.

• Try as many varieties as you can to find your favorite.

• Consume within five days once opened. Consume within five weeks unopened.

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RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

Akira Back—233 NE Second Ave. Japanese Chef Akira Back’s Seoul restaurant earned a Michelin star a few years ago and now he’s showcasing his talented take on Japanese cuisine at his namesake restaurant inside The Ray hotel. Born in Korea and raised in Colorado, Back blends his heritage with Japanese flavors and techniques he has mastered to deliver dishes that are unique to him. With plates made to be shared, the menu is divided into cold and hot starters followed by rolls, nigiri/sashimi, robata grill, mains and fried rice. Dinner.

561/739-1708. $$$$

Amar Mediterranean Bistro —522 E. Atlantic Ave. Lebanese. From the moment you step inside, there’s a familial feeling, a hidden gem that everyone is drawn to. Amar is a quaint bistro amidst the buzzy Atlantic Avenue that serves Lebanese food. But this isn’t your typical hummus and pita joint.

Here, the proprietor’s family recipes take center stage alongside Mediterranean favorites that have been elevated with slight tweaks. • Dinner nightly. 561/865-5653. $$

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. $

DELRAY EVERYDAY FAVORITES

The Bridge Café—814 E. Atlantic Ave. American. True to its name, this favorite brunch spot is just to the west of the bridge on East Atlantic Avenue. It offers both traditional favorites and unique spins on brunch cuisine, and dishes like the sunrise crabcake will help you get out of bed in the morning. Frozen cocktails like the Orange Creamsicle are a particular favorite on hot days, and affordable snacks are available for canine guests joining outdoor diners. Breakfast and brunch daily. 561/403-5581. $

Flybird—335 E. Linton Blvd., #B-13. American. Celebrity Chef Michael Salmon (yes, that’s his real name)

has cooked in fine restaurants in New York (and for people like Jackie O), starred on the Food Network and more—and it shows in this low-key chicken place that specializes in char-grilled chicken (and chicken pot pies on occasion) as well as down-home sides like mac and three cheeses, mashed potatoes and gravy and Peruvian corn. A hit since it opened, Flybird is still soaring. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. 561/243-1111. $

Ramen Lab Eatery—25 N.E. Second Ave., # 114. Asian. Offering traditional Japanese ramen dishes alongside more contemporary favorites like poke bowls and bao buns, this sister restaurant to the Boca location of the same name has become an Asian food staple just off of Atlantic Avenue. Don’t miss happy hour from 3-6 p.m. every day, with half off all drinks and select appetizers. Lunch and dinner daily. 561/455-2311. $ Sazio Express—1136 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian/American. This baby sister restaurant to the popular Sazio in central downtown Delray has a loyal following for casual lunching and early bites from a menu designed to dangle your favorites before your eyes. Pizzas by the slice or whole (including grandma pizza), heroes (roast beef and gorgonzola, anyone?), wraps, salads, wings, cheese fries, chicken tenders. OK, just stop.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/276-2657. $

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www.patioshoppes.com January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

Atlantic Grille—1000 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood/Contemporary American. This posh restaurant in the luxurious Seagate Hotel & Spa is home to a 450-gallon aquarium of tranquil moon jellyfish and a 2,500-gallon shark tank. Savor inventive cuisine that takes the contemporary to the extraordinary. Bold flavors, inspired techniques and the freshest ingredients make every meal a culinary adventure.

• Lunch and dinner daily. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/665-4900. $$

Avalon Steak and Seafood—110 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood/Steakhouse. The enticing reasons we all go to a steakhouse are present here—boozy cocktails, a diverse wine list, dry aged steaks, prime cuts, rich accompaniments, decadent sides and more. The menu is then enhanced with a selection of seafood like a raw bar medley of oysters, shrimp and crab alongside the customary octopus, fish, scallops and lobster. Don’t miss Avalon’s signature dish, the Angry Lobster. • Dinner nightly. 561/593-2500. $$$$ Bamboo Fire Cafe —149 N.E. Fourth Ave. Caribbean. The Jacobs family joyously shares its Latin and Caribbean culture through food that’s bursting with bright island aromas and flavors. Tostones, plantain fries and jerk meatballs share the menu with curry pork, oxtail and conch. A quintessential Delray gem. • Dinner Wed.-Sun. 561/749-0973. $

Bar 25 Gastropub —25 S.E. Sixth Ave., Delray Beach.

American. Taking inspiration from the Northeast, the menu boasts staples like Philly cheesesteak, Rhode Island clams, pierogis, Old Bay fries and plenty of mootz (aka mozzarella). Loyal to its gastropub DNA, dishes here aren’t complicated or complex but satisfying, interesting takes on the familiar without being boring.

• Lunch and dinner daily, weekend brunch. 561/359-2643. $

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. $$

Seafood from Caffe Luna Rosa

Get Surreal

Dada’s legendary Sunday brunch includes indulgences such as breakfast bread pudding, coffee-rubbed steak and eggs and, of course, bottomless mimosas.

Casa L’Acqua Ristorante Italiano —9 S.E. Seventh Ave. Italian. Casa L’Acqua is touted as a fine-dining establishment, and correctly so; diners can expect white tablecloths, tuxedoed staff and attentive service. The wine list is Italian-focused but does offer a variety of bottles from around the world, and each dish is expertly prepared with sizable portions. The main dining room, with its vibey bar and wine cellar, is cozy, and so is its fully enclosed patio in the back. • Dinner nightly. 561/563-7492. $$ City Oyster—213 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This stylish mainstay of Big Time Restaurant Group serves up reasonably priced seafood that never disappoints, such as shrimp and grits with a jumbo crab cake. This is the place to see and be seen in Delray, and the food lives up to its profile. • Lunch Mon.–Sun. Dinner nightly. Outdoor dining. 561/272-0220. $$ Coco Sushi Lounge & Bar—25 N.E. Second Ave. Asian. Local hospitality veterans Tina Wang and chef Jason Zheng continue to grow their restaurant empire with this concept.

The extensive menu caters to any palate, dietary restriction or craving and features both traditional and creative dishes. Soups and salads lead into sushi selections and appetizers divided into cool and hot. Cooked and raw rolls are followed by rice, noodle, land and sea entrée options. • Dinner Mon.-Sat. Sunday brunch.

561/908-2557. $$

Costa By OK&M—502 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Costa takes chef/owner Coton Stine’s dedication to farmto-table fare to an elevated level with its seasonal menu. Working closely with local farms and vendors, Stine curates deliciously healthy dishes that tempt your palate while fueling your body. For those with dietary restrictions, the dishes are clearly labeled gluten-free or vegan, which adds a sense of ease to the experience. The corner space is comfortable and embraces natural elements with its wicker chairs, lanterns, greenery and expansive sliding doors. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/501-6115. • $$

Brulé Bistro —200 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. The regular menu of this Pineapple Grove favorite always has satisfying dishes. Its specialties include crab tortellini with black truffles, chicken meatballs with coconut broth and cashews, plus signature dessert pistachio crème brùlée. Spirits and house cocktails steeped in speakeast style are paired with an ever-changing menu. Outside tables offer the best option for conversation. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/274-2046. $$

Cut 432—432 E. Atlantic Ave. Steakhouse. Hipper decor,

Burt & Max’s—9089 W. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary

same provocative, whimsical creativity that spawned Dada the art movement infuses Dada the restaurant, giving it a quirky charm all its own. The comfort food with a moustache menu has its quirky charms, too, like shake-n-bake pork chops with sweet-savory butterscotch onions, and a brownie-vanilla ice cream sundae with strips of five-spice powdered bacon. The wittily decorated 1920s-vintage house-turnedrestaurant is, as they say, a trip. • Dinner nightly. 561/330-3232. $$

American. This bastion of contemporary comfort food in west Delray is approaching local landmark status, forging its own menu while borrowing a few dishes from Max’s Grille, like the hearty chopped salad and bacon-wrapped meatloaf. Other dishes are variations on the comfort food theme, including a stellar truffle-scented wild mushroom pizza. • Dinner nightly. Sunday brunch. 561/638-6380. $$

Cabana El Rey —105 E. Atlantic Ave. Cuban tropical.

Little Havana is alive and well in Delray. The menu is a palette-pleasing travelogue, including starters like mariquitas (fried banana chips) and main courses such as seafood paella (think mussels, shrimp, clams, conch, scallops and octopus). • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/274-9090. $$

Caffe Luna Rosa—34 S. Ocean Blvd. 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.

A success from day one, they dish up big flavors in a tiny space, so

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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. $$

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

561/272-9898. $$$

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

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. $ Drift—10 N. Ocean Blvd. American. Inside the Opal Grand Resort & Spa, the restaurant’s coastal décor is polished with

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epending on who you ask, bagels originated in Poland, Germany or Austria. Each culture has folklore surrounding their origins, but what we do know is that the bagel is enjoyed by Americans now, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Jan. 15 marks National Bagel Day, so celebrate it with a schmear of cream cheese, a tower of lox, or a dollop of sweet jam. Boca has a variety of bakeries that can satisfy your bagel fix, including Palm Beach Bagel, Brooklyn Water Bagel, 2nd Street Deli and Bagels, and Lox N Bagel. Here’s to a hole day of happiness!

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warm woods, textured stone walls, rope detailing and living walls. The bar is spacious, and several nooks overlook the ocean and the buzzy Atlantic Avenue. The all-day menu covers all the bases. You’ll find easy dishes to snack on after the beach, or if you’re craving an extended Happy Hour experience, enjoy the cheese board, hummus, baked oysters and poke alongside casual burgers, flatbreads and salads. The entrées offer something for everyone, including chicken, steak, lamb and fish. Lunch and dinner daily. 561/274-3289. $$

Eathai—1832 S. Federal Highway. Thai. If you’re craving approachable and affordable Thai food, put Eathai at the top of your list. While you can expect to find curries, noodles, soups and fried rice on the menu, the dishes here aren’t the typical ones you’ll find around town. Indulge in the Thai Chicken French Toasted or Crispy Duck Breast with Lychee Curry Sauce or Oxtail Basil Fried Rice to savor the true talent of owner and chef Sopanut Sopochana. • Lunch and dinner daily, except Tuesday.

561/270-3156. $ 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. $$

561-865-5235 800 Palm Trail, Delray Beach, Florida

January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

Elisabetta’s —32 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. An ornate Italian spot, with classically prepared dishes including spiedini shrimp, burrata de prosciutto bruschetta, costoletta di vitello (veal), a guanciale pizza, cacio e pepe pasta, malfadine Amatriciana and gemelli puttanesca. Portions are large and that, thankfully, goes for the homemade gelati, too. The best seating outdoors is the second-floor balcony overlooking Atlantic Avenue. • Lunch and dinner daily; weekend brunch.

561/650-6699. $$

CRISTINA MORGADO PHOTOGRAPHY

The Grove—187 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. The Grove, which has been tucked inside the tranquil Pineapple Grove district for nearly a decade, continues to surprise diners with its vibrant dishes. The upscale but casually comfortable nook has an international wine list that spans the globe and a seasonal menu that’s succinct and well thought out. • Dinner Tues.-Sat. 561/266-3750. $$

Pork belly from Park Tavern

Kitchen Changeup

Lionfish recently celebrated its third year in business by appointing a new executive chef, veteran toque Emerson Frisbie, the creative mind behind Palm Beach Meats’ weekly pop-up dinners.

The Hampton Social —40 N.E. Seventh Ave. American. The Hampton Social is known for its “rosé all day” tagline, but it doesn’t just slay its rosé; its food is equally as tempting. It does a standout job of incorporating its casual coastal aesthetic into not just its décor but also its menu, from its seafood-centric dishes to its droll cocktail names like the vodka-forward I Like It a Yacht. • Lunch and dinner daily, weekend brunch. 561/404-1155. $$ Henry’s —16850 Jog Road. American. This casual, unpretentious restaurant in the west part of town never fails to delight diners. Expect attentive service and crisp execution of everything—from meat loaf, burgers and fried chicken to flatbreads and hefty composed salads. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly.

561/638-1949. $$

Il Girasole —2275 S. Federal Highway. Northern Italian. If you want Northern Italian in a low-key atmosphere, and nobody rushing you out the door, this is your spot. Start with something from the very good wine list. Try the yellowtail snapper, the penne Caprese and the capellini Gamberi, and leave room for the desserts. Reservations recommended. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/272-3566. $$ J&J Seafood Bar & Grill—634 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This local favorite on Atlantic Avenue—owned by John Hutchinson (who is also the chef) and wife Tina—serves up everything from burgers and wraps to a menu brimming with seafood options. Don’t forget to inquire about the stunning array of 10 specials—every night. This is is a bona fide local go-to spot that never disappoints. • Lunch and dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/272-3390. $$

Jimmy’s Bistro —9 S. Swinton Ave. Contemporary American. This small gem off noisy Atlantic Avenue is big on taste and ambience, and has been busy since 2009. You can travel the world with dumplings, conch fritters, pork schnitzel, rigatoni Bolognese, étouffée and more. Reservations are recommended at this laid-back, comfortable venue. • Dinner nightly.

561/865-5774. $$

Joseph’s Wine Bar—200 N.E. Second Ave. Mediterranean-American. Joseph’s is an elegant, comfortable, intimate nook in Delray’s Pineapple Grove, and an ideal place for a lazy evening. This family affair—owner Joseph Boueri, wife Margaret in the kitchen, and son Elie and daughter Romy working the front of the house—has all tastes covered. Try the special cheese platter, the duck a l’orange or the rack of lamb. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/272-6100. $$

La Cigale —253 S.E. Fifth Ave. Mediterranean. Popular venue since 2001, with Greek and Italian dishes and more. High-

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lights are seafood paella, roasted half duck and grilled jumbo artichoke appetizer. Lots of favorites on the menu: calf’s liver, veal osso buco, branzino, seafood crepes. Nice outdoor seating if weather permits. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/265-0600. $$

Latitudes —2809 S. Ocean Blvd. Modern American.

You should come for both the sunset and the food. This oceanfront restaurant is a gem tucked inside the Delray Sands resort. From the airy, bubbly interior to the raw bar, the décor is soothing and fun. Try the lobster and crab stuffed shrimp, the miso-glazed Skuna Bay salmon, the branzino or the veal Bolognese. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

561/278-6241. $$$ Le Colonial —­601 E. Atlantic Ave. Vietnamese French. Le Colonial radiates classic elegance that is as sophisticated as it is comfortable. Created to showcase Vietnamese cuisine and its French influences, Le Colonial has a standout method of curating classic Vietnamese dishes that appeal to various palates, from meat lovers and pescatarians to vegetarians. The space immediately transports you back to Saigon’s tropical paradise of the 1920s. Lush birds of paradise and palms line the halls that lead into intimate dining nooks throughout the 7,000-square-foot restaurant.• Lunch (on weekends) and dinner daily. 561/566-1800. $$$

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). $

Lionfish —307 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. Focusing on sustainable and locally sourced ingredients, Lionfish’s menu is diverse while its coastal décor is both stylish and comfortable.

Choose from oysters, octopus, specialty sushi rolls, fresh catches and, of course, the namesake white flaky fish in a variety of preparations including whole fried and as a bright ceviche.

Make sure to save room for the Key lime pie bombe dessert. • Dinner nightly, brunch weekends. 561/639-8700. $$$ Lulu’s—189 N.E. Second Ave. American. Lulu’s in Pineapple Grove offers a relaxed ambiance with unfussy, approachable food. The quaint café is open every day and serves an all-day menu including breakfast until 3 p.m. and a selection of appetizers, sandwiches, salads and entrées that are ideal for an executive lunch, lively tapas happy hour, casual dinner or late night snack (until 2 a.m.). • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/453-2628. $ MIA Kitchen & Bar —7901 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Contemporary American. Owner Joey Lograsso and chef Jason Binder have curated a balanced choreography of fascinating yet approachable dishes. The menu travels the world from Italy to Asia and showcases Binder’s formal training with elevated dishes that are exceptionally executed. It’s vibey with a great playlist, and the design, reminiscent of a cool Wynwood bar, is industrial with exposed ducts, reclaimed wood and sculptural filament chandeliers. It’s a place that amps up all your senses. • Dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/499-2200. $$$

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. $$

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Papa’s Tapas —259 N.E. Second Ave. Spanish. This family-owned restaurant will make you feel welcomed, and its cuisine will satisfy your craving for Spanish tapas. Start with a few shareable plates and then enjoy a hearty paella that’s bursting with a selection of seafood, chicken or vegetables. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat., dinner Sun. 561/266-0599. $

Park Tavern—32 S.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. Check out the high-top seating or bar stools during an excellent happy hour menu that includes deviled eggs, pork sliders, chicken wings and a happy crowd. Entrees are generous and well executed. Try the fish and chips, one of six burgers, fish tacos and more. • Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.-Sun. 561/2655093. $$ Racks Fish House + Oyster Bar—5 S.E. Second Ave. Seafood. Gary Rack, who also has scored with his spot in Mizner Park, certainly seems to have the restaurant Midas touch, as evidenced by this updated throwback to classic fish houses. Design, ambience and service hit all the right notes. Oysters are terrific any way you get them; grilled fish and daily specials are excellent. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/450-6718. $$$

Rose’s Daughter—169 N.E. Second Ave. Italian. While not your traditional Italian trattoria, it is a place to find new favorites and revisit old standards updated with delicious ingredients and high standards. Try the Monet-colored lobster risotto, or house-made pasta, pizza, bread and desserts. From the mushroom arancini to the tiramisu, you will be glad Owner/Chef Suzanne Perrotto is in the kitchen. Indoor and outdoor seating. • Dinner Wed.-Sun. 561/271-9423. $$

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

Thanks goes to Executive Chef Paul Niedermann, who won TV’s notorious “Hell’s Kitchen” show, and his talent is displayed here on the plate. • Dinner Mon.-Sat. Brunch Sunday. 561/274-7258. $$$ Sazio —131 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. This long-lived venue on crowded Atlantic Avenue is a reason to sit down and take a breath. Then take up a fork and try the linguine with white clam sauce or the ravioli Sazio or grilled skirt steak or pretty much anything on the menu. Prices are reasonable; leftovers are popular. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/272-5540. $$

Taki Omakase —632 E. Atlantic Ave. Japanese. Taki Omakase, a shining example of omakase done right, has opened not one but two locations in our community (the other is at 1658 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton). It is pricy—an experience is more than $100 per person—but it’s worth it, with one caveat: You must enthusiastically love eating raw fish. Every night is different because it prides itself on importing fish, meat and seasonal ingredients from Japan that arrive daily. So, if you do pine for the delicacies of the sea, buckle in and get ready for the talented chefs at Taki Omakase to guide you through a culinary journey unlike anything else.• Dinner nightly, lunch hour Fri.-Sun. 561/759-7362. $$$$ Terra Fiamma—9169 W. Atlantic Ave. Italian. The pleasures of simple, well-prepared Italian-American cuisine are

front and center here. Enjoy the delicate, pillow-y veal meatballs in Marsala sauce; lusty chicken Allessandro with mushrooms, spinach and artichoke hearts; and a finely crafted tiramisu that’s as satisfying as it is familiar. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/495-5570. $$

Tramonti —119 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. In a world where restaurants chase trends with the relentlessness of Casanova in full Viagra heat, Tramonti stands out as a classic outpost of authentic Italian cookery. Not trendy hardly means stodgy, however, as evidenced by expertly crafted, robustly flavorful dishes like the signature spiedini di mozzarella Romana, spaghetti al cartoccio and braciole Napoletana. Torta della nonna is a triumph of the highly refined simplicity that lies at the heart of true Italian cuisine. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/272-1944. $$$ Veg Eats Foods—334 E. Linton Blvd. Creative Vegan.

This is comfort food for everyone; the dishes will impress carnivores, too. Smell the fresh coconut vegetable curry soup, which tastes as good as it sounds. Try the grilled brawt sausage, the Ranch chixn, the banh mi and a Ruben—all from plant-based ingredients that will fool your taste buds. • Lunch daily. 561/562-6673. $ Vic & Angelo’s —290 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. People watching is a staple ingredient here, a complement to the Italian fare. The wine menu is robust, mainly grounded in Italy but with choices from around the world. Larger than personal pies, thin-crust pizzas are family-friendly, while you won’t want to share the Quattro Formaggi Tortellini, fluffy purses filled with al dente pear and topped with truffle cream. For a protein,

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try the traditional chicken parmigiana, a hearty portion of paper-thin breaded chicken breast topped with a subtly sweet San Marzano sauce under a gooey layer of fresh mozzarella, and a substantial side of linguine pomodoro. If you have room for dessert, the classic sweets include cannoli and tiramisu. • Dinner nightly; brunch weekends. 561/278-9570. $$

LAKE WORTH BEACH Paradiso Ristorante —625 Lucerne Ave. Italian. A Tomasz Rut mural dominates the main dining room, and there is also a pasticceria and bar for gelato and espresso. Chef Angelo Romano offers a modern Italian menu.

The Mediterranean salt-crusted branzino is definitely a musttry. Plus, the wine list is a veritable tome. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/547-2500. $$$

LANTANA The Station House —233 Lantana Road. Seafood.

If you’re hungry for Maine lobster, plucked live out of giant tanks and cooked to order, this modest replica of a 1920s train station is the place to go. Lobsters come in all sizes (up to 6 pounds) and are reasonably priced. • Dinner nightly. 561/547-9487. $$

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

Bice

Buccan —350 S. County Road. Contemporary Ameri-

All That Jazz

Innovative jazz pianist Copeland Davis, who has performed on “The Tonight Show,” plays with his trio on Friday and Saturday nights at Cafe Centro.

American Bistro. Part of The Breakers’ restaurant properties, this venue opened in 2020 and is an elegant addition to The Island. Try the pigs in a pretzel dough blanket, beer can corn, the lobster roll, butter crumb Dover sole and chicken pot pie. All comfort food with a Palm Beach twist, and it’s all delicious. • Lunch and dinner daily. 877/724-3188. $$$

HMF—1 S. County Road. Contemporary American.

Beneath the staid, elegant setting of The Breakers, HMF is the Clark Kent of restaurants, dishing an extensive array of exciting, inventive, oh-so-contemporary small plates. Don’t depart without sampling the dreamy warm onion-Parmesan dip with housemade fingerling potato chips, the sexy wild boar empanaditas, chicken albondigas tacos and Korean-style short ribs. The wine list is encyclopedic. • Dinner nightly. 561/290-0104. $$ Imoto —350 S. County Road. Asian Fusion/Tapas. Clay Conley’s “little sister” (the translation of Imoto from Japanese) is next to his always-bustling Buccan. Imoto turns out Japanese-inspired small plates with big-city sophistication, like witty Peking duck tacos and decadent tuna and foie gras sliders. Sushi selection is limited but immaculately fresh. • Dinner nightly.

561/833-5522. $$ Meat Market—191 Bradley Place. Steakhouse.

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

561/354-9800. $$$$

Renato’s—87 Via Mizner. Italian with continental flair. This most romantic hideaway is buzzing in season and quietly charming all year long with Italian classics and a Floridian twist—like the sautéed black grouper in a fresh tomato and pernod broth with fennel and black olives and the wildflower-honey-glazed salmon fillet with crab and corn flan. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/655-9752. $$$

can. Casual elegance of Palm Beach meets modern culinary sensibilities of Miami at the first independent restaurant by chef Clay Conley. The design offers both intimate and energetic dining areas, while the menu is by turn familiar (wood-grilled burgers) and more adventurous (truffled steak tartare with crispy egg yolk, squid ink orrechiette). • Dinner nightly.

561/833-3450. $$$

WEST PALM BEACH

Café Boulud —The Brazilian Court, 301 Australian Ave. French with American flair. This hotel restaurant gives Palm Beach a taste of Daniel Boulud’s world-class cuisine inspired by his four muses. The chef oversees a menu encompassing classics, simple fare, seasonal offerings and dishes from around the world. Dining is in the courtyard, the elegant lounge or the sophisticated dining room. • Dinner nightly. 561/655-6060. $$$

Banko Cantina—114 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach.

Northern Mexican. Start with the Adelita cocktail and don’t look back. The bacon-wrapped shrimp, the Al Carbon steak tacos and the house guacamole add up to a full-flavor dinner.

The west-facing rooftop bar is a nice sunset option, and the Pan de Elote (homemade sweet cornbread with vanilla ice cream and berries) is a delightful end to the evening. • Dinner daily.

561/355-1399. $$

Café L’Europe —331 S. County Road. Current International. A Palm Beach standard, the café has long been known for its peerless beauty, the piano player, the chilled martinis and the delicious Champagne and caviar bar.

Try one of its sophisticated classics like wiener schnitzel with herbed spaetzle, grilled veal chop and flavorful pastas. • Lunch Tues.–Fri. Dinner nightly (closed Mon. during summer).

561/655-4020. $$$

Café Centro —2409 N. Dixie Highway. Modern American. A cornerstone in the Northwood neighborhood, this venue draws because of a complete package: food, drinks and great nightlife and music. Take some char-grilled oysters, add shrimp pesto capellini or a marinated pork chop with polenta, plus local singing fave Tessie Porter, and you have a fun and delicious night out. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/514-4070. $$

Echo—230A Sunrise Ave. Asian. The cuisine reverberates

4595 Okeechobee Blvd. Classic French. It’s France in a tiny venue, with big-taste dishes that include all the faves: beef bourguignon, rack of lamb, duck à l’orange, frog legs Provencale, veal kidneys, tender branzino and simple desserts to end the meal.

Reservations are mandatory for dinner. • Lunch and dinner Mon.Sat. 561/689-1700. $$

with the tastes of China, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam. The Chinese hot and sour soup is unlike any other, and the sake list is tops. This offsite property of The Breakers is managed with the same flawlessness as the resort. • Dinner nightly (during season).

561/802-4222. $$$

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Henry’s Palm Beach—229 Royal Poinciana Way.

French Corner Bistro & Rotissorie—

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Grato —1901 S. Dixie Highway. Italian. “Grato” is Italian for “grateful,” and there is much to be grateful for about Clay Conley’s sophisticated yet unpretentious take on Italian cookery.

Anyone would be grateful to find such delicate, crispy and greaseless fritto misto as Grato’s, ditto for lusty beef tartare piled onto a quartet of crostini. Spinach gnocchi in porcini mushroom sauce are a revelation, so light and airy they make other versions taste like green library paste. Don’t miss the porchetta either, or the silken panna cotta with coffee ice cream and crunchy hazelnut tuille. • Dinner nightly. Sunday brunch.

561/404-1334. $$

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E AT & D R I N K

Leila—120 S. Dixie Highway. Mediterranean. Flowing drapes and industrial lighting complete the exotic decor in this Middle Eastern hit. Sensational hummus is a must-try. Lamb kebab with parsley, onion and spices makes up the delicious Lebanese lamb kefta. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sun. 561/659-7373. $$

Marcello’s La Sirena —6316 S. Dixie Highway.

Italian. You’re in for a treat if the pasta of the day is prepared with what might be the best Bolognese sauce ever. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. (closed Memorial Day–Labor Day).

561/585-3128. $$

Pistache —1010 N. Clematis St., #115. French. Pistache doesn’t just look like a French bistro, it cooks like one. The menu includes such bistro specialties as coq au vin and steak tartare. All that, plus guests dining al fresco have views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Centennial Park. • Brunch Sat.–Sun. Lunch and dinner daily. 561/833-5090. $$ Planta—700 S. Rosemary Ave. Vegan. For those who savor every juicy, tender and flavorful bite of a well-prepared burger, patronizing a vegan establishment may seem like a sacrilegious act. But what if a restaurant served up plant-based dishes that surprised your taste buds with exploding flavors? Here vegans don’t have to worry about ingredients making the cut, and non-vegans can enjoy approachable and appetizing plant-based dishes that won’t make you yearn for a steak. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/208-5222. $$ Rhythm Café —3800 S. Dixie Highway. Casual American. Once a diner, the interior is eclectic with plenty of kitsch.

The crab cakes are famous here, and the tapas are equally delightful. Homemade ice cream and the chocolate chip cookies defy comparison. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/833-3406. $$

Rocco’s Tacos —224 Clematis St. Mexican. Big Time Restaurant Group has crafted a handsome spot that dishes Mexican favorites, as well as upscale variations on the theme and more than 425 tequilas. Tacos feature house-made tortillas and a variety of proteins. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly.

561/650-1001. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 5250 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, 561/416-2131; 110 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561/808-1100; 5090 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 561/623-0127) $ Table 26°—1700 S. Dixie Highway. Contemporary American. Take a quarter-cup of Palm Beach, a tablespoon of Nantucket, a pinch of modern American cookery and a couple gallons of the owners’ savoir faire, and you have Eddie Schmidt’s and Ozzie Medeiros’s spot. The menu roams the culinary globe for modest contemporary tweaks on classically oriented dishes.

Try the fried calamari “Pad Thai.” • Dinner nightly. 561/8552660. $$$ Tropical Smokehouse —3815 S. Dixie Highway.

Barbecue. When you take the distinct tastes of Florida/Caribbean/Cuban dishes and pair them with barbecue, you end up with a place you visit a lot. Local celeb chef Rick Mace smokes the meats himself, and his recipes include all kinds of citrus in tasty spots (sour orange wings, pineapple carrot cake); you’ll discover new favorite flavors. Don’t miss the BBQ pulled pork, brisket and ribs. Try the hot and sweet hushpuppies or the homemade

Voyage Boutique has been sharing authentic French Fashion with South Florida for over 20 years.

400 Gulfstream Blvd, Delray Beach FL 33444 10:00 am to 4:30 pm Mon-Sat

561-279-2984

RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

chorizo queso in this very casual spot that we can happily say is also unique—there’s nothing else like it. • Lunch and dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/323-2573. $$

Broward County DEERFIELD BEACH Chanson —45 N.E. 21st Ave. Contemporary American/ French. A little bit of Palm Beach, a little bit of Italy comes to Deerfield Beach in the form of this elegant, sophisticated restaurant in the oceanfront Royal Blues Hotel. Service is as stellar as the views from the cozy, modestly opulent dining room, notable for the 1,500-gallon aquarium embedded in the ceiling. Consistency can be an issue with the food, but when it is good it is very good. • Breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Tues.-Sat., brunch Sun. 954/857-2929. $$$

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

Tradition —626 S. Federal Highway. French. This is a petite place with a large following, for good reason. Owners Eric and Anais Heintz start meals with an amuse-bouche and a menu that spans the length of France. Order a creamy

Voyage Boutique may be tucked away from the bustling Avenue, but it stands out as a pinnacle of fashion. Whether you’re in search of casual wear, attire for a special occasion, or an elegant ensemble for a soiree, you’re guaranteed to discover it within our unique boutique.

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Come join us for a shopping experience that transcends the ordinary and when you do, don’t forget to mention that you found us in Boca Mag.

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Caesar salad with a light anchovy-based dressing. Try the coq au vin (sauce cooked for two days), and if you like calves’ liver, this is the best you’ll find in the area. End with a Grand Marnier soufflé (worth the 15-minute wait), and make your next reservation there before going home. • Dinner Mon.-Sat. 954/480-6464. $$

LIGHTHOUSE POINT Cap’s Place—2765 N.E. 28th Court. Seafood. Eating here requires a boat ride, which is very SoFla and terrific for visitors. This is one of—if not the only—family-run, old-Florida seafood restaurants you’ve never heard of, open since the 1920s.

The heart of palm salad is the best and purest version around.

Seafood abounds; fish can be prepared nine ways and much more. (There are non-seafood dishes that are done well, too.) Go for the short boating thrill and for the food. • Dinner Tues.-Sun. 954/941-0418. $$

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

The menu is modern and healthy—98-percent gluten-free, according to chef Andy Trousdale and co-owner Elin Trousdale.

Check out the prix-fixe menu, which includes pan-roasted duck to beef Wellington. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. 954/946-9240. $$$

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Seafood World—4602 N. Federal Highway. Seafood.

This seafood market and restaurant offers some of the freshest seafood in the county. Its unpretentious atmosphere is the perfect setting for the superb king crab, Maine lobster, Florida lobster tails and much more. Tangy Key lime pie is a classic finish. • Lunch and dinner daily. 954/942-0740. $$$

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Calypso Restaurant—460 S. Cypress Road.

Caribbean. This bright little dining room and bar (beer and wine only) has a Caribbean menu that is flavorful, imaginative—and much more. Calypso offers a spin on island food that includes sumptuous conch dishes, Stamp & Go Jamaican fish cakes and tasty rotis stuffed with curried chicken, lamb or seafood. • Lunch and dinner Mon.–Fri. 954/942-1633. $ Darrel & Oliver’s Café Maxx —2601 E. Atlantic Blvd. American. The longstanding institution from chef Oliver Saucy is as good now as when it opened in the mid1980s. Main courses offer complex flavor profiles, such as the sweet-onion-crusted yellowtail snapper on Madeira sauce over mashed potatoes. Parts of the menu change daily. • Dinner nightly. Brunch Sunday. 954/782-0606. $$$

COCONUT CREEK NYY Steak—Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, 5550 N.W. 40th St. Steakhouse. The second incarnation of this Yankees-themed restaurant swings for the fences—and connects— with monstrous portions, chic decor and decadent desserts. The signature steaks are a meat lover’s dream; seafood specialties include Maine lobster and Alaskan king crab. • Dinner nightly.

Brunch Sun. 954/935-6699. $$$$

FORT LAUDERDALE 15th Street Fisheries —1900 S.E. 15th St. Seafood. Surrounded by views of the Intracoastal, this Old Florida-style restaurant features seafood and selections for

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land lovers. We love the prime rib. • Lunch and dinner daily.

954/763-2777. $$

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

Bistro 17—Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Hotel, 1617 S.E. 17th St. Contemporary American. This small, sophisticated restaurant continues to impress with competently presented food. The menu is surprisingly diverse. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 954/626-1748. $$ Bistro Mezzaluna —1821 S.E. 10th Ave. Italian.

The bistro is all Euro-chic decor—mod lighting, abstract paintings. It also has good food, from pastas to steaks and chops and a wide range of fresh seasonal fish and seafood.

Don’t forget the phenomenal wine list. • Lunch and dinner daily. 954/522-9191. $$ Café Martorano—3343 E. Oakland Park Blvd. Italian.

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

954/561-2554. $$

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

• Dinner nightly. 954/765-1950. $$

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

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

Many dishes are specials—gnocchi, risotto and scaloppine. The marinated grilled veal chop is sautéed with wild mushrooms in a fresh rosemary sauce. A delightful pasta entrée is the pappardelle con porcini: thick strips of fresh pasta coated in a light red sauce and bursting with slices of porcini mushrooms. • Dinner nightly. 954/564-1234. $$

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

Sea Watch—6002 N. Ocean Blvd. Seafood. For a right-onthe-beach, welcome-to-Florida dining experience, there’s Sea Watch.

Decked out in a pervasive nautical theme, this is definitely tourist country, but it’s pretty and on the beach. The perfect entrée for the indecisive: The broiled seafood medley brochette, with lobster tail, jumbo shrimp and scallops, yellow squash, zucchini, mushrooms and pineapple. • Lunch and dinner daily. 954/781-2200. $$ January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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E AT & D R I N K RESTAURANT DIRECTORY

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

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

LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA Blue Moon Fish Company —4405 W. Tradewinds Ave. Seafood. This is one of the best spots in Broward County for waterside dining. Choose from a raw bar and fish nearly every which way, as well as daily, seasonal fish specials. • Lunch and dinner daily. Brunch Sun. 954/2679888. $$$

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

Steaks. Michael Mina’s elegant steak house in tony Turnberry Isle features impeccable service, an encyclopedic wine list and a roster of USDA Prime Angus, Wagyu and Kobe steaks. • Dinner nightly. 786/279-6600. $$$$

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

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

Replacing the old copper phone lines that power your business systems could save you MILLIONS. Call 866-902-6765 to learn more.

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La Palme D’or —The Biltmore, 1200 Anastasia Ave. French. Chef Philippe Ruiz emphasizes modern French fare from the southern regions of France, doing so with classic technique and light-handed manner. The portions are relatively small, encouraging five courses, and guests may design their own custom tastings, with a wide variation in price. • Dinner Tues.–Sat. 855/969-3084. $$$$ Pascal’s On Ponce —2611 Ponce de Leon Blvd.

French. When Pascal Oudin ran the kitchen at the Grand Bay Grand Café, his tropical take on French cuisine earned him national acclaim. Now, he offers a more streamlined, but still contemporary, French menu. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.– Sat. 305/444-2024. $$$$

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MIAMI Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink—130 N.E. 40th St. American. At James Beard award-winning chef Michael Schwartz’s unpretentious restaurant, you’ll get plenty of genuine satisfaction from genuinely delicious food, exactingly prepared and simply presented. Wood-roasted double yolk farm egg and crispy pork belly are divine. Surprisingly, all the desserts from rock star pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith aren’t rock-star quality, but dining here is such a genuine pleasure it almost doesn’t matter. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. Brunch Sun. 305/573-5550. $$

Versailles—3555 S.W. Eighth St. Cuban. Versailles has been one of Calle Ocho’s most popular restaurants since 1971. This is good-to-the-last-black-bean Cuban with a menu the size of the Old Testament. It’s also one of the better people-watching spots in town. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 305/444-0240. $

showcases simple, sophisticated ingredients that typify the best of Italian cooking. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. Outdoor dining. 305/6731010. $$$$

Joe’s Stone Crab —11 Washington Ave. Seafood.

You’re likely to wait a few hours for the privilege of getting a taste of old Florida (not to mention the best stone crabs on the planet). But it’s worth it. Fried oysters, lyonnaise potatoes, creamed spinach and Key lime pie are other specialties. • Lunch Tues.–Sat. Dinner nightly in season. Dinner Wed.–Sun., mid-May–July (Closed Aug., Sept. and half of Oct.). 305/6730365. $$$ Ola at Sanctuary—1745 James Ave. Nuevo Latino. Creative ceviches are a signature of chef Douglas Rodriguez, none better than a mix of shellfish with octopus “salami.” Foie gras and fig-stuffed empanadas turn the humble into haute, as does the sublime pork with black-trumpet mojo. • Dinner nightly. 305/695-9125. $$$$

MIAMI BEACH

Osteria del Teatro —1443 Washington Ave. Italian.

Barton G. The Restaurant—1427 West Ave. Contemporary American. Barton G., an event impresario with a flair for serious theatrics, has fashioned his unique restaurant with fun and interesting fare. Choices include popcorn shrimp— served with real popcorn in a movie-theater container. Desserts look like props from “Pee Wee’s Playhouse.”• Dinner nightly.

305/672-8881. $$$

Sardinia—1801 Purdy Ave. Italian. The food is exactingly

Casa Tua—1700 James Ave. Northern Italian. This 1925 Mediterranean Revival property with an oft-changing menu

The exceptional Northern Italian cuisine at this restaurant has been consistently ranked among the best in Miami Beach. • Dinner nightly. 305/538-7850. $$$

prepared, extraordinarily fresh and always delicious. Whether a selection of high-quality salumeria, tube-like macaronis with veal meatballs in a lusty tomato sauce, or superb salt-baked branzino, dishes deliver the kind of soulful satisfaction all the “fusion cuisine” in the world can’t match. • Lunch and dinner daily. 305/531-2228. $$$

Smith & Wollensky—1 Washington Ave. Steaks.

Mammoth cruise ships pass by large picture windows, while a stream of waiters carry thick, juicy, dry-aged steak—filet mignon, prime rib, N.Y. sirloin and rib-eye. Creamed spinach and onion rings are textbook sides. • Lunch and dinner daily. 305/673-2800. $$$$

SOUTH MIAMI Two Chefs —8287 S. Dixie Highway. Continental American. Owner/chef Jan Jorgensen is Florida’s answer to Wolfgang Puck, putting out exquisite California-style cuisine. The menu changes seasonally. Don’t miss the chocolate and Grand Marnier soufflé. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Tues.–Sat. 305/663-2100. $$$

SUNNY ISLES Timó —17624 Collins Ave. Italian. This stylish spot offers great twists on classic and not-so-classic Italian fare. Favorites include thin-crust pizzas from a wood-burning oven and crispy oysters with pancetta and white beans. A tasting menu is available (wine extra), and desserts feature Italian themes with tropical notes, such as the macadamia nut brittle with gelato, caramelized bananas, pineapple and toasted coconut. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 305/936-1008. $$

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

The Historical Society of Palm Beach County presents

IN CONVERSATION WITH LECTURE SERIES

In honor of this season’s grand exhibition, Endless Summer: Palm Beach Resort Wear, the Historical Society of Palm Beach County presents a new lecture series that invites the audience to engage with guest speakers. In this inaugural season, the topics will be aspects of fashion in Palm Beach history.

“The Legacy of Lilly”

Moderator Katherine Lande, Fashion Editor Palm Beach Illustrated

Featuring Mira Fain and Lilly Leas Ferreira Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum

January 25, 2024

@pbchistory

Presented by:

Media Sponsor:

Thank you Palm Beach Dramaworks for hosting the March 1, 2024 lecture.

“The Palm Beach Influence” Featuring Dee Ocleppo, Sarah Wetenhall, and Mark Badgley & James Mischka Palm Beach Dramaworks

March 1, 2024

pbchistory.org | 561.832.4164 300 N. Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach, Florida January 2024 • • • • bocamag.com

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SAV E THE DAT E

Mindful Boca 2024 An Evening With Bestselling Author, Novelist & Memoirist,

HOSTED BY: BARB SCHMIDT & MICHELLE MAROS

Barb Schmidt

Michelle Maros

Thursday, February 1, 2024 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Lynn University Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton

SPONSORSHIPS AND VIP MEET & GREET OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE To purchase tickets visit pmpl.eventbrite.com For more information, please contact Kelli McLeod at 561-955-4980 or kmcleod@baptisthealth.net

Proceeds to benefit:

230163-BRRH PMPL MindFulBoca AD 9x10.875 FINAL.indd 1

11/21/23 1:04 PM

NEW CAMPUS NOW OPEN!

NONPROFIT WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER & SANCTUARY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 7 DAYS A WEEK 10:00AM - 4:30PM

17855 ROCKY PINES ROAD, JUPITER, FL 33478 • WWW.BUSCHWILDLIFE.ORG • 561.575.3399

SOCIAL

BOCA’S BALLROOM BATTLE

1. Paige Kornblue and Glenn Glazer 2. Ballroom Battle Opening Number: James Brann, Sayra Vazquez, Lawrence Levy, Caroline Johnson, Brad Winstead, Shoshana Davidowitz, Rick Versace, Jamie Sauer, Dr. Patricio Espinosa, Danielle Rosse, Oleg Khmura and Loreta Kriksciukaityte

WHERE: The Boca Raton WHAT: The George Snow Scholarship Fund once again delivered an unforgettable night of spectacular performances and shattered fundraising records in the process. The 2023 Ballroom Battle had its biggest year yet, raising $1.2 million for deserving George Snow scholars from the “Statement Eight” dancers who brought in more than 1,000 individual donations. Among the fundraising champions were Dr. Patricio Espinosa, who raised more than $210,000, and Danielle Rosse, who broke the all-time fundraising record by raising more than $320,000.

James Brann and Sayra Vazquez, owners of Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Boca Raton, graciously provided their expertise in helping dancers craft jaw-dropping routines that dazzled the crowd and helped change the lives of George Snow scholars forging their career paths.

3. Oleg Khmura and Shoshana Davidowitz 4. James Brann and Danielle Rosse 5. Rick Versace and Loreta Kriksciukaityte 6. Sayra Vazquez and Lawrence Levy 7. Sayra Vazquez and Dr. Patricio Espinosa 8. Caroline Johnson and James Brann 9. Loreta Kriksciukaityte and Brad Winstead 10. Jamie Sauer and Oleg Khmura 1

VIVIIMAGE

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BOCA HELPING HANDS’ BOWLING FOR BREAD

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WHERE: Bowlero in Boca Raton WHAT: More than 150 adults and kids hit the lanes at Bowlero Boca Raton for Boca Helping Hands’ (BHH) annual Bowling for Bread event. Kids from local children’s charities enjoyed a night of free bowling, food and prize giveaways as local organizations competed in a friendly bowling tournament, with all proceeds benefiting nonprofits which included 4KIDS of South Florida, Inc., Achievement Centers for Children & Families, Adopt a Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc., and more. The event also raised enough funds to provide 31,573 meals for the BHH weekend meal program.

Winners of the tournament were awarded trophies, with first place going to Raymond James, second to Waypoint Residential and third to Lee Pearlson Steinberg Foundation and Friends. Special guests included members of the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) football team, Mayor Scott Singer, Palm Beach County Commissioner Marci Woodward and more.

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1. Bowling Tournament Team Champions from Raymond James: Michelle Mastropietro, Cindy and Aaron Schwartz, Danielle Dambrosio, Rosie InguanzoMartin, Steve King, Angela Stevenson-Malik 2. Boca Pointe Clowns on Call

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3. Zach and Mike Smith; Hayley, Debbie and Greg Peters 4. Jeff Tromberg, Vanessa Havener, David Dweck 5. Chaz Neal, Casey Thompson, LaJohntay Wester, Larry McCammon III, Rosie Inguanzo-Martin, Evan Anderson, Steve King 6. Marci Woodward, Michael Woodward, Jessica and Stuart Jansen 7. Propel nonprofit group

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2023 HATS OFF NONPROFIT AWARDS WHERE: The Kravis Center WHAT: Palm Beach County’s nonprofits were honored at Nonprofits First’s seventh-annual Hats Off Nonprofit Awards. The sold-out event, chaired

by Christine Pitts and honorary chair Palm Beach Mayor Danielle Moore, celebrated the local nonprofits that dedicate themselves to strengthening the community. The packed ballroom of the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion was a sea of themed hats that all lifted in unison to honor this year’s nonprofit awardees, which included Path to College, Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service of Palm Beach County, and several individuals that have gone above and beyond in their community service. The event broke records for nominees, attendees and sponsors, a sign that Palm Beach’s nonprofit community has never been stronger.

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1. Nonprofits First CEO Jessica Cecere and Bill Bone 2. Susan Yeager, Bethany Lacey and Daniela Mesquit 3. Sharon Koskoff, Zack Nakos and Patty Peters 4. Annabelle Cardnes and Victoria Gallo 5. Jodi Blom, Bernard and Emily Schachtel 6. Kelly Walsh, Diana Davis and Barbara Gilbert

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HOMESAFE’S 2023 ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT WHERE: High Ridge Country Club WHAT: Lantana’s exclusive High Ridge Country Club hosted HomeSafe’s annual charity golf tournament to support local victims of child abuse and domestic violence. Men’s, women’s and mixed teams competed, and the top foursomes from each division were awarded gift certificates to the High Ridge pro shop during a luncheon following the tournament. The winning women’s foursome included Royal Palm residents Teri Kennedy, Jayne Malfitano, Jori Farrell and Michelle Bernardo; the winning men’s foursome from the Sageview team included Jeff Petrone, Graig Theobault, Mike Arsanault and Keith Diego; and the winning mixed team was ConnectOne Bank, whose teammates included TJ Izzo, Danielle Webel, Eric Schmidt and Michelle Browning. Sponsors included Jim MacCutcheon and Fern Schmidt, Jo Ann and Phil Procacci, Harcourt M. & Virginia W. Sylvester, and more.

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1. Teri Kennedy, Jayne Malfitano, Jori Farrell, Michelle Bernardo 2. Jeff Petrone, Graig Theobault, Mike Arsanault, Keith Diego 3. Cindy Krebsbach, Susan Scaggs, Brooke Qualk, Sue Diener 4. TJ Izzo, Danielle Webel, Eric Schmidt, Michelle Browning 5. Matt Ladika with golf ambassadors Logan Shalmi, Phil Engman and Patty Larkin 6. Forrest Heathcott, Chris Malfitano 7. Phil Procacci, Laura Barker, Matt Ladika 8. Joanne and John Frezza 9. Dave Englert, Mike Hahn and Bill Burke

January 2024 issue. Vol. 44, No. 1.

The following are trademarks in the state of Florida of JES Media, and any use of these trademarks without the express written consent of JES Media is strictly prohibited: Savor the Avenue; Tastemakers of Delray; Tastemakers at Mizner; Florida Style and Design; Delray Beach magazine; Boca Raton, South Florida At Its Best; bocamag.com; Florida Table; Boca Raton magazine. Boca (ISSN0740-2856) is published 8 times a year (September/October, November/ December, January, February, March, April, May/June and July/August) by JES Media. Editorial, advertising and administrative offices: 1000 Clint Moore Road, Suite 103, Boca Raton, FL, 33487. Telephone: 561/997-8683.

Please address all editorial and advertising correspondence to the above address. Periodicals postage paid at Boca Raton, Fla., and additional mailing offices. Subscriptions: $24.95/8 issues, $34.95/16 issues (shipping fee included for one- and two-year rates). Single copy $6.95. No whole or part of the content may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of Boca magazine, excepting individually copyrighted articles and photographs.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Boca magazine, P.O. Box 820, Boca Raton, FL 33429-9943.

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Celebrating

FaU arts

& letters!

Ure

Where CUlt thrives

Culture, Arts & Society Today (CAST)

Annual Fun, Fan & Fund Raiser For Student Scholarships

MONDAY FEB. 19, 2024 6-9 PM

Featuring Renowned Broadway & Billions TV Star and FAU Alum Marc Kudisch

Marriott Hotel Boca Raton 5150 Town Center Cir. Tickets and Info at fau.edu/cast-party

With you we can... support Our Federation has been and will continue to be the cornerstone of Jewish life in South Palm Beach County. As a community of doers, we are focused on providing support, solidarity and critical funds to our partner agencies in Israel, at home and around the world as they come to the aid of our families and friends. Federation was designed for moments like this. With you, we can organize, repair, advocate for and rebuild the pillars of Jewish life.

With you we can make a difference.

Donate today at jewishboca.org/donate

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters Florida Atlantic® | Boca Raton

Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center

Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center

Robert Greenberg Performing Arts Series

G R E AT G OL F F O R A G R E AT C AU S E

ArgenTenors SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1:00 PM ZINMAN HALL 9901 DONNA KLEIN BLVD., BOCA RATON

These four performing Argentinian Hazzanim known as the ArgenTenors, consist of Gastón Bogomolni from West Palm Beach, Pablo Duek from Los Angeles, Elias Rosemberg from Boston and Ari Litvak from Mexico. The upcoming ArgenTenors concert will feature a medley of Jewish music from around the world mixed with Latin, Opera, Cantorial, Broadway, humor and more.

Call 561-922-8287 or visit levisjcc.org/performingarts Toby & Leon Cooperman Campus • 21050 95th Avenue S., Boca Raton, FL 33428 561-558-2520 • levisjcc.org/sandler

MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2024 ST. ANDREWS COUNTRY CLUB 11 a.m. Registration/Lunch 12:45 p.m. Shotgun Start 5 p.m. Cocktails & Dinner At Rales JFS, we are a family that provides for the well-being of our community. Join us for a day of “GREAT GOLF FOR A GREAT CAUSE” as we support the needs of our extended family!

Chairs: Larry Blair, Arnie Friedman, Bernard Friedman & Amy Ross

For more information or to register, call (561) 852-5013 or email jillw@ralesjfs.org

SEE IT LIVE! Rinker Playhouse Friday–Sunday, January 26–28 Friday at 8pm Saturday at 2:30pm and 8pm Sunday at 4pm Tickets start at $50 VIP Packages available Sponsored by Steven Caras • The Chastain Charitable Foundation Contains mature content.

THE PERFECT EVENT BEGINS HERE

1.561.469.0550 www.aloftdelrayevents.com Aloft Delray Beach 202 SE 5th Avenue Delray Beach, Florida 33483

BALLET HISPÁNICO: DOÑA PERÓN Dreyfoos Hall Wednesday, February 14 at 8pm Photo by Nanc Price

Celebrate in style in Downtown Delray Beach in our sleek and savvy banquet space. Come check out our beautiful and spacious pool deck and terrace for outdoor events.

Tickets start at $35 Sponsored by Sheila M. Applestein

For tickets, visit kravis.org • Group sales: 561.651.4438

All programs, artists, dates, prices and seating are subject to change.

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AVDA’s® 17th Annual

of a

Helm of Justice Presenting Sponsor

The Vegso Family Foundation

Event Chair

Featured Speaker

Honorees

Domestic and Gun Violence Survivor, Author, and Advocate

Anne Vegso

Luncheon

Dr. Heidi Schaeffer Little Smiles™

Kate Ranta,

Anchor of Hope Sponsor Heidi Schaeffer, M.D. Charitable Trust Captain of the Cause Sponsor Medical Materials, Inc. and Schmidt Family Foundation

Tuesday, February 27, 2024 Exclusive Magazine Sponsor Boca Magazine Luxury Raffle Sponsors

The Vegso Family Foundation and J.R. Dunn Jewelers

Reservations $195, available at avdaonline.org • Sponsorship opportunities available

HOMETOWN HERO

Greg Hazle

The inspiring leader at Boca Helping Hands is fighting every day to level the playing field for hardworking families

—Greg Hazle

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

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Written by MARIE SPEED

G

reg Hazle was named Head Boy at Excelsior High School in his native Kingston, Jamaica, a revered honor that ordains one senior male student as the school representative—and role model. It may be decades later, but Hazle, who came with his family to the United States in 1985, is still serving out that early designation as a role model through his position today as executive director at Boca Helping Hands.

After a distinguished high-powered career with companies like Florida Power & Light, FPL Energy, Rinker Group, CEMEX and others, Hazle was considering retiring when he traded his board seat at Boca Helping Hands for an interim executive director role at the request of its board, in 2017.

The organization is a Boca mainstay, providing food, job training, access to health care and financial assistance for people who need a leg up. After a few months, Hazle realized this was the work he was meant to do, and he was asked to stay on permanently. His leadership has helped extend the reach and the profile of this organization ever since; it now touches 35,000 people a year.

ON THE TRANSITION FROM THE CORPORATE WORLD TO THE NONPROFIT SECTOR It wasn’t as if I woke up one day and decided to be all idealistic about life. I know people who have done that, but that wasn’t me. … It was after a few months of getting the opportunity to do that kind of work [that] it dawned on me that I had spent so much time enriching shareholders in the corporate

world that could have been spent in a more purposeful and rewarding way in the nonprofit world. … You are touching peoples’ lives in a much more fundamental way and making a much bigger difference in their lives in the kind of work we do than I could ever imagine. This is a way more fulfilling job; I think of it as the most important work I have done in my life.

WHY BOCA HELPING HANDS IS SO CRITICAL NOW It’s critical because of the way our economy works. The people that Boca Helping Hands serves are what would euphemistically be called the working poor—people who are trying their best. They have jobs, often more than one job, but they are not making enough to make ends meet. It’s not the profile people think of when they think of clients of an organization like ours. I saw some statistics recently that 32 percent of the households in Palm Beach county are [classified] by economists as ALICE: Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed.

They are making more than the poverty limit but not enough to pay for basic needs. On top of that, you have another 12 percent of households in Palm Beach County who are at or below the federal poverty limit, so that adds up somewhere to about 43 or 44 percent of households in Palm Beach County who need help in making ends meet.

That’s what we do … and inflation has only made that worse.

WISH LIST Last year we were significantly affected by the higher demand for

our feeding program—so we ended up having to divert money to purchasing food from some of our other programs, including our job training program.

So my wish for this year is that we can return to our emphasis on job training and improving [our clients’] income-generating potential as opposed to just providing an income supplement to them.

HOW TO HELP You always know if you have a mandate from the community based on how they support the work that you do. Fortunately for us, in the 25 years of our existence, we have seen that we do have a mandate from the community here in Boca Raton and southern Palm Beach County. People can continue to be a part of the work we do by contributing anything they can afford. We are always in need of volunteers. … There are varied opportunities for people to dedicate their skills and their time to do the work that we do.

ON THE IDEA OF SERVING Regardless of what your faith is— it’s kind of a law of nature: Once you get onto giving, you realize it’s a much more satisfying way to live than always being on the receiving end.

AARON BRISTOL

This is a way more fulfilling job; I think of it as the most important work I have done in my life.”

bocamag.com • • • • January 2024

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