BOCA Magazine Jan 2023

BY DAVID ROSENBERG

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EAU PALM BEACH RESORT & SPA

Healthy food goes designer delicious at Akira Back

52

The Boca Interview

For more than 30 years, talkshow host and Boca resident Paul Castronovo has been a fixture on South Florida radio. He discusses his remarkable longevity and the secret sauce that makes his freewheeling program so successful.

By MARIE SPEED

58

Happy Meals

Want to get fitter this New Year but don’t want to subject yourself to a diet of nutritional yeast and un-dressed kale?

These top purveyors of healthforward cuisine from Boca Raton to West Palm Beach jettison the deep fryer but lose none of their flavor profiles.

By JUDY ALEXANDRA DIEDWARDO

68

The New Psychedelic Wave

Once deemed a menace by the federal government’s war on drugs, psychedelic compounds from ketamine to psilocybin have enjoyed a second life as holistic, nonaddictive medicines for a range of common ailments.

In this special report, South Florida advocates, patients and practitioners weigh in.

By TYLER CHILDRESS

75

SPECIAL SECTION Florida Style & Design

Functional and modern islands are the center pieces in today’s kitchens, while marble lends a durable polish to contemporary bathrooms. Plus, discover the eye-popping fabrics and statement-making chandeliers that are perfect for this season of entertaining.

By CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

121 24 30

18 Editor’s Letter

Pretending you’re a tourist can be the best reminder of why you love living here.

By MARIE SPEED

21 The Local Meet Office Depot’s philanthropist extraordinaire, the retired cigar maker who turned his family’s eccentric backstory into a major motion picture, and the executive director of a beloved wildlife nonprofit that’s preparing for a big move. Plus, familiar faces share their resolutions for 2023, and more.

By TYLER CHILDRESS, MARIE SPEED and JOHN THOMASON

32 The Look

With high season upon us, become the belle of the ball with these elegant ensembles, bedazzled jewelry, and vintage accoutrements.

Photography by AARON BRISTOL

99 Backstage Pass

Boca Raton actor and showrunner Jill Melody hits all the right notes with her new, Florida-set streaming special “Just My Type.” Plus, Jerry Seinfeld, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Jazz Fest and “Madama Butterfly” are among this month’s curated A&E highlights.

By JOHN THOMASON

114 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.

By STAFF

121 Florida Table: Eat & Drink

See what our food critic has to say about MIA Kitchen & Bar and Bar 25. Meanwhile, we break down the best options for a nonalcoholic “buzz” and explore the newly rebranded Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival.

By CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

144

Social

Locals mouthed off for charity at a Lip Sync Battle, and put their best feet forward at the first live Boca’s Ballroom Battle since the pandemic. Elsewhere, Boca welcomed a new member to its business community with a grand opening.

By TYLER CHILDRESS

152 Hometown Hero

Giving has been fundamental to Amy and Mike Kazma, who have been spreading their largesse to organizations in need for more than 20 years.

By MARIE SPEED

ON THE COVER: Farmer’s Table ramen bowl (see page 58) PHOTOGRAPHY BY GYORGY PAPP

A New Kind of Legacy

Web Extras

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

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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.

Best Bites

Think our dining guide is long? You haven’t seen anything until you’ve visited our digital version. We’ve got critic-reviewed restaurants from Jupiter to Miami on the web. Visit the Dining Guide tab to view the guide.

COMPOUND INTEREST

Tyler Childress, author of this issue’s “New Psychedelic Wave” feature (page 68), breaks down the differences between the various “classical psychedelics” now making inroads in mainstream medicine and legalization. Visit bocamag.com/january-2023.

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.

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 so you don’t miss new entries, and visit bocamag.com/ live to see the full library of videos and watch them on demand.

For updates delivered straight to your email every Tuesday and Thursday, visit the City Watch tab on our website.

GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marie Speed

MANAGING EDITOR

John Thomason

WEB EDITOR Tyler Childress

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Lori Pierino

PHOTOGRAPHER Aaron Bristol

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Rafael Quiñones

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Judy DiEdwardo, 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

Karen S. Kintner

1000

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2022 CHARLIE AWARDS

GENERAL EXCELLENCE magazine of the year best overall magazine

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

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 ( Avenue) BRONZE AWARD best traditional illustration

2020 CHARLIE AWARDS

CHARLIE AWARD (FIRST PLACE) best overall writing best in-depth reporting best public service feature BOCA CENTER ON MILITARY TRAIL 5613945551 | GROVEOPTICIANS.COM

DIRECTORY

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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).

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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.

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Letters

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Arts & entertainment

Where to go, what to do and see throughout South Florida. Please submit information regarding galas, art openings, plays, readings, concerts, dance or other performances to John Thomason (john.thomason@ bocamag.com). Deadline for entries in an upcoming A&E section is three months before publication.

Dining guide

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

People

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.

First issue

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Journeys are made better with the right companion.

Some journeys are unexpected. It doesn’t mean, however, that you have to go on them alone. Especially if it’s your cancer journey. You should be surrounded by the very best. That’s why Lynn Cancer Institute, established at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, along with our satellite locations are here to walk by your side. Our multidisciplinary teams work together to treat you and your unique cancer. Our specialized expertise and advanced technologies make us one of South Florida’s most comprehensive cancer programs. But what really makes a difference is our compassionate support — personalized and optimized for who you are. You deserve the best cancer care. Let Baptist Health be your companion on your journey.

Don’t delay care. Better cancer care is here. BaptistHealth.net/CancerCare

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

Bethesda Hospital | Boca Raton Regional Hospital | Boynton Beach | Delray Beach

Better. For You.

Breaking Out

In the early days of 2023, it may be time to explore a larger sense of place—and purpose

here’s a reason this magazine won “Best Overall Magazine” and “Magazine of the Year” last year at the statewide Florida Magazine Association Awards. Its dedicated staff of designers, editors, writers and sales and production people work tirelessly to produce 18 titles a year through Boca and Delray magazines, as well as our three custom publications for the Worth Avenue Association, The Boca Raton, and the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. That is a massive amount of “bespoke” material to write and edit and sell and design, and the workload often finds us lost in our computer screens for days on end, forgetting what month or season it is in real time (magazine time is always a few months ahead) or what the weather’s like outside or any number of other bizarre occupational hazards. We are hands-on here; the devil doesn’t wear Prada—she wears earbuds plugged into a tape recorder. Which is why I decided that this year, it’s time to force a little sunlight in. To rediscover where we live, the place we are always celebrating and documenting and exploring in our pages. My little sister came to visit before the holidays, and it was my first taste in too long of South Florida. We dove into complete tourist mode and boarded the Brightline to Miami—with lunch at a Key Biscayne landmark with a stunning view of the city skyline reflected in the bay. We went almost completely because we wanted to ride the train. And we did, up and back, town by little town whipping past.

We drove up past Jupiter to Jonathan Dickinson State Park and bought a seat on a pontoon boat that putt-putted up the Loxahatchee River to Trapper Nelson’s cabin, white ibis like candles in the trees, winter cypress and cascading Carolina aster among the thick green mangroves. We wandered through the old ramshackle compound of cabins and cages that were the province of the Loxahatchee wild man back in the day, and we stopped on a boardwalk on the way back to look for alligators in a dark creek by the roadside. A day later, we even rode the Lady Atlantic down the Intracoastal from Delray to Boca, looking for manatees, sipping Bloodies on the upper deck, watching storm clouds roll up in the deep vast bowl of sky that is South Florida’s backdrop.

I never do things like this. I am always too busy. There are looming deadlines and household chores and errands to run and all the other things that crowd into my life, week in and week out. But this year, I believe I have made a resolution to push the to-do list a little off center, to take a walk on the Marsh Trail at Loxahatchee, dust off the kayak, watch the twilight deepen from a chair at the beach instead of Lester Holt from my living room couch.

TIME MACHINE

Inspired by H.G. Wells’ sci-fi classic, the Time Machine table clock by L’Epeé spins on command. Limited to 50 pieces in steel. See it now at Goldsmith & Complications.

The Blue Man Group comes to the Kravis Center (see page 24)

Don’t-Miss Events

BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL DIAMOND JUBILEE 60TH ANNIVERSARY BALL, JANUARY 21, 6 TO 11 P.M. AT THE BOCA RATON: If you don’t have tickets by the time you read this, you may be out of luck, as this party benefiting the Hospital is always the hottest ticket in town, partly due to the celebrity headline entertainment. Last year it was Sting, and this year it’s Lionel Richie, presented by Michelle and Michael Hagerty. No individual tickets are sold, and tables are $12,250 for 10 and $15,000 for 12. Honorary chairs this year are Christine E. Lynn and Elaine J. Wold, and the Ball Chairs are Amy and Mike Kazma. For more information, contact Terrie Mooney at 561/955-6634 or Terrie.Mooney@baptisthealth.net.

BOCA MUSEUM OF ART THROUGH JANUARY 22: You still have time to drop in on these two extremely well-received exhibitions at the Boca Raton Museum of Art.“The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop”is an exhibition of scenic backdrops, made for the movies between 1938 and 1968, and is“a celebration of a popular art form that had almost been forgotten,”and a“dramatic and exhilarating”exhibit.

On the second-floor Focus Gallery, you’ll find“Black Pearls,”an exhibition by Washington, D.C.-based photographer and activist Reginald Cunningham of residents (and stories) of Boca Raton’s historic Pearl City neighborhood. Pearl City is the oldest existing neighborhood in Boca, and the oral histories alone are riveting. The Boca Raton Historical Society contributed historical information to this exhibit through its online exhibition“Pearl City: A Community Remembers.”

Locals sound off on issues affecting our community.

The Winter Equestrian Festival

HORSING AROUND:

WORLD-CLASS

EQUESTRIAN COMPETITION

JANUARY 4 TO APRIL 2, WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL: The Winter Equestrian Festival, celebrating hunters and jumpers and all manner of equestrian competitions, is one of the largest annual sporting events in the Palm Beaches, and the longest-running equestrian event in the world. Wellington International has 18 arenas, including the main International Arena, which is surrounded by stadium and box seating and hospitality venues. And coinciding with the Winter Equestrian Festival is Palm Beach International Polo Season, held nearby at the National Polo Center. Indulge in Sunday brunch, don’t forget your hat, stomp the divots and enjoy the sport of kings.

It’s a whole new year—full of promise. What’s the best thing that happened to you last year (2022)?

“The best thing to happen to me last year was the birth of our son Miller, who is my everyday reminder that life is so good!”

—Megan Knott Mignano, President, Morley, Periwinkle and Coco & Co

“I lost 30+ pounds and launched the Best of Delray Beach mobile app!”

—Stephen Dickstein, Founder, Best of Local

“Family is what I value most; so the birth of my sixth grandchild was the best thing that happened to me last year, giving me six under the age of 6.”

—Terry Fedele, Community Volunteer

AARON GILBERT/ICON SMI VIA ZUMA PRESS

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FROM A FEW OF YOUR FRIENDS

—Mary Sol González, CEO, Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative (HEI)

do and not put them off or come up with a reason not to do something.”

—Burt Rapoport, President, Rapoport’s Restaurant Group

to be present in every interaction with others. No more alleged multitasking.”

Holly Shuttler, Immediate Past President, Impact 100

“To get married next summer! Happening July 15 in London. With Tom, of course!”

—Emily Snyder, Chief Sales Officer, The Boca Raton

-80 F

Coldest day in U.S. ever, 1/23/71 in Alaska

50

Tons of trash left in Times Square after New Year’s Eve

“I am applying to a doctorate program. I resolve to be accepted, be confident, and enjoy the program.

FUN! I resolve to ski/hike in Utah in 2023!”

—Jackie Reeves, Board Certified Fiduciary, AIFA® PPCTM, Bell Rock Capital, LLC

“My New Year’s resolutions are always to take more time to relax, do more yoga, and have more ‘me’ time. … It’s the same every year, so either I’m not getting it done or I’m just getting more selfish! Ha!”

—Elizabeth Murdoch Titcomb, Principal, Iolite Creative

“My New Year’s resolution for 2023 is to take a much needed social media break, because my Instagram elbow is killing my tennis game.”

—Eric Baker, Chef/Owner, Rebel House, AlleyCat, Uncle Pinkie’s Deli, Mr. Goode’s Chinese Takeout

1522

Year Jan. 1 was recognized as start of New Year

SOLO FIRE PIT

These portable bonfires provide clean and efficient burning that keeps the smoke to a minimum. They are lightweight, made of stainless steel and can happily hang out anywhere you feel like lighting up. They come in different sizes; the Bonfire 2.0 is about $240; visit solostove.com for more details.

GOPRO 11

This latest iteration of the GoPro versatile (and wearable) waterproof camera (made for video but delivers highresolution photos as well) offers an extra-large field of view, as well as “cinematic 5.3K60 + 2.7K240 video with 24.7 megapixel stills for video.” Translated: Great quality images. It also has its Hypersmooth 5.0 video stabilization to minimize that shaky effect. Around $400. Visit gopro.com.

EMBARK BREED & HEALTH DOG DNA KIT

Now you can know for sure what that Heinz 47 pup you love really is! This DNA test determines: breed breakdown, ancestry, relative finder, health screening, genetic health screening and more. Visit shop.embarkvet.com.

“AMERICAN RHAPSODY”

WHEN: Jan. 12-29

WHERE: Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami

COST: $55-$60

CONTACT: 305/949-6722, arshtcenter.org

This world-premiere drama from prize-winning South Florida playwright Michael McKeever only runs 90 minutes, but its story spans more than 60 years. Beginning in 1969 and projecting ahead to 2032, “American Rhapsody” charts the American zeitgeist through the prism of one family, the Cabots, who survive the tail end of the Civil Rights Movement through the rise of feminism, the unshackled capitalism of the 1980s, 9/11 and its aftermath, the legalization of same-sex marriage, the COVID-19 pandemic and whatever future cataclysms McKeever imagines for us next.

Produced by Zoetic Stage, with Carbonell winner Stuart Meltzer directing, “American Rhapsody” may be the playwright’s most ambitious project to date.

DIMENSIONS DANCE THEATRE OF MIAMI

WHEN: Jan. 20-21

WHERE: Duncan Theatre at Palm Beach State College, 4200 Congress Ave., Lake Worth Beach COST: $45

CONTACT: 561/967-7222, duncantheatre.org

Miami City Ballet alumni and leads Carlos Guerra and Jennifer Kronenberg formed Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami in 2016 as a way to hybridize their riogorous classical training with the cutting-edge rhythms and voices of contemporary dance. Six years into its tenure, the diverse corps continues to flourish, earning acclaim well beyond its South Florida breeding ground (the New York Times dubbed the group“strong, sexy, and athletic”) and attracting contributions from world-class choreographers. For this appearance, Dimensions is promising a“dynamic bouquet”of signature works from an artistic repertoire now totaling 17 pieces. Among them are the Greek mythology-inspired duet “Apollo and Daphne,”the dazzling, jazz-hand-y“Light Rain,”and“Under the Olive Tree,”in which eight dancers contort themselves into the shape of the title evergreen.

BLUE MAN GROUP

WHEN: Jan. 28-29

WHERE: Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach COST: $29 and up

CONTACT: 561/832-7469, kravis.org

Part percussionists, part acrobatic showmen and part mimes, the Blue Man Group has been entertaining audiences with their performance art for the past 35 years. The group, which is now part of the Cirque Du Soleil empire, has performed for 50 million people in 25 countries, and has broken 23 thousand drumsticks. This tour features new music, choreography, and audience interaction but adheres to the BMG’s signature strengths: three guys with shaved heads and cobalt makeup pounding drums, with explosions of paint often accompanying each powerful whack.

“TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL”

WHEN: Jan. 17-29

WHERE: Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale COST: $36-$150

CONTACT: 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org

First conquering R&B and then transitioning to rock ‘n’ roll, Tina Turner’s influence on popular music has spanned more than 50 years, during which time she has netted 12 Grammy Awards and earned the distinction as the first Black artist, and first woman, to grace the cover of Rolling Stone. She has enjoyed—and suffered through—a life big enough for two or three Broadway musicals. For now, we have “Tina,” a jukebox musical authorized by the performer, which charts the journey of Tennessee-born Anna Mae Bullock, later christened Tina Turner by Ike Turner, the showman and bandleader who discovered her, married her and abused her. By Act II, Turner has shed her violent first husband and embarks on a new musical vision as a solo artist, despite the pervasive racism and ageism of the era. The songs are an assemblage of 20th century rock and soul, including “Let’s Stay Together,” “Proud Mary,” and, of course,“What’s Love Got to Do With It?”

Dimensions Dance Theatre

The Broadway tour of “Tina”

EVAN ZIMMERMAN

MANUEL HARLAN

Blue Man Group

Camera Ready

With his debut film set to premiere, a cigar maker-turned-director enters his second life

Written by JOHN THOMASON

For many aspiring filmmakers, the road to directing one’s first professional feature is preceded by years of comparative drudgery: earning a degree in cinema, learning the ropes as an assistant director, working on short films or music videos or commercials before plunging into a fulllength movie.

Boca Raton’s Marvin Samel eschewed all of that. When he set out to write his first screenplay,“iMordecai,” in 2015, he was 43 and had never stepped foot on a film set. In late 2019 he had begun directing Judd Hirsch, Carol Kane and Sean Astin in a movie inspired by his life and family.

“The first seven, eight days were horrific. The [actors] didn’t give a shit, nor should they, that I was a first-time director,”Samel recalls, in characteristic candidness.

giant Swisher International Inc. in 2014 in what should have been“the happiest times of our lives,”he says.

“A month later, my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. And it threw me into a depression. To cope, I started writing down the stories I would tell at cigar stores when I would host dinners and events. I would tell the stories of my father, Mordecai. He’s a character. I started writing these stories in the middle of the night, because we had twins that were not sleeping, and in between 2 a.m. feedings I would start typing. And when I took a step back after a couple of months, I said … all the little vignettes have a cinematic feel to them.”

Realizing that his screenplay was anything but a lark, Samel pored over his favorite scripts—“Good Will Hunting,”“Terms of Endearment,”“Almost Famous”— and worked with professional co-writers

They all came here to do a job, where we all agreed—we’re trying to make a movie that’s going to move you. ... I had the steepest learning curve, a Mount Everest learning curve. So it wasn’t like, ‘this is fun!’ It was never fun. But it was rewarding. “

“They didn’t care that this was about my family. They all came here to do a job, where we all agreed—we’re trying to make a movie that’s going to move you.

“I had the steepest learning curve, a Mount Everest learning curve,” he adds.“So it wasn’t like, ‘this is fun!’ It was never fun. But it was rewarding.”

In the comedic drama, which is scheduled to open in South Florida theaters in February, Astin plays a younger version of Marvin Samel, who is trying to build up a struggling cigar business while raising twins with his wife and dealing with a tumultuous time in his parents’ lives. His Polish-born father Mordecai (Hirsch) escaped the Holocaust as a child but never lost his sense of humor or his eccentric curiosity. “iMordecai” captures, at Marvin’s urging, his begrudging embrace of an iPhone, which leads to encounters and friendships that will change his life—at the same time that his wife, Fela (Kane), will confront challening news about her health.

Like his onscreen avatar, Samel made his living in the cigar industry. The New York native co-founded Drew Estate with a fraternity brother in 1996, producing botanical- and coffee-infused cigars from its 96,000-square-foot headquarters in Nicaragua. The estate would go on to produce 16 million cigars per day, ultimately becoming the second-largest producer of cigars in the country. He sold the company to tobacco

Rudy Gaines and Dahlia Heyman on fine-tuning it. They ultimately convinced Samel, against his initial better judgment, to direct the project as well.

“They said, if you sell your script, you’ll lose control,” he says.“So I spent the entire night thinking, why am I doing this? I’m doing this to honor my parents. I don’t need the paycheck. I’m not looking at this as a monetary career for me. I needed to get this off of my soul.”

After 30 to 50 hours a week, over the course of a year, studying online MasterClasses with Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, Werner Herzog and others, Samel determined he was ready to take the leap into what he expects will be his second career.“I feel this is my calling,” he says.“I have other stories to tell.”

Shooting in Miami, in the exact locations in which he and his family had bonded (Wynwood Walls and Lincoln Road have memorable cameos), with the real-life Mordecai on set during the shoot, Samel describes the experience as the hardest thing he’s ever had to do, with challenges that continue to this day, as theatrical distribution approaches.

His mother did not live to see the movie her journey inspired, but her legacy keeps Samel going. “I read the script to her when she still had some of her faculties left,” he recalls.“And I’ll never forget the laugh that she had as long as I live.”

Marvin Samel

“For me, it’s going out to a school and hugging a child who’s maybe going through a very difficult time and letting them know that we’re there for them, and they matter.”

—Alex Price

Making a (Depot) Difference

Office Depot’s National Director of Community Investment Alex Price has made a career out of his passion for giving

Written by TYLER CHILDRESS

When it comes to philanthropy, Boca Raton certainly doesn’t fall short on spectacle—or generosity.

“The Season” in Boca is a glittering testament to the love that the city’s most affluent have for their community. But generosity isn’t always clad in a sharp tailored suit or flowing evening gown. For Alex Price, a pair of slacks and a red Office Depot T-shirt is the dress code for giving back.

Price joined Office Depot as its national director of community investment five years ago, and since then has taken the Boca-based retail giant’s philanthropic efforts to new levels with the Depot Difference initiative, a national community service operation that has its flagship right here in Boca. “We do the most here, because it’s home,” says Price.

The emphasis on service is a running theme in Price’s CV, beginning during his time living in New York. Price had just moved from his Pensacola home to attend graduate school at Columbia when his father died suddenly from a heart attack. This tragedy left Price devastated but not idle. Soon after, he and some friends hosted a tribute gala to commemorate his father and support the American Heart Association.“That night, which was just a one-time thing, we ended up creating an organization,”says Price, and thus nycTIES was founded, a nonprofit dedicated to engaging young professionals in local causes

and promoting volunteerism.

Price operated nycTIES for the next six years as a side project but says it grew into an obsession. He learned all about giving back during this initial foray into the philanthropic world, growing ever more passionate in the process. And after moving to Boca, he found himself at home in the midst of a community known for its philanthropy.

“[Boca] is an area of high resource, but also at the same time, high generosity,” says Price, “and when those things come together, problems are solved and lives are impacted.”

The results of the Depot Difference initiative can be seen in classrooms across the country with the Start Proud back-toschool program. Right here in Palm Beach County, teachers from Barton Elementary School were surprised in early August with a free classroom shopping spree, and students were treated with the largest backpack distribution in the history of Start Proud. Price doesn’t confine philanthropy to working hours, either. His name can be found as a sponsor in the programs of some of Boca’s most illustrious nonprofit events, including the Ballroom Battle. His biggest project now is growing Elevate Together, the latest drive from the Depot Difference initiative that aims to level the barriers

standing in the way of minority entrepreneurship.

While some philanthropists may measure the success of their efforts in dollars and cents, for Price, the metric is far less tangible.

“For me, it’s going out to a school and hugging a child who’s maybe going through a very difficult time and letting them know that we’re there for them, and they matter,” says Price.

Being actively involved in a dizzying amount of philanthropic endeavors may sound draining.

Price attributes his inexhaustible energy to an “absurd amount of iced coffee” and being what his wife would call “a big kid.” But more than that, Price has an inherent desire to bring joy anywhere and everywhere he can.

“These last few years have been hard, and people have gone through a lot of stuff, and I’m no different ... but I feel like fun and laughter is an essential ingredient, and I try to sprinkle it through everything I do.”

Alex Price

Keeping the Promise

The $250 million Keeping the Promise campaign is the largest in the hospital’s history, and supports the most ambitious period of growth and expansion for Boca Raton Regional Hospital ever. At the center of the redevelopment is the new seven-story, 437,000-square-foot Gloria Drummond Patient Tower with all new surgical suites and private patient rooms that exceed the latest safety standards of care. In the current hospital building, all existing rooms will be converted to private in a comprehensive renovation of all patient units. These investments are the initial steps toward a broader vision for the campus with greater access points and even more specialties.

Learn how you can support the Keeping the Promise capital campaign by visiting Donate.BRRH.com.

Our founding director’s goal was to have a sanctuary for animals and humans alike. ... We sometimes have people who come here three or four times a week to reconnect with nature.”

—Amy Kight

Back to the Farm

A beloved animal sanctuary prepares for a historic relocation

Written by JOHN THOMASON

Every animal at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary has a story. A deer named Nubs was held by a socalled “wildlife rehabilitator” who kept him in a garage for five months without sunlight. Freddy the alligator was discovered, preborn, by a boy, who cracked open an egg, assuming he had found a lizard. The reptile would soon outgrow the shoebox the child had fashioned for it.

Arvy is a pelican from Connecticut who failed to migrate south for the winter and suffered frostbite in the frigid northeastern clime. So a group of enterprising high school students from an engineering magnet program built a functioning airplane, which a local mom, who happened to be a licensed pilot, flew down to Florida, Arvy in tow.

Then there’s the sandhill crane, named Frasier Crane, whose parents were killed by a car. Frasier never learned how to be a crane, endured abuse by members of his own species, and wound up in Busch’s protective care, where she now “has more frequent flier miles on Delta than anybody else,” according to Busch Executive Director Amy J. Kight.“She has done Letterman, Leno,“The Today Show,”“Good Morning America,” a movie with Tina Fey. She’s our local celebrity. She is, as far as I know, the only working sandhill crane in the United States. She has her special box that fits on the Delta plane. They give her her own seatbelt.”

These are a few of the approximately 200 permanent residents at the Jupiter sanctuary, which has been adopting, rehabilitating and, in most cases, releasing animals back into the wild since its inception in 1983. Busch tends to about 6,000 patients a year—a heavy load for its staff of 26.

Freddy, Arvy and the others have borne injuries too debilitating to risk their re-integration into the animal kingdom, so they’ve become popular spokes-animals of sorts for Busch, providing both viewing pleasure and sobering knowledge to its many visitors. Nearly every adoptee, from

the black bears and bobcats to the barred owls and toucans, serves as a reminder of the dangerous impact human activity can have on animal life.

“About 90 percent of the patients we take in are affected by humans,” Kight says.“Fishing line entanglement, electrocution, gunshot wounds, attacked by pets, kept illegally as a pet … all these sorts of ways they come to us really made us realize that education has to be the key. The humanitarian effort, the rehab portion, is really a Band-Aid for a much bigger problem.”

The sanctuary will soon have a larger platform to express its mission of environmental education. By March, it is expected to move into a new location, five miles down the road in Jupiter Farms, to a space that will nearly double its current, densely populated 11 acres.

Fundraising has been the central challenge of the move, the cost of which has surged from $10 million to $18 million. The pandemic, supply chain shortages, fuel prices and inflation have contributed to the increase. At the time of this writing, the sanctuary still needed to generate some $12 million, which it is raising through a capital campaign.

Despite the need for cash, Kight is firm in her belief that one of Busch’s core tenets—that it remains free (with donations accepted) for all visitors—will continue into the future.“Our founding director’s goal was to have a sanctuary for animals and humans alike,” she says. “So we didn’t want to deny anybody that. What’s becoming more apparent to me is the education aspect, and making sure everybody gets the same opportunity to access it. So we sometimes have people who come here three or four times a week, to reconnect with nature. We don’t ever want to outprice ourselves. … There might come a time when we won’t be able to afford it anymore. I sure hope not.”

To donate to Busch Wildlife Sanctuary’s capital campaign, visit buschwildlife.org/ capital-campaign, or call 561/575-3399.

Amy Kight with one of her charges—and a fox and a bear who make Busch their home

BELLE ETOILE necklace, $1,195, & bracelet, $895, ring, $275, earrings, $300, and MARY FRANCES bag, $205, all from Unique Boutique

SOSPIRI frames, $1,000, from Grove Opticians

Brooch, $110, from Filly & Colt

Silver necklace, $178, from Barbara Katz

Party Time

Start off 2023 with a little sparkle—and a lot of celebration

CAVIAR frames, $490, from Grove Opticians

Rhinestone brooches, $110 each, MALIPARMI bootie, $530, both from Filly & Colt

INZI bag, $124, from Unique Boutique INCASHMERE feather wrap, $248 from Barbara Katz

Dark Magic

Try a little shine and a sense of mystery in these elegant accessories

Alan J. Bauman, MD, ABHRS, IAHRS, FISHRS Founder, CEO & Medical Director,

Bauman Medical

1450 S. Dixie Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33432

561-394-0024

Baumanmedical.com

Dr. Alan J. Bauman has transformed the appearance of more than 33,000 men and women and performed more than 12,000 hair transplants. Along with pioneering numerous technologies in the field of hair restoration, he performs minimally invasive FUE Follicular Unit Extraction, VIP|FUE™ No-Shave Hair Transplant, low-level laser therapy, PRP platelet -rich plasma, PDOgro™, eyelash transplants and others. He is one of approximately only 200 physicians worldwide to achieve the certification from the esteemed ABHRS American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery.

Ever evolving, he and his surgical team are now also featuring a new, minimally invasive hair transplant procedure, VIP|FUE™ No-Shave Hair Transplant that offers patients all the advantages of traditional minimally invasive FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) including no staples, no stitches, no linear scar, and a more comfortable and less restricted downtime when compared to outdated invasive linear FUT “strip” harvesting.

Developed as an expansion and extension of the current FUE hair transplant offerings at Bauman Medical, the addition of a new state-of-the-art extraction tool and advanced microsurgical techniques for VIP|FUE™ involves extracting hair follicles directly from the donor area without trimming or shaving any hair, providing a huge bonus for patients looking to discreetly treat their hair loss because there’s no telltale changes to their hairstyles.

TransEpidermal Delivery (TED), is another breakthrough non-invasive procedure offered to quickly and easily treat shedding and hair loss. TED uses low-frequency ultrasonic sound waves and air pressure to drive a proprietary topical hair growth treatment deep into the scalp without the need for anesthesia, needles, blood draw, trauma, recovery or downtime. A series of three, 25-minute treatments should be repeated one month apart.

To learn more about the many hair restoration treatments available at Bauman Medical, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bauman to discuss your goals and determine what is best for you.

Photography: Jason Nuttle

NATASHA necklace, $390, JULIE VOS bracelet, $295, JULIE VOS earrings, $165, MARY FRANCES bag, $135, all from Unique Boutique ANNA-KARIN KARLSSON sunglasses, $1,650, from Grove Opticians Brooch, $85, MOMO NEW YORK boot, $300, both from Filly & Colt

Pattern Power

A little vintage makes a large statement

Silver

0°C sweater, $210, SHAFT jean, $530, from Filly & Colt

ANNA-KARIN KARLSSON sunglasses, $1,490, from Grove Opticians

Earrings, $150, from Wish & Shoes.

CLAIRE V bag, $275, from Barbara Katz

MELAROSA scarf, $138, from Wish & Shoes

eader in Financial Advice and Planning

“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.

PLASTIC SURGERY OF THE FACE

creating a natural, healthy and more youthful appearance with feminine artistry, grace and aesthetic sensibility

Surgical Specialist Focused Uniquely on the Face, Neck, Eyes, Forehead Non-surgical Aesthetics And Expert Injector of Botox® and Dermal Fillers

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Individualized Treatment

beauty, wellness & beyond

Put yourself at the top of your priority list this year with self-care, self confidence and renewed vibrancy.

Flip through the pages of Beauty, Wellness & Beyond and get inspired with uplifting exercises, aesthetic transformations and a kick-start to a spectacular 2023!

Beauty expert Skyler burst onto the scene just a few years ago after graduating college and hasn’t come up for air since. Her dedicated, nonstop training has evolved into a thriving career with expertise that includes licensing as an esthetician, makeup artist, permanent makeup artist and scalp micropigmentation artist.

In keeping with the latest, greatest technology and demand, Skyler delivers the most divine eyebrows utilizing the Ombré brows technique performed with a machine instead of a knife. The brows last one to three years before they fade away naturally. The procedure creates more natural-looking results, is softer on the skin and doesn’t create scar tissue. For a pretty pout, you can kiss those lipsticks goodbye with the lip blush technique that provides a semi-permanent lip tint that also lasts one to three years.

Another game changer in Skyler’s repertoire is tattoo removal, which comes as a blessing for so many who regret the ink they had applied previously, or has faded into undesirable, unattractive hues; bye bye blue brows, hello natural-looking tones with Skyler’s magic touch!

Skyler has also recently completed her laser and electrolysis license, offering hair-free, carefree smoothness for those bothersome areas.

Every client is a canvas for Skyler, who delights in the subtle to sensational transformations that make them look and feel fabulous in the skin they’re in, whether for just one glamorous night or years to come. See what Skyler can do to transform your looks and create a new you!

Skyler Ruth

Licensed Permanent Make-up Artist and Esthetician Sky Cosmetic Creations, LLC

As a Certified Athletic Trainer, Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Certified Personal Trainer, Paul Christopher’s expertise combines his roots of orthopedic rehabilitation, sports performance and personal training.

With 20 years of experience, Paul has spent the last eight years sharing his contagious enthusiasm and well-honed craft owning Gravity + Oxygen, a toprated Boca facility that celebrates the basic ingredients of exercise science.

“For clients to truly become functionally strong, we must master our own body weight against gravity,” Paul states. “For that reason, we chose body celebratory strength equipment such as TRX, ceiling ropes and stability balls. We also offer barbells, kettlebells, cables and resistance bands to develop and maximize strength progressions. To celebrate true locomotion, we only chose humanpowered cardiovascular equipment. Whether you choose to run, ride, row or climb, you won’t be denied a challenge,” he promises.

Gravity + Oxygen Fitness offers locally famous group classes and personal training from professional athletes to post-injury rehabilitation patients to people seeking weight loss solutions. “Even the greatest workout can never defeat a poor diet, so we are all about promoting clean eating habits. We also cater our programs to the person as opposed to catering the person to our programs,” Paul emphasizes.

When asked how a single-location, small business facility is able to sustain success and viability in an area inundated with corporate gyms, Paul replies in a nano-second: “Simple: through GOod energy, customer service that exceeds expectations and driving home physical results for our clients.” Stressing quality over quantity, “we can ‘GO’ fast alone … or far together,” he says. 561.756.8637 gravityandoxygen.com

Ky Evans and Jodi

One step into the intimate L.I.F.T. Lounge® and you will discover a fitness destination unlike any other. This private training studio is the creation of a world-class team of professionals, Co-founders elite celebrity coach Ky Evans and serial entrepreneur Jodi Vanderlei. Their combined expertise has transformed the lives of clients from Hollywood A-Listers and famous personalities to Olympian athletes. Now it’s your turn to discover the difference they can make for you with a concierge, VIP-approach to your health and quality of life.

This revolutionary “Trans4mation” studio provides personalized attention using a four-pillar approach: a combination of private training, custom nutrition plans, mindset coaching and accountability.

The L.I.F.T. Lounge® program makes it easy to up your fitness routine without stress. Each client is assigned a designated machine and time slot, by appointment only,

for use up to three sessions per week for 45 minutes each. “With private training in our studio, clients achieve the best results in the shortest amount of time,” says Ky.

Nutrition is essential to the success of any exercise program, so to make it as easily available as it is appetizing, Jodi has aligned with “Meals By Chef B” to allow clients to enjoy a healthy meal program.

Knowing that a healthy mind is paramount to a healthy body, Ky and Jodi’s program also includes work with a hypnotherapist, Krista Jack, providing guided meditations focusing on sleep and stress reduction.

With enthusiasm and passion, Ky and Jodi will lead you on a fitness journey that will be as UpL.I.F.T.ing as it is life changing. 561-903-4646 theliftlounge.vip

When clients visit the Anti Aging Center of Boca, founded by Nina Presman, they can be certain they will receive the most advanced, expert care and treatments available.

The revolutionary body sculpting technology, Ageless Beauty, takes High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), Acoustic Lipoliser and Ultrasound Cavitation to a new level.

“When I started my center in 2014, I focused on my own body and face sculpting,” Nina says. “My goal was to create a process that would allow me to look as young outside as I felt inside and reverse the signs of aging on my face and body.”

Now, she says, she looks better at 59 than she did at 35, thanks to this technology.

“When we stop producing collagen at 30, and the dormant fat cells under the skin start filling up between ages 40 to 45, gravity starts pulling the skin down, causing the drooping and sagging look,” Nina explains.

Alfa Lypolysis with HIFU (which can be utilized all over the body) completely liquifies and melts the undesired fat cells on all levels, resulting in immediate and permanent loss of inches, and lifts and rejuvenates the skin, building collagen, without any side effects, pain or downtime.

“We are so sure and confident in the results that we’ve adopted the policy: If you don’t lose, you don’t pay!”

561-654-0177

antiagingcenterofboca.com

Paula Quintero

Working with clients to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life is what the Foggiare Wellness Center strives to achieve, whether it be through weight loss, body contouring, skin rejuvenation, muscle recovery, or pain relief.

The Boca Raton center practices a whole-body approach to beauty and wellness, incorporating the ultimate noninvasive European treatment system—and develops a customized program and evaluation for every client.

Foggiare originated in Europe and opened its first U.S. location in 2019 in Boca Raton. French owners Thierry Germanovitch and Julien Dossmann now live in Florida and are excited about bringing their unique concept, already benefitting thousands of clients worldwide, to Americans, as well.

Paula Quintero, Sales and Operations Manager, teams up

with lead technician, Maria Arcila, to offer more than 25 years of combined experience in the wellness field to clients.

“My work is my passion, and I’m grateful for it every day,” Paula says. “I love seeing my clients succeed in their body transformation and knowing that our treatments were a key factor in their success.”

She and Maria are especially enthusiastic about the center’s new equipment for the treatment of the face and neck that changes the way clients age.

Foggiare Slim-Up Center is a client’s best option for a whole-body transformation, including weight loss, increased muscle tone, healthier looking skin, and an overall boost in energy, vitality, and wellness. 561-923-9161 foggiare.com

Marcy Mascara Elizabeth

Murzyn, Owners Gro Yoga and Wellness

Marcy Mascara and Elizabeth Murzyn have been practicing yoga since they were teenagers, and it’s been an integral part of their lives ever since. “I am strongly dedicated to yoga and find it to be the most sustainable physical practice that a person can incorporate into everyday life and all the ups and downs that may occur,” Elizabeth explains.

Marcy shares the same philosophy and after three years of planning they collaborated to create Gro Yoga and Wellness. The heart of their business model was to bring the strongest teachers in the community under one roof and allow them to present what their strengths are in their own authentic and creative ways of teaching.

“A nationally renowned yoga instructor Judy Weaver has helped us continually train our teachers on a biweekly basis. She is very involved in our yoga community and on a national basis as well,” says Marcy.

Gro Yoga features numerous classes and disciplines, heated and non-heated classes, ice plunge treatments and weight training classes.

“We value the importance of connection in this world that is, at times, so disconnected. By creating a space where our teachers are authentic to themselves, they are able to connect on a deeper level to the practitioners in their classes,” says Elizabeth.

“The practice of yoga is continually evolving so we’re really trying to keep in front of it by offering classes that present cutting edge modalities, and workshops that bring in new knowledge for our community,” Marcy explains.

hello@groyogawellness.com 561-386-1952

beauty, wellness & beyond

There’s nothing quite like the allure of long, sweeping lashes, framing the eyes with a natural-looking fringe that defines the “windows to the soul.” Lewis Farsedakis, Founder and CEO of Blinc Cosmetics, spent 30 years inventing and perfecting Tubing Technology™ that not only looks spectacular but cannot run, smudge or flake—even if you sweat, cry, rub your eyes, or have oily skin. That’s why Blinc has been a top mascara brand at Sephora for almost two decades.Remarkably, Blinc holds better than waterproof mascaras and will not come off until you take it off. Removal is effortless; simply apply lots of water and a gentle rubbing motion at the same time, allowing the tiny tubes that form around each lash to slide off your lashes.

“Not all tubing mascaras are created equal, and nobody on the planet has been able to achieve our ultra longwearing hold and staying power!” says Farsedakis. “We have four versions of our tubing mascara to suit all different lash types, raising the bar each time: Original (vegan), Amplified, UltraVolume (clean and vegan) and Lash Extension (clean, vegan and lash treatment benefits). We are constantly pushing the beauty industry forward and have recently transferred our tubing technology benefits to our liquid eyeliner as well.”

With so many other tubing mascaras on the market claiming to bring similar results, make no mistake, cautions the pioneer of tubing technology, “We have a 30-year head start, so I recommend trying Blinc first.”

blincinc.com

Lewis Farsedakis

Founder & CEO Blinc Inc.

CLINICAL CARE FOR FLAWLESS SKIN

“Only dermatologist I’ll ever go to! Dr. Bader and his staff are so friendly and go above and beyond. Really makes me feel like I’m getting the best care. I highly recommend giving them a try, you won’t be disappointed!”

- Francis C.

“My husband and I have been Dr. Bader’s patients for 20 years. Dr. Bader and his staff are the epitome of professionalism, knowledge and compassion. If you are seeking excellence, visit RSB Dermatology.”

- Patricia R.

YOU DESERVE THE BEST!

Based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, our family-owned and operated company has been in business since 2000. Our dermatologist, Dr. Robert S. Bader, is recognized as one of the best Dermatologists and comes highly recommended because of his broad experience, knowledge, honesty, and dedication.

WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL?

At RSB Dermatology, we not only treat your skin, but we consider our patients family. We are always available for consultation and we will be happy to have a oneone conversation. You can book an

ROBERT S. BADER, MD

Dr. Robert S. Bader’s is Ivy League trained, board-certified, and graduated from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences with Distinction, and is Fellowship trained in Mohs’ and Dermatologic Plastic Surgery, at Affiliated Dermatology, a program affiliated with Columbia University.

Paul Castronovo

s South Florida continues to roll on, reinventing itself through more new waves of people, new money, massive development and shifting political alliances, a few things hold steady.

Paul Castronovo is one of them.

On the radio for more than 30 years with the iconic “The Paul Castronovo Show,” he’s South Florida’s longest-running radio host who’s managed to adapt to changing times while retaining market share. He’s added TikTok and Instagram to his platforms, drawing generations of new listeners while maintaining the singular comedic storytelling voice South Floridians have come to love.

Castronovo, now 62, once dreamed of being on “Saturday Night Live” back in his University of Florida days, but had no road map to get there. He found his way from comedy to radio in 1984—and he’s been dominating the airwaves ever since. Following graduation from UF, he worked at the original WSHE in South Florida, Orlando’s WHTQ, WZZR in Birmingham and Nashville’s WGFX. In 1990, he came back to South Florida and WSHE, teaming with a newsman he barely knew,“Young” Ron Brewer. The “Paul and Young Ron Show” was a massive hit, although Ron Brewer retired

in December 2016, with Castronovo continuing on as solo host.

In addition to entertaining audiences for decades, Castronovo’s shows have extended into the charitable arena, raising millions of pounds of food for Feeding South Florida, among other endeavors. He has assumed leadership positions with the Miami Dolphins Foundation, co-chairing its charity effort, Fins Weekend, as well as serving as a board member for the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and the Ocearch data-collection organization.

The Castronovo name has even penetrated the world of another South Florida comedic icon, Dave Barry, who named a character after him in his novel Insane City. And the self-anointed “clown prince of South Florida” has also been named an “Alumnus of Distinction” by the University of Florida.

Castronovo now lives in Boca Raton; he and his wife, Gina, have

two sons, Nic and AJ. In addition to his place on the radio dial, Castronovo is also active on other platforms, including TikTok: @ThePaulCastronovo; Facebook: @PaulCastronovo; Instagram @castronovoshow; Twitter: @paulcastronovo.

In a recent interview, when asked what he sees as his greatest accomplishment, Castronovo said: “Aside from staying married for 25-plus years and raising two really cool boys into men, I think my greatest achievement is being on the radio and performing at a consistently high level in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale market since 1984—with many changes, somehow not getting fired, and still doing it today.”

Castronovo is at iHeartMiami’s Big 105.9 mornings from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., with his signature mix of lively commentary, celebrity guests, and wacky slices of South Florida living, from fine dining to the Miami Dolphins. His contract was recently extended to 2026.

How do you account for your longevity?

Being a South Floridian doesn’t hurt. There have been a lot of people trying to unseat me over the years, but whether they were syndicated or from a different market trying to be a South Floridian, I just happened to know what we’re made of down here. I went to school in Palm Beach County, and I went to college down here at Palm Beach Junior College and University of Florida. I’ve lived here 89 percent of my adult life. I think that has a lot to do with it—and my willingness to adapt and learn.

I grew up with a bunch of Cuban guys as friends, I loved the culture of South Florida, I grew up surfing, I grew up fishing and, like many of us down here, I came from New York. And I just relate to so many different people from Florida.

Who is your audience?

We do have two different listeners. We have the listener who gets in

There have been a lot of people trying to unseat me over the years...but I just happen to know what we're made of down here...”

AARON BRISTOL

his car and listens every day stuck in traffic. And thankfully, I work for iHeart Radio, and they created this app, [so] I have listeners who listen to my show in the afternoons when they’re on the treadmill. They listen at their own convenience or when they’re at work with their earbuds. Thankfully, some of the younger audience has discovered me and interestingly enough, we have a lot of kids whose parents turned them on to me. … That’s what happens when you’re around a long time.

The target demographic—which I think is funny—is the 25-to-54-yearold adult, and we both know there is nothing a 25-year-old has in common with a 54-year-old. You shoot for the middle, and I’ve always done that. I’m older than 54, and my kid is 22. So I like to think about things both of us might be interested in.

And I have evolved over the years. There was a time when I was a lot younger and single and the show was edgier and more sexualized and I’ve matured. Heck, on Tuesday we talk about food with a chef! Let’s face it—we all eat. I love restaurants, and South Florida is a great town for going out and eating and drinking and having fun, so [we do more] lifestyle stuff. Let’s face it: Many of us have a lot in common down here, even though we could be coming from different socioeconomic or cultural backgrounds. We all like to go out to eat.

How have you seen the industry change?

People would say to me like 10 years ago, ‘Oh man, satellite radio—that’s gotta be killing you.’ I laugh, because we still outdo satellite radio. You know what hurts us the most? It’s the cell phone and the fact that 30, 40 years ago when you got in the car, the only other person in the car with you was the guy in the radio. Now you get in the car and you pick

up the phone and call 15 different people. That’s the challenge. I don’t know what the answer is. The most challenging thing is to get people to pay attention to what you are doing and get off the phone for a few minutes. If I can keep you around for 15 minutes, then I win.

How have you changed with the industry over the years?

I’ve learned over the years that if I’m not on Instagram and TikTok then I’m missing the boat. It would have been easy for me to be stubborn and just say no—but I do some pretty in teresting and funny Instagram reels and TikTok videos that have gotten hundreds of thousands of views. It’s amazing. It’s a way to meet a young er audience that may be discovering you for the first time.

I’m having fun with it now. And really, I go back to a lot of my studies at the University of Florida where I learned how to do production years ago. Even though it’s on my phone now, I’m still doing editing and interesting production. It’s an outlet for my creativity and, in turn, if it brings people back to my radio show, then I win.

Do you have a ‘magic formula’ when it comes to content?

I don’t think so. It’s a battle. Demographically, Florida is a challenge. We’re over 70 percent Hispanic, we are 20 percent urban and there’s a small bastion of a Caucasian audience that’s still left in the Miami-Dade area. A classic rock audience traditionally was old white guys. That’s changed a lot. You have to be willing to adapt.

What keeps you talking?

How do you not run out of content?

[We don’t talk about politics], because it’s polarizing and makes people miserable. I’ve found that it’s really easy down here. Granted, I’ve been doing this a long time and I know how to do it. Phil Rosenthal, the creator of “Everybody Loves Raymond,”wrote a great book (You’re Lucky You’re Funny) and really opened my eyes. All the episodes of that show came from his life: his mom and his sister, his wife, his kids. I say to the people on my show all the time, Heather and Mike:

Short Takes

HIS BOAT: A Contender 36-foot with triple Verado 350 engines. “It takes me about six beers to get to the Bahamas.”

CHARITIES: Feeding South Florida, leadership positions with the Miami Dolphins Foundation, co-chairing its charity effort, Fins Weekend, and serving on the Board of Directors for the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation as well as Ocearch.

BUSINESS PASSIONS: Partnership with Anthony Bruno, Dan Marino, Pat Marzano and Marc Falsetto in Tacocraft restaurants. “And my Castronovo quesadilla is a big seller.” Investor with Papa’s Pilar Rum. “And let’s face it: I do know about a couple of things, and it’s booze and food.”

ON BOCA (WHERE HE HAS LIVED FOR 10 YEARS WITH HIS FAMILY): “Moving downtown has been nothing but an absolute riot. I just love the restaurants and the energy and the shops. This ain’t your grandfather’s Boca. We have the best backyard anywhere. A downtown setting that looks like you’re in the Florida Keys. It’s really paradise.”

We don’t have to talk about the Kardashians; we can talk about some lady at Whole Foods. The other day I brought back some rotten lettuce, and she was totally cool and then she says to me, ‘Can you do me a favor and check my teeth? I just ate some cottage cheese.’ I’m like, ‘No, I’m not checking your teeth.’ As soon as I got in my car I put a note in my phone, and the next morning I brought that up on the radio.

I’m such a “Seinfeld” fan; when they said it’s ‘a show about nothing’ I looked at my partner Ron, at the time, and said, ‘That’s us.’

I went to his house one day and he answered the door in a housecoat, and I must have done two hours on that.

Where did you get

this gift of gab?

Grow up in an Italian-American household and try to get a word in edgewise. I remember being a 5- or 6-year-old kid and sitting around and listening to my father and all the cousins and the uncles. This was in the ‘60s—the women would be in the kitchen making pasta, and the guys would be sitting around, and they would be telling stories and just howling laughing. I remember saying ‘I

want to do that.’ It evolved into that I wanted to be the guy who makes those people laugh. I also studied broadcasting at Florida. Even in high school I was making the announcements. I got in trouble in kindergarten, too, for talking in line. So maybe talking was my thing.

How do you plan for a show?

There are three of us on the show, and I have one rule: We have to send a one-sheet to each of us by the end of that day on things that you find in the news or things that you want to talk about that you find interesting. We all lead different lives. Heather Nelson likes to stay home and play video games and watch copious amounts of television, and she has a bunch of cats. Mike Anderson is a single guy and he’s out running around and he likes to cook and work out and chase girls. And I’m the married guy at home with kids and a dog and I’m a fisherman. So we all have different ideas, so we compile those notes and from that we build a portion of the show. We also talk to comedians in town, and we have people who pitch us guest ideas.

Pretty soon a show is built, and by the way, you have to be willing to throw it all out if something happens overnight.

The show is four hours long. I once heard Howard Stern say whoever thought it was a good idea to do a four-hour stinking radio show is an idiot. Only someone who does it can agree with him. If you think about it, Jimmy Kimmel does an hour, a sitcom is 22 minutes with commercials but for some reason they thought a radio show should be four hours.

Who are your favorite radio/ TV hosts?

I’ve been on the radio as long as my favorite radio hosts. I would like to meet Howard Stern sometime. Howard’s a genius. If you had to ask, it goes Johnny Carson into David Letterman. And then there’s Kimmel and Colbert. If I had [to choose], David Letterman would be my biggest influence.

In the past couple of years, you lost 120 pounds. Like a whole other person. What made you do that? I’d been heavy way too long, and in my mind I was thin. I put on way too much weight. In 2019, my wife and son and I were in New York City, and they were walking all over town and I was hating life and I was Uber-ing all over town. And I remember we got back and I was embarrassed by it. And then the pandemic and everyone was sitting at home. And what were we doing? Eating. And drinking. I remember my wife and my son both sat me down and it was kind of like an intervention that you don’t want to hear, and they were, like,‘Something’s gotta give here. And we love you.’ Even my son said, ‘You know, there are a lot of things I still want to do with you, but even in the boat you don’t move around like you used to.’That’s a big reality check when you hear that from your family. And it comes from a place of love. So I buckled down, and from nutrition to personal training to bike riding to eating literally less than half of what I used to eat, very quickly it started coming off.

And the pandemic was actually perfect for it, ‘cause everyone was standing around and I was account-

able. Once I dropped 30 pounds, it started to come off quicker and I started to get motivated. Now I’m annoyingly at the gym [all the time].

In the beginning, I also cut out the booze for a year. That was a grave error, and I’ll never do that again. I missed it so much. I did take a shot of tequila at one point to take the edge off. I stopped all carbs (but I’m back on carbs—I don’t want to be a “carb Nazi”).

I also started exercising like a madman (and my trainer was Brian at Lighthouse Gym), cut the protein down to 4 ounces and a little bit of vegetables… you’d be surprised how little you need to eat and how much I was overeating.

Any starstruck moments with celebrity radio guests? Countless. When you’re on the phone it’s a little easier just to have a conversation, but when you’re sitting in front of Johnny Depp, it’s a little nerve-wracking. Going back before that, being a fan of University of Florida, Steve Spurrier. And Don Shula. Those two guys, just because of who they were. Another one that really got me was Robert Duvall. [When we knew he was coming to the show] I expected guys with briefcases and machine guns. But my producer says, ‘Robert Duvall is out in the hallway,’ and I run out there and there’s this little old man sitting in a chair all by himself. He drove himself to the radio station. No entourage. Nobody else.

I printed a script of “The Godfather,” and he agrees to let me read lines from the film with him. And he doesn’t remember the lines, and I was shocked by that. And he said,

‘Well, I understand “The Godfather” is your whole life, but to me it’s one of 72 different characters I’ve played. And it was 50 years ago.’

How have you changed overall in the past 30 years?

I think I’ve softened over the years. I don’t think I’m as much of an abrasive jerk as I was in my 30s. I haven’t done therapy for any of those things, but watching kids grow up and go through things like I went through with my wife Gina and her car accident and her breast cancer and losing my dad during the pandemic makes you appreciate life a little more. I hope to think that I’m a more sensitive guy now as opposed to when I was younger.

How long are you going to do this?

I’m only 62, so I’m not close to retiring yet. I still love what I do. I don’t swing a hammer. I’m not on a roof. I laugh every day and they pay me pretty well, so I’d be foolish to not do it as long as possible. I mean, I don’t see why I can’t work till I’m 70-something… Then again, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a month off and go to Italy. I really enjoy the work. Would I like more time off? Yes.

What’s next?

Our company looks like we are securing the rights to the Miami Dolphins. There may be something there with some opportunities to do more, which is exciting for me, because it gives me something else. And maybe since I’m thinner now they’ll put me on TV.

What keeps you going?

I keep looking for the next laugh.

I think I’ve softened over the years. I don’t think I’m as much of an abrasive jerk as I was in my 30s...”

Dishes from Farmhouse Kitchen Delray

HAPPY MEALS Looking

BY JUDY ALEXANDRA DIEDWARDO

ating healthy shouldn’t feel like punishment, especially when dining out at places where menu options can be limited at best. But the call for heart-healthy food that tastes good—from organic and gluten-free to vegan and paleo—has grown louder than ever, and restaurateurs are responding with truly inventive creations that will have even die-hard junk food eaters singing their praises.

COSTA DELRAY BY OK&M

502 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach 561/501-6115 costabyokm.com

“The key to really good healthy food is using fresh, local, organic, responsibly grown ingredients that are available right here in South Florida,” says Private Chef Coton Stine-Guzman, the brainchild behind Delray Beach’s Costa Delray by OK&M, which opened on Atlantic Avenue last April and offers a sophisticated coastal dining experience for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Think poached heritage eggs atop an English muffin with Key lime citrus Hollandaise, lemon-glazed lollipop scallops with ginger coconut carrot purée, or jumbo lump crab meat with seared asparagus and lemon zest. This is no ordinary restaurant.

A master of flavors and fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients, Stine-Guzman stepped into the restaurant arena after expanding the organic meal service kitchen where she prepares curated meals to dozens of established clients. In 2019 she opened OK&M Café (Organic Kitchen & Mercantile) on East Ocean Avenue—a quaint, streetside cafe with outdoor seating that serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week along with a robust pickup and takeout service.

“My belief is, it’s gotta be fresh, because if I’m getting my products local, then I’m getting the purest foods, the best flavors and the best out of the product—produce, especially, that is literally harvested and brought to us the next day so it often comes still in dirt,” said Stine-Guzman of the five local farms that she buys from.“And, you can taste it: Everything’s crunchy and watery and packed with vitamins and nutrients, as opposed to something that’s been packaged and sent across country that you eat three weeks later.”

Costa’s Garden Stack of crispy eggplant, tomatoes, creamy pesto and basil emulsion

OK&M CAFE

640 E. Ocean Ave., Suite 6, Boynton Beach 561/292-3222

costabyokm.com

SIGNATURE DISH: Baby Beet Tar Tar

Baby beets, radish, cucumber, avocado mousse, kimchi aioli, ginger chips over basmati

SURE THING: Sea Scallop PoBoy

Seared scallops between freshly baked brioche, microgreens, citrus remoulade with raw Cajun slaw

LIVING ON THE EDGE: Gochujang Cauliflower

Baked cauliflower florets, sticky Korean pepper sauce over chef’s choice floral coconut basmati

SIGNATURE DISH: Sexy Majick Mermaid Mylk Latte House-made, organic cashew mylk, blue spirulina, maca, ashwagandha and local honey (served hot or chilled)

SURE THING: Fresh Catch Tacos Locally caught blackened mahi-mahi served in two cassava tortillas with avocado, raw slaw, cilantro and citrus aioli

LIVING ON THE EDGE: Lion’s Mane Burger Lion’s mane mushroom and shiitakes, arugula and microgreens with white truffle veganese aioli served on brioche bun (or gluten-free cassava wrap)

CARY ROMAN /

GARY RACK’S FARMHOUSE KITCHEN

399 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton 561/826-2625 farmhousekitchenboca.com

“I always wanted to bring a restaurant to the Boca Raton community that mirrors my own beliefs about wellness and eating clean, farm-fresh food that’s seasonal, sustainable and locally sourced,” says Gary Rack, creator of his Farmhouse Kitchen restaurants in Boca Raton and Delray Beach.

“I work out seven days a week, and I eat a lot of fish, chicken, turkey and veggies, so it’s a natural fit for me to have a restaurant geared toward good healthy dining for everyone.”

Rack uses locally sourced products when available from local farms and purveyors. His menus include a full range of vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options with an eye toward promoting balanced nutrition.

“Our farmhouse theme really translates from the warm, rustic, homespun décor that was intentionally created to mirror the farm experience: refurbished booths with pattered-stylish fabrics, a wall of canned mason jars, custom-designed flooring,” says Rack. “It’s such a great feeling that’s reminiscent of the simplicity and comfort of farm living and fresh, healthy food.”

Rack recently brought on close friend and celebrity chef Demetrio Zavala as culinary director of the GR Restaurant Management Group to help grow and expand the Farmhouse Kitchen brand, along with Rack’s Fish House and Oyster Bar in Delray Beach. Zavala and Rack teamed up to develop Rack’s earlier restaurant, Coal Mine Pizza, which then became Table 42 before being converted last year to the Farmhouse Kitchen. Zavala is a familiar Food Network “Chopped” champion and Bobby Flay challenger, with a string of restaurants throughout the U.S. where he focuses on sustainable cooking techniques.

SIGNATURE DISH: Buffalo Cauliflower

Buffalo-style cauliflower served with Buffalo sauce, pea tendrils, almonds and yogurt ranch

SURE THING: Short Ribs

Short ribs with bone marrow crust served with mushroom risotto

LIVING ON THE EDGE: Nashville Hot Chicken Tacos

Nashville chicken tacos served with peach kale slaw and housemade pickles

Farmhouse fish taco

THE RAY HOTEL, AKIRA BACK

233 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach 561/739-1708

akirabackdelray.com

For that special occasion deserving a fabulous meal, look no further than the rich, sculpted teak panels and intimate upholstered banquettes of Chef Akira Back’s namesake restaurant in The Ray Hotel.

The Michelin Star-winning chef’s Delray Beach sensation features his innovative take on modern Japanese dishes blended with Korean-inspired flavors like jeju domi dish, a delectable pairing of snapper sashimi with marinated masago, red sorrel and sweet and spicy chojang sauce. Opened in September 2021, it marks the 18th restaurant for Chef Back, who has locations throughout the U.S., Europe and the Middle East.

“I want people to have fun and truly enjoy every experience they

have with us, from the service to the food and the ambience and more,” says Back.

His menus are highlighted by quality ingredients—from pure A5 Wagyu to fresh seasonal fish—which are used to create thoughtfully curated menu items specific to the Delray Beach location.“My mother always cooked, and family dinners were very big in my home,” he says. “A lot of the recipes you see on my menu are directly from her or a twist on inspiration from her.”

Back’s trajectory in the culinary world—like his cuisine—has been anything but ordinary. He and his family moved to Aspen, Colorado from Seoul, South Korea, when he was 13 years old, which is where his passion for snowboarding began. That passion earned him a place on the international circuit by day and working in Aspen’s top kitchen by night, which is where his other passion—for food—began. For the next seven years he discovered an exhilaration in cooking that rivaled the thrill of the sport he loved. But, between injuries and an eye toward his future, Back reset his sights on a safer career in the kitchen. Despite the drudgery of mopping floors and cutting vegetables in area kitchens, Back eventually worked his way to an executive chef position. In 2008 he opened Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Back’s innovative approach to cuisine accelerated his meteoric rise through the culinary world. Not only did he proceed to win several culinary awards, but he became a media darling with appearances on high-profile cooking shows including “Iron Chef America” and Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” He’s cooked for dignitaries and diplomats, celebrities and presidents, ranging from the Dalai Lama to Bill Clinton. But Back says that for him, his favorite customers are the ones right in front of him.

Despite being a Michelin Starred chef and developing a global culinary brand, Back says he feels his life hasn’t changed all that much. If anything, he says, the accolades just motivate him further. As the Akira Back name continues to expand throughout the U.S., London and the Middle East, the acclaimed chef hopes to instill in his customers the same joy he derives from his craft.

Top, Akira Back’s lamb chops; bottom, the Perfect Storm Sushi Rolls

GIOVANNI LEDON

SIGNATURE DISH: Perfect Storm Sushi Roll

Sushi roll with shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, salmon belly Aburi and chipotle mayo; or Pop Rockin’ Sushi Roll with spicy crab, cucumber, asparagus and watermelon

SURE THING: Lamb Chops

Lamb chops with smoked jalapeño; king crab legs with dynamite sauce and pickled shimeji; scallops on the half shell with kimchi, bacon and kochujang butter. Or jeju domi, snapper sashimi with marinated masago, red sorrel and sweet and spicy chojang sauce

LIVING ON THE EDGE: The Nazo 9

Chef Back’s signature mystery box of succulent sashimi and sushi creations unveiled with a unique tableside presentation

Akira Back, truffle rice

DARBSTER

8020 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach 561/586-2622 darbster.com

What began as an animal lover’s passion is now one of South Florida’s most popular plant-based dining hot spots with two very special missions: provide delicious cuisine that appeals to both plant-based and mainstream diners while helping to fund a thriving animal rescue foundation.

“We were tired of driving to Fort Lauderdale for vegan food,” explains longtime vegetarian Ellen Quinlan who, in 2009, along with husband, Alan Gould, opened Darbster in West Palm Beach.

Themed “food we can all live with,” Darbster’s menus feature a wide array of beautifully curated organic and vegan options like crispy hearts of palm cakes with spicy caper remoulade, and Italian sliders with black bean ‘sausage,’ caramelized onion, red bell pepper and spicy paprika aioli.

“Being inexperienced, we spent about six months getting the initial menu together,” says Quinlan.“But since then, it’s been incredibly successful. Moreover, we just enjoy having a great neighborhood kind of joint with the foods we love—and with the added bonus of showing people that vegan food doesn’t have to be inedible.”

Attitudes toward plant-based food have radically changed over the years, adds Quinlan; a national learning curve and the trend toward healthier eating have helped her restaurant grow.“When we first opened, we intentionally never used the word ‘vegan,’ because it was a turnoff to people. We say ‘plant-based,’ because even though it’s vegan, it doesn’t carry the same negative connotation.”

Interestingly, most of Darbster’s clientele is not vegan, says Quinlan. At least until their first experience at Darbster.“We hear almost every night, ‘If I could eat like this at home, I could be a vegan.’ So, while I don’t think they leave as a convert, I do think they leave with an eye-opening experience.”

Named after the couple’s rescue dog, half of Darbster’s revenue helps fund the $1.4 million Darbster Foundation, which, since 2012, has rescued 14,000 unwanted cats and dogs from local shelters and transported them to their New Hampshire facility for adoption. More significant funding comes from grants as well as their annual Fur Ball, hosted this year at Club Colette, and purported to be the island’s only all-vegan event.

“My hope with our foundation is to, one day, be out of business,” smiles Quinlan.“Wouldn’t that be great?”

Above, Darbster’s tempeh tacos; right, Ellen Quinlan with Poppy

SIGNATURE DISH: Barley risotto with oyster and shitake mushrooms, cashew ‘goat’ cheeze, truffle oil, cherry tomatoes and cashew Parmesan; chicken parmigiana with panko-crusted chick’n, mozzarella cheeze, linguini, pomodoro sauce, basil oil, garlic bread and cashew Parmesan

SURE THING: Southwestern burrito with cilantro lime basmati rice, black beans, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheeze, guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo, in a sun-dried tomato wrap

LIVING ON THE EDGE: Raw bacon cheezeburger, a sunflower walnut herb burger with nacho cashew cheeze, eggplant ‘bacon,’ romaine, plum tomato, red onion and dill cashew mayo

DVASH

8208 Glades Road, Boca Raton 561/558-9199 dvashboca.com

Serving authentic Mediterranean fusion cuisine to a loyal following continues to spell sweet success for self-taught chef Ilan Cohen, who ran the landmark Falafel Bistro & Wine Bar in Parkland for more than a decade before closing its doors because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thankfully, plans for a sister restaurant were already in the works and, last fall, the Cohens opened DVASH (“honey” in Hebrew), showcasing a modern twist on classic Mediterranean cuisine.

Like its predecessor, DVASH serves a mix of authentic, madeto-order Mediterranean favorites in a setting that Cohen designed to feel like you’re in his home. Top-selling menu items include skewered lamb kabob with a wine reduction, pine nuts and roasted garlic mash; vegan tofu scramble with spinach, mushrooms, red bell pepper, onions and herbs; and Middle Eastern-style risotto with lentil, mushrooms, onions and quinoa.

“I love cooking mostly vegan with flavorful, fresh herbs, even though we have amazing traditional options for meat eaters as well,” says Cohen, who ran a successful restaurant in his native Jerusalem before coming to the U.S. in 2006.

Cohen is joined by his wife, Lauren, of 30 years, who oversees all of the house-made desserts.“She’s very passionate about baking, which comes through everything on our menu. Her pumpkin bread pudding? The taste is insane.

“For me, it’s fun creating and serving the delicious Mediterranean dishes that I grew up with and learned to make from my grandmother. Not many people in this world love what they are doing, but we’re having fun doing what we love.”

SIGNATURE DISH: Grilled Lamb Chops

Lamb chops served with roasted garlic mash, grilled asparagus and mint pistachio; Marscarpone pancake with sweet mascarpone and berries with rose petal compote

SURE THING: Roasted Eggplant Carpaccio

Eggplant carpaccio served with raw tahina, roasted chestnuts, crushed tomato and cilantro on Jerusalem sesame bagel

LIVING ON THE EDGE: Jerusalem Tofu Burger

Tofu burger served on ciabatta with hummus, herb tahini and sautéed onions with sliced potato fries

Rustic turmeric cauliflower from DVASH

AARON BRISTOL

A refreshing newcomer to the downtown West Palm Beach restaurant scene, Planta opened in April 2021 to rave reviews for its tasty take on plant-based food.

“We like the phrase ‘healthy hedonism,’” says Nicole Rotondaro, Planta’s executive restaurant leader for all four Florida locations.“Meaning, we like being a guilty pleasure without all the guilt by translating everyday flavors in a healthy way for our guests.”

Everyday flavors like their take on crispy, spicy bang bang shrimp, which is made using broccoli prepared in a tempura-like batter and served with sweet chile and peanut sauce, demonstrate that “plantbased” can be savory and incredibly tasty. Another star favorite is the black beanbased Planta Burger, made with a proprietary crispy rice blend that creates the perfect density and consistency of a traditional burger.

“It’s amazing what you can make from beans, mushrooms and oats and be absolutely delicious and savory,” Rotondaro says.“Who knew, right?”

Created by Founder/CEO Steven Salm and Co-Founder/Executive Chef David Lee, the first Planta restaurant opened in Toronto, Canada in 2016 followed by nearly a dozen locations in North America.“We’re happy to be at the forefront of the plant-based lifestyle,” says Rotondaro.“We’ve always referred to ourselves as plant-based versus vegetarian or vegan, which represents our overall approach to being Earth-friendly and Earth-conscious.”

The Planta brand widened its West Palm Beach offering last year by launching a happy hour menu at its Oasis area, which features a fun 40-seat outdoor covered bar with a full menu.“It’s something that people aren’t used to, having plant-based options along with cocktails. It’s been a huge success,” Rotondaro says.

Planta’s on-trend model isn’t limited to its menu offerings. All takeout packaging is sustainable, biodegradable and carbon-neu tral. Its sustainability initiatives include recycling and composting at every location. “A Miami-based composting service comes twice a week to collect our scraps that are composted at their main facility. It’s such a cool program that we’re super happy to be a part of.”

SIGNATURE DISH: Bang

Bang Broccoli Fresh broccoli florets prepared in a tempura batter, served with sweet chile and peanut sauce

SURE THING:

Planta Burger

Above, crispy rice from Planta; right, Nicole Rotondaro

FARMER’S TABLE

1901 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton 561/417-5836

dinefarmerstable.com

Inspired by a shared passion for healthy living, Wyndham Hotel owner Mitchell Robbins and Chef/Restaurateur Joey Giannuzzi found the perfect place and time to launch Farmer’s Table. The two men couldn’t have envisioned a better concept—or partnership. Giannuzzi, who enjoyed decades of success in the restaurant world, knew that customer tastes were changing. His local Green Gourmet restaurant was hugely popular but in need of expansion. It was there Robbins and Giannuzzi met and discovered a shared interest in bringing something truly innovative and on-trend as consumer tastes were steering away from carbs, sugar, processed food, even meat—and demanding cleaner, healthier dining options.

Robbins, a longtime advocate of healthy living, agreed that his Wyndham Hotel’s 300-seat restaurant was the perfect hub.

“We both wanted a restaurant that’s a safe haven for friends and family to gather comfortably and enjoy food that meets their needs,” says Giannuzzi.“A place where grandma and grandpa can eat knowing that we don’t cook with butter, cream or too much salt; where mom can get something vegan while dad can get a steak, and where the kids can have healthy, gluten-free baked chicken fingers.”

The restaurant’s “never-ever” menu assures that all of the pro-

SIGNATURE DISH: “Spasta” & Meatballs

Chicken or vegan meatballs with spaghetti squash, organic spinach and tomato basil sauce; Roasted eggplant-zucchini lasagna with cashew ricotta, garlic sautéed spinach and ‘Joey’s Mom’s’ tomato sauce

SURE THING: Grass-Fed Beef Short Rib

Slow-braised short ribs served with roasted Brussels sprouts, maple-whipped sweet potatoes and mushroom bordelaise

LIVING ON THE EDGE: Ramen Bowl

Ramen bowl with cabbage, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms and gingered egg in a dashi broth, served with shrimp, tofu, tuna or chicken

rice cakes and beansprouts that taste like cardboard,” Gi annuzzi says.“We call our cuisine ‘feel-good food’ because it’s good for you—nutritious and nourishing to the body without being void of flavor or satisfaction—and it’s good for the planet, because we use eco-conscious purveyors and also implement environmentally friendly practices in our kitchen.”

In 2019 its second location opened at the North Palm Beach country club, with a third location near its flagship Boca restaurant slated to open in 2023.

The theme? “We’re doing an upscale Chinese restaurant borrowing some of the philosophies of Farmer’s Table,” said Giannuzzi.“We can’t serve an egg roll without submerging it in oil, but, as with Farmer’s Table, we’ve found healthy workarounds.”

Mitch Robbins and Joey Giannuzzi; bottom, Farmer’s Table ramen bowl

Many suffering from mental health issues are finding a trippy alternative to

Written by Tyler Childress

nxiety, depression and doubt had been pushing him closer to the edge for years. Then the final nudge came. For Ross (he declined to use his last name), the devastating end of a long-term relationship was what throttled his descent through the darkest depths of despair, and if he wanted to claw his way back out, he knew he would have to try something radically different than the talk therapy he had grown cynical of and the strenuous weightlifting and CrossFit regimen that served as more of a distraction than a solution. With nowhere else to turn, he took the suggestion of a concerned friend and began researching ketamine, a popular anesthetic with a notorious reputation as a party drug that is now being medically accepted as a treatment for combating everything from anxiety to PTSD.

traditional medicine.

Ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 and approved as an anesthetic by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1970. The drug proved to be an effective anesthetic, and was even used by Vietnam War soldiers to treat battlefield injuries, but it soon became infamous when its dissociative and hallucinogenic effects made ketamine a popular rave drug throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. In 1999, ketamine was listed as a Schedule III substance under the U.S. Controlled Substance Act. The following year, researchers began examining the drug’s benefits as a treatment for depression.

session, Ross felt no lingering side effects.

Ross’s shift in perception allowed him to see that in order to truly be a participant in his own life meant accepting the uncertainty and anxiety that came with it. Valuable though this insight was—and continues to be to him—ketamine wasn’t a magic bullet that wiped away his anxiety. But it did serve as a catalyst for change.

“Sometimes all you need is to shift your perspective a degree and then over the course of a year, two or three years that degree has these compounding effects,” Ross says.“For me, I find those degree shifts in perspective to be extremely helpful in the long run.”

ADOPTION IN MEDICINE

Ketamine’s appeal as a therapeutic for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety is becoming more mainstream in the medical community. In 2020, the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced the FDA’s approval of Spravato, a form of ketamine that is more potent and can be absorbed through a nasal solution. Researchers at both Yale and Harvard have published studies revealing the efficacy of ketamine in treating depression. There are now more than a dozen clinics across South Florida that specialize in intravenous (IV) ketamine therapy.

THE KETAMINE EXPERIENCE

After doing his research, and after all else had failed him, Ross was eager to give ketamine a shot He found a local clinic which provided intravenous ketamine sessions, and after being evaluated and meeting with a physician’s assistant, he was ready for his first session.

Ross expected an experience similar to ones he had in the past with other psychedelic substances such as psilocybin mushrooms. In that way, he was disappointed. “It’s pretty subtle; it’s not a psychedelic trip,” says Ross. “You feel very in control, but it did stimulate [my] mind in a way that I wasn’t used to.”

For each of the three infusions (administered over the course of a few weeks), Ross describes feeling his thoughts race and his mind scatter initially, before settling into a deep meditative state. From there, he was able to look at his life from a “macro perspective” and observe events and thought patterns through a wider lens.

“There’s some things that it helped me shed some light on and look at a little bit differently,” he says. After each

Khali Reed is the co-founder of Ketamine Clinic South Florida, a clinic which provides ketamine infusions and therapy services to patients suffering from various mood disorders including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Each room of the clinic is fitted with blood pressure and heart rate monitors, at which a camera is pointed to give a live feed of the subject’s vitals to clinicians. Occasional side effects of ketamine include hypertension and tachycardia (irregular heart rhythms), but these issues are quickly remedied by staff once spotted on the monitors.

Since opening its doors in 2019, Ketamine Clinic South Florida has treated more than 200 patients with ketamine therapy.“It [ketamine]’s more successful than other modalities right now,” Reed says, noting that 80 percent of those treated at the clinic no longer rely on antidepressants or other mood stabilizers after undergoing ketamine sessions in conjunction with other therapeutic services. Like Ross, Reed stresses that ketamine is not a panacea.“It’s not a cure; it’s patients who are willing to make the changes themselves, and that’s when we see amazing results.”

Reed herself has undergone ketamine sessions, believing that it’s important for providers to understand exactly what their patients will experience.“I just felt love,” says Reed, for her husband and daughter as she drifted through a serene meditative state. According to Reed,

John Giordano and Khali Reed, owners of Ketamine Clinic South Florida

AARON BRISTOL

ketamine shouldn’t be viewed as a last-resort measure when all other treatments fail.“It [ketamine] should be the first line of treatment, because if you have depression, then something happened to you, and you need to find a root cause,” Reed says.“The medication is basically a Band-Aid, only treating symptoms and not the root.”

Despite showing great promise in treating mental illness, ketamine has a long way to go to becoming the goto treatment for mental healthcare providers. The drug in its generic form has not been FDA-approved for treating depression or PTSD, it can only be prescribed off-label, which most insurance companies don’t cover. There is also a profit motive for pharmaceutical companies to favor their patented brands over a generic drug like ketamine, which anyone can produce. But for those suffering from mental illness, ketamine offers an alternative to the "Band-Aid" of traditional pharmaceuticals.

Ketamine functions essentially by putting a barrier between the frontal lobe of the brain, responsible for reasoning and executive function, and the amygdala, the part of the brain that controls emotional response. The patient is effectively dissociated from the negative emotions tied to a certain event and is able to process them logically. John Giordano, an expert in addiction and trauma treatment and part owner of the Ketamine Clinic South Florida, likens the effects of ketamine on the brain to a computer.“If you erase stuff on your computer, it’s not gone; it’s on your hard drive. It’s the same thing with trauma,”he says.“What ketamine does, it gets to the hard drive.”

TURN ON, TUNE IN, DROP OUT

Ketamine is just one of several psychedelic compounds currently being researched for their physical and psychological benefits. Drugs such as MDMA (aka ecstasy), LSD (acid) and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) are making their way into the burgeoning industry of psychedelic medicine. The only obstacle is the lingering stigma surrounding them.

While psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, ayahuasca (a powerful psychedelic that instills vivid hallucinations) and mescaline have been used as religious sacraments by cultures dating as far back as 9,000 B.C., their use didn’t become controversial until the 1960s when the sacraments of old world religions became synonymous with the antiwar

and anti-consumerist stances of the politically rebellious youth. Famed psychologist and psychonaut Timothy Leary gave his celebrated“turn on, tune in, drop out”speech to a crowd of tens of thousands of Flower Children during the 1967 Summer of Love, and Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters canvassed the nation in bright Day-Glo hosting LSD-spiked Kool-Aid parties. The hippie movement’s dissent to“traditional”America was palpable, and drew the ire of the federal government. While there was no way to criminalize the gatherings and ideology of the social phe-

“IF YOU ERASE STUFF ON YOUR COMPUTER, IT'S NOT GONE; IT'S ON YOUR HARD DRIVE. IT'S THE SAME WITH TRAUMA. WHAT KETAMINE DOES, IT GETS TO THE HARD DRIVE.”

Zappy Zapolin

Psychedelic Law

The topic of legalizing psychedelic substances is one that is garnering nationwide attention. Oregon led the charge for the legalization of psilocybin when voters approved a ballot measure that helped create the framework for physicians to administer the drug in a medical setting. Since then, Colorado, California, Connecticut, Washington, Texas, Colorado and more states have either proposed or passed their own laws pushing for psychedelic reform.

In January 2021, Rep. Mike Greico introduced a bill, H.B. 549, that would have legalized psilocybin-assisted therapy in Florida. The bill was drafted in part by Fort Lauderdale lawyer and founder of Mr. Psychedelic Law, Dustin Robinson, Esq., who modeled the legislation after the Oregon ballot measure. Ultimately, H.B. 549 was killed in committee, but Robinson said it “got the conversation started.”

Robinson founded Mr. Psychedelic Law in 2019 to promote the legal reform of psychedelics on the local, state and federal levels. Robinson admits that he didn’t really expect the ambitious bill he helped draft would be passed, but that the “strategy was to ask for everything up front and then kind of tailor it back in future bills.” After H.B. 549, two more bills concerning psychedelics were introduced to the Florida House and Senate, respectively. H.B. 193 and S.B. 348 would have directed the Florida Department of Health and the Board of Medicine to study the therapeutic applications of MDMA, psilocybin and ketamine in treating mood disorders. Both died in subcommittees.

For Robinson, the case for legalizing psychedelics is clear. “We’re in a global mental health crisis; over a billion people are suffering,” he says. “We don’t have time to wait.” His organization is currently working on another bill that he hopes to have filed by the next legislative session.

The new bill focuses on preparing Florida for the eventual approval of MDMA and psilocybin by the FDA, rather than legalizing or decriminalizing substances. If passed, the bill would give the attorney general a window of time to reschedule a drug that has been reclassified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). If the attorney general doesn’t act within that window, the drug will be automatically rescheduled.

“Florida has a lot of veterans that are suffering from PTSD, so Florida is a state that could very much benefit from this approval,” says Robinson. “Our goal is to make sure that veterans and others suffering with PTSD have access to this medicine as soon as possible once it’s approved.”

nomenon, there was a way to criminalize the substances which, in part, helped fuel the movement.

The War on Drugs began in earnest in 1971, when President Richard Nixon signed the Controlled Substances Act into law. Under this new federal drug policy, nearly every psychedelic compound was declared as having no medical value and a high potential for abuse under the Schedule I designation. Now, mental health advocates across multiple fields including business, law and medicine are advocating for a change in how these drugs are classified and for their use in combating mental health crises.

THE BOCA PSYCHONAUT

Boca Raton-based entrepreneur, filmmaker and futurist Zappy Zapolin found out firsthand the benefits of psychedelics, and has since become one of their most vocal advocates. Dubbed the “Psychedelic Concierge to the Stars,” Zapolin has produced and directed two documentaries on the subject, including the upcoming “Lamar Odom Reborn,” wherein Zapolin delivers the basketball star a “psychedelic intervention” that helps pull Odom out of a years-long struggle with addiction and mental illness. Prior to his current psychonautic status, Zapolin earned hundreds of millions of dollars during the dot-com boom of the late ‘90s by selling domains such as music.com and beer.com, but in 2010 experienced what he refers to as a “spiritual midlife crisis.”

“I had done everything society had told me to do to be fulfilled,” says Zapolin, but the promise of fulfillment never came to fruition. Having had positive experiences with psychedelics in the past, he decided to try them with a new intent to expand his consciousness and “look deep” within himself. After taking part in a traditional South American ayahuasca ceremony, he developed a renewed sense of peace and purpose and now hopes to help others achieve the same.“Real people are having real issues in their family,” Zapolin says.“It doesn’t matter how much money you have or who you are, your family can get hit with depression, PTSD or addiction, and you have to solve that.”The solution, Zapolin says, can be found in psychedelic medicine.

Zapolin is currently the Chief Visionary Officer of Psycheceutical, a company that aims to integrate psychedelics with traditional medicine. By educating the public, Zapolin hopes to remove the stigma surrounding psychedelics so that they can be adopted by doctors as a treatment alternative to antidepressants and other medications for mood disorders.“These [psychedelics] are more effective than the traditional medicines we have, but they don’t have the side effects,” says Zapolin, who believes that “if there’s anything that could instantly enhance your life, it’s psychedelics.”

Beyond the therapeutic appeal of psychedelics, Zapolin also believes in the potential of the growing psychedelic economy.“We’re in the early innings of the psychedelic medicine industry, which I’m predicting is going to be over a trillion-dollar industry,” says Zapolin. While this may seem like a stretch, Zapolin believes his prediction will become a reality when psychedelics become the dominant form of mental health treatment. But such a monumental paradigm shift in mental health hinges on whether these substances are legalized for medicinal use.

BYPASSING BUREAUCRACY

For some, legalizing psychedelic substances for medical purposes (see sidebar) can’t come soon enough.

Nicholas Levich is the co-founder of Psychedelic Passage, a service that links psychedelic-curious clients with experienced facilitators who “trip sit” their psychedelic experience.“There’s a lot of people out there that aren’t able or willing to wait for the legislation to change, and they need help now and there’s very few other routes to get professional support,” says Levich. Trip sitting entails watching over and guiding an individual who is under the influence of a psychedelic drug. The caveat for the Psychedelic Passage service is that clients must provide their own substances, which is how the company is able to operate within the confines of the law.

To date, Psychedelic Passage has linked more than 300 “journeyers” with facilitators in its network, all of whom undergo a rigorous vetting process before being approved as guides, which includes background and education checks, multiple interviews, past client reference checks, and internal requirements such as having prior personal experience with psychedelic compounds. As there is currently no certification for those practicing psychedelic treatment, this screening process is imperative. Clients also must undergo a vetting process to see if they are fit for the experience.“It’s definitely not for everyone,” says Levich, and that those suffering from certain mental or physical conditions such as schizophrenia or heart issues are prone to adverse effects when experimenting with psychedelics.

Levich himself feels he has benefited greatly from the use of psychedelics. From overcoming childhood and family challenges and learning self-love to developing a sense of self-confidence, Levich attributes changes in

nearly every aspect of his life to experiences he’s had with psychedelics. For Levich, the argument for allowing others the same opportunity is simple; “I believe it’s a fundamental human right to be able to explore your own consciousness.”

While exploring his own consciousness didn’t “cure” Ross, it helped him to break the cycle of his negative thought patterns. The shift in perception he experienced with ketamine left him with valuable insights that he continues to try and incorporate into his everyday life.

“It [ketamine] helps you look at certain events in your life from a different perspective,” says Ross,“and for me I found that to be very useful to heal and move on and grow from certain life events that previously I had found myself stuck in.”

“I BELIEVE IT'S A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT TO BE ABLE TO EXPLORE YOUR OWN CONSCIOUSNESS.”

Nicholas Levich

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The striking island makes a statement with its contrasting color palette and posh hardware. The expansive 14-foot feature offers plenty of storage and ample prep space for home chefs. The island’s white quartz countertop boldly contrasts with the modern kitchen’s oak cabinetry, stained with a dark black finish. Shimmering brass hardware adds an extra layer of luxe to the island and clean-lined design. houseof1.com

FLORIDA STYLE & DESIGN

Island Fever

Kitchen islands are hard working and good looking

Islands are the workhorse of today’s kitchens, but their designs are elevating them to be showstoppers as well. Working triple duty as a furniture piece, cooking prep station and a dining spot, islands are fashioned to be functional, but who says they can’t be stunning too? Designers are packing in the pretty with interesting materials, posh details and dramatic color palettes. And in homes designed to be enjoyed and lived in, today’s kitchen islands often serve as a hub where homeowners entertain their guests. For home chefs who also want to be a part of the action, nothing facilitates a lively cooking experience more than an island where guests can pull up a chair and enjoy a cocktail with the cook.

Marc-Michaels Interior Design

Marc-Michaels, known for creating luxuriously opulent designs, curated this home’s updated Georgian classic style. Created for a Delray Beach client who craved a casual dining setting, the team designed an extended walnut table that overlooks the kitchen and its sleek island. The extra space invites guests into the kitchen and offers another option for entertaining. Complementary wood accents found throughout add warmth, while glossy white cabinetry and durable Geoluxe stone countertops reflect light, giving the space a luminous aura. marc-michaels.com

“The homeowner desired a next-level space full of many specialty features,” says Jessica Lee, senior project manager.

In a family room with limited space for a freestanding dining table, the design team turned a challenge into an opportunity by transforming the kitchen’s island into a multifunctional feature by integrating a custom oak extended tabletop from the sink-based island. The room’s tropical modern design includes floor-to-ceiling Boffi wood cabinets that add eye-catching contrast with the island’s white marble. That same marble, which was sealed to ensure its durability and low maintenance, repeats on the countertops and backsplash for a continuous streamlined appearance. Beautiful as well as functional, the island features hidden cabinets on the outer and interior sides to house the owner’s beloved dinnerware. dunagandiverio.com

“Our designs are known for their timeless understated elegance. The waterfront and city views made us want to create a sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance.”

House of One

This transitional kitchen was designed to feel warm and inviting with its combination of compelling colors, materials and textures. The Opustone vintage Calacatta marble used throughout delivers timeless pattern and movement to the space and draws inspiration from the base cabinets painted in Rosemary by Sherwin Williams. In contrast, the island’s cashmere-hued wood slats give the room a more contemporary profile. To establish the island as the anchor of the kitchen, the designers located the range on the island as opposed to a nearby countertop. Promoting the room’s open look and feel, open shelving replaces upper cabinets and displays the owner’s cookware and family photos. houseof1.com

“I wanted to make the entire home have this new-old feel. The main focus of doing that was making sure the balance of materials was well executed.”

PAUL STOPPI

Dunagan Diverio Design Group ▲

Brittany Farinas

Charlotte Dunagan and Thomas Diverio

Jim Dove Design

The oversized island, which features a double sink, plenty of counter space and storage overlooks the impressive accent wall created with De Gournay wallpaper and museum-grade glass functioning as the backsplash. The West Palm Beach home’s wood island, accented with decorated panels bookended with rounded columns, is topped with Cambria quartz. The kitchen’s design nods to both the past and present by teaming modern vernacular architecture with hints of glamour sprinkled to reflect the Florida of yesteryear. jimdovedesign.com

NICHOLAS MELE

KRIS TAMBURELLO

When I design kitchens, I think of the space as a living room and the cabinetry is its furniture.”

Jim Dove

Playing With Marbles

The range of marble enables a full expression of looks and lifestyle Marble solidified itself as a forever favorite, far from the fickle trends of today’s decorating world. But while it has been used in design for centuries, its evolution from an auxiliary accent to a showstopper is undeniable these days. Often driving a room’s design, marble is no longer soft-spoken, instead making bold statements with its dramatic veining and daring colors. It’s also ideal for those looking to incorporate a natural element into their spaces. In the following bathrooms, marble is used in a variety of ways and amounts, delivering active, luxurious patterns that help transform these spaces into spa-like sanctuaries.

House of One

To complement the natural color palette of this bathroom, the designer used a gorgeous black marble from ARCA for the vanity, featuring hints of taupe, gold, green and orange. The movement and scale of the veining provided the perfect amount of color and contrast to the rest of the space. Quartzite walls, a sleek black bathtub and black accents are all supporting actors that allow the rich black Belvedere marble to be the star of this memorable space. houseof1.com

“Each component of this bathroom was well thought out as far as how they would relate to one another and what roles they play to the overall composition.”

KRIS TAMBURELLO

Brittany Farinas

Choeff Levy Fischman Architecture + Design ▲

This collaborative design with Alon Steiger of Steigerbuilt LLC is bold and beautiful with book-matched warm gray graffiti marble slabs that clad the entire space. The tropical modern residence, in Boca Raton’s yachting enclave The Sanctuary, effortlessly blends mid-century style with tropical elements. The primary suite’s spa bathroom features dual marble vanities and a floor-to-ceiling glass-enclosed wet room complete with rain shower and freestanding tub. The expansive window brings in the lush landscaping to truly encapsulate the elegance of indoor/outdoor living in South Florida. clfarchitects.com

“The owner and I wanted to create an elegant, sophisticated backdrop on the walls to contrast with the light marble floors, white ceilings, vanities and bathtub.”

Marc-Michaels Interior Design

This all-white bathroom is anything but boring. Featuring luxe materials and lavish details that add interest, this classic ladies’ bathroom exudes luxury. The space was created with a mix of natural stones, including Mystery White marble flooring, boasting subtle veining that extends through the bathroom into the spacious closet and glam makeup vanity. The countertops and shower bench feature Opal White Athos marble, while the shower’s gorgeous mosaic in mother of pearl serves as the room’s statement piece. marc-michaels.com

“I think the light stones and the floral pattern of the mosaic bring a soft feminine attitude to the space.”—Jessica Lee

Paul Fischman

Mothé Design

Drama reigns supreme in this primary bathroom. Framed by sprawling ocean views, this contemporary space evokes clean minimalism—except for the impressive accent wall created with polished Natori marble. The client wanted the bathroom’s design to be breathtaking without being overwhelming, so the design team used white marble floors with soft veining to allow the marble wall to be the statement piece. Running the marble past the shower elongates the space and gives it a graceful flow.

“I combine the functionality to the design (while) respecting their needs and taste. I’m capable of visualizing the entire space from a different perspective. I combine my technical architectural background with the design.”

Raquel Mothé

FINISHING TOUCH TRIMS

For The Fun Of It

Fantastical patterns and upbeat colors deliver wit and wonder to any décor

(FABRICS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) Brutalist, Pierre Frey, pierrefrey.com; Wobble Grid, Rubelli, rubelli.com; Loose Check, Schumacher, fschumacher.com; Dappled Brick, Rubelli, rubelli.com; Overtone Print, Lee Jofa, Kravet.com; Blocks, Harlequin, harlequin. sandersondesigngroup.com

(TRIMS, TOP TO BOTTOM): Orsa, Pindler, pindler.com; Casita Nileita, Clarence House, clarencehouse.com; Corbu Tape, Schumacher, fschumacher. com; Sachi, Fabricut, fabricut. com; Helecho, Clarence House, clarencehouse.com; Pagoda Trim, Schumacher, fschumacher.com

Midas Three Tier Chandelier from The Fisher Weisman Collection, available to the trade, fisherweisman.com

Enlightened Design

If you’re looking for a chandelier that exudes cool, you’ve found it. Handcrafted in steel and papier-mâché, this tiered fixture bedazzles with its imaginative form, unique materials and artisanal imperfections—all hallmarks of the Fisher Weisman Collection. What’s more, the chandelier showcases the work of women employed by the brand who help craft it and other distinctive pieces from their homes in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, which helps to support families, futures and the community. Custom finishes and dimensions are available.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FISHER WEISMAN

Located in the prestigious Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club and designed by the awardwinning Bloomfield Construction Inc., this property comes with a wealth of amenities inside and out. Besides overlooking three of the fairways on the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, the property includes 5 bedrooms and 6 full baths with separate his/her master baths plus a cabana bath and powder room, gym, an oversized swimming pool, spa, four-car garage with electric car charger, and both gourmet and summer kitchens. At 10,146 total square feet, it is fully furnished, including state-of-the-art home automation and water detection systems, and a wine room which can hold up to 388 bottles. Completion date – January 2023.

NATURAL BEAUTY

Nature inspires a welcome and soothing ambience. Make your kitchen or bathroom more zenlike by incorporating organic motifs, forms and materials—including wood, stone, rattan and bamboo.

“We did white wood lacquer cabinets with a natural wood island. We added rope rattan counter stools to give it a coastal chic vibe. The overall design is very high-end and timeless!”

—Debbie Travin, Interior Designer

Miami Beach kitchen by Debbie Travin, DLT Interiors

1. Sunwashed Riviera counter stool in Coastal Blue, $318, Serena & Lily, Palm Beach, serenaandlily.com. 2. Juliska bamboo bowl and mug, $36, $32, Hive, Palm Beach, hivepalmbeach.com. 3. Nito Pitcher, $129.95, Williams-Sonoma, Boca Raton, williams-sonoma. com. 4. Marlo Thomas Champagne bucket, $199, Williams-Sonoma, Boca Raton, williams-sonoma.com. 5. Taylor bamboo scale, $23.99, Crate & Barrel, Boca Raton, crateandbarrel.com. 6. Sika Designs Frattelino round bar cart, $1,500, Sur La Table, Boca Raton, surlatable.com. 7. Spellbound bar cabinet, $20,000, Koket, Miami (by appointment), bykoket.com

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in the heart of Boca Raton`s thriving Downtown district. At Royal Palm Place you can find something for everyone, as it boasts a fabulous variety of boutiques, art galleries, jewelers, salons, spas and an array of specialty shops and services. Set amidst flowering gardens, Mediterranean fountains and tranquil piazzas, you can indulge yourself or find that perfect gift for a special someone on your list.

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BACKSTAGE PASS

Dave Mason, performing Jan. 25 at Broward Center

“The most important thing is to keep your sense of humor. Otherwise, you’re just going to lose it.”

Jill Melody

Jill Melody

A Boca Raton comedy maven’s labor of love is coming to a streaming service near you

Written by JOHN THOMASON

In 2020, with the pandemic in its infancy, writer and producer Jill Melody found herself sequestered in a one-room apartment in Tel Aviv. Israel had enacted one of the most stringent lockdowns in Western Europe. Melody, who lives in Boca, had flown in to work on a short film, and even making it out of the airport involved hurdle after hurdle—followed by two weeks of isolation.

To paraphrase Winston Churchill,“never let a good quarantine go to waste.”Melody spent the unwanted downtime hatching an idea for a sitcom set among the cast and crew of a zany Miami variety show. By quarantine’s end, she had scripted the pilot, and by the time she departed Israel, she had submitted her concept for a grant established to support Jewish female filmmakers.

Melody received the funding, and for the past two years, her show, titled “Just My Type,” has been all-consuming. Serving as writer, producer, showrunner and actor, Melody and her crew have filmed at locations throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties.“Just My Type,” starring local talent, is expected to be available on streaming services, as a one-hour special with the potential to extend into a full series, in January.

For Melody, widowed with three kids and five grandchildren, comedy has always been a lifeline. She has notched an appearance in “Friends” and starred in the Amazon comedy “Ms. INCORPORATED.” For five years, she ran the Florida Comedy Film Festival, last hosted at the Willow Theater in 2020 and likely to return in 2024.

“Humor is what saved me,” she says.“I’ve seen my mother pass away, I’ve seen my husband pass away. The most important thing is to keep your sense of humor. Otherwise, you’re just going to lose it.”

I understand you started acting at age 10; how did it happen?

My dad was a big inspiration for me. He was kind of like a theater dad. He told me at 10, after being in a couple of school plays,“you need to audition for this group called the Showbiz Kids.” I said,“I barely

sing and dance.” … So I go to the audition, and I do my song-anddance routine. And the lady who’s the head of the troupe said,“you’re not really a singer, are you?” I went,“nope.” She’s like,“you’re not really a dancer, are you?” I said,“nope. Can I leave now?” She’s like, “no, because you have

something none of these other people have: charisma. We can teach you to sing. We can teach you to dance. We can’t teach charisma.” And that was that.

Why did you choose a Miami television station for the setting of “Just My Type?”

Miami is a kooky, crazy place. You’ve got Latinos, right-wing, left-wing, gay, straight; it’s a melting pot, and we touch on everything. We have every kind of character you can possibly imagine—and that’s what Miami is.

Are there certain movies or shows that you drew from when developing “Just My Type?”

“30 Rock” was definitely one; “Frasier.” I’m old, so I go way back to the standards. It’s that comedic timing, where you may not get it for another minute or two. I’m a child of the ‘80s, so I liked all the shows of the ‘80s.

As both actor and showrunner, what’s been the biggest challenge navigating not only the front of the camera but everything backstage as well?

Exactly that. I’m acting in it, and I’ve got 20 dif-

ferent hats. You lay out all the groundwork, you get the money, you get the locations, you get a great crew, and then you’ve got to put all that aside, and you’re like, “hi, now I’m an actor.” Somebody just called me about ice. I don’t care about ice—figure it out. If you have a problem with the lights, just fix it. Do your job. I have a crew of 16 people, and I have to delegate a lot. And then there’s a lot of preproduction work. It’s a Screen Actors Guild production, so getting the paperwork assigned, making sure legally you’re covered, making sure that everyone’s going to show up, making sure our COVID compliance officer is on top of everything. There’s a million pieces to it.

Were you surprised that during such a dark time, you were about to develop a comedy?

I think that’s the critical thing. My tagline is, life is better when you’re laughing. … You’ve got to keep your energy level up. You’ve got to keep smiling. What kept us all going during the pandemic? We all sat and watched Netflix, Amazon, Hulu. I wrote TV. I’m like, I’m not going to let this time be wasted. Who’s got two weeks to just sit around?

Jill Melody

January 2023

Now-Jan. 15:

“Joseph Stella: Visionary Nature” at Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; $15-$18 museum admission; 561/832-5196, norton.org. Fusing natural settings with a spiritually transcendent surrealism, painter Stella’s bold interpretations of flora and fauna were unlike the work of any other artist—places where the quotidian and the magical shared bucolic real estate. Stella died in 1946, but his legacy, as this touring exhibition indicates, is ripe for rediscovery.

Now-Jan. 22:

Reginald Cunningham: “Black Pearls” at Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; $10-$12 museum admission; 561/392-2500, bocamuseum.org. Washington, D.C.-based photographer and activist Cunningham traveled to Pearl City, Boca Raton’s first settled district, to honor the majority-Black residents of this historic community. “Black Pearls” highlights these contributions, including 10 to 20 large-scale photographs and collected oral histories in audio form.

Now-Jan. 22:

“Hard Bodies: Contemporary Japanese Lacquer Sculpture” at Society of the Four Arts, 100 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach; $10; 561/655-7226, fourarts. org. This sculpture exhibition showcases 33 works, mostly from this century, by 16 Japanese artists who explore lacquer in novel ways. A single tree produces only a half-cup of this lustrous coating per year, so each piece is a resplendent labor of love—a testament to the discipline and the rigor of countless hours of shaping raw material into forms both familiar and imaginative.

Jan. 8:

Michael Feinberg Trio at Arts

Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 7 p.m.; $35-$40; 561/450-6357, artsgarage.org. A contemporary jazz bassist of the highest order, Feinberg is a graduate of the University of Miami’s esteemed music school, where he recorded his debut album, Harajuku, at 19. His music finds equal footing in the pop world and the avant-garde. With his trio, he follows the lead of piano virtuoso Keith Jarrett in revisiting American Songbook classics with invigorating new arrangements.

Jan. 8-21:

“Admissions” at Levis JCC Sandler Center, 21050 95th Ave. S., Boca Raton; 2 p.m. Wed. and Sun., 7:30 p.m. Sat.; $25-$40; 561/558-2520, levisjcc.org. In this award-winning play by Joshua Harmon (author of “Bad Jews”), the head of an admissions department at a New England prep school, and her husband, the school’s headmaster, have devoted their efforts to diversifying their once-lily-white institution. But their progressive ideals clash with personal ambition when their son seeks their help in securing admission to an Ivy League university.

Jan. 9:

Neil deGrasse Tyson: “An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies II” at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 7 p.m.; $45 and up; 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org. The opinionated astrophysicist returns to the Broward Center for the sequel to his illuminating and illustrated look at what Hollywood has gotten wrong—and, occasionally, right, but mostly wrong—in its depictions of scientific phenomena. This program’s titles include “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Lion King” and “Game of Thrones.”

“Joseph Stella: Visionary Nature” Michael Feinberg Trio

Reginald Cunningham: “Black Pearls”

Now-Feb. 12:

“A Personal View on High Fashion & Street Style: Photography from the Nicola Erni Collection, 1930s to Now” at Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; $15-$18 museum admission; 561/832-5196, norton.org. Making its museum debut, this collection from devoted enthusiast Nicola Erni includes more than 300 works documenting the intersection of fashion and street photography, by artists such as Irving Penn, Cecil Beaton, Richard Avedon and more.

Now-April 23:

“Scott Covert: I Had a Wonderful Life” at NSU Art Museum, 1 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; $5-$12 museum admission; 954/525-5500, nsuartmuseum.org. “I Had a Wonderful Life” marks the first solo museum exhibition from this distinctive painter from the 1980s East Village art scene. Covert specializes in the Victorian practice of grave rubbing, in which he lifts impressions from tombstone reliefs. Text from the resting places of famous dead people is combined to form collages.

Jan. 3-8:

“Hadestown” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; various show times; TBA; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. “Hadestown” is the brainchild of Vermont folksinger Anaïs Mitchell, whose source material is as ancient as 29 BCE: the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, and the former’s harrowing journey into a hedonistic underground to rescue the latter. Hermes, Persephone and, of course, Hades figure into the plot as well. The Broadway debut won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Jan. 6:

Jerry Seinfeld at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 7 p.m.; $67.50 and up; 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org. The veteran observational funnyman, whose eponymous 1990s sitcom is regularly ranked among the best television series of all-time, will take some time away from completing his latest movie project—a film that, in the “entertainment about nothing” tradition, is inspired by the Pop-Tart—to debut a new slate of material.

Jan. 10:

David Petraeus at Society of the Four Arts, 100 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach; 3 p.m.; $50; 561/655-7226, fourarts. org. Respected General David Petraeus has spent 40 years in the military and public service, ascending from a commander of the 101st Airborne Division in the Iraq War to director of the CIA, which he secured with a 94-0 Senate confirmation. In this lecture, he’ll discuss the importance of U.S. leadership at home and abroad and emerging threats to the geopolitical order.

Jan. 10-29:

“Sweet Charity” at Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 E. Indiantown Road, Jupiter; various show times; $93-$120; 561/575-2223, jupitertheatre. org. Adapting this musical from a perhaps unlikely source—Federico Fellini’s art-house drama “Nights of Cabiria”—Neil Simon’s rousing “Sweet Charity” follows the romantic travails of a large-hearted, sexually liberated dancehall girl in New York City. Infused with Simon’s trademark urban pep, wit and sophistication, “Sweet Charity” earned 9 noms upon its 1966 debut.

Jan. 13:

Kathleen Madigan at Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs; 8 p.m.; $31.57$52.97; 954/344-5990, thecentercs.com. A classic joke constructionist and a longtime “comedian’s comedian,” Madigan brings more than 30 years of standup experience and a C.V. of six television specials and 40 appearances on late-night talk shows. Her 2023 world tour is called “Boxed Wine and Tiny Banjos.”

Jan. 14:

Phillip-Michael Scales at Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University, 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m.; $25-$40; 561/2379000, lynn.edu. This emerging guitarist and singer-songwriter grew up in Nashville, with blues legend BB King as a family friend. King encouraged Scales to pursue his own career in song, and the young performer has cultivated a personal style, buoyed by a recent appearance on “Ellen,” that he calls “dive bar soul,” channeling his love of both the blues and indie rock.

“Scott Covert: I Had a Wonderful Life” “Hadestown”

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Jerry Seinfeld

January 2023

Jan. 14:

“Fela! The Concert” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 8 p.m.; TBA; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. Fela Kuti, composer, activist and Afrobeat pioneer, is reborn in this celebration of his music and legacy, honoring both his joyous, danceable songwriting and the confrontational politics that undergirded it. It is performed with a live Afrobeat band, singers and dancers whose rhythms replicate Kuti’s own, and vivid projected images complementing every note.

Jan. 15:

Harry Maurer at Boca Black Box, 8221 Glades Road, Suite 10, Boca Raton; 7 p.m.; $31.50$41.50; 561/483-9036, bocablackbox.com. Equally comfortable in the worlds of comedy and magic, this gregarious conjurer has been honing his skills since high school. He now spends 47 weeks on the road, from comedy clubs to cruise ships, and has opened for Jason Alexander, the Supremes, Frankie Avalon and many others.

Jan. 15:

Judith Hill at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 6 and 8:30 p.m.; $39 and up; 561/832-7469, kravis. org. With a voice as soulful and room-filling as that of Aretha Franklin or Mavis Staples, Hill launched her career on the shoulders of giants, from dueting with Michael Jackson on his planned final concert residency to working with co-producer Prince on her 2015 debut.

Collaborations with Spike Lee and Josh Groban followed. She’s touring in support of her fourth album, Baby, I’m Hollywood!

Jan. 24:

Gillian Sorenson at Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University, 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton; 10:30 a.m.; $15; 561/237-9000, lynn.edu. Sorenson, former United Nations assistant secretary-general for external relations—and currently spearheading relief efforts in Ukraine—will discuss her calling as a “diplomat’s diplomat,” per the New York Times. Lynn professor Robert Watson will lead the discussion, part of his nonpartisan Dialogues Lecture Series.

Jan. 24:

Croce Plays Croce at Duncan Theatre at Palm Beach State College, 4200 S. Congress Ave., Lake Worth Beach; 8 p.m.; $99; 561/868-3309, duncantheatre. org. Singer-songwriter AJ Croce, who lost his famous balladeer father, Jim, at age 2, and then went blind at 4, has transformed setbacks into creative gold as a vocalist, guitarist and pianist. At this performance, he plays iconic songs by his father (“Operator,” “Time in a Bottle”), a few of his original compositions, and tunes that have inspired both Croces.

Jan. 25:

Merz Trio at Duncan Theatre at Palm Beach State College, 4200 S. Congress Ave., Lake Worth Beach; 2 p.m.; $35; 561/8683309, duncantheatre.org. This string trio has shared its space with puppeteers and chefs, film directors and dancers and, most prominently, poets: The award-winning group’s 2021 debut album, Ink, deconstructs Ravel’s Piano Trio in A minor of 1914, breaking it up into four movements interspersed with poetic spoken word from Jean Cocteau and others.

Croce Plays Croce

Merz Trio

“Fela! The Concert”

Jan. 20-Feb. 5:

“To Life 3” at Willow Theatre at Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton; various show times; $43; 561/347-3900, sugarsandpark.org. Director Shari Upbin presents her third iteration of this song-and-dance-filled toast to the contribution of Jewish composers to the Golden Age of Broadway, featuring tunes by Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Jerry Herman, Sheldon Harnick and others.

Jan. 20-21:

Jazz Fest 2023 at Pompano Beach Great Lawn and Old Town, 41 N. First St., Pompano Beach; 7 to 10 p.m. Fri., 2 to 10 p.m. Sat.; $65-$100; pompanobeacharts.org. Grammy-winning, genre-hopping saxophonist David Sanborn headlines this two-day celebration of the great American music genre in its many forms. Other artists include smooth jazz/fusion pianist/ vocalist Fanni Sarkozy, Cuban saxophone maestro Yanier Horta, New Orleans Dixieland imports the Dixie Kings, Brazilian-American percussionist Nanny Assis and more.

Jan. 20-22:

“Madama Butterfly” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.; TBA; 561/832-7469, kravis. org. In one of Puccini’s many masterworks, an opportunistic American naval officer in 1890s Japan courts a 15-yearold girl from Nagasaki, takes her as his wife, and forces her to abandon her family and her religion, only to callously dump her—and worse. This production marks the opening of Palm Beach Opera’s lavish season at the Kravis.

Jan. 21-22:

Boca Strawberry Festival at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $15 for single day; 561/393-7890, bocastrawberryfestival.com. Sweeter than the Garlic Festival and just as packed with activities, this inaugural event features natural strawberry confections and other food, a canine talent show, a petting zoo, live music, strolling magicians, a video game truck and more. Order online with promo code BOCAMAG to get $5 off “Unlimited Activities Tickets.”

Jazz Fest 2023

Jan. 25:

Chris Botti at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 8 p.m.; $29 and up; 561/832-7469, kravis. org. This trumpeter, whose deft and velvet sound is more than comfortable in jazz, pop and rock modalities, takes the stage with a full band. Recent collaborations with artists as diverse as Vince Gill, Barbra Streisand and John Mayer attest to Botti’s versatility.

Jan. 25:

Dave Mason at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 7 p.m.; $49.50 and up; 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org. Mason became a linchpin of English classic rockers Traffic, performing during their original 19671969 golden area. He has continued to attract audiences from the rock and jazz worlds as both a respected solo artist and a member of Fleetwood Mac. His latest tour is aptly titled “World in Changes.”

Jan. 26:

“The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 8 p.m.; $25 and up; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. This tribute concert celebrates the music and memory of the late R&B icon. Supplemented by a live band, backing vocalists and choreographed dancers, “The Greatest Love of All” replicates a Houston concert from the vocalist’s prime, a re-creation fronted by South African singer and look-alike Belinda Davids.

Jan. 28-29:

Blue Man Group at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 8 p.m. Sat., 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sun.; $29 and up; 561/832-7469, kravis. org. Part percussionists, part clowns, part acrobatic showmen and part mimes, the Blue Man Group have been entertaining audiences with their performance art for the past 35 years. This tour features all-new music, choreography, stunts and audience interaction but adheres to BMG’s signature strengths: pounding drums and explosions of multicolored paint.

“The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston” Blue Man Group

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Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation 24th Annual Golf Tournament

Honorary Chairs

Ron and Kathy Assaf

Golf Chairs

Amy and David Eisen Amy and David Ross

Leaders in real estate

Nothing defines the luxury lifestyle like the place you call home. From waterfront estates to chic downtown condos, these expert real estate professionals help buyers and sellers make the best deals in paradise.

Who YOU work with MATTERS!

Wendy Kupfer is a seasoned professional drawing on decades of experience guiding clients through complex financial decisions, both as a former private banker with Citigroup Private Bank, and now as a real estate agent with Balistreri Real Estate.

She specializes in helping her clients navigate Palm Beach County’s luxury real estate market. Originally from Philadelphia, Wendy has lived in South Palm Beach County for 35 years, raising her children and serving on multiple non-profit boards.

Wendy first seeks to understand her clients’ unique goals and then leverages her negotiating skills and neighborhood expertise to give her clients a leading edge. Her reputation for integrity and exceptional client experience has grown through her concierge approach to buying and selling homes—and working tirelessly to serve her buyers’ and sellers’ best interests.

Wendy Kupfer’s local expertise is complemented by a global reach—and she always exceeds expectations!!!

Wendy Kupfer, Realtor® Balistreri Real Estate 561-654-8680

WendyKupfer.realtor@gmail.com Wendykupfer.com

WELCOME TO 3049

The Federation’s Premier Division Connecting Adults 30 to 49 to the Community – and Each Other!

The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County welcomes singles and couples between 30 and 49 for connection with peers to socialize, learn, lead, volunteer and more.

THIS IS NOT YOUR GRANDPARENT’S FEDERATION.

3049 is the group that will connect you to what and who you’re interested in within South Palm Beach County. Join us for Sunday brunch, evening cocktails, outdoor adventures, travel, and so much more. The Jewish Federation seeks to build and sustain a strong, caring, vibrant Jewish community for today and tomorrow. Discover what our Jewish community can offer you!

3049 Co-Chairs: Benji Gene and Rachel Schrager

For more information, contact Sandy Baum at sandyb@bocafed.org or 561-852-6065.

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT IT IS: This signature tradition of dining under the stars down the middle of Atlantic Avenue is here again—our 13th year!—featuring a four-course legendary downtown Delray Beach dining experience you won’t want to miss.

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 27, 2023, 5:30-9 p.m.

WHO IT BENEFITS: ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

The Achievement Centers for Children & Families is a community-based, family-focused organization dedicated to providing opportunities where under-resourced children may thrive in a positive environment. Founded in 1969 as the Community Child Care Center of Delray Beach (its corporate name), the Achievement Centers for Children & Families began as a pilot program in donated church schoolrooms with a handful of teachers and children. As the low-income community needs became increasingly evident, the program quickly grew to support these families and help prepare their children for success in the public school system. The Achievement Centers’ program was so successful that it relocated to a small house, and opened a new preschool facility in 1990. Less than six years later, it added a toddler center to serve children between the ages of 12 months to 3 years. In 2001, it opened an after-school center to serve students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The programs were expanded again in 2004 with the addition of an afterschool program, teen program, adult education program and adult center at the Village Academy. In January 2007 the name was officially changed to the Achievement Centers for

Children & Families to aptly describe its dedication to provide services to working low-income families in Palm Beach County.

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 restaurant of your choice. Review the restaurant listings (next page); menus are available online at bocamag.com/Savor-The-Avenue-2023 or DowntownDelrayBeach. com/SavorTheAvenue or at the restaurant.

But you have to act fast; when reservations open up Feb. 1, 2023, 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 their tables 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 Avenue 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/SavorThe Avenue.

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.

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 feature 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:

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

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

AVALON: Delray’s sumptuous seafood and chophouse is a crowd pleaser.

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

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

BRULE & ROSE’S DAUGHTER: Mom’s Sunday Italian dinner—with a fresh new spin—already has a loyal following.

RACKS FISH HOUSE + OYSTER BAR & GARY RACK’S FARMHOUSE KITCHEN: Clams, oysters, lobster rolls and a great outdoor bar define this hot spot.

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

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

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

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

THE FALCON: This funky and festive bar has great food—and innovative small plates.

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

SPONSORS

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MORIKAMI MUSEUM AND JAPANESE GARDENS

Enjoy 16 acres with six distinct Japanese gardens, rotating exhibitions of Japanese art in the museum’s galleries, an authentic tea house, our Yamato-kan; the original museum, café, museum store, and year-round cultural programming. Our mission is to engage a diverse audience by presenting Japanese cultural experiences that educate and inspire. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00am-5:00pm

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DISCOVER THE RETIREMENT YOU’VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF AT THE ARBOR AT DELRAY

We’ve elevated senior living with a modern and sophisticated design. Our concierge services, housekeeping, and chefprepared meals give residents more time to enjoy hobbies, master new skills, and discover new passions. This is the retirement you’ve always dreamed of, with the peace of mind you desire and the lifestyle you deserve.

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TOGETHER,

For over 40 years, the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County has supported programs and services for vulnerable seniors, food insecure families and children with special needs. You can ensure we’re a communal lifeline for the next 40 years and beyond.

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

Clockwise from bottom, wild shrimp pasta, filet mignon carpaccio and branzino Evon

MIA Kitchen & Bar

7901 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; 561/499-2200

CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

In the restaurant biz, success has been said to be tied to location, location, location. Well, you have to serve good food, too. Miles from the trendy side of east Delray Beach, owner Joey Lograsso and chef Jason Binder have curated a balanced choreography of fascinating yet approachable dishes that are on par with award-wining Miami restaurants. For those living west of I-95 who crave exceptional food without having to drive too far in another direction, MIA Kitchen (pronounced Mia, not M.I.A. like the airport acronym) is a gold mine.

Once you order, sit back and relax. MIA Kitchen is vibey, with a great playlist. 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. If you want something a bit quieter, opt for the outdoor covered patio, especially now during our glorious Florida winter months.

aioli and perfectly cooked sunny side egg, but I also wasn’t mad at the toppings.

IF YOU GO

PARKING: Parking lot

HOURS: Tuesday-Sunday, 5-10 p.m.

PRICES: $14-$39

WEBSITE: mia.kitchen

Binder, a Culinary Institute of America grad who previously was the chef de cuisine at Brulé Bistro, created a menu that travels the world from Italy to Asia and showcases his formal training with elevated dishes that are exceptionally executed, which makes it extremely difficult to decide what to order. The service is also comparable. Our waiter was kind and attentive, making us feel at ease and welcomed.

Artichokes are hit or miss for me. When the Fire Roasted Artichokes ($17) arrived, they resembled a piece of art—two beautiful flowers on display. The charred artichokes with a delightful fire essence are topped with breadcrumbs, Parmesan and lemon zest aioli. Soft and delicate, they were a far cry from the tough and stringy or mushy preparations I’ve had. I love a good crunch, and the fried capers, breadcrumbs, celery leaf and raw red onions that bedecked the Filet Mignon Carpaccio ($22) added a wonderful texture to the paper-thin meat. It didn’t really need the truffle

A family recipe, the Branzino Evon ($38) made my soul sing. I love ginger and cilantro, and this steamed fish, prepared in a Cantonese style, was bursting with both. The tender skin-on filet sits over fluffy rice that effortlessly soaks up the fish soy, creating an explosion of flavor in every bite. While the menu states that the Wild Shrimp Pasta ($37) is prepared in a cream sauce, it wasn’t soaked in it (which I appreciate), and the sherry elevated it completely. A hearty portion of perfectly al dente linguini, the dish is completed with peas and shallots that give it a slight crunch and lightly grilled jumbo shrimp.

If possible, save room for dessert. Our sweet conclusion to the evening was the S’mores Crème Brûlée ($12), which was a silky chocolate mousse with the caramelized top. It’s a must try for chocoholics.

Bar 25 Gastropub

25 S.E. Sixth Ave., Delray Beach; 561/359-2643

By CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

Above, tacos and flatbread from Bar 25; inset, Chef Walter Pytel

IF YOU GO

PARKING: Nearby lot parking

HOURS: Monday-Friday, 12 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Saturday, 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

PRICES: $11- $36

WEBSITE: bar25.com

Ihad dined at the Mellow Mushroom on Federal a couple of times, so I had that stark, corporate aesthetic floating in my mind when I approached Bar 25, the gastropub which took over the former pizza parlor’s space. I entered and was stunned by the design. The interior is sleek and polished without being pretentious or cold. Owner Anthony Giovanniello worked with Manhattan-based Celano Design Studio to create this welcoming brasserie-meets-chic-watering-hole. The space has a stylish exposed brick bar stocked with plenty of spirits and a spacious outdoor patio with plush seating.

Giovanniello also hired chef Walter Pytel, a Culinary Institute of America grad, to helm the kitchen. As Northeasterners, they’re both taking inspiration from the region and translating it onto the menu, which boasts staples like Philly cheesesteak, Rhode Island clams, pierogis, Old Bay fries, white American cheese 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.

Since dishes are meant to be shared here, we ordered several selections while sipping on our specialty cocktails. The Florida Smash ($16) transported me to a sunny tropical vacation—a perfect balance of freshness and sweetness coming from the passion fruit and mint blended with the bourbon and aperol.

The first dish to hit the table was The Philly ($26). A perk to taking over a former pizza joint is the oven. Giovanniello wisely kept the fiery fixture, giving Pytel an opportunity to shine with his flatbreads. The thin dough is piled with shaved rib-eye, caramelized onions and peppers, which give it a slight spice, and it oozed nostalgic white American cheese. It was not overly filling—and a great way to start the evening.

The Honey Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos ($16) and General Tso Fried Chicken ($18) arrived next.

The tacos had a balanced sweet and tangy spice to them, and the buttermilk ranch slaw topping wasn’t dripping in mayo, which I appreciated. The chicken, a recommendation from our waitress, was straightforward thin bites of sweet and crunchy. As an overindulgence, we ordered the Old Bay Fries ($11) with our Wagyu Sliders ($28) because the menu’s description of Old Bay seasoning with white American cheese sauce was too intriguing to pass up. However, for the price point I thought the dish would be more like cheesy nachos, when in reality it was a tin of fries with a dipping cheese sauce that, while warm and gooey when it arrived, quickly turned too hard to even dip. The sliders were a highlight, a generous portion that included three juicy patties piled high with blue cheese and a chunky bacon onion jam.

Bar 25 is where you go when you want a relaxing yet swanky vibe to enjoy honest dishes that satisfy a variety of palates and cravings.

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—409 S.E. Mizner Blvd. 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. 561/717-8415. $$

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. $$$

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

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

Grilled veal chop from Casa D’Angelo AARON BRISTOL

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. $$

Frank & Dino’s —39 S.E. First Ave. Italian. Cue the music. Dim the lights. Retrieve the chilled martini glass and shaker; it’s time to dine. The Rat Pack is alive and well here in both décor and soundtrack. So, too, are traditional Italian dishes such as Dentice oreganata, capellini Pomodoro and tiramisu. But you may want to get there early for one of the longest happy hours around (11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays) for Damiano meatballs, filet mignon sliders or antipasto misto between lunch and dinner. • Lunch Mon.-Fri.; dinner nightly. 561/218-4636. $$$

Gary Rack’s Farmhouse Kitchen —399

S.E. Mizner Blvd. American. Natural, seasonal, sustainable. You’ll enjoy the varied menu, and won’t believe it’s made without butters or creams. Try the too-good-to-be-true buffalo-style cauliflower appetizer, the seared salmon or buffalo burger, and have apple skillet for dessert. Healthy never tasted so good. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/826-2625. $$

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. $

Steve’s Wood Fired Pizza—9180 Glades Road. Italian. With an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and rigorous preparation—the hand-rolled dough rises for three days before use—this reliable purveyor offers varieties of ‘za that are both familiar and novel, from BBQ chicken and veggie primavera to Mom’s White Roasted Garlic and the Mupsa (mushroom, pepperoni and sausage) . • Lunch and dinner Tues.-Sat., dinner Sun. 561/483-5665. $$

Tap 42 —5050 Town Center Circle, Suite 247. Gastropub. This hugely popular nouveau-Industrial gastropub is not for the faint of eardrums when packed, but don’t let that discourage you. The kitchen here executes the hell out of a short, simple all-day menu. Grilled salmon chopped salad with tomatillo ranch dressing is delightful, as is guacamole studded with fat chunks of bacon and charred corn. Same goes for decadent shrimp mac-n-cheese. The wicked-good chocolate bread pudding with salted caramel sauce would be the envy of any Big Easy eatery. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Brunch Sat.-Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/235-5819. $

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

Houston’s —1900 N.W. Executive Center Circle. Contemporary American. Convenient location, stylish ambience and impeccable service are hallmarks of this local outpost of the Hillstone restaurant chain. There are plenty of reasons why this is one of the most popular business lunch spots in all

Time for a Detox?

These virgin beverages offer familiar flavor profiles without the alcoholic baggage

Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

The holidays have come and gone, and most of us have done our fair share of celebrating and imbibing. If your body is begging you for a detox but the arrival of the weekend tempts you to sip on something jovial, we’ve compiled a list of enjoyable non-alcoholic alternatives to savor without risking any of those pesky hangovers.

(Note: FDA guidelines state that products can be considered non-alcoholic with less than 0.5% alcohol by volume, so while these follow suit, read the fine print before consuming.)

WINE Semblance

A sparkling chardonnay hailing from California, this zero-alcohol wine is crisp, refreshing, and perfect for any celebration. semblance.com Ôpia

Domaine Pierre Chavin debuts a sparkling chardonnay alongside its signature chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and rose wines. Plus, the French producer is certified organic. opia-organic.com

Giesen

These New Zealand wines are made in the same way as estate wines, with the alcohol removed after fermentation. They boast no added sugars and about 19-27 calories per 5 oz. pour. giesen.co.nz De Soi

Co-founded by songstress Katy Perry, the non-alcoholic apéritifs are made with natural ingredients and botanicals like maca, mushroom and tulsi. There are three options depending on your palate, from citrus to vanilla, and they come in bottles or cans. drinkdesoi.com

COCKTAILS

No & Low

Whether you’re looking for nearly no alcohol or completely zero, this brand carries it all, from spirits and wine to canned sips. drinknolow.com

Betty Buzz

Another celebrity-founded brand, this one by Blake Lively, is serving up non-alcoholic sparkling drinks that can be enjoyed on their own or as mixers. The flavors, all made in the USA, range from Meyer lemon and club soda to the ever-popular ginger beer. bettybuzz.com

Cut Above

This portfolio of spirits—think gin, mezcal and whiskey—aesthetically resembles ordinary cocktails, but upon further examination they are zero proof. The brand’s goal is

to replicate the nose, flavor and finish of these beloved spirits so that customers can enjoy them without any sacrifice. drinkcutabove.com

La Planta

Love tequila but looking for an alternative? These experienced mixologists have spent years perfecting this premium sip that delivers all the agave flavor without the alcohol. philandgoode.com

SUBSCRIPTION BOX

Raising the Bar

This monthly box arrives right to your door with all the ingredients you need to make seasonal alcohol-free cocktails. weareraisingthebar.com

Curious Elixirs

Receive a rotating selection of these 100-percent alcohol-free elixirs with this monthly subscription. Drinks are inspired by your favorite sips like negroni, spritz and even Champagne. curiouselixirs.com

BEER Bravus

Non-alcoholic and craft beer don’t usually go hand in hand, but they do here. For beer lovers who for whatever reason are looking to cut back on the alcohol consumption, this pioneering brand’s styles, from hazy IPA to oatmeal dark, allow for a carefree beer fest. bravus.com

Partake

Brewing

Similarly, this Canadian brand has created beers that look and taste like beer but with less than .5 percent ABV. It has a wide selection including IPA, blonde, dark and a few fruit-forward sips like cherry, mango and peach. drinkpartake. com

HONORABLE MENTIONS Parch

If you like tequila, check this brand out, which derives its drinks from Mexican blue weber agave. drinkparch.com

Karviva’s Unwined

Inspired by malbec, this wine alternative touts several health benefits thanks to the superfoods inside, and it contains no added sugar. karviva.com/unwined

Spirits from Cut Above

Giesen wine

Cocktail mixer from No & Low

Bravus beers

Raising the Bar subscription box

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. $$$

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. $$

Josephine’s —5751 N. Federal Highway. Italian. Tradition trumps trendy, and comfort outweighs chic at this Boca favorite. The ambience is quiet and stately but not stuffy, and the menu is full of hearty dishes to soothe the savage appetite, like three-cheese eggplant rollatini and chicken scarpariello. • Dinner nightly. 561/988-0668. $$

Kapow! Noodle Bar —431 Plaza Real. Pan-Asian

This Asian-inspired gastropub delivers an inventive punch to the

taste buds. Among the hardest hitters is its angry shrimp dumplings and the char sui pork belly bao bun. The Saigon duck pho is yet one more reason to go. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/347-7322. $$

The French Gazebo—4199 N. Federal Highway. Traditional French. There are new owners at what was Kathy’s Gazebo, and we’ll be reviewing the new iteration soon. But we are told the menu will not change dramatically, and we think that French offerings like Dover sole, escargot, coq au vin duck, veal, lobster and more will carry on the tradition. Don’t forget the rich, well-crafted desserts. Classical dining and an excellent chef. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner Mon.-Sat. 561/395-6033. $$$

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

La Nouvelle Maison —455 E. Palmetto Park Blvd. French. Elegant, sophisticated French cuisine, white-glove service and a trio of stylish dining rooms make Arturo Gismondi’s homage to Boca’s storied La Vieille Maison the home away from home to anyone who appreciates the finer points of elegant dining. The cuisine showcases both first-rate ingredients and precise execution, whether a generous slab of silken foie gras

with plum gastrique, posh lobster salad, cookbook-perfect rendition of steak frites and an assortment of desserts that range from homey apple tart to bananas Foster with chocolate and Grand Marnier. • Dinner nightly. 561/338-3003. $$$

La Villetta —4351 N. Federal Highway. Italian. This is a well-edited version of a traditional Italian menu, complete with homemade pastas and other classic dishes. Try the signature whole yellowtail snapper encrusted in sea salt; it’s de-boned right at tableside. Shrimp diavolo is perfectly scrumptious. • Dinner nightly. (closed Mon. during summer). 561/362-8403. $$$

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

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

Louie Bossi’s —100 E. Palmetto Park Road. Italian. This jumping joint serves terrific Neapolitan pizza (thin crust), but don’t miss the other entrées. Start with a charcuterie/cheese plate and grab the amazing breadsticks. All breads and pastas are made on

Winesday

Visit Patio Tapas & Beer on Wednesdays, when all bottles of vino are 50-percent off.

the premises. Other faves include the carbonara and the calamari, and save room for house-made gelato. Unusual features: Try the bocce ball court included with the retro Italian décor. • Lunch and dinner daily, weekend brunch. 561/336-6699. $$$

Luff’s Fish House —390 E. Palmetto Park Road. Seafood. A renovated 1920s bungalow houses this shipshape restaurant, in addition to two large, outdoor deck and patio areas. It’s known for familiar dish names with new tweaks: smoked fish-hummus dip, falafel fish fritters, crab guacamole, mussels in coconut curry broth, plus the paella on Sundays only. Don’t leave without the enormous slice of the Key lime pie, topped with meringue on a graham cracker crust. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/609-2660. $$

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

Mario’s Osteria —1400 Glades Road, Suite 210. Italian. This popular spot is swanky, but the rustic Italian fare keeps with an osteria’s humbler pretensions. Signature dishes like the garlic rolls, lasagna and eggplant “pancakes” are on the new menu, as are butternut squash ravioli and thick, juicy rib-eye served “arrabiata” style. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/239-7000. $$

Matteo’s —233 S. Federal Highway, Suite 108. Italian. Hearty Italian and Italian-American food, served in giant “family style” portions, needs no reinventing. Though there is no shortage of local restaurants cooking in that genre, it’s the details of preparation and service that make Matteo’s stand out. Baked clams are a good place to start, as is the reliable chopped salad. Linguini frutti di mare is one of the best in town. • Dinner nightly. 561/392-0773. $$

Max’s Grille —404 Plaza Real. Contemporary American. After 24 years in Mizner Park, This modern American bistro is a true local classic. The food and decor are both timeless and up to date, and the ambience is that of a smooth-running big-city bistro. Service is personable and proficient. The menu is composed of dishes you really want to eat, from the applewood bacon-wrapped meatloaf to the wickedly indulgent crème brûlèe pie. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/368-0080. $$

Morton’s The Steakhouse —5050 Town Center Circle, Suite 219. Steakhouse. There’s seemingly no end to diners’ love of huge slabs of high-quality aged beef, nor to the carnivores who pack the clubby-swanky dining room of this meatery. While the star of the beef show is the giant bone-in filet mignon, seasonally featured is the American Wagyu New York strip. Finish off your meal with one of the decadent desserts.• Dinner nightly. 561/392-7724. $$$$

New York Prime —2350 N.W. Executive Center Drive. Steakhouse. This wildly popular Boca meatery Monday, Monday packs them in with swift, professional service, classy supper club ambience and an extensive wine list. And, of course, the beef—all USDA Prime, cooked to tender and juicy lusciousness over ferocious heat. The bone-in rib-eye is especially succulent, but don’t neglect the New York strip or steak-house classics like oysters Rockefeller, garlicky spinach and crusty hash browns. • Dinner nightly. 561/998-3881. $$$$

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. $

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

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

Rebel House —297 E. Palmetto Park Road. American Eclectic. As wild visually as it is in the kitchen, this place rocks on all points. Start with the popcorn flavor of the day (instead of bread) and don’t miss the cauliflower Caesar salad, Uncle Pinkie’s Fried Rice, the lobster meatballs or whatever duck option is on the menu. You can’t miss with these dishes. • Dinner nightly, brunch Sat.-Sun. 561/353-5888. $$

Ristorante Sapori —301 Via de Palmas, Royal Palm Place. Italian. Sapori features fresh fish, veal and chicken dishes imbued with subtle flavors. The grilled Italian branzino, the veal chop Milanese and the zuppa di pesce served over linguine are especially tasty, and the pasta (all 17 kinds!) is available in full and half orders, with your choice of 15 zesty sauces. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/367-9779. $$

Ruth’s Chris —225 N.E. Mizner Blvd., Suite 100. Steakhouse. Not only does this steakhouse favorite emphasize its New Orleans roots, it also distinguishes itself from its competitors by just serving better food. The signature chopped salad has a list of ingredients as long as a hose but they all work together. And how can you not like a salad topped with crispy fried onion strings? Steaks are USDA Prime and immensely flavorful, like a perfectly seared New York strip. The white chocolate bread pudding is simply wicked. • Dinner nightly. 561/392-6746. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 651 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, 561/514-3544; 661 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, 561/863-0660.) $$$$

Seasons 52 —2300 Executive Center Drive. Contemporary American. The food—seasonal ingredients, simply and healthfully prepared, accompanied by interesting wines—is firstrate, from salmon roasted on a cedar plank to desserts served in oversized shot glasses. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/998-9952. (Other Palm Beach County location: 11611 Ellison Wilson Road, Palm Beach Gardens, 561/625-5852.) $$

SeaSpray Inlet Grill —999 E. Camino Real. American. 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. $$

Foie gras from Rebel House

CRISTINA MORGADO

Buzz Bite I

West Palm Beach GreenMarket is Back

Named the nation’s Best Farmers Market by USA Today’s 10 Best, our West Palm Beach GreenMarket is back for another season. Its vendors welcome you every Saturday through April 15, except March 25 due to the Palm Beach International Boat Show. This year the market sets a record with more than 110 vendors, including new businesses like Ebony’s Vegan Bakery, Papa G’s Country Kitchen and Pupberry. Admission is free and the market is dog-friendly, so bring your pups out for a stroll and pick up your weekly produce and seasonal treats. 100 N. Clematis St., West Palm Beach; 561/822-1515; wpb.org/events —Christie Galeano-DeMott

“Before you and your staff from Boca Nursing Services started taking care of Helen and I, we existed; now we are living again! Thank you, Rose.”

-Dr. K.D.

Rose

Serving Broward, Palm Beach, Martin & St. Lucie Counties

342 E. Palmetto Park Rd., Suites 1 & 2 Boca Raton, FL 33432 (561) 347-7566 Fax (561) 347-7567

255 Sunrise Avenue, Suite 200 Palm Beach, FL 33480 (561) 833-3430 Fax (561) 833-3460

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

Sushi Ray —5250 Town Center Circle, Suite 111. Japanese/Sushi. Impeccably fresh and exactingly prepared sushi and other Japanese specialties are on display. The Nobu-esque miso sea bass gives a taste of this modern classic at a fraction of the price of the original, while the chef’s sushi assortment offers a generous arrangement of nigiri and maki for a reasonable $22. • Lunch Mon.–Fri., dinner nightly. 561/394-9506. $$

Tanzy —301 Plaza Real. Italian. Part of the swanky iPic Theater complex (though it does not service the theater), this handsome spot relies on quality ingredients and careful preparation instead of culinary special effects and car chases. The Parma Bar, a sort of sushi bar for meat and cheese fanatics, also does terrific quattro formaggio fiocchi and spiced pear. The scarletta pepper steak and bone-in pork chops are excellent, as are the braised Angus beef short ribs with toasted pearl barley and collard greens. For dessert, try the red velvet bread pudding and your choice of a trio of sorbets. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.–Sun. 561/922-6699. $$

Taverna Kyma —6298 N. Federal Highway. Greek/ Mediterranean. 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. $$

We’re

For  almost 43 years, Boca magazine and its family of publications have earned hundreds of awards from prestigious associations including the Florida Magazine Association. This year was no exception, with our magazine winning in almost every category we entered. Boca magazine s victories included the coveted grand prize of Magazine of the Year for the state of Florida as well as Best Overall Magazine and Best Overall Writing in our competition category of Circulation Over 20,000. Our excellence in design, writing and relevance have long been recognized across the state in our industry, and we want to thank our readers for holding us to those standards.

We are your magazine, and the premier publication in South Florida. For 43 years.

Glamoclija, R.N. Founder and Administrator

still the one!

Roll With It

With V-Day around the corner, consider Skyfin Asian Bistro’s Love Boat for 2: 10 pieces of sushi, 12 pieces of sashimi, a dragon roll and a spicy tuna roll.

Trattoria Romana —499 E. Palmetto Park Road. Italian. This local mainstay does Italian classics and its own lengthy list of ambitious specials with unusual skill and aplomb. The service is at a level not always seen in local restaurants. Pay attention to the daily specials, especially if they include impeccably done langostini oreganata and the restaurant’s signature jumbo shrimp saltimbocca. • Dinner nightly. 561/393-6715. $$$

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. $$

Warike Peruvian Bistro —2399 N. Federal Highway. Peruvian . Classic dishes, such as aji de gallina, and classic drinks—Warike Sour—make this small restaurant a place to remember. Modern, clean décor and a menu that includes well-prepared seafood, meat or vegetarian meals means it’s a busy venue, so reservations are recommended. • Lunch and dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/465-5922. $$

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

WEST BOCA

Boon’s Asian Bistro —19605 N. State Road 7. Japanese/Thai. This is one of two Boon’s (the other is in Delray Beach), and it’s where the rush to eat excellent sushi started. The fast-moving staff is choreographed to deliver dishes such as shrimp pad Thai that’s light, delicate and happily filled with shrimp. The Thai fried rice is unusually delicate too, with lots of egg, and is some of the best around. The sushi rolls are as fresh and inventive (try the Daimyo roll) as they are beautifully presented. Go early or call for a reservation. • Lunch Mon.-Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/883-0202. $$

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. $$

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 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,

Clams Guazzetto from Villa Rosano

CRISTINA MORGADO

7959 West Atlantic Delray Beach, Florida 33446

Tuesday - Sunday / 5:00PM - 9:00PM

Friday - Saturday / 5:00PM - 10:00PM

Getyoursushion!

Boca Raton

561-501-6391

Curbside pickup and delivery available at yellowtail-sushi.com.

6600 W. Rogers Circle, Unit 14 561.562.9119 | verlo.com

Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival is Here

The renamed gathering features returning favorites, all-new seminars

Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

The sun is shining a little bit brighter this January with the return of Fort Lauderdale’s culinary festival on January 9-15. Formally called the Greater Fort Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival, the event debuts its new name this year: Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival.

Touting events for “everyone under the sun,” the festival will feature its signature Grand Tasting on January 14 at Las Olas Oceanside Park with headline chefs Jason Smith and Ingrid Hoffmann.

Other fan favorite events that are returning are the Poolside BBQ Battle on January 13 hosted by the Hyatt Centric Las Olas and the Bar Fight mixology competition at Rooftop @1WLO on January 11.

Foodies can also look forward to a slew of educational seminars, cooking demonstrations and private chef dinners.

Culinary classes, which will take place throughout the week, are designed with a variety of palates in mind and include The Art of Charcuterie, Southern Cooking 101, Top-

less Tapas, Korean Vegan and Cake Decorating.

The festival, which benefits Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, will also host the family-friendly Picnic in the Park on January 15 with an entertaining selection of cooking demos, a Kid’s Zone and food trucks. Kids also can get in on the cooking class fun that day with cupcake decorating, ravioli making and candy sushi making.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit vlfoodwine.com.

Above, Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival; right, headline chefs Jason Smith and Ingrid Hoffmann

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

3rd and 3rd —301 N.E. Third Ave. Gastropub. This quirky, individualistic, obscurely located little place is one of the most important restaurants in Delray. The menu changes frequently, but hope the evening’s fare includes plump scallops with caramelized

mango sauce, stunning delicious roasted cauliflower with Parmesan mousse and bacon, and wicked-good espresso panna cotta on it at your visit. • Dinner Mon.-Sat. 561/303-1939. $$

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

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. $$

Akira Back, 233 NE 2nd Ave., Delray Beach. 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 sweet-salty-earthy-pungent mélange of pears, pancetta, Gorgonzola, sun-dried figs and mozzarella.

• Lunch Tues.-Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/381-0037. $

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 indulgent desserts. The menu is then enhanced with a selection of

Say Cheese

Blue cheese is the star of Elisabetta’s new sweet gem and gorgonzola salad, which comes with house-made gorgonzola dolce dressing, egg and pistachios.

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, and for an unusual surprise check out the kimchi fried rice. • 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. • Dinner Wed.-Sun. 561/749-0973. $

Beg for More Izakaya—19 S.E. Fifth Ave. Japanese Small Plates. The large sake, whisky and beer menu here pairs beautifully with the small plates full of everything except sushi. No sushi. And that’s fine. Try the takoyaki (octopus balls), the crispy salmon tacos and anything with the addictive kimchi, such as the kimchi fried rice. There are pasta, teriyaki and simmered duck with bok choy dishes—or 16 varieties of yakitori (food on skewers). You’ll be back to beg for more. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/563-8849. $$

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

Burt & Max’s —9089 W. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. This bastion of contemporary comfort food in west Delray is approaching local landmark status, forging its own menu while borrowing a few dishes from Max’s Grille, like the hearty chopped salad and bacon-wrapped meatloaf. Other dishes are variations on the comfort food theme, including a stellar truffle-scented wild mushroom pizza. • Dinner nightly. Sunday brunch. 561/638-6380. $$

Cabana El Rey—105 E. Atlantic Ave. Cuban tropical. Little Havana is alive and well in Delray. The menu is a palette-pleasing travelogue, including starters like mariquitas (fried banana chips) and main courses such as seafood paella (think mussels, shrimp, clams, conch, scallops and octopus). • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/274-9090. $$

Caffe Luna Rosa —34 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach. Italian. This multiple Delray Beach-award winning restaurant has sparkling service, comfort food taken to a higher level, and a setting just steps from the Atlantic. A success from day one, they dish up big flavors in a tiny space, so call for reservations. Try the calamari fritto misto, then the rigatoni pomodoro and leave room for dessert. Or come back for breakfast. • Open daily from breakfast through dinner. 561/274-9404. $$

Casa L’Acqua —9 S.E. Seventh Ave. Italian. You’ll get what you pay for here: very good Italian food in an upscale, modern, cool gray and white restaurant that is a refreshing change from busy Atlantic Avenue. The antipasti (bread, balsamic/honey dipping sauce, Parmesan chunks, bruschetta) are so good, they could be dinner. But save room for the pollo Parmigiana, the scallopine piccate al limone, the four kinds of risotto, and dessert. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/563-7492. $$$

City Oyster —213 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This stylish mainstay of Big Time Restaurant Group serves up reasonably priced seafood that never disappoints, such as shrimp and grits with a jumbo crab cake. This is the place to see and be seen in Delray, and the food lives up to its profile. • Lunch Mon.–Sun. Dinner nightly. Outdoor dining. 561/272-0220. $$

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. $$

Cut 432 —432 E. Atlantic Ave. Steakhouse. Hipper decor, a more casual vibe and an inventive take on steak-house favorites make this sleek restaurant just different enough to be interesting. Starters such as ceviche (prepared Peruvian style) and ultrarich oysters Rockefeller are first-rate, while the wet-aged beef is appropriately tender and tasty. • Dinner nightly. 561/272-9898. $$$

Dada—52 N. Swinton Ave. Contemporary American. The same provocative, whimsical creativity that spawned Dada the art movement infuses Dada the restaurant, giving it a quirky charm all its own. The comfort food with a moustache menu has its quirky charms, too, like shake-n-bake pork chops with sweet-savory butterscotch onions, and a brownie-vanilla ice cream sundae with strips of five-spice powdered bacon. The wittily decorated 1920s-vintage house-turnedrestaurant is, as they say, a trip. • Dinner nightly. 561/330-3232. $$

Deck 84 —840 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American Burt Rapoport’s ode to laid-back tropical dining is like a day at the beach without getting sand between your toes. Though the restaurant is casual, the kitchen takes its food seriously, whether the stellar flatbreads, the thick and juicy 10-ounce special blend burger or homey seasonal cobbler. And the waterfront location just seems to make everything taste better. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat.–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/665-8484. $

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. $$

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. $$

Ember Grill —233 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. The Ray Hotel’s modern bistro is helmed by Joe Zanelli, who has created a variety of globally inspired dishes. Seafood, steaks and house specialties like the duck pancakes share the menu with delectable desserts like the baked Alaska ablaze on your table or the refreshing frozen pineapple. • Dinner nightly. 561/739-1705. $$

The Grove —187 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. The Grove, which has been tucked inside the tranquil

Octopus balls from Beg For More Izakaya

AARON BRISTOL

Buzz Bite II

An Opening & a Redesign

AMAR OPENS BAKERY

The Atlantic Avenue Mediterranean restaurant debuted its sister concept last month. Amar Bakery & Market, just a few doors down on the Ave., is serving house-made European and Middle Eastern sweets and treats. Customers can pick up pastries, custom cakes or artisanal breads to enjoy at home alongside quick bites like gourmet sandwiches, salads and specialty coffee from Pumphouse Coffee Roasters. It’s also the spot to pick up imported goods like olive oil, spices and housewares.

526 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; amar-bakery.com

FRENCH GAZEBO

DEBUTS NEW LOOK

A Boca Raton staple, the former Kathy’s Gazebo has new owners, and they’ve debuted an elegantly sleek redesign. While partners Anthony Crupi and Steve Botta have revamped the space, the menu stays true to its signature dishes with a few new additions. Whether you’re celebrating or out for date night, be sure to make reservations this season to check out the new, upgraded space.

4199 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 561/395-6033; thefrenchgazebo.com —Christie Galeano-DeMott

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. $$

Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar

1841 S. Federal Highway. American. You don’t have to worry about calories (most dishes are under 500), you don’t have to worry about finding something you haven’t tried before (new items are added every three months) and freshness is the silent ingredient throughout. Try the pesto Caprese flatbread, the supergrain salad and the steak or salmon or chicken. Desserts offer big tastes in small jars. • Lunch and dinner daily; brunch on weekends. 561/266-3239. $$

Henry’s—16850 Jog Road. American. This casual, unpretentious restaurant in the west part of town never fails to delight diners. Expect attentive service and crisp execution of everything—from meat loaf, burgers and fried chicken to flatbreads and hefty composed salads. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/638-1949. $$

GOURMET AMERICAN CUISINE

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

Latitudes —2809 S. Ocean Blvd. Modern American. You should come for both the sunset and the food. This oceanfront restaurant is a gem tucked inside the Delray Sands resort. From the airy, bubbly interior to the raw bar, the décor is soothing and fun. Try the lobster and crab stuffed shrimp, the miso-glazed Skuna Bay salmon, the branzino or the veal Bolognese. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-6241. $$$

Lemongrass Bistro—420 E. Atlantic Ave. Pan-Asian Casually hip ambience, friendly service, moderate prices and a blend of sushi and nouveau pan-Asian fare make this a popular destination. The quality of its seafood and care in its preparation are what gives Lemongrass its edge. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-5050. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 101 Plaza Real S., Boca Raton, 561/5448181; 1880 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, 561/733-1344). $

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

Buzz Bite III

Did You Know?

At the end of the month, January 30 to be exact, we celebrate National Croissant Day. We didn’t need an excuse to tear into a fluffy, flaky, warm croissant, but we’ll take it anyway. Synonymous with Parisian park picnics or French cafés, this pastry actually didn’t originate in La République—or did it?

The kipfel is a crescent bread roll found in several European countries including Austria, Hungary and Croatia and dates back centuries, and was originally made of yeast bread. The French started making it with puffed pastry, and voila! Then Sara Lee brought the pastry stateside in the early ‘80s with its frozen counterpart. The ingredients are simple— sugar, salt, flour, milk and eggs—but the technique isn’t, especially learning how to work with the dough when you’re at home and don’t have a machine to help you do it. But it’s not impossible, so try it at home and report back to us.

—Christie Galeano-DeMott

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. $$

Sundy House—106 S. Swinton Ave. Contemporary American. Set in a lush, tropical garden, the outside tables here are the most coveted, second only to the tastes and combinations in the shrimp and grits, or the eggs Benedict, Taru burger, Nutella French toast and prime rib roast. This is a place to sit and savor your meal and the surroundings. Brunch Sat.-Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/272-5678. $$$

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

lunch and dinner daily. 561/453-2628.

The Office —201 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Your office is nothing like this eclectic gastropub, unless your office sports more than two dozen craft beers on tap and a menu that flits from burgers and fries to mussels. Don’t miss the restaurant’s winning take on the thick, juicy Prime beef burger and simply wicked maple-frosted donuts with bacon bits and two dipping sauces. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/276-3600. $$

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

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

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, 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. $$

Yellowtail—7959 W. Atlantic Ave. Asian. Chef and partner Andrew Marc Rothschild has cooked in notable international kitchens including France’s Michelin-starred Au Crocodile and Palm Beach’s The Breakers—and he’s bringing that elevated experience and cuisine to Delray Beach. What sets Yellowtail apart from the plethora of other sushi joints is its fully customizable menu with its impressive variety of not-so-basic proteins. Yes, there is chicken or shrimp for your pad Thai or curry, but there’s also duck, lobster, squid and scallops. You can also ramp up your maki with eel, ama ebi (prawns) and sea urchin, just to name a few. • Dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/501-6391. $$

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 must-try. 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. $$$

Buccan —350 S. County Road. Contemporary American. Casual elegance of Palm Beach meets modern culinary sensibilities of Miami at the first independent restaurant by chef Clay Conley. The design offers both intimate and energetic dining areas, while the menu is by turn familiar (wood-grilled burgers) and more adventurous (truffled steak tartare with crispy egg yolk, squid ink orrechiette). • Dinner nightly. 561/833-3450. $$$

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

Voyage Boutique might be off the Ave, but we are on top of fashion! From casual to elegant, cocktail or dinner party…you are sure to find your next favorite outfit in our large specialty sho

If you are the mother or grandmother of a bride, you will find something very special too…if it doesn’t fit perfectly, our in-house seamstress will make sure it does. Weekly shipments arriving from Paris and Italy. Have some fun – come shop with us - and be sure to mention you saw us in Delray magazine!

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GROUP 561-734-5080 2828 S. Seacrest Blvd, Ste. 204 • Boynton Beach, FL 1601 Clint Moore Road, Ste. 125 • Boca Raton, FL 9868 State Road 7, Suite 225 • Boynton Beach, FL

Be the first to get a sneak peek of what luxury senior living will look like in Delray Beach!

Stop by our leasing center to discover the retirement you’ve always dreamed of. 6595 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446 561-556-7950

Monday–Friday | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday | by appointment only

Open house every last Thursday of the month from 9:30 a.m.

ERIC T. SHAPIRO, M.D.

ELVIS L. GRANDIC, M.D.

DANIEL A. BALUCH, M.D.

BRANDON J. LUSKIN, M.D.

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JONATHAN B. COURTNEY, M.D.

NAT KING COLE GENERATION HOPE LIP SYNC BATTLE

WHAT: The sixth-annual Nat King Cole Generation Hope Lip Sync Battle rocked the stage at Crazy Uncle Mike’s with performances from some of Boca’s most beloved locals. Attendees were treated to lip-synced renditions of pop classics from Madonna, Spice Girls and more, with performers showing off their best dance moves. This year’s Lip Sync Winner and top fundraiser was the YMCA’s Jason Hagensick, who performed “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice. More than $18,500 was raised from the event, all of which will help provide music education to children “with the greatest need and fewest resources.” The Lip Sync Battle was supported by Onstage Studios, Boca Raton Championship Wrestling, Laura Messler, Crazy Uncle Mike’s, Sunny 107.9, Boca magazine, the Boca Raton Tribune and Fire & Ice Productions.

WHERE: Crazy Uncle Mike’s

BOCA’S BALLROOM BATTLE

WHAT: Boca’s favorite gala event returned for its 15th year with all the expected glitz, glamour and more. Returning live for the first time since 2019, local celebrities paired up with professional dancers from Boca’s Fred Astaire Dance Studios for an unforgettable night of sensational moves to benefit the George Snow Scholarship Fund. This year’s dancers raised more than $900,000, all of which went toward keeping 526 local students enrolled in colleges, universities and graduate programs. Winners of the 2022 Mirror Ball Trophy were Howard Kanner of the Law Offices of Kanner & Pintaluga, and Boca Raton Center for Arts & Innovation President Andrea Virgin, who together raised more than $200,000. “It was an incredible show, it was a great crowd, and we are thrilled at the generosity of our sponsors, donors and community partners,” said George Snow Scholarship Fund President Tim Snow. “Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our Snow Scholars.”

WHERE: The Boca Raton

GRAND OPENING OF INTERCOASTAL WEALTH PLANNING

WHAT: Intercoastal Wealth Planning was welcomed into the Boca business community on Oct. 6 at a lavish grand opening ceremony hosted by Boca magazine and the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. More than 60 guests were treated to cocktails and light bites from Potions in Motion, enthralled by the music of saxophonist Bismark Morgan, and awed by luxurious auto displays provided by Atlantic Motor Cars. Designer Sandra Simone Cohen of Baciami also generously donated an opulent couture dress, and a raffle was held, with one lucky winner taking home a custom portrait from Boca-based VV Portraits.

WHERE: 6751 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton

1. Alison Miuccio, Lacey Mazauskas, Beth Bennett, Jim Day, John McClaskie 2. Jim Day, Beth Bennett, Madeline and Frank LoRe

Veronica Tejera and Virginia Carrocio

Brandon Webb and Caroline Torchin 5. John McClaskie, Beth Bennett, Jim Day, Laureen Pannullo

GINA FONTANA

January 2023 issue. Vol. 43, 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: $19.95/8 issues, $29.95/16 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.

Yvonne Nordseth, Janet Mattlin, Crystal Clark, Sharon Cauz, Logan Goldenberg, Maria Hernandez, Justin Goldberg

Don Sider, Yvonne Nordseth, Randy James

Jim Day, Beth Bennett, Mary and Steve Mairano

Sandra Cohen, Nicole Ruth, Tawny Moore, Skyler Ruth, Camille D’Amico

The Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorders Center of Boca Raton was established in 1999 by Dr. Stuart Isaacson to combine expert clinical diagnosis and treatment, with access to one of the largest Parkinson’s clinical research centers in the U.S.

Together with experienced team of nurses, research coordinators, social workers, and wellness educators, the Center’s faculty of movement disorders specialists are internationally recognized experts in Parkinson’s disease are available for new patient consultations, with appointments readily available each week:

• Sagari Betté, MD (Harvard, UMiami)

• Nisha Chhabria, MD FAAN (Georgetown)

• Richard B. Dewey III, MD (Southwestern)

• Rich Dewey Jr, MD FAAN FANA (Mayo Clinic)

• Stuart H. Isaacson, MD FAAN (Mount Sinai NYC, NIH)

The Center’s holistic approach includes:

• new testing for accurate diagnosis (no cost gene testing, and FDA-approved skin biopsy and DaTscan brain imaging)

• FDA-approved therapies (more than 10 recently approved medications)

• enrolling research trials evaluating new medications (for persistent symptoms, to slow progression) and improving diagnosis (including the Michael J. Fox Foundation PPMI biomarker program and the Parkinson’s Foundation PD-gene program)

• the preventPD program was recently launched for those at higher risk of developing Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center of Boca Raton

Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center of Boca Raton 951 NW 13th Street, Bldg. 5-E, Boca Raton, FL 33486

(561) 392-1818 (same week appointments available) ParkinsonsCenter.org

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.

Amy and Mike Kazma

The Kazmas’ giving is just part of how they celebrate their community

Written by MARIE SPEED

Mike and Amy Kazma came to Boca Raton in 1996 from Chicago to capitalize on its proximity to the Caribbean and Latin American markets, where the family business was building TV cable systems. Mike, president and CEO of Amzak Capital Management with a 28-year history at the company, told Amy it was a temporary move. But that was before the couple met Boca.

Amy says it was a “successful move on all fronts,” and the couple has become a force in the philanthropic community, from their involvement with the Junior League, Florence Fuller Child Development Centers, Boca Raton Historical Society, Boca Raton Regional Hospital (they are chairing the ball this year), George Snow Scholarship Fund, Place of Hope and more. The couple has two children, aged 21 and 24.

WHY BOCA: “[Aside from the business rationale,] we just loved the weather, loved how beautiful and dynamic the community was. We met some amazing people and formed wonderful friendships. We just have made a really beautiful life for ourselves here.”

CAUSES ESPECIALLY DEAR TO THEIR HEARTS: “We typically focus on things that have to do with children and education. Mike has long given scholarships to Don Bosco University in El Salvador. Here, in Boca Raton, when they improved the west Florence Fuller campus and built the new building out there, we helped get that building completed. Right now, I have to say Place of Hope is an amazing organization that I have such an affinity for. They not only do amazing work here at their Boca Raton campus for children in need, but throughout Palm Beach and Martin County.”

WHY GIVING IS IMPORTANT TO THEM: “Neither Mike nor I grew up very affluent. We grew up very middle class and had hard-working parents. We are fortunate we’ve been able to achieve such great successes that we can’t imagine not giving back. My mother always volunteered her time and her talents but never had the treasure. Now that I’m fortunate enough to have all three, I can’t imagine not giving back to a community that has brought so much to our lives.”

WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON: “I am becoming more involved at Place of Hope, establishing an enrichment endowment there for young men and women on the Boca Raton campus, the kids who have aged out of

foster care. We continue to find some really wonderful causes in our community; we’re so fortunate to have so many generous people and so many community organizations here. … People in Boca Raton really focus on the local nonprofits, where the money stays in the community and you can see it in action.”

WARNER-PROKOS PHOTOGRAPHY

I can’t imagine not giving back to a community that has brought so much into our lives.”

—Amy Kazma

Amy and Mike Kazma