Fast Company

Fine dining has its time and place, but sometimes you want something easy, casual and equally as tempting. We’re spotlighting a few concepts that are bringing new and exciting dishes to our food scene.

Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT

Big In Japan

Chef Eric Baker and partner David Bouhadana followed the success of AlleyCat with this handroll restaurant in the former Mr. Goode’s space, a takeout joint they started that never took off. Well, enter Japanese handrolls. The casual counter concept serves up a variety of mini rolls from spicy tuna to uni alongside warm plates like fried rice and ribs. Baker’s creativity comes through in dishes like the Wagyu beef tartare with Asian pear, hot fried chicken in a honey miso, and barbecue eel and foie gras, as examples. The space is perfect for hungry diners who are looking for fresh, fast fare they can either enjoy on a lunchtime crunch or savor over sake in the evening.

1159 S. FEDERAL HIGHWAY, BOCA RATON; 561/931-2131

Buccan Sandwich Shop

Sandwiches really can be eaten for any meal, and Chef Clay Conley’s gourmet sandwiches will keep you coming back for more handheld goodness. The shop, which has outposts in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, offers madeto-order hot and cold sandwiches and salads alongside housemade chips, cookies and drinks like a classic margarita, cold-brew coffee and ginger lemonade. The menu features selections for all cravings, from NY strip, ham and corned beef to a vegan sweet potato wrap and smoked yellowfin tuna. The walk-up shops are adjacent to Conley’s two restaurants, Buccan and Grato, and offer catering for larger parties.

1901

Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza

Hailing from Italy, chef Renato Viola achieved the American dream when he moved to South Florida under an 01 Visa and launched his Extraordinary Pizza empire. Debuting in Miami, the shops have been popping up all over and have now landed in Boca, right across from Mizner Park. Visually his pizza is intriguing—a pie that’s not round but star-shaped, each point stuffed with creamy ricotta. The thin crust is soft and airy, allowing you to eat more enticing slices without feeling overly full. And with topping combinations like bacon, onions and ranch dressing or Spanish chorizo, avocado and jalapeño sauce or gorgonzola, honey and coffee—you’ll be tempted to try them all.

THE O.G.

After a massive seven-figure renovation, the ultra-cool hangout debuted a reimagined outdoor bar, covered patio, vivid murals and a taco-inspired menu that also includes other handhelds like the Thai basil chicken sandwich, wings, smash burger and churros. Come for the laidback vibe and stay for the cocktails and bites. 166 S.E. SECOND AVE., DELRAY BEACH; 561/865-5639

The Grille On Congress —5101 Congress

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

Houston’s —1900 N.W. Executive Center Circle. Contemporary American. Convenient location, stylish ambience and impeccable service are hallmarks of this local outpost of the Hillstone restaurant chain. There are plenty of reasons why this is one of the most popular business lunch spots in all of Boca, including menu items like Cajun trout, the mammoth salad offerings and the tasty baby back ribs. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/998-0550. $$$

Il Mulino New York Boca Raton —451

E. Palmetto Park Road. Italian. From the four pre-menu bites to the after-dinner coffee from freshly ground beans, this is a white-tablecloth venue that delivers on its upscale promises. Try the langostino, the red snapper, the risotto, the pasta, or go for the ceviches, caviars and seafood tower. Save room for dessert and complimentary lemoncello. Make a night of it. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/338-8606. $$$

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

Kapow Noodle Bar —402 Plaza Real. Asian. Kapow delivers an effervescent ambiance that makes you want to relax and stay a while. Its varied menu has something for every craving, from crispy rice and tacos to rolls and even Peking duck. Up your dinner game by reserving a seat at the separate omakase bar serving chef-curated bites that aren’t on the regular menu. And if you’re looking for a memorable night out, book one of the three karaoke rooms.• Lunch and dinner daily. 561/567-8828. $

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

Kousine Peruvian Asian —1668 N. Federal Highway. Peruvian/Asian. Chef and owner Danny Kou shares his Peruvian heritage with a curated menu of dishes that accurately represent his country’s famous ceviche while introducing patrons to unique dishes that are just as tempting. Kousine’s space is bright and modern, with exposed industrial ceilings complemented with warm woods and greenery. Lunch and dinner daily. 561/430-3337. $$

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. $$$