Delray Beach magazine

Due South BrewS • LittLe houSe—with BiG fLavor

M agaz rida Flo

on iati ine assoc

[ your town, your magazine ]

W BEST NE

11E 2M0 agaziN

discover

delray style: • Boho • Preppy • indie-chic • Beach bum • elegant aLL of the aBove

December/january 2013

DeLraY after DarK

NiGhtLife GuiDe

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contents [ december/january 2012-13 ] 13

[ your town - your magazine ]

25

38

editor’s letter [ 10 ]

women of style [ 38 ]

The season kicks off—and the most fun small town in America is ready!

By Marie Speed

Meet the fashionistas who are bringing style to Delray Beach, one pair of skinny jeans at a time.

By ChelSea Greenwood

on the avenue [ 13 ]

delray after dark [ 46 ]

We’ve done your holiday homework for you: Here’s action central for LBDs, great baby gifts, the blow-as-you-go salon, home brews, your December-January events calendar and much, much more.

By Bill Citara, ChelSea Greenwood & John thoMaSon

Discover Delray at night through the lens of photographer Wayne Scherer—and dive into our handy nightlife guide.

style [ 25 ]

The Avenue is hopping with parties and events, tastings and tapas.

By CaSSie Morien

Dress up that party look with a little shine and shimmer from the Avenue. photoGraphy By aaron BriStol

dine [ 30 ]

Chrissy Benoit’s Little House is making a big impact on Boynton’s marina district.

By Bill Citara

play [ 32 ]

This is the time of year to hit the great outdoors: Try these nearby camping spots.

By riCh pollaCk

out & about [ 58 ] business [ 64 ]

Meet two pillars of Delray’s business community—and find out what’s shaking in the world of commerce.

By riCh pollaCk

dining guide [ 73 ]

Our city’s only review-driven dining guide

my turn [ 96 ]

The author dreams of Christmas past.

By John Shuff

up close [ 34 ]

Meet an architect who does things his way, and a woman who’s made Delray history her calling.

By John thoMaSon

38 2

delray beach magazine

Indulge in your own private paradise. Escape the everyday and reconnect.

Crane’s BeachHouse Hotel in scenic Delray Beach is a luxury boutique resort nestled in a lush tropical setting. A perfect place to unwind... a romantic, tranquil, festive, luxurious, Key West-style environment just steps from the Atlantic Ocean.

Stroll Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue for an endless variety of posh shops, galleries and restaurants.

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A warm and friendly staff offers impeccable service − from arranging dinner and spa reservations to sharing insider tips. Our expertise assures that weddings, corporate events, private parties and family reunions, are truly a memorable experience.

www.cranesbeachhouse.com 561-278-1700 866-372-7263 82 Gleason Street Delray Beach, Florida 33483 Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/cbhhotel

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photographer

aaron bristol

production manager

adrienne acton

production assistant

lisa law

contributing writers

bill citara, chelsea greenwood, rich pollack, john shuff

contributing photographers

cristina morgado, wayne sherer senior integrated media sales manager

georgette evans, georgette@bocamag.com account manager

candace rojas, candace@bocamag.com national account manager

carey mckearnan, carey@bocamag.com director of special publications

bruce klein jr., brucek@bocamag.com

special projects manager

gail eagle, gail@bocamag.com

JES publishing

561/997-8683 (ph); 561/997-8909 (fax) www.bocamag.com

editor@bocamag.com (editorial)

Delray Beach magazine is published six times a year by JES Publishing. The entire contents of Delray Beach magazine is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Delray Beach magazine accepts no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts and/ or photographs and assumes no liability for products or services advertised herein. Delray Beach magazine reserves the right to edit, rewrite or refuse material and is not responsible for products. Please refer to corporate masthead.

4

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december/january

JES publishing

president/publisher

margaret mary shuff group editor-in-chief

marie speed

controller

jeanne greenberg

circulation director

david brooks

subscription services

david shuff

JES publishing

5455 N. Federal Highway, Suite M Boca Raton, FL 33487 561/997-8683 bocamag.com

publishers of Boca Raton Delray Beach Mizner’s Dream Worth Avenue Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Annual Salt Lake Utah Bride and Groom Utah Style & Design / O.C. Tanner 2012 Charlie awards Florida Magazine assoCiation charlie award (first place) best feature (Delray Beach) best overall magazine (Boca Raton) best photographic essay (Boca Raton)

silver award

best online presence (Boca Raton) best use of photography (Boca Raton)

bronze award

best in-depth reporting (Boca Raton)

2011 Charlie awards Florida Magazine assoCiation charlie award (first place) best new magazine (Delray Beach) best custom magazine (Worth Avenue)

bronze award

best overall magazine (Boca Raton)

2010 Charlie awards Florida Magazine assoCiation charlie award (first place)

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best overall magazine (Boca Raton) best overall design (Boca Raton) best overall use of photography (Florida Table)

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2009 Charlie awards Florida Magazine assoCiation charlie award (first place) best overall magazine (Boca Raton) best overall design (Boca Raton) best feature (Boca Raton)

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bronze award

Located in Paradise Salon 140 NE 2nd Ave, Suite 27 Delray Beach • 561-504-3992 • aspireskincarebeauty.com

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december/january

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ServiceS directory Delray Beach magazine is published six times a year, with December/January, February, March/April, May/June, July/August/September and October/November issues. If you have any questions or comments regarding our magazine, call us at 561/997-8683. We’d love to hear from you.

[ subscription, copy purchasing and distribution ]

For any changes or questions regarding your subscription or to purchase back issues, call our subscription services manager David Shuff at 877/553-5363. To inquire about distribution points, ask for circulation director David Brooks at the same number.

[ advertising resources ]

Take advantage of Delray Beach’s prime advertising space—put your ad dollars to work in the premier publication of South Florida. For more information, contact Candace Rojas (candace@bocamag.com).

[ custom publishing ]

Create a magazine tailored to fit the needs and character of your business/organization. Ideal for promotions, special events, introduction of new services and/or locations, etc. Contact Marie Speed (editor@bocamag.com).

[ story queries/web queries ]

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Delray Beach magazine values the concerns and interests of our readers. Story queries for the print version of Delray Beach should be submitted by e-mail to Marie Speed (editor@bocamag.com) or Kevin Kaminski (kevin@bocamag.com). Submit information/queries regarding our website to Marie Speed (editor@bocamag. com). We try to respond to all queries; but due to the large volume that we receive, this may not be possible.

[ letters ]

Your thoughts and comments are important to us. All letters to the editor may be edited for style, grammar and length. We reserve the right to withhold any letters deemed inappropriate for publication. Send letters to the address listed below, or to Marie Speed (editor@ bocamag.com).

[ calendar ]

Where to go, what to do and see in Delray Beach. Please submit information regarding fundraisers, art openings, plays, readings, concerts, dance or other performances to editor Marie Speed (editor@bocamag.com). Deadline for entries in an upcoming calendar section is three months before publication (e.g., to list an event in July/ August, submit info by April 20).

[ dining guide ]

Our independent reviews of restaurants in Delray Beach.

A fine, reliable resource for residents and tourists. For more information, contact Marie Speed.

[ out & about ]

A photo collage of social gatherings and events in Delray Beach. All photos submitted should be clearly identified and accompanied by a brief description of the event (who, what, where, when); photos will not be returned. E-mail images to people@bocamag.com. Or mail photos to: “Out & About” Delray Beach magazine 5455 N. Federal Highway, Suite M Boca Raton, FL 33487

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december/january

Chiropractic Neurology.

Pain relief at the source.

Chiropractic neurology is based upon the understanding that the nervous and musculoskeletal systems are intimately related. The Conde Center integrates traditional chiropractic care with highly advanced neurological rehabilitation procedures to create custom treatment solutions for each patient that seamlessly transitions them from pain to wellness. Contact The Conde Center and begin your journey to better health today!

Dr. John Conde Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist

To learn more please visit us at: www.thecondecenter.com email: info@thecondecenter.com or call: (561) 330-6096

401 West Atlantic Avenue • Suite 014 • Delray Beach, FL 33444

[ events ] Coming Up: Don’t-miss events!

Boynton anD Delray BeaCh holiDay Boat paraDe

What: Brightly lit and decorated boats cruise down the Intracoastal Where: Starts at Boynton Inlet and proceeds to the C-15 Canal When: Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m. hoW mUCh: Free info: Find your spot early and watch the parade drift by; Veterans Park is always a good vantage point.

allianz Championship golf toUrnament

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For an

exceptional

Shopping experience!

204 e. atlantic ave Delray Beach, Fl 33444 561.272.6654

1185 third St. So. naples, Fl 34102 239.643.8900

Mon-Wed 10am-9pm thu-Sat 10am-11pm Sunday 11am-6pm

Mashpee commons cape cod, Ma 02649 508.477.3900

www.uniqueboutiquejewelry.com 8

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10/15/12 9:13 AM

What: The Allianz Championship is a golf tournament on the Champions Tour. Since 2007 it has been played at the Old Course at Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton. The purse for the 2012 tournament was $1.8 million, with $270,000 going to the winner.

Where: The Old Course at Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton When: Feb. 4-10, 2013 info: allianzchampionship.com

soUth BeaCh Wine & fooD festival

What: The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine is a national, star-studded, four-day destination event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities.

Hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International University (FIU), the Festival benefits FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center. Going into its 12th year, the festival has raised approximately $17 million to date for FIU. Expect to see a who’s who of the culinary world, from Paula Deen and Bobby Flay to Daniel Boulud and Martha Stewart.

Where: On the beach and at various locations, Miami Beach When: Feb. 21-24, 2013 info: sobefest.com

december/january

The Delray Beach InTernaTIonal TennIs champIonshIps (ITc), aTp champIons Tour evenT

WhaT: The world’s only 10-day combined ATP Champions Tour & ATP World Tour event is televised nationally (through the Tennis Channel) and internationally, and hosts more than 60,000 spectators and more than 10 hospitality and special events.

The ITC is one of only 12 ATP World Tour Events in the U.S., featuring many of the current top-ranked men’s professionals in the world. Past players have included Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, Juan Martin del Potro, John Isner, the Bryan brothers, Lleyton Hewitt, Mardy Fish, James Blake and Tommy Haas. Multiple dining and networking events take place in the onsite Hospitality Pavilion (i.e. Sponsors’/ Players Reception, Box Series Holders’ Reception, Chamber Bash, Ladies Luncheons, ITC Dinner Party).

Unique and competitive amateur tennis events are hosted on the grounds of the ITC (i.e., Doubles Club Championships, Legends, Clinic, MegaMixer, NCAA College Matches, USPTA Grand Prix, USPTA Adult Clinic).

When: Feb. 22-Mar. 3, 2013 Where: Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center (6,000 ticketed capacity), 201 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach hoW much: Call 561/330-6000 for ticket prices and packages.

Info: yellowtennisball.com

Make sure to sign up on our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for the latest Delray-related news and events.

Say “goodbye” to your old, cold big bank, and say “hello” to your local bank that offers: • Free Personal Checking and a No Fee Debit Card • Special programs for homeowners underwater on their mortgages • A variety of mortgages to fit your needs • Money to lend you or your business

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Drop us a line!

Delray Beach wants to hear from you! Please direct all mail to editor@ bocamag.com or send to Delray Beach magazine, 5455 N. Federal Highway, Suite M, Boca Raton, FL 33487. december/january

4850 W. Atlantic Ave. • Delray Beach, FL 33445

Wellington Branch: 561-333-5773

1314 Greenview Shores Blvd. • Wellington, FL 33414

FloridianCommunityBank.com

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3:53 PM9 delray beach10/4/12 magazine

[ editor’s letter ]

By Marie Speed

delray style Our small town knows what style means—on its own terms

T

his issue is our “Style” issue, a designation I have to admit I never thought I’d apply to Delray. I’ve always loved the fact that you could run around Delray in shorts and flip-flops, a ball cap on your head and fit right in. No Miamiesque tight teensy dresses and towering heels, no Palm Beach sweaters around the neck, Gucci loafers.

But Delray is emerging with a style all its own in spite of itself. There is more on the Avenue now than Snappy Turtle and Vince Canning shoes and Mercer Wenzel. Now, we’ve also got the sporty J. McLaughlin look, bright classics at Periwinkle and high fashion at Legacy. Nina Raynor offers elegance, Love Shack and Roxy Lulu have boho cool tops and jeans and dresses.

And those are just a few of the stores that are dressing us these days.

Still, we haven’t lost the sense of who we are.

Delray style is still distinctively its own—it’s fun, it’s authentic—and it refuses to take itself too seriously. It’s the style that yields a guy in a garlic costume and the Sweet Potato Queens in the St. Paddy’s Day parade. It was Maury Powers with a pig in his arms, the Man of Steam in his Superman cape.

It is why we have the most fun small town in America.

So dive into the holidays in style—and enjoy all Delray has to offer this season. And you can start right here, with this issue of its hometown magazine.

5 (MORE) things i lOvE abOut DElRay bEach: 1. The upstairs room at 32 East 2. Seeing the top of the Christmas tree from I-95 3. The Thai chicken wrap at Marianne’s 4. Free Friday night concerts at Center For the Arts at Old School Square 5. Veterans Park

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december/january

delray beach magazine

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inside: • hot list • cheers • calendar • great finds

[ 14 ] [ 18 ] [ 20 ] [ 22 ]

on the avenue News aNd Notes from delray beach

Ready, Set, Go: Season Kicks In It’s the most wonderful tIme of the year, as the song says, with everyone back in town and a festive vibe every night of the week. Check out all the holiday events, and a few of the discoveries we’ve uncovered, from softer-than-soft baby things (pictured), excellent home-grown craft brews and big food at a little house, to all the girls in their little black dresses. As the temperatures drop, the Avenue is heating up—don’t miss a minute!

Kristin Finn, creator of Milkmouth, with daughter Ava

december/january

delray beach magazine

13

on the avenue hot list

it’s party time!

‘Tis the season to celebrate holidays, good friends—even that favorite Little Black Dress.

By chelSea greeNwooD

CREAM OF THE CROP

Discover something special for all the little ones on your holiday shopping list through Milkmouth.

Delray Beach resident Kristin Finn started the children’s clothing company when her daughter, Ava, was born.

“We received a simple handmade blanket with the most soft and beautiful fabric as a gift,” says the owner and seamstress. “This was the motivation to begin to create a line of my own for my daughter.

Ava’s little ‘milkmouth’ from nursing inspired the name.”

The line started with burp cloths, bibs and blankets and has since grown to include dresses, skirts and pants—as well as custom orders like ottomans and other home decor items. Drawing from her youth in North Carolina, in addition to living in South Florida for the past 15 years, Finn enjoys playing with seersucker, vibrant colors and preppy prints.

“I really strive to create ‘adorable’ items that have a little bit of me in every stitch,” she says. And no need to worry about fancy wrapping for your gift selections: All Milkmouth items are packaged and shipped in a cute milk carton. (milkmouth.com) Syrenthia Brown-Nazario at Fly Dry Blowdry

nOTHing buT AiR ... FOR HAiR

It’s social season, which means your hair dryer, straightening iron, curling iron—and your wrists—could probably use a break. Before you get carpal tunnel, put down the brush and leave the work to the professionals at the Fly Dry Blowdry Bar. Already a big trend in New York and other big cities, the concept is simple: no cuts, no coloring, just styling. Offerings range from the Fly Private (a “six-brush technique” 14

delray beach magazine

resulting in bounce and body) and the Runway (sleek and polished) to the Turbulence (tousled and beachy) and the Round Trip (defined curls).

Each style is just $35 and includes a shampoo and scalp massage.

Other services include makeup applications, manicures, keratin treatments and updos.

(183 N.E. Second Ave., 561/800-2379, flydry.net) december/january

BE JEWELED

Need some baubles for your next gala—or gifts for the fashionistas on your list? Then meet Krystal Sasso. The Delray jewelry designer creates one-of-a-kind necklaces and bracelets comprising an eclectic combination of textures and colors, with materials ranging from crystals and metals to precious stones. Her works, influenced by her world travels and design education in Florence, have been featured in the pages of Vogue, as well as a runway show at New York Fashion week. Find Krystal Sasso jewelry at South Florida boutiques and krystalsasso.com.

EGG-CELENT

If you have to crack a few eggs to make an omelet, you might as well have the best eggs, right? There aren’t too many places in South Florida where you can get farm-fresh eggs these days, but Heritage Hen Farm is one. Based in Boynton Beach, the free-range farm produces eggs in a variety of colors and sizes, made by hundreds of chickens (many of which are endangered, Old World breeds). Pick up a dozen, and you’re in for a treat: rich, pure, eggy goodness. Find them at the Delray Beach Green Market or at the farm’s store, Trés Fresh. P.S. They also have a dairy! (8495 S. Haverhill Road, Boynton Beach, 561/767-9000, heritagehen.com)

FLOUR POWER

Satisfy your carb craving at City Oyster’s latest addition: the Bake Shop, under the direction of pastry chef Nico Jambetakis. He’s cooking up a monthly pie program with rustic, seasonal pies; a bread assortment including mini cornbread muffins, Parker House rolls and buttermilk biscuits; and brunch pastries like cinnamon brioche rolls and scones. From the Challah buns of the lobster rolls to the pizza dough for flatbreads, it’s all made fresh on the premises in the Bake Shop. And don’t miss Greek specialties like baklava and Galaktoboureko, a dessert of phyllo dough and custard. (213 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/272-0220, cityoysterdelray.com)

december/january

delray beach magazine

15

on the avenue hot list

BY DESIGN

This sounds like a holiday tradition in the making! Local designers have decked the halls of one of Delray’s beloved historic homes for the first Christmas at Cason Cottage Designer Showcase House, hosted by the Delray Beach Historical Society. Guests are invited to stroll the property grounds and peruse the extreme makeover—which includes everything from paint and upholstery to window treatments and rugs—throughout the month of December. The opening-night party kicks off Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails, canapés and music. Virginia Courtenay of Virginia Courtenay Interiors and Gus Martinez of Tulane Kidd Interiors are serving as the two designer chairs. (5 N.E. First St., 561/243-2577, db-hs.org)

DRINK UP!

Get your guests in the holiday spirit with this elaborate cocktail, courtesy of the mad-scientist mixologists at Max’s Harvest. This martini requires a bit of prep and finesse, but it’s so worth it! (169 N.E. Second Ave., 561/381-9970, maxsharvest.com)

BrûléeD Dark CHoColate & CHerry Martini witH PePPerMint FoaM Courtesy of Max’s Harvest Peppermint foam (recipe follows) 1 1/2 ounces Three Olives cherry vodka 1 1/2 ounces Godiva dark chocolate liqueur Dash cherry bitters Dash simple syrup Turbinado sugar Place foam in chilled cocktail glass. Mix vodka, liqueur, bitters and syrup with ice in shaker. Strain into glass over foam. Sprinkle sugar on drink; flame with handheld torch.

PePPerMint FoaM 4 egg whites 6 ounces St-Germain elderflower liqueur 3 ounces lemon juice 1 ounce crushed peppermint candy Mix ingredients and charge in iSi Whipper, shaking between charges. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.

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delray beach magazine

BEST DRESSED

You’re already getting tons of use out of your little black dress this season, so why not take it a step further? At Salt7, one of Delray’s hottest new restaurants, every Wednesday is Little Black Dress (LBD) Night.

Between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m., show up wearing an LBD and receive a complimentary glass of Little Black Dress brand wine, as well as half off those wines all night. Go the extra mile and bring a group of eight women in LBDs to earn a complimentary bottle of Russian Standard vodka. Cheers to good style!

(32 S.E. Second Ave., 561/274-7258, salt7.com)

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on the avenue cheers

due south brewing co.

Craft beer makes its local debut—and the fans are lining up at this Boynton brewery.

Mike and Jodi Halker

18

delray beach magazine

By Bill Citar a

If you want to brew great beer, go south, young man. Due South.

At least that’s what Mike Halker did. The 44-year-old North Carolina native—founder, brewmaster and guiding light of Due South Brewing Co. (2900 High Ridge Road, Boynton Beach; 561/463-2337)—always knew that when he was ready to open his own brewery, he would do it in South Florida.

After three years of living in Boynton Beach, another three back in Charlotte and two years of planning when he and wife Jodi returned to Boynton, he did just that, opening Due South in April in an obscure warehouse behind a paint store just off I-95. For someone who’d been brewing as an amateur for a mere seven years, that might seem a tiny bit audacious.

But Halker never lacked confidence in his own abilities, nor in the enthusiastic drinkers of his home-brewed product, and he duly impressed judges in amateur brewing competitions.

“We won every competition we ever entered,” he admits, a number he estimates at “more than 20 and less than 50.” Between those december/january

competitions, festivals and the like, “we probably had almost 10,000 people taste our beer before we started making it commercially.”

And to think this budding brewmaster didn’t even like beer.

“I never drank beer,” he says. “I thought all beer was that yellow fizzy stuff. My wife is allergic to sulfites in wine, so I decided I was going to make wine that didn’t have sulfites for her. I went to the home brew shop and said, ‘I want to make wine.’ The guy said, ‘No, it takes too long. You want to make beer.’ I said, ‘I don’t like beer.’ And he said, ‘You just haven’t had the right beer.’”

Of course, drinking the right beer and brewing the right beer are two vastly different things. But Halker was helped by his lifelong love of cooking, his experience as a restaurateur and his membership in the “Butt Rubbers” barbecue team that entered barbecue competitions throughout the Carolinas.

“I’m to the point now that I can look at a recipe on a piece of paper and have a pretty good idea what it’s going to taste like in the glass. Like good chefs have experience with their ingredients and how they work together, it’s the same way in brewing.”

Just as drinking and brewing beer are different animals, so are brewing beer and establishing a brewery. “There really isn’t any money out there as far as lending [for a brewery] goes,” he says. “We stuck our toes in the water and figured out very quickly that wasn’t going to happen. My wife and I put everything into it. Then some family and one or two friends who stepped in gave us a hand.”

Their reward was a rotating selection of 11 beers, from the house signature (and Halker’s favorite) Category 3 IPA to the spicy, Belgianstyle Southern Saison, beers good enough to earn placement in more than 75 bars and restaurants from Key West to Vero Beach. Beers good enough to where demand is outstripping supply, which Halker intends to remedy by doubling his current 7,000-gallon-a-month output by the end of the year.

Like the best wine and food, Due South’s beers reflect a sense of place. “We really play on the South Florida thing,” Halker says. “Our beers tend to be a little bit lower in alcohol— very drinkable beers with a lot of flavors but will not knock you over. We want to make beer for the boat and the beach and the pool.”

After all, he adds, “It’s always summer here.” december/january

More Cool stuff on the way

Beer isn’t just for breakfast anymore. It’s for pairing with food, giving the same attention to the nuances of flavor and texture as fine wine. Mike Halker describes five of his signature brews (pictured, left to right, on the opposite page) and gives tips as to what kinds of dishes they might play well with.

Category 3 IPa “Loads of malts and loads of hops.” Only ingredients are malt, hops, yeast and water. Pour with burgers, Jamaican jerked meats, sharp cheddar cheese.

Caramel Cream ale “Fresh whole vanilla beans” give a unique twist to this dusky ale. You may find individual beans in the head. Serve with pretzels, steamed mussels and, yes, apple pie. southern saison Brewed with an assortment of Caribbean spices, this Belgianstyle ale has a fruity, almost sweet character. Try it with spicy Caribbean or Indian dishes or aged Gouda. honey Vanilla wheat This light, refreshing wheat beer not only gets a shot of vanilla but of fresh Florida honey, more than 100 pounds worth to each batch. Pair it with barbecue and chicken pot pie. roasted Cocoa stout A potent brew at 6.1 percent alcohol, this beer’s toasty cocoa flavor comes from cocoa nibs. Not surprisingly, it would partner well with almost anything chocolate.

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on the avenue calendar

dec./jan. events EvEnt

WhEn

W h at

WhErE

c o n ta c t

“The Sound of Music”

Through Dec. 16

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s world-famous musical about a free-spirited postulate who becomes a governess to an autocratic Austrian in Nazi-occupied Salzburg.

Delray Beach Playhouse

561/272-1281 ext. 4

Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party

Dec. 6, 5 to 7 p.m.

Chamber members mix and mingle with local colleagues and business owners at an event that includes food, drink and raffle prizes.

Old School Square

561/278-0424

“Something Sort of Grandish”

Dec. 10-19

A tribute to the songs of Burton Lane, who composed for more than 60 Hollywood films over a 50-year career, including “Babes on Broadway” and “Royal Wedding.”

Delray Beach Playhouse

561/272-1281 ext. 4

Holiday Boat Parade

Dec. 7, 7 p.m.

An annual boat parade traveling south on the Intracoastal from the Boynton Beach Marina to the C-15 Canal in south Delray Beach.

Boynton Beach Marina

561/243-1077

Kids’ Day at the Tree

Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be artificial snow, ice skating and more at this family-friendly holiday gathering.

Old School Square front lawn

561/279-1380 ext. 17

Artists in the Park

Dec. 8-9, and Jan. 12-13 and 26-27, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Fine art will be sold and exhibited at this free seasonal fair series sponsored by the Delray Beach Art League.

Veterans Park

czwilliamsart@ bellsouth.net

Breakfast with Santa

Dec. 15, 8 a.m.

Children can have their minute with Santa Claus, with lines starting every hour through 11 a.m.

Delray Beach Marriott

561/279-1380 ext. 17

Open Studios and Galleries at Artists Alley

Dec. 20, 6 to 9 p.m.

Every third Thursday, artists in this emerging warehouse district will open their spaces, featuring their painting, pottery, sculpture and workspaces.

Artists Alley, near Northeast Third Avenue and Northeast Third Street

561/279-1380 ext. 17

Roots Holiday Concert

Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.

A free, heartwarming, foot-tapping concert with guest appearances by local and international musicians, hosted by the Roots Cultural Festival.

Center for the Arts at Old School Square

561/243-7922

New Year’s Weekend Craft Festival

Dec. 29-30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Crafters offer their unique wares between Christmas and New Year’s at this sixth annual event.

Fourth Avenue and Atlantic Avenue

561/243-1077

First Night 2013

Dec. 31

There will be visual and performing arts at this nonalcoholic, family celebration of the new year, concluding with midnight fireworks.

downtown Atlantic Avenue

561/279-1380 ext. 17

“It Was a Very Good Year!”

Dec. 31, 2 and 8 p.m.

Randolph Del Lago, creative director of the Playhouse, hosts a celebration of Broadway musicals from 50 years prior, 1962 and 1963.

Delray Beach Playhouse

561/272-1281 ext. 4

Christmas tree at Old School Square and Broadway’s Elite

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december/january

Josh Kornbluth, The Capitol Steps, Natalie Cole EvEnt

WhEn

W h at

WhErE

c o n ta c t

561/586-6410

“New Year’s Eve Swing Time”

Dec. 31, 8 p.m.

Singer Missy McArdle and the Glen Rovinelli Orchestra highlight an evening of celebration, swing music, hors d’oeuvres and Champagne.

Lake Worth Playhouse

Jace Vek and Drew Tucker: The New Standard

Jan. 5, 8 p.m.

Percussionist Tucker and Emmy-winning pianist Vek present original works and re-imagined classics from John Williams, Vivaldi, Marvin Hamlisch, Aaron Copland, U2 and more.

Center for the Arts 561/243-7922 at Old School Square

The Capitol Steps

Jan. 7, 8 p.m.

The popular comedy ensemble founded by former Capitol Hill staffers skewers politics, politicians and the news of the day with song parodies and skits.

Center for the Arts 561/243-7922 at Old School Square

Joan Collins

Jan. 17, 2 p.m.

The outspoken “Dynasty” star, film actress, author and singer will dish on Hollywood, television, fashion and more in this lecture, which includes a Q&A with the audience.

Center for the Arts 561/243-7922 at Old School Square

Contacts & Cocktails

Jan. 17, 5:15 to 7 p.m.

Chamber members mix and mingle with local colleagues and business owners at an event that includes food, drink and raffle prizes.

DeBilzan Studio

561/278-0424

“The Drowsy Chaperone”

Jan. 17-Feb. 3

A hilarious tribute to–and satire of–vintage Broadway musicals, set in the modern living room of an obsessed musical theater fan whose favorite classic springs to life onstage.

Lake Worth Playhouse

561/586-6410

Josh Kornbluth: Jan. 18 “Andy Warhol: Good for the Jews?”

Spoken-word artist Kornbluth’s latest one-man show, inspired by Andy Warhol’s 1980 silkscreen series of culturally important Jewish luminaries, is an irreverent mix of autobiography, philosophy and improvisation.

Kravis Center

561/832-7469

Downtown Delray Beach Festival of the Arts

Jan. 19-20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hundreds of artists exhibit and sell handcrafted glass, photography, painting, mixed media, jewelry and more at this outdoor, juried art festival, now in its 24th year.

East Atlantic Avenue from Seventh Street to A1A

561/243-1077

“The Speakeasy”

Jan. 23, 7 p.m.

The Playhouse transforms into the freewheeling Jazz Age of Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Picasso, with 1920s ambience, drinking and gambling, for one night only.

Lake Worth Playhouse

561/586-6410

Ethel Waters: “His Eye is on the Sparrow”

Jan. 25-Feb. 10

A musical biography of entertainer Ethel Waters, who was born into abject poverty and rose to Broadway stardom; includes “Dinah,” “Frankie and Johnny” and “Sweet Georgia Brown.”

Delray Beach Playhouse

561/272-1281 ext. 4

Broadway’s Elite

Jan. 28-29, 8 p.m.

Tony winner Donna McKechnie (for “A Chorus Line”) joins fellow-performers Andrea McArdle and Ken Page to croon classics from the Great White Way as part of the Center for the Arts’ cabaret series.

Center for the Arts 561/243-7922 at Old School Square

“La Traviata”

Jan. 19-20

A young nobleman falls madly in love with an easily manipulated courtesan in this masterful tragedy by Giuseppe Verdi, one of the most popular operas ever composed. Presented by Palm Beach Opera.

Kravis Center

561/832-7469

Natalie Cole

Jan. 23

The daughter of jazz legend Nat King Cole, Natalie has performed duets with her father and forged a successful career on her own, selling millions of records and winning nine Grammy awards.

Kravis Center

561/832-7469

december/january

delray beach magazine

21

on the avenue great finds

[1]

cool jewels Sparkle this season with silver and crystal and a pearly winter shimmer

By Cassie Morien [4]

[3]

[8]

[7]

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UniqUe BoUtiqUe, 204 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/272-6654 the Mixed Bag, 1126 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/278-0205 KarMa, 524 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/265-5095 Zen dali/Jen ScoZ, 424 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/330-3436

december/january

1. Mother of pearl earrings, $275, Zen Dali/Jen Scoz 2. Crystal rings, $22 each, The Mixed Bag 3. Mummy Bundle gray pearl earrings, $185, Unique Boutique 4. Silver bangle, $550, Unique Boutique 5. G.O. bracelets, $225 each, Unique Boutique 6. Mummy Bundle gray pearl necklace, $845, Unique Boutique 7. Sea turtle ring, $18, The Mixed Bag 8. Mummy Bundle silver and pearl bracelet, $415, Unique Boutique 9. Silver twist bracelet, $18, The Mixed Bag 10. Stone and silver necklace, $69, Karma 11. Silver bangles, $185-295, Zen Dali/Jen Scoz

[2]

[6]

[5]

[11]

[9]

[10]

december/january

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T h e

L e g e n d s

C o n T i n u e

T h e O l d C O u r s e aT B r O k e n s O u n d F e B r u a r y 4 - 1 0 , 2 0 1 3 | B O C a r aT O n , F l

For Ticketing & Event Information www.ALLIANZCHAMPIONSHIP.com | 561.241.4653 Club 18 presented by South Florida business Journal: $175 per ticket 4th Annual “Grapes on the Green” Wine Event: $85 per ticket Michelob ultra Partners Club: $75 per ticket | Good-Any-One Day Grounds Pass: $20 per ticket All Proceeds Benefit

[style ]

Party Favors

Accessorize for high season with everything from belts and necklaces to bracelets and bags.

PhotograPhy by aaron bristol

bellissima white necklace, $49, and Jag necklace, $216, from shop on impulse; gold link bracelet, $62, large gold necklace, $94, and Muse gray and gold dress, $172, all from Periwinkle

All Accessories from stores in DelrAy BeAch december/january

delray beach magazine

25

Blue, purple and natural leopard belts, $64 each, all from Trilogy; leopard three-square belt, $32, from Periwinkle; Gypsy Rain peace bag, $395, from Roxy LuLu; leather rock feather clutch, $322, Shop on Impulse

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december/january

[style ]

Ted Rossi python studded cuff, $436, GiGi Chic python and square cuffs, $150 each, black and gold cuff, $148, all from Shop on Impulse; python skin cuff, $185, from Periwinkle

december/january

delray beach magazine

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[ style ]

Sequined sweater, $85, from Trilogy; silver and gold wrap belts, $95 each, from Roxy LuLu; Olivia Graye disco clutch, $48, and 10-ring champagne belt, $34, from Periwinkle

Styling: Hot Pink Style, HotPinkStyling.blogSPot.com ARt DiRECtOR: kAtHleen RoSS 28

delray beach magazine

december/january

Roxy LuLu: 119 N.E. SEcoNd AvE., 561/779-5485, roxylulu.com Shop on ImpuLSe: 14 N.E. fourth AvE., 561/274-2150, ShopoNimpulSE.com peRIwInkLe: 339 E. AtlANtic AvE., 561/279-9699, pEriwiNklEoNliNE.com TRILogy: 16850 Jog roAd, 561/498-4493, ShoptrilogyoNliNE.com

Superga silver sneaker, $75, from Trilogy; clear double buckle belt, $78, and woven clutch, $78, both from Periwinkle; python clutch, $410, from Shop on Impulse

december/january

delray beach magazine

29

[ dine ]

By Bill Citar a

chrissy benoit of the little house

A chef with world-renowned mentors believes, when it’s all said and done, that food should be fun.

I

t’s among life’s little ironies that one of the nicest and most approachable people in the restaurant business, whose restaurants are known for their funky, unpretentious, good-humored charm, has had a career that’s repeatedly intersected with some of the biggest names in our media-inflamed celebrity-restaurantindustrial complex.

Wolfgang Puck, Anthony Bourdain, Robert Earl, Guy Fieri ... they’ve all been signposts along the way for Chrissy Benoit. Not that the one-time hostess at the Denny’s across the street from her Denver home ever could have foreseen this. But from that first job on, the now 43-year-old chef-proprietor of The Little House in Boynton Beach and two Production

the little house

aaron bristol

480 E. Ocean Ave. Boynton Beach 561/420-0573

Chinois salad

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Kitchens in West Palm Beach fell in love with the exhausting, enervating, exhilarating business of preparing and serving food for a living and, as she says, “I never looked back.”

Ten years after that baby step into the restaurant world, she took a much larger step indeed—a job with Wolfgang Puck’s fledgling restaurant group. Benoit was hired to refine front-of-the-house operations for his justlaunched line of Wolfgang Puck Cafés, which led to her traveling around the country, helping open new cafés and then moving on. december/january

the little house and chrissy Benoit

Eventually that peripatetic lifestyle took her to Orlando, which became her home base while opening the café in Downtown Disney and then at Sawgrass Mills. “I loved working with [Puck],” she says. “I have so much respect for him and the way he managed people.”

After five years, though, it was time to leave the Puck “bubble” to “challenge myself ” with something new.

That something new was a year-long stint running the service end of the operation at Caneel Bay resort in the Virgin Islands, which gave way to her second signpost, a consulting gig at the historic Quogue Inn in the Hamptons with Bourdain and an eventual return to Orlando, where she put down roots, bought a house and came upon her third signpost.

Robert Earl, founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood International, had a floundering Orlando steak house and hired Benoit to beat the place into shape.

Not only did she work her usual frontof-the-house magic but, more importantly, she discovered her burgeoning skills in the kitchen, accumulated over the years spent working with Puck and training restaurant staffs. “I just took over the kitchen without really thinking about it,” she says.

What happened in August 2004, is really what “changed the direction of my life.” It was Hurricane Charley, which blew through Orlando as a Category 1, bringing down a giant oak tree on Benoit’s house and rendering it uninhabitable.

“I was officially homeless,” she recalls. “I was couch-surfing with my friends; I really wasn’t sure what was next for me. Then I got offered a potential position in a town called Lake Worth with a family who had bought a restaurant and didn’t know what to do with it.”

That restaurant was The Cottage, and though her stay there was short-lived, it led to the restaurant that made her local reputadecember/january

tion and to her fourth, and possibly most significant, signpost. Down the street from The Cottage was a dingy, disreputable bar called the Lizard Den. No one else saw the potential of the place, but Chrissy Benoit did. All those ideas compiled over all those years just exploded, the result being a funky, Keys-y, Latin-esque bar-café she called Havana Hideout.

It served up a giant helping of kitsch, along with Benoit’s vibrant take on Latin street food, which was cooked in a large panel truck she’d bought for $5,000 and served in tiki huts she’d had constructed on the patio.

Havana Hideout was a local hit. It was soon to become an international one. Seven months after it opened, in early 2008, Benoit was contacted by a producer from the Food Network’s mega-smash “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Weeks of back-and-forth dealings followed, and then one day the funky little café was swarmed by host Guy Fieri’s camera crew, which spent four 13- to 16-hour days filming for a seven-and-one-half-minute segment. The experience was “so great,” she says. “It was the best advertising I could hope for.”

After the show aired in April 2009, it was even better than that. “I was literally giving food away for the first five months,” she says. Following the Hideout’s appearance on “Triple D,” it went to doing $300,000 in food sales a year.

But there comes a time to move on from even that kind of supernova success, and late last year Benoit sold the Hideout to a group of employees, moving to Boynton Beach and opening The Little House in the thoroughly renovated Ruth Jones Cottage as part of the city’s effort to reinvigorate its downtown core. It’s a different restaurant (cash only!) in a different place

with a different vibe than the Hideout, but there is one constant.

“At the end of the day, food has got to be fun,” Benoit says. “I get the serious nature of it, but we’re not putting people on the moon.

We’re feeding people; we’re giving them joy through the food they’re eating.”

Signature Benoit claSSicS at the little houSe

• IndIan butter chIcken • chIcken and dumplIngs • Warm pIneapple upsIde doWn cake • VanIlla peach sangrIa • mac and cheese • skIrt steak salad

chicken and dumplings

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[ play ]

By Rich Pollack

listen to the lions roar from your cabin at lion country Safari.

into the woods

It’s a great time of year for a camping trip; try these close-to-home places.

A

t the Lion County Safari KOA campground, the sounds of roaring lions and howling monkeys have some campers confused.

“A lot of guests ask us if they’re recorded and piped in,” says Marc Unterhalter, vice president of Lion Country Safari, which also operates the camping facility.

The answer, of course, is no: The sounds they hear are the real thing.

“This is the only place I can think of where you can actually hear lions roar while you’re camping,” Unterhalter says.

Less than an hour away from Delray Beach, the Lion Country Safari KOA Campground & RV Resort is just one of several easy-to-getto places to camp, all with different outdoor settings—from beachfront to lakefront, from the middle of everything to the middle of nowhere. And yet they all have one common denominator.

“No matter where you go, it seems like you’re a world away,” says LJ Margolis, a parks district manager for the Palm Beach County

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Parks and Recreation Department, which operates three campgrounds.

Whether guests come by boat, by RV or by car with a tent in the trunk, there’s a variety of camping options, all tucked away within an urban or suburban environment.

For those who enjoy boating and fishing, the county operates the Peanut Island Campground, which offers 20 improved, tent-only campsites on the northeast side of the island as well as natural-area beach tent camping in designated spots on the west side.

“What makes camping on Peanut Island so special is that you can walk right out of your tent and right into the water,” Margolis says.

“You’re still just a short boat ride from fine dining and upscale shopping.”

At the mouth of the Lake Worth Inlet, Peanut Island is a short boat ride from the town of Palm Beach and from Singer Island. From the campground, guests can take in views of both islands as well as the Intracoastal Waterway.

“It’s rustic camping in the middle of civilization,” Margolis says.

In addition to running the Peanut Island campground, Palm Beach County also operates the South Bay RV Campground, with access to Lake Okeechobee, and the John Prince Park Campground in Lake Worth, which borders Lake Osborne.

For campers who want to be in a campground that is a little less rustic, the Lion Country Safari KOA offers 232 sites that can be used for either RV or tent camping.

The campground also has four cabins, but there are no amenities inside the cabins other than beds. december/january

Three GreaT Nearby Places To camP lIoN couNTry saFarI koa camPGrouNd & rV resorT

2003 Lion Country Safari Road, Loxahatchee 561/793-9797 lioncountrysafari.com FacIlITIes

“It’s basically tent camping without the tent,” Unterhalter says.

Designed with families in mind, the campground includes a heated swimming pool, a playground, basketball and volleyball courts and a general store. In addition, campers at KOA have easy access to the Lion Country Safari theme park.

“The campground offers a great weekend getaway right in your own backyard,” Unterhalter says.

Campers looking for a diversity of camping options, including cabins that offer kitchenettes and private bathrooms, will find them right over the Palm Beach-Martin County Line at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound.

The 11,500-acre state park, with the Loxahatchee River running through it, offers opportunities for a variety of recreational activities, from hiking along nature trails to bicycling and canoeing, kayaking and other boating activities.

For adventurous campers, the park offers primitive camping at two sites in the woods along the Florida Trail.

Little more than clearings in the woods, the sites don’t include potable water or bathroom facilities.

“They’re about as basic as you can get,” says park manager Mark Nelson.

For those seeking a little more comfort, the park has two full-facility campgrounds—the 90-site Pine Grove Campground and the 45site River Campground, a short distance from the Loxahatchee River.

Perhaps the most luxurious of the area’s camping options are the dozen cabins at Jonathan Dickinson, which are close to the river as well as the park’s visitor’s center. The cabins come with a bedroom area, dining/kitchen area and a bathroom. Bedding and cooking utensils are provided.

“Camping here is a unique experience,” Nelson says. “It’s an opportunity to instantly be in a remote location, away from it all.” december/january

• 208 sites for RVs • 18 tent sites • Four rustic cabins with no water or indoor plumbing • Two primitive group camping sites for scouts raTes

Peanut Island camping offers docks.

PeaNuT IslaNd camPGrouNd aNd NaTural areas camPING

• $38 per night for tent camping • $62 per night for RV with 30 amp electric • $66 per night for RV with 50 amp electric • $85 per night for cabins ameNITIes

• General store, picnic area and pavilion • Heated swimming pool • Handicapped accessible restrooms • Shuffleboard, basketball, volleyball courts, playground WhaT makes IT sPecIal

6500 Peanut Island Road, Riviera Beach 561/845-4445 pbcgov.com/parks/peanutisland/ campground.htm

• Next to Lion Country Safari theme park

FacIlITIes

16450 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound 772/546-2771 floridastateparks.org/jonathandickinson

• Accessible only by boat.

• 20 improved tent-camping sites in the campground area. There is a restroom with indoor hot showers. No electricity available. Reservations are required.

• Natural-areas beach camping is available on the west side of the island. There is a restroom with bathing suit-shower only. Reservations are not required. raTes

• $29.97 per night with a three-night maximum and a required two-month interval between stays.

JoNaThaN dIckINsoN sTaTe Park

FacIlITIes

• Two backpack camps with no facilities on parts of the Florida Trail • 90 sites at the full-service Pine Grove Campground • 45 sites at the River Campground • 12 cabins with complete facilities raTes

ameNITIes

• $28.73 per night for tents and RVs • $80 per night for cabin off-season, $95 during peak season

• Palm Beach Maritime Museum and Historic John F. Kennedy Bunker • Snorkeling lagoon • Fishing pier • Observation deck • Picnic pavilions

• Rental canoes, kayaks, bicycles and motorboats • Boat ramps and boat tours • River swimming area, large picnic area • Nature, hiking, horse and bike trails

ameNITIes

WhaT makes IT sPecIal

WhaT makes IT sPecIal

• Beachfront camping in an urban environment

• Wilderness camping near an urban setting

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[ up close ]

34

delray beach magazine

by John Thomason

december/january

r

roger cope This one -man organization rages against the architecture machine.

aaron bristol

R

oger Cope is not on Facebook, so he doesn’t want you to “like” him. He’s not on LinkedIn, so he’ll ignore your request to “connect.” He doesn’t print business cards, and he doesn’t have a résumé. He does have a website (copearchitects.com), but it’s so blocky and inscrutable that it would take a modern art critic to decipher it.

The Delray Beach architect, 53, is unfazed. “I’m criticized by people I respect: ‘Why don’t you market? Why don’t you advertise in a magazine or newspaper? Why don’t you try and have an employee? Stop doing your own accounting. Stop writing checks by hand.’ I don’t want to hear it.

“If somebody’s going to interview me for their project and decide I’m not enough of a marketing machine, then I’m OK with that,” he continues. “There are plenty of other people out there who could fit that bill. I’m perfectly happy being a nonmachine.”

For the past 18 years in Delray Beach—and a few before that in Boca Raton—Cope has been bucking the conventional wisdom that “If you market, they will come.” At the time of this writing, he has some 20 projects in various stages of development, all attracted through word of mouth, referrals from other architects and his glittering reputation. He specializes in historic preservation, and his work has garnered four awards from the Delray Beach Historic Preservation Board.

He may call himself a nonmachine, but Cope is like a oneman software service, controlling a dozen or more windows simultaneously, making sure the entire operation runs smoothly.

Aside from the occasional summer intern, he’s taken on everything himself.

“I’ve been in 55-man firms where you can’t hear yourself think,” he says. His first job in Palm Beach County, at Boca Raton’s Barretta & Associates in the late 1980s and early ’90s, was one such firm. “So I broke away from Boca. I said, ‘I’m going to reinvent myself. I’m going to be small and stay small.’ I established a game plan not to ever hire an employee. It was that simple: ‘Don’t take on more work than you personally can handle.’

“And I’ve stuck to it. I left Boca and discovered Delray, back when Delray was much more artsy and attractive, and I just fell in love with it. I couldn’t move here fast enough.”

The oldest of two children, Cope grew up in San Antonio and Honolulu, in a military family. He hated middle school, except for a drawing class. He hated high school, except for a drafting class.

A pattern was beginning to emerge, and by the time he interned

december/january

for a historic preservationist in junior college, the architecture bug had bit him. He matriculated at Texas Tech University, Buddy Holly’s alma mater, where he studied architecture in a no-man’s land of tumbleweeds and red dust.

Out of college, Cope interned with a large architectural firm in San Antonio but left when the late ’80s oil crisis began to crush the firm’s bottom line. He trekked to Florida “cold turkey” on the recommendation of a colleague, and he hasn’t left since.

Cope runs his business in one of a cluster of historic homes that he saved from demolition, renovated and relocated to Northeast First Avenue, a street—within walking distance from Hyatt Place, the library and the parking garage—that has since become a central hub.

He doesn’t have a stylistic signature, describing his work as pragmatic and varied. While he is connected to the Delray Beach community—he donned a black Boston’s shirt during this interview, and a William DeBilzan painting leans against a wall in his conference room—his work spans countries and styles, from an authentic log cabin in North Carolina to a “spectacular” custom residence in the Bahamas. He’s even designed public restroom stalls along the Hollywood boardwalk.

He is, in fact, one of the most prolific architects in a city rife with architectural talent, with new clients contacting him every day. Just don’t expect him to tweet about it.

The Hoesley residence in Delray Beach, designed by Roger Cope delray beach magazine

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[ up close ]

by John Thomason

w

dorothy patterson Archivist, Delray Beach Historical Society

aaron bristol

W

Dorothy’s picks

Favorite book? There are so many; I can’t say just one. I like to read about art, history, biographies, and mysteries—and other things too.

Favorite artist? Matisse Favorite historical Fact? History is so organic it is hard to pin it down.

Favorite Delray lanDmarks?

Marine Villas and the Colony Hotel 36

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ant to decipher the contents of a 1980s time capsule hidden within Delray Beach’s historic Presbyterian Church? Call Dorothy Patterson. Want to know more about the 50th anniversary of the integration of Delray’s beaches? Call Dorothy Patterson. Want the skinny on a performing arts theater that housed the first air conditioning on Delray Beach? Please, call Patterson.

For more than 20 years, Patterson has been the one-stop shop for all things historical in Delray Beach. Google her name, and articles from just about every South Florida publication will turn up, quoting Patterson as a source. As the archivist for the Delray Beach Historical Society, she’s awaiting your calls.

But not for long. December 12 marks the date of Patterson’s retirement. The woman Floridians have taken to calling “Dottie” plans to travel a lot, relaxing at her beach cottage on the Bay Islands, visiting friends in Mexico and family in California and, because the history bug is a tough insect to shake off, working on her own extensive family archive.

“If you don’t have the documentation of your history, people years later can say anything,” says Patterson, her native South Georgia accent coloring her words.

From the beginning, Patterson’s work with the Historical Society combined her two loves: art and history. Patterson arrived in Delray in 1983, armed with a real estate license and undergraduate art and history degrees from UF and FAU. She began living in a historic 1925 apartment building, which she fixed up to rent to other tenants.

She became involved with the Historical Society when she started covering its exhibitions for a monthly newspaper. She soon became a member of the Society and was hired in 1990 as a paid docent. A year later, the Society established the public archives in an upstairs room at Old School Square, and Patterson held fort there until the Society lost its lease, prompting a 2008 relocation to its

current home: a crop of three buildings at the corner of Swinton Avenue and Northeast First Street, which includes the Cason Cottage. The move cost approximately $600,000, funded by grants from the city, the county, the CRA, the state and monies raised by the Society.

Patterson estimates that the archives’ contents number in the thousands. She’s absorbed most of them and can recite dates and events with encyclopedic ease. She has done much to raise the stature of the Historical Society, but her last years have been unceremonious— downsized amid a recession.

“They slashed the budget here,” she says.

“They reduced my salary and said that the way I could make up for that is by working less time. But to do the job, you need to be here more than 18 hours a week. I’m constantly called back over here for one reason or another. I was really thinking about resigning earlier, but then I stayed, because if you put 20 years of your life into something, you want to see it continue in a healthy way.”

Despite a certain sadness at leaving, when Patterson starts sharing her memories, she perks up with the enthusiasm of an impassioned storyteller.

One of her favorite exhibitions was “100 Years of Memories,” a centennial tribute in 2003 to the 1903 wreck of the SS Inchulva, organized with researcher Linda Reeves. A hurricane pummeled the British steamship, and nine members died en route from Texas to Virginia.

“When they got them to shore, the survivors were all cut up,” Patterson says. “Some fishermen from the Bahamas helped rescue the men. So they took them to the Chapman Inn, and they had sent Olive, the Chapmans’ daughter, out to get the doctor. ... The roof blew off his house in the hurricane, and he had a heart attack, so when Olive got there, he was dead. So Mrs. Chapman and her friend sewed up the men with cotton thread.”

One of the tasks Patterson will miss most is curating exhibitions like these. We can only hope the Historical Society appoints a new archivist with a fraction of her passion. december/january

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december/january

Women of

Style Despite their far-flung backgrounds, these women from Delray boutiques truly share a passion for fashion.

By Chelsea Greenwood

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Caroline Delafield, owner

Periwinkle, 339 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/279-9699, periwinkleonline.com

Loyal customers of Periwinkle describe a pervasive sense of joy and well-being in the bright downtown boutique. “We call it the ‘Periwinkle’ bubble,” says Caroline “Carrie” Delafield. “People have started to come in and say that they come here to feel good, which is the ultimate compliment.

We want it to be people’s happy place.”

That place has its roots in Delafield’s three girls, who were all born within three years. Leveraging her background in law and marketing (including time with Priceline and the Chicago Bulls—she has the championship ring to prove it), Delafield started a children’s clothing company, with a focus on monogramming, in her former Connecticut home. “Then Mommy started to want to shop for herself,” she says. “Now it’s 99 percent women’s. So Periwinkle has grown up.”

Now in Delray for six years (and a little over a year in its current spot), the shop brims with color and bold prints, from the wearable apparel and Florida-perfect home goods to the jaw-dropping selection of jewelry. “We really have something special for everyone,” Delafield says.

Trends for The uPCominG year: “I cannot believe how much neon is still coming out—and tons of silk.” favoriTe ParT of The joB: “I get really excited when people put something on and they feel good. It gives me great satisfaction.

It makes me really genuinely happy.” defininG delray sTyle: “It’s beachy and colorful—a casual, elegant chic. They use their fashion as an outlet of expression, but they don’t overthink it. That’s why Periwinkle has been so fortunate to do so well. I think we’ve hit on something. We’re kind of classic with an edge.

The things you can get here you can see keeping for a long time, and there are trendy accessories that you put with it.

But overall you feel good in them.”

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Christina Lodar, owner The Legacy, 326 E. Atlantic Ave, 561/4506571, thelegacyintl.com

While being international director of Unique Homes Luxury Media (promoting the sale of homes in 84 countries) certainly takes up a great deal of her time, Christina Lodar has always made room in her schedule for fashion.

“I was always a very fashion-oriented lady; [I enjoy] wearing beautiful clothes,” she says.

So, in 2010, Lodar opened The Legacy to cater to the “chic, sophisticated woman.” The boutique carries exclusive designer collections from around the globe, including Lodar favorites Mashiah from Berlin and Ivan Grundahl from Copenhagen. Lodar uses antiques and other furnishings to create “an elegant living room experience” and showcase her apparel and accessory lines. Since day one, customer service has been a priority at The Legacy, and Lodar credits her loyal fan base to that kind of personal care.

“We treat our customers like family,” she says. “They appreciate this by returning faithfully and sending us many referrals.” In fact, to keep customers up to date, the shop streams live video of all the latest inventory through its website.

Defining DeLray sTyLe: “Delray Beach is a very special place, and we just earned the reputation of being ‘the most fun town in America.’ The people in Delray have a lot of heart and are eclectic, bringing many styles in fashion—showing a luxury lifestyle while still being very down-to-earth.” favoriTe parT of The job: “That I can wear the most gorgeous clothes and model them, too. We honestly have some of the most loyal clients, and it is a privilege to make them feel so confident and special.” spreaDing The worD: To bring The Legacy’s stylish wares to an even broader customer base, the shop recently aired its ad on Jumbotrons in Times Square.

“I was always a very fashion-oriented lady; [I enjoy] wearing beautiful clothes,” she says.

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Meredith McLaughlin, owner

Love Shack, 137 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/276-7755 Meredith McLaughlin caught the fashion bug at an early age—and has yet to recover.

“I’ve basically been in the fashion world since the day I was born, because that’s what my mom, Carole Harvey, has always been into,” she says. Before starting Snappy Turtle 35 years ago in Maine—and then transporting the preppy shop to Delray—Harvey always had daughters Meredith and Caroline in tow when buying supplies to make her own canvas bags. McLaughlin even remembers the nightly ritual of picking out the next day’s outfit.

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“No lie, my mother’s questions weren’t, ‘Did you do your homework?’ They were more like, ‘What are you going to wear tomorrow?’”

McLaughlin helped the family business branch out to a younger, hipper audience with the opening of Love Shack in 2001, which she believes offers a relaxing atmosphere to match its laid-back apparel and accessories. “We hope that people are comfortable browsing and know that we are certainly happy to help them if they are looking for suggestions or guidance,” she says. “Otherwise, we hope they can just relax and shop!”

Why She LoveS faShion: “I believe that one’s fashion is the ultimate form of selfexpression.”

TrendS for The upcoming year: “What we’ve been seeing dominate the trends

for the past few years is boho-chic. It’s something that is continuing to stick around and be innovated each season. I think what sets us apart from other trendy stores is that we do buy on trend for the store, but at the same time, we kinda do our own thing.” favoriTe parT of The job: “Buying for the store. Whether the customer is 60 or 16, I feel like one of my strongest attributes is being able to find something for everyone.”

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“It’s just fun, and our customers range from college girls to women in their 80s. It really doesn’t go out of style.”

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Melanie Lyons, manager

J. McLaughLin, 519 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/455-4625, jmclaughlin.com Classic East Coast brand J. McLaughlin has been going strong in Florida for years, with nine stores throughout the state. So it was only a matter of time before it made its way to Delray Beach, which it did a year ago this summer, moving into a quaint retail space in The Colony.

Melanie Lyons, who had worked for years as a CPA and as a children’s therapist, joined the brand eight years ago in search of “something fun to do.” She opened stores in Chicago (her hometown) and Stuart before coming to the Avenue, and she says that locals and tourists alike have instantly taken to the line. “It’s classic clothing with a little bit of an edge. We have great prints and great fabrics that you can just throw in the washing machine,” she says. “It’s just fun, and our customers range from college girls to women in their 80s. It really doesn’t go out of style.”

The 37-year-old brand puts customer service first, and employees offer all guests a bottle of water and even cater to canine friends with a water bowl out front. “It’s more important to us to make a customer than a sale,” Lyons says.

Trends for The upcoMing year: “We’re seeing a lot of purple, a lot of suede. Calfskin and pony hair are very big in accessory items like purses and belts.” her fashion icon: “Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Her style was very simple but elegant—the Stephen Bonanno shoes, the black sheath dresses. It was the way she carried it off.” fashion MusT-haves: “A nice pair of white jeans, just because they go with everything. A nice, classic white blouse and a nice handbag.”

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Jule Guaglardi, owner

Roxy LuLu, 119 N.E. Second Ave, 561/7795485, roxylulu.com When a successful career in media began to be buffeted by the recession, Jule Guaglardi returned to her first love. “I’ve been into fashion for as long as I can remember,” she says.

“My mom was a true, old-school fashionista and made her own chic outfits. … I remember playing in her closet.”

Guaglardi tried her hand at representing labels through the United States and the Caribbean and, while successful, soon decided that she’d had enough travel and wanted to hang up her own shingle. Named for her two dogs, Roxy Lulu opened in 2010, offering trendy women’s apparel featuring the “delicious fabrics, dazzling colors and completely unique details” that Guaglardi loves.

She describes her personal style as “effortless chic, a free-spirited glamour, a bohemian

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luxury”—an aesthetic that will certainly inform her own clothing and accessory line, Gypsy Rain, launching soon.

Why she Loves fashion: “You can intrigue people, turn them on, turn them off, inspire people, invent yourself, intimidate, unintimidate and a million things in between.

Fashion is fun. It helps to showcase our individuality.”

Defining DeLRay styLe: “I think Delray is an eclectic mix of individuals: It’s laid back, surfer type, artsy and unique. It’s a very California-esque town on the East Coast, and yet it’s wealthy and sexy.”

DaDDy’s giRL: “Dad’s the real boss of the shop and is there most days giving his unsolicited opinion of every outfit!” fashion favoRites: “The French for their seemingly effortless femininity, the Italians for their quality craftsmanship, India for its extraordinary colors and intricate bead work, and Morocco for its colors and artisan work.”

“I think Delray is an eclectic mix of individuals: It’s laid back, surfer type, artsy and unique.”

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Cathy Ann Sauer, co-owner

NiNa RayNoR, 1031 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/2765714, ninaraynor.com Despite the shop’s moniker, it’s a family affair at Nina Raynor, with sister and brother Cathy Ann Sauer and Bobby Wollenberg at the helm. They just took over the high-end women’s boutique from their parents, Joanne Phelan Wollenberg, who recently passed away and Robert Wollenberg, who has retired.

“My mother built it into what it is today,” says Sauer, who previously worked in hotel marketing.

“It was just a sleepy little store on Atlantic, and she transformed it into a very highly regarded shop— one of the last great boutiques in the country.”

She’s proud to carry on her mother’s legacy and likes to treat customers like family, welcoming them into the shop as if it were their home. Sauer, Wollenberg and their associates even participate

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in family affairs, since they regularly help mothers of the bride find dresses for the big day.“We deliver dresses to venues and even sew mothers into their dresses,” Sauer says. “We just go above and beyond. We like to become part of their lives.”

FavoRite paRt oF the job: “The buying trips are fantastic. It’s a lot of hard work. To find a garment, buy it, get it merchandised in the store and see that customer come in and love it and want it—that whole process is very fulfilling.” heR FashioN icoN: “Coco Chanel. Hands down.

She just transformed luxury women’s fashion.” tReNds FoR the upcomiNg yeaR: “There’s a lot of 1920s influence because of ‘Downtown Abbey’ and ‘The Great Gatsby’ movie. And cobalt blue is going to be huge.” big shoes to Fill: “My mother was an icon.

Everyone in the Fashion District tells us that they have never seen anyone as gracious, with the best smile. The best dresser.”

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Delray

after Dark This quainT communiTy lighTs up when The sun seTs wiTh music, mingling and plenTy of nighTlife.

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DElray NightlifE guiDE Arts Garage 180 N.E. First St., 561/450-6357

This successful and intimate room tucked into Delray’s Pineapple Grove parking garage offers a wide array of small concerts and performance events. You bring your own drinks and food, reserve a spot and mingle with locals. Great entertainment. Visit artsgarage.org for upcoming events.

Boston’s on the Beach 40 S. Ocean Blvd., 561/278-3364

Boston’s on the Beach has been action central for Delray for 32 years; in fact, it used to be the only game in town. Part sports bar, part concert venue, Boston’s has music almost every night—and gets big-name acts when they are passing through town. Boston’s magic has been its ability to attract, feed and entertain a diverse and loyal following.

Breathe 401 W. Atlantic Ave., 561/330-4526

Breathe is Delray Beach’s only hookah lounge and hot spot with a distinctly European vibe. It starts out each night as a place with good Mediterranean food, then turns all young and club lounge-y later, with an occasional DJ..

Dada 52 N. Swinton Ave., 561/330-3232

Somewhat disappointingly, the name Dada refers to the French word for hobby horse, not the avant-garde European arts movement, but it’s still a place emo types and hipsters tend to gravitate to, as much for the good food as the old house (ca. 1924) atmosphere. Events at Dada include acoustic music, craft fairs, poetry slams and comedy contests.

Delux Nightclub 16 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/279-4792

Delux has been a stalwart nightlife survivor in Delray, with resident and guest DJs and a good mix of house and hip-hop music. A younger crowd dances inside to the state-of-the-art sound system, or lounges on one of the beds (think Nikki Beach) on the VIP patio. december/january

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DElray NightlifE guiDE Il Bacio 29 S.E. Second Ave., 561/865-7785

This is Delray’s answer to South Beach, with sleek furnishings, an outdoor stage, live music and DJs. There is techno music outside with the prerequisite lounge cabanas, and Latin and reggaeton inside for dancing. The action starts after 11 and there’s a cover charge (higher for men). It lacks the classic Delray vibe in favor of a more clubby attitude, but it’s one of only a very few dance clubs around.

Johnnie Brown’s 301 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/243-9911

On the hallowed site of what was once Elwood’s, this casual beer-and-wings kind of place by the tracks serves up live classic rock music most nights and Elvis (aka Scott Ringersen) on Thursday nights.

Great to sit outside, sip a cold one and watch the sidewalk show go by.

Kevro’s Art Bar 166 S.E. Second Ave., 561/278-9675

This is hands-down Delray’s funkiest bar, with local music, art films, “public art space,” pingpong and Super Jenga as well as a full bar—in what was once a blighted area south of Atlantic Avenue. No more. Owner Kevin Rouse likes to describe it as an “oasis in a world gone mad.”

Porch Bar at the Colony Hotel 525 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/276-4123

This is how locals launch a night out on the town, from the vantage point of the open air bar at The Colony. You have a perfect 48

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view of all the Atlantic Avenue action, and a glimpse into the historic 1926 lobby, with civilized live music via a one-man band or acoustic guitarist on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Sail Inn 657 N.E. Eighth St., 561/276-5147

The Sail is Delray’s foremost neighborhood bar, with a loyal crowd, a ring-and-hook game, a great jukebox and guest appearances by owner Rick Jankee and his band, the Wreckly J’s. Think cold beer, strong drinks and lots of chitchat. This is the place everyone goes, period, from the postchurch crowd to socialites after the ball to college kids home on break.

Sand Bar 40 S. Ocean Blvd., 561/278-3364

Delray’s sandbox for adults has a shipwrecked-on-an-island-with-a-rumdistillery theme, which isn’t far off on most Saturday nights. There’s a great tiki bar vibe, fun drinks, Corn Toss, bar food—and definitely a boy-meets-girl place when the sun goes down.

SoLita 25 N.E. Second Ave., 561/899-0888

SoLita has the best meatballs in town but there’s more on the menu than Italian food after 10 when the lounge morphs into quite the gathering place for older people on the prowl, so to speak. Excellent food, dining in the dark on Wednesday nights and a dressy chichi vibe. DJ in the house some nights.

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DElray NightlifE guiDE Tag 25 N.E. Second Ave., 954/ 801-3247

Delray’s only gay bar is still finding its way, but it is a friendly and sleek atmosphere, with occasional drag queen shows and karaoke nights, as well as drink specials.

Tryst 4 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/921-0201

Tryst has a great bar and courtyard, and a friendly neighborhood vibe.

The food has always been a step above, the service great and Delray’s catcher’s mitt for people who want to go out but are not in the market for that techno club/lounge experience.

Union 8 E. Atlantic Ave., 561/330-4236

Union is a hybrid bar/Asian-fusion restaurant with the very groovy new Candyfish sushi bar. As the evening gets later, dining gives way to dancing in the back room to a DJ—and a massive two-story TV. One of Delray’s hottest new night spots. december/january

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erer Photo by Wayne D. Sch

special advertising section

F

irst, it was an All-American City—twice. Then the stakes got higher when Delray Beach was one of several small towns in the country up for Rand McNally’s “Most Fun Small Town in America,” a competition it won handily a few months ago. The national exposure that ensued came as no surprise to locals, snowbirds and longtime visitors who have known for years that Delray Beach was one of South Florida’s best-kept secrets for a great vacation.

And, indeed, Delray has it all, from fine dining and gorgeous beaches to a vibrant downtown and fun hotels and resorts. There are museums, Segway tours, deep-sea fishing and kite boarding. There is golf and shark feedings and fashion shows and jazz. There are festivals, a 100-foot Christmas tree, farmers’ markets and Elvis. And it only gets better.

Welcome to Destination Delray—the most fun small town in America and your perfect South Florida experience.

SpECiAl ADvERTiSiNg SECTioN

AttrActions & diversions

Visitor’s Guide

The Delray Center for the Arts at Old School Square is the town’s cultural center and includes: the Cornell Museum of Art and American Culture, the 323-seat Crest Theater and the outdoor Entertainment Pavilion.

Corner of Atlantic and Swinton avenues.

The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum is the former home of the late Solomon D. Spady, who was the most prominent African-American educator and community leader in Delray Beach from 1922 to 1957. 170 N.W. Fifth Ave., 561/279-8883, spadymuseum.com Delray Yacht Cruises at Veterans Park in Delray Beach offers cruises down the Intracoastal waterway as well as private charters aboard the Lady Atlantic and Lady Delray. 801 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561/243-0686, delraybeachcruises.com.

The Sandoway House Nature Center is in a historic 1936 beachfront home on the National Register of Historic Places and preserved as a unique Nature Center. 142 S. Ocean, Delray Beach, 561/274-7263.

The only museum in the United States devoted to Japanese culture, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens features a 32,000-squarefoot building, as well as the one of the largest Japanese gardens of its kind. 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, 561/495-0233.

A diving trip to the reefs off Delray Beach provides an up-close view of marine life, from small reef fish such as sergeant majors and angelfish to rays and an occasional barracuda. The “Delray Wreck” is just 150 yards off the south end of Delray’s public beach. The Scuba Center, 885 S.E. Sixth Ave., Delray Beach, 561/278-7020, scubadelray.com The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, 30 minutes west of Delray, covers about 145,000 acres in the northern Everglades and has walking and bike trails, canoeing, boating (there are three boat ramps), fishing, etc. 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, 561/732-3684, loxahatchee.fws.gov. Airboat Rides are offered at the refuge’s southern end through Loxahatchee Everglades Tours, 15490 Loxahatchee Road, Parkland, 800/683-5873.

At the south end of Delray’s beach is Delray Beach Water Sports, renting all kinds of beach toys, from Hobie cats to kayaks. 401 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach, 561/279-0008, delraybeachwatersports.com bocamag.com/delray

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Great Places to Stay crane’s BeachHouse Hotel & tiki Bar This intimate oasis has a laid-back, tropical vibe, complete with live music and quite an in-the-know scene at its Tiki Bar. [ 82 Gleason St., Delray Beach, 561/278-1700, cranesbeachhouse.com the colony Hotel & cabana club This historic resort hotel in the center of downtown Delray is home to the hotel’s famous "Porch Bar" overlooking vibrant Atlantic Avenue, and also has a charming private beach club with quaint, Old Florida Club atmosphere. [ 525 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561/276-4123, thecolonyhotel.com delray Beach Marriott Right across A1A from the beach, this comfortably appointed hotel features the excellent Seacrest Grill and nightly entertainment in O’Grady’s Lounge. [ 10 N. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach, 561/274-3200, delraybeachmarriott.com Historic Hartman House This little gem of a B&B is a historic landmark that recalls “an easier, gentler time,” while offering modern amenities like Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. [ 302 N.E. Seventh Ave., Delray Beach, 866/7872302, delraybeachbedandbreakfast.com the seagate Hotel and spa One of the newest properties in town, this luxury boutique hotel is perfectly situated between the beach and downtown, and it has a beach club. [ 1000 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 877/57-SEAGATE, theseagatehotel.com sundy House Famous for its lush tropical gardens and romantic atmosphere, Sundy House also has great dining and is close to all the Atlantic Avenue action. [ 106 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach, 561/272-5678, sundyhouse.com Wright By the sea This comfortable beachfront hotel is loaded with Old Florida charm, from its palm-shaded nooks to its observation deck on the ocean. A Delray favorite for generations. [ 1901 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach, 561/278-3355, wbtsea.com

special advertising section

Tree Lighting and Holidays On The Ave 5pm – 10pm. Santa lands via helicopter at 7pm and lights the Tree at 7:15pm.

Holiday Boat Parade – 6:30pm - Intracoastal Free Friday Night Concert at the Pavilion – The Marshall Brothers Band (Allman Brothers Tribute) – 7:30pm – 10:30pm Menorah Lighting – 5:15pm – front lawn of Old School Square Holiday Parade – 6pm – 7:30pm – Atlantic Avenue Free Friday Night Concert at the Pavilion – The Marshall Brothers Band (Allman Brothers Tribute) – 7:30pm – 10:30pm Breakfast with Santa – 8am, 9am, 10am and 11am seatings – Delray Beach Marriott Free Friday Night Concert at the Pavilion –Ike and Val (R&B) – 7:30pm – 10:30pm Free Friday Night Concert at the Pavilion – The String Theory (Rock N’ Roll covers) – 7:30pm – 10:30pm Arts and Crafts Fair – 10am- 5pm – Tennis Center Parking Lot First Night - 4pm – midnight

•••

Cruising Year Round • • •

> SightSeeing, BrunCh & Dinner CruiSeS > SpeCializing in private $3 off CharterS & eventS per person on 1:30pm Sightseeing Cruise; expires 5/31/13

561-243-0686 801 E. Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach www.DelrayYachtCruises.com delrayyachtcruises_dbm1212.indd 1

10/17/12 10:49 AM

Tropical Retreat

Under the direction of Executive Chef Lindsay Autry, the Sundy House is bringing a new chapter to dining in historic downtown Delray Beach. A recent finalist in “Top Chef Texas,” Autry is known for her creative menus that embrace Mediterranean flavors while blending in her southern roots.

Known for impeccable service as well as a relaxing tropical ambiance, the Sundy House has three elegant dining rooms and the Roux Bamboux Lounge, along with alfresco dining on its outdoor patios.

PHoTo: ALiSSA DRAgUn

Boutique Bed & Breakfast full-service catering

sundyhouse_dbm1212.indd 1

special advertising section

877.439.9601 • 561.272.5678 sundyhouse.com 106 S. Swinton Ave. Delray Beach, FL 33444 10/17/12 10:47 AM

WE’VE MOVED!!!

The Milagro Center, a local 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to enrich the lives of at-risk youth through arts, academics and values, has moved to its new location at: 695 Auburn Ave. Delray Beach, FL 33444 (In the Clubhouse of The Village At Delray) Phone: 561.279.2970 Fax: 561.279.2507 Contact Gina Genovese if you are interested in a “Miracle Tour” or if your organization is interested in renting the space for meetings or workshops.

SAVE THE DATE The Milagro Center’s 2013 Super STAR Spectacular Gala Wednesday April 10th 2013 At Mercedes Benz of Delray Contact Gina Genovese for sponsorship opportunities at ggenovese@milagrocenter.org or 561-279-2970

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tastemakers of delray beach

Where: Delray Beach About the event: Hundreds of South Florida residents sampled food and drinks along Atlantic Avenue during the fourth annual Tastemakers of Delray Beach. The two-day event was presented by Boca Raton and Delray Beach magazines (in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority). Attendees had an opportunity to sample culinary creations and wine/cocktails from 21 Delray restaurants. A portion of the ticket proceeds benefited the Delray Beach Public Library Centennial Celebration.

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SoLita’s tasty hors d’oeuvres Kimberley Trombly-Burmeister Mary and Rock Coleman Candace Rojas and Erin Carey

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tastemakers of delray beach [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Sophia and Georgette Evans Chris Miracolo, Michael Prichard and Bill Ring Luis Rodriguiz Catherine McGlennon, Jerilyn Walter and Tania Agran Caitlyn Fontaine

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Adriana Rossano and Lisa Ritota Dannye Johns and Ashley Pratt Nick Marino, Timothy Heart and Justin Tompkins Erin McLaughlin and Aaron Goldberg

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miracles & meatballs

Where: Delray Beach About the event: The Milagro Center and SoLita Italian Restaurant & The Parlor Lounge partnered together for “Miracles and Meatballs”—a celebration of the nonprofit’s volunteers, mentors, donors and community stakeholders. More than 125 guests enjoyed cocktails and delicious appetizers. The center strives to provide programs for local at-risk children and youth living at or below the federal poverty level.

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Lana Pugliese and Roz Gatewood Marcie Butters and Ed Guarini Lisa Guarini, Ken Parker and Barbara Stark Christine Urena, Estella Rabin, Gina Genovese and David Marcus [ 5 ] Ralph Mesa, Cliff Brush, Giff Hummel, Kurt Knaus, Todd Skelton, Andrew Schillizi and Chris McCray

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dine out for a cause

Where: Delray Beach About the event: The Delray Beach Public Library’s popular summer program “Dine Out For A Cause” was held at 75 Main on Atlantic Avenue to celebrate the library’s 100th birthday. Local celebrity chefs broke bread with the crowd to help raise funds for the library. [ 1 ] Bobby, Marge, Caren, Bob, Nancy, Maureen and Jim Dockerty

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beach, books & barbeque Where: Delray Beach About the event: The “Beach, Books and Barbeque” fundraising event, in support of the Delray Beach Public Library, was not spoiled by a torrential rainstorm at the Delray Beach Club. Multiple beach volleyball nets were used for an adult and children’s sports clinic. Guests enjoyed barbecue, nonalcoholic drinks, entertainment and swimming.

[ 2 ] Bill Marrocco and Jan Kucera [ 3 ] Marjorie Ferrar [ 4 ] Jan Kucera, Louise Glover, Bill Burbank, Tandy Robinson, Kimberley Trombly-Burmeister and Steve Grotowski [ 5 ] Steve Grotowski

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the perfect holiday gift

For Family, Friends and colleagues The Old Course at Broken Sound February 4 - 10, 2013 | Boca Raton, FL

Who Will you Play With?

Fuzzy zoeller

chamPionshiP Pro-am

Bernhard langer

Tom lehman

graPes on the green Presented by the boca raton bridge hotel

“social PoWer & Play” For charity Overlooking the 18th green, wine connoisseurs and golf enthusiasts will get the chance to sample “reds and whites on the green”at this special “event within the event” that benefits Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

In addition to indulging in the varietals from international vineyards, attendees will enjoy socializing, delicious gourmet foods from top local restaurants, appearances by golf legends and live entertainment.

Fred Funk

The Old Course at Broken Sound | Boca Raton, FL Wednesday, February 6th and Thursday, February 7th

Women’s PoWer breakFast, clinic & Pro-am With annika sorenstam This event gives women of all skill sets a chance to play 9 holes with a PGA Champions Tour Player during the week of the Allianz Championship.

This fun-filled day includes a private clinic hosted by a PGA Champions Tour professional, power breakfast, and a fabulous gift package. Leave the men at home and at the office and reserve your foursome today!

skybox and other Packages

“uPclose…and Very Personal” during chamPionshiP Play club 18 presented by south Florida business Journal: $175 per ticket 4th annual “grapes on the green” Wine event: $85 per ticket michelob ultra Partners club: $75 per ticket good-any-one day grounds Pass: $20 per ticket

For Ticketing & Event Information www.ALLIANZCHAMPIONSHIP.com | 561.241.4653 For Holiday Gift Giving Use Promo Code: GIFT for a 10% discount (Effective until 12/20/12)

All Proceeds Benefit

[ business round-up ]

By Rich Pollack

SPotlight on: leadership Delray The Leadership Delray Class of 2012 graduated after spending 10 months together. A program of the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Delray provides future leaders with an in-depth look at the community they live and work in as well as contacts that have long-term value.

At the same time, the program helps identify community service opportunities and encourages participants to increase their involvement.

Through 10 monthly full-day sessions, those in Leadership Delray have a chance to see firsthand how city government operates. Sessions include Public Safety Day, Culture and Community Day, Arts and Media Day and several other sessions.

From left: tim and Bruce young

MeMbers of the 2012 Leadership deLray CLass alberta Gaum-rickard – City of Delray beach andrew Cassidy – Global Executive Development, llC Chuck West – David lerner associates Danielle Pearson – City of Delray beach Jennifer aracri – Market america - shop.Com Jocelyn lane – Gulfstream business bank Justin Cidoni – ibEriabanK Kimberley trombly-burmeister – Delray beach Public library lanelda Gaskins – City of Delray beach leanne Griffith – Center for the arts at old school square lee Cohen – Frankel & Cohen, llC linda Gove – Habitat for Humanity nigel roberts – City of Delray beach Pat Eboli – Waste Management rachel saunders – Delray beach Police Department rebecca broom – rolyn Companies, inc. sarah George – Crane’s beachHouse tammy tatum – Wright by the sea Vin nolan – Cra

save the date

aaron bristol

The Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce will have its annual holiday party at The Center for the Arts at Old School Square gymnasium on Dec. 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Free to Chamber members.

Call 561/278-0424.

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delray motors Meet two brothers behind one of the companies that defines Delray’s business community.

A

t first glance, the small Lincoln dealership in Delray Beach blends in with all the others on South Federal Highway, where the lines between car lots blur easily.

Look closely, though, and it becomes clear that there is more to this auto dealership than meets the eye.

Stretching over 14 acres of prime real estate, the mini auto mall includes seven brands and five huge parts buildings as well as repair facilities.

Known collectively as Delray Motors, the small dealership that Edwin Young took over in 1958 is today the largest wholesale distributor of Ford Motor Company parts Delray motors in the country, a title it 2102 S. Federal Highway has held for more than Delray Beach a decade and one that 866/866-1684 surprises many when they first hear about it.

But the biggest surprise comes when new employees, customers and guests meet the owners, Edwin Young’s sons Tim and Bruce. Successful businessmen who can pick up the phone and easily get the president of Ford’s North American operations on the phone, Tim and Bruce Young both suffer from a genetic disease called X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, which has robbed them of their vision.

Both gradually lost their eye sight over a number of years and now are to the point where even blurred images are not discernable.

“I first started walking into trees at adolescence,” Tim Young says, adding that he was diagnosed when he was 14.

By 1998 he was legally blind, and within the last five years, he has lost all usable vision.

Bruce, the younger of the two, lost his usable vision to the incurable disease, which damages the retina, even earlier.

Yet they are running a successful car business, with Bruce commanding the parts side of the company and Tim at the helm of the retail side.

Whatever obstacles are in their way, literally or figuratively, the brothers have figured out ways to get around them. december/january

Each is accompanied around the office by a sighted aide who checks e-mails for them and helps them find their way around the cavernous buildings, where hundreds of thousands of parts are stored.

Both use canes when in less familiar circumstances, and Tim, who lives in downtown Delray Beach, will sometimes use a GPS device designed for the blind—combined with his enhanced sense of hearing and a cane—to help him walk to his favorite restaurant a block and a half away.

From a business standpoint both brothers have put their focus on what can be done, not on what stands in their way.

“Let’s face it, I’m never going to be a bus driver,” Tim says.

“But I can be a pretty good car dealer.”

For his part, Bruce says surrounding yourself with the right people is the key to running a successful business, even when you literally can’t always see what you’re doing—or what they’re doing.

“I have 100 employees who see for me,” he says.

Among those 100 employees are 20 parts advisers who deal with more than 300 dealerships and independent shops and body shops throughout Florida and into parts of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

A fleet of 35 trucks delivers parts throughout South Florida, and dozens more are under contract to ensure that Ford parts get to dealers when they are needed.

“We’ve invested a lot of money in parts,” Bruce says.

The dealership has also invested a lot of money on the retail side, going from just a Lincoln Mercury dealer to a dealership that now handles several franchises including Chrysler, Dodge Jeep and Ram Trucks, as well as Subaru and Mitsubishi.

Continually expanding, the dealership opened its brandnew Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram Truck showroom in April and is remodeling an existing building, which will house a new Subaru showroom.

The dealership has changed dramatically since the days when Tim and Bruce Young helped their father in the store, but you’ll still find the brothers at their desks every day, getting the job done.

“I don’t accept the general perception among most people that if you’re blind you can’t work,” Tim says. delray beach magazine

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19-20

Boca Raton Fine Art Show Come to the Boca Raton Fine Art Show on Jan. 19–20, 2013, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with a new location on Federal Highway at Palmetto Park Road. All work is original and handmade at this high-quality, juried fine art and fine craft show. Free admission and parking.

Downtown Boca, corner of Federal Highway and Palmetto Park Road • 941/755-3088 • hotworks.org

Experience the Atlantic Grille The flavor of Delray comes alive on the Avenue at the Atlantic Grille, home to a 450-gallon aquarium of tranquil moon jellyfish and a 2,500-gallon shark tank. Enjoy live entertainment Tuesday through Saturday, happy hour daily, two exquisite dining rooms for private gatherings and our fresh new menu featuring local seafood and produce.

Atlantic Grille at The Seagate Hotel & Spa 1000 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach 561/665-4900 • theatlanticgrille.com

feb mar

22 3

Delray Beach International Tennis Championships Mac is back in 2013! John McEnroe returns to the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships, Feb. 22– March 3, the only ATP tournament in the world featuring a Champions Tour event and World Tour event. Headliners also include tennis greats John Isner, the Bryan brothers, Mats Wilander, Carlos Moya and more!

30 N.W. First Ave., Delray Beach 561/330-6000 • yellowtennisball.com

Splurge to Purge: Spa Wellness Survival Program Survive the holidays with the Bella Reina Spa Splurge to Purge Wellness Program. When the holiday treats and eats tempt your sugar cravings, come get the tools and treatments to beat the holiday “weight gain.” Start off with our special “Fat Shredder” program, and bring in the new year with a customized wellness program just for you!

Bella Reina Spa 815 George Bush Blvd., Delray Beach 561/404-7670 • bellareinaspa.com

a

natr nk Si

Fra

Michael Bublé

Jack Jon

Natalie C

es

ole

Vic Damone

Tony Bennett

Our mission is to preserve and perpetuate the music, character and history of the Great American Songbook. Our vision is that this great music of our country will remain accessible to those who grew up with it, so their children will learn and understand its history, and it will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Through the generosity of our donors, we have not only kept this genre alive but deliver it to thousands of people, both young and young at heart.

e Our internationally syndicated radio show, Dick Robinson’s “American Standards by the Sea” is heard weekly on commercial and public radio stations (locally on three great radio stations, and on WXEL TV (PBS), Saturdays at 6:30 PM) and on our streaming website, yachtamusic.com.

Doug Evans & Dick Robinson

e This year, we will host our first annual fund-raiser “Café Society Night” at The Colony Hotel where we will bestow

our Legends’ Awards. Proceeds will support an annual vocal competition, and the winner will record a performance in a professional studio, be aired nationwide on our radio show and receive a cash honorarium to continue training.

e We are also creating “A Teacher’s Guide to the Great American Songbook” for use in the classroom.

Join us to keep the music playing. Your commitment will ensure that the Great American Songbook will not only survive but thrive for generations to come. Please make your tax-deductible contribution to our 501(c)3 today. Visit preserveourgas.org or call 800.723.4698 for more information.

Founder/Chairman: Dick Robinson President: Douglas C. Evans Ambassadors: Lois Pope, Founder The Lois Pope LIFE Foundation Hermé de Wyman Miro, Founder & President International Society of Palm Beach *Society’s Honorary Board of Advisors

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READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

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CAST YOUR VOTE You’ve dined, savored and gathered at restaurants all over the South Florida area, now it’s time to give them what they deserve.

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dining guide Your resource for Greater DelraY beach’s finest restaurants

review union

8 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach 561/330-4236

F

orming a more perfect union, as George Washington could tell you (if he wasn’t dead), is not all that easy.

Forming a more perfect Union, the downtown Delray Asian/sushi restaurant, isn’t all that easy either. Do you go the full Momofuku, turning out cutting-edge Asianesque cuisine for hip urban foodies? Do you go the other way, retreating to the safety of vaguely Asian ubiquities so as not to scare the children and horses? Or do you minimize the Asian menu and let sushi do the heavy lifting?

Union, it seems, has done all of the above, though with the dropping of the slightly more adventurous opening menu and inclusion of Candyfish Gourmet Sushi as a sort of restaurant-within-a-restaurant, it’s pretty much gone with Door No. 3. The result is the small Union menu of “Asian comfort food” to appeal to conservative palates and Candyfish’s larger menu of wacky-maki sushi rolls (see sidebar) to garner a few ounces of hipster cred.

The execution in the Union kitchen is solid, though if there are any complaints they’re that the menu is pretty prosaic and that many dishes have at least one cloyingly sweet element. So very nicely done salt-andpepper calamari—lightly breaded, crispy, greaseless—receive a way sweet, not very sour sweet-n-sour sauce.

Delicate shrimp and chicken pot stickers get a drizzle of sweet, kaffir lime-scented panang curry sauce; crunchy-tender (but

december/january

hardly volcanic) “volcano” chicken wings get what tastes like the same sauce for the calamari, reduced to a glaze. And grilled salmon strewn with a wealth of properly al dente vegetables gets a garlic-pepper sauce light on the garlic and pepper but heavy on the ... you guessed it, sweet.

One place you do appreciate all that sweet stuff is Union’s chocolate fondue, a bubbling cauldron of good-quality milk and dark chocolates with ripe strawberries, bananas, marshmallow pretzel sticks and toffee cookie bar square for dipping. Now that’s one perfect union.

—Bill Citara

Refreshing Kiwi cocktail

if You Go Price ranGe: Entrées $9–$25 creDit carDs: All major cards hours: Tues.–Wed. 5 p.m.– midnight, Thurs.–Sat. 5 p.m.– 2 a.m. Closed Sun. and Mon.

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[ dining guide ] Dining Key

pudding with rum crème anglaise (an occasional special) is pure wickedness. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/665-4900. $$

$ Inexpensive: under $17

brulé bistro—200 N.E. Second Ave., Suite 109.

$$ Moderate: $18 to $35 $$$ Expensive: $36 to $50 $$$$ Very expensive: $50+ delray beach 32 east—32 E. Atlantic Ave. contemporary american. At a time when chefs and restaurants seem to be constantly shouting their own praises, Nick Morfogen and 32 East go quietly about their way of serving thoughtfully conceived, finely crafted dishes with a minimum of fuss and artifice. The menu changes daily, but recent examples of Morfogen’s culinary expertise include plump scallops given an elegant bouillabaisse treatment and fork-tender venison with a terrific Asiago-fig risotto. When the food is this good, you don’t need to shout. • Dinner daily. 561/276-7868. $$$

american. This cozy Pineapple Grove restaurant has small tables as well as less formal seating, a market counter and a wall of very good wines. It has the ambience of an intimate neighborhood bistro (you can take out gourmet meals as well) with the culinary IQ of a very fine restaurant. It is local Delray at its best, with entrées like Snake River Kobe flank au poivre to Maine lobster bisque with fennel pollen to veal scalloppini. This may be your catcher’s mitt for great downtown dining when you can’t decide where to go.

• Lunch and dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/274-2046. $$

buddha sky bar—217 E. Atlantic Ave. Pan

atlantic grille—1000 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood-

asian. Don’t miss a meal at this stylish Asia-meetsindustrial chic spot with a view of the Delray skyline.

Chinese-influenced dim sum is inspired, while rock shrimp tempura and Wagyu tenderloin skewers with twin chimichurri sauces touch the heart and the taste buds. Veggie fried rice is exemplary thanks to the kitchen’s application of wok chi. • Dinner Wed.–Sun. 561/450-7557. $$

contemporary american. This posh restaurant in the luxurious Seagate Hotel & Spa mines quality ingredients for maximum flavor. A light, chunky gazpacho with soothing cucumber cream is perfect warm-weather dining, and though braised short ribs with mashed potatoes is heartier fare, it’s hard to resist the gum-tender meat ringed by a silken potato purée. The butterscotch-white chocolate bread

burgerfi—6 S. Ocean Blvd. american. The burger at this snappy oceanfront bistro—all-natural Black Angus beef—is A big hit, whether a single “All the Way” burger (American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and “secret sauce”) or the $10 Ultimate Cheeseburger, which adds the same garnishes to a pair of ground brisket burgers, plus Swiss and blue Seasoned scallop at Atlantic Grille

cheeses. You can customize your burger too, choosing from a roster of free add-ons like mayo, relish and grilled onions, and from a list of “premium” toppings. There is also a selection of hot dogs (try the Wagyu version) and there are wines and craft beers too, plus frozen custards in all manner of guises.

• Lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-9590. $

cabana el rey—105 E. Atlantic Ave. cuban tropical. Little Havana is alive and well in Delray Beach. The menu is a palette-pleasing travelogue. Mariquitas (fried banana chips) are a tasty way to start your meal. For dinner, seafood paella is a winner, with mussels, shrimp, conch, octopus, scallops and clams. And the churrasco is terrific. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/274-9090. $$

caffé luna rosa—34 S. Ocean Blvd. Italian.

This favorite is always lively, and alfresco dining is the preferred mode. Entrée choices are enticing, but we went with the penne alla vodka with pancetta, tomato and basil. Also delicious was the costoletta di vitello, a center-cut 14-ounce veal chop lightly breaded and served either Milanese or parmigiana.

For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the cheesecake imported from the Carnegie Deli. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/274-9404. $$

casa di pepe—189 N.E. Second Ave. Italian. A welcoming staff, familiar Italian dishes done right and moderate prices define this cozy spot with a spacious outdoor patio. Two could share the fist-sized meatball with fresh-tasting tomato sauce and dollop of milky basil, before moving on to house-made linguine with clams, tender veal Francese and one of the best versions of tiramisu this side of Veneto. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/279-7371. $$ city oyster—213 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This stylish mainstay of Big Time Restaurant Group serves up reasonably priced seafood that never disappoints, such as crab-stuffed shrimp with jalapeño cheddar grits, bacon, shiitake mushrooms and warm vinaigrette. • Lunch Mon.–Sun. Dinner nightly. Outdoor dining. 561/272-0220. $$

cucina mio—16950 Jog Road. Italian. There are many Italian restaurants in our culinary universe, most mining familiar culinary territory. This popular eatery does so, too, offering sturdy renditions of Italian favorites in enormous portions at correspondingly modest prices. The menu highlight is perhaps tiramisu, rarely made as well as it is here. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner daily. 561/499-9419. $$

cut 432—432 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach.

Steak house. Hipper decor, a more casual vibe and an inventive take on steak-house favorites make this sleek restaurant just different enough to be interest-

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[ dining guide ] If you care more about well-prepared, generously portioned and fairly priced food than Opa!-shouting waiters, you’ll love this modest little restaurant.

Flaky, overstuffed spanikopita and miraculously light and delicate beef meatballs should be at the top of your appetizer list, and though entrées don’t always reach those heights, both a long-braised lamb shank and grilled whole snapper are certainly satisfying.

And the baklava is great. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/266-8976. $

Pappardelle Casarecce from D’Angelo Trattoria

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

house of siam—25 N.E. Second Ave. Thai. The normally riotous flavors of Thai cuisine are muted at this charming, family-friendly spot, but that seems to suit diners just fine. Dishes, well-prepared and generously portioned, include steamed chicken and shrimp dumplings with sweet soy dipping sauce and crisp-fried duck breast in a very mild red curry sauce. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner daily. 561/330-9191. $$ ing. Starters such as ceviche (prepared Peruvian style) and ultrarich oysters Rockefeller are first-rate, while the wet-aged beef is appropriately tender and tasty. • Dinner daily. 561/272-9898. $$$

d’angelo trattoria—9 S.E. Seventh Ave. Italian. Don’t go expecting all the tired old “Italian” culinary clichés at Angelo Elia’s wickedly stylish trattoria. Instead, open your palate to more authentic and exciting Roman-style cuisine, like roasted veal bone marrow with brisk caper-parsley pesto, creamy-dreamy burrata with roasted fava beans and watercress salad, the classic tonnarelli cacio e pepe (“cheese and pepper”) and the best gelato this side of a real Roman trattoria. • Dinner daily.

561/330-1237. $$

deck 84—840 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary

healthy-sustainable DIG (“Doing It Green”).

Luckily, diners don’t have to suffer in pursuit of gastronomic rectitude with dishes like plump pan-seared diver scallops with pineapple-mango salsa, and luscious chocolate mousse cake. The four different greens mixes at the salad bar are crisp and pristinely fresh. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner daily.

561/638-0500. $$

fifth avenue grill—821 S. Federal Highway.

American. Since 1989, this upscale tavern has been a Delray favorite. The straightforward menu focuses on entrées, especially the famed Allen Brothers beef; choose from numerous cuts and preparations—and add a lobster tail for good measure. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/265-0122. $$

dig—5199 W. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary

gol! the taste of brazil—411 E. Atlantic Ave. Steak house. The classic churrascaria formula— grilled meats, served until you can’t eat another bite—is done efficiently and quite satisfyingly. Start off at the well-provisioned salad bar, which offers more than three dozen preludes to meat eating, among them well-made calamari and ham salads, rounds of smoky eggplant, and rich and delightfully old-fashioned four-cheese chicken. Meats with a bit of fat are the best choices, especially the garlicky sirloin, slices of medium-rare flank steak and hugely flavorful beef ribs.

• Dinner daily. 561/272-6565. $$

American. Proprietor Robert Greenfield has turned the former Greenfield’s restaurant into organic-

greek bistro—1832 S. Federal Highway. Greek.

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 steallar flatbreads, the thick and juicy 10-ounce special blend burger or homey apple cobbler. And the waterfront location just seems to make everything taste better. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat.–Sun. Dinner daily. 561/665-8484. $

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il girasole—1911 S. Federal Highway. Northern Italian. This South Florida classic is not trendy, but it offers a level of comfort and consistency that has been bringing people back for 30 years. The food is fine hearty Italian, with excellent service. Try the veal Kristy or the frogs legs. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/272-3566. $$ j&j seafood bar & grill—634 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This local favorite on the Avenue—owned by John Hutchinson (also the chef) and wife Tina—serves up everything from burgers and wraps to a menu brimming with seafood options. Don’t forget to inquire about the stunning array of 10 specials—every night. • Lunch and dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/272-3390. $$ jimmy’s bistro—9 S. Swinton Ave. Eclectic. Look up “cozy” and “charming” in the dictionary, and you’ll see a picture of Jimmy Mills’ tiny restaurant. Jimmy’s cheerily unpretentious atmosphere applies to the eclectic menu, which flits from China to Italy to New Orleans at will. Best bets are a lovely salad of ripe tomatoes and fresh, milky house-made mozzarella; a rich, elegant version of lusty Cajun etouffee; and caramelized bananas in puff pastry with silken vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. • Dinner daily. 561/865-5774. $$ la cigale—253 S.E. Fifth Ave. Mediterranean. It’s a pleasure watching the professionals here at work.

That extends to the kitchen, which turns out gently updated and classically oriented dishes notable for the quality of their ingredients and careful preparation. december/january

[ dining guide ] good-looking restaurant will fully live up to its name.

• Lunch and dinner daily. 561/865-5845. $$$

One of the many inventive Pan-Asian dishes at Lemongrass

scuola vecchia—522 E. Atlantic Ave. Neopolitan pizza. They like to say they make the “best pizza under the sun” and, well, we just have to agree. This bright new pizza and wine place makes a certified and serious Neopolitan pizza—according to standards set forth by The Associazone Pizzaliola Napolentani (APN). That means light flavorful dough, spanking fresh imported ingredients—and about as far away as you can get from the American smeary cheesy greasy version. Try the Kesté pizza: imported fresh bufula mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, proscuitto di Parma, rucala, shaved gran cru, extra virgin olive oil and basil. Pair that with a nice vino and you are transported to a pizzeria in Naples. In short: This is a don’t-miss Delray dining experence. Go now. • Lunch and dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/865-5923. $ sundy house—106 S. Swinton Ave. Contem-

Sweetbreads in chanterelle cream sauce are simply glorious; a barely grilled artichoke with mustardy remoulade is gloriously simple. And watching your server skillfully debone a whole (and impeccably fresh) Dover sole is almost as satisfying as eating it. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/265-0600. $$

lemongrass bistro—420 E. Atlantic Ave. Pan-Asian. Casually hip ambience, friendly service, moderate prices and a blend of sushi and nouveau panAsian fare make this original Lemongrass and its three younger siblings some of the most popular eateries around. The quality of its seafood and care in its preparation are what gives Lemongrass its edge, as evidenced by impeccably fresh salmon, tuna and yellowtail sushi.

• Lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-5050. $ max’s harvest—169 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. Restaurateur Dennis Max, instrumental in bringing the chef and ingredientdriven ethos of California cuisine to South Florida in the 1980s, is again at the forefront of the fresh, local, seasonal culinary movement. Max’s Harvest soars with dishes like plump Cedar Key clams with housemade tasso, savory bourbon-maple glazed pork belly, and crispy-skinned wild sockeye salmon with yuzutruffle vinaigrette. The made-to-order donuts are pure decadence. • Dinner daily. 561/381-9970. $$

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old calypso—900 E. Atlantic Ave. Island. The restaurant is airy and wide-open, but the draw is the Intracoastal view. A popular happy hour takes place at the center bar, and during Sunday brunch, music is added. The food is reliable and consistent, from a rich roasted-corn and crabmeat chowder to real fried green tomatoes to crispy fried lobster tails. • Brunch Sun. Lunch and dinner daily. Outdoor dining. 561/279-2300. $$

the office—201 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. It’s a safe bet that your office is nothing like this eclectic gastropub, unless your office sports red leather and cowhide chairs, 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. $$

porary American. Everyone knows about the spectacular garden, home to hundreds of species of exotic plants. But the comforting-contemporary food deserves notice too, realized in such dishes as expertly fried calamari with zesty Moroccanstyle aioli; savory rack of lamb crusted with herbs, mustard and horseradish; and pistachio-crusted salmon with marinated fennel, artichoke, sherry wine and a citrus gastrique served with black rice.

Portions are enormous, so bring your appetite.

• Lunch Tues.–Sat. Brunch Sun. Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/272-5678. $$

tramonti—119 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. With its roots in New York’s Angelo’s of Mulberry Street, this venue is always packed. Homemade stuffed manicotti is aromatic and glorious. Tramonti’s platter for two, containing fillet marsala, veal cutlet with prosciutto, fried zucchini and potato croquettes, is terrific. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. Outdoor dining. 561/272-1944. $$ tryst—4 E. Atlantic Ave. Eclectic. It’s tough to beat this hotspot with the lovely outdoor patio, well-chosen selection of artisan beers and not-the-usual-suspect wines, and an eclectic “gastropub” menu of small and large plates. Try the crisp-fried rock shrimp with chipotle-mayonnaise sauce. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/921-0201. $$

prime—110 E. Atlantic Ave. Steak/Seafood. Prime

vic & angelo’s—290 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian.

is aptly named for its heart of the action location, classy neo-supper club decor, extensive wine list and roster of designer steaks. Starters and desserts fare better than entrées, especially plump, crabby Maryland-style crab cakes and indecently luscious chocolate bread pudding.

Service is a strong suit too, so with a bit of work this

God is in the details at this upscale trattoria, and He doesn’t miss much, including stellar service and an outstanding wine menu. Ingredients like Buffalo mozzarella, house-made pastas and San Marzano tomatoes are first-rate, and execution is spot on. Try the “Old School” meatball to start, the whole-wheat december/january

The Italian Restaurant on the Beach Proudly serving you for 19 years!

hall of fame boca raton magazine readers’ choice 2008 best ItalIan readers’ choice award 2009, 2010, 2012 best wIne lIst boca raton magazine 2008, 2012 best seasIde breakfast spot boca raton magazine 2008 best outdoor dInIng 2010, readers’ choice award 2004, 2006 best brunch boca raton magazine 2006, 2012 best oceanfront dInIng readers’ choice award 2005, 2010 best brunch palm beach post best oceanfront ItalIan palm beach post wine spectator award of excellence 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 34 South Ocean Boulevard, Delray Beach • 561-274-9404 facebook.com/caffelunarosa caffelunarosa.com • Open 7 days, serving Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Weekend Brunch.

Live Entertainment. Valet Parking.

[ dining guide ] Hot dog panini from Buccan

Menu standouts include tempura-fried rock shrimp or calamari cloaked with a lush-fiery “spicy cream sauce.” Expect neighborly service and reasonable prices. • Lunch Tues.–Fri. Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/588-7768. $

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 8 pounds) and are so reasonably priced that getting a taste of one without reservations is highly unlikely. • Dinner nightly. 561/547-9487. (Other location: 1544 S.E. Third Court, Deerfield Beach, 954/420-9314) $$$

PaLM beach bice—313 Worth Ave. Italian. Bice continues to

tagliatelle with garlic and chili-infused olive oil and the perfectly cooked veal chop. Portions are substantial. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-9570. $$$

boynton beach bar louie—1500 Gateway Blvd. eclectic. Attempting to split the difference between happening bar and American café, Bar Louie mostly succeeds, offering burgers, pizzas, fish tacos and a variety of salads, all at moderate prices and in truly daunting portions. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/853-0090. $

china dumpling—1899-5 N. Congress Ave. chinese. The dim sum basket is an absolute must-try.

A choice of signature steamed dumplings are likewise spot on. The steak kew is delicious, and the clay pot casseroles are mighty enticing. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/737-2782. $

prime catch—700 E. Woolbright Road. Seafood. Simple pleasures soar—full-belly clams, fried sweet and crispy, or a perfectly grilled piece of mahi or bouillabaisse overflowing with tender fish. Don’t miss one of the best Key lime pies around. • Lunch and dinner daily, Sunday brunch. 561/737-8822. $$

sushi simon—1614 S. Federal Highway. Japanese/sushi. Local sushi-philes jam the long, narrow dining room for a taste of such impeccable nigirizushi

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as hamachi and uni (only on Thursdays), as well as more elaborate dishes like the sublime snowy snapper Morimoto and opulent tuna tartare. Creative and more elaborate rolls are a specialty. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/731-1819. $$

Lake worth couco pazzo—915-917 Lake Ave. Italian. Despite the name, there’s nothing crazy about the cooking at this homey eatery. It’s the hearty, soul-satisfying Italian cuisine we’ve all come to know and love. Spaghetti Bolognese is a fine version of a Northern Italian classic; house-smoked mozzarella—breaded, fried and presented with a tangy tomato-basil fondue—is equally tasty. • Dinner nightly. (Tues.–Sun. during summer).

561/585-0320. $$

paradiso ristorante—625 Lucerne Ave. Italian. A Tomasz Rut mural dominates the main dining room, and there is also a pasticceria and bar for gelato and espresso. Chef Angelo Romano offers a modern Italian menu. The Mediterranean sea bass branzino is definitely a must-try. Plus, the wine list is a veritable tome. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/547-2500. $$$ safire asian fusion—817 Lake Ave. Panasian. This stylish little restaurant offers food that gently marries East and West, plus a roster of more traditional Thai dishes and inventive sushi rolls.

hold the title of favorite spot on the island for the seeand-be-seen crowd. The venerable restaurant offers a marvelous array of risottos and fresh pastas and classic dishes like veal chop Milanese, sautéed chicken breast and stuffed 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). But they’re all good. Dinner daily. 561/833-3450. $$

café boulud—The Brazilian Court, 301 Australian Ave. French with american flair. This hotel restaurant gives Palm Beach a taste of Daniel Boulud’s world-class cuisine inspired by his four muses. The chef oversees a menu encompassing classics, simple fare, seasonal offerings and dishes from around the world.

Dining is in the courtyard (not available during summer), the elegant lounge or the sophisticated dining room. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/6556060. $$$

café l’europe—331 S. County Road. current international. A Palm Beach standard, the café has long been known for its peerless beauty, the piano player, the chilled martinis and the delicious Champagne and caviar bar. Try one of its sophisticated classics like Wiener schnitzel with herbed spaetzle, grilled veal chop and flavorful pastas. • Lunch Tues.–Fri. Dinner nightly (closed Mon. during summer). 561/655-4020. $$$ december/january

Restaurant & Lounge

Dine

Drink

Dance

It’s a new day at 75 Main. New menu. New management.

Attentive service and eclectic food. Enjoy fine dining in our inviting restaurant or getup and dance in our comfortably chic lounge.

Delight in our late night tapas menu. You’re invited to experience the fusion of Southampton warmth and South Florida cool.

75maindelray.com 270 E. Atlantic Avenue Downtown Delray Beach

www.facebook.com/75MainDelray

561-243-7975

www.twitter.com/75MainDelray

[ dining guide ] Specializing in the fabulous flavors of Italy. Selections include delicious risottos, succulent fresh fish entrées, osso bucco, roasted lamb, prime meats, delectable homemade desserts as well as exotic fare like duck, octopus, Maine lobster, numerous homemade stuffed ravioli and pasta, roasted whole Bronzini (Mediterranean Seabass).

HAPPY HOUR 4:00-6:30 pm 2 for 1 Drink Specials Full Liquor Bar Outdoor Covered Patio 1602 South Federal Hwy, Boynton 561.364.9601 www.josiesristorante.com SE corner of Woolbright & Federal Hwy (next to the bridge)

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cha cha’s—150 Worth Ave. Latin/Tapas. A variety of small plates, from Mexican tacos and Argentine empanadas to Spanish potatoes make up the menu of this elegant yet casual pan-Latin eatery. Though not every dish is successful, the best ones—crusty-creamy papas bravas, savory shrimp and scallion crêpe, buttery cauliflower and fennel gratin, and indecently luscious dulce de leche pot du crème—will make your taste buds do a happy dance. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/8338800. $$

chez jean-pierre—132 N. County Road. French.

Sumptuous cuisine, attentive servers and a see-and-beseen crowd are hallmarks of one of the island’s premier restaurants. Indulgences include scrambled eggs with caviar and the Dover sole meunière filleted tableside.

When your waiter suggests profiterolles au chocolat or hazelnut soufflé, say, mais oui! • Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/833-1171. $$$

cucina dell’ arte—257 Royal Poinciana Way. Italian. The wide range of items on the menu and the great quality of Cucina’s cuisine, combined with its fine service, ensures a fun place for a casual yet delectable meal—not to mention being a vantage point for spotting local celebs. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Outdoor dining. 561/655-0770. $$

echo—230A Sunrise Ave. Asian. The cuisine reverberates with the tastes of China, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam and is spec-ta-cu-lar. Crispy jumbo shrimp with soybean plum sauce is delectable, the Chinese hot and sour soup is unlike any other, and the Mongolian beef tenderloin is perfection. Sake list is also tops. This offsite property of The Breakers is managed with the same flawlessness as the resort. • Dinner nightly (during season). 561/802-4222. $$$

leopard lounge and restaurant—The Chesterfield Palm Beach, 363 Cocoanut Row. American. This is British Colonial decadence at its finest. The restaurant offers excellent food in a glamorous and intimate club-like atmosphere. In fact, it’s advisable to make early reservations if a quiet dinner is the objective; the place becomes a late-night cocktail spot after 9. The menu is equally decadent. • Breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner daily.

561/659-5800. $$

nick & johnnie’s—207 Royal Poinciana Way. Contemporary American. Expect flavorful, moderately priced California-esque cuisine in a casual setting with affordable wines and young, energetic servers. Try the short-rib or jerk chicken quesadillas as appetizers, and don’t miss the four-cheese tortellini as a main course. • Lunch and dinner Mon.–Sat. Breakfast Sun. 561/6553319. $$

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134 Spacious Guest Rooms including 3 Executive Suites | Full Service Lobby Bar | Rooftop Pool & Jacuzzi速 Complimentary Wi-Fi & Breakfast | 1,850 sq. ft. Meeting Room

Delray Beach

104 NE 2nd Avenue | 561.330.3530 | HyattPlaceDelrayBeach.com

c, healthy & delicious!

OrganiOrganic American comfort food prepared with robust bravado by one of South Florida’s most talented chefs.

Get ready to enjoy South Florida’s healthiest dining alternative.

• fresh-made soups, breads, sandwiches & salads

• pastas & full dinners • handpicked organic • assorted homemade wines & microbrews pastries & desserts

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

the restaurant— Four Seasons Resort, 2800 South Ocean Blvd. Contemporary American. With a casual, yet refined ambience, The Restaurant is the premier dining venue at the Four Seasons Palm Beach.

Savor fresh Atlantic seafood in a contemporary setting complemented by innovative cocktails. Don’t miss the mouthwatering dessert selections. Live entertainment is featured on Saturday nights. • Dinner Mon.–Sun. 561/533-3750. $$$$

The Green Gourmet • 16950 Jog Road, Delray Beach 561-455-2466 • thegreengourmetdelray.net greengourmet_dbm1212.indd 1

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trevini ristorante—290 Sunset Ave. Italian.

Maître d’ Carla Minervini is your entrée to a warm experience, complemented by a stately but comfortable room and excellent food. We love the crispy fillet of herb-crusted sole in a rich, buttery sauce and the veal scallopini in a lemon caper Chardonnay sauce. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/8333883. $$$

te ran999 o t 1 st. is

r

E

pAlm beACh gArdens

Celebrating Our “12th Year” Anniversary Rated 4 Stars & Top 100 Restaurants in South Florida - Sun Sentinel Top 50 Restaurants Of Old School Cooking - Boca Magazine

Every Sunday Mama’s Meat In The Gravy Over Pasta

cabo flats—11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave. mexican. Mexican cuisine often has more personas than Madonna. This highly stylized cantina adds another—that of California’s Chicano culture. All your favorite Mexican dishes are there, as well as enormous margaritas, but also niftier items like the terrific tuna ceviche in “tomatillo broth.” • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/624-0024. $ café chardonnay—4533 PGA Blvd. Contemporary American. This longtime stalwart never rests on its laurels. Instead, it continues to dish finely crafted American/Continental fare with enough inventiveness to keep things interesting. The popular herb-andDijon-mustard rack of lamb, regular menu items like duck with Grand Marnier sauce, and always superlative specials reveal a kitchen with solid grounding in culinary fundamentals. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner daily. 561/627-2662. $$

Boca Plaza 561.368.5520 3360 N. Federal Highway (South of Spanish River Blvd. East Side Of Fed Hwy.) Boca Raton, FL 33431

PRIVATE V.I.P. Room Available 12 - 24 People www.pellegrinosofboca.com

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ta-boó—2221 Worth Ave. American. This selfdescribed “American bistro” is less typical “American” restaurant or classical French “bistro” than it is poshcasual refuge for the see-and-be-seen crowd in and around Palm Beach. The eclectic menu offers everything from roasted duck with orange blossom honeyginger sauce to dry-aged steaks and an assortment of pizzas. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/835-3500. $$

10/17/12 12:51 PM

december/january

for a Cause Finalist in this year’s

“America’s Got Talent” (first comedian finalist ever)

Featuring Comedian Tom Cotter Friday, February 1, 2013 at Delray Beach Marriott

Proceeds to benefit the Delray Beach Public Library Children & Teen Programs

Ticket Price: $150 To purchase tickets visit our website at www.delraylibrary.org or call 561.266.0775. (must be 21 to attend)

Doors o pen 7:30 PM Show ti me 9:00 PM

[ dining guide ] WELLINGTON pangea bistro—10140 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Con-

pickle chips and luscious banana bread pudding are good bets. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/420-8600. $

temporary American. Add culinary influences from the tropics, Europe, Asia and Latin America to a trio of chefs from the Four Seasons Palm Beach, plus one Venezuelan designer-turned-restaurateur, and the result is this smartly modern bistro that’s bringing a real sense of gastronomic adventure to Wellington. Every dish sports an element that will tickle your taste buds, whether crunchy Asian slaw on ahi poke flatbread or beguiling lemongrass-kaffir lime vinaigrette with a slab of various blackened fish. • Lunch and dinner Mon.–Sat. (Dinner only during summer months) 561/793-9394. $$

cabana las palmas—533 Clematis St. Nuevo

WEsT pALm bEACh

café centro—2409 N. Dixie Highway. Italian.

b.b. king’s blues club—550 S. Rosemary Ave. American. The restaurant at this club-dining spot won’t leave you singing the blues, but it will leave you wishing for more than a spoonful of the lusty flavors of its Southern/New Orleans cuisine. Punch up the flavors of pan-fried catfish and shrimp with jambalaya sauce and chicken-fried chicken on a bed of mac ’n’ cheese, and you could let the good times roll. Buffalo wings, fried

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Latino. With its bold, vibrant decor and flavors, this colorful restaurant is a treat for the palette and palate.

Must-orders include mariquitas, thin, crispy plantain slices that are the irresistible Cuban answer to potato chips; cookbook-perfect ceviche of shrimp, octopus and calamari that shows how chili heat can be both fiery and subtle; and the signature “Coco Cabana,” a habanero and coconut milk-infused curry with a wealth of veggies, tubers and fat, succulent shrimp. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/833-4773. $$

There are many things to like about this modest little osteria—the unpretentious ambience, piano nightly after 7 p.m., the fine service, the robust portions and relatively modest prices. And, of course, the simple, satisfying Italian cuisine. The kitchen breathes new life into hoary old fried calamari, gives fettucine con pollo a surprisingly delicate herbed cream sauce, gilds snowy fillets of grouper with a soulful Livornese. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner daily. 561/514-4070. $$

china beach bistro—407 Northwood Road.

Chinese. South Florida may not be a hotbed of fine Chinese cuisine, but anyone who loves the incredibly diverse, sophisticated food of the Middle Kingdom should be fired up about this chic restaurant. From exquisite dim sum (like steamed chicken and mushroom dumplings perfumed with kaffir lime leaf) to a superb version of Peking duck with impossibly crisp skin, tender meat and house-made pancakes, the food here is a revelation. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/833-4242. $ leila—120 S. Dixie Highway. mediterranean. Flowing drapes and industrial lighting complete the exotic decor in this Middle Eastern hit. Sensational hummus is a must-try. Lamb kebab with parsley, onion and spices makes up the delicious Lebanese lamb kefta.

Take your Turkish coffee to the patio for an arguileh (water pipe) experience. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner Mon.–Sun. 561/659-7373. $$ marcello’s la sirena—6316 S. Dixie Highway.

Italian. You’re in for a treat if the pasta of the day is prepared with what might be the best Bolognese sauce ever. Another top choice is the chicken breast,

december/january

pounded thin and filled with fontina and prosciutto. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. (closed Memorial Day–Labor Day).

561/585-3128. $$

China Beach Bistro

pistache—101 N. Clematis St. French. Pistache doesn’t just look like a French bistro, it cooks like one.

The menu includes such bistro specialties as mussels mariniere, coq au vin and steak tartare. • Brunch Sat.– Sun. Lunch and dinner daily. 561/833-5090. $$ rhythm café—3800 S. Dixie Highway. Casual American. Once a diner, the interior is eclectic with plenty of kitsch. The crab cakes are famous here, and the tapas are equally delightful. Homemade ice cream and the chocolate chip cookies defy comparison. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/833-3406. $$

rocco’s tacos—224 Clematis St. Mexican. Big Time Restaurant Group has crafted a handsome spot that dishes Mexican favorites, as well as upscale variations on the theme and some 150 tequilas.

Tacos feature house-made tortillas and a variety of proteins. Made-to-order guacamole is a good place to start, perhaps followed by a grilled yellowtail (an occasional special) with mango-pineapple salsa. •

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[ dining guide ]

E T A UPD Now Serving Lunch and Brunch

Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly. 561/650-1001.

(Other Palm Beach County location: 5250 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, 561/416-2133) $

Fall 2012 Menu

(Don’t worry, we still have the Brussels Sprouts)

EST. 2011

Food + Drink PARK TAVERN 32 SE 2ND AVENUE, DELRAY BEACH ATLANTIC AVENUE | WORTHING PLACE 561-265-5093 PARKTAVERNDELRAY.COM

umi fishbar + grill—2401 PGA Blvd. Asian fusion/sushi. The tired Asian fusion genre is worked so carefully and sensitively here that it all seems new again. Choices abound on the fusion and sushi menus, but highlights include fluffy Chinese-style pork buns with heritage pig filling, terrific Mexican-style corn cooked on the robata grill and Nobu-esque sake-misomarinated sea bass that’s a symphony of delicate and lusty flavors. • Dinner daily. 561/472-7900. $$

top of the point—777 S. Flagler Drive. ConCUT 432 432 EAST ATLANTIC AVENUE DELRAY BEACH 561.272.9898 CUT432.COM

temporary American. The food is not only good but surprisingly adventurous, and the service is exceptional at this Intracoastal spot. Though there are plenty of steaks for the more conservative of palate, the edgier offerings, like smoky grilled octopus with “Catalan salad,” are definitely worth going out on a limb for. • Dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/832-2424. $$$

boCA rAton abe & louie’s—2200 W. Glades Road. Steaks. cut432_dbm1212.indd 1

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This outpost of the Boston steak house cooks up slabs of well-aged, USDA Prime beef like nobody’s business. Two of the best are the bone-in ribeye and New York sirloin. Start with a crab cocktail, but don’t neglect side dishes like steamed spinach and hash browns. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner nightly.

Brunch Sun. 561/447-0024. $$$

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 giant shrimp with tomatoes, cannellini beans, rosemary and an exceptionally well-done risotto. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. 561/997-7373. $$$ assaggio del forno—3011 Yamato Road.

Italian. West Boca gets a casual, contemporary café that celebrates New York Italian fare. The kitchen turns out with-it Italian-esque dishes and ubiquitous Italian-American favorites. Try the swordfish with tapenade and sautéed spinach, rib-sticking rigatoni with Sunday gravy, and an estimable rendition of the classic tiramisu. The three-course, $29.95 prix fixe menu is one of the best deals in town. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/613-6460. $$

biergarten—309 Via De Palmas. German/Pub. Part vaguely German beer garden, part all-American 88iceinthegrove_dbm1212.indd delray beach magazine

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Flavors of Boca proudly presents

February 7, 2013 • FlavorsoFboca.com

~ c u l i n a r y f e s t i v a l~

Music

Entertainment

Haute Cuisine & Beverages Silent Auction Packages & Much More!

south Florida's top restaurants are coming to the shops at boca center on February 7th!

Flavors of Boca, formerly known as Chocolate Decadence, promises to be an exciting culinary experience where local chefs put their best food forward with design, style and flair as they feature South Florida's most fashionable food and haute cuisine. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and is expected to draw more than 800 guests.

Proceeds benefit the numerous charitable organizations that are supported by the Junior League of Boca Raton.

Visit flavorsofboca.com to reserve your VIP tickets for you and your closest friends.

The Junior League of Boca Raton qualifies as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling Toll Free within the State. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the State 1-800-435-7532.

[ dining guide ] 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 an upscale burger featuring Florida Wagyu beef, knockwurst, cheddar cheese and more. • Lunch and dinner daily.

561/395-7462. $

Come for dinner. Stay all night.

bistro provence—2399 N. Federal Highway.

French. With the convivial ambience and hearty good food of an authentic Parisian bistro, this inviting, unpretentious restaurant deserves its local popularity. Mussels are a specialty, and roasted duck is excellent too. • Dinner nightly. 561/368-2340. $$ Call to schedule your private events - 561.274.SALT (7258)

LUNCH │ DINNER │ HAPPY HOUR │ COCKTAILS 561.274.SALT (7258) │ www.SALT7.com 32 SE 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach, FL SALT 7 Delray Beach Magazine.indd 1 salt7_dbm1212.indd 1

10/16/2012 1:49:54 PM 10/18/12 1:53 PM

bonefish grill—21069 Powerline Road. Seafood.

Market-fresh seafood is the cornerstone—like Chilean sea bass prepared over a wood-burning grill and served with sweet Rhea’s topping (crabmeat, sautéed spinach and a signature lime, tomato and garlic sauce.) • Dinner nightly. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 1880 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, 561/732-9142; 9897 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, 561/965-2663; 11658 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, 561/799-2965) $$

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 Wagyu beef carpaccio to a lighter version of the hardy chopped salad are nicely done too. Parmesan truffle fries are crispy sticks of potato heaven; chocolate-espresso cake a study in shameless, and luscious, decadence.

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

carmen’s—999 E. El Camino Real. Continental.

The Rat Pack lives and the view of the Intracoastal is sublime at this throwback restaurant on the top floor of the Bridge Hotel. The menu mixes the familiar with a few more modern updates. Favorites include a mild-tasting Caesar salad and tender charbroiled filet mignon. Cocktails are a strong suit. • Dinner Thurs.– Sat. 561/368-9500. $$$

caruso ristorante—187 S.E. Mizner Blvd.

Italian. Former Chicago chef-restaurateurs Lillo and Gina Teodosi bring big-city dining to town. The ambience is welcoming, the service rigorously professional and the food is so lovingly prepared it makes even the most familiar dishes special. Among them: a farm-fresh caprese salad, giant truffle-perfumed veal chop and zabaglione that’s made to order. The light, feathery, delicate gnocchi are merely the best in South Florida. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Dinner daily.

561/367-7488. $$$

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december/january

Celebrating our 11th Annual Wine & Food Weekend!

SIP, SAVOR & BID

through the event’s world-class weekend of The Bacchus Bash, Vintner Dinners and The Grand Tasting.

March 22-24, 2013

H ighlights include:

One Weekend - Eight Events - Variety of Ticket Packages Celebrated Chefs and World-Class Vintners Friday Night’s Bacchus Bash featuring 14 chefs and vintners, extraordinary cuisine and wine, and lively auction bidding.

Exclusive Vintner Dinners The Grand Tasting welcomes a new Beer Garden

Benefiting

Event Tickets & Info

The Heritage Education & Historic Preservation Programs of the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum

Like us!

/BocaBacchanal

Tickets on sale now!

BocaBacchanal.com 561-395-6766, ext. 101

Follow us!

2013 Partners

@BocaBacchanal

HotWorks.org Presents

Boca Raton Fine Art Show

January 19 & 20, 2013

Yoram Gal, Painting

Juried Fine Art & Craft Show

Downtown Boca Raton, On Federal Hwy at Palmetto Park Rd (Roads Closed from Fri, Jan 18, 1pm until Sun, Jan 20, 10pm)

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[ my turn]

By John Shuff

The author and his wife celebrate a Christmas past.

holiday memories

This time of year is all about family, friends and faith.

A

s I get older, the memories of Christmas past become more vivid. No matter how old I get—or how well I know that the good old days are long gone— something about Christmas always brings a smile

to my face.

When I was 8 years old, I still remember creeping down the stairs in my PJs before anyone else was up to get a preview of the presents Santa had deposited under the beautifully decorated tree that Mom and Dad had completed just hours before.

Peering around the banister, I saw my dad standing by the tree, munching on the chocolate chip cookies we had strategically placed on the living room mantel for Santa. He motioned me over and asked that I keep this moment between us, as my brothers were still true believers in Santa. That Christmas I never said a word to my brothers. It was probably a year or two before they caught on, but I always wondered how long this charade might have lasted had I not discovered my father, our Santa, devouring those cookies that Christmas morning.

Another landmark Christmas was in December 1962 when I was discharged from the Coast Guard. The snow was flying on Fourth Street in Cincinnati when the bus from the airport dropped me off. My family, whom I had not seen in more than six months, was there to meet me. However, the person whom I loved—and would soon be engaged to—was Margaret Mary Scanlan, 350 miles away in Chicago, who I was going to see the day after Christmas with her engagement ring.

The ring I gave her Dec. 26, 1962 was my mother’s. Dad had given Mom a new one and sold me hers for $1,500. (Since I had $80 to my name, I paid for it in installments over the next eight months.) It’s been a long time, but I recall walking into the Scanlans’ house and slipping into the living room with Margaret Mary,

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where I handed her the small satin box. “Merry Christmas,” I said. “I have a little gift for you,” When she opened the box, happiness radiated from the big blue-green eyes I had fallen in love with years before.

It was just short of a decade later, six days before Christmas in 1970, that we got our best Christmas present ever, our son, David, whom we adopted on Dec. 19, 1970 at the Catholic Social Services in Pontiac, Mich. As we drove home, both of us had tears in our eyes as our new son quietly slept in his bassinette in the backseat. It was later that afternoon that I gave David his first bath in our apartment’s bathroom sink. I can still see his fragile, little body in the palms of my hands, taking him out of the water and toweling him off against my shirt, soaked with his little imprint.

In December 1974 we received another holiday surprise when we were informed by the East St. Louis adoption agency that a baby girl was going to be ours in early February 1975. Molly arrived on Feb. 2, 1975 and has continued to bring joy to both her mom and me.

Those are some of the feelings that endear me to the holidays.

They are a wonderful time to relax with family, the comforting buffer between you and a world replete with fear and anxiety.

Cherish them, remember those special moments, and allow these memories to ground you when times get tough. Your family, my family—all families—represent life’s most precious commodity: love.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah 2012.

For a list of charitable organizations in and around our community that need your help this holiday season, visit our “Delray Beach” link at bocamag.com. december/january

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