I’m super excited to introduce you to Avalon, a beachy, coastal inspired steakhouse influenced by Montauk flair and Nantucket panache presenting approachable elegance and attentive hospitality that officially opened on Tuesday, February 23rd on Delray Beach’s famed Atlantic Avenue.

Conceptualized by New York’s veteran hospitality operators Host Restaurants, the 30-year visionaries behind award-winning dining institutions including Scarpetta, Campagnola, American Cut, Bill’s Townhouse, and many others, Avalon showcases the best in land and sea from all coasts with modern dishes taking star at the dinner plate inside an atmosphere designed to radiate approachable, unstuffy elegance.   

Affectionately named Avalon, after the legendary island in the Arthurian legend, a place of haven and purity fabled for its restorative healing powers, Avalon is intent on providing guests a new comfort-minded steakhouse experience designed to evoke an air of modern tranquility and escapism through the art of delivering upon a great quality night out.

“At Avalon, we want you to linger longer, enjoy your time here and not feel pressured to rush your meal. Dinner was made to savor; life is too short to not enjoy a great quality steak,” explains Host Restaurants President and Founder Curt Huegel.

Avalon brings a robust, sustainably-sourced premium selection of prime, organic, grass fed, hormone, steroid, and antibiotic free offerings, including steaks, beef, poultry, and seafood to South Florida’s dining scene, anchored by an esteemed 250 bottle wine list for wine lovers of all regions, showcasing sought after labels from unique wineries around the world. Guests who prefer spirit-centric pairings to their meal will also delight in Avalon’s creatively conceived cocktails presenting inventive twists on classic libations.

Avalon’s beachy yet stylish interiors were also designed with intention. Bright, naturally lit and intimate, pristine and nautically-inspired, the atmosphere and palette is soft, soothing and designed to evoke the feeling of relishing in a tranquil and relaxing, stylish day at sea. Elegant neutrals and oceanic blues are topped off by the addition of picturesque coastal greens. The expansive indoor/outdoor bar was designed for laid-back and non-formal easy eating, keeping parties of one and two in mind. There are two traditional dining levels – al fresco street dining for guests who prefer sight-seeing passerbys and second floor dining for a more intimate, social dining experience. All dining areas at Avalon will be implementing the strictest of COVID-19 protocols and are mindful of personal space and superior comfort.

Avalon has created accessible price points that won’t compromise quality and will honor that premise by always staying innovative and fresh with weekly rotating specials and a unique haven where friends, coworkers and associates can gather routinely to relax and enjoy this exciting new happy hour destination.  

Signature dishes at Avalon encompass modern steakhouse classics cooked to preferred temperatures such as Filet Mignon, 28-Day Dry-Aged Prime Ribeye, 36 oz. Tomahawk for 2 , to sustainably-sourced seafood specialties including Whole Roasted Fish of the Day, 32 oz Aged Bone In “Tuna Ribeye”, Scallop Carpaccio with Huckleberry Agro Dolce, Spiced Cashew, Citrus Segments Basil Oil, Marigold, Angry Lobster with Fermented House Sriracha, Ginger, Pullman Toast, to light entrees for those health minded or vegetarian such as Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini, Herb Vinaigrette, Goat Cheese, Basil as well as inventive comfort dishes including Kimchi Fried Rice.            

I was invited to Avalon to preview a few select items. Every one of the staff I encountered from the Maitre D to the GM, the Partners and my server was extremely welcoming and gracious. To start off, I had the most tender, succulent octopus I can remember having,..ever. Antonello, one of the Partners brought over a lovely bottle of Sauv Blanc from New Zealand for me to enjoy with the octopus. The pairing made my tastebuds dance and put me in my happy place!

Next out was their Caesar Salad with soft boiled egg on top. This unique presentation was not only gorgeous, but thoughtfully orchestrated. My server Jerry gave me the back story filling me in that their Caesar dressing is the very same one that was created by Caesar Milano from Tijuana, Mexico, who came up with this recipe during Prohibition times. Seriously guys, this dressing is the bomb!

The BLT appetizer caught me eye and I’m sure you can see why!  The “B” or bacon is represented by pork belly which was seasoned beautifully and cooked to perfection. Arugula comprised the “L” and the “T” was represented by tomato jam. It was a fun interpretation and a tasty whimsical dish indeed.

I was offered a lovely Cab to enjoy with my BLT and Steak entree.Avalon takes great pride in the quality of the food they serve and I for one was excited to see both wet aged and dry aged steaks on the menu. Do you know what the difference is? Here’s a little fun fact for you: Dry–aged beef is hung in the air to dehydrate at a temperature just above freezing for weeks, or up to months. … Wet aging is a newer technique where beef is vacuum-sealed and refrigerated so that natural enzymes can tenderize the meat. Wet aging takes just a few days, so it’s cheaper than dry aging. So which is better? Well that is a personal preference and I’ll let you make that decision yourself, but this little extra info might be useful: The more common aging method used today is wet–aging, a process in which meat is vacuum-sealed in plastic and allowed to age for 4-10 days, or sometimes longer. Similar to dry-aging, the process allows enzymes in the trapped juices to break down collagen between muscle fibers, increasing tenderness. Dry aging a steak makes it more tender and flavorful. … Eat a steak that’s been properly dry–aged and there’s really no competition: It has a richer, beefier flavor, a more tender, more buttery texture, and a minerally, slightly funky scent. Dry–aged beef puts all other steaks to shame. I chose this incredible 20 ounce dry aged ribeye with a side of truffle Parmesan fries and let me tell you, this steak just melted in my mouth. There really is a noticeable difference when you have a steak of this quality. Bravo Avalon, bravo!

Finally, for dessert, I was presented with an attractive plate consisting of a duo of decadence: cheesecake and chocolate mouse cake. I truly loved both of them and cannot play favorites here, so don’t ask me to! LOL.

Meet the Partners:

Curt Huegel, Creator/Founder

Host Restaurants (Avalon Steak & Seafood and other concepts)

Curt Huegel is a 30-year veteran American restaurateur recognized for award-winning destination restaurant brands such as Scarpetta, Campagnola and American Cut. Huegel, a New Jersey native hailing from Manhattan, has done business with the country’s most respected standalone landlords, casino and hotel developers in premier establishments around the country which include Fontainebleau in Miami to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Huegel’s first venue, The Mill opened in 1992, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Over the next several years, Huegel expanded his hospitality portfolio, developing key concepts such as Rebar in New York City and Miami, Dakota Bar and Grill and Local, also in Manhattan. In 2008, Huegel founded LDV Hospitality, establishing renowned restaurant brands Scarpetta and American Cut, Luga Caffe, Dolce Italian. Under his leadership, LDV expanded globally and partnered with celebrity chefs like Alain Allegretti, Scott Conant and Marc Forgione.

In late 2013, Huegel sold LDV and started Host restaurants, bringing together concepts including Bill’s Townhouse, Campagnola, Printers Alley, Lucy’s and Galli. Host’s portfolio ranges from eateries with a storied New York City history and classic Italian cuisine, to mid-market galleys, wine bars, Italian Cafes and steakhouses to new concepts, such as Printers alley, which brings a Nashville- themed country music bar to Times Square. With each venture, Huegel keeps his customers top of mind, always striving to exceed his guests’ and the industry’s expectations. Host Restaurants average venue square footage ranges from 1600 square feet to 1200 square feet, with their newest brand, Avalon, an elegant yet approachable steakhouse concept with a Hamptonite flair expected to launch in Delray Beach’s famed Atlantic Avenue, January 2021.

Avalon is now open for dinner and happy hour 7 days a week from 5pm with brunch to come at a future date. For more information, visit www.avalondelray.com.       

They are  located at 110 East Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444  (561) 593-2500  

Until we eat (and drink) again…

   I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise      

The post Avalon Restaurant is a welcome addition to Delray Beach’s Atlantic Ave. appeared first on Savor Our City.

I get asked all the time for restaurant recommendations and often I am asked for the name of a good seafood restaurant. Of course this should come easy, being that we are located on the coast. But up until now, I really hadn’t found one that just rolled off my tongue. But today, I am super excited to share with you my new favorite seafood restaurant which recently opened in Delray Beach, FL. It’s called Lionfish.

Lionfish, the beloved San Diego hotspot boasting a fresh-catch menu meshed with seasonal ingredients, has opened the doors to its second location in the heart of downtown Delray Beach, Florida.

Situated along the famed Atlantic Avenue, Lionfish has been twice-recognized as a James Beard Foundation Smart Catch Leader, offering a sea-to-table approach with a mouthwatering menu served in the form of simplistic yet expertly-flavored coastal cuisine. The Delray Beach location is led by esteemed restaurant and entertainment specialists, Clique Hospitality.

Originally slated to open before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the new timeline has allowed Lionfish to deliver the best possible product to an eagerly-awaiting audience. In addition to a socially-conscious, locally-sourced menu, Lionfish is continuing to contribute to ocean conversation by serving its namesake dish in a variety of delicious appetizers and entrees. The rare, delectable white flaky fish is a species that is ravaging the ocean by devouring fellow sea life and damaging coral reefs.

“We are so thankful to call Delray Beach our new home, having recently established our second corporate headquarters here, and can’t wait to show locals and tourists alike the coastal dining experience that is Lionfish,” says Andy Masi, founder of Clique Hospitality. “Opening this fall has allowed us to launch with our full brand concept versus having to restrict menus and offerings during the pandemic.”

Guests of Lionfish can expect a menu of wild-caught catches from the surrounding Atlantic Ocean coupled with grass-fed meats and fresh ingredients from local farmers, ranchers and regional purveyors inside a high-energy, sophisticated atmosphere. A full beverage menu of cutting-edge cocktails along with time-honored classics is served by a team of master mixologists. In addition, guests can sip from an all-encompassing wine list and a vast array of craft beers.

Executive Chef Jose “JoJo” Ruiz of Lionfish’s San Diego location serves as Corporate Chef with locally-renowned Chef Johnny Demartini overseeing the kitchen as Executive Chef.

About Clique Hospitality
Clique Hospitality, founded by Andy Masi, is a collaboration of talented food and beverage professionals who have helped shape the dining and nightlife landscape along the West Coast for the past two decades. Masi has dedicated his life to making guests feel that a simple night out was more than just a memory, but also an experience. Clique is a boutique hospitality and marketing company with operations in Las Vegas, NV, San Diego, CA and Delray Beach, FL. Clique specializes in approachable dining that sets trends, rather than following them. In its partnerships with many of the country’s most prestigious hospitality corporations, including MGM Resorts International, Cosmopolitan Las Vegas,Hotels, Montage Resorts, and Red Rock Resorts, Clique is transcending hospitality through service, quality, and trendsetting design.

Had to try a dish with the namesake in it. We really enjoyed this ceviche. The secret to the deliciousness of this ceviche  we were told is the use of key lime in the curing process which gives it a little more tartness but balances out the sweetness of the coconut agave.

What a lovely combination of flavors. Clever spin on a traditional caprese salad. This Asian inspired version was very tasty.

I like to think of myself as somewhat of a Sushi Pizza Connoisseur. I try this dish wherever I go when I see it on a menu. This one served at Lionfish is definitely one of the best. It’s a close runner up to the one at Pubbelly. I really enjoyed the truffle mustard aioli and the micro shiso added a nice textural component.

Oh my! These mini lobster rolls are heavenly! The petite buns are made especially for Lionfish and are the perfect vessel for this scrumptious lobster salad. Delish! Great for sharing or enjoying as a meal on your own.

This was a fun interactive experience cooking your food over the hot rock. There are two Hot Rock options; the Wagyu Beef and the Giant King Oyster Mushrooms with Smoked Miso.

The aioli coated the hot rock shrimp, rather than being served as a dipping sauce. You could detect its essence but I believe a side of this sauce for dipping would go a long way. I’m sure they would bring one out if asked.

And now on to dessert….soooo many interesting selections…

Oh my gosh. Words just fail to do this dessert justice. A deconstructed key lime pie. We savored every single bite!

Just when you think you had the perfect dessert,, one that can’t be topped, you take a bite out of this one. Wow! We loved the creativity of the presentation of this dessert and the sundae itself with all the little crumble bites was awesome! Our message in the bottle read, “Save A Reef, Eat A Lionfish! #GetHooked”

Well there you have it folks. This new seafood restaurant on the Ave gets two thumbs up and our stamp of approval. If you haven’t been there yet…what are ya waiting for? Enjoy and tell Sean the Manager that your friend Denise from Savor Our City sent ya!

Lionfish is open daily starting at 4pm and serving Brunch on Saturdays & Sundays from 10am – 3pm, with dinner served until 11pm on Sats and 10pm on Suns. They are located at 307 E Atlantic Ave  Delray Beach.  561.639.8700

Until we eat again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Hello Foodie Friends,

Today’s blog is about my recent dinner at Harvest Seasonal Grill. I was invited to check out their new Fall menu so I could share my experience with all of you. My last two posts on Harvest both featured previous Spring menus. The Fall menu was released the end of September and will run through the holidays at which time the new Winter menu will be launched.

My companion and I were shown to our table and soon greeted by our server Jake, who ran through the menu layout with us. My companion had some questions on the wines. Jake was very knowledgeable about the wines on the menu and exceptionally helpful in his explanations..I always enjoy Harvest’s seasonal sangria flights so that is what I decided to begin with. My companion opted for a Cab Franc blend called Involuntary Commitment from Napa Valley. Harvest has a large number of wine varietals that you don’t see on other restaurant menus.

My Sangria Flight consisted of: White Caramel Apple, Rosé Ginger Pear, and Red Blood Orange Pomegranate. The Rosé sangrias have been my favorite in the past, but this time, the Red Blood Orange Pomegranate got my vote for top pick. Now onto the food tastings. Chef Bill came out to say hello and after a brief discussion, he offered to send out a few dishes for us to try. We started off with the Pear & Bleu flatbread. (Spoiler alert: this was my favorite item of the entire evening). The flatbread was PACKED with flavor and they were very generous with their toppings which were well distributed.

 Next out were the Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash Dip and Tuna Poke.

Next round were the Diver Scallops, Grilled Filet Mignon, Pumpkin Tortellini and side of roasted seasonal vegetables

There definitely was a butternut squash theme going on with our selections on this evening. So if you’re a butternut squash lover, be sure to head over to Harvest Seasonal Grill right now to get your fill of butternut squash!

For dessert, we were presented with their minis:one was a Spiced Apple, one was Pecan something and one was a Key lime cheesecake. In all honesty, I did not have room to taste any of the desserts, but my companion did and said the Spiced Apple had an abundance of cayenne in it and the Pecan one was a bit hard and the Key Lime tasted mostly like vanilla frosting. I guess the desserts must have been off on this day, because this is quite unusual to have a miss on 3 out of 3. I have always enjoyed their desserts in the past and won’t let this one “off day” ruin my coming in again and giving them a try.

WHO: Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar, Delray Beach’s season-forward, farm-to-table eatery and wine bar owned by the Dave Magrogan Group, announces their new fall menu featuring an assortment of seasonal dishes, refreshing cocktails and over 50 wines available by the glass now available through the fall season.

WHAT:  As the season’s change, you can always look forward to a bountiful new menu at Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar. The fall menu features dishes that use local, seasonal ingredients resulting in the freshest, tastiest, most nutritious meals possible in a celebration of autumnal produce.

Enjoy flavorful new flatbreads, salads, entrees and more – with plenty of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options available. Fall menu highlights include:

• Pear & Bleu Flatbread pear, aged bleu cheese, fig glaze, micro arugula ($10)
• Butternut Squash Soup toasted pumpkin seed, local honey ($5)
• Grilled Autumn Salmon baby spinach, roasted beet, sheep’s milk feta, dried cranberry, candied pecan, apple schnitz, honeycrisp apple vinaigrette ($19)
• Harvest Moon Chicken all-natural chicken breast, sweet potato latke, brussels sprouts, apple relish, cider rosemary reduction ($24)
• Braised Short Ribs parsnip, turnip, carrot, mushroom, rosemary, black lava salt, pearl onion, roasted garlic mashed potato, natural jus ($26)
• Vegetarian Pumpkin Tortelloni butternut squash purée, sage brown butter, dried cranberry, baby spinach, toasted pumpkin seed, gingerbread dust ($20)
• Vegetarian Impossible “Meatloaf” whipped sweet potato, haricot vert, truffled mushroom, sweet & spicy ketchup glaze, blistered tomato, crispy beet ($24)
• Vegan Eggplant “Parmesan” butternut squash noodle, fire-roasted tomato sauce, herbed breadcrumb, nutritional yeast ($19)

The post “Fall” in Love All Over Again at Harvest Seasonal Grill appeared first on Savor Our City.

It was earlier this year that I first visited The Winemakers Table in Delray Beach to celebrate my birthday. I had a most wonderful evening which you can read about here if you’d like. Fast forward to present day, I received an invite to attend an exclusive media dinner to introduce Jessica Scialletti, the new owner of the Winemakers Table. The evening began with a lovely welcome reception with some delicious sparkling wine and appetizers in the Champagne Lounge. Once all the guests arrived, we made our way to the intimate dining room where we continued with our elegant 5 course International Tasting experience. A tantalizing menu was well thought out, prepared and executed by Jessica and her team. Amongst the newcomers to The Winemakers Table is Executive Chef, Joshua Bradley, who previously worked at Market 17 and Café Maxx in Fort Lauderdale. In addition, The Winemakers Table brought on a new Sous-Chef, Patrick Sauveur from France, who previously worked in Marseille at a Michelin-rated restaurant.

In addition to the new staff, other changes that have been implemented under the new ownership is a new kind of food style they classify as Creative European, allowing their chefs to add their own flare to the European cuisine that is served there nightly. The restaurant keeps a collection of California wines and is bringing more wines from Europe and around the world

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I have to say that each course was absolutely wonderful. Special honourable mention goes to the watermelon salad with dark cherry balsamic, herb pesto, tomato confit and carrot & orange foam. I fell head over heels in love with their cherry balsamic and became so inspired that I attempted to recreate this in my home. I found a recipe online and improvised using gourmet Amareno cherries from my favorite gourmet market and aged balsamic from The Ancient Olive which I reduced and drizzled over watermelon and also used on top of a pan seared duck breast that I made.

We were in for a really special treat when it came time for dessert; Jessica, the owner introduced a few special desserts from her own Swiss Brand: JesS Art Gâteaux made with European products. The new The Winemakers Table is doing a wonderful job at making guests feel welcome, pampered and fully satisfied. The restaurant serves only Prime meats and the freshest of ingredients. Positive responses are pouring in describing the restaurant as a gem with an ambience that is elegant yet relaxed, with delicious food, wine and attentive service. Monthly themed wine dinners are planned. For more information, check out their website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.  

I know you are going to fall in love with the warm and friendly staff and the exquisitely prepared food as much as I have. When you do go, be sure to tell Jessica, Fernando and Chef Joshua hello from Denise from Savor Our City!

The Winemakers Table is open Tues – Sat 5pm – 11pm.  They are located at 2875 S.Congress Ave “A”  Delray Beach, Florida. Reservations: 561-501-4107

Until we eat (and drink) again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

The post The Winemakers Table Revisited appeared first on Savor Our City.

My birthday happened to fall on a Friday this year, the weekend of Passover and Easter and to get things kicked off, I decided to accept an invitation to dine at The Winemakers Table in Delray Beach. I had been hearing wonderful things about this place but just hadn’t been able to get there. That is until I met Tom and Michelle Ferraro, the brother and sister team who co-own this little treasure. I met Tom and Michelle purely by coincidence one evening while they happened to be on one of my weekly culinary tours in Royal Palm Place invited by their Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor.

     

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It was this time last year that I wrote about Harvest Seasonal Grill and their opening in Delray the previous Fall. Since then, I’ve been back numerous times to enjoy the creative seasonally-inspired dishes of Executive Chef Bill Ring.

I was invited to dine as a guest of The Gab Group, the PR firm representing Harvest. I brought along my long time foodie friend and newcomer to the blogging scene Patrice from @ForkAndACork. We started off with our choice of cocktails. When I saw the rosé sangria was back on the menu, I immediately chose that for my selection. I’m not ordinarily a fan of rosé, but when Reba, Harvest’s Marketing & Events Manager, first introduced this Rosé Strawberry Rhubarb Sangria last year, it was love at first sip. The key is to make sure that the glass has lots of ice and is served super chill too! Patrice enjoyed her Red Mango Apricot Sangria very much as well.

Next, we decided on a couple apps: the Thai sesame beef lettuce wraps and the sweet pea & avocado toast. The Thai beef wraps were the star of the two for me.

For the entrées, we tried the cedar roasted salmon which was seasoned and cooked to perfection! We both really loved this dish and I also really enjoyed how Chef Bill prepared the side of veggies (squash, zucchini & carrots). The second entrée was not necessarily a new dish, but the Super Grain Bowl is now being presented in a new fashion and can be found under the “bowls” section. We chose chicken as our protein but you can select the protein of your choice. The dish, in our opinion, was a little dry and needed some more of the sauce that it came with. Once our server brought us over some more and we were able to incorporate it into each bite, it was quite yummy.

The signature tray of mini desserts was brought our way to tempt us. There were so many wonderful varieties to choose from and we chose the chocolate salted caramel mousse and the walnut fudge brownie. Both were soooooo good!!!!

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Be sure to check out my previous write up on Harvest Seasonal Grill to get a little more info on the restaurant.

Harvest Seasonal Grill is located in the Delray Place shopping plaza at 1841 S. Federal Highway, #402, Delray Beach, FL 33483. For more information or to make a reservation, call (561) 266-3239 or visit www.harvestseasonalgrill.com.

Until we eat again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

The post Harvest Seasonal Grill Introduces Their New Spring Menu appeared first on Savor Our City.

I attended an industry event just before Thanksgiving and boy did I have a lot to be thankful for. First of all, I was introduced to several new gourmet products that I had never heard of and now don’t know how I could live without. The first one is the Only Original Alfredo Sauce. I met Russell, the owner of the company (formerly of Alfredo of Rome restaurant in NYC) who was there serving up tastings of his incredible sauce.

Check out this home video and see how easy peezy it was to make a super decadent dinner in no time at all!

These vegetarian burgers from Now Burger were AMAZING!!! They looked and tasted just as good (dare I say possibly even better?) than the real meat kind. Three thumbs up!

Garnishes Bursting Pearls was another awesome product line I got to try. These “caviar” pearls had me thinking I was eating the real deal. I love the mouthfeel and the fun flavors they have.

MUD Raw Vegan Desserts was in the house sampling their three varieties of “ice cream”. My fave was the chocolate.

Smilin’ Islands Foods Dips & Sauces – recipe created by the Marley family matriarch and passed down to future generations. Assorted hot sauces and not-your-average ketchups.

LeonGolden Pure Edible Moroccan Argan Oil – You may have heard of Moroccan Argan Oil before and the wonderful things it does to your hair, but did you know there is an edible (culinary) version made as well? This naturally nutty flavored edible oil is delicious drizzled over your favorite dishes or used in sauteeing or baking. I used it before grilling my peppers and the skins peeled right off afterward (totally impressed), unlike the results I got when I used olive oil. I also used the Argan oil when roasting my butternut squash for Thanksgiving and it imparted a lovely taste while they cooked to a nice caramelization.

For more info on these products, visit www.pdffoods.com

Until we eat again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

The post PDF Foods Gourmet Tasting appeared first on Savor Our City.

The interior design and decoration were simple yet artistic with a color scheme of green, white, and brown. An open concept layout gives customers the choice of indoor and outdoor seating. The restaurant offers innovative ordering by customers using the touchscreen kiosk to order their meal. Something that I thought was super fun was the addition of a glass window around the kitchen area, so customers can watch food being prepared.

Immediately after arriving, I headed over to the juices from Juicee ( I am a sucker for cold pressed juices!). The three juices available at localgreens are: Green Lover, Shine, and Watermelon Kiss. My new personal favorite is Shine – a mix of cucumber, ginger, green apple, and pineapple. We all have heard about the health benefits of consuming ginger, but sometimes that spicy taste is hard to take back. This juice makes drinking ginger delicious, which means no more dreadful ginger shots (YAY).

Small portions of different selections from their salad and grain & noodle bowl menu were served, like the cobbocado, hummus tandoori, medicine man, mighty farro and hawaii mang-o ( I love the name choices). Though, I have to say the one that will be having me as a returning customer is the kale,caesar! salad which includes pecorino romano, lemon zest, and zucchini bread croutons. A customer has the option of adding protein options to their salads or grain & noodle bowls like tuna poke, chicken, or even tofu scramble for an additional price.

If you are more in the sweet tooth mood, localgreens offer power bowls with either an açaí or greek yogurt base. Additional power-ups can be added to the bowls to add a health boost like organic spirulina powder or organic matcha powder. I ended my night with a delicious homemade cherry popsicle (which in my opinion, is a great alternative for the Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia). Local and seasonal flavors like coconut and blood orange are also available.

My experience at localgreens was a positive one, and I will be returning soon for my cold pressed Shine juice by Juicee and the kale, caesar! salad.

Story by guest blogger, Nicole Baker, Hospitality student at Lynn University

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Today’s feature is on Boon’s Asian Bistro in West Delray Beach, FL.  (W. Atlantic Avenue and just east of the Turnpike) There is another Boon’s (related) in West Boca on 441, however, this one has a completely different menu. Boon’s Asian Bistro features cuisines from all over Asia, including Japan, China, Thailand and the Philippines.

Boon’s embodies Buddha’s philosophy to seek happiness through peaceful harmony with themselves and the environment. In this respect, they strive to provide sustainable, antibiotic & hormone-free food where guests’ complete satisfaction is their mission. They strive to be a place where even the unexpressed wishes or needs of their guests are fulfilled. Their pledge is to provide a dining atmosphere where guests will not only enjoy the highest quality of fresh, locally sourced foods from farms and artisans from around the world but provide a fun, relaxed environment where traditional dining norms are ignored and/or broken.

I was recently invited to dine as a guest of the restaurant during their soft opening. My companion and I had the opportunity to sample a nice cross section of the menu.

Tuna tartare with Casava Chips. This appetizer was very light and fresh and each component of the dish complemented each other. I especially loved using the Casava chips to scoop up each bite.

The Tom Kha Gai soup was outstanding. Full of flavor and mushrooms that have been cooked, as compared to most places that serve this dish with uncooked mushrooms. I believe the cooked mushrooms added another layer of depth and flavor.

Lobster roll. Most lobster rolls I have had contain battered & fried lobster inside the roll; this one utilized Maine lobster that had been poached in its shell and was very light. It was a lovely presentation, and I liked it, but it wasn’t a stand out item for me.

Tofu Tempura with a peanut dipping sauce. Nice and light.

I thought my favorite fish was Chilean Sea Bass until I met this beauty. May I introduce to you North Atlantic Black Cod. Have you ever had this fish? Well, it has now catapulted to first place in the category of my favorite fish dishes, thanks to Boon’s. I especially loved the glaze that coated the fish. Yummo!

The filet mignon was cooked to a perfect medium rare. It was wonderful.

The fried rice was excellent! I especially liked the grilled pineapple pieces that were included.

The Crispy Duck was seasoned and cooked to perfection!

This delicious dessert concoction is called the Buddha’s Candy ice cream sundae. It has all kinds of whimsical things thrown in for fun such as cotton candy, marshmallows and pop rocks.

Boon’s Asian Bistro Delray is located at 7959 W. Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33446

Phone: (561) 501-6391  Website (still under construction) www.BoonsAsian.com.

Call for hours of operation. Grand Opening coming in June…

Until we eat again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

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DISARONNO turned the literal translation of amaretto ‘a little bitter’ into something sweet for amaretto enthusiasts in Delray in honor of National Amaretto Day, this past Wednesday, April 19^th. DISARONNO, the original amaretto since 1525, hosted a self-guided bar tour in Delray for DISARONNO Day, which also happens to be National Amaretto Day. During the bar tour, revelers were able to enjoy cocktails such as the Italian Margarita, Bourbon Sour and DISARONNO Breeze.

Starting off at City Oyster at 5pm, DISARONNO Day participants were also able to visit Tramonti, 32 East, Luigi’s Coal Oven Pizza, and Buddha Sky Bar as part of the official tour. Guests were provided a DISARONNO Sour Jar in which they could enjoy the cocktails and take it home as a keepsake souvenir. In addition, guests were given a DISARONNO t-shirt.

I started off at one of my favorite places on “The Ave”, City Oyster & Sushi Bar where bartender extraordinaire Wayne Pasik poured me the Bourbon Sour to get this party started. Nice pucker to it. Off to a good start!

Next, I headed over to Tramonti where Timothy crafted the DISARRONO Breeze for me. This was made with DISARRONO of course and sour mix, Zonin Prosecco & Bitters. It was delicious!

Next up was 32 East. As I pulled up a seat at the bar, I could no sooner get out the words “DISARRONO” when the lively group of guys hanging out at the bar next to me blurted out “we would like to buy you that drink”. While I was flattered, I explained that I was participating in this tour and before I finished, they repeated their kind offer. Then it dawned on me, they were from DISARRONO. Dave, Ed, Matt and the rest of the gang were so much fun to hang out with.

Following 32 East, I made my way to Luigi’s Coal Fire Pizza. Here, bartender Ryan poured me an Italian Margarita. How fitting in an Italian restaurant. The drink was great and so was Ryan!

The final stop on this amaretto tasting tour was Buddha Sky Bar where Chrissy got real creative and made me an impromptu cocktail featuring DISARRONO. She came up with a Black Cherry Collins – made with DISARRONO, passion fruit puree, agave, a splash of grenadine and muddled blackberries and raspberries. I think this one my favorite creation of the night. Way to go Chrissy!

I want to thank the folks at DISARRONO for inviting me to participate in this cool bar tour. I think I see some synergy here with my culinary tours. Can’t wait to explore the possibilities of collaborating with them again.

Here are a few recipes of the signature DISARONNO cocktails that were featured on the tour. Enjoy and drink responsibly!

DISARONNO SOUR

2 parts DISARONNO

1 part fresh lemon juice

¼ part simple syrup

Fill a Disaronno Sour Jar with ice. Pour in Disaronno and then the fresh lemon juice. Add a teaspoon of sugar. Stir and garnish with lemon slice.

BOURBON SOUR

1 oz. DISARONNO

1 oz. Bourbon

1 oz. Lemon Juice

½ oz. Simple Syrup

Shake all ingredients with ice, and pour over a highball glass with ice and garnish with a lemon or orange slice

Until we eat (and drink) again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

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