Page 21 - Boca Club News - October '23

Boca Club News, Page 21

The Good Life: Dining, Drinks, Destinations

Dining Out: A Samurai’s Transformation

By Alan Serinsky of Bocaire For me, restaurants like Yakitori are an eye opener that was the Lobster Bomb ($34). To be honest, I rarely have this
Country Club. Hungry Al’s love provide a new perspective on how some Japanese eating roll, probably because I’m always thinking my wallet is the
for food started very young. establishments rise above the mediocre standards. only thing being rolled. But this one was well worth it. The
Never satisfied with his Mom’s First Impressions: If you have ever been west of Jog plating of this dish was incredibly enticing. Not only did we
dishes, he started to cook his Road in Delray, you are probably aware that new home get the standard tempura lobster in the roll, but they also
way through her “Betty Crocker development in this area of town is booming. It doesn’t take delivered a side portion of the lobster. It’s a meal in itself.
Cookbook.” During the years a mogul real estate expert to know that “if you build it...they Another winner was the Triple Sexy Roll ($17). Here
to follow he spent many hours will come.” As for Yakitori, it’s not new to South Florida, you’ll get an inside combo of Yellowtail, Tuna and Salmon.
working in restaurants, both as server and cook, attending but new to West Delray. This Japanese restaurant group has Then, as if that weren’t enough, it’s topped with seared tuna,
cooking classes and traveling the world in an effort to several familiar names in our surrounding vicinity: Coco salmon, and yellowtail again. Tastes as good as it sounds.
expand his palette. As a professional writer, Hungry Al Delray, Saiko Boca, and Koi Ft. Lauderdale. We also loved the Tuna Tartar ($17). This was the perfect
offers his perspective on current food trends and guides This location is located in the Tuscany Shoppes just before refresher of the evening, with diced tuna (or salmon) layered
you through your local restaurant options. the Turnpike entrance. It took over the Yellowtail Sushi with the heat of wasabi, the acidity of soy, and then balanced
location and, as of my visit, the previous signage was still with the savory of the guacamole. Served with chips.
Yaktori Sushi House visible. So don’t be confused and make an unnecessary U-turn. You would think that by now we are feeling and looking
7959 W Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33446 Happily, Yakitori utilizes a small footprint for its dining like two contented Buddhas, but that didn’t stop us from
(561) 401-6391 room, along with a small sit-down sushi counter. I prefer trying our only kitchen entrée of the night, the Miso Sea Bass
yakitoridelray.com a smaller and intimate space, so this definitely worked for ($39). I’ll admit we took a good portion of this home, not
us. Interestingly, that Monday was busy with sushi-hungry because it didn’t taste good but because our “eyes are bigger
Food For Thought: For me, sushi is a hate and love patrons, which is always a good sign. than our stomachs.” Regardless of the doggie bag, this piece
fish story. For years I have been going to the same sushi Prime Your Taste Buds: Before we started our Japanese of fish was excellent. Cooked perfectly, seasoned perfectly,
restaurant without much thought. Let us just state this journey we asked our seasoned waiter, Bill, to guide us and the shitake mushroom topping was perfect.
habitual condition as a “matter of convenience.” But soon through the menu. He pointed out the highlights with the From The Dessert Tray: Only one dessert offering
after the Omakase experience I enjoyed with my son-in-law, devotion of a Shogun. Hungry Al, (that’s me) went with a here at Yakitori: the Fruit Crepe ($12). I was really full by
I had a spiritual sushi transformation: I realized then that signature appetizer, the Roasted Wrap Duck ($15). Imagine now, but what’s a good review without the one dessert on
not all sushi is equal. tender roasted duck enhanced with thin slices of avocado, the menu. I conceded. Nothing special, but the fresh berries
I had been a loyal samurai to my favorite “go-to” sushi delicate spring mix, and then wrapped with an Indian crepe- inside and the sweet, whipped cream kept our forks moving
location, but this revelation made me aware of how much like pancake. Perfection! at an unstoppable speed.
the quality and technique of sushi preparation differs. No Hungry D couldn’t resist her semi-vegetarian urges and Check, Please: What I love about this Japanese restaurant
longer could I cope with my old Sushi chef’s sword-slicing selected the standard Lettuce Wraps ($17). Even though she is its diverse menu. Not everything has to be wrapped around
methods like cutting lox at a deli (thin as you can). Nor enjoyed them, I personally found the mixture of chopped a perfect sushi roll. Here the menu reads like a Greek diner.
would I prefer to eat a Rainbow Roll that turned out like chicken meat and onions a bit on the dry side. But then Too many choices to list, but I’m sure you’ll find a great
an understated California Roll. again, I’m not a big Lettuce Wrap fan. variety to satisfy anyone’s Japanese palate. Don’t Sumo
For many of us, we tend to gravitate to restaurants We also shared the Dim Sum Platter ($15) combination wrestle the idea of traveling to West Delray, because Yakitori
where we feel most comfortable or find to be predictable of four different steamed dumplings consisting of shrimp, will deliver a Buddha type of happiness that will have you
in its menu and food preparation. Unfortunately, this is a wasabi pork, wagyu beef and lobster/shrimp. These mouthful rubbing your chopsticks in delight! Therefore, I’m offering
double-edged sword and doesn’t allow us to challenge our morsels of pleasure delivered as Bill had promised. this temple of taste four
palates or expand our awareness of innovative styles of Straight From the Sushi Master: Can’t go to a sushi golden Buddhas.
cooking or ingredients. restaurant without having sushi! Our first recommendation
Grape Expectations: The Wine Ratings Game

By Ed Wolfarth, who recently default choice of most of the wine world, I look to specific higher than Montrachet, the world’s most expensive white
moved to South Florida after critics for specific wines. IMHO, Parker is rooted in the wine. Go figure!
retiring with his wife, Vicki, as “bigger is better” school: More alcohol, more fruit and The fact remains that the taste of money cannot be
Professor of Sports Sciences & more oak is his 90 point wine! So with some consternation, denied. LVMH, the French conglomerate that owns many
Physical Education at both Queens I personally dismiss Mr. Parker. of the high-end names of fashion, accessories and wine and
College and Hofstra University. He The Wine Spectator is another popular source of ratings. spirits (i.e. Fendi, TAG Heuer, Givenchy) had a marketing
is a nationally ranked senior tennis I personally subscribe to their on-line magazine, and their problem. It seemed that the sale of Dom Perignon was
player and long-time USPTA Elite critics and raters hold a backseat to no one in the “rating down dramatically one year. The answer was to raise the
Teaching Professional. Ed has game.” But, alas, problems abound here also. price from $125 to $160 per bottle. Sales soared! Money
written many educational and tennis articles in the past. From 2007 to 2014 The Wine Spectator rated more than talks!
Over the past few years, Ed has turned his hobby of wine 5,000 wines that cost less than $12 a bottle. Only eight High-end commodities such as the aforementioned
collecting into a way of continuing his passion for writing, of these wines rated more than 90 points. By comparison, are considered “Veblen Goods.” These are items where
and has written on the subject for publications. As a self- from the same vintages over 2,500 wines were rated that the price is directly proportional to the demand. Thorsten
proclaimed “wine snob,” he has collaborated on many cost more than $100 a bottle. Of these, 1,700—more than Veblen was the first economist to identify conspicuous
wine lists for private clubs and a few restaurants. Ed can 70%—were rated over 90 points! Other publications tell consumption.
be reached at wolfarthe@msn.com. similar stories. So, what can we wine drinkers do to get the most
Recently I’ve noticed producers putting “ratings” on Let’s put aside for a moment the implausibility of the bang for our buck and the most enjoyment from the wine
their labels. Since many consumers consider a 90-point notion that the price-score correlation could have occurred experience? Don’t dismiss these critics or publications
wine the benchmark for quality, it’s no doubt this naturally. Perhaps these publications and their critics have but rely on your own sense, and senses, to find wines that
marketing ploy works. And as long as it’s difficult to taste cornered the market on “perfect palates” and can actually you like. I will try James Laube’s recommendations for
wines before you buy, we need to trust the opinions of taste the difference between the $12 and $100 bottles of California wines. He’s the taster for The Wine Spectator.
others. Wine critics and publications have been around for wine. Certainly, more expensive wines must be better. I also like Steven Tanzer’s picks, or I often go to a free
as long as wine has been around. Robert Parker, The Wine Well, I think not! app called Vivino that has consumers rate wines. Through
Spectator, the Wine Library with Gary V, Wine Searcher In blind tastings with sommeliers, restaurant owners carefully comparing my tastes and theirs, I know who to
and Steven Tanzer, to name a few, regularly post ratings and critics, the exact opposite has been proven time and rely on.
and scores. time again. A $15 Domaine St. Michelle sparkling wine Bottom line: Next time, be a more thoughtful drinker.
The most common system rates wines on a 100-point from Washington State consistently scored higher than the Find a frame of reference for what you think you are
scale. Basically, 90 and over is excellent, high 80s very $160 bottle of Dom Perignon. A Knight’s Valley Cabernet tasting. Did you like it? Was it too sweet or acidic for your
good, and so on down the scale. But whose taste buds do from California that cost $24 similarly outscored a $95 taste buds? Was the finish long and pleasant? When you
you trust? With some trial and error, I have found that I can Chateau Margaux. And Kumeu River Chardonnay from tried a highly rated wine or a bottle that was recommended,
rely on certain critics whose tastes seem to coincide with New Zealand that cost $35—and was rated “best in show” did you really like it? And yes, try different wines. It’s the
mine. While I’m not a big Robert Parker fan, the current by the French, who commissioned a recent tasting—scored only way to know.