Page 14 - Boca Club News - July '24

Page 14, Boca Club News

The Good Life: Dining, Drinks, Destinations
The Good Life: Dining, Drinks, Destinations

Dining Out: Hungry Al’s Roadmap

to His All-Time Favs! 2024

By Alan Serinsky of Bocaire and you have two hours to make yourself happy before the Fifth Stop—French: For me, on any occasion such as
Country Club. Hungry Al’s love music starts (with a great musician). I might regret giving birthdays or anniversaries there is no better place to celebrate
for food started very young. this secret away because it will make it harder for Hungry D than La Nouvelle Maison in Boca Raton. Somehow this
Never satisfied with his Mom’s and me to find bar stools. Try their Calamari, Eggplant Stack semi-elegant restaurant perfectly defines the word “special”
dishes, he started to cook his or Chicken Parmigiana Panni. in both food and service. As they say in French, “La vie est
way through her “Betty Crocker Second Stop—Italian: Over the course of ten years trop courte de manger la mauvaise nourriture.” If I got this
Cookbook.” During the years many Italian restaurants have come and gone. This cuisine is right it simply translates to: “Life is too short to eat bad food!”
to follow he spent many hours probably my favorite and choosing the best is a monumental So, do yourself a favor and break the piggy bank for a visit
working in restaurants, both as server and cook, attending task. Back in the early years it was Giovanni’s (Pompano), to La Nouvelle Maison if you haven’t already. You can’t go
cooking classes and traveling the world in an effort to expand Casa De Angelo’s (Boca Raton), Trattoria Romano (Boca) and wrong with my favorites: their Caesar Salad and Yellowtail
his palette. As a professional writer, Hungry Al offers his the list goes on. So, to keep this current I have to give a nod to Snapper. By the way, on Wednesday there is no corkage fee.
perspective on current food trends and guides you through 388 Sal’s Italian Restaurant. The dishes here are enormous, Sixth Stop—Steaks: Where’s the beef? There never
your local restaurant options. definitely able to feed more than two hungry stomachs. But seems to be enough steakhouses for Boca’s carnivorous
Pull out the GPS! Fill the tank! Start your engines! Hungry as most good chefs know there is always a sacrifice when it appetite. I have to confess I’m not a big meat eater, but I
Al (that’s me) has decided to spill the beans on what he comes to quality vs. huge portions. Taking into consideration can definitely taste the difference in a good quality of beef
considers his all-time favorite dining spots. this major undertaking, I have to admit that the kitchen and prepared with attention to temperature and seasoning. But
Leaving the Guard Gate: It seems wherever I go there is the front house somehow make it work. 388 will be a perfect this year we have had several new entries into our steakhouse
always someone who’s going to ask me the $64,000 question: recommendation when the family comes to town. options with Gallagher’s (from New York) and the Meat
“What are your favorite restaurants?” As a food writer that Third Stop—Seafood: This has always been a hook- Market (from Palm Beach). Then again, new doesn’t
inquiry is hard to answer. I have lots of preferred dining stops, in-my-side in determining what the best of the net is in the necessary equal “better.” I still believe in the “tried and true”
but this job keeps me changing gears all the time. To satisfy seafood category. As ironic as it sounds, there are not many steak establishments that had the longevity to survive Boca’s
all my Hungry Al fans, I’m going to let you in on my Top 6 great seafood restaurants in any of our coastal shorelines. fickle taste buds. I’m sticking my knife into my longtime
List for 2024! Many of these selections are not in walking That was until I discovered Copperfish Kitchen. Located in favorite: N.Y. Prime Steak House!
distance, but I’ll promise you each is worth the drive. Boca Center in the previous Uncle Tai’s space you’ll have a Seventh Stop—Casual Dining: To me dining doesn’t
To make our journey more interesting, let us drop the tough time reeling in all the local and distant fish species on have to be about linen tablecloths, Michelin-rated plates,
convertible top, put on the shades, and cruise to the Best their menu. Here you can have a delicious whole Branzino expensive wines or a final bill that empties my wallet. That’s
Eating Spots in South Florida! or Fried Yellowtail Snapper, or branch out to another fishing why the new Narbona in Boca Center mall is high on my
First Stop—Happy Hour: This is a tough category to spot and try a Scottish Salmon, Grilled Dorade, Big Eye Tuna list for a nice bistro dining experience. This Uruguayan
choose my favorite. Hungry Al sets the bar high to reach all or Sea Bass. I will admit this seafood destination is definitely restaurant/market with its European style décor delivers
the variables that make Hungry Al happy! I have to consider not a “Copper Fish”, but more like a well-deserved 4-starred excellent dishes that are more global in menu choices than
special drinks list, food quality, length of happy hour, service “Goldfish!” you would think. There is something for everyone here: pasta
and, of course, price. But every time I make my journey Fourth Stop—Japanese: When it comes to Sushi, or any dishes, Latin-flavored meat and seafood selections, pizzas,
back to Deerfield Beach I have a hard time resisting Luigi Japanese dishes, it’s a very individual tasting palate. But if home Gelato (24 flavors), sushi and wonderful pastries. Give
Di Roma. Every drink is half price, every appetizer is only I had to revisit any restaurant for the year it would be the this one a try and let me know if you agree.
$8, the food is amazingly good (ridiculous portion sizes) Omakase at Sushi Bou. If you want to get a taste of true Eighth Stop—Closing the Garage Door: Well,
Japanese sushi this pit stop delivers a high quality of fish now you have it Hungry Al has
along with artistic preparation. The best part is that you are delivered his all-time favorites.
Legal from page 13 only dining with a maximum of ten diners in a very intimate So, the next time you stop me in
setting. I assure you the knifing skills and plating is nothing the streets and request my best
application on a mobile device. In addition, willful action like the commercial corner sushi places we all frequently go I’m going to hand you this review.
to withhold records can result in criminal penalties on to on a weekly basis. Also, don’t expect a “boat” full of sushi I guarantee that these four or
board members. because here at Sushi Bou it’s all about the quality ingredients more golden spatula winners will
Owners can now request a detailed accounting of any that you would expect if you were visiting the great sushi also become your drive-to-dine
amounts owed to the association, and if the association establishments in Japan. favorites too!
does not timely respond any outstanding fines are
association did not give prior written notice of the fines. Second Helpings: A Favorite Recipe
waived if the fine is more than 30 days past due and the

Associations are now limited with regard to
heating or ventilating system if a substantially similar from the Past Pages Of Boca Club
restricting improvements for HVAC, refrigeration,
system had been previously approved. Association
displaying vegetable gardens and clotheslines in areas News…Chocolate Nut Brittle
also cannot prevent a homeowner from installing or

not visible from the parcel’s frontage, an adjacent parcel,
common area or community golf course. Special event? Chocoholics will go nutty over this recipe Directions:
The fine review committee procedure has been that will serve as a snack, dessert or party favorite for any 1) Mix the nuts, sugar and water in heavy saucepan.
substantially clarified before a fine can be imposed. age. 2) Bring to a boil and cook to 310 degrees.
There must be 14 days’ written notice of the parcel Yield: Serves 6 to 8 people 3) Spread out on greased cookie sheet and let cool before
owner’s right to a hearing and the hearing must be held Ingredients: dipping in melted chocolate.
with 90 days of notice (the hearing may now be by 2 cups Mixed Nuts (Pecans, Almonds, Pistachios and Note: Melt chocolate either in microwave or double
phone or electronic means). If the committee imposes Walnuts) boiler.
a fine, they must provide written findings related to the 1 cup Sugar Microwave at 50% power for a minute at a time,
violation and give 30 days to pay the fine from the date ½ cup Water stirring in between until melted, or over a double boiler,
of such written decision and findings are delivered. In 14 ozs. Dark Chocolate stirring until melted.
addition, no attorney’s fees may be imposed unless the
fine or violation is not cured after the time for payment
or compliance has expired.
These new rules are designed to reign in a perceived
lack of control in condominium and homeowner’s
associations. Whether these will be successful is yet to
be seen.