Page 14 - Boca Club News - January '25

Page 14, Boca Club News

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

Dining Out: A Chophouse Offer You Can’t Refuse!

By Alan Serinsky of Bocaire gone on this corner of Federal Hwy. The last three were The The easy hand on the marinara sauce was exactly the way
Country Club. Hungry Al’s love Ovenella, The Little Chalet and Locale. Now we have Deluca’s you would get it delivered from any kitchen in Italy.
for food started very young. Never Chophouse that is rolling the dice on having a Godfather theme Hungry S came with a hungry appetite this evening and
satisfied with his Mom’s dishes, he to draw all those New Yorkers back to their Italian roots. But decided to challenge herself by ordering the Hulk-sized Veal
started to cook his way through herein lies my rub. Chop Parmigiana ($58). This huge pounded (probably with
her “Betty Crocker Cookbook.” The dining room is like something out of an Italian wedding. a sledgehammer) breaded and pan sautéed chop was plenty
During the years to follow he Gold lacquered banquet chairs (very uncomfortable), a hanging to conquer her hunger pains and enough left over for me to
spend many hours working in John Travolta spinning-lit disco ball, television screens looping polish off.
restaurants, both as server and cook, attending cooking classes Godfather movies, a female wedding singer skating around way As for Hungry Al, my selection was the Veal Marsala
and traveling the world in an effort to expand his palette. As a too loud at times, and a different waiter at every turn. I might ($34). If you like this dish you won’t be disappointed. The chef
professional writer, Hungry Al offers his perspective on current consider a Happy Hour at the nice extended bar on my return. utilized the Marsala wine perfectly to give it that subtle sweet
food trends and guides you through your local restaurant options. Prime Your Taste Buds: First to note...the bread basket flavor and added enough veal stock to deliver a silky-smooth
was average and the tinfoil butter pats need to stay at the sauce, all enhancing the tender veal and sautéed mushrooms.
Deluca’s Chophouse local Denny’s. As for your wine-by-the-glass, you can expect Note: The Chophouse label added to this restaurant’s
499 S. Federal Hwy., a carafe pour of 5-6 ozs. for about $14. So don’t complain to name is there for a reason. You have an array of USDA Prime
Boca Raton, FL 33432 the “boss”; just order a bottle. cut meats from a Tomahawk for Two 40 oz. ($149) for those
561-677-8863 To start off we all decided to share a few of Deluca’s with a big appetite to a Bone-in Ribeye 22 oz. ($78).
delucaschophouse.com appetizers. First up was the traditional meatball evaluation. From the Dessert Tray: Yes...here at Deluca’s “you can
Food for Thought: Have you ever been to a place that This is a priority item off the menu that I find hard to resist. leave the gun and take the Cannoli” ($13). This crisp pastry
instantly sparks childhood memories? Well, my recent visit to Thankfully, Deluca’s Homemade Meatball ($14) wasn’t on our was filled with rich sweetened ricotta cheese and will have
Deluca’s Chophouse was certainly one of those places. It brought “hit list.” This bocce ball size combination of veal, beef and you wanting a double order. Or, you can have the traditional
back the same feeling I had when my Dad took the family to pork was delicious and every fork got a piece of the action. Tiramisu ($13) or New York Cheesecake. But our waiter
Little Italy in NYC. I reminisced walking down a few steps into We then scooped up every Clams Casino ($19) like they were highly recommended Arianna’s Butter Cake ($15). This
a basement restaurant that had that Godfather feeling. What also candy out of a bowl. The clams were tender and not overly gooey buttery crumb cake was advertised to melt in your
resonated was the ever-familiar greeting my Dad got when he stuffed, allowing for the clam to take center stage. The Caesar mouth (overstated) with vanilla ice cream and fresh berries.
approached the tuxedo-dressed Maître D’. Obviously, there was Salad ($18) was a Caesar Salad! I’m still scratching my head It was a great suggestion and the table left the plate clean.
a personal connection, one that I hesitated to ask about. how the price of some chopped romaine lettuce and a few Check Please: Even though I felt like I was reliving Saturday
As a kid these types of theme restaurants were fun and croutons got to be so expensive. Night Fever without my long-lost peach leisure suit (yes...I owned
interesting. But as I’ve gotten older they seem less impressive Straight From the Kitchen: Hungry H was flapping his one), Deluca’s Chophouse shot straight hitting all the targets on
and more Disney-like. This type of décor initiative seems to fins for Butterfly Branzino ($48) that was pan seared with good food and service. As all good mobsters know...always keep
play to our senses, not our stomachs. I personally find them to a white wine lemon sauce. The chef masterfully treated an eye on the door. And from where I was sitting it seems that
be more of a distraction than an enhancement to how I envision the sauce with lemon to enhance but not overpower the Deluca’s is drawing a crowd even on a non-weekend night.
my evening will unfold. All Hungry Al asks for is an evening of delicacy of this fish. It was joined by a few Jumbo Asparagus As for the Hungry Squad, we neither danced a disco nor sang
togetherness with friends or family, great conversations, a sip of and Sautéed Spinach that were both seasoned and cooked a duet with the entertainer, but we did leave with the satisfaction
good wine, well prepared quality food and a kiss from my bride! properly. I think you could net this fish for two. of a great meal. If you’re looking for a piece of Vegas nostalgia
Deluca’s thankfully delivered on most of these requests. Hungry D went for a true taste of Italian cuisine, the or a theatre-like Al Capone atmosphere, why not give it a try?
First Impressions: This location has been through the homemade Bucatini pasta ($22). This was not found on the So as not to “dis” the family we
revolving restaurant doors of Boca for some time. It would menu but chef nicely accommodated her request. The pasta decided to give Deluca’s three and
take two hands to count the establishments that have come and was spectacular and, thankfully, not over- nor under-cooked. a half Golden Disco Balls.

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