Ira's in Boca Raton
 

Hi all,

We are in the midst of our annual pilgrimage to Boca Raton, where temps are in the 70’s and some people wear sweaters because it’s chilly.

I thought I would report on what we find interesting enough to report on.

Tiramisu-Le Vieux Paris
170 W. Camino Real Boca Raton (561) 368-7910

Le Vieux Paris has recently come under new ownership, and its offerings have been expanded to include Italian, as well as French, traditional cooking.

The room is very reminiscent of Belle Epoque Paris, with stained glass wall and ceiling panels, old knick knacks on shelves, etc.

We were there last night.

Service was very prompt and discreet, even though the restaurant was full.

The specials of fish, crab and foie gras were pleasant but not outstanding.

Choices from the fixed price menu (appetizer, main, dessert) were of good quality and could hold their own with similar places in France.

A very pleasant dinner at a reasonable price, if you stick to the tried and true.

FP menu - $28.50 + tax and tip.

((I))

Hi Ira. Welcome to my neck of the woods. What does dinner run at Le Vieux Paris?

Oops, I need to learn how to read...

Cimbrone, I had no idea you lived in Florida!!!!!

Bouche_de_Souris is my next screen name!

Ira,
Your dates? I'll wear my Blue.

Thanks for your review. I used to live very close to that restaurant but never went. I didn't know if it was supposed to be good or not.

Sounds like fun, Ira! I've always wanted to trek to Boca Raton - I'll enjoy reading about your sojourn.

Hi all,

In past years, I have done nearly all of my shopping at Kings on Military Trail.

Yesterday, however, we were somewhat disappointed. It is under new management and has become somewhat more gentrified.

The fresh fish is still good, and the eggplant parmegean is still good, but we found the overall offerings to be less to our liking and less of a bargain than last year.

We are now shopping at the The Fresh Market on Camino Real near the yuppy Publix (and arouond the corner from Tiramisu-Le Vieux Paris).

((I))

Topping.

Ira, I find it hard to believe that you bypassed Paris AND Venice for the "rat's mouth!"

If you haven't been down to visit http://www.vizcayamuseum.org/ it makes for a nice day trip. ;)

Nice report Ira !!!

Hey Dukey,

This is our annual pilgrimage to visit my Lady Wife's aunt.

No alternatives are allowed.

Hi MC,

Good idea. We have been there several times.

Thanks, Bo

((I))

I prefer Whole Foods on Glades just east of I-95 to Fresh Market. They just expanded. Check it out.

And if you like Mexican food at all, you have to try Baja Cantina just north of Palmetto Park, across the train tracks from Dixie Highway.

Thanks, Cimbrone.

Whole Foods it is.

((I))

We stopped off this afternoon at Sonny's Gelato 2151 N. Federal Hwy, just N of Glades Rd.

A very nice selection of flavors. The Cassetta Siciliana was very tasty.

(The lady behind the counter recently arrived from Sicily and was pleased with my choice).

Not the best gelato we have had, but quite acceptable.

((I))

I love this Ira. Keep the info coming. How long will you be there?

Ahhhh - shopping at Pubix in Boca. Them were the days

Hi all,

As we entered the second, and last, week of our sojourn we went to dinner at "J B's Blue Water Grill", 4800 West Hillsboro Blvd (about 1 blk W of Lyons Rd)
954 570 3232

They've just opened and are still getting out some minor bugs, but this is a very nice place, with a friendly atmosphere, good food and good service.

It's a large, glass-walled room with a nautical theme.

Mostly booths, largge bar with a projection TV.

Outdoor bar and seating area, with drinks at, for here, reasonable prices (about $8 for a Martini).

A large, but not varied, wine list (eg 8 chardonnay, 1 fume blanc, 1 sauvignon blanc) at reasonable prices.

We started with 6 Atlantic ($13) and 6 Pacific ($10) oysters on 1/2 shell. These were nice size (not large), fresh and very tasty. Good briney flavor.

Roberta had the Blue Crab Club Wrap - $11.50 and I had the Fisherman's Stew - $19.

Both were very good. I highly recommend the stew.

Key Lime pie for dessert, was proper Key Lime - yellow, not green or white - with Graham cracker crust. Real Florida.

Dinner, including 4 drinks at the bar, 1 bottle + 1 glass white wine, oysters and dessert, tax and tip - $160.


((i))

Hasn't been much to report on.

Dinner last night at The Grand Lux Cafe (6000 Glades Rd - next to Sears in the Town Center).

A very large room, done in Hollywood's (or Las Vegas's) idea of a grand Mediterranean hotel, eclectically decorated and furnished in Etruscan, Greek, Roman, Italian, Spanish, French, Byzantine, Venetian, Egyptian and Moroccan.

Call ahead for reservations, as there was a 40 min wait at 7:15.

We shared a table with a pleasant local couple. Drinks were so-so at $8.50.

Dinner was:

a "Dim Sum" platter for 2 - $19.95 - with satays, ribs, shrimp, spring roll, bean salad, ... - not at all bad.

BBQ smoked planked salmon - very tasty accompanied with a corn and bean salad, onion rings and mashed potatoes piped around the perimeter of the plank - $18.95.

Zen Noodles - rice linguini and chicken breast in a very testy lemon-grass flavored chicken broth with bean sprouts on the side.

A bottle of Horse Heaven Sauvignon blanc - $38 - went well with the above.

1 cappuccino - very generous serving, very tasty - $4.25
1 coffee - 2.75

Total with tax and tip - $123.

Don't get the Key Lime Pie - it's green.

((I))