Page 15 - Boca Club News - January '20

Boca Club News, Page 15
Dining Out: Will You Be The Sole “Survivor”

In This Mad Max Post-Apocalyptic Eatery?

Rex Baron So, put on your war gear and go conquer the art of on a 600-million-year-old Pink Himalayan Salt Block or a
Town Center Mall survival at this new society in Boca. Lava Rock heated to 350 degrees. With an in-house butcher
(Nordstrom Wing) First Impressions: Do you remember Da Vinci’s of you’ll experience the finest steaks and local seafood. Note:
6000 Glades Road Boca? If so, you will still remember most of it on your return Swordfish and Scallops were excellent.
Boca Raton, FL visit. The folks from the Rex Gryphon restaurant group did a As for starters, enjoy Tuna Tartare (really good!),
(561) 447-6993 clever job of mixing the old and the new. They were able to Chicken Pesto Flatbreads, Mushroom Ricotta Toast, Lamb
paste together the upscale décor of the previous owners with Lollipops, or their delicious Frisee with Quinoa Salad.
Food For Thought: First, a museum filled with dystopian murals, vigilante sculptures, There’s also a great selection of sandwiches. Your pick:
let me state--this is not a restaurant food review. That would designer leather booths, welder helmets, copper skulls, and Shrimp Po’ Boy, Grilled Portobello, or their signature Rex
require that I actually came during normal restaurant hours prop guns hanging from the rafters in the old TGIF style. Baron Burger.
and ate a normal full-course meal. In the case of Rex Baron, The outside patio is definitely an upgrade with interesting There’s also plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free
your first introduction is going to be an opening party along aged metal barrels blasting with fire to help accent the options on the menu.
with a sampling of its menu. ambiance. The Check Please: In this case there was “no” check.
To be fair, I’m just one of about a hundred others who The Virtual Reality Experience: This virtual In an effort of good marketing these openings are always
survived an evening of what I would label a marriage of experience is just now becoming mainstream. For those of complimentary. As for Rex Baron, you’re going to love
Mad Max and Dave & Busters. I do need to confess upfront you who have not studied up on this technology, please let it or hate it. If you like the idea of cooking on lava rocks,
that I’m not an advocate of “theme” restaurants. Maybe in me explain. As in Rex Baron, you’ll sit in a swivel chair, the opportunity to experience virtual reality, drinking a
Disney World or on a cruise ship I would succumb to its be given a headset that covers both eyes, handed a control cocktail called the “Flame Thrower,” and even hitting the
environmental distractions, but in a stand-alone at Town joystick, and ask for an experience you want to enjoy links on a golf simulator, then Rex is a marriage made in
Center the “jury is out.” off a menu. Within moments you’ll be immersed into a an apocalyptic heaven.
So, what is it that might make this appetizing Armageddon 360-degree 3-D visual wonderland. For a couple dollars a If you’d rather have a chef cook your prime steak on a
your next Fury Road stop? It could be the virtual reality minute you can witness firsthand what it’s like to walk in grill, believe you might get dizzy utilizing virtual reality
lounge or the IV bag-hanging cocktails. Have an interest space, climb Mt. Everest, adventure on a safari, leap from headsets, seem confused by this societal collapse décor, or
in bejeweled gas masks, and dust-crusted war gear on a plane and dive the ocean floor. want a straight up Martini with blue cheese stuffed olives,
mannequin torsos? Want to cook your own food Melting-Pot The Sampling: As I mentioned above, it’s hard for then this Thunderdome of Mad Max chaos is probably going
style, over heated stone? anyone to review food that’s delivered in small portions to be a doomsday evening out.
If you have an affinity for what’s described above, then to an onslaught of partiers. But let me try to give you a So, in total fairness I’m not going to rate Rex Baron.
Rex Baron could be for you. It’s certainly different. And it glimpse of what to expect. As advertised, this might be the This one is solely up to you. Go and experience what the
does deliver an interactive dining experience infused with “hottest table in town.” Here at Rex Baron you can be your future holds for yourself. If you survive, please report back
what they describe as the “art of food.” own chef. Just like a vigilante survivor, you get to cook to me your findings.
Grape Expectations: Alternative White Wines

By Ed Wolfarth, who recently moved acidity, perfect with fish and salads. Albarinos (pronounce sweet was ‘in.’ While I happen to enjoy the Kabinett level
to South Florida after retiring with the ‘n’ as in onion) are fruity and floral and can be fleshy wines of Germany, the Rieslings of the Clare and Eden
his wife, Vicki, as Professor of Sports in their mouth-feel. Martin Codax is a reliable producer Valleys offer wines of zesty acidity and intense fruit flavors.
Sciences & Physical Education at and offers a wonderful example of Albarino with its ripe These wines have a small cult following and are delicious.
both Queens College and Hofstra fruity taste and balanced acidity. It should be readily found If you find one you like, buy it by the case. Look for wines
University. He is a nationally ranked in your local wine shop for around $15 a bottle and has, from Grosset. While the Polish Hill is a bit pricey ($40),
senior tennis player and long- time more recently, appeared on many local wine lists. For an the Pewsey Vale is under $20 and an exceptional example
USPTA Elite Teaching Professional. outstanding version of 100% Albarino, seek out Pazos of a dry Riesling.
Ed has written many educational and De Luzco.This bodega consistently produces the finest Alsatian Wines - In Alsace, in the northeast corner of
tennis articles in the past. Over the past few years, Ed has examples of Albarino made in Spain. France, near the German border, some of the great white
turned his hobby of wine collecting into a way of continuing The Verdejo grape is mostly grown in an area called wines of the world are being produced. I have stocked up
his passion for writing, and has written on the subject for Rueda, in central Spain. This DO, or denomination of on two of my favorites for many years, Pinot Gris and
publications. As a self-proclaimed “wine snob,” he has origin, is a wine-producing region. There are over 80 such Gewurtztraminer. Alsatian Pinot Gris, while made from the
collaborated on many wine lists for private clubs and a DOs in Spain. The Verdejo grape is characterized by a same grape as Italian Pinot Grigio, should not be confused
few restaurants. Ed can be reached at wolfarthe@msn.com. fruity sweetness and a slightly bitter after taste. My favorite with its distant and lighter cousin. Alsatian Pinot Gris has
Many of us have settled for the ubiquitous Kim Crawford producer of 100% Verdejo is Naia. This bodega consistently lower acidity, more alcohol and a spicy full-bodied texture.
Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand or any pedestrian produces excellent Verdejos at fair prices. While their Naia Gewurtztraminer is an entirely different cat! Its distinctive
Pinot Grigio from Italy and, of course, an oaky California (my favorite) and Las Brisas wines can be found with a bit lychee nut flavor, spice and bit of sweetness make it the
Chardonnay, as our default white wine choice. of research, recently I was able to order their Naiades, at the perfect match for spicy Asian cuisine. My go-to wine for all
Please allow me to suggest and fill you in on some Wine Wave in Delray. This Verdejo is generally thought to Asian foods---Hugel, Zind-Humbrecht and Trimbach---are
alternative white wines that you may not be as familiar with. be Spain’s finest white wine. I did, a few years ago, find it at worth searching out when looking for an Alsatian Riesling.
And, best of all, many of these are found on restaurant wine a restaurant in Spain. It certainly lived up to its reputation. Oregon Pinot Gris - Like Alsatian Pinot Gris, not to be
lists and in your local wine shop. Other than Albarino and Verdejo, I would also try any wine confused with Pinot Grigio, this full-bodied, dry white is
Spanish White Wines - My two favorites, readily found made from the Godello grape. Its high glycerol level and more readily found these days. A to Z Pinot Gris, Erath and
in your local wine shops, are Verdejos and Albarinos. These acidity makes for some distinctive white wines with higher Ponzi make terrific examples of this varietal.
indigenous grapes of Spain produce some wonderfully alcohol content than most whites. Muscadet - Since we’ve mentioned seafood wines, you
refreshing whites. The Albarino wines of Rias Baixas Australian Dry Riesling - Yes, I said Riesling! And, cannot dismiss the classic Muscadet. Made from the Melon
certainly fill the bill as a quintessential summer wine. Rias I did say dry. Not all Riesling is sweet. You may have de Bourgogne grape in the Loire Valley, near the Atlantic
Baixas is north of Portugal along the Atlantic coast in Spain. been familiar with Blue Nun or Liebfraumilsch. Those Ocean, these wines are light and fresh with hints of lemon
The cool ocean breezes make for a crisp wine with fine introductory German Rieslings came along at a time when and sea breezes. At its best, Muscadet can be richer and more
age-worthy, but I prefer to drink its young, recent vintages.
Plumbing rePairs • locate leaks • rePair toilets • Faucets & Water Heaters Look for Sevre et Maine on the bottle for the best examples.
Muscadet can easily be found for less than $15 a bottle.
Torrontes - This is an indigenous Argentine white
10% OFF grape that is showing up on many restaurant wine lists. It
has moderate acidity, a smooth texture and hints of peach
.com any PluMbing and apricot on the nose. Alamos, Bodega Colome and

Family owned & operated since 1976 work! Alta Vista have been showing up in many wine shops and
some restaurant wine lists. They’re affordable (under $15
100% satisfacton guaranteed! retail, which means at a restaurant you may pay $30- $35.)
service calls available • sat. & sun. 9:00 aM - 4:00 PM www.Plumbingexperts.com A wonderful accompaniment to a variety of foods, and a
At no extrA cost serving boca For 45 years! terrific alternative to your usual choice.
There are so many alternative whites that not only will
satisfy your taste but might even save you a few dollars.
Free When dining out, the comfortable choice is always there
service call .com but trying something different, stepping out of the box so
to speak, can be exciting and rewarding. You really need
with any repair 561.279.2460 to try some of these “other” white wines. You will not be
No expiration date. Save until you need us. Not valid with other disappointed.
offers or prior services. Limit one coupon per service call. Happy drinking!!
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