Page 13 - Boca Club News - July '20

Boca Club News, Page 13
Dining Out: The Review

That’s Been Sitting On My Shelf Way Too Long!

By Alan Serinsky of Bocaire. only difference here is that the hanging nostalgic artifacts There is also a huge selection of gourmet sandwiches to
Hungry Al’s love of food started are authentically heirloom treasures of the owners. I should choose from. We all shared the mega-sized Classic Turkey
young. Never satisfied at the make note that the TGIF chain has eliminated their low- ($13.45) sandwich, and here at La Boulangerie the turkey
family dinner table with his hanging fruit decorations because it had lost its appeal to breast is cooked in-house fresh daily.
Mom’s dishes, he started to cook the younger generations of coffee sippers. Now for dinner, the cafe attempts to deliver a few
his own way through her Betty The second most noticeable decor is the mega, full- good options. A good start would be their Bravia Salad
Crocker cookbook. His food walled blackboard that resides behind the food counter. delivering enough beets to make two gallons of Borscht.
journey consisted of working Most of the board surface is taken up by informational This beet carpaccio is sliced paper-thin, then rolled sushi
many restaurants both as server and cook, attending messaging along with some almost cute “quips and sayings.” style mounded on mixed greens with goat cheese, apples,
numerous cooking classes, and traveling the world in an For instance: “Coffee is always a good idea,” “Think almonds and dressed in a balsamic olive oil vinaigrette. Not
effort to expand his palette of different flavors and cuisines. positive,” “Roll with it,” “Leave me alone” and “Good to be missed.
As a professional writer, Hungry Al will give you his morning honey.” To stay with the international theme, La Boulangerie cafe
perspective on current food trends and guide you through The cafe seats a total of 75 people in scattered tables and attempts a variety of Pasta dishes. I did sample the Lasagna
your local restaurant choices. chairs, and outside seating has yet to be determined. When ($13.95) and this deconstructed version was not winning
it comes to comfort, I was disappointed in their choice of over my accolades, nor would it on any Italian menu.
La Boulangerie urbanized seating. The steel construction was quite hard on From The Pastry Counter! As a good ending treat,
Town Center Mall the bottom, and here a donut to sit on would be wiser than you have many options at this bakery. Mousse dominates
6000 Glades Rd. the one to eat. the sweet counter, with selections such as: Dulce De Leche,
1048A More Than Just Coffee! Since this is a cafe style bistro, Nutella or Chocolate Mousse. You might opt for their
Boca Raton, FL 33431 it would serve you better if I gave you my rundown on the Cheese Cake Pecan Pie, Tiramisu or other Danish, knowing
(561) 361-8820 different items we shared around the table. But first let that they are all baked fresh on the premises daily.
Hungry Al (that’s me) discuss the main attraction: Coffee! Or, you might settle for their sweet Nutccino, which is
Food for Thought: It was early February, 2020 and I know all coffee is always judged by your last Starbuck’s their version of Cappuccino with lots and lots of Nutella
everything was just fine in the world of dining out! Then cup. For you diehard coffee drinkers, I’m not sure if La and Chocolate drizzle everywhere.
came March, April, June, and all of our social amenities Boulangerie will have you cashing in your “buck” credits Check Please: I understand that sometimes restaurants
were turned upside down. Bars, restaurants, and even food just yet. To me the taste of coffee has to be “eaten.” It’s like or cafes try to cover the demands of all international cuisines
trucks were parked with closed signs on their doors. you almost want to chew your cup of daily fuel. As for La while running the risk of trying to be everything to everyone.
The worst circumstances were for the new restaurants Boulangerie, their coffee succeeds on this level with the And here, too, La Boulangerie skates on thin ice to do just
that were either in construction or those ready to unlock exception of needing a fork and knife. that.
their doors and welcome new patrons. For these enterprises Breakfast...Lunch...Dinner! Now for what lies beyond But considering what everybody has been through in the
the outlook was bleak and the outcome disastrous. the cup of brew. Regardless of what time of day you eat last several months, who cares if the menu is challenging
To unexpectedly shut down regardless of reason does breakfast, La Boulangerie is serving up plenty of early as long as the food is good. I can only tell you that before
not make your expenses and obligations just disappear. morning treats. I totally recommend their omelets. I sampled the lockdown, La Boulangerie coffee was steaming hot with
Unfortunately, millions of dollars and good credit slipped the Feta Cheese Omelette ($13.95), and this huge portion flavor, the bakery was filled with calorie-sweet treats, and
away. delivered a mixed scrambled egg creation that would deliver the international dishes were true to its cultural roots.
This sounds depressing. But, hopefully, we all have done a high omelet rating if there was such a thing. No brown Therefore, I’m going
our jobs at helping our local food favorites stay afloat with scoring of burnt butter, inferior cheese or chunky vegetables to give them a Hungry
supporting their takeout and deliveries. And, just maybe… in this morning protein. Al vaccine of 4 golden
when the dust settles we will not lose most of them. And as a nod to the French, you can partake in a Croque coffee cups to get them
One particular restaurant that I hope has fought off Madame ($13.85), which is a crispy baguette layered with perked up for a successful
the financial sting of this virus is La Boulangerie in Town ‘Black Forest Ham’, Swiss Cheese, then nestled under two new reopening!
Center. Just before the doors slammed closed, I went to do Fried Eggs, Tomatoes, and a touch of Béchamel sauce. That
a media review of this Café and Bakery. certainly is a wakeup call for your digestive system!
Please give them a chance. I’m sure you’re going to As for lunch, you can switch continents and try their
like what they have to offer. Here you’ll discover a blend delicious gourmet empanadas. There are the standard beef
of both worlds of French and Latin cuisine. Thankfully, and chicken, but for an Amazon taste of Latin American I
you will not have to use any frequent flyer miles to enjoy would suggest you give the Spanish chorizo and caramelized
a good cup of “Joe” and taste some good homegrown bites onion empanada a try.
from two different culinary cultures. The savory flavor of the sausage is perfectly balanced
First Impressions: The first observation you’ll notice with the sweetness of the candy-tasting caramelized onions
when entering La Boulangerie is its resemblance to a that resonated from the crispy-baked pastry of the tortilla
brewed down version of Friday’s restaurant decor. The shell.
Grape Expectations:

This Summer’s Trendiest Drink!

By Ed Wolfarth, who recently moved Orange wines are different. They are made from white
to South Florida after retiring with grapes (Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, etc.) with
his wife, Vicki, as Professor of Sports the skins left in during fermentation. What we have are
Sciences & Physical Education at white grapes with long periods of skin contact extracting
both Queens College and Hofstra most of the tannins, pigment and phenols. While the color
University. He is a nationally ranked of orange wines is relatively light, make no mistake: these
senior tennis player and long-time wines are somewhat bold and robust. They often taste a bit New to Medicare
USPTA Elite Teaching Professional. sour, with a nuttiness associated with fruit beer. They pair
Ed has written many educational and well with such bold dishes as curries and Asian cuisines. or turning 65?
tennis articles in the past. Over the past few years, Ed has Orange wine-making has been around for centuries.
turned his hobby of wine collecting into a way of continuing Italy, Slovenia and Georgia are leading proponents of Get Medicare ready!
his passion for writing, and has written on the subject for “skin-fermented” wines, but little has ever been exported,
publications. As a self-proclaimed “wine snob,” he has until only recently. California, Australia and France also
collaborated on many wine lists for private clubs and a produce orange wines. On Long Island, Shinn and Channing Call your local, licensed sales
few restaurants. Ed can be reached at wolfarthe@msn.com. Daughters are experimenting with Sauvignon Blanc and agent for a free consultation.*
Step aside Rosé, there’s a new sheriff in town. Hot making a “skin-fermented” version of orange wine.
weather usually calls for a chilled white or Rosé, but If you’re ready to try something different---and isn’t Peter Gratzon
the millennial generation, and others, have discovered a that what it’s all about?---I suggest you go to an exclusive Office: 561-361-7173 (TTY: 711)
variation that satisfies your taste for a chilled one but with wine shop and consult with a knowledgeable staff member. Cell: 561-289-9396
a bit more buzz. Orange wine (and it doesn’t come from You won’t find orange wines at Publix or Costco, and be PGratzon@gmail.com
oranges)---or as we grape nuts like to call it, “skin-fermented prepared to pay a bit more since these wines have not yet Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
wine”---has been around for quite some time, but only been given the “two buck chuck’ treatment! Make sure, also,
recently became popular at trendy foodie emporiums on that you are sitting down when you try one, since they pack
both coasts. a bit more punch than your average Rosé. A good starting
Rosé wines are made from red grapes with little contact point: If you like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, try a
with the skins during fermentation. This yields the classic skin-fermented version of the same grape.
light and drinkable style called Rose. You see Rosé wines While I can’t personally recommend any (haven’t tried *No obligation to enroll.
from Cabernet, Merlot, Grenache, etc.--all red grapes. one yet), I’m looking forward to my first orange wine. I’ll
You will not find a Rosé made from a white grape, such as keep you posted. Y0040_GHHHXDDEN_20_C
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling.