Page 15 - Boca Club News - February '22

Boca Club News, Page 15
Dining Out: I Was Purring All the Way Through this Meal!

By Alan Serinsky of Bocaire First Impressions: If you have ever eaten at the well- Straight From the Kitchen: Hungry D loves anything
Country Club. Hungry Al’s love established Rebel House, you’ll know what to expect at the that ends with a Taco in its name. The Alley’s version is
for food started very young. Alley Cat. Chef Eric Baker has made the transition to bring a King Crab Taco ($28) that is like nothing you have ever
Never satisfied with his Mom’s his own excellence to this new Asian fusion starter. It’s no had before. We are talking about the freshest and sweetest
dishes, he started to cook his surprise that he’s off the starting blocks in a big way. My king crab that roams the ocean floors. Surprisingly, Chef
way through her “Betty Crocker son-in-law, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, happens to be a Eric has creatively utilized the nori seaweed in a process
Cookbook.” During the years Sushi fanatic and already had this one on his radar. that results in a taco shell much like a Parmesan crisp.
to follow he spent many hours To locate this hidden alley, go no further than the well- Don’t pass this one up. I assure you these tiny but mighty
working in restaurants, both as server and cook, attending known “Pink Mall” off of Federal Hwy, south of Mizner bites will have you debating if a second helping is needed.
cooking classes and traveling the world in an effort to Park. And yes… if you eat at one of the outside tables it Hungry Al honed in immediately on the Miso Sea Bass
expand his palette. As a professional writer, Hungry Al seems like an alley. The interior is mostly made up of an ($37). Rarely have I had a miso sea bass that is prepared
offers his perspective on current food trends and guides extended bar and a few high-tops and seated tables. Don’t properly. But his recipe deserves to float to the top of the list.
you through your local restaurant options. expect décor renovations fit for a pedigree. This one is This buttery melt-in-your-mouth tender fish is so perfectly
basically a street cat. I also highly recommend reservations complemented by the brushing of a glaze consisting of
The Alley Cat during the weekends. yellow miso, mirin, and sake to offer just a hint of sweetness.
409 SE Mizner Blvd. Prime Your Taste Buds: For me, there was no way I The best part of this dish is how the sea bass is presented.
Boca Raton, FL 33432 was passing up a taste of their quality Sushi. I certainly This beautiful charred fish was delivered in a wooden bowl
www.alleycatboca.com had done my homework and know that one of the partners soaking in a rich Dashi butter broth, joined by charred gem
in this venture is David Bouhadana from Sunset Sushi. If lettuce and shitake mushrooms.
Food for Thought: There were simply two reasons you haven’t been there, I assure you it’s a true Japanese From the Dessert Tray: Unfortunately, this Alley Cat
why I decided to catwalk my way to this new restaurant. experience. only has one sweet tooth, but this week it was a good one.
First, and most sentimental reason, is that our cat Maxi Hungry Al (that’s me) decided on the King Salmon Advertised as a Key Lime Brulee ($12), it was only partially
passed away during the Christmas Holiday, and anything ($14) tasting, comprised of four distinctly separate sushi right. Made in house, this version was more like a key lime
“cat” related is foremost on my mind. So, it seemed fitting preparations. I was flapping my fins with every bite I took. pie with a caramelized sugar topping. Even though this
that Alley Cat was an appropriate choice. Secondly, I just To best explain the quality of fish, it was like the salmon Alley Cat is a little mischievous, it didn’t disappoint. The
got fed up with the quality of Sushi at my current “go to” was reeled in from the ocean and delivered to our table lime filling was seated on a squared shortbread crust and
favorite stop. I know you probably want me to confess its within the last 24 hours. From the beginning slice with dill, packed with a fresh key lime juice taste and a silky sweet
name, but I won’t. next one truffle topped, followed by a seared version, and texture. Baker Al is certainly going to try to duplicate this
For years I had been a samurai loyal to this location, finally the Yuzu Kosho preparation. Even the sticky rice is one at home!
but for some reason the Sushi chef’s sword started slicing exceptionally pefect in texture and taste. Believe me, you Check Please: Sometimes you have to go outside the
fish like he was cutting lox at a deli. As they say, “as thin won’t be disappointed. grid to find what you’ve been missing. An adventure to this
as you can!” Here, a simple Rainbow Roll was simply an Note: The Cat also has an Omakase ($36), consisting cattery was a joy from the moment we opened the door.
understated California Roll. of eight pieces beautifully displayed by the chef. Greeted by a staff of friendly waitresses, wearing cute cat-
For many of us, we tend to gravitate to restaurants we feel Hungry D, being the health conscious one of this duo, ear headdresses, was a clear indication someone was making
most comfortable with, or find to be predictable in its menu was happy to select the House Salad ($12). I know we sure that your first impression would not be your last.
and food preparation. Unfortunately, this is a double-edged all think of a house salad being comprised of a bunch of Every detail—from service to food quality and
sword because even though we can rely on consistency, lettuce pieces, one slice of cucumber, a token watered-down preparation—was well planned to make sure your
we don’t challenge our palates or expand our awareness of tomato and a sprinkle of carrots for color. This is not your experience in the alley was cat-worthy. Whether you’re a cat
innovating styles of cooking or ingredients. ordinary house salad! Instead, it is a well composed and lover or not, this
For me then, this visit to the newly opened Alley Cat generously portioned mix of gem lettuce, quality hearts of one will have you
was a revelation of what it’s like to eat quality sushi, and palm, perfectly ripe avocados, cashews and a sweet citrus clawing your way
how a seasoned chef is delivering a menu that will have me dressing. back for more. No
pawing for another return. way we could not give Alley Cat five big golden cat paws!

Serving over 112,000 satisfied customers since 1976

Boca Raton • 10% Off All Your
And
South Florida’s Plumbing Repairs
Largest Plumbing
Service Company! • Boca’s #1 Service
Plumber For 46 Years
- LEAK DETECTION Since 1976
Residential & Commercial in walls or under slab
(up to 12 feet underground) • Rated A+ With BBB
- TUNNEL EXPERTS
We Dig Tunnels Under Buildings & Houses to • Tunnel Experts
Replace Your Water or Sewer Lines - No need to
leave your home! We DO NOT cut your floors • Leak Experts
20% OFF - TOILET REPAIRS • Saturday & Sunday

GARBAGE DISPOSALS - WATER HEATER – No Extra Charge
SB REPLACEMENTS (9 A.M. To 4 P.M.)

20% OFF and Much More! • Repair Or Replace Toilets

TOILET REPAIRS OR RESIDENTIAL 10% OFF
TOILET STOPPAGES • Repair Or Replace
SB
All Plumbing Repairs Water Heaters Or

$ 100 OFF Garbage Disposals

A+ Rated (BBB)
ANY NEW TOILET Florida Licensed and Insured • Backflow Repairs Or
With Installation SB CFC1427238 -CG1508546
Certifications
Weekend Service
$ 100 OFF AT NO EXTRA CHARGE • Faucet Repairs Or
9am - 4pm

ALL WATER HEATERS Help Is Replacements
100% SATISFACTION
SB GUARANTEED! Only A • We Will Install Your

561-279-2460 Boca Raton Call Away! Plumbing Fixtures