Page 14 - Boca Club News - June '22

Page 14, Boca Club News

The Good Life: Dining, Drinks, Destinations

Dining Out: I’m Betting on Elisabetta!

By Alan Serinsky of Bocaire The menu here at Elisabetta is heavily pizza and pasta, drove home the reason why this well-seasoned meat was
Country Club. Hungry Al’s love but one thing that seems renaissance is how they added the best I’ve eaten in years.
for food started very young. an every-day-of-the-week special to the menu. My only To add to this feast, we decided to split the waiter-
Never satisfied with his Mom’s problem with that is, “Why is it that on Tuesday I want to recommended pasta dish called Paccheri ($29). These short
dishes, he started to cook his have the special they offer on Thursday?” pasta squares were masterfully laced with a wild mushroom
way through her “Betty Crocker Prime Your Taste Buds: The choices here are huge. mascarpone sauce. We licked the plate clean!
Cookbook.” During the years There are three categories of starters, ranging from the Hungry E and Hungry M both seem to have an affinity
to follow he spent many hours cocktail type consisting of olives, Parmigiano Reggiano for Bolognese. Elisabetta’s version comes with Rigatoni and
working in restaurants, both as server and cook, attending cheese, Coccoli Fritti (do not pass on these), Marcona scores on all levels. The pasta passed my texture taste with
cooking classes and traveling the world in an effort to Almonds, and Garlic bread. These item choices range from just enough bite to allow the semolina wheat to register its
expand his palette. As a professional writer, Hungry Al $7 to $14, or you can dig into your wallets and impress flour consistency. The meat ragout was rich and savory in
offers his perspective on current food trends and guides everyone at your table with the Grand Assortment ($42) of beef stock and sweet in flavor.
you through your local restaurant options. appetizer samplings. Menu Note: While pizza and pasta are a mainstay here at
Tonight, I indulged in the Meatballs ($13) since it has Elisabetta, you can’t pass on their excellent steaks. They also
Elisabetta always been my personal barometer to measure anything have the traditionally Italian meat entrees called Bistecca
32 East Atlantic Ave. Italian. These meatballs (4) in the shape of billiard balls either as a New York or Ribeye.
Delray Beach, FL 33444 were excellent. Perfect density, properly seasoned, and From The Dessert Tray: The desserts here are what
(561) 560-6699 reminded me of my hometown corner Italian restaurant you would expect from an Italian restaurant: the predictable
where, as a kid, Meatball Parmigiana sandwiches were my Tiramisu, Cannoli, Nonna’s Cheesecake and Gelato. We
Food For Thought: With over 15 Italian restaurants in staple. To this day I still crave them. opted for the Italian Ice Cream Sundae ($12). Can’t miss
Delray Beach, I’m going to declare it be renamed Little Italy. Hungry D and I also decided to split a Caprese Salad on three scoops of any flavor combination, chocolate sauce,
I’m not surprised. The other night I was watching Family ($13) that consisted of heirloom tomatoes (which actually fresh fruit and, of course, whipped cream. Sorry, no cherry
Feud. One of the questions was, “What is the number one tasted like tomatoes and not those hydroponic watery ones on top!
cuisine most people like to eat”? Survey says...Italian. we often see in the market) and, of course, creamy rich fresh Check Please: There are so many accolades that I can
So, with all these choices how do you determine what’s mozzarella. I wished they had more of a heavy hand on the give Elisabetta besides great ambiance, food and service.
your favorite? For me, I place my bet on Elisabetta on olive oil and balsamic drizzle. Easy fix...find the waiter! However, the ones that are rarely mentioned are the effort
Atlantic Ave. Straight From The Kitchen: Besides the daily specials, and expense of utilizing wood burning grills, the usage of
Elisabetta is another creation from the same folks who there are so many excellent dishes to choose from. Tonight, modern portable check-out devices so your credit card never
operate Louie Bossi in Boca or Ft. Lauderdale. If you Hungry D decided on the fresh Bronzini. I know you see leaves the table, and shirts worn by the busboys, runners
have ever tried to get a seat at their bar any night of the this on many restaurant menus, but often they look and taste and kitchen staff.
week, you’ll know why this restaurant group has been so like they came from a freezer or fish farm. These shirts are stamped on the back with the word
successful. I have been living in Florida for over forty years Not here at Elisabetta. The whole fish was wood fired, “Salavataggio.” In Italian this means to “rescue” someone in
and it’s amazing to see the transformation of the memorable grilled perfectly, deboned and simply treated with seasoning need of help. What a meaningful thought from management
Mom and Pop Italian restaurants to these multi-million- and a touch of olive oil. This preparation certainly pays to acknowledge this hard-working team.
dollar interiors, large and active bar scenes, and over-the-top homage to its Italian roots. As for Elisabetta, I’m all in with my chips
menu selections. As for Hungry Al, I decided to test the kitchen with more that they will continue to be a major success in
As my Dad used to say, “There’s nothing permanent meaty protein and selected the Grilled Veal Chop ($51). Delray Beach. That’s why I’m betting my stack
but change.” With that in mind, I look forward to dining The 14 oz. bone-in chop was fired up in the wood burning of five golden chips for this Italian bistro at the
at Elisabetta even if there are no red-and-white checkered grill and left perfectly charred score-marks on the filet that old 32 East.
tablecloths.
First Impressions: Remember 32 East Restaurant?
Well, you wouldn’t recognize it now. Like a magic trick,
this metamorphosis is amazing with a new bar location,
open kitchen, booth seating, upstairs dining and outside
patio expansion. It certainly makes one feel like you are
dining strictly Italian. Luckily, this restaurant comes with
an elevator for easy accessibility to the upstairs venues.

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