September 18th, 2013
The evening was balmy to say the least, and humid, and rainy….South Florida!! I kept hearing that they had quite a summer regarding the weather. Hey, welcome to the club. It seems everyone has.
Delray Beach is a vacation and dining destination. Up and down Atlantic Ave., and its side streets, you will find restaurants catering to discriminating palates.
Our choice on Wednesday evening was 32 East, located at 32 E. Atlantic Ave., Tel. 561-276-7868. Website? http://www.32east.com.
32 East has been part of the restaurant scene in Delray Beach since 1996. It is very popular, so if you are vacationing in Delray this winter, make sure you call for reservations.
She and I had never met but have connected here or there on Facebook. Face to face meeting tonight; I will have to say I am glad we did finally meet and it was way overdue. Along came Prince Pierre, with Danika.
Danika writes about Delray Beach. So, check her out at http://www.i-love-delray-beach.com, because there is a lot to learn about this Village by the Sea.
Part of the fun of eating in Delray Beach is that you can dine outdoors most of the time. We did so tonight since our dining 4-legged companion, Prince Pierre, could not, certainly, eat inside.
After much chatting, and Michael, our server, refilling our glasses, we decided to make our choices.
A Bibb Lettuce Salad with cucumber, celery, cilantro, scallions, sesame, pine nuts, and gala apple (my favorite apple), in Thai Chile Vinaigrette. Good, refreshing on such a steamy night in Delray.
Michael told us that the swordfish was so fresh, it would have been his choice. I was not sure…swordfish… not my favorite. But, following his direction I was totally impressed.
Saute of Atlantic Swordfish on wood roasted root veggies, fingerling potatoes, and red endive with butternut squash puree and Madeira wine, veal jus. The swordfish was moist and the veggies were a great addition; full of flavor.
The Oven Roasted B & E Chicken Breast, came out looking beautiful and full of color, accompanied with Vidalia onions and organic carrots on broccoli rabe, saute with huckleberry vinegar pan sauce. I believe the B & E stands for Bell & Evans. Their chickens are raised without antibiotics or growth hormones throughout their entire life.
A side order of Potato Puree….so good. But, to me it seemed more like a strata. I think, a winner!
No dessert was necessary, even though Michael tried….tempting, that’s for sure.
Talk to you later..a toast to new friends!!
June 20th, 2013
When visiting Delray Beach, Florida, usually a highlight of the trip is revisiting the restaurants that have become favorites and checking out the new ones, as well. Delray Beach is a dining, shopping and vacation destination. So, easy to get to, with 2 airports within half hour from the town.
If I were to tell you that it is the “off season” in Delray maybe there might be some truth to it. It is summer in Florida and many have headed north. But, don’t get me wrong, you might find it easier to find parking and maybe might be able to get into the restaurants without waiting too long, but all you have to do is hit Atlantic Avenue, Pineapple Grove, A1A in the early evening and you will see residents and visitors enjoying the warm weather, dining al fresco, and sipping their favorite drinks.
Some of the restaurants are offering summer menus, and The Office in Delray Beach is offering an Inventive Summer Comfort Menu with 2 and 3-course prix fixe options for lunch and dinner, Sunday through Thursday, until the end of September, 2013.
The Office opened in Delray, I believe, almost 5 years ago, by restauranteur and entrepeneur, John Rosatti. It has the perfect location, a corner on trendy and busy Atlantic Avenue…201 East Atlantic Avenue. Tel. 561-276-3600. Website? http://www.theofficedelray.com.
Executive Chef Joseph “Joe” Coletto is providing diners with the option of choosing 2 courses for $25 (either an appetizer and an entree, or an entree and a dessert), or 3 courses for $35 (one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert). This menu is available every week from Sunday through Thursday until the end of September, 2013. Tax and gratuity are not included.
Outdoor dining, al fresco, at sidewalk…with these tables you will not miss any of the happenings on the Avenue.
The setting is reminiscent of a luxurious home office, for lunch and dinner, daily.
For both Summer Comfort Prix Fixe Menus, the appetizer choices are: Quesadilla, Deviled Eggs which are the best, Fried Pickles, Grown-Up Tater Tots, House-Smoked Fish Nachos, Warm Baked Pretzel Bread, Side Salad – House or Caesar, BBQ Chinese Chicken Wings, Chicken Shu-Mai Duplings, and Sweet Potato Chips.
Entree choices are: Veggie Burger, Office Burger, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Marinated Hanger Steak, Baby Back Ribs, Pan-Roasted Free Bird Chicken, Simply Grilled Salmon, Coconut Curry PEI Mussels, Dark English Ale-Battered Fish, and Boneless Country Fried Chicken.
Dessert choices are: Apple Crumble, Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches, Maple-and Bacon Glazed Donuts, Golden Raisin and Chocolate Bread Pudding, and Blueberry Creme Brulee.
Specialty cocktails like The Red Stapler made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Prickly Pear, Agave Nectar, and lemon juice are among the many drinks found at The Office. The Office also serves 39 craft beers on draft, including Bell’s Two Hearted, IPA, the number one ranked IPA in the U.S., along with offerings from Cigar City, Oskar Blues, and our very own Dogfish from Delaware!!
The designed wine list, with 25 wines by the glass and 90 wines by the bottle, from California, Italy, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia.
Happy Hour is from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. and it features 50% off of all drinks, wines by the glass, bottle and draft beer, and cocktails, at both the indoor and outdoor bars. The Happy Hour offers a pre-selected Happy Hour bar menu, as well.
The Late Night Happy Hour is from 10 p.m. until closing, featuring 50% off of all drinks at both bars, indoor and outdoor.
Hope you have a great time in Delray!! Talk to you later.
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