Hello Foodie Friends,
Today’s post will highlight a media dinner I attended last week at Bogart’s Bar & Grille, where we were treated to a lovely 5 course (12 item) tasting menu arranged for us in one of their 4 private banquet rooms and skillfully prepared and presented by Executive Chef Aaron Goldberg. The last time I was here was in May when I came with friend and fellow food blogger Shaina for a Girls Night Out, dinner and a movie. To read about this adventure, check out Shaina’s review. It was then, that me and my taste buds fell in love with Chef Aaron’s cooking.
With training in classical French cuisine and a touch of modern influence, Chef Aaron’s dishes are packed with flavor and are consistently on point. Aaron, originally from New Jersey, got started in the industry at the tender age of 13 and later moved to Florida to attend the Florida Culinary Institute. After receiving his culinary degree he went on to work in various kitchens including the one at The Seagate Hotel & Spa in Delray Beach, Admiral’s Cove Country Club in Jupiter and Cafe du Park in Lake Worth prior to joining the Rapoport Restaurant Group in 2010 as sous chef at Deck 84 also in Delray Beach. Chef Aaron is a consummate professional who takes his craft seriously and embodies what he does whole heartedly. When he’s not in the kitchen, he enjoys working out, going to the beach and all things food-related. Says Aaron, “this isn’t just a job. This is what I live for.”
On this evening’s menu, we were treated to 7 of the 15 new dishes created by Chef Aaron as well as 5 of Bogart’s classics.
The Miso-Maple Glazed Edamame is an example of a classic Bogart dish that Chef Aaron put his spin on. I have to definitely give him kudos on this new rendition. The char on the edamame and the sweet/tangy sauce was a perfect combination. Loved them!
Next up was the Hummus Trio (new starter item, $8). Dollops of roasted garlic, beet and avocado hummus the size of an ice cream scoop were playfully presented and served along with warm pita bread, celery and carrot sticks.
Glad to see Brussels Sprouts are still in. These Crispy Brussels (another new starter, $9) come with smoked bacon, candied pecans (genius) and an apple-pecan vinaigrette. To say they were delicious is an understatement, really.
Our next course started off with Sesame Seared Tuna (new starter, $16). As the name of the dish implies, the tuna was coated in sesame seeds and seared and laid upon a bed of wakame, and garnished with pickled ginger, wasabi, cracked wasabi peas and ponzu for dipping. While this dish definitely had eye appeal, I was more impressed with wasabi tuna salad I had on my previous visit. Perhaps all this one lacked was the miso ginger vinaigrette served with the salad. Well, that’s just my opinion. I heard others oohing and aahing over this dish, so you will just have to try it and let me know what you think.
The Tomato Mozzarella Salad (another new item listed under ‘greens’, $11) consisted of vine ripe tomato, fresh mozzarella, balsamic reduction, basil oil and sea salt. Art on a plate that tasted as good as it looked!
Our third course included their Orange-Miso Glazed Salmon. (Bogart classic, $25) Check out the coloring on the salmon, it’s gorgeous, don’t you think?!? The salmon was placed atop a bed of black forbidden “Chinese-style” rice which I had never heard of before and drizzled with a carrot-ginger emulsion.
Mojo-braised Pork Tacos (new item under large plates, $14) come with 3 tacos filled with deliciously marinated pork and topped with a charred pineapple salsa, pickled red onion and cojita (Mexican) cheese. The tacos were simple, light and tasty and the combination of the various flavor profiles was very well thought out.
The Dijon Crusted Chicken Milano (another Bogart Classic, $20) was one of the dishes I had ordered on my last visit. It definitely deserves to remain on the menu. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the Dijon crust delivers the perfect crunch. The chicken sits atop bed of broccoli florets and sweet potato raviolis in a maple-dijon cream sauce.
The Home-Style Pot Roast came out next (new item under large plates, $22) and was served with truffle whipped potato (truffle: woo hoo, yippee, nom nom, I sure do love me some truffle, lol) and baby carrots. If sandwiches are more your thing, they also have a Pot Roast Dip (new item under handhelds, $16) served on a French roll, creamy horseradish sauce and pan jus.
Moving onto desserts, all the desserts are made in house. The Bread Pudding (new item created by Pastry Chef Kate Neumann $8) is made with roasted apples, salted caramel and creme anglaise.
The Ice Cream Sandwich is made in house with flourless (gluten-free) chocolate cake and filled with mint chocolate chip gelato and a side of whipped cream ($9)
And the final dessert of the night was a New York style Cheesecake made with a graham cracker crust with a strawberry coulis ($9).
These cocktails were so festive looking, perfect for the holidays. Strawberry Basil Sangria and Ruby Red Martini.
Bogart’s Bar & Grille is located on the second floor at Cinemark Palace 20 Theatre, 3200 Airport Road in Boca Raton. Guests can dine here with or without seeing a movie. However, guests choosing to take in a show at the Premier Level may bring their food and beverages, including liquor, into the plush theaters. Popcorn and valet are also complimentary to Premier Level guests. As if that weren’t enough, Bogart’s offers an amazing concession stand featuring the full restaurant menu, a gourmet chocolate selection and an array of wines by the half or full bottle.
They are open from 11am until 11pm Sunday to Thursday and Friday & Saturday from 11am to 12am.
Planning a special event? Bogart’s is perfect for…Birthdays, Engagements, Wedding Rehearsals, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Family Reunions, Showers, Holiday Parties, Happy Hour, Networking, Team Meetings, Seminars, Product Launches, Client/Employee Appreciations. For info on booking Bogart’s for any of the above events, you can contact the Meeting & Events department at 561-395-7682 and let them know your foodie friend Denise from Savor Our City sent ya!
For additional info about Bogart’s, please visit their website or call 561-544-3044.
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Management: Burt Rapoport, Owner of Rapoport’s Restaurant Group
A third generation restaurant aficionado, Burt started his career in New York City, where his family owned and operated a successful kosher dairy restaurant for 50 years. Known for providing high quality cuisine with a good value, an elegantly welcoming ambiance and impeccable service, Rapoport takes pride in all of his restaurant concepts. The collection includes Bogart’s Bar & Grille in Boca, and Henry’s, Deck 84, Burt & Max’s and Apeiro in Delray and is a partner in Max’s Grille in Mizner Park. Rappy’s Deli in Boca Raton is slated to open in the Fall of 2016.
Until we eat again…
I send you delicious wishes, xo
Denise
