The Post's new restaurant reporter does a Boca dine-around roadtrip - What could go wrong?

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21-02-2025

Readers, welcome to what will be the revival of the Palm Beach Post's 'At the Table' newsletter. We've been on a hiatus since my Pulitzer-prize winning predecessor's Liz Balmaseda retirement and will be relaunching in March.
From Tequesta to Boca Raton and all points in between, subscribing to our weekly newsletter ensures you're getting the newest local food and restaurant stories before they hit our print newspaper.
It's where we can share thoughts on the local restaurant scene and trade ideas on where to go. Please sign up via https://profile.palmbeachpost.com/newsletters/manage/.
As a Palm Beach County newbie who recently moved here after nearly three years working in the same gig at Naples Daily News, our sister Gannett newspaper, I look forward to hearing about your favorites on everything from casual bagels and tacos to fancy sushi and steaks.
I am also big time into specialty markets.
A current fave is Narbona in Boca Raton, where a sandwich ended up costing me $115.
WHAT?!? you might be asking.
I was early to meet a PR gal who reps quite a few restaurants in the area.
Since we both previously worked decades ago at rival New York City fashion firms, I wanted to (somewhat) look the part of my past and donned a sleeveless Lilla P mockneck and silky accordian-pleated Vince skirt, both in a creamy off-white. (Reporter's note: Remember this part for later in our story.)
Traffic wasn't bad on I-95 so I arrived at Shops at Boca Center, our assigned meeting place, an hour early, perfect for a solo lunch.
I discovered Narbona, an expansive bright and beautiful food emporium-café that originated in Uruguay in 1909 and wasn't on our list to visit that afternoon.
Because I forgot my glasses, I asked for the most Uruguayan thing on the menu. My server suggested either steak or a sandwich.
A hefty beef slab at noon is a bit much, and I love sandwiches. If you've read my bagel and breakfast sandwich roundups, you already know this.
I ordered the $23 'Chivito Uruguayo'which according to Wikipedia is this South American country's official national dish. Served on Catalan bread, its contents comprise beef tenderloin, ham, bacon, mozzarella cheese, caramelized onion, lettuce, tomato and perfectly cooked fried eggs.
If you can remember the first time you bit into a cherry tomato and it exploded in your mouth, you might have sympathy for what happened next.
While the menu lists tomatoes as a sandwich ingredient, it didn't specify cherry tomatoes and those slippery little suckers started sliding out of the sandwich onto my shirt, then hitting my skirt before finally splatting on the floor.
As a messy eater, my Tide Pen goes everywhere with me, but I really needed a cup of detergent by the time the sandwich was finished.
I asked for seltzer water and a few more napkins to clean up, but ended up with a soaking wet phone and looking like a paint-ball target.
One of the reasons department stores are dying is probably because of people like me.
If there had been one close by, I'd have opted to go there instead of a cute indie boutique to purchase a clean top, wear it for the afternoon, and return it to the store before heading north. Luckily, the skirt's pleats easily hid stains.
Alas, the best I could do was a shimmery bronze silk top for $80 (plus tax). I asked the manager if she could do better pricewise given the circumstances, and she took 10% off my tab.
Final sale.
The next time I head to Boca, I'll be wearing black.
Narbona: 5250 Town Center Circle, 561-692-3933, bocaraton.narbona.com
Other Boca Raton restaurants I've visited but not necessarily have eaten at since moving here are listed alphabetically, and include:
A work friend from the other coast was visiting, and this was her pick. The food is good, the décor fun, and the cocktails, potent.
Details: 409 Plaza Real in Mizner Park, 561-576-2132, calaverascantina.com
Nibbled at this outpost, devoured my meal a few years back at the Aventura location.
Details: 6000 Glades Road, 561-221-0940, ceviche105.com
So pretty with fun cocktails and terrific food with great presentation.
Details: 5377 Town Center Road, 561-980-7700, elcaminobocaraton.com
Stopped in for refreshing booze-free elixirs. It was a hot day, and I can't think of a more flavorful way to hydrate.
Details: 1901 N. Military Trail, 561-417-5836, dinefarmerstable.com
I LOVE popovers. An early career ad campaign I worked on was compound butters; served together makes me a happy girl.
Details: 6000 Glades Road, 561-544-2320, neimanmarcus.com
Under new ownership. My breakfast sandwich was fine.
Details: 404 Plaza Real in Mizner Park, 561-368-0080, maxsgrille.com
A good friend from Tampa is heading to Fort Lauderdale next month and we're meeting half-wayish. This is my pick because it is so her glamourpuss vibe. Fun fact: She was also Tony Bennett's sister-in-law.
Details: 2000 N.W. 19th St., 561-245-6777, meatmarket.net
I sampled a few amazing dumplings and already have north county friends fighting over who's roadtripping with me for the full-on experience.
Details: 1 Town Center Road, 561-826-7595, redpineboca.com
Didn't eat here, but it reminded me of a hipper True Food Kitchen (which I love.) The chain boasts an eco-friendly wine pouring system with 60 varietals on tap at any given time. Even if you are not an wine wonk, seeing the how-it-works demo is cool.
Details: 5050 Town Center Circle, 561-961-3131; sixtyvines.com
Diana Biederman is the Palm Beach Post's food & restaurant writer, fresh from two years at the Naples Daily News. If you have any news tips about the local dining scene, please send them to [e-mail]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boca Raton, Mizner Park restaurants worth a South Florida roadtrip