4 STAR REVIEW FOR OPUS 5!

Dining review: Opus 5 / Boca Raton
By DONALD KIMM Special Correspondent for South Sun-Sentinel
July 4, 2008
Burt Rapoport's 25 years as a restaurateur is evident in every aspect of the dining experience at Opus 5. With effortless precision, the evening flows smoothly, allowing diners to relax, converse and simply enjoy.The elegant decor and upscale-attired staff imply exclusiveness, but servers exude hospitality and confidence, not arrogance. Our server described the menu like a proud parent.The menu features myriad hot and cold small plates to be enjoyed tapas style. A current special offers five for the price of four. Hot plate items include Thai chicken wings, rock shrimp tempura, calamari with roasted tomatoes and Kobe beef mini burgers.We sampled the lobster and crab summer roll ($14), hamachi and yellowfin tuna ceviche ($14) and classic steak tartare ($13) from the cold plates. All were phenomenal. But the steak tartare was my favorite. Served with all the prerequisite garnishes, the beef melts in your mouth.
The entree menu is a refined and innovative balance of East meets West. Most dishes are American, but have a well-crafted Asian or Pacific Rim influence through the use of delicate seasonings or Eastern accessories. For example, Crispy Free Range Long Island Duckling ($27) is plated with a scallion pancake and stir-fried vegetables and Crispy Colossal Shrimp ($23) is paired with steamed bok choy.Don't miss Miso Chili Marinated Skirt Steak ($28). The miso marinade intensifies the flavor of the beef. The chilies are a mere suggestion; there is no lingering burn. The dish is accompanied by shiitake mushrooms, home-fried potatoes and thin, crispy fried onions.Togarashi Roasted Scallops ($29) are large, succulent and dusted with a complex and delicate seven-spice Japanese blend that gives the tender scallops an underlying flavor of sesame and citrus. Plated with edamame, mushrooms and asparagus, this dish was a table pleaser.I could not decide on an entree so I asked the server to surprise me and received Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass ($33). It's now on my top five list of best seafood dishes. Nestled atop steamed baby bok choy and surrounded by shiitake and enoki mushrooms, the moist and delicate fish approaches perfection. The miso glaze adds the right amount of savory saltiness.From the dozen sides, Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi ($8) are excellent. House-made and tossed in browned butter, herbs and parmesan cheese, these wonderful pasta morsels are also part of the Maine Lobster Bolognese ($34), a dish I look forward to trying on my next visit.Desserts are created in-house and are so outstanding that it's worth the trip simply for coffee and sweets.Cheesecake Lollipops ($18) are a stunning presentation. Bite-size morsels of cake are skewered on sticks and dressed in various finishes.For Almond Joy, the cake is dipped in dark chocolate and rolled in coconut. These joyful treats are presented on an artful silver wire tree sculpture, which is also studded with fresh berries. Several dipping sauces are included as a decadent finishing touch.



www.Opus5bocaraton.com





Write to dining correspondent Donald Kim at http://foodie@fishsticks.cc/ or in care of the Sun-Sentinel.■■■■Cuisine: American

Dinner and a Movie: Bogart's Bar & Grille Touts A Tasty Double Feature a review by Kenny Spahn

BEING THAT THIS IS AN ENTERTAINMENT themed issue, it seems only fitting that we feature Bogart's Bar & Grille. Located on the premier level of Muvico Palace 20, Bogart;s not only offers a unique venue in which to catch dinner and a movie but fantastic dining experience in its own right. Then again, we would expect no less from successful restaurateur Burt Rapoport.
Bogart's ambiance is as entertaining ad any movie: Choose the casual bistro area, where tables offer front-row seats to the lively bar action, or retreat to the back dining room for a more intimate setting. No matter where you dine, service remains prompt, professional and friendly under the smooth direction of General Manager John Maddalena.
The menu includes select favorites from Rapoport restaurants ( call it "The Best of Burt). Where else can you savor mahogany chicken wings from Max's grille and wasabi seared tuna from Opus 5 at the same table? Executive Chef Chuck Gittleman offers some new classic as well, such as Bogart's meatballs, pulled-pork taquitos and black-angus sliders. Our favorite 'appetizer' however, is the grilled portobello sandwich, served with homemade mozzarella cheese and grilled tomato on a whole-wheat ciabatta.
Deciding on an entree is no easy task, with the likes of blue cheese-crusted filet mignon, herb seared ruby red trout, grilled pork chop with sweet potato mash, lemon-roasted chicken and Henry's old fashioned pot roast. But you'll never go wrong with the signature onion-crusted snapper with its subtly sweet onion crust and bold Madeira finish, all set atop a puff of mashed potatoes and presented with gently sauteed, very fresh spinach. Lighter options include a Mediterranean chicken pita and a balsamic-grilled chicken salad.
The wine list features Burt's own Cuvee, a Meritage-like blend with well-structured layers of dark cherry and spice and evolving tannins leading to a long, soft finish, For the finale, the old-fashioned, deep-dish blueberry pie topped with homemade vanilla ice cream is as good as it gets!

By Kenny Spahn

Bogart's is located on the premiere level of Muvico Palace 20 at 3200 Airport Rd., Boca Raton. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner (with or without a movie.) Contact them at 561-544-3044 or visit http://www.bogartsofboca.com/

Celebrate July 4th at Bogart'a Bar & Grille. Will it be fireworks or Hancock?

Our great debate this week at Bogart’s Bar and Grille, is whether Hancock the Movie or celebratory fireworks are going to be the “Big Bang” this upcoming Fourth of July. The debate began when our staff started discussing Hancock weekend and if more South Floridians prefer to be inside the cool air conditioned theater dining on our sliders, onion crusted snapper or wasabi crusted tuna rather than baking outside, watching fireworks and praying that the rain will hold off for just one more hour.
As tradition has taught us, native Floridians are immune to the heat and stay outside enjoying the rain, storms and wet chairs, while the new generation of out of town Floridians now living here, flock to the malls, theaters and restaurants to seek refuge in the cooler climate. One thing however, remains the same, we as a population love to watch pretty colors light up the sky while grabbing on to a loved one going, “Wow, that one is the best so far.”
This year the management and staff of Bogart’s Bar and Grille invite you to try something new. While it’s raining outside come enjoy lunch, dinner or both while watching Hancock or any movie that grabs your fancy. Our food in unforgettable, our staff is eager to please and filled with personality, our bar is stocked with your preferred cocktail and your favorite dish is anxiously awaiting your arrival….
Happy Fourth of July, we look forward to spending it with you.

For dinner reservations, please call 561-544-3044 or log onto http://www.bogartsofboca.com/

Dara Schlomowitz

Fourth of July at Henry's in Delray Beach

This holiday, come joins us at Henry’s to celebrate the Fourth of July!!! We are offering great American food, at a great value. If you have been enjoying dinner at Henry’s for the past few months, then you are familiar with our Prix Fixe menu. For those of you that aren’t familiar with this menu, we are offering a Prix Fixe menu, including 3 courses, prices ranging from 20.95-23.95. This Fourth of July, we are offering a special Prix Fixe menu celebrating great American food. Prices Ranging from 28.95-32.95. Prices include a choice of soup or salad, an entrée and a dessert. If you have any questions please contact us at (561) 638.1949 and ask one of our hostesses for any further details.
We look forward to seeing this Fourth of July at Henry’s and please have a safe and happy holiday.

For information and reservations, please call 561-638-1944 or log onto www.henryofbocaraton.com

Blaine Mays

Rapoport Restaurant Group, Heading North!

Burt Rapoport, who you might know from Henry's in Delray Beach and Opus 5 and Bogart's Bar and Grill in Boca Raton, has plans for Clematis Social, 233 Clematis Street in Downtown West Palm Beach. The 4,800-sq.-ft. project will feature affordable small plates and is slated to open in the Fall of 2008.
With more than 160 seats and a 30-seat bar, Clematis Social will offer patrons a comfortable, yet stylish atmosphere – think chic neighborhood restaurant – that will be designed by Adolfo Galvez and will include hardwood, oxidized metals; and trendy, black-colored appointments. Galvez designed Opus 5 as well as Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar, a new Mexican restaurant on Clematis Street.

Please use the following link: http://www.clematissocial.com/

Roll Back to 1995 with Henry's Restaurant!

At Henry’s of Boca we are constantly striving to provide our guests with a memorable dining experience that’s not only delicious, but that also comes at a value. In today’s economic climate, with gas prices on the rise and the cost of some food items increasing as well, its imperative that we continue to give our guests valuable options when they choose to dine with us at Henry’s.

This summer we are offering up two ways to save with our classic “20 for $20” wine list and the introduction of Henry’s Spring Prix Fixe. The wine list features 20+ bottles of wine, from robust reds to crisp summer whites that can all be enjoyed for taste and value at $19.95 a bottle. The Spring Prix Fixe Menu is being offered at 19.95 per person and is a prix fix that offers a choice between fresh soup or salad, followed by a selection of six entrees including our Mahi Mahi with stir fried Asian vegetables, wasabi mashed potatoes and a sweet teriyaki sauce, or the Dijon Crumb crusted chicken Milano, with sautéed spinach, sweet potatoes raviolis, and Dijon-Cream sauce, just to mention a few. And then to finish it all off, guests will be treated to a choice between three of our delectable desserts.

Our goal at Henry’s is for every guest who walks through our doors to receive great food and great drink at a value that will resonate and keep them coming back to us for many years. When you dine at Henry’s this summer, feel confident that you know what you’ll be spending and that you’ll be receiving the best quality, value and service for your money. Cheers!

Blaine Mays

www.henrysofbocaraton.com

Iron Man hits Bogart's Bar & Grille!!

Iron hit the fans last weekend with an early start of Iron Man the movie by Marvel Comics, Thursday 8pm at Muvico Palace 20. It sold an estimated $100.8 million in tickets at North American theatres and an estimated $200 million plus world-wide.
Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the story of a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man. The film also stars Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow and Oscar nominees Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges.
Many movie fans will remember Jeff Bridges from his role as ‘The Dude’ in the cult classic movie The Big Lebowski. Downey Jr. was a great choice for the lead role. It was refreshing to see a seasoned actor with amazing talent, but a name not bigger than the role itself play a superhero. This is the same way I felt with seeing Christian Bale play Batman in Batman Begins. I am looking forward to the new Batman movie, Dark Knight, which premiers July 18th, 2008 and features Heath Ledger’s last work, playing the role of The Joker opposite Christian Bale.
Iron Man is currently playing in five of our six Premier Level Theatres (must be 21 or older) at Muvico Palace in Boca Raton, and there are approximately 18 showings everyday. Movie tickets can be purchased online at http://www.muvico.com/. Grab dinner and a drink at Bogart’s and bring them into the theatre with you for the ultimate dinner and Iron Man experience!

For More information please go to www.bogartsofboca.com or call 561.544.3044

Graham Woodard Bogart's Bar & Grille