Roy's South Florida Restaurant Guide

Arturo's Ristorante
6750 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton
561-997-7373
The food at this old-world southern Italian restaurant is top flight, with fabulous pastas made on ..The food at this old-world southern Italian restaurant is top flight, with fabulous pastas made on premises (don't miss the rigatoni with porcini) and seafood that is perfectly cooked and sauced with restraint. Meat dishes are also good and the wine list, heavily Italian, is one of the best in South Florida. Although there is a bar at Arturo's, it isn't near the entertainment. Walk through French doors leading from the main dining room, into an enclosed area with billowing cloth covering the ceiling, a marble wall behind the performer's grand piano, pastel stucco walls, green plants and lovely flowers. About a dozen couples can dance on the floor in front of the entertainer. Usually, the performer is David Williams on Sundays through Wednesdays and Gino DeMarco on Thursdays with saxophonist Max on Fridays and Saturdays.

Johannes
47 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton
561-394-0007
Johannes is the latest creation of restauranteur Johannes Fruhwirt. "World Cuisine," with ... There are some who say that chef and owner Johannes Fruhwirt has created a South Beach-style restaurant in Boca Raton, but I call it one of the region's most intimate. Yes, there's a velvet rope out front, but it's just to give diners the feeling that they're about to enter the Johannes Zone. Inside, there are just 32 seats, making it feel like you're a guest a very intimate dinner party. The chef pokes his head out of the studio apartment size kitchen to check on guests. The ever-changing menus includes a white and green asparagus salad with truffle vinaigrette, oven roasted Kobe beef with wasabi mashed potatoes and vanilla glazed duck breast with a Key lime chutney. Finish the meal with simple rum-soaked bananas or mango sorbet that tastes like the mangos were picked out back. They may very well be from the chef's kitchen garden. Be sure to sign up for Johannes' special theme dinners.

La Luna
1600 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton
561-394-9944
Luna bills itself as an "Italian Family Restaurant." Nearly all the dishes are available in two ... Luna bills itself as an "Italian Family Restaurant." Nearly all the dishes are available in two sizes, an individual serving and a family-size portion suitable for passing around the table. The decor is striking and bespeaks the restaurant's debt to its inspiration in New York supper clubs. The menu is Italian; the entertainment adds overtones of Atlantic City.

Linda B. of Boca
41 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton
561-367-0200
If the name is familiar, it's because Linda B is Linda Brandino who ran Linda B's Steakhouse for 12 ... If the name is familiar, it's because Linda B is Linda Brandino who ran Linda B's Steakhouse for 12 years in Key Biscayne. In Boca Raton, she renovated the 100-seat space into a quietly elegant feminine room. She designed the menu with Chef Ira Poskosh. Retro doesn't quite capture what they've done with familiar dishes and flavors.

Mark’s at the Park
Mizner Park, 344 Plaza Real, Boca Raton
561-395-0770
Mark's at the Park is a signiture venture of Miami restaurantuer Mark Militello of Mark's Las Olas. Militello is revered as one of a select group present at the creation of a unique South Florida style of cooking. The menu tilts toward the Mediterranean, with full flavors and a deft hand with rich ingredients.

Morton's of Chicago
5050 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton
561-392-7724
Morton's is a place for a power lunch or a special dinner. The specialty, of course, is USDA Prime ... Morton's is a place for a power lunch or a special dinner. The specialty, of course, is USDA prime steak. Servers present the different cuts and sizes of steaks prior to ordering, and prime choices include porterhouse, New York strip sirloin, ribeye steak, double filet mignon and tenderloin brochette. Non-steak items include farm-raised salmon, veal chops, lamb chops, Long Island swordfish, whole Maine lobster (3-5 pounds) and lemon oregano chicken.

New York Prime
2350 Executive Center Drive, Boca Raton
561-998-3881
The menu is limited at this brassy and boisterous steak house, but the beef is as good as it gets anywhere. They also sport a top-flight wine list and a great bar, which is good since the wait for tables, even with reservations, is getting longer.

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
225 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton
561-392-6746
The wood-paneled dining room is huge, with private glass-doored rooms to one side. Unlike many restaurants, there's lots of space between tables for privacy.

There are touches of the chain's New Orleans' roots all over the menu, from shrimp remoulade ($9.95) as a starter to bread pudding with whiskey sauce ($4.95) for dessert. But most people come here for the delicious steaks. Ruth's Chris serves every cut of prime steak, from filets ($24.95, 8-ounce/$26.95, 12-ounce) and rib-eyes ($29.95, 16-ounce), to a 40-ounce porterhouse for two ($65). You can also pair a steak with either a whole lobster or tail.

Cafe Bellino
180 S. Federal Highway, Boca Raton
561-393-2844
Cafe Bellino scores not only with good food but with a warm and comfortable atmosphere. It's casual ... Cafe Bellino scores not only with good food but with a warm and comfortable atmosphere. It's casual and down-home and the food is satisfying though frequently over-salted. Osso buco, when they have it, is deeply satisfying and most of the pasta dishes are top-flight, especially spinach pasta with tomato, garlic and basil and linguine with brown butter sauce. The wine list is good and service is warm and caring.

Cheesecake Factory
5530 Glades Road, Boca Raton
561-393-0344
There's much more here than cheesecake, and it's pretty good, too. A long wait for a table is rewarded with substantial portions of down home comfort food like pizza, meat loaf, roast chicken, the best mashed potatoes in town and a fine herb-crusted salmon. This is Boca's closest confluence of fast food (well, fast once seated) and quality. Service is friendly, the price is moderate.

Gigi's Tavern
346 Plaza Real, Boca Raton
561-368-4488
It's hard to say just how large the dance floor is at Gigi's because people stand 3-feet-deep in ... It's hard to say just how large the dance floor is at Gigi's because people stand 3-feet-deep in the area around the raised platform from where Edge performs. Few of the bistro's areas provide a view of the band. Can't see the group from the outside patio or side corridor occupied by one long, large bar, or in the small sitting room at the building's opposite end. Best spot for sit-down viewing is in the dining room directly facing the stage or at the Oyster Bar. So lots of people stand around, giving Gigi's the look of a very popular place. Well-dressed people ages 30-plus stream into the French-styled tavern. The high-energy level, friendly spirit and excellent music fit together well. Appetizers are interesting. For those who just want a nibble along with libations, Gigi's does well with its crispy fried calamari ($7.95) and spicy Thai chicken lettuce wraps ($7.95). Well-brand cocktails cost $5.99, but be sure to specify "well" or "house" brand.

Houston's
1900 NW Executive Center Circle, Boca Raton
561-998-0550
Recipes at Houston's are testimonies to details. You'll find fresh ingredients creating cuisine ... Recipes at Houston's are testimonies to details. You'll find fresh ingredients creating cuisine that is based on tastes that are ever-evolving and reflect the influence of a variety of cultures not to mention the flavors of the city and region.

La Luna Italian Bistro
171 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton
561-392-1838
One of Boca's most popular restaurants is also one of its fanciest, and the name, which means the ... One of Boca's most popular restaurants is also one of its fanciest, and the name, which means the window, says it all. The restaurant looks out over less than inspiring Palmetto Park Road, but it also opens a window on Chef Antoine Pepaj's slightly eccentric vision of Northern Italian cuisine and, most of all, it is a place to see and be seen. Veal chops, tuna and anything with mushrooms are recommended but don't expect the cooking to be light: This is hearty fare with hearty sauces.

Legal Sea Foods
6000 Glades Rd., Boca Raton
561-447-2112
Legal Sea Food boasts, "If it isn't fresh, it isn't Legal," and this focus on freshness started 50 years ago in a Cambridge, Mass. fish market. Clam chowder with fresh clams and fresh clam taste is available year-round; the crab cake served on a bed of crispy mixed greens and anything from the raw bar are recommended starters. Main courses are varied and the servers are primed with extensive explanations of each of the dishes. Voted Best Seafood Restaurant in the 2001 Sun-Sentinel Readers Poll

Lilly's New Cuisine
451 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton
561-362-0208
Pasta is obviously the draw here, but the anti-carb crowd will find lots on the menu. Among the ... Pasta is obviously the draw here, but the anti-carb crowd will find lots on the menu. Among the appetizer list is a satisfying bruschetta and fried calamari. You can order a sandwich here -- grilled chicken, blackened salmon, sausage and pepper, submarine -- and no sandwich is more than $7.95. There are pizzas, too. Ravioli, linguine with clams and eggplant parmesean are all good.

Luna Pazza
171 E. Palmetto Park Rd., Boca Raton
561-391-1515
Luna Pazza looks like a winner, from the elegantly modern dining room where beautiful pieces of handmade glass are on display, to the snappy, almost Old World service. Chef Silvio Crespo has put together a sophisticated, mostly Northern Italian menu that includes Bolognese with penne, veal Milanese and more .

Maggiano's Little Italy
21090 St. Andrew's Blvd., Boca Raton
561-361-8244
Maggiano's harkens us back to a pre-war 1940s era with dark oak paneling, large comfortable booths, ... Maggiano's harkens us back to a pre-war 1940s era with dark oak paneling, large comfortable booths, checkered table cloths and art work to finish off the mood. The menu offers some of Southern Italy's finest creations such as Veal Piccata, riggatoni and chicken marsala. For starters, don't miss the baked clam appetizer with fresh chopped clams toped with seasoned bread crumbs and baked to perfection -- a favorite among guests. Separated from a large dining room, the lounge is the first place seen when entering the establishment. High ceilings, circular booths and high-top tables are on the main floor and surround the baby grand piano. Crystal chandeliers and handsome wooden floors contribute to the quiet elegance and checkered table cloths lend a homespun touch. Black-and-white photos cover light-colored walls.

Tuesdays through Saturdays, the focal point of the lounge is singer/pianist Michael Laird, specializing in cabaret music and show tunes as well as covers of Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and Nat King Cole songs.

Matteo's
39 SE First Ave., Boca Raton
561-392-0773
This authentic Italian eatery serves large portions of veal parmigiana, eggplant parmigiana and ... This authentic Italian eatery serves large portions of veal parmigiana, eggplant parmigiana and Chicken Nonna to name a few.

Max's Grille
404 Plaza Real, Boca Raton
561-368-0080
Max's Grille sports a menu that focuses on powerfully flavored dishes composed of more ingredients ... Max's Grille sports a menu that focuses on powerfully flavored dishes composed of more ingredients than diners have fingers. Many come off as heavy and overdone, like the yellowfin tuna steak with wasabi mashed potatoes and soy-mirin dashi sauce. Others shine: pasta with smokey grilled chicken, goat cheese, pine nuts, broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes is almost light and flavored just right.

Maxwell's Chophouse
501 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton
561-347-7077
Maxwell's Chophouse is an old fashioned steakhouse serving up choice cuts of Prime Rib, chops and ... Maxwell's Chophouse is an old fashioned steakhouse serving up choice cuts of Prime Rib, chops and even seafood. They offer nightly entertainment and have a full bar. While the outside ambience looks like a Bourbon Street establishment, the interior is unobtrusive. There's a well-attended bar area, along with separate dining rooms bedecked with white linens, where seating ranges from tables and chairs to large, comfortable oval booths. To go along with the classic steakhouse fare, featuring USDA prime meats aged on the premises, there's a wine list of considerable depth. Appetizers, aside from salads and soups, are devoted to seafood, such as shrimp cocktail, lobster cocktail, oysters Rockefeller, clams casino and fried calamari.

P.F. Chang's China Bistro
1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton
561-393-3722
This is the fourth P.F. Chang's China Bistro in Florida. These upscale, casual restaurants are not ... This is the fourth P.F. Chang's China Bistro in Florida. These upscale, casual restaurants are not your typical family-run Chinese restaurant. Far from it! Here you'll experience a unique combination of traditional Chinese cuisine and American hospitality in a contemporary bistro setting.

Pranzo Cafe and Bar
402 Plaza Real, Boca Raton
561-750-7442
The first thing you see when entering Pranzo is the long bar, and then the dining room designed by ... The first thing you see when entering Pranzo is the long bar, and then the dining room designed by Adolfo Galvez, who brought cherry tables and chairs, upholstered banquettes and kooky lighting fixtures together for a casually elegant look. The menu serves Italian cuisine that is simple and very well executed.

Ristorante Sapori
99 Royal Palm Plaza, Boca Raton
561-367-9779
A top flight Italian restaurant that specializes in the deeply flavored foods of Abruzzi. ... A top flight Italian restaurant that specializes in the deeply flavored foods of Abruzzi. Chef/owner Marco Pindo is a magician with fish dishes, but don't miss the roast chicken and rabbit either. The wine list is good but not great; it's the food that makes this place worth a trip.

The Addison
2 East Camino Real, Boca Raton
561-395-9335
The Addison is simply beautiful. Once the residence and office of architect Addison Mizner, the ... The Addison is simply beautiful. Once the residence and office of architect Addison Mizner, the historic courtyard and building retain much of their original dash and splendor. The Addison is where dames and dignitaries come to wine, dine and be merry.

Trattoria Romana
499 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton
561-393-6715
Trattoria Romana has a beautiful dining room where postmodern meets Italian country and the ... Postmodern meets Italian country at Trattoria Romana. While so much of South Florida looks suburban, there's something citylike about the room and the view out the wall of windows.

The menu covers a lot of ground and it's all a good value. Chose from nine pasta dishes, like the Bucatini Puttanesca with black olives and capers in a rich tomato and anchovy sauce. Grilled lamb chops are tender and are served with creamy mashed potatoes and simple grilled broccoli. Snapper, served with steamed tomatoes and clams, is a specialty of the house, and there are several veal dishes including. For dessert, go with the strawberry short cake or the near-perfect cannoli.

Uncle Tai's
5250 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton
561-368-8806
Boca's most upscale Chinese restaurant is also one of the best, with uncommonly elegant decor and ... Boca's most upscale Chinese restaurant is also one of the best, with uncommonly elegant decor and the sort of quiet, efficient service French restaurants aspire to. The decor and presentation are also reflected in the food, in which spiciness is moderated for the American palate but dishes are cooked with a flawless sense of timing.