This is a good time of year to dine out! Restaurants are on their game, and we’ve picked three completely different places that offer good service, reasonable prices, and satisfy different tastes.
Ouzo Bay
Ouzo Bay in Mizner Park has a special Sunset Dinner Menu that offers a bottle of wine for free with the purchase of two entrees! It’s a three-course meal, so a small dessert is included as well as a salad or soup.The branzino and beef filet were cooked perfectly and seasoned well. Greek fare is the regional emphasis here and they do it well. Owned by the Atlas Group, Ouzo Bay aims to please with good service and a diverse flavorful menu! We sat outside, but there is no shortage of indoor seats. On Nov. 12, Ouzo Bay’s sister restaurant Loch Bar will be opening its doors.
201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 561/757-0082; ouzobay.com
Chef Paul Collange has been pleasing diners in Boca since the mid ’80s and he never disappoints. Le Rivage is our go-to bistro for a simple but authentic French supper. Again, the price points are good and the wine list is good and fairly priced. Older French couples seem to be repeat customers, but young couples with a zest for timeless French classics should pop in. Homemade vegetable soup was loaded with flavor, as was the Vichyssoise. The chopped salad was cold, crisp and tossed with a mild but sweet vinaigrette—one salad was ample for two people! The fresh yellowtail snapper was served with a champagne sauce, and a serving of smoked salmon hit the spot. Again, generous helpings and consistent quality with good prices keeps one returning for more. Delicious homemade apple tart or a floating island easily please a sweet tooth.
Last but not least: The Whale’s Rib in Deerfield Beach. It’s occupied the same spot for almost 40 years with the same owner, Dale Stephenson. I had a craving to be first to dine on stone crabs this season so I ordered the large size with four to an order. Arriving on top of a bowl of ice accompanied with tangy mustard sauce, I devoured every one despite a tad bit of work. It was worth the market price! Oysters on the shell are showcased the same way: six huge shells topped with succulent oysters for only $8.50. Whale fries come in a large basket and are crunchy, hot, delicious and addictive: my dinner partner polished it off. This place fills up fast, so getting there early is the secret!
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