Critic's Review
Gary Rack closed Table 42 last year and opened this place, no doubt figuring that new-fangled trends are more profitable than modern Italian. Table 42 was OK, but it's much more profitable setting overpriced greens than actual food.
When I first saw the menu I had no intention of trying the place, but a friend of mine recently confided that this was her favorite restaurant in the "whole world", so I figured I'd give it a try.
The parking lot here is an absolute disaster; it's sort of a free-for-all where people park without concern for the markings. It is Boca, after all, so enough said. Luckily there was a spot on the side, so I didn't have to risk some old lady backing her mercedes into my car.
It was a dreary day, so I figured I'd eat outside.There's a hostess stand at the entrance to the covered patio; I asked an older dude carrying a menu if there was a hostess inside. "There's no hostess today. Sit where you want". Ok, so I grabbed a booth inside and he brought over the menu.
There was only one table occupied inside, and they were just cashing out. Most of the people seemed to like the patio, even on a gray, windy day. The inside is much smaller than I thought; I was never inside Table 42. The dude standing was the manager, I assume; he was there the entire time I was here.
They have the Vero water system here, and unlike Fresh First, they don't charge extra for carbonation. It's $1.50 for all you can drink, which is better than paying $3 for an iced tea. I got limes and ice so I was well hydrated throughout the experience.
None of the entrees interested me, nor did I have any intention of paying $19.50 for a chicken cutlet or $13 for a tuna fish sandwich. I ordered the octopus appetizer and a side of brussels sprouts, which I figured would be enough food.
My server was also the bartender, this is an all-dude operation. Funny how restaurants don't feel the same without women working, particularly a froofy one like this.
Music was a mixed bag of Laura Marling, "Rave On", and U2's "I still haven't found you". The food came out in 10 minutes.
My first impression was that this was half the portion I should expect for $14. I doubt that the octopus was locally sourced or received special pampering, so why is it twice the price of any other restaurant in south florida?
The salad was absolutely delicious; with a dressing that balanced the fennel and the "chickpea puree" superbly. The octopus didn't have much flavor itself, and there wasn't much of it. I just couldn't get past how small it was.
The brussels sprouts looked awfully wet for a dish in a restaurant that claims to use "no butter or excess fat". These sprouts were doused in oil.
Now overdone sprouts are much preferred to undercooked, which are simply inedible. This is how you cook spouts in a way that you can eat and enjoy them. The point of "skillet roasting" though, is that you finish them with dry heat. It's "supposed" to be a healthier preparation method.
When my server brought me my check, I pointed out the puddle of oil in the baking dish, which he didn't seem to think was anything out of the ordinary. I don't expect roasted vegetables to be so wet.
A surprise what that there was a $7 discount on the check, as appetizers are 1/2 price from 3pm to 4pm. They don't seem to mention that anywhere, nor was it mentioned to me when I placed my order. This is yet-another bad restaurant trick; if apps are 1/2 price there is no way you're going to order the $18 burger, so they don't tell you about it in advance. I just kind of lucked into it.
Something else to consider is that it's possible that I got a smaller portion because the appetizer was half price, which would explain the miniscule portion. I exposed this practice at Rack's Downtown restaurant; which is maybe why they don't advertise them as 1/2 price, since it's dishonest to advertise something as 1/2 price if the portion isn't the same.
The manager dude never acknowledged my existence and didn't say a word as I walked by him to leave. No "Thanks for Coming". Nada.
Conclusion
My friend's claim was "It's expensive but everything is organic, so it's worth it". Except the word "organic" only appears as a descriptor for their olive oil; they don't claim that anything is organic. They also claim that they "support local purveyors", but they aren't willing to publish anything specific. Every restaurant uses SOME local sources; so there's really nothing to justify the absurd prices; like $19.50 for a lunch chicken cutlet. Surprisingly, there are a number of user reviews on the review sites that say that the food is organic; which just goes to show how programmed people have become to react to the Buzz Words.
To me, Rack's restaurants are the biggest collection of bad restaurant tricks in South Florida. From the "Cast Iron Seared" Ribeye I had at Fat Rooster that wasn't cast iron seared to "locally sourced" food that may very well be the same stuff you get everywhere else; most of it is probably produce, which should cost LESS because of the lower transportation costs.
That being said, the food here is vastly better than Farmer's Table. It just isn't worth anything close to what they're charging, except maybe the 1/2 price apps.