Recently, Doris and I were in Boca Raton on business and decided to stop into The Locale for an early dinner. Alvaro, the gentleman who seated us, presented us with the menus and told us that we had a few more minutes to enjoy the Happy Hour offerings. He went over the Happy Hour menu and explained other deals that they were offering. Lucas our server greeted us took our drink order and gave us a few minutes to decide what we were going to order.
For our drinks, Doris ordered a Moscow Mule, made with Pearl vodka, lime, and ginger beer. I had the Fig Old Fashioned which was comprised of Benchmark Bourbon, homemade fig syrup, Italian dark cherries, and a slice of fresh orange. Both drinks were balanced and had excellent pours.
We decided to order several items from the Happy Hour menu to be able to get a good sampling of flavors offered. The first item that we ordered was the Meatballs Pomodoro, topped with parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, and basil. These were probably in “My Top 3 Meatball Dishes” that I have ever tasted. Actually, I even made a point of telling the restaurant Manager to compliment the Chef on my behalf. Next up for us were the Short Rib Arancini (Rice Balls) stuffed with short rib and fresh mozzarella cheese, coated with breadcrumbs, and deep fried over fresh Pomodoro sauce. I could have had these for dinner they were absolutely delicious. Shrimp Ajillo that were pan-seared shrimp in garlic confit olive oil, cilantro, and scallion, accompanied by fresh toasted ciabatta bread. These again were delicious; I could have made a dinner out of these if only I had a bowl of rice. Our last app was the crispy golden fried Calamari, delightfully prepared in zucchini, pimento di bico, spicy mayo sauce, and marinara sauce. The calamari were so flavorful and tender. Yet another delicious dish! Being that everything was so good how could we leave without trying the Tres Leches? Well, it was yet another hit in the flavor parade. The Locale in Boca Raton is a “must do” if you are in the area, and a “just visit already” if you are not. The amazingly talented Chef will have you wanting more. Lucas, our server, was outstanding! He was very knowledgeable and attentive. Don’t forget to let them know that their friends at SoFloDining sent you.
Chef Dan & Doris WithaD
Tips & Notes:
· Make sure to check out the Happy Hour Specials
· Valet Parking and a large parking lot.
· Make reservations in advance they tend to get busy.
· Great for special occasions and parties.
Address: 499 Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33432
Phone: 561-325-8000
