Racks is the New Foodie Hot Spot in Boca's Mizner Park

Racks in Boca Raton Mizner Park

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Racks Downtown Eatery and Tavern, the stunning new hot spot on the dining scene at Mizner Park in Boca Raton, is doing more than just filling the void where Pranzo once stood. It’s establishing itself as a fun foodie destination, thanks to Chef Matthew Danaher, whose delicious point of view regarding ingredients comes to life in both plate presentation and taste. Having judged many a restaurant based solely on the caliber of its bread offerings, I know instantly I'm in for a treat. A lunch-size brown bag arrives at the table with pretzel rolls served with a mustard dipping sauce. It’s a challenge to eat only one of these and I guarantee you’ll be thinking about pretzel rolls for days.

Interior-wise, it’s intriguing and glam with lots of black and red, oversized tubular white chandeliers, white-washed brick columns and a pizza oven façade that’s artistic beyond the imagination.

Back to the meal. The tuna taco starter, with it’s house-made potato chip-like shell is a super yummy bite with merging flavors of wasabi mustard greens, green apple, radish, and of course, guacamole. Cedar salmon chips are tasty too, and also make use of a version of the house-made potato vessel to pair the beautiful chunks of cedar salmon with chives, capers and eggs. Baby arugula topped with crispy goat cheese is a salad must, intermingled with dates, walnuts and golden raises tossed in a subtle mustard vinaigrette. Idaho Trout Amandine is delicately prepared with subtle soy apple butter. It is lovely, with perfectly cooked pea shoots sharing company with the trout. There’s an impressive list of craft beers and specialty cocktails. Try the Lolita Crush, a fresh fruity mojito made with Cruzan rum that muddles mint, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. Finally, don’t miss out on dessert, especially the s’mores concoction served with grapenut ice cream.

Looks like restaurateur Gary Rack, whose other venues include Boca’s Table 42 Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar and North Miami Beach’s Racks Italian Kitchen, really has a knack for this stuff.

Tags: Boca Raton | food | Gary Rack | Mizner Park | Racks