Boca Raton is getting its own Eddie V’s Prime Seafood.
The elevated eatery — known not only for seafood but also for its prime steaks and vaunted vino list — is scheduled to open in Mizner Park on Sunday, Oct. 1. Foodies can start making reservations as early as Thursday, Sept. 28.
“I think we identified Mizner Park in Boca Raton as a place of long-term growth and we … want to give back to the community a fantastic dining experience with great cocktails, extraordinary vibe and just incredible hospitality,” says manager Michael Adelman. “I think that’ll make it a unique dining destination in Boca Raton. The atmosphere and the universal vibe, to me, is really what will bring guests in the building.”
The new Eddie V’s is part of a 31-restaurant national brand and measures 10,566 square feet with four private dining rooms and an outdoor patio that. The interior can seat 298 guests, with another 78 people outside.
In South Florida, there is also an Eddie V’s on Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale, but Adelman says the Boca Raton location will have some things to call its very own.
“I think the one unique factor that we have — other than having a much larger patio space — is a speakeasy room, which is our roundtable private dining room that holds 14 guests (and) has a 30-foot vaulted ceiling. It looks like wood, but it’s actually a felt ceiling … a felt material that helps deaden sound so that guests can enjoy a private dining experience and not hear any of the outside,” he says. “(And there’s) this unbelievable chandelier. It’s spectacular. You’d have to see it in person to really honestly feel it. The architecture is just incredible.”
Adelman, who was born in Margate and grew up in the West Palm Beach area, started as a busboy at LongHorn Steakhouse in Boynton Beach. He continued to work in the restaurant business throughout high school and while attending Florida State University.
In 2011, he began working full time for Darden Restaurants, the Orlando-headquartered dining company that owns Eddie V’s and LongHorn Steakhouse along with The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze Island Grille, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Yard House and Olive Garden.
There were stints in Tallahassee, Orlando and Boston (working in Fenway Park). After making his way back to SoFlo to become assistant manager at Seasons 52 in Boca Raton, he then rounded out his hospitality resume by becoming sous chef/kitchen manager at Seasons 52 in Palm Beach Gardens.
His time in the kitchen gives him an appreciation for certain dishes on the Eddie V menu.
“I think the Chilean Sea Bass steamed Hong Kong-style in a light soy broth would be my No. 1 choice,” he says. “My second favorite dish on the menu is a parmesan-crusted sole with a super lemon butter sauce and a heirloom tomato salad. It’s absolutely fabulous.”
Adelman, who lives in Delray Beach with his wife, continues, “Then on the cocktail side, I’m a lover of bourbon, so I would highly recommend our Smoked Old Fashioned. It’s smoked tableside on a cedar plank with a Basil Hayden bourbon and chocolate bitters. It’s absolutely fantastic.”
Eddie V’s is also known for having live music in the V Lounge every single night of the week.
“It really sets the stage for the evening. It’s like this unbelievable destination … with jazz music,” he says. “It’s really cocktails with theater, like the Smoked Old Fashioned. It will be the place to be seen in Boca Raton.”
In addition to craft cocktails, the happy hour menu includes small plate dishes and shareables.
“I highly recommend our filet sliders, absolutely fantastic — filet mignon with a blue cheese crust on top. Those would be my No. 1 choice.”
Eddie V’s Boca Raton is located at 201 Plaza Real in Mizner Park. For more information, go to eddiev.com or call 561-237-0067. Reservations are recommended but not required.
Eddie V’s Jumbo Lump Crab Cake. (Eddie V’s Prime Seafood/Courtesy)
