A sampling of tapas at Medi Terra in Boca Raton’s Royal Palm Place. BELOW: Michael Velicu is chef; his son Daniel is in charge of hospitality and operations. Photos provided by Bronwyn Knight
By Jan Norris
Medi Terra in Boca Raton is the culmination of a dream for the father-son team of Michael and Daniel Velicu.
The Velicus, who both live in eastern Boca Raton, opened the small chef-driven spot in the former Cafe Sapori in Royal Palm Place in late 2022.
Michael, 65, is the creative chef, while Daniel, 35, is the chief of hospitality and operations manager.
It’s challenging to have family in the restaurant business together, particularly of two generations, yet this works out, Daniel said.
“Like any good couple or partnership you have your ups and downs and good days and bad days,” he said. “But the outcome is very rewarding.”
The pair, originally from New Jersey, always dreamed of building a restaurant from scratch. It all began with a mid-life career swing.
“My father had a lifelong career as a structural engineer. In his mid-40s, he had a pretty dramatic pivot,” Daniel said.
A gift to take classes at the prestigious French Culinary Institute in New York City, under the tutelage of masters such as Jacques Pepin and Andre Soltner, turned Michael’s creative hobby into a new career.
He became chef/owner of Mediterraneo in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and for 17 years won awards for his cuisine.
Meanwhile, Daniel pursued his career in hotel hospitality, working for the Waldorf Astoria. At Hilton Hotels International he became director of catering and events for the Americas.
After the worst of the pandemic passed, Michael Velicu moved to Boca Raton to be near his son, and they brought their dream to fruition. The space in Royal Palm Place became available, and they decided to take a chance on it, Daniel said.
“My father is the creative artist; he’s responsible for providing the dishes, the flavors and ingredients. That leaves me with the operational part. I execute his vision, more or less.
It’s front-of-house versus back-of-house,” Daniel said.
Together they work out dishes and service “for the best guest experience from the time they enter the door till after they leave,” Daniel said, with follow-up on digital media.
Cuisine in the 90-plus-seat restaurant is coastal western Mediterranean. Dishes from France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco pepper the specials and fixed menus. “We recommend the tapas for first-time guests. They can experience a variety of what we offer on the menu,” Daniel Velicu said.
Popular dishes include a half roasted duck. “It’s something we launched skeptically, not knowing if Boca was a duck crowd. It was absolutely wildly successful,” Daniel said. “A beautiful half a duck, roasted with crispy skin. So juicy and tender inside, finished with a French prep — a duck a l’orange sauce with Grand Marnier and orange juice. It’s accompanied by fingerling potatoes roasted in the duck fat. A decadent dish.”
Paella Valenciana, consisting of saffron rice mixed with chicken and a seafood variety of clams, calamari, shrimp, scallops and chorizo, is a favorite. “The traditional paella calls for rabbit but we think that might be a little too avant garde here,” Daniel said.
A daily selection of fresh seafood yields his favorite: branzino over squid-ink risotto and asparagus. He also recommends the corvine served on a bed of butterbeans with ginger and shallots.
An Old World wine list accompanies the menu, Daniel said.
You can expect to see both father and son at the restaurant daily; visits from the chef to table are common, unlike their menu.
“We’re here to provide the food connoisseur an alternative to the pasta, sushi, taco and other restaurants opening here,” Daniel said. “We’re proud of our quality and creative, unique menu.”
Medi Terra, Royal Palm Place, 301 Via De Palmas, #99, Boca Raton. Open Monday to Saturday, noon-3 p.m. for lunch, 5-10 p.m. for dinner. Phone 561-367-9779 for reservations; https://mediterraboca.com
Father’s Day dinner? Try a steakhouse
From upscale and modern, to classic bustling big rooms, South County has numerous steakhouses to please Dad on his day June 18.
Father’s Day is easier to navigate than Mother’s Day if you’re eating out. But keep in mind that only a few steakhouses serve lunch, so plan ahead and make reservations.
Take a look at the menus online. They often don’t display prices, but expect to spend big bucks. Prime and choice steaks are pricey, still considered a luxury food, and costs for restaurants have risen even over last year’s leap. Side dishes at most steakhouses are a la carte; order them for sharing, because portions are substantial.
To counter some of the sticker shock, many steakhouses have begun offering other entree choices, or smaller plates, including vegetarian dishes beyond salads. Look for gluten-free offerings as well. A lunch or prix fixe dinner may be offered at less cost. A meal can be made of appetizers, too — especially if you have a light eater in your group.
If you’re a wine lover, steakhouses are an oasis among restaurants, typically having some of the best wine lists in the industry (heavy on reds, of course). You might find a hidden gem among the commons, if you know what to look for.
Don’t discount desserts, either. From delectable crème brulee to a boss bread pudding, they offer a great finish.
Here’s a roundup of some of the steakhouses in the area.
Cut 432, 432 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Steaks are served in a modern vibe setting with outdoor seating available. It’s dinner only, daily. Highlights: Dry-aged beef, notable cocktails, friendly service.
Costa By OK&M, 302 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Highlights: This menu has gluten-free foods, organic wines and sustainable seafood and at least one vegan option. And steak. Something for everyone, perhaps.
Avalon Steak and Seafood, 110 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Stylish modern setting on the Avenue. Highlights: Some fine wines, and a crab cocktail that can be a small meal. Seafood such as halibut is notable.
Angle at Eau Palm Beach Resort, 100 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan. Modern American “supper club” atmosphere. A wine wall portends what is one of the top wine lists in the county. Highlights: The tomahawk steak, and desserts are in the “don’t miss” category. Bison and other meats and offerings on the healthier side are served in keeping with the avid spa clientele.
Chops Lobster Bar, 101 Plaza Real South, Boca Raton. A longtime favorite of the area, this import from Atlanta is a beauty, with its sweeping ceilings and full menu of favorites. Highlights: Lobster bisque, Wagyu beef sold by the ounce, and fat lobsters sold by the pound. Add on a bacon-wrapped tender scallop.
TwentyTwenty Grille, 141 Via Naranjas in Royal Palm Place, Boca Raton. A chef-driven, small modern grill serving sustainable meats and locally sourced produce in season. Highlights: Duck tacos as appetizers, venison chops for mains. Fine wines on a limited menu. Chef visits the dining room. Dinner only, Wednesday through Sunday.
Baciami Italiano and Prime Steak, 1415 S. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach. An Italian steak and seafood spot. Highlights: Happy hour menu daily, and a sunset special three-course early dinner. Bouillabaisse, cowboy ribeye, and a 40-ounce tomahawk for two.
Abe and Louie’s Steakhouse, 2200 Glades Road, Boca Raton. This classic has served beef lovers in Boca Raton since 2005 as a Boston import. It has bustling rooms with classic menu items and jacketed servers. Highlights: A complimentary bread basket, baked French onion soup, large chops, knowledgeable service. Open for lunch.
NY Prime Steakhouse, 2350 NW Executive Center Drive, Boca Raton. This longtime traditional steakhouse boasts all aged and prime cuts — the top 3% of all beef. Highlights: Proper cocktails a la Rat Pack, 40-ounce porterhouse, steaks prepared “Pittsburgh-style” — seared at volcanic temperatures for a signature crust. 1-pound baked potatoes. Classic New York steakhouse atmosphere.
In brief
Coming soon to Delray Beach: Papamigos, a popular Coconut Creek mashup of Mexican and Asian, serving tequila, tacos and sushi. It’s expected to open this summer at 3035 S. Federal Highway in the South Delray Shopping Center. ...
Omakase is the latest trend hitting South Florida, and a small chain has opened in both Delray Beach and Boca Raton. Taki Omakase is at 1658 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton, and 632 E. Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. They offer chef’s choice for an 18-course experience. Plan to spend up to two hours at the counter watching the chefs work, and open your palate to eating dishes you may not have tried on your own. ...
The dust-up between Benny’s on the Beach at the Lake Worth Beach pier and the city has settled; Benny’s is here to stay for at least another 10 years. That was the final vote from the city after a resignation from one town official over the brouhaha, and on the other side, public outcry to save the beachy bar favorite from demise. The saga was all about money and “fair market value” for rent. ...
Beer and wine are now on the menu at John G’s in Manalapan. New owners (since 2019) at the 49-year-old restaurant decided to add alcohol in May; a mimosa goes well with the famous omelets and French toast.
Jan Norris is a food writer who can be reached at nativefla@gmail.com
Comments