capt frank's seafood market - News - The Coastal Star2024-03-28T12:52:10Zhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/capt+frank%27s+seafood+marketDining: Capt. Frank’s new owner brings eclectic tastes to seafood markethttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/dining-capt-frank-s-new-owner-brings-eclectic-tastes-to-seafood-m2023-02-28T21:34:32.000Z2023-02-28T21:34:32.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10977973901,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10977973901,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="10977973901?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>Tony Vento, a longtime chef, puts culinary ideas to work in his offerings at Capt. Frank’s in Boynton Beach. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>By Faran Fagen</strong></p>
<p>Capt. Frank’s new owner, Tony Vento, has traveled all over the Mediterranean, up and down the East Coast, and as far north as Quebec.<br /> Every step of the way, he’s picked up ingredients for another slice of cuisine. To Vento, each region of the world he’s visited symbolizes a signature sizzle in the market’s style of sautéing.<br /> “I’ve learned different cuisine, cultures and passion to food itself,” said Vento, who became owner of Capt. Frank’s Seafood Market in Boynton Beach in October 2021. <br />“After working as a chef for the past 23 years, I decided it’s time to take everything I’ve learned and bring it close to home.”<br /> The 44-year-old lives in Boynton Beach with his wife, Diana, and their two young boys. He realized a dream when he took ownership of Capt. Frank’s. Vento graduated from the French Culinary Institute in New York City and worked as a chef in that area until he moved to Miami, where he helped open the Ritz-Carlton in South Beach. <br />From there, he moved to the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach in Manalapan (now Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa).<br /> “I worked with some great leaders and colleagues who I learned a great deal from,” Vento said.<br /> Next, he became a private estate/yacht chef. This is where he met former Frank’s owner Joe Sclafani. <br />Sclafani and his team catered Vento’s events and charters. The food was a huge hit. Vento sought a way to combine his chef expertise with the warm feeling from Sclafani and his seafood market.<br /> In the early ’90s, Sclafani sold his partnership in a seafood market in Rye, New York, headed to Florida with his family and bought Capt. Frank’s Seafood Market. <br /> A year and a half ago, he sold it to Vento. Sclafani still comes in once a week to pick up fresh seafood.<br /> In his travels, Vento enjoys the cuisine of local chefs who carved a niche in the communities in which they cook. It’s something he’s sought since he took over the fish market at Capt. Frank’s.<br /> “As a chef I celebrate my local chefs with their ideas,” Vento said. “From Chef Judine’s granola, Chef Elio chocolate from Colombia and Chef Jeff’s local smoked fish dips.” <br /> Of course, Vento has brought in some new ideas for locals to treasure. For one, you can come in and create a custom menu —from wine, cheese, caviar, fresh fish and meats to desserts.<br /> One thing that hasn’t changed are the market staples, including the market’s famous stone crabs. <br />A variety of fresh seafood is available along with groceries selected by Vento that fill the shelves, coolers and freezers surrounding the seafood showcase. Customers get a mouth-watering view of what they might want to pick up for dinner.<br /> The retail and wholesale seafood market does brisk business, with the high product turnover resulting in superior freshness, Vento said.<br /> Vento’s hobbies — besides cooking — include gardening, spending time with family, and traveling. <br /> <em>Capt. Frank’s is open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. It’s at 435 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach. Phone: 561-732-3663.</em></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Back next month</span><br /> <em>Food writer Jan Norris will return next month. Reach her at nativefla@gmail.com.</em></p></div>