News

The Plate: Charred octopus salad
The Place: Bäd Ragaz Hall and Biergarten
1417 S. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach; 336-3297; badragazbiergarten.com
The Price: $17
The Skinny: A Greek charred octopus salad or tender meatballs in tomato sauce not what you expect at a biergarten? The menu is only half the surprise. The décor is movie-set ready — for some futuristic German beer-hall event, perhaps.
While a nod to the traditional biergarten is the community benches and tables on one side of the room, the other holds the banquettes featuring high-tech tap tables (available by reservation). Draw your own beer here, by paying in advance for your brew of choice (think $10 on pump No. 2 at a gas station). High tops and a scene-stealing central square bar fill the rest of the spacious room.
Unique beers — more than 50, mostly European — are available by bottle; check the blackboard for recommended newcomers.
The menu swings from German to Italian to a touch of Greek, like the octopus salad we’re enamored with. Perfectly charred octopus pieces mixed with tender potato chunks and white beans are served over a bunch of frisée and dressed with simple olive oil and lemon juice with a dash of oregano. But if wursts and schnitzels are what you prefer, they’re here, too.
— Jan Norris