It’s not everyday that a restaurant goes through a $1.8 million renovation, complete with revamps of its menu and wine program, in three short months. Locals have been anticipating the reopening of Oceans 234 in Deerfield Beach (234 N. Ocean Blvd., 954/428-2539), and the wait is finally over.
Owner Danielle Rosse, chef Victor Franco and the team at Oceans 234 have created quite the wow factor with the redesign. My jaw practically fell open the moment I stepped through the doors; the restaurant is situated only footsteps away from the sand, with the most amazing ocean view you can easily see from just about anywhere in the restaurant. Now this is beachfront dining!
As for the menu overhaul, you’ll still find the classic Oceans favorites, but 75 percent of the offerings are new. Fresh appetizers, entrées, sides, bar bites, desserts, cocktails and wine, as well as a new Sunday brunch menu and gluten-free selections.
Among the standout dishes during a recent press gathering:
• Tuna Stack: Layers of fresh and tasty diced tuna and avocado with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. The fun part? The crispy plantain chips served alongside. This small details are what this tuna stack a one-up on the others. Plantains are a nod to Floridian food culture, and, well, just really, really good.
• Blackened Snapper Reuben: As a non-meat eater, I’ve never been able to enjoy a traditional Reuben sandwich—until now. This concept is perfect for a Florida restaurant where seafood is your main attraction. I loved the combination of flavors and textures—the crisp purple cabbage, the assertive Swiss cheese, the soft-yet-sturdy marble rye bread, and the creamy, tangy Thousand Island dressing. I’m not usually a sandwich-person, but this was hitting all the right spots!
• Cap’n Crunch, Banana and Nutella French Toast: I’m not a sweets eater when it comes to brunch, but as a treat to end the night? Oh yes. It’s the perfect bite—pillow-soft French toast coated in crunchy cereal, creamy Nutella and peanut butter spread, with banana to round it out. It may sound like breakfast food, but this is all dessert for me. This dish, unfortunately, is not offered on the dessert menu and is only available for Sunday brunch.
Hitting the beach in Deerfield and looking for beachfront dining with a view? Oceans 234 is the spot!
Click here to read the full review.
