Here is a range of restaurants guaranteed to set the evening on your special night out.
Grand Lux Cafe (6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561/392-2141)
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday: 11:30 a.m. to midnight
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to midnight
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Atmosphere: Upscale casual
Reservations: Yes
Grand Lux Cafe (We are positive the “Lux” stands for luxurious) is an upscale, casual restaurant attached to Town Center mall. Marble floors, mosaic tiles, hand-blown glass accents and a variety of carnival colors help set an intriguing, light-hearted mood for your dinner.
This beautiful eatery is owned by the creators of the Cheesecake Factory…and their menu is just as thick. Selective diners can relax and the choose from a variety of flavors including Thai, Malaysian, Caribbean, European and, of course, American.
Try the chicken enchiladas or Mediterranean Mahi Mahi. Grand Lux’s pizza and salads are delicious. And if your date is still giving you butterflies halfway through your meal, put in an order for a dessert (they take a half hour to prepare) and share a roasted pineapple upside-down cake, warm rustic apple pie or molten chocolate cake.
J. Alexander’s (1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561/347-9875)
Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 11:20 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Reservations: No
Atmosphere: Fine Dining
Matchmaker Carol Morgan often recommends her clients go to J. Alexander’s on a first date. The contemporary American restaurant has a romantic atmosphere and delicious food. Show a little extra class and order your date some wine, then fill up on rattlesnake pasta, aged prime rib, pork milanese and other wood-fire cuisine.
Save room for dessert too. Savor the evening with white chocolate cheesecake or warm carrot cake.
Andrews (43 Plaza Real South, Boca Raton, 561/391-7939)
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 5:00 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Atmosphere: Casual Elegant
Reservations: Yes
Sit back, relax and enjoy the food and atmosphere of this modern American bistro. Your date will feel at ease (and hungry) for lobster bisque and gumbo ginger shrimp starters. Find out about each other’s childhood over penne alla vodka, coq au vin or a perfectly cooked New York strip.
Andrews offers live entertainment while you dine. Tuesday is karaoke night! Enjoy music while you dine. To work off your delicious dessert, take your date out on the dance floor.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House (225 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton, 561/392-6746)
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 5:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5:00 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Atmosphere: Casual elegant
Reservations: Yes
Dress up and spoil your date with a night at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. This elegant restaurant is for a big night out. Glam up, valet your car, and swing the door for the girl. This warm, luxurious atmosphere is sure to set the mood. Order cocktails and a bottle of wine. Share an appetizer of seared ahi tuna or the barbecued shrimp. And of course, you almost have to order a delicious steak (you’re at one of the nicest steak houses after all). Choose the cowboy ribeye or the New York strip, but save room at the end for the bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Your date is sure to be stuffed (and smitten) by the end of the night.
P.S. Don’t forget to bring some mints!
