As a countdown to the Best of Broward Palm Beach 2011, coming in June, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up a hundred of our favorite dishes in South Florida. Send your own nominations to [email protected].
No. 38: Crab-Avocado Strato From Cielo
The atmosphere of Cielo is just as lofty as its perch on the 27th floor of The Tower at the oh-so-tony Boca Raton Resort and Club. To get in you've got to be a guest at the resort or have some pretty big time connections, but springing for a room (especially in the off-season) is a small price to pay to sample the creations of chef Nader Jaouhar, a native of Senegal who's cooking some of the most exciting food in town. His melding of sea-sweet crab with rich, buttery avocado is a stellar example, a cylinder with alternating layers of each, wrapped in thin cucumber sheets and laid in a pool of tangy, nutty preserved lemon-tahini sauce. As good as that is, it's almost a supporting role to a trio of fat little crab and edamame falafels that take the typically humble blend of chickpeas and parsley to, well. . . more lofty heights.
Cielo
501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton
Previous 100 favorite dishes:
No. 44: Tuna Tartar from Canyon Southwestern Cafe
No. 45: Banana Praline French Toast from the Hurricane Cafe
No. 46: Paneer Makhani from The Palace
No. 47: Bruschetta Pizza from Pizza Fusion
No. 48: Falafel Sandwich from Falafel Bistro
No. 49: Philly Cheese Steak from Philly Steak Sub Shop
No. 50: Bizcoche de Maiz from Maracas
No. 51: Rotisserie Chicken from Publix
No. 52: Encebollado de Pescado from Cafe Paraiso
No. 53: Fish Tacos from Kahuna Bar & Grill
No. 54: Lobster Corn Dogs from Rok:Brgr
No. 55: Gazpacho from John G's on the Beach
No. 56: Black & Blue Oysters from Shuck-N-Dive
No. 57: Latin Macho Burger from Latin Burger
No. 58: Dover Sole from French Corner Bistro & Rotisserie
No. 59: Cider Doughnuts from Chef John Carlino
No. 60: Breakfast in a Pot from Tom Sawyer Restaurant and Pastry Shop
No. 61: Fried Jumbo Shrimp from Betty's Soul Food
No. 62: Pastrami Sandwich from Primanti Bros.
No. 63: "Monster" Hoagie from LaSpada's Original Hoagies
No. 64: Truffled Chips from YOLO
No. 65: Black Skillet-Roasted Mussels from Timpano Chophouse
No. 66: Fish Sandwich from Lazy Loggerhead Cafe
No. 67: Fresh Tomato Pizza from Pizza Time
No. 68: Seafood Salad Sandwich from Le Tub
No. 69: Wings from Lefty's Tavern
No. 70: Sake Flight from Wild East Asian Bistro
No. 71: Croque Monsieur From Croissan'Time
No. 72: Mushroom in Tin Foil at Marumi Sushi
No. 73: Tapas Sharing Platter from Johnny V
No. 74: Cherry Crunch Donut from Dandee Donut Factory
No. 75: Brussel Sprouts from Cafe La Buca
No. 76: Linguine Vongole from Il Bellagio
No. 77: Housemade Charcuterie from Market 17
No. 78: Crab Benedict at the Downtowner Saloon
No. 80: Insalata Caprese from Fiorentina
No. 81: Angus and Brie Burger from Gilbert's 17th Street Grill
No. 82: Pulled Pork Sliders from Gratify American GastroPub
No. 84: Guacamole from Dos Caminos
No. 85: Rock Shrimp from Bahama Mama
No. 86: The Grease Beast from Grease Burger
No. 89: Coal-Oven Wings from Table 42
No. 90: Pork buns at Umi Fish Bar + Grill
No. 91: Mariquitas from Cabana
No. 92: Meatballs With Ricotta and San Marzano Tomato Sauce from Deck 84
No. 93: Crème Brûlée With Fruit Compote from Mojo
No. 94: Asparagus and Swiss Omelette from La Bonne Crepe on Las Olas
No. 95: Pad Thai from Sukhothai
No 96: The Mother of All Burgers from Quickie's Burgers & Wings
No. 97: Arancini Rice Balls from D'Angelo
No. 98: "Yum Yum" Korean Pork Tacos from Nacho Bizness
No. 99: Sauteed Gator Tail from Rosey Baby
No. 100: Vacio Steak from Angus Bar and Grill
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