If you've ever experienced the "hanger" that comes from realizing you're craving Jimmy's Bistro tomato bisque soup — or maybe an order of fresh-caught and that amazing pork schnitzel number on the entree list — but totally forgot to make a reservation and now you know the chances of getting one of those 10 tables is close to .01 percent — worry no more.
Jimmy's Bistro chef-owner Jimmy Mills recently opened a new restaurant in Boca Raton, an eatery he's dubbed Fries to Caviar Garden Bistro & Bar. Although the name may conjure visions of fish eggs and deep-fried potatoes, it's actually a great way to describe the menu, says Mills.
"We have it all — from fries to caviar," says Mills. "I saw the name in a magazine years ago and always knew I'd use it one day. Really what that means is that there's a little bit of something for everyone."
Mills, who partnered with several longtime Jimmy's Bistro employees to bring the new concept to life, stands as the restaurant's co-owner and executive chef. Like Jimmy's Bistro in Delray Beach, Fries to Caviar will offer a chef-driven menu where you can find everything from handmade pasta and locally caught fresh fish entrées to a chicken fried veal chop and Spanish-style seafood paella.
The menu moves from starters, soup, and salad to entrées, sandwiches, and several dinner-sized salads priced $17 to $19. A special section highlights Italian fare, with homemade rigatoni and ravioli and chicken, pork, or eggplant Parmesan. And — yes — there's also market-fresh caviar, which Mills said will change weekly or monthly according to supply and demand.
Located in the former Darbster space at 6299 N. Federal Highway, the 150-seat restaurant is a decided step up in size from the 50-seat Delray Beach bistro he opened in 2010 off Swinton Avenue. Completely renovated and decorated by Mills himself, Fries to Caviar now offers a clean, modern space with dark hardwood floors and comfy booth seating, complemented by a 50-seat covered outdoor patio and auxiliary bar and lounge area.
A 20-seat bar, located in a separate space adjacent to the main dining room, allows patrons to order from a bar menu with a tasteful selection of wines by the glass, beer by the bottle and on tap, and light bites priced $7 to $10, available during a daily happy hour from 3:30 to 6 p.m. That includes mussels, pork lettuce wraps, lobster bisque, house-made mozzarella caprese salad, and drinks like Tito's passionfruit mojito or a Maker's Mark old-fashioned for $8 each.
Jimmy's Fries to Caviar Garden Bistro & Bar is located at 6299 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. Call 561-617-5965, or visit friestocaviar.com.
Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.