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. 26: Chicken Rosario's from Rosario's Ristorante
If you want to instantly be labeled a culinary wuss, a 'fraidy-cat, a lightweight, a pallid palate only one step up the evolutionary scale from vegetarian, order the chicken.
It's a sad but inescapable fact of restaurant life that, more often than not, the popular but typically insipid meat of this flightless fowl is included on menus solely to placate diners with an almost pathological aversion to flavor, texture or anything that might actually tickle their taste buds. Well, the signature chicken dish at Rosario Lanza's bustling Boca Raton ristorante doesn't just tickle your taste buds, it jabs them with an electric cattle prod. Hearty, savory and as soulful as James Brown with a brand-new bag, it's an appetite-busting mélange of bone-in chicken, fennel-scented Italian sausage, pleasantly bitter broccoli rabe, hot and sweet peppers, and big chunks of potato, all pan-roasted with just enough winy jus to moisten everything up. Nothing wussie about that.
Rosario's Ristorante
145 SE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton
Previous 100 favorite dishes:
No. 27: Yucca Chips with Yogurt Dip From Triple 8 Lounge at the Falcon House
No. 28: Tiramisu From Arturo's Ristorante
No. 29: Islamorada Conch Chowder From Rustic Inn
No. 37: G.O.A.T. Cookies from Sugar Rush
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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