It's restaurant opening season, and already Palm Beach County has seen the grand opening of several new concepts in the past few weeks. Yet another restaurant is coming to Boca Raton.
On Saturday, October 4, La Ferme -- a modern French bistro -- will open its doors. The new restaurant is located on the site of former Bistro Gastronomie in Boca Raton's Yamato Village Shopping Center, and will feature a seasonal Mediterranean-inspired menu presented by a family of Manhattan restaurateurs.
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La Ferme is owned by Bobby and Laura Shapiro, as well as their daughter, Alexandra. Together, the family's industry experience is extensive: They currently own and operate two Manhattan locations of Flex Mussels, a concept that offers Prince Edward Island mussels served in 23 unique sauces.
In the past, the Shapiro family has also owned dozens of concepts, including Vanessa, Texarkana, La Louisiana, Hoexters, Uzie's, and Gianni's in Southstreet Seaport, New York and Baltimore, Maryland. In Prince Edward Island, Canada they owned and operated Dayboat, as well as the original Flex Mussels.
For their latest venture, La Ferme, the Shapiros has partnered with chef John Belleme, former executive chef for Stephane's in Boca Raton, to execute the seasonal menu.
"John Belleme has a passion for food and stellar talent and his menu promises to appeal to even the most discerning palate," said Bobby Shapiro. "His pedigree comes from a who's who in the South Florida restaurant community, and we are thrilled to partner with him at La Ferme."
Expect dishes to adjust with seasons, with a number of French-focused specialities like escargots, classic French onion soup, grilled octopus, and salad Nicoise with seared tuna. A menu highlight: Prince Edward Island mussels done three ways, including a dijonaise sauce and Thai curry take.
Shuster Design Associates, based in Wilton Manors, handled La Ferme's design which includes work by artists Shepard Fairey, Hunt Slonem, Donald Sultan, Alex Katz, Mel Ramos, Robert Cottingham and Brett Murray. La Ferme's 3,000-square-foot dining room can seat up to 120 guests, and features indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a large bar area.
La Ferme is located at 9101 Lakeridge Blvd., Boca Raton. The restaurant is open daily for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; and 5 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Call 561-430-3731, or visit the website laferme.kitchen.
Nicole Danna is a food blogger 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 Clean Plate's Instagram.
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