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. 92: Meatballs With Ricotta and San Marzano Tomato Sauce From Deck 84
Like any uncomplicated dish, the humble meatball can be screwed up in many ways. It can be denser than Glenn Beck and be a meat anchor. It can be
stuffed with so much breading that it's a starchball. It can be so underseasoned that it's a least ball or so overcooked that it's a meat coal. But get the humble meatball right -- a mix of beef and pork, a judicious amount of bread binder (panko seems to work best), a goodly spiking of onions, garlic, herbs, and cheese -- and you get... well, you get the meatballs at Deck 84. These plump spheres of carnivorous satisfaction are bursting with rich, meaty flavor (it doesn't hurt that they're braised in beef stock after having been browned) but also possess a remarkably light texture (thanks to a generous fistful of panko). If that's not enough, a dollop of creamy ricotta and sauce made from the tomatoes of the gods -- the superlative specimens of San Marzano, Italy -- will ensure you never eat a screwed-up meatball again.
Deck 84
840 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach
Previous 100 favorite dishes:
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
Check out last year's 100 Favorite Dishes.
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