Sunday, July 17, 2011

Ristorante Sapori (4 Forks, $40 pp)


Italian restaurants are in nearly every plaza in South Florida, but finding a gem like Sapori is rare. Sapori is simply stellar. This is real food prepared fresh to order. One glance and the menu and you can see this isn't your average restaurant.

We were excited by the regular menu, but the Turbo special of the night sounded just right. A simple preparation was recommended because the fish was so delicious and fresh.  When we saw the fish up close, we knew we made the right choice. That's right. The waiter actually brought the raw fish to the table for us to see! What a beauty! It looks a lot like flounder, with both eyes on top a plate-like body.

Turbo

Swordfish, Branzino, Salmon, and Mixed Shellfish in Broth were on special that night as well. The Turbo, at $40 a plate, was a bit beyond my normal budget, but I decided it wasn't the night to be worried about money.

After ordering we settled in and attacked the bread basket.  The accompanying basil butter and roasted garlic butter were flavorful, unique, and addictive.

Basil & Roasted Garlic Butters

The fish arrived shortly and didn't disappoint. A slight squeeze of the lemon was all the Turbo needed. Simple and delicious. The side of grilled zucchini, squash, and potatoes was also a revelation. I wondered how the veggies had so much flavor but seemed so basic.



The next time I go to Sapori, I will bring a bit more money and sample the Appetizer and Pasta menus. One thing I would have liked to eat was a Sapori sampler plate with a variety of vegetables of the night. The selection is displayed on a table in the center of the small dining area. Broccoli rabe, Tomato Mozzarella Caprese Salad, Roasted Peppers, and Artichokes were all within view along with a few other plates I didn't recognize.

The pasta dishes run around $20 a plate and include several intriguing options. I have a weakness for a good Linguine con Vongole (linguine with clams) and I have a feeling I wouldn't be disappointed here. Rigatoni Alla Sapori also sounds tasty, with prosciutto, onion, mascarpone, and basil in a tomato sauce. And the Spaghettini Alla Puttanesca must be special because the menu states "... when i die i would like someone to give a eulogy about this dish, for the story and the flavor". 

The menu also has a variety of veal and chicken dishes. The Chicken Breast Medallions with artichoke and lemon or Milanese with arugola are each $23. Two Veal Scallopine dishes and three Veal Chops, including one with bacon, herbs, mushrooms, and onion, range from $32 to $42 per plate. One signature dish that sounds particularly worthy of attention is the Coccio, a baked seafood and shellfish casserole in a thin garlicky tomato gauzetto broth offered for $34.

Whether you prefer pasta, meat, or excellent fresh fish, for a special Italian meal try Sapori.

Sapori is located at 301 Via De Palmas in Boca Raton and is open for lunch and dinner.

Ristorante Sapori on Urbanspoon

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