Restaurateur Opens Chic Eatery in Boca

Bruce Blum and Burt Rapoport (the man behind Boca's Max's Grille and former owner of Prezzo's) opened Opus 5, an elegant yet modern restaurant in the Shops at Boca Center on May 1. The 5,000-square-foot eatery has a decadent feel thanks to golden yellow suede upholstered walls and rich mahogany seating (a combination of sturdy chairs and plush banquettes, seating 140 guests). A bar runs the length of one side of Opus 5, and glass-doored wine closets hold approximately 1,600 bottles of wine from around the world. A DJ booth allows spinners to entertain guests with any musical request. There's also a chic outdoor patio, which wraps around the restaurant, with seating for 40 people amidst dark wicker furniture with comfy pillows. Francis Casciato, who hails from the House of Blues in New Orleans, is the executive chef. He oversees the menu, primarily filled with Asian-accented American dishes such as miso-glazed Norwegian halibut or pork tenderloin with ginger-plum glaze. —Vanessa Goyanes
Posted 07.20.06