I heard the sultry jazz before my eyes were able to fully appreciate the vibrant scene that greeted me at the door. The bustling bar’s eruption of clinking glasses and merriment drew me in as the jazz ensemble’s soulful notes filled the room. It was vibey, and I loved it. Few restaurants in the area bestow the gift of nightly live music to their guests, but Eddie V’s does. The music and lively crowd instantly set the mood—you’re in for a fun evening if nothing else.
But don’t worry, there’s more. Eddie V’s opened in the former Jazziz and, most recently, Ouzo Bay location in Mizner Park last fall after a complete renovation. The bar’s lounge and dining room are separated by an impressive wine collection that towers over white-linen tables and cozy banquettes lit by dazzling chandeliers. This is the brand’s fourth outpost in Florida, which Darden Restaurants owns. The Orlando-based company also counts LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze Island Grille, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Yard House and Olive Garden among its portfolio of restaurants.
The black napkin exchange is a much-admired detail I rarely see at restaurants. The tables are set with white napkins, but when a hostess sat me and handed me a black napkin to spare my black pants the agitation of a white lint explosion on my lap, I was impressed by the courtesy. After we settled in, another pleasant surprise arrived in the form of a petite icy shaker that delivered an impeccably portioned dirty vodka libation into the empty martini glass with a tableside flourish.
We started with the jumbo lump crab cake ($27) and Maine lobster tacos ($27). It was one crab cake but a sizable portion, enough for us to share. It’s a hearty amount of crab with minimal filling, with a toasted breadcrumb top that adds a layer of crunch, and it’s served on a spicy chive remoulade. The tacos were the hit of the evening. Hulky lobster pieces are placed over house-made tortillas and then topped with avocado, crunchy grilled sweet corn and pico de gallo for an overall incredible bite.
Eddie V’s is famous for its seafood and premium steaks (hand-carved daily by the in-house butcher), so we opted to try the Georges Bank scallops ($46) and a 10-ounce center-cut filet ($57) with a side of crab fried rice ($19). The well-cooked scallops were neither spongey nor chewy and had a balanced buttery and bright flavor thanks to the sauteed citrus fruit and brown butter, while the Marcona almond slivers added a crunch. The steak was tender with a delightful, seared crust, and was perfectly cooked. I also appreciated that the kitchen sliced it for us for easy sharing. The rice was the only dish I would pass on; it was fried rice topped with lump crab, but nothing about it was memorable.
This restaurant has perfected the art of entertaining—from that first impression with the live jazz to the end of the meal with a tableside flambéed Bananas Foster dessert show that left us excited to come back for another fun, effortless night out. And isn’t that what you need every once in a while?
IF YOU GO
201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 561/237-0067
PARKING: Valet, parking garages, street parking
HOURS: Sun., 4 – 9 p.m.; Mon. – Sat., 4 – 10 p.m.
PRICES: $14 – $112
WEBSITE: eddiev.com
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