ZED 451 in Boca Raton

I know, I know it's been awhile since I've blogged and I have so much to blog about. But I couldn't wait to tell you about my experience at Zed. I didn't want to forget a thing. First of all, I had a margarita. No premade maragarita mix here. This was fresh squeezed margarita with Grand Manier instead of triple sec (at my request.) If that wasn't enough, it was rimmed with a spicey chipotle salt. Can I get a two yums up? Heck yeah! Alright on to the food. I want you to know that there were 4 of us and we all tried everything. There were forks a flyin in every direction.  So there is a lot to talk about, lets get going. Appetizers, Crab Napoleon, Lump crab meat, wakame (a slightly sweet seaweed) with a wasabi aioli (green horseraddish garlic mayo.) The crab was fresh, the flavor was a bit subtle for me even with the aioli. Was it good? yes, was it great? Not in my opinion. Hot Crab Dip with crostini, hot creamy, cheesy fondue with lumps of crab meat you dip onto garlic crostini. It was delicious. If I didn't know there was so much more to come, I would have eaten a lot more than I did. Ancho BBQ Ribs, Pork ribs that fell off the bone into your mouth, so tender and delicious with crispy onions. Just the crunch you needed after those tender ancho bbq, melt in you mouth ribs. Calamari Fries? What, no rings? I know, but I tell you, rings are 2nd class after the fries. Strips of calamari, breaded fried and glazed with an orange chili glaze.  Crispy, chewey, slightly sweet, dipped into a creamy chili aioli, I was in squid heaven. Go away little rings, go away.

Ahhhh little break until the salad comes. Another Margarita please. So let me tell you a little about the restaurant. ZED 451 is in the SW corner of Mizner Park in Boca Raton. They have an extended wine selection a Rodizio menu,a Harvest table, small plates menu, really too much to go into. Look it up.

The Salads, I'm not going to waste too much time. The Caesar Salad? It's a caesar salad. Spinach and Strawberry Salad? A huge mound of fresh spinach, cut strawberries and candied walnuts with a citrus dijon dressing. I thought it was really good, then I tasted my husbands ZED Wedge Salad. Bib Lettuce, blue cheese, crisp bacon and roma tomatoes. Sounds normal, right, like big deal! Well, I don't know, but I just thought it was phenominal. There was something about the thick bacon and the blue cheese that was different. Maybe it was because it looked awesome to begin with. Obviously it couldn't be that I was famished, LOL. Anyway next time, ZED Wedge it is for me.

So now it is on to the small plates. First up? Seared Rare Ahi Tuna with a miso vinaigrette. Perfectly seared and presented beautifully. Nothing special, but did not disappoint. OKAY, here it is, the highlight of my night, my new love in the food world. Probably the worst thing I could fall in love with. Asian PORK BELLY. Oh my goodness, even as I start to type this, I'm just hoping I can contain myself. Until you try it? You will have no idea why I can't stop talking about it to everyone I know. I don't know how they prepare it, but I am guessing because of it's tenderness and depth of flavor it must have been braised. Coated in chinese five spice and hoisin sauce. It literally melts, and I mean melts in your mouth. Meaty and fatty and undescribably delicious. If the words have been taken out of my mounth, I want it to be because ZED's pork belly went in. I think that is description enough, don't you? Can you believe we haven't even gotten our entrees yet?

Entress. Grilled Prawns and Diver scallops with homemade basil oil and summer ratatouille. The prawns were full of flavor, cooked to perfection. The scallops on the other hand were disappointing. No sear, a mushy texture because they were a little undercooked. The ratatouille was uneventful but not a disappointment.  Double-Cut Lamb Chops with citris-rosemary seasoning. Two out of 3 that tried them, me being one of them thought they were very good. I personally would have liked a little more seasoning, but they were cooked a perfect medium rare and did have good flavor.  New York Strip, prime aged, hand cut. Cooked to a perfect medium rare. Full of flavor, tender and juicy. Pleased my husband who is a hard sell. I mean, a hard sell. Don't believe me? Go out to dinner with us. Braised Beef Short Rib, bacon wrapped. So I have to admit, I did not try the short ribs. Hello!!!! Desert was coming. But the ones who did, said they were absolutely delicious.  And I haven't even mentioned the side dishes we all shared. Roasted Corn and Brandy Bacon. Delicious, sweet roasted corn and bacon? What more could you ask for? Smoked Gouda Mashed Potaoes. Creamy, cheesy, a little crunch on the top, also fantastic. Fire Roasted Vegetables. I only tasted my favorite part which was the asparagus. As full as I was, I ate two or three of them. They were also cooked to perfection with what I am guessing was a seasoned olive oil dressing. YUM!!!

So now desert. Butterscotch Bread Pudding. Buttery brioche soaked in rich butterscotch. Anyone that knows me knows if it's not chocolate, WHY? But I have to admit it was pretty good. And the others who actually like that kind of stuff, loved it.  S’more Pie. Sour cherry filling, rich chocolate ganache, cheesecake ice cream, maraschino cherries, toasted coconut, shaved chocolate & pecans. Need I say more? Yes, because it's my food blog. It was everything you would want in a desert. Creamy, crunchy, sweet, sour, chocolate, and can feed up to 4 people if you ask me. One more thing, we are pretty sure that the lemonade my husband ordered was freshly squoze lemonade. It was so good. So all in all, I hated the place. Just kidding. I loved ZED 451. I will be back and if they ever take Pork Belly off the menu, I will set up a protest outside till they bring it back.