 Food & Spirits: From its beginning more than 80 years ago (then as the Cloister Inn), Boca Raton Resort and Club has established a firm grip on its status as an American landmark and quintessential luxury retreat. Its sprawling grounds have undergone continuous expansion and refurbishments, only last year adding the Beach Club and the new Palm Court. Along with these was the opening last fall of Morimoto, sushi bar and restaurant by world famous chef Masaharu Morimoto.
You might recognize the Japanese name from the television shows Iron Chef (the original) and Iron Chef America, where he is the only chef to have cooked for both the original and American versions. And until last fall, the famed name couldn't be found on a restaurant in the Southeast. But luckily for fans of Florida beach resorts, Morimoto chose the Boca Raton Resort and Club as the very first.
Inside, the design can be seen as clean and simple, characteristic of Morimoto himself. The white walls and easy layout are interrupted by shocks of blue: either by the royal blue stools that line the sushi bar or the plasma screens behind the bar that exhibit a steady display of marine life. The ambiance is cool and collected, allowing for a calm, culinary experience.
But let's not lose sight of what is most important here: the food. To be specific: the fish. Morimoto serves some of the freshest fish you'll find at a southeastern restaurant; more than 70 percent of it is flown in -- weekly -- from Japan. And the choices of fish range from what is probably a bit more familiar to the American tongue, such as salmon and tuna, to more traditional Japanese selections like kohada, or shad, and uni, which is the edible part of the sea urchin, for those looking to try something new.
Along with Morimoto's unique yet traditional approach to Japanese cuisine, the restaurant also serves Morimoto's line of specialty beers, which you'll be hard pressed to find on the shelves of your local Whole Foods.
Due to the exclusive nature of the resort itself, reservations at Morimoto are restricted to guests of the Boca Raton Resort and Club only, much to the chagrin of many Floridian sushi lovers, we're sure. Unless you've got some serious weight to push and strings to pull, it looks like you'll just have to break down and stay a night at the resort and get the best of both worlds: some of the finest resort amenities available throughout the day and the luxury of A-list dining in the evening. Consider it a gift to yourself; you and your taste buds both deserve it.
For LxM Kate Prihoda
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