boca greens – Page 3 – West Boca News

Guest Review: Bruce's of Great Neck

Written by: Jason Gloss

Bruce’s of Great Neck, 19575 State Rd 7 (US-441), Boca Raton, FL 33498
Prior to Bruce’s of Great Neck was Mitch’s Westside Bagels, which was basically owned by a New York transplant attempting to bring that NY deli style tradition to South Florida, or as I like to call Boca — the 6th borough.
Mitch’s had a spark for a minute but overall lacked consistency, variety and in this case, character. Bruce comes to Boca, as do most New Yorkers and brings credibility back to the bagel game. This place, like most bagel joints have what I call bagel hours. They usually open at 7 and close at 3, which is a shame because based on their diverse menu I could see this place doing a decent dinner too. What separates Bruce’s from most of the other bagel places in the area is the bakery. The baked goods are the headliner at Bruce’s. They even place a complimentary basket of desserts at your table, which are awesome, but in my back of my mind I wonder what they do with all the untouched desserts left on the table. It’s simply too good to just toss but I can’t confirm they are recycled. It’s just how my cynical mind works.
The service was extremely attentive. If you ask me, service is the most important thing in these type of places because there are just an abundance of restaurants to get a bagel from. The food came out quick. I ordered a veggie omelet and it was a decent size too. Their prices are right in line and their broad menu is significantly more appealing that the rest of the competition. The place is very clean inside. Bruce, who I’m not sure if he is Jewish because he has tattoos like Popeye all up and down his arms, makes some amazing Jewish food. And not for nothing, seems like a really sincere and friendly guy too. Bruce’s might be a challenge if you’re counting calories because that bakery showcase is begging for some love. It’s impossible not to indulge here, but if you’re playing it safe, the omelets here are very satisfying. I look forward to coming back and despite some of my other go-to spots like Long Island Bagel or Bagel Works on Glades, I happen to think if you want that authentic NY feel along with an array of breakfast and lunch options, then Bruce’s is not only the right call, it might be the only call in Boca.
Rating: A

Editor’s note: Mr. Gloss offered to write some restaurant reviews for West Boca News. We’re familiar with him and hope these reviews help our readers. Please note that these are his opinions and we do not always agree.
Bruce’s is on the north end of the Boca Greens plaza.

Recent Homes Sold in Saturnia, Island Lakes, Boca Isles and Boca Greens

The Saturnia neighborhood is wonderful for families and offers a 24 hour guarded gate, clubhouse, pool and spa. It also has basketball and tennis courts, and a fitness center. Students attend the highly regarded Eagles Landing Middle School and Olympic Heights High School, though some go to other area schools. There are HOA fees.

Saturnia entrance; image and map data by Google

11803 Bayfield Drive; image and map data by Google

The grand home at 11803 Bayfield Drive sold for $775,000. The Renoir model has 5 bedrooms and 4.1 bathrooms in 4718 sq feet of living space. The master bedroom is located on the ground floor. Hurricane windows were installed throughout the home. The house is situated on 1/4 to 1/2 acre with views of the lake and preserve. There is a large in ground pool and a 3 car garage. Built in 1999.
19462 Saturnia Lakes Drive sold for $750,000. It has 6 bedrooms and 4.1 bathrooms in 4672 sq. feet of living space.

Island Lakes is a gated community within Loggers’ Run located on the north side of Glades Road near South County Regional Park. Amenities include basketball and tennis courts, sidewalks and picnic areas. Students attend Sandpiper Shores, Loggers’ Run Community Middle School and West Boca High School.
The home at 11283 Island Lakes Lane sold for $510,000. It has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The home boasts an open floor plan and a kitchen with granite counter tops and a wine cooler. There are lots of windows and sliding doors leading out to the covered patio and in ground pool. The home has a fabulous view of the lake. It was built in 1989.

There are two Boca Isles neighborhoods, west of Cain Blvd and south of Yamato Rd. Boca Isles North and Boca Isles South, are gated communities with bike and jogging paths and they’re popular with families. Each community has a large clubhouse with meeting rooms and billiards. There are state of the art exercise rooms, basketball courts, playgrounds and tennis courts. There is also a large pool and spa. Sunrise Park Elementary School is nearby. Both are zoned for Eagles Landing Middle and Olympic Heights High School even though West Boca High is a lot closer.

The contemporary home at 10892 Bal Harbour Drive sold for $555,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2660 sq. feet of living space. There is an open floor plan, high ceilings and a split bedroom plan. The kitchen has granite counter tops and double ovens. The master bath has dual sinks, a frameless glass shower and spa tub. The backyard boast lake views and an in ground pool. Built in 1996.
10869 Japonica Court sold for $525,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2660 sq. feet of living space.
19820 Dinner Key Drive sold for $495,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2325 sq. feet of living space.

Boca Greens is a gated community of almost 600 homes located west of 441, one mile north of Glades Road. The community features a golf course and membership opportunities in the Boca Greens Country Club. Students attend Eagles Landing Middle School and Olympic Heights Community High School.
The home at 10180 Harbourtown Court sold for $445,000. It has 4 bedrooms annd 2 full bathrooms in 2207 sq. feet of living space. The master bath has dual sinks and a separate shower. The home has views of the lake and the canal. There is also a large in ground pool. Built in 1981.
10134 Crosswind Road sold for $430,000. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms in 2143 sq. feet of living space.
19276 Cherry Hills Terrace sold for $407,850. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms in 2126 sq. feet of living space.

Other Neighborhoods
18715 Ocean Mist Drive in The Shores sold for $495,629. It has 4 bedrooms and 3.1 bathrooms in 3139 sq. feet of living space.
10676 Pebble Cove Lane in Lakes at Boca Raton sold for $435,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 2.1 bathrooms in 2335 sq. feet of living space.
20549 Sausalito Drive in Mission Bay sold for $439,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2677 sq. feet of living space.
10606 Cypress Bend in Cypress Bend sold for $399,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms in 2378 sq. feet of living space.
Homes in the 33498 zip code are located north of Glades Road, and west of 441. Neighborhoods within this region include Mission Bay, The Shores, Boca Isles, Boca Greens, Saturnia, Lakes at Boca Raton, Boca Chase, and Stonebridge. The schools in this area have an excellent reputation and the area has one of the lowest crime rates in Palm Beach County. In addition, there are many unique attractions both nearby and within, such as South County Regional Park.

Japango or No Go? Two Bad Inspections

Japango in Regency Court (northwest corner of Yamato and Jog) had the worst numbers in our latest restaurant inspection report for West Boca. In early July they had 30 total violations, only 5 weeks after a previous inspection with 27 total violations. Usually we see places clean up their act after a bad inspection but that didn’t happen here.
The four high priority violations on the late May inspection were:

Food stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Lemon wedges for drinks
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, or food storage area.
Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food in reach-in cooler. Raw shelled eggs over ready to eat **Corrected On-Site**
Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature in walk-in cooler. Raw chicken above raw beef and sea food

The more recent July 2nd inspection also had four marked high priority:

Nonexempt fish offered raw or undercooked has not undergone proper parasite destruction. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. … Fresh Scottish Salmon is being used for sushi.
Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. … Sushi rice no time control
Raw animal food stored over ready-to-eat food. … Cook Line Undercounter Cooler, raw she’ll eggs over ready to eat uncovered sauces. **Corrected On-Site**
Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb. … Rear exterior of building AND at interior mop sink.

Incidentally we’ve never understood why a vacuum breaker is a high priority violation, while other violations rated “intermediate” seem more disturbing, such as these:

Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.
Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items.

But now that we looked it up, we understand why a vacuum breaker might be important:

[A vacuum breaker] prevent[s] potentially contaminated water from flowing back up a hose, faucet, pre-rinse, or toilet fixture and into the potable water system in your restaurant. Waste and sewage water is rich with microorganisms that can quickly infect an entire water supply, and that’s why these plumbing valves like this brass ball valve that allow for the complete shut off of flow, are so important.

Next worst in this report goes to Sandalfoot Bagel with 27 violations on July 7th. The high priority violations didn’t look so good:

Employee failed to wash hands before changing gloves and/or putting on gloves to work with food. … Cook changed gloves multiple times, all without hand washing. **Repeat Violation** **Repeat Violation** **Repeat Violation** **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
No proof of parasite destruction or aquaculture documentation for cold smoked salmon served raw or undercooked. Fish must be fully cooked or discarded. … **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
Potentially hazardous (time/temperature control for safety) food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. … REACH IN COOLER… (3 Door Jordan) soup 48° pooled eggs 50° corned beef hash 54° AMBIENT TEMPERATURE 48° **Repeat Violation** **Warning**

Two others with 20 or more violations were:
China Spring on 441 (25 violations including 4 high priority)
Boca Pita Express on Beracasa Way (20 violations with 1 high priority)
Between 10 and 17 violations:
On/Near Palmetto Park
New Golden China Inc
Sushi Yama Japanese Restaurant
Sal’s Italian Restaurant
Hong Kong Palace
Mama’s NY Pizza Inc
Sandalfoot
China Wok
Pizza Thick And Thin
On/Near Glades
Brooklyn Boys Pizza
Einstein Bros Bagel #845
Duffy’s Sports Grill
Dominic’s
441
China Ming
Tempura House
On the positive side the licensing inspection for the new Chen’s Yokohama (replacing Yokohama Sushi) in Boca Lyons Plaza was perfect. Other perfect inspections included Yogurt Zone in Somerset Shoppes, Hurricane Grill in Mission Bay, and Moon’s Tavern in Boca Greens. Moon’s also had a perfect inspection last year.
Near-perfect inspections included Vinny’s All Day Cafe, Outback Steakhouse and La Ferme.
Our spreadsheet for this report is below:
[gview file=”https://westbocanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/westboca-inspections-july-19.pdf”]

Recent Homes Sold in Boca Greens and Boca Isles

Homes in the 33498 zip code are located north of Glades Road, and west of 441. Neighborhoods within this region include Mission Bay, Island Lakes, Boca Isles, Boca Greens, Saturnia, Lakes of Boca Raton, Boca Chase, and Stonebridge. The schools in this area have an excellent reputation and the area has one of the lowest crime rates in Palm Beach County. In addition, there are many unique attractions both nearby and within, such as South County Regional Park.

Boca Greens is a gated community of almost 600 homes located west of 441, one mile north of Glades Road. The community features a golf course and membership opportunities in the Boca Greens Country Club. Students attend Eagles Landing Middle School and Olympic Heights Community High School.

10247 Crosswind Road; Map data and image by Google

The contemporary home at 10247 Crosswind Road was sold for $415,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms in 2295 sq. feet of living space. It is located on the lake and has an inground pool. The home has lots of upgrades and a fireplace. There is an attached 2 car garage. Built in 1980, it previously sold for $217,000 in 1989.

19840 Sedgefield Terrace sold for $410,000. It has 3 bedrooms and 2.1 bathrooms in 2340 sq. feet of living space.

Boca Isles North and South are gated communities with bike and jogging paths and they’re popular with families. Each community has a large clubhouse with meeting rooms and billiards. There are state of the art exercise rooms, basketball courts, playgrounds and tennis courts. There is also a large pool and spa.

19225 Cloister Lake Lane; image and map data by Google

The Mediterranean home at 19225 Cloister Lake Lane sold for $610,000. This beautiful home has 5 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 3300 sq. feet of living space. The kitchen was remodeled to include Saturnia marble floors, new appliacnces, granite counter tops and tumbled marble backsplash. The home is on a private preserve lot with a resort style pool. It was previously purchased in 1998 for $295,000 and built in 1994.
10576 St. Thomas Drive sold for $400,000. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms in 2118 sq. feet of living space.
19650 Black Olive Lane sold for $470,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2676 sq. feet of living space.
10528 Maple Chase Drive sold for $490,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2660 sq. feet of living space.
10794 Maple Chase Drive sold for $460,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2660 sq. feet of living space.
10857 Japonica Court sold for $590,000. It has 5 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2805 sq. feet of living space.
19409 Black Olive Lane sold for $530,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2820 sq. feet of living space.

10768 Tea Olive Lane sold for $450,000. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms in 2118 sq. feet of living space.
10799 Tea Olive Lane sold for $425,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms in 2325 sq. feet of living space.
19184 Cloister Lake Lane sold for $650,000. It has 5 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2968 sq. feet of living space.

11849 Preservation Lane; image and map data by Google

11849 Preservation Lane sold for $578,184. It has 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms in 4086 sq. feet of living space.
19572 Havensway Court sold for $750,000. It has 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms in 3708 sq. feet of living space.
19233 Skyridge Court sold for $540,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2741 sq. feet of living space.
19197 Skyridge Circle sold for $585,000. It has 5 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 3301 sq. feet of living space.

19577 Havensway Court sold for $750,000. It has 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms in 3611 sq. feet of living space.
The Shores is a gated community on the north side of Yamato across from South County Regional Park.

18648 Ocean Mist Drive; image and map data by Google

18648 Ocean Mist Drive sold for $482,500. It has 4 bedrooms and 2.1 bathrooms in 2778 sq. feet of living space.
11175 Sea Grass Circle sold for $447,500. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2615 sq. feet of living space.

Closings: Shorty's BBQ and GBS Beauty

Two businesses closed recently in West Boca, both off of 441. The most prominent is Shorty’s BBQ which was located in The Reserve shopping center on the southeast corner of Clint Moore and 441, near Ben’s Deli, Villa Rosano and Tempura House. We had been there a couple times and liked it, but somehow we didn’t make it back there that often.
There has been no official announcement but a couple of our readers contacted the Miami location and were told the closing is permanent. We don’t know for sure but we suspect that the success of Sweet Dewey’s BBQ (one of our favorite places to eat) cut into Shorty’s business.
Also, GBS Beauty in Boca Greens (west side of 441, halfway between Yamato and Glades) closed. The following message was on the door:

The remaining store on St. Andrews is still in what we consider West Boca since we draw the line at Military Trail.