Boca Indian Grill Is Open

Update: We went back for dinner. See bottom of article.
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We’ve been whining for about five years for an Indian restaurant to open in West Boca. Our dream came true yesterday with the opening of Boca Indian Grill in Mission Bay Plaza. It’s in the courtyard between Padrino’s, Rotelli’s (which is moving very soon) and Panera.
boca-indian-grill-interior
It feels a little small inside but it’s comfortable with attractive design. We went today for the $10.99 lunch buffet.
We chose a table, ordered drinks, and went to the buffet. The selection is somewhat limited but there was enough to choose from and we liked what we had.

Our shot cut off the right side, which had the dessert.
Our shot cut off the right side, which had the dessert.

If you like Indian food, you will find something to enjoy and you may well like all of it. I did.
The chutneys were pungent and the sauces were flavorful. Tandoori Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala are their most popular dishes and they will be on the lunch buffet every day. Other dishes will change somewhat from day to day. I particularly liked the Saag Paneer. The Tandoori chicken was cooked and seasoned well.
After we sat down the waiter brought out Naan (bread) which had great texture and was brushed with a hint of butter.
naan
After a couple rounds of the entrees we got a little dessert. Both Kheer (rice pudding) and Halwa (carrot pudding) were on the buffet line.
dessert
We talked with Vik, the owner. He said the restaurant is connected with Chutney & Pickle in Coral Springs, one of our favorite Indian places in the area. He also said there will be a Sunday buffet which will have more dishes. And they’re thinking about how to create more space around the buffet – it’s a little tight at the moment.
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For dinner or if you don’t want buffet, there are plenty of choices on the regular menu:
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It’s hard to judge a place on one visit to their buffet lunch, but we liked it and are very happy they’re here. We wish them luck and hope our readers will give it a try.
Update – April 24
After writing the above, we were invited back for a free dinner by the restaurant. It was a good meal. They have revised the interior a little so the buffet should be easier to get to when that’s open.
We started with “Papadum” (large crackers) which came with onion chutney and a couple dips.
papadum
We also ordered a few dishes and dessert. Indian dishes can be ordered here at varying levels of spice and we chose mild.
Mattar Paneer on the left, Lamb Korma on top, Naan bread on the right, and Chicken Tikka Masala at bottom, plus rice in the middle.
Mattar Paneer on the left, Lamb Korma on top, Naan bread on the right, and Chicken Tikka Masala at bottom, plus rice in the middle.

Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the most popular Indian dishes and is particularly popular in our family. Chunks of chicken in a creamy sauce with Indian flavors. India is a very big country and there are regional variations, but with that in mind this is the best Tikka Masala we’ve had in Boca.
Lamb Korma is another creamy dish, and they did a particularly good job with it. You can get this with chicken instead of lamb if you prefer.
Paneer Mattar (or Mattar Paneer) is a vegetarian dish combining peas and goat cheese, in a tomato-onion sauce. I’m used to a version that’s more creamy and with less tomato and onion, but their recipe is more traditional and it’s tasty.
The entrees come with a white rice that has a few peas in it. We also ordered Naan which is a little like pita bread but lighter and tastier. Kids love it.
For dessert we had Gulab Jamun. They’re balls of bread (maybe a bit smaller than a golf ball) soaked in a hot and sweet syrup. They were very hot when they first got to the table so be careful when you eat them. They’re also delicious and hard to stop eating when you’re already full from the rest of the meal.
Price-wise they’re competitive with Punjab and Sapphire. If anything it seems like they’re slightly less expensive.

Mission Bay Update: LA Fitness, Dick's Sporting Goods, Rotelli's, etc.

We previously reported that Toys R Us in Mission Bay would close, to be replaced by Dick’s Sporting Goods.
The Toys R Us demolition is well under way, as can be seen in a video we shot recently:

It’s a popular plaza. We generally see a high volume of people and cars. At the north end Fresh Market pulls in a substantial flow. Toys R Us was something of a draw in the middle, but the store seemed dated. Dick’s will probably bring in even more. On the south side the fountain area seems to pull a lot of people in, especially the LA Fitness gym and Panera Bread.
We’ve heard several reports from readers that the plaza is raising rents. Considering the volume this plaza pulls in, that probably makes sense. This has led to some changes.

The spot we think Rotelli's is heading in West Boca Square.
The spot we think Rotelli’s is heading in West Boca Square.

Yesterday we learned that Rotelli’s will be leaving in early May, moving to the West Boca Square plaza near Hobby Lobby. That’s a tough move. We’ve seen at least three pizza places fail in that location and we’re told it was a Rotelli’s before that. Rotelli’s management tells us they expect to close in Mission Bay at the beginning of May and reopen in West Boca Square within a few days.
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In that same fountain area we saw a sign for an Indian restaurant coming in, Boca Indian Grill. We have been whining about the need for an Indian restaurant in West Boca for a few years now and we are hoping it will be good.
teriyaki-madness
We mentioned back in November that a new Asian grill is also coming to Mission Bay. We looked in a couple days ago and it looks like they aren’t close to opening yet.
Several readers have mentioned talk that LA Fitness would open a new entrance facing the parking lot (between Panera and Toys R Us). We think that’s true. We were looking on the property owner’s website and found an updated site plan that expands LA Fitness to take over a few storefronts:
toys-la-fitness
That plan is dated January 11, 2016, before Toys R Us had closed. We will keep watching for an update. We notice that a few storefronts in front of Toys R Us show as “vacant” which suggests that space will be added to the new Dick’s Sporting Goods. If Dick’s does set up a store there then they will sell the usual sports equipment and clothing which will get you ready for anything from Tennis Lessons to football practice.

Homes Sold in Saturnia, Boca Isles, Boca Greens, Mission Bay and Stonebridge

Homes in the 33498 zip code are located north of Glades Road and west of 441. Neighborhoods include Saturnia, Boca Isles, Island Lakes, Stonebridge, Shores, Boca Greens and the northern part of Mission Bay. The schools have an excellent reputation and the area has one of the lowest crime rates in Palm Beach County. Most homes are close to South County Regional park.
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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.

11741 Watercrest Lane
11741 Watercrest Lane

The European ranch at 11741 Watercrest Lane was sold for $695,000 by our brokerage. It has 6 bedrooms and 3.1 bathrooms in 3417 sq. feet of living space. The home has a 3 car garage and sits on a beautiful lake lot. The kitchen has wood cabinets, granite counter tops and a built in granite table. The great room has a custom built in wall unit. The backyard has an in-ground pool with a waterfall and is screened in.
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Along with the pool, the new owner gets a gorgeous lake view through the screen.
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The home was originally purchased for $568,000 in 1999.
19557 Saturnia Lakes Drive; image and map data by Google
19557 Saturnia Lakes Drive; image and map data by Google

The large ranch at 19557 Saturnia Lakes Drive sold for $801,500. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 3223 sq. feet of living space. The Mediterranean style home has an open floor plan and a gourmet kitchen. There is also a 5th room that can be used for an office or bedroom. The screened in resort style pool has long lake views. The home is hurricane ready with a 40 kw generator, hurricane shutters and a 1000 gallon propane tank. Built in 1998, it was originally purchased for $376,900.
bocaislesThere 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.

10552 Maple Chase Drive; image and map data by Google
10552 Maple Chase Drive; image and map data by Google

The home at 10552 Maple Chase Drive sold for $550,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in 2660 sq. feet of living space. Remodeled in 2015, it has a new roof and a brand new kitchen with custom wood cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. The bathrooms have custom wood vanities and new fixtures. There are wood floors throughout the home. Built in 1993, it was originally purchased for $200,000. It was sold in 1998 for $260,000 and again in 2004 for $391,500.
As the satellite image shows, the rear of the house faces Yamato Road, though at this far west there’s not that much traffic noise.
The one story home at 10918 King Bay Drive sold for $532,500. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in 2750 sq. feet of living space. The home has an open floor plan with a dramatice entryway and tall ceilings. The spacious kitchen has a tumblestone backsplash and under/over cabinet lighting. The lakefront home has lush landscaping and a newly resurface pool with hot tub.  Built in 1996 for $309,500, it was purchased in 2006 for $725,000.
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Also in Boca Isles:
19249 Bay Leaf Court sold for $524,500. It has 5 bedrooms and 3 full baths in 2800 square feet.
19251 Redberry Court sold for $500K even, apparently the same model as 19249 Bay Leaf.
19149 Cloister Lake Lane sold for $500K even, with 4 beds, 3 baths and just under 2800 square feet.
bocagreensBoca 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 contemporary home at 10294 Crosswind Road sold for $429,900. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms in 2040 sq. feet of living space. The beautifully remodeled home has a new kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. There is new ceramic tile throughout. The bathrooms have also been remodeled. The backyard has a pool and looks out onto a canal. There is a screened patio with an outside kitchenette as well.  Built in 1980 for $169,000, it was purchased in 2015 by Harvest Fund LLC for $302,300.
Also in Boca Greens:
20044 Back Nine Drive sold for $419K. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths in 2400 square feet.
10041 Crosswind Road sold for $400K even. It has 3 beds and 3 baths in 3100 square feet.
stonebridge-streetStonebridge Golf and Country Club is a gated community located on 441 just north of Clint Moore Road. There are just under four hundred homes. It has a large clubhouse with a state of the art fitness center and many dining options. There is an 18 hole private golf course and 6 Har-Tru tennis courts. Equity membership is required.
The home at 17725 Charnwood Drive sold for $482,500. It has 3 bedrooms and 3.1 bathrooms in 3402 sq. feet of living space. This home has views of the lake and the golf course. There is an office in addition to the 3 bedrooms. The kitchen has granite counter tops, double ovens and a bosch dishwasher. The master suite has 2 california closet walk ins and a large mater bathroom. The backyard features a large heated pool. Built in 1988, it was last sold in 2003 for $545,000.
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Mission Bay
Two homes from Mission Bay (north of Glades) made this report.
20424 San Rafael Court sold for $411K, with 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, and over 2300 square feet.
10735 Avenida Santa Ana sold for $500K even, with 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths and over 3100 square feet.

Houses Sold in Boca Falls, Lexington Estates, Mission Bay, Boca Winds & Loggers Run

Zip code 33428 is located west of Lyons Road, south of Glades Road, and north of Loxahatchee Road and the county line. Many neighborhoods can be found here including Mission Bay, Boca Falls, Boca Winds, Loggers’ Run, Avalon, Vineyards, Boca Woods, Boca Lago, and Boca Dunes. The area is close to shopping and the South County Regional Park.
bocafallsBoca Falls is a gated community with manned entrances west of 441 between Glades Road and Palmetto Park Road. The community has a clubhouse with a new exercise room, a full-size basketball courts and several tennis courts. There is also a large resort-style pool and kiddie pool as well as a covered playground. There are amazing sidewalks and biking paths and a private entry for the elementary school. Students attend Waters Edge Elementary School, Loggers’ Run Middle School and West Boca Raton High School.

21241 Rock Ridge Drive; image by Google
21241 Rock Ridge Drive; image by Google

This contemporary ranch at 21241 Rock Ridge Drive sold for $780,000. It has 5 bedrooms and 4.1 bathrooms in 3780 sq. feet of living space. The large circular driveway is beautifully landscaped and leads to a 3 car garage. There is a open floor plan with ceramic tile floors throughout. The kitchen has a large island, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. The master bath has been recently renovated and includes double vanities, a soaker tub and a large shower. The large backyard has a beautiful lake view and a heated in ground pool with spa. Built in 1998, it was previously purchased for $650,000 in 2011.
21632 Lynhurst Way ; image by Google
21632 Lynhurst Way ; image by Google

This beautiful two story at 21632 Lynhurst Way sold for $518,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2731 sq. feet of living space. The renovated kitchen, which opens to the family room, has granite counter tops, a tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances including a wall oven. There are marble floors throughout the downstairs. The master bath has an extra large vanity with double sinks, soaker tub and stand alone shower. The covered patio and screened in pool overlook the lake. The home was last purchased in 2001 for $347,500. It was built in 1997.
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21747 Fall River Drive sold for $700,000. It has 5 bedrooms and 4.1 bathrooms in 3867 sq. feet of living space.
21747 Fall River Drive; image by Google
21747 Fall River Drive; image by Google

21441 Crestfalls Court; image by Google
21441 Crestfalls Court; image by Google

21441 Crestfalls Court sold for $630,000. It has 5 bedrooms and 3.1 bathrooms in 3172 sq. feet of living space.
Lexington Estates is a gated community located on Palmetto Park Road, west of 441. Amenities include basketball and tennis courts as well as a community pool and picnic area. Students attend Coral Sunset Elementary School, Loggers Run Middle School and West Boca Community High School.
The Mediterranean style home at 10301 Lexington Estates Blvd sold for $475,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 2.1 bathrooms in 2935 sq. feet of living space. The updated kitchen has granite counter tops, a breakfast bar, a built-in wine cooler and stainless steel appliances. The master bedroom is on the ground floor. Saturnia marble floors are throughout the main floor. The screened in patio and pool overlooks a lake. Built in 1995, it was purchased for $375,000 in 2009 and $308,600 in 1995.
The Mission Bay development consists of over twelve hundred homes within 10 “villages.” Certain villages have their own sub-associations. The community is west of 441 and covers 500 acres on both sides of Glades Road. The land includes the Evert Tennis Academy and Boca Prep International School and is near commercial plazas including Sports Authority and Mission Bay Plaza. There are swimming pools, tennis leagues, social events and more. HOA fees vary.
The contemporary home at 20940 Avenel Run sold for $462,500. It has 4 bedrooms and 3.1 bathrooms in 2705 sq. feet of living space. The renovated kitchen has wood cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances with a tile backsplash. The main floor has ceramic tile and the upstairs has wood flooring in all the bedrooms.  The upstairs has a large loft space. The family room opens onto a screened in pool and patio. Built in 1995 and sold for $199,100, it was last sold for $439,000 in 2011.
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Other neighborhoods:
12358 Saint Simon Drive; image by Google
12358 Saint Simon Drive; image by Google

12358 Saint Simon Drive in Bay Winds (Boca Winds) sold for $500,000. It has 5 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms in 3474 sq. feet of living space.
22528 Orange Blossom in Tamarron (Loggers Run) sold for $487,450. It has 4 bedrooms and 2.1 bathrooms in 2723 sq. feet of living space.
11278 Boca Woods Lane in Boca Woods Country Club sold for $425,000. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms in 2692 sq. feet of living space.

Toys R Us Closing in Mission Bay; Dick's Sporting Goods Coming

Update: See response from Toys R Us at bottom

 Toys R Us in Mission Bay Plaza; image by Google
Toys R Us in Mission Bay Plaza; image by Google

We’ve heard persistent rumors that Toys ‘R Us in Mission Bay would be closing and we can now confirm that. We called and talked to store employee, who identified himself as Tony Sandals. However we received a phone call from a man named Tony Sandals who says it wasn’t him, and he had quit before Christmas.
They started a store closing event yesterday. Everything in the store is up to 40% off and there are no returns allowed. The store employee expects that the store will be completely closed by the end of January. He was not able to tell us if the store will open in another nearby location.
The store employee also confirmed another rumor, that the spot will be filled by a new Dick’s Sporting Goods store. We would guess it will take at least a couple months for Dick’s to get going, and maybe not until the summer.
We had previously attempted to confirm these rumors with the firm that manages Mission Bay Plaza. The leasing agent did not respond and the property manager hung up on us.


Toys R Us responds:
I wanted to reach out as we had seen your story on our Boca Raton, FL Toys“R”Us store closing and wanted to correct/verify some of this information.
The Toys“R”Us store located at 20429 State Road 7 in Boca Raton will be closing at the end of the company’s lease term for this property, which is at the end of January.
Items purchased during the liquidation sale cannot be returned. As indicated on receipts, all sales during this time period are final. Items purchased prior to the liquidation sale on Saturday, December 26 can be returned under our normal return policy guidelines (including to the Mission Bay store). For more information and to view our full return policy, please click here.
Gift cards can be redeemed at the store until it closes. After that, customers can use their gift cards at any other Toys“R”Us or Babies“R”Us location nationwide, or online at www.Toysrus.com or www.Babiesrus.com.
At this time, we do not have any plans for a new store in the Boca Raton area. We’ve enjoyed serving the Boca Raton community for many years. We continue to operate a number of stores throughout the state of Florida, including a Toys“R”Us/Babies“R”Us store at 6001 West Sample Road in Coral Springs and a Toys“R”Us store at 601 N. Congress Avenue in Boynton Beach. Customers can also shop 24 hours a day on www.Toysrus.com and www.Babiesrus.com.
–There is also a Babies“R”Us store in West Boca Square (aka the Target plaza).–