More: Directions, nearby dining

By MARIA HERRERA

It’s a traveling, swanky South Beach outdoor lounge. And Friday it lands in Delray Beach.

Chilllounge Night, an entertainment event for adults on the grounds at Old School Square, promises to transport guests to a lavish, open-air nightclub decked with exotic Indonesian lounge furniture, sumptuous drinks and even a Brazilian samba parade.

“We’ve never done one of these on the east coast of Florida,” said Ralph Radke, business developer manager for the Fresco Corporation, which organizes the event. “I think it’s a wonderful fit for Delray Beach.”

Radke expects 2,000 to 3,000 people to attend. The event features food by west coast Chef Paul Madison. The VIP area will be catered by Taste restaurant, which just opened in Pineapple Grove.
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Recipe (PDF) | Visit Tryst: Hours, directions, more

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The first annual Latin American Vinofest kicked off at Delray Beach’s Art & Jazz on the Avenue on January 28. I’ve certainly never seen so many malbecs or carmeneres in one tasting and it was a great opportunity to try these lesser-known varietals.

The event closed down a few blocks of Atlantic Avenue. There was plenty of room to stroll from table to table or to dance an impromptu tango to live music on the street. I was disappointed to find very little in the way of food (the event advertised both food and wine stations, but I found only one food table). But being on Atlantic Avenue, there were many options to dine when I tired of sipping.

The caliber of most of the wine fell in the “everyday” category, but I did find some great values as well as a few higher-end bottles that really impressed. I thought a few of the Argentine malbecs really stole the show. Here are the highlights:

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Thursday evening in Delray Beach is going to be HOT, HOT, HOT! The first annual Latin American Vinofest will shut down Atlantic Avenue for a tasting of wines from some of the best-known wineries in South America. This is the first event of its kind in South Florida and a great opportunity to try a variety of wines from regions with a growing reputation for excellence. Torrontes, Carmenére, Malbec… I’m there!

Ticket holders can enjoy all the vino they desire, as well as food samplings from area restaurants, live music and more. Participating restaurants will also offer special discounts to ticket holders through the weekend. Tickets are available online or at the gate for $29.95.

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Delray Beach almost lost the American Orchid Society and its botanical gardens early this year, but now that it will remain open, the AOS wil once again host its popular series, “Wine & Jazz in the Botanical Gardens.”

On January 21, February 18, March 18, and April 15 (the third Thursday of each of those months), the gardens and greenhouse are open from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to celebrate orchids in bloom, as patrons enjoy appetizers, wine and live music.

Morning watering at the greenhouse at the American Orchid Society. (2009 Post file photo)

Price: $20 for AOS/Garden Members and $25 for non-members.

For information and ticket purchase: by phone, call 561-404-2031; by email, swayman@aos.org; or in person, stop by the American Orchid Society Gift Shop.

“This series is a lovely way to experience the orchid gardens and greenhouse at night, take a stroll while the sun sets and enjoy live music and good food,” said Susan Wayman of the American Orchid Society. “We hope those who joined us last year return and bring new friends with them.”

Bringing together five different personalities and five different musical backgrounds, it's the Everymen! (Christina Mendenhall / rhythmscene.com)

Eve•ry•man or eve•ry•man (ěv’rē-man’)
n. An ordinary individual, with whom the audience or reader is supposed to be able to identify easily, and who is often placed in extraordinary circumstances.

It’s not too often that one stumbles upon great new music and until Halloween, I thought the days of discovering great new local acts were far behind us. But on that Saturday night, me and the rest of Moonfest 2009 were introduced to an underwear-clad (it was Halloween after all) Delray Beach-based quintet called Everymen.

After loving every minute of their all too short set at Respectable Street, I decided I needed to learn more about the group that had just stunned me.

We met up with the Everymen men at the sight of their latest show at the Firefly house in Miami. And upon meeting Serg (vocals, banjo, and harmonica), Tristan (guitar and vocals), Tim (bass and vocals), Cowboy (guitar), and Jordan (percussion), the only thought running through my mind was, “This is the most mismatched group of musicians I have ever met.”
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Chef Nick Morfogen has established 32 East as Atlantic Avenue's constant in Delray Beach. (Drew Angerer / The Post)

More about 32 East

I suspect the reason Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue is so beloved by restaurant-goers is that it’s always something of a work in progress. Each new season brings a host of changes to the downtown strip, with eateries opening and closing and cuisines coming in and out of fashion.

But if Atlantic Avenue has a constant, it’s chef Nick Morfogen’s 32 East. For 13 years, this stylish New American-themed restaurant has been a culinary stalwart, offering clever and creative food in a contemporary but unpretentious setting. Situated on the western edge of downtown — yes, at 32 E. Atlantic Ave. — it’s become both a gateway and a bar-setter for the rest of the street, sending the message that if a restaurant wants to succeed here, it had better be prepared to play on this level.

A couple of recent visits to 32 East found those high ideals still generally in place. True, the restaurant has its rough spots — and it’s possible the kitchen is no longer paying as close attention to every dish that makes its way to a diner’s table. But when 32 East clicks, it does so with a verve that few restaurants on Atlantic Avenue — or all of Palm Beach County — can match.
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After giving away more than 50 bagels last Monday, Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company is ready for a possible doubleheader of FREE bagels.

Because the New York Giants defeated the Oakland Raiders 44-7 Sunday, the Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company, 14451 S. Military Trail in Delray Beach is offering a FREE bagel to Giants fans today (Monday).
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Seared scallops with spring vegetables, pancetta and a Madeira wine pan sauce

Serves 6

Prep time: 1 hour



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Ingredients:

2 lbs. diver scallops (U10)

2 Tbsp. olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

4 oz. pancetta, rendered

1/2 cup english peas, blanched

1/4 cup fava beans, blanched and peeleed

1/2 cup asparagus, peeled, blanched and chopped

1/4 cup pearl onions, peeled and sliced

1 cup spinach, chopped

1 cup Madeira wine

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 bunch chives, chopped

1/2 fresh lime juiced

2 Tbsp. sherry vinegar

Directions:


Heat a sauté pan with olive oil. Season the scallops with salt and pepper and sear on each side (about 2-3 minutes per side). Place scallops on a warm plate and discard most of the fat from your pan.

Return pan to medium heat and add pancetta. Add the vegetables and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 3 minutes. Place a small mound of vegetables on each of the dinner plates and keep warm.

Return the pan to high heat and add the Madeira wine. Cook until reduced by half. Add the chicken stock and reduce by half again. Add the chives and sherry vinegar to your sauce.

Place the scallops on the plate along with the vegetables and spoon sauce over the vegetables.

32 East

32 East Atlantic Ave.

Delray Beach, FL 33444

(561) 276-7868

Open Sun-Thurs. – 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Fri-Sat. – 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Bamboo Fire Cafe

149 NE 4th Ave

Delray Beach, FL 33483

(561)749-0973