BOCA RATON – ZED451, a new restaurant concept of original cuisine and delivery opened last fall in Mizner Park mall.
Boca Raton is the first location for ZED451 outside of Chicago, where the critically acclaimed flagship restaurant is located downtown. “Boca Raton is home to some of the nation’s most sophisticated diners, which is why we selected this market as our first foray outside of the Chicago area,” said chief operating fficer Bill Bartlett, in a press release.
The concept behind ZED451 lets customers be made to feel more like attending a party in someone’s house than being in a restaurant.
The cuisine at ZED451 – modern upscale grilling – includes fire grilled steaks, ribs, fish, poultry and game served tableside by the chefs who created them. At any time, guests are invited to help themselves to several Harvest Tables, featuring seasonal soups, composed salads, artisan cheese and charcuterie. The fixed price is intended to inspire experimentation and discovery. “The beauty of our menu is that there is no risk,” says Steve Byrne, director of culinary operations. “You can try something new like antelope or wild boar sausage and if you like it, have more.”
Chefs as Waiters?
ZED451 breaks down the barriers between the front-of-house and the back. Instead of servers and runners, dishes are delivered tableside by the chefs who created them.
In addition, the staff at ZED451 is trained to serve as a concierge by helping customers make reservations at other restaurants, lounges and bars following their meal.
General Manager of ZED451 in Boca Raton is Tim Fannin, and the 20-member team of chefs is led by Executive Chef Armando Galeas.
ZED451 in Boca Raton is a 14,000 square foot space designed by architect Chris Smith (ZED451, Chicago; Buddakan, Philadelphia and New York; Grayz, Restaurant 81 and Haru, New York; OLA and Strike, Miami; and Charlie Palmer Steak, Las Vegas.) ZED451 is Smith’s first Boca Raton project. RCC Associates built the 338-seat restaurant.
A rich landscape of natural elements with a highly stylized, contemporary edge makes up the look of ZED451 in Boca Raton. A focal point is the large communal table in the center of the restaurant, which is surrounded by the completely open kitchen and lavish Harvest Tables. “Guests have described the space as ‘rustic and sexy,'” says Chief Brand Officer Daniel Harf.
ZED451 in Boca Raton offers dinner seven days a week beginning at 4 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 561-393-3451 or www.zed451.com, 201 Plaza Real, Mizner Park
