Talia's owner opens Baba's Shrimp Shack
By Donovan Ortega
Baba’s Shrimp Shack opened next to Talia’s Tuscan Table in the middle of September, but the owner of Talia’s isn’t worried about the competition. He opened it.
“The two restaurants are going to feed off each other,” said Andy Bennardo, the owner of both establishments. “You’ll get Italian on a Tuesday and seafood on a Friday.”
Andy Bennardo grew up on City Island—a nautical community off the coast of New York City—surrounded by great seafood joints. This
Happy customers at Baba's!
experience served as the inspiration for his latest restaurant creation. Baba’s Shrimp Shack is a simple concept: fresh seafood, a casual atmosphere, cold beer, and small island sensibility that can only be found off the mainland.
“I worked every restaurant on City Island. I was fifteen years old washing dishes and cooking. That place is like mini Cape Cod,” says Bennardo, who doesn’t have any shoes on and rests his socked feet on a bucket in the office annex of Baba’s Shrimp Shack. He’s quick to tell a joke and his demeanor is like that of a fisherman just in from port. He’s relaxed.
But Bennardo didn’t start his career this casual. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and worked in fine dining establishments, eventually founding Bennardo’s in Delray Beach, a four star restaurant.
“I got sick of the late nights, the reservations, the wining and dining, and I sold just in time,” says Bennardo. “Then I went to Italy for a year and didn’t really know what I wanted to do.”
When he came back he saw the property at 4070 North Dixie Highway and grabbed it. He started Talia’s and created what has become an institution in Boca Raton for ten years.
“My family had a real guinea deli in New York, that’s what I decided to go for,” says Bennardo.
Andy acts as owner, waiter, cook, and host at the now famous, Talia’s Tuscan Table in Boca Raton. Talia’s food is excellent. It’s clear that the clever sandwich concoctions and the perfection of traditional entrees were the brainchild of a four star chef. But along with his culinary skills, Bennardo also brings a booming personality that keeps customers entertained with a steady dose of New York shtick. Signs adorn the walls making fun of Red Sox fans and potentially picky customers.
“Abuse is a form of love” says Bennardo while laughing heartily. “But seriously we just have fun with it. We love all our customers.”
What Bennardo achieved in Talia’s–a real slice of New York City–he hopes to achieve next door in Baba’s Shrimp Shack.
“I didn’t want to give our customer’s more of the same,” said Bennardo. “We’re more than just shrimp. Baba’s is going to have a Spa Menu with healthy options. You’re going to be able to get your fried shrimp basket, but also have some real good, healthy food.”
The inside of Baba’s Shrimp Shack looks like it belongs in a quiet island community and it is exactly that sentiment which Bennardo wanted to elicit. When he talks about City Island, his love pours forth.
“Natives of City Island are called ‘muscles suckers’ and people who move there are called ‘clam diggers'” says Bennardo. “I have a lot of pride in that place. It’s a real diamond in the rough.”
Bennardo intends to make ‘clam diggers’ of Boca Ratonians this fall.
Talia’s Tuscan Table
4070 N Dixie Highway Boca Raton, FL
(561) 362-0874
