BOCA RATON – A celebrated Boca Raton restaurateur and his
partners have opened a new eating spot in Deerfield Beach.
Frank & Dino’s, a Max Group establishment, opened this week and
features traditional southern Italian recipes, fresh ingredients and
simple preparations.
Located at 718 S. Federal Highway in Deerfield Beach just south
of Hillsboro Boulevard, it serves “back to basic” Italian cuisine in an
atmosphere reminiscent of the Rat Pack era.
The Max Group is led by Dennis Max of Max’s Grille fame. Together
with partners Fred Stampone and John Williams, The Max Group
owns or manages Max’s Grille in Mizner Park; Max’s Harvest, a farm
to fork concept in Delray Beach’s Pineapple Grove District; Frank
& Dino’s and soon to open Assaggio Del Forno in Boca Raton’s
Regency Court at Woodfield Country Club.
Frank & Dino’s managing partner is restaurateur Carlo Vaccarezza
who owned a number of well-known establishments in New York City,
including Rusty’s (co-owned with baseball great Rusty Staub) and
DaNoi, before relocating to South Florida where he co-owned South
Beach’s Mickey’s with Mickey Rourke.
A native of Genoa, Italy, Vaccarezza also owned Campagnola’s,
later Cavallino, on Federal Highway in Boca Raton. The restaurant’s
executive chef is Tonino Orsino, a Naples, Italy native who served as
the executive chef at Primavera in New York City, Campagnola’s and
Cavallino in Boca Raton, and Fort Lauderdale’s Casa D’Angelo and
La Veranda.
“Reminiscent of Mulberry Street in New York, the North End
in Boston, and South Philadelphia, Frank & Dino’s brings the
unpretentious warmth of a neighborhood Italian-American restaurant
to Deerfield Beach,” said Dennis Max. “Carlo and Tonino have
captured our vision and will serve some of the best traditional Italian
cuisine in South Florida.”
The 155-seat restaurant measures some 4,000 square feet and
features patio seating and a private room for 20. An inviting dining
room and lounge give tribute to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and
other Rat Pack-era personalities. The restaurant will showcase Frank
Sinatra and Dean Martin memorabilia and will feature live music
Thursday through Saturday nights.
The menu includes traditional favorites such as Snapper Pescatore,
Ravioli Della Nonna, Damiano Meatballs, Rigatoni with Meatballs,
Sausages and Braciole in a traditional Sunday Gravy, as well as
dozens of other Italian antipastis, salads, entrees and desserts, as
well as an array of Italian wines and a full bar.