Published On: Tue, Mar 19th, 2019

Bacchus Beckons!  Boca Bacchanal – April 4-6, 2019

“A Food & Wine Feast to Please the Gods”

By Kenny Spahn

Spring has officially sprung. And to us local foodies and oenophiles, that means one thing – the Boca Bacchanal!  Boca Raton welcomes the spring each year in royal style, with the Boca Bacchanal Wine & Food Festival.  Now celebrating its 17th consecutive year, the Boca Bacchanal is hailed as the city’s finest food & wine event, with an extra special focus on the wine (Bacchanal is, after all, a tribute to Bacchus, the God of Wine!).  And this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a brand new venue of the Boca Raton Resort & Club for the Grand Tasting; plus two new events – a special VIP Party preceding the Grand Tasting, and the Bubbles & Burgers bash on Thursday, April 4.

     

The Bacchanal weekend kicks off with the inaugural launch of the Bubbles & Burgers bash on Thursday, April 4 (6:00 to 9:00 pm) at the Boca Resort’s Beach Club.  Here’s your chance to meet this year’s featured chefs in person in a fun and intimate setting, and savor an enticing array of gourmet burgers, along with Champagnes and fine wines.  If the concept of sampling all the ultimate gourmet burgers you want, along with spectacular sides, fine wines and champagnes in a relaxed beachside setting sounds good, then this is for you!  How about a Sirloin Burger with Cabernet mushrooms and Sonoma Jack cheese on sourdough toast; Turkey Burger with sharp cheddar &  guacamole on a whole grain bun; Fresh Tuna burger with wasabi mayo & Asian slaw on a Hawaiian potato roll; Kobe Beef Burger with whipped Burrata, heirloom tomatoes, and balsamic onions; or Portobello Mushroom Veggie Burger with gem lettuce and beefsteak tomatoes on a brioche bun – or one of each?  Also dig gourmet sides, from truffle fries and sweet potato shoestrings, to mac & cheese and Texas wedge salad — along with endless pours of Champagnes and fine wines.

           

Saturday, April 6 brings the BIG event – the spectacular Bacchanalia Grand Tasting, the largest and longest-running culinary celebration in Boca.  This year’s Grand Tasting will be truly grand, moving to its brand new setting of the famed Boca Raton Resort & Club’s Great Hall (7:00 – 10:00 pm).  Don’t miss this chance to experience ‘by the bite’ offerings from some of the area’s top eateries, including Apiero, Bolay, Bonefish Grill, Burtons’ Grill & Bar, Cafe 5150, Chops Lobster Bar, Dubliner, GourmetPhile, Henry’s, Howard’s Market, J& D Cakes, Loch Bar, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Oceans 234, Ouzo Bay, Pacari Chocolate, Potions in Motion, Raw Juice,  Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, The Melting Pot, The Boca Raton Resort & Club, and more – along with over 130 wines from an international array of wineries, plus craft beers and other beverages.

        

The theme of this year’s Grand Tasting is “From New York City to California Wine Country,” and the Resort’s Great Hall will be decorated in its NYC best, including a special Saks Fifth Avenue Central Park Lounge featuring Taittinger Champagne and exotic cars from Excell Auto Group.  Other areas will reflect California Wine Country, plus a special “The Heart of Delray” Gallery, featuring the artwork of famed artist Thomas Arvid.  Also on tap for the evening: Live entertainment, a Silent Auction for prize packages ranging from dinners and designer clothes, to artwork and luxury vacations; a pop-up Crown Wine & Spirits shop to place orders for any wines poured; VIP special viewings of the BRHS&M’s new video, including information on their building expansion project, new, interactive exhibits, and their dedicated permanent children’s learning annex, and more!

Another new event this year is the VIP Party on Saturday from 6:00 – 7:00 (before the Grand Tasting), taking place dockside at the Boca Resort.  VIP Guests will have the opportunity to tour The Kimberlie, a luxurious 127-foot yacht from Worth Avenue Yachts before they head over to the Grand Tasting.  This pre-party will also feature nifty hors d’oeuvres from GourmetPhile, along with a selection of refreshing libations, including wines from the featured vintners.

Of course, no Bacchanal would be complete without the famed Vintner Dinners, which take place Friday, April 5.  Each dinner is a unique experience (with very limited space available), held at private estates and unique historical sites in Boca. Guests enjoy a magnificent 5-course intimate private dinner prepared by a top national chef, an accompanied with specially paired wines personally presented by a top vintner. This year’s visiting Chefs come from near and far, including NYC, Providence, RI, Kennebunk, MD, Charleston, SC, and right here in Boca Raton, with matching vintners from Napa Valley and New Zealand.

      

The Bacchanal is brought to us by Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum (“BRHS&M”).  “We’re very excited about our upcoming Boca Bacchanal. The new location–at the Boca Raton Resort & Club–and the addition of two new events to the weekend lineup, will allow us to offer more opportunities and interactive experiences for attendees,” notes Executive Director Mary Csar.  “It’s one of the oldest and most popular food and wine events, in South Florida, and it remains the ‘gold standard’ for introducing people to outstanding restaurants, fabulous chefs, and noteworthy wineries throughout the weekend!”

So mark your calendars – and raise a glass to Bacchus!

The Bubbles & Burgers is Thursday, April 4, from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Boca Raton Resort & Club’s Beach Club.  Tickets are $75.

The Bacchanalia Grand Tasting takes place Saturday, April 6 from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at the Grand Hall of the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Tickets are $125.

The VIP Party is Saturday, April 6, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (before the Grand Tasting) dockside at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.  Tickets are $75.

Reduced Patron Package bundles to all 3 events are also available.

Vintner Dinners will be held at private homes and historic locations on Friday evening, April 5, starting at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $325, all inclusive (very limited availability).

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.bocabacchanal.com or www.bocahistory.org; call (561) 395- 6766, Ext.101, or stop by the BRHS&M at 71 North Federal Highway, in downtown Boca.

All proceeds go directly to the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum and its mission to preserve, share and celebrate Boca Raton’s local history — and to help build its new, state-of-the-art family-friendly exhibits to showcase.  Director Csar notes, “We are proud that all proceeds from the Boca Bacchanal will go directly back into our community to preserve our history, to educate our children, and to build a sense of place in Boca Raton for generations to come. Boca Bacchanal is a win-win for our community.”

Stay apprised of other local Food & Wine Festivals!  Check out my article:    https://www.bocaratontribune.com/bocaratonnews/2019/02/food-wine-festivals-2019/

For more information about Restaurant Placement Group, visit: www.RestaurantPlacement.com.

About the Author

Kenny Spahn is a renowned food critic, culinary columnist, and restaurant authority, and has published over 800 culinary articles. Mr. Spahn also heads up Restaurant Placement Group, an exclusive recruiting, placement, and consulting firm for the restaurant and hospitality industry.

 

About the Author

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