La Ferme (Boca Raton)
* La Ferme.
Literally just this second, Jeff Eats received the “below” pr-piece.
You guys can read it for yourselves…
In a nutshell, William Walden the former Executive Chef of short- lived-Bistro Gastronomie has now teamed up with new partners-with plans to open a new French restaurant-La Ferme in the “old” Bistro Gastronomie digs
For what it’s worth, Bistro Gastronomie (see Jeff Eats’ story: 12/13/13) “struckout”- Chef Walden and his new teammates are -now up at bat…same location, miniscule decor remodel, revamped menu/price.
The big question, has Walden learned to hit the curveball?
We’ll soon find out.
Jeff Eats will keep you guys posted…
*****
La Ferme in Boca Raton
BOCA RATON, FL, September 2, 2014 – Well-known Manhattan restaurateurs
Bobby, Laura and Alexandra Shapiro have teamed with Chef William Walden on La Ferme, a French bistro in West Boca Raton. La Ferme (laferme.kitchen) will open mid-September and will feature Modern French Bistro Cuisine served in a fun, upbeat and exciting setting. The menu will have a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients and the restaurant will swource its own oysters and mussels. The restaurant will be approachable and reasonably priced.
The Shapiros currently own and operate two Manhattan locations of Flex Mussels, and in the past have owned Vanessa, Texarkana, La Louisiana, Hoexters, Uzie’s, and Gianni’s in both Southstreet Seaport, New York and Baltimore, Maryland. In Prince Edward Island, Canada they owned and operated Dayboat and the original Flex Mussels. Additionally, Bobby was David Liederman’s partner in David’s Cookies.
Chef William Walden has been a renowned chef and restaurateur for 30 years in the Washington, DC area and was featured on the Great Chefs TV series. Chef Walden served with the late Francois E. Haeringer at L’Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls, Virginia, consistently ranked the #1 restaurant in the region and frequented by U.S. Presidents, Cabinet Secretaries and other notables. A native of a Loudoun County, Virginia farm, he first learned to cook at age 8 in his grandmother’s grocery store, McClain’s Grocery. Chef Walden was appointed executive chef for Giant Gourmet by the late Israel Cohen at age 18 and served as an owner of two esteemed Washington-area restaurants and was, most recently, with Bistro Gastronomie in Boca Raton.
“Chef Walden is one of the nation’s leading chefs and we are thrilled that he will lead our culinary team at La Ferme,” said Bobby Shapiro. “La Ferme will feature his delicious French dishes and our menu will also have small plates and bar bites to make this an everyday restaurant. It will be more creative, fun and interactive, with a particular focus on health conscious execution.”
“Working with Bobby and the Shapiro family is an absolute inspiration,” said Chef Walden. “Some of the nation’s most influential chefs have graced the kitchens of the Shapiro family’s restaurants, and Bobby is one of the few people I have encountered whose passion for great food parallels mine.”
The menu will adjust with seasons but items will include: Burgundy Escargots sizzling in their shells a la Persillade; Classic French Onion Soup with King Cut Gruyere; Grilled Octopus, Salad Nicoise with seared tuna; Seafood Plateaus featuring Maine Lobster, East Coast Oysters, Gulf Shrimp, Crab Louis, and Florida Stone Crab Claws (in season); King Crab Legs; Prince Edward Island Mussels done three ways: Dijonaise, Billi Bi, or Thai Curry; Natural Foie Gras Torchon; authentic Moroccan Tagines (Chicken, Lamb, and Vegetable); all natural beef; Hanger Steak Frites; Chateaubriand Bouquetier; Slow Braised Short Ribs; Beef Bourgignon a la Julia Child; Steak Tartare; Roast Chicken for two with Potato Pie and Accoutrements; and Fresh Skatefish Au Beurre Noir.
Shutter Design Associates, based in Wilton Manors, handled La Ferme’s design. La Ferme, a 120 seat 3,000 square foot restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating as well as a large bar area, is located at 9101 Lakeridge Blvd., off of Yamato Road and just West of Lyons Road in West Boca Raton. The restaurant is the site of the former Bistro Gastronomie, where Chef Walden served as executive chef. The restaurant will feature an excellent wine collection with a variety of estate grown selections.
La Ferme is open daily for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and will feature happy hour specials, Monday – Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. (bar only). The restaurant accepts all major credit cards and reservations by phone or through OpenTable. For more info call 561.430.3731, visit the website laferme.kitchen or email info@laferme.kitchen.
Jeff,
Liked the baseball theme.
My wife and I ate at Bistro. The food and service were good. The prices were too high.
The location is very iffy.
Like you, we’ll wait and see if the new team can bring anything new to the table.
Same crappy location.
Same demographics.
Same decor.
The guy must be a glutton for punishment.
glad to see Chef Walden is still here i cant wait to try his food i have heard he is one of the best.
Looking forward to the reopening of Chef Walden’s
new venture “La Ferme”. Loved Bistro G and was sorry when it closed, great food, service and atmosphere. All the best and see you when you open.
Had a bad meal at Bistro–will indeed try La Ferme as we have fond memories of Chef Walden’s cuisine in Virginia many years ago
jeff,
So if i got this straight, same cook, same location, same french theme, maybe cheaper prices.
In your original writeup you said that the loction was very weak same for demographics. Those 2 factors remain the same.
I’d say it’s still a long shot for this new incarnation.
Can’t wait to try it. I know Flex Mussels from NY and both locations are great.
I was in the center yesterday afternoon and looked in and one of the people inside told me that they will be opening in about a week. I also saw that they are adding an outside dining patio.
I reserve my decision for after they open but I still question the location of this restaurant.
An out door patio!!!
More money down the drown.
The location sucks.
Just that simple.
On today’s craigslist,
Bon Jour!!! Boca Raton newest and hottest restaurant is about to open and we’re still looking for some additional and amazing team members. If your a mature professional Server, Female Bartender, Food Runner, or Busser we would like to speak with you. We’re holding open interviews this Mon-Thur from 2-5pm. We’re only looking to speak with the best of the best in the industry. Merci ))))
Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
do NOT contact us with unsolicited services or offers
If the food, the service, the staff, the ambience of the restaurant and the upbeat welcoming nature of your arrival is all outstanding, what difference does it make where it is located?
Bones:
Just had a chance to read your comments.
Let me ask you something:
If the greatest Chinese Restaurant KNOWN TO MANKIND opened in a ultra religious Jewish area where everyone was kosher would the restaurant do great?
Thanks for reading…
yes I think they would I travel 30 minutes to eat at my fav place and don’t think anything of it. I also drive down to Miami as there are a few places I love down there. I don’t even eat at anyplace that’s near me as they don’t have any places I like near me. Other than Chris Taverna but I don’t do Greek that often.
mark,
to survive a restaurant needs a ton of people, youre the rare bird. the area for this one stinks.
So why does my Indian place in the middle of a Latin area need to take reservations to get a table. And why are there no Latinos eating there? Because they are good and have developed a following. If LaFerme can do that they will make it and from what I read about Bistro it was working but the partners had a falling out over the direction so they left and the chef found new partners who will follow his direction. Again time will tell but I for one hope he makes it as there is a need in West Boca for a place like this.
mark,
Only time will tell as to if you are right or wrong.
What I do know is that the new owners should have Jeff Eats in for a comp meal.
Jeff has some good thoughts to share and if he like the joint it couldn’t hurt to see him do a good writeup.
Maybe Jeff should open his own restraint? I seem to remember that Jeff and the partners of the last version had some hissy fit exchanges which any “Critic” and restraint sshould avoid. Let the space, the service and the Food etc make the case
This Chef is no slouch as the new partners are not. Why not let them finish their plan and let the customers decide?. It is not uncommon in this business to have missteps or have to make adjustments. . The question that I would have is anyone choosing Boca because of the very things I read in this blog. This restaurant would excel in Ft Lauderdale ( ala Chops) and even Panao’s new one took some time from the start to thrive
Some of the worst restaurants I’ve eaten, have been in very “desirable” or “great locations”. As far as I am concern, that center is very safe which would be my main concern in terms of its location.
Sim
safe etc isn’t in the equation.
the general area may have trouble supporting this restaurant based on price/age of population.
I agree with Sim We opened a Restaurant in Naples ( has a Boca ) years ago that had a very quirky location 30 yards off 5th avenue. . We did ZERO advertising, didn’t even put it in the phone book .
We simply put our menu and wine list on a a stand, and whenever someone happened to walk by, we would go out at show them the menu /wine list .We did this for a slow opening .
It didn’t take too long where I would be in the grocery store and hear people talking how great this restraint was, and etc etc and when asked if they had been there, they said ” no as we don’t know where it is. ” Yet they are all promoting it. again this was on purpose . Wasn’t long after until full discovery made the rounds and to this day, the restraint has been packed sense
Location issues can be overcome. I know you guys have roads up there people see, they go, and they talk if it’s good and in the price range of what the people will pay, they will come
Hey people, we’re all critics, we know what “we” like.
Let’s at least give the new restaurant a chance to prove themselves. To some, the location may leave something to be desired, but once you are inside, it is the quality of food, service and atmosphere that count. As long as I receive value for money spent I am happy. If the prices are a little steep than I just save the restaurant for special occasions. In the past I felt the quality of the food justified the prices (Had dinner there on 7 occasions). Felt the bar was somewhat over priced though.
There are restaurants in East Boca, not as convenient if you live in West Boca, that charge similar or higher prices and the quality was not equal to Bistro’s.
Was just in the center. Bistro signs still up. Doesn’t look like this joint is ready to open quite yet.
Did not try the previous restaurant-had passed it and squirmed at the prices for that location- agreed it is a lousy one. But happened on their new name on Open Table and read this ‘review.’ Being a big fan if Flex in NY, I called to find out opening date. Like anything else if word of mouth goes as planned it should be great
I’ve read each of your comments with interest and as one of the new owners of La Ferme, I want to urge you to try our restaurant before you doom it to failure.
Our philosophy is to take great care of our customers, provide wonderful food and make your experience fun! We also have a pretty fantastic wine and craft beer list.
For those of you who know our restaurants in Manhattan (Flex Mussels), we WILL be serving a few of our best selling mussel dishes at La Ferme!
Hope to meet all of you very soon. At the very least, come by to say hello!
Laura Shapiro
Laura,
The smart move would be to have Jeff Eats at any opening or special event you plan on having.
Laura,
One move you should definitely make is to make sure that Jeff Eats eats at your new restaurant. If you look at his original Bistro story it had nothing to with the food but rather the location. Get Jeff onboard and you may have a shot at generating a crowd.
Right on Laura. I know your restaurant’s well and I know this is a much better fit than the last situation for the Chef. This is a fantastic combination of talent
We will drive up from Fort Lauderdale when you are ready and open !
The location will destroy this restaurant.
Spoke to one of the owners of the new place and found out the chef is no longer with them.
Heard yesterday Walden is OUT.
Jeff, this project has been a disaster since you first wrote about Bistro.
Just received the below email…
This “restaurant” is like a freaking soap opera.
Will just have to wait and see what “exactly” opens:
*****
BOCA RATON, FL, September 26, 2014 – Well-known Manhattan restaurateurs
Bobby, Laura and Alexandra Shapiro have teamed with Chef John Belleme on La Ferme, a new world Mediterranean eatery in West Boca Raton. La Ferme (laferme.kitchen) will open on Saturday, October 4. The restaurant features modern Mediterranean cuisine in a fun, upbeat and exciting setting.
The Shapiros currently own and operate two Manhattan locations of Flex Mussels, and in the past have owned Vanessa, Texarkana, La Louisiana, Hoexters, Uzie’s, and Gianni’s in both Southstreet Seaport, New York and Baltimore, Maryland. In Prince Edward Island, Canada they owned and operated Dayboat and the original Flex Mussels. Additionally, Bobby was David Liederman’s partner in David’s Cookies.
The menu at La Ferme is beautifully executed by celebrated Executive Chef John Belleme, voted the Best Chef in Palm Beach County three years in a row by the readers of City Link and the New Times magazines. He was also featured in Esquire magazine by John Mariani as a chef to keep your eye on. Prior to joining La Ferme’s team, Chef Belleme was at the helm of the popular but now defunct Stephane’s in Boca Raton.
“Chef Belleme has a passion for food and stellar talent and his menu promises to appeal to even the most discerning palate,” said Bobby Shapiro. “ His pedigree comes from a who’s who in the South Florida restaurant community and we are thrilled to partner with him at La Ferme.”
The menu will adjust with seasons but items will include: Grilled Point Judith Calamari with Heirloom Tomato, Lemon Caper Crudo; Kale Caesar with Country Croutons, Parmesan and Boquerón; Steak Tartare with Quail Egg and Green Peppercorn Vinaigrette; Forever Braised Short Rib Bourguignon with Lardoons, Mushrooms and a Red Wine Reduction; Poulet de St Tropez Roasted Organic Chicken with Roasted Vegetables, Grapes, Olives, Crushed Potatoes in Lemon Thyme Pan Sauce; and Cedar Plank Organic Black Pearl Salmon with Horseradish Crust, Mustard Oil and Greens.
Shuster Design Associates, based in Wilton Manors, handled La Ferme’s design. The new design includes consultation by Catalyst Art and artwork by Shepard Fairey, Hunt Slonem, Donald Sultan, Alex Katz, Mel Ramos, Robert Cottingham and Brett Murray.
La Ferme, a 120 seat 3,000 square foot restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating as well as a large bar area, is located at 9101 Lakeridge Blvd., off of Yamato Road and just West of Lyons Road in West Boca Raton. The restaurant is the site of the former Bistro Gastronomie. The restaurant will feature an excellent wine collection with a variety of estate grown selections.
La Ferme is open daily for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and will feature happy hour specials, Monday – Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. (bar only). The restaurant accepts all major credit cards and reservations by phone or through OpenTable. For more info call 561.430.3731, visit the website laferme.kitchen or email info@laferme.kitchen.
William Walden is a big asshole. He is full of crap and a bullshit artist. He should go back to his little 40 seat restaurant in virginia countryside. With Walden gone La Ferme now has a chance to succeed. I hope it does. Goodluck!
Hahahahaha
Jeff
You really did call this one even before Bistro finished construction.
John Doe-Hahahaha
It’s just a little neighborhood strip center … that’s part of the problem.
They repaved the parking lot, fixed up the landscaping, etc.
A local pizza place, Chinese, Doris, Brendys might do good but an upscale French restaurant?
So the car carriers will be hear soon. The elderly people driving their Infinities and Lexus’ cars with NY plates. They’ll love it and then leave to go back north. That’s about the time this place will be shuttered for good. Maybe it’s a good idea off Federal Highway by Mizner Park or Atlantic Avenue in Delray. Just not here.
Murray
Now they changed it to a Mediterranean joint.
As Jeff said its like a freaking soap opera.
The location sucks.
No matter what goes in there it’s going to be a huge struggle to survive.
http://bocanewsnow.com/2014/02/24/former-head-chef-of-stephanes-charged-with-dui/
Jeff,
Great site.
Looks like the old owners (Burt Squirt) and the new owners (John Doe, Pam & Laura) are in a big old pissing match. Love the back and forth comments.
The new chef died a real fast death at Stephane’s. Like Bistro it took longer to build the joint than it stayed open for.
On the new chef’s driving record, I’d be scared to park my car in the center. He could smack into your car or something.
Love the soap opera.
Thanks for publishing the back and forth.
It wasn’t the Chefs Fault.
The new chef sounds like a real winner!
His last venture closed almost as soon as it opened.
As for DUI, I wouldn’t touch this guy with a ten foot poll.
These Shapiro folks can’t be too smart. In the span of a few days they went from opening a French Restaurant to opening a Mediterranean Restaurant with a drunken bum at the helm of the ship.
This is going to be one huge disaster.
Heck Rossman we elected a drunken bum for President twice
come on Clinton wasn’t that bad
Jeff,
Betcha he makes sure that the bar is fully stocked.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — John Belleme, the former head chef of popular Boca Raton restaurant “Stephane’s,” had an opportunity this weekend to experience the fine cuisine inside the Palm Beach County Jail.
We don’t know if the food rivaled the “foie gras” he once told a local newspaper that he loves, but we do know that jail was apparently the perfect pairing for the charges of “DUI – unlawful blood alcohol” and “moving traffic violation — drive while license suspended.” Both charges were filed by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Belleme, who lives on Rockledge Lane in Boca Falls, was released on his own recognizance.
The weekend arrest was not Belleme’s first run-in with the law in Palm Beach County — public records reveal several traffic citations over the past several years.
Stephane’s closed its NW Executive Center Drive location several months ago.
—————-
BocaNewsNow.com is the leading site for news and information based in Boca Raton, Florida. We have surpassed 2.5-million page views.
We remind readers that an arrest is an accusation. Guilt or innocence is determined in a court of law. Please email us at news(at)bocanewsnow.com if the facts of a news story involving you have changed. This is not a mugshot website. While under no obligation to do so, we will effort to update arrest reports when provided with official information by the arrestee.
Note that ip addresses are logged and may be shared with law enforcement in unique situations.N
Nobody in their right mind would partner up with a chef with that driving record.
So refreshing to have a new restaurant with fabulous food and great decor in west Boca Raton.
The grilled octopus, beat & goat cheese salad and the Branzino were absolutely delicious.
If you enjoy fresh quality food, you need to do yourself a favor and try La Ferme!
Service was excellent while Bobby, Laura and Alexandra Shapiro made a fabulous dinning experience with their warm and fun personalities.
I must have been on a list from the Bistro because I got an invitation to try the new place. I went last night and I must say it was very good. Hopefully they get to develop the customer base because I would love to have this as an option.
Wouldn’t it have made a whole lot of sense to have JEFF EATS try the food.
All well and good that you got a free invitation, but JEFFEATS.COM is the site with the readers not Alain troadec.
For right now, Jeff Eats has no opinion on the joint.
Beautiful decor, excellent food and great service. This place is a winner. I’m surprised by all the negativity on here before it even opened.
Thinking La Ferme had already opened we walked in, only to be told they were doing friends and family soft opening. However, the owner invited us to stay and we were treated to a delicious meal in a gorgeous restaurant. Thai mussels, great house salad, chilean sea bass and the apple tart were all outstanding! Even the service was good! What a fab addition, and thanks again for welcoming us in!
Jeff
Just finished reading these favorable reviews on the free food and drink these folks said they got. I would bet that they are all fake.
How come LA Ferme didn’t have Jeffeats.com there?
Looked in today and the new owners have really done a great job with the decor. New artwork makes the restaurant pretty hip looking. Haven’t eaten there yet but the decor looks upscale but not pretentious looking.
This is a very entertaining site. But, I am a little skeptical about those posts complaining that Jeffeats.com wasn’t invited for a free dinner at La Ferme. An objective reviewer should pay for his/her own meals.Unless those complainer star a collection to pay for Jeffeats.com meals.
Sim
Here’s Jeff’s review for meatball room.
Been reading him a long time and when he is COMPED he tells you right up front.
Free, pay whatever he calls it like it is.
***** Meatball Room, 3011 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33434, (561) 409-4111.
Last night…
Jeff Eats and Mrs. Jeff Eats attended a “media dinner” at- Meatball Room, an Italian restaurant which opened six days ago in Boca Raton…based on last night’s food/service/décor/vibe, the joint has a real shot of developing an absolutely huge following.
Just so we are straight, the Eats’ meals/beverages and those of 30 others were comped…
For background…
As far as Jeff Eats could tell, the dinner was populated with some of South Florida’s best known- food bloggers and magazine/newspaper food critics/writers. Nothing for nothing, I’ll bet you a buck, that on Thursday, November 28th the Sun Sentinel runs a story on Meatball Room. Talk about thorough!–its reporter had more paper notes than Eisenhower had for the entire D-Day Invasion.
Anyway…let me tell you what “we-all” (this is the South, after-all!) got to try—baked clams, anaheim pepper, kale salad, beets salad, chopped salad, classic (veal/pork/beef) meatballs, turkey meatballs, taco (beef/pork/ground tortilla chips) meatballs, rigatoni bolognese, calamari fra diavolo, cheese pizza, harvest (apples/carmalized onions/mozzarella/goat cheese) pizza, chicken castronovo (breaded chicken breast/asparagus/fontina cheese/mushroom demi sauce), veal parmigiana—and let me tell you, every-thing was delicious. Now for sure, some items were stronger than others, but not one single dish was shall we say-even close to being lousy. For those of you who need a pecking order…as George H. W. Bush would say, “Can’t do it! Not gonna do it! (or was it Dana Carvey?)–trust me it was all good-(ok, you win-the cheese pizza, taco meatballs and chicken castronovo were off-the-chart).
Now for the outrageous kicker…
Meatball Room has a huge dessert menu that includes– ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches/cones, cakes, zeppoles. cannolis, pastries. Us media folks got to try sundaes, cannolis, chocolate layer cake, carrot cake, New York Style cheesecake–Talk about a diabetic’s worst nightmare! I’m telling you, the attendees flipped out when those sundaes were served in gigantic glass goblets. Real cool-all baked goods are made in-house!
You guys know, that it’s not Jeff Eats’ style- to go on and on and on…about how stuff is made and the fine details of a meal—all I’m telling you, is comped or no comped, Meatball Room is making some really terrific stuff.
Let me close by saying, that back on October 23, 2013 Jeff Eats’ did a story on “pre-opened” Meatball Room and the shopping center it’s in. That story is reprinted below -for you guys who enjoy reading 30-day old Jeff Eats’ articles.
You can check menu/prices/photos/other stuff at http://www.meatballroom.com.
Meatball Room is open 7 days a week from 11am-midnight.
*****
Meatball Room (Boca Raton)
Posted on October 23rd, 2013 · Boca Raton Desserts Italian Pizza ·
* Meatball Room (Boca Raton)
A Jeff Eats follower for years.
If Jeff gets comped he tells you so.
The man doesn’t play games with us readers.
Best food blog in Florida.
You ever read the Sun Sentinel?
On Wed there are usually 4 restaurants mentioned with photos.
All of those restaurants comp the writer.
That’s a fact.
You ever see her mention that she ate or drank for nothing?
She never ever mentions it.
Now what do you have to say?
MY WIFE & I ENJOYED THE SPECTACULAR DECOR & THE BETTER THAN EXCELLANT FOOD AT THE “BISTRO”. WE WERE SADDENED WHEN WE LEARNED THAT THEY CLOSED. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DINE AT “LA FERME” WE LIVE IN WHISPER WALK,SO THE LOCATION IS VERY CONVENIENT. IF THE FOOD IS COMPARABLE TO WHAT WAS SERVED AT THE “BISTRO”. “LA FERME” WILL BE A WINNER.
Stunningly handsome restaurant.
Picked up a menu this afternoon.
Ridiculously high prices.
Took a chance tonight with five other friends and went into La Ferme. Had a really great “fine” dining experience. This is not a burger before a movie kind of place. I started off, after a cocktail, with grilled octopus which I shared with my wife. My friends split a beet and goat cheese salad and my sister and brother in law split the Wedge salad. All three were excellent. Then a friend and I both had the short rib, fabulous! My wife had the Duck cooked two ways that was wonderful. I had to “help” her finish it. My brother in law had the rack of lamb and my sister in law had the NY strip steak. She said it was better than what she had had at Abe and Louies and I like Abe and Louies alot. Finally my other friend had the salmon. All were excellent and very generous portions. The serving staff were attentive and professional and there was no “auction” when serving each dish and cocktail. This is a pet peeve of mine when at a fine restaurant. I hate it when the servers don’t know who ordered what and start the “auction”. We had a really great experience and all six agreed that we will all return.
We also visited La Ferme. What a neighborhood gem! Had wedge salad covered by very thin fried onion crisps. Then pork tenderloin wrapped in crisp pork belly–wonderful. Husband had the short ribs–could cut with a fork. Others had the duck. Everyone proclaimed La Ferme a hit. But very expensive and worth the money
Jeff
A must try.
Ate there last Friday night and the food was fabulous.
Tried to utilize $200 worth of gift certificates purchased just before Bistro closed last summer. The new owners denied any knowledge of the previous restaurant, refused to honor their gift certificates, and weren’t even friendly about the refusal. Seems like the NY attitude has again moved to Boca. Won’t be going here, although the previous restaurant had the best food in the area and was a favorite.
Dear Chas,
I’m sorry that you’re judging us by Bistro Gastronomie, which we have NOTHING to do with us. I heard our manager on the phone with you, and actually he was quite gracious, as always.
I hope you change your mind and decide to dine with us-please remember, we are NOT affiliated with Bistro in any way and do not honor their gift cards. We always strive to take great care of our customers here, as we do at Flex Mussels in Manhattan.
Jeff, could be worth a try. Hearing some nice things about the restaurant.
Boca Raton, FL (November 3, 2014)—La Ferme (laferme.kitchen) has launched three tantalizing offers, including Sunday’s Mussel Madness with half-price mussels, Monday’s half-price wine bottles, and two for one cocktails available nightly except Saturdays. Mussel Madness
offers a choice of four preparations; classic, Thai, Provençal and Parma.
Well-known Manhattan restaurateurs, Bobby, Laura and Alexandra Shapiro, who own Flex Mussels in New York, are the owners of La Ferme.
“We are able to source the finest mussels in the world, since we specialize in mussels at our New York restaurants. That means that La Ferme’s guests can enjoy the freshest mussels in Florida,” Bobby Shapiro said.
The two for one cocktails are available at the bar, from 5-7 p.m. on house pours and well cocktails, nightly except Saturday. On Mondays, all wine bottles priced at less than $75 are half price throughout the restaurant.
The Shapiros currently own and operate two Manhattan locations of Flex Mussels, and in the past have owned Vanessa, Texarkana, La Louisiana, Hoexters, Uzie’s, and Gianni’s, in both Southstreet Seaport, New York and Baltimore, Maryland. In Prince Edward Island, Canada they owned and operated Dayboat and the original Flex Mussels. Additionally, Bobby was David Liederman’s partner in David’s Cookies.
La Ferme, a 120-seat 3,000 square foot restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating as well as a large bar area, is located at 9101 Lakeridge Blvd., off of Yamato Road and just West of Lyons Road in West Boca Raton. The restaurant is the site of the former Bistro Gastronomie.
La Ferme is open daily for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant accepts all major credit cards and reservations by phone or through OpenTable. For more info call 561.430.3731, visit the website laferme.kitchen or email info@laferme.kitchen.
I read the comments from Zed. My first and second thoughts is this the owner writing them. Crazy – sounds like commercial.
Any guess what this site will become when it closes?
Get a grip.
Jeff,
I am only hearing terrific things about this restaurant.
We thought we would try La Ferme, meaning the Farm in French, after driving by it several times. A little odd that in their logo are figures of all the animals you will be eating, maybe not the best form of advertising. We wondered why was an expensive restaurant set in the ‘ambiance’ of a dumpy strip mall, complete with a rundown Chinese takeout and a dive of a pizza joint. It’s kind of like putting a Rolls Royce dealership next to Century Village which is just a few blocks down the street.
After eating there I can see why they located there and not in East Boca where they would have a thing called competition, with a bevy full of four and five star restaurants most of them with better prices and food, equal to or better than La Ferme.
Yes there is valet parking, which consists of three valets talking with each other since it would take some effort to not find an empty parking place in this out of date strip mall. There were three people parked in valet when we left out of about fifty cars. You would’ve to be criminally lazy to park there and not walk ten feet to the restaurant. Either that or you want to impress your company by sporting a $3 valet tip. I guess they have to offer a valet to make themselves seem complete as an ‘upscale’ restaurant.
Nonetheless, we ate there and started with a French Onion Soup, $12. It was definitely good soup, not the best I’ve had but definitely very good. We then followed it with a Caesar salad, good but nothing special at all. Onto the entrée, which was a steak hangar, good but very small, even by uber-expensive restaurant standards. It comes with frites or fries, which were lame. How does a French Restaurant mess up French fries, kind of like going to a Scandinavian restaurant that doesn’t even know how to make a Swedish meatball? Sides were good, we had potatoes and brussel sprouts. We also had the Bell & Evans Chicken and scallops. Definitely small portions and a limited menu with about a dozen choices.
The décor is very nice, like a Modern, Euro Chic look, with white everywhere. If there was any more white in this place, I would’ve sworn Casper the ghost was behind the decorating. Finally, we capped the evening off with their chocolate cake, which was really good. Not sure why the restaurant serves Foie Gras, which is basically a duck with a tube shoved down its throat to be force-fed and fattened-up for market super fast, banned in California and elsewhere for cruelty reasons.
Apparently, the Shapiros, the owners of the place fired the original chef, Chef Walden, who was the big draw to the place and replaced him with John Belleme of the failed Stephane’s restaurant. Not sure why they fired Chef Walden who was nationally recognized with a chef of a failed restaurant who sports a recent DUI under his belt.
Anyways, it’s a decent restaurant but it’s expensive even by Ruth’s Chris and Morton’s standards, with skimpier portions. I think their prices need to go on a diet from their current nosebleed-levels and portions have to be seriously upsized; otherwise, just like its predecessor, Bistro Gastronomie, it too will go belly up!
The comments from “Jon Doe” and some of the others are disgusting. Last time I was at The Meatball Room with a reservation, I waited nearly an hour to be given a tiny table that obstructed the busy aisle. So much for that great review.
The service was lousy and the place is so loud, I couldn’t hear my dining companion, although he was almost shouting. It hardly appeased us that the owner (or manager) offered to buy us coffee.
We just wanted to get out. I’ve heard great things about La Ferme and will certainly try it.
Very over priced mediocre food.
My wife and I stopped in this past Saturday. They were so busy that they turned us away (nicely) and asked us to come back another evening, suggesting we make a reservation.
The aroma inside was amazing, the ambiance was upscale Boca style as were the people dining. They had a definite full house and we will definitely be back.
New owners.
I guess business wasn’t as good it seemed.
Only 1 new owner. Girlfriend is not an owner but more of a show piece, I imagine.