Dinnerreviews.com - Palm Beach Review

WOW!ES
Sports Bar and Grill
7036 West Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33445
561-392-5040
www.wowiessportsgrill.com

Reviewed By: Tom House

Hostesses Brittany Foreman and Lindsay Weiser welcome you to WOW!ES

Food: Service:

It was an easy decision for me to award 5 stars for food to this hot new restaurant cleverly named WOW!ES Sports Grill. As I was writing this story, one of my associates looked over my shoulder and asks, “Tom, why are you giving five stars for food to a sports bar?” I replied, “Because the food is amazing. It is so fresh and creative, and nearly everything is made to order from scratch!” I hate when people stereotype a restaurant just because it calls itself a sports grill or whatever…even when it is one of my own employees or friends! That is all I really have to write…but if you know me, there is a lot more to come! WOW!ES has managed to come up with something new in this over-saturated restaurant / entertainment market…and it is really extraordinary…I am already planning on several return visits.

On the way into the restaurant, we were greeted by Lindsay and Brittany, two of the most vibrant young hostesses you’ll ever meet. The word beautiful is over used these days, but Brittany and Lindsay are the true definition of the word. The rest of the spacious room is filled with some of the most stunning girls I have ever seen…and they are the waitresses! I am not sure if there are more pretty waitresses or big flat screen televisions, but both are everywhere! The waitresses are not big or flat…I can assure you of that...only the TVs. If WOW!ES ever wants to start one of those calendar girl concepts…it would be very successful. Our attractive server Nicole (Nicki) was tableside immediately, spouting drink and food suggestions galore. My Celebrity Guest Curt Russell, a thoroughbred race horse owner and media man for local television, and I already had the feeling that we were going to love WOW!ES.

We started out with a couple beers and ordered appetizers as well. Soon we were joined by manager Frank Petillo, owner Jerry McLaurin and his lovely wife Tayi. Jamie Russell (no relation to Curtis as far as we know) from The Gab Group stopped by to visit as well, and before we knew it, the table was covered with delicious food from WOW!ES varied menu. We tried chicken wings with medium hot sauce, along with some Extreme (beware) super hot sauce made by Frank himself, as well as Cajun Black and Blue Shrimp served in a martini glass…both were delicious. The Extreme hot sauce really caught my attention, as many of you know I grow peppers to make my own hot sauce! I always say that a hot sauce is just right if it makes me sweat…soon I was mopping my brow every few minutes as I enjoyed each mouthful of the flavorful sauce on everything possible! I will be bringing a bottle of my famous “House Made Inner Beauty ” habanero sauce to these guys as soon as the next batch is ready…I know they will appreciate it.

We continued on to sample plump New Zealand Spicy Green Mussels, served in white wine and green tobacso sauce. Lots of crostinis to dip in the savory pottage made it even better. I still cannot believe they are serving green lipped mussels at this sports grill…this is very high class food not even found in many fine dining restaurants these days. They have always been one of my favorite foods, and I usually have to wait for some restaurant to have them as a special of the night in order to enjoy them! WOW!ES has them every night! If that was not enough, we also sampled Hot Stuffed Cherry Peppers, filled with tasty homemade stuffing, and Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta, which is baguette points topped with a clever combo of roasted red peppers, white raisins and pine nuts. I kept looking around to make sure I was not in a fine dining restaurant…the food here is truly amazing. I didn’t know it at the time, but the best was still yet to come!

Owner Jerry McLaurin serving pizzza and Jamie Russell with
The Gab Group Public Relations

Manager Frank Petillo is a very energetic guy, who has brought his vigor to the entire WOW!ES menu. Many of the delicious recipes featured are from Frank’s family and late father …handed down for many years, and spiced up with Frank’s own creativity. With owner Jerry and Frank’s suggestions in mind, we decided to try the Italian Fried Pork Chop, which is one or two pork chops, rolled in Italian breading, served with sautéed vegetables and smashed Red Bliss potatoes. The portion, with one or two chops is gigantic, and the flavor just as big. Cooked to a nice moist medium, Curtis and I thoroughly enjoyed this dinner. Another must see and have specialty of the house dish is the Short Rib over penne pasta. One of the most giant servings I have ever seen anywhere, and the meat melted in my mouth, just as a slow cooked short rib should. The hearty sauce was amazing, with plenty of carrots, onions, garlic, celery, a little tomato and some merlot wine to round it out. The consistency of the sauce complimented this meal perfectly.

As a food critic on the job, I rarely take food home in doggie bags, however, all those rules were broken here at WOW!ES. Curtis and I already had three boxes of unfinished food packed and ready to go. Why? Because we were unable to finish the massive portions, and were unwilling to let anyone take it away from us! If you are laughing now, I am glad, but the next day when I slowly re-heated the short rib, it came back in all of its glory. It took the whole day for me to finish the leftovers from this sports grill that knows great food! There are so many other excellent choices on the menu that this place requires several visits. How about Mom’s Meatloaf Platter or sandwich, Greek Salad, Chicken Rollatine, homemade soups, burgers and hot dogs of course, and so much more. Portabella Mushroom Ravioli, Fresh Oven Roasted Turkey Platter and Shrimp Scampi to name a few more...unreal!

One other amazing entrée we loved that deserves honorable mention. Snapper over Escarole is the epitome of that saying, “To die for.” This perfectly cooked filet of snapper was gently laid over a bed of the most excellent version of escarole and beans I have tasted in years. WOW!ES version consists of, escarole sautéed with garlic, kidney beans and tomatoes, all combined in a white wine sauce. This dish was one of the best meals I have tasted in 2008, with everything served steaming hot and oh so fresh…impressive once again. Frank explains that he is positive that there are no other sports bars serving food of this quality. I would have to agree at this point. Frank says, “My goal is to have 5 or 6 WOW!ES one day, and to be known as the best sports bar / restaurant in South Florida”. Owner Jerry seems very laid back, but he certainly is smart. Surrounding himself with talented attractive people who know what they are doing was job one…the rest has already come together naturally. This is not Jerry’s first restaurant rodeo, and won’t be his last.

Nicki was excitedly explaining, “There is live music from local bands playing here on Saturday nights, and it is packed for that event.” Frank says the live local band night is wildly successful. Bartender Elisa stopped by and was laughing and joking with Frank, Jerry and the rest of our table. I commented to Curtis how all employees are so friendly and always having fun here. There is already great chemistry for a restaurant that has only been open since March of this year! There is full liquor bar here at WOW!ES, and whatever sporting event you want to see…it will be on. You can hear whichever television you want right at your table, through the use of some of the latest technology on the market (coming soon). WOW!ES is ahead of the curve in every department.

Although we were out of stomach room, we agreed to try the three signature WOW!ES desserts. Known as “Sweets & Such”, they consist of Milky Way Chocolate Cake, served with vanilla ice cream, Apple Crumb Cake, served warm with vanilla ice cream and Zeppoles (fried dough). This last dessert is touted as WOW!ES Specialty and they are made fresh every time they are ordered. Sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with caramel, chocolate sauce, and you guessed it, vanilla ice cream! All are phenomenally fattening but great!

Need more reasons to come to this satisfyingly sinful sanctuary? How about daily specials, Happy Hour everyday between 4 and 7 PM, including two for one drinks and half price wings. Sunday through Thursday ladies drink free between 5 and 7 PM in the bar and at all high top tables, and kids eat free if they are 12 and under during the same times…WOW!E! One look…one taste…one visit, and you will be hooked too. If the food, service and fun atmosphere doesn’t get you…the view will!

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