Boca Restaurants

by Jeannine Gage

Derek Bornstein is extremely enthusiastic about hospitality. You can hear it in his voice when he talks about what guests can expect from the new Boca restaurant that will open soon in Lake Mary.

“Our aim is that our guests feel better when they leave than when they came in,” says Derek, general manager of the new restaurant. “Their visit should be restorative.”

Boca – a neighborhood restaurant offering culinary-driven, locally-sourced American fare – is part of the Florida-based Artistry Restaurants Collection. Currently, there are two existing Bocas, one on Park Avenue in Winter Park and the other in Sarasota. 

“We’re really excited about coming into Lake Mary,” says Derek. “We look forward to becoming part of the community and making residents feel welcome and comfortable.”

Opening in mid-July at Colonial TownPark, Boca will be located in a completely renovated space previously occupied by Dexter’s restaurant.

“We’ve worked hard on it,” says Derek. “High ceilings, booth seating, a tile pizza oven – everything comes together to create a beautiful and warm atmosphere.”

While relaxing in this friendly local hangout, guests can enjoy the restaurant’s delicious American fare and drinks. Appetizers include zucchini fries, soups, and Brussels sprouts, while entrees range from burgers, flatbreads, pastas, and salads to steak and seafood dishes. 

Experience a Taste of Culinary Excellence 

Although similar offerings can be found in many Central Florida restaurants, Boca’s dishes stand out from the rest. Derek says that’s because Boca’s chefs elevate their dishes by using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and introducing new menu items regularly.

“While we have staple dishes that are always available,” he says, “the menu changes often, based on available ingredients and our chefs’ creativity.”

Giving the chefs the freedom to create new dishes is one of the reasons why Boca is known for delivering culinary excellence.

“Chefs are artists,” says Derek. “They appreciate the opportunity to come in daily and create something new and fresh. Not just rinse and repeat. That keeps the brains and knives sharpened at the same time.”

The restaurant’s front-of-house team members are valued, too, and that appreciation enhances Boca’s exceptional hospitality.

“In the end, we are all about our people,” says Derek. “We understand that if we treat our team members with respect, they will treat our guests the same way.”

Boca in Lake Mary will offer lunch and dinner seven days a week as well as brunch on the weekends. Entrée prices will range from $18 to $42, with a menu that will also feature daily specials. A 30-seat bar will highlight craft cocktails and the restaurant’s welcoming hospitality.

“We want bar patrons to experience heartfelt hospitality in every detail, from the handcrafted cocktails to the way we greet our guests by their name,” says Derek. “It’s designed to make people feel recognized, appreciated, and at home.”

Artistry recently opened another establishment on Park Avenue in Winter Park called The Chapman, which specializes in fine drinking and dining. The group also runs several other brands, including Hickory Tavern in the Carolinas and Shrimp Basket, with locations in the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Every Artistry establishment strives to become an integral part of the community it serves. The restaurants are unique to their areas while still carrying the company’s DNA, says Derek, and the same will be true with Boca in Lake Mary.

“We want it to feel like a neighborhood gathering place in every way,” he says. “Supporting local causes and building community partnerships is an extension of our mission to offer heartfelt hospitality to every guest.”