Atlantic Blvd. in Pompano is a veritable restaurant row and we’ve added one to our list of favorites. Darrel & Oliver’s Café Maxx has one of the most creative and flavorful menus we’ve seen outside the Miami area. Importantly, provisions from sea and land are very fresh and generously sized (“jumbo” really means jumbo!) Presentations are photogenic. Flavors are true and paired intelligently. Menus are printed daily based on availability.
Many selections (a dozen appetizers, five salads, four pastas, and almost 20 entrees), each with distinct accompaniments, require intensity of purpose for any chef to compose and orchestrate daily. Chef/co-owner Oliver Saucy makes it happen to the Maxx every day of the week. Co-owner Darrel Broek ensures great service that keeps his many regulars happy and continues to draw in newcomers.
One of the menu’s least expensive appetizers and a “must have” for me is the Caviar Pie. It’s delicious, more than enough for two and a good “table app” for a group. An interesting way to present an expensive ingredient in an affordable way, the “pie” comprises several layers, starting with a bottom of sieved, hard-boiled egg yolk, a creamy middle layer of cream cheese and chopped egg white, and a top layer of red, black, and orange caviar, spread in concentric circles. A wedge of “pie” is served with a generous supply of wheat toast points. Even my co-celebrator, who does not eat caviar, couldn’t believe how good it is!
