Posted by Little Blue Plane on Friday, July 2, 2021 at 6:25 PMBy Little Blue Plane / July 2, 2021Comment
We’ve got the beaches, the golf courses, the shopping, but our little leisurely slice of paradise would not be complete without fine dining in Boca Raton. Whether you are looking for the romantic or the Zagat rated, we have the perfect place for your extra special night.
Abe & Louie have often fought and won for the crown of the best steakhouse in Boca. One of two restaurants (the other can be found in Boston), our Zagat-rated Abe & Louie’s offers the classic steak and seafood presented on white linens against a dark backdrop of mahogany paneling. Dinner there will set the scene for a serious meeting, or a romantic evening.
From its dramatic cathedral-esque arched windows to its art-deco-inspired chandeliers, few restaurants have such flair as Lucca. Located in the Boca Raton Resort & Club, reservations are required if you intend to dine as a non-hotel guest (and shorts are not permitted at dinner). Its menu is modern Italian, presenting to the diner a blending of traditional and progressive fare. If...
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 12:28 AMBy Little Blue Plane / June 30, 2021Comment
Boca Raton may be a sleepy paradise along the Atlantic, but we are as American as apple pie and our colors fly proud and true every Fourth of July! If you’re looking for a powerful annual bash or a quiet celebration, here are the best Fourth of July Events in Boca Raton!
4th of July Drive-in Fireworks Display
Sunset Lake in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park
11200 Park Access Rd, Boca Raton, FL
Gates Open at 7:00 pm, Fireworks at 9:00 pm (15-minute presentation)
Roll into this special FREE event! Want to stretch your legs? All attendees are welcome to walk outside of their personal vehicles to take in the summer air and fireworks show. For your convenience, there will be an on-site radio broadcast of the show’s accompanying music. We recommend that you arrive as early as possible, as space is limited. Best of all, this event is rain or shine. The show must go on!
2901 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
You don’t need to drive all the way to Miami to find a happening spot! Dance the night away at The Boca Plaza Hotel’s Norman’s Tavern. This is a fantastic event for grown-ups with a taste for live jazz and flowing drinks. Each admission ($15.00 per...
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 9:24 AMBy Little Blue Plane / June 29, 2021Comment
In Boca Raton, we love green! It’s the year-round color many of us move here for, so why shouldn’t your home share the same shade? Not as in a new coat of paint, we can’t help you with swatches, but by making your Boca Raton home friendlier to the environment! Here are 4 tips for a green Boca home!
1. Watering Your Lawn at Night
We’ll admit, we Boca Raton homeowners can be a little vain when it comes to our lawns. Who doesn’t relish a verdant welcome whenever we return home? But with temperatures in the 80s and 90s for most of the year, your little plot of paradise will need plenty of TLC from you and the skies above. Even with our summer rains, which are almost a daily occurrence in our Boca Raton neighborhoods, our lawns can become dry and parched later in the year under the Florida sun. Take our advice and water well dark sunset. With no sun in the sky, you won’t have to contend with evaporation on both the grass and in your wallet when you get your water bill. Your lawn will thank you for it!
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Monday, June 28, 2021 at 9:38 AMBy Little Blue Plane / June 28, 2021Comment
The Boca Raton lifestyle is one of leisure and relaxation. Life carries at its own pace under our verdant canopy of palm trees. But hidden within that thick foliage is another world of creepy crawlies and critters that would like to share your beautiful Boca home as soon as the thunder and lighting come calling. Here are 5 pest control trips to try in your Boca home!
Eliminate Standing Water
Mosquitos and flies are an especially tiring nuisance around our fair city, especially in the legendary humidity of August. Get those pests off the dole by eliminating pockets of standing water, which are mosquito's favorite places to breed. These could be found in buckets being left out after housework, hammocks, gutters stuffed with debris, or a slump in the elevation of your lawn.
Remove All Food Waste
Did you know that a cockroach can live for days off of a single crumb? Think twice about eating that cookie on the couch! Leaving food out overnight is a juicy opportunity for our multi-legged friends. Even our faithful garbage cans are no match to keep out the tiny opportunists. If you must throw out raw items or unfinished meals, dispose of them in a plastic bag to contain the smell before dropping them in the trash can. If you love to grill during our perpetual summer, make sure the grill and...
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at 6:09 PMBy Little Blue Plane / June 27, 2021Comment
Boca Raton has long been renowned for its trendy cocktail bars and exquisite cuisine. Thanks to South Florida's position as one of the biggest trending real estate markets in the country, people from around the world venture to visit and take residence in our beautiful beachfront community. Thankfully, their flavors tend to follow! Asian noodle bowls like the Japanese ramen and Vietnamese Pho have taken root in our hearts and carved their place in our local cuisine. Check out 5 of the best places to get pho and ramen in Boca Raton today!
Kapow Noodle Bar
This trendy pan-Asian restaurant sits at the heart of Mizner Park, and seems to always be full of happy customers. Formed from a triumvirate of South Florida restauranteurs, this comic-themed contemporary Asian restaurant brings the vibrancy of South Florida to the modern twist of pan-Asian cuisine. Specializing in small plates, noodles, and shareables - Kapow is one of the most fun places to enjoy pho and ramen in Boca Raton.
Basilic Vietnamese Grill
Perhaps the most purely Vietnamese place to get pho in Boca Raton, Basilic has a longstanding tradition of being one of the foremost East Asian restaurants in Boca Raton. Situated off U.S. 1 in the Mizner Park area, this unassuming tan-painted...
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 9:02 PMBy Little Blue Plane / June 26, 2021Comment
over the past decade, Hurricanes have been infrequent, but are still inevitable. For all residents, but especially buyers of single-family homes, it is fundamental to have a plan and the supplies needed to weather the storm. Here are 4 must-have items for your Boca home to be hurricane-ready.
Solar Powered Fan
The silver lining of a hurricane is that due to its cyclical nature and megalithic formation, the weather shortly before and immediately after is often pristine. In the Sunshine State, this means the opportunity to soak up those precious rays and take advantage of solar tech. When the power goes out, perhaps nothing makes the aftermath more uncomfortable than the dearth of air conditioning. A solar-charged fan won't change the world, but it'll make things a bit easier as you work to get things up and running.
Battery Powered or Hand Cranked Radio
Emergency services have dramatically improved with technology. The devastation of Hurricane Andrew in particular amplified the call for South Florida homes to vault towards the 21st century. Thus, the need for emergency communications is reduced, but not altogether eliminated. Hurricane first-timers experiencing their power, cable, and cell service going out at once may be safely ensconced in their home, but unable to learn what hazards and...
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Friday, June 25, 2021 at 9:35 AMBy Little Blue Plane / June 25, 2021Comment
We pride ourselves on Boca Raton’s lifestyle of leisure. It’s certainly one of the safest cities in all of Florida, thanks to a close-knit community of neighbors, good schools, and a general sense of well-being. However, crimes of opportunity have been on the rise in some pockets of the country, and here are 4 simple home safety tips to keep your Boca home safe!
Close Your Garage Door
We know how relaxed life is in the cul-de-sac. You know your neighbors well. The neighborhood kids ride their bikes in the street. No need to worry about anything it seems, so keeping the garage door open seems like a good idea. It even signals to the neighbors that you’re home and they’re welcome to stop by. But you’re not thinking about the ride-share drivers, the out-of-town workmen, or the opportunists cruising through your little piece of heaven. Many a Boca Raton resident has seen power tools, bikes, electronics, even their cars disappear thanks to an open garage door. More reason not to make it a habit of leaving it open? You could easily forget it’s still up by the time you go to bed.
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 10:55 PMBy Little Blue Plane / June 24, 2021Comment
The Boca Raton's lifestyle is elegant but relaxed, but we certainly love our creature comforts. Almost anything you need is within a ten-minute drive to some of the best malls or cutest boutiques that our seaside town has to offer. Here are 5 of the best shopping centers, malls, and retail districts in Boca Raton!
Undeniably the gold standard for malls in Florida, or nationally for that matter. Town Center is the once, present, and future center of life for many a teenager, working professional or the leisurely retired. With its wide, avenue-like hallways with ceilings that reach up to three stories, and, most importantly, impeccable A/C maintenance in the summer, Town Center offers Boca Raton residents shops from the mid-range to Louis Vuitton. There are also ample restaurants, such as The Capital Grille or Grand Lux Café, to Earl of Sandwich and Chick-fil-A. Come as you are, because there is simply something for everyone at this Boca Raton mall!
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 12:22 AMBy Little Blue Plane / June 23, 2021Comment
In a place that's as humid and searingly hot as Boca Raton, with so much beach to explore, fitness is at a premium. Part environmental and part cultural, South Florida's workout and fitness culture is thriving, and growing! As we learn more about the many benefits of frequent exercise, find out where to try something a little different in Boca Raton - with these 4 incredible Boca gyms to check out!
Pit Fitness is a multipurpose HIIT (high intensity interval training) facility with an indoor/outdoor vibe, located just off Federal Highway. Pit Fitness is not for the faint of heart, and despite training all ages and body types, these classes are intense and driven - built around the fusion of hard work, motivation, and modern exercise science. For those recently moving to Boca Raton, Pit Fitness is a great place to socialize and meet new people, all while working on that beach body.
Busy Body Fitness Premium in East Boca is the place to get the upscale treatment at a cost most can afford. Setting out to marry the deluxe with the discernible, Busy Body Fitness East Boca provides luxury amenities, high quality exercise technology, and one of the best personal training staff's in Boca Raton.
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 5:03 PMBy Little Blue Plane / June 16, 2021Comment
We get it! Selling a house is hard and even worse in a buyer’s market. When you’re thinking of how to make your home extra-attractive to a buyer, aside from living in our perfect enclave of Boca Raton, opening up your inner-sanctum to anyone off the street (who might not even wipe their shoes at the door) might push the boundaries of your comfort zone. However, at the same time, you never know if your buyer will happen to see your sign and visit on a lark. Here are the pros and cons of an open house in Boca Raton.
Pro: First Hand Knowledge
No matter how gorgeous your pictures are, nothing can truly capture the essence of standing within the genuine article. The smells, the light, the sounds of footfalls on your tile. To the buyer, they can finally estimate the livability for themselves once stepping inside. Avoid waiting for someone to spy on your ad and call their agent by...
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Monday, June 14, 2021 at 7:47 PMBy Little Blue Plane / June 14, 2021Comment
There's nothing quite like a midsummer in South Florida. The incredible heat, flash storms, and humidity all make outdoor fun in Boca Raton a challenge to plan for. While we get sun almost every day, the midsummer rain showers also are a relatively consistent expectation during hurricane season. Whether just looking to stay dry, or escape the dangers of lightning - here are rainy day activities for kids and adults alike!
Visit the Boca Raton Children's Museum
This local gem is one of the best museums in Boca Raton. Founded in 1979 by the Junior League of Boca Raton, this is the first children's museum anywhere in Florida. Full of interactive exhibits, exciting presentations and educational programs, the Boca Raton Children's museum has enriched the lives of well over a million children and continues to expand its impressive legacy as the forerunning of children's museum education in our state.
Sure to ahem... light the fuse in your imagination, The Wick Theater & Costume Museum is one of the finest cultural establishments in Boca Raton - and a surefire way to enrich your rainy afternoon. Their theater delivers a slice of Broadway right...
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Sunday, June 13, 2021 at 5:53 PMBy Little Blue Plane / June 13, 2021Comment
Dads are the backbone of the family. They protect, serve, and work hard to build our communities, Their contributions can be felt in the legacies they create and leave behind. Our Dads are as good for words of encouragement as they are for a wisecrack, and are the only parental unit with their own joke category. This month, let's honor dad and take him for a day on the water, for a steak dinner, or for a festive night out. Whatever your family is into, here are a few Father's Day activities in Boca Raton!
Lake Boca is an inlet that's incredibly popular with boaters and weekend warriors. For boating Dads, we're sure a day floating on this picturesque blue-green lagoon is just the thing to do. On the weekends this otherwise tranquil anchorage turns to a party-like atmosphere, with what's sure to be plenty of families out on Lake Boca, grilling with dad, enjoying a cool drink, and having a blast.
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 3:27 PMBy Little Blue Plane / June 12, 2021Comment
Boca Raton Swim Center
The Boca Raton Swim Center is a city-owned pool complex at Meadows Park. This pool is open year-round from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM on weekends. This complex features a 25 yard, 6 lanes Olympic-style pool, temperature regulation, a spa, kiddie pool, aquatic chair lift, and pool equipment such as kickboards and noodles. Their staff is highly qualified, with each possessing several major water safety certifications and emergency administration. Perhaps best of all, swim instructors hold a Special Needs Water Certification, making the Boca Raton Swim Center a great place to gather, cool off, and enjoy the water.
Deerfield Beach Aquatic Center
The Deerfield Beach aquatic center is located just a short trip south of Boca Raton proper - but we had to mention this sprawling athletic facility. This Olympic-sized pool includes a zero-depth entry, 8 lanes at a full 50 meters, and 10 lanes at 25 meters. The pool offers all-age group and private swimming lessons and even fields a competitive swim team - The Dolphins. This year-round recreational competitive swimming program offers instruction in all 4 major Olympic strokes.
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Friday, June 11, 2021 at 7:43 PMBy Little Blue Plane / June 11, 2021Comment
Compared to almost anywhere in the world, Boca Raton homeownership is like having your little slice of paradise. Much like other tropical climes of the world, there are many things to consider when relocating your family to Boca Raton. This includes much more than choosing the right home and schools. We know you have enough on your hands already, so we've made a quick list of 5 things to consider when moving to Boca Raton. Check them out below!
It's not the heat, it's the humidity
This is more than one of our favorite Dad-expressions. It's the absolute truth, and it's something few are prepared to encounter as part of their daily lives. While people moving from the Northeast have a bit easier time applying the heat to the existing east coast humidity found up the national coastline, it's the westerners that struggle to adapt. The biggest difference is, of course, the excessive humidity. If one could compare a massive Californian heatwave as standing in front of a recently opened oven, our Florida heat is like tossing a hot, damp blanket over us. It's stifling, but you're adaptable!
Upgrade Your Windows
Windows are one of the most important decisions any homeowner and homebuilder have to account for,...
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Friday, June 11, 2021 at 6:25 PMBy Little Blue Plane / June 11, 2021Comment
Florida has a semi-comical reputation as the "Australia of America" mostly due to its numerous venomous and predatory animals. the flora and fauna of Florida have adapted to our subtropical environs, providing a backdrop for both prehistoric and invasive species. While these animals are something to be wary of encountering, by no means should we live in fear of these incredible creatures. A healthy respect and a basic body of knowledge will go a long way in keeping our Boca Raton environment clean and preparing you for the potential of an encounter. Remember, these animals largely want nothing to do with you, and it's their environment we call home. Here are 5 predatory and venomous creatures that call Boca Raton home.
Cottonmouth
Also known as the Water Moccasin, this aquatic dwelling pit viper can be found largely in muddy flats, lakefronts, puddles, and moist woodland. Given their name for their distinctively white mouths, these are among the most commonly encountered venomous snakes in Florida. While bites are infrequent and rarely deadly, these snakes should not be taken lightly, especially after heavy rains and flooding.
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 6:22 PMBy Little Blue Plane / June 10, 2021Comment
Unless you haven't been outside in the past 2 months, we're sure you know it's scorching hot! Aside from dehydration, sweaty clothes, and hot cars, our homes and air conditioning units are one of the biggest challenges to account for over the Boca Raton summer. When you're not venturing out to one of our local beaches or watering holes, it's important to keep things cool at home. Save time, save money, and save a little grief with these 5 tips to keep your Boca home cool!
Keep Your shades down during the day
We're not suggesting you turn your home into a windowless dungeon, but your windows are magnifiers for sunlight and can do much more to make your Florida room feel like Florida outside if you're not wary. Heavy drapes or even drawn blinds can go a long way to keep your home cool.
Utilize ceiling fans to support A/C
The A/C in your Boca home has two jobs - to create cool air and circulate it. Once your auto-set A/C turns off, it indicates that the internal temperature as a whole has reached the desired setting, not just the air coming from your ducts. Ceiling fans are incredibly inexpensive to run, and massively increase our overall air circulation at home, spelling the A/C as the sole circulator of cool air.
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 9:45 AMBy Little Blue Plane / June 9, 2021Comment
Dreaming about becoming a Boca Raton homeowner? Who can blame you! Life here in the high tropics is near picture-perfect 300 days out of the year. If you ask one of the tens of thousands of people who relocate to Florida each year why they moved to the Sunshine State, they’ll tell you that our quality of life was their number one reason. While most of us see these people as new friends and neighbors, some see them as dollar signs. Here are 4 real estate hoaxes and scams to look out for if you are thinking of moving to Boca Raton.
Fake Rental Units
So you want to rent before you find a place to buy? Good idea! We agree that taking a month or two to get the feel of your new city is a safe and measured course to take, even if we are certain you’re going to love it here. However, with more and more people moving to Florida from the northeast, seasonal and full-time rental units have seen their supply begin to dry up and the scammers have found a score. Some scammers may have a key to show you an unfurnished (or even furnished) unit. They may put on a “hard sell” and say that they have offers, but a cash deposit on the same day will guarantee you the lease. Maybe that ad on Craigslist for a $900/month two-bedroom a block from the beach seems too good to be true? When in doubt, contact the local appraiser’s office for the name and contact information of the owner of the unit, to confirm the legitimacy of the let. Always write a check and always verify.
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 11:25 PMBy Little Blue Plane / June 8, 2021Comment
Hurricane season is always something to reckon with. following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, the state of Florida never looked back when it came to hurricane preparedness. thankfully, there are many public messages, available info, and helpful guides on how to protect your home and loved ones. however, there are less obvious, locally known tips and tricks that can change the outcome of a hurricane for your home and family. here are 5 lesser-known but incredibly crucial hurricane safety tips to employ this year at your Boca home.
Cut Down Your Coconuts
Other than savoring that sweet nectar and the deliciously healthy meat of this tropical fruit, cutting down your coconuts serves a very important purpose. While the gale-force winds and powerful gusts are what carry the damage of a storm to fruition, it's often the projectiles that cause most inland property damage. Aside from the storm surge and potential flash flooding, your coconuts turn to cannonballs when left on their own to sway in the wind. Be safe, and hire help if you must, but be sure to remove these excess fruits lest they turn to a destructive force with winds at their backs.
Bring In Potted Plants
Another way to prevent projectiles from destroying your and your neighbor's property is to bring in potted plants. Everything from a small plastic herb pot to a massive, ornate ceramic piece should...
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Sunday, June 6, 2021 at 3:41 PMBy Little Blue Plane / June 6, 2021Comment
Boca Raton is synonymous with the beautiful shining strands of shoreline, abundantly lush deciduous gardens, and a glamorous lifestyle between it all. Perhaps nowhere is the fusion between our natural environment and luxury lifestyle better than our many waterfront dining options. For those moving to or visiting Boca Raton, we're sure a beautiful waterfront dinner is top of mind after settling in. Whether along our sprawling Intracoastal or right on the beach, here's our Ultimate Guide to Waterfront Dining in Boca Raton.
Boasting over 3,800 sterling Google reviews, JB's on the beach is first on our list for a reason. Though technically a Deerfield Beach location, it's too close and too lauded to omit from our list. Featuring a lovely blue/white nautically styled interior, the beach club vibe is felt in every square foot of JB's. Just a few feet from the beach view is a wooded walkway that takes you right to the sand. For the perfect endcap to a wonderful day on Deerfield Beach, find a spot at JB's.
Posted by Little Blue Plane on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 1:53 PMBy Little Blue Plane / June 5, 2021Comment
The hamburger - a Germanic sounding, very American classic of cuisine. This piled-high grilled sandwich has won the hearts & minds of our nation, as a central staple to any festive outing, patriotic holiday, outdoor party, ball game and so much more. With so many new people moving to Boca Raton, we wanted to ask our realtors who they thought had the best burger in Boca Raton. From their palate to yours, here's what we heard! Check out 5 of the very best burgers in Boca Raton.
Tucker Duke's has carved its name out in the past few years of a dream for fans of the modern, gastropub culture. Their dessert bites and apps are exciting enough, but it's the inventive take on the burger that really takes the cake. Reflective of the type of gastronomic science seen in some of the most established corners of America's restaurant culture, they feature a piled-high burger for every preference.
The Boca Raton's lifestyle is elegant but relaxed, but we certainly love our creature comforts. Almost anything you need is within a ten-minute drive to some of the best malls or cutest boutiques that our seaside town has to offer. Here are 5 of the best shopping centers, malls, and retail districts in Boca Raton!
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