When does a deli become a gourmet restaurant? When it is owned and operated by the renowned chef, Bob Conte, owner of the now closed Regalo recognized in its heyday as one of Fort Lauderdale’s ten best restaurants. In an unusual slight of hand, the Chef manages simultaneously a deli, a gourmet market and a pizzeria located side by side in Delray Beach’s chic Pineapple Grove.
The Italian Deli’s lively shades of yellow and white create an inviting ambiance made more delicious by a display of scrumptious looking homemade delicacies and a showcase filled with imported Italian meats, cheeses and fresh mozzarella. An open kitchen fills orders for both dine in and take out patrons. A cluster of gleaming white tables and striking black chairs dominate the front of the premises.
Service is relaxed, friendly and always professional. From the menu’s array of signature sandwiches, wraps and tempting salads, we opted to begin with the eye-catching Greek salad topped with cubes of aromatic feta cheese buttressed by a bed of mixed greens garnished with cucumber, tomato, roasted peppers, red onion plus kalamata olives flanked by fabulous stuffed grape leaves. Every morsel was suffused with a zesty homemade dressing Consider diving into the Eggplant Parm sandwich, a signature delight made even more appealing through the use of an ingenious method of imparting flavor and texture to the main ingredient without frying. The heady homemade sauce, flowing mozzarella and crisp hoagie roll transformed this sandwich into a spectacular feast.
Turning from the offerings on the deli menu to the vast array of take out specialties of the Gourmet Market, we sank our forks into one of the Chef’s luscious meatballs energized by a mouthwatering tomato sauce and grated imported Pecorino. All the delicacies are devoid of nitrates and preservatives. The egg and chicken salad are scrumptious as are the roast beef and homemade soups. You can also purchase Italian wines, fresh bread, bakery treats and more at very modest prices.
We continued our gourmet Odyssey next door at Conte’s Pizza. The charming dining area is decorated with the same yellow and white color scheme as the Deli. A cluster of high top tables and tall chairs overlook an open kitchen provisioned with an impressive oven. First to arrive was our order of succulent, savory, baked, not fried, jumbo wings. The variety of thin crust hand tossed NY style pizza listed on the menu is truly impressive. For a memorable experience, try Conte’s Deluxe overflowing with pepperoni, sausage, onion, mushroom and green peppers Conte’s Deli (www.ContesDeli.com) also serves breakfast but is closed on Sunday. Conte’s Pizza (www.ContesPizzaDelray.com) is open every day. For takeout, delivery and catering options, call the numbers below.
309-311 North East 2nd Ave.
Conte’s Deli: 561-501-7399
Conte’s Pizza 561-292-2020