Dining pick of the week: Embers

PICK OF THE WEEK:

EMBERS

Boca Park, 740 S. Rampart Blvd., Suite 7, 778-2160

Executive chef Brett Chumley, whose first job was as a dishwasher at the Gold Coast in 1989, is now calling Embers home. The well-known chef has created a menu that is worth considering for Valentine's Day. Appetizers begin with California guacamole and Brie melt, grilled balsamic shrimp, jumbo Black Tiger shrimp cocktail, and eggplant and mozzarella melt. Several salads are chopped barbecue chicken, seared tri tip, grilled chicken Cobb and wedge with applewood smoked bacon and blue cheese dressing. Entrees, served with two signature sides, include barbecue baby back ribs, 12-ounce New York steak, center-cut pork chop, chicken ratatouille, macadamia-crusted mahi mahi and grilled Chilean seabass over sautéed baby spinach with black bean-corn salsa. Among those famous sides are creamed corn, peanut coleslaw, green beans almondine and Embers mashed potatoes. There are sliders, soups, Embers Burger Bar and popular sandwiches such as grilled chicken club, tri-tip dip and Cajun chicken on challah bread. Desserts range from creme brulee to chocolate sundae to five-tier chocolate cake. Entrees begin at $17 and sandwiches at $10. Embers Steakhouse is open from 3 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 11 p.m. Sunday. -- Jack Bulavsky