Restaurant Review – Stage Boca Raton
Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, and Indian-Inspired Small Plates at Stage Boca Raton
Stage, according to its website, is an integrated, small-plates experience, inspired by iverse culinary influences from across the world. While the menu spans international cuisine, it’s unmistakably rooted in Indian flavors, with several dishes either directly Indian or inspired by Indian cooking. As a vegetarian, I found the menu delightfully accommodating – and it’s also worth noting that there are plenty of gluten-free options available. We went to Stage Boca Raton for dinner and sampled many vegetarian small plates, allowing us to enjoy a wide variety of flavors in one meal.
The owners Andy Dugard and Chef Pushkar Marathe have focused on creating a lively family-oriented ambience together with delicious fare. After our visit, I followed up with the team at Stage for a bit more background. They shared the following quote – “Family has always been at the heart of what we do at Stage. We strive to create an environment of community with our staff and guests while showcasing memorable cuisine and hospitality.” – Andy Dugard, Partner.
The highlight of the evening was the Naga Lychee Ceviche – gluten free and vegan. This dish featured lychees that were just in season, spiced in a way to make the flavors simply explode in our mouths! The vegetable “pachadi” salad was in my opinion, a wonderful take on a mixed salad with a decidedly Indian character. The Bang Bang cauliflower was delicious: lightly crisped and seasoned with just the right amount of spice. The Patatas Bravas were crisp, well done and well-seasoned. The street corn was tasty, reminding me of its Mexican counterpart.
The Green Chickpea hummus was surprisingly the one dish we found that lacked flavor. The Kai-Kai eggplant was alright, but a bit underwhelming. The broccoli was tasty but undercooked and therefore hard to eat. I have heard rave reviews about the plantain chaat on the cold snacks menu, but we did not try it this time – definitely on the list for a future visit.
According to the restaurant, “With flavors rooted in the culinary tapestry of his homeland, Nagpur, India, and enriched by decades-long exploration of international cuisine, celebrated Chef Pushkar Marathe delivers innovative dishes interwoven with tradition utilizing fresh and often local ingredients that come together in vital and flavorful ways.” This is reflected in the recent designation of Stage Kitchen & Bar as a Michelin Guide 2025 Recommended Restaurant.
The restaurant is conveniently located in a bustling plaza just next to the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton, with several other dining options nearby. The décor is modern, and the ambience welcoming, although it did get a bit noisy in the evening, which made conversation a little challenging. The service was personable and quick, though there was a minor mix-up when a drink and fish plate meant for another table were brought to ours. “A special mention to the owners Andy and Chef Pushkar for stopping by our table for a friendly, engaging chat – a lovely personal touch that elevated the experience”, especially as they did not then know that one of the guests at this table was going to be writing this review of their restaurant.
About the Author:
Rema Deo is the Managing Director at 24By7Security, a Cybersecurity and Compliance Consulting firm. She lives in South Florida with her husband. A proud mother of twin boys, she is also an active member of the local Indian community. In addition to the professional responsibilities of her function, Rema enjoys the multi-cultural aspect of the job especially as it involves learning different languages, traveling to different countries and meeting and working with people of different backgrounds and cultures. Rema is actively involved in the South Florida community and serves as a Board Member of the Indian Regional and Cultural Center, and has also served on the Board of Trustees of the North Broward Preparatory School.
