Blue Ocean Poke at home in beachy Deerfield

Blue Ocean Poke

250 S. Federal Highway, Deerfield Beach, 954-708-2060, BlueOceanPokeFl.com

A pair of brothers-inlaw have partnered with acclaimed chef Dean Max in this Hawaiian-style poke shop.

“Poke is the modernday sushi but in a fastcasual setting,” co-owner Mike Wylie says. “It gives the on-the-go customer a quick way to get a healthy meal. After discovering poke, I found myself eating it several times a week. Deerfield is a very beachdriven community and has the perfect demographic for this type of cuisine.”

Specialty poke bowls ($14.95) include the Blue Ocean with tuna and the Offshore with salmon. Or, build your own in assembly-line fashion with toppings such as zucchini noodles and kimchi cucumber, and sauces such as coconut jalapeno or spicy sesame soy (small, $11.95; large, $14.95; vegetarian $9.95). Acai bowls ($10), five kinds of smoothies ($8) and five cold-pressed juices made by a Miami company ($8.99) round out the menu.

“Our atmosphere was geared toward an upscale coastal vibe with modern accents, like a white wavetile bar wall and blue accent LED lighting,” co-owner Jonathan Palermo says. “The lightgray laminate flooring and white accents give a light and bright atmosphere. The two video walls rotate ocean scapes, and guests can kick back in the rear lounge on casual white patio chairs adorned with pillows and enjoy their food and free WiFi.”

Local artisans created the furniture, blue tribal wave mural and photos of the Deerfield Beach pier.

Hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, except for closing at 8 p.m. Sundays.

Up next: a location in early 2019 in the former Beer Trade at 2151 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton, where they will cold-press their own juices.

BLUE OCEAN POKE / COURTESY Blue Ocean Poke in Deerfield Beach offers cold-pressed juices and specialty poke bowls, such as the Blue Ocean with tuna, left, and the Offshore with salmon, right.