Wastin’ away again at Prime Catch’s new dock-and-dine bar

Even Jimmy Buffett would be envious.

It’s easy to imagine the legendary musician munching on a burger and sipping a margarita at Prime Catch’s new Prime Island dock-and-dine bar in the Intracoastal Waterway, connected by a pedestrian bridge from the restaurant.

However, he might not wear his flip-flops inside.

The 16-year-old Boynton Beach restaurant is boasting a jaw-dropping metamorphosis of more than $2 million. Light, bright notes of Palm Beach chic and Key West resort style have swept away the previous Chicago brick and dark, clubby décor.

The Therien family, who also owns Banana Boat nearby, hopes it will swell to a statewide destination and lure people to drive from as far as Orlando,

Luke Therien says.

“The timing was right with the renovation of

Riverwalk Plaza shopping center next to us,” Luke Therien says. “Many guests coming to South Florida are traveling all over the world. Our guests want to be inspired with a unique and transforming design and architecture. Guests today are more worldly, more active and more educated. They deserve a restaurant that reaches out to their imagination.”

A palette of bright white, aqua and silver complements an opulent sea theme with murals of octopus and a school of a thousand fish, and elegant chandeliers emulating jellyfish.

Although the restaurant was closed for two months in the fall, the Theriens recently completed the final touches. The lobby and two patios were expanded, the bar-lounge was redesigned, and more windows extended the water views to nearly every table. Even the restaurant’s exterior was repainted from yellow to off-white.

“We have doubled the size of the waterfront dining. We built our new outside tables right over the water, so the experience is truly dynamic,” Therien says. “Our guests have been asking for an outdoor bar for 15 years. The island bar has eight new slips for yachts and boats. We also rebuilt our existing docks for another four to five boats. Prime Catch will now be an important boating scene in South Florida.”

Patrons can try one of the new cocktails, such as dragon fruit margarita ($12) or strawberry prosecco mojito ($13), at the island bar, where bar bites also have debuted. The firsttime menu, offering choices such as house-smoked wahoo dip ($7) and ahi tuna tacos ($8), is also available at two interior bars.

“Guests are eating differently than 10 years ago, so it’s important that we continue to re-evaluate our food, service and presentations to go along with our renovations,” Therien says.

Executive Chef John Bonk, who has worked at Prime Catch since its birth, last revamped the seafood menus five years ago.

“The direction we went with the new menu was to simplify by minimizing preparation to our dishes, allowing us to focus on the highest quality seasonal ingredients we can find,” he says. “We also lightened it up a bit, adding more salad and appetizer choices, opening the door to a healthier, casual dining experience.”

His new favorite is Prime Thai Salad with chili lime vinaigrette ($14) among other additions such as shrimp and scallop carbonara ($26), seared local mahi with coconut shrimp ($28) and zuppa de pesce with five kinds of seafood, including a 1.25-pound lobster — and a bib ($32).

Lunch and dinner are served daily at 700 E. Woolbright Road, and musicians will perform Spanish, Caribbean and light rock Tuesday and Friday nights and for Sunday brunch. Call 561-737-8822 or visit PrimeCatchBoynton.com.

“When it’s a business you love, it’s a natural thing to keep investing in it to make it better,” Therien says.

BENJAMIN RUSNAK Prime Catch in Boynton Beach recently completed a stunning renovation with a chic sea theme, along with chandeliers emulating jellyfish and fish.