News

Globally renowned restaurateur to bring Lebanese-inspired concept Shabibi to Boca Raton development’s last available space

BOCA RATON, FL– Nov. 8, 2022 – PEBB Enterprises, the entrepreneurial private real estate investment company, successfully leased the final available space at its Restaurant Row development in PEBB’s home base of Boca Raton. Award-winning chef and restaurateur Ralph Pagano will bring his brand-new, Lebanese-inspired concept Shabibi to the project.

Pagano’s Yes Hospitality leased 5,200 square feet at Restaurant Row for Shabibi. The restaurant’s name combines the Hebrew word “shalom,” or “peace,” with the Arabic term “Habibi,” or “my love.” A Boca Raton resident, Pagano is Lebanese on his mother’s side and credits his background for much of his culinary inspiration.

Shabibi joins Fabio Trabocchi’s Fiolina Pasta House, Pubbelly Sushi and El Camino as Restaurant Row’s tenants. PEBB is targeting a summer 2023 opening for Restaurant Row.

“We could not be more excited to finalize our lease with Ralph Pagano and Yes Hospitality to round out the incredible roster at Restaurant Row,” PEBB Enterprises President and CEO Ian Weiner said. “Ralph shares our passion for Boca Raton and desire to elevate the quality of dining options in the city. Restaurant Row is poised to accomplish exactly that.”

Plans for the 170-seat Shabibi include a 1,000-square-foot, 70-seat patio; 50-seat bar; maza station with a 10-seat bar and brick oven where pitas and flatbreads will be made fresh all day and night; French brigade-style kitchen with a 96-inch wood burning grill; and mezzanine area where DJs and will entertain patrons during Saturday and Sunday “Belly Dancer Brunch” with champagne service.

The restaurant will feature a robust champagne and wine program with all price points covered and emphasize shareable dishes, leveraging Pagano’s sourced produce and plant-based items to provide vegetarian options as an alternative to kefta kabobs, lamb chops and other Lebanese staples.

“I am thrilled to collaborate with PEBB Enterprises and join Boca Raton’s only standalone food destination,” Pagano said. “Restaurant Row appeals to a refined taste, and Shabibi allows me to showcase my lifelong love of Lebanese cuisine.”

Once open, Shabibi will also serve as the official home kitchen for Pagano, who owns the popular Naked Taco chain and has been featured on “Hells Kitchen” and Bobby Flay’s “Iron Chef America” and hosted his own television show “Pressure Cook.”

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Pagano worked his way through some of New York City’s top restaurants before relocating to South Florida about two decades ago. Those restaurants included The Sign of the Dove, One if by Land Two if By Sea and the Hudson River Club.

A 22,500-square-foot ground-up development, Restaurant Row is adjacent to Town Center at Boca Raton. The project is also just minutes away from more than 2.5 million square feet of office space and four hotels. It is also directly at the base of the 145,000-square-foot Two Town Center office building.

Restaurant Row has easy access to I-95, which gives tenants the ability to service customers from West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale.

 

###

About PEBB Enterprises: Based in Boca Raton, FL, PEBB Enterprises is an entrepreneurial, full-service private equity real estate investment company. PEBB has operated as a family-owned business for more than four decades and takes pride in the company’s team of forward-thinking associates who continue to push and expand PEBB’s growth on a daily basis. PEBB has an unparalleled track record of acquiring and developing high-quality neighborhood, regional and power shopping centers, as well as suburban office buildings. The company’s vast portfolio includes properties in Florida, Texas, Nevada, New York and numerous Midwest and Southeast states. For more information, visit https://pebbenterprises.com/.