5 things to know about the new Mia Rosebud restaurant in Boca Raton

Eddie Ritz, Palm Beach Post
Updated ·2 min read

Mia Rosebud, the famous Chicago Italian restaurant and steakhouse, is slated to open a Boca Raton location on Monday, Feb. 19, on Palmetto Park Road.

Beloved in the Chicago area and in business since 1976, there is a chain of Rosebud restaurants in Illinois. Though a well-known brand in the Windy City, this will be their first foray outside of that area and first-ever restaurant in the Sunshine State.

Founder and owner Alex Dana said he was drawn to South Florida for the amazing growth, but also for the slightly less hectic pace. He said the people down here "feel better, more relaxed" and also added jokingly that there a lot fewer potholes.

Not just impressed with South Florida for business reasons, Dana said he loves the area so much that he even built a home here.

Here are five things to know about the latest addition to the Palm Beach County restaurant scene:

Opening in mid-February in Boca Raton, Mia Rosebud will feature Italian cuisine, like this beef short rib and polenta, as well as prime steaks.
Opening in mid-February in Boca Raton, Mia Rosebud will feature Italian cuisine, like this beef short rib and polenta, as well as prime steaks.

Where does the name Mia Rosebud come from?

Dana said he named the restaurant after his mother and originally it was called "Bocciola della Rose." Though it means "Rosebud" in Italian, he laughed and said that too many people were having trouble pronouncing the name, or even finding the restaurant, so he thought, "we better simplify this", and changed it to Rosebud.

How many restaurants are in the Rosebud chain?

There are nine Rosebud restaurants in the Chicago area, with the original opening in 1976 in the Little Italy section of Chicago. That eatery, operating for nearly 50 years, closed to the public on Dec. 31, 2023. It now operates as a special events venue named Rosebud: The Speakeasy.

Who owns the Mia Rosebud chain?

It is owned and operated by one man rather than a corporation, partners or investors. Rosebud is the creation of legendary Chicago restaurateur Alex Dana.

Bucket list: 55 best must-try things to do, hidden gems in Palm Beach County

What is Mia Rosebud known for?

They are well-known for classic Italian cuisine and generous portions. The new Mia Rosebud in Boca Raton will carry on that tradition with authentic, century-old family recipes made from scratch. "Don't skip a beat; you need quality to make a recipe right," Dana said.

The new Mia Rosebud, slated to Feb. 19 off of Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton, will feature many classic Italian dishes.
The new Mia Rosebud, slated to Feb. 19 off of Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton, will feature many classic Italian dishes.

Which celebrities have visited Rosebud?

Boasting on their website that they are "beloved by celebrities, global leaders and politicians," they are not kidding. The list of stars that have stopped in at Rosebud over the years includes: Frank Sinatra, Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks, Tom Selleck, James Woods, Bono, James Gandolfini, Rupert Murdoch and many others.

Dana said he was good friends with Tony Bennett, and even has a few paintings gifted to him by the late star singer.

Mia Rosebud restaurant in Boca Raton

Where: 150 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton

Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Information: rosebudrestaurants.com

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 5 Things to know about Chicago's Mia Rosebud restaurant in Boca Raton