Onda by Santaella Brings Puerto Rican Coastal Cuisine to The Boca Raton’s Beach Club

Source: The Boca Raton

Reported By: Matthew Kennedy

The Boca Raton’s Beach Club is stepping confidently into winter with a new culinary story to tell. Onda, the beachfront restaurant known for its breezy elegance and sunlit ambience, has partnered with acclaimed Puerto Rican chef José Santaella to introduce Onda by Santaella, a seasonal concept that blends coastal sophistication with the rich, layered flavors of the island he calls home. Beginning November 13, 2025, Club members and resort guests will experience a refined expression of Puerto Rican cuisine just steps from the ocean.

Each winter, Onda hosts a distinguished chef-in-residence whose perspective transforms its culinary identity. This season, Chef José Santaella brings a distinguished résumé shaped by more than two decades of global experience and rooted in Puerto Rico’s comida criolla, the traditional cuisine of the island. His flagship restaurant, Santaella, in the La Placita district of Santurce, is celebrated for its contemporary interpretation of Puerto Rican classics, merging nostalgia with modern technique.

The partnership reflects The Boca Raton’s dedication to culinary excellence.

For Santaella, the opportunity is deeply personal.

Onda by Santaella’s menu unfolds like a culinary postcard from the island, weaving coastal flavors, tropical ingredients and Santaella’s nuanced techniques. Guests can begin with a handcrafted cocktail or crisp wine before exploring a thoughtfully curated menu defined by shareable dishes and bold flavor combinations.

Seven signature cocktails include several prepared with Don Q light rum sourced from Puerto Rico, offering an immediate connection to the island’s rich distilling heritage. The beverage list sets the tone for a menu anchored in high-quality local ingredients and inventive pairings.

Highlights include:

• Asian-Style Tuna Pinchos with crunchy rice chicharrón
  

• Chorizo and Sweet Plantain Empanadillas
  

• Pork Belly Salad with watermelon, mango and Puerto Rican cheese
  

• Fried Whole Red Snapper finished with cilantro chimichurri

Each dish channels Santaella’s culinary philosophy, balancing tradition with a contemporary lens. Many plates pair naturally with a Watermelon Mojito or one of the hand-mixed cocktails that reflect Onda’s coastal personality.

Dessert embraces tropical exuberance. The menu features:

• Baked Alaska with mango sorbet
  

• Cocada Coconut Custard with almonds
  

• Guava and Cream Cheese Bread Pudding, a decadent nod to a beloved Caribbean staple

The setting is as compelling as the culinary experience. Beach Club, unveiled in January 2025 following a $130 million transformation, spans a private half-mile of shoreline with three pools, dynamic gathering spaces and a slate of exceptional dining concepts including Onda and Mediterranean-inspired Marisol. Exclusively available to Club members and resort guests, Beach Club offers a contemporary interpretation of South Florida coastal living across The Boca Raton’s 200-acre waterfront estate.

Warm ocean breezes, panoramic views and a design ethos rooted in effortless luxury make Onda an ideal canvas for Santaella’s seasonal residency. Lunch and dinner service will be available throughout the winter season, with reservations now open.

As the sun dips over the Atlantic and guests toast to winter with cocktails kissed by Caribbean flavors, Onda by Santaella brings a fresh perspective to one of South Florida’s most storied destinations — a partnership where heritage, hospitality and coastal artistry come together seamlessly.