South Florida Sun Sentinel
Jan 26, 2022 11:53 AM
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Chef Ralph Pagano has opened a new Naked Taco restaurant in Boca Raton. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Stay up to date with the South Florida dining news:
Cucinova Las Olas Beach in Fort Lauderdale. (Rod Stafford Hagwood / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Cucinova Las Olas Beach, Fort Lauderdale
This second Fort Lauderdale location, just three blocks from the beach at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard, quietly opened Jan. 22. Like the sign says, the menu at this fast casual eatery is basically “craft-your-own” pizza, pasta and salads in the $7.99-$14.99 price range. 2915 E. Las Olas Boulevard. Instagram.com/cucinova.lasolasbeach.
Butcher’s Club, Palm Beach Gardens
The star attraction at this luxury steakhouse inside the PGA National Resort is undoubtedly chef Jeremy Ford, the telegenic tattooed talent behind Miami Beach’s Stubborn Seed. Ford (winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef” Season 13) debuted the steakhouse in late January with a dining room adorned in gold tones and bamboo, and its menu features butternut squash agnolotti, Bell & Evans truffle chicken and prime cuts of dry-aged porterhouses and smoked ribeyes. 400 Ave of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens; 561-627-4852, PGAResort.com/Dine/The-Butchers-Club
Sweetgreen, West Palm Beach
One of the oldest healthy-eats chains dishing build-your-own-bowls and salads, this fast-casual restaurant has a cult following and, at the Square, a celebrity endorsement from tennis champ Naomi Osaka. This 60-seat location debuted Jan. 25 and serves seasonal specials, including hot honey chicken with roasted sweet potatoes and kale cabbage slaw and roasted steelhead trout in remoulade dressing. Osaka’s eponymous bowl is built with goat cheese, blackened chicken, avocado, lime cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette and Sweetgreen’s hot sauce. 701 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach; 561-556-4700, Sweetgreen.com
Cactus Grille and Tequila Bar, Palm Beach Gardens
This family-owned Tex-Mex restaurant, offspring of the original in Rhode Island, opened Jan. 22 with an expansive outdoor dining and bar area. The menu ranges from blackened grouper with corn risotto and prime pork cheeks with cheddar grits, to tostados and tacos. Brunch service will begin Jan. 30. 4650 Donald Ross Road, Suite 100; 561-249-3090, thecactusgrille.com
Bronx Bagel & Deli, Coral Springs
Owner Michael Friedman’s bagel flagship in Deerfield Beach has expanded west, to Brookside Square. Like the original on Powerline Road, it wears its New York allegiances proudly: Yankees pennants on the walls, boiled-then-baked bagels, gourmet wraps named after the five boroughs and sandwich specials like the Brooklyn Bomber, the Yogi and the Bronx (roast beef, melted cheddar, horseradish sauce). There are also burgers, smoked fish and by-the-pound deli meats. 10645 Wiles Road; 754-227-7276, BronxBagelDeli.com
The Katherine, Fort Lauderdale
Truli Italian Food & Drink, Coconut Creek
This modern Italian trattoria and bar debuted Jan. 15 inside the Promenade at Coconut Creek, replacing the former Ciao Cucina space that shuttered this spring. Truli comes from Parkland restaurateur Doug Zeif (former senior vice-president of the Cheesecake Factory) and features build-your-own pasta bowls (with 10 pasta types and nine sauces from alfredo to “Sunday gravy”), build-your-own pizzas, and old-school entrees such as chicken Parmesan and steak tagliatta. 4443 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek; 954-399-7677, TruliItalian.com
Pure Green Garden Shops, Boca Raton
This Lake Mary-raised juice-bar franchise opened its second South Florida location on Jan. 15 inside the Gardens Shops at Boca Del Mar plaza and features pitaya bowls, superfood smoothies, steel-cut oatmeal, cold-pressed juices and at least one probiotic drink created by Instagram influencer Foodgod. After opening a South Beach location in 2021, the wellness outfit will next add a store in Aventura this summer. 7036 W. Palmetto Park Road; 561-826-7800, PureGreen.com
TropiBowls, Pompano Beach
Founder Natasha Teague debuted her juice and bowl bar at the height of pandemic shutdowns in 2020, and now she’s expanding with TropiBowls’ sister location in Pompano Beach, across the street from the Airpark. TropiBowls, which debuted Jan. 15, does build-your-own bowls, coffees, teas and breakfast sandwiches, along with lunchtime rice bowls, paninis and wraps. 1162 N. Federal Highway; 954-532-4121, TropiBowls.com
The Skinny Cheff, Delray Beach
Where does a two-time “Hell’s Kitchen” contestant choose to hang their chef’s hat? If you’re Trevor McGrath, the answer is a café inside the Palm Greens 55-and-older condo community. McGrath (Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen,” CNBC’s “Restaurant Startup”) has transformed a hard-to-find caddy shack – behind a former golf course – into a breakfast-lunch spot that turns out three-day braised brisket and 24-hour corned beef and pastrami sandwiches from scratch, along with soups, salads and heat-and-eat takeaway meals. So he’s got that going for him, which is nice. (Sorry, we can’t help quoting “Caddyshack.”) 5845 Via Delray Blvd.; 561-501-5950, PalmGreens.org
Coco Sushi Lounge and Bar, Delray Beach
Husband-and-wife owners Tina Wang and chef Jason Zheng rolled out another sushi haven in late December, this time touting signature rolls, Peking duck, beef short rib and lamb chops cooked over a robata charcoal grill, and a massive menu of rare sakes and sake cocktails. Coco’s owners also operate Saiko-i Sushi Lounge & Hibachi and Yakitori Sake House, both in Boca Raton, and Koi Sushi Lounge in Fort Lauderdale. 25 NE Second Ave., Ste. 208; 561-908-2557 CocoDelray.com
Kachi Afro Caribbean Lounge, Fort Lauderdale
This kosher-certified gourmet sushi restaurant, which owners Sabina Balkind and Lopinto Salvatore debuted in December, serves high-grade fish inside handrolls and an omakase experience served as a four-tier sushi tower of nigiri and sashimi. 8177 Glades Road, No. 20; 561-617-7129, NaamahSushi.com
Meso Beach House, Delray Beach
With a craft-cocktail bar, patio raw bar and seafood-focused Mediterranean menu that spans grilled octopus to whole roasted branzino, Meso’s trendy fare is designed to hook tourists and the local boating set, owner Bobby Khorrami says. The restaurant, which opened in early January, is the first sister location to the original in Westchester County, N.Y. 900 E. Atlantic Ave.; 561-562-6416, MesoRestaurants.com/Meso-Beach-House
Batch New Southern Kitchen and Tap, Fort Lauderdale
Flagler Village is home to a second location, after West Palm Beach, of the restaurant serving Southern favorites, craft cocktails and an “epic brunch party.” The 5,500 square-foot restaurant opened Dec. 30 with an outdoor patio in the former Mellow Mushroom location. The locally sourced farm-to-table, comfort food menu includes slow-smoked burnt ends, shrimp n’ grits and a BBQ jackfruit “pulled pork” sandwich. 525 N Federal Highway; BatchSouthernKitchen.com
One Lebanese Cuisine, Sunrise
The storefront cafe opened in mid December serving modernized family recipes originating from the south of Lebanon, a region known for its olive oil. Vegetables and olive oil form the foundation of every dish. The slim menu features hot and cold small plates, salads and entrees such as lamb and tenderloin kebabs, and kibbeh nayeh. 1396 SW 160th Ave., Sunrise; 954-870-6986, onelebanese.com
This healthy fast-casual franchise specializing in salads, wraps, grain and acai bowls, sandwiches and flatbread pizzas has debuted its first Florida location (and 12th overall) on North Federal Highway. The 1,500-square-foot storefront, which opened in late November, also has Coolgreens Market, a refrigerator filled with healthy grab-and-go items. A Coral Springs location will next open by summer. 1841 S. Federal Highway, Suite 400; 561-865-5673, Coolgreens.com
Paisa Bites, Oakland Park
A rainbow of garlic mayo, pineapple sauces, crushed potato chips and even quail eggs top the hot dogs, hamburgers and empanadas at this Colombian street-food shack in downtown Oakland Park. The restaurant, which opened in November and comes from owners Tatiana Vasquez and Alejandra Canaveral, also serves salchipapas (pan-fried hot dogs and French fries) and maizitos (a bubbling dish of melted cheese and corn), along with tres leches cake and Colombian-style milk pudding. 3499 N. Dixie Highway; 860-985-2188, PaisaBites.com
Dos Amigos Tacos, Delray Beach
Founded by Derek Mazer and chef Michael Jameson, two employees from Lucille’s Bad to the Bone BBQ next door, this fast-casual taqueria slings 18 house-made tacos ranging from familiar (chicken, carne asada) to trendy (sliced tenderloin) to adventurous (Philly cheesesteak). The 2,303-square-foot restaurant at Delray Marketplace also serves quesadillas, burritos and salad bowls. 14917 Lyons Road; 561-908-2161, DosAmigosTacos.com
Angelo’s Craveable Italian, Fort Lauderdale
A to-go restaurant dishing entrees designed for takeout, Angelo’s serves Italian classics such as meatball heroes, oven-baked lemon oregano chicken, eggplant Parmesan, fettucine alfredo, salads, cannolis and “nonna’s cheesecake.” Angelo’s replaces the former Empire Pizza and comes from Angelo Landi (formerly of Miami-based Southern comfort food eatery Yardbird). The first Angelo’s debuted earlier this year in Boca Raton’s Mizner Plaza. 15 N. Federal Highway, 954-467-9997; AngelosToGo.com
Drift Kitchen & Bar, Delray Beach
This Mediterranean restaurant with its expansive oceanfront view debuts this week along the terrace of Paramount Fort Lauderdale condo. Expect small dish mezze/appetizers and wood-grilled meats and seafood in the 275-seat eatery. The concept comes from Lou Moshakos, the restaurateur whose LM Restaurants also includes Two Georges at The Cove Restaurant in Deerfield Beach, Oceanic in Pompano Beach and the upcoming Lucky Fish Dania Beach. 701 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. MoreaDining.com.
The organic juice bar franchise Clean Juice will open in West Palm Beach on Jan. 29. The West Palm Beach location is owned and operated by health and wellness advocates Tate, Martin and Flavia Lehtio. Tate Lehtio is a former football player at the University of West Florida. (Clean Juice / Courtesy)
Clean Juice, West Palm Beach
Tate Lehtio, former University of West Florida football player and wellness advocate, co-owns with his family this organic juice bar franchise in West Palm Beach (other SoFlo locations are in Boca Raton and Plantation). Clean Juice also offers smoothies, açaí and Greenoa bowls, toasts and wraps. 1900 Okeechobee Blvd., Suite A4, West Palm Beach. 704-918-1217. CleanJuice.com.
Jaffa Israeli Kitchen and Wine Bar, Hallandale Beach
Hate cauliflower? Not if chef Yaniv Cohen can help it: The most-popular dish at his test kitchen inside the MIA Market food hall in Miami’s Design District is his turmeric-roasted cauliflower, drizzled with tahini and spiced with za’atar and fresh herbs. That dish will be on the menu when Jaffa’s second location opens Feb. 4 in the Atlantic Village plaza, as will a hummus bar, deconstructed baba ghanoush and other meze drawn from Cohen’s family recipes. 801 N. Federal Highway; JaffaMiami.com
Matchbox and Big Buns Damn Good Burgers, Fort Lauderdale
Two Thompson Hospitality restaurants are coming to Society Las Olas along the New River in February. Matchbox will take on a larger space with 90 indoor and 124 outdoor seats, serving items like the “ginormous meatball” and “hangover burrito.” Big Buns Damn Good Burgers, with 40 indoor and 75 outdoor seats, will offer all types of stacked burgers or burger bowls with side options like fried Brussels sprouts and milkshakes that can be boozy or not. 301 SW First Ave., South Tower; eatbigbuns.com, matchboxrestaurants.com
Ya Mas! Taverna, Fort Lauderdale
The Mediterranean eatery opening Feb. 1 from Memphis Garrett’s hospitality group (No Man’s Land, Poke House, Blue Wave Sushi) promises to be a lively indoor/outdoor taverna focusing on classic and modern interpretations from Greece, Turkey, Israel and more. Executive Chef Austin Blake’s menu includes mussels, farro salad, lamb meatballs, harissa Buffalo wings. 1103 E Las Olas Boulevard, yamastaverna.com
Carousel Club at Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach
Described as an “open-air gathering spot” for food, cocktails and entertainment, this dining destination will open at Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino on Feb. 18. So-named because of the antique carousel bar at its center, the trackside venue will have pop-ups by Spris Artisan Pizza and Los Altos Taqueria with more to be announced. Carousel Club will be open noon until late evening (with DJs spinning) Fridays-Sundays. 901 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach; 954-228-3378, CarouselClub.com.
Buoy One Seafood, Fort Lauderdale
After a year and change of dishing salty-sweet New England eats out of its distinctive seafood shack on Commercial Boulevard, Buoy Bites closed in January, the restaurant posted on its website. The restaurant picked up anchor and will reopen as the rebranded Buoy One Seafood this winter on North Federal Highway, in the space formerly occupied by Phat Boy Sushi & Kitchen. Buoy One shares it named with founding chef Dave Girard’s seafood markets on Long Island, and Buoy’s menu is filled with fresh catches, clam chowder, clam fritters, clambakes and fish-fry baskets. 4391 N. Federal Highway; BuoyBites.com
The new Crumbl Cookies franchise in Boynton Beach. “The area reminds us of the people we grew up around and ourselves,” says owner Tanner Reaveley, who last year moved his family to SoFlo from Utah. “We loved the area and knew the people of Boynton needed Crumbl.” (Tanner Reaveley / Courtesy)
Crumble Cookies, Boynton Beach
This franchise has a weekly rotation of specialty flavors as well as ice cream. Crumbl Cookies in Boynton Beach will open Friday, Jan. 28, according to its owner Tanner Reaveley, who moved to SoFlo from Salt Lake City where his family owned a catering business. “I moved to Florida last year for an employment opportunity,” Reaveley says. “We realized that this area didn’t have a Crumbl Cookies, which has always been my wife’s favorite dessert.” There are other locations in Coral Springs, Davie, Kendall and Pembroke Pines. 546 East Woolbright Road, Boynton Beach. CrumblCookies.com.
Isla & Co., West Palm Beach
An all-day café from New York’s Parched Hospitality Group, this 100-seater expects to open this spring next door to Grandview Public Market in the growing Warehouse District south of Okeechobee Boulevard. On the menu is brunch and specialty coffee from Australia – a nod to founder and CEO Barry Dry’s Australian roots – along with egg breakfasts and a dinner menu that will include burgers, pastas and salads. 1401 Clare Ave.; Isla-Co.com
This Tampa-born chain emporium of porters, stouts, IPAs and Belgian ales will next open inside the new Miramar Park Place shopping plaza on Feb. 1. Along with craft suds, the 4,240-square-foot restaurant offers flatbread pizza, pretzels, salads, chicken sliders and other comfort-food nosh. This is World of Beer’s third South Florida location – there’s a Coconut Creek outpost and a third opening in Doral on Jan. 25. 11225 Miramar Parkway; WorldofBeer.com
Monarch New American Kitchen & Bar, Oakland Park
This family-owned restaurant and cocktail bar inside Oakland Park’s growing Culinary Arts District will take flight this spring and comes from married owners Brice and Leona Williams, whose dishes will include pulled pork sliders, black truffle potato salad plus a blend of Caribbean and Latin cuisine inspired by South Florida. 3492 NE 12 Ave.; 305-204-1001, MonarchKitchen.co
Sometime this year a restaurant will rise where the Cash Money club used to be at Riverfront. No word yet on what the cuisine concept will be, but we do know that there are plans for two dining rooms on the first floor and a private lounge on the second floor. The team behind Timbr is 3 Hospitality, made up of Michael Tronn (Liquid and Crobar in South Beach), Paul Brown (Pawn Shop in West Palm Beach and Miami) and Max Van Fleet (scion of The Las Olas Company family). 15 W. Las Olas Blvd.
Cork & Barrel Wine Bar and Tapas, Tamarac
Replacing the old Tamarac Diner will be this upscale neighborhood restaurant next to the Paradigm Cinemas movie theater. Cork & Barrel comes from partners Santese Gatlin, Wendell Robbins, Lakedra Howard and Adrienne Hibbert, and features light bites, flatbreads, charcuterie boards and many varieties of wine and craft beer. 10052 W. McNab Road. Tamarac; CBWineBarandTapas.com
Baires Grill, Fort Lauderdale
This Argentinean steakhouse hopes to open by Feb. 1 on Las Olas Boulevard, making Fort Lauderdale the fifth location after Weston, Sunny Isles, Brickell and Coral Gables. “We’ve been wanting to expand further north,” says Alejandro Koenig, chief financial officer for Baires Grill. “There is a lot of potential there, a lot of young people.” Baires Grill will fill the space formerly Talento Restaurant. 1307 East Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. BairesGrill.com.
Giorgio’s Bakery & Bistro, Fort Lauderdale
Owner Peter Tsialiamanis’ European-style restaurant-bakery, which has dished Greek and American classics on the Hollywood Intracoastal since 1996, will debut its second location this winter on Fort Lauderdale’s Galt Ocean Mile. The 3,000-square-foot restaurant, replacing the old Whale’s Bar & Grill, will offer the same menu as its flagship: wood oven-fired pizzas, 11 sandwiches on house-made baguettes, and entrees such as moussaka and baby back ribs. 3537 Galt Ocean Drive; GiorgiosBakery.com
Rob’s Family BBQ, Plantation
Rob Scruby, the former owner of longtime pit stop Scruby’s BBQ, is now smoking meats at Rob’s Family BBQ, and plans to open a second location this February inside Plantation’s Vizcaya Square. The Plantation Rob’s, at 2,100 square feet, will mostly cater to carryout crowds and feature 14-hour slow-smoked brisket sandwiches, along with pulled chicken, smoked turkey and sides that include sweet corn nuggets, crispy breaded okra and fresh cornbread. 837 N. Nob Hill Road; RobsFamilyBBQ.com
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Falafel Bistro in Coral Springs has closed. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Falafel Bistro and Wine Bar, Coral Springs
Denise’s Kitchen, Pompano Beach
A longtime greasy spoon on Copans Road since 1981, this breakfast-lunch diner closed in late December and has been sold to Kristen Nealy, who owns Shadowbar, a restaurant and nightclub in the same plaza. Denise’s, most recently operated by George Abbondante (The Hen and the Hog in Pompano Beach), featured Belgian waffles, oversize omelets, eggs benedicts and several more off-menu chalkboard specials like the Havana Skillet with black beans, plantains and eggs. 2335 NE Fifth Ave.; 954-256-8527, Denises-Kitchen.business.site
A Japanese strip-mall sushi haven and a fixture in Parkland’s Riverstone Shoppes for 10 years, Japango permanently closed at the end of December. The restaurant specialized in sashimi and vegan rolls, bento boxes, hibachi fried rice and entrees that included New York teriyaki strip and chicken katsu. 7367 N. State Road 7
