Stay up to date with South Florida dining news:
Sign up for our twice-weekly Eat Beat newsletter, filled with restaurant news, guides and more. Go to SunSentinel.com/newsletters to sign up.
Join our “Let’s Eat, South Florida” Facebook group.
NOW OPEN OR OPENING
SushiMas, Fort Lauderdale
701 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 954-440-2557; SushiMas.com
This fast-casual debuted its first location in the Fort Lauderdale market in mid-January at The Quantum, on the edge of the Flagler Village enclave. As the name makes clear, the restaurant serves sushi and Japanese cuisine, and it originally debuted as a delivery- and takeout-only operation in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood in August 2020. A dine-in location opened in Aventura last May. The ambitious expansion includes future eateries in Kendall, Doral and Miami Beach, with longer-range plans for Coconut Grove and West Palm Beach. Essentially, the menu will remain the same, with sushi rolls, makis and tiraditos, as well as crispy rice, gyoza and bao bun dishes.
Even Keel Fish Shack, Fort Lauderdale
1111 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 754-701-4895; EvenKeelFish.com
Chef-owners Dave MacLennan and Brad Phillips have docked on ritzy restaurant row Las Olas Boulevard with the second location of their seafood spot, which debuted in mid-December. This is the owners’ second foray into Fort Lauderdale: the flagship Even Keel began its life on North Federal Highway under the mast of restaurateur Dean James Max before it jumped ship to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in late 2020. A hub for fresh local fish and greens (they source from Triar Seafood in Hollywood and Swank Specialty Produce in Loxahatchee), the second location will serve stone crabs and house-smoked fish dip, beer-battered spiny lobster bites and conch beignets, and larger entrees including an adult crab grilled cheese (with brie, truffle, blue crab and apple butter), clams carbonara and grilled swordfish.
Lickie Stickie BBQ, Sunrise
7794 NW 44th St.; 954-638-2324; Facebook.com/lickiestickie
Pitmaster Juliette Johnson’s popular Southern Caribbean food stand specializing in brisket has been restaurant-bound since 2021, but this former farmers market staple finally opened its first brick-and-mortar in a Sunrise strip mall on Jan. 26. The storefront — just like her weekend booth — will continue offering barbecue fixings all week long: spare ribs, salmon, chicken, cheesy grits, collard greens, and her scratch-made jerk and barbecue sauce. Her catering services will also continue.
Sierra Madre Tortilla Co
Some of the menu items at Sierra Madre Tortilla Co. in Lake Worth Beach. (Sierra Madre Tortilla Co./Courtesy)
Sierra Madre Tortilla Co., Lake Worth Beach
2402 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 2; 561-306-9605; Instagram.com/sierramadre.co
When Sierra Madre Tortilla opened in November, they were making tortillas for wholesale (restaurants, resorts, hotels) and selling tamales to the public on weekends. Now they sell hand-cut tortilla chips and taco shells, tamales, a variety of homemade salsas, guacamole and other grab-and-go items seven days a week. The service is takeout and delivery only. “We’re the first tortilla shop in South Florida that makes traditional artisan stoneground organic corn tortillas,” says Claudia Monroy, who is a Mexico native and co-owns Sierra Madre with husband Mounir. “Everything we make is very traditional, made from scratch, and we incorporate our organic tortillas in all our menu items, like our chilaquiles and flautas.” A third-generation tortilla maker, she says her grandparents had a tortilla shop in Mexico in the 1980s.
Aloft Hotel by Marriott
WXYZ Bar & Lounge at the new Aloft Fort Lauderdale Airport also serves a light-bites menu including tacos, wings and sides. (Aloft Hotel by Marriott/Courtesy)
WXYZ Bar & Lounge, Fort Lauderdale
501 SE 24th St.; 754-285-4848; marriott.com/en-us/hotels/fllaa-aloft-fort-lauderdale-airport
This lounge in the new Aloft Fort Lauderdale Airport hotel is serving up light bites including tacos (Korean Barbecue and Crispy Fish); wings (Garlic Parmesan, Sweet Chili, Buffalo Cauliflower, Korean Barbecue); and sides (Kale and Quinoa Salad, Bacon Cheese Fries, Carrot and Celery Salad, Mac and Cheese) to go along with the cocktails, wine, beer and their signature Boombox, a tropical rum punch served in a throwback-to-the-’80s shareable glass. By the way, you can also take your food up to the rooftop Splash Bar on the 14th floor adjacent to the hotel pool. Non-hotel guests can access both bars. The hotel and WXYZ had a soft opening in December, with the grand opening on Jan. 24. WXYZ Bar & Lounge is a Marriott brand with locations in Delray Beach, Aventura, Doral, Miami and now Fort Lauderdale.
Pleasures of the Sea Market, Fort Lauderdale
1900 NW Sixth St.; 954-440-4411, PleasuresoftheSea.com
Fort Lauderdale’s Sistrunk Boulevard has gained remarkable culinary muscle since the pandemic, and the latest proof is this seafood market and restaurant, which debuted in mid-December several blocks west of the new B&D Trap, Blue Tree Café and Salad Boss at L.A. Lee YMCA. This is Melvin Smith and Mitchell Hayes’ second Pleasures location in Fort Lauderdale (a second spot is roughly 3 miles northwest at 2620 NW 19th St.). This seafood hub is awash in conch fritters, fresh snapper and gizzards, along with butterfish, catfish, croakers, mullets, swai fish fillets and tilapia, plus chicken wings and sweet potato pie for dessert.
Kosher de Brazil, Hallandale Beach
1710 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd.; 954-399-7777; KosherdeBrazil.com
It’s the first glatt kosher Brazilian steakhouse in the United States, if you believe the restaurant’s marketing materials, and this sit-down owned by Iosif and Olha Aminov specializes in rodizio-style cuts paired with Mediterranean flavors. The restaurant, which marked its grand opening Jan. 1, resembles a gilded palace of grilled meats, with gold-painted walls accented with hanging vines and black leather tufted chairs. Along with all-you-can-eat, prime-cut picanha and ancho ribeyes, there are veal ribs, fraldinha (flank steak), filet mignon and lula kebab (a blend of ground beef, lamb, onion, seasoning and fresh herbs). Meanwhile, its bottomless market table is stocked with kosher-friendly Israeli and chickpea salads, kosher herring, smoked salmon and mackerel, and babaganoush, tahini and hummus.
(Crack’d Kitchen and Coffee / Courtesy)
The Big Commute (eggs, bacon, black forest ham, maple sausage, hash browns, cheddar) is one of the breakfast handhelds available at Crack’d Kitchen & Coffee, which opened at Plantation Walk in mid-December. (Crack’d Kitchen and Coffee / Courtesy)
Crack’d Kitchen & Coffee, Plantation
331 N. University Drive, Suite 206; 754-755-5445; CrackdKitchen.com
Another swanky all-day breakfast chain shuffled into Plantation Walk in mid-December, this one registered to Plantation franchisee James Michael Minahan. It’s the first South Florida expansion of the Boston-born restaurant founded by two couples, Danny and Emma Azzarello and Alan and Meghan Frati, who jointly run five locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Along with coffee and smoothies, the mainstays, of course, are its egg handhelds, ranging from the belly-busting Big Commute (eggs, bacon, black forest ham, maple sausage, hash browns, cheddar) to the healthier, avocado-stuffed Surfside Burrito (egg whites, quinoa-rice, grape tomatoes, corn on wheat wrap). There’s also a Sunny Chorizo Bowl, requisite avocado toasts and lunchtime sandwiches like a Turkey Bacon Ranch and Deano “The Butcher,” a thick Angus patty on brioche.
Playa Bowls, Fort Lauderdale
401 E. Las Olas Blvd, Unit 185; playabowls.com
There’s a beach vibe with this fast-casual restaurant. After all, the concept started back in 2014 as a pop-up food stand on the Jersey Shore. Now the brand is known for its plant-based ingredients, especially fruit. They’re also known for being serious about sustainability and say they use reclaimed building materials, LED lighting and recycled/biodegradable bowls, spoons and lids, as well as set up partnerships with local recycling efforts. This location is owned by Darrell Casoria (raised in Fort Lauderdale) and Ricky Arguello and officially opened on Jan. 13, according to its Instagram account.
PopStroke, Delray Beach
1314 N. Federal Highway, Delray Beach; PopStroke.com
This 3-acre, mini-golf course and restaurant designed by Tiger Woods opened to the public on Nov. 8. Along with two 18-hole putting courses, there is a 4,600-square-foot restaurant selling “an expansive variety of craft beer, wine, ice cream, and food to enjoy on and off the course,” according to its website. The menu also includes build-your-own pizzas, salads, chicken wings, and appetizers such as baby back pork ribs, baked pretzels and potstickers. Delray PopStroke joins outposts in Fort Myers, Port St. Lucie, Sarasota, Orlando and near Tampa.
(MAASS / Courtesy)
Chef Ryan Ratino serves guests inside the new MAASS, a European-Japanese chef counter and restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel Fort Lauderdale. (MAASS / Courtesy)
MAASS, Fort Lauderdale
525 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.; 954-256-0000; MaassFTL.com
Is this an homage to Taco Bell’s “Live Más” slogan? No, it’s chef Ryan Ratino’s new wood-fired European-Japanese restaurant, which debuted Dec. 21 inside the Four Seasons Hotel Fort Lauderdale. Along with contemporary cuisine, MAASS brings clout from restaurateur Ratino (a 2023 Michelin Guide Young Chef Award Winner) and HIVE Hospitality (two-Michelin-starred Jônt and Michelin-starred Bresca in Washington, D.C.). The sit-down offers two experiences: a 12-seat chef counter with multi-course tasting menu, or a traditional seafood-leaning menu of starters (such as tuna tartare, prawn toast and Wagyu beef tart) and entrees (Mandarin orange dry-aged duck, fried turbot wings in buttermilk vinaigrette).
Asbury Ale House, Fort Lauderdale
300 SW First Ave.; 954-727-1308; AsburyAleHouse.com
Owner Matt Gullace expanded his New Jersey-born gastropub into its second location on the ground floor of hip residential tower Society Las Olas in early December. The eatery features a menu of coal-fired pizzas, burgers and the Drunken Bite (or pasta that is breaded, deep-fried and dipped in vodka sauce). The 10,000-square-foot restaurant also has 50 beers on tap, sports on dozens of TVs, and an outdoor patio filled with Jenga and cornhole activities.
(Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders / Courtesy)
The newest Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders franchise debuted Jan. 27 in Cooper City. (Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders / Courtesy)
Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders, Cooper City
3800 N. University Drive, Suite 206; 954-399-6520; HueyMagoos.com
The latest location of this Florida-raised chicken tender franchise has roosted in Cooper City with a Jan. 27 grand opening on North University Drive. This 2,500-square-foot dining room is one of nine Huey Magoo’s planned for Broward and Miami-Dade counties by Frank Hennessey, Harry and Henry Dixon. It serves tenders that are grilled, hand-breaded or “sauced,” along with salads, sandwiches and wraps.
Filomena’s Bean Coffee, Fort Lauderdale
3233 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; FilomenasBeanCoffee.com
This three-year-old café in Davie’s Shenandoah Square expanded into the former Dive Bar on State Road A1A on Galt Ocean Mile in late November. Along with Americanos, espressos and other caffeinated drinks in fun configurations (such as s’more cappuccinos, honey-cinnamon lattes), the menu features breakfast sandwiches, empanadas, wraps and salads. Filomena’s also stages live comedy, music, theater and dance nights. A third location of Filomena’s in Sunny Isles Beach is planned for later in 2024.
Saverio’s Pizza
Saverio’s at Yacht Haven is owned by Saverio and Emily Cataldo along with Gary Cioffi and is an offshoot of their highly-touted Saverio’s Pizza in Massapequa, New York. (Saverio’s Pizza/Courtesy)
Saverio’s at Yacht Haven, Fort Lauderdale
2323 W. State Road 84; 954-774-1090; SaveriosSouth.com
Tucked away off Marina Mile at Yacht Haven Park and Marina on the New River is this new Neapolitan-style pie shop in an expansive food truck, which opened to the public on Nov. 12. The pizzeria is owned by Emily and Saverio Cataldo and Gary Cioffi. It is an offshoot of the Cataldos’ A&S Italian Pork Store on the Long Island hamlet of Massapequa, N.Y. The restaurant’s namesake is a certified Neapolitan pie-maker (from Italy’s Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani) who fires his 14 speciality pies at 600 degrees for three minutes in an imported Castelli oven. In addition to their signature margherita topped with San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and extra virgin olive oil, the menu features Alina (fried eggplant and ricotta) and Pinsa, a “gluten-friendly” variant made with a blend of soy, rice, sourdough and zero-wheat flour. Saverio’s has outdoor seating at four picnic tables (four to six people each) and a tiki hut with a dining table for up to 20 guests.
Arabian Nights, Fort Lauderdale
904 E. Las Olas Blvd.; 954-533-7130; ArabiaNightsFTL.com
Craving more Middle Eastern cuisine on the tony Las Olas Boulevard drag, restaurateur Frank Talerico converted a chunk of his Piazza Italia dining room into this new Mediterranean sit-down, which formally debuted Dec. 23. Also offering a side hookah lounge and belly dancing, the restaurant is operated by Syrian owner Lina Chikhali and her daughter, chef Zenah, who once ran the short-lived Pita Pride in Wilton Manors. The menu leans toward traditional Mediterranean fare, including falafel platters, grape leaves, chicken shawarma and baba ghanoush, along with prime filet kebabs, charbroiled chicken kafta, grilled salmon and branzino.
Crumbl
The gourmet dessert destination Crumble recently opened in Midtown Boca Raton. (Crumbl/Courtesy)
Crumbl, Boca Raton
2200 Glades Road, Suite 508; 561- 872-4515; crumblcookies.com/flbocaraton
This gourmet dessert chain opened its newest South Florida franchise location in Boca Raton on Dec. 8. Owned by Courtney Newell, a West Palm Beach native and former Miss Palm Beach County, and husband Jamil, an engineer, the store features a weekly rotating menu of more than 250 flavors including: milk chocolate chip, raspberry cheesecake, brown sugar cinnamon, chocolate cake and more. Crumbl was founded in 2017 in Logan, Utah, and now has more than 900 locations across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.
The Peach Cobbler Factory, Oakland Park
3161 W. Oakland Park Blvd.; 954-766-4446; peachcobblerfactory.com
SoFlo’s dessert destination continues its ambitious plan to roll out 30 locations from West Palm Beach to Key West, with the latest location now open inside Oakland Park Flea Market. The brand offers 12 cobbler flavors (served with ice cream), 12 banana pudding flavors, six cinnamon roll flavors, 11 Bigger & Better Cookies, 12 Cobbler Cookies, along with Sweet Peachy Tea, cold brew coffee and Latin blend coffee. “We want to serve more markets in the South Florida area,” CEO and co-owner Greg George says. “With locations downtown, our mega bus on State Road 84 and Pembroke Pines, the Oakland Park area was an easy decision. Up next, we will add our new fixed mobile unit in West Park in early January. We currently have 73 operating stores across the country.”
The Blue Tree Cafe, Fort Lauderdale
612 NW Ninth Ave, Suite A; 754-206-3098, BlueTreeCafe.com
Billed as a “vegan soul food” spot, chef Sharon Allen’s cafe debuted in late November on the corner of Sistrunk Boulevard and Powerline Road. The cafe lets customers build their own “Blue Soul Bowls” piled with their choice of protein (grilled mushrooms, barbecue mushrooms, crispy cauliflower), sides (collard greens, mac ‘n’ cheese, quinoa and brown rice) and cornbread muffin. There are also “crab balls” made with heart of palm and chickpeas and plant-based chili with lentils, kidney beans, corn, onions and tomatoes. Allen, a former private chef and Sheridan Technical College graduate, opened Blue Tree with help from a $295,000 grant from Fort Lauderdale’s Community Redevelopment Agency, after some initial success with a ghost kitchen during the pandemic.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill / Courtesy
A lamb gyro from The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, which opened its latest fast-casual chain location in west Boca Raton. (The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill / Courtesy)
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, Boca Raton
9961 Glades Road; 561-420-0626; TheGreatGreekGrill.com
This Nevada-born, fast-casual Mediterranean chain has debuted its fourth South Florida outpost inside Boca Raton’s Shadowood Square plaza. The 2,700-square-foot dining room, operated by general manager Carlos Perez, features a menu of dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and spanakopita (spinach and feta inside phyllo-dough triangles), along with gyros, falafel pitas and steak souvlaki. The restaurant joins recently opened locations in Oakland Park, Palm Beach Gardens and West Palm Beach.
An Banh Japanese Corn Dog and Bakery, Fort Lauderdale
2630 W. Broward Blvd.; 954-368-8934; Instagram.com/mamayatai.donut
If you, like us, wondered what exactly makes a corn dog Japanese, wonder no more: It’s deep-fried in the usual thick cornmeal batter and then, like a flavor bomb of snacky shrapnel, coated in potato chips, Hot Cheetos, Rice Krispies and bacon-ranch dressing. Such is the delicious street-food madness of An Banh, a whimsical sister bakery to Davie’s MaMa YaTai & Donuts. The restaurant hosted its grand opening on Dec. 12 in the Riverbend Marketplace plaza, a slight jog west of Interstate 95. An Banh comes from Ngoc Chau and Loc Nguyen, the same owners behind MaMa Yatai. And while the menu is similar — mochi doughnuts, coffee and corn dogs — Ah Banh’s dining room looks like Hello Kitty on steroids: photogenic walls and ceilings of pink flowers, tufted red banquettes, paper lanterns and upside-down, cherry-blossom parasols. Doughnut flavors include creme brulee, ube, yam and flan.
Pink Steak/Courtesy
A steak tartare dish from Pink Steak, which opened Dec. 20 in West Palm Beach. (Pink Steak/Courtesy)
Pink Steak, West Palm Beach
2777 S. Dixie Highway; 561-557-9083; PinkSteak.com
With DJ booths in the open kitchen and Miami-esque decor (peep the dining room’s 15-foot brass flamingo statue), Palm Beach restaurateur Julien Gremaud (Avocado Grill, Avocado Cantina, Pistache) adds cosmopolitan class to his new steakhouse, which debuted Dec. 20. The 175-seat dining room and alfresco patio are helmed by chef Aaron Black (Josco Garden in Tequesta, PB Catch) and offers classic oyster platters, chops, sushi rolls, hamachi crudos, coconut lobster bisque and caviar service. But its specialties are high-end grilled meats, ranging from Bavette Wagyu and dry-age porterhouses to prime ribeyes and N.Y. strips.
Aunt Jenn’s Tea & Spice Shop, Wilton Manors
2420 Wilton Drive; 561-221-4737; AuntJenns.com
This tea emporium that began its life as a vendor at the Yellow Green Farmers Market has expanded into its second shop, debuting in early November on the northern end of The Drive. The cafe, registered to Jennifer Malone, offers organic and kosher-certified tea and spice blends, along with locally brewed kombucha on tap, seasonal lattes, honey-lavender matcha and something called Unicorn Poop Bubble Tea, a whimsical concoction made with strawberry herbal tea, strawberry bubbles, whipped cream and sprinkles.
Hallyu Korean BBQ & Bar, Tamarac
6800 N. University Drive; 954-761-5227; HallyukBBQ.com
At 10,000 square feet, this massive all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue house, which opened in November in the University Commons plaza, offers 60 tables (with built-in burners) and two karaoke rooms. It joins an already bustling Korean restaurant row on University Drive, packed with grocery and barbecue joints such as Gabose, ROK and Manna Korean. Hallyu, registered to owner Ray Park, features barbecued proteins like bulgogi and pork belly, as well as kimchi jjigae (stew) and banchan (tiny side dishes).
Emmy Squared Pizza, Fort Lauderdale
468 N. Federal Highway; 754-296-0076; EmmySquaredPizza.com
Sure, their first South Florida entry is perhaps late to the local Detroit-style trend, but this Brooklyn-born chain is hardly a shrine to just square pizza. The 98-seat pizzeria (70 indoor, 28 on the patio) in Victoria Park, which replaces the former Spatch Peri-Peri Chicken, also slings Grandma- and New York-style pies, half-pound hamburgers and craft cocktails, salads and spicy chicken sandwiches. Still, the bestseller at Emmy, which debuted Nov. 24, remains the Detroit-style, a focaccia-like pizza with lacy cheese crust fired in a rectangular tray. Other pies are named after Italian patron saints, including “The Sopranos” character Artie Bucco (garlic confit cloves, caramelized onions, basil) and late VH1 “Mob Wives” personality Big Ang (vodka sauce, ricotta, double pecorino, Italian sausage, banana peppers). Finally, there’s the Le Big Matt Burger, a half-pound double patty on a pretzel bun, plated with waffle-cut fries. A second location is planned in Coral Gables later this winter.
John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel
The Balcony Las Olas back in Feb. 25, 2022. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
CLOSED
The Balcony Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale
1309 E. Las Olas Blvd.; 754-200-6344; 1309elasolas.com/the-balcony
Kim Bokamper — the former Miami Dolphin and local sportscaster — opened The Balcony in May 2018 through his PDKN Restaurant Group. And in May 2023, the dining/drinking complex that included The Balcony, Bo’s Pub and The Hidden Garden Las Olas announced it would “be temporarily closed for renovations” on its Instagram and Facebook pages. But now, it looks like The Balcony is closed for good. Noel Cullen, a partner with PDKN Restaurant Group, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel: “The PDKN team would like to thank everyone who supported our first concept at 1309 E. Las Olas. The Balcony was a special endeavor, made memorable by our wonderful guests, dedicated local community, and incredible staff. We’re excited to unveil our new concept for this location soon, coming Fall 2024, so stay tuned for details! Your support means the world to us, and we look forward to sharing our next chapter with you.”
BurgerFi, Delray Beach
6 S. Ocean Blvd.; 561-278-9590; BurgerFi.com
This Fort Lauderdale-spawned burger chain permanently closed its second-ever location in mid-January after more than 12 years on South Ocean Boulevard. The move is part of a recent shedding of BurgerFis locally (although 28 still remain in the tricounty area), tied to slumping sales and too many South Florida stores, its CEO Carl Bachmann said at a conference this month. The publicly traded chain has also reported operating losses every quarter since buying Anthony’s Coal-Fired Pizza in a $156.6 million deal back in 2021. This beachfront location, like other outposts, served Angus beef patties and plant-based Beyond burgers with fries and onion rings. “We were at the sunset of the lease and as a result we chose to close this location but look forward to continuing to serve our local guests in Delray at our two other locations,” a BurgerFi spokesperson said.