New restaurants: Oprah-blessed cookies in West Palm Beach, very demure coffee burgers in Pembroke Pines

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NOW OPEN OR OPENING

Maman
473 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach; 561-660-7716; MamanNYC.com

Say “au revoir” to your willpower at this all-day bakery-cafe, which tempts with Oprah-blessed Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookies, fresh-baked croissants and apéro-hour drinks. Founders Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte’s fast-expanding New York City chain debuted its newest cafe on Aug. 12 inside CityPlace, the second Florida location after a Wynwood outpost opened in February. Its dining area, dressed in Spanish moss and air plants, serves an expansive menu that includes Crème Fraîche Pancakes, Smashed Avocado Tartine, Eggs Ratatouille and an Everything Croissant and Salmon Sandwich, which tastes exactly how it sounds. There are also soups and salads, coffee and teas and cases of pastries. The restaurant plans to continue expanding in Miami-Dade County this fall.

Boemia Blue Cafe & Lounge
955 Sansburys Way, Suite 211, West Palm Beach; 561-429-4598; Instagram.com/BoemiaBlue

A coffeehouse by day and clubby music hideaway by night, this cafe-lounge soft-opened on Aug. 1 on the southwest corner of Belvedere Road and Sansburys Way, a slight jog north of the South Florida Fairgrounds. The restaurant, which is registered to four owners — Javier and Paola Trujillo, Renato Peralta and Marlen Correa Forero — features a menu of empanadas, pan de bono and arepas, passionfruit cheesecake loaves, Cuban sandwiches, loose-leaf teas and coffees. A live-music lounge is expected to open soon.

Kan’s Thai Kitchen
4838 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 954-626-0851; KansThaiKitchen.com

Formerly Ma-Prao Thai Cuisine — and Thai Bayshore before that — the third consecutive Thai restaurant at this storefront south of Commercial Boulevard debuted on Aug. 8. The new sit-down is tastefully appointed in bamboo fixtures, dark-wood chairs and granite tables, plaid banquettes and decorative platters on the walls. Although its name and ownership have changed, the staples remain, including Tom Kha Gai soup and Pad Thai, Crab Rangoon and Massaman Curry, Pad Kea Mau (drunken noodle) and Pad Woon Sen (clear noodle), along with new items such as lobster tail, fried grouper filet, fried whole snapper and crispy duck. Beverages include beer, wine and sake.

Caretta Caretta
3700 N. Ocean Drive, Riviera Beach; 561-472-0318; CarettaCarettaRestaurant.com

It’s so nice they named it twice: This beachfront restaurant specializing in coastal fare has opened within The Singer Oceanfront Resort on Singer Island. The chic seafood kitchen takes its moniker from the scientific name for the Loggerhead sea turtle, which comes ashore on South Florida beaches on summer nights, laying eggs in sandpits before returning to the sea. “In Florida, we’re lucky to have access to such incredible fresh seafood and local produce,” said Stuart Levy, the resort’s general manager. “Caretta Caretta offers a celebration of these ingredients in the best way.” It’s led by chef Glenn Rogers, who previously worked in acclaimed kitchens, including Buccan in Palm Beach and Johnnie Brown’s in Delray Beach. The menu features jumbo shrimp and smoked fish dip; Parmesan polenta shrimp and grits in Florida citrus butter, crispy whole snapper, grouper fillets and a handful of meat-based dishes, from grilled skirt steak with yuca fries to Caribbean chicken with sweet plantains and cilantro rice. There are also beers, wines by the glass and craft cocktails.

Fat Boyz Barbecue
10334 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs; FatBoyzBarbecue.com 

Owner Jarael Holston-Jones has grown and shrunk his smoky empire of barbecue multiple times over the years, so you’d be forgiven for feeling déjà vu over the pitmaster’s new Coral Springs location, which held its grand opening on Aug. 30. After the pandemic and overaggressive expansion ended his last outpost there in 2021, Holston-Jones’ shrine to Southern-style smoked ribs and brisket is finally back. The new 1,000-square-foot shack replaces the former Juana La Cubana Café on West Sample Road and caters to take-out crowds, although its menu is identical to those at other locations in Deerfield Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The usual crowd-pleasers include dry-rubbed St. Louis spare ribs kissed with hickory and spice, Texas-style brisket, smoked lean pastrami and its Big Daddy sandwich, a combo of pulled pork, chopped brisket and mac ‘n’ cheese on a kaiser roll.

Habit Burger & Grill

4901 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, Suite 1000, Westlake; habitburger.com 

This California-based restaurant company is known for Charburgers grilled over an open flame (The Double Char recently ranked No. 1 in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards). They also have signature sandwiches, salads and more. “We’ve got a bunch of Habit Burger & Grills sprinkled across the Sunshine State, and we’re pumped to fire up the grill at our newest spot,” chef Jason Triail, director of culinary innovation, said in a statement. “Westlake’s got this awesome vibe — it’s fresh, it’s buzzing and it’s growing like crazy. We’re stoked to jump right into the mix and serve up our Charburgers (they’re kind of our thing, you know?), our killer sides that keep winning awards, handcrafted sandwiches, and trust me, that’s just the beginning. We’re not just opening a restaurant; we’re joining a community.” The 2,000-square-foot Westlake restaurant will offer drive-thru, dine-in, takeout, delivery as well as indoor self-serve kiosks. Palm Beach County has locations in Palm Beach Gardens and Royal Palm Beach.

La Birra Bar
2031 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park; LaBirraBarUSA.com

Its Golden burger — with two 4-ounce patties, American cheese, red onion and “secret mayo” — gleamed at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival’s Burger Bash in 2022. Now Daniel Cocchia’s burger franchise has come to Broward County, and the first of two locations hosted its grand opening on Aug. 21 inside a former Wendy’s on Oakland Park Boulevard. Cocchia, whose family opened 15 locations in Argentina before expanding to the United States (specifically, Miami’s Wynwood) in 2021, offers a menu of 26 burgers. For example, the Onlyfans burger comes with American cheese, bacon, thick-cut provolone, crispy onions and a so-called “stalker sauce.” There are also hot dogs and sides of french fries, onion rings and Spinach dip nachos, along with draft beer and Argentine red and white wines. A Weston outpost is expected to debut later this year.

Camille’s Pizzeria & Ristorante
4165 N. Dixie Highway, Oakland Park; 954-765-6496; CamillesOaklandPark.com

The third Italian restaurant in as many years has replaced the short-lived Il Pastaio — and before that, the longtime Cucina Caruso Italian Market — in this strip mall catty-corner from Jaco Pastorius Park. New York-raised John Kreidich, former executive chef at Fort Lauderdale’s DUNE by Laurent Tourondel, and his wife, Maya, quietly debuted the kitchen in early August. Along with charcuterie boards, salads and fritto misto, there are six pizza pies (from prosciutto and arugula to Grandma-style), and pasta entrees including Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, Paccheri alla Vodka and Pappardelle Bolognese. There is also Chicken “Parma John,” a N.Y. Strip with Parmesan fries, and Mediterranean Branzino with cannellini beans.

Keik Bakeshop
11033 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines; 786-822-4090; KeikBakeshop.com

Pink is the dominant color palette in decor and cuisine at this super-trendy bakery, which fittingly took to TikTok to share its Aug. 22 opening by parading its “very ladylike, very demure” and “very mindful” menu items and surroundings. Owners Wilfredo Ulacio, Carla Villalobos, Pedro Torres and Alejandra Romero brought their first all-day café to Doral in 2020, and have since expanded — thanks to helpful testimonials from key influencers — to Coral Gables and now Pembroke Pines. The bakery’s dining area, a Gen-Z fever dream, is packed with pink boxes, pink walls, carnations and servers wearing pink aprons and hats. Even Keik’s brunch fare demands to go viral: Oreo and guava-and-cheese pancakes, cachapa waffles, chia arepas, Brigadeiro Cappuccinos (named after the Brazilian confection), and a Barista Burger rubbed with coffee barbecue sauce. So do Keik’s cakes, from its Pistachio Cheesecake to a Cocosette Cake that’s crowned with wafer cookies.

Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar
150 N. Compass Way, Dania Beach; 754-297-5215; CremaGourmet.com

This all-day breakfast coffeehouse debuted its latest location on Aug. 9 inside the sprawling Dania Pointe shopping complex, joining a flurry of recently opened locations including in Fort Lauderdale and Hallandale Beach. Crema slings egg sandwiches on baguettes and croissants, avocado toast, acai bowls, oatmeal, chocolate-chip pancakes and 21 styles of coffee and tea. The Miami-based chain has been in rapid franchising mode, with future locations heading to Boca Raton, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Pembroke Pines and Coconut Creek.

Aroma Joe’s Drive-Thru
2690 N. Andrews Ave., Wilton Manors; aromajoes.com 

This handcrafted beverage franchise has made its way to Island City (the other SoFlo location is in Pompano Beach). The 574-square-foot, drive-thru spot features coffee drinks (with flavor infusion options) as well as signature AJ’s Rush Energy Drinks and all-day food options such as breakfast sandwiches, pastries, pretzels and more. Tim McKenna, a cofounder of the brand in East Rochester, New Hampshire, in 2000, is one of the franchisees of this location, which debuted on June 10. The other co-owners of the Wilton Manors’ location are Kaitlyn Mathews and Marissa Baroniel, who both also own the Pompano Beach venue that opened six years ago. “We are very passionate about the product we serve out the window and just as passionate about getting involved in the community,” Baroniel said in a statement. “As a family-owned business, we truly care about our customers and hope to continue to bring Aroma Joe’s positivity across more of the state of Florida in the years to come.”

Bunnboh Churros
8000 W. Broward Blvd, Suite 1327, Plantation; 305-399-8204; bunnbohchurros.com or Facebook.com/bunnbohchurros  

This new dessert destination at the front of the Broward Mall’s food court opened with great fanfare on Aug. 6, with Plantation’s Mayor Nick Sortal and members of the Greater Plantation Chamber of Commerce joining owner Geraldin Lopez for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Bunnboh Churros is known for its unique churros shaped like bunny ears and topped with an array of toppings, ice cream and/or treats.

Tacocraft Taqueria & Tequila Bar
3240 N. University Drive, Coral Springs; tacocraft.com

With 4,500 square feet and seating for 200 guests, the newest Tacocraft at Village Square is the largest of the brand. A part of the Handcrafted Hospitality Group, the Coral Springs location opened in late July. Along with what they call their “elevated Mexican fare,” the company used this debut to unveil a new beverage program. The cocktails include three margaritas (blood orange, coconut, matcha latte) and four signature cocktails. “Part of Tacocraft’s success has been keeping things fresh and making sure there’s always something new and delicious to discover,” said restaurateur Marc Falsetto, who co-owns the Tacocraft concept with Dan Marino, Anthony Bruno, Pat Marzano and Paul Castronovo. “We’ve been waiting for the right moment to roll out the new beverage program and the opening of our new Coral Springs restaurant was the perfect opportunity.” The other three Tacocrafts are in Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Plantation.

The Kebab Shop
1289 N. University Drive, Coral Springs; 754-241-2261; TheKebabShop.com

This Lebanese Halal chain based in San Diego debuted June 18 in the Ramblewood Square shopping center on University Drive with a build-your-own-kebab menu. The Mediterranean chain, founded in 2007 by Tony Farmand, A.J. Akbar and Wally Sadat, offers a choice of chicken and lamb-beef doner, grilled saffron chicken, falafel, grilled steak and beef kofta. Proteins are offered in wrap, plate or box form, smothered in sauces (garlic yogurt, dill yogurt, cilantro jalapeño and fire chili) and served with sides ranging from saffron rice and chickpea salad to hummus and fries. The Coral Springs outpost marks the second South Florida location of Kebab, joining a Miramar outpost that opened in February and 40 locations in California and Texas. A Boynton Beach location (1780 N. Congress Ave.) is also forthcoming.

The Food Republic
1910 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-302-2300; ordergreatfood.com 

Chef Nikol Zarbalas has expanded her empire with this new eatery at the Gateway Shopping Center, in the space that formerly housed Tipico Cafe. She also has the Culinary Republic catering company as well as another restaurant, Hellenic Republic, which Guy Fieri described as serving “hands down, the best Greek food” he’d ever had when the Coral Springs hotspot was featured on the Food Network superstar’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in 2022. This past April, The Mayor of Flavortown had her compete in his “Guy’s Grocery Games” show. In her latest project, Zarbalas said her culinary concept is a mix on the menu. “The Food Republic is an eclectic dining experience,” she told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “The things on the menu are things that I execute really, really well. They are things that I love to eat, the things that I enjoy cooking. When you come here, I want you to feel good. I want you to feel welcome. I want you to sit down, enjoy yourself and feel like you’re at a friend’s house and that I’m cooking for you.” Foodie faves so far include Fried Chicken, Shrimp and Grits, Skirt Steak Sandwich and Pasta Carbonara.

Carrot Express
1818 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; 954-628-5558; carrotexpress.com 

The veggie-centric, fast-casual chain opened in Hollywood on June 28 with salads, bowls, veggie burgers, made-to-order wraps, ciabatta sandwiches, smoothies and grab-and-go juices. “As health is taken more serious than ever, it’s no longer seen as a fad or a trend … now the residents and visitors of Hollywood can fuel their bodies with food that’s not only healthy but, delicious too,” owner Mario Laufer said in a statement. Carrot Express, which started in a Miami Beach gas station back in 1993, offers options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

OTHER RECENT OPENINGS

Ella Coffee House: 4691 N. University Drive, Coral Springs; EllaCafe.com. Grand opening on Aug. 17.

Agliolio: 2803 S. State Road 7, Wellington; 561-619-5544; Agliolio.com. Opened Aug. 14.

Not So Bizaare Ave Cafe: 921 Lake Ave., Lake Worth; 561-791-6048; BizaareAve.com. Opened Aug. 13.

Dave’s Hot Chicken: 15855 Pines Blvd.,Pembroke Pines; 754-202-0416; DavesHotChicken.com. Opened Aug. 2.

That’s a Wrap Sandwich Co & Juice Bar: 3890 Davie Road, Davie; 954-999-5060, ThatsAWrapSandwich.com. Opened June 28.

CLOSED

Papamigos
3035 S. Federal Highway, Delray Beach; Papamigos.com

After a year of slinging what it calls “Mexi-Crasian” cuisine — Mexican-Asian fusion, naturally — in the South Delray Shopping Center, Lauren Grosso and Brian Faeth’s first Palm Beach County foray has folded. The taqueria and raw bar quietly shuttered in mid-August. The restaurant served Mexican-style street food such as chicken tortilla soup, taco salad, elote, birria nachos and birria ramen, along with sushi tacos, tuna nachos and oysters on the half-shell. Papamigos’ original food truck in Pompano Beach’s Old Town remains open, as will its Coconut Creek brick-and-mortar.

Volare Italian Cuisine, Pizza & Wine Bar
1823 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; VolareFL.com

Its life began last year as an Italian fast-food joint, Pick-ITA-Up, with an enticing business model: $12 entrees cooked in an open kitchen within 10 minutes. Then this year, in June, it became Volare, a revamped higher-end restaurant and pizzeria with an expanded menu of dishes. Now, it’s “addio” to this evolving Italian space owned by Kremena and Filomeno Giannino (Dal Contadino Trattoria in Fort Lauderdale). Volare was “temporarily closed for a vacation starting August 13,” per social media. But its signage is now gone and its phone line is disconnected.

OTHER RECENT CLOSURES

JQ’s Sports Bar & Lounge: 3801 10th Ave. N, Palm Springs; JohnnyQsBar.com. Permanently closed Aug. 20. 

Wrigley BBQ: 3208 Forest Hill Blvd., Palm Springs; 561-720-2257, WrigleyBBQ.com. Permanently closed in August, with plans to open in new location.