Stay up to date with South Florida dining news:
Sign up for our twice-weekly Eat Beat newsletter, filled with restaurant news, guides and recipes. Go to SunSentinel.com/newsletters to sign up.
Join our Let’s Eat, South Florida Facebook group.
Now open
Pure Green, Boca Raton
This fast-casual eatery recently opened in Mizner Park, which many consider the de facto downtown of Boca Raton. This is the city’s second location, with plans to add to that number throughout SoFlo (hence the new franchise headquarters in Sunrise). Founded in 2014 by health and fitness expert Ross Franklin, Pure Green is known for cold-pressed juices and juice shots, superfood smoothies, as well as acai and pitaya bowls. Reality TV personality and BFF of the Kardashian clan, Jonathan Cheban — a.k.a. Foodgod — recently collaborated with the brand to release a new Blue Banana Smoothie. 324 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 561-409-4271; PureGreen.com
Rocksteady Jamaican Bistro, Delray Beach
Chef-owner Duane Morgan’s sophisticated take on classic island staples has added a sister location in downtown Delray Beach. The new spot debuted on Sept. 7 and, as with the Boca Raton flagship on North Federal Highway, resembles a romantic French nook. The menu features elevated versions of curried goat, whole fried snapper escovitch, oxtail stew, ackee and jerk chicken. 60 NW Fifth Ave., Delray Beach; 561-865-7091; RocksteadyJamaicanBistro.com
American Tapas Bar, Boca Raton
This small-plates eatery from husband-and-wife owners Filomeno and Kremena Giannino opened its first offshoot on Sept. 7 at Boca Raton’s Palmetto Place, less than a year after the original debuted on Commercial Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Here, the Gianninos (who also operate Spanish tapas kitchen Eatapas in Fort Lauderdale) serve American-style tapas such as grilled octopus and filet mignon sliders, entrées like Cajun jambalaya, short ribs and fried chicken, and po’ boy and brisket sandwiches. 114 Plaza Real S., Boca Raton; 561-672-7362; AmericanTapasBar.com
Harat’s Irish Pub, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
With just five out of its 38 menu items evoking the Emerald Isle, it’s probably best to describe Harat’s as a loosely Irish pub. (Think Twin Peaks but with shepherd’s pie.) Pub classics, instead, are far more common at this franchise run by Andrey and Dmitri Serebrianik and Yuri Denisenko, which soft-opened Sept. 1 in the primo corner space at Commercial Boulevard and El Mar Drive, next door to Vinnie’s and Even Keel Fish Shack. Harat’s, a global franchise with many Eastern European locations — and one that opened on Hollywood’s Young Circle last spring — serves loaded fries, flatbread pizzas, burgers, Reuben sandwiches, and fish and chips. 100 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea; Harats.com
Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream, Pompano Beach
You can beat this SoFlo heat with some frozen treats at the newest Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream shop that opened Aug. 27 in Pompano Beach’s Park Plaza Shopping Center. Owned by Michelle and Hugo Sappey, this franchise continues the Miami-based brand’s signature flash-frozen-on-the-spot concept. Here’s the scoop: You choose a base of milk, yogurt or alt-milk (coconut, almond, oat) and your toppings, then your order is frozen in a split second using liquid nitrogen at -320 degrees Fahrenheit. “My wife, children and I have been longtime customers of the Chill-N in Fort Lauderdale, often making the drive down just to get our favorite ice cream,” says Hugo Sappey. “We fell in love with the brand from the start and decided we wanted to open a Chill-N closer to us in Pompano Beach.” The new location is open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays. Next up, Chill-N plans to open in Plantation in the coming months and then Pembroke Pines and Doral in 2023. 1170 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach; 754-205-7222; ChillN.com
Thirsty Turtle Seagrill, West Palm Beach
The southernmost location of this seafood shack and sports bar mini-franchise debuted Aug. 31 inside the Shoppes at Ibis plaza, and is registered to co-owner Salvatore Zambito. The restaurant on Northlake Boulevard is a clam’s throw from the town of Westlake, Loxahatchee Groves, the Acreage and golf-and-country-club Ibis — a food desert where retail stores and restaurants are scarce. The Turtle specializes in surf-and-turf, including beer-battered shrimp, fried clam strips, shucked oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp, along with burgers, salads, skirt steaks and baby back ribs. The restaurant’s other outposts in Juno Beach, Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce will remain open. 10130 Northlake Blvd., West Palm Beach; 561-660-8911; ThirstyTurtleFL.com
Teriyaki Madness, Oakland Park
This Asian franchise has locations in 34 states, plus in Canada and Mexico. With South Florida outposts in Boca Raton and Miami, Teriyaki Madness now has ventured into Broward County, opening in Oakland Park’s Northridge Shopping Center in early August. Along with chicken, steak and salmon rice and stir-fried noodle bowls loaded with veggies, the menu also offers chicken eggroll and crab rangoon appetizers. 5073 N. Dixie Highway, Oakland Park; 954-541-5867; TeriyakiMadness.com
Khan Baba, Plantation
This Pakistani café and restaurant, registered to owners Imtiaz Mohammad and Musharaf Muhammad, debuted in mid-August in Plantation Square. Its menu features typical dishes such as haleem (slow-cooked lentils, wheat, barley and minced beef), paratha (a type of flatbread made with clarified butter) and zarda (a yellow sweet rice flavored with cardamom, raisins and pistachios), along with kebabs and chai teas. 1755 N. University Drive, Plantation; 954-368-5960; KhanBabaUSA.com
Monka’s Beer and Burger Bar, Lake Worth
This new downtown gastropub from husband-and-wife owners Justin and Rebecca Sirmons hosted its grand opening on Aug. 27 where South H Street meets Lake Avenue. The bar serves up burgers and handhelds including a shrimp po’boy, mahi and pulled pork sandwiches, along with salads, jalapeño bacon bites and fried pickle chips. Monka’s also has beer, of course, as well as wine, and live music on weekends. 921 Lake Ave., Lake Worth; 561-720-2930; Monkas561.com
Hof’s House of Sweets, Fort Lauderdale
After the Las Olas storefront of Hoffman’s Chocolates closed its doors in July, this wonderland of confections reopened Aug. 31, reborn under a new name and branding — Hof’s House of Sweets. The revival only affects the Las Olas location, which was transformed into a lounge with international sweets and treats, along with doughnuts and pastries. The plan is to also have alcohol, but the spot awaits its beer and wine license. Hof’s, of course, still carries chocolate made from its factory in Greenacres. 601 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-368-4320; HofsHouseofSweets.com
Henry’s Sandwich Station, Fort Lauderdale
After four years of artful sandwiches, bakery treats and housemade sodas in mural-splashed FAT Village, owner Marc Falsetto moved Henry’s flagship storefront across the street to the Sistrunk Marketplace food hall. The upscale sandwicherie reopens Sept. 1, the CEO of Handcrafted Hospitality (Tacocraft, Anthony’s Pronto Kitchen) posted on social media. Henry’s move was is timed around the imminent teardown of funky art enclave FAT Village. 115 NW Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-329-2551; SistrunkMarketplace.com; HenrysSandwich.com
Ela Curry Kitchen, Palm Beach Gardens
After two years of global small plates at his Stage Kitchen & Bar, chef Pushkar Marathe (Ghee Indian Kitchen, 3030 Ocean) veers into traditional Indian entrees with Ela Curry Kitchen, which had its grand opening on Aug. 30 inside the Donald Ross Village plaza. The 65-seater, which Marathe opened with Stage business partner Andrew Dugard, serves a la carte Indian street food and thali-style entrees, in which small bowls of chutneys, naan, rice, lentils and protein are presented on a large platter. 4650 Donald Ross Road, Palm Beach Gardens; www.restaurantji.com/fl/palm-beach-gardens/ela-curry-kitchen-/ and Facebook.com/ElaCurryKitchen
Sixty Vines, Boca Raton
This Texas-born upscale chain, inspired by wine country and catering to wine lovers, debuted Aug. 31 from CEO Jeff Carcara and partners Jack Gibbons and Brad Leist. Sixty, which replaces a Brio Tuscan Grille at The Shops at Boca Center, seats 355 with a wine-garden patio. The name refers to its 60 wines on tap, a sustainable measure meant to reduce waste and evoke the experience of drinking straight from barrels at vineyards. There are also charcuterie plates, pizzas, Cabernet-infused burgers, pork chops and Atlantic salmon. 5050 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton; SixtyVines.com
Just Salad, West Palm Beach
Since 2019, this fast-casual eatery has been steadily expanding in SoFlo. This new location is the eighth in the region and the 10th overall in the state. The chain is known for chef-designed salads, wraps, warm bowls, avocado toast, soups and smoothies in the $10 to $12 range. Popular menu choices include the Crispy Chicken Poblano, Thai Chicken Crunch and Tokyo Supergreens. Just Salad also has a reusable bowl program: If you purchase a bowl for $1, you get a free salad topping with each reuse. 1880 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; JustSalad.com
Timpano Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale
After sitting empty on Las Olas Boulevard for 30 months — since the pandemic’s outset — the eatery once called Timpano Italian Chophouse re-emerged this month, renamed and fully remodeled. The 292-seat Timpano, under the helm of new chef Michael Ferraro (“Beat Bobby Flay,” “Bar Rescue”), has adopted a sleekly modernized Art Deco look and well-appointed speakeasy motifs from Orlando-based Tavistock Restaurant Collection (Abe & Louie’s in Boca Raton). Menu options include Australian Wagyu Hanger Steak, Veal Chop Parmesan and Siberian Caviar, plus a favorite returns: roasted mussels. 450 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; TimpanoLasOlas.com
The Salty, West Palm Beach
Started in 2015 in Wynwood by Amanda Pizarro and Andy Rodriguez, The Salty hosted a grand opening for its seventh location on Aug. 19 at trendy Rosemary Square. The Salty specializes in over-the-top, brioche-raised doughnut treats, with flavors such as horchata, prickly pear margarita, brown butter and “churro + dulce de leche.” The shop, dubbed one of the “31 best donut shops in America” by Thrillist, has been teasing its presence in West Palm Beach since October 2021 with camper pop-ups parked in the square. 700 S. Rosemary Ave., Suite 200, West Palm Beach; SaltyDonut.com
Batch, the Cookie Co., Boca Raton
This Flagler Village-spawned gourmet confection shop now caters to cookie monsters in Boca Raton after hosting a grand opening of its third location on Aug. 20. The confection shop, from itinerant pastry chef Max Santiago and business partners Adam August and Nick Hicks, bakes cookie with flavors such as frosted red velvet, brown-sugar blondies and all-vegan, gluten-free blueberry-lemon swirl and brown sugar cinnamon Pop Tart. 5050 Town Center Circle, Suite 233, Boca Raton; 954-533-8200, BatchCookieCo.com
The Taco Project, Coral Springs
Taqueria staples — beef burritos, shrimp quesadillas, Cajun salmon tacos built with corn tortillas — are featured at this New York-based chain, which debuted its first South Florida location on Aug. 22. The 1,650-square-foot taco shop, opening inside The Walk of Coral Springs, comes from New York owners Nick Mesce, Carmelo Milio and Sebastian Aliberti. 2866 N. University Drive, Coral Springs; TheTacoProject.com
Larry’s Ice Cream & Cafe, Boca Raton
After several delays, this restaurant suddenly announced through social media on Aug. 13 that it was open. The original Larry’s Ice Cream has been selling its sweet chill-ness in Coral Springs since 1986. But now, new owner Janet McGinnis has expanded Larry’s to St. Andrews Plaza, near the Town Center Mall. Known for desserts and unique takes on comfort food, the menu in Boca Raton remains largely New Jersey Boardwalk-inspired, but with a little more sparkle and glam. 21090 St. Andrews Blvd., Boca Raton; 561-931-3982; LarrysIceCreamAndCafe.com
Borsalino Coffee Bar, Plantation
This Miami-born, all-day chain registered to Georgios Yiannikakis and Georgios Koulouris brewed its fourth location in late July inside Plantation’s Market on University plaza, adding to cafes in downtown Miami, Miami Shores and downtown Fort Lauderdale. Borsalino offers iced and hot coffees, with flavors ranging from lavender to chai spice lattes, as well as juices and smoothies. Its comfort-food menu features items such as Nutella hotcakes, overnight oats, burrata omelets, smoked salmon croissants and short-rib tartine, along with chicken pesto BLTs and chicken-thigh bao buns for lunch. 1041 S. University Drive, Plantation; 954-616-8841, BorsalinoCafe.com
Taco Real, Coral Springs
Taquerias are ubiquitous in Broward County, but owner Luz Alatorre’s small Sample Road storefront, which quietly debuted in early August, unwaveringly sticks to traditional Mexican — and even pre-Hispanic — cuisine. There’s Jalisco-style pozole (a pork-and-hominy stew), Yucatan-style cochinita (slow-cooked pork in plantain leaves, spices and achiote), and pre-Columbian tlacoyos (oval-shaped cakes of blue-corn masa stuffed with white cheese and protein). That’s in addition to 10 palm-sized tacos, including Al Pastor and Tinga de Pollo (chicken breast in homemade tomato sauce). 10315 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs; 954-906-7777
FK Your Diet, Sunrise
No, they’re not FK kidding: This new breakfast-lunch chain pairs heartwarming good deeds with ridiculously over-the-top food. Picture hamburgers sandwiched between deep-fried buns. A 1-pound breakfast burrito as big as a rolled-up gym towel. Maple bacon-flavored milkshakes and Southern-fried chicken eggs benedict. Slow-roasted pulled pork, meatloaf and fried fish sandwiches. This Fort Myers-born restaurant from cofounders Doug Miller and Amy Eldridge opened this latest location, its fifth, in August. The “FK” refers to foster kids, with a portion of restaurant proceeds benefiting several Florida charity programs. 9210 W. Commercial Blvd., Sunrise; 954-832-7102; FKYourDiet.com
Vicky Bakery, Fort Lauderdale
This Miami-based brand now has a bakery in downtown Fort Lauderdale, on Las Olas Boulevard at the base of the Andrews Avenue drawbridge and across from Huizenga Plaza. The new location is one of six Vicky Bakery franchises owned by SoFlo entrepreneurs Alicio Piña, Nosbely Toledo and Nosdiel Silva. The hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays at 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. The trio have plans for a seventh Vicky Bakery to open in Coral Springs in a few months. According to Alejandro “Alex” Santiago, the CEO of the brand, Vicky Bakery is marking its 50th anniversary with ambitious expansion plans northward that include additional franchises in Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach by January and February 2023. 4 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-314-7727; VickyBakery.com
Foxtail Coffee Co., Boca Raton
This coffeehouse founded by two South Florida caffeine hounds, Alex Tchekmeian and Iain Yeakle, opened its latest location in late July in the Lakeside Centre plaza west of Florida’s Turnpike. The Winter Park-born chain has more than 30 locations in Central Florida — and this is its first in South Florida. Expect espressos, cold brews and different tea varieties, along with breakfast sandwiches and Swiss cheese-and-onion quiches. 8170 Glades Road, Boca Raton; 561-757-3931; FoxtailCoffee.com
Flaming Grill & Modern Buffet, Pompano Beach
This all-you-can-eat buffet had a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 27 and promises 250 prepared items at stations that include seafood, meat, vegetables, hibachi, sushi, soup and desserts. The family restaurant serves up “different authentic Japanese dishes,” with friendly service and a lively environment, according to the website. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 2100 W. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach. 754-205-0733 or 754-205-0736; FlamingGrillFL.com
Closed
Rene’s Schnitzelhaus, Sunrise
In a blow to local German and eastern European cuisine, chef-owner Rene Kostoy’s restaurant shuttered in August after 3 1/2 years inside Sunrise Oakland Village Square. Kostoy’s 50-seater featured dishes such as chicken schnitzel, 24-hour roasted pork shank plated with sauerkraut and pretzel dumplings, and an impressive beer lineup for Oktoberfest. The restaurant’s website and phone line have been disconnected. 8318 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise
Thai Bayshore, Fort Lauderdale
After 30 years of serving Thai staples out of their storefront a block south of Commercial Boulevard, this elegant restaurant closed for good on July 31. “Our time has come to move on to new opportunities. We really enjoyed serving our many customers over the years,” the restaurant posted on social media. Thai Bayshore, whose elegant dining room was adorned with maps and Asian tapestries, served volcano shrimp and crab fried rice, boneless roasted duck and whole snapper along with classics such as masaman curry and pad thai. Records show that another Thai restaurant, Ma Prao Thai Cuisine, plans to take its place under new owner Kamolwan Kawpunna. 4838 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 954-772-8990; ThaiBayshoreRestaurant.com
Royal 350 Tap and Kitchen, Fort Lauderdale
This slick rebranding of the former Royal Pig Pub gastropub quietly shuttered without fanfare after its final dinner service on Aug. 19. A statement taped to the entrance confirms the closing, as does a statement emailed to the Sun Sentinel: “We have made the difficult decision to close for now and re-brand with another exciting concept. Thanks for all your support!” Royal opened and closed multiple times during the pandemic, finally reopening last summer under a refreshed name and menu with an emphasis on burgers, salads, bowls and entrees like sizzling fajitas and baby back ribs. 350 E. Las Olas Blvd.; 954-617-7447, Royal350.com
Moréa, Fort Lauderdale beach
This oceanside fine-dining restaurant served its last plate of Mediterranean cuisine and shuttered on Aug. 3, about seven months after opening at the Paramount Condominium on Fort Lauderdale beach. The food and beverage company that owned the eatery — North Carolina-based LM Restaurants — said in a statement sent to the South Florida Sun Sentinel (similar to one posted on their website): “Morea gives thanks for our friends and neighbors of Fort Lauderdale for your support. We have loved being a part of this amazing community.” LM Restaurants, which also owns Oceanic in Pompano Beach, went on to say that Moréa was sold but declined to divulge the name of the new owner or possible plans for the venue. 701 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; MoreaDining.com
Duke’s Lazy Loggerhead Cafe, Jupiter
More than two decades after opening on the beachside Carlin Park in Jupiter, this locals’-favorite grill served its final meals on Aug. 12. Owners Brian and Jennifer Wilson decided to close the restaurant due to high rents. The menu featured omelets and pancakes for breakfast, along with marinated chicken breast platters, dolphin and Reuben sandwiches for lunch. 6 Van Kessel Parkway, Jupiter; 561-747-1134; LazyLoggerheadCafe.com
Hardy Park Bistro, Fort Lauderdale
After debuting in 2013 under the helm of Aussie chef Philip Darmon, who co-owned the eatery with wife Jessica Rossitto, the Hardy Park Bistro was sold to chef Aaron Mohan in 2020. Now comes a pithy update on the restaurant’s website that reads “Business Closed! We regret to inform you that as of Tuesday, July 26, 2022, we will no longer be open for business.” Mohan — a graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland as well as Le Cordon Bleu culinary academy in Miami — co-owned Hardy Park with his mother, Susan Moonsie-Mohan. Fans of the late-great music superstar Prince may recall her as a member of girl groups Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6. She also appeared in the movie “Purple Rain.” 21 SW Seventh St., Fort Lauderdale; HardyParkBistro.com
Eats 876 Modern Caribbean Grill, Fort Lauderdale
Seemingly out of nowhere, this Caribbean/American fusion restaurant suddenly closed this summer. When it opened about a year ago — just south of the New River, near the Broward County Judicial Complex and next to Publix — Eats 876 was the realization of a long-held dream for Marlon Robinson, who started with a in-high-demand food truck of the same name in 2019. When the Jamaican-born, former food and beverage executive opened the brick-and-mortar diner, he used the food truck as the main kitchen. 627 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; Instagram.com/eats.876
Flossie’s Bar, Fort Lauderdale
An unassuming hangout tucked away on a service road next to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, this family bar has been a biker staple since 1975 — its parking lot bathed in a sea of Harleys on live-music nights. Never mind the worn bar stools and rescued kitchen furniture; it was, for locals, a port in a storm, a reliable pit-stop for hamburgers, wings, stiff tiki drinks and conviviality under Pam Gaytan, who has operated the bar since 2005. Flossie’s closed July 24 after Gaytan sold the bar to new owners. “It’s not our intention to let anyone down or leave you feeling unappreciated,” Gaytan wrote to customers in a July 7 Facebook post. “But it’s been a long run and it’s time to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. So it’s not over, it’s see you soon at a different venue!” 3985 Ravenswood Road, Fort Lauderdale; 954-583-9656; Facebook.com/flossies.bar
Jade Garden, Plantation
This Cantonese restaurant closed on July 30 after 42 years in Plantation, according to a “closing announcement” posted on the front door this week: “We have been part of the Plantation community since 1980 and have had the pleasure to serve countless guests and get to know so many regular customers.” 244 S. University Drive, Plantation; 954-475-2788; JadeGardenPlantation.com
