Hot & Soul: Third-Anniversary Party With Crawfish Boil, Caribbean Soul Food, and "the Best Catfish I've Ever Had"

"We want people to feel like they're coming to a party," says Hot & Soul executive chef and co-owner Mike Hampton, who first opened the restaurant specializing in international soul food with his wife, Christy Samoy, in 2013. "It will definitely be a real celebration."

To celebrate the milestone, the restaurant will open its doors early this Sunday, offering guests a special menu for a brunch-lunch-dinner party that only an establishment like Hot & Soul can provide. 

To ensure things run smoothly — and make sure everyone can party along with the couple — the kitchen will offer a more informal counter service to serve their à la carte menu on Sunday.

That includes a massive crawfish boil with seafood flown fresh from Louisiana, as well as a Caribbean-styled grill featuring everything from jerk chicken with pigeon peas and rice to what Hampton says is "some of the best catfish" he's ever tasted, sourced directly from Okeechobee.

As for drinks: Keep an eye out for guest bartender Dan Naumko, owner of the Sybarite Pig in Boca Raton. He'll be onsite all day helping to sling a number of specialty craft beers, wine, and soju cocktails. As always, Samoy says she also plans on making her famous sake Jell-O shots as a way to get the good times going.

"This is a way to thank the most important people — our longtime staff members who have been with us since day one and our most loyal customers," adds Hampton. "Especially those who believed in us. We couldn't have made it this far without them."

Hot & Soul will celebrate its three-year anniversary from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 10. The restaurant is located at 3045 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. Call 754-206-2155, or visit hotandsoul.com.

Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.