Tricia Woolfenden

Mother's Day Local Brewery Ideas: Some Afternoon Brews, A Little Dinner, and Beer Truffles

Mother's Day is an annual event dedicated to your first love--mom. If you're racking your brain trying to come up with something different to do this year, try thinking outside the box. Perhaps mom would enjoy kicking back with brewski? After all, she might just be as tired of burned homemade brunc ... More >>

Woolfenden Family Statement: Three-Year-Old Marathon Victim Out of Hospital

As events regarding the Boston Marathon bombing suspects continue to unfold, there is some positive news in one case close to our hearts here at Clean Plate Charlie and New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Long-time freelance writer and food blogger, Tricia Woolfenden, was personally affected by the trage ... More >>

Because Disney World is Pretty Friggin' Expensive

Ninja Spinning Sushi Bar in Boca Raton: a Revolving Sushi Bar, Tatami Room, and More

Sushi joints are a dime a dozen in South Florida, even in Boca Raton, where kosher delis and Italian restaurants seem to hold sway. It takes a bit of creative leverage to stand apart from the sea of places following the standard sushi-Thai model. "Everything's so Americanized (in South Florida). W ... More >>

End of The World: Last Meal Suggestions From Clean Plate Charlie

It's still December 21, 2012, so the world might yet end today. You've only (possibly) got a few hours left. How would you like to spend them? Sure some people might give lame answers like spending time with their loved ones. Whatever. Everyone knows the only real pleasure in life is food. Even you ... More >>

First Look: The Mexican in Boca Raton (Cali-Inspired Food and a Mural by Wynwood Artist Ruben Ubiera)

Dennis Max was working the room Monday night at his just-opened restaurant, The Mexican. The dining room and bar were packed, with few open seats in the house, but the restaurateur managed to find an empty stool to pull up to the four-top where I was seated during a free dinner for local media. Max ... More >>

Recap of Sixth Annual Sweet Dreams at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Photos)

Even the most sugar-crazed sweets addict probably had to take a knee at some point during the sixth annual Sweet Dreams, which went down this past weekend at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. To call the dessert-focused special event decadent would be a gross understatement. I'll be eating nothing but ... More >>

South Florida's Best Hotel Restaurants

Want access to our Best Of picks from your smartphone? Download our free Best Of app for the iPhone or Android phone from the App Store or Google Play. Don't forget to check out the full Best of Broward-Palm Beach® 2012 online. Hotel restaurants; they're the bane of any food lover's existence, no? ... More >>

Friar Tuck's Food Truck: Rebuilt Truck Debuts Today

You've been glued to the Olympics coverage for weeks, watching stories unfold of strangers on the other side of the world triumphing in the face of adversity. Well, here's a local story that you can literally sink your teeth into. For months, Clean Plate Charlie has been tracking the progress o ... More >>

Max's Harvest: Why It's The Best Palm Beach County Restaurant

While some in foodie circles have alluded to a growing boredom with the whole "farm to table" thing, it's difficult to fathom how one could tire of the often-superior flavor of a product that has been locally sourced. This is particularly true when the kitchen on the receiving end of the delivery re ... More >>

Happy Hour at Fusionarie Japanese Signature: Cheap Sake Mojitos and Appetizers

The hunt for happy hour is a never-ending quest for any value-conscious booze hound. This is especially true for anyone hoping for a happy hour menu with more interesting choices than Miller Lite and onion rings. Last week's journey led my friend and me to the doors of Fusionarie Japanese Signature ... More >>

Behind the Best Of Issue: The 11th Street Annex in Fort Lauderdale

In narrowing the field for the 2012 Best Of nominees for Best Place to Eat Every Day, there were several key factors to consider. In addition to being budget-friendly, the winning candidate needed to provide enough variety to keep the palate interested and an atmosphere that lends itself to fosterin ... More >>

Sunday Gravy Dinner and More at Ernie's Italian Chophouse in Lighthouse Point

At one point in his youth, chef Gary Wood seriously considered pursuing a career as a cop or a lawyer in Long Island, New York. A move to Florida and a job at a wing joint eventually led to culinary school and a new passion: "I just fell in love (with cooking)."The chef now heads the line at Ernie's ... More >>

3800 Ocean on Singer Island Offering "Kitchen Table" Dinners for Off-Menu Dining

When chef Dean Max parted ways with 3800 Ocean -- the restaurant he helped to open last year inside the Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa -- at the end of 2011, chef Larry LaValley was given the reins (plus the role of resort assistant general manager). LaValley has been with the restaur ... More >>

Yard House Now Open in Mizner Park in Boca Raton: A First Drink

Yard House, situated at the south end of Mizner Park in Boca Raton, is a cavernous temple in which one can worship at the altar of beer -- or dozens of beers, should one be so inclined. The mammoth restaurant/bar's newest locale had its official opening on Sunday, though it celebrated a "soft" openi ... More >>

Wicked Awesome Snackbar in Boca Raton Serves Wicked Good Eats

The plaza- and stripmall-saturated landscape of South Florida means that dozens of interesting independent restaurants and bars are lost in the shuffle, visible only to those who know to seek them out. Wicked Awesome Snackbar in west Boca Raton is one of those all-too-easy-to-overlook spots. It's a ... More >>

Shamrock Shakes, Burger Bash, and Beerfest

​Happy Friday on this stunning 80 degree day. It has been a food-filled week here and around the internets. This week, Tricia Woolfenden chronicled her obsession with McDonald's shamrock shakes and informed readers of the best bars for out-of-towners and the best vegetarian restaurants for Meatles ... More >>

Meet the Judges and Buy Tickets to JA World's Uncorked!

​We have a winner! Congrats to Castor Morales on being chosen to judge the second annual Junior Achievement World Uncorked! on January 21 at Broward College from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Morales' love for a variety of bread puddings made us hungry and secured his win. I'll be sure to order the one ... More >>

Bravo Ristorante in Fort Lauderdale: Impressively Formal Yet Surprisingly Comfortable Italian Restaurant

Boca Raton GreenMarket (Hurry: It Ends May 7!)

​Just as our friends to the north bid adieu to an insanely long winter and celebrate the start of Farmer's Market Season, South Florida says farewell to our beloved outdoor produce bazaars, most of which will shutter their stands until the late fall brings more tolerable temps.Example: Boca Raton ... More >>

Ten Ways to Ruin Easter Dinner

Tricia WoolfendenThis lumpen bunny cake mess is a great start to ruining Easter Dinner for everyone!​Have you been saddled with hosting Easter dinner when you'd much rather spend the day kicking back your misanthropic heels and hiding from the family? Below are ten ways that can all but guarantee ... More >>

100 Favorite Dishes: No. 67 -- Fresh Tomato Pizza from Pizza Time of Boca Raton

As a countdown to the Best of Broward Palm Beach 2011, coming in June, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up a hundred of our favorite dishes in South Florida. Send your own nominations to Deirdra.Funcheon@BrowardPalmBeach.com.No. 67: Fresh Tomato Pizza from Pizza Time of Boca RatonTricia Woolfenden​

For Vegetarians -- Four Awesome Meat-Free Sandwiches

Tricia WoolfendenDelicious vegan club -- tastes nothing like chicken.​Meat eaters have the advantage over vegetarians in many dining situations, not the least of which is at the deli counter or sandwich joint. Palm Beach County in particular is flush with authentic New York-style delis where the m ... More >>