It's difficult to look into a crystal ball and come up with what restaurants will connect with the hearts and palates of our counties' denizens; these days, it takes a lot more than a famous chef, good cocktail, or over-built burger to appease our populace. Luckily, gastronomes and
In the coming months, a number of local celebrity chefs, established restaurateurs, and even a few Miami imports are getting ready to unleash their creative genius on us in the form of food and drink. Yes, South Florida, 2016 is going to be quite delicious.
With that in mind, here are the top 12 South Florida dining concepts to look forward to in 2016:
12.
1025 S. University Drive, Plantation. Visit sliderz.com.
They say size doesn't matter — and that's certainly the case for the Miami-based restaurant group known as
11. Tucker Duke's Lunchbox
1658 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton.
We could all use a little more burger and beer in our lives, especially up in Palm Beach County. Luckily, Tucker Duke's Lunchbox is coming to the rescue: South Florida restaurant partners Jay Oakes and John Cortes recently announced plans to bring chef-founder Brian Cartenuto's craft-burger eatery to Palm Beach County with a new location set to open later this year at 1658 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton. The 3,200-square-foot space — formerly
10. Bolay
250 State Road 7, Suite 100, Royal Palm Beach. Call 561-899-0111, or visit eatbolay.com.
Outback Steakhouse
9. Lost Weekend
526 Clematis St., West Palm Beach.
The first Lost Weekend opened in 1993 off Olive Road in downtown West Palm Beach. A divey sports bar with nothing but some pool tables, old school video games, and an awesome jukebox, Lost Weekend was the original hipster cool spot to be at the time. So cool, in fact, the place had a successful decade-long run before the concept was forced to close and change locations. The second Lost Weekend reopened in 2008, a smaller version located above Dr. Feelgoods (now the Pawn Shop), where it remained for another five years. Now, restaurateurs and founders Rodney Mayo and Scott Frielich are bringing Lost Weekend back for
8. Pompano Beach House
300 N. Ocean Blvd., Pompano Beach.
Pompano Beach is quietly becoming one of South Florida's new seaside vacation destinations thanks to a recent rash of new restaurant and brewery openings including the Foundry, 26 Degree Brewing, and Bangin' Banjo Brewing in the past several months. But the dining destination locations don't stop there: This year, expect the addition of two new custom-built oceanfront restaurants. Since 2009, more than $10 million has been invested
7. Regional Kitchen & Public House
651 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Call 561-366-1000, or visit EatRegional.com.
South Florida chef — and Top Chef
6. Shaker & Pie
305 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. Call 561-939-2520, or visit ShakerAndPie.com.
Later this year, Subculture Group — owners of Kapow! Noodle Bar, the Dubliner, and Tryst, among others — will open the doors to its new high-end pizza joint in Boca Raton's Mizner Park. The new concept will take over the former Cheese Course space next door to Tanzy iPic, and will combine the vibrant Subculture bar scene with high-end pies and classic craft cocktails, says Subculture partner Scott Frielich. The concept has its roots in
5. One Door East
620 S. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-523-5767.
We've been waiting — and waiting — for the opening of a new restaurant concept coming to Fort Lauderdale from Valentino chef-owner Giovanni Rocchio, named New Times Broward-Palm Beach 2015 best chef. Rocchio and partner Elke Quintana announced the groundbreaking of their latest concept six months ago, which means we are most certainly ready for a 2016 grand opening of One Door East, located next door to the chef's longtime Fort Lauderdale establishment, located at 620 S. Federal Highway. Rocchio and Quintana describe the concept as a globally inspired tapas restaurant. The concept will focus on sharing-sized plates, with some larger dishes with influences from across the globe: Spain, Asia, Africa, and the United States. The goal for Rocchio is to explore different flavors and style of cooking. Expect to see a few signature dishes, however: paella, house-made charcuterie, and artisan cheese platters; wood-fired meats and fish; and a unique spin on a burger. Although the focus will be on the food, Rocchio says One Door East will boast a bar and late-night scene. With an
4. Lemongrass Hot Pot
Hollywood. No address yet.
Taiwanese import Lemongrass Hot Pot has found a lot of success with its first stateside restaurant in Boca Raton. The
3. Spring Chicken
2400 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale.
Broward County is about to get to jump on the nationwide fancy fried chicken train. Spring Chicken, a concept by Miami-based 50 Eggs Hospitality, is about to bring Yardbird Southern Table & Bar's award-winning chicken to Broward — but in a fast-casual format. Slated to open sometime in March, the eatery will feature a selection of fried and grilled poultry, salads, biscuits, and other baked goods, including what CEO John Kunkel says is an impressive
2. Bar Rita
1401 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-463-4900.
Just when you thought you'd heard all the news there is to hear about Tap 42 founders Sean and Blaise McMackin doing big things in South Florida — from Blaise's new coffee shop, Warsaw, to the new Tap 42 locations in Boca Raton and Coral Gables — the members of the restaurant team are most looking forward to their latest concept: Bar Rita. Rather than beer and coffee, however, Bar Rita will be all about modern Mexican cuisine and handcrafted margaritas. The restaurant is slated to debut later this spring, opening in the two-story custom designed building located on the Tap 42 property located off South Andrews Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Here, you won't find the usual Tex-Mex suspects like nachos, enchiladas, or burritos, but rather a unique interpretation of the what its creators are calling "modern Mexican bar food." The best part: The 5,500-square-foot, two-story establishment will have a rooftop margarita bar.
1. TRP Taste
1 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
We couldn't be more excited to hear about plans for Tim Petrillo and the Restaurant People's (TRP) upcoming — and possibly first — rooftop lounge, slated to open in downtown Fort Lauderdale later this year at the corner of Andrews and West Las Olas Boulevard. Guests will have breathtaking views of both the city's downtown skyline and the New River, says Petrillo, who hopes to open by the end of summer. But wait, there's more. The group has also taken the ground-floor retail space in the same building for a new restaurant concept it's dubbed TRP Taste. Petrillo isn't giving us too many details, but he's calling it a "show kitchen" that will highlight a number of ideas the South Florida market hasn't seen yet aimed at creating a new trend in dining out. "Our goal is to invite our loyal guests in to taste some new menu items that we are dreaming up for one of our restaurants, invite other chefs in from around the area and nation to collaborate with TRP to create an incredible, one-of-a-kind dining experience available regularly throughout the year. We may even host some cooking exhibitions and classes in this space. The idea is to have a restaurant that will help cultivate the culinary community."
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.