South Florida’s Best Margaritas

Margaritas and palm trees belong together, so it’s no wonder South Florida is awash in tequila goodness. Clean Plate Charlie takes a look at some of the best margaritas in Broward and Palm Beach. These are finalists in the Best Of issue that will hit the stands in June –…

Where Are the Women in the Kitchen?

Back in 2008, I started spending almost as much time in restaurant kitchens as in restaurant dining rooms. What struck me was how few women work the hot line. The reasons are apparent: The hours are insane. The pay is middling. The work is grueling. Cooking in a competitive, cutthroat…

Landry’s to Buy Morton’s: Here’s Our Wish List for Its Rebirth

Houston-based restaurateur Tilman Fertitta of Landry’s Inc. has acquired 90 percent of Morton’s shares, he announced Wednesday, reports Chicago Business. The purchase means he’ll own Morton’s without shareholders’ approval. Shareholders had been trying to block the purchase because they believed the stocks were undervalued.In Florida, Morton’s resides in Boca Raton,…

Rocco’s Tacos in Palm Beach Gardens Opens Tonight

Rocco’s Tacos is opening their fourth location in Palm Beach Gardens tonight after much planning and speculation.Clean Plate Charlie announced the planned northernmost location of this taco mini-chain back in March, 2011.  The restaurant, located on PGA Boulevard in the former Ouzo Blue spot, was slated for a summer opening. …

South Florida’s Best Martinis

​Shaken, stirred, dirty, doused in fruit juices, and outfitted with spiffy window dressing, there are endless ways to get a martini — or at least a cocktail going by the name — in South Florida. Clean Plate Charlie takes a look at some of the best in Broward and Palm…

Broward Chefs at South Beach Wine and Food Festival 2012

South Beach Wine and Food Festival 2012 is a few weeks away: the Nascar of foodie weekends. Though hot tickets are sold out, there’s a slew of events with tickets available. Perhaps a local chef’s attendance might convince you to splurge. Have a weigh-in on South Beach Wine and Food…

Price Check: Publix v. Fresh Market v. Whole Foods

I walked past a coworker eating a beautiful spinach salad and asked her where she got it. I should have known:Fresh Market. Today, of course, was opening day.She thought it was pricey, as do many who have never been to a Fresh Market. But more than the all-organic stuff at…

The Food List Challenge, Round Two

Last week, we told you about the Food List Challenge, the Facebook app of 100 dishes and drinks to prove you’re a foodnik. So far, 335,345 people have tried it, including former food critic for the Washington Post Phyllis Richman (97) and former New Times critic Gail Shepherd (85). Some…

Ten Reasons to Check Out the Fresh Market Opening on February 1

Tomorrow at 9 a.m. is the opening of the Fort Lauderdale Fresh Market, an occasion marked by the breaking of a wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano. From the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, this cow’s-milk cheese goes through a number of processes as it’s shaped, branded, brined, and aged for a year before…

Energy Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale Opens Friday

Attention, health fiends and Meatless Mondayites: Energy Kitchen, a health-conscious concept in which no menu item is more than 500 calories, opens Friday. Does under 500 calories mean healthy? Peruse a McDonald’s menu and a slew of items fits that bill: a hamburger (250), cheeseburger (300), double cheeseburger (440), McDouble…

West Palm Beach to Be Renamed Trader Joe’s?

Trader Joe’s, the quirky grocery chain that people love more than their pets and children, is expanding to the Sunshine State. The Trader Joe’s website lists Naples as the first Florida location for the chain that features Three Buck Chuck wine (yes, it sells for $3 a bottle, and no,…

Restaurant Roll Call for January

Unlike Miami — which saw a record number of big-name restaurant openings, like Jean Georges Vongerichten’s J & G Grill; Bar Tanaka, Blue Collar, and the Federal — around here postholiday has been relatively quiet. Michelle Bernstein’s departure from the Omphoy is the biggest news, followed by the new digs…