There’s been a recent surge in interest in restaurants on Fort Lauderdale Beach. Whether it’s lack of space elsewhere, a recovering economy, or restaurateurs realizing that the area could use more options, something is happening. If you’re looking to get away from the average takeout theme, the Westin Beach Resort’s…
Fort Lauderdale doesn’t have the long history of cities like New York or Boston. With just over 100 years under the city’s belt, you’re not going to find landmarks like the Plaza Hotel. However, you will find mid-century gems like the Mai Kai. To many residents, the spot may be…
Fort Lauderdale draws visitors from across the world for any number of reasons. Throughout the winter, tourists come in droves to enjoy to mild weather, sunshine, and great beaches. Unfortunately, the nice weather and large supply of tourists dried up a few weeks back. Luckily, this weekend the annual Hukilau,…
In a serious case of if-you-build-it-they-will-come, more than 4,000 people turned out Saturday for the grand opening of the Funky Buddha Brewery — the first commercial craft brewery in Broward County. Not only did they come; they drank almost all the beer. As 6 p.m. neared, hundreds inched closer to…
It’s pretty much agreed that when you drive your car to the Taco Bell order window, you’re not there for your health. But, then again, you might be justified in assuming you’re getting a “safe” taco. As in, one that’s never been licked by a human tongue…
As Huizenga plaza emptied after a long, meaty and sometimes rainy Burger Battle some people seemed shocked that Wilton Manors’ Rosies’ Bar and Grill won both best overall burger and best burger in the bar and grill category. They must not have stopped by Rosie’s tent. It was a unicorn…
After a month of celebrating burgers, there’s a good chance you are totally burgered out. While it would totally make sense, we hope that’s not the case. To close out National Burger Month, we decided to chat with someone who knows a thing or two about burgers, Miami-based blogger Burger…
If you don’t know who Clay Conley is, you’re obviously not that into food. For the past two years, Conley has been nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef in the South — this year he was the only nominee in all of Broward and Palm Beach counties. The…
There are two important things to know about today’s Riverwalk Burger Battle. First, is that this year’s winner will be whichever burger induces what Renee Quinn, a consultant for battle organizer Riverwalk Trust, called “Burger Nirvana.” Second, hopefully you already purchased your tickets, because they are now sold out. $40…
If you’ve spent more than five minutes in South Florida, you know who Paul Castronovo is. As part of the Paul and Young Ron Show, Castronovo has woken up more South Floridians than a strong cup of Cuban coffee. The Paul and Young Ron morning radio show is much more…
It’s not exactly a secret that the newest trend in restaurants is casual. Many people are just over the pretense of white tablecloths and haute cuisine: they just want honest food, in a laid-back setting. Yet, while many existing restaurants are working to tone things down, Fort Lauderdale’s New River…
Fabio Cracco describes his specials the way a swooning grandmother gushes over a new grandchild. His hands make sweeping circular motions as he explains how meaty, salty cubes of speck — an Italian ham made with pork shoulder — and pungent Gorgonzola cheese together create a simple yet rich sauce…
We know that after a day commuting to the office or (gasp) driving around town for work, the last thing you want to do is hop in the car to party down in Miami. But, sometimes, there’s an event so awesome, you just have to go. Like Miami Spice, the…
During a weekday lunch the perpetual click-click-click of Fabio Cracco beating eggs to sauce pasta carbonara doubles as background music at La Cucina Veneziana. On a Friday night he holds the door for little grey-haired ladies as the restaurant empties. Each one receives a kiss on the cheek followed by…
To say the South Florida nightclub and restaurant scene would be a much more bland and boring place without Rodney Mayo and Scott Frielich would be a huge understatement. While Mayo was opening his long-established West Palm Beach nightclub and live music venue, Respectable Street, in the mid-80s, future business…
If your name has something to do with everyone’s favorite meat sandwich stop by any Smashburger today and get a free burger! So, if your name is Burger, Berger, Weisberger, Hamburgler, or Burger Beast (we’re sure our blogger friend would be able to score a free meal), bring photo ID…
Everyone knows how to scramble an egg, in theory. After all, scrambled is probably the easiest egg cooking method there is, even easier than boiling. Scrambled is what you do if you’re aiming to make some other kind — sunny side up, over easy — and you screw it up…
We’re moving to a newer, larger townhouse. Of course, lots of space means the need for more furniture. And that means spending Memorial Day at Ikea instead of the beach. As you might imagine, the mega-store filled with Lacks and Malms and Vanligs was bustling with slightly confused families trying…
It’s pretty much common knowledge that Fort Lauderdale — Wilton Manors, in particular — is home to one of the largest per capita gay populations in the country. Unfortunately, in terms of gay rights, Florida has a long way to go. One Fort Lauderdale resident wants to see that change…
As craft beer bubbles into South Florida’s mainstream Ryan Sentz and the Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery in only two short years have risen to the head of the pack. Maybe it’s the Maple Bacon Porter that has craft beer enthusiasts packing their bar three deep. Maybe it’s the speakeasy…
Individuals are starting to take greater concern with issues of health–kind of a necessity given our obesity and diabetes epidemics. In response to customer demands and new laws forcing them to publish calorie contents, many restaurants and chains are beginning to offer healthier eating options. Duffy’s Sports Grill just jumped…
Quick! Name all the restaurants you can that donate all their profits to non-profit organizations? Sublime does just that. Sublime’s owner, Nanci Alexander, is number five on our Tastemaker countdown. She founded the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF). The creation of Sublime is an extension of her efforts to…
