Today is the first official day of summer. Never mind the fact it's felt that way for a few months: With the summer solstice upon us, things just got real. With the changing of the seasons -- and a pretty strong need to put warm bodies in the seats -- many restaurants will offer up season-appropriate menus and dining specials. After the jump, find a few restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach counties that have debuted new menus -- or at least, summer pairings -- this month.
-- RA Sushi Bar
Both South Florida locations (Palm Beach Gardens and Pembroke Pines) are offering a special $18 cocktail/entree pairing for the month of June. For the fruity special, a watermelon kiwi shrimp is matched with a "melon-kiwi-tini" (made with watermelon, kiwi, Shochu, Svedka Citron vodka, Monin watermelon syrup, lime wedges, and a splash of lemon-lime soda). The pairing is available until June 30.
-- North Ocean Grille at Pelican Grand Beach Resort
The Pelican Grand Beach Resort resort recently welcomed a new chef (Todd Lough; read more about him here) to its ranks and has announced a new menu, which debuted this month. It's not strictly a summer menu, but does include lighter, season-appropriate options like a cucumber and avocado gazpacho, pan-seared Pompano, eggplant Napoleon, and shrimp and jumbo scallop pappardelle.
-- Seasons 52
This restaurant chain debuted a new summer menu on Tuesday, with dishes like an 11-ounce Piedmontese bone-in strip steak, organic tomatoes with warm-crusted mozzarella, chilled lobster and shrimp spring rolls, grilled jumbo shrimp cavatappi pasta, a summer vegetarian tasting platter (including bites like cedar-roasted tofu, chili relleno, and a soft taco), and a mini berry cheesecake. The menu will be available at the restaurant's three South Florida locations; Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach Gardens.
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