One year after opening its doors at the Sands Harbor Resort last October, the New American eatery has given its menu a new focus.
With the return of
According to Rusty Hook Tavern proprietor Ned Jaouhar, the new direction was part of his original vision for Rusty Hook Tavern — a seafood-centric establishment — but it took almost a year to carry out.
"Now we're working with fresh, locally-caught fish each day with fishermen that work right out of our marina," says
The new "Florida’s Daily Catch" section features up to a dozen local fish — everything from yellowtail snapper, black grouper, wahoo, and mahi, to Florida lobster, pompano, and swordfish. Each day, three of these locally-caught fish are selected and prepared seared or broiled with a choice of lemon caper sauce or a more exotic Moroccan saffron and tomato-based chermoula.
The revised menu also features a few new dishes, a few "Tavern Bites" or appetizers that include a graham cracker-crusted calamari and — pictured above — the Wicked Tuna Nachos.
Jaouhar gives the dish his own signature twist, layering tricolor chips not with meat, cheese, and beans but instead with fresh-caught tuna, pureed avocado, and a zippy cabbage slaw. The resulting dish is enough for three people to share, and a colorful fusion of Asian flavors thanks to ruby red cubes of poke-style tuna piled high and smothered in a spicy chipotle
The Rusty Hook Tavern is located at 125 N. Riverside Drive, Pompano Beach. Call 954-941-2499, or visit the TheRustyHookTavern.com.
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.