It may be hot outside, but things are chilling out at Tundra, the ice-themed restaurant conceived by David Berman and Alex Podolny. Scheduled to open in the former Mancini's space at 1017 East Las Olas Blvd., the restaurant is the first of three concepts by the pair, which will include
the high-end restaurant Chill- slated for Miami in January- and Alaska Ice Lodge- a family-friendly concept they're shopping around.
Tundra's focus is the 15-course tasting menu, a $59 concept that includes kobe beef meatballs, ceviche, potato crusted black grouper, and butter poached lobster. Items are available a la carte, from $5 to $40.
Berman says 3 inch ice spheres shape the cocktail menu. "Their size and density means a colder drink that isn't diluted," he said.
Though Berman emphasizes guests' comfort inside-no parkas necessary- it's cold enough to house ice as sculptures and design elements inside and out.
Berman learned ice sculpture at hotels, says the former executive chef at Broward County Convention Center- with twenty plus years experience at The Westin Copley Place in Boston and The Mayflower in Washington, DC, among others.
Berman's hobby became a passion, which led to his opening Sculptured Ice Creations, the Deerfield Beach-based ice-design company. Eventually, "I couldn't do both: ice design and cooking elsewhere," said Berman, "so I've combined interests with Tundra." Sculptured Ice Creations will supply the restaurant with its ice and sculptures.
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