Lifestyle Change: Michael Hopkins regularly had stomach issues as a child, but it wasn’t until 2010, when he was 50, that he was diagnosed with celiac disease—an adverse reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. A car and Harley Davidson dealer for 25 years, he called on his childhood love
Read More1. In the Beginning: The concept began to take shape during a Fourth of July family barbecue in 2010. Cousins Otto Othman and Nedal Ahmed talked about opening a fast-casual restaurant focused on Latin street food—and starring Brazil’s popular kebabs, known there as espetinhos (in Spanish, kebab is pincho). 2. Mom Knows Best: Othman’s mom,
Read MoreLa Nouvelle Maison: Arturo Gismondi’s ode to sophisticated French fare guarantees an evening to remember. Menu highlights include twice cooked Jurgielewicz Farms duckling, Holland Dover sole, roasted rack of lamb—and artistic dessert creations (like the soufflé) that have to be seen to be believed. (455 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, 561.338.3003) Caffe Luna Rosa:
Read MoreIn Brickell, nightlife impresario David Grutman is the brains behind Komodo, a three-story Pan-Asian restaurant and lounge. On the menu, patrons find rolls of truffle honey salmon, tuna tataki and tempura shrimp, paired with Peking duck, crab lo mein and miso lobster. But beyond the food, the restaurant is best known for its robust bar
Read MoreThe Hideaway stands out amid the changing winds of downtown Fort Lauderdale. The speakeasy-style bar, juxtaposed with the construction of modern high-rise apartment complexes nearby, makes its home in the Bryan Building, a sturdy brick structure named for Thomas Bryan, one of Fort Lauderdale’s pioneers. The building, protected by its inclusion in the National Register
Read MoreThe Hideaway stands out amid the changing winds of downtown Fort Lauderdale. The speakeasy-style bar, juxtaposed with the construction of modern high-rise apartment complexes nearby, makes its home in the Bryan Building, a sturdy brick structure named for Thomas Bryan, one of Fort Lauderdale’s pioneers. The building, protected by its inclusion in the National Register
Read MoreThe 17th annual premier event for culinary fans— the Food Network and Cooking Channel South Beach Wine and Food Festival—has more than 90 events over five days, Feb. 21-25. With so much to pick from, what’s a fan to do? Here are some highlights in the new and noteworthy category. Oh, and Broward County foodies
Read More1. Taste of Athens: Authentic Greek cuisine finds a modern translation at the recently opened Oliv Pit Athenian Grille. The casual restaurant inside the Shoppes at Village Pointe is the brainchild of Emmanuel Vlahos, the son of Greek immigrants, and Marcos Alexandridis, a Greek native who played soccer for the Costa Rican team Saprissa. 2.
Read MoreChef-owner Giovanni Rocchio and his team are bringing a little creative flair to Fort Lauderdale. Now in its second year, One Door East (620 S. Federal Highway) blends worldly flavors with an undeniably hip community vibe. “There really isn’t anything like it in Fort Lauderdale,” Rocchio says. Being well-versed in the culinary scene through his
Read MoreCoconut Creek with a Western twang. That’s the best way to describe the new Texas Roadhouse that opened in November on Lyons Road. But before you say, “Oh, just another steak house,” think again. You might be pleasantly surprised to know that starting early in the morning, well before Roadhouse opens its doors at 3
Read MoreAfter four years of working in partnership with Perez Art Museum Miami, Starr Catering Group was ready to change things up at Verde, the restaurant it manages at the museum. “If you’re going to advertise yourself as [having] beautiful, sweeping views of the Biscayne Bay, you want the entire package,” says Emily Burster, general manager
Read MoreAt Stubborn Seed, the new Miami Beach restaurant from “Top Chef” winner Jeremy Ford, edible flowers, whimsical dishware and billows of white smoke make for a theatrical dining experience. “There are so many different themes, textures, flavors and visually stunning foods that we offer,” Ford says. “So far, we’ve received a great response from the
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