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Now open
Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill, Pembroke Pines
This Chicago-headquartered, fast-casual Middle Eastern chain from franchisees Bassam Fares and Mohamd Zayid opened its latest location in early May in Pembroke Pines, near the Pembroke Lakes Mall. At Naf Naf, which means “fan the flame,” customers may build their own pitas and bowls with rice, couscous or hummus, add proteins (chicken shawarma, steak, falafel), and top it off with veggies (purple cabbage, sumac onions) and sauces (harissa, s’khug, tahini). 213 N. Hiatus Road, Pembroke Pines; 954-399-8235; NafNafGrill.com
Ah-Beetz New Haven Pizza, Delray Beach
Ah-beetz, for the uninformed, is the only proper way to pronounce “apizza” in New Haven, Conn. — locals there say it loudly and emphatically, like “achoo!” — which should tell you something about the authenticity of the pies served here. The pizzeria, which opened May 3, is co-owned by Kassondra Frantz and Nick Laudano Jr. The restaurant touts Connecticut favorites such as white clam ah-beetz, “mootz” (or mozzarella) pies with toppings, plus calzones, wings, salads and grinders. Ah-Beetz is still in soft-opening mode but plans to host a grand-opening event later this summer. 15200 Jog Road, Unit A3; 561-908-2466; Ah-Beetznhp.com
Santiago’s Bodega, Fort Lauderdale
The Key West stalwart for the past 17 years quietly opened a fourth location in downtown Fort Lauderdale’s booming Flagler Village. Founder and operator Jason Dugan says, “Flagler Village is a neighborhood on the move — art, restaurants, music, great energy and walkable, everything one can ask for in a neighborhood. We are excited to be a part of the growth.” The latest Santiago’s Bodega can handle 160 people inside and, later on, will seat another 30 on the patio. There’s also a full bar, weekend brunch service and two happy hours daily. 445 NE Fourth St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-999-5488; SantiagosBodega.com
Prison Pals Brewing Co., Oakland Park
Four months after the late Fat Tap Beer Bar on Dixie Highway abruptly closed its doors, this new Argentine craftbeer taproom has shuffled in. The latest arrival in Oakland Park’s Culinary Arts District comes from owner Juan Pipkin and partners, and it’s an offshoot of the Doral-based brewery that debuted in early 2021. It officially opened on April 29 and has, among its offerings, both blonde and American Pale ales, an amber lager and D10S, a Mexican lager whose name pays homage to Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona. 3553-3555 N. Dixie Highway, Oakland Park; PrisionPals.com
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Lighthouse Point
This Orlando-spawned frozen-treat shop debuted its ninth South Florida location, inside the Venetian Isle Shopping Center, in early May. Franchisees John Kontos and Nicolas Leblanc are in charge of the sweet spot, which serves 40 flavors of Italian ice (such as mango margarita, gingerbread and blueberry limeade), soft-serve and “gelati.” The parlor, which also includes a takeout window, is part of a Jeremiah’s expansion effort, with additional shops expected later this year in North Miami, Stuart and Jupiter. 3650 N. Federal Highway; 954-532-5337; JeremiahsIce.com
Cali Coffee, Pembroke Pines and beyond
This Broward-born drive-thru coffeehouse has quickly expanded since opening its Hollywood flagship in 2018. Its latest outpost debuted in Pembroke Pines in early May, and there are plans for more, including in Miramar and Coconut Creek. Their signature coffees include “breves” (an espresso-based drink made with half-and-half milk), served hot, iced or frozen. They also offer fruit-infused drinks with Red Bull as an option. 18420 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines; calicoffee.com
Torero’s Mexican Restaurant, Coconut Creek
This Lake Worth Beach restaurant from owner Narciso Baldovinos opened its second location on the western edge of Coconut Creek in late March. Along with an enchilada bar and build-your-own bowls, the Mexican grill carries a vast menu of tried-andtrue classics such as tacos, burritos, chimichangas, molcajetes, mariscos al mojo de ajo (shrimps or scallops over rice) and even trendy tacos de birria. 6588 N. State Road 7, Coconut Creek; 954-482-0007; TorerosMexicanGrill.com
Bubbakoo’s Burritos, Deerfield Beach
Fans of this fast-casual Mexican-fusion chain will be glad to learn that a second location has opened in Deerfield Beach. Like its predecessor in Coral Springs, the new restaurant is owned by franchisees Suresh Prasel and Mital Patel. Pick and choose ingredients to create a burrito bowl, quesadilla, taco, taco salad or something called a Chiwawa (fried panko-breaded rice balls with nacho cheese and your choice of burrito toppings). There are also signature dishes, many of them with a little spicy heat. 3636 W. Hillsboro Road, Unit 7, Deerfield Beach; 754-212-2784; Bubbakoos.com/location/deerfieldfl
Planta Queen, Fort Lauderdale
This Asian-inspired offshoot of South Beach vegan hotspot Planta bloomed on Las Olas Boulevard on April 14. The upscale menu, from restaurateur Steven Salm, features spinach shiitake, potato truffle and crab Rangoon dumplings without a trace of meat or fish, along with plant-based sushi, cauliflower tots and dan dan noodles tossed with szechuan kamut, cilantro and coconut milk. 1201 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; PlantaRestaurants.com
Ocean One Bar & Grille, Davie
If this trendy sports bar is constantly teeming with crowds no matter the location, there’s a good reason why: Everything on the menu is $4.99, except for the $3 domestic and imported beers, of course. (Even the premium cocktails, at $10, are 3-for-1.) The partners behind the five-buck entrees — Ron Rowe, David Stein, and Tony and Rosita Visone — opened their latest Davie location on April 8, with future outposts expected in Coral Springs and Royal Palm Beach. Meals range from orecchiette pasta and herb-crusted chicken chop to half-pound sirloin burgers and Mediterranean wraps. 15531 Sheridan St., Davie; OceanOneFL.com
The SoSo,
West Palm Beach
At this “fast-fine” café, owners Kye Akavia, Alex DiSchino and chef Cesar Brea bring modern American dishes such as Sichuan-seared tuna salads, herb-marinated chicken sandwiches, soups and other light entrees. The restaurant, which debuted on April 12, specializes in takeaway dishes that are easy to reheat. 4802 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; TheSosoWPB.com
Blue Dog Cookhouse & Bar, Boca Raton
Billed as “New American fare with New York City roots,” this Florida offshoot of JM Spear and Morgan Nobles’ Manhattan restaurant debuted on April 7 inside Boca Town Center, next to The Container Store. The menu offers braised short rib and grilled octopus entrees, hamburgers, brunch and craft cocktails. 6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton; BlueDogBoca.com
Carousel Club at Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach
Described as an “openair gathering spot” for food, cocktails and entertainment, this dining destination had a celeb-filled sneak peek at the Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 30. But plans to open at Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino in February were delayed until April 1. So named because of the antique carousel bar at its center, the trackside venue has pop-ups by Spris Artisan Pizza, Los Altos Taqueria and Ms. Cheezious, with more to come. Carousel Club is open noon until late evening (with DJs spinning) Fridays-Sundays. 901 S. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach; 954-228-3378; CarouselClub.com
Gelato & Co., Fort Lauderdale
This high-end gelateria chain opened its 14th worldwide location on Las Olas Boulevard in March, following outposts in Portugal, Puerto Rico, Italy and the Cayman Islands. The sweet shop, registered to Luca Saponaro and Carlos Duarte, features 23 flavors including stracciatella, tiramisu, Nutella and cherry cheesecake, along with coffee cakes, pastries and lemon-spearmint vegan sorbet. 1201 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 754-701-4825; GelatoEco.com
Wow Wing House, Tamarac
This chicken shack devoted to comfort foods of the crunchy and deep-fried variety opened in March on the corner of Commercial Boulevard and 441. Wow — whose slogan is “We will WOW! you at the first bite & keep you WOW! until the last bite” — is registered to Coral Springs wingmen Dilip Jambhekar and Raveendran Sambanthan. Along with 123 flavors of wings from spicy garlic parm to “Bubba’s Butt Blaster,” there are sandwiches, wraps, quesadillas and nachos, breaded shrimp and calamari, and 25 types of french fries and poutines. 4231 W. Commercial Blvd., Tamarac; 954-900-9890, WowWingHouseTamarac.com
Coming soon Larry’s Ice Cream & Cafe, Boca Raton
The original Larry’s Ice Cream has been selling its sweet chill-ness in Coral Springs since 1986. But now, new owner Janet McGinnis is expanding Larry’s to St. Andrews Plaza, near the Town Center Mall. Known for over-the-top desserts and unique takes on comfort food, the menu in Boca Raton will remain largely New Jersey Boardwalk-inspired, but with a little more sparkle and glam. As of now, McGinnis’ team is trying to get the Boca Raton location open by mid-June. 21090 St. Andrews Blvd., Boca Raton; LarrysIceCreamAndCafe.com
Lewis Steakhouse, Jupiter
Lewis Steakhouse is the latest expansion from the Lewis family, owners of West Palm Beach’s Okeechobee Prime Seafood, Okeechobee Prime Barbecue and Okeechobee Prime Meat Market. The fine-dining concept is scheduled to open Friday, May 13, in Jupiter’s Chasewood Plaza, in the space that formerly housed Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant. The menu at the 150-seat restaurant will focus on USDA Prime cuts (with three in-house master butchers). Expect an extensive wine list with 675 selections and dishes from executive chef Jamie Steinbrecher such as butter-poached shrimp, prosciutto-wrapped Alaskan halibut and a beef flight for two. 6390 W. Indiantown Road, Suite 59, Jupiter; 561-277-9188; LewisSteakhouse.com
Salento Coffee Shop, West Palm Beach
This 4-year-old Colombian coffeehouse from owners Jaime and Johona Lara is moving later this fall from its downtown West Palm Beach perch exactly two blocks north to the hip, coveted nightlife hive of Clematis Street. The new storefront, awarded to the Laras by West Palm Beach’s Downtown Development Authority, puts them inside Mandel Public Library, and cafe seating will use the library’s patio. Named after the small Colombian town from which they source their beans, the shop serves smoothies, juices, arepas, paninis and Colombian bites like pasteles de pollo and carne (beef and chicken patties), pan de bono (cheese bread) and pastel gloria (pastry). Until they move, Salento’s flagship at 120 S. Dixie Highway will remain open. 407 Clematis St.; 561-841-6138; MySalentoCoffee.com
Tough Times Tavern, Pompano Beach
Old-fashioned posters of mustachioed pugilists — the ones striking that put-your-dukes-up pose — appear on the walls of this new trendy bar hosting its grand opening on Saturday, May 14. Tough Times is the brainchild of owner Challo Schott (cofounder of Oceanside Grocers in Delray Beach), and the bar will feature cocktails and a beer garden. 537 S. Dixie Highway E., Pompano Beach; WeNeverRest.com
Baires Grill,
Fort Lauderdale
This Argentine steakhouse is scheduled to debut on Thursday, May 12, on Las Olas Boulevard, making Fort Lauderdale its next location after Weston, Sunny Isles, Brickell and Coral Gables. “We’ve been wanting to expand further north,” says Alejandro Koenig, chief financial officer for Baires Grill. “There is a lot of potential there, a lot of young people.” Baires Grill fills the space formerly known as Talento Restaurant. 1307 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; BairesGrill.com
Mamma Mia Italian Bistro, Wilton Manors
Expected to open in May, this is the first U.S. eatery from Federica Priolo, who comes from a family of restaurateurs in Italy. “Mamma Mia is gonna be an Italian bistro, not a gourmet restaurant,” she says. “Here people can taste the traditional Italian recipes. But the signature is going to be 100 percent the handmade fresh pasta that we are sure Americans will love.” True to its name, Mamma Mia will have Federica’s mother, Lory, helming the kitchen. The restaurant is opening in the same space as the recently shuttered Via Vai Italian Deli & Wine Bar (and before that, Wolsen Caffe). 2043 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors; Instagram.com/mammamia.bistro
Fantasy Room Bar & Grill, Hollywood
Opening sometime this summer, this venue will be a sports bar with a Caribbean-themed menu during the day and early evening before transitioning into a nightclub in the late evening. 1818 S. Young Circle; 754-267-9046; Instagram.com/fantasyroomfl
La Piazzetta, Hallandale Beach
Wood oven-fired pies distinguish this upscale pizzeria, which is scheduled to reopen in the summer after moving from its former perch near Little Haiti to the trendy Atlantic Village shopping complex in Hallandale Beach. The menu features 33 Neapolitan-style pizzas, some with unique toppings (homemade pistachio and artichoke creams, pecans, oven-baked potatoes, spicy ‘nduja), along with fresh burrata, paninis, carpaccio and insalata. 801 N. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach; LaPiazzettaMiami.com
Sushi Sake, multiple locations
This sushi chain that Cuban-American founders Angel and James Aguayo once described to Forbes as “The Cheesecake Factory of sushi” is rapidly growing, with new shacks coming to Davie in May, Fort Lauderdale in June, and Coral Springs later this year. Sushi Sake features hibachi, teriyaki, ramen noodle soup, sashimi and sushi, with bestsellers like the Miami Heat, Marlins, NFL and Calle Ocho rolls. 7750 Nova Drive, Davie, and 200 SW First Ave., Unit 106, Fort Lauderdale; SushiSakeMiami.com
Kaluz, Plantation
Rising across the street from the mega-shopping complex Plantation Walk is the third location of owner David Baldwin’s upscale New American restaurant. Kaluz — which opened on the Intracoastal in Fort Lauderdale in 2013 and Wellington in 2018 — is expected to debut in June inside a former Romano’s Macaroni Grill, near the corner of University Drive and Broward Boulevard. Sweet ginger calamari and cracker-crusted shrimp-and-goat-cheese flatbreads are on the menu, as are salads, a prime-rib hamburger and entrees of Hawaiian-marinated tenderloin kebabs and maple-leaf duck confit. 100 N. University Drive, Plantation; KaluzRestaurant.com
Gen Korean BBQ, Fort Lauderdale
The dream to replace Fort Lauderdale’s Sushi Shack with Korean barbecue has finally materialized after the sushi house mysteriously went dark on Las Olas Boulevard 2 ½ years ago. Former Sushi Shack owners Justin and Yeeling Lee, who planned to reopen as Las Olas Korean Barbecue in that space, have come and gone, and now Gen Korean BBQ will take its place later this summer. 1301 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Ela Curry Kitchen, Palm Beach Gardens
After two years of global small plates at his Stage Kitchen & Bar, chef Pushkar Marathe (Ghee Indian Kitchen, 3030 Ocean) veers into traditional Indian entrees with Ela Curry Kitchen, expected to open in May inside the Donald Ross Village plaza. The 65-seater, which Marathe is opening with Stage business partner Andrew Dugard, will serve a la carte Indian street food and thali-style entrees, in which small bowls of chutneys, naan, rice, lentils and protein are presented on a large platter. 4650 Donald Ross Road, Palm Beach Gardens
Kava Jive, Wilton Manors
Billing itself as Wilton Manor’s “elite elixir bar,” Kava Jive will offer a variety of specialty botanically infused teas and, of course, kava when it opens in June. Owners Anthony Kessler and Vincent Russo say that Kava Jive will be “an upscale bar conducive to productivity during the day ... where you can vibe and jive at night.”
The space located in the people-magnet Shoppes of Wilton Manors strip mall will feature local art and live entertainment (bands, DJs, spoken word artists). 2242 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors; kavajive.com
SoFresh, Fort Lauderdale
This Tampa-based, build-your-own-bowl chain is opening new Florida locations, with the Fort Lauderdale one debuting in early summer. Bowls, salads, wraps and quesadillas begin with a base of kale, spinach, brown rice or cauliflower, and include proteins (garlic-herb chicken, salmon, ahi tuna), mix-ins and sauces. The chain also serves smoothies, pressed juices and lemonade. 506 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; LoveSoFresh.com
Closed
Death or Glory Bar, Delray Beach
This decadently dark and gothy drinking den started by four serious mixologists in 2017 permanently closed on April 25 — fittingly — with a black-attire-only funeral bash, according to co-owner Annie Blake’s post on social media. Customers celebrated the gastropub as much for its cocktails as its kitschy decor: inflatable humping reindeer for its Christmas pop-up bar; IV blood bags for Halloween. (Also a hit among regulars: Death’s vegan bar food, such as crispy Cheeto chickpeas and jackfruit crabcake sliders.) Death, which had occupied the historic Falcon House (circa 1925), is expected to be rebranded as The Falcon and reopen in May with a revamped menu of cocktails and global street food. 116 NE Sixth Ave., Delray Beach; 561-8088814; DeathorGloryBar.com
Tucker Duke’s, Boca Raton
Tucker Duke’s, the craft burger-and-beer joint known for its mammoth handhelds, has permanently closed its Boca Raton location after six years, a manager at the restaurant’s Deerfield Beach flagship confirmed. The Boca location debuted in April 2016 by chef-founder Brian Cartenuto and his partners, Jay Oakes and John Cortes, and the Deerfield original will remain open. 1658 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; 561-717-8153; TuckerDukes.com
The Hungry Pelican, Deerfield Beach
After three months inside the Cove Shopping Center, owner William Sakowski’s barbecue spot and sister pizzeria, Cove Pizza, have permanently closed. Sakowski left a brief message on the front door of his shortlived storefront, writing, “Permanently closed. Thanks to those who supported us!” Along with pies, calzones and strombolis, the Pelican turned out slow-roasted beef brisket, burnt ends, St. Louisstyle pork ribs, Philly-style cheesesteaks and Angus hamburgers. 1636 SE Third Court; 954-573-7454; HungryPelicanFlorida.com