The South Florida Traveler » Restaurants & Bars

Are you looking to find a restaurant open on Christmas Day?

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:10:21 +0000

I’m a huge fan of Open Table. This online reservation system is ideal for finding new restaurants, making reservations, and even better at this time of the year, it’s perfect to find out what restaurants are open for those days when you feel the city has shut down — including Christmas Day. If you are one of those people who would rather go out than spend the day in the kitchen or if you are on the road for work or another reason, Open Table is the place to go to. They have nearly 60 restaurants for you to choose from in South Florida.

Here are my favorites:

Miami area

Baleen at the Grove Isle
La Marea at the Tides
Meat Market
Vix

Broward County

Palm Beach County

Photo Credit: p u n t o @ flickr

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Clematis Social Opens Up in West Palm Beach

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:38:12 +0000

When I first met Burt Rapoport nearly 2 years ago, I knew he was one to keep an eye on. I was thoroughly impressed with his genuine character and the excellent food and service you received in his restaurants. The only problem was that none of the restaurants were very close by, until now. Clematis Social, Burt’s latest endeavor, opened up recently on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach. Located at 223 Clematis Street (next to Forte and across the street from Rocco’s Tacos), this place has been buzzing since it opened its doors just a few weeks ago.

For those of you who aren’t aware of the Rapoport Restaurant Group, clear you schedule for tomorrow night, as they will be hosting their official grand opening. From 6:30 – 9:00 on Wednesday, December 17th, 20% of all sales will go directly to the Junior League of the Palm Beaches. Clematis Social is aiming to be the new hotspot bringing an upbeat, relaxed atmosphere to a vibrant crowd. You need to check out the main wall in the restaurant as it sports candid photos of past guest and they will be changing these photos randomly. They will be focusing on internationally-inspired small plate dishes. Small plate sliders, flatbreads, Beer Battered Fish and Chips, Southern Fried Chicken and Classic Eggs Benedict highlight the menu. They are even bringing some of his other restaurants favorite dishes including the Wasabi Seared Tuna appetizer (my favorite).

If you can’t make it to the grand opening or make it to the West Palm Beach area often, be sure to check out his other restaurants including Opus 5 or Bogart’s (located in Boca Raton) or Henry’s located in Delray Beach, as they are all fantastic.

Photo Credit: Joe Woolf

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Northwood Village Keeps on Growing

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:53:38 +0000

For those of you who have been around South Florida for awhile, you must surely remember when CityPlace used to be more of a ghetto than a tourist destination. After cleaning the area up, a huge amount of real estate development and some dedicated people devoted to change, CityPlace was transformed. OK, so I wasn’t around to see the transformation, I’ve surely heard stories, but now I feel that another area of West Palm Beach is worthy of recognition, a place called Northwood Village.

Northwood Village is located 1 mile north of Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. in West Palm Beach between North Dixie Highway and Broadway. It resembles a small town community where gated communities are extinct (somewhere finally!), neighbors gather for block parties, and familiar faces frequent the local establishments. It’s also a nice place for the Palm Beach crowd to escape from the island.

If you haven’t made your way over to this area, this weekend is an ideal time to do so as they are hosting their monthly art and wine promenade on Friday night (ok so you already missed this, but they do it every month). They are also hosting a few grand openings this month.

Tonight, the grand opening of Jade Kitchen. At the helm of chef/owner Wayne Devers, this hip New American restaurant offers inventive menu options without an expensive pricetag. Even better, they offer a great selection of wines by the glass. Come join in the fun at 6-8 pm tonight at 422 Northwood Road (561) 366-1185. They will be serving wine and hors d’oeuvres. Ribbon cutting at 6:30 pm.
On Sunday, December 14th, just down the street from Jade at 404 Northwood Rd, Cafe Centro will be unveiling their piano bar. The grand opening will take place from 7:30 – 9:00 pm and will include cocktails, tapas, delightful sounds of the baby grand and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 8:30 pm. For dinner reservations, call Terry at 561-514-4070.

If you can’t make it out there this weekend, no worries as these are sure to be mainstays in Northwood.

Photo credit: WTL photos @ flickr

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Slow Foods: Do you mean I must eat my food slowly?

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:21:12 +0000

Last night, I attended my first Slow Foods Dinner at Cafe Boulud. Chef Zach Bell really knows how to make the mouths of foodies all around savor every bite. No wonder this $125 a plate dinner was sold out, when other restaurants are struggling to fill their dining rooms. Honestly, why would people make their way out to this landmark restaurant for this special event? Was it because the event was at Cafe Boulud? Was it because it was a Slow Foods dinner? And, what exactly is slow foods?

The movement of slow foods has been around officially since 1989, and it focuses on counteracting the effects of fast food, fast life and local traditions. Their goal is to reconnect people with the foods that are local, seasonal and sustainably grown through raising public awareness, improving access, advocating for locals farmers and focusing on the celebration of food as a cornerstone of American society. Although many chefs are strong advocates of the movement including Zach Bell from Cafe Boulud, Mark Lieberman from Forte and Dean Max from 3030 Ocean, there is still much room for growth in the area.

The Glades to Coast Convivium is a new chapter so right now is the ideal time to get involved, and from the event last night, people will be raving about it for awhile, or at least until January 15th when the next dinner takes place at 3030 Ocean. And who wouldn’t have? Heirloom tomatoes and eggplant fresh from the farm, sturgeon and Florida pasture raised lamb, did you know that was possible to get these products locally grown in South Florida?

Here’s a list of some local vendors that you might want to look into:

Farmhouse Tomatoes: Home of hydroponic heirloom beefsteak tomatoes that taste like the tomatoes grown a century ago. Located in Lake Worth.
Swank Farms: Husband and wife team Darren and Jodi Swank run this family farm in Loxahatchee. They produce HydroNatural greens, herbs and specialty produce without using pesticides, fungicides or herbicides. Available to local restaurants and consumers, their products last longer (up to 3 weeks) because they are harvested with roots attached.
Deep Creek Ranch: Located in Deland, Florida, the provide registered Angus and South Poll cattle for breeding stock and for food.
Mote Marine: Located in Sarasota, the Mote Marine Laboratory raises sturgeon in a safely, controlled indoor environment.
Palm Beach Groves: Family owned gift fruit shippers located in Lantana. They have been around for over 60 years.
Henry Davis Organic Selections: Bringing delicious wine to the table produced by small organic and biodynamic vineyards.

Photo Credit: Robyn Gallagher @ flickr

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Sharpen Your Culinary Skills

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:25:26 +0000

Is it your turn to have the family over for dinner for the holidays? Are you looking to spark up that traditional holiday dinner or are you just looking to sharpen your culinary skills? Well take note of these locations that can help you tackle this chore and will leave you wondering why you don’t throw dinner parties more often.

Robb & Stucky Culinary Center in Palm Beach Gardens. Tonight Chef Christian will be whipping up some holiday hors d’oeuvres from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Can’t make it tonight, no worries, as classes are held a few times a week. Events range from basic culinary skill classes, to cooking with strawberries to many wine and/or beer dinners. The facility is even available for private events. Check out their website for more information and a schedule of classes. (12/11 is holiday cookies and edible ornaments, 12/16 is elegant holiday feasts and the 20th is a steakhouse beer dinner)
In the Kitchen in Tequesta. Owner Lenore Pinello is passionate about the kitchen, cooking and has enough energy to keep you intrigued for hours. She holds weekly classes, dinners and invites visiting chefs into the center. Classes are small and intimate, but definitely worth the drive. Make your way up to In the Kitchen on 12/18 for Divas Naughty or Nice: A cocktail party class, on the 19th for a lunch in the kitchen with Chef Joseph or on the 20th for Christmas Cookies. For a full list, visit In the Kitchen online.
Chef Jean-Pierre’s cooking school has been around since 1997. His resume also includes such stints as hosting a show on PBS titled “Incredible Cuisine,” and appearances on the Today Show, Larry King Live and Lifetimes’s Crook and Chase, there is a reason why this school is still going strong. He hosts classes on a near daily basis ranging from a series of basic skills classes to Thai cooking classes. Take a look at his schedule online. Upcoming classes include: 12/16 intro to Thai, 12/17 More 20 Minute Recipes, and 12/18 Great Menu to Entertain.
Other Places to Look: Whole Foods, Williams-Sonoma, Eleanor Hoh – Wok Cooking Classes, Casa Toscana and more.

Photo Credit: Karma’s a B. @ flickr

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Decadent Sweet Dreams

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:26:04 +0000

Do you want to make someone happy? Give them chocolate – the best mood-enhancing medicine.

Do you want to make yourself happy? Attend the Sweet Dreams event at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. From December 12th – 28th, the casino will play host to one of the hottest events to nurture your sweet tooth: rich chocolate, smooth caramels – it just sounds delicious.

When: 12/12 – 12/28
Time: Th-Sat 6:00 – 10:00 pm, Sun 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Cost: $35 with proceeds to benefit the Ronald McDonald House

In addition, some big names in the culinary world will be there.

Ted Allen on 12/12 – 12/13: Say hello to the host of Food Detectives and a featured judge of Top Chef and Iron Chef America.
Mr Food on 12/18: TV chef and author of 30+ cookbooks
Keegan Gerhard on 12/20: Host of Food Network Challenge
Jacques Torres on 12/27: Star of Chocolate with Jacques Torres on the Food Network

Photo Credit: Geknoppel @ flickr

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Wine Tasting at Ortanique

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:34:04 +0000

Are you looking for something to do tomorrow night in the Miami area, and Art Basel isn’t your thing? Why not make your way down to Ortanique on the Mile for a wine tasting in Coral Gables. Ortanique, best known for its sun cuisine and the culinary talents of Cindy Hutson will be hosting a wine tasting with 7 different wines from Lost Canyon winery. Even if you are a fan of Art Basel and are planning on spending a night out on the town, this might be a nice early start to a fun-filled evening.

When: Wednesday, December 3rd
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Where: Ortanique on the Mile, 278 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, 305-446-7110
Cost: $35

Buy your tickets now.

Here’s a look at the scrumptious menu:

Viognier, Russian River Valley, Catie’s Corner Vineyard
Green Apple Brie Tartlettes with Lavender Honey

Pinot Noir, Saralee’s Vineyard
Tuna Tartare Spoons with Bacon Butter

Pinot Noir, Widdoes Vineyard
Creamed Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms

Pinot Noir, Dutton Ranch, Morelli Lane Vineyard
Coffee & Cocoa Rubbed Pork Tenderloin
With Chipotle Honey Glaze

Syrah, Sonoma Coast, Stage Gulch Vineyard
Cherrywood BBQ Salmon Puffs

Syrah, Russian River Valley, Trenton Station
Braised Short Ribs with Truffled Crostini

Syrah, Russian River Valley, Alegria Vineyard
Triple Chocolate Bites with Amarena Cherries

Lost Canyon is best known for producing small lots of vineyard designated Pinot Noir and Syrah from the Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Los Carneros. This stellar winery has nurtured a passion for crafting the finest wine since 1978. Their Pinot Noir just won a bronze medal at the American Fine Wine Competition.

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Free Nouveau Tastings

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:05:33 +0000

For those of you who haven’t experienced a Crown wine and spirits tasting, now is the time to check one out as they will be hosting complimentary food and wine tastings this weekend at 4 of their locations. Wines to be sampled include Beaujolias Nouveau from:

Mommessin
Joseph Drouhin
Bouchard, a Beaujolia-Villages Nouveau from Georges Duboeuf
and NuVo – while not a Beujolias, it’s a unique sparkling liqeueur.

The events will take place from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, and some wine-friendly meats and cheeses will be served alongside the wines. Please see the schedule below.

Friday, November 21st

North Miami located at 12555 Biscayne Blvd (305) 892-9463
Pembroke Pines located at 151 Hiatus Road (954) 496-9463

Saturday, November 22nd

Vero Beach- 6350 20th Street 772-564-9863
Miami Lakes- 15507 NW 67th Avenue 305-362-7510

If your schedule is already booked up for this weekend, be sure to mark your calendar for the grand opening of the Miami Lakes location on Saturday, December 6th. For only $15, guests will receive a sampling of over 50 fine wines, a free Reidel glass and a selection of gourmet food items to pair with your wine.

Photo Credit: yashima @ flickr

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

Dinner in the Sky Comes to the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:09:11 +0000

Last year, I published an article titled “Unique Dining Experiences Around the World.” The article focused on Ithaa Underwater Restaurant located in the Maldives, Dinner in the Sky based in Belgium, and a few other once in a lifetime dining experiences. Thinking that I would never be able to experience these restaurants first-hand, I left it at that, thinking that this would just be a picture perfect story published in the magazine.

Well, yesterday I received great news. Dinner in the Sky is coming to Florida. Yes, for all those people who think they have experienced the best in dining in South Florida, think again, as this experience could knock your socks off. To explain further, Dinner in the Sky is a high flying dining experience where 22 guests are taken up to a height of 180 where they are strapped into a leather seat that’s secured to a dining table. The entire platform is connected to a crane that performs the lift.

When Dinner in the Sky comes to Florida in December, they will be pairing up with the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek to launch the new Chef’s Table in the casino’s Fresh Harvest Restaurant. Chef’s table is a new a la carte dining option at the casino’s buffet restaurant.

Now’s your chance to experience this, as reservations are available on December 6th at either 6:30 or 8:00 pm. Call the casino at 1-866-2CASINO for more information.

Sure hope nobody’s afraid of heights!

Photo Credit: SouthBankSteve @ flickr

Post from: The South Florida Traveler

New Restaurant Openings in Miami

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:44:25 +0000

South Florida’s restaurant scene is hard to keep up with. While some places have been closing their doors, there seem to be grand openings of new places every night of the week. Here’s a round-up of some of the activity in the Miami area:

Ceviche 105 opens in downtown Miami. They bring us a fusion of traditional Peruvian cuisine combined with Chinese influences. If you enjoy the added flavors and textures of Peruvian cuisine including chiles, corn, fresh lime, cilantro and Pisco, you will love this new restaurant. Better yet, they cater and deliver. Chaufa-style Seafood rice and Chicken and Pork Tamales are samples of some popular menu items.
The King is Dead is a new royalty-themed in the Design District. This hot spot is reminiscent of a castle with leather throne-like chairs inside. In addition, they have an all black VIP room. It just might be worth a visit to. The King is Dead is located at 10 NE 40th St (next to Grass) 305-573-3355
Fogo de Chao brings a Brazilian Steakhouse to South Beach. Like many other Brazilian steakhouse they offer a prix fixe menu for skewered meat, but the grill masters of the kitchen have likely been trained in Brazil and will be the ones serving the meat to the tables.
If you are tired of the club scene, and are looking for a relaxing weekend, you might want to check out Cozy Piano Bar. With jazz music, a house pianist, an amazing champagne list and continental cuisine, this place is quite…cozy.
Rice Asian House and Sushi Bar opens in Sunny Isles at 17100 Collins Avenue. This Japanese-Thai restaurant might spice up this northern strip joint. (305) 944-1185
Enso Restaurant is a new addition to Lincoln Road. This seems to a combination of art and experimentation for the palate. The interior is lined with coconut shell tables and red couches, and once you go inside and glance over the menu, which is inspired by artists like Van Gogh and Dali, is sure to satisfy your yearning for innovative cuisine. Think: hamachi apple terrine with pine nut crisps and Gouda Caviar and foie gras popcorn. Oh, and did I mention the chefs all have experience training at El Bulli in Spain? Enso Restaurant is located at 433 Lincoln Road. 305-534-3676
Meat Market also opens up at 915 Lincoln Road. This sexy take on a steakhouse is headed up by Executive Chef Sean Brasel, formerly of Touch Restaurant. In addition to focusing thier menu on delicate meat, seafood and seasonal produce, there will be a Crudo bar featuring tiraditos and an adjacent bar serving unique, homemade cocktails.

Photo Credit: ceviche by Sifu Renka @ flickr

Post from: The South Florida Traveler