Canyon
Address: 620 S. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale
The Buzz: Canyon is famous for its Prickly Pear Margarita (main photo). The perfect pairing with the luscious drink at the restaurant’s local happy hour is the crispy pork tacos. They are overstuffed with tasty pork then topped with tasty Manchego – a Spanish sheep’s milk cheese – mashed avocado, cabbage slaw, pico de gallo and cilantro cream. Get four minis during happy hour weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m., or settle in for Taco Tuesday where the evening overflows with the scrumptious creations. If you’ve never had Canyon’s world-famous Prickly Pear Margarita, a tasty tequila concoction made with tequila and cactus syrup, among other secret ingredients, it’s a must-try any time.
Contact: (954) 779-7199; canyonfl.com
South PMP Bar & Kitchen
Address: 165 NE 1st Ave., Pompano Beach
The Buzz: Deviled eggs have quite a history – from stuffed eggs in 13th century Spain to Fannie Farmer’s “Boston Cooking-School Cookbook” in 1896 where it was first suggested to use a mix of mayonnaise. Perhaps the most incredibly devilish concoction and one for the history books is South Bar & Kitchen’s recipe. The yolks are whipped with an in-house created Cajun seasoning, then topped with smoked trout roe, chicken cracklings for crunch and green onions for verve. Get your fill at South’s happy hour on weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m.
Contact: (954) 890-2000; southpmp.com
La Brisa
Address: 500 SW 177th Ave., Miami
The Buzz: Excuse the pun but taking a gamble on anything at La Brisa is a good bet – it’s on the casino floor inside Miccosukee Casino & Resort. Michelin-trained Executive Chef Nicolas Caicedo serves Latin fusion cuisine that’s full of flavor. A sharing plate not to be missed is the Grilled Chorizo + Provoleta, a twist on the traditional Argentinian cast iron provoleta with chimichurri. Here the thick slice of provolone-style cheese is cooked over hot coals until it’s melted and browned with herbed and garlic chimichurri sauce spooned over the warm cheese, then it gets another layer of pizzazz with the addition of spicy chorizo sausage ringed around the top. The whole thing is brought to the table in a small cast iron skillet. Jackpot! Happy hour is from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Contact: (305) 925-8185; miccosukee.com/food-drink/la-brisa/
Batch New Southern Kitchen & Tap
Address: 525 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale
The Buzz: If you’re looking for comfort food, this is the place. From the burnt ends (smoked beef brisket in a made-from-scratch root beer barbecue sauce and crispy onions) to the bacon tots (shredded russets, smoked cheddar, scallion served with buttermilk ranch), there’s not one bad choice here. But one thing you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere are Batch’s Smoked BBQ Egg Rolls – slow-roasted pulled pork and short rib doused with root beer barbecue sauce and piled into a crispy egg roll shell. Happy hour is weekdays 4 to 7 p.m. with select food and drinks $7 until 7 p.m.
Contact: (954) 757-0000; www.batchsouthernkitchen.com/ftl/
Even Keel Fish Shack
Address: 112 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
The Buzz: Where to start? The house-smoked local fish dip is a good place to start, along with pickled vegetables and Old Bay saltine crackers. Of course, any seafood place worth its salt would serve the freshest raw oysters, which Even Keel does. However, for a different take, the grilled oysters are the pearl of this culinary workshop. Fresh oysters are chargrilled with a deliciously decadent lemon scallion butter and then sprinkled with parmesan cheese. Happy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
Contact: (954) 530-6276; evenkeelfish.com
