With each rung that Simon Porter climbed, he added another benchmark to a distinguished culinary run that started in England. Along the way, he gained experience at Michelin-star restaurants in Switzerland and Belgium, and ports around the world while working for luxury cruise lines Cunard and Seabourn. But at some point during his last stop
Read MoreAnne Marie’s Pizza 4570 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek; 954.974.5683; annemariespizzeria.com From ingredients to the takes on pizza, everything this cozy restaurant offers is fresh. Specialty pizzas include the Mexican Pizza, containing onions, black olives, lettuce, tomatoes and a choice of steak or chicken, under a layer of melted cheddar and mozzarella. For an upgrade on
Read MoreStefano Campanini might best be known for running the high-end Wine by the Bay boutique, but there was something more he wanted to do. That explains Wyn Wood Oven, the relatively new restaurant in Miami’s Arts District, where Campanini offers a sizable menu of European foods paired with more than 300 wine varietals. “We were
Read MoreHe’s Got Game: The name Mike Ponluang doesn’t have Gordon Ramsay-like recognition nationally, but the Thailand native has serious culinary cred in local circles after pulling off the rarest of restaurant feats—back-to-back prolific runs at Thai Pepper in Coral Springs (1991 to 2006) and Coco Asian Bistro (2006 to present). Only the Best: Coco has
Read MoreAt Planta in Miami Beach, pressed beds of rice come topped with ahi watermelon, while heaps of truffled “Parmesan” made of almond shavings garnish bowls of fried cauliflower tater tots. This is how David Grutman does vegan dining. Grutman, a leading figure in Miami’s nightlife scene, is responsible for mega-nightclubs Liv and Story in South
Read MoreThe server at Beach House Pompano (270 N. Pompano Beach Blvd.) leaves the dining check tucked inside the pages of a page of hardcover copy of Gulliver’s Travels. You could get yours among the pages of Moby Dick or The Old Man and the Sea. It’s one of the deliberate touches to make guests feel
Read MoreIt started in 1985 as Duffy’s Drafthouse in Lake Park, a modest concept with four featured sandwiches and, by the time it drew Paul Emmett’s attention, four restaurants in the mix. But Paul, who bought a controlling interest in 2001, saw beyond the hot ham and cheese and ice-cold beer on tap that the Drafthouse
Read MoreEverything at Boulud Sud is meant to evoke the feeling of being transported to an exotic place, where the flavors and colors of the Mediterranean tell the fascinating stories of a chef who has traveled the world. Among the interior’s earthy wood tones, Moroccan-inspired tile floors and comfort-food dishes served in tagine cookware, diners can
Read MoreWhere: 545 NW First Ave., Fort Lauderdale Website: jeygroup.com The journey: The goal for the latest offering from JEY Hospitality Group was clear: The team behind such concepts as ROK:BRGR, Himmarshee Public House and Pizza Craft wanted to open a boutique sandwich shop in burgeoning FATVillage. But before opening Henry’s Sandwich Station, JEY co-founder
Read MoreChef Rainer Becker doesn’t deal in one-offs. There are 13 of his Zuma restaurants around the world—including ones in downtown Miami, Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi. After Zuma took off, Becker opened Roka, which now has four locations in London. For the time being, Becker’s latest ode to contemporary Japanese cuisine—Etaru in Hallandale Beach (Hyde
Read MoreAmerican Harvest wants to revolutionize the way you think about fast-casual dining. Created by Miami-based Grove Bay Hospitality Group—the company best known for restaurants such as Glass & Vine in Coral Gables and Stubborn Seed in South Beach—American Harvest unites quality with speed by fulfilling made-from-scratch orders in less than seven minutes. “Fast-casual is the
Read MoreIt began with a deep love for his country’s cuisine, and a desire to share. Ariel Caminada and his wife, Adriana, are bringing the tastes of Argentina to Coconut Creek with their new restaurant, Argengrill, which opened in January The Caminadas, originally from Buenos Aires, moved to the United States 18 years ago, coming first
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