Food & Drink

In his 12 years as a mixologist, Joel Mesa has learned that people cower in fear at the prospect of a gin cocktail. These days, it’s slowly making its way back to the forefront of the bar scene, a trend that Mesa, who runs the beverage program at Bulla Gastrobar (2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd.,

Though bartender John Lermayer admits he isn’t good with computers, walking into an Apple store makes him feel like a better version of himself: smarter, younger, richer, cooler. That feeling is what he’s trying to perfect at Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company, 237-B 20th St., Miami Beach, the cocktail bar he co-owns and helped

Over the years, Scotch and whiskey snobs have given bourbon its share of grief, leading to a handful of misguided notions about the barrel-aged beverage, which is distilled from a dry-grain mix that includes at least 51 percent corn. For starters, as noted by the American Bourbon Association, Kentucky does not have a monopoly on

It has been three years since a small, freestanding, paper-white building with the thick, black initials H.P.B. fixed above its entryway revolutionized Fort Lauderdale’s dining scene. With scores of dive bars, burger joints and seafood shacks nearby, a place such as Hardy Park Bistro, beyond its quaint-yet-obscure design, easily sticks out. Hardy Park Bistro is

Poke House brings its popular fast-casual concept to Broward County with the opening its first location in Fort Lauderdale (666 Federal Highway; thepokehouse.com). Expect Hawaiian poke bowls—traditional raw fish salads served with ingredients such as tuna, soy sauce and cabbage—along with other Pacific island favorites. Memphis Garrett, former director of operations at SBE, a hospitality

  Back in the day, Coconut Grove was home to several tired chain restaurants and a few locally owned and operated bistros. In the last year, there has been a gourmet renaissance and the Grove has become a food mecca. One of the latest offerings is Glass & Vine, which opened in March. The chef,

Indulge in sweet and savory treats at Frilled, the new Coral Springs bakery Ruthy Miranda believes lunch isn’t complete without a cupcake—a little sweetness to balance the spices in the meal. That’s why she offers both baked goods and savory foods at her new bakery, Frilled Cakery and Treats. “When you eat something sweet, you

There are 12 rooms inside Royal Blues Hotel in Deerfield Beach, but there’s another penthouse with ocean views that is never rented to guests. Penthouse I is reserved for the property’s owner, Hollywood producer Edward Walson, who had intentions of building a private property on the land but opted to share his love of the

When One Door Opens … It’s perhaps the most highly anticipated Broward restaurant opening this year. One Door East, a new concept from popular chef Giovanni Rocchio, is already drawing raves for its globally inspired tapas.Rocchio’s second restaurant, located next to his award-winning Valentino Cucina Italiana (literally, one door east), features sharing-sized plates such as

It’s been 37 years since Ricky Marcellini’s father opened a piano bar in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, next door to the eclectic store owned by Ricky’s mother that sold furniture, pots, pans, frames and other home goods. Initially, the piano bar didn’t serve food. As the story goes, customers pointed to the fondue pots that were

I remember when Doral was known as the place where Carnival Cruise Lines had its headquarters and the Blue Monster golf course reigned supreme. Now, it’s known for Downtown Doral, a 120-acre parcel that eventually will have 10 restaurants and 70 retail establishments. And it’s the home of Dragonfly Izakaya & Fish Market. The restaurant,

Those who know him best understood that it was only a matter of time before Peter Boulukos, co-founder and executive chef of The Restaurant People, launched a meatball place to go with the other eateries in his portfolio, including YOLO, S3 and Tarpon Bend. But just how many different ways could the kitchen team at