Food & Drink

Where: 1401 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale Phone: 954.990.6658 Website: barritaftl.com A year after launching Fort Lauderdale-based Tap 42 in 2013, the ownership group—including executive chef Andrew Balick—acquired the land next door and filed permits for a proposed Mexican restaurant. But the plans for what ultimately would become Bar Rita went to the back burner

From early each morning until just before midnight, Homa and Ali Khakpour serve the cuisine and culture of their homeland inside a Pinecrest storefront. Together with their son, Reza, the family owns Rumi Persian Grill in Pinecrest, a popular neighborhood spot for traditional Persian food. Named in honor of the 13th century Persian poet and

When Dustin Durrenberger entered the restaurant industry as a busboy, he had no idea that he would one day be a regional manager for a successful restaurant chain, helping to open six of its eight locations. While working as a bartender in Westmont, Illinois, he met Craig Bernstein, who became the owner and founder of

Nitin “Nico” Solanki was researching businesses one day and came across Nekter Juice Bar. It was listed as one of Inc. magazine’s 10 fastest-growing franchise businesses of 2016. The West Palm Beach resident says it was then that he got serious about owning a franchise, and Nekter was it. He opened his first in May

As part of this season’s holiday festivities at the Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, pastry chef Carlos Salazar and his team are preparing a gingerbread house for the hotel lobby that’s destined to become a social media sensation. Given the philosophy that’s guided his culinary career, it’s no surprise that Salazar is looking forward to erecting the

Inside The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, a vintage-inspired cocktail bar slings Manhattans, Negronis and elevated snacks. The dimly lit space, featuring floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, plush leather couches and a fireplace, feels more like a quintessential study room than one of Miami’s newest watering holes. But that’s the point. Located in one of Miami’s oldest neighborhoods, The Commodore

It started in 2014 as a kitschy pop-up in New York City, a way to keep holiday spirits bright and potential customers intrigued while owner Greg Boehm put the finishing construction touches on Mace, his hip cocktail establishment that wasn’t quite ready to open in the East Village. Only the monthlong novelty didn’t wear off.

When it comes to pairing wine with food, the old rules can apply, yet it’s much more fun and flavorful to toss them out, says Emily Wines, master sommelier of Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants. The tried-and-true selections to which we’ve grown accustomed—hearty red with meat, light white with fish or fowl—is a simple equation,

Walking into Big City Tavern in downtown Fort Lauderdale (609 E. Las Olas Blvd.) feels like stepping into a Prohibition-era speakeasy. The sturdy oak bar, vintage photos cluttering the walls, wood floors and fireplace with a moose head all combine to transport customers to another time and place. Adding to that vibe is Big City’s

At Atlantic Technical College and High School, students don’t eat ordinary cafeteria food. Instead, they’re fed by students in the culinary arts department, led by chef Rona Moulu. There, she leads her staff and teaches students how to prepare hot foods, using experience gained from more than 35 years cooking, including as a personal chef.

At the Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne, a bright blue liquid—made up of Bacardi Superior, violet liqueur and pineapple juice—sits inside a frosty coupe-shaped glass. Created by head bartender Oscar Amaya, the cocktail is a representation of the Rusty Pelican’s #MiamiIsNotPlastic campaign, which aims to eliminate single-use plastics. That’s because when it comes to this

While not strictly a Brazilian steak house, Firegrills in Coconut Creek does take inspiration for its cuisine from general manager and co-owner Miguel Adamowicz’s background. In his home state of Paraná in Brazil, Adamowicz used to spend Sundays attending Mass followed by potluck meals where churchgoers would share their home-cooked meats and sides. He wants