Raw Talent
Saiko-i Sushi Lounge & Hibachi brings precision, personality, and performance to Japanese dining in Plantation.
Saiko-i Sushi Lounge & Hibachi has officially arrived at the Shoppes at Broward, introducing a refined yet energetic Japanese dining experience to Plantation. Marking the brand’s largest location to date and its second in Broward County, the new outpost expands the vision established at Saiko-i’s Boca Raton flagship and Parkland location.
Led by restaurateur Tina Wang and Chef Jason Zheng, the accomplished team behind Coco Sushi Lounge and Yakitori Sushi House, Saiko-i Plantation balances culinary discipline with social dining. The restaurant pairs an interactive hibachi program with a thoughtfully curated sushi and sashimi menu, creating a space that feels equally suited for business lunches, family gatherings, and celebratory evenings.
Design plays a central role in the experience. Natural wood finishes, bold red accents, and striking statement lighting lend the space a modern, confident aesthetic, while multiple hibachi tables and a full sushi bar provide distinct dining formats under one roof. A covered patio offers a quieter alternative for guests seeking a more relaxed setting.
The menu introduces several dishes created exclusively for the Plantation location, alongside established favorites. Standout rolls featuring premium seafood and elevated toppings sit comfortably next to composed kitchen entrées and classic sushi preparations. A focused beverage program highlighting Japanese whisky, sake, and crafted cocktails rounds out the offering.
With its breadth of menu options, polished atmosphere, and intentional design, Saiko-i Sushi Lounge & Hibachi offers Plantation a new destination where modern Japanese cuisine is presented with clarity, consistency, and style. saikoihibachi.com
Heritage Meets Haute Cuisine
Chef Anthony Vitolo blends generations of Italian tradition with modern coastal sophistication at his newest restaurant
Fort Lauderdale’s culinary landscape has gained a touch of New York nostalgia with the debut of Vitolo, the newest family-owned dining destination at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach. Led by celebrity-loved Executive Chef Anthony Vitolo, the restaurant brings the spirit of old-school Italian hospitality to the coast, blending timeless recipes with the chef’s unmistakable flair.
Before heading south, Chef Vitolo made his mark as Executive Chef and Partner of Manhattan’s iconic Emilio’s Ballato, a beloved gathering place for stars like Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Sophie Turner, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Joe Jonas, and even President Barack Obama. His move to Fort Lauderdale marks a new chapter, but the heartbeat of his cuisine remains rooted in tradition, family heritage, and the belief that great food begins with great ingredients.
At Vitolo, guests can expect dishes that honor generations of Italian culinary customs while offering a fresh, contemporary twist. Signature plates include Mozzarella en Carrozza, crisp and comforting; Linguine alla Vongole, brimming with fresh clams and delicate aromatics; and the beloved Vitello Antonio, a nod to Vitolo’s deep culinary lineage. A selection of handcrafted pizzas anchors the menu, each made with premium Italian-imported ingredients sourced directly from Chef Vitolo’s family farm in Sarno, Italy.
With its warm atmosphere and dedication to authenticity, Vitolo delivers more than a meal. It offers a taste of Italian history, brought to life by a chef whose legacy continues to shape the way diners experience classic cuisine. Fort Lauderdale has gained not just a restaurant, but a new culinary institution. vitoloitalian.com
Making Waves in Deerfield Beach
The Break House Kitchen + Beach Bar brings all-day flavor, rooftop views, and a fresh take on coastal cool.
Deerfield Beach has a brand-new reason to take a break, and this one comes with ocean breezes and a side of seriously good taste. After two years in the making, The Break House Kitchen + Beach Bar has officially opened its doors just steps from the newly renovated fishing pier, offering three ways to dine, sip, and stay awhile: a grab-and-go café, an elevated counter-service restaurant, and the city’s first-ever rooftop bar with front-row views of the Atlantic.
The space is designed for lingering, from sunrise coffees to sunset cocktails, wrapping guests in polished coastal style and pops of playful color courtesy of Alex Yanis’ three-dimensional carvings. Inside, lofty ceilings, navy accents, and light wood floors create a breezy backdrop for Chef Dean Max’s modern coastal menu, which runs the gamut from Farmers Market Toast to Ginger “Glow” Guac and the Fresh AF Caprese. Head upstairs to “Upstairs at The Break House,” where tacos, tin fish, and tropical cocktails turn happy hour into a pier-pressure free zone.
But beyond the eats and ocean views, The Break House is built on community. Owner Danielle Rosse, joined by her daughter, Kali Williams, designed the space as a come-as-you-are retreat, a place where “break” refers to both the waves you watch and the pause you take.
thebreakhouse.com
A Trattoria That Knows How to Party
Le Specialità blends old-world Italian flavor with Miami’s late-night buzz.
Le Specialità brings a distinctly Milanese point of view to the Miami Design District—one shaped by decades of tradition, an intuitive sense of hospitality, and an effortless approach to Italian dining. The experience feels intentional from the moment guests arrive: familiar yet refined, social yet precise.
What defines Le Specialità is its mastery of restraint. The menu focuses on beautifully executed classics, allowing quality and technique to speak for themselves. Pizza remains central to the experience, with dough that is light, crisp, and expertly leavened. The Margherita delivers pure balance, while the Truffle Pizza leans into understated indulgence. Piccantissimi, layered with chili pepper pesto and pine nuts, adds vibrancy and heat without overpowering the table. Beyond pizza, housemade pastas and secondi such as Branzino alla Siciliana and Veal Milanese reflect the same disciplined approach—timeless preparations, flawlessly executed.
Dessert continues the flow of the evening rather than signaling an end. House-made gelato in classic Italian flavors and a traditional tiramisu invite guests to linger, especially when paired with an espresso cocktail or a thoughtfully selected Italian wine. The beverage program reinforces the restaurant’s social rhythm, offering depth without formality.
The space itself plays an essential role. Designed by Rockwell Group, the interiors blend Italian retro sensibilities with Miami’s confident energy—terrazzo floors, striped leather booths, dramatic curves, and a showpiece pizza oven that animates the room. Art-filled walls, a striking green lavastone bar, and an outdoor terrace bring movement and warmth, turning Le Specialità into less of a reservation and more of a reason to stay awhile. lespecialitamia.com
