fbpx

Five Things to Know about Gatsby’s Joint

Where: 2460 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

Phone: 754.332.2125

Website: gatsbysjoints.com

When she first started her apparel business in and around Chicago (her franchised stores include Once Upon a Child and Plato’s Closet), Elaine Krieger used Krispy Kreme doughnuts as a lure when sweet-talking prospective customers. As proprietor of Gatsby’s Joint, Krieger (who still has retail interests in the Midwest) has ditched the doughnuts for a speakeasy-themed restaurant that features a hearty menu—and live music seven nights a week.

 It took the better part of a year to renovate the space that formerly housed Tedesco’s Italian Kitchen. Krieger infused the room with dark woods, red-leather chairs and a hip, neighborhood-style warmth. Asked why she took the restaurant leap, the woman honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Midwest office in 2011 with its Entrepreneurial Success Award says, “I love food. I love music. And I love the 1920s.”

Don’t be fooled by the menu’s word play. Items like Cat’s Meow Crab Cakes and Puttin’ On the Ritz Pork Chops have more going for them than era-appropriate lingo. Krieger recently snagged a chef from nearby Kaluz to raise the culinary stakes, and it shows in dishes like the perfectly seared and seasoned ribeye steak (pictured), monster scallops with orzo, and ceviche with Argentinian shrimp, pineapple, heirloom tomatoes and red onion.

What modern-day speakeasy would be complete without Prohibition-era cocktails? For something different, check out The Flapper (gin or vodka, Champagne, lemon juice and simple syrup) or Aviation (vanilla vodka, pineapple juice and grenadine). Gatsby’s also sports a nicely curated wine menu, with more than 30 offerings.

The live music—featuring a variety of genres (acoustic guitar, piano player, full blues and jazz bands)—adds to the intimate, dinner-club vibe that permeates the room at Gatsby’s. “I think we have a diamond in the rough,” says Krieger, whose passion project opened this past May. “I love every part of this restaurant.”

You May Also Like

Maman Readies for Opening on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables

The four-block, pedestrian-friendly retail district is working to establish itself as a premier destination.

Olive & Sea Brings Authentic Greek Meze to Fort Lauderdale

The rooftop waterfront restaurant serves colorful and bold Mediterranean-style dishes.

Lona Cocina & Tequileria Hosts Chef Pairing Dinner 

It is curated exclusively for one night by Lona’s new Executive Chef, Juan Carlos Peña.

Annual Swank Table Dinner Series Returns to Palm Beach Farm

Tickets are on sale for the events starting in November.

Other Posts

Paula’s Food Diaries Readies for Launch at Burlock Coast in Fort Lauderdale

Running through November, Chef Paula DaSilva will showcase a selection of popular dishes from famous chefs.

New York Staple Roberta’s to Open First Florida Location in Luxury Miami Beach Condo

The eatery will occupy 3,000 square feet of 72 Park’s approximately 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

Annual “Taste of Recovery” Culinary Festival to Benefit The Crossroads Club

The nonprofit is a 12-step-based meeting center that supports hundreds of people pursuing recovery from various forms of addiction.

Embark on a 17-Course Culinary Odyssey at Sushi by Scratch in Coconut Grove

We’re a fresh fish-loving corner of the globe, so it’s no wonder that the omakase concept—which, in Japanese, literally translates to “I’ll leave it up to you”—has totally taken off. For omakase newbies, the experience often boils down to an intimate room setting, with seating for 10 or so, with a chef serving up the freshest catches and on-the-spot