Temple Street Eatery in Fort Lauderdale, founded and operated by chef/partners Alex Kuk and Diego Ng, has become a local favorite since its establishment in 2014. The restaurant offers a delectable, budget-friendly, diverse range of Asian street food-influenced dishes, including noodles, dumplings, bowls and sandwiches.
From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, Kuk and Ng commemorate a decade of culinary excellence with a spectacular Polynesian block luau at 416 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. The evening festivity promises an assortment of savory and sweet surprises, including Polynesian delicacies, live music, a traditional Chinese lion dance by the John Wai Martial Arts Academy, hula performances courtesy of PolyProud Productions, tiki cocktails, games, as well as exciting prizes and giveaways.
“To say we’re proud of making it ten years is an understatement,” says Ng, who first met Kuk in the kitchens of the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University, which they are still heavily involved with. “When you open a restaurant, you dream about it being successful. You hope for the best and work every day to achieve that success. But the idea of a decade down the road? It’s a little overwhelming but gives us great pride.”
In addition to TSE’s a la carte menu, Kuk and Ng will also be offering a special anniversary menu:
- Hawaiian Plates: choice of protein with a side of Hawaiian Mac & Cheese and a scoop of rice (Just like in the Islands)
- Small Bites: Spam Musubi; Kalua Pulled Pork Bao; Lumpias; Vegetable Spring Roll; Curry Fish Ball Skewers; Chorizo Frita Dumplings
- Houmei Chino Latino Arepa “Pop Up” – handmade arepas filled with your choice of char siu pork; ropa vieja; lemongrass grilled pork; Japanese egg salad; Spam “Diablito” with pineapple salsa.
- TSE Cocktails: loaded Arnold Palmer; loaded POG juice; Nigori Colada; Yuzu Spritzer; Ume Sake Paloma
Similar to all of TSE’s events, it will showcase various friends and outside vendors. Confirmed attendees include:
- Kitty Boba Teahouse (now an exclusive partner/vendor at TSE)
- Tiger Seed Tonic Beverages
- The Pale Rose
- Gekkeikan Sake
- No Day Off Water
- Sapporo Beer
- Sweet Aloha Ice Cream
- Ives & Bees
- Graze & Gobble
- Blushing Boba Studio
“Fort Lauderdale has been very good to us,” Kuk says. “Much has happened in ten years, to say the least. We’re blessed and lucky to have such amazing, loyal fans and friends. We wouldn’t be here without them.”
To repay some of that support, the two chefs are starting a scholarship fund with FIU, which they acknowledge for assisting them in establishing TSE in 2014.
For more information, visit www.templestreeteatery.com.
