Now open: A new chicken joint, a Mediterranean

Stay up to date with South Florida dining news:

Sign up for our twice-weekly Eat Beat newsletter, filled with restaurant news, guides and recipes. Go to SunSentinel.com/newsletters to sign up.

Join our "Let's Eat, South Florida" Facebook group.

Now open

Flanigan's Seafood Bar & Grill, Miramar

Locals know Joe "Big Daddy" Flanigan's joint by reputation, finger-licking ribs and those indispensable green plastic cups, and now this longtime neighborhood grill has opened its latest location in the new Miramar Park Place plaza on Red Road. The nautically-minded seafood bar — still unpretentious and refreshingly old-school despite the upscale surrounds — offers chicken wings, tumbleweed onions, garlic knots and rockin’ rib rolls, along with hamburgers, dolphin sandwiches, Cajun shrimp and pasta and prime rib with au jus. And green cups, of course. 11225 Miramar Parkway, Miramar; 954-251-4734; Flanigans.net

Mo:Mo: Avenue, Lake Worth Beach

Here's one reason to rock on through to Mo:Mo: Avenue: Nepalese-style dumplings. Nepali cuisine from owner Sujan Dhimal is devoted to the humble momo, a steam-filled dumpling. The new Lake Worth Beach eatery's menu, which is slim, does momo with chicken, pork, or vegetarian-style, and served steamed (traditional), fried or jhol (with a spicy sesame and tomato-based soup). There's also thukpa, a Himalayan noodle soup; spicy veggie-and-pea samosas; and choila, a Newari dish made with boiled and fried chicken or pork, plus spices and veggies. 7030 Charleston Shores Blvd., Lake Worth Beach; 561-530-4175; MoMoAvenue.com

RedWood Bar & Kitchen, Hollywood

This Mediterranean-Caribbean fusion spot from Hollywood chef Ivan Dorvil (Ivan's Cookhouse in North Miami) debuted in mid-March on Harrison Street, one of downtown Hollywood's charming restaurant rows. Dorvil, for the uninitiated, has racked up much Food Network clout in the past decade, winning an episode of "Chopped," competing on "Cutthroat Kitchen," and showing off his Carib-Asian eatery Ivan's Cookhouse for Guy Fieri on "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives." RedWood's menu features shrimp tacos, mofongo (an open-face green plantain with pork belly glaze and a kimchi-pikliz slaw), slow-braised pork spare ribs doused in housemade barbecue sauce. There are also entrees including flatbread pizzas and pastas, kebabs with black mushrooms, and curry chicken with basmati rice and roasted plantains. 2009 Harrison St., Hollywood; 954-362-7152, RedWoodBarKitchen.com

Jackson's Chicken Shack, Lake Worth Beach

Fried-chicken purveyors are having a moment in South Florida, and the latest example is this shack registered to owner Stephen Difiore, which opened in early April in a Jog Road plaza shared with Walmart Neighborhood Market. Jackson's touts fried and grilled chicken handhelds, wraps, salads, fries — and tenders, naturally — slathered in toppings, dressings and cheeses. 6169 Jog Road, Lake Worth Beach; JacksonsChickenShack.net

Cali Coffee, Miramar

This Broward County-born, drive-thru coffeehouse has quickly expanded since opening its Hollywood flagship in 2018. Its new outpost debuted in Miramar in early April on the northwest corner of Pembroke and South Hiatus roads. Other locations are scheduled for 2023, including in Cooper City and North Lauderdale. Their signature coffees include breves (an espresso-based drink made with half-and-half milk), served hot, iced or frozen. They also offer fruit-infused drinks with Red Bull as an option. 2101 S. Hiatus Road, Miramar; CaliCoffee.com

Shuck Boys Oyster Bar, Fort Lauderdale

If you love oysters, then you just might love this new addition to the Sistrunk Marketplace & Brewery food hall. Shuck Boys Oyster Bar had a soft launch in February and was fully up and running by late March. Its original location — at the Yellow Green Farmers Market in Hollywood — opened last summer. The concept was developed by Kyle Lopez, Richard Lecorps, Alberto Davarro and Michael Ingenito, who also debuted a third location at Shoma Bazaar in Doral. "All of us have worked in the South Florida hospitality industry for 10+ years," Ingenito says. "Some of us have worked at small restaurants, fine dining and even restaurants with James Beard Award-winning chefs. Each partner brings the best of those places and experiences to each detail within our menu." Speaking of which, the menu includes a variety of East and West Coast Oysters, a Louisiana-Style Charbroiled Oyster (a crowd favorite), Warm and Cold Lobster Rolls, Lobster Grilled Cheese and a Lobster Mac and Cheese Trio (regular, spicy and truffle). The Fort Lauderdale eatery is the only one to offer a Lobster Grilled Cheese. Also look for that same location to offer oyster classes, where members of the Shuck Boys team teach the ins and outs of oysters, including how to shuck with the best of them and identify different types of oysters like an expert. 115 NW Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale; instagram.com/shuck_boys or linktr.ee/shuckboys

Cleo Royal Coffee, Fort Lauderdale

The "Cleo," of course, is short for Egyptian queen Cleopatra at this Middle Eastern-inspired cafe from owner Emilio Dominguez, who also operates acclaimed sister shop The Modern Rose at the Cove plaza in Deerfield Beach. The coffeehouse, wedged inside an art gallery, threw its grand opening on April 8 on Northeast Fourth Avenue and touts specialty drinks that probably wouldn't sound out of place at an Egyptian palace. There's the Luxor Breve, a fusion of espresso, organic date syrup with saffron in a rosemary-smoked cup; the Turkish Sunrise, a Turkish orange soda orange blossom, espresso and cinnamon; and the Pharoah's Cold Brew, which is topped with lavender sweet foam. There are also tea, chai and Guatemalan drip coffees, along with acai bowls, wraps and baked items such as cream cheese-stuffed za’atar bagel holes. 1444 NE Fourth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; CleoRoyal.com

Perillas Korean Kitchen, Fort Lauderdale

Also at Sistrunk Marketplace & Brewery, Perillas Korean Kitchen had its soft opening in March and a grand opening on April 1. In 2018, Perillas was founded by Korean-American James Choi in Boston, where there are now three locations. Brought to the SoFlo food hall by business partner Brice Williams, Perillas’ menu focuses on Bibimbap, which means "mixed rice bowl" in Korean. The fast-casual offers dishes such as Beef Bulgogi Bibimbap and Veggie Bibimbap with Crispy Tofu. "Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, I found my first career, and love, in hospitality at a few local favorites like The Floridian on Las Olas and Café Del Mar on the beach," Williams recalls. "Then I spent over a decade working with nonprofit and faith-based ventures in multiple cities before returning to South Florida in 2021. It's great to feel like James and I get to apply all the education and experiences back into an industry we love and that really needs a new playbook." In addition to being available for catering and pop-up events, Perillas offers Korean cooking classes and collaborative events with food hall mates Dream State Brewing. 115 NW Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale; 305-204-0071; perillasfood.com, instagram.com/perillasfood, facebook.com/perillasfood

Paris Banh Mi Cafe and Bakery, Davie

This coffeehouse chain devoted to the banh mi — Vietnamese handhelds with pate, pickled veggies and meat on French baguette — had the grand opening of its first South Florida location on April 9 on Stirling Road, across the street from Foodtown. Paris, founded by Hien Tran and Doan Nguyen, features 16 banh mi configurations such as grilled pork, pâté and pork roll and shredded chicken. The bakery also serves eye-popping baked goods such as mango Key lime cheesecake, lemon tartlet, apple custard, cheese croissants, almondines, Danish and cinnamon buns, along with milk teas and lattes. 7160 Stirling Road, Davie; 786-407-4999; ParisBanhMi.com

Adrienne's Pizzabar, West Palm Beach

Known for square-shaped pizzas, Adrienne's Pizzabar opened April 15 at the 360 Rosemary building in West Palm Beach. The new eatery is part of the restaurant brand that includes Harry's, a classic cuisine mainstay in the financial district of Manhattan for a half-century and a favorite of the Wall Street crowd. Sometime in late May, when Harry's is expected to join Adrienne's Pizzabar as a sister restaurant here in SoFlo, both eateries will share a combined 11,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor space where patrons can intermingle and order from both. 378 S Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach; www.adriennespizzabarnyc.com or instagram.com/adriennespizzabar

Prospect Pizza, Oakland Park

This slice shop from owner Kenneth Mooney debuted in mid-March on Prospect Road, replacing the former Tic Tac Dough Pizza, Subs & Brew, which shuttered in early 2022. The no-frills, New York-style menu slings plain pies for $12 to $16, along with calzones, strombolis and subs, including roast beef and chicken parmesan. There are also specialty pies such as the Hawaiian and the "Jimmy," topped with meatball, onion and ricotta. 53 NE 44th St., Oakland Park; 954-900-3678; ProspectSubs.com (website is under construction)

Naked Farmer, Sunrise

This casual American restaurant, which changes its menu with the seasons, opened on April 3 on West Sunrise Boulevard. A farm-to-fork born in Tampa, Naked Farmer created its own direct supply chain with Florida farms, where it sources proteins and vegetables. The restaurant specializes in build-your-own-harvest-bowls, filled with options such as rosemary-roasted chicken, Faroe Island salmon and grass-fed beef, and topped with "your choice of (un)dressing," per its website. Bowls also include sides such as chilled beets and feta, roasted sweet potatoes and carrots with lemon gremolata. The mini-chain operates three other outposts: in Coral Gables, Tampa and St. Petersburg. 13945 W. Sunrise Blvd., Sunrise; 954-507-0530; EatNakedFarmer.com

Black Rock Bar & Grill, Coral Springs

A new location of this Michigan-born, grill-your-own-steaks chain hosted its grand opening on April 3 in the space formerly occupied by The New York Bagel Factory. As with its Fort Lauderdale location (which opened in April 2019), Black Rock's DIY gimmick is simple: Customers grill and flip their raw Angus beef steaks and seafood to desired doneness over 755-degree volcanic bricks served tableside. The restaurant (which touts a mammoth 14-page menu) also features hamburgers, French dips and Reubens, rib slabs and Maine lobster tail. For dessert, there's a towering brownie "volcano" loaded with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate and caramel, and speared with shooting sparklers. 2554 N. University Drive, Coral Springs; BlackRockRestaurants.com

Tito's, Lake Worth Beach

This cult-favorite Mexican-Venezuelan food truck making the rounds in West Palm Beach has expanded south, shuffling into its first brick-and-mortar at a Marathon gas station on South Congress Avenue. The eatery, which debuted March 24, comes from co-owner Jose Viloria, who tells the South Florida Sun Sentinel that the comfort-food menu is identical to that of its food truck. The street-food menu features tacos, tortas, tostadas, burritos and quesadillas, along with pepitos, tostitos and cachapas (cheese-filled corn pancakes). There are also Venezuelan-style hamburgers with pineapple, ham, potato chips, fried plantains and pink sauce, and hot dogs loaded with Colombian chorizo. 3965 S. Congress Ave., Lake Worth Beach; 561-222-9570; TitosWPBFL.com

Nour Thai Kitchen & Bar, Oakland Park

Isaan food, from northeastern Thailand — think pungent spices, more chilies, fewer curries, more fermented fish — is the focus of William Manthy and Edric Espinoza's new "unapologetically bold" restaurant in Oakland Park. Nour Thai, which debuted in mid-March in Oakland Park's growing Culinary Arts District, is adorned with murals of fish from Thailand's Mekong River and features crispy money bags (deep-fried pockets of sweet potato, cornpeas, onions, curry powder), spicy basil fried rice and duck noodle soup. The menu also includes sashimi, sushi rolls and poke bowls. 3554 NE 12th Ave, Oakland Park; 954-533-0569; NourThai.com

Rice Mediterranean Kitchen, Fort Lauderdale

This Mediterranean build-your-own-bowl mini-chain with seven locations in Miami-Dade County debuted its first Broward County kitchen in mid-March. The eatery from chef-owner Ali Shabani (Rice House of Kabob), on tony Las Olas Boulevard inside the Bank of America building, spotlights family recipes drawn from his Persian roots. Bowls, wraps and salads may be customized with proteins such as braised brisket and lamb, basmati or brown rice, sriracha-tomato hummus and Greek yogurt sumac. There are also eight herb-infused dips (including charred carrot tahini and honey nut feta), wild-caught snapper wraps, and sirloin kubideh salads. 401 E. Las Olas Blvd., No. 115, Fort Lauderdale; 954-928-9620; RiceKitchen.com

Opal & Ore, Delray Beach

Chef-restaurateur Giovanni Geraca has debuted this Mediterranean-Italian kitchen on Delray Beach's ever-bustling Atlantic Avenue. The menu, which draws on French and coastal Italian techniques, includes starters such as Sicilian schiacciata, a flatbread topped with buffalo mozzarella, scallion butter and Greek olives, arancini balls, black truffle bruschetta and charcuterie plates. Entrees include pan-seared swordfish paired with caramelized onions, capers and a white wine-infused lemon-butter sauce. There is also fresh lobster with creamy tarragon sauce and beurre blanc (a French butter sauce) on a bed of fettuccine. For nonseafood eaters, the menu has pork and sage butter rigatoni and slow-cooked Bell & Evans chicken with mushrooms and cream sherry sauce. 506 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; 561-265-5699, OpalandOre.com

Garden District Taproom, West Palm Beach

Drinking dens touting pour-your-own-craft-beer taprooms are now nothing new in South Florida (cough, Hopportunities, cough), but here you’ll be able to drink heartily without having to tip the robot. A grand opening is planned for this downtown sudsy emporium from husband-and-wife owners Rosie and Josh Hanson on March 31. Situated across the street from a Brightline stop, Garden District Taproom features craft beers, ciders and seltzers on draft. Drinks are dispensed from nozzles on a "tap wall," accessed by scanning a coded wristband over the screen displaying your drink of choice. There's even a dog-friendly patio shaded with lush palm trees. 410 Evernia St., No. 119, West Palm Beach; 561-584-8544; GardenDistrictWPB.com

Seabra Bakery & Café, Boca Raton

This Portuguese and Brazilian bakery from the owners of the Seabra Foods ethnic grocery chain (which has supermarkets in Parkland and Pompano Beach and out of state in New Jersey and New York) debuted in February in Boca Raton. Co-owners Antonio, Adam, Anthony and Aaron Seabra have opened a spot that specializes in custom-order cakes and housemade Portuguese rolls (pão da avó), along with wraps and paninis stuffed with grilled chicken, prosciutto, beef tenderloin and roasted turkey. There are also sandwiches named after South Florida cities, including the Boca Raton, a chicken cutlet handheld topped with Canadian bacon and vegetables. 465-475 NE Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton; 561-631-9022; Instagram.com/seabrabakery

Bear's Food Shack and Tequila Bar, Lake Worth Beach

An unlikely fusion of Mexican and Hawaiian dishes — plus intoxicating tequila cocktails — distinguishes this beachy laidback shack that arrived downtown in early March. The eatery, from owner Mia Rizzo, actually combines two restaurants: the El Diablo that previously occupied this Lake Worth Beach space and Bear's Food Shack in Delray Beach, which shuttered last fall on Atlantic Avenue. The menu includes poke bowls, acai bowls and smoothies along with quesadillas, burritos, fajitas, tacos, enchiladas and protein bowls. 717 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach; BearsFoodShack.com

Sakura Ramen, Coral Springs

Asian street foods tantalizing enough to merit their own Instagram account are on the menu at this ramen house, which debuted in early March in the Coral Landings III plaza off West Sample Road and North State Road 7. The restaurant, registered to Zheng Xing Zheng, offers seven ramen bowls along with stir-fried Japanese curry, takoyaki (fried octopus balls), Korean spicy cheese noodles, shrimp tempura bao buns, pad Thai and Chinese scallion pancakes. For sweet tooths, there are bubble teas, milkshakes, powdered Thai doughnuts and something called "dirty bread," which is deep-fried, dusted with cinnamon, stuffed with Nutella and dunked into a coconut-based dipping sauce. 6192 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs; 954-247-9380; SakuraRamen99.com

Pick-ITA-Up, Fort Lauderdale

Replacing the former Bowlicious on Commercial Boulevard is this clunkily named Italian restaurant whose slogan is "Italian fast food where fast means good." (Only good? But we digress.) The restaurant opened to the public on March 16, per social media, and the majority of entrees are $12 (save cauliflower pizza, which is $15). They include five types of paninis such as boscaiola, a crisp handheld of pork sausage, caramelized onion, mushrooms, roasted red peppers and arugula; and 12 pastas from linguini and middleneck clams to rigatoni with basil garlic pesto and creamy burrata. Lentil soup, pasta fagioli, fresh burrata and six pizza styles round out the offerings. 1823 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-900-3621; Facebook.com/pickitaup

Belladukes, Boca Raton

Belladukes‘ owners — Lisa Mullen and Lisa Klepper — say the gourmet market and coffee bar features a weekly rotating menu, bespoke grab-and-go meals, charcuterie specials and sweet treats, as well as craft beer and fine wines by the glass or bottle. There are three generations of friendships behind Belladukes. In addition to being childhood friends, both women's parents were friends and now their children are pals too. By the way, the name comes from each family's dog, Duke for the Mullens and Bella for the Kleppers. Free parking is available in the Tower 155 Garage and metered parking on the street. 155 E. Boca Raton Road, Boca Raton; 561-990-1516; belladukes.com

Tin Roof, Fort Lauderdale

This Nashville-spawned, music-minded, bar-food chain with a popular location on Delray's glitzy Atlantic Avenue has moseyed south to downtown Fort Lauderdale, quietly opening on St. Patrick's Day inside the former Township bar, according to its social media. CEO Bob Franklin told the South Florida Sun Sentinel last spring that Tin Roof would feature nightly live music acts and a menu different than that of its Delray Beach outpost: Nashville hot chicken, fried pickles, burgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, cheese fries and salad bowls. 219 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-654-7330; TinRoofFortLauderdale.com

Closed

Peters Road Deli, Plantation

This reliable no-frills staple for items like subs and salads has permanently closed after 37 years on Peters Road, citing "economic factors plaguing small businesses" in a Facebook post in early April. "We will be deciding where we take Peters Road Deli. Perhaps a food truck, another location in Plantation or even local pop-ups," the post continued. The shop, registered to Marilyn Sanchez, served up hot and cold subs, along with antipasto, garden and tuna salad plates, omelets, pasta salads, housemade chicken soup and kosher pickles. 4353 Peters Road, Plantation; 954-587-5456

Sushi Maki, Fort Lauderdale

After a little over a year, Sushi Maki has closed the Las Olas Boulevard location, which formerly housed Beehive Kitchen. The reason? The downtown business district "did not return to normal traffic patterns that we had hoped for," the company said in a message to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. But the Miami-based brand still has a major South Florida footprint, including six venues and 12 grab-and-go stations in partnership with Whole Foods stores (including the location on nearby 17th Street Causeway). The statement added: "We hope to see guests at our newly expanded location at Nova Southeastern University, where we serve sushi and wok-fired dishes." Sushi Maki was started in 2000 by Abe Ng, the eldest son of Allan Ng (himself a major Canton Chinese restaurateur). 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; SushiMaki.com

Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar, Delray Beach

For years, this casual-dining chain served cheeseboards, salads, flatbreads and vegan-friendly dishes in the Delray Place plaza near the corner of Linton Boulevard and South Federal Highway. The restaurant, created by CEO-founder Dave Magrogan, closed on April 1 without warning or social-media fanfare, announcing the shutdown with a note taped to the front door. "We are making the decision to voluntarily serve our last guest at Harvest Seasonal Grill," the note reads, adding that "it's been a great run" and that its staffers will relocate to new projects, including the soon-to-open Jupiter Grill and Lantana Cabana. Harvest featured organic hummus, tuna tartare and pork potstickers for appetizers, chilled soba noodle bowls and shaved heirloom carrot salads. Mains ranged from cedar-roasted salmon and seared sea scallops to lemon-thyme chicken and smoked eggplant rollatini. Harvest Grills in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are expected to remain open. 1841 S. Federal Highway, No. 402, Delray Beach; 561-266-3239; HarvestSeasonal.com

Follow Us