Although we sometimes tend to forget it, Florida is a part of the deep South.

The Modern Rose was recommended to us by our friend Doreen, who one might refer to as a “customer with high standards.” So, when she raved about a place, we thought we had to try it. We were meeting our friends James and Ricky and James’ niece Alexis for Sunday brunch. The Modern Rose has been voted the top brunch spot by numerous websites and publications, so our hopes were high.

The onset of fall means more than just an overload of pumpkin-spice lattes. It means that the weather has cooled off enough, hurricane season has passed, and we see the return of wine and food festivals. Up north they may have the leaves changing colors, down here we have the arrival of the celebrity chefs. Here’s the lowdown on the top three food fests, one for each county.

If you’re wondering where the bros from YOLO went, head over to Moxies.

You leave town for a few days and the entire restaurant scene changes I came home to discover that the Fort Lauderdale landmark riverfront restaurant, The Downtowner and its next-door venue, Maxwell Room, will close on Sunday, Oct. 6 after 30 years.

Boy, you leave town for two weeks, and you somehow have six weeks of mail and emails accumulated when you return. There were so many goodies that I couldn’t include them all in my last column, so I’ll catch you up. But I promise to dine out and give you a review soon!