Can you believe we’re one-third of the way through 2026? Where did the time go?
So much is happening in South Florida that we had to push The Golden Spoon Awards from the last issue of the magazine. For the past 25 years, I’ve shared the best dining experiences of the past year with my readers. This year I’ve changed things up.Rather than divide them into categories, such as Best Asian Restaurant or Best Fine Dining, I’ve labeled each for what it was. It could be notable for the service, a specific dish, the overall experience, or whatever made it special.
Here are OutSFL’s Golden Spoon Awards for 2025.
Best Local Food Festival
Taste of the Island
There are bigger food festivals with celebrity chefs, but as far as bang for your buck, you won’t do better than Taste of the Island. I also like the fact that it takes place in the evening and fills Richardson Park with a maze of deliciousness. I wish more Wilton Manors restaurants took part. I get that if you’re open on a Monday, it cuts into your business, but for one night a year, you could show support for the community that supports you. And for those Wilton Manors places that do participate, thank you!
Brunch is a Drag & I Love It That Way – With My People
R House in Miami is pure spectacle, and the food is better than it needs to be. It’s a prix fixe menu, with plenty of food (not such a good deal for vegetarians, though). Aquaplex in Oakland Park has a more traditional show, but the girls do work the crowd, and The Well, on Wilton Dr., has its fans too. I tend to avoid those straight places that do drag shows only for weekend brunch. Glad they’re keeping girls working, but they seem to be pandering.
Best Resurrection - Oakland Park
Mai Kai
3599 N. Federal
What I said then, “With all the show and décor, the food at Mai-Kai doesn’t need to be particularly good; most folks are coming for the exotic cocktails and the kitschy décor, the food is secondary. To Mai-Kai’s credit, most of the dishes are quite good, if you stay away from the touristy items.” The steak is especially good. Avoid the drinks in a pineapple; it’s a $5 upcharge just for the pineapple.
Best Resurrection - Fort Lauderdale
Wan’s
664 N. Federal
It may seem like Christina Wan’s has been around forever, but it only opened in 2005. However, her family’s roots in the restaurant industry in South Florida go back to 1966. Still, from the clamor when Christina announced that she decided to close her restaurant and retire at the beginning of 2025, you’d think it was as if a landmark was being erased. And in a way it was. Within a month or so, it was announced that her daughter Courtney and nephew Alex Kuk (Temple Street Eatery) have taken over the newly christened Wan’s. They’ve added new dishes to the menu but kept many old favorites - for the old favorite customers.
Best Seafood – Miami
A Fish Called Avalon
700 Ocean Dr.
What I said then, “If you’ve got relatives coming from out of town and want to give them the perfect South Beach dining experience, take them to A Fish called Avalon. The historic Art Deco setting and the street-side elevated patio would be enough, but there’s also the creative menu from Chef Kal Arwad, offering diners a satisfying blend of cuisines at this celebrated South Beach landmark… prices aren’t cheap, but the food is of the highest quality… Savor those last bites and watch life stroll by on Ocean Dr. as your cares drift away.”
Beat Seafood/Sushi – Lake Worth Beach
Sushi by Boū’
At Benny’s on the Beach
10 S. Ocean Blvd.
What I said then, “They took what was a small side room with a few booths at Benny’s and completely reimagined it as a speakeasy with a small tiki hut bar with vintage mermaid wallpaper, a few lounge chairs, and a long sushi bar dominating the room. Sushi by Boū’s seasoned sushi chefs expertly guide guests through the hour-long omakase experience. The omakase menu is displayed, and before the meal, the chefs ask about any allergies or dining preferences…Each course is just one or two delicious bites, but believe me, you won’t go home hungry. “
Most Impressive Dessert
Toro Toro
InterContinental Miami, 100 Chopin Plaza
What I said then, “La Bomba is $28, which seems pricey for a dessert, but there’s easily enough for four to six to share, and there’s a show involved! Your server puts down a sheet of acetate with La Bomba written in chocolate. Then a chocolate half sphere filled with cookie crumble, scoops of cream cheese mousse, vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ice cream, and fresh berries is raised over the table. On the count of three, it is dropped onto the sheet of acetate. The globe shatters into chocolate shards, its contents spill out, and are topped with dulce de leche, vanilla, and berry sauce, Spoons are handed out and you dig in. It is a delightful experience.”
Best New Restaurant – Wilton Manors
Salvo Osteria Romana
2389 Wilton Dr.
What I said then “Osteria Romana means Roman Hostel, and Salvo’s is the kind of welcoming spot that keeps me wanting to come back. They might need to set up a cot for me in the back.” Well, there’s no cot, but we do love the pasta special on Tuesday ($25 for a glass of wine and your choice of unlimited plates of four types of pasta; marinara, Bolognese, carbonara, or cacio y pepe.) Salvo’s has become the place to see and be seen, so make a reservation.
Best New Restaurant – Fort Lauderdale
Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse
221 SW 1st Ave.
What I said then, “I noticed that the restaurant offered an $85 tasting menu of 8-10 dishes, with the caveat that the entire table participates. I asked if I could do that and let the chef send out whatever he wanted, as long as it was from the regular menu, and my husband would just order the vegan ramen. They countered with catering the Chef’s Selection menu to both of our dietary preferences. Problem solved. This would be the right time to point out how attentive the staff were, not just our server, but all the support staff as well (and I watched, it was happening at other tables.) We ended up having 13 courses (a few extra because, when there was a meat course, they prepared a different course for my husband), some just a bite or two, some more substantial. We went home absolutely stuffed. Each of the items was from the regular menu. …You wouldn’t go wrong with any of them”.
Yeah, it’s expensive, but if you’re looking for a special event place this is it.
