Late year, Christina Wan’s, a long-time favorite Fort Lauderdale restaurant, announced that it was closing.
The restaurant run by Christina Huynh (the family matriarch and namesake of Christina Wan’s) along with her husband, chef, and co-owner Jason Huynh, grew from a family dining dynasty going back to the 1960s, when Huynh’s father opened his first restaurant in Miami. In January, as the Chinese New Year was being celebrated, a handwritten sign appeared on the door of Christina Wan’s. It read “Re-opening in spring under the 4th generation of Wan’s.” The family chose Chinese New Year to announce the re-opening during the Year of the Wooden Snake because it is good luck and also because it signifies the start of new beginnings.
When it reopens in the same location sometime this spring, it will led by fourth-generation owners Alex Kuk (Christina’s nephew, who runs the nearby Temple Street Eatery), and Courtney Van Leeuwaarde, Christina’s daughter. Kuk, in an interview with the Sun Sentinel, explained why the family decided to bring the restaurant back.
“When we saw everyone mourning its loss online, that really brought it home for us — how much we loved the community and how much they loved us. To think of my grandparents, who worked so hard to open in the ‘60s, we couldn’t just let their legacy fall by the wayside.”
A modern makeover will take place, including what Kuk calls “a relaunch of my grandfather’s restaurant.” However, he will keep Christina Wan’s original menu of homey Cantonese standards, such as Peking duck, moo shu pork, crab Rangoon, and egg foo young, for now. Expect more modern and exotic dishes as well, such as lion’s head meatballs, a beef stew dish, and moo shu pork wraps. To become a full-time owner of Wan’s, Kuk said he plans to halt his day-to-day relationship with Temple Street Eatery, although he’ll remain a partner. Newly elevated chef Jason Huang, who worked at Christina Wan’s for a decade, will run the kitchen.
Leeuwaarde said the birth of her daughter, Anōra, in December, changed her mind about taking over the business. “To see these people mourn, you truly realize how often they relied on Christina Wan’s,” she said. “I worked at my mom’s restaurant since I was 6 years old and built my core memories around that place. And I realized, if I have a kid, I don’t have a family legacy to leave her. I need to give her a legacy.”
SAVOR SoFLO Returns
Mark your calendars! SAVOR SoFLO is returning to the sands of Hollywood Beach on March 29-30. This year, SAVOR SoFLO celebrates its 5th anniversary alongside two monumental milestones: the 100th anniversary of the City of Hollywood, and the 10th anniversary of Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, the Festival’s host hotel. For more information go to savorsoflo.com.
Live like the rich without breaking the bank at Burlock Coast at The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale. Happy hour Monday through Friday brings special treats for $25. On Monday, it’s Caviar & Chips featuring homemade potato chips and caviar dip paired with champagne. Tapas Tuesday showcases a selection of three assorted tapas paired with Cava, while on Wednesday it’s Sips & Dips, with three homemade dips served with fresh pita, crackers, and chips, paired with beer. Thursday brings Truffle & Tini, savor indulgent truffle dishes such as truffle fries and crispy Brussels sprouts paired with a dirty martini. Wind up the week of feeling like a millionaire with Flutes & Frites Flatbread ($25) enjoy seasonal flatbreads such as truffle mushroom flatbread with shaved pecorino, aged saba, and fries, paired with prosecco.
Last-minute Valentine Shopping
Need a last-minute Valentine’s gift? Don’t panic, head over to Papageno’s Wine and Provisions, 1201 N. Federal in Fort Lauderdale, where they can outfit you with everything from a candy bar to a bottle of champagne to a full gift basket. And what queen doesn’t love a big basket?
