An amuse bouche [əˌmo͞ozˈbo͞oSH] is, typically, a small savory item of food served as an appetizer before a meal. They are served both to prepare the guest for the meal and to offer a glimpse of the chef's style. The term is French and literally means "mouth amuser." That seemed like a perfect title for this column of tidbits about dining events in and around Fort Lauderdale.
Fired Up! is the name of the cocktail reception being held at the Coral Ridge Yacht club on March 20 as a benefit for Slow Burn Theatre Company. The cocktail reception will take place on the intracoastal veranda at sunset and will feature an open bar, curated bites, live entertainment, and an interactive raffle and auction. For tickets and more information, go to SlowBurnTheatre.org/blog.
The W Hotel Fort Lauderdale has turned its lobby lounge into The Living Room and has initiated a slew of food and drink specials to kick it off. It might just be the best new happy hour in Fort Lauderdale with Golden Hour, daily from 4-7 p.m. Guests can enjoy specially priced rotating draft beers, house-selected wines, cocktails, and a curated selection of chef-driven bites. After Happy Hour, the specials continue nightly.
While we’re at the beach, Señor Frogs Fort Lauderdale now hosts Drag Brunch on the Beach every Sunday, pairing high-energy performances with unlimited mimosas in a lively oceanfront setting.
Check out ViceVersa, a pop-up James Beard-nominated, Italian aperitivo bar at the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, taking over the lobby bar through May 2026. The limited-time collaboration brings a playful approach to Italian cocktails with a South Florida twist.
In Deerfield Beach, the recently reopened International Fishing Pier has helped usher in renewed beachfront energy, anchored by The Break House, which features the city’s first rooftop bar overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Just blocks away, Lucky Lou’s Raw Bar has quickly become a welcoming local hangout, serving oyster-forward, tide-to-table seafood in a casual coastal atmosphere.
In Pompano Beach, Lola’s on the Water embodies boating culture, inviting guests to dock and dine while enjoying bold Middle Eastern flavors with sweeping views of the Intracoastal Waterway.
Beyond the shoreline, Café Bastille has introduced its Parisian-inspired all-day brunch to Weston Town Center, marking its fourth South Florida outpost.
The fourth Tuesday of every month is Velvet Lenore’s Burlesque show at Aquaplex. I wonder if they serve strip steak.
March 5 is Dining Out for Life; many Wilton Manors restaurants are participating. The link to see participating restaurants on the event’s website was not working and no one from Broward House returned our call by deadline. Check to see if it’s been fixed at DiningOutForLife.com and click Fort Lauderdale.
Oakland Park has a new hot spot, Bondi Sushi, a celebrated New York favorite reimagined with an elevated, fine-casual approach. The brand-new space, located across the street from Coral Ridge Mall, features a sushi bar, expanded indoor and outdoor seating, and inventive new creations. Don’t go in and ask for a booth for a party of two; you’ll get a nasty sneer and be informed that the booth is for four or more. Even if there are five empty tables, they’ll still try to place you at a tiny two-top squeezed in next to the bathroom.
