It’s been a few weeks and so much has happened.
We were as shocked as anyone by the announcement of the closing of Bona Italian. We’re interested to see what Dom Caruso’s (formerly on Dixie in Oakland Park) will be like. I touted their former location on Check, Please! and then they sold it right after that. Dom Caruso was always so welcoming, let’s hope it has some success. It’s going to have competition because Salvo Mule (owner of the property housing the Eagle) is opening an upscale Italian place in the former Thai Me Up location across the street. Hope they don’t start lobbing meatballs at each other! In the meantime, here are a bunch of other places that opened while I was busy doing holiday stuff.
Ozzie’s Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar opened in early December amidst a bunch of tattoo and swim shops in the space that used to house Fiorello’s. Among its “blend of Italian and American flavors” are, burgers, steak, shrimp, pork belly, and seafood pasta, as well as empanadas, and lobster fried rice (!?!) 905 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
Café Bastille owners Estelle Bellegy and Benjamin Amsallem decided to go all-in and open their spot in the evenings with a new name, L’Apero by Café Bastille, and a new menu of Mediterranean tapas and spirits. The evening menu features mussels, ceviche, patatas bravas, and coffee-rubbed steak skewers, along with many wines and craft cocktails. L’Apero is open Thursdays through Saturdays with live music on Fridays. 704 SE First St., Fort Lauderdale, cafebastilledowntown.com.
After starting in 2020 as a food truck in Miami, Talkin’ Tacos owners Moe Farraj and Omar Al-Massalkhi, now have 20 locations including the newest, a 1,850-square-foot restaurant that seats 45 people. It features Talkin’ Tacos’ signature Halal Mexican cuisine with menu items such as birria tacos, birria ramen, street corn in a cup, churros, and specialty drinks including horchata. 1619 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, talkintacos.net.
Nerea Seafood opened in the space formerly occupied by Cubano’s but many of us remember before that as Mario’s Catalina. The Guatemalan restaurant offers a modern twist on seafood, with a menu of ceviches and entrees such as green mussels, aguachile, shrimp tostadas, grilled octopus, spaghetti frutti di mare, and paella. 1611 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale, NereaSeafood.com.
For a tropical Key West-inspired vibe and a seafood menu featuring smoked mahi mahi dip, fried calamari, coconut-crusted shrimp, and beer-battered fish, stop by Bungalow Bar & Grill. 511 NE 4th St, Boynton Beach, TheBungalowBoynton.com.
Death By Pizza was born as a pop-up during COVID-19, it opened for business right after New Year’s and specializes in Detroit-style pies. There are also salads, Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, chicken wings, and desserts such as a crushed Oreo mud pie. 15065 S. State Road 7, Delray Beach; DeathByPizzaDelray.com.
Add another new spot to the 13th St. strip that is becoming increasingly more popular. Stella’s showcases burgers, sandwiches, wraps, subs, wings, and breakfast platters. 63 NE 13th St., Fort Lauderdale.
Volcano Hot Pot & Korean BBQ combines both immersive dining experiences, all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue alongside Chinese hot pot in a former Sweet Tomatoes location. Cook the proteins on heating plates or boil them inside a covered pot of boiling broth. 2906 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood, VolcanoKBBQHollywood.com.
Opening in the space that was briefly Kachi Afro Caribbean Lounge and before that Two& (a bike shop that turned into a bar at night), LaVie Lounge offers a Western European tapas menu. Some of the dishes offered include roasted candied Brussels sprouts, lamb chops, pork belly with pickled vegetables, roasted patatas encebollado, and flatbreads. 1517 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
