I’ve been up in Chicago for a couple of weeks getting my fix of the chow I can’t get in SoFlo (pan pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, Maxwell Street Polish, a decent banh mi, good Indian food) and while I’ve been gone my inbox has filled up with all kinds of dining news I need to share.
BONALICIOUS
Glen Weinzimer at Bona Italian Restaurant reminded me that the new al fresco patio is open and is great for enjoying a glass of wine and people-watching. There’s live music in the Apertivo Lounge every Thursday, and Monday night is Give Back night, with proceeds going to Broward House on the 16th and Bears of South Florida on the 23rd. He also insists that Bonalicious is a word. He uses it to describe three of his “most important team members, the house Bolognese is a slow-cooked sauce, with a little cream added, with linguine and fresh parmigiana on top. A fan favorite is the eggplant rollatini, eggplant rolled around ricotta and chopped prosciutto, covered in our slow-cooked sauce, and smothered in parmigiana until golden with your choice of pasta (a secret you can also get it as an appetizer without the pasta and one generous rollatini!). This final team member is bright colorful and oh so tasty, lemon chicken in an egg-wash, lemon cream, peppercorn over capellini pasta.”
CHIC & UNIQUE
Speaking of tasty morsels and people-watching. I am so looking forward to the Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida’s “Chic & Unique Ball: Crystal Opulence Unleashed” on Saturday, Nov. 2, at The Westin Fort Lauderdale. Not only does it promise to be a night of glittering elegance, luxury, and extravagant fun, GMCSF pulls out all the stops to create an unforgettable experience. General admission is $200 and includes the main event, fine food, live and silent auctions, a post-event dance party with a live band, and special surprises throughout the night. Tickets are available at gmcsf.givesmart.com.
BIG WITH BEEF
NYY Steak at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek has once again been recognized as one of the Best Casino Restaurants in the U.S., according to the just-released USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest. NYY Steak was selected among 20 other top casino restaurants across the nation. The public voted for their favorite casino restaurants, resulting in a 3rd Place win for NYY Steak, affirming it as a top choice among diners. NYY Steak is renowned as a fine-dining steakhouse offering hand-selected dry-aged USDA Prime steaks.
"We are thrilled to have NYY Steak continue to rank among the best in the country," said Ryan Maskiell, Vice President of Marketing at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. "Our team is dedicated to providing top-tier service and world-class cuisine, and this recognition is a testament to their hard work and commitment."
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE
Arc Culinary Executive Pastry Chef and Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship finalist Christian Velez presents his imaginative four-course chef experience dinner on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m., at the Emeril Lagasse Foundation Innovation Kitchen in Sunrise. Arc Culinary invites guests to an unforgettable dining adventure inspired by the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland. Velez designed an imaginative, four-course menu that includes mad tea sandwiches, little Alice’s cookie platter, and a mouthwatering Cheshire Cat’s favorite fresh espresso ice cream and lemon sorbet.
Tickets for the event are $99 for the chef’s table or $89 for communal seating and includes gratuity and alcoholic beverages. Ticket sales from the “It’s Always 6 O’clock” chef experience dinner support Arc Broward’s mission of providing opportunities for children and adults with disabilities and other life challenges to realize their full potential. For tickets, go to arcculinary.com/chef-experience-dinners/ or call 954-299-7515.
