Philly Steak House Set for Fort Lauderdale’s W Hotel

IN THE NEWS: Starr Restaurant Organization has some major growth plans — and only part of them involve Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports. The Old City-based company, which has 16 restaurants in three cities, will roll out a host of in-hotel restaurants with food-and-beverage services in Philadelphia, Atlantic City, New York City, Las Vegas [...]

‘Gourmet’ Lauds Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink

Gourmet magazine’s October 2007 issue features a guide to “America’s Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants.” gourmet.com:
RESTAURANTS WITH FARM CONNECTIONS: 2nd Street Bistro, Livingston, MT; Amherst Chinese Food, Amherst, MA; Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN; Crook’s Corner, Chapel Hill, NC; Eve, Alexandria, VA; La Provence, Lacombe, LA; Lantern, Chapel Hill, NC; Pacific’O and I’o, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii; Tree House [...]

‘Bon Appetit’ Spotlights Area Restaurants

IN THE NEWS: Bon Appetit’s October 2007 issue features Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink (130 Northeast 40th Street, 305-573-5550, michaelsgenuine.com), Quattro Gastronomia Italiana (1014 Lincolnd Road, 305-531-4833, quattromiami.com), and the recently opened Lido Bayside Grill (40 Island Avenue, 305-673-1717, standardhotel.com). bonappetit.com … Dine Out Lauderdale is set for Oct. 1-Nov. 15 (excluding Oct. 25), during [...]

Casablanca Seafood Bar & Grill Opens

IN THE NEWS: The Miami Herald’s Victoria Pesce Elliott gives two stars in reviewing Hoja Nueva (Westin Colonnade Hotel, 180 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, 305-441-2600) in the former spot of the closed Bice, while Rochelle Koff gives three stars to Lola’s on Harrison (2032 Harrison St., Hollywood, 954-927-9851; www.lolasonharrison.com) and Linda Bladholm visits Rinconcito [...]

Reviewers Rate Indomania, Tulio’s Italian

IN THE NEWS: Miami New Times’ Lee Klein reviews the new Dutch-Indonesian eatery Indomania (131 26th St, Miami Beach; 305-535-6332). miaminewtimes.com … Broward-Palm Beach New Times’ Gail Shepherd rates Tulio’s Italian Fusion (300 Via de Palmas, Boca Raton, in Royal Palm Plaza. 561-447-4006). browardpalmbeach.com … The Miami Herald’s Rochelle Koff awards three and a half [...]

‘Herald’ Critic Reviews DeVito South Beach

IN THE NEWS: The Miami Herald’s Victoria Pesce Elliott gives two and a half stars in reviewing actor Danny DeVito’s new DeVito South Beach (150 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, 305-531-0911; devitosouthbeach.com), while Rochelle Koff awards three and a half stars to Café Sharaku (2736 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale, 954-563-2888, cafesharaku.com), Linda Bladholm visits Tatay’s [...]

‘New Times BPB’ Critic Shepherd Honored

IN THE NEWS: Best newspaper restaurant criticism first place award winner Gail Shepherd of New Times Broward/Palm Beach, runner-up Tom Sietsema of The Washington Post, and third place winner Besha Rodell of Creative Loafing in Atlanta have been honored by The Association of Food Journalists in its 2007 awards competition. They received their awards Aug. [...]

Middle Eastern Eatery Manara Closes

IN THE NEWS: The Miami Herald’s Victoria Elliott gives two stars to Christabelle’s Quarter (3157 Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove, christabellesquarter.com), while Rochelle Koff awards three stars to Seasons 52 (Galleria Mall, 2428 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, seasons52.com) and Micro Rave visits Zadley’s (327 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables). … The paper’s Joan Fleischman reports the [...]

Hollywood’s Michael’s Kitchen Closes

IN THE NEWS: The Miami Herald’s Rochelle Koff reports, “Citing a surge in operating costs that has shuttered other high-profile South Florida restaurants, chef Michael Blum and his wife, Jennie, have closed their popular Hollywood restaurant, Michael’s Kitchen, and plan to reopen in November at the Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort in Sunny Isles Beach. [...]

Frankie’s Moves, Merges with Andiamo

IN THE NEWS: The Miami Herald’s Kathy Martin reports that Frank Crupi, whose Frankie’s Big City Grill became an instant neighborhood favorite when it opened four years ago, has closed his doors at 8601 Biscayne Blvd. and is relocating 30 blocks south, merging with Mark Soyka’s Andiamo Pizza. … Victoria Pesce Elliott gives two and [...]