Henry’s China House (745 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-763-3333) claims to be “Fort Lauderdale’s first Chinese restaurant.” Now, I’m not about to argue — the place opened in the ’50s and still consistently serves some downright savory Cantonese cuisine. There’s never a doubt the fare is homemade; if you…
I confess I’ve let the most recent issues of Vogue sweat on my coffee tables in their plastic wrappers, so I have no clue: Is fur, faux or otherwise, in or out this year? And how about animal skins — cow, alligator, zebra, leopard? I mean, these are serious questions…
Ever wonder what it would be like to be served by lottery winners? No? Well, anyway, now you can experience this unique pleasure at the Whale’s Rib (2031 NE Second St., Deerfield Beach, 954-421-8880), where several employees joined together to purchase a Florida lottery ticket a few weeks ago. In…
I saw my first fire-safety video when I was in first grade. The graphic scenes in the movie made such an impression on me that I packed my toys in paper bags every night so I could grab them easily in case of an emergency. For a year I couldn’t…
Looking for a stocking stuffer for the sophisticated diner in your life? This year’s South Florida Zagat Survey, featuring about 350 restaurants from the Broward and Palm Beach areas, will hit local bookstores about mid-December. ‘Course, that means Hanukkah celebrators will have to buy this customer-quoting guide for themselves, but…
“I have missed you all tremendously and have decided again to follow my heart….” Sound like a letter from a lovesick suitor? From an absent mother? From a kid away at college for the first time (yeah, right)? Actually, it’s the latest advertisement for the “gourmet Mexicano” restaurant Eduardo de…
Forget the worries about human genetic manipulation and controlled evolution. We should be more concerned about the unnatural adaptation of our movie theaters to 21st-century life. I admit I was glad, back in the ’80s, when the single-screen theater evolved into the more functional multiplex. I was heartened when the…
Question: How do you compliment a girl from Loxahatchee? Answer: “Nice tooth.” Question: How do you compliment ten girls from Loxahatchee? Answer: “Nice set of teeth.” Now, I don’t mean to deride Palm Beach County’s less-ritzy towns — well, maybe I do — but let’s face it: It’s Hicksville out…
Hanukkah’s early this year, and if you’re like me, now’s the moment to panic. Or time to order a gift basket of rugelach from the Kitchen Cupboard, Inc. (800-813-5432), a Broward-based company. The Kitchen Cupboard doesn’t sell its homemade rugelach, developed from a top-secret family recipe and ranging in variety…
I demand a lot from my neighborhood diners. I count on brisk service, for one thing, whether I’m popping in for breakfast, late-night dinner, or a bottomless mug of coffee. For another I prefer that the décor be casual, even seedy (though not dirty); I’m weary of newfangled, prefab designer…
We’ve all been there — single, hungry, and bored with soggy take-out. Often the only alternative is taking oneself to a good restaurant and suffering the pitying stares of other diners. Well, thanks to the Single Gourmet (PMB-555, 1291-A S. Powerline Rd., Pompano Beach, 954-723-9608), you can now “go out…
With its tiled walls and crowded interior dominated by deli cases, Beany’s Cafe (126 NE Second St., Boca Raton, 561-392-1085) hardly looks like what it is — a gourmet deli capable of inspired dishes such as wheatberry salad or chicken napoleon linguine (with fresh spinach and a tomato-cream sauce). Along…
A couple of years ago, the wife of GQ food critic Alan Richman wrote an essay for Food & Wine. In it she defined her main purpose as dining companion: Richman instructed her always to carry a large black purse so that when he stole the menu he’d have somewhere…
I’ve always believed you can’t go wrong with bread and salad. No matter how much of a failure a meal might be — whether it’s served in a restaurant or in someone’s house — guests won’t leave a table hungry if they’re supplied with plenty of crusty bread and fresh,…
Italian restaurants are a lira a dozen, but every once in a while one stands out. Al & Jay’s Pasta Kitchen (2399 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton, 561-392-6770) is just such a place, and not because the storefront trattoria is pleasant and colorful and the classic Italian dishes well executed…
A commercial on Comedy Central advertising The Daily Show gets me every time. The Daily Show, for those who haven’t watched it, is a no-holds-barred spoof of a news broadcast, and the commercial is just as snide as the show itself. The spot features a newsroom where everyone chases down…
If sheer numbers impress you, you might want to check out Sushi Tom (1396 SW 160th Ave., Weston, 954-385-3688). The sushi bar and Japanese restaurant, open for about eight months now, serves more than 220 items — and that doesn’t even include desserts, which range from green tea ice cream…
Ah, the dreaded flat tire. Since ours is a wheeled society, flats are inevitable. You can only hope one doesn’t occur in a truly dangerous situation, like on a freeway in Los Angeles after dropping a friend off at the airport. That happened to me years ago, when I was…
Many diners were distressed by the departure of Revolution 2029 from the Hollywood restaurant scene. But fans of former chef David Sloane now have a reason to celebrate: He’s turned up as executive chef at Dancing Bear (333 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-779-7374). Sloane’s inventive comfort-food recipes –…
Forget last year, when Pakistan and India were hurling nuclear threats at each other. This year, India is in. Bookstores are brimming with Indian literature — a trend that delights me, because I’m a big fan. Clothing designers are employing Indian fabrics, and DJs are spinning Indian synth-pop. Speaking of…
It’s rare to come across a new restaurant that exudes Old Fort Lauderdale, but Tarpon Bend (200 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-523-3233) succeeds. The eatery, dedicated to deep-sea fishing and offering dishes like grouper fingers, crabcakes, and clam bakes, is owned by the Himmarshee Bar & Grille group. Despite…
November doesn’t just mark the end of the hurricane season; it’s also the high point of white truffle, or tartufo bianco, season. This highly prized mushroom, which grows underground in the hills of northern Italy, sells for about $1300 a pound. That’s some luxury item. Fortunately South Floridians can try…
