Gertrude Stein may have famously said, “A rose is a rose is a rose.” Perhaps what she really meant is, “A rosé is a rosé is a rosé.”
We’ll never know, but we do know that the Greek diner, Toast closed last winter, after struggling through the pandemic and the death of owner Gus Halmoukos.
Now Toast has become Toasted Bagelry & Deli. The latest of a Miami-based franchise, with locations in Brickell and Coral Gables. Other than the name, there’s little to compare the two. Toasted is open for breakfast and lunch, serving breakfast and deli sandwiches, paninis, and salads. 3020 N. Federal Highway, Suite 1, Fort Lauderdale; 954-533-2420, ToastedBagelry.com.
Instead of a scoop of soft serve, at the former Dairy Belle on Federal in Dania Beach, you can now get a scoop of guacamole, as well as barbacoa, carne asada and pastor de pollo (chicken) as taco selections at the new fast-food restaurant in that location, Guacamole Station. The tortillas will be made on location. 118 N Federal Highway, Dania Beach; 954-544-2259.
Quietly opening in the space occupied by the short-lived XES, right across the street from Island City Stage is Union Kitchen and Bar. Run by the husband-and-wife team of Christie and Roberto Colombi, it is a modern American restaurant inspired by the feel of South American and Northern Italian cuisine and wines. Specializing in fresh-made pasta. 2309 N. Dixie Hwy., Wilton Manors. 754-216-0143, unionkb.com.
Da Livio Ristorante Italiano barely gasped for breath before closing. The space is now home to Fish N’ Bubbles, run by veteran restaurateurs Filomeno and Kremena Giannino (EATapas and Dal Contadino Trattoria). 2822 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-999-0612, Fish-N-Bubbles.Business.Site.
Everyone is raving about the goodies available at Pink Donuts & More, one of Oakland Park’s newest spots. Among some of the gourmet takes on the ringed treat are lemon pie filling and dulce de leche meringue topped doughnuts. The Nutella stuffed monkey bread is to die for. The family-owned shop also serves empanadas and assorted, cream-filled croissants. Vegan and health-conscious baked goods are also available. 827 E. Oakland Park Blvd., thepinkdonuts.com.
Jason Hadley’s stall at the Yellow-Green Farmer’s Market was always popular. Bang Shack’s dipped chicken is now available at a brick-and-mortar fast-casual restaurant in downtown Hollywood. 120 S. 20th Ave.; 786-223-5395; thebangshack.com.
Oakland Park is becoming brewery central. In addition to Funky Buddha, you can now add Fat Tap Beer Bar, relocating to a larger space in a converted warehouse along Dixie Highway. The new space will consist of two buildings, one will feature a craft beer taproom and kitchen with a 2,000-square-foot beer garden. Behind that will be the brewhouse. 3553-3555 N. Dixie Highway, 954-376-8748, FatTapBeerBar.com.
Hamburger Mary’s held its “soft” opening during Pride weekend. The place was packed with the queens performing before cheering crowds in the parking lot and folks relaxing inside in the cool air-conditioned space. There will be two bars and plenty of table service, plus that large outdoor patio. 2426 Wilton Dr., 754-779-7424, hamburgermarys.com.
Cooking like grandma used to do, if she came from Italy, is the focus of the food at Lynora’s, opening in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton. The company plans to open a total of six locations in Palm Beach and Broward counties by the end of the year. Focusing on standards such as pasta tagliolini, alla carbonara, linguine alle vongole, and cannelloni al Forno, expect to see these places open by the winter holidays. Lynoras.com.
Grampa’s Bagel Bakery Deli Café, Dania Beach has been taken over by New Yorkers Mark Fried (Bagel Boys Café) and Marc Goldberg (Goldberg’s Famous Bagels). They plan to style it as a New York-style deli and open a second location in Fort Lauderdale in the mall directly across the street from Brooklyn Water Bagel. 2364 N. Federal, 954-923-2163, grampasbakery.com.
The trendy, high-end oceanfront restaurant Dune has closed temporarily, even though it was doing great business. The property and business were sold to Michelin-star chef Laurent Tourondel who will re-open the place as Dune by Laurent Tourondel. At the other end of the price spectrum Dockers, in Dania Beach has shut its doors. They’re consolidating their team with sister restaurant, Downtowners in Fort Lauderdale.
Rick Karlin is SFGN's food editor. Visit SFGN.com/Food to read his previous reviews. Have a culinary tip to share? Email Rick at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
