No, it’s not a restaurant decked out like the ‘80s movie, but rather a reference to the latest ice cream spot to open in Fort Lauderdale, Churn & Scoop.

Artisanal creations abound at this spot on the border of Victoria Park and Flagler Village. Colorful confections with flavors that are based on such exotic ingredients as ube (Asian purple sweet potato), corn, brown butter cookie dough, balsamic syrup and peanut butter can be encased in hard-shell dip with flavors such as birthday cake, cotton candy, chocolate, and cherry.

A Long Over-Due Facelift

There’s no shortage of facelifts in South Florida, but one of the most welcome has taken place at Tark’s on Federal in Dania Beach. Ted Itzoe sold the business after letting it fall into disrepair. Disrepair is a kind way to say it was filthy. New owners Kesi and Jennifer Dibrani, who also operate Moonlite Diner in Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale, took over and immediately cleaned and updated the place. The smart thing is that they left the menu alone and loyal customers are grateful.

Taste-Full

The fourth annual Taste of Recovery will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5. at the Old School Square Pavilion, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. Guests will enjoy savory and sweet bites from Louie Bossi's, Elisabetta's, City Oyster & Sushi Bar, Rocco's Tacos, Josie’s Ristorante, J & J Seafood, Driftwood, Mike’s Chili, Eat Thai, Tim Finnegans, Rogie Pierogies, New Orleans Pralines, Windy City Pizza, Sexz Chef, Nature’s Corner Café, Catering CC, Subculture, and Proper Ice Cream along with live entertainment by Damon Fowler. The event is a benefit to The Crossroads Club, a non-profit organization in Delray Beach. Tickets are $50 prior to the event or $60 at the door and are available at go.thecrossroadsclub.com/taste-of-recovery.

Fat Boyz Barbecue, Deerfield Beach

After shrinking his smoky empire from three brick-and-mortar locations to one during the pandemic, owner and pitmaster Jarael Holston-Jones is on the barbecue rebound. Fat Boyz debuted its second storefront in September inside the former Charlie’s Fish Fry & Seafood, east of Federal Highway and next to Hillsboro Square plaza. The new pit-stop marks Holston-Jones’ homecoming to Deerfield Beach, where he closed his flagship — inside a trailer with a red caboose attached — pre-pandemic. His barbecue serves dry-rubbed St. Louis spare ribs kissed with hickory and spice, Texas-style brisket, and smoked lean pastrami. His Fort Lauderdale outpost on Cypress Creek Road remains in operation, as does a food truck.

Sistrunk Marketplace Expands

Sistrunk Marketplace is breaking through to a neighboring warehouse space. That expansion includes office spaces and a cross-fit gym as well as being home to some tech companies. It will also bring with it more dining spaces. The Pellecchia family, known for Mari’s Kitchen, has opened a kiosk showcasing their Italian fare of panini, carpaccio, and bruschetta. Other newcomers include Crunly Churros & Ice Cream (from the popular West Palm Beach food truck), a branch of Wynwood’s pizza favorite, Made in Italy, and the Bahamian cuisine of Island Made.

Friendsgiving

Give thanks, South Florida foodies! Critically acclaimed chefs Ryan Fisch, and Paula DaSilva, of Burlock Coast and, Timon Balloo of The Katherine, all at the Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, kick off the holiday season in a delicious way at Burlock Coast’s 5th Annual Friendsgiving Dinner on Sunday, Nov. 13. For $79 per person, diners will toast the arrival of the holiday season with a festive welcome cocktail and hors d’oeuvres at followed by a family-style feast. The vibrant menu, a nod to DaSilva’s Brazilian heritage and Balloo’s Chinese and Trinidadian heritage, was created in collaboration by the three chefs. Reservations are required by calling 954-302-6430.

Openings and Closings

NBA Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal is sending his Big Chicken franchise to South Florida, with 45 franchises in Florida, with Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach slated to open in 2022 and 2023. The menu features Chicken sandwiches and tenders, Cheez-It-crusted mac-n’-cheese, jalapeño slaw, and sweet potato French fries … Anthony’s Runway 84 will reopen in late October after a $3 million makeover, just in time to commemorate its 40th anniversary. The Italian supper club will have a new menu, new business partners, and a private dining room. Khan Baba, a Pakistani opened this summer in Plantation Square … Thai Bayshore on Federal near Commercial, closed at the end of July after 30 years in business … Hollywood Donut Factory will open a second location on Las Olas sometime this winter … Former Miami firefighter Derek Kaplan will open his third location at 250 N. Federal later this fall. The expansive menu includes both sweet (cheesecakes, brownies bread puddings) and savory (pot pies and empanadas) items made in his Little Haiti-based kitchen … Change the name of the dough’s the same - Max Santiago and business partners Adam August and Nick Hicks, explained that they chose to rebrand their popular cookie café from Batch to Blueprint to dodge a “lawsuit nightmare” over naming rights with Batch Gastropub, a local mini-chain.

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..