Our excellent weather provides numerous opportunities to enjoy an al fresco meal; as an upcoming event and a new dining destination attest.
Enjoy a weekend of great food, wine, and microbrews while tantalizing your taste buds and soothing your soul. This summer, local foodies, wine enthusiasts and craft beer aficionados are invited to sip, savor and be seen at the inaugural SAVOR SoFLO event taking place April 30 – May 1 behind host hotel Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. The two-day festival, which will be held on the sand of Hollywood Beach, will feature a culinary showcase of South Florida’s celebrated chefs, acclaimed restaurants, popular breweries, and an outstanding selection of wines. Tickets are now on sale for VIP and General Admission, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Memorial Healthcare Foundation and Glam-a-thon.
The lineup is still being tinkered with, but participating restaurants so far include the Casino @ Dania Beach, Fort Lauderdale ramen house Noodle Station, local chains Bolay and Vicky Bakery, and multiple downtown Hollywood restaurants, including pizzeria Gioia Eat and kebab shop Drastix. Margaritaville, the host hotel, will feature dishes from Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant. Local brew houses Funky Buddha, Hollywood Brewing Co. and Islamorada Brewing Co. will supply suds, while national brands will sling high-end spirits, including Angel’s Envy, Crown Royal, Tanqueray, Chandon, Bacardi and Casamigos. For an updated list, check out https://savorsoflo.com/sponsors/.
In an effort and observance of Hollywood Beach’s mission to reduce its environmental impact and become more sustainable, SAVOR SoFLO and all participating vendors will solely use compostable or biodegradable materials throughout the weekend. More information can be found at https://savorsoflo.com/.
As part of the SAVOR SoFLO experience, all event guests will receive a limited-edition wine glass, custom tote bag, wine glass lanyard and exclusive access to the Grand Tasting Village that is located within a 20,000-square-foot tent. Food, wine, and beer samplings are included in the ticket prices.
“We are thrilled to host the inaugural SAVOR SoFLO on beautiful Hollywood Beach this summer,” said Tammy Gail, festival founder and producer. “This event comes at a pivotal time, as it gives the hospitality industry a chance to shine once again and showcase the unique culinary adventures and experiences that exist in South Florida.”
General Admission tickets are $75 and include unlimited tastings from 1-4 p.m. VIP tickets are $100 and include exclusive access to the VIP Spirits Lounge featuring top shelf and innovative spirits, along with full access to unlimited tastings from noon to 4 p.m.
A weekly opportunity to sample food from dozens of vendors presents itself at Smorgasburg in Wynwood. The largest open-air food market in America with locations in New York and Los Angeles, launched March 12 the market is open every Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Labeled the “Woodstock of Eating” when its first iteration in Williamsburg, Brooklyn opened in 2011, Smorgasburg Miami showcases a culinarily diverse and creative lineup of vendors hailing primarily from South Florida, with a few standout participants from New York and LA hoping to replicate their success in the 305.
There are options for everyone regardless of dietary restrictions and level of adventurous spirit. There is a large coterie of vegan-friendly options such as Coney Burger, Isabel’s Miami, The Succulent, Rutina Verde Foods, and Lucky You! Burger; some unique vendors serving up interesting dishes such NYC’s So Sarap (Filipino Street Food) and Duck Season (offering up creative duck dishes); and a great selection of amazing desserts from Krispieverse, Santo Dulce! Churros & Ice Cream, POP’T by Lily, AJ’s Sinnabuns, Sweet Lich’s, Bona Bona Ice Cream from New York, and artisan donuts from Pink Love Donuts. Chefs from some of Miami’s most beloved restaurants flex their creative and culinary muscles with concepts including Dale Street Food (chef from Chug’s), Yakitori Boyz (KYU alum) and many more.
Located in a 50,000 square foot park-like space adjacent to the Wynwood Walls, Smorgasburg Miami visitors can enter either NW Second Avenue or 26th Street. Vendors are positioned around the perimeter of the space with central seating consisting of different colored picnic tables. The bar area has its own seating and is located at the southwest corner of the market. The market serves as an affordable starting point for food vendors wanting to test out their concepts for a large audience without the overhead and risk of brick-and-mortar restaurants.
Finally, the inaugural Riverwalk International Food Festival (RIFF) celebrated the flavors of Fort Lauderdale with cuisine from around the world on March 26 from noon to 4 p.m. at Esplanade Park, 400 SW 2nd St. There were samples of all the global flavors of South Florida from some of the best restaurants and gourmet food trucks. There was also a $25 “global beer experience” that provided an opportunity to sample beers from around the world to complement the international fare. For more information go to goriverwalk.com.
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..
RELATED
