“Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels / Door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles”

The best restaurants in South Florida are often to be found tucked into the corner of a grocery store.

While I agree with many of the dining selections in last week’s “Best of” listings there were a few categories that were missing. One of those was one of my favorite kind of place; the bakery/café. In order to balance out the indulgences of being a restaurant critic, I sometimes go carb-free for extended periods. Then, I walk past a bakery café, and I’m a goner. There’s something about the European tradition of sitting in a bakery, sipping a cup of freshly brewed coffee and enjoying some fresh, baked bread or pastries (or both!) that is soul-comforting. The next time you need to unwind and chill, try stopping in at one of these delightful bakery cafes, anyone of which could be a contender for your “Best of” list.

As much as I don’t want to, I finally have to spill the beans about how much I enjoy going to Temple. I’m not at all religious (unless you count my devotion to food). I’m talking about Temple Street Eatery.

It’s wonderful that theaters are back and running, but if you and your friends still feel a little uncomfortable about hitting a bar or restaurant before or after the theater, why not host a small pre-or post-show gathering in your home?

There’s so much going on during the holidays that you want everything quick and easy (which, coincidentally was my nickname back when I was single)!

One of the lesser-known definitions of union is that of “a unified condition, something that is made one” or something “formed by a combining or coalition of parts or members.”

If you’re like me, you might have driven past Bulegreen Café, located on Dixie just north of Oakland Park Blvd., dozens of times and said, “I should check that out.”

OK, this is going to be a very difficult review to write. Actually, it will be easy to write. What will be hard is to do so without sounding like I am the PR company for these two sister restaurants, because, on two recent trips, the experiences were about as close to perfect as possible. 

In a past review, I waxed rhapsodic after dining at the original location of Even Keel on Federal. And, although it was too pricey for me to enjoy on a regular basis, it was a wonderful spot for special occasions.  

We’re in the middle of high season and that’s normally when we see a lot of restaurant openings. Even in this year of a pandemic, there are plenty of openings and only a few closings to report. 

Readers of a certain age will remember that when you went to the movies (you remember going to the movies, don’t you? We all used to do it before COVID changed our lives forever), there was usually what was called a double feature.

The other night some friends and I went out for drinks and afterward decided we needed a workout, so we headed to the Gym.

One of the things I love most about living in South Florida is that, even though I’ve lived here for almost a decade, I can still find surprises around every corner.

Enter the Twilight Zone with me. Imagine a world in which communism, and the economic and cultural blockades and sanctions (not to mention an oppressive government) had not impacted Cuba.

I’m dining out less often due to the upswing in COVID and the new Delta variant (how long before we have a drag queen named Delta Variant?)

Sorry to disagree with Kermit, but with the growing number of vegan and vegetarian places around town, it’s easy being green.

At first glance, you might think that Kraft Bistro Deli is a branch of the popular Wilton Drive hangout, Tropics.

Free-standing food courts are one of the hottest trends in the hospitality industry. They were starting to take off when the pandemic hit.

Finally, a good, reasonably priced, Indian restaurant has opened in the area.

The Be Nice chain has moved one of its flagship restaurants, the beloved Foxy Brown, but they’ve managed to stay in the same neighborhood; relocating a few blocks east and north from the more established southwest corner of Victoria Park to the trendy southeast corner.

Quates Mexican Restaurant in Oakland Park, just north of Wilton Manors, looks like your typical Mexican take-out place, and in many ways it is.

The beachfront in Pompano near Atlantic Boulevard is becoming quite the hot spot.

I love how folks from up north have no idea of the geography of South Florida.

When it comes to sushi, there are two types of people: those who like it and those who are wrong.

South Florida and early-bird dinners are the butts of many a joke, however, these specials come in handy when you’re trying to make it to your seat before the curtain rises on a play or concert.

As a former Chicagoan, I can tell you that Chicago is known for many things: great architecture, die-hard sports fans, corruption, and great food.

One of the joys, and pitfalls, of being a restaurant reviewer is that everyone has an opinion about places that you should review.

Soon after moving to South Florida, I discovered and fell in love with Hot & Soul, a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant in the back of the Coral Center Mall, across from Target on Federal and Oakland Park Blvd.

Pho, pronounced “Fuh,” is a noodle soup that is the unofficial national dish of Vietnam.