A rendering of the facade of Fogo de Chão Fort Lauderdale, which is expected to open on the ground floor of The Main Las Olas in August. (Fogo de Chao / Courtesy)
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The Salty, West Palm Beach
Started in 2015 in Wynwood by Amanda Pizarro and Andy Rodriguez, The Salty will host a grand opening for its seventh location on Aug. 19 at trendy Rosemary Square. The Salty specializes in over-the-top, brioche-raised doughnut treats, with flavors such as horchata, prickly pear margarita, brown butter and “churro + dulce de leche.” The shop, dubbed one of the “31 best donut shops in America” by Thrillist, has been teasing its presence in West Palm Beach since October 2021 with camper pop-ups parked in the square. 700 S. Rosemary Ave., Suite 200, West Palm Beach; SaltyDonut.com
Fogo de Chão, Fort Lauderdale
Founded in southern Brazil in 1979, the steakhouse is scheduled to debut another Florida location, at The Main Las Olas, on Aug. 19. Owners say the restaurant brings the centuries-old cooking technique of churrasco — roasting prime cuts of meat over an open flame. Offerings include Wagyu New York strip and 42-day aged tomahawk ribeye, along with seafood and Brazilian-inspired cocktails. 201 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; Fogo.com
Batch, the Cookie Co., Boca Raton
This Flagler Village-spawned gourmet confection shop will cater to cookie monsters in Boca Raton when its third location throws a grand opening at noon Aug. 20. The confection shop, from itinerant pastry chef Max Santiago and business partners Adam August and Nick Hicks, bakes cookie with flavors such as frosted red velvet, brown-sugar blondies and all-vegan, gluten-free blueberry-lemon swirl and brown sugar cinnamon Pop Tart. 5050 Town Center Circle, Suite 233, Boca Raton; 954-533-8200, BatchCookieCo.com
The Taco Project, Coral Springs
Taqueria staples — beef burritos, shrimp quesadillas, Cajun salmon tacos built with corn tortillas — are featured at this New York-based chain, which is expected to debut its first South Florida location on Aug. 22. The 1,650-square-foot taco shop, opening inside The Walk of Coral Springs, comes from New York owners Nick Mesce, Carmelo Milio and Sebastian Aliberti. 2866 N. University Drive, Coral Springs; TheTacoProject.com
Janet McGinnis at Larry’s Ice Cream in Coral Springs. McGinnis bought the ice cream and frozen yogurt parlor in 2018 and has set about expanding the brand and the menu as well as garnering social media fandom with trending Tik Tok videos. Now she's opened Larry's Ice Cream & Cafe in Boca Raton. (Nickolette Cimetta / Courtesy)
Larry’s Ice Cream & Cafe, Boca Raton
After several delays, this restaurant suddenly announced through social media on Aug. 13 that it was open. The original Larry’s Ice Cream has been selling its sweet chill-ness in Coral Springs since 1986. But now, new owner Janet McGinnis has expanded Larry’s to St. Andrews Plaza, near the Town Center Mall. Known for desserts and unique takes on comfort food, the menu in Boca Raton remains largely New Jersey Boardwalk-inspired, but with a little more sparkle and glam. 21090 St. Andrews Blvd., Boca Raton; 561-931-3982; LarrysIceCreamAndCafe.com
This Miami-born, all-day chain registered to Georgios Yiannikakis and Georgios Koulouris brewed its fourth location in late July inside Plantation’s Market on University plaza, adding to cafes in downtown Miami, Miami Shores and downtown Fort Lauderdale. Borsalino offers iced and hot coffees, with flavors ranging from lavender to chai spice lattes, as well as juices and smoothies. Its comfort-food menu features items such as Nutella hotcakes, overnight oats, burrata omelets, smoked salmon croissants and short-rib tartine, along with chicken pesto BLTs and chicken-thigh bao buns for lunch. 1041 S. University Drive, Plantation; 954-616-8841, BorsalinoCafe.com
Taquerias are ubiquitous in Broward County, but owner Luz Alatorre’s small Sample Road storefront, which quietly debuted in early August, unwaveringly sticks to traditional Mexican — and even pre-Hispanic — cuisine. There’s Jalisco-style pozole (a pork-and-hominy stew), Yucatan-style cochinita (slow-cooked pork in plantain leaves, spices and achiote), and pre-Columbian tlacoyos (oval-shaped cakes of blue-corn masa stuffed with white cheese and protein). That’s in addition to 10 palm-sized tacos, including Al Pastor and Tinga de Pollo (chicken breast in homemade tomato sauce). 10315 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs; 954-906-7777
The first South Florida offshoot of this Hell’s Kitchen-spawned cafe opened in July behind the Gateway Shopping Center and is registered to co-owners Erol Zeren and Hector De Marchena. Along with the usual coffee suspects, Kahve does trendy beverages, such as golden turmeric and dulce de leche lattes and white chocolate and raspberry mocha, along with pain au chocolat and banana muffin pastries, smoothies and frappés. 911 NE 20th Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 305-915-1740; KahveNYC.com
No, they’re not FK kidding: This new breakfast-lunch chain pairs heartwarming good deeds with ridiculously over-the-top food. Picture hamburgers sandwiched between deep-fried buns. A 1-pound breakfast burrito as big as a rolled-up gym towel. Maple bacon-flavored milkshakes and Southern-fried chicken eggs benedict. Slow-roasted pulled pork, meatloaf and fried fish sandwiches. This Fort Myers-born restaurant from cofounders Doug Miller and Amy Eldridge opened this latest location, its fifth, in August. The “FK” refers to foster kids, with a portion of restaurant proceeds benefiting several Florida charity programs. 9210 W. Commercial Blvd., Sunrise; 954-832-7102; FKYourDiet.com
This Miami-based brand now has a bakery in downtown Fort Lauderdale, on Las Olas Boulevard at the base of the Andrews Avenue drawbridge and across from Huizenga Plaza. The new location is one of six Vicky Bakery franchises owned by SoFlo entrepreneurs Alicio Piña, Nosbely Toledo and Nosdiel Silva. The hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays at 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. The trio have plans for a seventh Vicky Bakery to open in Coral Springs in a few months. According to Alejandro “Alex” Santiago, the CEO of the brand, Vicky Bakery is marking its 50th anniversary with ambitious expansion plans northward that include additional franchises in Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach by January and February 2023. 4 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-314-7727; VickyBakery.com
Foxtail Coffee Co., Boca Raton
This coffeehouse founded by two South Florida caffeine hounds, Alex Tchekmeian and Iain Yeakle, opened its latest location in late July in the Lakeside Centre plaza west of Florida’s Turnpike. The Winter Park-born chain has more than 30 locations in Central Florida — and this is its first in South Florida. Expect espressos, cold brews and different tea varieties, along with breakfast sandwiches and Swiss cheese-and-onion quiches. 8170 Glades Road, Boca Raton; 561-757-3931; FoxtailCoffee.com
This New Jersey-based, build-your-own-acai-bowl chain opened its sixth South Florida outpost on July 30, per a Facebook post, joining existing locations in Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton and Delray Beach. Replacing the former 1000 Degrees Pizza in Coral Springs, the new Playa will feature bowls stacked with ingredients such as pineapple, kiwi, bee pollen and blueberry flax granola. Playa also serves smoothies, juices and coffees. 3111 N. University Drive, Suite 112, Coral Springs; PlayaBowls.com
Flaming Grill & Modern Buffet opened in Pompano Beach recently. The all-you-can-eat family restaurant has 250 prepared items at stations that include seafood, meat, vegetables, hibachi, sushi, soup and desserts (Trena Brae / Courtesy)
Flaming Grill & Modern Buffet, Pompano Beach
This all-you-can-eat buffet had a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 27 and promises 250 prepared items at stations that include seafood, meat, vegetables, hibachi, sushi, soup and desserts. The family restaurant serves up “different authentic Japanese dishes,” with friendly service and a lively environment, according to the website. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 2100 W. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach. 754-205-0733 or 754-205-0736; FlamingGrillFL.com
After five years of serving high-end Caribbean, European and American fusion out of a nondescript strip mall in Coconut Creek, husband-and-wife owners Mike and Judith Able have moved to higher-profile digs on West Atlantic Boulevard in Margate. On July 28, the couple’s bistro took over the storefront formerly occupied by YiaYia’s Greek Kitchen. Chef Judith Able, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University (and onetime winner of Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games”), prepares an adventurous rotating menu that includes jerked chicken drumettes, pork-belly tacos with apple coleslaw, oxtail ravioli, grilled octopus and poached pear salads. 4976 W. Atlantic Blvd., Margate; SwirlBistro.com
TooJay’s Deli, Palm Beach
After 40 years, the original storefront of this local deli chain shuttered in June 2021, a COVID casualty in Palm Beach’s Royal Poinciana Plaza. Now the landmark location is back, revived a few doors down in the same plaza, inside a 3,500-square-foot space adorned with retro trimmings: vibrant blue booths, marble white tables, and vintage Palm Beach black-and-white photos. TooJay’s, which reopened July 26, still touts familiar menu items such as pastrami on rye, matzo ball soup, patty melts, potato knishes, avocado toast and cheese blintzes, along with five new options crafted in partnership with TV chef-personality Eric Greenspan. 340 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach; TooJays.com
Mama Tea’s All Day Cuisine, West Palm Beach
This Jamaican cafe registered to Traceyann Haughton-Strachan hosted its grand opening on July 23 on the main drag of Northwood Village, a funky art-food-nightlife enclave 2 miles north of downtown West Palm Beach. The restaurant specializes in traditional Jamaican fare such as ackee and salted codfish, peanut and cornmeal porridge, banana fritters and brown stew chicken, jerk chicken wings and stew peas, curry chicken and pigeon peas, plus it serves six styles of soups and nine types of rice. 439 Northwood Road, West Palm Beach; 561-318-8798, MamaTeasAllDayCuisine.com
Ocean One Bar & Grille, Royal Palm Beach
If this trendy sports bar is constantly teeming with crowds no matter the location, there’s a good reason why: Everything on the lunch menu is $5.99 — except for the $3.49 domestic and imported beers, of course. (Even the premium cocktails, at $10, are 3-for-1.) The partners behind the six-buck entrees — Ron Rowe, David Stein, and Tony and Rosita Visone — opened their Royal Palm Beach location on July 27, with another future outpost planned later for Coral Springs. Meals range from orecchiette pasta to half-pound sirloin burgers to Mediterranean wraps. 11111 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach; 561-350-6718; OceanOneFL.com
Patio Bar & Pizza, Fort Lauderdale
Inside the quaint, landmark Progresso Plaza, this new pizza restaurant and bar from hospitality veteran Brian Parenteau (DrYnk Bar & Lounge, Tulio’s Tacos and Tequila Bar) debuted on the ground floor this week, sharing patio space with craft-beer bar Laser Wolf. The pizzeria will throw its grand opening on Friday, July 29. 901 Progresso Drive, Fort Lauderdale; 954-740-6000; PatioBarPizza.com
Skillets just opened its first restaurant on this side of Florida after years as a staple on the Gulf Coast. Owners Ross and Noreen Edlund started the brand in Naples and now there are 13 locations. The homestyle diner serves breakfast and lunch from a scratch kitchen and features daily fresh-baked breads, thick-cut Applewood smoked bacon and freshly squeezed juices. Already Skillets is planning more SoFlo expansion — Delray Beach by late fall and then possibly in Boynton Beach, Coral Springs, Wellington and West Palm Beach. 7036 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton (in the Garden Shops at Boca); 561-931-2883; SkilletsRestaurants.com/boca
JBC Noodles and Bubble Tea, Hollywood
This rebranding of Jiang Guo’s restaurant Liao Xiang Asian Cuisine debuted in late June, refocusing much of its menu from Chinese-American staples to dim sum, rice noodles from China’s Yunnan Province and many configurations of bubble tea. (Although you can still find chicken wings, lo mein, Mongolian beef and General Tso’s.) 2321 N. State Road 7, Hollywood; 954-544-4181; LiaoXiangRiceNoodle.com
Chef Carlo Lopez and his family started Krzpy Bites as a kiosk at Yellow Green Farmers Market in Hollywood a year ago. Now the Latin-Asian fusion concept — with baos, tostadas, tacos, bowls — has expanded to a second location in a Deerfield Beach ghost kitchen. For 12 years, Lopez worked with celebrity chef Jeremy Ford and opened Stubborn Seed with him in 2017. “He was my mentor,” Lopez says. “I started with him right out of culinary school [at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale].” He adds that they are considering opening a third location next year. 1002 E. Newport Center Drive, Deerfield Beach (World Famous Ghost Kitchen); 954-907-2112; Krzpy-Bites.com
Costa by OK&M, Delray Beach
This farm-to-table kitchen from chef Coton Stine Guzman debuted in May as an offshoot of her Intracoastal cafe in Boynton Beach, Organic Kitchen & Mercantile. Where Boynton Beach’s OK&M offers a breakfast-lunch menu, adaptogenic teas and plant-based sweets, and chef-made meals to go, Costa does dinner and Sunday brunch, offering items such as turmeric caramel-glazed heritage pork belly, lemon-glazed lollipop scallops and gaucho hanger steak with blistered shishitos, chimichurri and sunchoke puree. She sources her greens from Swank Specialty Produce, local-caught fish from Captain Clay’s in Delray Beach and meats from Sunshine Provisions in Hallandale Beach, among other purveyors. 502 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; 561-501-6115; CostaByOKM.com
Lasso Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse serves its dishes rodizio-style (all-you-can-eat), with access to 18 meat cuts, a full salad bar, charcuterie boards and 40 specialty items. (Edson Munekata / Courtesy)
Lasso Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse, Fort Lauderdale
Entering the growing playground of Brazilian steakhouses in Fort Lauderdale (see Chima and the upcoming Fogo de Chão on Las Olas), this churrascaria hosted its grand opening on July 20, replacing the former Texas de Brazil. Lasso Gaucho comes from co-owner Edson Munekata (South Carolina’s Cowboy Brazilian Steakhouse) and partners Antonio Jochem, Rudimar Rech and Chih Kuo Lee. Lasso serves its dishes rodizio-style — all-you-can-eat — with a spread of 18 meat cuts (from bacon-wrapped filet mignon to legs of lamb), a gourmet salad bar and 40 other items. The steakhouse also dishes select cuts a la carte, including picanha, grilled salmon and charcuterie boards. 2457 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 754-223-4663; LassoGaucho.com
Salento Coffee Shop, West Palm Beach
This 4-year-old Colombian coffeehouse from owners Jaime and Johanna Lara has moved two blocks north to a new downtown West Palm Beach perch: inside Mandel Public Library and next to the coveted nightlife hive of Clematis Street. (Its flagship location, at 120 S. Dixie Highway, stayed open while they moved.) The new storefront, which the Laras were able to acquire through city programs, will use cafe seating from the library’s patio. Named after the small Colombian town from which they source their beans, the shop also serves smoothies, juices, arepas, paninis and Colombian bites like pasteles de pollo and carne (beef and chicken patties), pan de bono (cheese bread) and pastel gloria (pastry). 407 Clematis St., West Palm Beach; 561-841-6138; MySalentoCoffee.com
Fantasy Room Bar & Grill, Hollywood
Hosting its soft opening on July 14 (per an Instagram post), this venue is designed as a sports bar with a Caribbean-themed menu during the day and early evening before transitioning into a nightclub in the late evening. 1818 S. Young Circle, Hollywood; 754-267-9046; Instagram.com/fantasyroomfl
The Mall at Wellington Green, Wellington
Three new dining options are now available at The Mall at Wellington Green. Keywa’s (561-808-9796; Keywas.co) is a desserty destination with smoothies, frozen drinks and boba teas, as well as waffles and crêpes (both sweet and savory). And Q’Bola Café (786-444‑7162; Instagram.com/qbolacafe) serves Cuban sandwiches, pizzas and coffees. Med Plate (754-551-1426; Mediterranean-Plate.business.site) is restaurateur Ray Ibrahim’s fast-casual eatery that spotlights Mediterranean menu items such as kabobs, gyros, stuffed grape leaves and satay platters. It also has a signature 10-ounce churrasco skirt steak. 10300 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington; ShopWellingtonGreen.com
Hard Rock Sports Bar, Hollywood
Serving classic American food, this sports bar is right off of the gaming floor and next to Hard Rock Live. The latest edition to the food and beverage options at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino also has a 31-seat wraparound bar, 360 degrees of screens showing sports, and a games pit with 12 blackjack tables. The menu includes grilled chicken wings for $18; nachos with barbacoa beef for $19; loaded hot dogs (bacon, onion, pinto beans, tomatoes, jalapeño aioli, toasted brioche roll) for $15; and a Dynasty burger for $17. Food service starts at 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and noon on Saturdays and Sundays. The bar is open daily from noon to 4 a.m. 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood; 800-937-0010 or 866-502-7529; HardRockHolly.com
This new gastropub replacing the former Mellow Mushroom off Atlantic Avenue quietly opened on July 1. In a testament to how fast Delray Beach’s dining scene moves these days, Bar 25 owner Anthony Giovanniello snapped up the lease last summer, just five days after Mellow Mushroom closed. No online menu is available yet, but Bar 25 serves wagyu beef sliders with bacon onion jam and blue cheese, chicken pesto garlic flatbreads, among other pub fare, plus a selection of rare liquors. 25 SE Sixth Ave., Delray Beach; 561-359-2643; Bar25.com
This trendy coffeehouse a block south of the Broward Mall, registered to Diego Maricino Nuno and Jorgelina Ghioldi, had its grand opening on June 15 and boasts bakery-cafe fare with 13 styles of coffee, smoothies, milkshakes, frappes and sandwiches bearing globetrotting names: Istanbul turkey, Rome wraps, Venezuelan guava tequeños, a Dubai biscuit (egg, Muenster cheese, bacon). 823B S. University Drive, Plantation; 754-200-6220; HelenasCoffee.com
Let’s Chill, Coral Springs
Married owners Cristina and Ricardo Braga, both war veterans, are the sweet tooths behind this scoop shop that debuted in May. The ice creamery is said to source its dairy from a local farm twice a week. It peddles 30 year-round and seasonal flavors, including four boozy infusions for the 21-and-older set: rum raisin, margarita, Bailey’s Island and mint chocolate chip. 9739 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs; 754-702-3513; LetsChillIceCream.com
With a mission to serve conch straight from the Bahamas, this laidback seafood shack from first-time restaurant owner Gloria Denson hosted its grand opening on June 17 in northern Delray Beach. Denson, who opened her restaurant with $45,600 in grants from Delray Beach’s Community Redevelopment Agency, also offers lobster, shrimp salad, oysters on the half-shell, smoked salmon spreads and garlic crabs in a bucket. 1191 N. Federal Highway, Suite 5, Delray Beach; 561-455-2120
Opened in May, this restaurant boasts ownership by Marco Presciutti and Candida Mazzella, who also helm Le Sorelle restaurants in Delray Beach and Boca Raton. “Our whole life ... we have been in the restaurant business, first in Italy and then also here in the U.S.,” says Marco. The concept is an Italian coffee shop, he says, “but we have adjusted it to the requests that there are here in the U.S.A.” So far, favorites include the Italian ciabatta with 24-month-old Prosciutto di Parma, Stromboli, pizza, croissants (made fresh daily) and various salads, the most popular being the Alex Salad (avocado, arugula, nuts, blueberry, cherry tomato, shaved parmesan). Prices range from $3.50 to $3.70 for pastries; all sandwiches are $13.90; pizza slices are $3.50; salads are $11.50 to $16.90; and hot dishes such as lasagna and eggplant parmigiana range from $9.90 to $13.95. 4400 N. Federal Highway, No. 110, Boca Raton; 754-302-2448; AmoreCaffeBoca.com
The Morea restaurant at the Paramount Condominium on Fort Lauderdale Beach is set to open on Friday. Photographed Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Moréa, Fort Lauderdale beach
This oceanside fine-dining restaurant served its last plate of Mediterranean cuisine and shuttered on Aug. 3 , about seven months after opening at the Paramount Condominium on Fort Lauderdale beach. The food and beverage company that owned the eatery — North Carolina-based LM Restaurants — said in a statement sent to the South Florida Sun Sentinel (similar to one posted on their website): “Morea gives thanks for our friends and neighbors of Fort Lauderdale for your support. We have loved being a part of this amazing community.” LM Restaurants, which also owns Oceanic in Pompano Beach, went on to say that Moréa was sold but declined to divulge the name of the new owner or possible plans for the venue. 701 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; MoreaDining.com
Duke’s Lazy Loggerhead Cafe, Jupiter
More than two decades after opening on the beachside Carlin Park in Jupiter, this locals’-favorite grill served its final meals on Aug. 12. Owners Brian and Jennifer Wilson decided to close the restaurant due to high rents. The menu featured omelets and pancakes for breakfast, along with marinated chicken breast platters, dolphin and Reuben sandwiches for lunch. 6 Van Kessel Parkway, Jupiter; 561-747-1134; LazyLoggerheadCafe.com
Hardy Park Bistro, Fort Lauderdale
After debuting in 2013 under the helm of Aussie chef Philip Darmon, who co-owned the eatery with wife Jessica Rossitto, the Hardy Park Bistro was sold to chef Aaron Mohan in 2020. Now comes a pithy update on the restaurant’s website that reads “Business Closed! We regret to inform you that as of Tuesday, July 26, 2002, we will no longer be open for business.” Mohan — a graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland as well as Le Cordon Bleu culinary academy in Miami — co-owned Hardy Park with his mother, Susan Moonsie-Mohan. Fans of the late-great music superstar Prince may recall her as a member of girl groups Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6. She also appeared in the movie “Purple Rain.” 21 SW Seventh St., Fort Lauderdale; HardyParkBistro.com
Owner and executive chef Marlon Robinson turned his Eats 876 food truck business into a fast-casual diner location called Eats876 Modern Caribbean Grill. The Fort Lauderdale business, which used the food truck as the kitchen, recently closed. (Michael Laughlin/Sun Sentinel)
Eats 876 Modern Caribbean Grill, Fort Lauderdale
Seemingly out of nowhere, this Caribbean/American fusion restaurant suddenly closed this summer. When it opened about a year ago — just south of the New River, near the Broward County Judicial Complex and next to Publix — Eats 876 was the realization of a long-held dream for Marlon Robinson, who started with a in-high-demand food truck of the same name in 2019. When the Jamaican-born, former food and beverage executive opened the brick-and-mortar diner, he used the food truck as the main kitchen. 627 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; Instagram.com/eats.876
Flossie’s Bar, Fort Lauderdale
An unassuming hangout tucked away on a service road next to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, this family bar has been a biker staple since 1975 — its parking lot bathed in a sea of Harleys on live-music nights. Never mind the worn bar stools and rescued kitchen furniture; it was, for locals, a port in a storm, a reliable pit-stop for hamburgers, wings, stiff tiki drinks and conviviality under Pam Gaytan, who has operated the bar since 2005. Flossie’s closed July 24 after Gaytan sold the bar to new owners. “It’s not our intention to let anyone down or leave you feeling unappreciated,” Gaytan wrote to customers in a July 7 Facebook post. “But it’s been a long run and it’s time to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. So it’s not over, it’s see you soon at a different venue!” 3985 Ravenswood Road, Fort Lauderdale; 954-583-9656; Facebook.com/flossies.bar
This Cantonese restaurant closed on July 30 after 42 years in Plantation, according to a “closing announcement” posted on the front door this week: “We have been part of the Plantation community since 1980 and have had the pleasure to serve countless guests and get to know so many regular customers.” 244 S. University Drive, Plantation; 954-475-2788; JadeGardenPlantation.com
Chef-owner Michael Kwon’s sister restaurant to ROK Korean BBQ in Lauderhill has closed in the Gateway at Sawgrass plaza (next to IKEA). The restaurant’s website and socials say nothing about its closing, but the phone line is disconnected and on Yelp, a message reads in part, “Bap Bistro will be closing its doors after almost 4 years of serving its community. Thank you for your patronage, your friendliness and your friendships.” Bap specialized in build-your-own bibimbap (a Korean crispy rice bowl often with meat, mixed veggies like kimchi, spice and soy sauce), along with poke bowls and sushi burritos. 149 NW 136th Ave., Sunrise; BapBistro.com
Ellie’s 50s Diner, Delray Beach
This neon-pink postcard to midcentury cheer — featuring life-sized Elvis and Marilyn Monroe statues that decorated Delray Beach with retro kitsch for 32 years — permanently closed on July 9. Ellie’s affable owners, Bob and Ellie Smela, decided to sell their throwback diner to new owners and retire rather than jolt customers with higher meal costs caused by inflation. The retro-themed Ellie’s played ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll on the jukebox, of course, and also staged weddings and dances (attire: poodle skirts and pedal pushers) inside the diner’s Flamingo Ballroom and classic-car meetups in the parking lot. A Facebook announcement in May before their closing brought a fresh wave of reminiscences and well wishes — and ‘90s rapper Vanilla Ice even swung by the diner to buy the Elvis and Marilyn statues. 2410 N. Federal Highway, Delray Beach; 561-276-1570; ElliesCatering.com
This bagel outpost on the corner of Commercial Boulevard and University Drive, from owners Rob and Alicia Elbaum, permanently closed in June. Rob’s also served homemade soups, corned beef, brisket, and stuffed cabbage and knishes. Four other Bageland locations remain open, in Tamarac, Coral Springs and Plantation. 5705 N. University Drive, Tamarac; 954-532-1445
Seizing on a hot dining trend — boil-in-bag seafood — when it debuted last summer, this seafood shack from owner Phong Nguyen permanently closed in early July. The restaurant’s website has been taken down, and calls to its phone number went unreturned. Along with serving po’boys, burgers and fried seafood, Crab Holic’s main attraction were its steamy seafood bags, served tableside and filled with head-on shrimp, crawfish, garlic-buttery clams and mussels, halved red potatoes, crab and corn on the cob. 4599 S. University Drive, Davie; 954-450-4627