A Scotsman like Ross, Findlay came to the U.S. in 1887 — basically to be a cowhand at the Merichiston Ranch near Fullerton, NE., a not-so unusual occupation for young British men of that era seeking better lives outside of Victorian England.

But Findlay, a champion golfer, couldn’t get the game out of his system. Thus, he’s credited with building the first contiguous golf holes in the U.S. — now lost on the plains of Nebraska — sometime between 1887 and 1889.

In 1896 — four years before Ross moved from Massachusetts to the Sandhills — railroad tycoon Henry Flagler signed Findlay to design the Palm Beach Golf Club, adjacent to his Breakers resort. That course, which opened in 1897, now is the Breakers Ocean Course. It’s generally considered the oldest active course in Florida, although the Belleair Country Club is sometimes listed as a tie for opening that same year. The Breakers Palm Beach is still considered the standard-bearer for luxury resorts in Palm Beach and South Florida. 

But let’s stay with golf. On Feb. 22, 1900, at Palm Beach Golf Club, Harry Vardon — then the world’s best golfer — won a 36-hole one-up against his old friend, Findlay. The Palm Beach Tribune called it the “greatest golf match ever played at Palm Beach.” Findlay and Vardon, who stayed on to win the 1900 U.S. Open at the Chicago Golf Club, played more than 4,000 holes of exhibition golf over the next few years and laid the groundwork for golf in America.

The course is immaculately landscaped and offers great views of The Breakers classic hotel building with its Mediterranean-style architecture. The Ocean Course plays only 5,778 yards (par 70) from the tips. But that’s enough for most resort guests and members.

In late 2018, the course emerged from a full-scale renovation by renowned golf course architect Rees Jones.

Meanwhile, The Breakers Rees Jones Course in West Palm Beach — about a 20-minute shuttle ride away from the resort — gives even low-handicap players all they can handle. Jones in 2022 renovated the course (7,104 yards, par 72) by reconstructing several holes to allow for expanded shot selections and modified bunkers to improve sightlines and playability.

Play at the courses is open to members and resort guests.

The post The Breakers Palm Beach Emerges From Full-Scale Renovation appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

However, that clearly won’t be the case with the upcoming Ombelle Fort Lauderdale.

The 43-story twin towers at 300 NE 3rd Avenue in Flagler Village have a distinctive curvy design. It’s the first of three Fort Lauderdale projects planned by Dependable Equities, a Brooklyn-based vertically integrated real estate investment firm and New York City’s ODA Architecture.

It’s further affirmation of the attention downtown Fort Lauderdale is drawing nationally.

“We try to pick an area that has the fundamentals to support growth and to support luxury development,” says Isaac Schlesinger, a cofounder of Dependable Equities. “Our design is going to be on par with the nicest development that anybody can imagine as well as the finishes of the apartments.”

Ombelle will include 775 residences, over 11,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, and over 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities.

Schlesinger and co-founder Simon Dushinsky, who is also principal and founder of the Rabsky Group in New York, are responsible for developing thousands of luxury residential units there and have more than 2 million square feet under construction. The firm owns and manages a real estate portfolio of more than $4 billion. 

Schlesinger says Dependable Equities is basically a continuation of Rabsky, which has been around for three decades and focused the last 15 years on a lot of high-end influential areas in Brooklyn, where it has done millions of square feet of residential. Schlesinger thinks they might be the most active residential developers in Brooklyn these days.

Expanding to Florida

“When we expanded three years ago to Florida, we opened up Dependable Equities and we’re looking to continue the same business model as we have done in the past years in Brooklyn to deliver a very, very high-quality residential development,” Schlesinger says. Dependable Equities has its own in-house general contractor, “which gives us an edge not only completing everything on time and the quality, but our budget is just what our construction cost is.”

Developers usually stick with boxy designs because it’s cheaper to build than a building with curves, Schlesinger explains. However, Dependable Equities’ in-house team was able to work with ODA to come up with an eye-catching design and avoid busting the budget.

The key for buyers is that units will be offered at a very attractive pricing for a project with a lengthy list of amenities, Schlesinger says. Units are starting in the $400,000s. The studios and three bedrooms will range from 465 square feet to just over 1,648 square feet, while penthouses will range from 2,400 square feet to just over 2,600 square feet.

Ombelle will offer the latest smart building technology, top-of-the-line appliances and exceptionally finished Italian custom designed kitchens and bathrooms. Each residence will feature airy, sophisticated interiors with designer-curated finish packages, open concept designs and 10-foot ceilings in main living areas.

Residents will have the option to choose fully furnished units and may rent out units for a minimum of 30 days.

The property’s lobby will have a wow factor at 15,000 square feet with an artistic cultural garden. Schlesinger says it will give the feeling of arriving at a grand hotel/spa. The ground floor will include a reception area, multiple lounges and an exclusive residents-only café — designed to foster social interaction and a sense of community.

Wellness and lifestyle-driven amenities are being curated by Arch Amenities Group, which manages 496 sites globally.

The north tower will include a landscaped indoor lounge space, a chef’s kitchen, dining room and dining lounge, a grab-and-go eatery, a dedicated coworking suite with lounge seating, private workstations and private conference rooms, a library, a music room, a recording studio with instrument storage and two private recording pods, a creative arts and crafts studio, a resident lounge and entertaining space and a fully equipped game lounge.

Two indoor pickleball courts with windows on the side will be located on one of the corners of the garage level, Schlesinger says. “We think that’s going to be very cool.”

The south tower features an additional indoor lounge space, a world-class state-of-the-art fitness center equipped with private training, Pilates, massage room, immersive studio and yoga studios; a wellness lounge with an outdoor sauna, cold plunge, treatment rooms, an experiential shower, steam room and sauna complemented with an outdoors Zen Garden; a video game room alongside a swing sports game simulator, and a children’s playroom with indoor and outdoor space. Outdoor, residents will have exclusive access to a resort-style lap pool and a plunge pool with pool-side cabanas and a summer kitchen with multiple seating areas. 

“Because we’re building this large development, there’s going to be different people with different needs. So, we have put in every amenity that you can imagine,” Schlesinger says.

“We feel and think that this is going to make a difference in Fort Lauderdale,” Schlesinger says, noting that making a difference is a bedrock of the company’s philosophy. It’s one reason Dependable Equities chose Fort Lauderdale over Miami, which has an abundance of national developers.

Schlesinger said he expects construction to start in mid to late 2025. Dependable Equities is already talking with lenders and he doesn’t expect any issues because of its successful track record. That would contrast with dozens of projects in Flagler Village that have approvals but no announcements about financing.

Finding opportunity early on

Dependable Equities has three acres south of the New River at 633 SE Third Ave. (currently where the Trial Lawyers Building is located) and 101 SE 7^th St.

“We see there’s a lot of development coming up south of the river and we feel that the downtown, the same way it expands north of Flagler, is going to expand south of the river,” Schlesinger says.

Schlesinger and his partner like to identify potential areas for projects early. For example, the identified the promise of Brooklyn’s North Williamsburg neighborhood about 20 years ago and it has turned into a global destination.

“We’re one of the first who were building luxury residential in that neighborhood and today it’s just one of the hottest neighborhoods, not only in Brooklyn, but even New York City as a whole.”

A City of Fort Lauderdale website says 633 SE Third Ave. has approval for 830 units and 101 SE 7^th St. across the street has approvals for 630 units.

Schlesinger says details are being finalized. ODA’s website has a stylish rendering for a 47-story 633 SE Third Ave. with tubular shapes and scalloped balconies that keep the building from looking overly massive.

Schlesinger noted the new Federal Courthouse under construction about four blocks away at 1080 SE Third Ave. and likes his sites’ proximity to Rio Vista, one of Fort Lauderdale’s most prestigious neighborhoods.

He says, “We liked the fact that we were able to secure a three-acre site in a very densely populated downtown area, which gave us opportunity to create a really beautiful development that people will be able to appreciate and enjoy rather than kind of going and finding small sites and then building what I call ‘pencil towers.’”

The post Curve Appeal: Ombelle Brings a Highly Desired Aesthetic to Downtown Fort Lauderdale appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

What’s inside, though, is a company whose revenue is running over $200 million a year and with roughly 1,200 employees at any given time. Moreover, there’s a vibrant corporate culture that offers great lessons on how to operate and grow a business while treating employees well.

You may not know Champion, or confuse it with the sportswear retailer, but it’s likely you benefit from its work every day. About half of its business is installing specialized coatings (paint, corrosion control, fireproofing, flooring and marine industry). Those workers painting the soaring overpasses at I-595 and I-95? That’s Champion. It also worked on CB Smith Water Park, iThink Financial Amphitheater, cranes at PortMiami, Rybovich Shipyards, Seminole Hard Rock Stadium and FPL’s tanks and pipes at Port Everglades.

Flip a light switch on and the power may come from an FPL generating plant that Champion helps maintain, whether it’s gas, wind or nuclear power. Brush your teeth and the water may have come from a water treatment plant that it helps maintain. Flush the toilet and Champion may have a role in maintaining the sewer plant.

“I don’t think there’s another organization that matches our service offerings and our industry diversity,” says Kyle Hough, chief operations officer, who purchased the company in 2012 with Champion CEO Carlos M. Hernandez. It was started in 2006 by Raul Llopis, who is a close friend to Hernandez and Hough.

A common thread among the trio is their interest in martial arts, which explains the company name. Llopis is a highly accomplished fighter, including being a three-time WKF World Muay Thai Champion.

Accelerating growth

Hough was ready to leave a previous employer and do things his own way when he joined Llopis, which led to a business transformation.

“They would paint houses. They would do small jobs, and Raul was very happy with that,” Hough says. “Well, that’s not my M.O. I came in and right away we’re on I-595 blasting and painting bridges. We’re painting the new ballpark that they were building in Miami for the Marlins.”

The company ran into some financial constraints, which led to its purchase by Hough and his friend, CEO Carlos M. Hernandez, a former Marine with a background in law enforcement who owned a specialty coatings business.

Hough’s wife, Tracey, and brother, Duane, already had the business rolling down the tracks, but it really took off when Hernandez came aboard, Hough says.

Total revenue is close to $300 million since 2010.

They bought Llopis out, but he still has a contracting business that works with Champion on some projects and isn’t a stranger at Champion’s HQ.

Duane is a combat-decorated Marine and led the company into Department of Defense business, such as fuel storage and tank restoration globally.

The brothers practiced Okinawan karate when they were younger and moved into more mixed martial arts later on. “I always enjoyed punching and kicking people,” Hough quips. For many years, a gym near the office was open to disadvantaged youths.

Setting the culture

The fighting sports culture played a key role in forming Champion’s corporate culture.

“There’s an inherent respect for the people who have achieved,” Hough says, “and you can visually see that achievement. I’ve taught all the kids that you can’t demand respect. You can only temporarily command respect. The only way to keep it is to earn it.”

You can do a lot of studying on martial arts strategy, “but there’s nothing like spending time in a ring and learning that lesson in the ring, because when you don’t learn it, you pay for it and you feel it. It’s immediate,” he says. “Oh, you make a mistake — ‘I should have done this.’ So, I take that with me in business as well.”

Martial arts teaches you the patience it takes to be in business, he says. “There’s times where being an entrepreneur, you get your butt kicked from the time you wake up in the morning to the time you go to sleep. And then, guess what? You can’t go to sleep because your mind won’t stop working. And it’s easy for someone to say, ‘This is too much. This is why most businesses fail.”

Martial arts also teach humility, which is important because many business failures are related to ego, he says.

The foundation of Champion’s workplace culture acknowledges that people often spend more time at work than they do with their own family. “Why should you spend more time at work under a stressful situation and be unhappy when we can just not do certain things and do other things to create a place in which you can feel achievement, you can feel a sense of community and you can walk around here and feel free to talk to anyone you want,” Hough says. Once a month, he fires up the grill and has a cookout for everyone to celebrate that month’s birthdays. The company also brings together 350 people from all over the country for a three-day leadership meeting, which is not a cheap undertaking.

“The point is to bring everyone together to remind each other that we’re humans first,” he says. Sure, it’s a competitive world and there’s a job to do, but “one of the things I always hate is when people say, ‘It’s just business.’ … Because most times people use that term after they’ve done something terrible … right after they’ve done something everyone knows is wrong.”

Unions and safety

Another interesting aspect about Champion is its unionized workforce, which means employees have health care and a pathway to retirement. There are members of just about every building trade union, including painters, electricians, pipefitters, boiler makers and iron workers.

Union labor is often in short supply, so Champion finds recruits and then brings them to the unions so they can participate in apprenticeship programs, Hough says.

Safety is also a major concern since the work Champion does is extremely dangerous. Before he joined Champion, Hough was working in Philadelphia when a piece of high-pressure equipment broke and knocked him 30 feet into a wastewater treatment tank, smashing the back of his head. He was evacuated in a helicopter. His wife knew he often worked hundreds of feet in the air and thought she was coming to identify his body as she came to the hospital.

Fortunately, he wasn’t permanently injured, even though he had staples in his head and soft tissue damage along his back. No wonder then that Hough thinks a lot about families when it comes to safety.  The metrics are good, too. On a scale used by insurance companies, anything below a one is good and Champion is 0.42.

“Most of our competitors struggle maintaining something below a one,” he notes.

That’s something when a chunk of your workforce has the gritty complexities of decommissioning nuclear power plants in New Jersey, Massachusetts and New York state. A big part of its business is also related to handling asbestos, lead and mercury.

Hough, who shared many great philosophical and management points during the interview offers some final thoughts at the end.

“Remember humanity and remember that as you run your business or you’re part of a business that you can create change. Have the gumption to do it and don’t be scared — do it! If it’s for the betterment, it starts with us. If we rely on larger institutions or government or  other folks for change, they’re going to change us to their benefit. But, if we want to change to our benefit, we have to start with us. We can’t just take the status quo and roll with it.”

That’s the Champion way.

The post The Art of a Champion appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

Who better to talk about the changes than Jessi Blakley, vice president of property owner Tavistock Group, who grew up across from the resort in the Rio Vista neighborhood. Some of her earliest memories are sitting in the rotating Pier Top while her grandfather was doing business.

She was interviewed by Lifestyle Media Group editor-in-chief Kevin Gale. The following is edited for brevity and clarity.

How are things looking?

We’re very excited. We’re at the finish line and so it’s all coming together. It’s finishing touches at this point — the landscaping going in, we’re filling the pools, working on the interiors. As a native and talking with neighbors in the community, I think there’s this nostalgic tie to the property and a real excitement to see how Tavistock has been able to bring it back to life.

What would you say the biggest wow factor is?

I think I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Pier Top. It certainly is the literal crown jewel of Pier Sixty-Six and something that I can’t even get in an Uber without talking about it. Everyone wants to know if it’s going to reopen. It will reopen as a lounge and it will have the ability to rotate once again.

I think the other thing is how we celebrated the waterfront lifestyle that Fort Lauderdale is known for and how we relaid out the property to focus on that. The old property was a square with a circular building on one end. For a large majority of it, you couldn’t see or feel or appreciate that waterfront uniqueness that Pier brings to the table.

We opened up the landscape so that no matter where you are on the property, you can appreciate the maritime views and the waterway and the ocean breeze. I do think that’s an incredible wow, no matter where you’re standing on the property. The centerpiece of that is a 2 ½-acre multilayered pool deck, which will certainly be a feature for all of our guests. Then, we’re going to have 12 very unique dining venues again on the waterfront.

Will there be parties to kick things off and what is the status of reservations?

We absolutely will. We are working on those plans right now. Right now, bookings are available online, so reservations start in the new year. However, we do plan to open at the end of this year — the exact date to be determined — so we will have rooms that are available sooner than that.

What’s the history of Pier Sixty-Six?

In the 1950s, Phillips 66 petroleum owned the property and it was originally a fuel dock. That 66-spire tower that has now been designated historic was built in the late 1960s. At the time, it was the tallest building in Fort Lauderdale and it completely transformed Fort Lauderdale’s skyline.

We purchased the original resort property, in December 2016. Roughly seven months later in July, we purchased the property just on the other side of 17 Street that was formerly called the Sails Hotel Marina and Shops. Collectively, that makes 32 waterfront acres. We started and focused our plans on the north side on the original property site, and that’s being redeveloped right now and we’ll open later this year.

We have development rights on the south side, but we are contemplating what makes sense there as it fits into the whole area. Part of our development rights gives us the ability to build another hotel across the street, but we just rebuilt the one across from the Pier, so I don’t know that we need that. We need to spend some time on what we think could fit there.

Could you provide a brief overview of Tavistock?

Tavistock Development Co. is a diversified real estate firm that’s owned by Tavistock Group. We specialize in planning, design, finance, construction and development of what we believe to be groundbreaking projects. We are well known for our master plan community in Orlando called Lake Nona. It’s among the bestselling communities in America, but also the most innovative as well. We’re starting a new project just down the road, Sunbridge, which celebrates living in nature. The real estate portfolio also includes a number of gems from the St. Regis Hotel in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood to Albany, our resort property in The Bahamas. This is our first real estate project in South Florida, though we’ve had a presence through our restaurants, Timpano on Las Olas, which was recently renovated as well, and then we also own Abe & Louie’s in Boca Raton.

Was the new lower circular building designed to echo the tower?

Exactly, yes. That will host a signature restaurant and also is home to the spa and the fitness center. You’ve got sweeping grand views of the water.

The new waterfront buildings have been described as having a coastal personality. What sort of elements go into that?

 We worked with Garcia Stromberg, based in Palm Beach County, a wonderful local group. They took their design inspiration from the water. It was important for us given that Fort Lauderdale is the Venice of Americas. We have two 11-story condominium buildings called Azul and Indigo. They took their inspiration from coral reefs. You can kind of see that in the ebbs and the flows of the balconies, all of which have plunge pools on them. That’s a first in Fort Lauderdale for the entire building to have plunge pools on the balconies. On the northernmost side of the property that faces Harbor Beach along the Mercedes Canal, there are some four-story condominium buildings. They are taking cues from sand dunes.

Prices start at $3.85 million. They’re designer-ready units. We have started closings, so buyers will be moving in with the opening of the property, but there are still units available.

Talk a little bit about the renovation of the historic tower.

It’s a complete renovation. In the fall of 2017, Hurricane Irma came in and did significant damage to the property, which at the time was open and still operational. We did have to close portions of the property and ultimately decided to shut the property down given the level of damage that was done.

One of the most challenging elements, was trying to find somebody to repair the rotating rooftop. There’s actually not many people who can do that.

The balconies on that original tower were originally blocking the views. We worked together with the city and their historic preservation team to come up with what we felt was a good solution to keep some of that original structure, but then add glass to a portion of it so that you can enjoy those views.

There’s a new 10-story building that attaches to the original building. When you’re inside, you truly don’t know which building you’re in unless you are on the 17th story and you can see that you’re higher than the other.

Talk about the 12 culinary venues.

It is a significant increase. Several of them will be signature restaurants offering diversified dining options. We have not talked specifically about those concepts yet. Leading up to the opening toward the end of this year, we are going to start to trickle out those details and more specifics about the chefs de cuisine and the menus. But we are taking our inspiration from our marina and the idea of gathering the best from all the different ports of calls. You will see those inspirations infused in the menus and the ambiance of each of the venues.

Talk about the spa, Zenova. The first ceremonial spa in the southeast caught my eye, but then there’s a snow room, a sensory shower and a vitality pool.

It’s about a holistic health and wellness experience and a differentiated amenity set that speaks to different people’s needs. You have the traditional elements that one thinks of when they go to a spa, but also some of these newer and again, regional offerings.

The ceremonial sauna that you mentioned is quite unique. It is the first in the southeast. It’s something that’s quite popular in Europe. This is inspired by the Aufguss Saunas. It’s like a bit of a fusion between sound therapy and rituals and there’s a sauna meister that disperses aromatics and does rhythmic movements.

We hear a lot about cold plunges now and the health benefits around what that does for you, so the snow room does that without dunking you underwater.

What’s the event space going to be like?

 Absolutely stunning. We have 40,000 square feet of meeting and events space. The ballrooms are gorgeous and also inspired by the marine setting. The details from the lighting and the light fixtures, the flexibility that the rooms provide are going to allow large scale events. We have some outdoor meeting spaces as well on an event lawn. So, both indoor and outdoor space that we think is going to be incredibly unique.

Were there many changes to the marina?

We also, of course, rejuvenated the marina, which has been the top yachting destination on the eastern seaboard. Most of that was on the southern side so that newly acquired property is where the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Super Yacht Village is. There was a kink in the face dock on the south side. We straightened it out so that now you can accommodate larger vessels on the south side of the bridge, which is significant. We attract many sailboats and large vessels, and that is a really unique amenity to be able to offer. There were a number of upgrades that were made to the docks and the design on the south side to make it easier for access and navigation.

 We’ve also incorporated a lot of environmental practices in terms of our waste management as well as some eco-friendly materials. We’ve also added EV charging ports because electric vessels are the next wave of technology in the boating world. We will once again host the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October. We are one of the founding locations.

The Pier plus the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center expansion and its new hotel seem like they are really going to be a quite powerful combination. I feel like Fort Lauderdale is coming into its own right now. There’s significant investment being made across the city and a rising tide floats all boats. I think when I look specifically at the 17th Street corridor, we’re the gateway to the beach. I think it’s really significant that the investment that’s being made to bring in larger events to our convention center is having the diversification of hospitality offerings with our resorts and our food and beverage and entertainment venues. I think that’s important to the vitality of the continued growth of our city. It’s an exciting time and we’re excited.

The post Pier Sixty-Six: A Legend Reborn appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

2. THE SCENE:  The mid-day Sunday drive was a breeze without all the weekday traffic. Take time to explore Coral Gables’ Miracle Mile, swim in the Venetian Pool or visit The Biltmore Hotel. As we turned off Douglas Road, we passed through the historic entry into the city’s business district —  the Alhambra Entrance, a stone structure that looks like a bridge with two towers. Just a few blocks away was the 1924 Mediterranean-style La Palma building, a fitting home for a French bistro. A huge bowl of flowers behind the reception desk, a gleaming, mirrored bar and an impressive display of seafood in curvy glass cases set the tone. The interior was designed by Keller’s long-time collaborator Adam D. Tihany of New York City. Colorful French country floor tiles, a parlor palm and prints of objects and their French names made it feel like the French countryside.

3. ENJOY THE WINE: We got some great recommendations: The 2016 Meursault, La Barre Dessus – Clos Marguerite was a smooth white wine that was a great palate cleanser. The Chateau DuTertre, Margaux 2011, a red Bourdeau blend, was light and smooth. An electronic tablet offers an extensive list of choices. The cocktail list includes the French 75, Bijou, St. Germain Spritz and Boulevardier.

4. STARTING OFF: The sectional-style baguette had a thin crispy outer layer and a very soft inside. The Escargot de Bourgogne came in puff pastries — great for dipping in the sauce. The endive salad was artfully arranged and had creamy soft chunks of blue cheese. The Foie Gras Saute was melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness and so was the Gnocchi á la Parisienne, which was a much more delicate pasta than the typical Italian version.

5. ENTREES AND DESSERT: The menu offers seasonally changing classic French dishes such as roast chicken, steak frites and croque madame. We split the Boeuf Bourguignon — braised short rib with fingerling potatoes, French round carrots, pearl onions, bacon lardons and a Bordelaise sauce. It had a masterful complex flavor and was fork-tender. The other entrée was Truite Grenobloise, sauteed Idaho rainbow trout with cauliflower florets, capers, lemon suprémes, brioche and beurre noisette. It was perfectly prepared and the filets slid right off the skin. The star side was the Champignons de Paris, button mushroom in a tasty veal juice. Save room for the Profiteroles with ice cream and a chocolate sauce poured tableside and the Chocolate Mousse.

SHORT TAKES

• Happy Hour: Tuesday-Saturday, 4-6 p.m.,
• Hours:
  Sunday: noon to 9 p.m.
  Monday–Thursday: 4-10 p.m. 
  Friday: noon to 10 p.m.
  Saturday: noon to 10 p.m.

• Bouchon emphasizes seasonal items and fall/winter brings Boudin Noir, blood sausage with potato purée and caramelized apples; Saumon Poêlé, pan-seared Scottish salmon with French green lentils, Matignon of root vegetables and red wine jus; and tender Confit de Canard, duck prepared in a multi-step time-consuming fashion.
• The prices at Bouchon are reasonable given the quality of the food and service, but you can get an extra boost with the recent three-course prix-fixe L’Express Lunch and Dinner menus.

WHERE: 2101 Galiano St., Coral Gables, FL, 33134

 PHONE: (305) 990-1360

WEBSITE: https://www.thomaskeller.com/coral-gables-florida/bouchon-bistro

The post The Dish: Bouchon Bistro appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

Parent company Yurbban Hospitality Group started out in Spain and has grown to 20 locations, including Colombia, Peru and three others in SoBe: Crest Hotel & Suites, Casa Boutique Hotel and Aqua Hotel. 

Uma’s Sunset Tower is home to check-in — enter off of St. James Street, just south of 18^th Street. Walking up to the check-in area immediately set the vibe with chic landscaping and sleek furnishings. The Sunset Tower has art pieces selected to evoke old Miami charm.

The Sunrise Tower on the east side of the property has a fun bohemian counter-culture ambiance with retro photos. Café Americano on the ground floor is super convenient and offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and a lively cocktail hour. The people watching along Collins is quite fun.

The Sunrise Tower’s rooftop pool area offered a bar with complimentary beer and wine during happy hour. The view to the east was quite lovely with The Delano just to the south.

I stayed in the Sunrise Tower on an upper floor with a sweeping view of Collins Avenue and the Atlantic Ocean.

The fun vibe of the room was set by a vinyl record player with the Beach Boy’s “Endless Summer” ready to play along. A long low dresser was ready with snacks for purchase. Multiple USB and 110 outlets forestalled one of my pet peeves about many hotel rooms. Everything was fresh and clean. The comfy beds had 300-thread-count sheets.

The hotel was a great location for a series of casual foodie adventures.

After recently profiling chef Michelle Bernstein, I was eager to visit Sweet Liberty (237-B 20th St.), which enlists her talents along with her husband, David Martinez and bartenders John Lermayer and Dan Binkiewicz.

Happy hour was in full form and the restaurant was buzzing with a rock and roll soundtrack from my youth, being enjoyed by a crowd much younger than myself. Bernstein’s fried chicken sandwich lived up to its billing and was accompanied by a tasty watermelon salad. I also ordered the shoestring fries — pure perfection — and the brownie dessert with a scoop of ice cream served in a small cast iron skillet. I had to tell myself not to eat the whole thing.

Breakfast Saturday morning was at Café Americano. I loved the CA Breakfast Sandwich, with shaved ham, fluffy scrambled eggs, cheddar and provolone and a griddled brioche bun. Sunday morning was indulgent French toast with a tres leches custard, rum dulce de leche, and strawberries.

One of the great things about SoBe is its walkability, so it was easy to check out Ocean Drive, the Lincoln Road Mall and Washington Avenue.

I came across Mozzico Cucina, Pizza & more (1616 Washington Ave.) at lunchtime on Saturday and had an outstanding rectangular slice of pesto pizza with cherry tomatoes and basil. I got dessert at Osmanlizadeler Baklava (618 Lincoln Road). Being a chocoholic, you can guess what mine had in it.

 I wanted to keep it a little light for dinner and dropped into Rosetta Bakery (1666 Collins Ave.) and had The Authentic Rosetta sandwhich, a delight filled with Italian cooked ham, cream cheese, prosciutto di parma and arugula mortadella.

As I drove back north on State Road A1A the next morning, I concluded that Uma was a fun experience with great vibes and an unfailingly friendly staff. If you want to go, check out umahousesouthbeach.com for end-of-year specials.

The post SoBe Getaway appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

Tyler is the managing partner of Fortune Christie’s International Real Estate on Las Olas and Tristan is the visionary founder and CEO of Luxury Vacation Stays, a premier white-glove luxury vacation rental management company headquartered in Fort Lauderdale.

With over two decades of experience as a real estate broker, investor and developer, Tyler has built a reputation as one of South Florida’s premier real estate professionals. He is known for his deep industry knowledge and his ability to connect clients with some of the most sought-after properties in the region.

Tristan’s Luxury Vacation Stays, which features properties in South Florida and the Caribbean, goes far beyond the typical transactional nature of short-term rentals. She and her team of four provide a bespoke service that ensures clients’ luxurious properties receive prompt, impeccable care, much to the delight of discerning guests.

TYLER’S PATH TO LUXURY REAL ESTATE

Before launching his real estate career, Tyler worked for 15 years in the automotive industry as a finance director and sales manager. His transition into real estate began in 2000 when he started buying and managing properties for his own personal portfolio. He later joined a longtime friend in the business; when that friend moved to Texas, Tyler bought him out and set up a brokerage in a modest 300-square-foot office.

In 2002, he founded the boutique real estate firm Kensington & Co. Ten years later, he took a leap of faith by relocating to a much larger space at 1038 E. Las Olas Blvd., despite the much higher rent that came with it. The move paid off: Kensington’s reputation flourished, eventually catching the attention of major real estate firms. Tyler ultimately joined Fortune Christie’s International Real Estate, drawn by its strong brand and the leadership of Edgardo Defortuna, the company’s highly respected president and CEO.

But Tyler’s expertise extends beyond real estate sales. A savvy negotiator, he has successfully brokered deals, including assembling a prime property in Edgewater for New York-based developers, which led to a partnership on the Cove Miami project, a 40-story, 116-unit boutique condo with architecture by Kobi Karp. His ability to track down elusive property owners and to close complex deals — even while on vacation, as with the buyout of a 12-unit condo building — has contributed significantly to his success.

“I always wanted to sort of dip my toe in the water with developing,” Tyler says. “Instead, I got very lucky by being the broker that I am by locating property for clients of mine from New York who were developers. They wanted to find something to develop a great location. So, I was able to assemble property in Edgewater right on the bay.”  Another 55-story project is being planned 10 blocks south on 19^th Street.

Part of Tyler’s success is being a savvy detective and dealmaker, whether tracking down an obscure overseas property owner or negotiating the buyout of a 12-unit condominium building. The latter deal was finalized while the Tuchows were on a cruise.

TRISTAN’S LUXURY VACATION STAYS

Tristan credits Tyler’s persistence to helping him track her down on Facebook after they had met in passing at a Humane Society event. Their first date was meant to be a Miami Heat playoff game, but she had a broken foot, so instead they watched the game at Bru’s Room in Pompano Beach.

Tristan, who grew up in Kendall, had been working in the medical field selling devices in a subspecialty of cardiology. Because the job involved traveling often, which wasn’t conducive to starting a family, she decided to take some time off.

One day, when their son was about a year old, Tyler asked her if she was interested in helping with the rental of a Harbor Beach property that a client from Chile had purchased. She had experience managing her own properties and brought skills from her management information systems degree.

In the beginning, Tristan launched the properties on Airbnb and VRBO. But with referrals from Tyler, and prospective clients seeing great reviews about her service and word of mouth, the enterprise took off, and today LuxuryVacationStays.com is now the hub of her business.

A key aspect of the company’s approach is the concierge services it offers guests. “If they need private aviation, if they need a private driver or a private car, or if they’d like to rent a yacht, you have a point person leading up to and during their stay,” Tristan notes. The white glove service extends to helping the property owners as well. “We do everything,” she adds.

Under Tristan’s leadership, Luxury Vacation Stays has gained a reputation for delivering personalized, bespoke services that ensure properties are not only well-maintained but also marketed to attract discerning travelers. Her approach goes beyond the typical transactional nature of vacation rentals, focusing on creating memorable experiences for guests while maintaining top-notch property standards for owners. Luxury Vacation Stays has properties going north into Delray Beach and plans to add more locations in Boca Raton and Palm Beach.

A SPECIAL SYNERGY

The Tuchows’ complementary businesses intersect in several ways, creating a powerful synergy. For instance, as a licensed real estate broker, Tyler can list Luxury Vacation Stays properties on the MLS, helping to boost visibility and attract potential buyers. This collaboration allows them to serve a broad range of clients — from those seeking to purchase a vacation property to owners who need professional management for their high-end short-term rentals.

Together, the couple has forged a unique business partnership that combines their expertise in real estate with a passion for luxury hospitality. Their shared commitment to excellent service and attention to detail has allowed them to carve out a distinctive niche in the South Florida market.

Now, that is a winning business model.

The post A Perfect Merger appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.

In 1983, after graduating from the University of Arizona, Wagner burst on the scene as rocker Frisco Jones on the No. 1 daytime series, “General Hospital.”

Now, he’s going to be the grand marshal of the 2024 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade.

Wagner was interviewed by Lifestyle Group Editor-in-Chief Kevin Gale while on location in Vancouver where his series is filmed. The following transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity.

How do you go from a kid born in Missouri to being famous?

I think there’s certain people that come into our lives that allow us to be at some sort of crossroads or fork in the road. A teacher came in when I was a sophomore in high school in the mid-1970s and had heard me play guitar. He said, “I want you to audition for the play that’s coming up.” So, that’s how I started doing theater. I was an athlete as well. I pursued a career in golf, but that first play really gave me the bug and so I followed that bug and eventually wound up in Los Angeles.

You played some memorable characters, Frisco Jones, Warren Lockridge, Dr. Peter Burns, and now you’re playing Bill Avery. Do you have a favorite?

Well, people still call me Frisco. This is still probably the No. 1 thing when people say something. But for me, the most rewarding role I’ve ever played was Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde on Broadway. That was my role of a lifetime up to now, although I’ve been blessed to have a great run on television to play some characters that have their own identity. Peter Burns on Melrose Place was kind of dark, but a noble doctor who had a lot of female patients and never did any surgery, but certainly slept with a lot of ’em.

You were also involved in the “Wedding March” series films, which became quite a franchise.

The “Wedding March” franchise came out of my relationship with the CEO and executives at Hallmark. So once I started on “When Calls the Heart” with Executive Producer Brad Kevoy, I was able to formulate a pretty good pitch for “Wedding March.” Bill Abbott (then CEO of Hallmark Channel) immediately loved it and said, “You’re in development.” I got ahold of Josie Bissett and asked her if she’d want to jump in and be my co-star. It was great. I was able, as executive producer and the star, to collaborate with the writers on the scripts and the direction of the scripts, including music, and sort of tell a little bit of my life story through this franchise of movies about a songwriter who had a romance in college where they wrote together. He got a record deal and that’s how they broke up. And then, 25 years later, they see each other at a wedding lodge that he owns, and she’s getting married. And as I pitched it, I said, “When they see each other, it’s a drop the platter moment.”

You were also a director on Melrose Place for some of the episodes. Is that something you aspired to? Did you enjoy it?

Aaron Spelling (the producer) was fantastic to the actors. I was one of several actors who directed. I love directing. I just love it. But gratefully, I’ve been on a very good run as an actor, so I never really pursued directing outside of “Melrose Place” because the crew had my back. It was very easy for actors to transition into directing on “Melrose Place” because it wasn’t like we were going to a movie set where we didn’t know anyone. And even to today on “When Calls the Heart,” the collaboration with the directors, with the other actors, with the head writer, is something I’m very invested in and that’s how I like to work.

You’ve also had a lot of appearances as a guest star. I read “Hot In Cleveland,” “Castle,” “Monk” and 16 movies of the week. How do you decide which shows to do and is there something we might anticipate in the future?

I’ve had a couple guest starring things that have been so fun. “Hot in Cleveland” with Valerie Bertinell. You didn’t mention it, but I also did “Ray Donovan.” That was fantastic to work on that show. I try to diversify the guest star roles. In “Castle,” I played an alcoholic golf pro. That’s the fun part of me for doing any kind of episodic show where I’m not a cast member. But for me now, having been on “When Calls the Heart,” working as we speak on season 12 and having had a franchise of six movies, and then about five or six other movies for Hallmark Channel in this run, I really haven’t spent any time looking for any guest star roles. I’ve been very content working for the Hallmark Channel and “When Calls the Heart.”

You’ve obviously had some success as a music performer. You had a No. 2 hit, “All I Need.” I read that you started playing guitar at 14 and then sung Kenny Loggins’ “Wait a Little While” for your final General Hospital audition. Talk about your early interest in music and then how that part of your career progressed.

I am kind of a self-taught guitarist and took a few lessons early on and then a couple buddies of mine, they were brothers, played guitar, and so I kind of picked up an acoustic and I just started to play with them. I just loved Neil Young and Seals & Crofts and James Taylor and artists of the early  and mid ‘70s. When I got out of high school, I just continued to play and learn and teach myself. I loved Elton John, that kind of solo artist.

So, when I actually got to LA and came down to the wire for General Hospital, my fifth screen test, they called and said, “Do you by chance play the guitars and sing?” And I said, “Actually, yeah.” And they said, “Well, do you think you could bring your guitar and do something?” So, I just kind of went in and knocked out a Kenny Loggins tune and then went into the audition scene and that’s how I got the part.

Within a week of getting cast, I had to go into the recording studio, which I’d never been in. I’d never sang with headsets on. I had to sing a couple songs because my character Frisco was the lead singer in Blackie and the Riff Raff, which was the John Stamos character’s band on the show. It turned out that the woman who just got hired for ABC music had just left Mercury Records, and her first project was Frisco Jones on General Hospital. So, she hears me sing, I knock out these two songs, and she says, “Would you be interested in a record deal?” And I said, “Well, yeah!” And so two nights later I had dinner with Quincy Jones and Herbie Hancock, and I signed with Quincy and he put together a production and writing team of Glen Ballard and Clif Magness. Glen, of course, went on to do Alanis Morissette, Wilson Phillips and Dave Matthews. Clif Magnus went on to do other things as well. I was their first project as Quincy Jones’ staff members, writers and producers. They wrote “All I Need” and it came in just behind “Like a Virgin” on the pop charts and No. 1 on the adult contemporary charts.

My publisher at the magazine says she had “All I Need” played at her wedding. I thought that was fun.

That’s fantastic. Makes me feel good. You can just tell her something for me. Just tell her that (starts singing) You’re all I need.

All right, sounds great! Do you still perform music these days? Do you do any songwriting?

I still dabble in songwriting here or there. I wrote quite a bit for the “Wedding March” series, but my last album was in 2013 and formulating a team, I realized how much the music business had changed. I do four or five dates a year, maybe a little bit more. I toured all through the 80s in my band.

Roseanne Barr was my first warmup comedian. So, she lived with us for about three or four weeks on the bus.

What was she like?

I would say real Midwestern, real authentic, and she just kind of would tell it like it is. She had to adjust her material a lot because my fan base were teenage girls, and her material was pretty raunchy. We got on really well. It was a fun deal to meet her and then see her explode and become so famous.

By the way, I’m sort of annoyed at Apple. I have iTunes and I wanted to listen to “On The Porch,” [his last album] and I couldn’t find it on there. I like that sort of Americana stuff.

It’s one of those things where I was in a place in my life and I literally kind sat down at the foot of my bed and wrote this album. I pulled something from my past. I had co-written a few things that were demos that I punched up, but it’s the first album that I felt I really took the time and wrote pretty much where I was and who I am. And it’s my kind of music. I was raised with folk, Americana music and that’s what that album speaks to.

I’m sure that some of the fans here at the Boat Parade would like to hear you sing. Is there any possibility you might sing a little bit?

Listen, if I have a mic in my hand, we can always pull out a little acapella “All I Need” for sure.

I’m sure they’d love that. Had you heard about or seen the boat parade before they talked to you about being Grand Marshall?

No, I haven’t, but the clips I’ve seen it looks like it’s just such a fun event. I’m looking forward to it.

What was your reaction when you were approached?

Well, first of all, I wanted to understand what it was. And secondly, I’ve created a few relationships in Florida in the last few years that are really terrific. So, it’s great to just sort of show up.

I read that you had a very significant event in your life down here reuniting with a long lost daughter in Boca Raton.

Well, that was in 2011, and yes, it was a very strange thing that happened. Rick Springfield’s people reached out to me. I’ve been compared to Rick for 40 years because he was on General Hospital, had a massive hit with “Jesse’s Girl,” had left the show right when I came on and we had never met. So, people called and said, “Hey, Rick does a cruise with his fans, and last year Richard Marx was the guest artist and we were wondering if you’d come down and be Rick’s guest artist. It would entail a concert with his band.” Then they said, “It turns out he’s doing an event at an amphitheater the night before the cruise, would you be willing to do an hour set with the band and warm up before Rick goes on? We think it’d be a huge event for this.” So, I did the amphitheater and it turned out my daughter that I really didn’t know had found me there and she went on the big cruise with me. So, it was pretty incredible. Rick Springfield was the bridge for my daughter and I to reunite.

That sounds like a Hallmark show!

I mean, unbelievable.

Are you looking forward to some of our nice Florida winter weather?

Yes. I played a golf tournament in Orlando in January and Florida’s winter is fantastic — almost like California.

The theme for this year’s boat parade is sort of an environmental feel “from sawgrass to seagrass waves of holiday cheer.” What’s your happy place in terms of environments?

I’m from the Midwest. I bailed hay on farms when I was in high school, so I kind of know that world and the desert — I graduated from the University of Arizona, right in the middle of the desert — from drama school, and then I moved to California. I’ve sort of fallen in love with the mountains that California offers as well as the beaches. If I had to go on a vacation, it would probably be a beach. But I got to tell you, I’m diversified. I owned a property for 20 some years in the mountains of California, 80 acres that I actually sold last year, but it’s where I took the boys, Kristina [his ex and co-star on “General Hospital”] and I dirt biking. I actually am a man of nature. I love all diversified forms that our planet gives us. I love the desert. I love the mountains. I love lakes. I love beaches and oceans. But if you had to pick one to go to for a vacation, I’d probably pick the beach area, plop my butt out on that beach in a chair and just chill.

You mentioned considering a career in golf.

I’ve been a member of Bel-Air Country Club in LA since 1986. I’ve won seven club championships. I’ve won 12 tournaments on television. I’ve won the AT&T National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach. I’ve won the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship up in Lake Tahoe. I didn’t turn professional at golf, but that was my intention in going to the University of Arizona. I walked onto the golf team and did not get a scholarship. I went to the drama department in my junior year and told the head of the drama department my story, and he said, “Well, prepare a song, dance and a monologue.” I did, and I got a full-ride scholarship in drama in 1980.

So, I quit playing golf, which was what I wanted to aspire to, to be a professional golfer, and went into acting. But Gloria Monty, the producer of “General Hospital,” found out I played golf and she had her husband take me out to Bel-Air Country Club. They wound up sponsoring me. James Garner, who was a club member, said, “You should play in the AT&T.” He gave me his pro John Cook, who has won a lot of tournaments. John and I are great friends. I won the AT&T in 1991 on CBS. From that, came NBC’s the American Century Celebrity Golf Tournament.  I’m one of only two players who have been playing it for 34 years along with Jim McMahon [Super Bowl quarterback for the Chicago Bears]. I’m the only non-athlete who has ever won it. I’ve won it twice. Golf has been a huge part of my life.

That’s raised a lot of money for charity. Are there other philanthropic causes that you like to support?

I was the West Coast ambassador of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for nine years. My brother got leukemia in 1999, so I formed the Jack Wagner Celebrity Golf Tournament. I decided it would benefit the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. So, it’s always been how I give back — playing in charity events. I play in George Lopez’s every year. I play in Marcus Allen’s. That’s sort of been my platform in terms of giving back.

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Here are details on each:

• Pier Top, perched on the 17th floor of the spire-crowned tower, has been reimagined with a seductive, modern twist. Retaining its signature Googie-style architecture, Pier Top will have rotating 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean, skyline and the Pier Sixty-Six marina, which is the largest superyacht marina on the eastern seaboard.

• Calusso will offer a sophisticated dining experience with tableside and curated presentations of the finest seafood, handcrafted pastas, premium meats, fresh vegetables and desserts — all inspired by the culinary traditions of the French and Italian Rivieras. Designed by combining the essence of Southern European luxury with South Florida’s coastal charm, Calusso’s interior will feature a refined setting with thoughtful design elements.

• Sotogrande will honor the bold flavors of southern Spain and the eastern Mediterranean, featuring sharable plates, authentic spices and a lively social atmosphere. The design evokes the warmth and vibrancy of the Mediterranean coast with organic textures and rich earthy tones that are designed to transport guests to a sun-kissed seaside village. The layout will encourage sharing and socialization through large communal tables and bright, inviting spaces that reflect the essence of the Mediterranean.

Pier Sixty-Six was the cover story in the October edition of SFBW magazine. Owned by Tavistock Group and managed by CoralTree Hospitality, it will have 12 restaurants and bars. Pier Sixty-Six will open in December as Broward County’s first hotel in two decades with this many food and beverage destinations.

“Restaurants are the heart of great cities and our global culinary mission is principally focused on bolstering the talent of our esteemed team who places an unwavering commitment to creativity and craftmanship,” says Charles B. Lewis, senior managing director of Tavistock Group.

“Pier Sixty-Six is furthering Fort Lauderdale’s new gastronomic revitalization,” says Colm O’Callaghan, vice president and managing director for Pier Sixty-Six. “Our approach is to create a dynamic food and beverage epicenter that offers diverse experiences from a sophisticated restaurant inspired by the joie de vivre of the French and Italian rivieras to a casual eatery bursting with flavors embracing its local roots. We are proud to be a part of the city’s hospitality evolution.”

Here are details on some of the other venues:

• Garni will be an upscale bistro-style café offering all-day brunch, seven days a week, complete with a juice bar, Champagne Mimosa and Bloody Mary bar, and live breakfast stations. The menu blends French-inspired dishes with American classics, featuring options like crêpes, pastries, omelets with caviar, and a dessert buffet.

• The Nectar Room will be an adults-only poolside venue offering Asian-inspired bites and artisan-crafted libations. Featuring an energetic rum bar and sake-infused cocktails, The Nectar Room’s design blends the lush vibrancy of a tropical oasis with sleek modern elements — from sophisticated outdoor seating to colorful décor, native plants and warm lighting.

• Saltbreeze, an indoor-outdoor family pool café will have a modern Latin-inspired menu coupled with an extensive tequila and agave spirits catalog for what’s billed as Florida’s best poolside margaritas.

 • Windows on 66, the site of the resort’s former lobby bar, will debut as an airy space with floor-to-ceiling windows serving shareable bar snacks paired with a curated selection of vodkas and gins from around the world.

• Sweet 66 will be a whimsical candy dreamland and pays tribute to the flavors of Florida with handmade confections.

• Pelican Landing will open in 2025 as a casual waterfront eatery accessible by boat within the marina promenade, where guests can savor local flavors. True to its name, Pelican Landing will serve as a landing place and retreat for those stepping off yachts or simply seeking favorites such as conch fritters.

Pier Sixty-Six says it is employing a collaborative effort that emphasizes originality, quality and a deep respect for the region’s culinary culture. Bringing this gastronomic vision to life is a team of seasoned experts, who each contribute their respective skills to the food and beverage program. The collaborators include Tavistock Group’s Michelin Star/Culinary Director Chef Freddy Money, Pier Sixty-Six’s acclaimed Director of Culinary Chef Aldo Novoa, both who sculpt each dish in honor of the metaphorical cross-section of food and art, and CoralTree Hospitality’s Director of Restaurants, Bars & Events Nathaniel Brethold, who has successfully managed operations for James Beard Nominated Restaurant Groups and Michelin Starred Chefs. All three have won accolades for their extraordinary ability to bring passion, creativity, and innovation to the industry.

At the helm is Jonathan Kaiser, executive chef of Signature Dining, who leads the resort’s signature restaurants. With a passion for sophisticated and inspired artistic cuisine, he brings his South Florida upbringing and experience in Michelin-starred kitchens in Chicago and Las Vegas.

The Tavistock and CoralTree portfolios include 15-award winning restaurants, including Lake Nona’s Michelin-Recommended BACÁN; One Michelin Star Atlas; Boston mainstays Abe & Louie’s (also in Boca Raton) and Atlantic Fish; the award-winning Timpano in Hyde Park Tampa and Fort Lauderdale; highly acclaimed Nami in Lake Nona and Mar’sel at Terranea Resort led by a Michelin-starred chef.

For more information about the resort or to learn about career opportunities, please visit PierSixtySix.com or call (954) 525-6666.

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Camille’s

A touch of Italy

The former chef at DUNE, John Kreidich, and his wife Maya have opened Camille’s Pizzeria & Ristorante, 4165 N. Dixie Highway, Oakland Park.

The menu includes New York style pizzas, handmade pasta (including Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, hearty spaghetti and meatballs and Tagliatelle with Wild Mushrooms), antipasti selections (fresh mussels, creamy Burrata and perfectly grilled octopus) and entrees (Chicken “Parma John,” Mediterranean Branzino and Grilled Pin Wheel Sausage).

The restaurant is open Mondays and Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Caretta Caretta

Singer Island seafood

Caretta Caretta, Singer Island’s new and only beachfront restaurant, is now open at The Singer Oceanfront Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton in Riviera Beach.

Helmed by Chef Glenn Rogers, Caretta Caretta features a menu of refined coastal fare sourced directly from local waters. Culinary highlights include Crispy Whole Snapper with stewed peppers, tomatoes, onions, cilantro rice; “Our” Shrimp & Grits with parmesan polenta, sauteed spinach, blistered cherry tomatoes, Florida citrus butter; Wild Mushroom and Truffle Pappardelle with exotic mushroom mix, gremolata, truffle parmesan cream; and Grilled Skirt Steak paired with yuca fries, aji aioli, onion & tomato demi glaze.

Yaya

Yah want some?

YAYA Coastal Cuisine has opened on the bayfront at 7999 NE Bayshore Court, Miami.

The restaurant is spearheaded by Angel Febres, previously known for Racket, Drunken Dragon, Foxhole and Casa Tiki.

Executive Chef Todd Zimmer (formerly of Prime 112) has developed a diverse array of dishes, from fresh seafood including crudo and grilled head-on prawns to hot mezze featuring flaming saganaki and crispy zucchini & eggplant.

In addition to the restaurant, YAYA Club is being offered as a private membership club for the Miami boating community. Members can dock at one of the 14 spots in front of the restaurant.

Pastis

Paris via NYC

Pastis, the quintessential New York City Parisian-style brasserie by James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Stephen Starr, will be the ground floor restaurant for The Nora Hotel in West Palm Beach. Starr will also handle the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and lounge.

The 13,300-square-foot indoor/outdoor restaurant, which is designed to transport guests to a classic Parisian brasserie, will feature the brand’s iconic curved zinc bar, white subway tiles and signature red banquettes. Guests can expect classic hors d’oeuvres such as French Onion Soup, Escargots, Tuna Carpaccio, and Warm Shrimp Salad. A selection of traditional Steak Frites will be available with different cuts of beef, along with entrées such as Moules Frites, Duck Confit, Chicken Paillard and Grilled Branzino.

Phase I of Nora, which will include over 150,000 square feet of adaptive reuse and new development, is slated for completion in early 2025.

Meraki

Meraki Greek Bistro re-opened in a new, larger location in downtown Miami at 190 SE 1st Ave. It now features an expanded dining room, sidewalk seating and a bar area.

Truluck’s

Truluck’s has refurbished its Brickell location with a new look, luxurious flooring, chandeliers and stylish tables. A new power lunch menu dishes up three-course meals in half an hour for $35.

La Birra

La Birra Bar, an Argentine-based burger joint, has opened at 2031 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. The menu has an array of burgers with single, double and triple sizes available. It also has hot dogs, Caesar salads, nachos and chicken tenders

Ella Hot coffee on board

Ella Coffee House, a European style coffee house based in Plantation, has opened its fourth location at the Pine Ridge Shopping Center, 4691 N University Drive, Coral Springs.

Holy Avocado

Holy Avocado has opened its fifth standalone location at 1520 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. The menu features tasty and healthy items like avocado toast, regular and vegan burgers, salad bowls and fruit smoothies.

The post Recent South Florida Restaurant Openings appeared first on Lifestyle Media Group.