Rod Stafford Hagwood – Sun Sentinel

Coming soon: Todd English returning to Palm Beach County with Lola’s; plus Johnny’s Hungry Hoagies, La Birra Bar & more

Phillip Valys, Rod Stafford Hagwood — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 12:53:37 +0000

When it comes to food, South Florida is a great place to be. So many new restaurants open nearly every day.

Here’s what’s coming soon to a city near you. Please note: Opening dates are subject to change.

La Birra Bar

2031 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park; LaBirraBarUSA.com

Its Golden burger — with two 4-ounce patties, American cheese, red onion and “secret mayo” — gleamed at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival’s Burger Bash in 2022. Now Daniel Cocchia’s burger franchise is heading to Broward County, with the first of two locations set to throw a grand opening on Aug. 21 inside a former Wendy’s on Oakland Park Boulevard. Cocchia, whose family opened 15 locations in Argentina before expanding to the United States (specifically, Miami’s Wynwood) in 2021, offers a menu of 26 burgers. For example, the Onlyfans burger comes with American cheese, bacon, thick-cut provolone, crispy onions and a so-called “stalker sauce.” There are also hot dogs and sides of french fries, onion rings and Spinach dip nachos, along with draft beer and Argentine red and white wines. A Weston outpost is expected to debut later this year.

Lola’s Tuscan Steak House by Todd English

717 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach; lolastuscansteakhouse.com

Celebrity chef Todd English’s love affair with Palm Beach County is unyielding, even if the county doesn’t always love him. His short-lived West Palm Beach restaurant Todd’s closed in 2020, following runs of his wood-fired oven pizzeria Figs inside The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens and Mediterranean sit-down Wild Olives in Boca Raton. Now the four-time James Beard Award winner and TV host (PBS’ “Food Trip with Todd English”) is making another go of it, with a new spot in downtown Lake Worth Beach set to replace the former Callaro’s Steak House. There’s no menu available yet, but the the plan is to open Lola’s before the end of 2024.

Johnny’s Hungry Hoagies

790 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; johnnyshungry.com

Ever since signs went up at the soon-to-come space in the plaza of the Laureat apartment building, near the oh-so-busy intersection of Broward Boulevard and U.S. Highway 1, there’s been anticipation buzz about this fast-casual eatery. “We looked for a growth area with a large residential population and great visibility in a key section of downtown,” owner John “Johnny” Wiggins told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Wiggins would know. His career has been in commercial development and upscale home building. Why hoagies now? “There are a lot of generic hoagie sandwich shops,” the self-described foodie and lifelong Fort Lauderdale resident said. “We’ve created a very unique and craveable line of sandwiches based on the highest quality meats and cheeses, along with chef-inspired recipes that will differentiate us from other chains.” There will be indoor seating for 20 guests, and details are still being worked out on possible plaza seating. This first location is expected to debut in late October or early November, with plans for a second location to be announced soon.

Johnny's Hungry Hoagies

John Wiggins is the owner of Johnny’s Hungry Hoagies, which is slated to open in downtown Fort Lauderdale this fall. (Johnny’s Hungry Hoagies/Courtesy)

BrickTop’s

12 NE Fifth Ave., Delray Beach; Bricktops.com

Touting jumbo lump crab cakes, prime sirloin meatloaf and ribeyes, this Nashville-born, steak-and-seafood chain is moving into the ground floor of a two-story retail building one block north of Atlantic Avenue. The 4,420-square-foot sit-down will debut in summer 2025, per its website, joining 10 U.S. locations including Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens (named The River House). The menu also features chicken Milanese, lobster bisque, steak frites, tavern burgers, grilled trout and cedarwood-planked salmon, along with N.Y. strips and filet mignon. And, of course, there will be cocktails, craft beers and wine by the glass and bottle.

Puya Urban Cantina

2750 Griffin Road, Dania Beach

Sometime this October, Dania Beach will gain its first kosher Mexican restaurant, in the ground floor of the just-opened Koosh Living at Griffin luxury apartments. Puya is registered to Guy Levintin, whose company BSD Capital developed the complex where the 120-seat restaurant will reside. The fast-casual eatery will feature an outdoor bar and a menu, still being finalized, that will include 20 types of margaritas.

Kapow Noodle Bar

32 SE Second Ave., Delray Beach; KapowNoodleBar.com

The clubby hot spot Salt 7 on buzzy restaurant row Atlantic Avenue closed on June 30, and this sumptuous noodle nook is taking its place. Kapow, from veteran restaurateurs Vaughan Dugan and Rodney Mayo, plans to open its third location sometime before the end of 2024, joining locations in West Palm Beach and its dramatically reinvented flagship in Boca Raton’s Mizner Park. The trendy Asian-themed restaurant will carry a vibe (mural-splashed walls, dark bamboo furniture) and menu similar to its sisters. Think short-rib gyoza tacos, Wagyu beef and shrimp shumai dumplings, KFC chicken bao buns, sweet potato poke bowls, salads and entrees such as Pekin duck and whole North Atlantic lobster lo mein with garlic butter, sweet soy, red pepper, carrots and scallions.

Parlor Doughnuts
444 NE Seventh St., Fort Lauderdale; parlordoughnuts.com/fort-lauderdale-fl

Set to open in August, this sweet newcomer to Flagler Village will offer signature layered doughnuts as well as vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly options that feature a cake-like texture. There will also be a full coffee bar, plus special Pawler Dog Doughnuts available for your furry friends. The decor will mix modern with vintage Americana, evoking “parlor” rooms of 1900s Victorian homes. This marks Parlor Doughnuts’ first foray into Broward County, with future plans to open three more locations in the region.

The Louis Collection

Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar is headed to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. (The Louis Collection/Courtesy)

Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar

222 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea; cremagourmet.com

Just a few steps from the beach in L-B-T-S, Crema is opening a 2,000-square-foot space with what they describe as an “industrial cafe-bistro vibe” in the next two or three months. Boasting locations throughout South Florida, Crema serves housemade breakfast fare, pressed juices, pastas, handcrafted sandwiches, salads, wine and beer. Its most popular dishes include the Open Face Breakfast Sandwich, Chicken Club Sandwich and Salmon Bowl.

Gabriella’s Modern Italian

40 NE Seventh Ave., Suite 160, Delray Beach; gabriellasfl.com

This new eatery just off buzzy-busy East Atlantic Boulevard is an offshoot of Gabriella’s Italian Steakhouse in downtown Red Bank, New Jersey. The Delray Beach version is expected to open this fall, according to a news release. The dinner menu in The Garden State original includes raw and chilled seafood, starters such as Shrimp Arrabiata and Truffle Ricotta, pastas, steaks and desserts ranging from Affogato Granita to Bombalonis.

Through The Vine
444 NE Seventh St., Suite 1A, Fort Lauderdale; Instagram.com/throughthevineftl

This wine bar plans to debut in Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village, nestled at EON Squared apartments, sometime this winter. In addition to the vino — curated by sommelier Jason Javens — oenophiles will be able to enjoy a menu of shareable plates and gourmet tapas with highlights such as charcuterie boards, Sweet Figs Truffle Honey Burrata Cheese Flatbread, Bloody Mary Oyster Shooters, and Watermelon and Cucumber Ceviche. The project is from a triumvirate of entrepreneurs and hospitality execs: Troy Cabrera, Isaac Benharoche and Eli Goldshtein.

Cannoli Kitchen Pizza

Cannoli Kitchen Pizza has expansion plans throughout South Florida. (Cannoli Kitchen Pizza/Courtesy)

Cannoli Kitchen Pizza

9180 Glades Road, Boca Raton; cannolikitchen.com

This pizzeria is expanding with locations coming to Boca Raton in October, then to Coral Springs and Coconut Creek in the second half of 2025. But that’s not all: The Boca Raton-based company that started in 1996 has its eyes on expansion to Orlando, as well as outside Florida to Alabama, Michigan and Georgia. “It’s rare to cultivate a restaurant brand with a mom-and-pop vibe that’s consistent across multiple locations, but that’s exactly what we are doing with this pizza franchise,” company president Austin Titus said. South Florida currently has four Cannoli Kitchen Pizza eateries: in Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Deerfield Beach.

Man Ray
522 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth Beach; Sub-Culture.org

Named after the iconic painter and photographer subversive who straddled two art movements — Dada and Surrealism — this restaurant is expected to open later this year on Lucerne Avenue in downtown Lake Worth Beach, replacing the former C.W.S. Bar + Kitchen. Billed as a spinoff of Dada in Delray Beach, the eclectic sit-down comes from Palm Beach restaurant impresario Rodney Mayo (Kapow!, Sassafras, Hullaballoo, the recently opened El Segundo) and features no menu yet.

Pura Vida
6 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach; puravidamiami.com

This Miami-based, health-conscious chain is quickly expanding throughout SoFlo with a particular focus on Palm Beach County. The new Pura Vida Delray Beach will overlook the ocean when the 4,000 square-foot space opens on Sept. 5. Founded by Omer and Jennifer Horev in 2012, the fast-casual keeps an eye on food allergies and dietary restrictions, offering dishes such as pasture-raised egg sandwiches, salads, raw acai bowls, wraps and gluten-free vegan sweets. “Our aim has always been to foster spaces where individuals can come together to enjoy not just great food, but a lifestyle centered around health and wellness,” Omer Horev says. There are already 26 eateries.

3Natives/Courtesy

An acai bowl at 3Natives, a Tequesta-born chain that plans to open multiple South Florida locations in 2024. (3Natives/Courtesy)

3Natives
Multiple locations; 3Natives.com

This South Florida-blended franchise is on a tear, with plans to debut multiple outposts later this summer in Broward and Palm Beach counties. The fast-casual smoothie and acai-bowl bar, started by Tequesta’s Anthony Bambino in 2013, has already opened 10 locations, most recently on Fort Lauderdale’s 17th Street Causeway (April 24) and Boynton Beach’s Jog Road (March 27). Locations on the way, per the 3Natives website, include: Coral Springs (1211 N. University Drive), Weston (292 Indian Trace, Suite 2), Lake Worth Beach (8764 Lantana Road, Suite B-114) and Loxahatchee (5070 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road). The juicery has eight signature acai bowls, from the Estes Bowl (granola, peanut butter, strawberry, green apple) to the Tequesta Dragon (dragonfruit, blueberry, raspberry), along with salads, wraps, bagels and avocado toast.

Bondi Sushi
3333 N. Federal Highway, Oakland Park; BondiSushi.com

This beachy, Big Apple-born, sushi-bar chain is expanding with its first Broward outpost, which expects to debut this summer at Oaklyn, a new sky-high tower giving Oakland Park a jolt of big-city appeal. The 2,100-square-foot kitchen comes from founder-partners David Hess, Aiden Carty and Justin Hauser. The dining room will be distinguished by a Japanese-style cocktail bar and a sweets shop called Icebergs, which will serve Japanese ice cream, rice-cake desserts, sodas and candy. Bondi, which also operates a Miami Beach outpost, will serve king salmon and yellowtail jalapeno sashimi, 12 kinds of handrolls (from lobster and toro to A5 Wagyu and truffle avocado), 14 types of nigiri (sea scallop, seared albacore), crispy rice and shishito pepper appetizers.

Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar

1840 Sawgrass Mills Circle, No. 4100, Sunrise; TommyBahama.com

This tropical-chic restaurant-retail mashup known for serving ahi poke bowls next to Polo shirts will debut at Sawgrass Mills mall in 2025, a Marlin Bar spokesperson told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. In South Florida, it will join Tommy Bahama restaurant/Marlin Bar outposts in Dania Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter. At 8,500 square feet, the new Marlin Bar will be accented with tropical-print wallpaper, display men’s and women’s swimwear, sportswear and home decor, and include an outdoor patio. The shareable menu has a similar dash of island flavor, with entrees of coconut shrimp, blackened Mahi-mahi tacos, Kona coffee-crusted ribeye, grilled chicken and mango salad and, for dessert, piña colada cake.

Embarcadero 41
350 SE Second St., Suite 2, Fort Lauderdale; embarcadero41.us

Expected to open in December, Embarcadero 41 — also called E41 — is the creation of the Vidal family, who came here from Peru in 2018 and created the boutique eatery brand that serves a menu mix of Peruvian fusion and Nikkei cuisine. Husband-and-wife dynamic duo Jorge (who worked with brewer SABMiller for 24 years) and Patricia, along with daughter Rafaella and son Rodrigo, opened their first restaurant in Sunrise in 2020 and now have three other locations: in Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs and Boca Raton. The menu includes ceviche and tiraditos; hot and cold appetizers such as pulpo anticuchero (octopus), conchitas a la Parmesana; rice and risottos, pastas, makis (sushi) and chef’s specials. This new location will have a full indoor-outdoor bar with a menu of signature cocktails, some made with pisco and Peruvian ingredients, and a wide and exclusive wine list. The new E41 will have three distinct areas — dining room, lounge bar and terrace — encompassing 3,600 square feet to accommodate 150 patrons.

Tropical Smokehouse

524 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; EatTropical.com

“Florida-style barbecue,” what 2023 James Beard semifinalist chef Rick Mace dubs his marriage of smoked meats and SoFlo soul, is expanding south to Delray Beach. Sometime later this year, Tropical will open on West Atlantic Avenue inside a mural-splashed building recently occupied by cocktail hub Pour & Famous. It’ll technically be the third smokehouse from Mace and business partner Jason Lakow, who opened their flagship West Palm Beach pit-stop in 2021 and a smaller fast-casual spinoff, Tropical BBQ Market, two years later. By all accounts, the menu will mirror the original, which serves low-and-slow, mojo-spiced pork shoulder and jerk turkey breast, medianoche hot dogs, DemKota prime brisket, barbecued jackfruit, and black bean and plantain rice bowls. The 800-square-foot building includes an expansive wraparound patio.

Ah-Beetz New Haven Pizza
Multiple locations; Ah-Beetz.com

Ah-beetz, for the uninformed, is the only proper way to pronounce “apizza” in New Haven, Connecticut — locals say it loudly and emphatically, like “achoo!” — which should tell you something about the authenticity of the pies served there. After debuting in Delray Beach in 2022 and in West Palm Beach in June, the pizzeria is adding two more franchises, which will bow in Royal Palm Beach (11051 Southern Blvd.) and in Lake Park (9475 A1A Alternate). Founded by Kassondra Frantz and Nick Laudano Jr., the restaurant touts Connecticut favorites such as white clam ah-beetz, “mootz” (or mozzarella) pies with toppings, plus calzones, wings, salads and grinders.

Ocean Prime/Courtesy

The Dutch Harbor King Crab legs at Ocean Prime, a surf-and-turf chain expected to debut at Las Olas Marina in early 2025. (Ocean Prime/Courtesy)

Ocean Prime
171 Las Olas Circle, Fort Lauderdale; Ocean-Prime.com

This upscale surf-and-turf chain already has a mighty presence across 17 major cities, and now the steakhouse plans to open its latest sit-down on Las Olas Marina in spring 2025. At 15,000 square feet, the eatery from Ohio hospitality outfit Cameron Mitchell Restaurants will devote half its 400 seats for patio dining. It will be perched beside the Las Olas Bridge, and diners may use the marina’s 68 public boat slips for access, chief operating officer David Miller says in a statement. “Our fifth Ocean Prime location in Florida marks another significant milestone in our expansion in the state,” Miller says. Ocean Prime — which also has outposts in Tampa, Orlando, Naples and Sarasota — will offer oysters on the half-shell, Dutch Harbor King Crab legs and chilled whole Maine lobster on ice, sushi rolls, lobster bisque soup and, for entrees, sea scallops and blackened snapper with corn spoon bread and Swiss chard in a corn emulsion. Carnivores, meanwhile, can carve into filets, New York strips and ribeyes with optional Bearnaise sauce, black truffle butter and bleu cheese crust, along with Berkshire pork in a sherry reduction and double-bone lamb chops in roasted garlic-thyme jus. The menu also includes cocktails and brunch.

Howl at the Moon
600 SE Second Court, Fort Lauderdale; 754-356-4695; HowlattheMoon.com

In a bygone Fort Lauderdale party era, dueling-piano bars tickled the ivories into the wee hours of the morning at Beach Place. Now one of those singalong nightspots, Howl at the Moon, is staging a comeback with a 5,000-square-foot venue off Las Olas Boulevard, behind Big City Tavern. It is slated to open in October. As with the other 12 national locations, this new piano-bar will sling cocktails, shots and beers, no doubt to loosen your tongue for belting out “Don’t Stop Believin’” for the 50th time. Meanwhile, performers will face each other across black baby-grand pianos, taking song requests for tips while inviting customers onstage.

Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza

1 Main St., Miramar; mistero1.com

Renato Viola’s pizzeria is expected to open this fall at the new Manor at Miramar, an eight-story, mixed-use development right in the heart of the southern Broward County city. Known for star-shaped, Neapolitan-style pizzas, Mister O1 has multiple South Florida locations, including in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Aventura and South Beach.

For 1 night only at The Jupiter Grill, try the dinner that won Gordon Ramsay’s ‘Hell’s Kitchen’

Rod Stafford Hagwood — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 14:39:47 +0000

This is “Small Bites,” a South Florida Sun Sentinel feature with tiny tidbits on the food and beverage scene — because we know that sometimes you just don’t have room for a long article. You want a little news brief instead, an amuse bouche of information, if you will. Enjoy!

WHAT: Are you one of those foodies who salivate watching Gordon Ramsay’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” thinking to yourself the whole time: “Why isn’t taste-a-vision a thing yet? It’s the 21st century, gosh darnit!”

Well, we can’t do anything about that (nada when we tried hooking up a 3D printer to Apple Vision Pro). But Paul Niedermann, The Jupiter Grill’s executive chef, can.

Niedermann won Season 9 of the TV cooking competition in 2011. And now — for one night only — he’s going to replicate the star-making meal that moved him to the front burner.

“I’m psyched to be able to recreate the Final Menu that catapulted my career,” Niedermann said. “Diners will get to enjoy each course that I presented to judges during that fateful season and experience exactly what they did.”

Added Dave Magrogan, CEO and founder of The Jupiter Grill: “We are much more than just a destination for fine dining. Exclusive events such as chef Niedermann’s ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Final Meal illustrate our commitment to connecting with our community. We invite everyone to come visit us!”

WHEN: The event starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19.

WHERE: The Jupiter Grill is located at 149 Soundings Ave., inside Jupiter’s Harbourside Place.

THE MENU: The four-course dinner will have wine pairings as well.

Olive Oil Poached Shrimp featuring jalapeño, red onion, roasted garlic, lemon and herbs, paired with Maschio dei Cavalieri Prosecco from Valdobbiadene, Italy
Pan-Roasted Diver Scallops with corn emulsion, pickled bell pepper salad and smoked paprika aioli paired with Grgich Hills Fumé Blanc from Napa Valley, California
Beef Wellington served with Yukon potato puree, roasted carrots, sauce bordelaise and paired with E. Guigal, Crozes-Hermitage from France
Banana Polenta Cake topped with dark chocolate ganache, honey roasted peanuts and vanilla bean gelato and paired with Jackson-Triggs Vidal Icewine, “Reserve” from Niagara Peninsula, Canada

COST: Tickets are $125; reservations are required, limited and only accepted by calling 561-768-9582.

INFORMATION: Visit thejupitergrill.com/hellskitchendinner.

This wall has it all: Thrōw Social in Delray Beach debuts self-pour wall with cocktails, wine, beer & seltzer

Rod Stafford Hagwood — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 09:35:07 +0000

WHAT: No more waiting. You want a beer … or a cocktail … or some wine?

Just go up to the new self-pour beverage wall at Thrōw Social in downtown Delray Beach and get it yourself. You can even get-your-garnish-on with flamingo straws, drink umbrellas and pineapple picks.

This special wall features 20 options — seven cocktails, seven beers, five wines and a seltzer.

“Our self-serve beverage wall is a fantastic way to engage our guests and offer them a unique and interactive experience,” CEO and owner Ginger Flesher-Sonnier told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “By providing a variety of beverage options, we can cater to different tastes and preferences, allowing guests to customize their drinks to their liking. This enhances customer satisfaction and creates a memorable experience that sets our establishment apart from others.”

Flesher-Sonnier says the self-serve beverage wall will also be a part of the party at the upcoming Miami location, which is expected to open sometime in late 2024 or early 2025.

HOW IT WORKS:

The “Tap Wall Card” links to a credit card and you are charged by the volume poured. In a way, you set up a wall-et. See what we did there?
It uses RFID (radio frequency ID) tap technology and display screens from PourMyBeer.
For those of you who are technophobes, no worries. An attendant will be nearby to help guests 21 and older.

COST: Pricing varies, since it’s a pay-by-the-ounce pour. On the beverage menu, the price range is $15 to $17 for cocktails, $13 to $30 for wine, and $6 to $9 for beer and seltzers.

WHERE: Thrōw Social Delray is located at 29 SE Second Ave.

INFORMATION: Visit throwsocial.com/delray or call 800-561-0755.

EXTRA TIDBITS: For the uninitiated, Thrōw Social also has a location in Washington, D.C. The vibe is more of an entertainment venue, with bar food and craft cocktails, ax-throwing bays, dartboards activated with iPads, TapGlo (table tennis with interactive light show), Skeech Games, Warphole (cornhole but with wavy boards), light-up beer pong, giant Jenga and giant Connect 4 games. There’s also a stage for live music/DJs and rentable VIP cabanas on the patio.

Throw Social Delray Beach

Thrōw Social’s new self-pour wall provides a fun approach to drinking. (Thrōw Social Delray Beach/Courtesy)

Throw Social Delray Beach

A closer look at the menu for Thrōw Social’s new self-pour wall. (Thrōw Social Delray Beach/Courtesy)

Heard Lips was closing? Looks like the drag supper club got a pair of Key West saviors

Rod Stafford Hagwood — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 14:01:35 +0000

The reports of Lips Fort Lauderdale’s demise are greatly exaggerated.

The drag-alicious restaurant/bar/cabaret will not be shuttering this weekend as recent social media posts from some of the cast of female impersonators would have you believe.

It turns out the venue — formally titled Lips Drag Queen Show Palace, Restaurant & Bar — is expected to live on, thanks to new buyers stepping in late Tuesday afternoon and promising to buy the dining and drag destination.

Lips, at 1421 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park, is reportedly being purchased for an undisclosed sum by Aquaplex Key West, an entertainment complex with five experiences under one roof, including a drag nightclub and bar. The new owners of both properties will be husbands Michael and Jonathan Barrett.

“We actually had heard the news that it was going to close, and we really didn’t want to see that happen,” Michael Barrett told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “We think, especially with the environment we’re living in, we wanted to make sure that drag stays relevant and alive here in South Florida.”

The sale is expected to be official next week, he said.

Just three days ago, Facebook was rife with posts lamenting the closure of Lips from the cast, crew and staff.

Amanda Austin, who has been part of the cast for more than a decade, posted: “Well…the rumors are true! After almost 17 fabulous years, the curtain will fall permanently at Lips – Fort Lauderdale after our brunch show on Sunday, August 11. You have just a few more shows to celebrate, commemorate and cry with us. Our final week of performances are expected to SELL OUT, so message me ASAP to join in before we all head off in our separate ways.”

But on Tuesday night, the female impersonator came back with this post: “Amazing news…just days from closing, Lips – Fort Lauderdale has been purchased by AquaPlex Key West and WILL NOT CLOSE! We are excited to still be able to continue shows on Oakland Park Blvd. and for the changes to come…See you this weekend!”

Lips Fort Lauderdale has been a leading drag performance venue since 2007. Unlike some other female impersonator spots in South Florida, the audiences at Lips are often a mix of straight and LGBTQ+ people, often celebrating weddings, graduations, new jobs and anniversaries. It has also been a magnet for fundraiser events, working with charitable organizations including Neighbors 4 Neighbors, Women in Distress, Smart Ride, ArtsUnited and more.

Other Lips locations — in New York City, Chicago, Atlanta and San Diego — are unaffected by the impending sale in Fort Lauderdale.

“Timing is everything. We were fortunate to be introduced to a compatible buyer who shares our passion for drag entertainment. The rest is history,” said Mark Zschiesche/Yvonne Lamé, one of the cofounders of Lips. “The magic of Lips Fort Lauderdale has sparkled for nearly 17 years thanks to our amazing cast and crew plus our loyal fans. We leave behind a legacy of good memories and are excited that Michael and Jonathan will transition Lips and add to its allure. Lips’ unique brand of entertainment will continue to thrive at four other locations in the U.S.”

Michael is from Arkansas while Jonathan is from South Carolina. Though home is now Key West, the couple spends a lot of time in Fort Lauderdale. In addition to owning Aquaplex Key West, the new proprietors have a food service background as franchise owners of Taco Bell and KFC locations.

“You know, (Fort Lauderdale) is where we came to get away from the island and just unwind,” Michael Barrett added. “And so we were very familiar. We … participated in Pride together here. We were in the parade and … helped raise money for the parade. We’re still pretty active here, even though our business is in Key West.”

They plan to bring the same skill sets to Lips Fort Lauderdale that they did to Aquaplex, which they bought a little over a year ago. His husband, he said, attended the Savannah College of Art and Design, “so he’s an artist and a graphic designer and very technical. He runs the technical part. He also is a DJ.

“We’re both very hands-on. We probably are in the bar every day at Key West. They’ll see us a lot. And one of the things we do is every week we do rehearsal and we give feedback. And we also listen to our customers. We let them tell us what they like and what they dislike. That’s helped us.”

As for specific plans for Lips Fort Lauderdale, he added: “We’re going to try to incorporate Lips and Key West Aquaplex into what we’re good at. And what we’ve really done and focused on is elevating drag. You know, we took half our queens to Vegas in December this year … getting out, seeing different shows, and getting to see things that are really relevant with drag today. And bring up our standards and what we were doing. And it shows.”

Keep on truckin’: Monster Jam wheelies into Amerant Bank Arena

Rod Stafford Hagwood — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 13:00:44 +0000

The monster of motorsport is revving up to throw down for an adrenaline-charged weekend at the Sunrise Monster Jam.

The titan truck tussle, taking place Aug. 10-11 at Amerant Bank Arena, will feature vast vehicles that weigh 12,000 pounds and are about 10.5 feet tall, 12.5 feet wide and 17 feet long.

On both days, a Monster Jam Pit Party will kick off the activities from 10:30 a.m. to noon, allowing guests to see the massive trucks up close, meet the drivers and crews, get autographs and take selfies. Attendees must have both an event ticket and a Pit Pass to gain access.

Then, the Monster Jam starts at 1 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, and at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11.

However, fans might want to take their seats an hour beforehand for the Monster Jam Trackside. That’s where there are driver interviews, competition previews, opening ceremonies, power rush truck introductions and prize giveaways.

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS

Drivers will race their monster trucks and perform stunts (including backflips, big-air launches, wheelies).
There will also be a donut competition, quickly rotating the truck as many times as possible.
The freestyle battle is where drivers get creative with their skills, performing tricks.

ADVICE FOR FIRST-TIMERS

It’ll be loud. You might want to bring earplugs.
For some, it is a good idea to keep eye drops handy, as the monster trucks kick up a lot of dirt and dust.
Take a few moments to learn the lingo. Fortunately for you, there’s a helpful glossary at monsterjam.com/monster-jam-lingo.
Believe it or not, the Amerant Bank Arena MIGHT be a little chilly for some people. Often, Monster Jam events request that air conditioning be on full blast to keep the trucks from overheating (though there’s no confirmation of this from the arena). If you’re the type always turning up the thermostat at home, you may want to dress in layers.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR

Adam Anderson won Monster Jam World championships in 2013, 2014 and 2018 for racing as well as in 2008 and 2016 for freestyle.
Ryan Anderson‘s titles include a Monster Jam World Finals championship in 2017 for racing and 2022-2023 for high jump.
Tristan England won his first Monster Jam World championships for racing in 2023.
Todd LeDuc won the Monster Jam World Finals championships in 2014 for freestyle and in 2015 for racing.
Coty Saucier won the Young Guns Shootout Championships in 2015.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Monster Jam

WHEN: 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11

WHERE: Amerant Bank Arena, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise

COST: $22-$103, varies by showtime

EXTRA TIDBIT: The Monster Jam Pit Party, which requires a separate ticket, will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon on both days. Pit Passes are $20, but you must buy a show ticket before you can purchase a Monster Jam Pit Party Pass.

INFORMATION: Visit monsterjam.com, amerantbankarena.com and/or seatgeek.com.

SMALL BITES: Why you and your dog need to check out the West Palm Beach Beer Festival

Rod Stafford Hagwood — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 08:40:52 +0000

WHAT: Even though technically the dog days of summer will soon be over, man’s best friend will be more than welcome at the third annual West Palm Beach Beer Festival, which is being put on by BRK Republic, a furry-fabulous combination of tap brewery and dog park with an indoor/outdoor bar.

The Aug. 24 paw-ty, benefiting the nonprofits Life with Reef and Mutty Paws Rescue, will have beverage samplings from more than 20 local, regional and national purveyors of craft beer, spirits and wines. New this time around will be a section featuring select nonalcoholic brands. There will also be food trucks, a DJ and a Mutty Paws animal adoption booth.

“This event is not just about celebrating great beer and spirits but also about bringing our community together and supporting important causes like Life with Reef and Mutty Paws Rescue,” says Lindsay Lipovich, owner of BRK Republic.

WHEN: Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24.

WHERE: Head to BRK Republic, 521 Clematis St., downtown West Palm Beach.

COST: Tickets cost $50 for general admission and $65 for VIP (includes early 5 p.m. entry and welcome drink); late-arrival tickets (with 8 p.m. entry) are $30.

INFORMATION: For tickets or more details, visit eventbrite.com or brkrepublic.com.

EXTRA TIDBIT: As of now, the list of vendors includes: 10 Barrel Brewing Co., American Icon Brewery, Athletic Brewing Co., Austin Cocktails, Biscayne Bay Brewing, Blue Point Brewing Co., Boston Beer Co., Chido, Collective Arts, Cove Brewery, Founders Brewing Co., Funky Buddha Brewery, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Lost Coast Brewery, Noxx & Dunn Florida Rum, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Sun Cruiser, Terrapin Beer Co., Tilray Beer, SweetWater Brewing Co. and Shock Top.