Features reporter
Kari Barnett
Kari Barnett has been a journalist with Sun Sentinel for more than 20 years, with a majority of her career spent as Community News editor. She features the reader-voted winners of the Sun Sentinel's Best of South Florida Dining series. She also reports on weekly restaurant inspections in Broward and Palm Beach counties. She writes about upcoming events and holidays as well as ways to save money in South Florida. In addition, she oversees the Families & Savings newsletter (sign up here) and compiles City & Shore Magazine's monthly calendar. Reach her at kabarnett@sunsentinel.com.
All Stories
![Why save snorkeling for a cruise ship excursion or a resort stay when we have world-renowned snorkeling destinations right here in our own backyard? Reefs and trails await underwater explorers just beneath the surface of the ocean's warm, blue waters off the shoreline in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Why save snorkeling for a cruise ship excursion or a resort stay when we have world-renowned snorkeling destinations right here in our own backyard? Reefs and trails await underwater explorers just beneath the surface of the ocean's warm, blue waters off the shoreline in Broward and Palm Beach counties.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Gold-Coast-Scuba-Photo-2.jpg?w=111)
No boat required: 6 South Florida spots where you can snorkel before summer ends
Why save snorkeling for a cruise ship excursion or a resort stay when we have world-renowned snorkeling destinations right here in our own backyard? Reefs and trails await underwater explorers...
![Sun Sentinel Restaurant Inspections Sun Sentinel Restaurant Inspections](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/7D5E52L6WRBERIVISLQVG5OHFA-3.png?w=140)
Over 100 dead roaches, ‘sewage backing up from all floor drains’ in kitchen: 11 South Florida restaurants shut
The state shut 11 restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach counties during the week of July 28, including one with "rodent nesting materials" found in the kitchen and others with...
![As National Cuban Sandwich Day approaches on Aug. 23, we’re posing a “pressing” question to you, our readers, for the next item in the Best of South Florida Dining series. As National Cuban Sandwich Day approaches on Aug. 23, we’re posing a “pressing” question to you, our readers, for the next item in the Best of South Florida Dining series.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Best-Cuban-sandwich.jpg?w=140)
Who makes the best Cuban sandwich? Nominate your favorite South Florida spot
As National Cuban Sandwich Day approaches on Aug. 23, we’re posing a “pressing” question to you, our readers, for the next item in the Best of South Florida Dining series.
![Transform small slips of paper into handwritten memorials for lost loved ones during Obon Weekend at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach. Transform small slips of paper into handwritten memorials for lost loved ones during Obon Weekend at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/tfl-l-obon-weekend-0808-03-e1722870951232.jpg?w=137)
Honor your ancestors at Morikami’s Obon Weekend, take lanterns home to light this year
Transform small slips of paper into handwritten memorials for lost loved ones during Obon Weekend at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach.
![The state temporarily shut eight South Florida restaurants last week, with issues ranging from flies landing on a soda nozzle to scattering roaches to employee actions such as making a sandwich with bare hands and touching raw chicken then a clean plate without changing gloves and washing hands. The state temporarily shut eight South Florida restaurants last week, with issues ranging from flies landing on a soda nozzle to scattering roaches to employee actions such as making a sandwich with bare hands and touching raw chicken then a clean plate without changing gloves and washing hands.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2022/10/31/7D5E52L6WRBERIVISLQVG5OHFA.png?w=135)
Employees not washing hands, touching face, making food without gloves: 8 South Florida restaurants shut
The state temporarily shut eight South Florida restaurants last week, with issues ranging from flies landing on a soda nozzle to scattering roaches to employee actions such as making a...
![If you haven't checked out "Palm Royale" just yet, there's plenty of time to binge-watch before the winners are announced during the 76th Emmy Awards in September. If you haven't checked out "Palm Royale" just yet, there's plenty of time to binge-watch before the winners are announced during the 76th Emmy Awards in September.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tfl-l-palm-beach-landmarks-05_184327258.jpg?w=132)
‘Palm Royale’ gets 11 Emmy nods: Now’s the time to binge-watch, then visit Palm Beach hot spots
If you haven't checked out "Palm Royale" just yet, there's plenty of time to binge-watch before the winners are announced during the 76th Emmy Awards in September.
![I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream, but where's the best place to get scrumptious scoops of the cold, creamy dessert? For National Ice Cream Month, we turned to you, our readers, to find out which ice cream shops in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties cure your cravings for the frozen treat. I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream, but where's the best place to get scrumptious scoops of the cold, creamy dessert? For National Ice Cream Month, we turned to you, our readers, to find out which ice cream shops in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties cure your cravings for the frozen treat.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/tfl-l-best-ice-cream-lilys1.jpg?w=140)
Who scoops the best ice cream in South Florida? The readers have spoken, and the winner is …
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream, but where's the best place to get scrumptious scoops of the cold, creamy dessert? For National Ice Cream Month, we...
![Sun Sentinel restaurant inspections Sun Sentinel restaurant inspections](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/7D5E52L6WRBERIVISLQVG5OHFA-3.webp?w=140)
12 South Florida restaurants shut, one with 50 live roaches and 120 dead ones
Pork stored in a Glad quick-tie bag, a live roach on "wooden chicken-pounding prep table," an employee returning from the bathroom and then removing food from the reach-in cooler without...
![With July designated as National Ice Cream Month, we asked you, our readers, to nominate your go-to ice cream shops in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties for this month's Best of South Florida Dining series. With July designated as National Ice Cream Month, we asked you, our readers, to nominate your go-to ice cream shops in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties for this month's Best of South Florida Dining series.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Best-ice-cream.jpg?w=140)
Here’s the scoop: Finalists are in for South Florida’s best ice cream – and now it’s time to vote!
With July designated as National Ice Cream Month, we asked you, our readers, to nominate your go-to ice cream shops in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties for this month's...
![South Florida is in the throes of record-breaking heat, making it hard to even consider opening the front door, let alone stepping outside for some summer fun. So we've looked into indoor activities at venues throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties. South Florida is in the throes of record-breaking heat, making it hard to even consider opening the front door, let alone stepping outside for some summer fun. So we've looked into indoor activities at venues throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/tfl-l-5150-chocolate-tour-2-071524.jpg?w=132)
How to be cool in South Florida: Our summer guide to indoor fun, from chocolate factory tours to candlelight concerts
South Florida is in the throes of record-breaking heat, making it hard to even consider opening the front door, let alone stepping outside for some summer fun. So we've looked...