With 2016, we’re heralding restaurants from famous names, with celeb chefs, winning dishes and unique presentations. Look for these just-opened and opening-soons, and reserve a table for tasting!
West Palm Beach: Grato joins Dixie Highway foodie section
We will be grateful that the farseeing owners of Palm Beach’s Buccan are opening their newest venture, Grato, on Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach—word is it will open this week! With Grato anchoring a main stretch of Dixie, along with Table 26, the corridor north of Belvedere Road is starting to look positively delicious.
Thanks go to James Beard Award-nominated Chef Clay Conley and his partners in the Buccan Group for this Italian trattoria-like restaurant at 1901 S. Dixie Highway. The sign went up over the door last week, the chandeliers are lit and Open Table is booking reservations already. Call 561/404-1334 or gratowpb.com.
West Palm Beach: Swedish meals and a cup of Johan’s Joe
Swedish coffee house and café, Johan’s Joe, opened recently at 401 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. It’s an open, sparkling restaurant that has great coffee, and it’s earning accolades for the food, too. Try the Swedish pancakes (these are the only kind we will eat now!) or the Swedish meatballs, salads and more. The pastries are amazing. Swedish owners Bernt and Nicklas Thuden offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hours are Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Miami: Cars, food, music the stars at Miami Supercar Rooms
Eating while driving can be tricky and messy. But eating while surrounded by some sleek, shiny, sophisticated, classic and unique cars is our idea of a great night out! And from Britain comes Elo, founder of Miami Supercar Rooms and the London Motor Museum, with a unique idea of his own. Slated to open in February at 2022 NW 1st Court, Miami, the combo of cars, food and music will be a draw to the Wynwood Arts District. For more info, call 305/363-2020.
Coconut Grove: Local sourcing and chef are stars at Glass & Vine
Glass & Vine, a “garden oasis by the Bay,” is slated to open in Coconut Grove this month with a menu from Chef Giorgio Rapiacavoli. If his name sounds familiar, that may be because he was the winner of season one on Food Network’s “Chopped” series. The Miami maestro’s menu has Garden, Sea and Land categories, with shared communal plates or individual dishes. Expect local fish tartare, Florida stracciatella, grilled sweetbreads and a house pasta with sea urchin butter, citrus and rock shrimp. It’s set to open this month at 2820 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove. Visit glassandvine.com for more information.
Lessons and great bites: Taste History Culinary Tours
Reserve your spot for one of these delicious Taste History Culinary Tours, specializing in tastes of Floribbean and New Fusion dishes. They are four hours long and include bus rides as well as walking. Combine food, art and history! Call 561/243-2662 or 561/638-8277:
2016 dates:
Saturday, Jan. 9 – Lake Worth/Lantana
Saturday, Jan. 16 – Delray Beach/Boynton Beach
Jan. 23 tour is Sold Out
Saturday, Feb. 6 – West Palm Beach/Lake Worth
Saturday, Feb. 13 – Lake Worth/Lantana
Saturday, Feb. 20 – Delray Beach/Boynton Beach
Saturday, Feb. 27 – Delray Beach/Boynton Beach
