I traveled a few miles south to Pompano Beach based on several spirited recommendations about one of its new(ish) restaurants. Knowing that owner Mike Linder and his SFL Hospitality Group were behind the year-old concept serving up southern comfort cuisine heightened my expectations. Linder is a hospitality veteran who knows how to curate attractive spaces with quality menus. South is part of the group’s restaurant portfolio, including Jet Runway Café and Yot Bar & Kitchen.
The space itself is dazzling, with plush emerald-green banquettes, warm wood detailing, and a spacious indoor/outdoor bar that leads out to an expansive terrace and second bar. As we head into our best weather months, this patio will be the ideal spot to sip on a refreshing cocktail while enjoying the live entertainment that South frequently hosts.
We started with the boudin rolls ($14), smoked fish dip ($16) and blue crab beignets ($16). A popular Cajun take on egg rolls, the rolls are stuffed with roasted pork, rice, pepper jack and goat cheese. They were lightly fried and crunchy on the outside but also tender and creamy on the inside—a perfect combination. They are also served with a sweet pepper chutney that begs the rolls to be dunked into it. The fish dip is an import from Yot and is equally as flavorful as I remember it. It’s served with chips, carrots, celery and pickled okra. While I enjoy the sugar-dusted sweet beignets, this crab variety was also tasty. Each ball had a hearty stuffing of blue crab and mascarpone cheese and was served with a tangy creole mustard that balanced each bite.
For my main, I was instantly drawn to the South grits ($34), which came with a choice of shrimp or short rib (I chose shrimp). It’s one of those dishes I will crave for the foreseeable future. Creamy grits infused with melted Gouda are topped with large, plump shrimp in a liberal amount of well-seasoned buttery sauce with a slight kick. This quintessential dish delivers. I also tried the fried chicken ($38), which was simple, moist and well executed.
Chocolate lovers should save room for the chocolate brownie ($14), a warm confection topped with pecans, caramel and house-made vanilla ice cream. The tunes throughout the evening meandered from the late ‘90s to the early aughts, so while I swayed to Sonique’s “It Feels So Good” and peered out over the restaurant and patio, I commended the SFL Hospitality Group for bringing yet another welcoming, fun, tasteful concept to our South Florida dining scene.
IF YOU GO
165 N.E. First Ave., Pompano Beach; 954/890-2000
PARKING: Street and lot parking
HOURS: Tuesday – Thursday 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday 4 p.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
PRICES: $7 –$54
WEBSITE: southpmp.com
Hungry for more food news? Visit our food page, and subscribe to the magazine for the most delicious coverage of Boca and beyond.
