11 January 2-8, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | Contents | Letters | news | night+Day | CuLture | Cafe | MusiC | spot off of Federal Highway. Take one bite, and you’ll think you’re roadside in Chiang Mai hearing elephants squawk at a nearby sanctuary. 6234 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-368-8863; larbthaiisan.com. Open Wednesday through Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Maass: Nestled in the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, this con- temporary American restaurant has been re- garded as a game changer since its 2023 opening. Founded by highly acclaimed Chef Ryan Ratino, the Chef’s Counter experience here is worth the splurge. It’s available daily with 14 total seats, where guests may dabble in a 72-hour prime rib, coconut-dashed bass, and yuzu-essenced tuna crudo on a given day. Evelyn’s – a Mediterranean concept also on property at the Four Seasons – is a winner, too. 525 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-256-0000; maassftl.com. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mai-Kai: Fort Lauderdale is a fun city, and this time-tested icon that’s renowned for its Polynesian show and fare is as fun as it gets. Its roots date back to 1956, and for four years, starting in 2020, it temporarily closed to undergo a $20 million renovation. In its latest chapter, it’s as dazzling and multifac- eted as ever, including a 150-person bar/ lounge, gift shop, and tropical garden that feels like a getaway in itself. 3599 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-563-3272; mai- kai.com. Open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. till late and Saturday and Sunday from 3 p.m. till late. Southport Raw Bar: In the 1970s, when it opened, Fort Lauderdale was still a very undeveloped little beach town, but it’s been the home to one of the finest seafood restaurants in South Florida. Over the past fifty-plus years, Southport Raw Bar has served everyone from famous people to generations of residents. Carmine Ferrante and Mickey Kirtman started selling their share in the restaurant in 1998, which is when its three managers, Jack, Pat and Buddy Sherman, purchased Southport Raw Bar. Between the three of them, they have almost one hundred years of experience at this restaurant, which is an impressive feat. Expect casual waterfront dining at inexpensive prices. Oysters and clams are the specialty. This no-fuss spot has more than 5,000 4.5-star reviews. 1536 Cordova Rd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-525-2526; southportrawbar.com. Call for hours. Temple Street Eatery: Where Federal High- way intersects with NE Fourth Street, you’ll find the intersection of Asian fare with a mix of global cuisine. In 2024, chefs Diego Ng and Alex Kuk celebrated ten years of Temple Street Eatery magic. In late 2023, the spot also opened its second Broward location inside Baoshi Food Hall in Pembroke Pines. Beyond ra- men and noodle soup offerings a plenty, if you’ve never had their edamame falafel pita with a gochu- jang cream and feta cheese, prepare for a sen- sory overload. 416 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 754-701-0976; templestreeteatery. com. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Vitolo: Occupying the ground floor of Con- rad Fort Lauderdale Beach, bountiful Italian classics abound. The restaurant includes dishes concocted by NYC-based Chef An- thony Vitolo, starting with massive mozza- rella en carroza through the “Vitello Antonio,” which is a center-cut veal chop for two. There are many dining settings here for striking the right mood, too, including kitchen-side tables for catching all the chef’s action and an open-air terrace. Takoto, also in the Conrad, is worth a regular dine (or ten). 551 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lau- derdale; 954-414-5127; vitoloitalian.com. Open Sunday through Thursday from noon to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. [email protected] Anthony’s Runway 84 photo The iconic Anthony’s Runway 84 has been serving the classics like steak, pasta, and seafood since 1982. DESPITE THE LONGTIME GEMS, IT’S THE UNEXPECTED SPOTS IN GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE THAT KEEP FOODIES ON THEIR TOES.
