17 April 17-April 23, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | “Char Siu Ribs” seasoned with five spice and fermented bean curd, and “Typhoon Shelter Shrimp” featuring crispy panko, garlic, and basil. Standout entrées include Hennessy or- ange chicken, a boozy twist on the takeout staple made with mandarins, cognac, and ses- ame, and “Tea-Smoked Duck,” comple- mented by jasmine green tea and Shanxi black dates. For a heartier option, diners can enjoy Dandanmian noodles topped with wa- gyu beef cheek, sesame paste, and cucumber or the group-friendly crab fried rice filled with snow crab and Chinese sausage. Vegetarian dishes receive plenty of atten- tion as well, with options like “Cloud Ear Mushroom” served alongside smoked tofu and garlic chives, “Sweet & Spicy Long Beans” prepared with sweet bean miso and Thai chili, and Chinese cabbage stir-fried with garlic and ginger. The menu also fea- tures mapo tofu, a Sichuan classic with minced pork, Sichuan peppercorn, and chili, also available in a vegan option. Reservations are available via Resy.com. Double Luck. 1085 NE 79th St, Miami; insta- gram.com/doubleluckchinese. Olee Fowler ▼ FORT LAUDERDALE TRENDY MIAMI LEBANESE SPOT TO OPEN BROWARD LOCATION One of Coconut Grove’s most popular new restaurants of the past few years is opening a second location in Broward this fall. Trendy Lebanese restaurant Amal is open- ing on Las Olas Boulevard this fall by Ink En- tertainment Group, the hospitality group known for Byblos in South Beach. The Fort Lauderdale opening will mark the third Amal location for the group, following the original spot in Toronto and the Coconut Grove loca- tion, which opened in 2022 on Main Highway. “As a proud native of Beirut, it fills me with great pride to share the rich traditions of Leb- anese cuisine, hospitality, and togetherness with our guests,” says Charles Khabouth, CEO and founder of Ink Entertainment Group. “The spirit of Lebanese dining is all about enjoying a meal in a warm, welcoming atmosphere — where you come as a guest and leave feeling like family.” Located at 500 E. Las Olas Blvd., the res- taurant will serve a menu rooted in Lebanese culinary traditions, with an emphasis on shared plates, fresh herbs, and bold spices. Executive chef Wissam Baki, who spent over 15 years cooking in Beirut, including at the InterContinental, will lead the kitchen. Baki’s menu will draw from traditional Lebanese recipes while incorporating modern tech- niques and a mix of local and imported ingre- dients. The name “Amal,” which means “hope” in Arabic, reflects the concept’s deeper philosophy: meals built around gener- osity, family, and a deep appreciation for fresh, seasonal food. While an official menu hasn’t been re- leased yet, the restaurant is expected to con- tinue the brand’s focus on shareable dishes, fresh herbs, bold spices, and coastal flavors. At the Coconut Grove location, cold starters include creamy hummus, baba ghanoush, and garlic labneh, all served with warm pita. The hot mezze section features items like batata harrah, crispy fingerling potatoes tossed with garlic, cilantro, and serrano chili; and Amal’s falafels, topped with tahini and pickled tur- nip. For something heartier, there’s pistachio kabab made with minced beef and lamb, chicken tawook skewers with toum, and lamb chops with fingerling potatoes and red pep- per relish. Guests looking to sample more can opt for skewer platters, mezze samplers, or the hummus trio, which offers classic, pesto, and roasted red pepper varieties. The space will be designed by Toronto- based studio Nivek Remas, whose previous work includes Amal’s other locations. The design will follow the brand’s Mediterra- nean-influenced aesthetic, combining soft textures, natural light, and subtle nods to the Lebanese coast. Amal joins a growing roster of Ink Enter- tainment restaurants in Florida, including By- blos Miami in South Beach, Sofia in the Design District, and Level 6 in Coconut Grove. The group is planning further expansion with additional concepts set to open in Miami Beach by 2026, though no additional details have been released yet. Clarissa Buch Zilberman [email protected] INK Entertainment Amal is expected to continue the brand’s focus on shareable dishes, fresh herbs, bold spices, and coastal flavors.
