16 OctOber 10-16, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | culture | Night+Day | News | letters | coNteNts | miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | of science — it’s challenging, and I like challenges, so I just started baking at home.” She first decided to gift loaves of bread to her friends, and then, she decided to take things more seriously. Karan decided to pick up jobs at local bakeries in her home country to understand how a large-scale production works compared to her home kitchen. Mov- ing back to the United States, she found her- self working as a kitchen manager for an owner who gave her free range to experiment with her baking. After three years of perfecting her craft, she finally found her own space, located at 2720 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Ste. 103, in Fort Lauderdale. Everything is baked fresh in the morning and made in house by Karan. The bakery highlights sourdough bread but also offers a variety of pastries and croissants. According to Karan, some of the best sellers include the banana bread, the lemon blueberry bar, the Turkish rice pudding, and her take on a crois- sant, which, due to a different process while baking, is crunchier and has a deeper flavor than the classic croissant. The coffee bar area also allows for a few cof- fee selections, including lattes, cold brew, cor- tados, a couple of tea selections, and matcha. (Pro tip from Karan: While the bakery offers milk alternatives, she recommends customers without dietary restrictions go for the regular milk since it’s a high-quality farm milk. In her own words, “This milk tastes like actual milk.”) In its short time open, Karan’s hard work is already being recognized by locals who stop by for a coffee break, a quick bite, or even stumble upon the storefront while browsing around the area. “It’s only been two weeks, but I’m having second- and third-time customers,” says Karan. “They’re coming back, they love the brand, and they all say they have been looking for something like this in the area. Some cus- tomers told me they used to drive to West Palm Beach to get good sourdough bread, and they are really happy to have it nearby now. I’m really happy to have nice feedback. I think they see I put all my heart into this job.” Running on two hours of sleep and managing the bakery by herself, Karan tells New Times she’s just happy while she feeds customers. “No one gets into this business for money,” she says. “We do it because we love it. I just want to be happy while I’m working here. I want to see a happy customer and their reaction when they eat my bread. Their comments of how much they like it make my day, and it makes all the sleepless nights worth it.” By next year, Karan hopes I Loaf Sour- dough will get more and more regulars. Her ultimate dream is to see a line out the door. I Loaf Sourdough. 2720 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; @i_loafsourdough; sourdoughbreadfortlauderdale.com. Open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. RACHEL COSTA ▼ CORAL GABLES GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN A Miracle Mile mainstay for Thai cuisine that has been run by the same family for nearly 40 years has closed its doors. This past week, Lotus Garden Restaurant in Coral Gables closed its doors after exactly 37 years in business, and 26 years at its Mira- cle Mile location in Coral Gables. The family-run restaurant, which served Thai dishes like pad Thai, spring rolls, a vari- ety of curry dishes, and Tom Ka Gai soup, closed on Sunday, September 29. On September 24, a friend of the owners took to Facebook to share the heartbreaking news. In the caption, they wrote, “I’m heartbroken to share that Lotus Garden, a beloved spot for authentic Thai food on Miracle Mile, is closing its doors next week. For over 20 years, this family-owned gem at 318 Miracle Mile has been a haven for those craving flavorful, affordable Thai cuisine. Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or just in the mood for a hearty meal, Lotus Garden always delivers.” The caption continues, “Run by Miami High Stingaree alumni, Lotus Garden isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a piece of our commu- nity. It’s where I’ve gathered with friends and family, enjoyed countless meals, and always felt like I was part of something special.” According to the post, the restaurant, run by restaurant owners Cathy Nguyen and her brother Swadee, could no longer financially maintain the restaurant space due to rising rent costs. The area of 318 Miracle Mile is one that has seen tremendous change and growth since the restaurant opened in 1997. A frequent customer on Facebook wrote, “I am beyond heartbroken about this! I’ve been coming here for decades — I drive from Davie to the Gables on my birthday every year to come here. Shock and tears tonight. I’m just grateful I accidentally decided to come tonight after I landed at Miami International Airport from Los Angeles. Good luck, Swadee and Cathy. (I’m not giving up hope on finding you another location!)” Lotus Garden had a robust soup and salad menu featuring wonton soup and tom kha gai soup, as well as salads like a Thai salad with house dressing and a “Jumping Shrimp” salad. However, the true staples at this Coral Gables gem were the classic pad Thai, Thai noodles, “Volcano Chicken,” and curries of the red, massaman, and green varieties. The menu remained almost untouched all of these years, which added to the comfort that Coral Gables residents cherished. The closure of Lotus Garden is symbolic of the difficult circumstances longtime restau- rant owners are currently facing in Miami. So long to a true Coral Gables gem. NICOLE LOPEZ-ALVAR I Loaf Sourdough photo A fresh sourdough loaf from I Loaf Sourdough in Fort Lauderdale, which is one of the best in South Florida.
