South Florida Dining
Season 2
Kanpai
Thai Me Up Sushi
Caribbean Cuban Grill
Fado Portuguese Cuisine
Chima Steakhouse
Olivia Restaurant and Bar
The Library
Baja Cafe Dos
The Blue Dog Cookhouse
by Daniel Diaz
Indulge in the culinary wonders of Kanpai and elevate your dining experience with SoFloDining VLOG! 🎥 From Fort Lauderdale to Key West, we're your premier guide to the best South Florida has to offer. 🚀 🔍 Insider Tips & Savings: Discover the secrets of when to go and how to save at Kanpai and other top-notch spots! 📍 Exploring South Florida: Join us on a gastronomic journey through Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach, St. Petersberg, Miami, and Key West. 👨🍳 Hosted by Culinary Maestros: Chef Daniel Diaz & Doris WithaD bring their expertise to every episode, ensuring you experience the finest in South Florida dining. 🎬 SoFloDining VLOG Review: Kanpai, Boca Raton - Unleash the Culinary Magic! 🌟 🔗 Dive into the SoFloDining experience: soflodining.com #SoFloDining #SoFlomas #Beachsidedirectory #FoodieAdventure #CulinaryJourney #KanpaiBocaRaton #SouthFloridaEats 🍀🔊
Embark on a taste adventure with Chef Daniel Diaz & Doris WithaD as they explore the culinary wonders of Thai Me Up Sushi in Wilton Manors! 🌈 Indulge in sushi perfection and discover why this spot is a must-visit in South Florida. 🍱🔥 🌴 Premier South Florida VLOG: Your ultimate guide to dining excellence from Fort Lauderdale to Key West! 🚀 👨🍳 Hosted by Culinary Maestros: Join our hosts as they uncover the best eats in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach, St. Petersberg, Miami, and more! 📆 Insider Tips & Savings: Learn the secrets of when to go and how to save for an optimal dining experience! 💡 🎥 Thai Me Up Sushi in Wilton Manors: A SoFloDining Adventure you don't want to miss! 🌟 🔗 Dive into the SoFloDining experience: soflodining.com #SoFloDining #SoFlomas #Beachsidedirectory #FoodieAdventure #ThaiMeUpSushi #WiltonManorsEats #SushiDelight 🍀🎉
Dive into South Florida's culinary wonderland with our premier VLOG! 🌴 Chef Daniel Diaz & Doris WithaD take you on a delectable adventure, uncovering hidden gems like Caribbean Cuban Grill in Coconut Creek. 🇨🇺🔍 🎥 Savor Every Bite: Join us as we explore the finest dining spots from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, delivering honest reviews and insider tips on when to visit and how to save. 🌟🍴 🤤 Mouthwatering Moments: Get ready for a visual feast as we capture the essence of each dish and the vibrant dining scenes that make South Florida a foodie paradise. 🎬🔊 🔍 Discover, Dine, Delight: We're not just a VLOG; we're your culinary compass, guiding you to the best dining experiences across Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and beyond. 🗺️✈️ 🌐 Join the SoFloDining Community: Be part of the foodie movement! Follow us for the latest reviews, tips, and mouthwatering moments that elevate your dining experience. 📲🌟 #SoFloDining #SoFlomas #Beachsidedirectory #FoodieAdventure 🍽️ Explore Now at SoFloDining.com! 🌐🔥
While Doris and I were visiting St Petersburg on a mini staycation we didn’t quite know where to go for dinner. There are so many multinational restaurants to choose from one being better than the next. So, we did our usual research and asked some locals then read a few reviews. The one that stood out was Fado Portuguese Restaurant as it was recommended by several of the locals. From the moment that we entered, we were engulfed with the rich aroma that is unmistakably Portuguese cuisine. We arrived around 7:20 for our 7:30 reservation and were promptly greeted and seated. While walking to the table you can feel the vibrant atmosphere created by the festive patrons. Once we reached our table the first thing that I noticed was that all of the tables were meticulously set and ready for service. Upon being seated our waiter Bruno presented us with the menus and in classic fashion Doris first, then myself, proper service is not dead. He reviewed the beer and wine list with us and then gave us a few minutes to decide what we would like to drink. I noticed on the menu that they had a soda imported from Portugal called Sumol. Doris had the passion fruit, and I had the pineapple, which Bruno said was his favorite. Both were very good and not overly sweet. If you are not in the mood for alcohol, I really suggest you try one of the many flavors of Sumol. We skipped the appetizers because we had a larger than usual lunch, however, on our next visit we are without a doubt going to try the Camarão Alhinho that are the Garlic shrimp appetizer, or the Chouriço a Bombeiro which are Portuguese sausage flambéed tableside. Both appetizers came highly recommended to us. For our entrees, Doris ordered the Mar e Terra which is grilled steak topped with lobster tails served with mashed potatoes & vegetables. I ordered the Camarão à Chef which is shrimp that are sautéed in the Chef’s Special Portuguese Sauce served with white rice and French fries. My shrimp were quite large and many more than I expected. Which is always a happy surprise. The flavors were incredible so much so that Doris took my sauce and poured it onto her mashed potatoes and vegetables. Every shrimp was tender and packed with flavor. Doris’ steak was cooked spot on to temperature, and the three halves of lobster tail were cooked to perfection. The portion size again was much more than we expected. The star was a beautiful cut and again the lobster melted in your mouth. For dessert, Bruno rolled over a dessert cart and went over each dessert with us. He told us which were his personal favorites. He explained to us the chef had added a new dessert a pineapple mousse. He had not personally tried it so he could not recommend it, very noble. Since everything was so good, we decided to go with the new pineapple mousse. Our bet was right, just like the entire meal it was excellent. Please keep it on the menu, it’s cool and refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness while being a light-as-a-feather dessert. The restaurant was very lively, at least for four of the groups that were celebrating birthdays. They have a beautiful function room for private events and a full-service bar that is absolutely beautiful. There is plenty of seating and a nice-sized parking lot so parking is not an issue. A major plus in St. Pete. This is truly a neighborhood gem, when in St. Pete for business or pleasure you should make it a point to visit Fado.
Upon arriving at Chima Steakhouse you are greeted by the valet and find yourself ushered in through a beautifully decorated breezeway that is lined with fire on the right and water on the left. Straight ahead are a set of large Banyan trees that are adorned with tiny white lights. At this point you no longer have the feeling that you are in Las Olas, in fact, you feel as if you’re in someone’s Brazilian Villa. Beyond the breezeway, immediately to the left, you’ll see a glass wall giving you a view into the kitchen where you will see the multitude of skewers that are being prepared at one time. (Please do not miss this!) Just in front of that, there is a small stage that houses their live entertainment. To the right, there’s a small service bar at which we procured a premeal drink. Doris had a Moscow Mule and I had a Chai Tai which is basically a Brazilian Mai Tai. Both drinks were on point and delicious. As you enter directly to your right you will see a beautiful wooden large lounge area as well as a very formidable wine room. To the left, you’ll see the hostess desk where check-in occurs. The hostess guided us through a very elegant and extensive dining room. It seems much larger than it looks from the outside. In the middle of the dining room, you will see an enormous salad bar but this is not any normal salad bar. This is not your typical iceberg lettuce, tomato, and cucumber type of salad bar. This is a sumptuous array of 20+ items that blend Brazilian and American favorites from gourmet salads, cold cuts, cheeses, soup, and traditional Brazilian hot dishes. Once we were seated our server Rodrigo greeted us and explained the service and concept to us. Quick note – The servers are dressed as Gauchos right down to the exquisite boot detail. There are small discs on the table one for each guest. One side is orange the other black when you want more food you flip it over to orange when you’re done or just want to pause you flip it over to black. As long as your disk is flipped over to orange one of the many gauchos continuously roaming the dining room will offer you exquisite churrasco of over 15 rotisserie meats including top sirloin, filet, ribs, lamb, pork, chicken, sausage, and fish and cut them off the skewer where you will use the dainty tongs provided to bring your choice to your plate to enjoy. After Doris and I had finished sampling the salad bar delicacies it was time for us to dive into what we came here for. I have to admit that there was no one favorite meat. One was just as good as the next if not even better. I am going to give you a brief list of some of the meats that we tried. Please know, there were several that we just were too full to try. We had the Black Angus Picanha (top sirloin), Black Angus Picanha with Chimichurri and Grilled Jalapenos, Filet Mignon, Cajun Ribeye, Flank Steak, Beef Ribs, Aji Chicken, Sausage, Lamb Chops, and Shrimp. I’m sure I’m missing something. For dessert, we had the Crème Brulee which is a classic Crème Brulee crowned with a passion fruit caramel. There were many other desserts just as beautiful to behold but we agreed to share the Crème Brulee as we were quite satisfied following the aforementioned feast. The Silva family started the Chima Steakhouse chain in Uberlandia Brazil, the first U.S. Chima Steakhouse opened on Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale in 2003. They are known for their Brazilian Rodízio service where an assortment of dishes and churrasco is delivered directly to the tables on large skewers. The meat is then sliced directly onto the plates.
This is one of the newest hotspots in downtown Hollywood. The ambiance is casual but chic not overly trendy but modern. We were seated promptly upon arriving. After being seated our waiter read off the specials for the night and took our orders. A few minutes later our drinks came a little mixed up but were corrected promptly. It seemed a little slow for a Friday night. The appetizers and entrees were excellent I highly recommend the Risotto Frutti di mare. Very nice portion-sized servings, good flavor, and all the dishes. Afterward, we ventured to the rooftop bar “The Muse” where you will get some of the most spectacular views of the Hollywood area. The vibe is was calm and laid back for a Friday night which was perfect for unwinding. You must also visit Muse upstairs. Very nice upscale crowd. Hollywood needs more places like this. Thank you Adrian for turning me on to this place.
While planning our trip to St Petersburg I had done some research regarding the vibrant St. Pete Restaurant scene. The Library kept coming up on several occasions and was noted to be a local hotspot as “The place to go”. It is located inside of the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Research and Education Building on a corner. As you approach it you are able to view the inside as they have floor-to-ceiling windows. You will see what I can best describe as a restaurant located inside a 19th-century library, that contains only blue books. As you walk up to the restaurant you will see an exquisite outdoor seating area that resembles something that you would see in lower Manhattan. Upon entering the front door we were immediately greeted by the hostess who checked in our reservation. We had arrived a little early so we took a seat in the waiting area as the bar was completely full. The bar is a beautifully designed backlit tower of liquor. Once we were seated our server Madison P offered us water and gave us time to review the drink menu. When she returned with the water, she took our drink orders. Doris ordered the Moscow Mule and I ordered the Library Old Fashioned made with barrel-aged Coconut Cartel. I 100% recommend that you order it with The Library Old Fashioned. The Coconut Cartel, in my opinion, made The Library Old Fashioned taste like one of the best old-fashions I’ve had in a while. Shortly after our drinks arrived we placed our appetizer order. After some discussion and guidance from Madison, we decided to share an order of the Seared Octopus that consists of fregola, blistered tomato, cippolini onion and huancaina. This dish has got to be one of the top two octopus dishes that I’ve ever had in my entire life. It is absolutely a work of art and a culinary masterpiece. Words like delicious and scrumptious do not do this dish justice. I had a toss-up for our entrees between the Steak Frites or Jumbo Sea Scallops. Madison our server confided to me that the scallops were her favorite dish, so I went with the scallop dish. The Jumbo Sea Scallops are prepared with gouda grits, applewood bacon, brussels sprouts, and corn purée. This was another home run. I can safely say that this is the best dish that I have had this year. Maybe even the in the last 5 years. Doris opted for the Beef Bolognese which is prepared with bucatini, grana padano, focaccia breadcrumbs, and fried basil. This was absolutely another masterpiece, a flavorful and aromatic creation. Doris commented that the Bolognese filled her soul like Aunt Josephine’s cooking when growing up in the S. Bronx. Chef Alex Hoaks is a True and Distinct Master of Culinary Arts. Seated at the table next to us were a delightful couple Kendra and London. They are from the area and we chatted about our visit to the area. During our conversation, we explained how we do our reviews and the criteria that we use to pick and eventually select the locations that we review. We gave them insight on what we look for etc. etc. They gave us some really good recommendations which we will be reviewing in the coming months. Again, thank you both, Kendra and London, so much for your valuable input and for your company.
About 15 years ago my mother suggested we try Baja Café in Deerfield. She had noticed it because like everyone else driving north on Federal Highway in Deerfield Beach you can’t help but notice the very beautiful and colorful display that is Baja Cafe. My family and I have been visiting this location for about 15 years and I can honestly say that every time I’ve driven past this restaurant it has been busy. That is a very strong indication of a great restaurant. Once we entered the restaurant the hostess greeted us and showed us to our table. She presented us with the menus and let us know that it was two for one margarita night. As I mentioned earlier the place was busy as usual. There is always a fun lively atmosphere in this restaurant. Shortly thereafter our server came and greeted us with water and took our drink orders. Doris and I both ordered Guava Margaritas that were absolutely delicious and a great pour. After reviewing the menu, the server returned to take our entrée order. Doris ordered the Mexican pizza which is a crisp flour tortilla covered with Tijuana Tilly’s South of the Border pizza sauce, ground beef, olives, scallions, tomatoes, melted jack, and cheddar cheese, topped with sour cream. An absolute masterpiece on a plate. I opted for the Carne Fajitas which is prepared with marinated strips of steak in olive oil and fresh garlic, sauteed in Baja Salsa with Spanish onions, green and red bell peppers, cumin, cilantro, and seasonings served on a sizzling skillet. This is a show-stopper for sure. Everyone in the restaurant will know what you ordered and the delicious aroma will make them wish that they ordered the same. A few of my other favorites include the Fajita Salad, prepared with strips of sauteed chicken over a bed of romaine lettuce with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and cheese. (*Price will vary if you decide to have steak, fresh fish, or shrimp instead of chicken*) The Chimichanga Cha, Cha, Cha!!! That comes with your choice of pulled chicken, pork, ground, or shredded beef, wrapped in a flour tortilla and then lightly battered and deep fried. Served with lettuce, tomato, scallions, and a dollop of sour cream. I must say this has to be one of the cleanest restaurants in South Florida, it is absolutely immaculate. Their staff is very well trained and work together in unison just like a fine-tuned watch. Time and again I have visited this restaurant and it has almost always been very busy, yet, impeccably managed. I have recommended this restaurant to my family and friends over the past decade and a half. We will return again very soon to share this excellent restaurant.
As we walked in my first impression was that we were transported to this Midtown Manhattan circa ‘90’s Bistro. Immediately to our left we could see a fully appointed bar with several patrons engaged in conversation. The hostess greeted us and checked us in for our 7:30 reservation. While being guided to our table I immediately took note of the layout and openness of the dining room. As soon as we were seated our server for the evening Dalizza came to the table, poured us water and let us know the Special of the day. Shortly after that, a runner brought the table a basket of popovers and jalapeno butter. What a delicious pairing. Dalizza was on point and extremely patient with us. We like to take a lot of time between our drink, appetizer, entree, and dessert. We do with most of our visits, this way we get a full rounded effect of the flavoring, taste, and texture of our meal all while taking in the ambiance. For our drinks, we ordered Tito’s Mule and a Blue Dog Smoked Old-Fashioned. Doris’ mule was served in a highball glass and topped with a charred lime disc. My Blue Dog Smoked Old-Fashioned has to have been one of the best old-fashioned’s that I’ve had in a very long time. It arrives at the table topped with an attached smoker. It is then uncovered at the table in front of you so you can see and smell the apple wood smoke rising from the drink. The combination of Fistful of Bourbon and the 7yr Flor de Caña is absolutely welcoming as it mellows the drink out incredibly. For those who drink Old-Fashions, you’ll know what I mean when I say sometimes the drink has a little bite. The sweetness of the rum knocks the bite right out. For our starters, we had an order of the Grilled Octopus that comes with farm potatoes, yuzu chimichurri, and blistered cherry tomato. The Octopus was tender, moist, and very flavorful. We also ordered the Buffalo Cauliflower that is tossed with sweet chili and served with blue cheese ranch. For our entrees, we ordered the Shrimp and Grits that were made with cheddar, grits, pepper, tomato, and blackened butter. The shrimp and grits are a hit with the flavoring of the shrimp totally on point. The sauce was absolutely delicious so many places do not do this dish justice when it comes to the sauce. We love our shrimp and grits and highly recommend these. We also ordered the Seafood Tagliatelle which consisted of blue crab, extra jumbo shrimp, and plenty of squid in a diablo soy tomato sauce all topped with an arugula salad. This was another hit; Chef Chris Barre has a great palette and definitely knows what this market likes!
After receiving numerous recommendations from our followers Doris and I decided it was time to check out Station House in Lantana. For almost 30 years they’ve had a reputation for being The Place to go in South Florida for delicious Maine Lobsters of all sizes from Small all the way to Colossal. As you arrive, you pull around to the back of the building to the valet parking area which is the main entrance to the restaurant. We then walked up the steps to the restaurant, where we noticed a very nice outdoor seating area for those who would like to eat “al fresco”. Once inside, we were pleasantly greeted by two ladies at the hostess desk. We checked in early and we let them know that we were going to go to the bar and have a cocktail before dinner. They advised that that was a good idea since there was a slight wait for a table. We walked over to the ample inviting bar, sat down, and Justin our bartender greeted us and asked us if this was our first time at the Station House. We told him yes and he welcomed us and asked how we heard of the restaurant. We told him that we had heard from word of mouth of satisfied customers. Doris ordered a Moscow Mule and I the Station Old Fashioned, both drinks were spot on delicious, and perfect pours. He offered to serve us dinner at the bar. The bar is so comfortable and large that I really wanted to say yes but for our review purposes, we really needed to be at a table. We did however order the Clams Casino for an appetizer and I can say that they were undoubtedly the best Clams Casino that I’ve had in many, many years. The middle neck clams were topped and baked with the perfect blend of chopped peppers, onion, garlic, and bacon. Justin gave us several suggestions on what to order and recommended the wedge salad. He said that it was the best around. Shortly after we were done the hostess came to bring us to our table. I had no idea how large this establishment was. The layout is a replica of the Old Lantana Train Station. In the center, the kitchen is housed in what would have been the ticket booth and offices. As we were guided to our table, we began to get an idea of the enormity of this restaurant. As soon as we were seated our server Chris greeted us and answered our questions pertaining to the menu. I opted for the Wedge Salad that Justin recommended. It was beautifully prepared, topped with loads of fresh Blue Cheese, Bacon, Red Onions, and Grape Tomatoes. It was truly incredibly fresh. Doris ordered the Lobster Bisque which was perfectly prepared and loaded with lobster. For entrees, I ordered the Tails and Tips which consist of Three Split Lobster Tails and a large skewer of Grilled Filet Mignon Tips cooked to your desired temperature. Doris ordered the Mac & Cheese with Lobster – Cavatappi served with a creamy mix of Gruyere, Vermont Cheddar, and Pecorino Romano Cheeses that were loaded with an incredible amount of Juicy Maine Lobster. We also ordered a side of the most delicious Brussels Sprouts Roasted with Bacon Vinaigrette.