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South Florida Restaurant News, August 2, 2007

As heard on Linda’s WLRN NPR radio program Food News and Views

It seems that dinner is going casual. Recently several upscale restaurants have closed, while a trend is developing for star chefs to open in lower rent areas with smore approachable, less fussy cuisine.

High-Profile restaurants that have failed:

Normans’

Norman Van Aken closed Norman’s in Coral Gables last May. He plans to open Tavern N Town in Key West this Fall.

Pacific Time

Jonathan Eismann closed Pacific Time on Lincoln Road and plans to open in the Design District in about a year.

Astor Hotel

Johnny Vinczencz short-lived return to Miami closed in July. He has retreated to his Johnny V restaurant in Fort Lauderdale.

Brana

Jeffrey Brana, longtime executive chef at Norman’s, closed Restaurant Brana last February.

Other closings include, Duo, M. Woods, Mosaico, Zucca, Afterglo, Black Orchid Café, Cafeteria, Max’s Grill.

Openings

New contenders continue to come:

Devito South Beach

150 Ocean Drive

South Beach, FL

305-531-0911

www.devitosouthbeach.com

Prime Blue Grille (Contemporary Steak and Seafood Restaurant

315 South Biscayne lvd,

Miami, FL 33131

305-358-5900

www.primebluegrille.com

Restaurants Mentioned on the show

Fresco California Bistro

1744 SW 3rd Ave.

Miami, FL 33129

305-858-0608

Grass (contemporary cuisine)

28 NE 40st

Mimai, FL 33137

305-573-5033

www.grasslounge.com

Hy-Vong (Vietnamese restaurant)

3458 SW Eighth Sts.

Miami, FL

305-446-3674

Primo Pizza

100 First Street

Miami Beach, FL

305-535-2555

The Food Gang

9472 Harding Ave

Surfside, FL 33154

786-228-9292

www.thefoodgangcompany.com

Broward and Palm Beach Counties

Angelo’s Corner Pizza

200 Garfield St

Hollywood, FL

954-923-0679

Antonio’s Pizzeria

6880 Miramar Pkwy

Miramar, FL

954-966-3332

Bozo’s Sandwich Shop (home cooking open for lunch and take out dinner on Friday)

601 SW 12th Ave.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

954-763-2352

Chops Lobster Bar (steak and seafood restaurant)

101 Plaza Real South

Boca Raton, FL 33432

561-395-7112

www.chopslobsterbar.com

Café Martorano

3343 E. Oakland Park Blvd.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

954-561-2554

Creolina’s (Cajan/creole)

209 SW Second St.

Ft Lauderdale, Fl

954-524-2003

Helen Huang’s Mandarin House

2031 Hollywood Blvd

Hollywood, FL

954-923-1688

Hi-Life Café

300 N. Federal Highway,

Fort Lauderdale, FL

954-563-1395

Lola’s on Harrison (Contemporary Comfort Food)

2032 Harrison Street

Hollywood, FL 33020

954-927-9851

www.lolasonharrison.com

Mojo Caribbean Flavor (Trinadad)

5371 10th Ave. N.

Greenacres, FL

561-434-6296

Pho 78 (Vietnamese restaurant)

7849 Pines Blvd (btw N. University Dr. and 78th Terrace

Pembroke Pines, FL

954-989-6770

Phyllis G’s Enigma (fine roadhouse fare)

2717 N. Federal Highway

Delray Beach, FL

561-243-6377

33rd and Dine French Café

3330 NE 33rd St.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

954-630-0235