Another NY eatery migrates to South Florida, plus Pumphouse Pouratorium joins West Palm Beach’s Warehouse District – Sun Sentinel

Stay up to date with South Florida dining news:

Felice, West Palm Beach

Yet another sign that the wave of New York eateries migrating to South Florida is unrelenting, this Tuscan-style Italian restaurant and wine bar opened Jan. 19 on the ground floor of the 360 Rosemary office building inside The Square. The 3,000-square-foot eatery comes from founder Jacopo Giustiniani and SA Hospitality Group (which runs Sant Ambroeus, Casa Lever and other Felice locations), and employs 100 workers. For now, Felice offers a menu of imported cheeses and cured meats and entrees of oven-roasted Greek branzino, Italian sausage pappardelle, shaved black truffle gnocchi and a 16-ounce, bone-in NY strip steak, along with many wine varietals. Felice’s lunch service is scheduled to begin Jan. 30. 366 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach; 561-421-6036; FeliceNYC.com

Guaca Go, West Palm Beach

This Boynton Beach-born chain devoted to tortilla chips’ sidekick, guacamole, hosted the grand opening of its second location on Jan. 7 a few blocks south of Belvedere Road. The fast-casual eatery, founded by Carson Bennett and Amber Benjamin in 2016, serves its guac as a standalone dip or inside build-your-own rice bowls and tortilla wraps, topped with shrimp, chicken, pork, tuna and plant-based protein, plus sauces that include creamy cilantro lime, chipotle ranch, lemon vinaigrette and sour cream. 3073 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; 561-247-7939; GuacaGo.com

The Pumphouse Pouratorium, West Palm Beach

What began as a Jupiter wholesaler roasting artisanal beans for coffee shop and brewery clients is now its own 8,000-square-foot cafe, roastery and “coffee lab,” which opened to the public in mid-January on the northern tip of West Palm Beach’s hip Warehouse District. Inspired by their father’s coffee farms in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, brothers Christian and Alex Le Clainche first opened Pumphouse in 2016, naming their roaster after a sand transfer plant on Singer Island. After a stint at Grandview Public Market during the pandemic, the brothers migrated into a warehouse two blocks north, where they serve iced coffees (beans are imported from Guatemala, Colombia and Sumatra), specialty teas, smoothies and craft beers, along with a slim menu that includes salmon and avocado toasts, barbecue shredded-chicken tacos, and fork-and-knife breakfast burritos. 1016 Clare Ave., Suite 5A, West Palm Beach; 561-557-3118; PumphouseCoffee.com

Runway 84, Fort Lauderdale

Back in May, Anthony’s Runway 84 closed its doors in preparation for a $4 million makeover. On Jan. 24, the dining institution reopened — just in time to commemorate its 40th anniversary — as the rebranded Runway 84. The vibe is more of a modern Italian supper-club feel. In addition to a new look, Runway 84 unveiled a revitalized menu, a new beverage program and the addition of a private dining room. Owner Anthony Bruno (Andy’s Live Fire Grill & Bar) has partnered with fellow restaurateurs Pat Marzano (ex-owner of Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza) and Marc Falsetto (Handcrafted Hospitality restaurant group). 330 W. State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale; 954-467-8484; Runway-84.com

Zimi Italian, Pembroke Pines

Fresh-baked ciabatta, familiar Italian entrees and Napoli-style pizza fired in Marra Forni brick ovens are on the menu at this new restaurant, which debuted Dec. 20 inside the Delray Square Shopping Center. The eatery serves pizza and pasta, including mafaldine bolognese and tagliatelle carbonara, along with entrees of meatball lasagna, chicken milanese, jumbo shrimp scampi and salmon piccata. 4957 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; 561-330-4449; ZimiItalian.com; Facebook.com/Zimi.Italian

IT’SUGAR, Dania Beach

All kinds of sweetness can be found at IT’SUGAR, a candy store chain that opened its ninth South Florida location at the sprawling shopping complex Dania Pointe. There’s hard-to-find international and throw-back candies as well as belly-loving brands such as Reese’s, Sour Patch Kids, Skittles, Starburst, Oreo and Nerds. This Dania Beach venue measures 3,500 square feet, but be on the lookout sometime this summer for a two-story, 16,000-square-foot candy department store in Miami’s Bayside Marketplace. 1815 Pointe Blvd., Suite 92, Dania Beach; 954-304-9730; ItSugar.com

DB’s Pizza, Deerfield Beach

This slice shop registered to owner Chris Wilber (of Canyon Southwest Cafe in Fort Lauderdale fame) replaces the former Michael’s Pizzeria inside the Cove Shopping Center, the Deerfield Beach landmark that’s halfway through its multimillion-dollar facelift. The menu is standard New York-style, with pepperonis as big as silver dollars and a slim non-pizza menu of three sandwiches (eggplant, meatball and chicken parms), spaghetti and fettuccine alfredo, along with tiramisu and cannolis. 1645 SE Third Court, Suite 103, Deerfield Beach; 754-227-7791; Facebook.com (search for “DB’s Pizza”)

A-One Noodle & Dumpling, Pembroke Pines

Chinese-style dumplings, Japanese ramen and other trendy pan-Asian comfort food distinguishes this restaurant, which debuted in late December in the Regal Westfork Plaza from owners Jun Chuan Zhang and Jia Chen. Stir-fried noodles, pan-fried pork bao buns, unagi donburi (barbecued eel over rice with eel sauce) and takoyaki (deep-fried tempura balls of octopus) are highlights of the menu, as are its Thai-style doughnuts, boba milk teas, taro smoothies and six styles of cake pops. 15973 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines; 954-589-0167; AOneNoodle.com

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, Oakland Park

The Nevada-born franchise with 30 locations in 11 states dropped its latest outpost on Jan. 16 in the Northridge Shopping Center, replacing the former Char-Hut. Diners will find fast-casual fare here, including dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and spanakopita (spinach and feta inside phyllo-dough triangles), along with gyros, falafel pitas and steak souvlaki. But don’t expect traditional entrees (moussaka, pastitsio or giouvetsi, for example) common at higher-end Greek restaurants. The Oakland Park storefront joins other South Florida locations in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, and a soon-to-open outpost in Boca Raton. 753 E. Commercial Blvd., Oakland Park; 754-206-4798; TheGreatGreekGrill.com

La Salchipaperia D.C., Wilton Manors

At first blush, salchipapas resemble the typical kid’s meal served at many fast-casual restaurants: french fries and sliced, pan-fried hot dogs doused in ketchup. But this South American street food is elevated at La Salchipaperia D.C., which opened in early January on Oakland Park Boulevard, next to Primanti Bros. This is the first U.S. location of the Colombia-born chain, and is registered to Tatiana and Edna Sierra and Marcela Molina. It takes over the former Bar-B-Q Jack’s (which briefly became a Greek takeout named Gyro Express during the pandemic). Most dishes are plated with a savory coleslaw on the side, and dressed with toppings ranging from aji, chili pepper and olive sauces to a boiled egg. 500 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Wilton Manors; Instagram.com/lasalchipaperiadc

Coppola’s Bistro Ristorante, Fort Lauderdale

This Doral-based Italian chain owned by Hugo Ricardo Alonso has taken over the former Rossini Bar & Grill (and before that, Spatch Peri-Peri Chicken), next door to the Fresh Market. Coppola’s touts 16 styles of antipasto and salads and a mostly old-school slate of chicken parmigiana, veal marsala, porcini risotto and 16-ounce New York strips. Keto-friendly options include cauliflower risotto and spaghetti squash. Later in 2023, another Coppola’s is planned on North University Drive in Coral Springs. 3848 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 754-779-7645; CoppolasBistro.com

Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream, Plantation

Plantation Walk’s third restaurant to open (after Frank Pepe’s and Tacocraft) is this growing sweets franchise, which debuted its latest storefront on Jan. 14 with new franchisee Gerardo Rocha, a Chilean investor and former airline pilot. The Miami-born brand’s flash-frozen-on-the-spot treats begin with a base of milk, yogurt or alt-milk (coconut, almond, oat), followed by toppings. Orders are frozen in a split second using liquid nitrogen at -320 degrees Fahrenheit, yielding a rich and creamy scoop. 341 N. University Drive, Suite S1-700, Plantation; ChillN.com

Lotus Chinese Kitchen, Fort Lauderdale

On Jan. 18, this neighborhood spot relocated from its longtime perch on Northeast 26th Street and reopened as a 2,400-square-foot takeout kitchen on North Federal Highway. The move was prompted by a lease dispute with the owner of Lotus’ shopping plaza, owner John Yang told the South Florida Sun Sentinel in December. One of Wilton Manors’ oldest restaurants, Lotus since 1975 had served Americanized Chinese staples such as General Tso’s and Kung Pao chicken, Mongolian beef and lo mein. None of that has changed in the new Fort Lauderdale space, although Yang had planned to cull 5% to 10% of Lotus’ menu in preparation for the move. 3020 N. Federal Highway, Suite 1, Fort Lauderdale; 954-566-5565; LotusChineseKitchen.com

The Hollywood Donut Factory, Fort Lauderdale

As the name says, this sweet spot is in Hollywood — but a second location debuted Jan. 9 on Fort Lauderdale’s vibrant Las Olas Boulevard. Brother-and-sister owners Kat and Bobby Palushaj purchased what was formerly Dandee Donuts in 2019 and changed the name, updated the menu and tweaked some of the recipes. While the Hollywood shop offers breakfast and lunch, the Las Olas shop serves solely donuts and beverages. The plan is to have specialty donuts exclusive to the Fort Lauderdale location. 610 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; TheHollywoodDonutFactory.com

Una Bakery, Lake Worth Beach

Sprinkled with flavors from owner Azra Nahic’s native Bosnia, this scratch European bakery debuted on downtown Lake Avenue in November. After nearly 20 years in the medical field, Nahic left the industry to bake pastries, serving them at farmers markets in Lake Worth Beach and Loxahatchee with her husband, Armin. At Una, Nahic serves breads baked with European flour, French and Belgian chocolates, plus tarts, cakes and cupcakes. (Yes, there are vegan and gluten-free versions.) Nahic also bakes Balkan pastries such as kifle (picture a saltier, smaller croissant), and burek (a filo dough pastry stuffed with a pocket of ground beef and onions or spinach and feta). 513 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach; 727-330-0401; Instagram.com/UnaBakeryPalmBeach

I Heart Mac & Cheese, Fort Lauderdale

The Fort Lauderdale-born restaurant that made its name elevating elbow macaroni from side dish to gooey main course opened its newest location on Jan. 11 in the Cypress Creek Station plaza under South Florida franchisees Paige and Whitney Dutton. This is the franchise’s first return to the city since its Southeast 17th Street location shuttered back in December 2019. As with its other roster of eateries, customers can customize their mac-and-cheese bowls and grilled-cheese sandwiches in assembly-line fashion. Bowls begin with a base of pasta, broccoli, cauliflower or quinoa, followed by a choice of vegetables, cheeses (vegan included) and proteins including short rib, chicken parmesan, Buffalo chicken and lobster and white truffle. 6317 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 754-206-3080, IHeartMacAndCheese.com

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Palm Beach Gardens

This Orlando-based Italian ice franchise opened its ninth South Florida sweet shop off PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens on Jan. 10. The 26-year-old Jeremiah’s scoops gelato, soft-serve ice cream and 40 flavors of Italian ice, ranging from horchata and pumpkin pie to gingerbread and spicy hot chocolate. Another Jeremiah’s location will follow in Stuart in early 2023. 11602 U.S. Highway 1, Palm Beach Gardens; JeremiahsIce.com

Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza, Fort Lauderdale

Chef Renato Viola’s fast-growing pizzeria empire debuted its latest storefront on Jan. 3 within Flagler Village, adding to a blitz of recent openings in Pembroke Pines and Boca Raton. Delivery is expected to become available by Jan. 24. The name, for the uninitiated, is derived from Viola’s O-1 visa, granted to individuals who show what the U.S. government sees as “extraordinary ability or achievement.” Mister O1, which began its life in a sign-less, nondescript office building in Miami Beach, specializes in 13-inch, star-shaped shareable pies with a pouch of ricotta in each of the eight points. Styles include the Coffee Paolo, topped with Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, gorgonzola blue cheese, honey, espresso and spicy salami calabrese. 415 NE Fourth St., Fort Lauderdale; 754-253-5785; Mistero1.com

Nevs Barbecue, Palm Beach Gardens

This Texas-style smokehouse from pitmaster Tommy Nevill (once of III Forks Prime Steakhouse, which closed in 2021) debuted in early December inside the Promenade plaza, a slight jog north of Northlake Boulevard. Here, Nevill roasts his prime brisket and pork butts overnight inside an oak wood-fired rotisserie smoker. Sides and sauces are likewise scratch-made, including coleslaw, potato salad, mac ‘n’ cheese, baked beans and chili, and sauces range from maple-pumpkin seed vinaigrette to green onion-peppercorn dressing. 9910 Alternate A1A, Unit 709, Palm Beach Gardens; 561-437-6387; NevsBarbecue.com

Vinyl Fish Club, West Palm Beach

Billed as “South Florida’s first NFT membership restaurant” (that’s Non-Fungible Token), this chic social hub officially opened the week before Christmas. As a club member, you invest in ownership via an NFT. Vinyl Fish Club is owned by nightlife impresario Mykel Stevens, restaurateur Uthman “Moose” Yamusenor and Jaclyn Milford, founder of the Women of Wall Street organization. 340 Clematis St., West Palm Beach; 561-619-6121; VinylFishClub.com

Little Mike’s Pizzeria, Pembroke Pines

This New York-style slice shop owned by Michael Temchuk debuted Jan. 2 in Pembroke Pines’ Palm Square plaza, across the street from City Center. Little Mike’s, which opened its North Lauderdale flagship two years ago, offers pizzeria staples — garlic knots, chicken wings, pasta dishes and pies with 17 different toppings — as well as specialties such as Caesar salad served in bread bowls, pepperoni pinwheels, chicken parmesan paninis and deep-fried Oreos. 9843 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines; 954-613-3604; LittleMikes.net

Big in Japan, Boca Raton

Formerly named Mr. Goode’s Chinese Takeout, this rebranded eatery from chef Eric Baker (Rebel House) and chef-partner David Bouhadana (Sushi By Bou) replaces its Americanized Chinese concept with something way more ubiquitous in Boca: sushi handrolls. Its 18 classic and signature handrolls include barbecue eel, Wagyu beef tartar, bacon and quail egg, and crab cake with yuzu kosho aioli. For the sushi-averse, Big in Japan’s kitchen serves hot fried chicken tossed in yuzu ranch, honey miso and togarashi (a red pepper spice blend); hibachi fried rice with Wagyu beef, soft poached egg and yum yum sauce; and spare ribs in yuzu, sesame and lime. Baker also operates a nearby Japanese izakaya, AlleyCat, with Bouhadana. 1159 S. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; 561-931-2131; ToastTab.com

Da Gianni, Oakland Park

Cucina Caruso, the longtime pizzeria and Italian bakery owned by Domenico Caruso and Ana Cordoves, has been sold to new owner Agnes Evangelista, who rebranded the restaurant in early December as Da Gianni. Much of the menu remains the same: Italian cold-cut subs, pizza including Sicilian and Grandma styles, chicken wings, calzones (and smaller, sauce-filled panzerotti), strombolis and main courses such as veal shank over saffron risotto. 4165 N. Dixie Highway, Oakland Park; 954-765-6496; DaGianniMenu.com

Taki Omakase, Delray Beach

This omakase experience, which charges $150 for 17 to 18 courses, debuted in mid-December on the ever-bustling Atlantic Avenue drag a block east of Federal Highway, replacing the former Boru Poke & Boba. The chef’s choice sushi counter, which is registered to four owners, prepares a changing menu of seafood and meat plates on the spot (crab, unagi, Wagyu) using ingredients sourced from Japan and New Zealand. A sister Taki sushi counter is expected to open in 2023 at 1658 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton. 632 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; 561-759-7362; TakiOmakase.com

The Pizza Guys Express, Davie

The storefront that once housed revered staple Pizza Loft (which relocated there in 2017) now has a N.Y.-style slice shop, which debuted in early December inside Davie’s Tower Shops plaza. The restaurant, registered to Joseph Castello, serves by-the-slice pizza along with subs and wraps made with Boar’s Head meat, four salads, lasagna, spaghetti and meatball. There are seven styles of pie topped with a Grande whole-milk cheese blend. 2060 S. University Drive, Davie; 954-476-9336; ThePizzaGuysExpress.com

Benny’s on the Beach, Lake Worth Beach

Yes, you’re seeing double: Viva La Playa is out and a second Benny’s on the Beach is in at the sandy Lake Worth Casino Building and Beach Complex. Benny’s on the Beach – Oceanwalk, a virtual clone of the first Benny’s about 0.2 miles south at the Lake Worth Pier, debuted on Dec. 16 with a near-identical menu of brunch, fresh Florida seafood and comfort fare. Like the original, Benny’s No. 2 comes from owner Lee Lipton with partner-chef Jeremy Hanlon (Food Network’s “Chopped,” “Beat Bobby Flay”), and Lipton’s sons Max and Dylan. The restaurant draws as many regulars as it does celebrities, with singer Bon Jovi, late comedian Bob Saget, TV host Dr. Oz, tennis great Serena Williams and chef Gordon Ramsay passing through in recent years. There are a few menu differences at the new location, including handmade empanadas, a beef brisket sandwich soaked in au jus and queso on crunchy garlic bread, chimichurri steak frites, tuna tacos and a bacon-avocado burger. There are also seafood bakes Mondays through Fridays and paella on Sunday evenings. 10 S. Ocean Blvd., Lake Worth Beach; 561-582-9001; BennysontheBeach.com

Rob’s Family BBQ, Plantation

Rob Scruby, the former owner of longtime pit stop Scruby’s BBQ, is now smoking meats at Rob’s Family BBQ, and opened his second location on Dec. 7 inside Plantation’s Vizcaya Square. The Plantation Rob’s, at 2,100 square feet, mostly caters to carryout crowds and features 14-hour, slow-smoked brisket sandwiches, along with pulled chicken, smoked turkey and sides that include sweet corn nuggets, crispy breaded okra and fresh cornbread. 837 N. Nob Hill Road, Plantation; RobsFamilyBBQ.com

Al Natour Middle Eastern Restaurant, Boca Raton

In mid-December, owner Mahammad Natour expanded his 12-year-old Plantation flagship and opened a second location in Boca Raton, on the corner of Yamato Road and Interstate 95, in the plaza that includes the Tri-Rail station. Both of his namesake Mediterranean restaurants serve an identical menu, which includes smoky baba ghanoush; chicken, lamb and beef shawarma; lamb chops and shanks; mujadara (a blend of rice and lentils topped with fried onion); and makanik (Lebanese spiced sausages). 690 W. Yamato Road, Boca Raton; 561-998-7787; AlNatourRestaurant.com

Wonder Sweets Bakery, Wellington

Wonder Sweets Bakery opened in November at The Mall at Wellington Green. Owned by Careli Bello —a Venezuelan architect who has turned her love of baking into a business — the 688-square-foot eatery has sweet offerings such as cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies, pavlovas, mille-feuilles, brazos de gitano (”gypsy arm” rolls), cinnamon rolls, macarons, mousses, profiteroles, and Venezuelan specialties like marquesas and golfeados. 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 256, Wellington; 941-421-2958; WonderSweetsBakery.com

Isla & Co., West Palm Beach

An all-day cafe from New York’s Parched Hospitality Group, this 140-seater had a soft opening in early December next door to Grandview Public Market in West Palm Beach’s growing Warehouse District. On the menu are brunch and dinner dishes from “down under” — a nod to co-owners Barry Dry and and Tom Rowse’s Australian roots and the country’s melting pot of cultures, including flavors from England, the Mediterranean and southeast Asia. The two culinary pals also own The Sentry, Daintree, Ghost Burger and the Hole in The Wall restaurant concepts, in addition to the Isla & Co brand with locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, as well as in Dallas, Atlanta and Fairfield, Conn. There are plans to open a second South Florida location of Isla & Co. in Miami Beach in 2023. 1401 Clare Ave., West Palm Beach; 323-304-6992; Isla-Co.com

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Fort Lauderdale

This snazzy steak-and-seafood chain run by Bloomin’ Brands (Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill) took over the primo Las Olas space formerly occupied by Tuscan Prime on Dec. 7, on the ground floor of the Bank of America building. The 7,800-square-foot steakhouse, from Will Reynolds and chef-partner Joseph Mora, seats 223 with an extra 82 patio seats, and boasts a menu decidedly more turf than surf. Along with chilled seafood towers and beef carpaccio for starters, there are prime dry-aged ribeyes and tomahawks, seared pork belly with fig demiglace, truffle-poached lobster with béarnaise sauce and caviar, and barbecue Scottish salmon fillets topped with mushrooms. Sides include chipotle cheddar mac and cheese, cauliflower mash and baked potatoes. This is Fleming’s third South Florida outpost after Brickell and Coral Gables. 401 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-233-3327; FlemingsSteakhouse.com

Holy Cow Ice Cream Lounge, Margate

This sweets parlor, perhaps aptly named for its menu of carnivalesque funnel cakes and Hot Cheeto-infused ice cream, debuted in early December on State Road 7, just north of Atlantic Boulevard. It comes from restaurateur Efrem Knight Jr. (who also operates Holy Hog BBQ in Coral Springs), the brother of former NBA star Brandon Knight (Dallas Mavericks), and partner Thomas Brooks. The menu features fried Oreos, waffle sundaes, alcohol-infused Italian ice, gelato and other desserts such as milkshakes and floats. There’s even pizza. As if all this weren’t enough, the storefront also touts Friday night karaoke, hookah nights, Xbox and PS5 gaming stations and prize machines. 1049 State Road 7, Margate; 954-247-9516

Gelato & Co., Delray Beach

This sweet-treat brand has a recently-opened franchise on East Atlantic Avenue in the downtown dining-drinking-entertainment district. The handcrafted gelato is made fresh daily and uses ingredients sourced from farms locally (such as seasonal fruits) and in Italy (such as Sicilian pistachios and Piemonte hazelnuts). This shop is owned by Italy native Giancarlo Triulzi — unlike the Fort Lauderdale/Las Olas location, which another franchisee opened in March. Triulzi, originally from Milan, says, “I have always been fascinated by the United States since I was a young child. Living here has always been a dream of mine as I viewed this country with high regards. Now being part of an amazing group, which delivers a top-quality Italian product to the United States is something of which I am extremely proud.” Gelato & Co. also sells Italian pastries, custom cakes and coffee beverages. 418 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; Florida.gelatoeco.com

Ovlo Eats, Plantation

Since 2019, Ovlo Eats — from owners Steve Stolberg and Josh Bernstein — had touted a “fast-fine” menu with made-from-scratch dishes served out of the kitchen within 10 minutes of ordering. But on Jan. 2, Ovlo Eats suddenly posted online: “Thank you for the journey, Plantation. We appreciate you adopting Ovlo Eats into your community and are incredibly appreciative of the support over the years. While this isn’t how we were hoping to end things, we’re so happy to have had the opportunity to share our fresh, clean, and delicious eats with all of you.” 7626 Peters Road, Plantation; OvloEats.com

The Butcher Shop Beer Garden & Grill, West Palm Beach

This hybrid meat market and restaurant owned by father-son duo Igor and Fred Niznik has closed its doors after five years in downtown West Palm Beach. A sibling to the Wynwood-born restaurant (which closed in January 2022), Butcher Shop smoked, ground and cut their meats in-house and prepared their own pierogis and sausages. The popular eatery off Flagler Drive also served chicken, brisket, ribs, meatloaf and pork shoulder, and offered a beer garden where live music, cornhole tournaments and dog-friendly gatherings took place. 209 Sixth St., West Palm Beach; Facebook.com/butchershopwpb

Kitchenetta Italian Trattoria, Fort Lauderdale

Sharp-eyed foodie fans from the Facebook group Let’s Eat, South Florida noticed that this almost 20-year-old restaurant quietly closed with a post on Dec. 6 announcing: “To all of our loyal kitchenetta customers thank you for 2 decades of patronage.” This may have been surprising to some because there was no previous indication that the popular eatery on U.S. 1 just south of Oakland Park Boulevard was shuttering. But devotees can take heart that chef/owner Vincent Foti and Maria Ferrari-Foti also own Vinnie’s by the Sea in nearby Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Ferrari-Foti tells the South Florida Sun Sentinel that another restaurateur has plans to open a new Italian eatery in the space. She also adds, “We are so grateful and thankful to you all, our loyal customers who became our extended family to both us and staff, many whom turned into friends. We have watched customers on their first date, engagement, marriage, pregnancy, children, and children who went off to college and returned as customers. We thank you all deeply for wonderful memories, laughter and fellowship. You have warmed our hearts with messages on social media.” Kitchenetta famously appeared on The Cooking Channel in 2014. 2850 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; Kitchenetta.com