NEWBIES:
COMING SOON…Fiolina, Boca Raton/ Boca’s new Restaurant Row taking shape on Butts Rd. across from Town Center will include Fiolina, Michelin-starred Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s new pasta house of whimsical design. Inspired by Italy’s female pasta makers – the nonnas – who have carried on the craft and tradition of great pasta, Fiolina will showcase the art of pasta making daily in its pasta rooms. Fiolina will feature a full menu of freshly baked breads, salads, shareable seafood and meat entrees and Italian desserts. A 1500 square foot patio with outdoor bar for al fresco dining and a 7,000 square foot contemporary interior sets up the spot as Boca’s next new hot spot, with plenty of room for everyone who wants to mangia! in style.
COMING SOON…Shabibi, Boca Raton/ With the arrival of this Lebanese-inspired eatery from chef and “Hell’s Kitchen” runner-up Ralph Pagano of Naked Taco (see 6/23 ECHO), Boca Raton’s tony Restaurant Row will be fully occupied, and the 5,300-square-foot space will debut by the end of 2023. Shabibi, which combines the Hebrew word “shalom” (peace) and Arabic word “habibi” (darling), will tout a 70-seat patio and 50-seat bar, a mazza station with brick ovens for fresh flatbreads, a wood-burning grill and a mezzanine area where DJs and belly dancers will entertain. Shabibi will join Fiolina Pasta House, Pubbelly Sushi and El Camino, all expected to open this Fall or early next year.
NOW OPEN…Portside Breakfast & Lunch, West Palm Beach/ This daytime diner- style restaurant has opened in West Palm Beach’s Golden Lakes between 441 and the Turnpike on Okeechobee Blvd. Along with gorgeous breakfast combos (think 8-oz. ribeye and slow- roasted pork belly), the menu features French Toast Casserole and endless varieties of Bennies (eggs benedict with salmon, or Cajun shrimp, or…). Lunch specials include handhelds (shaved ribeye, Buffalo chicken), smash burgers and blue crab cakes. You’ll never have to wonder where to eat before or after a flight at West Palm!
SIBLINGS:
COMING SOON… El Camino Mezcal and Tequila Bar, Boca/ This popular Mexican chain, already in Delray, West Palm and Ft. Lauderdale (brought to you by MRG, owners of Delray’s Cut 432 Steakhouse and Park Tavern), plans to unveil its fourth and largest location this year in Restaurant Row. The new El Camino will be an expansive 10,000 square feet with the brand’s largest indoor/outdoor bar, plus indoor and outdoor seating for 300 guests. Touted as “Mexican soul food,” the new El Camino will feature signature items from its scratch kitchen: Mexican street corn, brisket quesadillas, crispy fish tacos, achiote chicken, chili-rubbed steak, burritos, enchiladas and fajitas. Mexican beers and handcrafted margaritas will flow for sure!
NOW OPEN …Ramen Lab Eatery, West Boca/ This Japanese izakaya chain (part of the Lemongrass-GanZo-The Sea empire) has opened its fourth delectable depot at West Boca’s super-huge Mission Bay Plaza on 441. The noodle house departs from its counterparts in east Boca, Delray and West Palm, with underground Tokyo vibes and an expanded menu of stir-fry and Wagyu steak dishes, along with small plates, donburi rice bowls and build-your-own ramen bowls (chicken, pork, spicy Thai lemongrass tom yum).
COMING SOON…Bacon Bitch, West Palm Beach/ This breakfast spot — and celebration of all things pork belly — will soon open its fifth location on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm. Bacon Bitch debuted its flagship in 2017 at Miami Beach’s Essex House, and has since added Miami Bayside Marketplace, Orlando and St. Pete. Dishing out croissant breakfast sandwiches (“Main Bitch”), including the Juicy, with marinated flank steak, Swiss cheese, a fried egg, onions, peppers and chimichurri aioli, an array of egg platters, such as the Country and Cajun breakfasts, waffle combos, toasts, and bowls, the eatery also serves breadless versions (“Naked Bitch”), side dishes (“Side Bitch”) and coffee (you guessed it: “Café Bitch”). The frozen drinks are fanciful, and delicious!
ECLECTIC MASH-UP:
COMING SOON…PopStroke, Delray Beach/ This 3-acre mini-golf course and restaurant designed by Tiger Woods is expected to open its fifth Florida location on an under- construction lot on Federal Highway north of George Bush Boulevard in late summer. Along with two 18-hole putting courses, there will be a 4,600-square-foot restaurant serving craft beer, extensive cocktail menu, two dozen ice cream flavors, and food to enjoy on and off the course: Flatbreads, sandwiches, salads, chicken wings tossed in 11 different sauces, and small plates such as baby back pork ribs and potstickers. Woods’ concept is experiential – eat and play – don’t be a bystander!
