The May Hit List: Hometown Barbecue, Moréa, Planta, and More

Sometimes you just want to eat a great meal in a comfortable, unpretentious space. This outpost of the famous Brooklyn barbecue restaurant delivers just that. While it’s mainly been counter service, if you make a reservation on Resy you can just sit back and relax while you place your order tableside. Cooked over a live fire, menu items include brisket, chicken, pulled pork, and fall-off-the-bone ribs. You’ll also find a variety of tacos, sandwiches, and sides. Don’t forget a refreshing cocktail, beer, or glass of wine to sip on between bites of that juicy meat. 

Fort Lauderdale Beach has a new restaurant and its whimsical dining room, sprawling ocean views, and Mediterranean fare will make it hard to leave once your meal is done. Start with the Moroccan beef skewers and don’t be shy about dipping them generously in the harissa yogurt sauce. To get your vegetable fix, order the brussels sprouts. Yes, you’ve had them a million times, but these crispy and airy sprouts in a citrus and honey sauce shouldn’t be missed. Seafood options abound here, like the paella, daily catch, and salmon, but you’ll also find meat and pasta options. Save room for the aged feta cheesecake, it’s unlike any cheesecake you’ve had.

Call 954-306-3064 for reservations. View the menu on Moréa’s site.

It may neighbor the towering Brickell City Center, but this pizza joint definitely is not being overshadowed by it. The Neapolitan pies are hand-crafted and then baked in a wood-burning oven before they hit your table. Decide if you want red or white pizza (or one of each!) and then choose your toppings. You can’t go wrong, so it really just depends on what you’re craving.

This ultra-cool and sexy chophouse offers you a true South Beach experience in a spirited setting bursting with diners ready for a memorable night out on the town.  Slip into a plush banquette and start the night off with a tantalizing signature cocktail like the Dirty Pearls, a dry martini complemented with blue cheese olives. While you sip, peruse the menu — selections for both the starters and entrées are varied and include everything from a raw bar to Japanese A5 wagyu.

This oyster haven is serving up the bivalve mollusks any way you want. Choose from the classic Rockefeller or enjoy them neat. If you can’t decide, order a flight with a combination of raw, chargrilled, and Rockefeller. Alongside the oysters, the menu features seafood-centric appetizers like the smoked fish dip and lobster deviled eggs. Depending on your mood, you can keep your entrée casual with a lobster sandwich or scallops, or you can take it up a level with baked redfish or prime Manhattan strip steak. Don’t skimp on the sides and make sure to save room for dessert.

Call 305-374-4635 for reservations.

Maybe you’re trying to eat healthier, maybe you want a change of pace from the typical dishes you see on every menu, or maybe you’re a vegan or vegetarian — whatever the reason, your experience at this plant-based restaurant will not be disappointing. For vegans or vegetarians it offers ease of ordering and peace of mind, and for everyone else, it’s serving up healthy food that is packed with flavor and won’t make you miss meat. The sushi (sans fish) is eclectic, the pizzas (with cashew mozzarella) are ooey and gooey, but the burger, made from a mixture of mushrooms, brown rice, lentils, and black beans, is where your senses will be amazed.

Come here if you’re looking for simple, good Cuban food alongside American classics; pancakes and pastelitos, meatloaf and masitas share space on the menu. Chef Michael Beltran, who you might know from his celebrated Ariete (which is just a few steps down the road), launched this relaxed café, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Classic Cuban ingredients like sofrito, maduros, yuca papitas, and guava are blended effortlessly into dishes and make them feel special, well-thought out and especially, well-executed.

View the menu on the Chug’s site.

With a casual, bohemian vibe, this bistro is serving up comfort food that’s on another level. You’ll feel right at home with its eclectic décor, and yet transported around the world with its global menu. Options include the Little River ramen with caramelized pork in a warm, savory broth, the St. Tropez grilled cheese oozing with melted brie, pappardelle with duck ragu, and the always-satisfying rosemary lamb. 

This diner is where you can find everyone from tourists to socialites salivating over the comfort food. The small space is usually packed, so getting there early is always a good idea. Start with the jalapeño cornbread and see where the menu takes you. Daily specials revolve around different meats like ribs, brisket, and pork but you’ll also find breakfast items and sandwiches. Weekend brunch is always a scene, offering several rich and savory eggs Benedict selections alongside staples like shrimp and grits, mac ‘n’ cheese, and a dry-aged cheeseburger.

Call 305-756-0366 for reservations.

The name says it all: Modern, Inventive, Approachable. The menu, inspired by French and Italian cuisine, is creative yet straightforward, with dishes like the PB&J foie gras, short rib gnudi, lamb burger, and lobster bisque pizza. There’s something for every palate. Staple items like steak, pasta, and fish, which people recognize, are prepared with an artful twist that delivers a memorable meal in west Delray Beach.