The James Beard Foundation this week announced semifinalists for its annual awards for America’s best restaurants and chefs. While we can grouse about South Florida being under-represented, the list is instructive as reminder of old favorites or a roadmap of new places to try.
The top categories include Michael Schwartz of the consistently excellent Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink in Miami’s Design District (in the Outstanding Chef category), Zak Stern of Zak the Baker in Wynwood (Outstanding Baker), Antonio Bachour of Bachour Bakery & Restaurant in Coral Gables and Doral (Outstanding Pastry Chef), Zitz Sum in Coral Gables (Best New Restaurant) and Cafe La Trova in Miami (Outstanding Bar Program).
Nine South Florida chefs are among the semifinalists for Best Chef in the Southeast region of the U.S.: Clay Conley at Buccan in Palm Beach; Michael Beltran of Ariete in Coconut Grove; the power trio of Valerie, Nando and Fernando Chang at Itamae in Miami’s Design District; Jeremy Ford at Stubborn Seed in Miami; Niven Patel of Ghee Indian Kitchen in Kendall and Michael Pirolo at Macchialina in Miami.
Again, we can grumble (where’s Heritage?). Or we can go get something to eat this weekend.
FRIDAY
Room with a view: This is opening weekend for Big Buns Damn Good Burgers, a “fine-casual” spot (that’s a thing?) on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The restaurant is part of the Thompson Hospitality portfolio, which also includes downtown waterfront hidden gem Yot Bar & Kitchen, so we have high hopes. The burgers, chicken sandwich and bowls look impressive, but Big Buns is likely to take off because of its location at the foot of the buzzy Society Las Olas tower, with 75 outdoor seats facing the river. Pretty sweet. Visit EatBigBuns.com.
Ticket window: Grammy- and Emmy Award-winning comedian, actor, director, writer and producer Chris Rock will bring his Ego Death World Tour 2022 to Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on April 14-15. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday at MyHRL.com, with prices $208.25, $148.25, $118.25, $98.25 and $78.25. A venue presale runs through 10 p.m. Thursday on the Hard Rock Facebook and Twitter pages.
Best-selling author and humorist David Sedaris will return to The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on April 16, with tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday at ParkerPlayhouse.com. The tour spotlights Sedaris’ latest releases, “The Best of Me” and “A Carnival of Snackery.”
The War on Drugs will bring music from their excellent new album, “I Don’t Live Here Anymore,” to Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale on Oct. 3. Tickets for the all-ages show, taking place on the Rev’s outdoor stage at Backyard, cost $45.50 in advance ($48 day-of) at JoinTheRevolution.net.
Curves ahead: This is the weekend at the Florida Renaissance Festival that has traditionally been called Bodacious Bodices & Wenches, a celebration of the cleavage displays that made the Renaissance such an important period in history. Times being what they are, the weekend’s theme now is called The Wonderful World of Wenches — A Beautiful Empowerment. The festival beckons you with instructions: “It is with deepest respect and heartfelt affection that all men of the village should bow to these beauties, to demonstrate our utter dependence and submission to those who inhabit our hearts and inspire our actions.” No one is telling anyone to put anything away. The guys are just advised to be more respectful in their ogling. The festival runs Fridays-Sundays through March 20 at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. Visit Ren-Fest.com.
Weekend movies: This was supposed to be Academy Awards Weekend, before the salute to the year’s best films was pushed back a month to March 27. But the outer bands of Oscar buzz are here with the first screenings of the Oscar-nominated short films (animated, live action and documentary) beginning in South Florida theaters on Friday. This year’s films range in length from 12 to 39 minutes, and the series is invariably a rewarding survey of unique storytelling, ambitious ideas and interesting locales. Because how many times can you see “Jackass Forever”? Among the theaters screening these shorts are Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale, Cinema Paradiso in Hollywood and Coral Gables Art Cinema.
Almost Elton: If you couldn’t get tickets to see Elton John at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Sunday, Rus Anderson‘s tribute act “The Rocket Man Show” at Coral Springs Center for the Arts on Friday is the next best thing. Just ask Elton himself. A Scotsman living in Clearwater, Anderson was hand-picked by Elton and David Furnish to be the pop icon’s body double as “young Elton” in an elaborate virtual-reality film used to announce his final Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour. Anderson’s show includes costumes actually worn by Elton John. Tickets start at $27 at TheCenterCS.com.
Weekend laughs: Actor-comedian Harland Williams (“Dumb and Dumber,” “Something About Mary,” “Half Baked”) is at the Dania Improv for five performances Friday-Sunday. Tickets cost $25 at DaniaImprov.com. Veteran actor and stand-up Eddie Griffin (“Deuce Bigalow,” “Undercover Brother”) is at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $39 (plus taxes/fees) at TheCenterCS.com.
Carrabba on Kimmel: Chris Carrabba and Dashboard Confessional will share music from their first new studio album in four years, “All The Truth That I Can Tell” (Hidden Note Records/AWAL), during a Friday night appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” A product of Boca Raton High School and Florida Atlantic University, Carrabba blazed through the 2000s as a charismatic leader of the emo-indie movement in bands including Further Seems Forever and Dashboard Confessional. He and a reconstituted Dashboard will perform March 18 at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek on a co-headlining tour with Jimmy Eat World. Tickets start at $40 at SeminoleCoconutCreekCasino.com. Released on Friday in a variety of formats, the album is available in limited-edition vinyl via such retailers as Urban Outfitters, Walmart, Bandbox and independent record stores. Visit .
SATURDAY
Dog day: The 20th annual edition of Doggie-Palooza returns 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Happy Tails Dog Park in Plantation’s Seminole Park (6600 SW 16th St.). The event includes a variety of local vendors, demonstrations, pet adoptions and more. There also will be pet (and owner) costume contests and a best pet tricks competition. The expo will collect an entrance fee of $2 per human to be donated to local nonprofit Good Karma Pet Rescue. Visit Plantation.org or GoodKarmaPetRescue.org.
Run, walk, Sweat: The 42nd annual Sistrunk Parade & Street Festival rolls out on Saturday beginning with annual Chris Smith All-Star Classic Sistrunk 5K at 7 a.m. at Delevoe Park (2520 Sistrunk Blvd.), followed by the energetic processional along Fort Lauderdale‘s historic thoroughfare at 9 a.m. The multicultural, family-friendly festival takes place between Northwest Ninth and 12th avenues, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and culminating with a performance by R&B star Keith Sweat at 8 p.m. Other performers include Heavenly Express (10:30 a.m.), Ladies of Soul (noon), Deep Fried Funk (2 p.m.), A. Randolph and Smash Room (4 p.m.) and Raheen DeVaughn (6 p.m.). Admission is free. Visit .
Weekend DJ: Nearly 20 years ago, Larry Flynt’s newest Hustler Hollywood store opened in the former Peaches Records near downtown Fort Lauderdale to much civic handwringing. Which soon turned into … meh, whatever. On Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m., the shop (1500 E. Sunrise Blvd.) will host a party featuring “industry favorite” Uma Jolie, also a professional DJ (of course) who will spin a set of favorite music, take pictures and sign autographs. There will be food, drinks and giveaways. Admission is free. Visit .
SUNDAY
Breakfast drinks: Throw Social in Delray Beach is “all about 1960’s retro Palm Beach life,” lounging under a cabana with a cocktail. Like the Kennedys used to do. Of course, what was missing was a drag brunch. The sprawling entertainment venue will rectify that at noon Sunday with its first ever guys-as-dolls brunch, with a full menu of food and cocktails and a show. The event is hosted by SAD Brunch, from the Baltimore area, because South Florida just doesn’t have enough drag queens. Visit ThrowSocial.com.
New sounds: At the risk of exposing the secret people have been keeping about Salt & Spirits in Boca Raton (180 S. Federal Highway), the tiki bar and restaurant (more authentic and cool than what is in your mind’s eye — see SaltNSpirits.com) will host an acoustic set by singer-songwriter Ricky Valido 4-7 p.m. Sunday. Valido, most often seen with his band, the Hialeah Hillbillies, has been releasing some interesting music recently as part of his Acoustic Tales Vol. 1 series. Visit RickyValido.com.
End of the road: That Elton John is performing at intimate Hard Rock Live in Hollywood at 7:30 p.m. Sunday is a blessing (just 7,000 seats) and a curse (just 7,000 seats). It is technically not a sell-out, with a few pairs of seats on the venue’s highly desirable Couches section going for $2,500 each. Visit MyHRL.com. As his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour winds down, Elton will make what is scheduled to be his final South Florida tour stop ever on April 28 at FTX Arena in Miami — offering many more seats, but you’ll still have to go to the resale market unless you want to spring for $2,400 Platinum level tickets. Visit Ticketmaster.com.
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at .
