Five chefs from top local dining establishments showcased their talents with menus curated exclusively for DINE Fort Lauderdale 2024, all for a good cause. Each restaurant’s five‑course bill of fare featured wines paired to complement the cuisine and elevate the guests’ experience. This year’s dinner series culminated with the chefs combining their efforts under one roof to bring to life a menu that stunned all in attendance. Along with the chefs, the guests, sponsors and partners worked together to raise money for a deserving cause.
Night One: The Capital Grille
The fifth annual dinner series launched at The Capital Grille. As attendees arrived, Holman Motorcars showcased top-of-the-line exotic cars. Guests enjoyed chef Michael Barone’s five-course feast, which included the Macadamia Dusted Seabass with roasted baby bok choy, poached red potatoes and lobster crème. The experience included a presentation by restaurant sommelier Avishai Azoulay, who discussed the paired wines including Conte Fini Pinot Grigio and Pasarisa Malbec Glaciers, courtesy of Total Wine & More. During the dessert course by celebrity chef Annabelle Asher Solly, a raffle was held with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.
The Menu
FIRST COURSE: Coconut Crusted Shrimp, Ponzu Vegetable, Sweet and Sour Pineapple Sauce
Wine Pairing: Conte Fini Pinot Grigio
SECOND COURSE: Wild Mushroom Bisque, Crème Fraiche, Chives, Crispy Shiitake Mushrooms
Wine Pairing: Debeaune Spec Sel Beauj Villages
THIRD COURSE: Macadamia Dusted Seabass, Roasted Baby Bok Choy, Poached Red Potatoes, Lobster Crème
Wine Pairing: Cardwell Hill Pinot Gris Willa
FOURTH COURSE: 40-Day Dry Aged Sirloin, Parsnip Purée, Spring Vegetables, Red Wine Demi
Wine Pairing: Pasarisa Malbec Glaciers
FIFTH COURSE: Baklava Rose Poached Pear, Shredded Phyllo, Candied Pistachios, Honey
Wine Pairing: Chateau Cantegril Sauternes
Night Two: Truluck’s
Truluck’s newest location hosted the second night of the DINE Fort Lauderdale series. At the beachside restaurant’s entrance, guests were welcomed with the best of the best from Holman Motorcars. Attendees enjoyed chef-partner Odel Arencibia’s five-course dinner that featured such specialties as the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with dilled tartar sauce. During the seaside feast, the restaurant sommelier introduced each paired wine, including the Louis Bouillot Perle de Vigne Brut and the Marchese dell’Elsa Moscato d’Asti. The evening concluded with a raffle in which a portion of the proceeds benefited the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.
The Menu
FIRST COURSE: Snapper Crudo, Citrus Chives, Cold Pressed Olive Oil
Wine Pairing: Dom Chenevieres Chablis
SECOND COURSE: Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Dilled Tartar Sauce
Wine Pairing: Louis Bouillot Perle de Vigne Brut
THIRD COURSE: Sonoma Greens Salad, Spicy Pecans, Goat Cheese, Apples, Kalamata Olives, Honey Vinaigrette
Wine Pairing: Val Do Sosego Albarino Rias Baixas
FOURTH COURSE: Miso Glazed Seabass, Crab Fried Rice, Chilled Cucumber Slaw
Wine Pairing: Amici Pinot Noir Russian River
FIFTH COURSE: World Class Carrot Cake, Crème Cheese Icing, Spicy Pecan, Warm Butterscotch
Wine Pairing: Marchese dell’Elsa Moscato d’Asti
Night Three: Morton’s The Steakhouse
For the third dinner of the series, Holman Motorcars gave arriving guests an up-close-and-personal look at one of their most popular vehicles. Throughout the evening, wine sommelier Alfonso Vieites of Total Wine & More provided an educational presentation of each wine paired per course. Chef Tony Gaspar’s menu included the beloved Sliced NY Strip with truffle whipped potatoes, charred asparagus and sauce bordelaise. At the conclusion of the evening, guests participated in a raffle that benefited the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.
The Menu
FIRST COURSE: Hors D’oeuvres, Scallops & Caprese Skewers
Wine Pairing: Knappstein Riesling Clare Valley
SECOND COURSE: Baby Greens, Grapefruit, Candied Walnuts, Goat Cheese, Citrus Vinaigrette
Wine Pairing: Oriane Sauvignon Blanc by Bertrand
THIRD COURSE: Lobster Bisque, Creme Fraiche, Chives
Wine Pairing: River Road Chardonnay Unoaked
FOURTH COURSE: Sliced NY Strip, Truffle Whipped Potatoes, Charred Asparagus, Sauce Bordelaise
Wine Pairing: Andronicus Red by Titus Napa
FIFTH COURSE: Chocolate Pot Au Creme, Whipped Cream
Wine Pairing: Quinta das Carvalhas Reserva Tawny Port
Night Four: Timpano Las Olas
At Timpano Las Olas, guests were dazzled with the newly renovated space adorned with soft tones of forest green and pops of pink, while designer art pieces tied the place together. Attendees enjoyed a five-course feast that paired each dish with top-notch wine curated and presented by Total Wine & More. The menu that was carefully curated by head chef Omar Lorenzana showcased exclusive treats including the Fiore de Carciofi served with mascarpone, Parmesan broth, peas and fennel sausage paired with The One Armed Man Red Blend. The evening concluded with a raffle in which a portion of the proceeds benefited the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.
The Menu
FIRST COURSE: Toasted Pistachio & Pea Arancini with Charred Tomato Aioli
Wine Pairing: Terramore Organic Nero d’Avola
SECOND COURSE: Crispy Artichoke with Chickpeas, Florida Orange, Fennel, Fresh Herbs, Eggplant Puree
Wine Pairing: Winzer Krems Gruner Veltliner
THIRD COURSE: Grilled Octopus with Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette
Wine Pairing: Valserrano Rioja Crianza
FOURTH COURSE: Fiore de Carciofi with Mascarpone, Parmesan Broth, Peas, Fennel Sausage
Wine Pairing: The One Armed Man Red Blend DCV
FIFTH COURSE: Timpano Cheesecake with Yuzu Curd & Fresh Berries
Wine Pairing: Dubourdieu Liaison Sauternes
Night Five: Fusion Dinner at The Grateful Palate Catering & Events
The 2024 DINE Fort Lauderdale series closed with a bang at the Grand Finale hosted by The Grateful Palate Catering and Events. With the backdrop of the Intracoastal Waterway, guests mingled at the start of the evening with a Paloma Spritzer cocktail courtesy of Los Magos Sotol. While the chefs prepared each course on location, attendees marveled at Holman Motorcars’ very best offerings at the entrance of the event space. Meanwhile, live sounds by Fort Lauderdale’s best DJ, Mike Locke, could be heard.
The Menu
WELCOME DRINK: Paloma Spritzer: Los Magos Tequila, Aperol, Agave, Lime & Grapefruit Juices
FIRST COURSE: Grilled Baby Romaine Salad: Feta, Mixed Berries, Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing by Chef Michael Barone, The Capital Grille
Wine Pairing: Kia Ora Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
SECOND COURSE: Shrimp Campechana: Tomato, Avocado, Cilantro Lime Corn Tortilla Chips by Chef Partner Odel Arencibia, Truluck’s
Wine Pairing: Hugues Beauvignac Picpoul
THIRD COURSE: Fiore de Porcini Pasta: Fennel Sausage, Parmesan Broth by Chef Omar Lorenzana, Timpano
Wine Pairing: La Sacrestia Nebbiolo
FOURTH COURSE: Braised Short Rib: Baby Onions, Roasted Carrots, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes by Chef Tony Gaspar, Morton’s The Steakhouse
Wine Pairing: Amici Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
FIFTH COURSE: Strawberry Napoleon: White Chocolate, Mascarpone Vanilla, Chantilly Cream Between Puff Pastry Topped With Strawberry by Chef Monica Palacio, The Grateful Palate Catering & Events
Wine Pairing: Martinez Fine Ruby
Silent Auction
Throughout the night, a silent auction was held where guests had the opportunity to bid on special items. They included: A round of golf for 4 at Coral Ridge Country Club; Signed 8×10 photo of Sam Reinhart from The Florida Panthers; Total Experience Package at Lifestream Spa with a 60 minute Hot Stone Lifestream™ Massage, a 60 minute Face, Neck & Decollete Hydrafacial™, a 60 minute Sedona Mud Wrap and more; Laser hair removal treatment & $1,000 off CoolSculpting Package at BeWell MedSpa; 2 roundtrip tickets including bags, seat selections and priority boarding from Avelo Airlines; 2 roundtrip flights FLL to YKF from Fly Flair, including a stay at The Walpar, a Chicopee Package for 2 + Pedals & Pints for 2 + Elmira Wagon Ride for 2; 4 regular season Miami Marlins game tickets and a ball signed by Marlins 2024 Opening Day starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo; Classic Black Superdome Box with White Roses from The Million Roses.
The Partners
DINE FORT LAUDERDALE Title Sponsor: Holman Motorcars
Luxury British automakers Aston Martin, Bentley and Rolls-Royce were showcased at each of the dinners by our title sponsor, Holman Motorcars. Holman’s world-class building on Sunrise Boulevard features architectural detailing throughout, more than a dozen pieces of custom artwork, a chandelier inspired by Britain’s historic Silverstone racetrack and two private car delivery theaters.
Total Wine & More
The independent retailer Total Wine & More offers a wide variety of wines from around the world, plus beers and liquor (hence the “more” in the name). The recently opened location in Fort Lauderdale worked exclusively with Fort Lauderdale Magazine to pair each course throughout the series with a wine that would enhance the tasting experience and introduce different brands to attendees. Featured wines included the Hugues Beauvignac Picpoul, the Amici Cabernet Sauvignon Napa and the Martinez Fine Ruby.
Emeril Lagasse Foundation
The goal of the DINE Fort Lauderdale series is to raise proceeds and awareness for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation. Their program, Emeril’s Culinary Garden and Teaching Kitchen, integrates gardening and cooking concepts into school curriculums, generating an interactive, food-centered learning environment. This program and foundation gives back to our community in initiatives like Arc Broward.
Floral Brittanica
The dining events would not have been complete without the beautiful floral and centerpiece arrangements by Floral Brittanica. Owner Brittany Madon went above and beyond by doing extensive research on each venue and discussing with the restaurant staffs what decor would best elevate each evening.
Michelle LaCruz Photo / michellelacruz.com
Based in Boca Raton, Michelle is a professional photographer and photo producer who specializes in food and beverage, product, e-commerce, professional branded headshots, fashion and campaigns. Her 12 years of experience and passion shine through her work, which can be described as bold and modern. She also has a state-of-the-art photo studio designed to meet the needs of diverse clientele.
Mike Connor / mikefromqueens.com
As his website address suggests, Mike was born and raised in Queens, New York. He brings his big-city-hustle mentality to South Florida by providing professional and flattering photography while meeting deadlines. His work includes architectural photography, events, portraits and motorsports.
Los Magos Sotol
Known as the “world’s best sotol,” Los Magos derives from Northern Mexico and has taken on the moniker of “the desert spirit.” The extraordinary spirit can be described as “bright, slightly floral and fresh with an undertone of herbal woodiness. Soft and smooth on the palate with hints of honey and savory spices make for a warm yet sweet finish reminiscent of summer rain and balmy mornings.”
DJ Mike Locke
Our grand finale event featured music by DJ Mike Locke, who did an excellent job of keeping the ambiance lively. The DJ, producer and musician has been voted Best DJ in Fort Lauderdale for three years by our readers.
