Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth, the Top Chef duo behind South Florida favorites Stiltsville Fish Bar and the now-shuttered Root & Bone and Mi’talia, are heading north with Florida Room, opening Wednesday, October 15, at the Fort, a 9.5-acre sports and entertainment complex in Fort Lauderdale.
In a very 2025 move, the restaurant sits beside the venue’s pickleball courts, meaning diners can enjoy wagyu meatloaf and caviar-topped tots while watching strangers argue over line calls.
For now, Florida Room will open for dinner service only. “We envisioned Florida Room as the perfect spot for affordable, comfortable, stress-free weeknight dining, a fun family dinner, or drinks with happy hour friends,” says McInnis. “Naturally, the offerings are elevated by technique and made with the best ingredients available, but a night at Florida Room should feel familiar and comforting in the best possible ways.”
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A Neighborhood Spot with a Side of Athletics
Florida Room’s menu is certainly robust, offering nearly 40 dishes that mix Southern comfort with coastal ingredients. Appetizers include a crunchy calamari Caesar, grilled mango and sesame salad, and peaches paired with stracciatella and prosciutto…