CASBLANCA CAFE

SHADE-O-METER RATING

4 OUTTA 5 WERKS: “SHE GAVE GOOD FACE – SHE SERVED IT”

What’s Casablanca CaféIt’s restaurant that’s in the Jova House.  The Jova House—circa 1927—is the oldest remaining structure on Fort Lauderdale Beach.  The house was converted into a restaurant in 1993.  How was the maître d’?  No complaints.  There always seems to be someone there.  What was the décor like?  Fabulous.  The owner(s) smartly preserved the Mediterranean Revival architecture.

What was the seating like?  There is indoor and outdoor seating, both upstairs and downstairs.  There’s limited seating in the piano bar area as well.  What was the atmosphere like?  Casual, with about a 50/50 mix of tourists and local.  Some people are dressed up in afternoon attire, and some people are in bathing suits.

How’s the cruising?  Not really present.  However, for the guys, there are a fair number of queens there.  When was happy hour?  Monday through Friday, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  What libations were ordered?  We got a Bloody Mary, a cucumber martini and a “Casa Basil” drink.  They were between $10 and $13.  Were they served timely?  Yes.

How were they?  The Bloody Mary could have been a little more pungent, the cucumber martini was a little too sweet and the strawberries and the basil in the “Casa” drink should have been muddled.  They’re also a little stingy with the pourin’ of the liquor.  however, overall, the drinks are good.  What was on the menu?  We went for lunch, which was served until 4:30 p.m.  They have their traditional Menu, and there’s also a few specialty drinks and entrees.

What was ordered?  A baked brie appetizer and an ahi tuna appetizer.  For the entrees, a fish taco, a seafood linguini, and a snapper entre (which was the catch of the day).  The appetizers were about $14 and $15.  The entrees ranged from about $15 to $19.  Was the food served timely?  Yes.  The wait was appropriate for this type of restaurant.

How was it?  The brie appetizer is basically a deconstructed salad, which is interesting concept.  The blueberries in it were perfectly ripe.  The tuna appetizer had picked kimchee (cabbage) in, which was a nice touch.  Regarding the entrees, the snapper dish was a tad too salty.  But the roasted tomatoes and the parsley-infused olive oil in it were complementary and pleasing.  The coleslaw in the fish tacos needed more dressing, but the fish was very fresh (which is paramount).  The seafood linguini was served with lobster cream sauce, as opposed to the more common red sauce.  There was a modest amount of seafood in the dish.

How was the service?  Attentive.  What stands out about the place?  The décor and the view.  Regarding both, it simply doesn’t get any better.  however, I’m sure that no one appreciated the irritating noise from periodic motorcycles.  What could be improved?  The wait staff removed the plates from two people while the third was still eating.  This is a no-no.  What was surprising?  The inside windows on the second floor don’t open.


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Casablanca Café is located at 3049 Alhambra St., in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  It’s open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.  There’s live entertainment Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

TIM MCGRAW & FAITH HILL

The reigning king and queen or country, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, stopped by South Florida this Thursday with their Soul2Soul tour

SHADE-O-METER RATING

4 OUTTA 5 WERKS: “SHE GAVE GOOD FACE – SHE SERVED IT”

Who’s Tim McGrawHe’s a country singer and an infrequent actor.  His first album is from 1997.  He’s originally from Louisiana, and he’s been married to Faith Hill since 1996.  Who’s Faith HillShe’s a country singer.  Her first album is from 1993.  She’s originally from Mississippi (as the song goes).  What is BB&T centerIt’s an indoor sports an entertainment arena in Sunrise, Florida.  It’s holds about 20,000 people.  Of note, according to the website, no “moshing” is allowed.  How much was the parking?  $20.  Does the venue serve liquor?  Yes.  How were the drinks?  $19 for a double, and, they’re measured to a tee.  Does the venue serve food?  Yes, but we didn’t get any.  The venue serves typical concert food.  How much were the tickets?  $112.  The seats were excellent.  Was the show sold out?  Almost, but not quite.

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CITIZEN JANE

A “305er” for life, DJ Citizen Jane talks about what’s hot in South Florida, the lessons she learned from her mother, and who she’d like to raise from the dead

PHOTOGRAPH BY CITIZEN JANE MUSIC

Where did you grow up?  I was born in Miami Beach, but I grew up in Dade County’s finest—Hialeah.  Then I moved to Coral Gables, and I lived there for the most part.  How long have you lived in South Florida?  I’ve lived in South Florida my whole life.  I’m one of the few that was born and raised in South Florida, and I still live here.  I guess you can say that I’ll be “305” till’ I die.  What part of South Florida do you live in?  I currently live in Miami, of course.  Right near the beach!  What do you like most about living here?  Aside from it being my hometown—which I’m very proud of—I love the warm weather, the beaches, the women (Miami has the most beautiful women) and being near my family.  My family is so important to me.  What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone?  Tobacco Road.  I performed there a few times when I was singing with my band.  Plus, it was such a cool hangout full of musicians and all walks-of-life.  Where do you hang out in South Florida, and why?  I love Wynwood because it’s a great spot for bar hopping and art galleries.  I also love having lunch or dinner on Lincoln Road.  It’s a great place to people watch.  What DJ or musician do you admire?  Lady Gaga, for being her true self, taking risks with her music and for being so unique.  And Madonna for always expressing herself and not caring about how people perceive her.

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AARON HUNTSMAN

With the distinction as the first person to win gay marriage in Florida, Aaron Huntsman went all the way from the desert of Las Vegas to the steps of The Capitol   

PHOTOGRAPH BY KENE TUCKER

Where did you grow up?  Las Vegas and Newport Beach, California.  How long have you lived in South Florida?  Off and on, since 1993.  I’ve lived 75% of the time since 1993 in South Florida.  Why did you move here?  Because I’m a weather freak.  I came out here on vacation, and I just fell in love with Fort Lauderdale, The Keys, and Miami.  What part of South Florida do you live in?  Key West, but I used to live in Fort Lauderdale.  I met the love of my life there at pride in 2003.  We used to have a landscaping company in Fort Lauderdale called La Lawnscape.  I also used to bartend at Cathode Ray, Twist and The Pier.  What do you like most about living here?  It’s the east coast.  Once you’ve lived here, that’s it.  What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone?  Crowbar on Sunday night.  Where do you hang out in South Florida, and why?  We’re homebodies now.  If we go out, we like to go to Tavern N Town at the Marriott in Key West.  What’s your claimtofameProbably Lee and I having the first winning lawsuit that overturned the same-sex marriage ban in Florida.  What’s your favorite band?  Metallica.  I’ve seen them live about 8 or 9 times, and I like to be up close where the action is.  Will you ever retire?  No, because once you retire, you grow old.  I’ll continue to work until my last breath.  What’s the last thing that you looked at onlineYour website.  And then before that, a website for a non-profit small bus association for people affected by Hurricane Irma.

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2017 HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS

In its 27th year, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights mixes the classic and the guignol, with houses based on The Shinning, Saw and American Horror Story

SHADE-O-METER RATING 

4 OUTTA 5 WERKS: “SHE GAVE GOOD FACE – SHE SERVED IT”

What is Halloween Horror Nights (HHN)?  It’s the Halloween event at Universal Orlando.  This year’s event—the 27th year—had nine new (they don’t tend to repeat house) houses, five scare zones, and two shows.  Some of the rides were open as well.  The featured houses were The Shinning, Saw and American Horror Story ones.  How much was the parking?  $20.  As a treat, there was some concierge parking for $30 as well.  Does the venue serve liquor?  Yes.  Beer, wine and one (you read it correctly; only one) specialty drink.  How was the drink?  Very tried.  It was some syrupy stuff that was served with a double straw.  She was rather weak, expensive ($13), and came light up and blinking for all the world to see.  Does the venue serve food?  There were some food booths that served typical fair food (funnel cakes, pizza, etc.).  We didn’t get any of it.  However, most of the regular restaurants were open.  How much were the tickets?  Depending on the night, the prices (with a discount from a Coca-Cola or Burger King UPC code) range from $59.99 to $83.99.  However, if you want to see all the houses, you’ll have to get the front-of-the-line “Express Pass” ticket.  With some of the lines at an hour or more, there is no other way to do it.  The Express Pass starts at $79.99.

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JUDY GOLD

Comedian Judy Gold delivered an acerbic, politically-tinged set in Boca Raton this Sunday night

SHADE-O-METER RATING

4 OUTTA 5 WERKS: “SHE GAVE GOOD FACE – SHE SERVED IT”

Who is Judy Gold?  According to her website,she’s a self-professed “comedian, actor, writer, host and big mouth.”  Gold’s theater credits include both Broadway and several off-Broadway one-woman shows.  Her film and TV credits predominately consist of scripted sitcoms and talk shows.  She was also a writer and producer on The Rosie O’Donnell ShowWhat is Boca Black Box?  Boca Black Box is a small theater in Boca Raton, Florida.  How was the venue?  A black box theater is an unadorned large, square performance space that typically has black walls and flat floor.  The theater, nestled in a shopping mall, holds approximately 275 people.  Because of its small size and unobstructed seating arrangement, there really wasn’t a bad seat in the house.  The seats aren’t permanent.  There was also a small amount of cocktail seating on both sides of the house.  How was the parking?  There was more than ample parking in the shopping plaza to accommodate a full house.  Parking is free.  There was no valet.  However, minimal walking was required.  Does the venue serve liquor?  Yes.  How were the drinks?  The venue offered a fair amount of cocktails, wine and beer.  The wait staff serves the beverages cabaret-style both before and during the show.  The drinks are nothing fancy, and they’re a bit pricey.  For example, a “Jim Beam and Coke” was $9.  A domestic beer was $6.50.  Does the venue serve food?  No.  How much were the tickets?  $30 and $40.

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SHELLEY NOVAK

South Beach legend Shelley Novak talks about Chinese food, what’s unique about Miami Beach, and how drag can change the world

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN FORTEZA

Where did you grow up?  In a little town called Saugus, which is just south of Boston.  I think the name is Native-American for “I have to move the fuck out of here.”  But it was the perfect Currier-and-Ives-type childhood.  How long have you lived in South Florida?  Since 1992.  Why did you move here?  After my first long-term relationship broke up, I had to reinvent myself.  All of my friends from home had moved to South Beach, and they told me that if I had to start all over, that Miami Beach was the place to do it.  When I first moved here, we all ended up living in the same building, and we joked that it was our very own little Melrose Place.  New England is a great place to be a kid, but Miami is a great place to be an adult.  What part of South Florida do you live in?  South Beach—I’ve always lived in South Beach.  What do you like most about living here?  I love being immersed in the diverse culture, and I love the weather.  I also love the gay community in South Beach.  It’s really just a small town, since it’s only a few blocks long.  We all have each other’s backs.  What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone?  Well, I’ve watched them all come and go.  Off the top of my head, it would have to be Crobar.  I worked at the door there for the run of the club; it was seven years.  Where do you hang out in South Florida, and why?  when I want some down and “me” time, I sneak away to Twist.  What’s something that’s unique about South Florida?  I’ve lived in LA and Boston, and Miami, to me, has the perfect balance.  It has the weather, interesting people, the beach and available transportation.  I can walk everywhere.  In LA, for example, a trip to the ATM is a four-hour event there.

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TERRY HAMMOND

Julliard-educated composer & performer Terry Hammond talks about what Judy Garland once told him, the legendary Marlin Beach Hotel, and how he’s poised for the next chapter of his life 

PHOTOGRAPH BY POMPANO BILL

Where did you grow up?  I’m from New Hampshire, but we moved to New York City when I was very young.  My parents saw that I had talent, so we moved there.  I majored in piano at JulliardHow long have you lived in South Florida?  Since 1979.  Why did you move here?  Before moving here, I was working in TV and Broadway in New York.  I had a two-year stint in Europe, and a friend suggested that we swing by Fort Lauderdale.  I was enchanted with here.  I decided to move here because the notion of having my own home was appealing, and I had friends here.  Also, I believed that my writing skills were of primary importance, and I felt that I could do that anywhere.  Besides, the guys are hotter here than in New York.  What part of South Florida do you live in?  I live in Coral Ridge neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, which is by the intercostal highway.  What do you like most about living here?  There are three things that I like most about living here—the weather, the weather, and the weather.  What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone?  The Marlin Beach Hotel.  It had everything, and that was the very first place that I performed at when I moved here.  Does anyone still remember it?  Where do you hang out in South Florida now?  In my lovely home, which is filled with everything that inspires me and that I love.  But when I need a break, I hop over to Le Boy.

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PALATE PARTY

SHADE-O-METER RATING

4 OUTTA 5 WERKS: “SHE GAVE GOOD FACE – SHE SERVED IT”

What is Palate PartyIt’s the restaurant that’s in Rumors Bar & Grill.  The restaurant is overseen by celebrity chef Robyn AlmodovarWas there an age restriction?  I don’t believe so.  How was the maître d’?  There isn’t one.  You seat yourself.  What was the décor like?  The industrial-inspired décor is reminiscent of Almodovar’s famous South Florida food truckWhat was the seating like?  It’s all outside.  There are pub tables and regular tables.  What was the atmosphere like?  The “atmosphere” was essentially nonexistent since it was the Tuesday before Hurricane Irene.  No one was around.  Was it cruisy?  No cruising. Everyone was too busy preparing for the upcoming “festivities.”  When is happy hour?  2-4-1 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Monday through Sunday.

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