In the City | On the Shore | Design | Dining | Fashion | People | Out & About | Events
By Elizabeth Rahe
SCHAKOLAD CHOCOLATE FACTORY, 1038 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale,
954-306-8030,www.schakolad.com.
Ever since she was a little girl, Andrea Preti was curious about chocolate. When she got older, she got serious about it. She earned degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and studied Italian pastry at the Cordon Bleu Institute in Florence, Italy. Last August, along with her parents, Edgar and Fulvia Preti, she opened Schakolad Chocolate Factory on Las Olas, where she crafts hand-made chocolates. “We specialize in customized chocolate – 3D houses, lollipops, soccer balls, edible business cards,” she says. In addition, they offer gelato, sugar-free truffles, fudge, fresh coffee, cappuccino and Schako-lattes – a combination of fine chocolate and espresso. Celebration options include catering, chocolate fountain rental and networking parties for up to 70 people. At children’s parties the guests try their hand at making their own chocolates. What’s with the name? The company was co-founded by Argentine chocolatier Baruch Schaked. Thus, the moniker is a combination of Schaked and chocolate, pronounced shaq-oh-LAD.
YOLO SUNDAY BRUNCH, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 333 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-523-1000, www.yolorestaurant.com.
YOLO is serving up Sunday brunch. Design your own omelet from a cornucopia of fillings or choose from menu offerings such as the Salmon BLT, with smoked salmon, bacon, leaf lettuce, vine-ripe tomato and horseradish, served with green-apple slaw; or Smoked Pork Hash, with house - smoked pork, potatoes, onions, fried eggs and queso fresco. The Mojito Bar and Blood Mary Bar offer vast combinations for festive midday beverages.
CAFÉ EUROPA, coming soon to 910 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
This long-time Las Olas favorite is expected to re-open in late spring. “We are delighted to announce that Café Europa, a fun and lively authentic Italian restaurant, is under construction at 910 E. Las Olas Blvd.,” says Vann Padgett, director of real estate for The Las Olas Company. “The restaurant, formerly located at 726 E. Las Olas, has been sorely missed by its patrons, who are now eagerly awaiting the reopening.” Owner Tony Cupelli says the restaurant will be styled like an Italian trattoria, with indoor/outdoor seating, modest prices and, as he says, the best pizza in town. “It’s going to be much better than before,” he adds.
WILTON THEATRE AUCTION GALLERY, 1444 NE 26th St., Wilton Manors, 954-530-4396, www.wiltonauctions.com.
Stanford Auctions has reopened the former 26th Street Playhouse in Wilton Manors as an auction gallery. Wilton Theatre Auction Gallery hosts weekly auctions of décor items, antiques, art, furniture and more every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Auction preview: Monday 2-5 p.m. and Tuesday 2-6:30 p.m. Preview photos also are available on the website.
THE ATLANTIC HOTEL, 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-567-8020, www.atlantichotelfl.com.
The Atlantic Hotel has completed the renovation of its 124 guest rooms, including 54 suites. The new design features a blue and brown color scheme, luxurious bed linens, mahogany dressers topped with black granite, 42-inch LG televisions and Wi-Fi connectivity. Overlooking the ocean, the 16-story Atlantic is a AAA Four Diamond Award hotel, offering Spa Atlantic and dining at Trina Restaurant and Ocean Terrace Bar & Café.
Bonnet HousE EVENTS, Bonnet House, 900 N. Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, 954-563-5393, www.bonnethouse.org.
❱ Young Artist Music Series – Jan. 21, Florida Atlantic University Department of Music; Feb. 11, University of Miami Frost School of Music; March 4, Palm Beach Opera; March 25, Florida Grand Opera. Each evening begins at 7 p.m. with wine and canapés prepared by The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale Culinary Arts School. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m., followed by dessert and coffee. 954-563-5393, ext. 124, $30 for members, $35 for nonmembers.
❱ Orchid Classes – 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 23, Feb. 27, March 6, March 27; $30 for members, $35 for non-members. Contact susanparker@bonnethouse.org or 954-563-5393, ext. 122.
Impressions of Florida Juried Art Exhibit and Fundraiser, 6 p.m. March 6, 954-563-5393 ext. 163; exhibit on display through May 2.
MUSEUM OF ART NATIONAL ART FESTIVAL, Jan. 30-31, Huizenga Plaza, Las Olas Boulevard and Andrews Avenue, 954-525-5500, www.moaflnsu.org
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This high-caliber, juried art festival also features live music, food and Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art/Nova Southeastern University exhibits. Visitors have the opportunity to chat with national and international artists specializing in painting, drawing, photography and jewelry. For a suggested donation of a few dollars, festival-goers may tour the museum’s permanent collections and exhibition With You I Want To Live, plus they receive a discount on the museum’s ticketed exhibition, American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell, on view through Feb. 7. Donations fund student scholarships to classes at the Studio School or Creative Summer Art Academy.
DAN MARINO FOUNDATION OPEN DOOR INVITATIONAL, 9 a.m. Feb. 1, Grande Oaks Golf Club, Davie, 954-389-4445, ext. 107, www.danmarinofoundation.org.
Join Hall of Famer Dan Marino and his friends during Super Bowl week for the Samsung Dan Marino Foundation Open Door Invitational Golf Tournament, Breakfast and Awards Luncheon. All proceeds will benefit The Dan Marino Foundation, which works to open doors to independence for children and young adults with special needs.
Duck Fest Derby, 1-4 p.m. Feb. 20, Esplanade Park, Fort Lauderdale, 954-390-7620, www.kidsindistress.org.
A flock of 20,000 rubber ducks, each adopted for a suggested donation of $5, will be dropped from the sky for a race down the New River in this annual event. Some lucky ducks will win great prices for their adoptive parents. The event features family-friendly entertainment, including a Very Important Ducks (VID) party, KID Olympic competitions, pet activities, bounce house, rock wall, carnival games, face painting and more. The proceeds from adoptions and sponsorships will help abused and neglected children through Kids In Distress.
A1A MARATHON, Feb. 21, 561-241-3801, www.a1amarathon.com.
Beginning near the Museum of Discovery & Science, the A1A Marathon winds down Las Olas Boulevard to A1A and its environs, including Birch State Park, before finishing up at South Beach Park. The wheelchair start is at 5:40 a.m., marathon and half-marathon at 6 a.m. and the Kids’ Run at 11 a.m.
SISTRUNK STREET FESTIVAL, Feb. 27, along the Sistrunk Boulevard corridor, Fort Lauderdale, www.sistrunkfestival.org.
Celebrate African-American and Caribbean-American heritage during this fest, which offers food, arts & crafts, the Kidz Village, a health fair, merchandise and information vendors and live local and national entertainment, including R&B recording artist Ginuwine. The Sistrunk Parade begins at 8:30 a.m., flowing into the festival, which kicks off at 11 a.m.
CALL OF AFRICA’S NATIVE VISIONS GALLERY BOOK LAUNCH, 6:30 p.m. March 4, 807 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-767-9714, www.callofafrica.com.
Wildlife artist John Seerey-Lester launches his new book Legends of the Hunt (Skyhorse Publishing) at Native Visions on March 4 with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception. In more than 80 stories and 120 paintings, the book recalls hunting and exploration on three continents from 1850-1935. Native Visions’ collection includes paintings depicting African wildlife, Everglades’ landscapes, seascapes, historic safari scenes, florals and still-life, as well as sculptures. Call for information or an invitation.
LAS OLAS ART FAIR, March 6-7, East Las Olas Boulevard between SE Sixth and 11th avenues, Fort Lauderdale, 954-472-3755, www.artfestival.com.
Stroll along tree-lined Las Olas, browsing displays of fine sculpture, paintings, ceramics, photography, jewelry and more. Enjoy street music and food as well as the many fabulous shops and restaurants lining the boulevard.