December 19, 2025
Happy holidays! This will be the last Nom News of 2025. Thanks for reading! Want to be included in our next roundup? Shoot us an email at bark@miamifoodpug.com.
New Happy Hour at Florida Room
AVA Launches Weekend Brunch
Bulla Expands to Aventura
NYE at ViceVersa
New Happy Hour at Florida Room
Fresh off its recent unveil, Florida Room – husband-and-wife star chefs Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth’s newest culinary sensation located waterside at The Fort sports and entertainment complex in Fort Lauderdale – is already buzzing as one of the 954’s hottest new dining destinations of 2025. Now, the restaurant is giving Lauderdale locals and visitors more reasons to eat, drink and be merry as the team has rolled out a top-notch Happy Hour and a spectacular weekend Lakeside Brunch, both perfect for gathering with friends and family this holiday season.
With its relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, and a breezy indoor-outdoor bar perfect for enjoying South Florida’s incomparable year-round sunshine, Florida Room is quickly gaining traction as a go-to destination for Happy Hour. Unwind, sip and snack on specially priced bites and beverages, available only at the indoor-outdoor bar, Thursday through Sunday from 4PM to 6PM and enjoy $5 draft beers; $9 wines-by-the-glass; and $9 “you call it” cocktails offering imbibers their choice of any cocktail crafted with Grey Goose Vodka, Gulfstream Vodka or Gin, Bacardi Ocho Rum, Patron Silver Tequila, or Jack Daniel’s Whiskey.
Happy Hour also features a curated lineup of Happy Bites starting at $8 with highlights including A Lil’ Fish Dip – local smoked fish dip, pickles and house made Ole’ Bay potato chips; Tuna Tartare – fresh local tuna, watermelon soy dressing and shrimp chip; Deviled Eggs – parmesan crisp, chive and pickled onion; Crispy Potatoes – sofrito, roasted garlic aioli and parmesan; and Cast Iron Pimento Cheese Dip – house-made focaccia and warm gooey cheese, among others.
AVA Launches Weekend Brunch
Beginning early January, AVA MediterrAegean – Riviera Dining Group’s newest culinary destination – is launching weekend brunch! The menu celebrates the connection between land and sea through refined, ingredient-driven dishes, drawing inspiration from the Cycladic region and the broader Mediterranean.
Available every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, AVA’s à la carte brunch features an expansive selection of breakfast favorites alongside elevated mains, salads, mezze, raw bar offerings, and desserts. Standout dishes include Eggs Shakshuka, Maine Lobster Mykonaki Roll, French Toast, Greek Branzino Filet, Santorini Wild Shrimp Arrabbiata, and a decadent Seafood Tower, among others.
Bulla Expands to Aventura
Inspired by Spain’s one-of-a-kind tapas scene and ranked among one of the most successful and popular restaurant concepts in South Florida, Bulla Gastrobar by Centurion Restaurant Group (CRG), will be opening in bustling Aventura, Florida on Monday, December 22, 2025 at 4PM.
Consisting of 5,531 square feet of indoor/outdoor dining space and seating 253, the Aventura space will feature a mix of familiar brand elements and fresh new textures and materials, blending rustic and contemporary design with an energetic open kitchen and a welcoming ambiance. The menu will feature the same beloved favorites from cured meats and cheeses, patatas bravas and croquetas de jamón to grilled octopus, paella, and seasonal chef favorites curated by Culinary Director Felix Plasencia.
Menu standouts include Datiles Rellenos, medjool dates stuffed with house made chorizo, manchego wrapped in bacon and served with an arugula salad; Canelones, a Catalán-style’ dish of ground beef and pork baked with béchamel, manchego finished with truffle oil; Montaditos featuring tender brisket, tomato marmalade, guindilla and Queso Tetilla.
Guests can also experience the delicious entrees including Paella Mixta, a traditional Spanish dish with calamari, prawns, clams, shrimp, red sofrito, and saffron rice; Bistec a la Parrilla, a cumin-marinated sirloin served with truffle potatoes, mushroom foam, salsa criolla, and arugula salad as well as the Braised Short Ribs prepared with Queso Tetilla, caramelized onions, salsa criolla, potato foam and house-made potato chips.
The signature drinks highlight the spirit of Spain with classic Sangrias like the Sangría Roja, a bold blend of red wine, brandy, triple sec, lemon-lime soda, chopped orange; Sangría Blanca, a lighter fruit-forward mix of sparkling wine, peach schnapps, triple sec, strawberries, and blueberries or the Sangría de Cerveza, a refreshing twist made with Mahou, elderflower, lemon juice, pear purée. The bar also offers an assortment of signature cocktails, a selection of Spanish and locally-brewed cervezas, and an eclectic wine list.
Bulla Gastrobar’s expansion into Aventura marks an exciting milestone for the brand, which now includes eight locations across Florida and the eastern United States, with continued growth on the horizon. Bulla Gastrobar is located at 2747 NE 193rd Street, Unit 10 in Aventura. Hours of operation: Sunday, 11AM-10PM; Monday-Thursday 11:30AM-11PM; Friday 11:30AM-12AM; Saturday 11AM-12AM.
NYE at ViceVersa
ViceVersa is celebrating the New Year with a few one-night-only luxe Italian specials created by Chef Justin Flit. In addition to the regular food and drink menu, guests may enjoy:
– Seafood Plateau – $45
– Argentinian red shrimp – cherry bomb relish
– West Coast Oysters – Campari mignonette
– Florida Stone Crabs – mustard sauce
– Caviar Pizzetta – creme fraiche, pickled shallot – $95
– Truffle Roasted Poussin – stone ground polenta – $30
– Spumoni Swirl – pistachio, Amarena cherry chip, fior di latte – $14
On the cocktail front, Valentino Longo and his team are developing some holiday-inspired cocktails including a Panettone Old Fashioned, Truffle Negroni, Champagne Cocktail and more ($17 each). Lastly, at Midnight all guests will receive complimentary an individual portion of Cotechino and Lentils, an Italian tradition meant to bring wealth and coins into the New Year.