Galleria towers win a city sign-off, but no building permit yet
Plus a new Las Olas steakhouse, a planned riverside restaurant and two free downtown festivals.
Eight 30-story towers now have a city sign-off at the Galleria mall, though the mayor says that is not a full approval.
As a Live Local project, the Galleria plan needed no City Commission or planning board vote. The city has now granted the administrative approval it did require. The plan calls for eight 30-story towers with 3,144 homes, including 800 workforce units on the east side and 473 on the west. At current income levels, renters eligible for those workforce units would earn $82,000 to $123,000 a year. A building permit is still several steps away. First, the developer must file revised plans that match the approved traffic study, get a county surface water license and show school capacity or mitigation. "It's not fully approved," said Mayor Dean Trantalis, who doubts the conditions can be met.
Caviar Club opens its doors on East Las Olas
Caviar Club opened to the public Oct. 21 at 833 East Las Olas Boulevard. The steakhouse comes from restaurateur Marc Falsetto, whose South Florida concepts include Tacocraft and Apothecary 330. Membership is optional. An invitation-only group capped at 100 gets perks like priority reservations and private events, but anyone can book. Reservations are taken only at caviarclubftl.com. In the 88-seat Dining Room, dinner runs nightly, with Dover sole filleted tableside and Australian Wagyu prime rib. The 40-seat Bar Room opens at 4 p.m. daily with its own menu, and walk-ins are welcome when space allows. Only 12 of its dry-aged Wagyu burgers are made each night. At 9 p.m., both rooms switch to nu-disco, French house and reworked '80s hits.
A new restaurant named for Ivy Stranahan is in the works
Ivy's marks a shift for We Care Hospitality, the family-owned group behind Le Tub, Tiki Tiki and GG's Waterfront in Hollywood. Instead of taking over an established spot, Alex Serafini and his parents, Dan and Lise-Anne, are building a new concept. Serafini wants it to feel like "a place that belongs in Fort Lauderdale." The site is 500 East Las Olas Boulevard, next to the historic Stranahan House, and the name honors Ivy Stranahan, a teacher and civic figure from the city's early days. Plans call for handmade pastas, grilled meats, seafood and a raw bar. One dish still in development, Around the Campfire, would let guests grill their own skewers at the table. Cocktails will lean on seasonal juices and house-made syrups, with some drinks spotlighting Florida spirits. On the wine side, the list leans toward family-owned producers. Urban Robot is designing interiors that mix wood, vintage-style furniture and tropical details, with a riverside bar and outdoor seating as centerpieces. The group is targeting the first quarter of 2027, and updates will appear at ivysfortlauderdale.com and @ivysfortlauderdale on Instagram.
Goodwill opens its newest Fort Lauderdale store
Live music, raffles and gifts greeted customers at the grand opening. Located on West State Road 84, the store and donation center gives residents another affordable place to shop.
Day of the Dead brings music, crafts and puppets downtown
- When
- Saturday, Nov. 7 · 3 to 8 p.m. (processional at 6 p.m.)
- Where
- Esplanade Park
- Price
- Free admission
Downtown's Day of the Dead Celebration runs Saturday, Nov. 7, with free admission. Esplanade Park hosts the afternoon from 3 to 8 p.m., with live music, traditional performances, face painting and mask-making for kids, Latin food and artisan vendors, and exhibits on the holiday's history. At 6 p.m., a processional of towering skeleton puppets, costumed dancers and live musicians fills the streets. In the evening, a block party outside Revolution Live adds food trucks, DJs and local makers. Families and pets are welcome.
Free entry and $5 bites at Riverwalk's international food festival
- When
- Saturday, Nov. 14 · Noon to 4 p.m.
- Where
- Esplanade Park
- Price
- Free admission
The 6th annual Riverwalk International Food Festival takes over Esplanade Park on Saturday, Nov. 14, from noon to 4 p.m. Getting in is free, and signing up on Eventbrite or Facebook is optional, used only to send updates before the event. Food costs extra, but every vendor will have a $5 item. Expect Caribbean, Latin American, European, Asian and Middle Eastern dishes from area restaurants and vendors, plus music. Guests 21 and older can buy limited VIP tickets for small bites from Epazote Mexican Restaurant, Casa Playa and others, along with unlimited beverage tastings from Swiggle. VIP tickets are sold ahead of time and may not be available at the event.