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FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue performed a rip current safety demonstration following a recent string of incidents related to rip currents.

The safety demonstration took place on Fort Lauderdale Beach near Vistamar Street and A1A.

7News’ reporter Brandon Beyer went into the water to feel the effects of a rip current and was promptly rescued by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue when he found it hard to swim back to shore.

Officials urge those who may find themselves caught in a rip current to remain calm, try not to fight against the current, and to swim parallel to the shoreline and back at an angle.

“Keep your head out of the water, call for help, stay calm, swim to the right, swim to the left,” said FLFR Lt. Geo Serrano.

The demonstration follows a busy few days for ocean rescue crews in South Florida.

Sadly, one of those rescues took a tragic turn when the body of a young swimmer who disappeared while swimming off a Fort Lauderdale Beach Friday afternoon, was pulled from the water and pronounced deceased.

Two days later, a man was pulled from the water in Surfside.

Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue officials said they performed 33 rescues this past weekend.

“Whenever we have sunny, windy days, we usually have more rescues from rip currents,” said Serrano.

Officials said beachgoers should keep an eye on the plenty of warning signs posted around the beach.

One beachgoer on Monday told 7News she decided against going into the water after she saw the posted warning signs.

“I love the water, it’s something I always looking forward to, but I saw the signs and the waves (and) I was like ‘You know what? Maybe not,” said Dani Ramos.

When the water is clear and the weather is sunny, more lifeguards are on duty because the beaches are packed and officials wish to prevent another tragedy.

“That takes a lot out of an individual. So we have to have that extra staffing,” said FLFR Chief Stephen Gollan.

Officials advise against swimming when beach conditions are choppy and there are flag warnings.

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Fort Lauderdale's culinary scene is poised for a significant milestone on Thursday, April 17, as the Michelin Guide expands its Florida coverage in 2025 to include Greater Fort Lauderdale, the Palm Beaches, and St. Pete-Clearwater. New Times broke the news in February of this expansion, which marks the first time that restaurants in Broward County will be eligible for prestigious Michelin stars. Previously, only spots in Greater Miami, Orlando, and Tampa were considered.

"Florida continues to raise the bar with its emerging culinary talent, international influences, and the palpable passion of its local restaurant communities," says Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides. "Over the past three years, we've seen the Florida selection grow and strengthen as our Inspectors shined a spotlight on their discoveries. We look forward to exploring these new destinations and highlighting the excellence of their local restaurant scene."

This means we're just hours away from a historic Fort Lauderdale win (or snub) within the dining world. This has the potential to change the city's dining culture as we know it. Below, we discuss three of the contenders that may receive Michelin Stars, Michelin Bib Gourmand awards, or just Michelin recognition on Thursday, April 17, at the official Florida Michelin Guide ceremony in Orlando, Florida.

Maas photo

Maass: A Strong Contender for Fort Lauderdale's First Michelin Star

Leading the charge is Maass, a fine-dining restaurant that opened in late 2023 within the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences in Fort Lauderdale. Helmed by acclaimed chef Ryan Ratino, known for his two-Michelin-starred Jônt and one-starred Bresca in Washington, D.C., Maass brings a high-end tasting menu experience to the area. The restaurant offers inventive dishes like foie gras macarons and 72-hour short ribs, complemented by a sophisticated cocktail program featuring tableside service.

Maass has already garnered attention as a top dining destination in Broward County, earning accolades for its refined cuisine and elegant atmosphere — even claiming a spot in New Times' 13 Best Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. Given Chef Ratino's track record and the restaurant's commitment to excellence, Maass is a strong candidate to receive Fort Lauderdale's first Michelin star.​

The Louis Collection photo

Daniel's: A Steakhouse That Truly Honors Florida Produce and Farmers

Daniel's may have just opened, but it's already a hit among locals for its classic steakhouse dishes with a focus on local ingredients from Florida farms. The dimly lit and sleek new spot is a passion project of Thomas Angelo, the founder of Gioia Hospitality Group and co-owner of New Times' Best Restaurant in Coral Gables, Fiola Miami. Executive Chef Daniel Ganem has crafted a menu that features locally sourced ingredients, including prime steaks and American Wagyu from North Florida ranches, as well as an array of locally sourced fruits and vegetables. Highlights include the hamachi crudo with strawberries, Florida burrata, Wagyu, and pearls, as well as the beef Wagyu tartare with Kaluga caviar, the Joyce Farms half-toasted chicken, and the braised Suwannee River Wagyu beef short rib.

Due to its high praise so early on and its focus on Florida-grown menu items, it's safe to say the steakhouse is a major Michelin contender this year.

The Katherine photo

The Katherine: A Hidden Gem Along Broward Boulevard

Tucked in a modest shopping plaza along Broward Boulevard, the Katherine may not flaunt its prestige from the curb, but inside, it's quietly redefining American cuisine — and now it's a serious contender for the Florida Michelin Guide Awards 2025. Since opening in 2021, chef Timon Balloo's modern American restaurant has racked up accolades, from a James Beard Award nomination to being the sole Florida representative in the New York Times' list of the 23 Best American Dishes of 2023. The dish is a Thai red curry yellowtail that blends bold Southeast Asian flavors with coastal Floridian finesse — a dish that captures Balloo's Chinese-Indian-Trinidadian heritage and the global inspiration he and his wife gather from their travels. Already earning a coveted spot on New Times' Top 100 Restaurants of 2024, the Katherine may just get its chance to shine on a national level once more.

Anticipation Builds for the 2025 Michelin Guide Florida Selection on Thursday, April 17

The full list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Florida, including new additions from Greater Fort Lauderdale, will be unveiled on Thursday, April 17, and New Times will be live, breaking every moment.

What Fort Lauderdale restaurants do you think will receive Michelin stars? Let us know in the comments or email me at [email protected].

For the first time, restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach counties have earned Michelin stars.

The Michelin Guide, which reviews and rates restaurants from around the world, announced in February that it was adding three more Florida cities to its guide this year: Fort Lauderdale, the Palm Beaches and St. Petersburg-Clearwater.

It appears Fort Lauderdale and the Palm Beaches were ready for it.

Chef’s Counter at MAASS in Fort Lauderdale and Konro in West Palm Beach were announced as additions to the 2025 Michelin Guide at a ceremony Thursday at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at the Walt Disney World Resort. Both restaurants serve contemporary cuisine.

Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides, praised the growth of Florida’s restaurant industry.

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“Florida has proven to be an international culinary destination, with the expansion to three new cities and five restaurants being welcomed into the Michelin star family in this year’s selection,” he said in a statement. “Our anonymous inspectors continued to be delighted by Florida’s culinary community.”

MAASS, which is located in the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences, offers “a distinctive dining experience,” according to the internationally famous guide. “Chef Ryan Ratino’s tasting menu, in the hands of Chef David Brito, is a beautiful tribute to contemporary cooking with French techniques, Japanese ingredients and a few Florida highlights. Ingredients take center stage in courses like the single seared diver scallop over a truffle puree.”

The guide went on to praise the restaurant’s “upmarket” riff on chicken noodle soup and koshihikari rice cooked in a Japanese clay pot with maitake mushroom and topped with Comte foam.

Ratino, speaking on behalf of Hive Hospitality, said the achievement was a milestone.

“We are incredibly honored to receive these Michelin Guide stars,” he said. “This recognition is a testament to the passion and dedication of our entire team. We take pride in our approach to cuisine — focusing on simplicity, luxury, and creativity.”

Konro, helmed by Chef Jacob Bickelhaupt and his wife and sommelier Nadia Bickelhaupt, also makes use of the counter concept. “Bold cooking takes center stage here, where an affinity for rich, umami-packed dishes surprises diners,” according to the guide.

“Meals begin with snacks; the foie gras mousse in a chicken-skin cone is a highlight. The chef’s creativity is displayed in dishes like barley risotto with enoki mushrooms, caramelized crispy fried onions and black truffle shavings, served with a golden egg.”

The guide also praises Konro’s Binchotan grilled wagyu.

No restaurants from the other newcomer to the guide, Clearwater/St Petersburg, earned stars this year, and neither did Tampa. But another South Florida spot did: Itamae Ao, a Nikkei-style Peruvian-Japanese spot in Miami, earned its first Michelin star. Chef Nando Chang is also a nominee for a 2025 James Beard Award in the Best Chef: South category.

Two Orlando restaurants earned stars, too. Sorekara Japanese restaurant became Florida’s second spot to earn two stars (the first is L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, which got its stars in 2022). Ryan Ratino of MAASS, who earned two stars for his restaurant Jônt in Washington, D.C., also earned a star for Ômo by Jônt in Winter Park. Talk about a good year.

Ratino, speaking on behalf of Hive Hospitality, said the achievement was a milestone.

“We are incredibly honored to receive these Michelin Guide stars,” he said. “This recognition is a testament to the passion and dedication of our entire team. We take pride in our approach to cuisine — focusing on simplicity, luxury, and creativity.”

In the 2025 Michelin guide, 31 Florida restaurants have stars. Miami leads the state with 15, while Orlando has nine. Tampa has earned five, and Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach have one apiece. No restaurants in the state lost a star.

Fort Lauderdale also gained its first ever Bib Gourmand, a designation for restaurants that serve great food at a great value: Heritage, from chef/owner Rino Cerbone. The restaurant is known for pizza and pastas.

There were a couple of Palm Beach restaurants added to the Bib Gourmand list, too: aioli and Palm Beach Meats, both from West Palm Beach. Four Orlando restaurants were added, too: Banh Mi Boy, Coro, Smokemade Meats + Eats and UniGirl. Florida has 36 Bib Gourmand-designated restaurants.

The two newly added areas also saw several local restaurants added to Michelin’s Recommended lists. The Fort Lauderdale Recommended restaurants are Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse; the Mediterranean spot Evelyn’s at the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences; and Larb Thai-Isan.

“We are just really happy to be one of the only five restaurants included in the guide in Broward County,” said Thomas Angelo, owner of Daniel’s. “It’s an incredible honor after only being open for six months. And to be able to do it with my daughter is a dream come true.” Kassidy Angelo is a partner at Daniel’s.

In Palm Beach County, the following were added to the list of Recommended spots: Nicholson Muir Distinguished Meats in Boynton Beach; Buccan, known for American cuisine in Palm Beach; The Butcher’s Club at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens and Coolinary and the Parched Pig, also in Palm Beach Gardens; and Moody Tongue Sushi and Stage Kitchen & Bar in West Palm Beach.

This story was originally published April 17, 2025 at 8:24 PM.

We know — the economic times are hard. We believe that our work in upholding the First Amendment and reporting on these changing, challenging times is more important than ever.

We need to raise $6,500 to meet our goal by April 27. If you’re able to make a contribution of any amount, your dollars will make an immediate difference in helping ensure the future of local journalism in Miami. Thanks for reading Miami New Times.

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The Florida Michelin Guide has announced the newly awarded restaurants for the 2025 Michelin Guide in Florida. Fort Lauderdale restaurants are finally among those considered for the first time in Michelin's history, and there are history-making wins.

Just as New Times predicted, Maass in Fort Lauderdale has won Fort Lauderdale's first-ever Michelin Star.

Photo by Ruben Cabrera

Maass: Fort Lauderdale's First Michelin Star

Maass is a fine-dining contemporary restaurant that opened in late 2023 within the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences in Fort Lauderdale. Helmed by acclaimed chef Ryan Ratino, known for his two-Michelin-starred Jônt and one-starred Bresca in Washington, D.C., Maass brings a high-end tasting menu experience to the area. The restaurant offers inventive dishes like foie gras macarons and 72-hour short ribs, complemented by a sophisticated cocktail program featuring tableside service.

Maass has already garnered attention as a top dining destination in Broward County, earning accolades for its refined cuisine and elegant atmosphere, even claiming a spot in New Times' 13 Best Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. Given Chef Ratino's track record and the restaurant's commitment to excellence, this win was a no-brainer for New Times to predict.

Maas photo

On Thursday, April 17, the Four Seasons Orlando was the site of the official announcement of the newly awarded restaurants included in the fourth annual Florida Michelin Guide, which covers restaurants in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Palm Beaches, and St. Pete-Clearwater.

Read New Times' full Florida Michelin Guide coverage here.

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