Expensive Olivia, the whimsically named new Parkland restaurant, is the most recent addition to P Hospitality Administration’s rising portfolio. Just lately opened within the former Deja Blue house in Parkland Commons, the idea is a ardour challenge for South Florida–born restaurateur Paul Greenberg, who joined Christina and Eddie Pozzuoli’s restaurant group final 12 months.
Greenberg, co-founder of high-energy hotspot American Social, envisioned a contemporary neighborhood eating vacation spot that may really feel like a house away from dwelling for younger households, bar regulars, and severe diners alike. With a world-class culinary and cocktail staff, a heat ambiance, and three a long time of hospitality expertise, he’s delivered—providing a welcoming setting, a fantastically designed indoor/outside house, nice meals, impressed drinks; and the not-so-secret ingredient—a wholesome dose of enjoyable.
The beating coronary heart of the restaurant, a big wraparound indoor/outside bar, was three deep on a current go to, as patrons in all the things from après-golf apparel to stilettos sipped craft cocktails. Diners packed the twinkle-lit lakeside terrace on a sultry South Florida summer time night, unable to withstand the lure of the setting. Indoors, the sunshine and ethereal eating room buzzed with dialog—creating the intangible vibe that’s the secret sauce of profitable eating places. Expensive Olivia feels tailored for the Parkland eating scene.
Joyful, energetic, and slightly bit cheeky, Expensive Olivia channels the persona of its namesake, Greenberg’s nine-year-old daughter. She’s usually onsite together with her father, checking in on tables and proudly telling patrons that it’s her restaurant and “she’s there to verify they’ve a good time”.
“Parkland hasn’t had a restaurant like Expensive Olivia,” Greenberg says. “I wished to deliver the group the identical kind of culinary and bar expertise that you just discover on Atlantic Avenue or Las Olas—nice meals, inventive drinks, and distinctive hospitality—with out the costly Uber trip and babysitter prices.”
The menu is globally impressed however approachable—even playful—taking diners by way of a spread of choices. Starters and Shareables embrace melt-in-your-mouth biscuits with honey butter and pimento cheese, and Forged Iron Baked Brie served with fig jam, toasted walnuts, and grilled ciabatta bread. Most important plates would possibly function a wonderfully grilled Char Siu Pork Chop served atop a crispy rice cake with sesame spinach and Asian barbecue sauce, or branzino with recent, seasonal accompaniments.
The Grownup Completely satisfied Meal, a riff on the viral “Lady Dinner” development, is already a bona fide favourite. Comprised of a Caesar salad, French fries, and a wonderfully poured soiled martini, the idea feels extra like one thing you’d discover on a menu in Miami or New York than Parkland—and it’s already one among Expensive Olivia’s high sellers.
“We have been shocked to see how common the Grownup Completely satisfied Meal is,” Greenberg muses. “It’s playful, not one thing you see at each restaurant—and that’s precisely why we wished to deliver it to ours.”
Different early favorites embrace the double smash burger, seared to crispy perfection and topped with caramelized onions, pickles, and house-made AP sauce (mayonnaise, ketchup, scorching sauce, and maple syrup); jumbo coconut shrimp with Thai inexperienced papaya salad and mango candy chili sauce; and indulgent Reuben egg rolls filled with pastrami, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing, and roasted heirloom carrots. Desserts are unattainable to withstand, from Mile Excessive Key Lime Meringue Pie with graham cracker crust, mango sauce, and toasted coconut, to my private favourite—Cookies: fresh-baked chocolate chunk cookies served with a relaxing milk bottle.
The youngsters’s menu, kid-tested and authorized by Olivia herself, goes past rooster tenders (although Greenberg insists theirs are “subsequent stage”). Steak ideas, grilled shrimp, fish, burgers, and a well-liked favourite—ramen—cater to budding younger foodies.
With a bar that instructions consideration the second you enter, beverage director Jose Gil—who labored with Greenberg at American Social—spent months perfecting a cocktail program designed to resonate with the group whereas reflecting present tendencies. Gil has created a grasp class in cocktail making. Classic cocktails similar to Manhattans and Negronis share the menu with creative signatures just like the Strawberry Smash—a refreshing mix of Maker’s Mark bourbon, ginger syrup, strawberries, lemon juice, and Q ginger beer—and Simply Buddies, made with El Tesoro Blanco tequila, blueberry purée, lemon juice, Pom Fantastic, sage spice, and topped with bubbly Salt Pom air foam that provides a recent dimension.
Greenberg strongly believes that zeal and private dedication are essential to a restaurant’s success. He’s onsite day-after-day, delivering dishes to tables, chatting with company—typically with Olivia and his different two kids, Cameron (11) and Luke (5).
“I nonetheless get enthusiastic about openings and like to spend so much of time within the restaurant to verify I share my pleasure with our company,” he says. “The tradition you create from the beginning helps generate the kind of camaraderie that’s so necessary to a profitable restaurant. When your butts get kicked and also you sit down along with your staff on the finish of the night time and have a look at one another and say, ‘We survived’—that’s a terrific feeling. The understanding of being a part of one thing, night time after night time, making folks pleased and caring for them.”
Expensive Olivia is situated at 7805 North College Drive in Parkland. Menus and reservations out there at dearoliviaparkland.com.
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