IN THE NEWS: The Miami Herald’s Victoria Pesce Elliott gives two stars in reviewing Hoja Nueva (Westin Colonnade Hotel, 180 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, 305-441-2600) in the former spot of the closed Bice, while Rochelle Koff gives three stars to Lola’s on Harrison (2032 Harrison St., Hollywood, 954-927-9851; www.lolasonharrison.com) and Linda Bladholm visits Rinconcito Peruano (4644 Palm Ave., Hialeah, in the Palm View Plaza strip mall, 305-364-4869). … The paper notes the openings of Indian roadhouse Ishq (530 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, 305-532-4747) and Casablanca Seafood Bar & Grill (400 NW North River Dr., Miami, 305-371-4107, www.casablancaseafood.com) … Madeleine Marr visits Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering (4702 S. Le Jeune Rd., Coral Gables, 786-268-8350, www.whiskgourmet.com), while Micro Rave stops by Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill (2505 N. University Dr., Hollywood; 954-964-3793; for other locations, visit www.flanigans.net). miamiherald.com … Broward-Palm Beach New Times’ Gail Shepherd reviews Lola’s on Harrison. browardpalmbeach.com … Miami New Times’ Lee Klein reviews Le Petit Resto (16978 NE 19th Ave, North Miami Beach; 305-940-3395), while Bill Citara considers Les Halles (2415 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables; 305-461-1099). miaminewtimes.com … The Palm Beach Post’s Pat Beall reports that a bankruptcy court judge has greenlighted the sale of R.J. Gators Inc. to J&D Restaurant Holdings LLC for about $1.85 million. A partnership of local businessmen Timothy Jeffrey and Kevin Dalton, J&D was a dark-horse bidder for the nine-restaurant chain. palmbeachpost.com … The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel’s Judith Stocks reviews Greek eatery Taverna Eros (8 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561-272-8220, TavernaEros.com), while Lyn Farmer considers O’Connell’s Bistro & Bar (8320 W. Sunrise Blvd., Plantation, 954-423-1610, OConnellsBistro.com). sun-sentinel.com … Menu Pages notes the opening of Ouzo’s Mediterranean Bistro, and Power Pizza’s Pinecrest location. blogs.menupages.com/southflorida …

Zagat Buzz reports that to celebrate its 20th anniversary, the James Beard Foundation is hosting a series of food festivals and special dinners in 20 cities nationwide. The events kick off on September 18th in New York with a lavish menu inspired by Beard at Four Seasons. The celebrations continue the next week with elaborate dinners cooked by first-rate toques in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Short Hills, NJ and Washington, DC. All of the events are unique, with different chef lineups and dining formats ranging from gala dinners to walk-around tastings, so check the individual city pages for details. Though prices for the dinners vary, all of them will be followed up on September 29th with special events at local Williams-Sonoma stores where chefs will be offering cooking demos, book signings, specialty food tastings and kids’ educational activities free of charge. For more information about the event, logon to www.jbftasteamerica.com. zagat.com

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