Restaurants
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Review
A place of divine indulgence, the Guitar Hotel is the centerpiece of an already legendary location.
Abiaka Wood Fire Grill serves up a masterpiece.
March 2nd – March 3rd, 2022
by Gale Shapiro
For decades, no name and its associated experiences in the musical, resort, casino, or culinary worlds has been more iconic nor more remarkable than the Hard Rock. The name in and of itself is known and loved the world over. Here in South Florida, the Hard Rock has gained a symbol that is so uniquely superb, it has even surpassed its own legendary name.
Driving the highways past Hollywood in Florida, one”s head turns and mouths fall agape as the astonishing Guitar Hotel frames the sky as the prolific centrifuge of the Seminole Hard Rock. This incredible architectural masterpiece towers 450 feet in the sky and is completely lit up like an epic guitar for the gods of rock. All of its 638 luxury guest rooms and suites help give a frame to this prototypical triumph.
If the exterior didn’t get your heartbeat humming than the interior would be the one to ensnare your senses. At first entrance into the dynamically themed and fast motioned lobby, I thought I had entered the wrong building. This wasn’t a hotel lobby, this was a museum floor that had a grandiose waterfall at its epicenter that came to life and danced in a bath of music and lite. I was so stunned by the translucent beauty of the resort that I had to plead with my legs in order to get them to move. It might sound silly, but I was indeed standing in the belly of a $1.5 billion dollar work of art.
The hallways are all decked out with displays of the who’s who of famous memorabilia of rock bands. The luxurious guitar hotel rooms are ultra-modern, clean and spacious with all the amenities at your fingertips, but best of all is the shower and bed sheets. The state-of-the-art shower with its powerful jets is like having a spa in your bathroom. What an experience!

The bed sheets are so soft and comfy I now know what sleeping on a cloud feels like.

One of the highlights of the hotel is the spa we were escorted too by the fabulous staff to an incredible and relaxing venue. Here you can relax in the sauna, steam room or heated jacuzzi as a couple or individually. The spa is fully equipped with lockers, fresh towels, robes and even slippers. Not to mention fruit and drinks that you can enjoy in a private room. The entire experience was so wonderful, I felt total tranquility and so rejuvenated that I cannot wait to return to our new favorite facility.
However, let’s not forget the enormous pool area with plenty of lounge chairs and cabanas to rent. There is even a separate private area right in the heart of the pool deck. These cabanas are like small family rooms as they feature TV’s, a sofa, table food and bar service and anything else you might desire.
Upon touring the hotel, we were pleasantly shocked by the massive auditorium. This state-of-the-art masterpiece is equipped with top sound system, acoustics, and massive lights …large enough for any top performers to be in awe of.
Yet, while the grandiose of the property is enough to leave you with an overwhelming feeling of delight, the unique dining experiences like that of Abiaka Wood Fire Grill, located just besides the Guitar Hotel’s pool, will leave you salivating for more. The award-winning restaurant is one of several highly acclaimed dining establishments. Inside Abiaka guests are pitted in a battle of uncanny flavors where you can’t pinpoint what was your favorite, afterall everything is a standout in its own right.

From the light bites of the Fish Fry, Jamon Toast and Garden Salad to the outrageously tasteful Wagyu Skirt Steak, Joyce Farms Chicken and medley of seafood items in the Cioppino mix, you’re in for a tearfully satisfying experience. I can’t find enough superlatives to justify how good everything was and that’s without even mentioning the assortment of vegetables we tried including the Wood Grilled Bok Choy, Roasted Broccoli and the Roasted Sweet Potatoes, which had a fantastic blend of Aioli and Spicy Tomato Sauce. Oh and regardless if you think have room for it, get dessert. The Black Forest Cake is the perfect send off for anybody needing to satisfy their sweet tooth. Also, for above and beyond service, be sure to ask for Estefania, she’s like a human thesaurus on everything you want to know about the restaurant.
Of course, synonymous with exquisite shops and gambling, the newly renovated casino is a sight to behold. In fact, there isn’t one area of the hotel that hasn’t been reconstructed in some way.
Whether you’re a Florida resident or from out of town the guitar hotel should be on the top of your bucket list A fabulous place to spend time with family, friends or a romantic rendezvous.
Restaurants
Arc Culinary Where Every Bite Gives Back
This intimate chef-driven tasting experience in Broward blends elevated cuisine, live culinary artistry, and a mission that transforms lives.
June 20th, 2026
Not every memorable night out in South Florida happens at the trendiest Miami hotspot or the newest Fort Lauderdale restaurant. Sometimes, the most unforgettable dining experiences are hidden in places you’d least expect.
Arc Broward’s Arc Culinary is one of those rare gems.
More than just a dinner reservation, Arc Culinary delivers an immersive chef’s table experience where guests enjoy thoughtfully curated multi-course meals while watching talented chefs prepare and present each dish right in front of them. The result feels part fine dining, part live performance, and entirely unforgettable.
With limited seating and rotating themed menus, every event feels exclusive like being invited to an intimate dinner party hosted by some of South Florida’s most passionate culinary talent.
The real magic begins once the first course arrives.
At Arc Culinary, dinner becomes an experience. Instead of dishes quietly appearing from behind kitchen doors, guests get a front-row seat to the craftsmanship behind every plate. Watching the chefs work adds a level of connection and appreciation that transforms the meal into something far more interactive and personal.
For its recent Fresh SoFlo Summer Flavors dinner, Arc Culinary showcased a four-course tasting menu celebrating seasonal Florida ingredients with elevated technique and thoughtful presentation.
The evening began with a refreshing Florida blue crab starter served with avocado, ruby red grapefruit, hearts of palm, and a bright key lime vinaigrette. Light, citrusy, and beautifully balanced, it captured South Florida summer on a plate.
Course two brought a stunning pan-seared Florida snapper, perfectly crisp on the outside and paired with sweet corn purée and blistered cherry tomatoes. The standout element, however, was the sauce. A swap to miso chili oil added layers of umami, subtle spice, and richness that completely elevated the dish. It was one of those bites that makes the entire table pause.
The third course featured a beautifully cooked grilled filet mignon, served with roasted summer peppers, shaved fennel, arugula, and key lime chimichurri. Rich yet balanced, it delivered the kind of bold, satisfying flavor you hope for in a main course.

Dessert ended the evening on a classic South Florida note: a stunning key lime tart that was equal parts creamy, tart, and sweet.
While the food alone makes Arc Culinary worth visiting, what makes the experience truly special lies beyond the plate.
Founded in 1956, Arc Broward has spent nearly seven decades serving individuals with developmental disabilities and life challenges throughout Broward County. The nonprofit supports individuals from ages 1 to 91, offering programs that include education, employment services, behavioral health support, residential programs, and family resources.
Arc Culinary operates as one of Arc Broward’s most innovative social enterprises, using food as both a source of funding and a pathway to opportunity.
Proceeds from dinners, private events, catering, and culinary programming directly support Arc Broward’s life-changing services while also helping create hands-on training and workforce opportunities in hospitality and culinary arts for individuals with special needs.
In other words, this isn’t just dinner.
It’s a chance to support inclusion, independence, and meaningful opportunity—all while enjoying an exceptional meal.
That’s what makes Arc Culinary so special: you come for the chef-driven menu, the intimate atmosphere, and the creative flavors, but you leave with something deeper.
In a region filled with restaurants competing for attention, Arc Culinary offers something increasingly rare a dining experience that feels personal, purposeful, and genuinely impactful.
Because at Arc Culinary, every course tells a story and every bite gives back.
Restaurants
Jacinta Crafts Mexico’s Heritage Into Every Tortilla
As World Cup Fever Sweeps Miami, Jacinta Brings Mexico’s Culinary Soul to Every Table.
Restaurants
A Taste of Spain Without Leaving Miami
At Mareva 1939, Spain Arrives One Plate, One Story and One Slow Evening at a Time.
Restaurants
Discovering Wagyu One Bite At A Time
Wagyu House Creates the Kind of Dining Experience That Has Guests Planning Their Return Before Dessert Arrives. (more…)
Attractions
Pigeon Forge Proves One Day Can Hold a Whole Vacation
From Mountain Air to Arcade Lights, Pigeon Forge Packs Pink Jeeps, VR, Snow Tubing, Mini Golf, Titanic History, Lumberjack Feuds and Coaster Thrills Into One Unforgettable Day.
Attractions
Pigeon Forge Delivers a Day of Laughs, Lights and Lift-Off
Pigeon Forge Turns Into a Whirlwind of Illusions, Milkshake Magic, Comedy Barn Chaos and a Soaring Nighttime Finale.
(more…)
Restaurants
Inside Kimpton EPIC, Where Miami Views Meet Big-City Escape
Kimpton EPIC Miami Hotel Blends Skyline Energy, Coastal Dining and a Staycation State of Mind. Perched above the downtown rush, this sleek escape delivers balcony views, bright flavors and playful Miami swagger. (more…)
Attractions
BBQ, Bragging Rights and Big Laughs Launched Our Road Trip
-
Restaurants4 weeks agoBoca’s Dining Scene Gets a Stylish New Heavyweight
-
Restaurants4 weeks agoAnthony’s Serves Fresh Flavor for Five Bucks
-
Events4 weeks ago
Copacabana, Mister Triple X, and Capristan Bring the Heat to Kiki on the River During Miami Swim Week
-
Events4 weeks agoMiami Swim Week Turns Up the Glamour at M2 Miami with a Star-Studded Friday Night Runway
-
Events4 weeks agoTake PRIDE! Brings Community Together at Galleria
-
Music3 weeks agoYungblud Transforms Sold-Out Hard Rock Live Into a Sanctuary of Chaos and Love
-
Attractions3 weeks agoWater Taxi Offers a Fresh Look at Fort Lauderdale’s Waterways
-
Events4 weeks agoFire, Ice, and a Vitamin Boost: Inside Miami Swim Week’s Chicest Wellness Reset at Nobu Hotel Miami Beach



