Savoring Success: 28th Annual Las Olas Wine & Food Festival Delights Fort Lauderdale.

April 19th, 2024

From downtown Fort Lauderdale, the return of the Las Olas Wine & Food Festival (LOWFF) was another indulgent success. With tasting pavilions stretching out across both sides of iconic Las Olas Boulevard, from SE 6^th Avenue to SE 11^th Avenue, LOWFF offered booth after booth of endless bites from the best local restaurants, sips of spirits, wine, beer, seltzers, juices, plenty of dessert options and so much more.

As Fort Lauderdale’s premier charitable wine and food experience, proceeds from LOWFF assist in the funding of research and educational programming for American Lung Association of South Florida, whose mission is to create a better future for those living with lung cancer and other chronic respiratory diseases including COPD and asthma.

Clear skies and mild weather played a perfect backdrop for the local foodie community and guests to enjoy this year’s event. Since VIP tickets sold out in advanced and general admission ticket prices increased as the event drew nearer, only those who were prepared were able to enjoy everything LOWFF had to offer. VIP tickets included a pre-event reception at the Riverside Hotel and early access to the tasting pavilions.

As a veteran attendee of the long running event, I had certain expectations going into LOWFF, and as usual, LOWFF did not disappoint. Like past years, the Las Olas mainstays showed up, serving plenty of love, and then a handful of new food and drink offerings made a splash, assuring that the event is ever evolving and exciting. Mix a hungry crowd with some excitement and lines form, but waiting in lines at popular spots is a great time to sip a drink or two, talk about the food and digest. This year, Patron Tequila’s unique bottle shaped cups created a ton of buzz and had attendees standing in the longest lines.

I’ll pass on sharing the full menu of everything I feasted and sipped on, but here’s an abridged version of the journey:  this year’s feast started with a few cocktails, a Truman Vodka Espresso Martini and a fruity Mai Tai from Tommy Bahama took me away from the crowds and into vacation mode.

Tommy Bahama – Mai Tai

Next, some glittering gold ceviche from Boatyard was creamy and citrusy, super fresh. I could go on and on about a handful of other ceviche offerings, and if you like ceviche LOWFF is for you, but instead, I’ll jump ahead to my favorite bite from a new restaurant, a creamy, crispy cube, the Japanese Milk Bread Shrimp Toast from event rookies MAASS at the Four Seasons. Other exceptional bites included the Braised Beef Short Rib from Holly Blue, the Tuna Poke Nachos from Lucky Fish, the Shrimp Beignet from Even Keel Fish Shack, the Seared Ahi Tuna Causa from The Diplomat Beach Resort, the Birria Esquites from Rocco’s Tacos, and the Agnolotti Di Pera from Tamarindo Harbor Seafood Bar & Grill.

Tamarindo Harbor Seafood Bar & Grill – Agnolotti Di Pera

When I started to run out of space for food, I took a minute to say hello to former Miami Dolphins, Florida Gators great, and seasoning hall of famer, Channing Crowder, who was at LOWFF offering his Crowder Powder, a tasty mix of garlic, with a touch of heat, and a hint of sweet. Next, I had an opportunity to try the already iconic Gin and Juice by Dre and Snoop. I went with Citrus, it was crisp, packed with flavor, and kept me rolling down the street, and right into the Casamigos and then the High West Whisky bars.

After recharging, it was time for dessert. Phuse Cream’s Strawberry Cheesecake Macaroon Ice Cream Sandwich was a perfect bite to begin with. From there, some famous Iced Coffee, super sweet and creamy, from The Alchemist Café hit the dessert bullseye. Next, Hatch’s Bacon Pecan Ice Cream on a Sugar Waffle was the perfect, “over-the-top” option to close out another satisfyingly LOWFF.

Hatch – Bacon Pecan Ice Cream on Sugar Waffle

After 28 amazing years, it’s safe to say LOWFF shouldn’t be missed. Stay up to date with LOWFF announcements, specials and giveaways on Facebook and Instagram or for a complete line-up of events and ticket information, visit LasOlasWFF.com