The Rusty Hook Tavern

For creative cuisine in a casual, yet chic setting, look no further than The Rusty Hook Tavern in Pompano Beach. Open since October, The Rusty Hook Tavern brings modern American cuisine and a laid-back atmosphere to the intracoastal waterway.

At its helm, you will find a trio of culinary powerhouses — Chef Ned Jaouhar, Kareem Lakchira (who runs the beverage program) and Andy Patton, the general manager. The three originally met in 2007, while working at the celebrated Gordon Ramsey’s Cielo located at the Boca Raton Resort & Club and continued to work together for the next four years. During this time, their success and Jaouhar’s talent led him to earn the honor of Best Chef of Palm Beach County by Best Chefs America in 2013.

Because of their success in working together, they often imagined themselves opening a place together and this became a reality, in February 2014, originally at Dixie Tracks, a cozy breakfast and lunch spot in Fort Lauderdale and since October, at The Rusty Hook Tavern, where they serve dinner Tuesday through Sunday and brunch on the weekends.

Chef Ned offers a menu of modern American cuisine with an international flair. The unique flavor combinations that Chef uses in his food, give us a look into his worldly upbringing. He was born in Senegal, spent his childhood in Paris, France, and moved to the United States as a teenager — all before graduating from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.

Kareem Lakchira runs the beverage program at The Rusty Hook Tavern, where he’s been known to mix up some of the best cocktails in town. Enjoy a selection of boutique wines, locally brewed draft beer or one of Lakchira’s signature cocktails, oftentimes using his house-made infusions, bitters and/or syrups. Standouts include the Thai Basil Martini, a combination of Svedka Clementine, Thai basil and grapefruit; Beer and Honey, made with Grand Marnier, house made honey clove syrup and Blue Moon; and the Johnny Be Good with Johnny Walker Black, cherry herring, sweet vermouth and ginger.

Happy Hour is available Tuesday through Sunday from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the bar and lounge areas and offers cocktails and featured wines for $5, and specially priced bar bites.

In addition to the regular dinner service, a variety of happenings take place at the restaurant including a weekend brunch available on Saturdays and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Other offerings include Bucket Bake Tuesdays featuring their signature clam bake; Wine Down Wednesdays where bottles are half price and there is no corkage fee; and live entertainment from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings.