Bavarian Village, 1401 N. Federal Highway, Hollywood __954/922-7321
Opened in 1966 by the George Zinklers, senior and junior, and expanded over the years into a gemuetlich escape to southern Germany. George Sr. emigrated in 1926 after apprenticeship in Munich, and until he fled to sun and sand, he ran a successful catering service in D.C. Once in south Florida, he faced considerable German restaurant competition: two of the dozen in the area seated 1,500, and even today the Zinklers can seat only a fifth that. But his Village was the only one that survived, and today it's the oldest German restaurant in south Florida. You can't miss the beautiful bit of Bavaria on U.S. 1. Inside, you'll be transfixed by the Alpine murals, served by frauleins in native dress and serenaded by accordionists while you feast on sauerbraten and kraut, smoked pork and red cabbage and the best of the wurst, launched with steins of German beer.
Bern's Steak House, 1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa __ 813/251-2421
What more can be said about this perennial Florida Trend Golden Spoon winner, five years away from celebrating its golden anniversary? Founded as a Gator Juice Bar by the incredibly dedicated Bern Laxer and now in the hands of son David, it has the greatest wine list in the history of restaurants, a farm to grow vegetables organically, four kitchen fish tanks to guarantee freshness, a crash-course menu in the fine art of aging and cutting steaks, a fine wait staff, special dessert room and Side Bern's next door.
Bernard's Surf, Two S. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach __ 407/783-2401
Fifty years ago, 10 before the formation of NASA, Bernard Fischer opened in a sleepy little coastal village what would become the most famous feedery up and down the Space Coast, attracting astronauts and engineers, Space Center builders, designers and celebs. Bernard and nephew Rusty, who took over at age 22 when his uncle died, launched their own fishing fleet to guarantee freshness from the sea, added an informal raw bar, and established a bridgehead at Port Canaveral [Florida Trend, November 1998], assembling the best bread basket in the state and tickling fancies with the likes of gatortail or, for dessert, flaming peppered strawberries.
Bob Heilman's Beachcomber, 447 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach __ 727/442-4144
Another landmark champion celebrating the Big Five-O! This one founded by a restauranting family from Lorain, Ohio. When they opened in 1948, the roads were unpaved, but they quickly established an enviable reputation featuring solid, all-American fare, back-to-the-farm chicken dinners, great desserts and an organist. A brother did the same with a Heilman's in Fort Lauderdale. The third generation took over in 1984, adapted menus to modern tastes and waists, and opened Bobby's Bistro & Wine Bar. To mark their golden jubilee they came out with a pair of special label wines, a chardonnay and zinfandel from Jed Steele in California.
Columbia, Seventh Ave. and 21st St., Tampa __ 813/248-4961
The granddaddy of them all! The coffee shop opened by the Gonzmarts in 1905 now fills an entire Ybor City block with spinoffs of the same name in St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, Sarasota, St. Augustine and Celebration. Still owned and operated by the Gonzmarts, who have installed a wonderful Peruvian menu at their outlet on St. Petersburg's Pier, complementing perfectly the current "Empires of Mystery Exhibition - The Incas, The Andes and Lost Civilizations," which runs through April 25 of next year at the Florida International Museum. Start your lunch or dinner with "arepas," grilled Inca cornbread with cheese and some creamy potato soup, followed by "tacu tacu de gallina," grilled breast of chicken saluted with lima bean sauté, tomato, onion and dry potato sprinkled with fresh herbs. For dessert, what else but "mazamorra morada," purple corn pudding with dried fruit.
Joe's Stone Crab, 11 Washington Ave., Miami Beach __ 305/673-0365
Another of the real Florida pioneers, with origins to 1913 when a Manhattan waiter and his wife, Joe and Jenny Weiss, started selling seafood from their front porch on the undeveloped beach. His cook, Horatio Johnson, boiled a bunch of stone crabs and Joe served them iced. The rest is history. And major money. Joe's subsidiaries soon monopolized the market, from trapping during the October 15 to May 15 season, to selling and distributing nationwide. It became one of the highest volume operations in the state with regulars and tourists lined up night after night. Now there's a dining room seating 450, a parking garage and Joe's Take Away and Coffee Bar.
Maison & Jardin, 430 South Wymore Road, Altamonte Springs __ 407/862-4410
The tea room origins of this magnificent 1958 country estate go back to the antique shop scene B.B.B. (Before Bill Beuret). Aided with great flair and finesse by a Swiss uncle and a talented wife, Judy, he made the magical transformation in 1972 to an extremely well-dressed, formally served retreat of great class. In the best manner of the continentals, the Mason Jar, as the locals affectionately call it, glories in preparing seasonal game dishes along with a regular, reliable inventory of veal and fresh seafood specialties, prepared by Swiss-born super chef Hans Spirig. His beef Wellington and ch?teaubriand, sweetbreads and macadamia-crusted red snapper are superb.
Maison des Crepes, 348 N. Park Ave., Winter Park __ 407/647-4469
This lushly landscaped refuge from all the hustle and increasingly gentrified bustle of the avenue was started by the late Willy Spath in 1974 as a simple creperie. He started selling his beautifully brewed soups, then the freshest of salads, and far more ambitious dishes than the run of the magic pan repertoire of pancakes filled with savories and sweets. Everything from rack of lamb to ostrich tenderloin, pork rouladen to chicken marsala and Florida frog legs, pasta to shrimp kabobs and grouper Florentine. The memory of Spath's mastery is carried on with great style by his family, which is preparing for the restaurant's silver anniversary July 17.
Tropical Acres, 2500 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale __ 954/989-2500
Broward County's oldest steakhouse and seafood restaurant kicked off its year-long golden anniversary last month, offering "Sharing Our Success" Tuesdays, donating 19.49% of dining room sales to the Daily Bread Food Bank and the Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center. That's no surprise from the Studiale family that's been in charge since 1964. That's when Sam Studiale took over from the 1949 founder, New York restaurateur Gene Harvey, who also opened places in Pompano and Boynton Beach. His first full year, Sam served over 65,000 satisfied steak lovers. By 1997 he and his wife, Ceil, who had eight children, were working mightily to serve more than 157,000 dinners. Second generation Studiales, Jack and Carolyn, run the show today, selling at slightly higher prices than were in effect when this landmark opened 50 years ago: Their "Famous Open Steak Sandwich" cost $1.45; half a broiled chicken $1.60 and a pair of thick Jersey pork chops $1.30. Two lamb chops were 30 cents more, a filet mignon $1.85 and their T-bone a whopping $2.50. All entrees came with french fries or a baked Idaho, chef salad, bread and butter.