James Beard Chef Allen Susser Revives Beloved South Florida Restaurant for One Night
Fort Lauderdale, May 1 – South Florida culinary legend Chef Allen Susser is making a comeback with a highly anticipated one-night-only pop-up at Sunness Supper Club. Marking the 40th anniversary of his groundbreaking restaurant Chef Allen’s, the James Beard Award-winning chef is set to showcase his signature Miami-inspired cuisine from 5 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, May 1.
Susser, credited with shaping modern South Florida dining, is bringing back the fresh, bold flavors that defined his original restaurant when South Florida’s food scene was still in its infancy. “Forty years ago, the restaurant scene was very different,” Susser told New Times. “There really weren’t restaurants that had good food and service using high-quality ingredients.” This pop-up is a celebration of both nostalgia and the evolution of vibrant regional cuisine.
Celebrating 40 Years of Miami Flavor With a Modern Twist
The pop-up menu revives hallmark dishes that helped define South Florida’s culinary identity. Susser’s acclaimed lionfish ceviche returns, spotlighting sustainable seafood while reintroducing Miami diners to the tropical flavors he pioneered. The menu also features his infamous black market caviar, a rare delicacy famously sourced during the 1990s influx of Russian imports to Miami.
One of the crowd favorites — the pistachio-crusted grouper with rock shrimp, leeks, mango, and coconut rum — embodies the chef’s tropical approach. “It brought in tropical fruit, rum, coconut, and great grouper, which was underutilized here,” Susser explained. He laughs as he notes how this dish continues to inspire menus across South Florida decades later.
More Than Food: Reviving The Chef Allen Experience
The evening won’t just be about the dishes. Susser is reviving subtle touches that made Chef Allen’s special. Instead of a traditional bread basket, diners will encounter playful 24-inch breadsticks presented in flour-filled vases for sharing and dipping, designed to engage guests interactively while saving room for dessert.
Dessert remains a highlight, with Susser’s famously intricate double dark chocolate soufflé served for two guests exemplifying his long-standing dedication to pastry artistry. “I always felt desserts were a significant part of the meal,” he said.
Setting a New Culinary Marker for Fort Lauderdale
The event is held at Sunness Supper Club where Susser currently serves as culinary director. The pop-up was inspired by surprise visits from diners who still recognized the chef and clamored for a reunion with his food legacy. “People come in, they see me, and they’re in disbelief,” Susser said. “I say, ‘No, I am.’”
His wife, Judi, who has been part of defining the hospitality behind the original restaurant, will join him to make guests feel at home. “That’s what hospitality is about. They’re coming into our house,” Susser noted.
Looking forward, Susser is optimistic about Fort Lauderdale’s growing culinary reputation. “Fort Lauderdale is becoming a very interesting culinary destination,” he said. “I want to set a flag to say, this is a good place to come.”
Event Details and Reservations
The Chef Allen’s 40th Anniversary Pop-Up takes place Friday, May 1, at Sunness Supper Club, 2465 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are priced at $160 per person with an optional $75 wine pairing. Seating is limited and advance reservations are required. For bookings, call 954-491-6611 or visit sunnesssupperclub.com.
This event is a rare opportunity for diners to experience a cornerstone of American culinary history rejuvenated for today’s palate — a moment Delaware and US food lovers cannot afford to miss.
