We're talking about the city of Parkland, and its dining scene is about to get a lovable jolt. Dear Olivia, which is poised to be a polished American gastropub with craft cocktails, is slated to open its doors on August 6. The new restaurant, helmed by hospitality veterans Paul Greenberg of American Social and Eddie Pozzuoli, aims to bring the waterside flair and culinary caliber of downtown hotspots to West Broward, but with a deeply personal twist.
The name Dear Olivia isn't just branding; it's somewhat of a love letter. Quite literally. Greenberg named the restaurant after his daughter, Olivia, inspired by a note he once drafted for an investor pitch. "I always wanted to open something warm and community-driven, and when the name Dear, Olivia came up, it just felt right," Greenberg tells New Times. "It's family. It's culture. That's what we're about." And anticipation is already building all across social media for the upcoming opening.
Folks Behind American Social, Prezzo May Help the Spot Boom
Greenberg is best known for shaping the vibe and concept behind American Social, and his partner Pozzuoli brings a hit list of experience, including the likes of Palm Beach County favorites Prezzo and Corvina Seafood Grill. Together, they operate under P Hospitality, and they've recruited a team of all-stars to run the ship at Dear, Olivia. Culinary direction is in the hands of executive chef Patrick Broadhead (formerly of Max's Grille), with oversight from award-winning chef Jeff Tunks, who helped develop the menu for P Hospitality's prized Eddie & Vinny's Coastal Italian.So, what should locals expect when they walk through the doors? A total transformation. The restaurant is taking over the former lakeside Deja Blue space, but Greenberg promises that it'll feel completely new: 4,500 square feet of indoor dining, 2,500 square feet of lakefront patio, and an indoor-outdoor bar at the forefront. "You won’t recognize what it was before," he says. "We're going with warm tones, light woods...It's all going to be very inviting, very social."
Early standouts include a "melt-in-your-mouth" double smash burger and the char siu pork chop that's already been a runaway hit at Eddie and Vinny's
Dear, Olivia photo
What to Expect on The Menu
As for the food? Think shareable, craveable, and family-forward. Early standouts include a "melt-in-your-mouth" double smash burger, the char siu pork chop that’s already been a runaway hit at Eddie and Vinny's, and an "Adult Happy Meal" including a Caesar salad, boardwalk fries, and a martini. On the beverage front, early offerings include the Mucho Macho Mango (with mango puree and Tanteo Habanero) and the Blood and Honey, with Hendricks gin, honey syrup, and a blood orange liqueur. Plus, there's a kids’ menu that’s actually been co-developed with real input from local kids themselves.Programming will match the food’s energy. Dear Olivia debuts with daily specials (including a $10 cheeseburger on Mondays), daily happy hour (Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m.), and a weekly "Olivia After Dark" shindig from 9 p.m. to close on Fridays, including a lounge vibe, bottle specials, table reservations, and DJ jams. From there, Greenberg says, look out for a brunch to launch on August 23, ladies’ nights, DJ sessions, and community-focused family events on the patio. The goal is clear: to make this the go-to neighborhood hangout, whether for birthdays, anniversaries, or just Tuesday night dinner.
"This is about bringing the community together," says Greenberg. "People want somewhere close, somewhere good, somewhere that feels like theirs. That's Dear, Olivia."
Dear Olivia. 7805 N. University Dr., Ste. 100, Parkland; dearoliviaparkland.com. Opening August 6.
