Parkland is an exciting place to be, especially if you’re one of the city’s favorite family restaurants. The Whale Raw Bar will pull out all of the stops to celebrate its 7th Birthday on Saturday, August 16. General Manger Jilliann Lopapa invites any and all “foodies” to the party where she says there will be lots of new menu items, drink specials, music and fun for the entire family, including your K-9 friends! “We are a dog-friendly place and always have been,” Jilliann tells us. “We have a Fido-friendly menu and several gorgeous outdoor areas to eat and relax that are either on the water or near the fountain. We are happy that everyone in the family can enjoy the food and atmosphere here at the Whale.”
Known for their New England style seafood including Maine lobster, lobster rolls and Ipswich clams (steamed or fried), Jilliann has been enjoying more seafood lately. “Since I’ve worked here, I’ve been getting a taste for it, and we have some amazing things on our menu that aren’t seafood, too. Our skirt steak salad is fabulous!”
With a recent change in ownership, The Whale is being touted as more family focused with changes in the menu regarding children’s options and items more geared toward the health conscious. “We also have some dishes that will be re-added at or customers’ requests, like grouper and scallops, pasta dishes and more fresh salads,” Jilliann says. “Even though we are a raw bar restaurant, we get people who would like items that aren’t seafood, so we are changing to offer more of what they’d like to have.”
Jilliann credits the positive changes to the new owners, Hian Chua and Ana Paula Cardoso, with more than 40 years of restaurant experience throughout the world. Together, they have been proprietors in Brazil and Sweden. After visiting Parkland, they fell in love with the lifestyle and moved in permanently. Seeing that the Whale had amazing potential and room for improvement, the duo snapped it up and got to work on perfecting the menu, the atmosphere and building a stellar reputation with all of their new friends and neighbors. They are excited that their 11 year-old daughter begins at Westglades middle school this year. In honor of the Whale’s 7th Birthday, Kids will eat free for the entire month of August!
Together with the Chua family, Jilliann is focused on the immediate community. “Our target audience is families. We want to be the go-to place for people to bring their family, friends, dates and business associates for lunch and dinner.” Involved in local causes and various fundraising efforts, the Whale menu frequently offers seafood specials from local fishermen. Jilliann is proud to say, “We are very supportive of the community.”
Don’t miss a minute of the 7th Birthday fun on Saturday, August 16th. Get down to the Whale for a great time for every member of the family…including your furry ones!
The Whale Raw Bar And Fish House – 954-345-9190
7619 North State Road 7(441), Parkland 33073
