In a market as competitive as South Florida, it takes the vision of a gifted chef to stay ahead of the competition. Diplomat Prime, located in Hollywood, Florida, is a luxury boutique steakhouse and lounge helmed by Executive Chef Rashaad Abdool which truly sets the standard for seafood and steakhouse fine-dining.
The restaurant boasts a reimagined menu of prime dry-aged beef, seasonally driven seafood dishes, and select delicate fare. The beverage program includes a variety of renowned old world and new world wines available by the glass and bottle, as well as an extensive list of classic cocktails designed to complement the steakhouse fare. Inspired by the hotel’s iconic period through the 1950s, the design of the 108-seat restaurant incorporates elements of sophistication and playful femininity to a steakhouse space that historically had masculine overtones.
As with so many top toques, inspiration to become a chef started at home for Rashaad Abdool. “It was definitely my grandmother,” Abdool said. “Ever since I was a kid, I always remembered my grandmother in her garden. She used to grow so many fruits and vegetables and herbs. When she would be in the kitchen cooking, she would always be sure to include my cousin and me. Whether it be washing the produce or measuring ingredients, I always had a role in the kitchen at a young age.”
Chef Abdool brought an extensive portfolio of success to his post as the Executive Chef at Diplomat Prime Steakhouse, “I have been a steakhouse chef for the last 12 years,” he said. “Before my role here at the Diplomat, I was the Executive Sous Chef at Steak 954, a boutique steakhouse by restauranteur Stephen Starr.”
Chef Abdool and his team with their on-going commitment to serve the very best steaks have added Japanese A-5 Wine-Fed Wagyu to their menu. One of the rarest select cuts in the world, this selection comes from a supremely minimal selection of cows within Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture wine region, which are fed fermented ingredients from the wine production process along with barley and grains. This introduces polyphenol levels within the cows, creating not only one of the lowest-stress meats with unbeatably ideal marbling and consistency + flavor, though it has also been described as the most tender cut of choice beef available. Diplomat Prime is one of the only steakhouses in South Florida to carry this choice cut.
Finding a dependable purveyor to source their menu has been a crucial part of Diplomat Prime’s success. “I have had the pleasure of working with The Chefs’ Warehouse for well over 10 years now, Chef Abdool explained. They have an extensive selection of products from spices to meats. One of the best things about working with them is the customer service. I’ve been lucky enough to have the same sales rep for several years, who does a fantastic job. Two of our signature dishes come from Chef’s Warehouse’s Allen Brothers brand. The first is a 22oz 45-day dry-aged Prime bone-in ribeye, which is one of our best-selling steaks. The other is a whole roasted cauliflower. This one is oiled and rubbed with zaatar and then roasted until tender and golden brown. It’s then finished with crispy pepitas and a smoked paprika aioli, of which all of the ingredients come from The Chefs’ Warehouse.”
Abdool sees his passion as a key to continuing to deliver quality fare to the Diplomat Steaks’ guests. “My objective as a culinary enthusiast is to always keep furthering my career and knowledge of food and the latest food trends to maximize our guests’ experience,” Abdool concluded.
To learn more about Diplomat Prime and Chef Rashaad Abdool, visit the website
