Anglin’s Beach Café: Top of the sand, side of the pier in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Anglin’s Beach Café

2 Commercial Blvd.

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida 33308

954-491-6007

http://www.anglinsbeachcafe.com/

Open daily 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.

By Jane Feehan

Nothing stays the same and that brings both good and sad to Anglin’s Beach Café. Under new ownership for several years, the café offers the same view of the ocean, sand, and sun seekers as its predecessor, Pier Café. For fans that frequented the place in the past, the intimacy of the indoor counter and familiar waitresses that tended to patrons for decades are gone (the gals work down the street at another establishment these days).

The lineup for breakfast, lunch, and now dinner has expanded and so has outdoor seating that includes a deck with umbrellas. Beach Café offers a modernized menu of organic salads and veggies, Panini sandwiches, pizza, New England favs such as clam rolls, and fish and chips (ordinary). There’s also coconut shrimp ($18), soft shell crab sliders ($12), and the tasty Anglin’s Beach Café special – a crispy pita stuffed with veggies and chicken ($12). Swordfish ($25) and other seafood specials are also available. My only complaint was a completely flat Coke, a bad thing on a hot day.

Anglin’s Beach Café caters to tourists and it’s more expensive than the previous restaurant, but there’s much more to choose from, including wine, beer and frozen drinks. Another welcome addition is a singer with guitar at lunch and dinner hours. The wait staff works hard to please and that view is hard to beat …

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For more about the pier, see: http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2011/07/florida-history-broward-countys-longest.html

Tags: restaurants in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, breakfast in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, music in Lauderdale by the sea; beachside dining in Fort Lauderdale, Anglin’s Fishing Pier

BurgerFi in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea: Beyond fast food with healthy burgers and more ...

4343 N. Ocean Dr.

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL 33308

954-489-0110

Open daily 11 a.m.-1 a.m.

http://www.burgerfi.com/

Enter zipcode in search box at right to find more restaurant reviews.

 By Jane Feehan

Curious about business BurgerFi is drumming up at the site of a closed Burger King along A1A in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, I was compelled to sample their menu recently. By noon, a small line cued up for orders of natural burgers, hand cut fries, hotdogs, shakes and … cupcakes. The line grew considerably by the time I left.

Open air but partially air conditioned BurgerFi is also sparkling modern,  eat-off-the-floor-clean, providing a cool and relaxing respite from heat and traffic; it's a much-needed, solid improvement over the Burger King that used to sit there. BurgerFi's menu remains the same for lunch or dinner.  A crisp-grilled quinoa veggie burger, fries, and a soda went for nearly $12. Pricey, but it’s not typical fast food. Beef eaters there told me they think BurgerFi’s prices for their exceptional burgers (about $6 for the basic choice) are well worth it. Diners include tourists and a fair share of repeat local customers, which says a lot.

Owner David Manero’s (Vic and Angelo’s and other eateries) premise is to serve healthy, hormone-free beef. The Web site explains the name and philosophy: “a Burgerfication of the Nation^™ … a discovery of what the burger could be.”  In keeping with the health theme, they also sell sodas sweetened with sugar cane instead of corn syrup.

Good beef (and hotdogs), abundant toppings, “hand-spun shakes,” craft beers and a more-than-ample selection of wines raises BurgerFi a few notches above a fast food joint. Another BurgerFi operates in Delray with more to be opened as franchises. Franchises are among the few business endeavors making any money these days so they may be on to something.

NOTE: now open on Sunrise Boulevard, across from the Galleria, in Fort Lauderdale.

Tags: healthy burgers Fort Lauderdale, places to dine in Lauderdale by-the-Sea, lunch in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, burger franchises, Fort Lauderdale hamburger places, BurgerFi

Ernie's Bar-B-Q - same but different Fort Lauderdale landmark

Closed, new restaurant, new name
Ernie’s Bar-B-Q

1843 S. Federal Hwy

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

954-523-8636

Enter zipcode in search box at right to find more restaurant reviews

By Jane Feehan

CLOSED, NEW RESTAURANT

A Fort Lauderdale landmark since 1957, Ernie’s has been the place to go for things conch: conch chowder, conch fritters, conch salad. Bar-B-Q was always secondary. Many used to stop by because it was an easy-to-find party place with a balcony overhanging Federal Highway.

 A step inside today is to step into a place less cavernous, less funky than it was during the years so many referred to it as “Dirty” Ernie’s. Sixteen years ago, the same people who own the Floridian on Las Olas took over Ernie’s. Gone are the dark walls covered in writing; they’re in storage some place.  Day-glo colors brighten an interior with lowered ceilings and serve as the exterior backdrop for an attractive palm tree mural.  Several TVs line up across or near the bar. An outdoor patio squeezed in between the parking lot and front door beckons breakfast, lunch and dinner patrons. The menu is huge, and so are portions -- just like it is at the Floridian.

A few things remain the same: A cook has served up the same conch chowder and fritters for the past 35 years with the original recipe; the balcony remains open for dining and high-powered drinking and all that goes with it, and there’s still bar-b-q chicken, pork and beef and … that fluffy thick, faintly sweet Bimini bread. Yes, Ernie’s is different - yet somewhat the same.

Service: Food delivered fast and hot. Fried seafood and children's menu available. Family-friendly (that’s different).

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Food Network conch recipes: http://www.foodnetwork.com/search/delegate.do?fnSearchString=conch+chowder&fnSearchType=site

Tags: Fort Lauderdale restaurants, conch in Fort Lauderdale, conch chowder, conch fritters, Dirty Ernie's, Ernie's BBQ

Ferdo's Grill in Fort Lauderdale: Kabob Central

Ferdo’s Grill

4300 N. Federal Hwy.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308

954-492-5552

Open Mon-Thurs: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., 

Fri: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday: 5-11 p.m.

http://www.ferdosgrill.net/

Enter zipcode in search box at right to find more restaurant reviews

 By Jane Feehan

Ferdo’s Grill has expanded in the last few years to accommodate its growing popularity. A favorite among locals for Mediterranean food, this eatery delivers a good meal for the buck.

The operative word here is oversized; portions are huge – much larger than one would find in Lebanon, Greece or Iran – anywhere in the Levant and surrounds.  Kabobs originated in Persia (today Iran) and were adopted by Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries. They mesh well with the American quest (among some) for simplicity and healthy eating. So do Ferdo’s appetizers of humus (enough for three or four), Baba Ghannouj, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, spinach, and meat pies. It’s all here.

Kabob meats and vegetables charred over a grill come with rice, humus, vegetables and /or a salad. I’m not wild about iceberg lettuce for a Middle Eastern meal; that’s an American twist they could do well without. Same goes for their version of a big fat Greek iceberg lettuce salad with Feta on the bottom rather than scattered atop. Did I mention beets? Also a twist on this salad, they’re added in a seemingly arbitrary way.  Other than the odd big fat Greek salad, the meats, seafood and poultry are dished up in an appealing way, kabob or otherwise. Lunch averages $9; dinners, $12-19 (yellow snapper a bargain under $20), and an array of appetizers about $6.

Patience is mandatory here; always has been. Kabobs are grilled to order. Lunch hours are quite busy, even during the summer. Belly dancing draws crowds on Saturday nights. Wine and beer available.

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Food Network's recipes for Greek salad: http://www.foodnetwork.com/search/delegate.do?fnSearchString=greek+salad&fnSearchType=site

Tags: Fort Lauderdale Middle Eastern restaurants, dining in Fort Lauderdale, belly dancing in Fort Lauderdale, kabobs in Fort Lauderdale

Sukho Thai, Fort Lauderdale: where tradition meets quality and price

CLOSING

Sukho Thai

Gateway Plaza

1930 E. Sunrise Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

954-764-0148

Dinner: Sunday-Thursday – 5-10 p.m.; Friday – Saturday: 5-10:30 p.m.

Lunch: Monday-Friday: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Takeout also available

http://www.sukhothaiflorida.com/

By Jane Feehan

Tucked away in the Gateway Shopping Plaza, Sukho Thai may be easy to miss. An unassuming entrance belies the charm of its interior and the yum factor of its food. Working hard to please patrons since 1990, owner Susie Komolsane and son Eddie Watana reign as consummate hosts over this pearl of a Thai dining experience.

The kitchen presents all the elements of Thai cuisine – sweet, salty, spicy and sour – in an array of dishes that appeals to those seeking a traditional Thai jolt. A selection of spicy curry sauces complements seafood, meat and vegetables. For those who shy away from spicy fare, the menu also offers a wide choice of palate-pleasing sauces infused with plenty of flavor without the fire: baby corn, broccoli, sweet and sour, garlic, cashew, peanut …

Sweet and sour chicken and vegetables with a hefty serving of rice for me and chicken and vegetables with basil (each for about $8) for dining partner was more than we could eat on a recent lunch visit. Spring or summer rolls and a variety of rice noodles, soups, salads and traditional deserts at reasonable prices places Sukho Thai at the top of Thai restaurants to dine at in Fort Lauderdale.

To “sweeten” the Sukho Thai dining experience, summer specials include $2 price cuts on many food items as well as a daily Happy Hour (5- 7 p.m.) with 2-for-1 drinks (beer, wine and sake) and “your favorite bottle of wine” at half price.

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See Bobby Flay's recipe for Thai Red Curry Mussels

Tags: Fort Lauderdale Thai restaurants, good Thai food in Fort Lauderdale, casual Thai cuisine in Fort Lauderdale, Happy hour dining in Fort Lauderdale, summer dining specials in Fort Lauderdale, 2 for 1 summer specials Fort Lauderdale

H2O Café - Offers more than a good view of Fort Lauderdale Beach

H2O Café

101 South Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

954-414-1024

Open daily: 7:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. (12 a.m. weekends)

http://h2ocafe.net/

By Jane Feehan

As with the other Peter Beck eateries - Aruba Beach Café and Casa Blanca Café  - H2O Café claims a beachside spot with a great view of the Atlantic - here from what’s left of the 1930s art deco Lauderdale Beach Hotel. With a self-described “modern Italian” menu, sophisticated interior bar and dining room and expansive patio, H2O is a cut above the other two restaurants in the Beck collection.

Breakfast (until 11:30 a.m.), lunch and dinner are served daily with the same menu available for the afternoon and evening meals. On my visit, they offered a two-pound lobster for $19; for $5 more it came stuffed with crabmeat - excellent. Warm and cold antipasti from $9 to $13 can stand in as mini meals with choices such as Shrimp Cipria - shrimp sautéed in cognac with cherry tomatoes, pine nuts and mushrooms. Sandwiches, including a Little Havana Cuban sandwich of pork, ham, cheese and pickles, are all served on toasted Cuban bread – a welcome alternative to boring buns.  

View from the patio

A variety of pasta and risotto dishes round out the Italian offerings and join a good selection of steaks and chops, chicken and fresh seafood.  Their full bar, good wines and a great view make H2O a perfect place for a sunset drink or evening out. Good service. Garage parking is available with access to the restaurant – good for those humid, rainy days.

 Tags: Fort Lauderdale Beach dining, Fort Lauderdale waterside dining, Italian dining in Fort Lauderdale

Kelly's Landing, Fort Lauderdale ... ice cold or boiled Maine lobster & things Boston

Kelly’s Landing

1305 SE 17^th Street

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316

Open Monday-Thursday: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Friday, Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sunday Brunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

954-760-7009

http://www.kellyslandingseafood.com/

By Jane Feehan

Kelly’s Landing, serving New England seafood, is proof that good food can overcome a not-so-good location. This eatery opened nearly 25 years ago at the west end of a shopping center on SE 17^th Street. It remains when other businesses, including restaurants, have closed or moved. If you didn’t know it was there, facing Cordova Road, you'd miss it.

Kelly’s has built a huge following serving up Maine lobster, chowders, Ipswich clams, scrod dishes and, well, all things Boston, including Boston sports TV.

I lunched on a lobster roll ($16), served with piping hot fries and a generous helping of excellent cole slaw. The scoop of lobster was fresh, ice cold and tossed with a minimum of dressing, a good thing. Dining companion ordered a fresh and tasty mahi mahi sandwich (about $10) with the same sides.

The caveat for dinner is to stick with the lobster and fried seafood dishes. A broiled Kelly's medley of scrod, shrimp and scallops was watery (once frozen) and fairly tasteless. They also don't know much about blackened fish or scallops--clearly not their specialty.

Kelly’s also entices repeat customers with beef, chicken and pasta dishes.  When I visited, daily specials included a prime rib hoagie. Neighboring diner, a regular, was pleased with a comfort meal of meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

Other specialties, averaging $20, include fried seafood platters, sea scallop scampi, chicken scampi, and clam bake. Prices range to fit different budgets; there are lunch specials and appetizers under $10 to lobster scampi at $25 and Maine lobster at market prices.

Wait staff told me Kelly’s is a great place to work; it shows in their friendly, excellent service. It’s not surprising, then, that both customers and staff know each other by first name here … where Boston accents run thick.

Bar serves wine and beer.

Tags:  Maine lobster in Fort Lauderdale, New England seafood in Fort Lauderdale, Boston sports bar in Fort Lauderdale

Cafe Seville: A touch of Spain in Fort Lauderdale

Café Seville

2768 E. Oakland Park Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33305

954-565-1148

www.cafeseville.com

Dinner: Monday-Saturday, 5 p.m. to close

Lunch:  Tuesday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

By Jane Feehan

Seafood is ubiquitous in Spain and it’s among Chef/Owner Joe Esposito’s specialties at his Café Seville in Fort Lauderdale.

On a recent visit, I dined on Merluza Francaise ($27) topped with crab meat in a creamy sauce touched with garlic. Merluza, or hake, a fish commonly served in Spain, is white, flaky and mild tasting. The dish was delicious. Though the sauce was generous, the flavor of the merluza wasn’t masked. Companion sampled Unicorn Olé, unicorn fish from Hawaii, gently covered in mushrooms, artichokes, leeks and garlic ($28), another winner. Flavorful Spanish saffron rice and green beans rounded out the meals.

Café Seville, open for about 25 years - a feat in this perpetually shaky restaurant market - also dishes up a variety of meats with the same finesse as seafood. The house specialty is paella, with chicken, pork and fish.  A list of fresh, daily specials on a white board greets diners at the entrance. Tapas, or appetizers, include traditional Spanish favorites such as Pollo al Ajillo, chunks of chicken in olive oil and sherry, and Butifarra a la Parilla, grilled slices of pork.

Terrific food with a Spanish flair served with good wines in a cozy atmosphere places Café Seville high on the list of restaurants to dine at - lunch or dinner - in Fort Lauderdale. Casual, no bar, good service.

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Tags: Fort Lauderdale restaurants, Fort Lauderdale seafood, Spanish food in Fort Lauderdale, lunch in Fort Lauderdale.

Il Mulino Cucina Italiana in Fort Lauderdale - a steam-powered downhill slide

Il Mulino Cucina Italiana

1800 E. Sunrise Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

954-524-1800

Daily – Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 4 pm.

Dinner 4-11 p.m.

http://www.ilmulinofl.com

By Jane Feehan

Italian restaurants abound in Fort Lauderdale.  With stiff competition, most of them should be good. The popular Il Mulino Cucina Italiana disappointed recently.

I’ve enjoyed many meals here since it opened years ago but noticed a big slide on my last visit. First, no one was there to seat me when I arrived a little after 5 p.m.; I had to walk into the rear toward the kitchen to find a server, though there were plenty of seated patrons.  It was downhill from there.

After I was seated, a staffer decided to replenish wine racks in the dining room. He noisily hoisted a box of bottles onto a booth table, then climbed the seat and began stocking a few feet from my table.  Couldn’t he do this at 3 or 4 p.m. before dinner customers started to arrive?

Then the main course came less than two or three minutes after a drink, rolls (terrific garlicky creations) and a salad were delivered. Bad timing. I ordered Penne Trapanese ($13.95), a mix of pasta, asparagus and chicken in marinara sauce. Enough steam was lifting from it to power an engine. The pasta wasn’t rinsed with cool water, a basic in preparation, so it kept cooking while sitting. Pasta mush.  The “marinara” was more like a brown hoisin sauce served in a Chinese restaurant. Nothing tomato about it. I was ready to return the plate when I saw another steam cloud rising from a bowl of spaghetti, forcing the man who ordered it to leap aside. He paid his bill and left within minutes. Someone in the kitchen didn’t know how to cook - no sense in returning a dish to the void.

They claim pasta is house made. I doubt it. Who would go to the trouble and then not know how to cook it? No quality control on a Wednesday night in high season doesn't bode well for other days, other months. Let’s hope they do a better job with pizza. 

Service: Too fast is worse than too slow. Free parking in the rear of the building.

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Tags: Fort Lauderdale restaurants, Italian restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale pizza places, dining in Fort Lauderdale

Downtowner Saloon: a view of the New River, a slice of old Fort Lauderdale

Downtowner Saloon

10 S. New River Drive East

South of New River, east of the Andrews Ave. Bridge, behind the Courthouse (see their site for directions - tough to find)
Free parking in a lot approaching the restaurant.

954-463-9800

Monday-Thursday and Sunday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday Brunch

Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. 12 Midnight

www.downtownersaloon.com

Also home to the Maxwell Room – for weddings, receptions and other group events (954-463-6630)

By Jane Feehan

Sitting on the New River in a building nearly 90-years-old – historic in these parts – the Downtowner Saloon attracts locals who come from the nearby courthouse during the day, or those who want to soak up the sights of the river and its traffic while listening to live music at night. It’s also party central for the annual Riverwalk Blues and Music Festival, the Super Bowl and other sporting events.

                                                                                                             

Food is standard fare for a saloon: lots of beef, burgers, sandwiches and shellfish - but it’s consistent and passable for the price. They try hard to please an array of picky palates with a raw bar, Monday steak nights (for $12.99), Thursday surf and turf (for $14.99), Sunday all you can eat crab night, two for one appetizer specials during certain hours - and more. There’s always something going on midst a motley collection of Fort Lauderdale characters and boaters who live along the New River.

I’ve never had a bad, if not memorable, meal here and have even enjoyed some holiday brunches. Outdoor seating is limited and fills up fast. The view from one of the indoor bars includes the river. Free parking available at the side of the saloon or take the Water Taxi and get off at stop number 10. Save taxi receipt for a drink discount. Service: good.  

Tags: Dining downtown Fort Lauderdale, live music downtown Fort Lauderdale, Riverwalk Blues and Music Festival, Fort Lauderdale sports bar, Fort Lauderdale Super Bowl party

Fort Lauderdale's Greek Islands Taverna - Seriously good

Greek Islands Taverna
3300 N. Ocean Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
954-568-0008
Takeout: 954-565-5505
Open daily for lunch and dinner

By Jane Feehan

There’s no live Greek music, belly dancers  or shouts of Opa heard over raucous banter here; it’s not a party place as some Greek restaurants advertise. Greek Islands Taverna is all about food.

Hallowed dishes of Greek cuisine – a 4,000 year-old tradition – can be found at Greek Islands. Dolmathakia (stuffed grape leaves), roasted lamb, Souvlaki (marinated pork on a skewer), and Moussaka (ground beef, macaroni and béchamel sauce) top the list of Greek specialties. Traditional salads of cucumbers, large wedges of tomato, feta cheese and sliced onion are tongue-slapping good.

A plate with two small loaves of bread – white and wheat – and a heaping dish of hummus comes to the table before one has time to look at the menu. Many items can be ordered as merze, a small dish, or as a full dinner. Dessert classics of honey, walnuts, filo and yogurt complete a typical Greek Islands meal.                                                                        

There’s lots of wallet options and a tab without alcohol can be pleasingly moderate.

Prices and consistently good food keep the tables full here. A wait is not uncommon. Many patrons choose the full bar to eat a meal, watch a game or to socialize. It’s a comfortable place for the single diner.

Patio dining available for lunch and dinner. Service: good.

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Tags: Greek restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale restaurants, dining in Fort Lauderdale

The Floridian: A Fort Lauderdale 24/7 to meet, greet and eat

The Floridian

1410 E. Las Olas Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

954-463-4041

Open 24/7

By Jane Feehan

The Floridian is as remarkable for its longevity on Las Olas Boulevard as anything else. Operating for more than 60 years (under different owners), this spot is great for people-watching and generating a feeling for downtown Fort Lauderdale.

This corner eatery with sidewalk tables drums up a big weekend breakfast crowd and draws daily neighborhood business from Las Olas residents, merchants and night owls. A place at the indoor counter for breakfast ensures lively discussions with locals; it’s a friendly bunch.  

The Floridian’s large menu and oversized servings will satisfy most appetites. Eggs cooked any way, huge sandwiches, platters of burgers overflowing with fries, and large salads – all at reasonable prices – may remind one of a diner.  It’s the best way to describe this restaurant’s fare.

There aren’t many restaurants where one can walk off a large meal these days but one can after dining at the Floridian. A  stroll down Las Olas, the quintessential Fort Lauderdale boulevard, may be a great way to top off a visit to this landmark.

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Tags: restaurants open 24 hours in Fort Lauderdale, breakfast on Las Olas, dining on Las Olas

"Never knew the charm of Spring" until Le Café de Paris in Fort Lauderdale

Le Café de Paris       CLOSED
715 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Closed

http://www.cafedeparislasolas.com
954-467-2900

By Jane Feehan

Many restaurants have come and gone since Le Café de Paris opened several decades ago (about five) but this Las Olas landmark remains, continuing its tradition of serving consistently good food.

No trendy, clumsy, fusion attempts here. The menu draws returning customers with the classics: Beef Wellington, Steak Dianne, Duck a l’orange ... Choose your poultry, veal or seafood with a francaise, marsala or meuniere theme - you get the picture. To round out the experience they offer Baked Alaska, Cherries Jubilee, Crepes Suzette - all very traditional and delicious and not easy to find these days in Fort Lauderdale. (Remember La Reserve, Cafe Beaujolais? Gone but not forgotten.)

Le Café de Paris provides several venues for dining, one a cozy room lined with bricks and wine bottles. Live piano music plays in the main dining area, near an attractive bar, nightly.

Not much has changed over the years except the red, white and blue awning, which fell victim to time, to Florida's heat and humidity. It was replaced not long ago with another, less eye catching beige affair with stripes of color at each end, in case some plan to return using the old awning as a landmark.landmark.

"Never knew the joy of Spring..."   from the song, April in Paris, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, 1932.

Tags: French restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, fine dining Fort Lauderdale

Thai Spice: among Fort Lauderdale's best

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Thai Spice
1514 E. Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334

Lunch weekdays: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Dinner nightly from 5 p.m.

954 -771-4535

http://www.thaispicefla.com

By Jane Feehan

When I think best Thai food in Fort Lauderdale, Thai Spice tops the list. I’ll also tap it as being one of the best restaurants in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area.

Tucked away in a strip shopping center, Thai Spice serves high quality beef, pork, poultry and seafood - including lobster and shell fish – with an elegant Asian spin.  Elegant is the operative word here; it describes menu, presentation, sauces and service.  Thai Spice Grouper ranks as one of my favorite dishes, spiced just right, not cloaking the fresh taste of the fish.

For those not into Thai, they also do a fantastic job with U.S Prime steaks and chops. Dishes are served à la carte. There’s plenty to choose from the appetizer and salad side  to make a light, inexpensive meal of.  A good wine list rounds out the Thai Spice experience and there is a small bar to dine at as well.  Dinner reservations suggested. Thai Spice is a small restaurant with a huge following – and rightly so. Party idea: order take out (or delivery) appetizers; spring rolls, satays and curry puffs are perfect for parties.

Fort Lauderdale dining, Thai food, best Fort Lauderdale restaurants

Pomperdale: New York in Fort Lauderdale

Pomperdale – New York Style Deli
3055 E. Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308
954-771-9830
Monday-Saturday: 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Sunday: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

By Jane Feehan

Pomperdale is the real New York thing. Located just west of the Commercial Blvd. bridge, it plugs itself as “Home of the overstuffed sandwich.” That’s an understatement.

Sandwiches (around $10), are meant for sharing. Corned beef and hot pastrami lovers leave happy with the quality – and quantity – of these sandwiches. Whether it’s because of their chicken salad, turkey-off-the-frame, or any of their other creations, Pomperdale draws a loyal crowd.

They also serve terrific bagels, lox and simple egg dishes for breakfast. Open since the 1970s, Pomperdale hasn’t changed much over the years. It’s a basic interior here with lots of tables (no booths) squeezed into a small area; it’s not the most comfortable of eateries. Customers don't seem to mind. Most who frequent this spot for breakfast seem to know each other making it pretty lively in the morning, comfort aside.

The staff, with requisite gruff New York personalities, takes and expedites orders quickly, so don’t despair if there’s a line. Pomperdale earns my vote for best New York deli in east Fort Lauderdale. Copyright© 2010. Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

See kosher deli restaurants in Palm Beach Gardens at http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2010/09/kosher-deli-restaurants-in-palm-beach.html

Tags: New York deli in Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale restaurants, bagels, best Fort Lauderdale deli, deli in fort lauderdale, Pomperdale's

Pelican Landing at Pier 66: Mega yachts, mega view of Fort Lauderdale

 

Pelican Landing

At Pier 66, a Hyatt Hotel

2301 SE 17 Street Causeway

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316

Open seven days: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

954-525-6666

http://www.pier66.hyatt.com

By Jane Feehan

At the end of the dock at Pier 66 Marina, Pelican Landing offers a spectacular view of the Intracoastal and of cruise ships docked at Port Everglades.

During winter months, some of the world’s largest privately owned mega yachts dominate the waterscape. The sight is nearly jaw dropping, especially for visitors to the area who haven’t seen yachts this size. It’s testimony to the place Fort Lauderdale holds in the boating world.

The Hyatt Hotel calls this spot “Fort Lauderdale’s Best Kept Secret.” Right they are. It’s rarely crowded during off season and locals are few. However, Pelican Landing can get very busy with hotel guests during winter months. I like to bring visitors to South Florida here anytime; they’re never disappointed.

About the food – sometimes it’s great, other times it’s not; the menu changes frequently.  Lunch for two can run $35-50 without drinks. I recommend a daylight visit for a sandwich or tropical drink. It’s well worth it. (Note: there are other restaurants, upscale, on the property.)

Pelican Landing sits one steep flight up with no elevator.  There's an outdoor deck with umbrellas and a small covered dining area with a bar and television. Save your meal receipt for free parking. Service: depends on the season, it can be fair to good.  Copyright©2010. Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

For brief a  history of Pier  66, view: http://janesbits.blogspot.com/2011/02/florida-history-pier-66-story.html. Use search box at right to find other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale.


Another hotel nearby:
Marriott Harbor Beach, Fort Lauderdale's Shining Star. See review here
Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel. See review  (and more restaurants) here.

Tags: Fort Lauderdale waterfront dining, Intracoastal dining, Fort Lauderdale restaurants, Pier 66, Pelican Landing, Pier 66 history

Canyon Southwest Cafe: A dining abyss - Fort Lauderdale

Canyon Cafe
1818 E. Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale 33304
954-765-1950

This restaurant touts itself as an “oasis of inspired infusion.” It’s really an oasis of shameless elitism.

Yes, there are some interesting blends of Asian and American Southwest tastes - if one can find enough to load up a decent forkful. Portions are miniscule and not all good. I ordered shrimp - four for $28 served with rice and black beans - that were so tough I couldn’t cut them and gave up after struggling with two. The rice and beans were delicious but served in such a small amount it could be best described as a garnish. 

To add to the meal, I asked for a house salad. They don’t have one (too pedestrian?) so I chose a mixed hydroponic baby tomato (read: cherry tomato) salad for $12 with shaved midnight moon cheese that was either invisible or missing. The dressing, a spicy blend, was excellent.  Jalapeno smoked salmon on a tostado with goat cheese and scotch bonnet tartar sauce sounded intriguing but was difficult to eat. The final nail, a dessert of crème brulee on a tostada (not a good combination), came grainy and cold.

Their signature Canyon Prickly Pear Margarita tasted more like a sickly sweet and thick sour cherry syrup. We could barely get through two sips. To their credit and without our asking, they deducted the price of these drinks from our bill. Most entrees, which included seafood, chicken, pork and beef, were $28 with Florida Black Grouper going for $36, a little steep in these tough economic times, especially when portions are so small.

And finally, a glance at their Website underscores their elitism. A big “NO” is followed by NO reservations (no way, forget about it they say), NO recipes, NO happy hours, NO live music.This negative marketing sounds like a formula for NO CUSTOMERS.  They should get over themselves. Copyright © Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

Tags: Fort Lauderdale dining, Fort Lauderdale restaurants, fine dining, South Florida restaurants, Canyon Cafe

Breakfast at the Beach - Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida

Breakfast at the beach – Lauderdale by the Sea

Several eateries on or very close to the beach serve breakfast and provide outdoor seating in Lauderdale by the Sea. They sit as close as you can get to the water without going to a hotel along the ocean in the Fort Lauderdale area. This is a list only – not reviews. Some have been better than others through the years; many locals seek proximity to the ocean as their only criteria for dining at these restaurants. For that, all provide pleasant surroundings. Copyright © 2010 Jane Feehan, all rights reserved.

For breakfast or brunch in Fort Lauderdale, see: http://tinyurl.com/bsmt429

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Anglin’s Beach Café (on the pier)

2 Commercial Blvd.

Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida33308

954-491-6007

Breakfast served 7 a.m. - noon seven days

Review

Aruba Beach Café (see review - search for Aruba in box at right)

1 Commercial Blvd.

Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida 33308

954-776-0001

Brunch – Sunday, 9 a.m. – noon

www.arubabeachcafe.com
For review, click >> here

Country Ham ‘n Eggs MOVED TO EAST OAKLAND PARK BLVD. BEST IN FTL

4405 El Mar Drive

Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida 33308

954-776-1666

Breakfast served seven days 7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

www.countryhamneggs.com

Mulligan's Beach House Bar & Grill ( Opened 12/2013)
14 A. Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida 33308
954-776-1530 

http://mulligansrestaurant.net/locations/lauderdale-by-the-sea/

Village Grille

4400 El Mar Drive

Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida 33308

954-776-5092

Breakfast served 8 – 11:30 a.m. weekdays

Saturdays: 8 a.m.- noon

Sundays: 8 a.m.- 12:30

www.villagegrille.com

On the beach between Oakland Park Blvd. and Sunrise:
Sand Bar and Grill - 954-565-5700

Sun Tower Hotel (north of the Pelican Grand Resort)

2030 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305

Open at 8 am

For the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, visit: www.sunny.org
For the Town of Lauderdale by the Sea: http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/
For the Lauderdale by the Sea Chamber of Commerce: www.lbts.com

Tags: restaurants Lauderdale by the sea, beach breakfast, beach dining, waterfront dining Fort Lauderdale

Aruba Beach Cafe: Let's party in Lauderdale by the Sea

Aruba Beach Café

1 Commercial Blvd.

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida 33308

Open Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
954-776-0001

http://www.arubabeachcafe.com/menu.htm

By Jane Feehan

Whether stopping in after a swim, taking a walk on the nearby pier or gathering with friends, Aruba Beach Café can make any occasion seem like a party. It’s festively noisy and usually crowded with only a pane of glass separating diners from beach goers. Their tropical drinks and food with a Caribbean flare add to the fun.

Salads are oversized and fresh and so are the burgers and sandwiches ($12-18 average). They serve up a great lobster salad club. Skip the club format on whole wheat for this creation; ask for it on Bimini bread. Speaking of Bimini bread, they present a large hunk of it on a board with some food orders – delicious.

Seafood dishes ($22 average) for the most part are good but not exceptional; fish tends to be frozen, but heck this is more about fun than food. Three large bars, a complimentary pig roast on Friday Happy Hours (4-7 p.m.) and steel drums beckon drinkers but Aruba welcomes families to its large dining room.  

This beach side spot has been several iterations over the past 40 years or so, but Aruba has reigned longest, thanks to their winning formula for an entertaining, casual atmosphere and decent menu. Service: fair to good depending on the crowds. Breakfast served on Sundays. Copyright © 2010 Jane Feehan, all rights reserved.

For more information on Lauderdale by the Sea: http://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/
Lauderdale by the Sea Chamber of Commerce: www.lbts.com

Tags: beach restaurants, beach dining, Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida, seafood restaurants, Fort Lauderdale, happy hour, restaurant reviews Fort Lauderdale

Sea Watch Restaurant - Unique holdout on Fort Lauderdale beach

Sea Watch Restaurant

6002 North Ocean Drive

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308

954-781-2200

Open Seven days

Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Dinner – 5-10 p.m. Sunday -Thursday

              5-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Bar 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

www.seawatchontheocean.com

By Jane Feehan

Located on three ocean-side acres in northeast Fort Lauderdale, Sea Watch attracts both tourists and locals. It is, perhaps, the only upscale yet casual (no bathing attire) restaurant actually situated on the beach in Broward County. Ocean views and a plush, old-timey nautical interior make for a vacation-like atmosphere - if only for the duration of a meal.

Fruits of the sea – Gulf shrimp, Florida and Maine lobster, oysters, mussels and fish – top the menu but steaks are also available. Sea Watch works hard to please and its food is consistent. On some occasions, however, I’ve been annoyed with some frozen fish touted as fresh.  Given the quality of preparation, presentation and entire experience over the number of times I’ve been there since it opened in 1974, Sea Watch still earns my high recommendations.

Every year or so, especially during real estate boom times, rumors abound about the sale of Sea Watch. So far, rumors have been just that; they serve as reminder of the gift of this restaurant's seaside location. Visit during day light hours for lunch (excellent) or an “early bird” dinner to capture the beauty of the dunes and white sand framing South Florida's tropical blue-green ocean waters. 

Reservations recommended; it gets very busy.  A lively bar (beverages, no meals) on the second floor provides a great view. Venues for group events, including outdoor weddings, are available. Dinner entrees average $30.

Copyright ©2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

For the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, visit: www.sunny.org

Tags: Fort Lauderdale beach restaurants, Fort Lauderdale seafood restaurants, best Fort Lauderdale dining, beach weddings, Broward County beach dining, restaurant reviews