3000 NE 32 Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
954-561-4800
Though open nearly three months, Mastro’s Ocean Club has nothing
together. Formerly the Chart House (and at one time the very
good Harrison’s on the Water), this Landry’s-owned eatery should be an
embarrassment to its executives. Tilman Fertitta, where are you?
We stopped in on a Thursday in early October to find
the interior layout to be the same as before except new, darker colors. At 6:30
p.m. its large dining room with a view of the Intracoastal Waterway was empty.
Only the bar area with a few of its high-top tables stood occupied.
Yet, we had to wait 20 minutes for two glasses of
wine. It was downhill from there. I usually can anticipate a fairly good meal
if it’s launched with good bread and a decent salad. If that were a cue, we
should have left immediately. The bread was dry, stale and tasteless. The $15
salads— Caesars and a chopped salad—were just as bad. The Caesars was drenched
in what tasted like bottled dressing.
Next up: Alaskan Halibut and Chilean Sea Bass, about
$48 each served with huge carving knives fit for a cow’s slaughter. Overly
thick filets did not make up for the bland unimaginative preparation. Not a
lemon wedge nor other garnish. A la carte servings of gummy,
tasteless creamed spinach and watery (instant?) garlic, void of garlic, mashed potatoes
were just as uninspired.
We left a little after 8 p.m. and still no one in the
dining room. The bar was busy with drinkers and appetizer enthusiasts—not
enough to keep this place open. Mastro’s boasts a very strict dress code on
their website but it seems casual prevails, including shorts and sandals. Some
business types came in business suits but that was the exception.
Disappointing can't describe the experience and we
told the manager, who was very apologetic. They need a major overhaul to
remain open. There’s a reason no one was in the dining room. Too bad
because it offers a fine view and waterside tables.
Fort Lauderdale waterside restaurants, seafood, Fort Lauderdale restaurants, Landry's, Tilman
Fertitta, Fort Lauderdale dining
