Needing Help please, Have Friends visiting this weekend and need current recommendations as to the top seafood,French, New cuisine Restaurants in Ft. Lauderdale and vicinity ( Weston, Davie, Hollywood,etc). Know of the usual suspects ( Capital Grill, Johnny V ,etc ). Looking for that Hidden jewel you enjoy. Trying to support the good local chefs in the area and avoid the Miami sites for now. Thanks for the suggestions.....
Easy: Valentino (not "Valentino's") in Ft Lauderdale. Very high end Italian. Awesome wine list. Superb service. Best bartender in town (Makes his own bitters! Have a negroni). On US 1 at the south end of the tunnel, in a beautifully converted tire store! reservations strongly recommended on a weekend. Pompano Beach: Cafe Maxx. Old line, reliably excellent, American and continental cuisine. On Atlantic Blvd, east of Federal For something more relaxed, Osteria Agua e Farina in Ft Lauderdale....an authentic Italian osteria with seating for maybe 30, very authentic, somewhat rustic, Italian fare. On US1 a block north of Davie Blvd. in a nondescript strip mall. We'll be there Friday night! Market 17 on 17th St just west of the Intracoastal in FLL specializes in local produce, for a bit of a change-up. I avoid Las Olas, the beach and restaurants in the big hotels...not that they're necessarily bad, (but usually over-priced) just my personal preference. I never get out west, so can't be of help to you there. Some of my other old favorites like Sunfish Grille, The Grateful Palate and Bistro Mezzaluna moved to larger quarters and inevitably lost what made them special. Have fun! Jack
In Fort Lauderdale my favorite is Canyon 1818 Sunrise Blvd. Canyon Southwest Cafe, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 954.765.1950 In Boca Raton my favorite is Trattoria Romana 499 E. Palmetto Park Road WWW.trattoriaromanabocaraton.com
I should have mentioned for white table cloth Chinese, try Rainbow Palace on Oakland Park Blvd at Bayview Drive. I haven't been there in a couple of years so can only vouch that it was excellent the last time I was there.
If you would like to eat Greek Food, this place NEVER FAILS: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Greek-Islands-Taverna/117597601592836 -Bon Appetit-
Here are a couple of my favorites: If you are a history buff, Cap's Place Island Restaurant - Seafood - South Florida - Waterfront is a must. Fra Diavolo Restaurant Fine Southern Italian Dining is probably my favorite Italian, the veal is outstanding!! and it has been a few years, but I always enjoyed Old Florida Seafood House - Florida Restaurant
Can't believe Caps is still in Lighthouse Point - I went there in 1970 just after I got home from the land of the live fire exercise (Vietnam) - used to have a blast - worked for the Sun Sentinal out of Pompano
This is a fantastic thread! Thank you to the OP, and all replies. I am looking forward to trying some of these out!!!
I took a bit of my own advice last Friday and had dinner at Osteria and then stopped by Valentino (just a couple of blocks up the street) for espresso, dessert, lemoncello, a Campari and soda and a Sambuca. (hic!) Very nice evening. Fortunately, home was a short walk.
Bringing back from purgatory We had a great meal at: Welcome | Eduardo de San Angel not too long ago. Truly outstanding.
I have heard the Mustard Seed is wonderful. I went once but the wait was incredibly long and I didn't have the extra time. I really should make a reservation soon.
Really? I lived in FLL for decades and never thought the Pig was that great. I stopped going there years ago, so maybe it's improved. Of course, decent BBQ is practically extinct in SoFla.
Pompano Beach...Cafe Maxx. I'll be there tomorrow night, one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. Valentinos also great.