Any suggestions for Fort Lauderdale restaurants?

[yumfoodmtl]

I will be going to Fort Lauderdale at the end of October. This will be my first time there and I was wondering which restaurants are good and reasonably priced. Are there any good authentic Cuban and southern restaurants? We would be there for one lunch meal, one evening meal and one breakfast. Thank you for your help!

[Calipoutine]

Went here this past Tuesday for Dine Out Ft. Lauderdale. Excellent food and portions. I chose the spinach, frisee, goat cheese wild mushroom salad. Excellent salad( I left off the frisee) with great flavor and a nice portion. My main was a free range chicken breast that was roasted and topped with manchego cheese and jamon serrano( I had them leave this off). It was served over a risotto. The chicken was cooked well, but could have used a bit of salt. I assume since there was no serrano ham on top, they might have forgotten to salt. Dessert was a butterscotch and banana creme brulee. That was tasty too. Another meal well worth the 35.00 price.

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Johnny V
625 East Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

[Calipoutine]

I went to Cafe Maxx last week for the 35$ four course meal. Both my spouse and I thought it was excellent. We shared our apps, spouse had the tempura shrimp with the slaw and I had the spinach/chicken quesadilla. It came with a bluberry sauce. The portion was small( just two wedges), I could have eaten double that amount. The next course we both chose the cesar salad. Good, basic salad, it had some proscuitto on top which kinda turned me off, they should have crisped it up at least. For the mains, I had the onion crusted grouper while my spouse had the chicken milanese over 3 cheese risotto. I loved the fish, it was cooked perfectly, the onions didnt do much for me. They werent a crust, but rather a confit on top. For dessert, I had the choc. chip bread pudding and spouse had the pumpkin cheesecake. Well worth the price.

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Cafe Maxx
2601 E Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33062

[Steve]

Limiting yourself to three meals a day can be hazardous to your health.....

I hope you will consider going to Jaxson's for ice cream. Just south of the airport on US 1. Most amazing ice cream soda ever. And do stand on line to be seated rather than opting for the relatively quick but rather boring take out counter. It's worth it. Old Florida tourism at its finest.

[yumfoodmtl]

Thanks for the advice! I completely forgot about snacks!

[MarilynInMiamiFL]

Forgot the name in last post.

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Kelly's Landing-New England
1305 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

[Debbie]

Hey Edible Complex. I read and respect your reviews quite often on the NOLA board. (Going there tomorrow in fact and eating at Stella and Cuvee). If you are at all interested in Italian, I would suggest Casa de Angelo and/or Valentinos. Both are in Ft. Lauderdale and are terrific IMO. Casa is a bit more upscale but Valentinos is just as good if not more creative. Have a great time!

[MarilynInMiamiFL]

We are great fans of New England Sea food and found Kelly's has fried whole clams like RONNIES in Massachusetts :) Also great onion rings, Lobster etc......We love it and drive up from Miami often :)

[Calipoutine]

Broward spice is going on. Check this out.

Broward Spice 2009
Dine Out Lauderdale,( http://www.sunny.org/dineout/) Broward's version of Miami Spice starts October 1 and runs through November 12, 2009. Participating restaurants offer three course meals for $35.00.
My recommendations based on early review
CAFE MAXX (Pompano) is actually offering a four course meal and sounds like a real winner. Menu is available Sunday to Thursday. www.cafemaxx.com
3030 OCEAN'S menu changes daily.
Call [phone] for the
Chefs Selection of the Day
www.3030ocean.com
LOLAS ON HARRISON'S (Hollywood) menu features some of their signature dishes. (Sun-Friday) Don't miss the beef short ribs.
http://www.lolasonharrison.com/
JOHNNY V'S (Las Olas) joins the fun this year. (Sun-Thu
)http://www.johnnyvlasolas.com/
You can sample "Top Chef" Carlos Fernandez's food at HI-LIFE CAFE (Ft. Lauderdale
)www.hilifecafe.com

[acervoni]

We finally went to Hi-Life last year after hearing about it for a loong time (even before Carlos was on Top Chef. The food was great, service was very attentive and the restaurant is nicely lit and romantic. I had Hawaiian Butterfish here for the first time and it was divine.

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Hi-Life Cafe
3000 N Federal Hwy Ste 12, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306

[The Chowfather]

funny, that post sounds exactly like mine... hope you liked them

[Calipoutine]

maybe I copied it from you. Who knows, that was awhile ago. We had two meals, cafe Maxx and Johnny V's. Loved them both. When we go to Ft. lauderdale, we tend to eat at the same places each time( I grew up in Plantation). Lots of pizza and Deli!!

[edible complex]

anyone have any thoughts on Trina and da Campo Osteria?
love oysters; Southport Raw Bar or any other ideas?
thnx.

[gblcsw]

daCampo is absolutely worth a visit!
Also, for fresh seafood...Trulucks.
Southport great for raw bar and a beer.

Trina has been just okay, but has a new chef, so I don't know.

[topdown400]

I disagree about DaCampo - over priced for the quality and quantity of the food -

The mozzarella prepared at the table a nice touch - but the entrees were nothing special and overproiced for the meal - In addition - for a restaurant with hard floors and open seating - it is a loud place - that is attempting to define itself as fine dining - but is not even close -

I enjoyed Steak954 recently in the W - a lively atmosphere - open seating design - hard floors and knows it is a loud restaurant - the Steaks were really well prepared and really well seasoned with an excellent crust on the porterhouse. - The appetizers were creative and well plated - We had a table for 8 & we shared the salads and the different appetizers - and really enjoyed it -

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Steak 954 at the W Fort Lauderdale
401 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304

[toitoi]

I also ate at J.Alexander, which for a chain restaurant served up an excellent meal. Plus, and a BIG plus is that the espresso is only ONE BUCK !!!

http://search.yahoo.com/search?resultPage=10&spage=search%2Fypresults.htm&searchtype=yp&source=APYHPYPS&where=Location&csz=Location&ei=UTF-8&p=j.alexander%27s+fort+lauderdale&fr=ush-mail&string=j.alexander%27s+fort+lauderdale&string=Location

http://www.jalexanders.com/

[edible complex]

the menu looks exactly like the one at the Houston's here in NOLA, which is only one of 2 chains (other being Zea's) that I enjoy. their wines btg are also in the same vein.
thnx for the rec.

[kansel]

I too have eaten at J Alexander in Plantation and it was excellent. The Mac n Cheese is to die for.

[toitoi]

I recently ate at CANDELA - here's a link

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/653656

[edible complex]

thnx for the info. I have since read other tasty reports on Candela. it's on the list!

[nmurawsk]

Where in Ft Lauderdale will you be staying? Not much for Southern restaurants in the area. Coconuts is great for lunch, they serve what I would consider Caribbean influenced food. Good wine list and great atmosphere.

[edible complex]

you're right, their wine list does look good.
thnx for the heads up.

[yumfoodmtl]

Thanks for your help! We'll be staying at a hotel on the beach near Las Olas Boulevard. I was thinking more Cuban and Caribbean-style food, we come from Montreal, so not much of that kind of cuisine up here.

[OysterHo]

The only Caribbean places I can think of are Calypso in Pompano Beach on Cypress Road, and Bamboo Fire Cafe in Delray Beach on 4th Ave. north of Atlantic.

3030 Ocean is wonderful and is very seafood/fish focused.

I'm sorry if I'm repeating anything already posted, I didn't read ahead. 8)

[yumfoodmtl]

Thank you for your suggestions!

[nmurawsk]

another GREAT Caribbean style place is the Jib Room on Oakland Park and Federal. Not a scenic location but the food is great as well as the service and price. One of our favorite restaurants in Ft Lauderdale.

[cavandre]

There's a current link about places in Hollywood (FL) which is close to Ft. L.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/652882

[edible complex]

thnx. I looked at that post, but I have to believe there are more than just the 7 restaurants mentioned are worthy of a visit.
or, does that area not have a food scene?

[edible complex]

NOLA hound looking for the same for a mid October trip. will have a car and will eat anything. nothing touristy, love local hole n the walls and anything on waterfront. thnx!

[OysterHo]

I've heard that a lot of people enjoy Casablanca Cafe on the beach. I've never been, but it looks really pretty and people I know said the enjoyed the food. Nice menu (no prices on it though lol).

http://www.casablancacafeonline.com/

[edible complex]

thnx for the link. does look nice.