April 2011 Ft Lauderdale Wedding - best dinner options for 10 ppl

[thea254]

Hi,

I am getting married the first weekend in April in Lauderdale-by-the-sea. We would love to go to the (or one of the) best restaurants in the area for dinner. No price range. Food must be outstanding - my family are devoted chowhounds from NYC. We would also like to have a view and ideally sit outside. American-bistro-modern-steakhouse-seafood are preferred cuisines. What are the best options in the area? 10 adults and a 9 month old will be attending. The current contenders are Steak954 in the W Hotel and Blue Moon Fish Co (outdoors preferably for either). Not sure if there are better options for what we are looking for...Thank you in advance!!!! =)

~Thea

[mrmagee]

From the suggestions so far:
Blue Moon - nice setting, but ok food.
Da Campo - poor, over -priced food, and even though it is on the intra-coastal, no outdoor seating (still don't understand that).
3030 Ocean - has great food, but to me the room does not match the food. It has the non-descript feel of a hotel restaurant, and even though the hotel is by the beach, at night you won't see anything from the restaurant.
Steak 954 - could be a good option. Although it is a steak-house, it does not have the look or feel of one. It is hip and swanky. Outside patio is nice, but be aware that in between the restaurant and the beach is a four lane street.

Other options:
Grille 66 at the Hyatt Pier 66 is a fairly typical high end steak house, but has a fantastic setting right on the intra-coastal.
Rare - new steakhouse on Las Olas. Not on the water, but has an interior at least as good as Steak 954. Haven't been there yet, but it is run by a restaurant group with popular high-end steakhouses in other locations in Florida and Atlanta (under different names).

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Las Olas Cafe
922 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

3030 Ocean
Harbor Beach Resort Marriott, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Grille 66 & Bar
2301 SE 17 Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

[culinarynomad]

Sounds like you'd prefer to be on the water. Your choices are good ones. You might also take a look at the menus for http://grille66andbar.com and Todd English's http://www.dacampoosteria.com. If you'd like to be right on the beach, check out Chef Dean Max's 3030 Ocean, known for seafood dishes: http://www.3030ocean.com.

[pilches]

I haven't been to Steak 954, but my daughter and son-in-law went and said it was very good. Blue Moon Fish Co. is a very nice setting, but the last time we were there the food was just okay. I've heard mixed reviews on Grille 66 and Todd English's new place. 3030 Ocean is delicious. I haven't been in years, but Sea Watch has supposedly done a complete rennovation and has a new menu and an excellent consulting chef. You really can't get a more perfect location (right on the beach). We are planning on going soon, so I will post after we try it, but somone whose taste I trust said we won't be disappointed.

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Blue Moon Fish Co
10317 Royal Palm Blvd, Coral Springs, FL 33065

3030 Ocean
Harbor Beach Resort Marriott, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Grille 66 & Bar
2301 SE 17 Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

[thea254]

Thanks for the ideas!!!! Will check some of these other places out.