Foodie and Non Foodie restaurant for Ft. Lauderdale/Miami Special Occasion?

[stevel]

It's my moms 80th birthday. She like good but simple food. She lives in Ft Lauderdale. Were willing to drive a hours distance. So I guess we can go to Miami or West Palm. Any suggestions.

[LiveRock]

More upscale than Morton's, not a chain, and she likes simple food. That's actually a pretty tall order!

One idea I might suggest is to take her to one of the nicer hotel restaurants along Fort Lauderdale beach. I know this was always a hit with my elderly parents.

Two places they enjoyed very much were North Ocean Grill at the Pelican Grand and 3030 Ocean at the Harbor Beach Marriott. I'm sure they would be very willing to accommodate her tastes and make it a special evening.

http://3030ocean.ning.com/forum/categories/menus-1/listForCategory

http://www.pelicanbeach.com/bpdocumen...

[mrmagee]

Good suggestion, Would also consider Grill 66 at the Hyatt, not a chain, upscale and great view.
Another option would be the Italian restaurant at the Ritz Carlton - beautiful room, good food, very upscale.

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Grill 66
2001 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

[Steve]

Gold Coast Grill in Coral Springs, but I can only vouch for the fish, especially the mahi-mahi, the stuffed trout, and the grouper. Impeccable.

Although the restaurant's name is Gold Coast Grill, the website says:

http://www.goldcoastseafoodgrill.com/

[zook]

How about Cafe Maxx (Pompano) or Market 17 (Ft. Lauderdale)? Alternatively, catering more to the elderly crowd, but with good, simple food (and I believe live music), Brooks (Lighthouse Point).

[tpigeon]

In Miami DB Bistro, 1500 degrees, Zuma (has all kinds of food options)

Casa Tua is overpriced but great ambiance and it is good, same can be said about il gabbiano (I have not been to either of them in a while)

Places I have not been to but you might want to look at
Burbon Steak (even though it is a chain)
Timo

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Casa Tua
1700 James Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Timo Restaurant
17624 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles, FL 33160

[Frodnesor]

Bourbon Steak is a real class act. I'm not quite sure I'd call it a "chain" - yes, Michael Mina has several restaurants, including 5 Bourbon Steaks around the country, but they each have their own chef and their own menu, other than a selection of Mina "signature" dishes. It is a steakhouse but there is enough variety to please non steak eaters, and the cooking and atmosphere are top notch. Also Aventura is relatively geographically desirable from Ft. Lauderdale.

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Bourbon Steak
19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura, FL 33180

[muushupork]

just wondering if you might think its a bit overpriced? I went there a week ago and had this feeling after getting the check. have not had that feeling at other places with similar check size.

[mrmagee]

I would think something like Morton's or Capital Grill. Solid, good service, nothing too complicated. And you wouldn't have to travel too far.

[stevel]

Looking for something more upscale and not a chain restaurant.

[pilches]

You really don't have to travel to Miami or WPB for food food. I would also recommend Market 17. The food and service are wonderful. For excellent Italian, Valentino's is also exceptional.