Many people come here for the music: that of the Beatles on Tuesday and of Rod Steward on Wednesday, then the real thing, Celtic Bridge, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. But the kitchen and the friendly servers are the co-stars, delivering Irish stew; Donegal mussels in a Chardonnay, garlic and cream sauce; and a truly outstanding Reuben wrap.
Indian cuisine options have typically been few and far between on the eastside, but a new Cordova Road establishment looks to fill the gap. The Indian Harbor claims the ability to meet the desires of picky eaters while incorporating traditional Indian cooking. The menu’s a mixture of the paneers, masalas, biryanis and tandoori dishes fans of Indian cuisine will recognize. There are plenty of vegetarian options and of course, also some rich, traditional Indian desserts.
The owners of Sky Thai Sushi have opened another delectable Asian dining spot in Fort Lauderdale. 17th Street Thai Sushi stays true to the beautifully plated and carefully crafted cuisine that Sky Thai is known for. Their dishes include a variety of tapas, cucumber wrapped rolls, sushi boats and more. Menu favorites include the Pad Thai Lobster, pasta sautéed with lobster tails, egg, bean sprouts, scallions and peanuts; and the Five Spice Pork with the traditional Asian flavors of five-spice powder, mustard, ginger and hoisin sauce.
Recently the hotel and casino added another tasty reason for us to take a trip down to Hollywood — the opening of their newest restaurant, Japanese Craft Kitchen Kuro. The new-style Japanese restaurant features contemporary artisanal dishes using both locally sourced and imported ingredients directly from Japan. Led by Creative Culinary Director and Executive Chef Alex Becker and Executive Sushi Chef Shuji Hiyakawa, menu items boast bold and complex flavors that are balanced and harmonious, and are designed with sharing in mind.
Valentino’s cheaper cousin (and occupying its former space), this warm, neighborhood place offers an array of pizzas (including prosciutto with shaved Parmesan and arugula) as well as other tempting Italian dishes. The eggplant sliced thin, fried and layered like lasagna is a popular item.
This restaurant in the Marriott Renaissance Hotel serves up an assortment of American and French-inspired items. Early arrivers can indulge in omelets, French toast, and interesting offerings like alligator eggs Benedict with blackened alligator medallions and orange hollandaise sauce. Small plates like shredded pork sliders with pineapple barbecue and chicken lettuce wraps with sesame ginger dressing are served as midday snacks. For dinner, it’s all about the filet with port wine cherry reduction. For dessert, there’s warm bread pudding with vanilla and caramel or the Florida Key lime pie with chopped fruit and orange Grand Marnier sauce.
Fort Lauderdale’s first gluten-free restaurant specializes in vegetarian dishes – excellent salads plus Portobello and raw lentil burgers – but it also offers a tuna melt and a BLT (with turkey bacon) on house-made waffle bread. Save room for delicious quinoa cupcakes topped with seasonal fruit jam and goat cheese icing.
Say the name of the restaurant fast enough and you can guess what type of food they serve here. Still need a hint? Pizza.
Arrive by boat or auto at this seafood mecca tucked inside Lauderdale Marina to experience breathtaking views of the 17th Street Causeway drawbridge. Seafood dominates here, from shrimp ‘n’ grits with trugole cheese and applewood-smoked bacon to wild blue crab cakes with double mustard cream, scallions, tropical slaw, and yuzu tobiko. Waterfront cocktails are a major draw here, but don’t leave the kids at home – they can help feed the tarpon that crowd the dock while you order another round of margaritas.
Jerk Machine specializes in Jamaican Style Jerk Cuisine and has become famous for its smoky, spicy, Jerk Chicken and other delectable dishes like Jerk Pork, Oxtails, Curry Goat and of course, Jerk Machine’s own favorite, Jerk Stew Peas.
Goji Juicery and Kitchen brings flavor without sacrificing health. That means hormone-free chicken or organic fresh produce (no added preservatives) with a side of freshly squeezed juices. The vast menu features dips, soups, acai bowls, energy shots, wraps, smoothies, grain bowls and, of course, salads.
Chef Dario De Pasquale was born in Battipaglia, Italy, and from a young age developed a love for pizza. Before coming to America he worked as a chef in different parts of Italy including Capaccio, Salerno and along the Amalfi Coast. Menu items at his new locale reflect that experience and include homemade meatballs, capriciosa (tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, salami, ham, mushrooms, artichokes and olives) and gnocchi alla Sorrentina, as well as a full pizza menu.
Owners of the Pirate Shop and Pirate Bar on Fort Lauderdale Beach, Roberto and Claudia Guerios jumped at the opportunity to pillage, er, purchase the dilapidated property a few years back and have since transformed it into a full-scale pirate’s lair draped with skull-and-crossbones flags and decked out in a decor reminiscent of wooden pirate ships. You’ll find an array of seafood specialties, including sweet and sour shrimp, conch fritters, and herbed chardonnay-shallot mussels.
A lively place to kick back along the New River, the historic Downtowner is a casual bar-restaurant offering live music Thursday and Saturday nights and during Sunday’s blues brunch. This watering hole with a view dishes up wings, burgers, salads, and sandwiches. Specials like Monday’s “rib night” and Tuesday’s “tacos and trivia” attract fun-loving locals aplenty. Wine bottles typically max out at around $30, and there are ample brews available in bottles or on tap.
Opened in 2012 at the foot of the Seventh Avenue Bridge, this cozy neighborhood spot in Sailboat Bend sits behind the Broward Center. Concertgoers mix with locals over well-prepared dishes like Spanish mussels served with chorizo, churrasco chimichurri, and mahi mahi in salsa de coco.
Only open on Saturdays with reservations and known for their homemade gluten-free cheese bread.
Walking along the Riverwalk, or perhaps sailing down the New River, you may have noticed a new addition to the waterfront standing downhill from the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The two-story Huizenga Pavilion is part of the center’s $58 million expansion. A private reception area occupies the top floor, while Marti’s New River Bistro fills the ground floor.
Traditional pub fair as well as seafood (Guinness barbecued shrimp) served indoors and out, though most people love sitting on the outside terrace filled with nautical paraphernalia. You can watch the traffic on the New River, as well as whatever games are playing on the TVs, and, at night, enjoy the live music. Water accessible.
As the first Fort Lauderdale outpost by James Beard-nominated chef Jose Mendin, Rivertail delivers an incredible culinary experience. The seafood restaurant features outdoor seating with a covered patio overlooking the New River as well as a raw bar and Caribbean décor throughout. Menu items include Bahia-style Brazilian Stew (cod, shrimp, mussels, clams, calamari, dende oil and cashews, served with coconut milk, citrus and cilantro) and Curry Striped Bass (green curry, red curry and aromatic herb salad).
Pizzeria serving wood-fried pies with a patio and a speakeasy attached.
Yet another stylish and sophisticated restaurant has landed on the Boulevard and is right at home with its equally compelling neighbors. Seafood and steak dishes are paired with wines and cocktails. Menu items include South African lobster (two tails broiled, drawn butter), bacon wrapped filets “Oscar” style with king crab (with grilled asparagus and béarnaise) and sides like crab fried rice with mushrooms and scallions.