Valentine's Day in South Florida

With only 7 days left until the big day we thought some of you might need a little help in the romance department. So we asked our friends and neighbors for their top romantic tips.

TIP 1: It's not about the money spent but rather about the thought and planning.
For tighter budgets, think about starting the day off with a morning beach walk and a less-than-impromptu beverage picnic of strawberry shakes adorned with heart shaped fruit and cupid stir sticks.

Stir things up even further by going to a beach you don't often go to. There are so many wonderful beaches around here.

TIP 2: If you're planning on a dinner out, make sure you make reservations as soon as possible. Romantic restaurants aren't all that common down here so the one's that are get booked up fast for February 14th.

Not sure where to go? Our romantic restaurant suggestions.

• In Fort Lauderdale, we like Galanga in Wilton Manors (had a very romantic meal there once), Grill 66 at the Hyatt, or da Campo Osteria on the intracoastal.
• Feel like venturing further away? In Miami, nothing beats the Villa by Barton G in the old Versace Mansion for romance and in Palm Beach, Cafe Boulud.

TIP 3: Gallantry, chocolate and flowers never go out of style. Sure, it's a little corny but what better day is there to bring out the old 'corn-dog'?

TIP 4: Do something different--it's a NO routine day! Turn off the TV, cell phone, etc.. or when coming home from work, instead of just walking in, ring the doorbell and wait for the door to be opened and greet your love with a single flower and a bottle of champagne.

TIP 5: Write your thoughts and feelings down in a love letter and present it to that special someone in your life. Priceless!

Valentine's day is not about spending money, it's about connecting with your partner in a special way on a special day.

Your love doesn't start and end on February 14th. The day's just there to remind us all NOT to take each other for granted the way we often do the other 364 days a year.


Still a little stuck for something to do on Feb. 14th around Fort Lauderdale? Check out some of the other pages on our site, they may just inspire you to come up with your own romantic South Florida celebration.

Chima Brazilian Steakhouse: Fort Lauderdale Restaurants

The first time we went to Chima (Fort Lauderdale) on Las Olas Blvd. we had no idea what to expect. We had driven by the restaurant often but had never ventured inside.

We had some friends in town and thought why not check it out—since it was one of the few Fort Lauderdale restaurants that offered rodizio service—in this case, churrascarias which is when servers come to your table offering various skewered cuts of meat.

The restaurant is at the eastern end of Las Olas and lies at the end of a courtyard away from the street. The walkway from the street is beautifully designed and provides an elegant entrance to the courtyard beyond, which has one of the largest banyan trees we've ever seen in this neck of the woods.

You'll find tables and chairs in the courtyard and can sip on a cocktail outside if your table isn't ready and watch the waiter/gauchos prep the meat through a kitchen facing window.

The interior of the restaurant is as elegant as the outside. Comfortable and chic with just the right touches, including a wall-set fireplace for those cooler Fort Lauderdale winter nights.

The rodizio service is a fixed price and not inexpensive at just under $50 a person. However when you consider the amount and variety of food you get, it isn't unreasonable. Chima's rodizio menu includes side dishes, 16 cuts of various broiled meats, the best salad bar we have ever seen and dessert.

The salad bar itself is a meal featuring your standard salad bar fare as well as Carpaccio, soprasada, smoked salmon, calamari salad, blue cheese mousse, soup, rices, and host of other delicacies.

 

We've opted to just have the salad bar sometimes on other occasions because it is so delicious—and although you aren't entitled to any of the meats, you can have some of the grilled fish from the rodizio.

The rodizio meats served by the gaucho waiters table side include various cuts of sirloin, filet mignon, sausage, pork, ribs, lamb, ribeye, chicken, salmon and swordfish—16 rotisserie choices in all. The fun in the rodizio menu at Chima is having the waiters come up to your table with their offerings.

**** 2012 update****
The last couple of times we went, we were a little disappointed. They no longer seemed to have the same extensive choices of meats and the ones they did have were very salty. We still like the atmosphere and experience at Chima and will give it one more shot before we take it off our favorites list!

The way it works is that you are given chips which let the carvers know if you are interested in what they have to offer. By simply flipping the chips on your table to the orange or black side the waiters know whether to stop at your table with their offerings.

While the waiters are doing there thing you can go back and forth to the salad bar where you will find all sorts of sauces and accompaniments for the meats. This whole process of eating more and more meat along with more and more side dishes and salads can go on for hours if you let it.

TIP: You can go to restaurant.com and get a gift certificate for Chima. You'll pay $10 for $25 dollars towards your bill saving you $15. You can also sign up on the Chima website and get a $20 coupon for 2 rodizios valid Sunday through Thursday.

Chima is a terrific place to go to from time to time and should be experienced at least once. As far as Fort Lauderdale restaurants go, it shouldn't be missed because of the unique setting and endless meat experience—just don't forget to bring a huge appetite with you.

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Ft Lauderdale - Superb Sushi at Tokyo Blue!

South Florida has several phenomena -- for instance, it's warm in the winter. That warm weather motivates us to eat lighter. Mainly because it's year-round bikini season around here.

When we first started spending time here, we noticed that all of the sushi restaurants also served up Thai food. Perhaps it's to please everyone in your dining party -- we can't all love everything --so the Thai/Sushi combo eateries are smart for a South Florida audience.

We recently heard of a new (at least for us) sushi place right on the beach on the Galt Ocean. There aren't many places serving food on the beach, so we checked it out.

It's in the Ocean Manor Resort Hotel. Honestly, the hotel has seen better days and smelled a little musty when we walked in the lobby but we weren't there to stay, so we quickly walked through the lobby and headed for the welcoming doorway to the restaurant.

Owner Chef Mai honed his sushi skills at the venerable Nobu in Miami. Nobu Matsuhisa deserves his reputation as the premier sushi restaurateur, so when one of his disciples decides to leave the flock -- pay attention. Even our enthusiastic waitress, Tammy is an authentic import from Japan.

We asked Tammy for her recommendations, and she did not disappoint! The tiny lobster tacos had a tangy ceviche on top, and needed nothing added -- the spicy vinegar and zesty lime were perfect.

These tacos restored our faith in Fort Lauderdale sushi. We've spent years looking for Sushi down here that compares to Miami's finest or what we are used to up north.

Next up was their tuna tartare. Look at these popped chips. More than a festive plate, Tammy explained that they were made from shrimp and rice balls, and they magically expand when they hit the hot oil.

We asked what her favorite dish was. She recommended the slow roasted duck, which is first flash fried. What an inventive dish. Tasty sauce, easy to eat with chopsticks, and so tender that the long strips fell apart into perfect bites as I picked one up. I have found that brown food, especially meat does not photograph well, so you have to trust us on this and just order it!

Our dining companion wanted a sushi roll without rice, as she was avoiding carbs. Tammy suggested this one, the Salmon Naruto Roll, which is stuffed with fish and wrapped in refreshing, crisp cucumber. Good option, however they missed the mark on this slightly by adding too much sweet vinegar -- the roll drowned in it. A good tip would be to ask them to serve it on the side.

Those four dishes were enough for that night, but we aren't satisfied. We plan on going back to try their black cod in Miso sauce. This was originally created by Matsuhisa and once voted "Best Dish of the Year" in Los Angeles.

Not open for lunch, closed Mondays, but they have a happy hour Tuesday-Friday. They have all-you-can-eat lobster on Wednesday nights starting at 5PM. It's $39,95 per person, and Tammy suggested we always make a reservation. Not only is it popular, but if they start to run out of lobster, only those with reservations are safe and will be seated.

They have a nightclub offering a DJ and other live entertainment. The decor is fun and well-done. There is an outside tiki-bar near the beach, too. Valet parking is free with the restaurant's validation.

Tammy was the best side dish of the night -- she is a fun waitress, truly excited about their food. What welcome, refreshing attitude!

Great experience all around. We all have reasons to eat out. One of ours is to try things we either can't or won't prepare at home. By offering that, and doing it well, Tokyo Blue should enjoy a nice, more than seasonal run.

Things to Do & Hub to So Many Places!

For those of you who have been enjoying Fort Lauderdale, you have become familiar with the area's other name "South Florida".  South Florida includes the Key's, Miami, Hollywood,  Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, the Palm Beaches and Wellington!  You have an entire world at your convenience, with a variety of ways to get around!

While you might tend to stay in your own backyard, remember that South Florida IS your backyard, and a huge one - all within reach!

Today we want to tell you about Hollywood.  Located mid-way between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, you have access to active beaches, busy swap meets, fun casinos, shopping, restaurants, dog and horse racing and much more.  

Head to Hollywood for special weekly downtown events (free parking downtown too) including ArtsPark Live, Food Truck Invasion, plus the monthly Artwalk, Full Moon Drum Circle and Dream Car Classic. And don’t miss the free Music & Dance Under the Stars and Josh’s Organic Market every Sunday along the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk.

The Food Truck Invasion happens Monday evenings at the traffic circle - so many food trucks. We guarantee everyone will find something they like!

Whether you gamble at the slot machines, the tables, or on the races - you have so many casino options. A friend tells us Mardi Gras casino has the loosest slots in town. On your way, stop at Ocean's 11 Bar and Grill which is right across the street and try their awesome burgers or the 18" Kobe beef hot dog! It's not a Fort Lauderdale restaurant per se, but it's one of those gems that only the locals know about. It's a dark and quaint bar/restaurant from another time with great food, happy hour specials and very attentive staff. If you like burgers and dogs and enjoy a trip back in time, then this kitsch watering hole is a must do!

Josh's Organic Market is a great Sunday treat. He brings in the freshest produce and offers advice and samples - we have tried new things every time we go!  He has a juice bar next door if you need a smoothie - who doesn't need a smoothie?!

Don't limit yourself to Fort Lauderdale when looking for things to do. Take advantage of the proximity of Hollywood, and so many other areas close by. 

The Beers All Here!

A friend invited us to their favorite hangout spot - The Riverside Market in Fort lauderdale.  We hadn't heard of it, and the way they talked about it's charm and amenities, we were shocked.

How could this terrific-sounding little market that been open for so long be unknown to us?

They tried to tell us the location, and we were stumped - the closest landmark they spoke of was an old wooden swing bridge - how could we not know about it?

The Riverside Market & Cafe is hard to find and in a neighborhood we had never been to before. There, we said it. And, by hard to find we mean it was impossible for us to find.  We have GPS, and we not only got lost on our way there, but got lost leaving too. All those confusing street names got the better of us this time.

We've never gotten used to the inane street names in Florida. Those of you, like us, who aren't from around here, must scratch your head as you encounter 55th Place, next to 55th Court, Terrace, Lane, Drive, Road, Passage, Boulevard - it goes on and on. Then you have NE 55th, NW 55th, SE 55th, SW 55th - all running into each other and crossing each other! It drives us nuts and always have a city street map or GPS with us when we're heading out somewhere new, even after being down here on a regular basis for over 10 years.

But back to the Riverside - it is worth the confusion. From the outside, it looks like a run down mom-and-pop market out of Mayberry. A place you might find rope and bait, and maybe gas.
Once inside, you find comfy couches and a few tables:

They serve food! Really good, simple food like salads and wraps, even veggie options. We had mahi-mahi tacos, and our friend Liz had a mozzerella wrap:

But here's the extra special thing about the place (drum roll please) behind the wall of coolers they are keeping over 500 DIFFERENT beers! This place truly is a beer lovers paradise. They have beer from all around the world, and soft drinks and juices from other countries as well. Coconut soda? They have it.


You can have a beer blast with brews from China, Russia, Jamaica, Canada.  Reminisce about a trip you took where you fell in love with a beer, thinking you'd never see it again.  In the picture above, Liz had a Costa Rican beer with her wrap, since she had been married down there.

Tip: They have an organic garden out back, growing a lot of food they use in the cafe, organically and some hydroponically.  They are happy to take you out there for a tour!

On the way out, we drove over the swing bridge, built in 1924. It was a total throwback-in-time . But after a few blocks, out time travel ended as we merged onto the traffic of Broward Boulevard and back into 2011.

We totally give this place a big thumbs up if you're looking for some casual fun. And if you happen to be a beer aficionado it is an absolute must-do!

The Grateful Palate Restaurant, Fort Lauderdale

This Fort Lauderdale restaurant recommendation comes from Lauren, a website visitor. Given her review, it sounds like Lauren is more than just a patron of the restaurant but we'd never heard of the place prior to her contacting us and are always looking for new and interesting eateries around town.

We'll definitely be checking this place out for ourselves and will let you know what we think. Meanwhile, if you've eaten at The Grateful Palate, please let us know your thoughts by submitting a comment below.

Lauren's Submission:

Since it's reincarnation, The Grateful Palate has become a culinary destination for foodies and wine connoisseurs.  Under the guise of Aussie-bred Executive Chef David Learmonth, Grateful Palate offers fine-dining dishes that are as pleasing to the eyes as they are to the palate.  Utilizing some of the most extraordinary and exotic ingredients from around the world that are usually reserved for fine private yacht chefs, Learmonth promises diners a remarkable journey through international cuisine.

While the menu is ever-changing, one can always find staples such as Pan Seared Halibut with curry Moroccan couscous mango drizzle and frisee salad; Pan Roasted Duck Breast with rutabaga, oyster mushrooms and port demi-grace and Crispy Salmon Skin with ginger infused black beans, wakame and sweet chili sauce.  Accompanied by one of the most extensive wine lists in the area, diners are treated to a culinary journey certain to tantalize any palate.

The Grateful Palate is located at 817 SE 17th Street; Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 and is open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Monday through Saturday.  For more information or reservations, call 954-467-1998 or visit their website .

Romantic South Florida Dining

With Valentine's Day just around the corner we thought we would look into some romantic spots for dinner in Fort Lauderdale and South Florida. Within minutes we came across an interesting website that seems to have done the work for us.

It looks like the site is just getting started but we we're excited to see that they started with a list of Top 10 Romantic Destinations and Romantic Restaurants in South Florida. Lucky us!

The list of romantic destinations was OK (nothing original) but we were anxious to see what they considered a romantic restaurant.

Since we aren't usually quick to take the advice of people we don't know (especially when it comes to food) we scrutinized the list.

Lo and behold, 2 restaurants that we have not only eaten at but would have recommended ourselves: Louie’s Backyard in Key West is charming and perfect for a romantic evening out while The Villa by Barton G turns a romantic dinner into a Versace event.

You only have 10 days left to plan your evening so check out their list and get your heart-on!

Da Campo Osteria : Fort Lauderdale Restaurants

Although there are quite a few decent restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, Da Campo Osteria is one of the rare venues that you will find here from a celebrated nationally known chef.

Every country’s cuisine from Argentina to Thailand is well represented in South Florida and you can easily hop up to Boca, West Palm, or down to Miami for dinner any night of the week.

However, if you're in the mood for something special and don't feel like driving, then Todd English's Da Campo Osteria situated in the Il Lugano hotel is a great option. They offer authentic regional Italian cuisine and the dining room, with it's views on the canal makes it the perfect place for an elegant meal or romantic evening.

We originally heard about it from some friends and decided to take some very discerning guests for dinner. We were really excited by one of their appetizers: fresh mozzarella, prepared (actually created) table-side and served with various accoutrements, such as roasted figs, balsamic reduction and prosciutto, which is what we ordered.


It's just something that shouldn't be missed even if you only end up there for appetizers and a drink. It really is amazing to watch and delicious to eat.

Here's how it goes:
A waiter scoots a table over, pours water over cheese curds in a bowl:

Soon, the curds turn into strings of soon-to-be delicious cheesiness:

And before you know it...

He adds your accoutrement of choice and just like a magic trick... presents you with a beautiful plate!

Incredible! Bravo! Best food trick ever! Our guests that night were so impressed that they even wanted to bring the waiter to NYC to perform his cheesy prestidigitation for the big-city folk. We've been back several other times, and have told everyone we know in Fort Lauderdale about it. And none of them have been disappointed by the show.

The other food they serve is just ok in comparison. We realize that Todd English isn't actually there checking the food--he is probably swimming in his money somewhere.
The deep fried asparagus is simply not right, the spicy rapini was overcooked but they did prepare an asparagus-Parmesan risotto that was perfect.

The waiter bemoaned that everyone pretty much comes for the mozzarella trick. We told him to be grateful they came in for something, and told him what one of our wise mentors used to say about loyalty, "You have to dance with the one that brung you."

Since they are right on the Intercoastal, we recommend that you request one of the window-facing tables to enjoy the show outside as well. Not only will you enjoy the parade of boats and yachts that sail by, but the hotel itself has done a great job in designing the landing dock that sits outside the restaurant.
You should call them to see when they are open – they aren't open seven days a week in the slower summer months.

Hungry yet? Keep coming back, because we will be posting more details about Da campo Osteria and other restaurants as we get the time.

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Fort Lauderdale Restaurants

Fort Lauderdale Restaurants… with over 4000 places to eat (according to a local tourist guidebook) if you can dream it—you can find it!

One of the great things about spending a lot of time in Fort Lauderdale, is that you have more time to explore and experience everything it has to offer—and we love to experience food and restaurants!

It's pretty much common knowledge that a good percentage of Fort Lauderdale is inhabited by snowbirds, tourists, and "hybrids" like us, and we all seem to have the same things on our minds while we're here: The Beach, Shopping, and Eating (and not necessarily in that order).

While sitting at the beach enjoying the surf and sand, the conversation always inevitably turns towards food. Since we are all (more or less) on holiday while here, food is a big part of our day. So, finding the best restaurants becomes sort of our vocation while on our vacation, and Fort Lauderdale restaurants provide just about every choice and option you will ever need to satisfy your hunger.

Before we hit the beach, we like to hit one of many tempting breakfast spots. 
 
There are some really great ones very close to our place but our top pick has to be Mom’s Kitchen (1940 NE 45th St, Oakland Park, FL) off US 1 which is about a 10 minute drive from us. They won us over on the first visit – not only were we greeted by practically the whole staff , but two waitresses offered us coffee. Our order was taken promptly, then our food was brought out by someone else – they all work together! And the food was terrific – it's aptly called Mom’s – it’s like your own mom is in the kitchen making your breakfast. As far as Fort Lauderdale restaurants go, it does get very crowded sometimes so you either have to time your visit just right or have a little patience and wait for a table. Oh, and it costs just a little more than a mother’s day card for a complete breakfast.

Other bright breakfast spots include the joints along Commercial between A1A and the pier, including the newly renovated one directly on the pier itself. Because they're all so close to each other, if one has a wait, just walk to the next one! It's not your last meal, and you might discover a new favorite. Here's a shot of the one at the foot of the Commercial Pier since its been renovated.

Our best brunch tip: Blue Moon at the bridge off Commercial. They have this great deal: for just under $30, it’s not only all you can eat, (including starters such as oysters, shrimp, salads, omelets and other standard brunch fare) you can order ALL of their regular entrees as well (do NOT miss the filet mignon meatloaf) as many times as you want. Personally, our record is four entrees! They even include a Bloody Mary or Mimosa in the price. Save a little bit of room, this all you can eat includes desserts too – they have molten centered chocolate cake that we could eat 6 of. Okay, 7.

If you find yourself at lunchtime in the Galleria mall, beating the heat, try P.F. Chang’s. They have a large, covered patio providing shade and it's always fun watching people practicing retail therapy. We love their fried green beans, and the minced chicken in lettuce “cups”. The waiters are considerate enough to always ask if you have food allergies.

If you want to take a picnic to the beach, stop by La Spada’s, where they rightly boast "Best damn Hoagies in Town." Watch them while they make your lunch, often they dramatically toss the meat in the air onto the bread, adding a little performance flourish to your sandwich. We go to the one on Seagrape off Commercial, steps from the beach. Last visit we noted that they only accept cash.

Value is always on our mind when travelling, whether on short or long trips and Fort Lauderdale restaurants get this.Plenty of early bird specials are offered, like at the Old Florida Seafood House. There you cannot only choose from a variety of fish entrees, you can also choose how they prepare it for you – baked, grilled, blackened or fried.

If you want a great beach view, Sea Watch (6002 North Ocean Blvd. which is about a mile north of Commercial on the A1A) has some terrific early bird specials, too. Below is a picture we took of the restaurant from the beach.

There aren't a lot of places directly on the sand – many have views from across the street, which is still nice, but sometimes you just feel like being on the beach – nothing beats hearing the surf and strolling on the sand after dessert. We prefer to have lunch here and sit in the back area which is more casual, especially in the winter, because if it gets dark out you really can't tell where you are even though the restaurant is just 50 yards from the surf directly on the beach. 

Something unique to Fort Lauderdale restaurants is the combination of Thai/Sushi in one venue. We haven't seen this phenomenon in any other US city. We love the broader menus with more variety, even though we are total Sushi freaks but this way you can enjoy a meal with friends that aren't fond of raw fish.

Our top pick is Tee-Jays Thai Sushi at 5975 North Federal. It's in a strip mall but don't let that dissuade you, the ambiance inside is great and the food superb.

If you've got a hankering for something completely different try the Polynesian restaurant, Mai Kai. This is definitely not one of your average Fort Lauderdale restaurants.

They have an authentic Polynesian floor show, replete with fire dancers and girls who gyrate their hips faster than the pina colada blender! Try a Pu Pu platter and the roasted duck. They have a terrific Happy Hour too. It's a little Disney World-ish and the food is good (not great) but it's a lot of fun. We took this shot of the show when we were there to celebrate a friend's birthday.

Another option for something different in Fort Lauderdale restaurants is The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant, on Federal US1 and Sunrise Blvd. Everyone gets a different colored fondue fork, and the conversation flows as smoothly as the wine as you all spear your meat or vegetables and cook your food. They have several fondue courses – cheese, oil or broth for meat and shrimp, and chocolate. Here's a tip we found out a little too late: You don't have to have a full 4-course dinner – you can go in and just have the cheese fondue, or stop by after dinner elsewhere and enjoy their chocolate fondue for dessert.

And if you're looking for some table-side fun, you have to try the Mozzarella appetizer at Todd English's Da Campo Osteria in the Il Lugano Hotel.

For even more Fort Lauderdale dining table-side fun, check out Chima on Las Olas Blvd. where the meat and food are literally endless.

Hungry yet? Keep coming back, because we will be posting more details as we get the time. Just remember, the choice and variety that Fort Lauderdale restaurants provides is so vast that the town is your oyster – literally, there are lots of places that serve fresh oysters.... if that's your thing.

Check out some of the other Fort Lauderdale Restaurants discussed in our blog.

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