(Inside Rodeo Restaurant)

Rodeo opened not too long ago in Wilton Manors. The hype surrounding this place was quite high and it seemed to take them longer than expected to finally open. The concept of Rodeo is 'Southern Cuisine'…but after our visit, I feel it's more Southern/Tex-Mex/Cajun. Usually when a restaurant says 'Southern', you tend to think of the more Fried Chicken and Biscuits type of fare. Rodeo is not very large…but they can fit a nice sized crowd at the bar (only beer and wine is served) and tables spaced out so you are not too close to your neighbors. The décor is very Southwest actually with lots of stone and woods with dark browns.


(Another look inside Rodeo Restaurant)

We arrived a bit early…maybe 6:30PM on a Friday and were sat right away. When we approached the host stand…there were 4 employees (servers) hanging out there and we did have to wait for the host. Was kind of strange to have the servers lined up at the front like that. We were sat at a table along the side not too far from the front windows. The look of the restaurant is quite nice. The restaurant slowly started to fill up as our meal progressed…I'm thinking this is more of a late spot to eat. One thing to note, is that since there is so much stone and tile…it does get kind of loud here as the customers fill the place up.

Our server was friendly and greeted us right away. He went over a few of the specials for the night and over their 'wine-arita and beer-arita' selection (these are mixed drinks using beer and/or wine). We chose a diet soda and iced tea. We decided on the Guacamole with lump crab meat for our appetizer and Jeff ordered the Jambalaya Pasta and I chose the Grilled Chicken Sandwich. The drinks came fast…but I was brought water instead of the diet soda. Not that big of a deal…I figured I'm probably better off with the water anyway.

The appetizer came out and looked great. It's served in a glass on a plate…but the design of the glass made scooping kind of difficult. The stem was a bit too long too. I think they should have went with one of those short martini glasses instead (stem less). While the portion didn't look that large for the cost (the crab was $2 extra)…the taste more than made up for that. It tasted fresh and the tomatoes were nice and sweet. The crab meat was a great choice to add in and the chips were thin, crisp and warm. We loved it.


(Guacamole with Lump Crab Meat - Rodeo)

Not long after we finished our appetizer, the entrees came out. Jeff's Jambalaya Pasta was in a huge bowl. This same entrée was recently spot-lighted on News 7…so we figured it would be a smart choice. The sauce was thick and spicy. The meats were also quite good and went very well with the Jambalaya recipe. The only 'miss' in the dish was the pasta. It was overcooked. We all know that overcooked pasta is a no-no. As you ate…it fell part in the bowl so Jeff picked around the pasta. The flavor was great and he didn't even miss not eating much of the pasta.


(Jambalaya Pasta - Rodeo...featured on News Channel 7)

The chicken sandwich is served on 'flat bread' and is topped with guacamole, lettuce and onions with a side item. I chose seasoned curly fries. The chicken was grilled and moist and had a lime flavor it was good…but a strange choice of white meat….2 tenderloins. I guess they felt it would be easier to eat on the flat bread? The sandwich was held together by toothpicks and as I ate it…the flat bread started to fall apart. While the overall taste of the sandwich was good…they should re-think the bread choice. The curly fries were crisp and hot…but nothing too 'special'.


(Grilled Chicken Sandwich on Flat Bread with Curly Fries - Rodeo)

When the bill came…we had to have the 'diet soda' removed since I was only brought water. The server looked confused a bit at first…then realized his error. Overall this wasn't a big deal and the service was good. The total bill was a bit high for a pasta dish, sandwich and appetizer, so I can only imagine how you can run up the bill if you have a few beers. Total with tax was $42.13.



Overall the trip to Rode was 'good'. Maybe it's more of a 'lunch place' since the burgers sounded pretty good. We'd give them one more shot.



Rodeo - A Southern Restaurant and Bar location:
2033 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors, FL

FTLToday Score: C (a 'high C)

To kick off their Grand Opening, Sonic Beach in the Ft. Lauderdale Beach Place Complex is giving away FREE BEER from 5PM - 8PM today (11/11/11).  This is one highly anticipated fast food opening...and when you add FREE BEER to the mix, I can only imagine what a party this will be.

While we'll be hitting this Sonic soon....I'm hoping they will open another spot that is a bit easier to visit (without paying to park).  Then again, I'm thinking this is a killer spot for this restaurant with no other 'fast food' options on the beach and Sonic is a departure from McDonald's.  And McDonald's doesn't sell beer and wine.

We've been anticipating this opening for like 2 years now.  Finally, the new Sonic Beach location at Beach Place opens on 11/11/11.  They took over the spot that once housed Max's Grill and from the pictures I've seen on their Facebook page...it looks really nice.  I think this is the only Sonic where you can enjoy such a nice view while drinking some beers (or wine).  This is a departure from the normal Sonic Drive-In...since there is no drive in (or drive-thru for that matter).



The Grand Opening is this Friday (11/11/11) and they open the doors at 5 PM.  Normal hours are 10AM - 3AM.  I hear they will be giving away free food this weekend...so I'm sure this place will be packed.  This is Ft. Lauderdale's first Sonic.  If you wanted your Sonic fix you had to drive to Palm Beach or Homestead. 

Portia's - A Fine Southern Restaurant is off to a good start. We stopped in last weekend for lunch after they'd been open for only a few days…and we were quite happy with the overall place. Portia's is located on Oakland Park Blvd., just East of Andrews. They took over the space of the Wine Cellar that had been open for years, but closed with a whimper months ago.


(Portia welcomes you to her table)

The inside is comfortable with booths and tables. There is a separate room on the side so I'm sure they would be more than happy to host a dinner party. The inside looks very similar to the Wine Cellar with the same 'tiffany lamps' handing from the ceiling along with the same layout. Booths looked re-done and there appeared to be fresh paint as well. We were sat immediately at a booth and were greeted by our server to take the drink order. Soda's come with only 1 refill (per the menu) and Iced Tea (sweet or unsweetened) are unlimited.


(Inside of Portia's)

After getting our drinks, they set down the freshly made 'cracklins'. I've never had them before, but was curious. It's basically fried pig skin, but not the same as a pork rind. These were dense and quite HARD. They suggested to try some with the hot sauce that was on the table. We did and found that they did go very well together. The one complaint on these free cracklins? They are way too hard. When I say hard..I mean hard. If you have crowns…you might not want to even give them a try. I like the attempt to Portia's made to try something different…but maybe fresh bacon cheddar biscuits would be another option?


(Fresh 'cracklins'...a bit too hard)

The menu is very 'southern'. With gravy and fried options. There are burgers…sandwiches and salads as well as a whole list of side items. The specialty is the 'Fried Chicken'…so yeah…they had to twist our arms to give it a try. You can order a 2 or 4 piece meal and each is served with 2 sides. The great thing here is that you can order whatever pieces you want. We chose the 2 piece meals and opted for 2 breasts….for the SAME PRICE! You can choose 2 legs…but it would cost you the same. The Fried Chicken is said to marinated in a special buttermilk mixture and then is coated with Portia's secret spices and fried fresh while you wait. It does take 20 minutes or so…but well worth it. I chose shoestring french fries and green beans for my sides. Jeff went for the fries and collard greens. They also mentioned that rather than 'fresh cracked pepper' or parmesan cheese on your meal…they will be more than happy to sprinkle fresh bacon on top! Nice!


(Portia's Fried Chicken on the menu)

We ordered soup to keep us busy while our chicken was cooking.  I chose the Chicken Noodle and Jeff chose the White Bean with Smoked Ham.  We only ordered a 'cup' size...but it was more like a bowl.  Huge.

The Chicken Soup was tasty and fresh.  The lump chicken was a nice prize in the soup too.  Carrots were also swimming in the soup and were not too mushy.  Overall...a nice choice.  Reminded me of home-made.


(Portia's Chicken Noodle Soup)

The White Bean with Smoked Ham soup was thick and hearty.  It was a bit salty..maybe from the ham?  I'm not a fan of bean soup, but this was pretty good.  Jeff really liked it.


(Portia's White Bean and Smoked Ham soup)

Our food came out hot and man…the portions are HUGE. The fries were put on a separate plate since they came out 2 minutes behind the other food. The chicken was crisp, moist and fresh. It was actually the moistest white meat chicken I've had in quite some time. The juice was getting everywhere. The actual coating on the chicken could have used a little more 'spice'…but I sprinkled a little hot sauce on it and it made the coating pop. We both really enjoyed the meal.


(Portia's Fried Chicken - 2 Breasts, with Green Beans)


(Portia's Fried Chicken - 2 Breasts, with Collard Greens)


(Yes...this is only ONE side of Shoestring Fries!)

The service was spot on and everyone was extremely friendly. The staff really is starting things off very well. We will definitely be stopping in again…and again..and again.  At a total of $35 (not including tip)...this was well worth the price.  A great value.  I hope they can keep the prices low and a few tweaks and they will be one hot spot.


(Portia's Bill - $35)

Portia's - A Fine Southern Restaurant location:
199 E. Oakland Park Blvd.
Oakland Park, FL

FTLToday Score: A

Located right on the 'historic' Anglin's Pier, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea's Anglin's Beach Café is a great spot to take in the beach view and have some good food. Anglin's Beach Café recently took over the restaurant and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is limited seating…so if you go visit during peak times…be prepared to wait. We sat outside (most of the seating is outside) and wondered why the whole North side was empty. Well…we soon figured it out. The wind was strong and the cold front made for quite the chilly dinner. It was fine though…since it's good to be cold here in South Florida on occasion.

The server came over right away and took our drink orders. While they do serve alcohol…we went for soft drinks. They had a few specials…one of which was the fried calamari..which we ordered. The menu isn't that large…and while they do have lots of seafood…there are steaks and sandwiches as well. I went for the fried sampler and Jeff went for a seafood sampler over pasta with marinara sauce. The prices are typical 'beach' prices...which means they might be slightly higher than you are used to paying. But with this view, I think it's worth it (if the food is also good).

The appetizer came out and it was a large portion of fried calamari….just the 'rings'. The batter was light and crisp and not too greasy. The calamari was fresh and not tough. The batter, while light…was also light on flavor. It needed something…but the side of sauce went well. We finished the appetizer and settled back to enjoy the view.


(Anglin's Beach Cafe - the View)

Not too long after…our entrées arrived. The portions were HUGE. My Seafood Platter had fried shrimp, fried clams and a large fillet of some kind of white fish. It was served with a side of cole slaw and french fries. The fried clams were kind of tough (most are), but were actually quite big. The fish was crisp, flaky and mild. The low point of the trio was the shrimp. They seemed like they were of the frozen variety and had too much breading. The fries were hot and crisp…but had that 'processed' taste…almost like when there is a light coating. The cole slaw looked promissing…but was quite 'wet' and had too much 'mustard' or 'horse raddish'. I would recommend to see if you can get a different side item and skip the cole slaw. Overall…not bad.


(Anglin's Beach Cafe - Fried Seafood Sampler)

Jeff's plate was not fried. There was a large pile of Angel Hair Pasta in the middle of the bowl. I'd say it was almost a full pound. Placed around the pasta were muscles in the shell, shrimp and I believe a few scallops. Everything was tossed with a garlic marinara sauce and there was even a thick grilled garlic pita bread for dipping in the sauce too. The shrimp were large and firm and had a nice fresh taste. The muscles were also fresh and tasty. Overall…this was the better dish out of the two. I would suggest to cut the pasta serving though. Unless they want you to have lunch or dinner the next day.


(Anglin's Beach Cafe - Seafood pasta)

When we finished our meal…we were stuffed and turned down the key lime pie. We were happy when the server told us that included in the meal was a walk on the pier (usually $2 a person). Not a bad deal. Overall, the meal was $68.90 not including tip. We were lucky to have a $50 coupon from one of the 'Groupon' websites. For all of the seafood, the view and the good service…I think the price was worth it.


(Anglin's Beach Cafe - the Bill $68.90 less $50 Groupon!)


Oh..and the walk on the pier. I think our 2 entrees were the most expensive on the menu…so you can also eat here on a budget and stick to sandwiches.


(The attached Anglin's Pier)



Anglin's Beach Cafe location:
2 Commercial Blvd
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL


FTLToday Score: B

I think we've driven by Marlee's Diner in Deerfield Beach 100 times. While we both like diners…we never seemed to make it into this place. We finally stopped in for Breakfast on a Saturday morning. We were greeted and sat right away in a booth by the window. There was counter seating as well as a separate room in back.


(Marlee's Diner - Deerfield Beach)

Looking around, the restaurant was clean and looked like your 'typical' diner. Some pies were on display…but overall, it looked a little 'empty'. There wasn't really any decorations anywhere…which I found nice in a diner. Too many decorations make for dust collectors, and you don't want that. Our server came right over to take our drink order (we don’t drink coffee at diners). The menu was split into breakfast, lunch and dinner. While there was a large selection…it wasn't one of those 'uber menu' diner places so we found the breakfast section fast. I was going for the 2 eggs with meat breakfast (my usual) and Jeff was eyeing the Spanish Omelette (the menu stated it was served with fleshly made salsa). When ordering…I was happy to be given the choice of 'hash browns' or 'home fries'. I'm not one for home fries really….so I jumped at the chance to get hash browns.


(Marlee's Diner - inside)

The food came out in about 15 minutes. The server dropped off our plates (which would be the last time we see her in 20 minutes) and we sized up our breakfasts.

My two eggs (over hard) were cooked as ordered and were fresh. The bacon was not crisp and smoky. I prefer bacon to not be too crisp…so this was perfect. Now on to the hash browns. They looked good…brown and crisp on the top. As I took my first bite…I discovered that looks can be deceiving. The inside was totally overdone and mush. I will bet that they keep these hash browns on the grill all during breakfast and only 'flip them over' to crisp the other side. That overcooks them. What a shame..it was almost a perfect breakfast..


(Marlee's Diner - 2 Eggs, Bacon, Hashbrowns and Toast)

Jeff's omelette was made with green peppers, onions and cheese. It was fluffy and everything was fresh. Well…everything except for the 'salsa'. It was definitely not freshly made. I will put money on it being Pace brand found at your local grocery store. Kind of a bad move when you say it's one thing on the menu…and the actual product is nowhere close. His hash browns were overcooked as well.


(Marlee's Diner - Omelette, Salsa, Hashbrowns and Toast)

We finally saw our server and got our check. Total came to $19 without tip. About the standard diner price. But with so many other diners out there….I don't think we will be stopping in at Marlee's anymore. While we were gathering our stuff from the table…I looked around and found most of the servers gossiping with each other in the corner….well…except for one that was involved in an in depth conversation with a customer. Then there was the server fight when we were paying (they were fighting about who should be in the cash drawer or something) .



Marlee's Diner location:
699 S Federal Hwy
Deerfield Beach, FL

FTLToday Score: C

Musclemaker Grill is a smaller chain (spanning 3 states) that specializes in 'healthy' versions of your favorite foods. Wraps, salads and pasta are on the menu and they also tell you how many calories each entrée will set you back. One thing to note…many of the dishes are two servings…so you might be eating double the calorie count you think.
The restaurant is located in a strip mall in Deerfield Beach off of US1. The inside has the feel of many of the 'fast-casual' restaurants gaining popularity. You order at the counter, pay and they bring your food to your table. Drinks are bottles and available at the order counter (sorry…no free refills). The décor is red, blacks and some chrome/silver. There are a few 'booths' but they mostly have table seating. The kitchen is 'open' so you can see them prepare your food. You can also catch the game on one of the few flat screens hung around the dining area.


(Musclemaker Grill - Inside)

Ordering was easy and the guy working the register was nice. He looked more like the owner than just the 'cashier'. We sat down and relaxed while our food was being prepared. It took maybe 10 minutes for our food to come out…not too long…not too quick. If you dine-in, you will mostly be eating off of real plates and silverware. That is actually a nice touch. We both went for salads. I chose the Mardi Gras Grilled Chicken Cajun Salad and Jeff went for the Turkey Taco Salad.

The presentation of each salad was nice and everything looked fresh. The Mardi Gras Grilled Chicken Cajun salad is made with romaine and is topped with turkey bacon, grilled chicken with Cajun seasoning, tomatoes, onions and a low carb salsetta dressing. The romaine was fresh, crisp and didn't seem like it was the 'in a bag' version. Everything came together well in this salad…with one exception. The 'Cajun' seasoning was a little milder than I expected. Other than that…it was a great choice.


(Musclemaker Grill - Mardi Gras Chicken Salad)

Jeff's Turkey Taco Salad looked really good too. It was made with romaine and topped with reduced fat cheddar cheese, tomatoes, scallions and fat free cream cheese. Topping the salad off was a mound of turkey chili. The chili was nicely spiced and I even liked the beans that were in it. Jeff loved the salad. In fact...we had a choking incident! The poor guy was eating so fast…he inhaled some chili 'down the wrong pipe'. I really thought I would have to use the heimlich …but it all worked out. He even continued to finish the salad. Now if that doesn't tell you it's a good salad…I don't know what will.


(Muslcemaker Grill - Turkey Taco Salad)

The total for the two salads and two drinks came to $23.05. Not a bad price for fresh, good tasting food. I also like the calorie count on each menu item. I wish more restaurants did that. We did have a coupon for $10 off…so that was really a steal. We'd definitely stop back into Musclemaker Grill and maybe try some of their other offerings.


(Musclemaker Grill Bill - $23.05 prior to $10 discount)



Musclemaker Grill location:
230 S. Federal Hwy
Deerfield Beach, FL

FTLToday Score: B

Last weekend…we were on a mini-road trip down to Miami. We found ourselves in Coconut Grove and it was really the first time both of us have been there. While the news was playing up a 'cold front'…it was damn hot. I think Saturday had a high of around 93 or so. We parked and walked around the Grove. Lots of places to eat…but we had trouble finding a place to commit to. I pulled out my iPhone and found a 'local' spot right near the marina (and close to a Fresh Market) that got some great reviews on line. The 'local' spot is called Scotty's Landing. It's a 'rustic' not frills spot with all outdoor seating. Plastic patio furniture is crammed into the space, and you keep cool by the misting fans hung above. You get a great view of Biscayne Bay and can see all kinds of boats.


(Scotty's Landing - Patio only dining area)

When you arrive, you seat yourself. We arrived during lunch and found a nice table. The menus are left on the table, so you can immediately start your decision process. We didn't wait that long…maybe 10 minutes…to be greeted by our server. Diet Soda and iced tea were our drink of choice. They also had beer and I believe they had a full bar. The server rushed over the special with us…I think it was stuffed shrimp, either on a plate (with a side) or over a salad. We passed and looked over the menu. Lots of seafood here. Fried and grilled are the main choices and Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) was the main 'fish'. It looked like you could get any seafood in either a salad, sandwich or plate. They also had your regular burgers and sandwiches.

I went for the Cracked Conch with fries. I've always seen it on menus and never ordered it. I thought I would give it a try. Jeff went for the fried seafood platter. It's served with Cole slaw.

The place was very busy and a little loud…but the scenery was nice and we didn't mind the wait. Our drinks came in huge glasses…which is a plus. Our food didn't seem to take all that long either, considering the lunch rush just ended and it was still quite busy. Maybe 15-20 minutes and our food was placed in front of us.

Now I know that the prices are actually quite low at Scotty's Landing…especially when you take into account its location. However, when the food was dropped off…it didn't really have a 'wow' factor. The portions were not as large as you'd expect and some was a little too 'overdone' looking. The appearance of food is actually a big part of the whole meal experience and so far…we were that happy.

The Cracked Conch was said to be "served just like in the Islands" on the menu. Since this was my first 'cracked conch' taste…I had to take their word. Conch is that mollusk that is in the huge shells and is usually quite tough. Most restaurants chop it fine and put it into a fritter. These were fried and looked a lot like clam strips. The batter was light and crisp and had a nice flavor. The pieces of conch were larger than clam strips and had a similar texture…but a little less chewy. The flavor was a bit 'sweeter' than a clam strip too. The only issue I had with the Cracked Conch was the temperature. It was 'warm'….not cold…but not as hot as it should have been. The one really bright spot for me? The fries! These were hot and crisp and thick. While they were of the 'frozen' variety…I really liked them. Hot and crisp and thick enough to have soft potato on the inside. Overall…not bad. I just wish it would have been served hot.


(Scotty's Landing - Cracked Conch Platter)

Jeff's Fried Seafood Platter came with Crab Cakes, Fried Shrimp, Fried Fish, Conch Fritters and a side of Cole slaw. When the dish was first dropped off…he wasn't that happy. The pieces were quite small and some even looked overcooked. I think the fried fish was Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) and was definitely overcooked. The batter was dark and the fish was dry. It actually had the texture of chicken more than fish. The crab cakes had a nice flavor and were not overcooked…but they were tiny. Jeff called them 'Crab Buttons'. The conch fritters were good…pretty standard. The shrimp were typical as well. The Cole slaw was good…but the cabbage was cut a little too thin, causing it to retain too much of the dressing. While he ate everything…he said he would not get this again.


(Scotty's Landing - Seafood Platter)


($35 bill from Scotty's Landing)

The total bill came to $35.12. Not too bad for the area, but not quite worth the quality we received. I love a 'local' spot like anyone…but they could use some lessons in food consistency from Southport Raw Bar in Ft. Lauderdale. If I'm in the area…I'd probably give them another shot and try something different on the menu.



Scotty's Landing location:
3381 Pan American Dr
Miami, FL (Coconut Grove)

FTLToday Score: C

Dixie Pig is one of those 'roadside' stand type of places. All of the seating is outside and they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Dixie Pig is all about BBQ. Carolina BBQ to be specific. The Carolina type BBQ sauce is more vinegar based than you find down here in South Florida..so this is something different for most of us to try. We've eaten here for lunch and dinner…but this is a Quik Bite about Breakfast at the Dixie Pig.


(The Dixie Pig - ordering area)

The Dixie Pig stand is very simple on the outside. A covered dining area allows diners to enjoy the Florida weather along with their meal. There is a swing table on the side of the restaurant and round tables under the main roof with some high tops. The order process is simple. Walk up to the window and order. The menu is actually quite large here. They serve your BBQ staples along with all kinds of sandwiches and fried foods (like clams, chicken and such). This is total southern comfort food. The kitchen looks pretty small…so I'm amazed they can keep the menu size and still manage to keep the food flowing timely. There are notes and signs and specials posted all over the order window…so it might take you a few minutes to figure out what you want to order. If you dine in…just know you didn't come here for the view. There really isn't anything to look at except an auto-repair shop and some warehouse buildings.


(The Dixie Pig - the view)


(The Dixie Pig - dining area)

For Breakfast….they have your typical menu. Eggs, bacon, ham, sausage…home fries (even though the menu said hash browns…another customer complained about that) and omelettes. I ordered two eggs - over hard, bacon and home fries (they also have grits). I chose a biscuit rather than toast. Jeff went for a unique Dixie Pig breakfast. A BBQ Pork Omelette with cheese. That is served with home fries and biscuit/toast. I ordered a large soda and Jeff ordered a small.

The order process was a little delayed due to the woman visiting with a friend of hers…but she was nice about it and it really wasn't that long of a wait. After placing our order, she told us to have a seat and she would bring it out when it's ready.

The wait for our food wasn't too long…maybe 10 minutes. She put down our food and it looked pretty good.

My breakfast was fresh and hot. The eggs were over-hard, just as I ordered. It almost seemed like they didn't use much butter…if any…in the preparation of the eggs. They almost had a look that they were cooked in a dry pan. I'm not complaining…but just was surprised since this is the Dixie Pig. I figured they would have been swimming in butter. Now on to the bacon. 3 pieces of thick cut bacon were draped over my eggs and potatoes. Wow…this bacon was GOOD. I'm not a fan of crisp bacon…and this bacon was far from crisp (make sure to say you want crisp bacon if you like that). It was a bit chewy and very smokey. This bacon was everything you expect for breakfast. The smokiness is often missing at diners and this bacon was perfect. The home fries were fresh and didn't contain onions. They were browned..but lacked some butter as well as some salt. This is actually a welcoming version. Less fat and not over seasoned is great for a change. Too many diners have bad home fries.


(Dixie Pig - 2 eggs, bacon and home fries)

Jeff's BBQ Pork Omelette came out and was huge. The omelette was packed with BBQ pork and was quite the portion. The pork contained the 'Carolina BBQ Sauce' so I was glad I didn't order it. I like my BBQ sauce sweet and hot. Jeff loved his omeltte though and scarfed the whole thing down.


(Dixie Pig - BBQ Pork Omelette and Home Fries)

The only 'miss' on the breakfast? The biscuits. They were not home-made…not even bakery bought. They were too uniform to be home made and I'm guessing they were bought from a 'vendor' somewhere. While they moist and edible…I was really hoping for some fresh made biscuits. That would have been a nice touch and would have gotten the Dixie Pig an 'A'. Overall….the breakfast was good and fresh (except for the biscuits) and not bad pricewise.


(Dixie Pig - pass on the biscuits...maybe better luck with toast?)

We paid $18 including tax (no tip). While the surrounding area isn't really nice to look at…Dixie Pig is a nice hidden spot to catch breakfast.



Dixie Pig location:
4495 N. Dixie Hwy
Oakland Park, FL

FTLToday Score: B

This is 'Celebrity Chef' Todd English's second attempt at a restaurant at this location in Boca Raton. Todd English's Wild Olives closed here to make way for the English Tap and Beer Garden. It's located in a sort of 'strip mall' with a Rocco's Taco's next door and a 'soon to open' Brio Restaurant. We just so happened to be in this location on Saturday afternoon and decided to stop in for a snack and a few beers.

English Tap and Beer Garden is modeled after the Las Vegas English P.U.B. location at the Aria Casino/City Center complex. We should have known what to expect…because we didn't care for the Vegas location and this one seemed to have the exact menu. There is a bar/patio outside but it was just too hot this past weekend. Inside, the space is large with a few TVs for catching the 'game'. It's decorated to look casual like an upscale 'pub'. I was seated in a booth where I couldn't see the TV since the large screen was behind me and over my head. I'm not sure if this really is the kind of place to get a group togher and watch any game with limited TV viewing areas.


(English Tap and Beer Garden - Dining area)


(English Tap and Beer Garden - Another view of the dining area)

Our server was friendly…and was new, which was not surprising. English Tap and Beer Garden has only been open for a short time (maybe a month or so), which means traning a whole new staff. With the menu touting 100 beer selections, Jeff went for a 'sampler'. On the menu they call it 'Beer Flights'…you choose any three drafts. When Jeff asked for the Beer Flight…the server said "What's that?" He then pointed to the menu where it was clearly printed. "Oh…right, ok. Well, let me check with someone to see how that works". The guy was new and wanted to be sure we got to make our own selection (eventhough the menu clearly stated "choose any three draft beers"). At least he was friendly about it and double checked. We also decided on splitting the regular Sliders and Fries. They have a few different types of sliders…but we just went basic. They are served with fries and you can choose "skinny" or "fatty" fries, which is by type. We went for the thick 'fatty' selection.

The beers came on a small paddle. At least the glasses matched the size of the holes in the paddle (not like at Yard House). Jeff tasted each one and made a face after the third one. Flat. How can a place that has 'Beer' in their name served flat beer? He didn't even finish all of them. Jeff looks so happy in the picture...but that smile faded when he took his first sips.  And yes...I did try to use the 'red-eye' removal tool....it never works on pictures of Jeff...it just turns the red to white.  Wonder if that makes him a Warewolf or something?


(The English Tap and Beer Garden - Beer Flight sampler)

When the sliders came…they looked like what we expected. Three small sliders lined up on the plate with a device full of 'fatty' fries'. Now…I'm a fry guy. I looove French fries and can tell a lot from a place from their version of this basic food item. I took the first fry out and looked at it. It looked good…with some of the skin left on. Hmmm….maybe they were fresh cut! I then tasted it. YUCK. These fries were HORRIBLE. They had a weird 'preservative' taste. Almost like the frozen Orida fries you get at the grocery store. I couldn't believe that a place like this is using frozen french fries. Sure…maybe they want to keep things consistent from restaurant to restaurant…but at these prices?? They were also soggy and greasy. We left 1/2 of the fries. The sliders were 'ok'..beef with caramelized onions and some kind of sauce. The bun was fresh but they seemed to be missing something.

(English Tap and Beer Garden - Sliders and Fatty Fries)

After eating…we both remembered why we didn't like English P.U.B. in Vegas. Overpriced, low quality food. To top it off…there was a dirty table next to us during our visit. We will not be going back to English Tap and Beer Garden, English P.U.B, Wild Olives, Todd English or anything of the like. We won't even go to Todd English's house if he personally invited us over to cook us a meal. If these Celebrity Chefs don't check up on their restaurants…they should open them. I'm thinking it's more of a license thing. You know…they just get paid to use their name…like stadiums? New restaurants usually have to iron out some issues to catch their stride…but if there isn't any substance there….I'm not really willing to give them a try again.


(English Tap and Beer Garden - The bill...  $29.67)

$29.67 was way too much to pay for what we got.  It says 'Training' under the name of the restaurant.  I'm wondering if this means our server was in training...or this concept/restaurant is in training.  I will be shocked if this place can pull it together and make the improvements necessary to survive here.



English Tap and Beer Garden location:
5050 Town Center Circle
Boca Raton, FL

FTLToday Score: D

(Wild East Asian Bistro - Las Olas)

Wild East Asia Bistro is located on Las Olas, yet…due to its location, many people don't seem to know about it. It's not on the more 'popular' ends of Las Olas…rather in the middle, off of the small canal at SE 12th Ave. Wild East's' location allows for some 'waterfront' dining with both inside and outside seating areas. With it still being quite warm outside, we opted for indoor.


(Wild East Asian Bistro - small bar tucked in the corner by front door)

The restaurant is deceivingly small on the outside. There is a bar tucked in the front of the restaurant, which had a few people sipping on wine when we arrived. We were sat at a table by the window near the front of the restaurant. The window didn't really give us a view of the canal…the walls of the patio blocked our view. I believe you have a better canal view if you are sat further into the restaurant. Looking around, Wild Asia has a nice look. It's simply decorated with clean lines and muted earth tone colors with large green 'bamboo' trunks separating the kitchen and dining area. The ceilings are high and the whole room is slightly curved, so it gives it some additional personality.


(Wild East Asian Bistro - Dining area)


(Wild East Asian Bistro - Faux Bamboo kitchen separator)

We were greeted right away and ordered a soda and iced tea. Soda is served in small bottles…so no free refills here. Iced Tea is refilled often. The menu was explained to us by our server. They offer a 'Tapas' style menu of like 60 items, which also serves as their appetizers. The large 'card' shows a picture of the dish and they all were $6 each. We chose the Firecracker Calamari and Sweet and Sour Pork. I didn't get to snap a picture since it came out quite fast (sorry about that). Both dishes were steaming hot. The Calamari was not fried and cooked in a spicy/sweet sauce. The calamari was fresh..but cut a little too small. The sauce could have used a little more kick too. The pork was large chunks/strips of fried pork in the sweet and sour sauce. While a few of the pieces were a little tough…it was a good dish.

The menu has a sections that looks like more appetizers, but it's actually their noodle dishes and fried rice. They also have a fairly large sushi roll list. We actually went for the entrees. I ordered the Steamed Sea Bass (trying to be a little healthy) and Jeff ordered the Xian Beef. The entrée seemed to take longer than our 'tapas', which I expected since many in the restaurant were ordering multiple 'tapas' dishes. The kitchen hopped and was cranking out small plates quite fast.

The Steamed Sea Bass is served as a whole fillet with a garlic, ginger and light soy sauce and scallions. You have a choice of white or brown rice…I went for brown. The Sea Bass was flaky and tender…but had a really mild flavor. The 'sauce' was a great accent and I actually could have used a lot more of it. Overall it was a good light choice.


(Wild East Asian Bistro - Steamed Sea Bass)

Jeff's Xian Beef was served 'shredded' (cut into strips/pieces) with peppers, string beans and a Malaysian satay sauce. The server asked if he liked it spicy or mild and he quickly answered spicy. It was also served with rice and he opted for white. The dish was quite a healthy portion and was covered In the Malaysian sauce. While the sauce had a spice/kick…it didn't have the kick he was expecting. He should have said 'extra extra spicy'. Jeff always has a problem at Asian restaurants when he orders something spicy…they never put enough in for him. I'm waiting for the day they really are heavy handed and steam rushes our if ears from the heat…I'll be right there to take a picture too! He finished the portion and was satisfied.


(Wild East Asian Bistro - Xian Beef)

Overall…we liked our visit to Wild East Asia Bistro. It was a relaxing dinner with a cool/hip vibe and it's not only a local spot…but it's a step up from PF Changs. They also have 'Saki-tinis' (Saki mixed with flavors)…which they seemed to be selling a lot of. We'd head back to Wild East Asia and probably try their noodle dishes next time. It's always good to test a place on their Pad Thai.


(Wild East Asian Bistro - The bill...$58.30) 

The price for our meal wasn't that different than most on Las Olas.  While it was $58.30..we got 2 soft drinks, 2 appetizers and 2 entrees.  You could definitly get your bill lower if you stick to the $6 items and the noodle dishes or sushi.  Oh...we also had a Living Social coupon....we paid $15 for a $30 voucher....so the actual cost of the meal was $43.30.



Wild East Asia location:
1200 E Las Olas Blvd
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

FTLToday Score: B

(Wendy's new 'Dave's Hot 'n Juicy Cheeseburger)

Wendy's has been playing 'katch-up' in the fast food market for quite some time now.  Falling behind even more recently with new owners...they've decided to introduce a new revamped burger.  Here are some of the details on the new Dave's Hot 'n Juicy burgers:

-The patty is still 'square' but more 'hand formed' and has wavy edges. 
-The patty is bigger.  This is done by packing the meat more loosely and having grillers only smash patties twice during cooking (rather than the old 8 times).
-The cheese is stored at a higher temperature to help in the melting process (Wendy's had to get FDA approval for that).
-Ketchup is still on the burger and so is 'full fat' mayo.  Mustard was taken off along with less pickles (crinkle pickles) and onions.  They want you to taste the meat more.

If they are wrapping the burgers like they show in the picture, it looks like they are trying to be your choice for the 'in-between McDonald's and Five Guys' place.  To me, Wendy's always had better burgers than McDonald's, so hopefully these changes will improve the burger even more. 

If Wendy's is hoping to shoot up in market share...they have a long way to go.  Sure...the food is a big deal, but so is customer service and the look of the restaurant.  Say what you want about McDonald's...but they do have the better customer service of the 3 big chains.  That along with improving their restaurants with Wi-Fi, Flat Screen TV's and a whole new decor, Wendy's has a long way to go.  I don't think Wendy's has renovated since they removed the salad bar and 'newspaper tables'.

I'll let you know what I think of the new burger when I get the chance to try one.  They should be in stores now.  Wonder why I haven't seen any TV commercials??

NOW OPEN!  SEE REVIEW:
http://ftltoday.com/2011/11/06/ftltoday-quik-bite---portias---a-fine-southern-restaurant-oakland-park-fl-.aspx

I wasn't surprised that The Wine Cellar Restaurant in Oakland Park closed months ago.  This weekend we were driving by and noticed this sign. 

Portia's - A Fine Southern Restaurant will be opening in the old Wine Cellar Restaurant location (199 E Oakland Park Blvd Oakland Park, FL).  I don't have the details...but from what the sign says, you can expect 'Sunday Dinner 7 days a week'.  Opening in Mid-October (lets hope they are on schedule), it looks like they will be offering take-out options as well, with a few late nights for those late diners on the weekends.

We've been waiting and talking about this new Sonic location forever! Well…not quite forever…maybe a few years. The new Sonic location at Beach Place Ft. Lauderdale Beach is getting closer to opening. Being the second Sonic location in Florida to offer Beer (the other being the new location in Homestead), everyone in the area is excited for this new addition to the fast-casual food scene. This location will be the first Sonic in Broward County, so I'm sure fans will be making that drive from all over South Florida to get their Sonic fix.

Sources at Sonic informed me that Ft. Lauderdale Beach will be ready to open at the end of October….that is next month! Just in time for tourist season. They also said that while there will be no drive-thru here, they will have an 'express lane' for to-go customers. I'm hearing they will have an ordering kiosk on the main floor of Beach Place…and I'm thinking you just place your order…go up to the restaurant and they are already working on your order. They also have a fairly large dining room that overlooks the beach, so you have quite a few options to enjoy your slushie and food.

Ft. Lauderdale will soon see it's first 'ice themed' restaurant. David Berman, co-owner of the new Tundra restaurant to open soon on Las Olas, says this will be the first restaurant to pair ice and food in this unique way. Berman also owns Sculptured Ice Creations so he is quite familiar and at home dealing with everything ice. Currently under construction, the plans are to open in October. The building is located directly on Las Olas (1017 E. Las Olas Blvd) and will give locals and visitors another new unique spot to check out.

Ice Bars are currently popping up all over the US. Las Vegas has a few….Miami and Orlando both have one and there is also an Ice Bar on the NCL Epic cruise ship. While themed in ice, these venues are entirely made of ice and require visitors to wear jackets and gloves and do not serve food. Tundra is taking this experience to a new level. You won't have to sport a parka to eat here. The inside of the restaurant will not be too cold for customers and will mimic the landscape of a natural tundra. Ice sculptures will be throughout the restaurant along with other 'ice made' items, such as dishes and flatware. Hot and Cold food will be on the menu along with a full bar.

This sounds very interesting and I'm sure there will be a lot of buzz when Tundra first opens. Let's hope the décor, food and service (and price point) keep people interested. It's nice to see some unique places opening here in Ft. Lauderdale.

LivingSocial is a discount website (like Groupon) and I've gotten many great deals on there. Today, they are offering $20 of Whole Foods Groceries for $10! That's a 50% savings. Follow the link and get your's NOW.

Click the link below for the jump:
LivingSocial $20 of Whole Foods Groceries for $10 TODAY ONLY!

We've actually been to Grande Pizza maybe seven or so months ago and when I received a Living Social discount offer, I jumped at the chance. The offer was purchased four months ago and we were looking forward to getting the 'cheesy crust' pizza once again. Grande Pizza has a few locations around South Florida and the once in Broward is located on Cypress Creek and Dixie. It's located in a strip mall that has seen better days. This strip mall got hammered during the recession and there are quite a few empty store fronts. Grande Pizza offers dine-in, take-out or delivery. Grande Pizza is an Italian Restaurant which seems to tout their pizza. You can find items like large salads, pasta dishes and some fried appetizers along with a large variety of pizzas. There is a small 'counter' at the entrance for those that like to eat on the go…and there is a small dining room to the back of the restaurant for those that wish to dine-in.

There is kind of a 'story' that goes with the Living Social discount that I'll share. Living Social is one of those 'Groupon' type of websites. You pay a discounted amount for a 'certificate' worth a higher dollar value. We paid $12 for a certificate worth $27. Why $27 you might ask…not sure. They usually are a 50% discounted value. Back in July, we decided to use the voucher. We called them up and wanted to place our order as 'take-out' since the restaurant is kind of small and not really the best dining atmosphere from what we remembered. We ordered the 'cheesey crust' pizza and an antipasto salad. Those two items would use the voucher in full, and we would only have to throw in another $2 or so. When we got to the restaurant and presented the voucher….they informed us that the voucher was for 'dine-in' only. Upon further inspection of the voucher…they were right. The fine print stated that it was only to be used for 'dine-in'. We apologized and since we were on a time schedule, we asked if they would allow us to use it for the take out order. The manager gave a quick "No." Now I know that we should have read the fine print…but this was a Pizza place that also delivers. I personally didn't understand why they would force you to eat in the dining room to take advantage of this deal. They don't serve beer or wine…so they wouldn't get additional sales from that. The only thing extra you would order is soda. Made no sense. They refused to take the voucher for our order so we left.

Flash forward 2 months. We planned to use the voucher and this time dine-in. We arrived at the restaurant and were told to sit anywhere we wanted. There are around 8 tables in the small dining area and there is a TV and you can kind of get a view of the front door and some of the pizza making station. The space is 'neat', but boring.




(Grande Pizza Dining Room)

We were greeted by the same girl that works the front counter (taking phone orders, gathering take-out orders, ringing up orders, etc.). She was friendly and took our order. We went for 2 sodas and the antipasto salad and the cheesy crust pizza with pepperoni and mushrooms. Soon after we got our soda, she dropped off our 'plates'. They were thick plastic…the kind you might find at Sweet Tomatoes. We sipped on our sodas and continued to wait for our salad. During that time…we got to watch the staff drag all kinds of full garbage from around the restaurant and through the dining room. I'm hoping they were taking them outside to dispose of everything. While I understand they need to clean up…why do it in front of people in the dining room? The trash cans were overfilled and you got to see all kinds of trash piled up and almost falling on the floor. Yum. They also decided it was time to start mopping the dining room floor. Jeff's feet got hit a few times from the mop. Nice.

So far…not the best impression of the 'dine-in' experience here at the Grand Pizza Co. After 20 minutes of wainting…our antipasto salad was finally brought out. Why it took so long…we'll never know. The silverware was dropped off next and it was the cheap thin bendable kind that you used to swipe from the Dining Commons in school. I guess this is a Pizza place…so why expect better quality plates and silver. The salad was actually really good. The lettuce was fresh and wasn't wilted. The cold cuts were packed with flavor. The dressing was served on the side and was really good…although quite thick and gloppy. We both liked the salad..but felt it was a bit overpriced at $8.95.


(Grande Pizza Co - Anitpasto Salad)

After we finished our salad, we got to relax and wait for a while for our pizza. During that time we got to take in the great surroundings in the dining room (sarcastic). From my seat, I could see the corner of the pizza making station. It's located right in front of the restaurant and you can watch them make pizza from the take-out area. Normally this would be entertaining, but not here at Grand Pizza. The guy making the pizzas had a rubber glove on his right hand. Yes…only his right hand. His left wasn't gloved. Hmmm. Weird. He put a pizza skin (crust) on the table and took out some ricotta cheese and plopped it on. He then began to spread it around using the right (gloved) hand and the spatula. So far so good. Well…then I saw some of the ricotta cheese get on his left hand, he liked it off. Yes LIKED IT OFF…like it was KFC Finger Lickin good. He then used the SAME HAND to move some of the peaks of ricotta cheese around and flatten it out. Totally gross and I'm sure it's against heath code. Ick.

The time between finishing our salad and getting our pizza was another 30 minutes. Our pizza finally came out and as you can see from the picture, it was almost too 'well done'. Our last pizza here was no where near this 'brown'.

The 'cheesy crust' pizza is a square pizza with the cheese piled on the crust all the way to the edge of the pan. The sauce is put on top of the cheese and it makes for a unique pie. It's actually very similar to the Detroit Style found at Buddy's Pizza around the Detroit burbs. While it's similar…it's not even close. This is a good version, but the crust is a bit too thick. The pizza was overdone and we were kind of disappointed that we waited so long for something was totally over cooked. We both had a slice and took the rest home.


(Grande Pizza Co - Cheesy Crust Pizza)

Overall, I would say to skip Grande Pizza in Ft. Lauderdale. The whole experience was not worth the time and expense. The fact that they forced us to eat in that nasty dining room is a reason to avoid this place. But then again…I want to thank Grande Pizza for forcing us to eat in their dining room so we could really see what was going on. Trash dragged trough the kitchen and dining area…licking fingers….over cooking pizza all adds up to one bad restaurant that we will not be going to again.



Grande Pizza Co. location:
959 E. Cypress Creek Rd
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

FTLToday Score: F

Li'l Reds Cookin' is one of those places you remember seeing someplace...but don't remember exactly where.  That is until you actually stop in and eat there.  It's located in Ft. Lauderdale off of State Rd 84...kind of near the Airport and from the outside it's nothing special.  Actually, once inside...you will probably think it's not that special either.  Li'l Reds is stuck in a time warp from decades gone by.  It's one of those places you expect to see on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  The restaurant is clean and you can actually see into the kitchen (which also looked very clean).


(Li'l Reds Cookin' - Dining room.


(Li'l Reds dinnig room with 'semi' open kitchen in the back)

Li'l Reds Cookin' touts their BBQ ribs and chicken...but we were there for Breakfast.  We were pretty hungry and wanted a meal that would hold us over for well into the afternoon and decided on the Steak and Eggs and the Country Fried Steak with Country Gravy (only served on Saturday and Sunday).

The service was speedy and friendly.  The dining room has a few LCD TV's to keep you entertained with the news. 

The wait time for our food wasn't long at all...maybe 15 minutes at the most.  When the plates were put down in front of us...we were very impressed.


(Li'l Reds Cookin' - Steak and Eggs Breakfast)

The Steak and Eggs Breakfast consists of a 6 oz. NY Strip Steak with 2 eggs, Home Fries or Grits and Texas Toast.  I ordered my steak medium and opted for Home Fries.  The steak was done to a perfect medium temperature and was still nice and red.  The steak was tender, flavorful and had a nice char.  It's was great that it wasn't just slapped no a flat grill.  The real grill hash marks let you know you should expect a real steak taste.  The Home Fries were crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Probably one of the better varieties around South Florida.  The Texas Toast was a nice touch as well.  The eggs were 'ok'...but were not really the 'star' anyhow.


(Li'l Reds Cookin' - Country Fried Steak w/ Country Gravy Breakfast)

Jeff's Country Fried Steak was smothered in Country Gravy.  We were both expecting the gravy to be a gloppy, floury mess...but to our surprise, it was totally opposite.  You could tell it was made fresh in-house and it was laced with sausage.  This gravy would go just as well on some biscuits too.  The steak was battered and fried.  The batter was not too heavy and retained a nice crunch even with the gravy.  I have to give Li'l Reds credit on the dish...many diners can't really do gravy like this.

While you wouldn't eat these breakfasts every weekend (or every day), this was a nice treat.  You leave stuffed and it's quite the value. $18 without tip is actually a great price for the quantity and quality of the food.  They do have your regular breakfast items here as well...so if you are a light eater...you'd find something without an issue.


(Li'l Red Cookin' - Breakfast bill)

I'm hoping that lunch and dinner are just as good here.  I always like finding these Li'l hidden gems that only us 'locals' seem to know about.



Li'l Reds Cookin' location:
1705 W State Rd 84
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

FTLToday Score: B

(Lemongrass Asian Bistro - Ft. Lauderdale)

I've driven by Lemongrass Asian Bistro countless times. It's located on US1, just North of Oakland Park Blvd and is a free standing building. In this part of Ft. Lauderdale/Oakland Park that is rare (most seem to reside in a strip-mall). We stopped in on Friday since we had a taste for sushi.


(Lemongrass - patio dining area)

Upon entering, we were greeted and sat immediately. We seemed to be a little early (around 6PM) and we pretty much had our choice of 'inside' or 'outside'. They have an outside patio that looked quite large and really nicely put together…but August in Florida isn't the best time to eat outside of the A/C. They have a sushi bar you can sit at or at one of the many tables inside. The restaurant looks very comfortable with some soothing colors and looks a little 'trendy' without being too pretentious.


(Lemongrass - Sushi Bar and inside)


(Lemongrass - Diningroom)


(Lemongrass - window overlooks patio dining area)

Our server greeted us right away with menus and took our drink order. No Saki for us…only iced tea and soda. She gave us some time to look over the menu and kept checking back with us to see if we had questions. The menu is quite large…so if you are new to this restaurant…you will probably need the time to look it over. They have sushi rolls, sashimi and soups (appetizer and noodle soups). They also have some entrées that span the Asian spectrum (from Chinese to Thai to Japanese). After looking over the menu we went for an appetizer soup each and 2 sushi rolls.

The server checked back on our drinks…and kept Jeff's iced tea filled. He actually liked the tea and found out it is a 'blend' and the server was quite excited to tell him about it. Everyone we had met at this restaurant was very friendly and helpful. One of the owners/chefs even went around the dining room and checked with each table to see how their meal was going.

Our soups came out first. They were served in bowls rather than 'cups' that you might find in other Asian restaurants. I ordered the Wonton Soup and Jeff went for the Tom Yum Seafood soup. The wonton soup contained cabbage and asparagus and the broth tasted a little different than your typical 'Chinese' version. The wontons were soft and the meat had a slight spice to it and were made with chicken. I liked it. The only thing we would change on the soup…is the spoon. It was a regular 'soup' spoon and this is the kind of soup that should be served with an Asian Soup Spoon.


(Lemongrass - Wonton Soup)

Jeff's Tom Yum Seafood soup has lots of fresh seafood and also was spicy. Calamari, muscles, tilapia and shrimp with cilantro and tomato in a lemongrass broth made for a great hearty soup that was quite filling. This soup is also served as a noodle soup…which is a few dollars more…but is served in a large bowl and would probably be a nice meal portion. Everything was very fresh in the soup and Jeff liked it (but wanted a different spoon).


(Lemongrass - Tom Yum Seafood Soup)

We ordered the Lemongrass sushi roll and the Extreme Rainbow Sushi Roll. The presentation was nice and the rolls were actually quite large.

The Lemongrass roll contained salmon tempura, eel, cream cheese, avocado, inside out with fish eggs. It was very tasty and the tempura was fresh and crisp.


(Lemongrass - Extremely Rainbow roll and Lemongrass roll - sushi)

The Extremely Rainbow roll - kani, cucumber, avocado, cream cheese and sesame seeds topped with assorted raw fish was really good. Each roll was extremely fresh and tasted really good. The fish was really fresh. This was actually one of my favorite sushi experiences in Ft. Lauderdale. They rolls were tight and held together (even for the novice chopstick user) and the portion was just right. Overall we really liked Lemongrass Asian Bistro. It feels like a hidden spot for locals (even though they have a few other locations around South Florida), and the service and quality of food was great. The menu is large enough that you can keep trying new items and not get bored for quite some time too. We'll definitly go back.


(Lemongrass - the bill)

The prices are not that bad here…but your bill can add up if you are not careful. Oh...no free refills on soda 



Lemongrass Asian Bistro location:
3811 North Federal Highway
Oakland Park, FL

FTLToday Score: B (to B+)

(Huge add-on to Seminole Coconut Creek Casino)


Stopped by the Seminole Coconut Creek Casino this past weekend and snapped this picture.  The construction is moving along very quickly.  The project is said to include a new parking structure (in the picture on the left), add new casino space to allow for additional games and new retail and restaurant space.  The casino is currently open and once inside you will notice only a few areas blocked off.  You can hardly notice it.

Parking is easy if you get here early and you will probably want to find the lot on the State Road 7 side (west) of the property. 

Jet Runway Cafe is Ft. Lauderdale's hidden gem.  It's located inside of the Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport and I'm guessing that most people haven't heard of this place.  They serve Breakfast and Lunch only on Monday - Saturday.  You don't need a private plane or have to go through security.  All you need to do is mapquest or google map it and you'll find it pretty easily.  I'm guessing that their business is highly catered to locals and those workers in the Cypress Creek area, but when we went for lunch on Saturday...they just finished a lunch rush.


(Jet Runway Cafe - Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport)

From the outside, the place doesn't look like much.  It actually looks like an airplane hanger.  As you walk up to the door...you can see the changes that let you know you are about to walk into someplace completely different from a hanger.  The building overlooks the airport and you can definitely see this as you get to the front door.  The windows on the front door mimic those found on an airplane.


(Jet Runway Cafe - Main entrance and airport tarmac just beyond the gate)

Once inside, you might be very surprised.  While serving only Breakfast and Lunch, it's quite stylish looking.  Windows make up the walls facing the airport and you can watch the action outside...or watch one of the LCD TV's to catch up on your news, weather, etc.  The place isn't that large but they do get lots of seats into the space.  It's a bright spot and the high ceilings and wood floors do make for some tricky acoustics.  When the place fills up, it can be kind of loud.  I found the 'look' of the place to be quite upscale...more so than I expected.  The restaurant was clean and maintained very well.


(Jet Runway Cafe - View from the front door)


(View of the back of the dining area...kitchen is on the other side of the wall)


(Typical view at Jet Runway Cafe)

The lunch menu was larger than expected.  Along with a few 'specials' (like Shrimp Po Boy, Steak Salad just to name a few) they had a few appetizers, a nice salad section, burgers, sandwiches and some 'entree' type selections.  I decided on the Blackened Mahi Mahi Sandwich and Jeff went for the French Dip.  Sandwiches are served with regular fries or sweet potato fries.  Mixed veggies are also an option for $1 extra.  Most of the burgers and sandwiches were $10.

The server was prompt and very friendly.  We were served our drinks right away and our food didn't take that long either.  I'd say about 15 minutes, during which time we got to look around at what others were ordering.  The burgers looked HUGE and the Chicken entree (believe it was a Chicken Santa Fe) looked and smelled amazing.

The presentation of the dishes is done with care and make the food look quite appetizing.  Fries are served in a 'cone' type of container and salads come in a unique bowl.  The square dishes were kind of large...but I liked the way it made the food look.


(Blackened Mahi Mahi Sandwich - Jet Runway Cafe)

When the Mahi Mahi was set in front of me...I saw that it didn't cover the bun so at first I was a little disappointed.  Upon further inspection, I noticed that the shape of the fillet made up for that.  At one end...the fillet was as least an inch thick!  It was topped with a dollop of guacamole and had fresh (and I mean fresh) lettuce and tomato with a pickle.  I took a bite and knew I made a great choice.  The blackening spice was more spicy than most...but the texture and freshness of the fish was amazing.  The guacamole cut the spice a bit along with the cool tomato.  The bun was soft and lightly toasted. This was one of the best pieces of fish I've had in a very long time.  The fries were fresh and hot...but had a 'coating'.  I'm not a huge fan of fries with a coating and the coating on these didn't really lend to any flavor...mostly crunch. 


(French Dip - Jet Runway Cafe)

Jeff's French Dip was HUGE.  The roll was fresh and soft and the meat inside was tasty and tender.  This wasn't your typical diner 'steak-um'.  The cheese was melted to perfection.  The  'au-jus' wasn't too salty and had a nice flavor.  Jeff ate every bite.

We both really enjoyed Jet Runway Cafe and found a new favorite lunch spot.  There are lots of menu items to choose from, so everyone in your party can find something they will like.  This is also a great spot for a business lunch or someone you want to impress.  One thing to note.....if you are going for lunch on Monday - Friday...get here early if you are on a time limit.  I hear that a line forms quite fast.



The total bill (not including tip) was $27.56 which I feel was well worth the quality and potions they dish.  The soft-drinks were kind of expensive at $3 each, but they offer unlimited refills and the server even gave us fresh refills 'to-go' at the end of our meal which was a nice touch.



Jet Runway Café location:
5540 NW 21st Terrace
Fort Lauderdale, FL

FTLToday Score: A (Loved it)

Our choice for breakfast on our final Morning in Sanibel turned out to be the exact opposite from Lighthouse Café Over Easy Café was what breakfast should be. Fresh, simple (with a twist sometimes) and friendly.


(Over Easy Cafe - Sanibel Island custom coffee mug)

The décor is bright and cheerful and the place is really clean. They also have a lot of outside space on the outside patio.  Coffee is served at Over Easy Café in their own custom-made mugs and the orange juice is freshly squeezed. Yes…it really is freshly squeezed…I tried it.


(Over Easy Cafe - Sanibel inside dining area)

I ordered the Shrimp Omelette and Jeff went for the breakfast special. The special came with 2 eggs, 2 pieces of bacon and coconut French toast. My omelette came with potatoes and toast. When I placed the order for the Shrimp omelette…I asked the server if the shrimp were real regular shrimp and not 'salad shrimp'. She assured me they were regular shrimp chopped up a bit.


(Freshly sqeezed Orange Juice - Over Easy Cafe)

Our food didn't take too long and it looked great when it was dropped off. I cut into my shrimp omelette and was shocked to see…..salad shrimp again. I don't understand how an Island on the Gulf of Mexico can offer shrimp for breakfast and give you these tiny things. The server should have known the type of shrimp in the omelette and I was surprised that she was wrong. While I didn't make an issue of it…I kept it and finished the whole thing. It was much better than the one at Lighthouse Café. The potatoes were typical home fries…cubed and premade and kept warm. They were a little dry…but had a nice spice. The toast was fresh and hearty.


(Shrimp, tomato and swiss omelette with hollandaise sauce on the side)

Jeff's breakfast was huge. The eggs were done perfectly (over hard) and the bacon was tasty and not overcooked. The star of the plate was the coconut French toast. It was AWESOME. One bite and I was so mad I didn't order the same thing. The coconut was not overpowering and complimented the French toast perfectly. I'm usually not a French toast fan either…and this was really good.


(Jeff enjoying his coffee)


(Special Breakfast - 2 Eggs, 2 bacon, coconut french toast)

While many reviews I've read for Sanibel in general say it's hard to find a good breakfast place on the Island…Over Easy Café is really good. While my choices were a bit off…the quality of everything else was good and the overall feel left you ready to start the day. If we had known…we would have went here both days for breakfast.


(Over Easy Cafe bill.  $27.72 not including tip...kind of higher then the norm, but worth it.)

While it's not as inexpensive as most diners in big cities…it's about average in cost to all other Sanibel restaurants. When you go here…get the coconut French toast. You will thank us!



Over Easy Café location:
630 Tarpon Bay Rd
Sanibel, FL 33957

FTLToday Score: B

We were looking around for a dining spot 'on the water' in Sanibel for lunch and found Gramma Dots. While it's not on the ocean, it was in a marina. It's really hard to find any restaurants that are located on the water in Sanbel, so we took what we could find. I'm really glad we did!


(Gramma Dots - Sanibel Island)

Grandma Dots is a self-contained building inside of a marina and is actually quite small. There are a few tables to eat outside, but most of the space is found in the building. There was a sign that read "Gramma Dots now has Air Conditioning"… I'm guessing that meant they relied on the breeze to keep you cool (with misters and fans).

The restaurant inside is a cute diner-type place with a small bar. The windows are screened and almost every table is 'near' the window. Most of the tables don't really give you a view of the marina…rather the parking lot…but that really didn't bother us. You could see the kitchen pickup window and the soup station from our seat.


(Gramma Dots inside dining room)

Our server came over right away to take our drink order. Iced tea and a soda. She politely said that they have "free refills on iced tea and lemonade", but I stuck to my diet soda. It was nice they let us know as many places don't tell you…just charge you when you ask for another. I also ordered a water (free). The cups are plastic cups with the logo and name of the restaurant and quite small. I'd probably stick to the free refill items or get beer and free water.


(Gramma Dots beverage cup with their logo)

I ordered the New England Clam Chowder to start. I'm so glad I did! While served in a styrofoam 'cup/bowl', this was probably the best chowder I've had. It was full of rich flavor and I swear I tasted some butter. The chowder was thick and smooth and I would bet this was homemade. Many places offer chowder, but buy the soup pre-made and just thaw it and call it a day. You can almost tell as many places tend to taste the same. The clam pieces were kind of small and not a lot of potato, but the overall taste was great. I wish I could get this chowder in Ft. Lauderdale, it was so unique and different than most places.  I was sad when I got to the end of the serving.


(Best clam chowder I've had - Gramma Dots)

Jeff went for the Fish & Chips which is made with real Grouper. Many places now say 'real' Grouper to ensure you are eating the real thing. Some restaurants go for a cheap knock-off and try to pass it off as Grouper. The basket was served with homemade chips (thin chips). The fish was fresh and tasted great. The breading was light and crisp. One thing to note is that Grouper is an expensive fish and from what I've seen…doesn't yield a large fillet. They chopped the fillet into a few pieces which made it look like a larger portion. I think it was a smart move…it probably helped in the cooking as well. Jeff was happy with his choice.


(Grouper Fish and Chips - Gramma Dots)

I chose the Hickory Grilled Grouper Sandwich. It's served with homemade chips as well. This Grouper was EXCELLENT. The spice and method of grilling lead to a moist fillet with tons of flavor. The hickory flavor didn't taste 'fake' and it was soooo good. The roll was just your run of the mill kaiser roll, but the fish was worth it. The chips were crisp and tasted good…although they looked well-done, they didn't taste it.


(Hickory Grilled Grouper Sandwich - Gramma Dots)


(Gramma Dots bill - $35 not including tip...Well worth it)

Overall, we really liked Gramma Dots. It's a great place to grab lunch and get a great fresh meal. While not 'on the water' really…it's a neat location with an opportunity to see some nice boats. There are a lot of 'light' meal options too.



Grandma Dots location:
634 N Yachtsman Dr
Sanibel, FL 33957

FTLToday Score: B

The low-cost Discovery Cruise LIne has been in financial trouble for some time.  It was first reported a few months ago that they will be taking their only ship...the Discovery Sun out of service for some needed repairs in September...then said it would discontinue the route due to a 'lack of popularity'.  Now it's said that Discovery Cruise Line will be selling the Discovery Sun with no word on where the ship will be docked.  The company will stop cruising September 6.

Discovery Cruise Lines offers day trips to the Bahamas from Ft. Lauderdale.  Trips leave Ft. Lauderdale in the morning and return at night.  The travel time is about 5 hours each way and the ship offers entertainment and dining options.  You also have the opportunity to stay a few days on the Bahamas and catch the Discovery Sun back on a different day.

I've never been on the boat...but I'm thinking that many people don't want to spend 10 hours on such a small boat with limited activities.  Getting to the Bahamas and only having a few hours to play is another negative ding for this cruise. 

I guess the new company buying the ship might renovate and start another itinerary in South Florida...but no news has been released yet.

The Lighthouse Café boasts to have the "Best Breakfast in the World". Hmmm. That's a pretty bold statement. Either they are cocky, right on or delusional. We think they are totally living in a reality world. The Lighthouse Café wouldn't even be the best in the world if they were the only place in the world serving breakfast. Pretty strong statement huh? Keep reading and you will see why.


(Lighthouse Cafe - Sanibel Island)

The Lighthouse Café is located on the east part of Sanibel Island very close to the lighthouse. Makes sense. From the outside, the Lighthouse Café looks like many of the other places to eat in Sanibel. Once inside, it looks like a diner all decorated in lighthouse pictures and collectables. We were sat at a booth and looked over the menu.


(Lighthouse Cafe - dining room)


(Lighthouse Cafe - dining room)

Our waitress seemed to be busy visiting with another booth…perhaps a friend or a local. I swear they were doing some slap and tickle in the corner. Weird considering you usually see that with younger wait staff (she was well into her 30's). When she made it over..she was friendly and took our drink order.

I ordered the Ocean Frittata and Jeff went for the Crab and Spinach with Asiago omelette. I chose potato for my side and Jeff chose grits. My toast selection was wheat. Jeff asked if they had a biscuit. Nope…they don't have biscuits. Strange that a restaurant doesn't have them..or should I say a 'bad sign'? He opted for wheat as well (English Muffin was $.35 extra).

The menu has omelettes, pancakes and other typical breakfast items (except for biscuits). They note on the menu that all plates are served with 'fresh homemade strawberry preserves'. They even sold it at the checkout.

When our food arrived and was placed in front of us…I got a strong 'fishy' smell. It was my Frittata. The menu stated that the Frittata contained, Seasoned Shrimp, Krabmeat, Broccoli, mushrooms and topped with an artichoke heart and alfredo sauce. Ok…I know. 'K'rabmeat is something you don't want to see, but I figured that most crab served is not caught in Florida…so I figured that the shrimp would be fresh Gulf Shrimp. I was soooo wrong. The Krabmeat was imitation crab…and the shrimp? Tiny 'salad shrimp'. The fishy smell was from those tiny shrimp. The only fresh item in the frittata was the one mushroom I found. The alfredo sauce was a horrible gloppy mess. It was so thick and the little bit I tried was terrible. The potatoes were your typical 'buffet' type found in many places. Cubes of pre-cooked potato fried in a deep fryer with onion. Ick. I think they should re-name this the 'Low-tide, Ocean Frittata'.


(Ocean Frittata - Lighthouse Cafe)


(Pathetic shrimp in the Ocean Frittata, yes that is a TEASPOON)

The 'fresh homemade strawberry preserve' was a joke. It was served in a little cup and was more like Strawberry syrup. It was thin like syrup with no strawberry chunks at all. There was so much sugar in them..you could feel the undissolved sugar at the bottom of the cup. I never had to 'dip' my toast into preserves before.


(Home Made Strawberry Preserves??? More like over sugared runny syrup)

Jeff's Crab and Spinach omelette was a little better than my selection. The specials board showed it as Crab with a 'c' so we think it was real crab. The sad part is…we couldn't tell since we couldn't find any crab in the whole omelette. The grits were a bit watery but edible.


(Crab, Spinach and Asiago omelette - Lighthouse Cafe)

The waitress was scarce until it was time to drop off the check. Not once did she check up on us. I guess that is the thinking. They don't care how it is…or they know it's so bad, they will have to take it back. It's sad that a place can say 'Best Breakfast in the World' and be so far off that claim. Stay far-far-away from the Lighthouse Café. If you chose to go…you've been warned. Go to the Over Easy Café on the Island for breakfast instead. So much better and a nice place.


($26 too much - Lighthouse Cafe)

I hate giving negative reviews, but I felt that this place really needs a wake-up call and also feel taken advantage of as a tourist.

They also serve dinner during peak season (December thru April). I would say this is a punishment for us tourists.



Lighthouse Café location:
362 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL 33957

FTLToday Score: F (on sooo many levels)