J. Mark's Restaurant & Bar has been around for I'd say close to or just over a year now.  It's located on US1 right by the JC Penney shopping center in Pompano Beach.  I've been here a total of three times now and decided to post a quick review.  I apologize on the quality of the food pictures, but they were taken with my cell phone and the lighting is kind of dim in the restaurant.  I guess I have to learn to take my camera with me at all times huh?

The restaurant is quite polished looking and is full of rich wood and stone.  It's actually quite relaxing.  The main dining area mostly has booths and the bar area has some booths along with a few 'high top' tables.  The bar serves happy hour in the afternoon and late at night.  Might make for a great place to stop after a movie (Muvico 18 is across the street).


(J. Mark's main dining area.  Had to 'lighten' up the picture a bit.)

We were sat right away as we got there a little before the dinner rush.  The sodas we ordered came right away and were always kept full.  I ordered the Rib Eye steak which is served with garlic mashed potatoes.  I ordered a 'side salad' as well.  Jeff ordered the 12 oz. Aged Prime Rib, which is also served with the garlic mashed potatoes.  The service was friendly and we never had to ask for anything.

The salad came out quick and was accompanied with 2 fresh baked rolls with honey butter.  The side salad was a bit small, but was fresh and tasty.  I guess only costing $3.50, it was well worth it.  The rolls were soft and hot.  Very good.


(Side Salad)

Our steaks took a little longer than I thought they would.  When you consider it wasn't that busy and they really only had to 'cook' my Rib Eye.  (Prime Rib's are usually made earlier in the evening and cut to order.)  When the food arrived, it looked very good.  My Rib Eye had great grill marks and smelled like it just came off of someone's backyard grill.  Jeff's Prime Rib looked very good as well. 


(12 oz. Aged Prime Rib)


(Rib Eye Steak)

I ordered my Rib Eye 'medium', but when I cut into it...it was 'medium-well'.  Now, I know some of you true steak lovers might shake your head...but I like my steak anywhere from medium to medium-well.  I didn't send it back since I like it prepared that way as well....but they lost a few points for that.  If you advertise on your website and menu that your steaks are '28 day aged Certified Angus Beef that are hand trimmed each day' you would have the cooking down to an art.  Quality control issue in the kitchen I guess.  The mashed potatoes were good, but only 'warm'. 

Jeff's Prime Rib on the other hand was perfectly cooked to 'medium'.  He's the Prime Rib expert and said it was 'good'.  The 'au-jus' was a bit bland and could have used more flavor too.  I've had my share of Prime Rib and tasted a bite.  I agree with Jeff...it was 'good'.  It didn't have the melt in your mouth quality that a $23 piece of Prime Rib should have.

I'd like to point out that the menu has more than just steaks.  Appetizers seemed a bit pricey at around $10 on average.  We didn't order one so I'm not sure if the price is made up in the portion size.  They have chicken dishes, seafood and burgers as well.  They much more reasonably priced.  Side note:  Their website seems to have older prices, so be aware of that.

We'll probably go back, but not for the steak.  It's getting very hard to find a good steak at a reasonable price these days.  It seems that all steaks are running around $23-25 these days.  The total bill without tip was $58.19. 



J. Mark's Restaurant & Bar is located at:
1490 NE 23rd Street
Pompano Beach, FL

FTLToday's restaurant grade: C