"Must" Restaurants in Ft. Lauderdale Part 1

Whenever I have out of town visitors there are certain restaurants I will be taking them to each for a different reason--here are just a few:

SEASONS52--though it is situated on a very busy thorough fare once you enter this well appointed restaurant the outside world disappears. They have a few very well planned, excellently executed 'gimmicks'--no dish on the menu is more than 475 calories--the menu is changed 4 times a year and, sometimes weekly, to spotlight that season's (week's) fresh foods. They, also, serve mini desserts in tall, square shot glasses--carrot cake, chocolate mousse, rum cake, etc. All plates are beautifully presented and portions are a lot bigger than you would expect. Service is excellent.

CATFISH DEWEY'S--their come on is a different all-u-can eat item every night plus the sweetest catfiish (filleted or whole) eaten anywhere--One night it is ribs, another night shrimp (and we aren't talking small ones either!), weekends it can be stone crabs or snow crabs, etc. They are served with 3 sides and both the cole slaw and hush puppies are the best--the surroundings are strictly 'redneck' with people from all walks of life. Fast and good service.


THE ARK--a "Captain's Table" filled with everything from fresh clams, oysters, prime ribs, roast lamb to pizza,, pasta, lasagna, 6 different kinds of butters and breads to a humongous salad bar. On the ala carte menu they feature (my favorite) a 36 ounce cut of Prime Rib with bone (Who me worry about cholesterol???) A romantic room with booths and/or private sections and above par service.

OLD FLORIDA SEAFOOD HOUSE--for the best and freshest seafood in town--wonderful mixed bread basket--large (that's a recurring theme with me:O) portions served with 3 side dishes including the best fried zucchini you will taste anywhere--the setting is like all seafood houses from the 70s and has a big raw bar counter at entrance.

15TH STREET FISHERIES--another place for fresh seafood but this one overlooks the water--they also have the best homemade bread anywhere which is constantly offered by servers walking around with full baskets--though an expensive restaurant it fulfills my requirements: excellent food, excellent service, good decor and beautiful surroundings. They do have an earlybird though expensive--must be seated between 5:15-5:30 PM--though I have never gone to ti I just love the idea of only fiftenn minutes!

(Continued with part 2)