floridan's Profile
NYC birthday
You might check out King in SoHo - new, but excellent food and an upscale atmosphere without being stuffy. Don't know if they have a prixe fixe menu, but you can likely get away with a $50/person budget.
I doubt everyone will be attired in suits and dresses, but you certainly won't feel overdressed if your party is.
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King
5 King St, New York, NY 10012
Our Weekend in Philadelphia
Just returned from an enjoyable long weekend visit to Philadelphia with some great eats.
Arrived Thursday morning and after checking into our hotel visited Dandelion for a light lunch; we liked the Dandelion salad and the Smoked Turkey and Gouda sandwich - also the cask beer flight (esp. the milk stout). For dinner, we walked to El Ray for Mexican food -- great energy and imaginative dishes (I liked the short rib enchiladas).
The next day we took the advice of some native Philadelphians and avoided Pat's and Gino's, opting for the recommended Campos for cheesesteaks, instead. They were good, but I suspect that cheesesteaks are too ubiquitous to allow any one to stand head-and-shoulders above the rest. Dinner was at Osteria (the only restaurant we made reservations for before coming to Phil), and we were not disappointed. We started off with an excellent grilled vegetable antipasto and the salumi plate. For our entrees we chose the spaghetti with olive oil poached calamari, taggiasca olives and parsley, and the corzetti with clams, farmer tomatoes, chili and scallion. Both dishes were a delicious combination of flavors and textures (and not, as others here have hinted at, too small). Of course we saved room for dessert - chocolate flan and the polenta budino. Great service, although they were out of one wine we ordered.
Saturday we ate breakfast at the Reading Terminal Market (Dutch Eating Place) which was OK. Lunch was just a bowl of soup at the Museum of Art, also OK. For dinner we got last minute reservations at Meme, and were glad we did -- short menu, but everything done well. Began with steak tartar, bone marrow, oysters and the local greens salad, followed by entrees of garganelli with pancetta and (if I remember correctly asparagus, strip steaks with a very fresh succotash, and perfectly-done ivory salmon. Too stuffed for dessert. Interestingly, when I called Meme's to see if we could get in, I asked if it was BYO or had a wine list -- the response was "either." We brought a couple bottles of Silver Oak cabernet which the wait staff opened without a corkage fee -- great for us, and more money to spend on food. We really loved the ambience and the cusine at this little restaurant.
The next morning, brunch at a.kitchen before catching our flight. I had the gruyere buns with poached eggs and country ham - a perfect end to our Philadelphia eating experience. Hopefully, we'll be back.
Unique family dining in Broward or Palm Beach
Depending on the weather, eating outside at DaDa's in Delray is family friendly. Good food and the servers are certainly "something different."
Summer Trip to NYC
A laid back restaurant with excellent food is Shorty's .32 in Soho -- creative American cusine. If you could only go to one restaurant while in NYC, this may not be it, but if you have time, it's worth a visit.
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Shorty's .32
199 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
Practically Begging...for one interesting restaurant in driving range of Boca Raton
You may want to drive down to Pompano Beach and visit Taqueria Dona Raquel (791 South Dixie Hwy, West) - great authentic Mexican fare. It wasn't all that long ago they began providing English translations on their menus.
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Taqueria Dona Raquel
791 S Dixie Hwy W, Pompano Beach, FL 33060
East Coast BBQ in Pompano Beach
I've eaten at East Coast BBQ twice, for lunch and agree that more marketing is essential -- no one Iknow has heard about it (and it is virtually invisible from the street).
I had the pulled pork sandwich and the beef brisket on my two visits. The pulled pork was good, but the price point at about $8 was a bit high (compare to Nelson's Diner on Cypress Road that has an excellent pulled pork sandwich for $6.00. The beef brisket was good too, although I'm usually not a bbq beef fan.Good baked beans, but coleslaw is rather bland (bagged cabbage).
Worth a trip to eat there, but I doubt it will become your favorite bbq place.
Best BBQ in Fort Lauderdale area?
Nice atmosphere and BBQ may be mutually exclusive.
My vote goes to Georgia Pig -- as far as I'm concerned second place is a big drop down. But with BBQ, one "size" doesn't fit all.
ideas on S Beach Mia
We dined at BLT Steak last week and were very happy with the meals and service. My spouse ordered the salt-encrusted baked snapper (I'm not sure this is how it is described on the menu) -- perfectly done; moist and favorful.
We ate inside; there is outside seating, but not sure about the people watching.
BBQ Naples-Ft Myers Area
Haven't been there in a little while, but used to visit Naples area frequently and enjoyed Michelbob's on Airport Road. It's local and has good ribs and sliced pork sandwichs.
Chicago for three days
We just returned from three days in Chicago with another couple who would be hesitant to go to a restaurant like L2O or Alinea. Still we did just fine.
Dinners at Frontera Grill on Friday, The Berghoff (we were staying at the Palmer House and didn't have reservations) on Saturday, and Table 52 on Sunday. We were very happy with them all. None were outrageously priced (the critical factor being how much you plan to spend on drinks).
Also had a good lunch at The Gage on Sunday (the other two days we had "bar food").
Charlie Trotter's vs Frontera? And Sunday dins in Chicago??
Oops, make that West Coast..
Charlie Trotter's vs Frontera? And Sunday dins in Chicago??
Frontera Grill does take some reservations -- you might call and give it a try before standing in line.
As for the time, if you're coming from the East Coast, 9:00 PM won't seem quite as late.
North Florida/Georgia "Real" Barbecue
In SE Florida the Georgia Pig on State Road 7 in Plantation (?) serves some mighty fine BBQ - chopped pork with smoky flavor and "bark."
For my money they make the best BBQ sandwich around -- stacks up well against any other, anywhere.
Authentic Mexican Food in Broward?
Recently found a new Mexican restaurant in Margate on State Rd 7 (north of Coconut Creek Pkwy) - El Zocalo.
Not quite as authentic as Dona Raquel, but not far off, and much nicer atmosphere.
I especially like their pozole. Wide range of taco fillings.
Bern's in tampa
I think I first dined at Bern's in 1969, and my most recent visit was a couple months ago.
Over that period of time, I have never had a bad, or even so-so, meal. Nor have I ever experienced poor service.
Bern's may not be everyone's favorite restaurant, but by no stretch of the imagination could it be accurately described as an "affront to fine dining."
BBQ in Ft. Lauderdale
Whenever I go to the Pig, I always get the pork sandwich special and don't really look at the menu. I guess I need to expand my horizons and order the ribs next time I'm there.
second guessing my choice Ft Laud...help?
I've nevefr heard of anyone who has dined at EdSA to be "underwhelmed."
Clue us in on how it failed to meet your standards.
BBQ in Ft. Lauderdale
Go to the Georgia Pig for a downhome lunch . . . I don't think they have ribs, but it's hard to beat their pork sandwichs.
It's on State Road 7, just south of Davie Blvd. (no credit cards).
When did Creolina's close?!
Very sad . . . one of my favorite restaurants for lunch when I worked downtown. Food was always excellent and a fun atmosphere. And then there was Mary . . .
Soul Food in South Florida
Try Betty's in Fort Lauderdale, on Sistrunk Blvd. just west of I-95.
I think a lot of people's tastes in Soul Food is fairly idiosyncratic, so what may appeal to one person may not to another. Still, I find Betty's fried chicken and pork dishes very good as is the cornbread. Good variety of desserts (including red velvet cake).
Taquera's in Pompano Beach?
Dona Raquel is the best -- I usually go there at lunchtime and it seems that there's always a waitress who speaks Englsih who is available to wait on me.
The menu is only semi-translated, but most people will not have a major problem ordering.
Caps Place Lighthouse point
Cap's Place is one of the area's oldest continuously-operating businesses, much less restaurants. It began in the 1920s as a retaurant/bar/gambling establishment out in the middle of nowhere. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Those who go to Cap's expecting the latest food fashion, or a CIA-trained chef in the kitchen will be disappointed. Rather, fresh seafood,simply prepared, is the way to go.
If one goes to Cap's and doesn't have the heart of palm salad (it's harvested locally), they've missed the point.
It is what it is (and I haven't found it dirty -- just a little historically disheveled).
Great eateries in Pompano Beach?
Brother Tuckers is little-known, even among locals, but the food is very good. I'm not sure I would characterize the food as "Belgian-inspired," but that's no knock.
It's one of theose places you want to tell people about, but hope it doesn't catch on to the extent you then have trouble finding a table (not a problem now).
Boiled peanuts
There is nothing easier to make than boiled peanuts -- all it takes is a few simple ingredients and patience.
You can get green peanuts at Publix (if your store doesn't carry them, ask the manager) and I've seen them at other grocery stores, as well.
There is no secret -- just boil them until you think they're done, and then boil them some more. If you want to get creative, add some garlic or peppers, but I likes mine the way God intended them to be eaten -- plain with the juices dripping down your arm.
I hope I am not breaking etiquette... Italian subs
Agree about La Spada and Del Presta. Actually, the latter is located on 441 in Margate, not Pompano.
Post Citrus Bowl Dinner
Driving up from South Florida for the Citrus Bowl and looking for suggestions on where to eat after the game (assuming the Gators win -- if not we'll probably get a slice of pizza at the Canoe Creek turnpike plaza).
Ideally not too far in the wrong direction (we'll be going back that evening on the Turnpike) and obviously need something casual. Would like to avoid chains.
Where are Florida's best fish tacos?
When in Fort Lauderdale, try the fish tacos at Fresh Enchinlada on Federal Highway, between Oakland Park Blvd. and Commercial Blvd.
Excellent!
Near UF Campus
I've always liked Cafe Gardens, just across from campus off University Drive -- casual, bur a good college atmosphere. Mostly casual foods, but you probably don't want fine dining before a football game.
Beware -- get there early (real early) or be prepared to skip eating -- every place withing walking distance is going to be packed. It's a 5:00 PM game (unless that changes for TV) so plan on lunch.
