1611 N. Federal Highway

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33305

Phone: 954-563-4141

I was at Mario’s Catalina Restaurant for a networking group holiday dinner on a Monday night with 18 other professionals. It was a lovely experience in Cuban, American, and Spanish Cuisine with light Latin music in the background. We had a large long table on the outside inclosed patio area in the front of the restaurant. We were welcomed right away and drink orders were taken. They are known for their fruit sangrias and their mojitos.  My husband and I had the fruit sangrias.  The food is fresh and delicious and the service is superb. The restaurant is able to handle larger gatherings as well as romantic dinners for two.  The prices are moderate to pricey, but the presentation and food quality is worth it. The meal portions are generous.

We started with appetizers for the table. Then everyone got the salad with fruit and vegetables.  I had the grouper in lobster sauce that came with asparagus. Some of group had the salmon with lemon sauce and others had pulled pork or strip steak dishes. I had flam for dessert that was very smooth.

I look forward to returning to Mario’s Catalina for dinner another time and trying some of their other dishes. There is another location in Miami.

www.sublimerestaurant.com

SUBLIME RESTAURANT & BAR

1431 N. Federal Highway, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33304

Phone: 954-615-1431

Sublime is an innovative concept in vegetarian dining that’s completely cholesterol-free. With an award-winning menu featuring natural and organic foods and spirits from around the globe, Sublime is one South Florida restaurant that truly lives up to its name. Sublime has received numerous accolades including 4 out of 4 stars in the Sun-Sentinel, USA Today’s top 10 in the nation for serving cuisine with a clear conscience, and the 2005 South Beach Wine and Food Festival’s Best Restaurant in Broward County.

Sublime is also a treat for your eyes. Cascading window waterfalls, skylights, Italian glass tiles, an open-hearth oven, and exotic trees reminiscent of a tropical rainforest are the reason the Zagat Guide gave Sublime its “Top Restaurant Decor” award. Locals, visitors and celebrities including Pamela Anderson, Paul McCartney, Alec Baldwin, Alicia Silverstone, and Bob Barker love Sublime’s eclectic cuisine as well as its upbeat atmosphere. Owner Nanci Alexander invites you to enjoy a truly Sublime experience!

There is a large selection to choose from on the menu and all the dishes are made to perfection. There is a nice bar when you enter. I dined at Sublime with friends during the week and we had great service. We were seated at a nice round table and ordered wine first. Then some of us ordered appetizers and the rest ordered entrees. I had their vege burger with string beans that was very tasty. We were treated to a tasting of their delicious lental curry soup which was the soup of the day. As a compliment from the chef, we were served a special organic heated bread with our wine.  For dessert, we ordered a piece of Chocolate Nirvana to share among us. It was very rich and decadent.

Their prices are moderate and they do accept all major credit cards. The restaurant is closed on  Monday’s and is open for dinner the rest of the week. There are drink specials at the bar daily. Sublime does cater for larger parties and will book functions there as well. Great place for a Christmas party!

I look forward to going back there again soon to try their other dishes.

8440 W. Oakland Park Blvd.

Sunrise, Florida 33351

Phone: 954-741-8104

http://szechuanpandafl.com

Sze-Chuan Panda specializes in Szechuan and Taiwanese styles of cooking. The atmosphere is friendly and comfortable. Their dishes are fresh and tasty. This location has been in existence since 1990 and the food quality is excellent. The decor of the restaurant is warm and has nice oriental pictures. The menu is varied and they offer discounted complete early bird dinners every evening. Delivery is available within a limited area. Prices are very reasonable.

I ate dinner at Sze-Chuan Panda during the week and their was a steady flow of people there. The owner visits each table and the service is prompt and courteous. I ordered the Shrimp, Chicken and Vegetables complete early bird dinner that is served with your choice of soup, egg roll or chicken wings or bean sprouts salad, fried rice or white rice, and choice dessert.  It was hot and delicious! The portions are generous so I had some of my main dish to take home.

I look forward to going back there to try their many other dishes.

CHEDDAR’s Casual Cafe

7951 W. Commercial Blvd.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33321

Phone: 954-557-0551

Cheddar’s is a nice casual place to dine with good quality food at reasonable prices. They are open daily for lunch and dinner.  There is a bar area as well. The menu has a large variety of dishes for all tastes and ages.  There is even a kids menu. The atmosphere of the restaurant is comfortable. Their appetizers are big enough for two or more to share.

I was at the Ft. Lauderdale location last week on a week night with friends and it was pretty steady with customers. Great for families. There is also a covered area outside that is perfect for a private party.  We only waited maybe 3 minutes for a booth that was just cleaned. Our waiter was friendly and prompt. I had their classic cheeseburger that is made with Angus beef and made to order with a choice of a side dish. I picked the cheese broccoli casserole. That was really delicious! The raspberry tea quenched my thirst. One friend ordered the salmon dinner and loved it.

I look forward to going back there again and trying one of their many other dishes. It is also a great place for lunch, snack, or a drink.

http://www.cheddars.com

1207 S.E. 17th Street

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316

Phone: 954-764-3333

If you really enjoy New York Strip steak, Chuck’s makes a delicious Black Angus beef cooked to order.  There have been several Chuck’s locations in Florida that are no longer around. The first Florida location was opened in 1973 in Ft. Lauderdale and has thrived throughout the years. Lunch is served on Saturday and Sunday and music is played on Friday and Saturday evenings. Chuck’s takes reservations, especially for parties of 10 or more.  They have happy hour Monday through Friday from 4pm to 6:30pm.

The decor is dark inside with a big bar area where the music is played. My family and I were at Chuck’s Ft. Lauderdale location with relatives last Friday night. We had around 18 people in our party so we had two long tables set up towards the back area of the restaurant. We were able to hear the music and see the bar. The menu is varied and the prices are moderate for steak and seafood dishes. Some people ordered seafood and others ordered Prime Rib and the New York Strip. The Prime Rib was tasty, but too rare for me. The New York Strip really looked good and lean. I ordered their famous Salad Bar and delicious Manhattan Clam Chowder soup.

The service was efficient and timely for our dinner party.  Being a Friday night, it got crowded.  I have not been there in many years so I really enjoyed it. Chuck’s is a great place to take the family, go as a couple, or for a larger party or event.

We enjoyed the Sushi Lunch Box with four pieces of California roll, six pieces of tuna roll and three other pieces of sushi  for $10.95 including miso soup.  Another fresh and tasty dish  was the Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables with Chicken and Jasmine rice for $7.95 including miso soup.

Tee-Jay Thai Sushi has locations in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, and Wilton Manors.

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. For more information and a menu, please visit their website, tjthaisushi.com.

5975 North Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

(954) 771-4447

Promenade at Coconut Creek

4443 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073  Phone:954-590-3666

My husband and I were in the mood for pizza over the weekend and came across Scarfone’s while walking around the Promenade at Coconut Creek.  Their other locations are in Coral Springs and Davie.  Inside it is a little too dark with tables, so we chose to eat outside with the nice breeze. The pizza we ordered was delicious and thin crusted like we enjoy.  There are many varieties, but we decided on the Farmers market which includes peppers, mushrooms, onions, and spinach. We ordered a large wheat pizza with a caesar salad beforehand to share.  Both of us had water to drink. The portion was plenty to share. Everything was tasty.

Scarfone’s prepares their pizza dough fresh daily. They use fresh San Marzano tomatoes which are easier to digest for many people that normally have heartburn. Fresh herbs and the finest mazzerella cheese are also used. There are also other dishes available such as pastas, specials with chicken, coal oven wings, sides, and hoagies.  White, blush, and red wines are served and there is a bar inside the restaurant. It is a great place for a party or an event.

The restaurant is open every day, except for Monday’s. When we were there at about five o’clock on a Saturday, there were a few tables being served. Our waiter was very nice and our food was promptly brought to us.

I look forward to going there again when we are in the neighborhood to try their other pizzas or dishes.

http://www.tijuanataxico.com

Tijuana Taxi Company, 901 N. University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33071

Phone: 954-344-9201

This is a great place to have fun, enjoy some great drinks and food, and watch sports on five televisions. The atmosphere is that of a casual and friendly Mexican bar and grill. The restaurant is located in a shopping center outside of the Coral Springs Mall.  There are tables for outside dining as well as inside.  The waitresses serve you with a smile and the food is delicious! The portions are generous and the cost is inexpensive to moderate. It is great for families as well as couples of all ages.

I was there on a Wednesday night and the Heat basketball championship game was on. It was pretty crowded at 7:30pm, but we got seated right away right near the bar and a large television set. Tijuana Taxi has daily specials and Wednesday is the Baby Back Ribs platter for $7.99. That is what I ordered with ice tea. You get a full rack of juicy pork ribs and two sides items that are piping hot.

They are the “home of the 36 ounce Monster Margarita”. They advertise that domestic draft beers are always $1.69. What a great place to cater a party or hold a special event! There are a variety of foods such as quesadillas, fajitas, enchilada platters, authentic taco platters, sandwiches, combinations, salads and wraps, and hamburgers.

I look forward to going back there again soon for their other dinner specials.

The decor is cheeful, nice and simple. There is outside seating.

The restaurant is reasonably priced when using a discount coupon. Our meal for two with tax and tip was about $45. 

For more information including menus, directions, photos and discount coupons, please visit the restaurant’s website at http://www.siamkitchensushithai.com.

3341 N. Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306
(954) 565-0855