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.

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.

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

239 South Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316

spaziofl.com

Spazio is located right on Ft. Lauderdale beach on the corner of Las Olas and A1A. There is a bar and seating inside as well as open space and seating outside facing the beach. Executive chef Michael Smith has created an Italian/Mediterranean menu with a wide variety of items in all courses. An added touch is the outdoor entertainment of live music. They have a full liquor bar. Their prices range from inexpensive to moderate. Spazio is conveniently open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8a.m. through midnight daily and accepts most major credit cards.

My husband and I ate at Spazio recently on a Saturday night and really enjoyed ourselves. We sat outside and listened to the music and watched the many people going by. It was busy while we were there.  We ordered the individual pizza and their 2 for 1 frozen drinks and were pleasantly surprised. The drinks and food portions were generous. The pizza was delicious and thin crusted like we prefer. Our service was friendly and prompt and we are looking forward to coming back again soon to enjoy one of their regular meals. I would highly recommend anyone who hasn’t been there yet to experience it. Spazio is also a great place for relatives and friends visiting the area. Great food, great entertainment, great location, and great service.