3017 East Commercial Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida  33308

Phone: 954-776-4282

www.zuckerellos.com

If you love Italian food and a comfortable dining experience, you will love this restaurant. When you arrive, someone greets you with a smile right away.  As you enter, to the right there are a sampling of their delicious meals to order. To a slight left is the bar. The smell of fresh garlic permiates the room. We had a reservation with three other couples for 6pm on a Sunday night. Early bird is from 4-6pm daily so it was still crowded when we arrived. The menu is varied and everything seems like a good choice.

Zuckerello’s has won the Zagat award and has been featured in articles in the Sun Sentinel. They have special events and do cater for larger parties. It is a great place for family and friend gatherings as well as for romantic dinners. Their other location is in Aventura.

Some people ordered wine. Several of us ordered the Gorgonzola salad that was to die for.  It was actually large enough for my husband and I to share. Their bread comes with fresh garlic. All of us enjoyed the bread. I ordered the eggplant parmigiana and it was a large portion with spaghetti and mixed vegetables. My husband ordered the meat lasagna that was fully layered and was a large portion as well covered with cheese. Both of us had enough left over to bring  home for dinner the following evening. One of our friends ordered the liguini with clam sauce and really enjoyed that.  All of us were too full for dessert and coffee, but they do have a variety of delicious desserts for next time.

Our service and presentation of the meals was very nice and attentive. The waiters did not rush us and we were able to dine relaxing for over two hours with our friends. I would love to come back again to try their other dishes.

10 Beach Drive
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (727) 209-2299

http://www.cevichetapas.com

Ceviche Tapas  Bar and Restaurant St. Pete is located in the Ponce de Leon Hotel at the corner of Beach Dr. and Central Ave, across the street from the bay. The two-level restaurant encompasses a main floor dining room and basement flamenco bar. This location also houses Pincho y Pincho, a 7-day a week coffee shop and bar open for breakfast and lunch. There are other successful Florida locations in Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando, and Clearwater.

The original Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant in Tampa opened in 1997. This unique Spanish Tapas Restaurant was voted ‘Top Twenty New Restaurants in Florida’ by Florida Trend Magazine.

The Ceviche menu is comprised of over 100 different hot and cold tapas, as well as paellas and cazuelas. Most of the tapas recipes are from Northern Spain and Catalan. Many of the products are imported directly to the restaurant to maintain the authenticity of the dishes. An exclusive Spanish wine list has been carefully designed by the owners and the Sangria has been voted “Best in Tampa Bay.”

There are many summer menu specials advertised on their website until September 30th. There is half off of some selected tapas dishes. The menu is extensive and has a great variety to choose from. Everything sounds and looks great, so it is hard to choose. This restaurant is best for ordering several different tapas and sharing in a group.

We were there with family during the week one night during the week after 8:00pm and they were still packed for dinner inside and outside. We chose to each outside so we could see and hear the downtown area around us. The outside fans along with a small breeze seemed to help with the humid heat.  We had red sangrias before our dinner.  We all ordered different tapas for dinner and found that the portions were larger than expected. Each was delicious and tasty. I had a salmon and a mixed vegetable tapas. I was able to share part of the vegetables.

I would highly recommend this restaurant when visiting St. Petersburg downtown. If you have never tried tapas before, this is a great experience. We look forward to coming back again in the near future.

COLUMBIA RESTAURANT – THE PIER

800 2nd Avenue N.E.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Phone: 727-822-8000

http://www.columbiarestaurant.com

colpier@columbiarestaurant.com

This restaurant is a Florida tradition since 1905. You will find waterfront views and outstanding Spanish/Cuban cuisine at the Columbia at The Pier in downtown St. Petersburg. A panoramic 360 degree 4th floor waterfront view of sailboats drifting by and dolphins playing in Tampa Bay complement their award-winning family recipes, fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico and other specialties. They are open 365 days a year serving lunch and dinner. There are several other successful Florida locations in Ybor City, Sarasota, St. Augustine, Clearwater Beach, Celebration, and Riverwalk Tampa.

Columbia at the Pier is centrally located in downtown St. Petersburg. Close to the Pier is an impressive collection of cultural centers that include the St. Petersburg Museum of History, the Museum of Fine Arts, Florida International Museum and the world-renowned Salvador Dali Museum. There are also several waterfront parks to enjoy.

There is an on-site gift shop for a selection of unique gifts, fine cigars & accessories. You can take home “A Taste of Columbia” with their World Famous “1905″ Salad TM Dressing, sangria mix, Cuban and American roast coffee, hot sauce and Columbia seasoning. You’ll also find a wide variety of unique hand-made and hand painted ceramic pieces imported from Spain.

The service is very prompt and efficient. Our waitress commented on how much she liked working there for over four years. My husband and I were there for dinner on a week night around 8:00pm so there was not a wait for a table. Sitting overlooking the water was really nice. The lights on the outside of the building would change from dark pink, blue, green, and yellow which really looked pretty. We started out with white wine before our main dinner.  I ordered a shrimp dish with crabmeat that was delicious. My husband ordered a snapper dish that was also very tasty. The food presentation was nice and everything was fresh.

I would recommend this restaurant to others that have not been there before.  It is great for a romantic dinner or with a family. I look forward to going back there the next time we are in the area.

SIX TABLES www.sixtables.com

112 NE 2nd Street
Mizner Plaza Boca Raton, Florida 33432

Phone: 561-347-6260

At Six Tables restaurant, dinner guests are served a memorable and delicious five course, prix fix meal in their comfortable quant dining room with only six tables! Each table can be arranged to accommodate a party of two, four, six or up to 10 people for your dining comfort. Six Tables is open for dinner only, by reservation only with two seating times, most Tuesday through Saturday nights.

The Boca Raton location is near Mizner Park and has been there for over seven years. We had the 7:00pm seating on a Saturday night. There were two other couples there at that time. You are encouraged to be there on time to benefit  most from the experience. It is a great place for a romantic quiet dinner for two or a larger party for a family celebration or company event.   All locations are independently owned and operated. The other Florida locations are in Tampa, Gulfport, and Dunedin.

At Six Tables, your table setting is very special along with the atmosphere and music. Real crystal, crisp linens, and unique china is set at each table along with soft jazz melodies and candles. Once everyone is seated, the owner and chef, Jon, welcomes you to the dining experience and explains the menu and the dining technique. CiCi helps pour the welcome blanc de blanc champagne that everyone rescieves upon arrival. There are other wines that can be ordered from their selected wine menu as well for dinner.

I ate at Six Tables with my husband to celebrate our third wedding anniversary this past weekend. It was so nice and really made our weekend celebration special.  We were treated very special. The welcome champagne is served with gourgeres. The signature lobster bisque was full of lobster pieces. The homemade lavender herb bread was warm and delicious. For our main dish, I had the braised lamb legs and my husband had the chateaubriand. The presentations were unlike any that we have had recently. The poached pear and sample cheeses went well after the main dish. We had a blueberry custard dessert that was very sweet and soothing with coffee. The whole meal left a good taste in our mouths.

I highly recommend trying Six Tables for a different and special dining experience. Looking forward to returning to Six Tables for many more occasions to come. Check out their website for more information on their history, the wine list, and sample menu.  Major credit cards are accepted.  Reservations are suggested.  Any reservation cancellations or rescheduling should be made at least 24 hours in advance.

2901 Clint Moore Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: 561-995-9940

http://www.rotellipizzapasta.com

If you are looking for a good neighborhood family Italian Restaurant with a variety of food and moderate pricing, you should try Rotelli’s.  There are many locations throughout South Florida. My husband and I went to the Central Boca Raton location listed above on a Saturday night. It was crowded at 7:00pm when we arrived. The service is prompt and the atmosphere is friendly and comfortable. There are coupons online and ones that we received in the mail that can be used towards lunch or dinner there.

The menu is varied and includes seafood items as well. There are dinner specials for $9.99 daily and complete early bird dinners daily. The regular prices are moderate and the portions are generous. Each of us had a glass of house wine which was very good. We ordered a gorgonzola salad and a large pizza with spinach, extra cheese, and roasted red peppers. Everything was delicious and we had some pizza to bring home.

We will go back again to try their many dinner dishes soon.

Max’s Grille has a wide variety of food and wine. You may enjoy full entrees, sandwiches or tapas. Max’ Grille now serves breakfast.

On Friday, from 11:30am to 4:00 pm, $5 hamburgers are available.

For more information and menus, please visit maxsgrille.com.

404 Plaza Real
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561) 368-0080

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.

For lunch we ordered the prime hamburger, one with cheddar cheese and bacon, and the other with cheddar cheese. They prime beef made them exceptional. We enjoyed cole slaw that was perfect, delicious fresh fruit  and plenty of freshly made ice tea.

The food, service and atmosphere makes this a wonderful spot for lunch or dinner. After enjoying a refreshing drink or a meal, we recommend a stroll to the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of about three blocks.

For more information and a complete menu, please visit Ridgway’s website at ridgwaybarandgrill.com.

Ridgway Bar & Grill
1300 Third Street South
Naples, FL 34102
239-262-5500

3111 N. University Drive
Coral Springs, Fl. 33065
PH: 954 510-7400

http://www.payzins.com

Payzins is a place that you feel comfortable whether you are with one person or among a large group of friends.  They have 14 restaurant locations in South Florida sine the 1980′s.  Think about being entertained with music while you are eating a delicious meal and being able to dance the night away in the same venue. It is also a great place to come for a drink, listen to music and dance without having dinner as well.

I was there last week with my seven other friends for Girls Nite Out. The food is prepared fresh everyday from scratch recipes and there are always specials available.  On a Thursday night it was crowded for dinner, appealing to all ages.  We started off with rolls and some had red wine and others had white wine.  A couple of us ordered the Macadama Nut Crusted Tilapia that came with soup or salad and two side dishes.  Someone else had the Island Skirt Steak and another person had the Broiled Salmon.  The Macadama Nut Crusted Tilapia was delicious.  Some of my friends complained that their dishes were not warm enough. They were replaced.  The salads and soups came out quickly after ordering, but the main meal did not.

The service was very slow, but the food and the portions were good.  The prices are reasonable.  I would probably come back again and try their lunch menu sometime.

Abby Firstenberg-Merker

http://renzosofboca.com

Reservations gladly taken for parties of five or more

When you come to Renzo’s, you are treated like family. Originally from Sicily, Renzo started out in Long Island, NY. They have been in this location for over eighteen years. Renzo’s of Boca is not to be confused with the Renzo’s Cafe and Pizzeria also on Federal Highway or the Renzo’s Pizzeria on West Yamato Road and 441. These were opened in 2004.

At Renzo’s of Boca everything is made to order so you need to pack your patience for a delicious meal.  The parking lot is full, especially during season.  Valet parking is encouraged and is complimentary.  Once seated, the strong aroma of real Italian food is hard to ignore.  We started out with a nice bottle of Pino Grigio wine.  Plenty of warm garlic bread  was available for the table. That night we were there for a family celebration and everyone was pleased with their meal selections.  A few of us ordered the eggplant rollatini stuffed with ricotta cheese.  It came with a green salad and a side dish. My husband ordered the veal marsala and loved it.  Their homemade sauce is special in that it is not real spicy and has a true tomato taste.

Renzo’s of Boca is also a great venue for large gatherings or parties. There are two separate rooms. One has the bar in front and a piano for relaxing entertainment during your meal.  They are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

I look forward to coming back soon and would recommend to others.

Abby Firstenberg-Merker