It’s a big year for the culinary scene in Fort Lauderdale. For the first time, the Michelin Guide has expanded its coverage to the city, recognizing several of its restaurants for culinary excellence, and awarding a star to Maass in the Four Seasons hotel.
In response, local restaurants are upping their game.
Whether you’re craving local fish, a meaty meal, or a Mediterranean feast, there is something fresh for you to check out in Fort Lauderdale’s best new dining rooms.
Sunness Supper Club | 2465 E Sunrise Blvd.
Despite opening just this year in an unremarkable plaza, Sunness Supper Club has become one of the most popular spots in the city. Starters include wild mushroom flatbread, jumbo lump crab cakes and wood-fired mussels. Bone-in rib eye with truffled mashed potato and heritage pork chop with apricot chutney are in the “steaks, chops and fish’’ section, and there is an entire category of “modern comfort’’ dishes. Those include fried chicken and cabernet-braised short rib.
This is not the place to hold back on dessert, or photo opportunities — among the meal finishers are a S’mores Galore Brownie with jumbo marshmallows toasted tableside over live fire, and a miniature Ferris wheel filled with assorted treats. Before you feel too guilty, a portion of the sales from each one goes to charity.
Daniel’s, a Florida Steakhouse | 620 South Federal Highway
This new steakhouse from Gioia Hospitality and Chef Daniel Ganem (don’t confuse it with Boulud’s brand) shows off with classic booths and walnut wood. It’s sourcing directly from farmers, ranchers and fisheries to bring in Skipper Sweets oysters from the panhandle; hog snapper from the Keys; prime steaks and American wagyu from North Florida, salads like kale and hearts of palm from Swank Farms and burrata from a nearby creamery.
There is no shortage of luxury items, either: There’s a mélange of beef tartare and Kaluga caviar dubbed Wagyu & Pearls, roasted chicken with black truffles and a 16 oz., grass-fed Florida Providence Cattle NY strip. Despite the hefty portions, diners should leave room for key lime pie and chocolate chip skillet cookies.
Ocean Prime | 171 Las Olas Circle
Sitting on the Intracoastal with walls of windows, a chic two-story outpost of Cameron Mitchell’s Ocean Prime opened in April and has a terrace with sweeping views on both levels.
Come for dishes with a flair for showmanship like the smoking shellfish tower, the 22 oz. bone-in rib eye and the 10-carrot layer cake.
Jay’s Steakhouse | 441 NE 3rd Ave.
Set in a restored 1920s church, Jay’s is focused more on showmanship than sourcing locally. Starters include lamb chop lollipops, roasted bone marrow with chimichurri, rosemary-herb duck fat wedges and Maine lobster oreganata.
Prime rib is delivered tableside on a trolley. The charred tiger prawns are extra-large and so is the 44 oz. tomahawk which has the option of a blue cheese crust or foie gras. Caviar presentations include Petrossian Tsar Imperial with warm blinis and crème fraîche.
Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse | 221 SW 1st Ave.
Meat is cured or barbecue-smoked at this new addition to the city’s Riverwalk. There are four separate dining areas including a room with large windows and water views, and a covered patio overlooking the river. A Backwoods smoker from Texas is another attraction, turning out pastrami short ribs, 12-hour brisket, chicken and topped with flame-roasted kimchi and yuzu pickles. The restaurant also features Japanese street foods, including beech mushroom tempura and Fuji apple-glazed pork belly.
Sakana Nikkei | 400 SW 1st Ave.
Japanese fuses with Peruvian flavors at this Nikkei-style restaurant. Salads range from seaweed to quinoa. Seafood towers combine sashimi, nigiri and ceviche, and there is a selection of tiraditos. Hot izakaya dishes include jumbo scallops flambé and pan-fried pork and shrimp dumplings — while lobster and American wagyu are among the roll choices. There is a full offering of sushi, and among the hot dishes are seafood pasta, short ribs and sea bass with miso.
Calusso | 2301 SE 17th St.
The new hotel, Pier Sixty-Six, has 12 dining spots, including this elegant French-Italian room. Expect tableside presentations and offerings like truffle fritillary with blue crab and sweet corn, foie gras with quince and pistachio and roasted delicata squash with creamy chestnut. Surf and turf ops include the scallop in a turmeric emulsion and bistecca for two. Between the marina, pool, open kitchen and artistic presentations, you won’t know where to look first.
Ibis Sky Lounge | 1850 SE 17th St.
Over at the Omni hotel, the Ibis Sky Lounge is going after a sophisticated crowd, serving tapas-style dishes to guests 21 and up against the backdrop of the Intracoastal and city lights. Among the highlights are scallops with sweet pepper sofrito and caviar croquettes.
Mykonos | 305 S Andrews Ave.
Mediterranean cuisine is alive and well in Fort Lauderdale, which has long been home to great Greek restaurants like Thasos. This new estiatorio has outdoor daybeds along with indoor booths and serves up classic Hellenic dishes. Grilled octopus and branzino share a menu with more creative plates like peach stracciatella salad with roasted pistachio and Turkish meat dumplings with yogurt and tomato reduction.
Slate
The culinary adventure begins before you even take off. A private airline that sells individual seats, Slate is now serving in-flight treats from Daniel Boulud’s Épicerie Boulud and Palm Beach food mecca Buccan, on trips from New York.
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