Ft Laud RESSIE TIPS...AND HOW TO AVOID HUGE MISTAKES

[sharecruises]

Hi..as a res of ft laud area, I was sort of...surprized and shocked ..to see the places reccomended...

 

I hope I and other locals can give a bit of info to help

 

Some of the hotel choices here are far from airport/port, and in either "business" areas or suburb/residential areas and a few in pretty much nasty/dangerous areas

 

Another thing : why would you come to Ft Lauderdale to eat at Outback steakhouse or some other chain restaurant?? There are sooo many great places here

 

Ft Lauderdale has TONS of restaurants....statistically us locals eat out more than any other place in the usa haha

We also have tons of coupon books, discounts, and some pretty nice ones thru the entertainment book

 

There are lots of things to do in Ft Lauderdale....I live in the suburbs and go "east" as a mini vacation. To be honest with you, Ft Lauderdale is prettier and safer than the bahamas, many of the shopping centers look just like them haha...and I find it more charming, more interesting and cheaper than Grand Cayman

 

I think you are cheating yourself if you book a hotel in the suburbs, etc

 

There are many many super choices in Ft Lauderdale itself, I will try to think up some of my favs, some for couples, some for families, some for party peeps...many choices. Why be stuck in the boring suburbs?? Frankly our suburbs are simply like wherever YOU live in the usa, same chain stores, same fast food, same old same old, a few palm trees, big deal.

 

Ft Lauderdale itself is the BEACH ....Ft Lauderdale is the Intercoastal...water taxi's, waterfront restaurants....Ft Lauderdale is Las Olas Blvd...classy and charming and unique

 

Why settle for McDonalds,Home Depot, Payless Shoes, Tire Kingdom and Chili's??

[Commieri]

I'd love to eat in a non-chain and stay closer to FLL and not the suburbs and look forward to your suggestions. Remember though that most of us don't need or want to spend tons of money for one pre-cruise night hotel. Just need a clean and quiet place to stay that is ( for me anyway) Under $150 night. I can find that rate now, but March is very high so that's why you look out from the city.

[sharecruises]

Ressie Suggestion #1...great for Groups, Family reunion cruisers etc, cc groups

 

 

My fav restaurant to take out of town folks is the Taverna Opa...I have been to both the one in Ft Laud and one in Hollywood..they are both super

 

I went once with my BF and for a couple the food is nice, but this is really much more fun with a group, get the "family style" dinners, they bring out tons of plates of "mezo's"...appetizers...and you each get your own entre..this place is amazing...like being in Greece LOL

 

With a group you can really get into the "OPA" spirit..get up and dancing haha...this would be an excellent choice for Cruise Critic groups to meet and party before they cruise

 

I also like the fact that the food is pretty much different from what you are going to get on your cruise (unless you are cruising to the med haha)

 

http://www.tavernaoparestaurant.com/

[sharecruises]

Good Coupons for mostly beach/downtown/las olas restaurants in the Friday Sun Sentinel Paper in the "entertainment" pullout section

 

*locally, our papers have a "community" section for the various suburbs with more coupons for suburban restaurants

 

There are also many coupon books around the hotels, and we have 2 large "alternative" papers with many ads and coupons..all free...look for the "City Link" and "New Times"...many "newstand" boxes of free papers and free "what to do" mags....

 

This place is really coupon heaven LOL>> and we also still have many "early bird" specials..so if you like bargains, Ft Lauderdale is great

 

There will usually be a coupon and deals for one of my all time fav restaurants...the Downtowner Saloon

 

Downtowner is a MUCH better choice than outback steakhouse or some other chain restaurant..it has charm, it is unique, a historical building, on the water...the food is great, and it has free entertainment, small band or a guy playing guitar usually

 

The prime rib is wonderful. They often have the "all you can eat crab legs"..and that would be my choice. Most cruises do NOT feature crab legs (maybe princess does, but the rest don't)...and this is a great place for crab legs. If you are here on a Sunday they have a wonderful brunch too

 

http://www.downtownersaloon.com/homepage.htm

[sharecruises]

I'd love to eat in a non-chain and stay closer to FLL and not the suburbs and look forward to your suggestions. Remember though that most of us don't need or want to spend tons of money for one pre-cruise night hotel. Just need a clean and quiet place to stay that is ( for me anyway) Under $150 night. I can find that rate now, but March is very high so that's why you look out from the city.

 

Ouch...I feel for you there. March falls into our "high season". Remember that many people think of Ft Laud as a destination/vacation not just an overnight place, and it does offer a lot.

 

You also have to factor in transportation costs. Public transportation is not easy or good here. Taxi's are expensive

 

I guess if you get a suburban place that has free transfers it could be ok, boring but ok.

 

However, some of the locations that people talk about on these boards are downright BAD areas :(

 

Ft Lauderdale is pretty safe I feel, but it is like any big city in the USA. We have homeless people, drug dealers, working "ladies" etc. I don't think some of the locations that people are picking are safe at all..frankly I would not go near them at night.

 

This would be a place where one would want to cash in their Marriot Rewards or whatever "rewards'/freq flier etc club to get a decent hotel room. Maybe priceline etc would be a help. I think Ft Lauderdale is also a city where a mediocre Holiday Inn or whatever in a decent location (ie 17th st Causeway) is a better option than a better brand name in a bad location.

[sharecruises]

These are 2 places I love...and totally different from anything you will have on your cruise

 

If you like Irish food and fun, Guiness, celtic music...and friendly bar, go to Waxy O'Conner on 17th Causeway...walking distance to many of the hotels

Great place, fun, beautiful antiques, pictures and stuff from Ireland

 

another great one is Sally O'Brians at Beachplace...whole bar was imported from Ireland and put together by Irish craftsmen...they have a wonderful house band, Fire in the Kitchen, that is very high energy/fiddle music...think of the music at the party in the Titanic film. Very reasonable prices

 

Both have good food too if you like irish food..at least it is different from what you will have all week on the cruise (*lol..no escargot for sure for sure)

 

Waxy

http://www.waxies.com

 

Sally's

http://www.galleryatbeachplace.com

[sharecruises]

Official site for Ft Laud

 

http://www.sunny.org

 

all the info you need...nice site, they will send you a free Ft Lauderdale vacation planner, usually have coupons and stuff for you

 

Remember that Ft Lauderdale has many free "coupon" books and newspapers, you really should check them out when you get here, always bargains and deals even in high season

 

Here are 2 entertainment "malls" that would be fun for tourists

 

BeachPlace

 

http://www.galleryatbeachplace.com

 

upscale mall...at beach...great irish bar/restaurant

also has Fat Tuesday Bar and Sloppy Joe Bar *a branch of the key west bar

good party place

has Cheeburger Cheeburger restaurant that families might like, they have a HUGE cheeseburger that they take your picture if you can eat it....great for teen boys haha

 

 

 

Riverfront at Las Olas

bigger mall , and tons of cool stuff here...just beautiful

right up from Las Olas which is a destination in itself

 

I like Maya's which is upscale mexican food

and Ugly Tuna has super seafood

 

http://www.riverfrontfl.com/

 

 

Tip: both of these are great places but they are not "practical" sort of malls, ie, you can buy designer sunglasses here or Italian sandals but not Q-Tips or Pampers haha

 

Tip: JMO...avoid Max's here..overpriced and mediocre. This used to be a good restaurant (10 year ago)then they opened others, various names like Cafe Max etc..and they have gone downhill. Yes, they are local but just not good, overpriced too

[Starrluna]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the info. DH and I are staying in Hollywood. How far is the Downtowner? How much would a cab cost?

 

 

Thanks again...

 

Starrluna

[comfortcove]

Hi, We are staying at the Grande Friday night before we depart Saturday. We probably won't get to the hotel until late. Someone recommended Durty Harry's as a good place to get crab legs, decent food and a drink that is within walking distance of the Grande. Are you familiar with it? Also, is there a liquor store nearby to get cokes, water and a bottle or two for the cruise? Thanks alot for any info. I have wondered the same thing about the generic places, I have read so many postings about Outback. We don't care for anything fancy that night, just convenient, tasy and pleasant, we won't be getting to the hotel until 8:30 or so.

[Bequia]

Hi Comfortcove, this may help you get around where your staying:

 

17th Street

Tara Steak & Lobster is right next door to Extended Stay America (which is next door to Holiday Inn Express)... http://www.tarasteakandlobsterhouse.com/

FISH recently opened just east of Tara’s, you just have to try the Chilean Sea Bass, freshest fish in town….[http://www.fish-fl.com/index.htm http://www.fishfl.com/index.htmSoutheast 17th Street Causeway

 

Carlos and Pepe's (Mexican) & Durty Harry's (bar with food) are in the same shopping center as Tara. There's also a small diner in that strip mall.

Einstein Bros. Bagels is across the street from Holiday Inn Express.

 

Bimini Boatyard and Bravo (great Italian restaurant) are both across the street from Holiday Inn Express, and about a block east, opposite the Renaissance Hotel... http://www.bravoitaliano.com/

 

Jack Jackson's new restaurant FISH is across the street from the Renaissance hotel, attached to the Convention Center complex at the entrance to Port Everglades... http://www.fish-fl.com/

 

Chuck's Steakhouse... http://www.chucksflorida.com/

 

And Waxy O'Connors are both across the street from Embassy Suites, a long block west of Holiday Inn Express... http://www.waxys.com/

 

Outback Steakhouse and Del Rio Tex Mex are just west of Embassy Suites, and Quarterdeck is across the street and a block north of Embassy Suites on Cordova Road, just beyond Winn-Dixie... http://www.quarterdeckrestaurant.com/

 

Kelly's Landing is a great New England style seafood place in a strip mall on Cordova Road, across the street from Winn-Dixie.

 

If you want some excellent ice cream, Aspen Ice Cream is in the large yellow strip mall across the street from Tara and Carlos and Pepe's... http://www.aspenicecream.com/

 

There are 3 large strip malls around Holiday Inn Express - More or less across the street, next door, and behind, as well as several smaller ones. There are at least a dozen other small restaurants scattered throughout those strip malls, plus a number of fast food and carry-out places in the area as well... You'll never go hungry along that section of SE 17th Street, there's something for every taste and budget.

 

Those are just the ones that you can easily walk to, if you take the Water Taxi you can easily get to dozens more. The nearest Water Taxi stop is 2 long blocks east, under the SE 17th Street Bridge, in front of the Ft Lauderdale Grande (former Marriott Marina) ... http://www.watertaxi.com/FortLauderdale/FLLHome.Asp

 

Some popular places easily accessible from the Water Taxi are...

 

15th Street Fisheries... http://www.15streetfisheries.com/

 

Jackson's Steakhouse... http://www.jacksonssteakhouse.com/

 

Shirttail Charlie's... http://www.shirttailcharlies.com/

 

Fort Lauderdale Riverhouse... http://www.ftlauderdaleriverhouse.com/

 

Downtowner Saloon... http://www.downtownersaloon.com/

 

Shooter's, and at the same stop Taverna Opa... http://tavernaoparestaurant.com/

 

Charlie's Crab... http://www.muer.com/locations/chcrab...ab-ftlaud.html

 

The many many restaurants and shops along beautiful Las Olas Blvd... http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/

 

And Las Olas Riverfront... http://www.riverfrontfl.com/

__________________

 

[besito20]

Great thread!

 

sharecruises....have you heard of a restaurant called, "Smokey Bones"?

 

We'll be staying at the Sleep Inn in Dania. Is that one of the places that is in a residential area?

[Bequia]

Smoky Bones is a chain restaurant owned by the same group that owns Outback, Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Bahama Breeze. For a chain restaurant it's quite good.

The Sleep Inn in Dania is situated in a nice, safe residential neighborhood. Hollywood Beach is 1.5 miles east of the hotel. It's a gourgeous beach.

[CruisingCatherine]

Okay experts I have a question.

 

My group would like to eat seafood at a nice place on a WaterTaxi stop. Preferrably one that is outside and has alot of atmosphere.

 

We like elegant but not stuffy. Don't mind spending $20-$40 a person.

 

Hit me with your best suggestion.

[Lois R]

Great thread!

 

sharecruises....have you heard of a restaurant called, "Smokey Bones"?

 

We'll be staying at the Sleep Inn in Dania. Is that one of the places that is in a residential area?

 

Smokey Bones is BBQ..we have one here. I agree with

Bequia. For a chain, the BBQ is good:)

 

Then again I live in North Florida...which some folks

still call South Georgia;) which is BIG BIG BBQ Country.

[Lois R]

Okay experts I have a question.

 

My group would like to eat seafood at a nice place on a WaterTaxi stop. Preferrably one that is outside and has alot of atmosphere.

 

We like elegant but not stuffy. Don't mind spending $20-$40 a person.

 

Hit me with your best suggestion.

 

Hi Catherine:) Elegant, but not stuffy and seafood? I would

suggest one of the restaurants on Las Olas Blvd.

Now, they are not on the water, but you take the water

taxi to get there.

Shirttail Charleys is on the water...not elegant though.

15th Street Fisheries is on the water too...I don't consider

it elegant either.

Most of the places on the water taxi route are fun..with

plenty of seafood...but in my opinion, they are not

elegant. Maybe the term means different things to different

people.

You can find places on Las Olas..and most of them

all offer seating outside....on the Blvd.

And there are all different types of food...from Crepes to

Burgers to SEAFOOD:)

And they also (most of them) have their menus in the window

or on a stand..so you can see the prices and the food offered.

Oh, you will find them in your price range too!

 

Hope this helps a bit:)

[besito20]

Thanks for the feedback Bequia & Lois...

 

one more question if you guys don't mind.

 

 

Are there any good Cuban restaurants in the FLL area?

[Lois R]

Thanks for the feedback Bequia & Lois...

 

one more question if you guys don't mind.

 

 

Are there any good Cuban restaurants in the FLL area?

 

I can't help you with that one...I do know down in South

Miami you can get some wonderful authentic stuff....that

would be quite a drive though.

 

Hopefully Bequia and/or sharecruises can give you some

better feedback:)

[TenerifeSharon]

What a great thread -- and all the suggestions are super!

 

We're going to be staying in Weston for the week before our cruise (TA on Millennium from Ft. L. to Southampton on March 18) - got a condo certificate for Vacation Village at Bonaventure through skyauction.com We have a bunch of restaurant.com certificates that we'd like to use during our time there (they were nice enough to extend the validity period since we didn't make it to the US this year). Is anyone (Cheri & Bequia or other FLL experts) familiar with any of the restaurants listed for the Ft. Lauderdale area on restaurant.com? Or would anyone be willing to have a quick look at the list for Ft. Lauderdale at restaurant.com and make a few suggestions for us?

Many thanks.

[Bequia]

Okay experts I have a question.

 

My group would like to eat seafood at a nice place on a WaterTaxi stop. Preferrably one that is outside and has alot of atmosphere.

 

We like elegant but not stuffy. Don't mind spending $20-$40 a person.

 

Hit me with your best suggestion.

 

Both Grille 66 at the Hyatt, Indigo at the Riverside Hotel are on the water taxi route and both serve up excellent seafood dishes.

[Bequia]

;)

Is anyone (Cheri & Bequia or other FLL experts) familiar with any of the restaurants listed for the Ft. Lauderdale area on restaurant.com?

 

I'd highly recommend Eduardo de San Angel, 2822 East Commercial Blvd

Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I can't believe it's offered. It is truly an extraordinary restaurant . If you can get reservations go for it.

//////////////////

[TenerifeSharon]

Thanks, Bequia, I had a feeling you'd be able to help out. This is just the kind of recommendation I was hoping for. If you spot anything else, please mention it here.

[whdigital]

Great info here... thanks! Can anyone tell me about the Sheraton Bal Harbour south of FL? We will be flying in to FLL in 2 weeks early on Saturday and cruising out of Miami actually, but I can get Sheraton at ridiculous "family of corporate employee" rates. It looks like a nice resort atmosphere prior to get us in full swing for the cruise. Any Sat. night dining recommendations for there??

[Lois R]

Both Grille 66 at the Hyatt, Indigo at the Riverside Hotel are on the water taxi route and both serve up excellent seafood dishes.

 

Bequia, thanks for jogging my memory:D I was trying to

think of the name of the one at the Riverside!

Catherine, I 2nd that suggestion...Indigo:)

[selltile]

We are at the Westin Fort LAuderdale on Xmas eve with our family of adults.Do you know any great places around there.. after a weeks cruise we are probably on a crab legs and fun trip rather than a really elegant night out.Any suggestions would be most appreciated

[sharecruises]

Thanks for the feedback Bequia & Lois...

 

one more question if you guys don't mind.

 

 

Are there any good Cuban restaurants in the FLL area?

 

I would suggest Padrinos...

 

http://www.padrinos.com/index.html

 

they just opened a location in fort lauderdale on commerical blvd. should be easy to drive to or not out of reach by taxi,

 

For those in the suburbs of Plantation, I would suggest the plantation branch of Padrino's....it is in a shopping center, the Fountains and is behind the chain stuff like olive garden and chill's...

Padrino's is so much better

I have not been to the downtown Ft Laud branch, but the Plantation location is lovely, tropical plants inside, soft colors, it looks like "old cuba" and has many photo's of old cuba on the walls, food is wonderful

sometimes they have a guitarist....on weekends i think??

 

There is a new place on Las Olas called "Samba Room" which seems popular and looks trendy, Cuban/Latin food, drinks, mojitos LOL

Great decor and atmosphere, music

I have not eaten there but did pass by and sneak a peek when I was down on Las Olas...looks like fun

 

http://www.sambaroom.net/

 

Las Olas is just wonderful! I think Samba would be good for couples, adults, groups...and Padrinos good for all, including if you have the kids along

 

We have more good cuban restaurants out west, the Las Vegas group, and the Villa's group ...but these are more in the suburbs or else in "not great at night" places...

For those who have booked Plantation hotels already I really really would suggest Padrino's in Plantation...just think , you will get something different from the week's cruise food, a nice atmosphere and probably something you do not have at home, everyplace in the usa has chilli's and outback and tgif LOL